GLOW OUT

With a cheerful wave and greeting of "Happy Pride," participants in Batavia's annual Pride Parade celebrated LGBTQ identity and acceptance Saturday in a stroll that took them along a route from Batavia First Presbyterian Church down Summit Street, to Washington Avenue, Bank Street to Main Street.

The parade was part of an hours-long Pride Month celebration in Downtown Batavia, organized by GLOW Out, centered around a festival in Jackson Square and on Center Street.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Photos by Howard Owens

Ayden Carlson admitted to being pretty excited Thursday, minutes before speeches, proclamations, brief history lessons and a flag-raising ceremony to kick off PRIDE Month.

Ayden, a soon-to-be senior at Batavia High School, is the game coordinator and a youth leader for the LGBTQ outreach agency GLOW OUT and the youth league ACT OUT, which is part of new summer initiatives funded by the state Office of Mental Health, led by Executive Director Sara Vacin.

“It’s the first year that this has happened. I’m also staying on for next year, so I will be doing the same thing next June. I’m very, very excited because I’ve met a lot of wonderful people through this program. And it’s nice to have a place where you feel like you belong, especially being in a marginalized community,” Ayden said. “It’s great to meet other people who are like you, so you don’t feel as alone. This means to me celebrating pride and how you don’t need to be scared of who you are. It’s just your identity. And no matter what month or what day, you deserve to feel it is okay."

Has that not always been the case?
“No, that definitely has not been the case. I have very much grown into my identity. There was a long time where I had a lot of internalized homophobia, where I was very scared of being my true self,” the 16-year-old said. “And thankfully, through this program, and Sara has been a huge motivator and a huge helper to me, I’ve been able to grow through a lot of those feelings.”

Ayden stood alongside Genesee County Legislature Chairwoman Shelley Stein as she read a proclamation about PRIDE Month and its now rightful place on the county books. It was one of two proclamations on the line-up for the day, also joined by one sent from state Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Stein began that “Whereas our nation was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people. But the fulfillment of this promise has been long coming for many Americans, and whereas some of the most inspiring moments in our history have arisen from the various civil rights movements that have brought one group after another from the margins into the mainstream of American society.”

“And whereas everyone should be able to live without fear of prejudice, discrimination, violence, hatred based on race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation, and whereas LBGTQ Pride celebrations have taken place around the country every June to commemorate the beginning of the Stonewall riots, and whereas the month of June is celebrated as LBGTQ Pride Month nationally, and whereas the county of Genesee has a diverse LBGTQ community that includes people of all ethnicities, religions and professions,” Stein said. “And now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the Genesee County Legislature proclaims recognition of the month of June 2023 as Pride Month and urges all residents to respect and honor our diverse community and celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance, and be further in witness whereof we have here to set our hand and affixed the seal of the Genesee County Legislature this day, the first of June 2023.”

While everyone in the gathering of some 25 to 30 adults and children remained quiet during the reading, Ayden’s face spoke in a special way, with a sincere smile that captured the moment.

Ayden shared an opening message to honor veterans. Sadly, throughout much of history, “LGBTQ+ veterans had to hide their identities while serving in the military,” Ayden said.

“For many, this greatly complicated and added to the stresses of war. So, we wanted to start by saying thank you, and that we hope you know how grateful we are for your extraordinary service. If you would please join me in saying the pledge of allegiance, and while doing so, take a moment to give gratitude to these soldiers and their hidden loved ones who also sacrificed a lot.”

Thursday marked the beginning of June and what promises to be a busy month for Pride activities, local organizers and members of GLOW OUT said during a gathering and flag-raising ceremony at the War Memorial at Jerome Center in Batavia.

Beyond being an event for participants to celebrate, it was also meant to educate, with snippets of history about Pride itself. Abby introduced the topic, admitting that “when I think about PRIDE Month, I imagine rainbows, fun, parades and parties.” However, Pride actually started as a riot outside of a bar called the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969,” Abby Merkley of Holley High School said. “Because homosexual acts were against the law at that time, gay, lesbian, and transgender patrons had few safe spaces even in New York City, but gay bars were considered by many beer patrons to be sanctuaries.”

