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
50th anniversary LGBTQ+ pride parade and celebration, Baltimore, Maryland, June 2025
Courtesy Caver Imaging/Tonya Caver
50th anniversary LGBTQ+ pride parade and celebration, Baltimore, Maryland, June 2025
Courtesy Caver Imaging/Tonya Caver
This year, the city of Baltimore celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first Pride parade with a huge celebration that proved why it’s called Charm City.
Earlier this month, Baltimore Pride celebrated the contributions of sexual and gender minorities with a Pride parade that brought 150,000 people to the city. Hosted by the Pride Center of Maryland, the week-long celebration featured a parade, performances, and countless Pride parties. This year’s theme, “50 Shades of Pride” honors five decades of resistance, queer joy, advocacy, and liberation.
“We said the best way to honor that [legacy] is to ensure that we highlight 50 Shades of Pride, to let folks come up in any way that they see is necessary,” said Tramour Wilson, Chief Director of Special Projects for the Pride Center of Maryland.
Singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr, DJ CO, and gospel legend Kelly Price headlined Baltimore’s Pride in the Park, while rapper Lola Brooke was the star of the Block Party, and Drag Race’s Lexi Love was featured at the closing party.
Keep scrolling to see the protest signs, drag queens, and rainbow outfits that made Baltimore Pride so rich this year!
