We want to make sure we’re being inclusive to everyone.” ‘Music unites people’ Entertainment is a cornerstone of the Phoenix Pride Festival, with seven stages featuring “everything from dancers to singers to comedians to drag performances,” Fornelli says. Offering an array of styles helps ensure everyone has fun despite different tastes, he adds. There’s high-energy dance music with mostly local DJs, low-key acoustic or piano music, a Latin stage and a main stage with headliners such as David Archuleta, Saucy Santana, Slayyyter, the Scarlet Opera and VASSY. This year, Fornelli is excited that 100 percent of the performers identify as LGBTQ+ so people can see that representa- tion. Seeing others who are free to express themselves has a positive impact, he says. Archuleta, for example, who will head- line at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20., has talked frequently of his fear of coming out as queer and how much happier he is now. As his official website reveals, he wrote the 2024 song “Hell Together” after he told his mom he was leaving the Mormon faith, and she told him she would, too, saying, “If you’re going to hell, we’re all going to hell with you.” Archuleta also dedicated the song “to those who show unconditional love in a world where it’s so easy to judge things we don’t fully understand, the way my mom showed that love to me.” Fornelli, who ran the popular LGBTQ+ nightclub BS West in Scottsdale for 35 years, says, “Music unites people in much the same way advocacy does. It brings people together to fight for a better world.” Pride aims to ‘unite, educate and engage’ When Fornelli moved to the Valley in 1990, he recalls, there weren’t as many gay bars or other safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. Now, he says, advances have been made in terms of acceptance throughout society. But there have also been many steps back- ward — particularly politically and in the court of public opinion. From legislation in some states banning gender-reaffirming care to people getting upset at putting their pronouns in email signatures, people try to negate the existence of LGBTQ+ people in myriad ways. Instead of excluding someone due to differences, Fornelli encourages people to come together. “The mission of Phoenix Pride is to unite, educate and engage the LGBTQ+ community and our allies,” he says. Pride is also important because it allows everyone to be authentic, Fornelli notes. “If you’re always worried about what people are going to think, so you don’t dress the way you want to say or don’t say what you think, or don’t love the way you want to love,” he explains, “you can’t be comfortable with who you are if you’re trying to hide that.” No matter who you are, Pride is for you, Helfgot notes. “There is an energy and very strong sense of belonging that I think it’s almost impossible not to tap into when you’re there,” he says. Phoenix Pride. 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road. Tickets are avail- able online. The parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Third Street and Thomas Road, is free. Get more info at phoenixpride.org. P hoenix Pride is considered to be Arizona’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebration of the year — and it’s easy to see why. The two-day event consists of a vibrant parade through midtown Phoenix and a massive festival at Steele Indian School Park with more than 300 vendors, seven different stages of entertain- ment and an estimated 55,000 people in attendance. There’s also an Arts Expo, a health and wellness marketplace, a kid- friendly space, a dance pavilion and other attractions. Phoenix Pride is more than just a massive party, though. The inclusive and family- friendly event is open to anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and unites the LGBTQ+ and allied commu- nities for a weekend of celebration and support. The 2024 edition of Phoenix Pride takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, and will feature a similar mix of celebra- tion, camaraderie and community. Here’s a guide to this year’s Phoenix Pride festivities. What’s the theme of Phoenix Pride 2024? This year’s theme is “Born This Way,” a reference to Lady Gaga’s 2011 hit. The phrase is a powerful affirmation in the LGBTQ+ community, symbolizing self- acceptance, pride and the belief that sexual orientation or gender identity is inherent and natural. When and where is the Phoenix Pride