Pride Month 2021 in Connecticut – Festivities & Events for the LGBTQ+ Community and Allies

June 2, 2021 1:46 pm

Pride Month is held every June, around the world, to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ+ community. With parades and events happening across Connecticut all month long, there’s plenty of ways to get involved.

Grab the rainbow flags and get ready to be your true self during this Pride Month. 

History of Pride Month

On the night of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City. Following the raid, a series of riots and demonstrations broke out that called for the establishment of places that LGBTQ+ people could go to and be open about their sexual orientation, without fear of arrest. These riots became the catalyst for the rights of the LGBT community to marry, to fight discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes. 

The following year, the “Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade” was organized on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This eventually turned into what we now know as the New York City Pride Parade. June became Pride Month to honor and pay tribute to those involved in the riots and to continue the tradition of raising awareness and encouraging inclusiveness of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. 

Celebrate Pride Month in Connecticut

After the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in-person gatherings and events are scheduled to return this June for Pride Month 2021. 

Here are some of the events and destinations to visit in Connecticut.

Yard Goats Baseball at Dunkin’ Donuts Park – Hartford

June 4, 2021

Kick off the month of June with Pride Night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park when the Yard Goats host the Baltimore Orioles affiliate the Bowie Baysox. Fans will receive a pride wristband to show their support and get a chance to see special Pride Jerseys worn on the field. 

West Hartford Pride 2021 – West Hartford

Events Throughout June, Main Event June 26th, 2021

The second annual West Hartford Pride celebration is scheduled to take place throughout the entire month of June, starting with a Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford Center on June 1st. West Hartford Pride will include a mix of online and in-person events, including a day-long event on Isham Street in Blue Back Square on Saturday, June 26th.

34th Annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival – Hartford

June 4 – 13, 2021

The festival will consist of 14 feature films, 3 documentaries, 83 short films, and so much more. The hybrid festival this year will be comprised of both in-person screenings at Cinestudio in Hartford, as well as virtual screenings through an online festival platform. Come support the creativity of filmmakers in support of inclusivity and tolerance.

Westport Pride Month – Westport

June 2 – 30, 2021

Westport Pride, a CT-based organization, is hosting virtual and in-person events throughout June to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ residents, issues, and concerns. Some of the celebrations include a panel discussion hosted by LGBTQ+ activist, soccer coach, and educator Dan Woog, and Westport’s first-ever Pride Rally on Jesup Green.  

Let’s Go Birding Together! A Pride Month Birding Celebration – Greenwich

June 5, 2021, 10 am – 12 pm

In honor of Pride Month, Greenwich Audubon center is hosting a special birding tour and celebration of diversity and inclusion of both birds and people. Walk through the fields, orchards, and woods to learn about the colorful birds that call Audubon Greenwich home. The program is free, but space is limited. Register today for your spot!

Celebrate Pride at Delamar

As in the past, Delamar is pleased to be a part of the Pride month of celebrations. We invite you to enjoy a relaxing getaway to West Hartford with a higher purpose with our True Colors Package. In support of the LGBTQ community in Connecticut and nationwide, Delamar is donating 10% of every package booked to True Colors, Inc., a Hartford-based, non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of sexual and gender-minority youth, and a producer of the largest LGBTQ youth conference in the country.