That didn’t mean that gay bars were safe, she said, and if police suspected a bar was serving mainly queer patrons, they could raid it. That is what happened at the Stone Wall Inn in 1969. Many patrons and workers were arrested and assaulted by police. According to accounts of the event, a lesbian woman shouted out as she was being shoved into a police van, beckoning the crowd surrounding the bar to act. And that’s exactly what they did, Abby said.

Patrons began to fight back, and surprised police ended up barricaded in the bar until those angry protestors broke in and lit the place on fire.

Known as the Stonewall Uprising, riots continued for days. The first official gay pride parade began a year later on June 28, and just like in 1969, “we are still fighting to protect, support, and recognize our transgender brothers and sisters,” Abby said, and “there’s plenty of work to do in that area.”

Unlike 1969, “we have many more rights, and the future is looking way brighter for youth like me,” she said. “We thank our elders for all they fought for so that we could live more authentic lives today. And we thank our state and local legislators for creating laws and communities where we can live authentic, full lives.”

Lilly Fiscus of Caledonia High School explained the meaning of the rainbow flag. The rainbow symbol was created by Gilbert Baker, an American artist-designer and openly gay military veteran who was asked in 1977 to draft a unifying symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. Inspired by the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” he took that symbol to “help us dream of a time when LGBTQ are accepted and to show the diversity and vibrancy of this group,” Lilly said.

As for what the current GLOW OUT and ACT OUT groups do, they have social and educational events, back-to-school barbecues, basket raffles, pop-up pride events, exhibits about gender and garments, providing materials to clarify terms such as sexual orientation versus gender, working on anti-bullying efforts, networking with other schools, establishing drop-in centers and inviting youth ages 12 to 21 to join them.

Batavia High School sophomore Judith Newton is an ACT OUT education leader, and added that “we’ve been doing a lot of crafts lately, getting ready or Pride, which is cool because we have time to hang out with people like Sara, (volunteer Katelyn Zufall and President John Couri), and talk about what’s going on in our lives.”

“We even have debates on some of the issues happening in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s fun, and we’re so grateful we have it,” Judith said.

The group then gathered to hoist the Pride flag with the U.S. flag up the pole. Vacin reminded folks about some of the upcoming events, including the Pride Parade and festival that begin at 4 p.m. June 9 in Downtown Batavia. For more information, go to GLOW OUT. 

Press Release:

GLOW OUT!, the LGBTQ+ outreach agency serving the four GLOW counties, kicks off Pride Month with a trio of fun and educational events on Thursday in Batavia. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the War Memorial outside of the Jerome Center where Act Out!, the organization’s youth league, will raise the Progress Pride Flag during a ceremony led and created by youth leaders Lily Fiscus of Caledonia-Mumford High School, Abby Merkley of Holley High School, and Ayden Carlson and Judith Newton, both of Batavia High School. 

In addition to explaining the significance of Pride Month and the flag, the short program will also feature proclamations from local and state representatives. Community members are encouraged to attend and show the youth and LGBTQ+ residents their support. 

The fun and tradition continue afterward at the Pride Block Party hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia in their hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Join them for an evening of playing games, making tye-dye T-shirts, painting rocks, dancing, and of course, getting a free treat from everybody’s favorite, the Ice Cream and Chill truck! 

Highlights from the youth league’s past year will be shared, as well as the accomplishments of the previous four leaders who will stay on as senior leaders. And of course, be there as we crown our four new youth leaders to the Royal Rainbow Court and welcome them to the team.

The evening will come to a close as the group marches to the Old Courthouse by 8:30 p.m. to see the building lit in a slow-fading rainbow for the month of June. All events are free and open to the public. For more details or to learn more about their upcoming Pride Parade and Festival on Friday, June 9 starting at 4 p.m., please visit www.glowout.org.

Photo submitted by Sara Vacin

Press release:

Join GLOW OUT! in uplifting LGBTQ+ youth as they head back to school at their first-ever Back-to-School BBQ this Saturday, September 24 from 12:30-3:30 pm at DeWitt Park in Batavia. This all-age event is free, open to the public, and will be hosted by the fabulous Vanessa Leroux who is returning from the 2022 Pride Festival to entertain and wow participants again!

