The theme for Dayton PRIDE 2023 is “United We Can” in which the logo utilizes the intersex inclusive Pride flag to insure all individuals are included as we celebrate together. Dayton Pride has always been about self-affirmation, dignity, and acceptance of your authentic self, no matter who you are, or who you love, all are welcome to celebrate you. Our Pride celebration will take place on June 2-4 with the Affair on the Square leading off on June 2nd at Courthouse Square beginning at 6 pm to 10 pm. On Saturday, June 3rd, we begin setting up vendor displays at 9 am with the parade lining up at 10:30 am with the step off promptly at noon. The PRIDE Festival at Courthouse Square begins from Noon to 4 pm June 3th. June 4th, we kick off the day with the Annual “Running with PRIDE: Celebration sponsored by PFLAG. Registration beginning at 7:30 am at Eastwood Metro Park with the race beginning at 9 am. Early registration has begun. If you sign up early this will guarantee the individual a T-shirt, medal, and goodie bag with deadline for early registration ending May 1st. Sign up HERE: https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/ OH/Dayton/RunningwithPride5kRunWalk On June 17th, the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus will present their Annual PRIDE Concert at the Masonic Center at 8 PM. So a very exciting PRIDE Season is about to unfold. Happy PRIDE! 10

PRIDE Confusion and Controversy

There has been much talk and confusion, about the two advertised PRIDE events talking place on at the first of June in Dayton. The Greater Dayton LGBT Center, a 501c3 established in 1976, who has organized and held PRIDE events in Dayton for well over 20 years on the 1st weekend in June, continues to hold PRIDE Events on June 2nd , June 3rd, and June 4th. While virtually all events are free of charge, any and all proceeds from the events go right back into the LGBTQ+ community as they support The Greater Dayton LGBT Center and PFLAG Dayton. The Affair on the Square, the Annual Pride Parade, and Festival at Courthouse Square Continues this long tradition along with PFLAG Dayton’s Annual Running with PRIDE. All in a very family friendly atmosphere.

The Dykes of Dayton, Inc. did begin planning Pride events last year in the Oregon district and again have events planned for this year. They are a relatively new organization in that they did not obtain their 501c3 status until August of 2022. They have a number of events listed on their flyer. If the group truly sought to bring about “Oneness” perhaps choosing another weekend so PRIDE could indeed be felt thorough June and celebrated without a look of divide.

Pride does not halt with the month of June as it continues on July 8, 2023 for Dayton Black PRIDE with another opportunity to embrace and support the LGBTQ+ black and brown communities and promote racial equality for all. PRIDE will move forward as there is much PRIDE in this City and in our people. Dayton Pride will be a great celebration with many of these opportunities for you wish to particiapte. In all ways, Stand Tall, Stand Proud, Stand United, as Untied We Can and celebrate PRIDE all year round as an everyday example.

On Friday June 3rd we kick off Dayton PRIDE with the Affair On The Square at 6 pm. We have asked our GSA’s and Diversity Clubs to highlight their talented young people by sharing song or written word. Then Kyleen Downs and group will take the stage to share their musical styling. We then will have a “Dueling Pianos” act take the stage as Shane Hall and Brennan Paulin share their musical talents in a fun and entertaining way. Lastly on Friday night we close out the evening with the Rubi Girls as they share their wit, humor and song for one very entertaining evening that should not be missed!

On Saturday June 4th will be a very exciting day with all the hustle and bustle of PRIDE Day. Vendor will begin setting up booths at 9 am and at 11 am groups will start lining up for the Parade. Groups will meet in Cooper Park the corner of Second and St. Clair Street to check in and get their positions in the Parade. The Parade will step off at Noon! The parade will turn RIGHT from St. Clair Street onto Third Street and proceed to Jefferson St where the parade will turn RIGHT onto Jefferson. It will then march from Jefferson to Second Street where it will turn Left onto Second. From Second street it will proceed to Main Street and Turn Left onto Main. At Main the parade will then proceed to Courthouse square where the PRIDE Festival will be in full swing from noon to 4 pm with lots of food, fun, and entertainment.

Each year at PRIDE we have seen a growing number of parents that bring their Queer kids to Dayton PRIDE and often they have shared with us their fears for the safety and mental well-being of their children. This year in-between acts we are asking our out and proud, doctors, lawyers, and business people to share their stories so all will know it is going to be OK, we are survivors, and we are resilient.

Later that evening The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus will present in concert, “Flashback” a fun musical retrospective of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and more beginning at 8 pm at the Dayton Masonic Center. Tickets for this extravaganza are still available so grab them quick since it is sure to sell out! On Sunday June 5th grab your running shoes and head out to Eastwood Metro Park for PFLAG’s “Running with PRIDE” with registration starting at 7:30 am and the race starting at 9 am. The run/walk/bike is a great way to get the day started with PRIDE.

At 1 pm we introduce you to a new event for the PRIDE weekend lineup as the Rubi Girls present their “Miss Rubicon Pageant” at The Warehouse at Top Of The Market at 32 Webster Street in Dayton. With this fundraiser each of the contestants will be working to raise $ to show their support of The Rubi Scholarships. Each $5 vote will help them rake in points to add to their performance scores to crown the new Miss Rubicon. It is sure to be a hoot!

Then on July 9th, 2022 we return to Courthouse Square at 10 am for The Dayton Black PRIDE Parade from Courthouse Square to McIntosh Park where a PRIDE Festival will take place. At McIntosh Park there is a fun day of PRIDE celebration planned from 11 am to 7 pm featuring food, fun, and entertainment.

So pull out your PRIDE gear, plan your outfit and show your PRIDE as we celebrate PRIDE as a whole community!

On Saturday June 5th beginning at 10 am is the “Reverse Pride Parade.” While we could line people up for a regular parade in lines and columns to allow social distancing, we cannot control the spectators on the sidewalks. So the safest way is to do our “Reverse Pride Parade” again this year. What do that mean? This means that any would be marchers or parade floats, we place them on the sidewalks as a static display, and ask all spectators to decorate their cars as PRIDEFULLY as they wish and simply drive down Second Street from Patterson Street to Main Street at the posted 5 mph speed limit, obeying all traffic signals, and slower pass each display. Our parade people will come out to your vehicles to personally hand any givea- way items directly to you all while wearing masks for everyones safety. Once the driver gets to Main St, they may circle around if they wish or perhaps go find their parking spot for the festival at Courthouse Square! Beginning at Noon to 4 pm is our Annual Dayton PRIDE Festival at Courthouse Square. Again, we will have chairs all in front of the stage so folks will not stand in one huge group to watch the stage but spread out in a socially distanced fashion. Masks will be required all day while on the Square. All food and drink will be relegated to our new Food Court and Beer Garden on Third Street, when you are finished eating and drinking, you may pull your mask up and join us on Courthouse Square for a full day of fun and entertainment until 4 pm. On Sunday June 6th beginning at 9 am is PFLAG’s Annual Running With Pride 5k Run Walk. Registration for the race is still open until May 22nd. Race Day Registration will be available - Sunday 6/6/21 @ 7:30am (No guarantee of t-shirt, participation medal, or goodie bag if you register on the day of the event)