CHICAGO, Illinois (May 19, 2021) – Vaccination rates in the U.S. are climbing and COVID-19 cases are declining across the country, but in many major cities Pride parades remain largely paused, postponed or phygital – a mix of hybrid and digital – this June.
The varied approach has many wondering just when, where and how Pride celebrations will take place this year. According to a new survey commissioned by travel brand Orbitz, nearly half (50%) of LGBTQIA Americans say they’re planning to celebrate Pride this year, and of those 66% said their first big post-COVID trip will be something to help them celebrate[1].
“Pride is typically one of the bigger travel moments of the summer,” says Carey Malloy, Orbitz Brand Director. “With in-person events still fluctuating as we navigate this new middle ground coming out of the pandemic, we’re seeing that many people are celebrating Pride locally now, then traveling somewhere new later in the year when hopefully parades will be back.”
The majority of LGBTQIA Americans (53%) say they’ll spend time in small gatherings with friends and loved ones and one-third plan to do something locally on their own. For those cities moving forward with parades – either virtually or in-person – the survey shows 45% are still planning on attending one way or another.
HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO CELEBRATE PRIDE THIS YEAR?
- Spend time with LGBTQ friends, family members ………53%
- Attend a Pride Parade ……………………………………………45%
- Do something on my own ……………………………………….32%
- Attend a local event ……………………………………………….28%
- Travel somewhere new …………………………………………..28%
- Donate to charities …………………………………………………24%
- Attend a virtual event ……………………………………………..21%
Guide to Pride: Where to Celebrate Pride Now and Later
Orbitz is helping travelers plan Pride celebrations now and later with its destination guide, which lists whether or not cities are hosting hybrid, virtual or in-person Pride parades and events this June.
Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston announced plans to postpone their June parades until the fall while Pittsburgh is one of the only cities currently moving forward with an in-person parade. In New York and Denver, they’re taking a phygital approach with virtual parades and some in-person gatherings.
“Whether you’re planning to do something local and supporting LGBTQ businesses, restaurants, bars and hotels or making future Fall Pride travel plans, it’s a reminder that we must continue to find ways to show up and stand in solidarity with the community,” says Malloy.
For more information on LGBTQIA events happening this summer, visit the Orbitz event calendar.
Orbitz 2021 Pride Destination Guide
PRIDE NOW – Celebrations in June, July
| Phygital – Virtual Parades, In-person events | |
| New York City, NY | – Virtual parade June 27.
– In-person events throughout June. |
| Denver, CO | – Virtual parade June 27.
– In-person events June 26-27. |
| San Diego, CA | – Virtual parade July 17.
– In-person events July 16-18. |
| Virtual – Virtual-only parades or events | |
| Columbus, OH | – Virtual Parade June 19.
– Mostly virtual events throughout June. |
| Toronto, Canada | – Virtual Parade June 27.
– Virtual events throughout June. |
| Los Angeles, CA | – Parade cancelled.
– Virtual events throughout June. |
| San Francisco, CA | – Parade cancelled.
– Virtual events throughout June. |
| Boston, MA | – Parade postponed fall 2021.
– Virtual events throughout June. |
| In-Person – In-person parades or events | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | – In-person parade June 5.
– In-person events June 4-6. |
| Provincetown, PA | – No parade.
– In-person events June 4-6. |
| St. Petersburg, FL | – Parade cancelled.
– In-person events throughout June. |
| Chicago, IL | – Parade postponed fall 2021.
– In-person PrideFest June 19-20. |
| Washington D.C. | – Parade postponed fall 2021.
– Virtual and in-person events throughout June. |
PRIDE LATER – Fall parades and events
| Fall Parades & Events | |
| Phoenix, AZ | – Parade November 6.
– In-person celebrations Nov. 6-7. |
| Atlanta, GA | – Parade October 10.
– In-person celebrations Oct. 8-10. |
| Las Vegas, NV | – Parade October 8.
– In-person celebrations Oct. 8-9. |
| Philadelphia, PA | – Parade cancelled.
– In-person festival September 4. |
| Postponed Parades – TBA | |
| Chicago, IL |
– Parades postponed fall 2021. Dates TBA. |
| Boston, MA | |
| Washington D.C. | |
[1] Random, double-opt-in online survey of 2,003 LGBTQ+ Americans commissioned by Orbitz and conducted by OnePoll May 5-10, 2021.