The afternoon will also feature Act Out!, GLOW OUT’s youth league led by Lilly Fiscus of Caledonia-Mumford HS, Abigail Merkley of Holley HS, Ruth Metzgar of GCC (formerly of Attica HS), Ayden Carlson of Batavia HS, and Judith Newton of Batavia HS. Learn about upcoming youth-related events and their efforts to combat bullying with the launch of their campaign “Fail the F-Slur!”. Targeting the need for family support, the group will also promote the start of their PFLAG/parent group which will begin in October.  

GLOW OUT! would like to pay a special thank you to Lynda Battaglia, Director of Mental Health and Community Services of Genesee County, whose generous time and stellar performance as a “Celebrity Bartender” helped to raise the funds for this event to be free for the community. This organization and the LGBTQ+ youth uplifted by this work are grateful to live in a community with such inclusive and dedicated leaders. More information about the event can be found on their website http://www.glowout.org/. If you are bringing a larger group or if you have questions, please email Sara Vacin at saravacin@gmail.com. Families, friends, and clubs are welcome!

Photo: Submitted photo.  Ayden Carlsen, Judith Newton, Sara Vacin, Abby Merkley, and Lilly Fiscus

As part of PRIDE month and GLOW OUT, the Richmond Memorial Library hosted a drag queen story hour in the children's section with drag queen Chaka Khanteven.

It was a capacity audience for the event with 35 children attending and participating in a craft event after the reading.

Photos by Howard Owens.

At least 100 people participate in the GLOW OUT! parade on Washington Avenue in Batavia. 

Spectators watch the GLOW OUT! parade Saturday on Bank Street in Batavia. The parade was followed by a festival in the parking lot at Alva and Bank streets.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

Press release:

With the support of Rochester Regional Health and a multitude of local, caring churches and organizations, GLOW OUT! will kick off Pride Month with a variety of youth-centered events on June 1 in Batavia.

Festivities begin at 3:30 pm at the Jerome Center’s War Memorial with a youth-created and youth-led Opening Ceremony featuring the Pride Flag being raised to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and hearing from youth what Pride means to them.

LGBTQ+ youth and their allies (ages 12-21) are then invited to GO Art! from 4:00 to 6:00 pm for their Drop-In Center which provides a safe space to share challenges and triumphs, meet new friends, and get ready for Pride. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet with a team of informed and supportive medical professionals from UMMC's Batavia Primary Care’s Family Medicine Doctors who are ready to answer questions and provide resources before summer starts.

The fun continues from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Batavia’s First Presbyterian where a number of churches and organizations are throwing a big, fabulous Block Party featuring the Ice Cream and Chill Truck, rock painting, tie-dying, and tons of family fun! Feeling extra festive? Then come dressed in your ultimate Pride outfit, ready to dance, be fabulous, and win some really great prizes! During this time GLOW OUT! will also announce their Rainbow Court made up of the youth leaders for the upcoming year. These five superstars represent youth from three counties who work hard in their high school GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances), and have been selected to share their talents in education, social justice, fundraising, social media, and activity planning. They will be creating meaningful and engaging events for the region’s LGBTQ+ in the year ahead and celebrating in the Pride Parade. We hope you join us in announcing and congratulating them! All ages are
welcome.

GLOW OUT! is thrilled to be starting our festivities with immense community support! Your appreciation and support of the LGBTQ+ population and the need to protect our youth has never been clearer. We thank you for your support! As the youth reminds us in their choice of songs, we’re all born beautiful!

• I'm beautiful in my way because God makes no mistakes
• I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way
• Don't hide yourself in regret, just love yourself, and you're set
• I'm on the right track, baby, I was born this way

Pride Kick-Off events are free and open to the public. Please visit www.glowout.org for more information about the organization and upcoming Pride events, including the Parade and Festival taking place on June 11 in Batavia.

There’s one thing for certain with the City of Batavia lately: entertainment is not taking a back seat to anything.

Live and DJ music, arts, a dunk tank, parades, dancers and food will be filling up calendars from May 30 to July 2 now that City Council has reviewed the requests and passed them on to a business meeting for official votes.

During its Monday conference session, the council looked over several requests for downtown events, from an old standby, the Memorial Day parade, to a new happening of a carnival.

