Pride Guide: 20+ Detroit-area LGBTQ+ events to celebrate queerness this summer

By Layla McMurtrie on Fri, May 24, 2024 at 1:37 pm

Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo

Motor City Pride returns to Detroit June 8-9.

Summer’s here and Pride Month is around the corner. Throughout June, LGBTQ+ Pride festivals and festivities are happening all around Detroit, and some continue throughout the season.

We’ve compiled a list of the best upcoming events where you will be surrounded by love and can celebrate your authentic self. If we missed anything, feel free to let us know at [email protected] and we'll add it. Happy Pride

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Telfar Clemens, 2019 by Benjamin Fredrickson

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit

May 31-June 30; various locations; mrqd.com

This biennial exhibition, now in its second iteration, explores the theme I’ll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer through work by over 150 LGBTQ+ artists. The art will span numerous Detroit galleries, with programming such as performances, panels, and screenings happening at other institutions in conjunction with the exhibitions.

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(Photo via Yelp, Five15 Media Mojo and More)

Pride Month at Five15

Five15, 600 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; five15.net/reservations

This spot has LGBTQ+ events happening every week year-round, but the fun is next-level during Pride Month. You can head to Five15 for Drag Queen bingo and brunches, RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, and many other queer-centered shows and performances.

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Shutterstock

A Night of Queer Cinema

June 6, 7 p.m. ; Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; dia.org/events

Inspired by the themes of this year’s Mighty Real Queer Detroit exhibition, this evening is a program of LGBTQ+ documentary shorts curated by filmmaker Adam Baran. Drawn from films produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ll Be Your Mirror assembles an intergenerational portrait of queer lives, visiting early rights rebellions in Los Angeles and San Francisco, a punk rock fairytale in Florida, three elders grappling with their place in the world, and firsthand lives filled with beauty, joy, and hard-fought freedoms, balanced against backgrounds of isolation, climate catastrophe, racism, and transphobia.

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Rendering of the Cambria (Choice Hotels)

Pride Bingo and Brunch

June 8, 9:30 a.m.; Cambria Hotel, 600 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; eventbrite.com

Celebrate pride with food, games, music, and great Detroit drag entertainment. The event is hosted by Kourtney Charles and music will be spun by DJ Daria. Featured drag queens include Monica Devereaux LaMonico, Roberta Charles, Infestasia, and Emma Sapphire. Ticket sales will benefit the Ruth Ellis Center.

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Facebook, Ypsi Pride

Ypsi Pride

June 7, 5-10 p.m.; East Cross St., Depot Town, Ypsilanti; ypsireal.com

Expect drag, burlesque, and theater performances, alongside queer-owned local vendors and organizations that support the community. There will also be family-friendly activities, interactive art spaces, music, and other fun.

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Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo

Motor City Pride

June 8-9; Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit; motorcitypride.org

Michigan’s biggest Pride celebration and parade is returning to Hart Plaza, promising to cover downtown with rainbows and love. This year’s full lineup of festival performers has yet to be announced, but R&B artist Kyle Dion will be one of the headliners. As usual, local baddies can expect tons of great vendors, talented entertainment, and good vibes.

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Joe Maroon

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Block Party

June 8, 4-10 p.m.; The Belt, Detroit; eventbrite.com

Lesbian Social’s fourth annual block party in conjunction with Motor City Pride promises to be hot asf. All of the gays and allies are welcome to indulge in drinks from multiple bars in the downtown alley.

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Google Maps

Siren Presents: Pride Month Ball

June 8, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; UFO Factory, 2121 Trumbull St., Detroit; ra.co

To celebrate Pride Month on the first night of Motor City Pride, Siren is hosting this event to honor ballroom and Club Kid culture, two influential queer nightlife movements. Sounds will include vogue, techno, and electro, spun by Alu Alruna, Sapphyree, Døn, and Afi. There will also be drag and burlesque performances by Oshun, Luna Tixxx, and Artemiss. Hosted by Auntie Chanel, the night will also feature a categorized costume contest for Best Overall Costume, Best Make-up, and Best Runway Walk. Three winners will get a prize, and a portion of ticket sales will benefit local queer community center Affirmations.

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Joe Maroon

The Lesbian Social

June 9, 6-10 p.m.; The Godfrey Hotel, 1401 Michigan Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com

Join the Lesbian Social at the Godfrey Hotel’s I|O Rooftop Lounge to meet, mingle, and connect with women in the community. Enjoy food and cocktails, plus take photos during Lesbian Social’s complimentary photo hour. Behind June, the event occurs the second Sunday of every month.

