As June approaches, it’s time to get ready for Pride Month! Pride month celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their ongoing fight for equality. Pride Month honors those who fought back against the police raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York back in 1969. These riots were a turning point for the gay rights movement. Every year since, cities around the globe have come together to host annual marches and parades to celebrate and show solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. So, if you’re looking for ways to celebrate Spokane Pride, keep on reading!
Cinder’s Pride Sale
Before we get into the festivities, we have a sale that you won’t want to miss! On June 13th and 14th, be sure to stop into any Cinder location to save big. All products from Wyld and MFUSED will be on sale for a whopping 40% off! Additionally, you can snag some limited-edition Pride vapes from 1555 Industrial and Avitas. So, come and see us before you kick off your Spokane Pride celebration!
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History of Pride
Pride began as a riot at the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village in New York City, on June 28th, 1969. This riot began in the early hours of the morning when police raided the bar. They roughed up patrons, hauled people out, and arrested 13 people. Many were rounded up and inspected for violating the state’s gender-appropriate clothing statute. This meant female officers would take suspected cross-dressing patrons into the bathroom to check their sex. At one point, an officer hit a lesbian over the head as he forced her into a police van. She shouted to onlookers to act, and the crowd began to throw nearby objects like pennies and bottles at the police. Within minutes, a full-blown riot involving hundreds of people began.
Exactly one year later, on June 28th, 1970, thousands of people marched in the streets of Manhattan. They went from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what was then called “Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day”. This was America’s first gay pride parade.
Learn more about the history of Pride & the counterculture movement in our blog here
Events
Spokane Pride History & Remembrance Project Opening Ceremony
When: All June Long
Where: Spokane Central Library
The Spokane Pride History & Remembrance Project is going to be displayed for the entire month of June at Spokane’s Central Library. Here, you’ll see an in-depth timeline of queer history in Spokane as well as several different displays. These displays include photos from the iconic Dempsey’s drag shows, old newspaper snippets, regalia from the ISCS, and more!
Stayin’ Alive in ’25 Disco Party
When: Friday, June 13th @ 6pm
Where: Brick West Brewing
Get ready to kick off Spokane Pride dancing at DJ Jazzy’s Stayin’ Alive in ’25 Disco Party! Join DJ Jazzy for a free, all-ages disco party in celebration of Pride. Here, you can enjoy great music, craft beer, and good vibes all around. So, be sure to head down to Brick West Brewing to kick off Pride right!
Spokane Pride Parade & Festival
When: Saturday, June 14th @ 12pm
Where: Riverfront Park – Downtown Spokane
The Spokane Pride festival is a yearly celebration of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The first march in Spokane was on the sidewalks and was sponsored and coordinated by Spokane PFLAG. The following year, a permit was ordered, and the march was in the streets, followed by a small rally in the park. Now, thousands gather every year to march down the streets of Downtown Spokane and enjoy a day-long festival in Riverfront Park. The parade begins at noon, while the festival kicks off at 1 pm in Riverfront Park.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
When: Saturday, June 14th @ 11pm
Where: The Garland Theater
Want to keep the Spokane Pride celebration going past midnight? Then check out The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Garland Theater! Local shadow cast, Absolute Pleasure, has been carrying this tradition in Spokane since 1989. The original troupe performed every weekend at The Magic Lantern and was revived at The Garland Theater in 2013. So, get ready to do the Time Warp and head down to the Garland Theater on June 14th!
Queerdos: Oops, All Drag Kings!
When: Saturday, June 21st @ 7:30pm
Where: Neato Burrito
Another staple in the local queer community is Queerdos, a local alternative drag show hosted monthly at Neato Burrito. Originally started by former Mr.PFLAG Fanny DeVito as Neato Dragito, Queerdos has quickly become a staple in the nightlife scene. Queerdos is hosted by former Mx.PFLAG T.S. Loveless alongside their wonderful co-host This Bitch. Every month, the cast of Queerdos is given a theme to perform, with this month’s show being dedicated to drag kings. So, if you love drag and want to support some local drag kings for Spokane Pride, be sure to check out Queerdos!
