Celebrating Pride in the Bay Area
By Emma Garcia
If you are looking for more ways to celebrate Pride this year, I’ve gathered a handful of events to keep you occupied throughout the rest of the month. This year’s festivities promise to be as electrifying and heartfelt as ever, offering a space for everyone to celebrate diversity, champion equality, and honor the rich history of LGBTQ+ activism.
Frameline48
Founded in 1977, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival is the largest and longest-running queer film exhibition in the world. The Festival’s annual attendance establishes Frameline48 as the most prominent LGBTQ+ arts program in the Bay Area. For 2024, the Frameline48 Festival will begin on June 19th and conclude on the 29th, hosting 11 days of innovation and excitement through queer cinema. Tickets for single screenings can be purchased on the Festival’s website, in addition to streaming passes, an option to join virtually.
Queer Women of Color Film Festival
This year, the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project (QWOCMAP) will host its 20th annual International Queer Women of Color Film Festival (QWOCFF24). The festival will showcase 44 films across 5 screenings and admission is free for all, hosted at the beautiful, newly renovated Presidio Theater in San Francisco. The QWOCFF is dedicated to equity and disability justice, ensuring the event is inclusive by providing “subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, audio descriptions for the Blind and Low Vision, and ASL interpretation at all screenings.” This year’s Film Festival will open on Friday, June 14th, and end Sunday, June 16, including a 20th Anniversary Reception for all community members and a panel titled UNSHAKABLE LEGACY: Queer Women of Color Filmmakers. More information about the QWOCFF24 can be found at the organization’s website.
Drag Gala
The Drag Gala is an evening dedicated to the celebration of the art form that is drag. Additionally, this event is a peaceful protest against the drag bans that have begun across the nation, creating a space for people to celebrate the beauty of drag and the impact it has had on the empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. On Saturday, June 15th, Impulse SF is hosting a night full of drag performances, music, and fun stations such as a photobooth and caricaturist, all for free! The Drag Gala is being hosted at an ADA-accessible venue with an ASL interpreter and reserved seating for those who need it. Reserve your free ticket here!
San Francisco Pride Parade & City Hall Party
San Francisco’s annual Pride Parade is an iconic, community-centered day of celebration that unites people from all over California and guests from out of state. The parade will take place on the morning of June 30th, followed by the annual City Hall Party that includes special guests like Billy Porter. While joining in on the parade festivities is free, the after-party is a ticketed event. Currently, SF Pride’s website is offering a package that includes entrance to the City Hall Party in addition to several other perks!
San Francisco’s Pride events are a vibrant celebration, showcasing the city’s unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and its rich history of activism. From the spectacular parade to the empowering film festivals and gatherings, Pride in San Francisco is more than just an event — it’s a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work still ahead. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, participating in these festivities is an opportunity to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire a future where everyone can live openly and authentically. So, come as you are and join the celebration of love, unity, and pride in the Bay Area.
