As Bob Dylan once said, "The times they are a-changin'." And in a major sign of shifting attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ acceptance, the family-friendly Disneyland Park in Southern California is hosting its first-ever LGBTQ Pride Night this month.
While the park has unofficially been home to wildly popular “Gay Days” for more than two decades, those events are organized by a third party. The official Pride Night gathering—which draws inspiration from Disneyland Paris, which was the first-ever Disney locale to host a Pride event back in 2019—is particularly notable during a time when the entertainment conglomerate is ramping up its very public dispute with Florida's Ron DeSantis, which kicked off due to its opposition to the governor’s Parental Rights in Education Act (often referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill). 
Disney’s first-ever Pride Night on June 13 and 15 will include a special Pride parade with characters dressed in new outfits (pictured), an Ohana dance party with Stitch in Tomorrowland and a separate dance party along the Rivers of America, country line dancing in the Golden Horseshoe, photo opportunities with unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads, and special dining and merchandise.Photo: Courtesy of Disneyland Resort
Disney isn't the only space ramping up its public support for the LGBTQIA+ community in 2023. With anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and hateful rhetoric on the rise—particularly targeting the transgender community—many properties and destinations around the country are using the month of June to reaffirm their commitment to providing inclusive, safe spaces. Because, after all, over 7% of American adults identified as LGBT in 2022, which marks a new record high—and when you look solely at Gen Z, that number jumps to almost 20%.
But this year, it's not only rainbow-colored cocktails and drag brunches. (Though there are plenty of those too!) We're observing increased efforts by event venues to take a philanthropy-driven approach, using Pride-related events to give back to nonprofit organizations that support the queer community. Here are some standout offerings we've spotted around the country...
W Aspen | Aspen, Colo.
W Aspen is launching Aspen Pride for the first time ever in the Colorado city's history. Through a collaboration with AspenOUT—a nonprofit organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community and promoting tolerance and understanding—the hotel will host a variety of Pride events every week this month, including mixology and wellness classes open to the public. The official Aspen Pride kickoff party will take place June 2 at the hotel's WETdeck, featuring a lineup of LGBTQ+ DJs. June 3, meanwhile, will see the Pride Ball Extravaganza featuring music and special performances throughout the hotel, while there will be a queer comedy brunch June 4. W Aspen is also offering special room reservations that include all-access passes to the weekend's events.
Giveback component: All ticket proceeds from the hotel’s Aspen Pride opening weekend events will be donated directly to AspenOUT. In addition, every Thursday this month, all proceeds from cocktail purchases at the property will also be donated to the organization.
Kimpton Aertson Hotel | Nashville, Tenn.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has announced the lineup for BrunchOUT 2023, the luxury brand’s annual drag brunch series in partnership with nonprofit The Trevor Project. The series kicks off June 25 at Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville and will host additional events later this year in Atlanta and Palm Springs. BrunchOUT features performances by national and local drag queens at Kimpton hotels across the U.S.; there’s also brunch, a full bar, and silent auctions with prizes centered on travel. The event series, which is limited to attendees ages 21 and over, is curated in collaboration with Fiercely You Entertainment.
Giveback component: All ticket sales for BrunchOUT events and proceeds from silent auctions will support The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for young LGBTQ people. Travelers who can’t attend an event but still want to support the cause can book Kimpton’s year-round The Trevor Project offer, which includes a $10 donation per night to the nonprofit.
Beacon Grand's Pink Triangle Park cocktail is made with Malfy Con Arancia blood orange gin, passion fruit juice, Select Aperitivo, limoncello, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, ricotta water, and orange bitters. It's garnished with edible flowers.Photo: Courtesy of Beacon Grand
To coincide with San Francisco Pride, the Beacon Grand in SF's Union Square has introduced a lavish package called "Love Takes Flight." Priced at $22,500, the offering includes a three-night stay in the 885-square-foot Beacon Grand Suite; guests will also enjoy a hosted reception for up to 50 people in the hotel's Starlite Room. (The Starlite Room was created by the late Harry Denton, renowned as the "king of San Francisco nightlife" and a prominent figure in the local LGBTQ+ community.) The package also includes a helicopter tour from San Francisco to wine country, with an exclusive wine-tasting experience for two courtesy of Specialized Aviation. Guests will receive airport chauffeur service to and from San Francisco International Airport, along with complimentary Pink Triangle Park cocktails in the Beacon Lounge. The package is available from June 27 to July 1.
Giveback component: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to REAF, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for HIV services.
Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
On June 4, Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC will celebrate Pride at a Mardi Gras-inspired brunch hosted by Jujubee, a fan favorite from RuPaul's Drag Race. The event will feature performances, music from local DJ Alex Love, gourmet food and drinks, Mardi Gras festivities, a dance party, and LGBTQ+ mentorship opportunities. The midday gathering will also present Dr. Anthony Fauci with the inaugural Worthy Mentor Award for his career dedication to the LGBTQ+ community, including his leadership in research, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Giveback component: A portion of ticket sales will benefit Worthy Mentoring, an area nonprofit that connects vetted and trained mentors and mentees in the LGBTQ+ community for guidance and support through a free mobile app.
New York's NoMo SoHo is offering a Fantasy Pride Package for the month of June. The package includes suites decorated with Pride decor and special swag upon check-in, plus two sets of satin NoMo SoHo pajamas, a $25 dining credit to NoMo Kitchen, and four Bacardi welcome drinks. An Insta-friendly bonus? Guests will find the perfect photo op with the rainbow-lit Tunnel of Love at the Crosby Street entrance of the hotel.Photo: Courtesy of NoMo SoHo
Kimpton Hotel Eventi | New York
Located in New York's Chelsea neighborhood within walking distance of the famed NYC Pride parade, Manhattan’s Kimpton Hotel Eventi is offering a comprehensive Pride Package that includes celebratory cocktails for two at The Vine; a $50 food and beverage credit; waived guest amenity fees; and a Pride Welcome Kit with a $10 subway card, popcorn from queer-owned business Pipcorn, mini Pride flags, rainbow sunglasses, and a Kimpton Eventi Pride T-shirt. The offer is valid for stays from June 1-30.
Giveback component: The hotel will provide a donation to The Trevor Project for each booking.
Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis recently introduced a new Pride Package that allows guests to give back to the local LGBTQ+ community by booking rooms or suites. Available to any guest who chooses the option from June 1 to Nov. 1, the Pride Package was inspired by the property's "Be You" initiative, which focuses on internal training and community engagement surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. During the month of June, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will also celebrate Pride with food and beverage offerings, including multicolored croissants in Socca Café and music by LGBTQ+ artists on Riva Terrace.
Giveback component: The hotel will donate 5% of the room rate to the Twin Cities’ LGBTQ+ community and will provide guests who choose this offer a free bottle of Champagne and daily breakfast for two during their stay.
InterContinental Miami
The InterContinental in downtown Miami is celebrating Pride with a 24/7 digital LED illumination mirroring the Pride flag throughout the hotel, along with a visual arts exhibit from local LGBTQ+ artists. What's more, chef-restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s on-site Pan-Latin steakhouse, Toro Toro, is offering a specialty Pride-themed cocktail with a sweet, rainbow-inspired twist. The “Love is Love” cocktail features grenadine, pineapple juice, coconut-flavored rum, and blue curacao, topped with an orange slice, and sells for $15.
Giveback component: A portion of the month’s sales of the Love is Love cocktail will benefit the YES Institute, a local charity supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.
This year’s edition of San Francisco Pride takes on a “Looking Back and Moving Forward” theme.Photo: Steven Wakabayashi
Bonus: 10 Pride Events to Watch This Month
June 2-4: Provincetown, Mass.
The popular LGBTQ-friendly destination hosts year-round Pride events, including the annual Pride Rally. This year, the Provincetown Business Guild is hosting its first Pride Festival, a free event with music, food, and local vendors. Other events include a celebration of queer women of color, a queer comedy showcase, an art exhibition focusing on stories and photos from queer people around the world, several dance parties, and a 5K run.
June 10: Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital will host its Capital Pride Parade and Pride Festival this year, taking on a “Peace, Love, Revolution” theme. The large-scale event (last year’s gathering drew more than 450,000 people) will include a 1.5-mile parade plus a daylong block party. And on June 11, the free Capital Pride Festival and Concert will feature sets from Idina Menzel, Debbie Gibson, and Shanice, plus food, beverage, and more than 300 advocacy-centric exhibitors.
June 10: Boston
The city’s first in-person Pride event in four years is now managed by Boston Pride for the People. (The original Boston Pride organization was dissolved in 2021.) It will include a headlining performance from Madison Rose, plus a parade and festival. Other Pride-related events this month include the Trans Resistance March & Festival June 3, the Boston Dyke March June 9, and Boston Urban Pride Weekend June 29.
June 11: Los Angeles
LA is home to one of the largest queer populations in the world—so it’s no surprise that its Pride events go all out. In addition to the annual LA Pride Parade June 11, the city will host LA Pride in the Park from June 9-10, which will feature performances by Megan Thee Stallion and Mariah Carey. West Hollywood, meanwhile, will host the buzzy OUTLOUD Music festival from June 2-4.
June 16-17: Columbus, Ohio
Billed as the second-largest Pride march in the U.S., Columbus typically draws a crowd of more than 750,000 people to its Pride events. This year, Stonewall Columbus Pride March on June 17 takes on a “Purpose. Passion. Power” theme to remember the Stonewall uprisings that kicked off the LGBTQ rights movement. The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival, meanwhile, will feature more than 200 vendors plus performances and a wellness area.
June 23-25: Toronto
Pride Toronto, the largest Pride event in Canada and one of the largest organized gay Pride festivals in the world, kicks off with an official flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Events run throughout the month of June, culminating with a jam-packed weekend that includes the Trans March, the Dyke March, the Drag Ball, and the official Pride Parade June 25.
June 24: San Antonio
This year’s San Antonio Pride festivities on June 24 are taking on a playful “Just Say Gay” theme; highlights will include the “Pride Bigger Than Texas” festival and parade, live entertainment, and more. On June 10, the city will also host the second annual Bud Light Pride River Parade, which showcases 17 colorful barges and was created by Visit San Antonio.
June 25: New York
This year’s NY Pride will take on a “Strength in Solidarity” theme, highlighting the cultural significance of the LGBTQIA community within the fabric of modern society. In addition to the main Pride March, a weekend of celebrations will include Bliss Days, a celebration of queer women; the annual PrideFest street fair; the family-friendly Youth Pride; and the yearly Pride Island music festival, which is being headlined by Christina Aguilera.
June 25: San Francisco
One of the most notable Pride events in the country is San Francisco's annual two-day citywide Pride celebration, which will feature both a parade and multiple stages for live music and other entertainment. Other notable events throughout the month? The Queer Prom 2023 June 3, the debut performance of the International Pride Orchestra June 22, the 31st San Francisco Dyke March June 24, and the Soul of Pride San Francisco Black Pride from June 24-25.
June 25: Chicago
Chicago is home to the largest Pride parade in the Midwest, drawing an expected 1 million spectators. Other events throughout the month include the 60,000-attendee Chicago Pride Fest from June 17-18, the annual Pride in the Park music festival from June 23-24, and the family-friendly Navy Pier Pride event June 24.
