2012 Pride Week Events
Friday, May 18 – Entertainment events at local clubs
Saturday, May 19 – Festival, 11am-10pm, in Film Row, Downtown OKC. (Sheridan and Lee)
Sunday, May 20 – Parade, 6pm step-off
Mon, May 21 thru Friday, May 25 – To be announced
Saturday, May 26 – Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
Sunday, May 27 – Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
OKC PRIDE WEEK EXPANDS CELEBRATION TO 10 DAYS
LGBT organization partnering with OGRA & other groups
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (March 15, 2012) – OKC Pride is partnering with other community organizations to expand its annual Gay Pride celebration to 10 days of events, from May 18-27.
OKC Pride annually hosts the largest LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) celebration in Oklahoma, drawing more than 70,000 people to its Parade and Festival in 2011.
OKC Pride has invited other groups to schedule LBGT-related events throughout the week, such as picnics, educational programs, film screenings, ice-cream socials, and fashion shows. “Pride Week” will be capped off by the 27th annual Great Plains Rodeo, organized by O.G.R.A.
“With these partnerships, we’re growing beyond the traditional Pride Weekend to a series of events spanning 10 days that we’re calling Pride Week,” says OKC Pride vice-president Joshua Sauer.
“It’s the Parade’s 25th year and we’ve invited other groups to help our community celebrate. Our theme this year is ‘Proud. Strong. United.’ Working together gives all of us a chance to demonstrate this reality,” Sauer explains.
The Festival will take place on May 19th from 11am to 10pm in Downtown Oklahoma City in the Film Exchange District (a.k.a. Film Row). Film Row is located between Dewey and Shartel on Sheridan and is just southwest of the new Devon Tower.
Festival co-chair Jeremy Crites says, "The Pride Festival is moving to downtown Oklahoma City to increase our visibility. 25 years ago, we were fighting for the right to gather on our own turf without harassment or police raids. This year, we’ll be in the heart of the city because, as American citizens, we deserve and demand full equality everywhere and in every way."
The family-friendly Festival will feature a variety of local musicians and entertainers throughout the day. Festival-goers can browse the informational exhibits of nonprofit groups and purchase an assortment of food, beverages, and merchandise. Health screenings are also being arranged.
The Parade will be on Sunday, May 20th with lineup at 4pm, judging at 5pm, and step-off at 6pm. Like last year, the parade route begins at NW 36th & Classen Boulevard, goes north to NW 39th then west past Pennsylvania Avenue to Barnes.
This year – to recognize and celebrate the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – OKC Pride is inviting current LGBT servicemembers to march in the Parade and be recognized collectively as the Parade Grand Marshal. Those interested can sign up at OKCPride.org.
Parade co-chair Hunter Sanders says, "We're looking forward to having the biggest parade in our 25-year history! We’re expecting to have more entries and larger crowds than ever."
O.G.R.A. will present the Great Plains Rodeo on May 26-27 at the State Fairgrounds. Other organizations interested in hosting events during Pride Week should contact OKC Pride at info@okcpride.org.
“The LGBT community has made tremendous strides in the last 25 years. We want to celebrate those gains and honor the contributions of many individuals and groups, while remembering that we still lack full rights. Two parts of our mission are to promote awareness and education. We invite the entire state to join in celebrating the history, contributions, and struggle for equality of the LGBT community,” Sauer says.
OKC Pride’s recent website makeover makes an abundance of Pride Week and organizational information easily accessible. Visit OKCPride.org for the latest updates on Pride Week and to learn how to get involved.
2012 Pride Week Events
Friday, May 18 – Entertainment events at local clubs
Saturday, May 19 – Festival, 11am-10pm, in Film Row, Downtown OKC. (Sheridan and Lee)
Sunday, May 20 – Parade, 6pm step-off
Mon, May 21 thru Friday, May 25 – To be announced
Saturday, May 26 – Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
Sunday, May 27 – Great Plains Rodeo presented by O.G.R.A. at State Fairgrounds
OKC Pride, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership to meet the needs of the LGBT community in central Oklahoma through awareness, health, and educational services.
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