Randy Phillips, president of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center's board, said this year's theme, 50 Years Since Stonewall, "encapsulates all the strides we have made toward equality."
“Yet the mere fact that there is still a KKK rally here in Dayton reveals just how much work that we still have to do,” he added.
The Stonewall uprising was a pivotal series of protests in the Gay Rights Movement.
The protest at the Stonewall Inn in New York led to the first Pride parade the following year.
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend Dayton’s pride festival.
🏳️🌈PRIDE KICK OFF | Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion
Dayton Pride 2019 kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31 with performances by the Dayton Gay Men's Chorus, The Rubi Girls and the pop duo REYNA at Levitt Pavilion in Dave Hall Plaza in downtown Dayton.
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🏳️🌈 .5 Bar CRAWL| Friday at 9 p.m. at gay bars
The bar crawl to the nearby gay clubs starts around 9 p.m. following the kickoff.
The bar crawl is $15 for LGBT Center members and $25 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased on the Planned2Give website.
It includes a drink at each of the four bars.
🏳️🌈 PRIDE PARADE | Saturday beginning at noon downtown
A 9 a.m. breakfast Saturday at MJ's on Jefferson,20 N. Jefferson St., will precede the parade led partly by the yet-to-be announced Dayton Pride Parade court. It kicks off at noon from the corner of Second and St. Clair streets and heads to Courthouse Square, where a festival will be held.
A $7 donation will be collected at the breakfast for the LGBT Center.
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MJ’s BBQ lunch starts at 1 p.m. and is free with admission to the club.
The Holly Berry and Friends Show kicks off a day and night of entertainment at the bar that includes karaoke, the Ohio Gay Pride Revue Show, a stripperama and a 10:30 p.m. performance by “Dive in the Pool” singer Pepper Mashay.
🏳️🌈 PRIDE FESTIVAL | Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square
Credit: Jan Underwood
Credit: Jan Underwood
Following the Pride parade, Mashay will headline a day of entertainment at Courthouse Square that includes Ty Erup; Philip Drennen; Brandy Bristol; Dayton Playhouse; Troupe Roja; Dare 2 Defy; Brent Fabian; Mocha Lisa, B. Sharp; Olivia Jane; Amaya Sexton, Pandora Foxx; Holly Berry; Adonis Casanova; Joey Fleming; Nhiraje Atrois; Soy Queen; Jenni Hoag; Jada Fenix-Lorez; Yvette-Diva Williams; Innova Theatre and Diabolo D'Meanor.
The Misty Knight Legacy Award will be presented during the celebration hosted by Dana Sintell, Josh Martinez and Carrie J. Summers.
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Knight (Sheila Bailey) died in 2018 after a battle with cancer.
Organizers say there will be more than 60 vendors and information booths set up at the parade.
🏳️🌈 SHUGA CAIN OFFICIAL | Friday, May 31 at Club Masque, 34 Jefferson St., Dayton
The fan favorite from season 11 of VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will be the headliner of the first of two Pride weekend parties at the club. Additional details about the show being hosted by Carrie J. Summers are being sought by this news organization. Admission is $15 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show starting at 11 p.m. A meet and greet will follow.
🏳️🌈 PLASTIQUE TIARA | Saturday, June 1 at Club Masque
The drag queen from season 11 of VH1’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will be the headliner of the Pride party at the club in downtown Dayton.
The party also includes the newly crowned Masque Royalty, Masque’s hosts and hostesses and a performance by Shady Ladies.
Admission is $15 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show starting at 11 p.m. A meet and greet will follow.
The club will be open Saturday during the Pride day festivities.
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🏳️🌈 BEER FOR PFLAG | 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at the Barrel House
The beer bar at 417 E. Third St. will once again partner with PFLAG Dayton for a special Pride and Pints event during and after the Pride festival and parade.
$1 of every pint sold will be donated to PFLAG Dayton, an organization of friends, family members and allies of those in the LGBT community.
The business will collect donations for the nonprofit through the month.
The food truck HeartAttack OnWheels will be serving food from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
🏳️🌈 DIVAS CONCERT | 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Victoria Theatre
Credit: Jan Underwood
Credit: Jan Underwood
Broadway actress and singer Christine Pedi will join the Dayton Gay Men's Chorus in a concert at the theater, 138 N. Main St. in downtown Dayton, that pays homage to strong female and male divas like Dolly Parton, Cher and Freddie Mercury.
Tickets are $20 and $25 at TicketCenterStage.com.
🏳️🌈SPIKES AND HEELS KICKBALL | Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at Burns-Jackson Park
Credit: Jan Underwood
Credit: Jan Underwood
The tournament in the Burns Avenue park in Dayton will include food trucks and beer tents.
Free agent registration is $15. Free agent participants will be added to teams.
Team registration for non-profit and community member teams is $50.
Registration for business teams is $100.
Teams will battle to be named Spikes & Heels Champ.
There will be awards for best dressed team, best cheerleaders and best tent decorations.
Registration information can be found on the Planned2Give website.
OTHER PRIDE EVENTS
🏳️🌈 STONEWALL 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARK | Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight at Toxic Brew Co., 431 E. Fifth St. in the Oregon District
🏳️🌈 DRINK SPECIALS | Saturday, June 1 at Club Evolution, 130 N. Patterson Blvd., downtown Dayton
🏳️🌈 THE PARTY BEFORE PRIDE | Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Mudlick Tap House, 135 E. Second Street, downtown Dayton
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