“Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.” ―  James Baldwin

You know Pride Month is a big deal in Richmond when it leads off with Mayor Danny Avula raising a Progress Pride Flag at Richmond City Hall to commemorate national LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Virginia Pride, Diversity Richmond, city leaders and allies gathered together on Friday, May 30 at 9 a.m. to issue a Pride Month proclamation in continued support of the LGBTQ+ community. The flag will fly at City Hall throughout the month of June.

“Richmond stands proudly with our LGBTQ community not just in policy or symbolism, but in spirit,” said Mayor Avula. “We will not go backward. We will continue to be a city where everyone belongs, no matter who they are or who they love.”

Now that the flag is up, there are plenty other ways to celebrate Pride Month throughout the month of June with eating, reading, shopping, dancing, spoken word, even finding a job. Oh, and drag shows, lots and lots of drag shows. Who could ask for anything more?

Kickoff events on Sunday, June 1

Starting at 10 a.m., there’s a Virginia Pride Parade at a location still to be announced as of presstime. Go here to check for updates.

Kick off Pride Month with the Mystic Markets Pride Brunch at SB’s Lakeside Love Shack. Enjoy brunch and take advantage of drink specials, Jello shots and live performances before checking out the market in the back parking lot. You’ll get a raffle ticket for every $10 you spend with the market’s local makers. (Sunday, June 1 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

If you’re a fan of spoken word, don’t miss the Writers’ Den Pride Slam celebrating LGBTQ+ poets at Addis Ethiopian Restaurant. Register to tell your original stories of hardship, love, triumph and liberation before a panel of five judges. The slam begins with ten poets and moves through three elimination rounds to determine a winner. Doors at 7, show at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 at the door. (June 1, 7-10:30 p.m.)

There’s also a celebration of and for the sober LGBTQ+ community, its friends, allies and supporters. Richmond Recovery Pride Fest takes place at Diversity Richmond and features more than 40 vendors, food trucks, a DJ to keep things lively, comedy, the requisite drag shows and, perhaps best of all, recovery resources and craft mocktails from Point 5. (June 1 from noon to 4 p.m.)

Rest of June

Join Richmond restaurants in celebrating National Pride Month with the Dine Out for Pride event, a week of feeding your belly while making a difference in the LGBTQ+ community. With each signature item sold at participating restaurants, $1 will be donated in equal parts to Richmond Region Tourism Foundation’s OutRVA campaign and VA Pride. From L’Opposum to Heritage to Mellow Mushroom and New York Deli, it’s eating for a cause. (Takes place from June 1 – 8 at participating restaurants. For a full list of events, visit this site.)

Shop ’til you drop at the Big Gay Pride Market at Diversity Richmond. In addition to 70 LGBTQ+ makers, there will be live music, drag performances, a Big Gay Raffle, multiple food trucks and mutual aid thanks to RVA Community Fridges, MADRVA, and the Dandelion Hive. This is a donate-what-you-will at the door, but no one will be turned away. (Sunday, June 8 from noon to 4 p.m.)

Flying Squirrels Pride Night at the Diamond, hosted by the Richmond LGBTQ+ Chamber, offers a fun night of baseball, food and community. Your ticket gets you field-level seating, an all-you-can-eat buffet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and access to Brewski’s Canina for a cash bar. The Squirrels will be playing the Binghamton Rumble Ponies with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m. (Friday, June 13, 5:30 p.m. Tickets )

If you’re the reading type, don’t miss Pride LitCon 2025 at the ACCA Shriner’s Center. LitCon is a book fair-type event celebrating queer stories and the people who love them. Spend the day meeting your favorite queer authors, buying books and getting them signed. Hardcore readers, note: VIP tickets include a charity dinner afterparty with the authors. (Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. and go here for tickets

Pride on Forest Hill offers a full day of Pride celebrating, starting with a market at Thirsty’s at noon. Hang around for the Pride picnic at Forest Hill Park at 5 p.m., followed by a Pride Happy Hour and afterparty, complete with drag show, at Thirsty’s kicking off at 7 p.m. (Saturday, June 14, noon – 11 p.m.)

For those who are loud, proud and hungry, you can slay the day at the Pride Drag Brunch at the Foundation. Take in jaw-dropping performances by queens Javon Love, Jasmen Clitopatra and Lavender Menace, all guaranteed to show you how it’s done, or, at the very least, what to aspire to. (Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m. Tickets). 

The Pride Bar Crawl kicks off at New York Deli and moves through Babe’s of Carytown, Three Monkeys, Harry’s at the Hof, Bingo Beer, Social 52, Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill and Sticky Rice and a drag show before ending with an afterparty with music from 10 p.m. to midnight. Get your ticket early, don your rainbow attire and support an event that donates proceeds to LGBTQ+ causes like the Trevor Project. (Saturday, June 21, 4 p.m. Tickets)

Joy on Juneteenth, presented by For The Femme in You at Diversity Richmond, offers a powerful celebration of Black joy, freedom and resistance that will feature live music, poetry, spades tournaments, line dancing, Black-owned vendors, a Kids Zone, delicious food and more. (Sunday, June 22 from noon to 9 p.m.)

Forget the paparazzi and head to the Lady Gaga Pride Drag Brunch at Funny Bone Comedy Club. Costumes are encouraged and yes, Virginia, there will be a fabulous Gaga tribute. Avoid the mayhem, seating is on a first come, first served basis so get your crew there early. (Sunday, June 22 from 2 – 4 p.m. Tickets).

Of course Carytown would have a day of supporting queer artistry and joy. Head to the Carytown Pride Market to spend the afternoon shopping local while enjoying tasty eats and treats from Eddie Rose coffee, Petty’s Pastries, and Twisted Lemon Bev Co. Attendees are invited to dance to your favorite queerpop tunes, blow bubbles with friends, and wear your most glittery, glamorous and gay garb. (Sunday, June 22, noon to 5 p.m.)

Even during Pride Month, a person’s got to work to live. Meet equality-minded employers who want to connect with LGBTQ+ job seekers at the 2025 LGBTQ+ Job and Career Fair at Diversity Thrift. It’s a chance to network with businesses and organizations that share your commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace. Career counselors will be on-site for resume review and get a free headshot to update your LinkedIn profile. Limited vouchers for complimentary wardrobe from Diversity Thrift will be available. (Tuesday, June 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Support some of Richmond’s queer makers and artists at the Pride Month Market at Benchtop Brewing on Hull Street. From Faye’s Fairy Fitz to Petty’s Pastries, the market showcases many of the talented LGBTQ+ makers worth knowing about, while food trucks will keep you fed to shop and mingle. (Saturday, June 28, noon to 5 p.m.).