Hartford Pride Center

We want to thank everyone who came out to Chez Est yesterday to support Camp Couture ✨ Presented By The Hartford Pride Center in collaboration with HRC New England. We had an awesome turnout, and the talent was INCREDIBLE...I mean Tess Klibanoff, what you did was perfection! Special shout-out to The Spicy Green Bean for providing the scrumptious food. Kasha and the team over there never disappoint. ***rownedbusinesses

But you should know by now that while other organizations' programming is slowing down, ours is just getting started! Please join us this Friday, June 12th, from 3:30pm-4:30pm at the newly reopened downtown branch of the Hartford Public Library located at 500 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, for our LGBTQ+ Author Series. This is a series where we highlight CT-based q***r authors by learning about their personal journeys, hearing readings from their newly published works, and providing book signings/giveaways. Because after all, artistry takes many forms.

Let's keep the PRIDE Month energy going and get ready for an intimate experience with our first author Ben Dubow while we explore his book Shift: Getting Unstuck in Work, Life, and Relationships, now available on Amazon (Link Below). See you on FRIDAY, Hartford!

https://www.amazon.com/SHIFT-Getting-Unstuck-Relationships-Running/dp/B0GFVQHR2V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JH88VNABYKX1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MHqgYGpQTdZDLuFVbBflXW7PzAZlqsW-4UDYq4qNyXzHdFfWo8e5HBl4x_9umHCej1e_nIFsuUX0kyQy1LaX9CO85bPN8MJl2BJy2bCzgUpVrNWxglINBrpl3Cwq7W8rjJu114mp4tIrsYbgqqyIsvvFegXfjzyGgNsaiStrDbg.CI8Vwm0kSLhR-OlSqpUZ06r0I5kQzMbkhMHP4HHgKoM&dib_tag=se&keywords=ben+dubow&qid=1780946394&sprefix=ben+dubow%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

Pride is not just a celebration. Pride is a response.

This week, Connecticut heard deeply troubling rhetoric from a 23-year-old Republican candidate for public office (we will not say his name because he doesn't deserve the platform), rhetoric that portrayed LGBTQ+ people as a threat to families, society, and the moral fabric of our communities and advocated for the reintroduction of the DEATH PENALTY. Even leaders within his own party condemned those statements as hateful and inconsistent with basic decency.

What makes this especially alarming is not simply what was said, but who said it.

At 23 years old, this candidate is a member of a generation that many hoped would be moving beyond the prejudice and fear that have historically targeted LGBTQ+ people. Instead, his words are a reminder that anti-LGBTQ+ ideology remains powerful enough to reach and influence young people today. Hate is not dying out on its own. It is being taught, repeated, and normalized.

That should concern every person who believes in dignity, equality, and freedom.

For LGBTQ+ people, rhetoric that paints us as dangerous, immoral, or undeserving of life is not merely political disagreement. History has shown that when people are dehumanized, violence becomes easier to justify. When leaders tell the public that an entire group of people is corrupting society, they create an environment where discrimination, harassment, and even physical harm become more likely.

This is why Pride still matters in 2026.

Pride matters because there are still voices willing to deny the humanity of people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Pride matters because LGBTQ+ youth are still hearing messages that tell them they are less worthy of love, respect, happiness, and belonging.

And Pride matters because every LGBTQ+ person deserves to live openly, authentically, and safely.

We will continue to speak out against hate. We will continue to defend our community. And we will continue building a Connecticut where every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is treated with dignity and respect.

That is what Pride is about. Also, when we say we are not safe, we are not being dramatic; we see what's happening, and we hear what's being said, and it's terrifying.

Oh, you thought we were done after yesterday's successful PRIDE month kickoff event??? No ma'am, we are just getting started.

Hartford, BUY YOUR TICKETS now for Camp Couture ✨ Presented By The Hartford Pride Center in collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign! We only have a few seats left in general admission, and believe us, you don't want to miss this!

From singers/songwriters to comedians, to a hypnotist, to drag performers, and more, this will be a true variety show highlighting the diversity of talent that the q***r community has to offer.

We will see you on Sunday, June 7th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chez Est for ! https://act.hrc.org/page/190110/event/1?locale=en-US

Great turnout at our Hartford PRIDE Day Celebration! Awesome way to kickoff PRIDE Month in our Capital City.

Special thanks to our Mayor Arunan Arulampalam for the proclamation, Mrs. Connecticut Chelsey Knyff for serving as our MC, and DJ Radio Jonathen Whitford for keeping the energy high.

All of our speakers did a fantastic job. The crowd was full of love and the incredible art piece provided by Ms.Joy will inspire all month long. Happy PRIDE Hartford!

Happy Pride Month from all of us at the Hartford Pride Center!

Pride is a celebration of love, authenticity, resilience, and the countless individuals who have courageously fought for the rights and freedoms many of us enjoy today. Throughout this month, we honor the generations of LGBTQ+ advocates, organizers, and allies whose determination transformed pain into progress and exclusion into community. Pride reminds us that our diversity is our strength and that every person deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity.

As we celebrate, we also recognize that the work of equality and justice is far from complete. In moments when fear, discrimination, or tyranny seek to silence voices and divide communities, we are called to stand together with courage and compassion. Pride is not just a celebration; it is a commitment to lifting up those whose voices are marginalized, defending the rights of those who face injustice, and ensuring that no one has to stand alone. Together, we will continue building a future where every LGBTQ+ person is valued, protected, and empowered to thrive. Happy PRIDE Hartford and to all of our q***r Brothers, Sisters, and Theys, we stand with you!

Don't forget, tomorrow is our Hartford PRIDE Day Celebration at the Gentle Bull Shop on Pratt Street beginning at 1:30pm. Arrive by 1:15pm so you don't miss a minute of the action.

We cannot wait to celebrate the start of PRIDE Month with our beautiful q***r community ❤. Happy PRIDE Hartford!

Thank You ConnecticutDrag.com for this wonderful article! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

TAP HERE TO READ: https://tinyurl.com/ydm66jxd

The new Hartford Pride Center introduces Capital City Pride, Connecticut’s newest celebration redesigning the Pride experience - ConnecticutDrag.com By Kevin Ferrisi – HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – Big changes are coming to Hartford’s Pride celebration this year as the city prepares to debut a newly reimagined event under a new name. Following the launch of the Hartford Pride Center last year, the annual celebration formerly known as Hartford Pr...