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‘GayRidge’ pride festival coming to Bay Ridge

GayRidge Pride 2023 will take place at Owl Head Park in Bay Ridge on June 4th.
GayRidge Pride 2023 will take place at Owl Head Park in Bay Ridge on June 4th.
Photo courtesy of GayRidge

The local LGBTQIA+ organization GayRidge will host their second-annual pride festival at Owl’s Head Park next month — featuring picnics, performances and more!

GayRidge Pride 2023 will kick off at noon on June 4th, marking the second time the volunteer-led group has hosted their colorful day of love and celebration, and this year’s event promises to be even better than the last, with the help of dozens of helpers that have made the event possible. 

“Putting together this year’s GayRidge Pride would not be possible without a strong community of volunteers and captains,” said GayRidge’s co-director Jason Graubard in a statement. “We are fortunate to have and are incredibly appreciative of all of our members who have stepped up to help create the celebration of Pride that we all want to see in southern Brooklyn.”

The free festival at Bay Ridge’s Owl’s Head Park, paid for in part by donations to the organization’s GoFundMe page, will feature tunes from DJ Mama Kim and drag musicians 69 Degrees, along with other LGBTQIA+ artists.

Attendees can also participate in rock-painting, which will be led by Bay Ridge Rocks, along with face-painting and several field games.

Co-director LJ Vogel said the event takes on a special importance this year because of the rash of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation being pursued throughout the country (particularly in Republican-led states). 

“These bills attack everything from same-sex parents adopting children to the rights of trans people trying to access gender-affirming care, which can often be lifesaving care,” he said. “Pride is a celebration, and also a reminder of the importance of standing against discrimination.”

In addition to the festival, the organization, which was formed in 2019, has also put on several other events over the past two years — including game-nights and get-togethers. 

“We love that our community has embraced GayRidge events and are very thankful to all our supporters,” said co-director ‘Mother McKenzie’ in a statement.

GayRidge Pride 2023 will take place at Owl Head Park in Bay Ridge on June 4th at noon (rain date June 11th). Learn more on the GayRidge website.

Brooklynites looking to support the organization can donate to their GoFundMe page.

For more coverage of events like the GayRidge Pride 2023 festival, head to BrooklynPaper.com.