P hoenix Pride — a two-day affair brimming over with glittering parade floats, fried foods, live music, riveting drag shows, and candidates stumping for your vote — brings its rainbow revelry to midtown this weekend and, for the first time, takes place in October. It all started in 1981 when a group of gay and lesbian activists marched through the streets of downtown Phoenix to the Arizona State Capitol. It was a political statement engineered to bring awareness to gay rights in Phoenix. Today, Phoenix Pride is an all-out party that’s fun for the whole family. But the festival is still a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people — and the rich history, culture, struggles, and contributions they’ve made in metro Phoenix. “In Arizona, we believe people have the right to determine their own destinies and no one should be treated differently under the law,” U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Democrat, told Phoenix New Times. She is the first openly bisexual and second LGBT woman elected to the U.S. House and Senate, and one of 18 LGBTQ elected officials in the state, according to the Victory Fund. “Arizona Pride is a celebration of identity and equality, and a reminder that being gay, bisexual, or transgender should never be an impediment to happiness, success, and living the American Dream,” Sinema said. Everything you need to know Rainbow Revelry about Phoenix Pride. BY ELIAS WEISS Due to public health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic, the festival didn’t take place in 2020 and was moved from April to November in 2021. Now, organizers are puffed up with pride as they prepare to welcome more than 55,000 people to make merry in midtown. “What Pride means to me is the ability to provide a safe space for people to truly be their authentic selves,” Phoenix Pride Executive Director Mike Fornelli told New Times. The first Pride festival in October comes in the midst of a pivotal election in Arizona that includes a slate of openly anti-LGBTQ Republicans on the ticket. Early voting opened on Wednesday, and Election Day is November 8. Jeanne Woodbury, policy director at Equality Arizona, told New Times that the timing of the festival is “really meaningful when our rights are under attack.” Especially in a state where LGBTQ voters make up more than 5 percent of the elec- torate, she noted. “Pride continues to remain something that is not only an active community cele- bration of solidarity but a really powerful statement of resistance to oppression, especially in the climate we’re in now,” Woodbury said. “We’re here. We’re queer. That’s it.” When and Where Is Pride? This year’s Pride festival takes place Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, at the sprawling Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School Road. The venue boasts 72 acres of green grass, mature shade trees, and a historic setting with stunning views of the uptown skyline. What Are the Hours? Festivities kick off at noon on Saturday and wrap up at 9 p.m. An after-party featuring legendary DJ Chris Cox is slated from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. a few blocks away at Walter Where?House, 702 North 21st Avenue. The fete will resume on Sunday from noon until 9 p.m. How Much Is Admission? For guests 18 and older, tickets cost $34 for one day and $40 for one day with express entry, or $55 for both days, which includes express entry. If you’re feeling fancy, you can opt for the VIP package, which costs $108 for one day or $161 for the weekend. The VIP package includes two drink tickets per day, a buffet lunch each day, lakeside and air-conditioned seating, main stage access with a private two-story bar, executive bathrooms, and exclusive enter- tainment. Admission to the after-party will run you another $50 unless you add it onto your VIP ticket, in which case it’s just $13. Children ages 13 to 17, seniors older than 55, and former military receive discounted admission of $15 at the ticket gate. Children younger than 13 and active-duty military get in for free. Scenes from previous Phoenix Pride celebrations. >>p 22 Michelle Sasonov 21 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES OCT 13TH–OCT 19TH, 2022
