Since the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, June has been a month of protest, celebration, and reflection for LGBTQIA+ Americans. While there have been numerous victories in achieving LGBTQIA+ equality since Stonewall, such as Obergefell v. Hodges or the Respect for Marriage Act (2022), there has also been a national regression of these rights and freedoms. Florida has been the national epicenter of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, especially since the destructive 2022 legislation session with the passage of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the transgender bathroom ban among several other bigoted laws that target access to health care for the LGBTQ+ community. Multiple regressive, anti-LGBTQIA bills attempted to be passed this past session too. HB 1639, known as the Trans Erasure Bill, would have denied transgender individuals the ability to have their correct gender on their licenses or IDs. In addition, this bill would’ve required health plans to cover conversion therapy, a practice that has been repeatedly condemned by medical professionals, and increase barriers to gender-affirming care.
Floridians fought back hard against dangerous legislation this past session, leading to all anti-LGBTQIA bills in 2024 not passing. We recognize and celebrate these local voices fighting for these victories and will keep advocating for the health and safety of our entire community.
Today, supporting our LGBTQIA+ communities, friends, neighbors, and family is more important than ever. Many organizations, groups, and people lead with love to create an environment for our LGBTQIA+ community to thrive. Here are some community events to mark Pride and support these phenomenal organizations.
- Drag Brunch – Celebrating Pride: Every Sunday in June 2024 at 3:00 PM at The Garden Bistro, located at 712 E. Washington Street Orlando, FL 32801
- Crochet a Pride Plant Cozy: June 5th, 2024 from 10:00 AM-11:30 AM, virtual through the Online Fiber Arts Classroom
- Create Your Own Pride Resin Pocket Hug: June 6th, 2024 from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM in the Orlando Public Library Albertson Room, located at 101 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
- Art With Purpose: June 7th, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 PM in the Orlando Museum of Art
- First Friday: Bridge For Freedom Carnival: June 7th, 2024 from 6:30PM-9:30PM at the Consulate of Mexico located at 2550 Technology Drive, Orlando, FL 32804
- 8th Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run: June 8th, 2024, from 7:00 AM-10:30 AM moving from Wadeview Park to Orlando City Hall Plaza, with the meeting point located at 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
- The Pendulum of Pride: A History of LGBTQ Resilience in Florida: June 9th, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM in the Orange County Regional History Center located at 65 East Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32801
- Peace by Piece: June 9th, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Dr. Phillips Center, located at 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
- Orlando Gay Chorus Library Performance: June 9th, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Melrose Center Performance Space, located at 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
- A Lotta Night Music – A Cabaret: June 9th, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Timucua Arts Foundation, located at 2000 S. Summerlin Ave., Orlando, FL 32806
- Prayer Ribbons Memorial Exhibition: June 10th-16th, 2024 from 8:00 PM-5:00 PM each day in the Orlando City Hall, located at 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL, 32801
- 49 Bells Ceremony: June 12th, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, located at 142 East Jackson Street, Orlando, FL 32801
- Pulse Remembrance Ceremony: June 12th, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Dr. Phillips Center, located at 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
- Pride Tea Party: June 13th, 2024 from 5:30 PM-6:30 PM in Meeting Room 1 of the South Creek Branch Library, located at 1702 Deerfield Blvd, Orlando, FL 32837
- Zebra Youth Pride Prom Masquerade: June 14th, 2024 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM for ages 13-17, and 9:00 PM-11:00 PM for ages 18-24, at The Plaza Live, located at 425 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
- Trans is Magic! 2024 Debrief: June 15th 2024 at 12:00 PM in the LGBT+ Center Orlando, located at 942 N Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
- Watermark’s Third Thursday Social: June 20th, 2024 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM in the LGBT+ Center Orlando, located at 942 N Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
- The Pride Bar Crawl: June 22nd, 2024 from 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM meeting at the Underground Public House, located at 19 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
- Speak from the Heart – A Celebration of Pride: June 24th, 2024 from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Winter Park Library, located at 1052 W. Morse Blvd. Winter Park, FL 32789
- Celebrate Pride Embroidery: June 27th, 2024 from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM in Meeting Room 2 of the South Trail Branch Library, located at 4600 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32839
- Orlando Out Fest: June 27th-30th, 2024 at the Fringe Artspace, located at 54 W Church St Suite 201, Orlando, FL 32801
- LGBTQ+ Pride Sunset at the Zoo: June 28th, 2024 from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, located at 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771
- Speak With Pride/Paint With Pride: June 29th, 2024 from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM at the Deer Creek Village Clubhouse, located at 5481 Deer Creek Drive, Orlando, FL 32821