Bisbee Gay Pride in Bisbee Arizona

Gay Pride 2016 Review

Tony Ray Baker

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October 6, 2016

Now that we’ve had a few days to recover, I wanted to take some time and recap the incredible 2016 Gay Pride Weekend! First of all, thanks needs to go out to the Tucson Pride Planning Board for serving up a fantastic slate of fun and meaningful events for this years celebration. Let’s set them up for next year by donating today! Be sure to head back here after you’re done 🙂 Fun Photos below.

Now that we have the business out of the way, we can get to the fun! Lets start at the top:

Pride Friday Night

We have long held the Tucson Gay Pride Parade on the Friday before Tucson Pride, but that and a possible Block Party was the extent of the festivities for the night. This year was completely flipped on its head! Not only did we have the Tucson staple, Pride on Parade, but we were also treated to a host of events geared around the Gay Pride theme. The night went like this:

G3Pride

Between the hours of 5 – 7, the Hut hosted Pete Kings infamous G3Pride Party! With great drink specials, pulse-pounding music and delicious dinner options, it was a fantastic way to start Pride Friday Night!

Pride On Parade

The Hut was also the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and cheer on the Tucson Pride on Parade as it proceeded down 4th Avenue. With more floats and participants than ever, this year’s parade was truly a celebration of our amazing spirit and diversity. I didn’t get any photos, but send us your pics today and I’ll post them on this page!

Rainbow Block Party

After the Parade, everyone headed over to RBAR for the Rainbow Block Party. If you’ve never been to RBAR, it’s a decadent little hole in the wall next to the Rialto Theatre with some of the best drinks in Tucson. The Rainbow Block Party featured a killer DJ spinning some great dance tunes, perfect for setting the stage for what came next.

Pride at the Rialto

The entire night built up to this moment, and Pride at the Rialto surely didn’t disappoint. Meticulously planned and flawlessly executed, Pride at the Rialto had something for everyone. We were entertained by the stars of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, as hilarious as they were gorgeous, who came all the way from Hollywood to share their own unique brand of Pride. The drinks were delightful, the food was delicious, and the show was divine; a wonderful capstone for a wonderful night!

Pride in the Park

With the stage set, it was time for Tucson’s Gay Pride flagship, Pride in the Park, to step into the spotlight. It was better than I had even expected!

I’d like to begin with a shout out to our amazing community! We were fun and rowdy but always respectful and everyone, every single person that I’ve spoken with had an excellent time. How many events can you say that about?

A Huge Crowd In Front of the Gay Pride Stage at Pride in the Park

And did I mention the size of the crowd? By the time I was there, they had already admitted over 4,000 Tucsonans and the line was growing by the second. This was the most well-frequented Tucson Gay Pride I have been to in many years and I love Tucson for being so supportive and kind.

The event itself was a marvel of crowd and performer synergy as it seemed every act built upon the previous and the entire presentation wove a tapestry of precious moments that I will never forget. Everyone, from the excellent DJ’s to the talented singers and presenters was in top form and the crowd repeatedly roared its approval.

Me and Tempest DuJour Loving Tucson Pride in the Park 2016

Now, I might be a little biased, but the pinnacle of the event, atleast for me, had to be Tempest DuJour. Tempest is a world renowned performer whom hails from Tucson, so the event had to be extra special. We were given a small sample of his many talents and he left the audience starving for more. Be sure to get your Tempest DuJour fix by checking out Retro Game Night!

The Wrap-Up

If you didn’t have a chance to join us for Tucson Pride this year, you owe yourself to mark it on your calendar and come out next year. This was the largest and most well-planned Tucson Pride event I have been to in a long time, and I used to plan them back in the day 😉 The Tucson Pride Board of Directors has set a high bar for themselves and I am excited to see what they have in store for us next year! Thanks for reading!
Tony Ray

Photos from 2016 Pride in The Park

Tucson Gay Pride 2008

Gay Pride

Tony Ray Baker

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August 29, 2017

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Senior Pride Zoom Event Schedule

Blog
Events

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June 2, 2020

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Just like everywhere else, COVID-19 has shuttered the landscape of local events in Tucson. We have been keeping an active calendar of all the amazing things to do in Tucson for almost 10 years. Sadly this is the fewest events we have ever seen so please attend some! Firstly, many people are becoming more and more savvy with technology and forward-looking organizations have moved their events online. So please keep reading to learn about all the wonderful virtual gatherings you can attend with our Southern Arizona Senior Pride Zoom Meeting Schedule!

What Is The Senior Pride Zoom Event Schedule?

Senior Pride has long been one of the most active community organization in Tucson. They regularly hold support groups, fun events, and learning workshops. This is to keep us informed as we move through the later stages of our lives.

Some of their re-occurring groups include:

Southern Arizona Senior Pride Zoom Meeting Schedule — The Zoom Meeting Featuring TPD Representatives will be Illuminating

Senior Pride AA Meeting, Every Monday, 7-8:00pm. This is an open meeting, available to all persons with interest in the AA program of recovery. For example the format is Step Meeting (12×12), reading and discussing selections from the AA publication, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. To attend, please send meeting coordinator your email address: aasrlgbt@gmail.com
Senior Pride Speaker Series – A wonderful group that has brought in some of Tucson’s luminaries to address our community. For instance the Speaker Series is a powerful way to learn more about what is happening in the community. This event comesis to you by the real movers and shakers in Tucson. The next event occurs on Tuesday, June 9, 2-3:00 pm, so go sign up. Topic: Safety for Older Adults: Beware of Scams, Making Homes Secure, and Fall Prevention. Presented by: Margo Susco, Tucson Police Department’s Community Engagement Coordinator, and TPD volunteer Allan Tractenberg because these issues are critical to our aging community. Request your Zoom invitation link and password by email to info@soazseniorpride.org
Senior Pride Book Club – The Book Club meets monthly to discuss the current selection. They often host roundtables with authors and publishers and help bring context to the selected narrative. So the next Book club meeting occurs on Wednesday, June 17, at 2-3:30 pm. They will be discussing this month’s selection: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel, by Ocean Vuong. In this first novel by the 2019 MacArthur “Genius” Award winning poet. It comes in the form of a letter from a son to his mother regarding the effects of the Vietnam War, however she doesn’t want to listen. https://www.npr.org/2019/06/05/729691730/on-earth-is-gorgeous-all-the-way-through The book was on the long-list by the National Book Awards in 2019. So remember, you must request your Zoom invitation link and password by email to: info@soazseniorpride.org

What Else?

