Happy Forest!
Pride Month 2026 was certainly one to remember. Despite the hateful rhetoric being spewed by the Republican Party toward the LGBTQ+ community, queer people showed up and showed out during a very divisive time in history.
Although many gay events were packed throughout June across the globe, Electric Forest served as the perfect place to close out Pride Month. The iconic music festival pulled out all the stops to make sure every person in the LGBTQ+ community felt seen and motivated to continue living out and proud in their everyday lives.
Yes, the bright lights and rainbow imagery show an inclusive first glance to the gorgeous festival, but the energy found deep in the Rothbury, Michigan woods offers so much more than just a colorful party.
There are so many reasons why I look forward to this staple event very year. While most festivals are predominantly known for their dynamic sets and insane lineups, Electric Forest creates a special experience that expands beyond music.
The word I'd use to describe my third time in the forest would be... healing. I felt so seen and loved as a queer person while navigating the forest with so many members of my chosen family. The amazing balance between deep conversations and dancing all night with friends old and new left me feeling so inspired. The magic in the air at this year's event felt therapeutic in ways that I've honestly never felt before.
I know it might seem a bit comical to think running around in a Speedo would serve as a form of therapy, but there's something so liberating about leaving the real world behind for a few days to simply escape. There's plenty of outside noise that clogs our brains each and every day, so safe spaces such as Electric Forest are really needed for the soul.
A gay couple at Electric Forest.Alive Coverage/Electric Forest
While major headliners like ILLENIUM, Galantis, Cain Culto, Łaszewo, and many more lit up the sky with their incredible performances, the music was only one of the highlights at Electric Forest.
Culto summed up the vibe at Electric Forest so beautifully in our exclusive backstage interview. The very unapologetic gay entertainer grew up in a very religious home in Kentucky and Florida, so his journey as a queer singer has touched many of his fans.
"I'm always surprised by the emotional impact that my work has on people. It's been cool to see that I'm getting booked by venues who have the same principles that I have, especially regarding trans rights and human rights. People relate so deeply to my story and see themselves in my work. It's not just about having fun and partying. We care about impacting the world with positive change," Culto says.
Besides the music, The Brainery on Main Street hosts inclusive and insightful panels that live up to its name, expanding the mind by tackling a diverse range of important themes impacting every walk of life. This year, the LGBTQ+ workshop offered crucial words of wisdom to anyone struggling with their identity and sexuality.
As a speaker on the panel, I had the privilege of sharing how my journey as a gay man not only taught me to accept myself, but it ended up saving my life. Despite all of my personal struggles and challenges, I couldn't possibly imagine living a life back in the closet. The love felt in the room as everyone shared their knowledge on queer topics is still resonating with me to this day.
If the workshops and music sets at Electric Forest weren't enough, the loving camaraderie of every single raver will truly lift anyone's spirit. The amount of grins, hugs, kandi exchanges, and moments of laughter shared between complete strangers is the feel-good medicine needed to keep pushing in this very dark world.
It may feel like the weight of the world is on all of our shoulders, but if festivals have taught me one thing... we thankfully have each other to lean on. Whether if you'd like to see the world solo or with a group, there's nothing that compares to touching some grass, especially at Electric Forest.
Don't miss out on your opportunity to close out Pride Month next year by taking the ultimate trip to Electric Forest in Rothbury, Michigan. Learn more by visiting the official website here.
This extraordinary trip was provided by Electric Forest.