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Instagram, @nextchapterbooksdetroit

Pride + Allies Open Mic

June 14, 6-7:30 p.m.; Next Chapter Books, 16555 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; bit.ly/cwpopenmic

The 2024 InsideOut Youth Advisory Board is presenting an open mic hosted by Detroit poet La Shaun phoenix Moore. The event is free and open for youth and adult poets to perform one piece. Advanced sign-up is preferred, but a few walk-in spots will be available. A food truck and coffee vendor will be also on site.

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Facebook, Grosse Pointe Pride

Grosse Pointe Pride

June 15, noon–2 p.m.; St. Clair St., Grosse Pointe Village; wegp.org

This year’s Grosse Pointe pride event will feature a short march, a drag performance, activities for the kids, a selfie station, and more. Bring pride signs and friends and have a good time.

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Facebook, City of Wyandotte, Michigan

Downriver Pride

June 21-22; Downtown Wyandotte; downriverpride.com

This year marks the first ever that there will be a Downriver Pride festival. The event is coordinated by Conz Productions and will feature live entertainment, vendors, and fun activities for all.

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Facebook, The Old Miami

Howdyfest III

June 22, noon-2 a.m.; Old Miami, 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com

A kid-friendly “y’all-inclusive” honky-tonk-themed event features bands, pony rides, a petting zoo, food, games, and prizes. The event is all ages until 5 p.m. and kids under 12 get in free. Tickets are $20 advance or $25 at the door.

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Facebook, Hotter Than July

Hotter Than July

June 26-28; Motor City Casino, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; lgbtdetroit.org/hotterthanjuly

This three-day event is the world’s longest-running Black Pride celebration. Hosted by LGBT Detroit, North America’s largest Black-founded and LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization, this signature summertime event features a candlelight vigil honoring the lives of queer community members, a worship service, health screenings, and a special musical performance. In celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary, LGBT Detroit will offer the Hotter Than July Gospel & Soul Concert featuring Grammy-nominated artist B. Slade.

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Courtesy photo

Memories of a Supernatural AIDS Crisis

June 29, 7-8 p.m.; Hilberry Gateway, 4715 Cass Ave., Detroit; encoremichigan.com

This performance explores the AIDS pandemic by combining fiction with history, asking “What would happen if HIV conferred supernatural powers?” The queer sci-fi drama is set a century in the future, taking place in Detroit when the city stands as Earth’s final stronghold after the ravages of global warming. Written and directed by Marc Arthur, an artist and Assistant Professor at Wayne State University, known for his groundbreaking work combining performance and social justice. After the show, audience members will be invited to a roundtable discussion about performance and HIV/AIDS in Detroit.

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Facebook, PubCrawls.com

Corktown Pride Bar Crawl

June 29, 5-11 p.m.; Various locations in Corktown, Detroit; eventbrite.com

Celebrate love, diversity, and unity at four Corktown bars for the Official Pride Bar Crawl. Each stop will feature specialty pride-themed cocktails and lively entertainment for queer people and allies.

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Courtesy photo

The Extraordinary Stephanie Crawford

June 30, 7-9 p.m.; the CARR center, 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; mrqd.org/events

Award-winning Black jazz vocalist Stephanie Crawford, who was born in Detroit, will return home to present her one-woman show. The show is the last event for Mighty Real Queer Detroit’s month-long LGBTQ+ arts programming for Pride month.

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Courtesy Photo

Royal Oak Pride

July 26-27; Washington Ave. between Fifth & Seventh Streets, Downtown Royal Oak; royaloakpride.com

While June is Pride month, some local cities are holding their festivals later in the summer, so you can celebrate all season long. Royal Oak Pride will feature family-friendly activities and entertainment, along with local LGBTQ+ artists and vendors. Royal Oak Pride returned in 2022 after a 20-year absence, drawing a turnout of some 20,000.

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Josh Justice

Ann Arbor Pride

August 3; Main Street, Downtown Ann Arbor; annarborpride.com

Ann Arbor is hosting its pride in August, bringing the community together in the hot weather with entertainment, vendors, and lots of fun. Ann Arbor Pride works heavily with the Jim Toy Community Center, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group that works to protect the rights of the queer community. Have fun and support a good cause.

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Facebook, Macomb County Pride

Macomb County Pride

August 17, 12-6 p.m.; Main Street, Downtown Mount Clemens; macombcountypride.com

Macomb County Pride is returning with a family-friendly celebration of diversity and inclusion promising to be a highlight of the summer. The event will bring together the local LGBTQ+ community and allies for a day of festivities, entertainment, and empowerment.

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