The Newport Pride Committee is preparing for an upcoming event-packed weekend on May 31 – June 2.
The weekend is a local celebration of Pride Month, held across the country and the world in June. Pride month is about acknowledging and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other non-confirming identities related to gender expression and sexual orientation.
Organizers of the events this year include community members and the organization NewportOUT. A fundraiser for the weekend was held at Stoneacre Basserie in April.
“We encourage everyone in the surrounding area who supports equality and freedom of expression to come out and celebrate inclusivity in a great inviting atmosphere,” NewportOUT states in a press release this week.
Events on Friday, May 31 include a flag raising ceremony held at Newport City Hall at 4:30 PM and a beach yoga class at Third Beach in Middletown at 6 PM led by Shelley Dungan of the Sacred Center, an interfaith center in Portsmouth for yoga, meditation, prayer, counseling, spiritual community and better health. Yoga is a suggested $5 donation minimum and all proceeds will be donated to the Trevor Project, an organization whose work includes a national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
Saturday June 1 events include a ticketed sail on the Adirondack II leaving from Bowen’s Wharf at 2 PM, with drag queen performances on board and a party at Christie’s starting at 8 PM. The party is 21+ and guests can pre-register oline for free or pay $5 at the door.
On Sunday, June 2 in partnership with Bike Newport, there will be a 2 mile group bike ride through town leaving at 11 AM. Helmets are required and riders will conform with the flow of traffic. The ride starts and ends at Equality Park on Broadway in Newport. A festival will take place from 12 – 4 at that same park. The closing event for the weekend will be held at the Parlor Bar & Kitchen at 4 PM with live music from Dragonfly Marie, Midnight Honey and Jodi Jolt & the Volt.
The Newport Pride committee is still looking for artists, non-profits, and businesses looking to positively serve the LGBT+ community by participating in the Sunday festival at Equality Park and also in a Pride Pin deal where patrons can purchase custom-designed pins at select locations throughout town for $2 to receive deals at businesses throughout the area during the month of June.
To participate and stay-up-to date on the happenings, see NewportOut.com/newportpride and join the event on NewportOUT’s Facebook page.