Pride Month Events 2023
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months. National Coming Out Day (October 11), as well as the first “March on Washington” in 1979, are commemorated in the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.
Download a pdf of this calendar: Pride Month events 2023
Remember that, while we have curated this list to things that happen in June, many of these events and organizations are active throughout the year.
Consider checking out national or local organizations. We have listed a few to get started:
–Kansas City Center for Inclusion
–LGBT Chamber of Commerce
– KC Pride Alliance
–LGBTQ+ Initiatives in KCMO
Queer Experience Free June- July
“This show invites artists, musicians, and storytellers in the LGBTQIA community to tell their stories and share their experiences with the world. There are many ways to engage with one’s queerness , be it through direct discussion, visual representation, or just by living and observing. Through visual and performance art, music, and spoken word, these artists do just that. “
Needle in a Gay Stack free June 23
“Join queer friends and allies of all ages for hanging out and working on our projects, whether you’re a knitter or a quilter or simply want to draw in your sketchbook.”
Illusions Drag Queen Show $10 June 2
“This show is the perfect combination of spectacular burlesque style and comedy performances by the industry’s best celebrity impersonators and the funniest Kansas City drag queen hosts you’ll ever have the pleasure of encountering. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Liza Minelli, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Rihanna, Brittny Speers, Adele, Amy Winehouse and so many more! ”
Body Language Free June 17
” Comedians provide the jokes and when the audience gives a big laugh the comedians will shed their clothes. Pair that with two of the best draglesque performances you’ll find and it’s easy to see why this high energy showcase is unlike any other show you will catch around town. Watch with your friends and bring some cash to tip your performers!”
Queer Movie Nights Free Mondays
“KCCI is hosting a night every week for all Queer people to unwind and watch a movie! Join us every Monday from 6pm-8pm for a new LGBTQ+ centered movies. We’d love for you to join!”
Trixie Mattel at KC Live $25+ June 3
” Trixie Mattel is a drag performer, author, and recording artist best known for competing in the 7th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the winner of season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars..”
No Place like Home: The struggle against Hate in Kansas Free June 11 & 13
“Directed by Oscar winner Kevin Willmott and narrated by Melissa Etheridge, this 60 minute documentary takes you on a tour of a deep red state, to meet people who have found themselves in a battle for LGBTQ rights in the most unlikely places. In Trego County, Manhattan, Dodge City, Wichita, Topeka and several rural communities, you’ll meet some of the people C.J. Janovy profiles in her book No Place Like Home: Lessons in Activism from LGBT Kansas as well as emerging activists—ordinary people doing extraordinary things, all because they’re committed to securing justice for everyone in their home state.”
WomonTown, KC Free June 15
“Artist Sandy Woodson will screen her 30 minute documentary “Womontown” followed by a 30 minute audience Q&A. The documentary first aired in March 2022 and tells the story of an intentional lesbian community that existed in midtown Kansas City in the early 1990s.”
LGBTQ+ Film Festival Donation June 17
“Kansas City Library – Come celebrate Pride Month at the West Wyandotte Public Library with our first annual LGBTQ+ film festival. We will be watching three films: Moonlight (2016) , But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) , The Birdcage (1996) . Feel free to pop in for your favorite movie or stay for the entire show! Snacks, refreshments, and other goodies will be provided.”
Queer Narratives Festival Free Aug 4-5
“The Queer Narratives Festival presents the highest quality LGBTQ+ performing artists in Kansas City. Known for its celebratory and inclusive energy, the Queer Narratives Festival features artists at all stages in their arts practice and represents all artistic mediums and queer identities. “
“There is power in celebrating our authentic selves. There is power in honoring gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and who and how we love. There is power in seeing ourselves reflected in LGBTQIA+ culture and knowing we are seen and valued. “
Grand Opening {B/qKC} Free June 2
“Black/queer Kansas City {B/qKC} is a historical anthology, digital archive and moving exhibit educating the Kansas City community on the contributions of local Black LGBTQIA2S+ community members–in turn, liberating their histories from racism and homophobia-fueled erasure. This project features the first (well-documented) Black Drag Queens of Kansas City, a 90’s Gay and Lesbian Variety Show featuring Lea Hopkins, and an organization fighting racism amidst gay men. “
ASL Club Free Every Other Friday
“For anyone who is learning ASL, this is a chance to practice together. RJ (Deaf board member at KCCI) will lead us in a quick review or lesson, and then we break into small conversation groups. Voices are off so we can be completely immersed in the language. Deaf, HOH, and hearing folks are welcome. LGBTQ+ led and focused, but allies are welcome too.”
History of LGBTQ in KC Free
“Information on the history of LGBTQIA+ community in Kansas City (link).”
Out with the Current $10+ June 3
“OUT with the Current Pride Night 2023 is not just a soccer game, it’s an opportunity to: Celebrate diversity and inclusivity, support the LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, have fun with friends and family and, of course, watch the Current play against a rival team. “
Lawrence Pride Parade Free June 3
“Let us come together to embrace diversity, promote inclusion, and show our support for the LGBTQ+ community. The parade promises to be a joyous and colorful event that showcases the values of equality and acceptance that we hold dear.”
KC Rainbow Tour Launch Party Free June 3
“Ready for the big launch? It’s all happening on June 3 at the Kansas City Museum. A celebration on the lawn that includes DJ Sir Queen spinning classic disco, special guests, historic exhibits, access to the museum, and many other surprises!”
KC Pride Fest Free June 9-11
“Kansas City PrideFest is an LGBTQ+ festival featuring a main stage with local acts, national recording artists, vendors, food trucks, family activities, and more. The festival will take place from Friday, June 9th through Sunday, June 11th at Theis Park. All ages are welcome. Sunday is focused on family friendly entertainment and activities. “
KC Pride Parade Free June 10
Big Disco Energy $13+ June 10
“The Queer House Collective presents: BIG DISCO ENERGY! You’re invited to a night of dancing, lounging, and feeling fine at one of KC’s grooviest spots for music, The Ship, in celebration of KC Pride weekend!”
Out with the Royals $10+ June 16
” Celebrate diversity and inclusivity, support the LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues, have fun with friends and family and, of course, watch the Royals play against a rival team. This event is open to everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Bring your friends, family, and allies and show your support for equality.”
Pride on Vine Free June 23-24
“Its our 3rd Annual celebration to acknowledge integral cultural concept within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI) community! Concerts! Vendors! Food! Indoor and outside this year! Sunday Gala & Awards Show Live Music… much more…”
Paws & Pride at Bar K Free Oct 11
“Come grab a drink and watch some drag stars as we twirl in the queerest way at Bar K. This month we are celebrating National Coming Out Day with our furry friends at the Bar K Dog Bar with an energetic cast! “
- Chella Man @Chellaman
- Jessie and Claud @Jessieandclaud
- Aaron Rose Philip @aaron_philip
- Andrew Gurza @itsgurza
Education
- Devin Norelle @steroidbeyonce
- Munroe Bergdorf @munrosebergdorf
- Indya Moore @indyamoore
- Liz Kleinrock @teachandtransform
- Pinar Sinoloulos-Lloyd @QueerQuechua
News
- V Spehar @Underthedesknews
- LGBTQ New Media @NewMediaLGBT
- The Advocate @theadvocatemag
- LGBTQ Nation @lgbtqnation
- Out @Outmagazine
Wellness
- Kenny Ethan Jones @KennyEthanJones
- Hannah Hart @Harto
- Anna Zoe @AnnaZoeQuirke
- Alok Vaid-Menon @AlokVMenon
Fun
- Alexander Joe @alexbegs
- Doug and Sanjay @thetravellinggays
- Calle and Poche @Calleypoche
- Pattie Gonia @pattiegonia
- Lindsay Cale @Lindscale
Food
- Bailey Mills @Gayglobetrotter
- Garrett Michael McCord @VanillaGarlic
- Sarah Brown @QueerVeganFood
- Irvin Lin @EatTheLove
“Book discussions in partnership between KCCI and the KC Public Library every third Tuesday via virtual meetings on Zoom. Books are selected by participants each month and chosen in effort to represent and highlight all racial, gender and sexual identities. “
Pride Month Book Club Free June 2
“Celebrate Pride Month by reading Queer by Kathy Belge and Marke Bieschke, a guide to living life as an LGBTQ+ teen. This books contains sections on deciding if you’re queer, how to come out, how to find other queer people to build your community, and more. This program is open to teens of any identity as LGBTQ+ or ally. “
KCKPL Celebrates: Pride Month Buttons Free June 1-18
“Make a button to show your support for the LGBTQ + Community! You can choose from a pre-made design or create your own. Ages 19 and under are welcome to participate.”
