Pride Month (June) is a vibrant and joyous celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion, offering countless opportunities to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Getting involved in local Pride Month celebrations not only fosters a sense of unity and solidarity but also helps to amplify the voices of those advocating for equality and acceptance. To make a colorful impact in our local community, we’ve rounded up some ways you can be a part of this extraordinary month here in the Cape.
Milton Pride Mardi Gras-themed celebration set for June 8
A beacon of creativity, laughter and inspiration for 10 years, the Milton Theatre stage has witnessed countless heartfelt performances and standing ovations. The Milton Theater and Sussex Pride will team up to sponsor Milton Pride 2024; – a vibrant, Mardi Gras-themed celebration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the outdoor Quayside Stage, 110 Union St., Milton. Transporting attendees to the heart of New Orleans, parades, elaborate masks and plenty of revelry will mark the occasion honoring a decade of love, acceptance and community.
Blending country, pop, soul and blues, Mama’s Black Sheep will perform at 4 p.m. The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, comprising LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, will perform at 5:30 p.m. Christine Havrilla will rock the stage at 6:45 p.m.
A curated selection of food trucks promises a spectrum of mouthwatering delights. Attendees can explore and support local LGBTQ+ businesses, artists and advocacy groups, and discover unique rainbow-themed merchandise. To show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, everyone is encouraged to hang a rainbow or Pride flag outside their homes or businesses from Thursday, June 6 to Monday, June 10. Flags are available for purchase from the Milton Theatre.
Pride Unbound Art Exhibition
CAMP Rehoboth will present Pride Unbound, an exhibition celebrating LGBTQ+ voices in art, through Thursday, June 27, at 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. An artists’ reception, free and open to the public, will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. The immersive art exhibition is dedicated to highlighting the diverse perspectives within the LGBTQ+ community. Through a variety of media, 19 LGBTQ+ and queer artists will share their talent and explore pertinent themes, inviting visitors to engage with the rich tapestry of queer identity, history and experience.
The artists accepted into this juried exhibition delve into the complexities of queer identity, examining themes of fluidity, intersectionality and personal narrative. Through their works, they explore self-discovery, acceptance and empowerment, reflecting the wide-ranging experiences across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The exhibition also honors the historic struggles and triumphs of the community, paying homage to activists, milestones and moments of resilience. Exhibiting artists are Dan Bartasavich, Nikki Brooks, Geri Dibiase, George Farrah, Logan Farro, Robert Fleming, Julian Harbaugh, Kay Johnson, Summer Johnson, Jillian Pini, Leslie Sinclair, Victor Surbrook, Richard Thibodeau and Sabina Troncone.
Pride Film Festival Returns to Cinema Art Theater
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society, in partnership with CAMP Rehoboth, will present the 2024 Pride Film Festival, highlighting LGBTQ+ documentaries, features and international films from Friday to Sunday, June 14 to 16, at the Cinema Art Theater.
Headlining this year’s festival is a 25-year retrospective screening of director Jim Fall’s classic film “Trick,” starring Tori Spelling, Christian Campbell, John Paul Pitoc, Brad Beye and Miss Coco Peru. Showtime is 7 p.m., Saturday, June 15, and ticket holders will be able to participate in a post-screening discussion with the director in a look back at the film that follows the romantic misadventures of two young gay men in Manhattan.
Festival admission is $12 per film for all audiences and $5 for students (student tickets are available only at the theater box office).
