How To Celebrate Pride Month In Bucks County

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Every June, LGBTQ+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves.

While most in-person Pride events were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parades and other celebrations are returning this month to Doylestown, New Hope and other communities in Bucks County.

On June 2, representatives from The Rainbow Room joined Bucks County Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie, Projects and Diversity Officer Bernard Griggs and numerous other county officials for a ceremonial raising of the rainbow Pride flag, which will be displayed through the month of June.

Whether you identify as LGBTQ or an LGBTQ ally, here's where you can celebrate Pride Month in Bucks County.

Attend Doylestown's second annual PRIDE Festival

Doylestown welcomes the return of its Pride Festival on Sunday, June 13 through Saturday, June 19. The event will feature a series of outdoor film screenings, Pride Music Day, and various pop-up events and celebrations throughout the community.

On Saturday, June 12, at 2 p.m., local author Philip William Stover will be available for a meet-and-greet at the Doylestown Historical Society. Books will be available for purchase. Tickets available here.

On Sunday, June 13, Genevieve's Kitchen hosts a Drag Brunch with Ginger Alley & Her Girlfriends. There are two seatings available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.

From 2-4 p.m., a Children's Pride Concert will be held on the lawn of the Bucks County Administration Building at 55 E. Court St. Be sure to bring blankets and chairs. There will also be bubbles, crafts and goodies.

At 7 p.m., Chapman Park hosts a film screening of "Gay Chorus Deep South". Tickets are available online only through the County Theater's website.

On Wednesday, June 16, the Rainbow Room hosts the Queer Youth Open Mic night from 6-8 p.m. Brings blankets and chairs.

On Thursday, June 17, at 7 p.m., Salem Church hosts a virtual Social Justice Series. Stonewall pioneer Mark Segal will discuss Gay Pride. More info available here.

On Friday, June 18, at 7 p.m., Chapman Park hosts a film screening of "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert". Tickets are available online only through the County Theater's website.

On Saturday, June 19, from 1-5 p.m., Pine Street between Oakland and Ashland streets will host a Pride Music Party. More info available here.

2021 Pride Tea Dance at River House

A Sunday Funday with "unparalleled views", this LGBTQIA+ party at the River House at Odette's in New Hope is inclusive for everyone ages 21 and up. Event runs from 4-7 p .m. on Sunday, June 13. Tickets available here.

Support Pride In Newtown

While there is no Pride Festival in Newtown, those in the LGBTQ community and their allies are planning to gather at the intersection Sycamore and Washington streets on Sunday, June 13, at 10 a.m., in celebration of Pride Month. Face masks are required. For more information, call 215-281-8487.

Why we celebrate Pride Month

Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.

The 1969 police raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York, which triggered riots for about three days in the city's Greenwich Village, became a catalyst for the gay rights movement.

A year after the Stonewall riots, the nation's first Gay Pride marches were held. Most Pride events take place each year in June, although some cities hold their celebrations at other times of the year.

Pride events are geared toward anyone who feels like their sexual identity falls outside the mainstream — although many straight people (allies) join in, too.

Do you know about a Pride 2021 event taking place in June? If you don't see the event on our list, send your news tip to Peter Blanchard at peter.blanchard@patch.com.