San Antonio Pride Month, which continues through the month of June, features a variety of events ranging from art exhibits, to film screenings, panel discussions, a parade and a festival.
Pride Month is an annual summer tradition that celebrates the contributions and presence of San Antonio’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) communities. The Stonewall riots in June 1969, where members and allies of the LGBTQIA community in New York’s Greenwich Village fought back against discriminatory police practices, gave the month national recognition as a time of commemoration.
The culminating San Antonio Pride Month event is “Pride Bigger Than Texas,” a parade and festival organized by Pride San Antonio. The festivities start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, at Crockett Park. The parade begins at 9 p.m., kicking off at the intersection of Dewey Place and North Main Street.
Beyond the parade and festival are a diverse set of Pride Month events scheduled throughout the city. While some are free to attend, others reasonably priced, and a few age-restricted, all are unique in their potential for allowing the city to engage with its vibrant LGBTQIA community.
Around Town
LGBTQ History is San Antonio History
Saturday, June 10, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, 7150 West I-10
An exhibit of collected items from historical San Antonio LGBTQIA figures and institutions will be shown in the church’s Fellowship Hall. A reception and presentation by University of Texas at San Antonio archivist librarian Melissa Gohlke will accompany the displays.
#queergrito esperanza 3.0 LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit
Saturday, June 10, 6-9 p.m.
Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave.
The #queergrito art show at the Esperanza Center is a collection of artistic outputs by LGBTQIA artists and cultural workers. This exhibit is shown in conjunction with Pride Month and the Esperanza’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Trixie Mattel: The Ages 3 & Up Show (18+ Event)
Monday, June 12, 9 p.m.
The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St.
Tickets: $23-31 with meet-and-greet packages available
Experience Trixie Mattel’s “The Ages 3 & Up” standup comedy special. The American drag queen, whose offstage name is Brian Firkus, is a former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant and country singer. The routine has enjoyed global audiences.
The Danish Girl Film Viewing and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, June 20, 7-10 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse Park North, 618 Northwest Loop 410
Tickets: $15
The San Antonio Society for Psychoanalytic Studies is showing The Danish Girl, a fictitious story of two artists’ marriage and one’s experience as a transgender person. Cynthia Phillips and Lauryn Farris will discuss their life experiences and thoughts on the movie with moderator Dr. Trey Thompson. Admission proceeds from the showing will be donated to the Transgender Education Network of Texas. The group emphasizes registering through their website. Tickets will not be sold by the theater.
Paramour’s Drag Brunch Pride Week Kickoff
Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Paramour Bar, 102 9th St.
The Paramour Bar is hosting its eighth drag brunch with this year’s theme as Fetish. The event is free and open to the public and theme-inspired cocktails, breakfast pastries, and breakfast tacos will be available for purchase. The festivities will be hosted by Kristi Waters, show director and hostess of Babio’s Eat Drink Dance and winner of Most Original at the 2016 San Antonio Burlesque Festival. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Library Events
The San Antonio Public Library recognizes and celebrates June as Pride Month. Library branches across the city will host free events to recognize and inform people of the contributions made by LGBTQIA people.
Cornyation: San Antonio’s Outrageous Fiesta Tradition, Author Visit by Amy Stone
Wednesday, June 14, 6-7:15 p.m.
Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Rd.
Amy Stone is the author of the recently released Cornyation: San Antonio’s Outrageous Fiesta Tradition. The Trinity University associate professor of sociology and anthropology will be reading and discussing selections from her book, and a signing will follow the event with copies available for purchase.
“What the Gay Rights Movement Learned from the Civil Rights Movement”
Sunday, June 18, 2-4 p.m.
Igo Branch Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy.
In 2014, documentary filmmaker Yoruba Richen gave a TED Talk titled “What the Gay Rights Movement Learned from the Civil Rights Movement,” in which she discusses her perspective on the overlap and tension between the two historical movements. This event will offer a viewing and discussion of that talk.
Growing Up Trans
Friday, June 23, 1-2:30 p.m.
Memorial Branch Library, 3222 Culebra Rd.
and
Wednesday, July 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct.
The Memorial Branch Library will be screening the PBS Frontline documentary Growing Up Trans. The report covers issues that transgender children and their parents face while simultaneously discussing the trend of medical intervention at younger ages. Another showing is scheduled at the Westfall Branch Library in July.
In Memoriam with Pride Center San Antonio
Among the events are also more somber opportunities for reflection. This year’s pride month coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, which left 49 people dead.
Pride Center San Antonio is commemorating the loss of LGBTQIA lives with #HonorThemWithAction. During Pride Month, the organization strives to both celebrate and pay homage to those murdered or oppressed because of their identity, Pride Center Board Chair Robert Salcido told the Rivard Report in a Wednesday phone interview. The call to action encourages members and allies of the community to live authentically, but with the understanding that the status quo is not acceptable. More must be done to bring awareness, diversity, and visibility to LGBTQIA people and their struggles.
International Virtual Service Broadcast from Orlando
Monday, June 12, 6 p.m.
Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) San Antonio, 611 E Myrtle St.
Metropolitan Community Church will host a memorial service to commemorate those lost during the Pulse Nightclub shootings. Attendees may join individuals and groups throughout San Antonio in connecting with a service broadcast across the nation and beyond for the Orlando victims.
#HonorThemWithAction Service Day
Saturday, June 17
Pride Center San Antonio is establishing service opportunities to directly impact LGBTQIA lives in the city. Register for a service opportunity with either the MCC San Antonio Food Pantry or with Roy Mass Youth Alternatives by following those links.
Post-Pride Month
Beyond Pride Month, several San Antonio organizations regularly host meetings and events for members and allies of the LGBTQIA community.
Fiesta Youth Teen Meeting
Every Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell Ave.
Fiesta Youth is an LGBTQIA youth and ally group (ages 12-18) that hosts weekly meetings. The meetings are intended to provide a safe, non-judgmental, affirming place for LGBTQIA youth.
BeHumanSa Trans Youth/Parent Peer Support Group
Monday, June 19, and every other Monday
Pride Center San Antonio, 1002 N. Flores St.
This is an opportunity for transgender youth and their parents to connect with one another. Pride Center San Antonio offers a a safe environment for families to comfort each other with encouragement, love, and advice.
For more regularly scheduled events in the LGBTQIA community, check the Pride Center San Antonio calendar for information and updates.
