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PRIDE: One of Dayton’s most festive weekends moved back to later this summer

Scenes from the 2019 Dayton PRIDE parade through Dayton on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Did we spot you there? DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

Scenes from the 2019 Dayton PRIDE parade through Dayton on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Did we spot you there? DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED
What to Do
By Libby Ballengee
June 3, 2020
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One of the most festive weekends of the summer has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

Dayton Pride, which was scheduled to kick off on Friday June 5,  is an annual celebration of LGBT Pride Month, in honor of the 1969 Stonewall riots. The NYC uprising marked the beginning of the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans.

>> Dayton Pride: A short history of one Dayton’s most famous lesbians

Although the movement started during a dark time, Pride festivities are celebrated around the world and consist of colorful parades, parties and performances. Dayton Pride is no exception. Organized by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, the event runs throughout an entire weekend, with an estimated 5,000 people in attendance.

PHOTOS: Dayton shows its PRIDE in 2019

    

Due to continuing concerns about the coronavirus spread, organizers made the “heartbreaking decision” back in April to postpone Dayton Pride. The event is now planned for Aug. 21-23, 2020.

“We all know that our world has been turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all living a ‘new normal’ and we all have to take big steps to protect our health and the health of everyone in our community,” R.J. McKay, president of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, said in a recent statement.

>> READ MORE: CANCELED: We won't be celebrating these Dayton-area festivals this year

Dayton Pride 2019 kicked off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31 with performances by the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, The Rubi Girls and the pop duo REYNA at Levitt Pavilion in Dave Hall Plaza in downtown Dayton. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam

McKay further explained the decision to postpone the event. “Even if we are able to socialize after the shutdown, we know that it will take our state and our community some time to bounce back both emotionally and financially ... It is our hope that the COVID-19 peak is long past by August and we are able to gather without the overwhelming emotions brought by this pandemic.”

The Greater Dayton LGBT Center will continue essential support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, SOAR-Survivors Overcoming Assault and Rape, Pozitive Attitudes HIV+, and The Gatlyn-Dame Transgender Group. They have made arrangements for these groups to meet remotely. For information on how to join the online meetings, please contact the Center at info@daytonlgbtcenter.org.

The Greater Dayton LGBT Center's mission to enhance lives and empower members of the diverse sexual and gender communities throughout the Miami Valley. Find out more at www.daytonLGBTcenter.org

>>> WATCH: Dayton musicians come together for virtual concert to help Ohio restaurant workers

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About the Author

Libby Ballengee