Celebrate Pride Month
June is Pride Month-- a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities. Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, which began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The subsequent protests over the next six days are credited with a shift in LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S.
Today, towns and cities across Maine host pride festivals, parades, drag shows, and more. While Maine generally has strong protections for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, states and communities across the country have begun enacting strict laws restricting access to gender-affirming health care, cracking down on drag performances, and banning books and curriculum related to LGBTQ+ issues in public schools and libraries. It’s more important than ever to celebrate pride this year in a show of solidarity reaffirming our collective commitment to honor and cherish every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Bar Harbor
Pride Month events will start at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, with a patio party at the Milk & Honey Cafe in Northeast Harbor. Later that night, there’s drag queen karaoke at Leary’s Landing Irish Pub in Bar Harbor, starting at 10 p.m.
At 10 a.m. on Friday, June 9, a join a park ranger-led queer hike in Acadia National Park This is an inclusive community building hike for folks of all ages looking to enjoy an outdoor experience. This is a moderate, 2-mile round trip hike with steep sections and uneven terrain. Location will be given upon reservation. This is a safe space for LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Call 207-288-3338 option 0 to reserve your spot.
On Saturday, June 10, Bar Harbor’s Pride festival is set for noon to 4 p.m. outside the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, and that night there is a drag show at 8 p.m. at the Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor.
Blue Hill
Blue Hill Pride will be Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by the First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, at 22 Tenney Hill.
This year’s festivities will feature free food, live music, and a rainbow of activities for kids and teens. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with this all-ages event including a yoga session, crafts, and opportunities for advocacy. Play with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, make your own rainbow wands and decorate a pair of glasses, write a postcard to your legislators, or just enjoy some free hot dogs or pulled pork from the grill and the sweet sounds of local musical groups Moment’s Notice, Jay & Torsten Peterson, and Big Moose in a fun atmosphere ending with a contra dance.
All activities are free of charge, though donations to support Pride events will be accepted. For more information, please contact info@bluehillcongregational.org with Pride in the subject line.
Ellsworth
Ellsworth PrideFest 2023 is a free, family-friendly event that will take place on Sunday, June 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Knowlton Park.
Headlining the festival will be the Curbside Queens. Warming up the stage will be The Wayside, an Ellsworth-based band, and Midnight Rose, of Hermon. GiGi Gabor of Curbside Queens and Rachel Yves, an Ellsworth Pride volunteer, will emcee the event.
Familiar food trucks and vendors will be at the park with refreshments for sale. Local LGBTQIA+ community members will have the chance to mingle and build connections as well as enjoy music and personalities on stage.
For more information, visit heartofellsworth.org/pride or email Ellsworth PRIDE at ellsworthprideme@gmail.com and follow Ellsworth PRIDE on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates about the festival and other Pride Month events.
Washington County
Downeast Pride will host several pride events across Washington County this month:
