WEDNESDAY 22
Summer Cinema: Clueless — Pack a picnic dinner and settle in for a special Pride Week installment of Washington Park’s weekly free screening series. This week’s movie is Clueless, in which rich, plaid-wearing high-schooler Cher tries to boost a new students’ popularity (ugh, as if). Wear your plaid — the best-dressed guest will win a prize — and snack on Pride Popcorn from Popcorn Pizzazz, with proceeds benefitting Cincinnati Pride. 9-11 p.m. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.
THURSDAY 23
Cincinnati Pride InterFaith Service — This spiritual service celebrates the blessings the LGBTQ community brings to the city. All are welcome to attend an evening of readings, music, prayer and inspiration, regardless of religion. 7 p.m. Free. Truth and Destiny Covenant Ministries Fellowship United Church of Christ, 2645 W. North Bend Road, Monfort Heights, cincinnatipride.org.
CityBeat’s Pride Outing — We’re accompanying the unveiling of this year’s CityBeat Pride Issue with a party at the casino, featuring drag performances, $6 cocktails and music from DJ Jess the Ripper. Local favorites Amaya Sexton, Kataleya Giles and Mr. Continental Mykul Jay Valentine take the stage; the Femme Fatale Karmen Kazzi and Jade Jolie, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5 contestant, will also be in the building. Donations will be collected for Cincinnati Pride throughout the evening. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Free. JACK Cincinnati Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Pendleton, citybeat.com.
Karaoke at Below Zero Lounge — Show off your pipes at this late-night party hosted by Matt and Patrick. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge.com.
In Living Karaoke at Simon Says — Belt it out at the bar every Thursday night with Pulse Entertainment Productions. #SingResponsibly. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Simon Says Bar, 428 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-381-7577, facebook.com/simonsaysbarcincy.
FRIDAY 24
Cincinnati Pride Community Recognition Ceremony — Hosted by the Contemporary Arts Center, this event recognizes and awards leaders within the city’s LGBTQ community. Dinner will be served prior to the ceremony. Dinner 6:30 p.m.; ceremony 7 p.m. $30 individual; $240 table. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, cincinnatipride.org.
Friday Night Dance Party — DJ S.y.i.m.o.n.e. takes over Below Zero Lounge; you take over the dance floor. Dance like no one’s watching until 2 a.m. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge.com.
Friendly Fridays & Fireball — PennyTration and the girls blast you into Pride weekend with an As Seen on TV show featuring the cast of The Cabaret. Grab a Fireball and enjoy. 11:15 p.m. Free. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge.com.
SATURDAY 25
Cabaret Saturday Drag Show — PennyTration hosts an all-star cast of the best drag queens in the Midwest: Brooklyn Steele-Tate, Mystique Summers, Chelsea Pearl, Mirelle Jane Divine, Quasi and The Lady Jetta. 11:15 p.m. Free. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge.com.
Cincinnati Pride Parade — More than 60 participating organizations kick off the biggest day of Pride with this dazzling, colorful, noisy, interactive and mesmerizing parade. The route begins on Seventh Street and winds its way down Vine, then veers left on Freedom Way, continuing down Main Street. The procession comes to an end at Saywer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, where the celebration rolls right into this year’s Cincinnati Pride Festival. 11 a.m. Free. Route begins on Seventh Street, Downtown, cincinnatipride.org/parade.
Cincinnati Pride Festival — The week culminates with the 43rd-annual Pride Festival, featuring dozens of vendors, local eats, a family-fun zone and two stages of entertainment. Refuel after the parade with bites from Skyline Chili, streetpops, Buona Terra and more before browsing booths manned by HOMAGE, Earthwise Pet Supplies, the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, cincygayweddings.com and many others. The family-fun zone in Yeatman’s Cove comprises stilt balloon artists, crafts, inflatable jousting, a water slide and giant Jenga, plus an interactive show with trapeze artists. The main attraction, however, is the fest’s diverse lineup of entertainment. Headlined by Pop duo Karmin, additional acts include MUSE: Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, Cin City Burlesque’s Sweett Biscutt and several drag showcases throughout the afternoon and evening. Noon-9 p.m. Free. Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatipride.org/festival.
Pride Pink Party at Below Zero Lounge — Below Zero Lounge transforms into a pink paradise for its annual bash in conjunction with Pride. Dress in pink from head to toe and expect plenty of drink specials, music and giveaways. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge.com.
SUNDAY 26
Cincinnati Pride: A Pop Up Drag Brunch — Local drag queens keep the Pride party going with a series of searing performances at 21 Museum Hotel’s restaurant, Metropole. Chef Jared Bennett prepares a family-style brunch accompanied by a welcome mimosa and Metropole’s signature cocktails. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $35; call 513-578-6660 to make reservations. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.
Leelah Alcorn Memorial Highway Cleanup — Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender woman from Kings Mills, tragically committed suicide on a highway on Dec. 8, 2014, leaving behind a poignant note on her Tumblr page that ended with a plea: “Fix society. Please.” The Leelah Alcorn Memorial Highway organization has adopted a section of Interstate 71 and hosts four cleanups per year in memory of Leelah, simultaneously hoping to educate the public and promote tolerance. Volunteer to help pick up litter along the highway. 10 a.m.-noon. Sign up at [email protected]. 658 Corwin Nixon Blvd., South Lebanon, leelahhighway.wordpress.com.
Starlight Sunday at Simon Says — Savannah L Judd hosts this drag show that features DJs and boozy snacks (think drunken gummy bears) at Cincinnati’s oldest gay bar. 11:30 p.m. June 26. No cover. Simon Says Bar, 428 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-381-7577, facebook.com/simonsaysbarcincy.
MONDAY 27
Pool at Rosie’s Tavern — Play pool for free every Monday at Rosie’s Tavern, with $2 Wells and $6 domestic beer pitchers. Bar opens at 3 p.m. Free. 643 Bakewell St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-9707, rosiestavernnky.com.
Monday Night Trivia at Northside Tavern — Exercise your brain! Questions revolve around music, movies and pop culture. Arrive early to pick your team. 8 p.m. Free. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-3603, northsidetav.com.
TUESDAY 28
Fellow Travelers — This locally produced world-premiere opera, based on a 2007 novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon, takes a look inside the 1950’s McCarthy Era Lavender Scare, during which gay government employees were persecuted and blackmailed. The New York Times calls Fellow Travelers a “heart-wrenching yet musically lucid drama.” And, luckily, this important piece of theater, which illuminates a frequently ignored and unexplored period in LGBTQ history, is on stage in our own backyard through July 10. 7:30 p.m. Onstage through July 10. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiopera.org.
WEDNESDAY 29
Poetry, Stories & Desserts Galore — Cincy Straddlers, a group of queer women, trans* individuals and their friends, hosts a relaxed evening of stories, art and poetry. Read a poem you’ve written yourself, share another’s work that has moved you or simply come and listen. Roebling’s coffee counter will be open during the event, and some desserts will be available; guests are invited to bring their own drinks and some snacks to share. 7-9 p.m. Free. Roebling Point Books & Coffee, 306 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., cincystraddlers.com.
THURSDAY 30
Love Wins: A Panel Discussion with Jim Obergefell — Local activist, author and speaker Jim Obergefell shares how his love story became a legal battle that contributed to a history-making decision — a journey described in his recently published book, Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality, which he coauthored with Debbie Cenziper. When husband John Arthur lost his battle with ALS in 2013, Obergefell filed a case against Ohio for a simple reason: to be listed as Arthur’s husband on his death certificate. Because that suit against the state happened to have the lowest case number, the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges — which legalized marriage nationwide in June of 2015 — bears his name. Joining Obergefell on the panel are his attorney Al Gerhardstein, attorney Scott Knox, Judge Martha Daughtrey and Arthur’s aunt Paulette Roberts. Proceeds from the event benefit the ALS Association. 5:30 p.m. reception; 6:30 p.m. panel discussion. $30; $25 Mercantile members; reservations requested. Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown, 36 E. Fourth St., Downtown, mercantilelibrary.com.