Pride in Perry
When: Saturday, June 28th @ 12pm
Where: The Perry District
Another festival celebrating Spokane Pride is the Pride in Perry festival. This event is hosted by Odyssey Youth Movement, a local organization dedicated to promoting equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the Inland Northwest since 1992. The day’s festivities include drop-in programs for teens, restaurant specials, live musical entertainment, interactive art and photo opportunities, vendors, and more! So, keep the celebration going all month long and be sure to check out Pride in Perry.
Nyne Drag Shows
When: Every Friday and Saturday @ 8:30pm
Where: Nyne Bar & Bistro
Join the crowd at Nyne every Friday and Saturday evening for their fabulous drag shows! Their drag queens deliver stellar performances, razor-sharp wit, and incredible outfits that shine under their recently expanded lighting system. Immediately after the show, take part in their weekly dance parties featuring a rotating roster of DJs. Nyne’s kitchen stays open until close and offers tasty eats like nachos, pretzel bites, and more! The standard $5 weekend cover is waived for those arriving before 9 PM.
Resources
Spokane Pride
Spokane Pride is a local organization dedicated to organizing and hosting inclusive, queer-centered events throughout the Inland Northwest year-round. They strive to create meaningful spaces for celebration, connection, and advocacy. They also support other 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and activists by providing event infrastructure and promotional resources. Their purpose is to carry the torch of the global Pride movement. They achieve this by strengthening connections and support among 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, individuals, and allies. Additionally, they foster a healthy and united community that celebrates and amplifies social healing and advances activism for all marginalized communities. Most notably, Spokane Pride hosts the annual Spokane Pride celebration in Downtown Spokane every June!
Learn more about Spokane Pride and donate here
Spectrum Center Spokane
Spectrum’s mission is to create a safe, intersectional, intergenerational, 2SLGBTQIA+ community gathering space. This space celebrates a resilient, healthy community through social connectedness and support, arts and culture, access to resources, and leadership development. The long-term vision is for Spectrum to be the primary change agent for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by advocating for social progress in Eastern Washington. They support a thriving and diverse population through education, social events, services, social activism, visibility, and by uplifting and collaborating with other organizations.
The Spectrum Center offers great resources like its healthcare database. This database is composed of individuals who Spectrum has handpicked through surveys as qualified practitioners for affirming healthcare. The Spectrum Center is also home to the GAPP (Gender Affirming Products Program). This program helps transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, genderqueer, genderfluid, and gender nonconforming individuals in the greater Eastern Washington region to acquire gender-affirming products, services, gear, and more.
Learn more about Spectrum Center Spokane and donate here
PFLAG Spokane
PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. They facilitate separate monthly in-person and online support groups, as well as a weekly support group for parents and allies of transgender folks. For parents/allies of transgender folks, they also provide a faith-based discussion one week and a book club the next. They also offer a space to share stories and trans-specific education topics. Furthermore, they do periodic special programs like suicide prevention training, name change clinics, and more. Chiefly, PFLAG strives to partner with other local and national organizations to educate key decision-makers about the issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, they aim to teach others how to use their voices to amplify efforts toward a more equitable and just world for the LGBTQ+ community.
Learn more about PFLAG Spokane and donate here
Spokane Aids Network (SAN)
The core of SAN’s efforts is to provide support to people living with HIV and to bring our community together. SAN partners with many community non-profits and businesses to provide the programs and support that are at the core of who they are. Their weekly food pantry is available on Fridays at their Downtown location. They also offer emergency funding for items like beds, household items, eyeglasses, housing application fees, and more. Furthermore, they provide at-home HIV testing, free and confidential HIV testing at their downtown location, and safer sex packets at local bars.
Learn more about SAN and donate here
Products listed are available at Cinder locations: Cinder North, 6010 N Division St, Spokane, Wa 99208; Cinder Downtown, 927 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201; and Cinder Valley, 1421 N Mullen Rd B, Spokane Valley, Wa 99206 This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Which is to say, cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Therefore, do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. Furthermore, there may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. To sum up, keep out of the reach of children