Participants will be lining up at Eastowne Plaza the morning of Memorial Day and walking along Main Street to Bank Street, settling into the city parking lot on Alva Place. A yearly event to honor military veterans, the parade is being organized by City Council member Bob Bialkowski. It’s to begin at 9:45 a.m. and end before 11 a.m.
For more information about this event, go to: www.batavianewyork.com

Next up is a GLOW OUT 5K Run and Celebration that begins and ends at Centennial Park. This event is set for 5 to 9 p.m. on June 9.

GLOW OUT also has scheduled a parade and festival from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 11 at Batavia City Centre parking lot downtown. Some 15 vendors and an estimated 600 participants are expected for the event, according to the organizer, GLOW OUT President Gregory Hallock. It begins on Richmond Avenue in front of Centennial Park and winds around Bank and Ross streets, Washington and Ellicott avenues and back to Centennial.

Also on June 11 (expected to be very busy Saturday), is the Eli Fish Brewing Company Carnival in Jackson Square. Various food dishes from Eli Fish, beer, carnival games, a dunk tank, live entertainment and vendor booths are on the event menu from 4 to 10 p.m.

Council members had few, if any, questions or comments about the events, all of which have completed event request forms and supporting documentation. Council President Eugene Jankowski noted that the GLOW OUT parade is on the same day as the carnival, but there shouldn’t be any conflicts.

“I know these are two on the same day, one is in the square and the carnival itself is not going to require anything from the city,” he said. 

For more information about the carnival, go to: https://www.facebook.com/elifishbrewing/

A former Ramble event that now includes a GO ART! Music and Art Festival, is set to run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 2 downtown. Two stages for music from 20 to 30 bands, an Artisan Alley of artist demonstrations, an arts and craft vendor fair, food trucks, a folk art stage with dancers and other performers and a children's craft area will spill out from Jackson Square onto Jackson and School streets and into a portion of the Save-A-Lot parking lot.

Costs for these events include $2,571 for the Memorial Day parade, with $922 for city police and $1,649.17 for the Bureau of Maintenance; $538 each for the GLOW OUT 5K Run and Celebration and parade and festival ($1,076 total); $538 for city police and $919.29 for the GO ART! Music and Art Festival and no costs involved for the Eli Fish Carnival. 

The following disclaimer is included on the Event Summary page of the council’s meeting packet: 

“Event sponsors are responsible for any costs that may be incurred from their event and have been made aware of estimate costs, if any.”

Bialkowski wanted to clarify how conference meetings work, given that council seems to be voting once at a conference and then once again at a business meeting. 

“I think we’ve been remiss in conference meetings,” he said. 

Council gives a general consensus agreement about moving the agenda item forward to a business meeting, Jankowski said. “There’s been some confusion that we’re voting twice,” he said. The consensus is merely a group agreement to put the official vote onto the business agenda after discussing details in a conference work session, he said. 

The next council business meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 9 in Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall.

By contracting with GLOW OUT, an organization dedicated to providing services for those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (questioning), Genesee County is opening the door to “a friendly place” for youth -- free from bullying and discrimination.

That’s the view of Lynda Battaglia, director of Mental Health & Community Services, and William Schutt, Youth Bureau director, who presented a resolution this afternoon to the County Legislature’s Human Services Committee seeking $4,000 in start-up funding.

Schutt informed the committee that the idea for a support group in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming county) region – similar to the established GLYS, WNY, Inc. in Buffalo – started after he learned about a student who was being bullied at school “for a perception of being LGBTQ.”

“That student was told that he could go to the (school’s) GSA (Gay Straight Alliance group), but he said, ‘Then I would out myself for sure in a place where I don’t really feel comfortable in.’”

That set the wheels in motion for Schutt to contact GLOW OUT President Gregory Hallock, who also is executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council in Batavia. GLOW OUT rents space from GO Art!

Following a presentation by Hallock and board members’ training with GLYS personnel, Schutt said everyone had a better idea of how the organization could make a positive difference in the lives of youth (ages 12-21) in that specific population.

“It’s giving somebody a friendly place to go for a couple hours, a couple times of month, for them to be themselves,” Schutt said.

Battaglia said she, as director of community services, has the responsibility “to identify gaps or holes and services in the community for all populations that fall under health services – mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities.”

