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!
It is the most exciting part of the year! We get to plan our involvement in the most cherished of Gay Events in Tucson, Gay Pride 2018! Vendors and Sponsors, especially, need to plan ahead to get the best locations and most favorable rates. Registration packets will be available as soon as April 16th to help clear up any lingering questions. In the meantime, however, vendors and sponsors can use this page to learn what they need to know about 2018 Tucson Pride!
Gay Pride 2018 for Vendors and Sponsors
Advertising at Tucson Pride is one of the most rewarding ad-spends we do every year.I have promos we created for Tucson Pride dating back over a decade. In fact, I still have the first sticker we ever produced, and I have photos of me handing them out! Check the bottom of the Tucson Gay Pride page for an anthology of past Tucson Prides!
This year has proceeded a bit differently, but I have myself received a sponsorship request, so I know the sign-up process has begun. If you are interested in sponsoring or being a vendor, look for these dates:
April 16 – Vendor Registration Packets will be Available
Shortly Thereafter – Sponsorship Packets will be made Available
Advertisers – The time is now to begin designing your content and preparing for the event!
Gay Pride 2018 for Advertisers
The most important point I can make to other advertisers is to be fun and playful. The entire event is a blast and people will only connect with your advertising if it communicates the same spirit.
I would also recommend creating content that people can really use. Put your message on hats or shirts or stickers or pens, something people can hold in their hands and incorporate into their lives.
Finally, understand the theme and how your message can fit into it. The 2018 Tucson Pride theme, “New Beginnings” offers a ton of messaging options. Keep your adverts new and fresh to take advantage of the incredible size of the Tucson Pride community.
Keep monitoring GayTucson for the latest info on Gay Pride 2018 as soon as we get it!
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
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
October 9, 2015 @ 6pm – Starts at 8th St. and 4th Ave
Over the past 15 years the Tucson Pride Parade has grown to become a central part of the Tucson Gay Pride celebration. 2014 promises to take the event to the next level! Pride on Parade will begin at Catalina Park on 2nd St. at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 11th. We will proceed to 4th ave. and take a right, leading to our destination on 4th and 8th St.
The most important thing is to get involved. The focus of Pride on Parade is to allow everyone to be themselves, some come have a blast with us at the block party at the end of the parade!
Thats right, this year the Tucson Pride Parade has joined with Sky Bar to provide a Block Party from 7pm to 10pm. It’ll be the best place to grab a drink after the long parade march ; )
Pride In The Desert 2015
October 16, 2015 @ 12pm – Kino Sports Complex
Tucson Pride presents its 38th Annual LGBTQ Pride Festival . $50. VIP. Advance tickets can be bought on-line at http://tucsonpride.org/ Advance purchase tickets can be picked up at the will-call table at the entrance on the day of the event.
Pride 2015 After-Party
October 16th, 2015 @ 8pm – PlayGround Lounge
Come to the office Tucson Pride After-Party hosted by PlayGround Lounge. Enjoy the night on Tucson’s Largest Outdoor Bar Patio with great friends and custom Pride-Inspired cocktails.