festival? Phoenix Pride takes place from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road. How much is Phoenix Pride? The Phoenix Pride parade is free to watch, while the Phoenix Pride festival at Steele Indian School Park requires the purchase of a ticket to attend. Phoenix Pride 2024 tickets Tickets are available at phoenixpride. seetickets.com. Admission options include general admission ($30 per day), general admission with express entry ($35 per day) and weekend general admission with express entry ($50). VIP passes are $110 per day or $160 for the weekend. Perks include a lakeside VIP area with an air-conditioned venue, exclusive entertainment, a food buffet, two complimentary drinks per day and discounted admission to the official after-party. VIP passes are only available for people 21 and over. Discounted admission is available for teenagers ages 13 to 17 and former military personnel. Children 12 and under and active military personnel can get in for free. Age limits The 2024 Phoenix Pride festival and parade are all-ages events and families are welcome. Certain areas of the festival, such as Erotic World, are restricted to those 18 and over with ID. You also must be 21 to purchase and consume alcohol. Light rail to Phoenix Pride A Valley Metro Rail station is three blocks east of the park at Central Avenue and Indian School Road. Fares are $2 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass. Valley Metro also offers 10 free park-and-ride lots along the light rail route. Parking for Phoenix Pride 2024 There is no parking available at Steele Indian School Park during Phoenix Pride. Paid parking is available at the following nearby garages and buildings: • 4041 Central Plaza Garage, 4028 N. Second St. • Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Midtown, 4000 N. Central Ave. • 3200 Tower, 3200 N. Central Ave. What else is at Phoenix Pride? Other attractions at the 2024 Phoenix Pride festival will include the following: • Tish Tanner Community Stage: Perfor- mances by local entertainers • KidSpace: A children’s play area for ages 4 to 12 with games, music, cre- ative activities and a drag story hour • Arts Expo: A showcase for local arti- sans from all mediums • Dance Pavilion: Local DJs will play high-energy dance music • Erotic World: An 18-and-over area with adult retailers, fetish demonstrations, exotic dancers and more Phoenix Pride 2024 concert lineup Performances by the festival headliners will take place on the main stage, the Latin stage and in the VIP area. Here are the headliners for each stage: Main Stage • Saturday: Slayyyer, 7 p.m.; Saucy San- tana, 8 p.m. • Sunday: The Scarlet Opera, 6 p.m.; Vassy, 7 p.m.; David Archuleta, 8 p.m. Latin Stage • Saturday: Wenday Guevara, 6 p.m. • Sunday: Miss Vanjie, 5:30 p.m. VIP Experience • Saturday: David Hernandez, 5 p.m. • Sunday: George Michael Reborn feat. Robert Bartko, 5 p.m. Food and drink More than a dozen food vendors will be at the festival. They’ll offer various vegan, vegetarian and gluten-fee selections for purchase. Vendors will also sell soft drinks and water. Phoenix Pride will also feature three beverage stations with non-alcoholic options and beer, wine and mixed cocktails for sale. Vendors More than 300 vendors and exhibitors will have tents, booths and tables throughout the festival. There will be a mix of local businesses, nationally known brands, community organizations and nonprofits. Phoenix Pride pre-parties and after-parties Official and unofficial celebrations will take place throughout Phoenix Pride weekend. Here’s a complete list: • Rockin’ Pride Skate: Oct. 17, 6 to 8:30 p.m., $15. Skateland Chandler, 1101 E. Ray Road, Chandler. • Official Phoenix Pride Kick-Off Party: With DJ Alex Acosta and DJ John W. Oct. 18, 9 p.m., $35 to $45. DWNTWN, 702 N. Central Ave. • Unofficial Phoenix Pride Pre-Party: With The Gender Outlawz, Pandora DeStrange, Erickatoure Aviance, Tragique DeStrange and DJ Trent. Oct. 18, 8 p.m., free. Thunderbird Lounge, 710 W. Montecito Ave. • Official Phoenix Pride After Party: With DJ Kevin Aviance and Joey Jay. Oct. 19, 9 p.m., $45-$55. Walter Where?House, 702 N. 21st Ave. • Pride Dance Party: With DJ NV and DJ Frietz. Oct. 19, 6 p.m., free. Stacy’s at Melrose, 4343 N. Seventh Ave. • 2024 Pride After Party: With DJ Livv and DJ Alex D. Oct. 19, 8 p.m., $15 to $75. Boycott Bar, 4301 N. Seventh Ave. Your Guide to Phoenix Pride By Benjamin Leatherman All Together Now from p 19
