West Hollywood hosted the 2015 LA Pride Celebration and united people from around the country to have a gay ol' time. Check out these 12 fabulous photos and relive the fun and festivities!
Ricky Cornish at Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau in Montréal, Canada.
Ricky Cornish
Even in the freezing cold temperatures, Montréal, Canada is a top destination for queer travelers.
Can you expect snow? Yes. Should you pack a winter coat? Absolutely. Yet, the chilly atmosphere is actually way more inviting than you'd think.
It's no secret that Montréal is a safe space for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community as it's known for its vibrant queer scene, Pride festivals throughout the summer, and famous gayborhood called Le Village. However, there's no denying that winter is still a magical time to visit the breathtaking city.
Although the temperatures outside may be bone-chilling, there are plenty of places to escape the cold and take in the gorgeous sights and sounds of Montréal.
Located in Old Port, Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau is a luxurious spa experience that must be added to any itinerary. The beautiful building serves as a unique floating spa on the St. Lawrence River and offers many relaxing accommodations such as a hydrotherapy water circuit, saunas, steam baths, massages, and more.
It may be hard to imagine that you could wear a bathing suit in the middle of a Canadian winter, but as seen in the pics above, you can comfortably submerge into the heated pools and jacuzzis at Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau as a playful amount of snow falls over your head.
It's safe to say that Le Village and Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau provide plenty of fun indoor opportunities to beat the frigid temperatures, but there's nothing that quite compares to a quintessential Montréal experience than attending Igloofest in the heart of downtown.
Bundling up is a no brainer as this festival takes place outside and at night, but the vibes and atmosphere will definitely keep you warm. Plus, the delicious drinks and body heat from the welcoming ravers all around you certainly helps as well!
Igloofest takes place over a course of four weekends in Montréal before heading off to other cities throughout Canada including Gatineau, Quebec, and Edmonton. Besides the flexible dates, the iconic festival creates a different lineup each weekend to give fans the opportunity to see a different show every night. Just a few of the headliners throughout 2026 at Igloofest include Lost Frequencies, Sofi Tukker, Aluna, Disclosure, DJ Snake, and many more.
The DJs certainly bring huge crowds of passionate fans, but Igloofest offers so much more than your typical music festival.
Thanks to the cold atmosphere, many attendees can be seen bonding with friends making s'mores, playing interactive games to win prize, and indulging in plenty of savory meals and drinks to stay warm. Don't forget to try Montréal's signature dish... the poutine!
Fabulous accommodations are also widely available throughout Old Port, but nothing quite compares to Hotel William Gray. The stunning property is located next to all of the action at Igloofest and offers a very cozy stay with top tier amenities. From tasty restaurants to gorgeous views of the snowfall, this hotel is the best choice across the board.
There's truly something for everyone in the LGBTQ+ when visiting Montréal, even in the dead of winter. Between all of the sickening drag performances, gorgeous decor, and delicious drinks at Le Village, to premiere relaxation at Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau, and the immaculate vibes at Igloofest, there's no shortage of iconic memories to be made in Canada.
No surprise here, but it's also worth noting that the friendly people who make up the queer scene in Montréal really make this city stand out. The rumors are true. Canadians just do it better, and they do it with a smile on their face.
Don't miss out on your chance to check out Igloofest in 2026. To learn more, visit the official website here. You won't regret it!
The RISE Festival just commemorated its tenth year in the Nevada desert and pulled out all of the stops. Considered the world's largest sky lantern festival, the breathtaking event also serves as a safe space for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
Everyone had the opportunity to send gorgeous lanterns into the night sky and manifest positive energy or let go of burdens that are weighing them down in their everyday lives.
As if the beautiful views weren't enough, RISE Festival recruited some of the top talent from around the world to give attendees the opportunity to dance the night away. Headliners that performed all weekend included Calvin Harris, Disclosure, John Mayer, LP Giobbi, Rüfüs Du Sol, and more.
There were only a few dry eyes at the stunning celebration. With anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeping the country and so much negativity being spread at a rapid pace, RISE Festival couldn't have come at a better time.
Similar to many other popular music festivals, the LGBTQ+ community was in full force and bringing positive vibes that can only be felt amongst queer peers. In fact, LP Giobbi even spoke with PRIDE about specifically keeping an eye out for her gay fans as she performed at the unifying gathering.
"I am playing for you! I think it's a deeply important and beautiful community. I will do everything in my power to support and uplift. I'm just so grateful to be accepted into that community! I feel like I can be most myself around this community. My favorite version of myself is when I get to be with y'all!," Giobbi tells PRIDE.
It's safe to say RISE Festival wanted to make their tenth anniversary a remarkable occasion, so fans are already speculating as to what could be in store for next year. Let the countdown begin!
The writer was invited to cover this event by RISE Festival. Grab tickets to an upcoming show by visiting the official website here.
Hayley Lebert; Andre Duran; Kaitlyn Barcelona for RI Pride
Rhode Island LGBTQ+ Pridefest, June 2025
Ryan Welch for RI Pride
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but when it comes to Pride they go big!
Once again, the capital city of Providence played host to their annual PrideFest, which is New England’s only night time only nighttime Pride parade. The event which attracted over 100,000 attendees turned the city into an illuminated celebration of queer joy and resillliance.
The event featured more than 250 nonprofit organizations, businesses, and food vendors. And keeping the party going into the evening was a mix of regional and national acts, along with interactive zones spotlighting LGBTQIA+ history.
Among the performers was Asher HaVon, a soulful R&B and gospel artist from Selma, Alabama is best known for being the first openly LGBTQ+ winner of The Voice. “I have travelled and performed all over the country, but this was absolutely the most amazing experience I have ever had—the love and unity was everywhere,” he said of the event.
The theme for this years event was Unapologetically Proud, a poignant choice for a political climate that would like to see queer folks shamed, if not afriad. "This year's PrideFest and Illuminated Night Parade exemplify the strength and unity of our community," said Rodney Davis, President of Rhode Island Pride. “Our joy is also our resistance, as we came together to be—as this year’s theme emphasizes—UNAPOLOGETICALLY PROUD!”
This year saw incredible events raising our voices and our visibility from sea to shining sea. Keep scrolling to get a peek at how the East Coast does Pride!
If there is one city that radiates queer joy, it’s San Francisco. While this city is a beacon of queerness all year long, but for the month of June they go all out. Despite everything in the world, 2025 proved to be no different for the city by the bay!
The streets of SF were filled with queer revelers, families, and allies all celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and making a very clear statement we are still here, queer, and not going anywhere!
The multi-day event saw various activities including the annual Trans March, Dyke March, and of course the big Pride Parade. Joining in the festivities were Congresswoman Sarah McBride, GLIDE President Dr. Gina Fromer, and marriage equality heroes and real-life husbands Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis.
Keep scrolling for a look at what queer liberation looks like and to see a vision of the future gays want and deserve!
San Francisco Trans March, June 27, 2025
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Related | How many of these Pride facts did you know?
San Francisco Trans March, June 27, 2025
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LGBTQ+ pride celebrations around NYC, June 29, 2025
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LGBTQ+ pride celebrations around NYC, June 29, 2025
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Every June, New York Pride transforms the city into something bigger than a parade. It’s part protest, part party, and 100% a reminder that queer joy refuses to be quiet.
This year was no different. In the face of all the turmoil happening throughout the country, New Yorkers banded together to be as loud, as proud, and as unflinchingly visible as ever.
Front and center was Karine Jean-Pierre, who served as one of this year's grand marshals!
LGBTQ+ pride celebrations around NYC, June 29, 2025
