More Fun Gay Events in Tucson and Southern Arizona

Pride Events in Arizona This June

Tony Ray Baker
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Pride Events in Arizona This June
Tucson Pride is in October, but for the rest of the country, it’s in June. You’ll know it by the mass rainbow apparel that starts popping up everywhere. Literally everywhere. But, if you’re like us and love seeing new pride merch up for grabs keep on keeping on. If you are interested in still participating in Pride here are some of the events you can find around Arizona in June while you wait for October to get here.

In Tucson

Sophie Mctear standing in front of their
Sophie McTear
Pride Exhibition at Crooked Tooth Brewing Local artists Sophie McTear and Trevor Mock will have their work up on display while the bar serves Pride-themed drinks and specials. Opening June 4th at 6 pm. Pride pack for $25Pride Night with the FC Team FC Tucson is the pro soccer team in town. They are celebrating their LGBT+ Pride Night at our match on Saturday, June 11th at 7:00 PM. Great group rates for 10 or more. Friends of GayTucson.com get the early bird special even if it’s not early! Image of white beer cans imprinted with a rainbowTucson Pride Bar Crawl Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. A pub crawl. So, if you’re into libations you might want to get tickets early! Happening on June 18th. For more pride events check out our calendar!

Elsewhere

Mojave County Pride, Glow Do you have friends in Mojave County? If so you can enjoy Pride with them on June 11 & 12th from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. This is a completely family fun weekend. Adult themes are only available at the afterparties. Bisbee Pride, Express Yourself: Bisbee Pride returns on June 17, 18, & 19th 2022. It’s always a good time at Bisbee Pride, there is Pride Village, street dancing, a tea dance, a Gayme Night and so much more. Grab some friends, rent an Air B&B and enjoy the entire weekend! Pride in the Pines logoPride in the Pines Those of you in Northern Arizona have Flagstaff Pride to look forward to on June 18th from 12-9:00 pm. Thorpe Park Ball Fields is the venue so remember to wear sunscreen. Proud to be seenProud To Be Seen in Tubac This is a national juried art exhibition that will be up for the entirety of June at the Bruce Baughman Studio and Gallery. Exhibiting artists are interpreting PRIDE.       Rocky Point Diversity Pride Parade Poster for Rocky Point PrideThis is the 2nd annual Puerto Peñasco Pride Parade happening on June 25that 5 pm. Technically it’s not in Arizona but it’s close enough if you want a little getaway a little south of the border. Meeting at the Plaza de la Madre o Malecon Fundadores to kick things off. We hope to see you there!

Tucson Pride 2019 Photos

Tony Ray Baker
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Tucson Pride 2019 Photos

Tucson Pride 2019 - Photo Review

Here are pictures from the incredible event that was Tucson Pride 2019!

SAAF Bowling For Tommy

Tony Ray Baker
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0
SAAF Bowling For Tommy
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!

Johnathan Celestin Performs Live at Tucson Pride 2018

Tony Ray Baker
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0
Johnathan Celestin Performs Live at Tucson Pride 2018
Tucson Pride is no stranger to incredible performances.  Who can forget about last year’s amazing concert from Velo, or the time we brought in Margaret Cho?  I almost died laughing!  Pride Weekend is always full of fantastic performers, but this year is on a different level.  Our friends at Tucson Pride have scheduled a full slate of incredible singers, dancers, DJ’s, and other entertainers.  But the headline of the show has to be when Johnathan Celestin Performs Live at Tucson Pride 2018!
It's Hard Not to Fall in Love with Johnathan Celestin
It’s Hard Not to Fall in Love with Johnathan Celestin

Meet Johnathan Celestin

I had the fortune of speaking with Johnathan Celestin last week and we got to speaking about his upcoming performance at Tucson Pride 2018.  Beyond being an engaging person, Johnathan is an incredible singer with a host of self-written singles and EPs. What I found most enthralling about Johnathan is his warmth and kindness.  He regularly participates in community involvement and his music is an inspiring call-to-action to treat each other better.  In one of his singles, Be-You-tiful, he sings about peer violence and bullying.  In fact, this popular song became the theme for a major anti-bullying campaign!
Check out the rest of Johnathan’s fantastic videos on the Johnathan Celestin YouTube Channel.  That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Johnathan’s message of self-reflection and loving each other definitely resonates with me, and I’m sure it will touch everyone when Johnathan Celestin Performs Live at Tucson Pride 2018!

The Most Exciting Tucson Pride in Years!

I can’t describe how excited I am for Tucson Pride 2018!  The Georges DeMeester Performance Center is the perfect venue for one out-of-this-world party!  The entire event will be emceed by inimitable local Tucsonans.  They have a full slate of wonderful talent, headlined by the coolest guy you haven’t yet met, Johnathan Celestin.  The only thing missing is you, so be sure to grab your tickets today and be ready for what promises to be the best event of the year! Have a great day! Tony Ray 🙂

Gay Pride 2016 Review

Tony Ray Baker
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Gay Pride 2016 Review

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 Party During Tucson's Gay Pride Weekend
G3Pride Party During Tucson’s Gay Pride Weekend

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 rupauls drag racePride 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
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
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

  • A Huge Crowd In Front of the Gay Pride Stage at Pride in the Park
  • Crowd Enjoying the Show at Tucson Gay Pride 2016
  • Live Out Loud at Tucson Pride in the Park 2016
  • The Democrats are Out at Tucson Pride 2016
  • The Democrats are Out at Tucson Pride 2016
  • Staying Long into the Evening at Tucson Gay Pride 2016
  • Gotta Stay Hydrated at Tucson Pride 2016
  • A Beautiful Day in the Sun at Tucson Gay Pride 2016
  • Tucson LGBT Groups
  • Me and Tempest DuJour Loving Tucson Pride in the Park 2016

Wingspan Dinner

Tony Ray Baker
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0
Wingspan Dinner
Moving Forward
The Wingspan Annual Benefit Dinner
September 20, 2008
Wingspan’s Benefit Dinner – 20 years on September 20th
 
This years event was very well done.  The silent auction was well organized and a great time to catch up and socialize.  The appetizers (cheese, fruits and veggies) looked beautiful and there were plenty of bars so very small lines if any.   The dinner tables looked great (see photos below) and so did the room. The centerpieces were beautiful and in hindsight I wish I had bought one.   Jason Cianciotto, the new Executive Director of Wingspan, gave a strong and meaningful speech.  I took a photo of him on the big screen (see below).  I have had the pleasure of meeting Jason several times before the dinner and I am definitely impressed and excited to see what changes he will bring.  Personally, I think Jason is just what Wingspan needs to move forward. 
 
Tony Ray
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