“It is a service that’s needed,” she said. “To put it in … context, if you think of what social determinants of health are -- so you are in the center and you can think about these positive determinants that you need in order to live a healthy and whole life.

“So, like education, at school, maybe community supports, family supports, access to medical care, access to mental health care -- all of these things that encompass you, as a person, and what LGBT youth are faced with is a very difficult and challenging ability to acquire these positive social determinants of health.”

Battaglia said LGBTQ youth face a significant amount of stigma and shame, and are at a high risk of bullying in school and in their families.

“They're at high risk for substance abuse. They're at high risk of becoming a runaway, becoming homeless, which leads to a whole host of other negative aspects, including medical and mental health,” she added. “And when we think about suicide, in general, for individuals ages 10 to 24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for youth that identify as LGBTQ. They contemplate suicide three to four times more so than their peers.”

GLOW OUT will offer mentors, allies and a safe space to talk about life issues, she said, noting that the $4,000 already had been budgeted for special projects.

Referrals from school personnel and families are high right now, Battaglia said, making it doubly important to establish a support group outside of the school setting.

She said if a student is being bullied at his or her school because he or she identifies as LGBTQ, the likelihood of that person wanting to get additional supports within that school is minimal.

“They face further shame, stigmatization and bullying, so they’re not going to the GSAs,” she said. “And when a student gets to our mental health agency, and if this is an area that they need assistance with, we don't have anywhere to refer them to. So, this is a vital service that’s essentially non-existent right now in the county.”

Battaglia said she will be contacting her counterparts in the other three counties to see if they would also provide funding. She also said grants are available for these types of programs.

The Human Services Committee approved the request to appropriate $4,000 for the rest of the calendar year, moving the resolution to the full legislature for consideration.

Batavia celebrated Pride Month in a big way this weekend. Events started on Thursday and continue through Sunday. GLOW OUT in conjunction with GO ART! hosted today's festivities that included a parade, a Drag Show, and a baseball game of “Celebrities” vs. the Drag Queens.  

The Pride Parade celebrates individual freedom to be who you want to be without being bullied, repressed or ostracized for who you are. Many marching in today's parade were family members showing unity and support for loved ones and families who are part of the LGBTQ community. 

GLOW OUT is hoping to raise money to hire a part-time director to help the LGBTQ community connect to the resources they may need including financial, shelter, health, and moral support. 

For more information on or to donate to GLOW OUT please go to this website here.

For more pictures of today's events go to jimburns.org.

Information provided by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

The long "weekend" of events celebrating LGTBQ+ Pride Month continues in Batavia through June 13, hosted by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

This evening, June 11, from 6 to 8:30 at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church (300 E. Main St.), there will be a Game Night and Royal Court Competition, for all ages. There will be food (individually wrapped), outdoor games and board games, plus free make-and-take baby sunflowers and sidewalk chalk art.

The Royal Court Competition at the church begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all genders and ages. It is judged on best costume and dance moves. The theme is DISCO. All are invited to attend. Masks are required. Regulations are subject to change.

Also tonight from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at GO ART! (201 E. Main St., Batavia) there will be a Disco Open Mic and Piano Bar hosted by the incomparable Drag Queen -- Ms. Figgy Pudding. This event will be for ages 21+.

GO ART! is opening Tavern 2.o.1, for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March of 2020, for the LGBTQ+ community. Come read your favorite poem, try your skills at stand-up and disco, or sing your favorite Broadway tune (bring your own music our look through our extensive collection). GO ART!'s own Theresa Kehl will be at the piano.

There is no door fee, but tipping your entertainers is encouraged. Masks are required at this event. Regulations are subject to change.

Saturday, June 12, is the annual Pride Parade starting at 10 a.m. at GO ART! If marching, lineup will be at 9 a.m. We proceed from GO ART's historic Seymour Place building to Dwyer Stadium (at Denio and Bank) where the Pride Festival will be held.

This will feature a cornhole tournament hosted by Pride Sports USA (volunteers needed to assist), and be full of amazing Drag Queen performances, including our headliner, Mrs. Kasha Davis from "RuPaul’s Drag Race"! Also entertaining will be the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus, the Fortunatones, and more! Vivian Darling & DeeDee Dubois will be emceeing.

