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

SAAF AIDSWALK

Tony Ray Baker
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SAAF AIDSWALK
 AIDSWALK Tucson
Get ready to bust out those cross-trainers, ’cause this will be the BIGGEST AIDSWALK yet… in Tucson at least. This year AIDSWALK has teamed up with Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY) and has moved downtown for a three day event.
 
AIDSWALK is such a fun and beautiful event that has become one of my favorites. If you’ve never experienced AIDSWALK, then I highly recommend you come join us.
 
What is AIDSWALK?  AIDSWALK is a family and pet-friendly walkathon fundraiser with the goal of increasing awareness and support for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The money raised at AIDSWALK Tucson benefits the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF). Each year SAAF provides services to nearly 1200 people living with HIV and AIDS and delivers targeted prevention outreach and education programs to over 17,000 people who are high-risk for infection.
 
This year is a special year for AIDSWALK. Because of its collaboration with Tucson Meet Yourself, AIDSWALK will have exposure to over 100,000 people! This is a great opportunity to help raise awareness and fight the dangerous stigma that still surrounds HIV/AIDS today.
 
For more information on AIDSWALK and how you can participate, please fisit AIDSWALKTucson.org.

SAAF Jello Wrestling

Tony Ray Baker
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SAAF Jello Wrestling
SAAF Jello Wrestling has grown to become one of Tucson’s most anticipated yearly events!  From the glamorous costumes to the hilarious personas, you’re going to love the pageantry and air of theatre that pervades the entire event. However, once the competitors are in the green ooze, then you truly see the captivating spectacle for what it is.  It’s friends and lovers, in the spirit of teamwork and competition, locked in intense combat.  It’s that raw, animalistic spirit that animates the entire event and makes SAAF’s Jello Wrestling such a wonderful thing to do in Tucson!

How Jello Wrestling Came to Tucson

This is the tale of Reno Gannon. In 1987, while tending bar at a local watering hole entitled “Rumor Hazzitt”, he went on vacation to Mexico and came back with a fantastic fundraising event. Wrestling in vats of Jell-O! Together with the owner of Rumor Hazzitt, they pulled together the first such event!  It was a fundraiser for Shanti, an early AIDS Service Organization that merged with other local agencies to form Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. The tale of Reno has a tragic end, however, as this wonderful, loving man was cut down at the precocious age of 23 by the scourge of AIDS.  To this day, the Jello Wrestling event remains a memorial to his legacy.

What Happens at SAAF Jello Wrestling?

SAAF Jello Wrestling is a team sport.  Each team of wrestlers raises funds to wrestle during a pit of Jell-O, typically with extraordinary costumes and characters. Between wrestling matches, the Drag Diva Hostesses will run a live auction that includes a wide range of fantastic items to titillate the crowd. Funds raised through Jell-O Wrestling assist SAAF with their awesome mission of cultivating a healthy & stigma-free society through transformative action.

How Can I Help?

Wrestling in the SAAF Jello Wrestling event is an awesome way to support the programs and services of the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF). All wrestlers should raise a minimum of $500 in sponsorships. With the addition of online giving through the SAAF website, raising sponsorships can be done with an email!  Find Out More Here:
Wrestle/Sponsor a Wrestler
Not the wrestling type?  Don’t worry, there are tons of volunteer opportunities at SAAF Jello Wrestling! Visit this page to choose what you’d like to do and when!
Volunteer
Have a great day, Tony Ray 🙂

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 Gay Pride 2010

Tony Ray Baker
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Tucson Gay Pride 2010

Tucson Gay Pride is known as “Pride in the Desert” and was held at Reid Park on October 9, 2010.  Check out over 100 photos of Tucson Pride’s GLBT community celebrating pride below.

Show Us Your Awesome Talent at the 2022 Tucson Gay Pride in October!

Tony Ray Baker
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0
Show Us Your Awesome Talent at the 2022 Tucson Gay Pride in October!
While national Pride month has come and gone we still have the 45th annual Tucson Pride to look forward to in October! Here’s a little info on the upcoming festivities and how you can get involved if you’re interested in the open entertainment call.

Pride Weekend

Kick off the weekend on Friday, September 30th with the Pride Parade. Registration will be open soon so stay tuned. The official Pride Festival is on October 1st from 12:00-10:00 PM at the Georges DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park. If you’d like to be a vendor registration is now open, hurry before all the best spots are snatched up! Pride Brunch is on Sunday at Highwire Lounge, stay tuned for details. This is a great chance to unwind from the crazy weekend’s festivities and catch up with friends you might have missed at the park. Do you know any LGBTQ people who don’t love a good brunch? Neither do we.

The Open Entertainment Call

Image of 3 drag queens posing with a girlAre you an entertainer or performer of some type? Do you enjoy the feeling of the crowd’s adoration washing over you? Well now is your chance to apply to be a part of Tucson Pride 2022. They are currently looking for bands, dancers, comedians, DJ’s, drag performers, track entertainers, and more! If you think you’ve got what it takes you have until July 31st to get your application in. You’ll need to include a letter of interest along with video samples or links to your work for review. Now is the time to showcase your talent! Spots are limited so we encourage you to act fast. Send submissions to NancyN@TucsonPride.Org

Just visiting?

Do you have friends or family coming into town to celebrate with you? Well, Tucson Pride just announced the official hotel for this year. Make your reservations at The Graduate, located off Main Gate Square at the University of Arizona. This hotel is shiny and new with eclectic design elements that showcase the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Rooftop image of the Graduate TucsonWe’re talking rooftop heated swimming pool, firepits, and a bar and restaurant just for starters! Yes, all of that is on the roof. You can also bring your furry family with you if you like. This is going to be the place for after-parties so book your stay now. If you have any questions about the upcoming festivities you can send them to information@TucsonPride.Org.      
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