2015 Phoenix Pride Preview
By Laura Latzko
Just as the citizens, lawmakers, educators, voting public and business community of Phoenix continue to evolve, so does Pride in Phoenix.
What started as an organized march to the state capitol in 1981 has grown into Arizona’s largest celebration of the LGBT community.
“Pride is encompassed by everyone in our community. Pride is not an organization. Pride is not an event. Pride is not a single piece. Pride is a collective of every single piece and person in our community,” said Justin Owen, the organization’s executive director. “It is who we are, it is where we come from and it is where we’re going.”
While Phoenix Pride is celebrating the 35th anniversary of informal Pride events, Owen said the first festival was organized by the Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, which later became Phoenix Pride, 25 years ago.
“I’ve been talking to some of our founders, the people who were in the march on the capitol in 1981, and they were talking about how … you couldn’t be open about your true self. You couldn’t go to a bar without fear of being beaten or attacked,” Owen said. “I’m just reminded how far we’ve come and how far we have left to go.”
We invite you to celebrate 35 years of Pride with us in the following pages:
35 Years Later - Local leader recalls the early days of Pride in Phoenix
2015 Phoenix Pride Preview - Annual festival continues to evolve and entertain in 2015
Walk Down the Aisle - Pride Style
Wilson Phillips - Pop trio brings signature harmony and '90s hits to Phoenix Pride
La Reina Grupera - Ana Bárbara Brings Latin Flavor To Phoenix Pride
Indie Rocker Kristen Ford to Perform at Phoenix Pride
Folk Pop Singer Coles Whalen to Make Sixth Pride Appearance
Tucson’s Own Jacob Acosta Preps for Fourth Pride Performance
Phoenix Pride Parade Moves to Sunday - Arizona's longest-running LGBT tradition changes days