Come As You Are Free June 3
“Join us for an afternoon of performances, visual art installations, outdoor activities and more! Bring the whole family and enjoy this art-filled event that shares stories of bravery and vulnerability. This year, Come As You Are aims to create a concert experience that is accessible to people with physical, hearing, vision, cognitive and psychological disabilities. Additionally, this year’s focus includes the whole family and particularly for children with disabilities. “
Disney Pride in Concert $33+ June 17-18
“This first-of-its-kind, family friendly show will draw inspiration from iconic Disney films. HMCKC’s 125-member chorus, a 25-piece orchestra performing enchanting new musical arrangements all accompanied by animation from Disney and Pixar films! Using our mission and vision as a guide, personal stories from an array of chorus members showcase the individual meaning and connections drawn from Disney’s timeless and universal music for all people! “
Mid America Freedom Band
“The Mid America Freedom Band provides a safe space for instrumental performance opportunities, outreach, and social advocacy for music enthusiasts within the LGBTQ+ and ally spectrum of the Kansas City area to create an inclusive community that fosters and celebrates diversity.”
The Tenth Voice
“The Tenth Voice is the Kansas City area’s only weekly broadcast created by and for LGBTQIA+ people in our community in the Greater Kansas City area and around the world online. Listeners can tune in each Saturday at 1:00 PM. Each week our team of hosts and producers present interviews, information, music, news and features especially important to Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, Transgender & Nonbinary people, Queer, Intersex, Asexual & Aromantic people and Allied collective communities. Since 1989, The Tenth Voice radio show has documented and informed the LGBTQIA+ Kansas City Community.”
Queer as Fact
“Queer as Fact is an excellent introduction to queer history all over the world. Each episode explores a different person, event, piece of art, or movement important to queer history. This podcast covers an incredible range of eras, places, and topics, from Beki, the queer language of the Philippines, to the history of asexuality in the United States. “
Making Gay History, hosted by : Eric Marcus
“Eric Marcus shares intimate, moving conversations from his extensive archive of oral interviews, conducted over several decades. These conversations with queer luminaries such as Sylvia Rivera, Frank Kameny, and Harry Hay are not just insightful and engaging—they provide crucial context for the LGBTQIA+ movements and communities of today. “
Keeping it Queer, hosted by: Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria
“Hosts Navin Noronha and Farhad Karkaria look at the world through a queer lens, discussing everything from pop culture and politics to sex and relationships. Each themed episode focuses on a different topic—asexuality, finances, celebrity crushes, and mythology among them. Whatever they’re discussing, Noronha and Karkaria make sure to queer the conversation. “
EDUCATION
Gender Stories, hosted by: Alex Iantaffi
“Whether we realize it or not, everyone has a relationship with gender. In this podcast, transmasculine nonbinary writer and therapist Alex digs into those fascinating, complicated, and varied understandings of who we are. Alongside a series of guests across the gender spectrum, Iantaffi reflects on all the ways that gender affects lives, from parenting to spirituality. No matter where you are on your gender journey, Gender Stories is here to help you think about gender in new ways. “
Gender Reveal, hosted by: Tuck Woodstock
“Host Tuck Woodstock talks to trans and nonbinary folks from all walks of life about their personal journeys, day-to-day lives, work, and identities.The podcast also includes answers to questions listeners send in and discussions of current events and politics. “
Miss Mouthy, hosted by: Raquelle Trammell
“This podcast is dedicated to celebrating the stories and lived experiences of trans women of color in the city of Detroit. Each week, listen to discussions about dating, mental health, grief, politics, fashion, career, music, pronouns, racism, activism, sex work, and more—absolutely nothing is off-limits. While the show makes space for trans women to openly discuss their struggles, these moving conversations are grounded in joy, love, and a whole lot of pride. “
LGBTQ&A, hosted by: The Advocate, GLAAD, Jeffrey Masters
“LGBTQ&A features bite-sized convos with the most interesting LGBTQ+ people in the world.”
