Peekskill Pride Announces June Pride Month Celebration Events

Peekskill Pride organizers are planning five virtual events and two signature in-person events to celebrate Pride Month in Peekskill, NY. A city-wide art initiative, ART OUT LOUD, and Family
PRIDE In The Park, an afternoon of free fun activities, are being presented by Peekskill Pride in June.

“Our goal this year is to encourage the community to get OUT and safely enjoy in-person events again. While COVID brought us health challenges like we have never seen before, it's time to appreciate the outdoors again, breathe some fresh air, support our businesses and socialize with our families and friends as we continue our mission of working to further inclusion, diversity, and pride,” said Brian Fassett, President and Founding Member of Peekskill Pride.

The Peekskill-based events are already underway with the opening of ART OUT LOUD, presented by Peekskill Pride in Collaboration with Sun River Health, Peekskill Arts Alliance and sponsoring partners. The Jeannette J. Phillips Atrium Gallery at Sun River Health, 1037 Main Street, and H-Art Gallery, One South Division Street, Second Floor, both in downtown Peekskill, NY, are showing works of art that visually explore, investigate, and examine the diversity of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer experiences. See all locations and open gallery times at www.peekskillpride.org. The artwork will be on display until July 27, 2021.

Peekskill Pride will present “Family Pride in the Park” on Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 1pm to 5pm at Pugsley Park in Downtown Peekskill, across from Sun River Health at 1037 Main Street. The event is free and open to the public and attendees are encouraged to pack a lunch or order take-out from downtown restaurants to picnic in the park. Activities include Drag Queen storytime, spoken word, drag performances, live music, health and wellness information, COVID vaccine clinic, and craft activities for children. Dress up and be sure to bring your cat, dog, turtle, or rabbit and have your pet's photo taken to be included in the pet photo contest. Registration information for the craft activity and the pet photo contest can be found at www.peekskillpride.org.

This year's virtual events will focus on healthy living with “Sexual Health: Reduce the Risks” being presented on Tuesday, June 17 from 6pm – 7:30pm. Sun River Health PrEP Dept and MAT Team will present a discussion about Sexual Health among the LGBTQ+ Community with a focus on ChemSex, Crystal Meth, and how PrEP for HIV Prevention can help reduce risks. This virtual event is presented by Sun River Health in collaboration with Peekskill Pride.

On Tuesday, June 22 from 1pm-1:45pm, “A Community Conversation & Healthy Recipes” will be presented by New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital in Collaboration with Peekskill Pride. Michael Sellers, owner of Journeyman Bakery in Peekskill, will describe his personal journey as a gay man and how his own bakery plays an important role in fostering a strong sense of community. Sellers will share healthy recipes alongside Chef Emilie Berner. Angela Gonzalez-Perez, MPA, Vice President, Operations, New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, will provide welcoming remarks.

On Thursday, June 24 at 7pm-7:45pm, “LGBTQ+ & Mental Health: What You Should Know,” will be presented by New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital in Collaboration with Peekskill Pride. Participants will gain a better understanding of mental health and wellness for the LGBTQ+ community by learning how to identify and address challenges and support loved ones.

The last virtual event will be held on Tuesday, June 29 from 7pm–7:30pm and will focus on “Vaccine Hesitancy: What You Still Need to Know,” and will be presented by New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital in Collaboration with Peekskill Pride. Find out what you still need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine and how to engage in the community as vaccinations increase and safety protocols change.

For further information or to register for any of the virtual events, visit the events tab at www.peekskillpride.org.

About Peekskill Pride: A group of LGBTQIA+ Peekskill residents formed Peekskill Pride, a community-minded social support network in 2016, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Its mission is to foster safe, healthy, and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals of all ages, as well as their allies and families by working to further the foundation for inclusion, diversity, and pride through education, advocacy, and celebration. For more information, like Peekskill Pride on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pridepeekskill or visit www.peekskillpride.org.