The festival at the stadium runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is the only event city requiring a ticket. Food and alcohol concessions will be offered for purchase by Dwyer Stadium.

On June 12 there will also be a concert at Jam at the Ridge in Le Roy starting at 4 p.m. The headline performer will be Ddendyl Hoyt, of Western New York, who is best known for her appearance on Season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Tickets are $10 for lawn seats; $20 for VIP seating.

On Sunday, June 13 its Drag Queen Story Hour at GO-ART! at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. hosted by Ms. Figgy Pudding. In addition, there will also be Drag Queen Bingo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Two years ago, Batavia Pride had its inaugural year that was so well received in the community! After a year off, we are excited to come back bigger than ever with more events and opportunities for our community to show their PRIDE!

You can sign up for all events here.

Disclaimer

Due to COVID-19 regulations, masks will be required and different events will have different policies and rules. Please check out our website for COVID-19 regulations for each individual event!

Information provided by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

A long "weekend" of events celebrating LGTBQ+ Pride Month is planned for Batavia June 10 - 13, hosted by GLOW OUT! and GO ART!

"We are the only large-scale festival happening (here) this year and we want to make sure that as many people know about it as possible," wrote GLOW OUT Board Member Jacqueline McLean in an email to The Batavian.

Kicking things off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10 is a Pride Color Run 5K that starts and ends at Centennial Park. Rainbow colors will be thrown at the end of the 5K and there will be a DJ in the park.

Volunteers are needed to: put up 1K, 2K, 3K and 4K markers/signs; hand out swag bags and check people in; cheer along the route/redirect traffic; hand out water at the halfway point; and put out and take down traffic blockers/sawhorses; as well as time the race.

On Friday, June 11 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Batavia First Presbyterian Church (300 E. Main St.), there will be a Game Night and Royal Court Competition, for all ages. There will be food (individually wrapped), outdoor games and board games. The Royal Court Competition begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to all genders and ages. It is judged on best costume and dance moves. The theme is DISCO. All are invited to attend. Masks are required. Regulations are subject to change.

Also on June 11 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at GO ART! (201 E. Main St., Batavia) there will be a Disco Open Mic and Piano Bar hosted by the incomparable Drag Queen -- Ms. Figgy Pudding. This event will be for ages 21+.

GO ART! is opening Tavern 2.o.1, for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in March of 2020, for the LGBTQ+ community. Come read your favorite poem, try your skills at stand-up and disco, or sing your favorite Broadway tune (bring your own music our look through our extensive collection). GO ART!'s own Theresa Kehl will be at the piano.

There is no door fee, but tipping your entertainers is encouraged. Masks are required at this event. Regulations are subject to change.

On Saturday, June 12 we will have our annual Pride Parade, starting at 10 a.m. at GO ART! If marching, lineup will be at 9 a.m. We proceed from GO ART's historic Seymour Place building to Dwyer Stadium (at Denio and Bank) where the Pride Festival will be held.

This will feature a cornhole tournament hosted by Pride Sports USA (volunteers needed to assist), and be full of amazing Drag Queen performances, including our headliner, Mrs. Kasha Davis from "RuPaul’s Drag Race"! Also entertaining will be the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus, the Fortunatones, and more! Vivian Darling & DeeDee Dubois will be emceeing.

The festival at the stadium runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and is the only event city requiring a ticket. Food and alcohol concessions will be offered for purchase by Dwyer Stadium.

On June 12 there will also be a concert at Jam at the Ridge in Le Roy starting at 4 p.m. The headline performer will be Ddendyl Hoyt, of Western New York, who is best known for her appearance on Season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Tickets are $10 for lawn seats; $20 for VIP seating.

On Sunday, June 13 we will be offering a Drag Queen Story Hour at GO-ART! at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. hosted by Ms. Figgy Pudding. In addition, there will also be Drag Queen Bingo at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Two years ago, Batavia Pride had its inaugural year* that was so well received in the community! After a year off, we are excited to come back bigger than ever with more events and opportunities for our community to show their PRIDE!

You can sign up for all events here.

Disclaimer

Due to COVID-19 regulations, masks will be required and different events will have different policies and rules. Please check out our website for COVID-19 regulations for each individual event!

*Video below is from the first Pride Parade in 2019.