Disability after Dark, hosted by: Andrew Gurza
“This LGBTQ podcast makes unflinching interrogations into ableism with a variety of queer guests, from trans teens to drag performers and more.”
All my Relations, hosted by: Matika Wilbur, Adrienne Keene, & Desi Small Rodriguez
“This political podcast explores relationships in their most expansive meanings. From interpersonal to environmental, the Indigenous perspectives challenge heteronormative and even typical queer notions of belonging and connection. All My Relations covers topics that matter to Native people today. “
Fun
Gay Therapy LA, hosted by: Ken Howard
“This podcast provides help for gay men to achieve their optimum quality of life in both their personal lives and careers. While a podcast cannot substitute therapy, this show is still invaluable! It provides education and reflects the work done at GayTherapyLA with clients, daily. From dating, mental health to religion, Ken covers it all.”
Pynk Spots, hosted by: Nic
“Through the Pynk Spots podcast, host Nic addresses queer intersections with anti-capitalism and neurodivergence. With a clear point of view, the podcast offers important discussions on how to live authentically in the face of societal norms, covering everything from the pandemic’s ongoing effect on queer people’s bodies to the complex relationship dynamics (like jealousy and resentment) that occur in both romance and families. “
2Queer Arabz, hosted by: Aisha Mershani and Jude Tarabulsi
“This podcast explores unexpected intersections of queer, Arab, and politically minded communities. Through interviews with various artists, 2 Queer Arabz covers topics from sex work to gender affirmation surgery and trauma to anti-Zionism with depth and curiosity. “
2 Bi Guys, hosted by: Alex Boyd and Robert Cohen
“Two Bi Guys podcast is hosted bytwo bisexual guys. The podcast discusses fluid sexuality, gender, masculinity/femininity, relationships, intimacy, and more. “
Las Culturistas, hosted by: Matt Roger and Bowen Yang
“Pop culture consultants (or, ‘culturistas’) who have the pulse on culture the way a cardiogram does on a heartbeat. Each week, they dive deeeeep into the current cultural happenings. Some weeks that means talking trash about the Vanderpump Rules girlies, while other weeks that means unpacking Oscar nominations.”
Getting Curious, hosted by: Jonathan Van Ness
“In each week’s 60(ish)-minute episode, the bearded do-gooder does a deep dive on the questions you’ve both thought—and haven’t thought—to ask. For instance: Why is the Titanic so iconic?, How smart is AI, really? Why do humans go nutzo over dogs?”
At this point in time, dozens of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation has been introduced all around the country, most of them being incredible restrictive. Please use this page if you are unaware of the recent headlines, and please avoid this page if you are not in a place to receive the information. We have listed contact for the Trevor Project if you are in need of someone to talk to. We also encourage you to use our EAP resources.
Resources: When you need to talk to someone
The Trevor Project
A Hotline for LGBTQIA+ individuals – Text or Call
Crisis Hotline
988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
EAP – part of your JCCC benefits, this service connects you to in-the-moment support.
News: What’s happening
State Legislation about LGBTQIA community
Record # of Anti LGBTQIA bills introduced
I’d Like to Help/ Educate Myself