By: Tom Benoit Photo by: Brynn Osborn
For over 50 years, LGBTQIA+ pride events have been held in the month of June in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots. Looking for ways to celebrate Pride Month in the Coastal Bend? Here are some events happening in the area to celebrate!
LGBTQIA+ Artist Exhibit
Local queer artist Jose Gonzales IV is curating “Expressions of LGBTQIA+ Life Through Art,” an exhibit featuring local LGBTQIA+ artists. While the gallery has no specific subject matter, works exhibiting experiences as an LGBTQIA+ individual were encouraged. “Expressions of LGBTQIA+ Life Through Art” will be exhibited during the month of June. La Palmera mall is located at 5488 S Padre Island Dr.
YNOT’s 4th Annual LGBTQIA+ Youth Prom: The Mighty Extra Masquerade Ball
June 5
For a more youth-focused event where you can let your imagination run wild, Youth Network Out Together (YNOT) is hosting its 4th annual LGBTQIA+ Youth Prom for LGBTQIA+ identifying youth and allies, aged 13-18. The prom will be held at the Coastal Bend Pride Center and will feature performances from drag performers Miss Matte and Frankie, who will perform with two “baby queens.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, with limited capacity. The prom will be held from 7-11 P.M. Coastal Bend Pride Center is located at 2882 Holly Rd.
PRIDE Pet Paw-rade
June 12
Starting at St. Paul United Church of Christ, and finishing at Solstice Living Center, the PRIDE Pet Paw-rade, is a PRIDE Corpus Christi first. The pet parade encourages pets and owners to dress in celebration of Pride month. The paw-rade will be held on Lipes Boulevard, and will be on June 12 at 10 A.M.
Proud Market
June 18
Want to check out more local businesses? Trendy Eats and Vegan Treats is hosting Proud Market at The Bay Jewel Event Center. Proud Market will feature 15 local vendors, and will feature drag performances from Miss Matte, Allanah Davis, and Naomi Evans every 30 minutes. Tickets are $10, with 10% of all ticket sales going to the Trevor Project, a non-profit LGBTQIA+ organization. To see the full list of vendors, and for more information, visit Proud Market’s Facebook event page.
The People’s Market
June 20
For more local flare, El Local Collective will host The People’s Market, a marketplace featuring local vendors, with some featuring pride-themed items, in support of the Coastal Bend Pride Center. The 12-5 P.M. event will feature performances by drag queens and music from a D.J. The People’s Market has no charge for admission, but attendees are encouraged to make donations to the Coastal Bend Pride Center. To learn more about The People’s Market, visit their instagram at @thepeoplesmarketcctx.
PRIDE Night with The Hooks
June 24
For sports fans, the Corpus Christi Hooks are hosting a Pride Night as they take on the Amarillo Sod Poodles. While celebrating Pride, enjoy Thirsty Thursday with drink deals. For more information, visit https://www.milb.com/corpus-christi/tickets/promotions.
PRIDE Night Extravaganza
June 25
To help conclude Pride Month, Bar Under the Sun (BUS) with Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, and Coastal Bend Pride Center are celebrating with a Diva Night. In observance of National HIV testing day, free HIV testing and goodie bags will be provided at the Diva Night. The PRIDE Night Extravaganza will be taking place at the BUS at 702 Chaparral St.
‘I Am My Own Wife’ by Doug Wright
June 25 – 27
Also to close out Pride Month, watch the Pulitzer-prize winning play “I Am My Own Wife” at the Port Aransas Community Theater. “I Am My Own Wife” follows the story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a transgender woman who survived both the rise and fall of Nazism as well as the oppressive Eastern German regime. For more information, visit portaransascommunitytheatre.com.
Have a Pride-related event? If you would like to be added to the list, contact tom@thebendmag.com for your event to be listed.