Southern Arizona Senior Pride’s will send you a Zoom invitation that provides an easy-to-use link to access the meeting. In order to get this invitation, you must first send your request to one of the email addresses listed above. Please be sure to include your desired meeting date, time, and a description of the event. We want to make Senior Pride sends the proper meeting link. To learn more about Zoom visit the “Meetings and Support Groups” section of their website www.soazseniorpride.org

Bisbee Gay Pride

Events

Tony Ray Baker

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April 12, 2018

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Every year on Father’s Day weekend, the Arizona LGBT community and Straight Allies gather in the adorable little town of Bisbee to celebrate their pride. Come along with me on one such adventure, and be sure to catch the next incarnation of Bisbee Gay Pride!

When and Where is Bisbee Gay Pride?

Get to Bisbee by driving South on I-10 and taking a right on Highway 80 in Benson. From Tucson, it’s a little over 1.5 hours, 47 if you’re coming from Benson. Gay Pride Weekend corresponds with Father’s Day Weekend, occurring on the third weekend in June. It may seem like a long way to go, but a bunch of your friends from Tucson will be there and it really is one of the better parties of the year!

What Can I Expect at Bisbee Gay Pride?

There are so many things to do and ways to celebrate in Bisbee and the surrounding area, but what follows is my tried-and-true method for having a great time at Bisbee Gay Pride. We call this The Move.

The Move starts at a quaint little bed and breakfast on Friday night. Try the Copper Queen Hotel or the Bisbee Grand, you’ll love either place. I highly recommend locating yourself around the Main St. part of town. That is where all the action is and you don’t want to have to drive back to your hotel room after a full night of partying. The drunken stumble back to your bed is a quintessential part of The Move.

What’s Next For The Move?

The Move is to then walk the crowded, action-packed streets, observing the myriad booths and vendors set up for the weekend. The streets fill up on both Friday and Saturday with live music, so be sure to get your groove on! The town blocks off the roads from car access around the Copper Queen, so begin there and meet up with all of your friends.

The next Move is to head across the street to the Underground Dance Party. I would tell you where to go, but it’s better for you to just head down and discover for yourself. Dance to some high-energy dance music and have a few cocktails, powering you up for what’s next!

The Move then takes you on a club crawl, guided by a drag queen carrying a high heel on a stick. You’ll be heading from bar to bar, effectively getting a crash course in Downtown Bisbee. As you reach the end of the pubs, the MC will organize the flock into a Drag Race.

No, not the type you’re thinking of, this race consists of your drunken friends, wearing dresses and high heels, and running up a small hill. Cue the ankle tape and the ice packs! It’s a hilarious time for all involved and will truly punctuate your time at Bisbee Gay Pride.

See You Next Year!

Still not convinced? Bisbee Gay Pride is an awesome time with your best friends in a wonderful little town. There are some fun activities that I have never seen anywhere else, making Bisbee Gay Pride a one-of-a-kind event. It’s just a short drive South to have an amazing weekend and you’ll even see Darren and I on the club crawl. See you next year!

Have a great day,
TonyRay 🙂

SAAF Moda Provacateur

Events

Tony Ray Baker

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July 22, 2016

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Moda Provacateur: A Runway Show Done the Fun Way

Raising funds for programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation

The first Moda Provacateur, held in 2004, was created by Kevin Casey from Avalon for Hair, Skin and Nails after he participated in ‘Crème de la Do’ in 2003, a fashion and style show organized by an agency in Albuquerque helping to raise funds for local HIV/AIDS agencies around the country. Since 2004, Moda Provacateur has raised more than $141,000 in support of SAAF’s programs and services. The incredible, continued support for Moda Provacateur from the local salons, boutiques and businesses through their participation and underwriting of the cost of the event, helps to build tradition and ultimately, the success of this exciting fundraiser.

SAAF Bowling For Tommy

Events

Tony Ray Baker

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December 7, 2017

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SAAF is an incredible organization with an outsize footprint in the Old Pueblo and surrounding areas. I attempt to support them whenever possible as I know ever dollar of proceeds goes directly to support their mission. SAAF is known for:

Providing support services for those living with HIV/AIDS
Supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS
Education for prevention of HIV

They serve around 1,300 clients each year, so they have a huge need for volunteering and donations. Thankfully, they make it so easy and fun to give! Come to the next Bowling for Tommy event to see what I mean!

What is SAAF Bowling For Tommy?

Named after the legendary Tucsonan Tommy Gin, this fun, family-oriented bowling tournament serves as a fitting legacy. It is a fund-raising opportunity for SAAF and a great chance for you to have a good time for a fantastic cause.

When and Where is SAAF Bowling For Tommy?

Check the GayTucson.com Events Calendar regularly to stay on top of this and all the other incredible events for Tucson’s fabulous gay community. Also, be sure to read the GayTucson Blog to learn about the latest news affecting Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, and Vail!

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