Love is love, and it should be celebrated all the time. But the month of June brings with it something extra to celebrate inclusivity, pride and love. As the last week of Pride Month knocks on the door, there’s still a bunch of fun events you can attend in person, or from the comfort of your couch.
From bibliophiles to Bollywood buffs, party-goers to homebodies, there’s something for everyone at these events that uphold the values of the LGBTQIA+ community.
#ReadWithPride Readathon
Are you a bibliophile? Well then, you must join Dhwani (@thewrittenjourney_), Niharika (@kitaabeinaursukoon), Suprita (@doyouevenreallyread) and Aditi (@shebusybee_) for the second edition of their Pride month special readathon. Each of the four weeks of June is dedicated to a certain genre surrounding the queer community like ‘Gay and Lesbian Literature’ and ‘Exploring the Spectrum,’ to name a few.
This initiative promotes queer literature and highlights the incredible work the community has done and how they are represented. The book recommendations are great, and it’s a wonderful way to connect with people.
Off the Block by Lemonade Social and Juicebox
This online event is set to make your home the party pad of the month. Being hosted on three weekends of June, this event is all about spotlighting queer artists and engaging in one-of-a-kind conversations with the community.
Join in on June 26 to enjoy an evening with comics, poets, visual artists and narrators from the community. Register on their website and enjoy an evening full of laughs and lots of fun.
The Queer Muslim Project’s Digital Pride Festival
Throughout the month of June, this virtual festival has featured artists, creators and cultural innovators from the community, along with their allies, to discuss ideas.
They have speakers like Zoya Akhtar, Prajakta Koli, Kubra Sait and many more. From topics like Bollywood and Queer Representation, and a Creator’s Panel, this event is all set to help queer content creators make their mark.
Museum of Vancouver’s Objects of Pride
Being held on June 29, this virtual show-and-tell is a unique event that gives people of the LGBTQIA+ community a platform to share their personal stories with an object, photo, song, or other artefact of their choice that connects them to the community.
Being held virtually on zoom, this event is all set out to promote connections in the community to express their stories of #Pride, joy, love and individuality. Register here.
Kitty Su’s Pride Party
If you’re looking to meet people from the community and party with them all night long, Kitty Su is where you need to be. Their Pride month exclusive features a number of artists from the community and they’re touring the country this month for parties and events at various Lalit properties.
The Naan Stop Tour featuring drag queen Betta Naan Stop comes to Kolkata on June 25. Rani KoHEnur, who you might know as Sushant Divgikr on social media, is coming to the party atThe Lalit Great Eastern on July 9. So, don’t forget to book your tickets!
Google’s Pride for Everyone
This summer, Google is documenting global pride parades from all corners of the world so you can watch and celebrate right at home. The best part? Most of it is documented using 360° cameras. Click on the map on their website and enjoy pride parades and virtual marches which will make you feel like you’re right there, because #PrideForEveryone. Watch here.
Bonus: Queer Culture Festival 2022, Seoul
If you’re in the mood to travel, visit South Korea for one of the biggest queer festivals in Asia and the world. The Queer Culture Festival in Seoul is all set to be held on July 16 after three years of virtual editions due to the pandemic. This year, the festivities are on for only a day, and will include the regular vibrant Pride parade as well as a film festival — Korea Queer Film Festival.
