Tucson Pride on Parade 2015
Before I dive into the review, I would like to take a moment to thank all the great parade participants whom worked hard and dressed up and displayed the true diversity in Tucson. I would also like to especially thank the fun and welcoming crowd which hooted and hollered and came together to celebrate our diversity.
Pride on Parade 2015 was probably the most active and well-attended Tucson Pride Parade I have ever been to. The floats were elaborate and colorful and the costumes and makeup were absolutely fabulous! It was perfectly staged on the busiest downtown avenue and the weather gave us a vintage Tucson Fall evening, with cool temperatures and an amazing sunset backdrop.
Grand Marshall’d by the inimitable Tempest DuJour (looking fantastic as always), the floats and parade entrants really stole the show. From the hilariously under-costumed Old Lesbians Organizing for Change to the full-blown costumes worn by the Rocky Horror Picture Show cast, you could easily identify with each of them. Then the rolling party that is the SAAF long-bed float crawls past and you can’t help but smile as you catch candy and Mardi Gras beads affixed with condoms. I can finally write this: “The event truly offered something for everyone” 🙂
The Tucson Pride on Parade couldn’t have been any better planned or executed. It was a wonderful time for the entire family to come out and honor the common differences that provide spice and excitement to our community. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next time!
SAAF Festival For Life
Over the years, SAAF Festival for Life has grownup and adjusted, however the most attractive element continues to be the gathering of fine design on show within the live and silent auction. It’s not only art, the auction also offers vacations, gift baskets, gift certificates, celebrity collectibles, trips, one-of-a-kind experiences and paper prayers. Our generous community has come to love this nice chance to seek out superb works of art and nice gifts, even as they begin preparing for their own vacation.
Gay Pride Celebrations
Tucson is lucky enough to have two Gay Pride celebrations annually visit our fabulous community. The first Gay Pride occurs in June, which coincides with the Stonewall Rebellion and subsequent public demonstrations. The second Pride comes a bit later in the year. That time is finally upon us! Join us as we celebrate with two iconic events: Tucson Pride Parade and Pride in the Desert.
Pride Parade 2019
The Tucson Pride Parade has a long, rich history in our community. This year will watch the procession proceed from Broadway / Craycroft and head towards Reid Park, where we will meet up with the festival.
I am so happy Tucson Pride decided to hold the Pride Parade immediately before the festival. The parade used to be organized on the night before, while allowed for some fantastic after-parties, it meant the two events were disunited from each other with little overlap. By having one naturally lead into the other, the Pride Parade and the festival will have increased synergy and provide an even better representation of our amazing community!
For even more information about our gay pride celebrations; Tucson Pride Parade 2019, check out the GayTucson Calendar!
Gay Pride celebrations: Pride in the Desert 2019
Pride in the Desert (or Park) has always been the flagship event of Tucson Pride weekend. Featuring hilarious hosts, marvelous musical performances and fantastic shows, Pride in the Desert truly has something for everyone. There are adorable shops with Pride souvenirs and phenomenal fashion vendors to get you looking your best. It is a wonderfully welcoming, safe space for everyone to be themselves and have a blast!
Find out everything else you could ever need to know about Tucson Pride in the Desert 2019 at the GayTucson Calendar!
IBT’S BLACK(out) WEDNESDAY THANKSGIVING EVE
The 6th Annual…
IBTS Thanksgiving Eve BLACK(out) Party
Is BACK for the biggest bar night of the year! Yes, we know that might sound strange given that New Year’s Eve is right around the corner but trust us on this, you’re going to want to attend an IBTs Thanksgiving. Get your glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark body paint ready because it’s about to be a black light fiesta.
This isn’t your typical Thanksgiving party, it’s an IBT’s Thanksgiving sure to be filled with fabulousness. Expect dancing in the dark, drag shows, gorgeous go-go boys, and lots of whiskeys!
Glow from 9 pm to 2 is in the moonlight and blacklight. The party is going to start on the patio at 9, full DJ inside starting at 11. Drag performances by Viva La Diva at 9 pm with special guests – Piper M’Shay, Luna Love St. James, and Miley Mitchells.
Not enough? Let’s throw in a night of gyrating gents as Gogo boys tickle your fancy from 9-11. Still not enough? Drink specials, we got them,
Whiskey Breath Drink Specials from 12-close!
$2 Well
$3 You Call It’s / *$4 Top Shelf
*Select Whiskey / Bourbon / Scotch
You can read the full details about this spectacular party on the post we just wrote and other gay Thanksgiving holiday events on our gay event calendar!
BLACK(out) Party full post…
SAAF Moda Provacateur
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.
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!
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 🙂
