How To Celebrate Pride Month 2021 In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — June marks Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month, and the month-long celebration will be celebrated with various activities in Alexandria.

Pride Month spotlights LGBTQ+ people, their influence, and challenges they face. June was chosen in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, when police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The raid led to a riot among patrons and local residents and days of protests and violent clashes with police. The Stonewall Riots ultimately sparked a gay rights movement nationally and globally.

Alexandria has taken steps to be a LGBTQ+ friendly community. In 2020, the city achieved a perfect score for the first time on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index, which measures how the city protects and includes LGBTQ+ residents.

In June, Mayor Justin Wilson and City Council members will present a Pride Month Proclamation to open a workshop on how the legal landscape is changing for LGBTQ+ Virginians. Pride flags will also be displayed at Market Square outside City Hall throughout June. The Progress Pride Flag replaces the Rainbow Pride Flag to include black, indigenous, and people of color transgender and nonbinary communities.

Below are the events coming up in recognition of Pride Month 2021 in Alexandria.

Celebrate Alexandria Pride Workshops: June 3 to 5, 2021

Admission: Free, but registration required

The Alexandria LGBTQ Task Force and Alexandria Library will host Celebrate Alexandria Pride Workshops virtually on June 3 through 5. Twelve workshops will be offered over three days, including creative and educational offerings. The presenters and facilitators come from the Alexandria LGBTQ Task Force, Alexandria Library, Safe Space NOVA, Center for Black Equity, Heard Program, Virginia Anti-Violence Project, Drag Queen Story Hour, Equality Virginia, Impacto LGBT, Visit Alexandria and more.

Safe Space NOVA Fundraiser with Elizabeth’s Counter: Throughout June

804 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Safe Space NOVA is partnering with Elizabeth’s Counter in Alexandria City for a pride month fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds received from rainbow doughnut sales will be donated to Safe Space NOVA.

June Pride Month Sweets & Sips at Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap: Throughout June

401 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22301

To celebrate Pride Month, Lena's created two specialty menu offerings: Pride Passion (vanilla cake, mango mousse, and passionfruit mousse cake) and Sweet & Spicy Slay cocktail (tequila, lime juice, calabrese syrup, grapefruit bitters, and San Pellegrino Pompelmo). For each one ordered, $1 will be donated to Safe Space NOVA.

Drag Queen Storytime with Citrine: June 5, 10 a.m.

Admission: Free, but registration required

Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Enjoy songs and stories for kids ages 3 to 8. View other events part of Celebrate Alexandria Pride and register at alexandriava.gov/LGBTQ.

Virtual Lyles Crouch Elementary School PTA Meeting - LGBTQ Inclusion: June 9, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This PTA meeting will be focused on LGBTQIS inclusion, particularly for children who identify as LGBTQ+ at a younger age.

Virtual lecture: Mapping the Gay Guides: Understanding Queer Spaces in Pre- & Post-Stonewall America: June 10, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission: $6

Dr. Eric Gonzaba will discuss a digital project aiming to understand often-ignored queer geographies. The online mapping project looks at different aspects of American gay life through time, from bars and nightlife, bookstores, cinemas and churches.

The Late Shift: ALX Pride at Torpedo Factory Art Center: June 11, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission: Free

Virtual and in-person outside the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314

In-person programs at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and virtual programs will be offered to celebrate Pride Month. In-person programming will take place outside the Art Center on N. Union Street and at the waterfront. Outside the Art Center on Union Street, explore the “UHAULED” exhibition, which features five U-Haul trucks, each containing galleries with works from regional queer women and lesbian artists, curated by Northern Virginia artist Cat Baker.

From the Heart: A Transgender Virginian’s Story: June 21, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission: Free, but registration required

A member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau will share their story as a transgender person followed by a chance to ask questions.

Growing Pride at The Garden: June 27, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission: Free ($5 recommended donation to Safe Space NOVA)
The Garden at Building Momentum, 5380 Eisenhower Ave., Suite C, Alexandria, VA 22314

This family-friendly event at The Garden will feature 15 local LGBTQ+ makers and allies set up throughout The Garden with locally crafted goods for purchase. Local food trucks, live music, and kids crafting will also be offered.

Queens on King Street Reunion Event: July 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission: Free

The Light Horse, 715 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314

After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandria's Queens on King Street group will reconvene on July 13. Co-founders Timothy McCue, Nathan Sell, and Alex Rodriguez-Rozic created Queens on King Street to provide a space for LGBTQ+ individuals that live, work, visit Old Town Alexandria. Before the pandemic, the gatherings happened twice a month and drew over 50 attendees and thousands of dollars for King Street businesses.