Pride month officially kicked off in San Francisco with the lighting of Twin Peaks’ iconic Pink Triangle on June 1. Between now and the official Pride Parade downtown, San Francisco will be host to a raft of events celebrating the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities, and their respective cultural, creative and political contributions to our city and the world.
Not only will the Pink Triangle and Glide Memorial Church shine in pink all month long, San Francisco will be teeming with performances, remembrances, concerts, festivals and finally cap things off with the return of the 52nd annual Pride Parade after a two-year, pandemic hiatus on June 26. You’ll find an itinerary of ways you can show your pride and be a supportive ally below.
Did we miss something? Drop us a line at eventlist@sfstandard.com to submit your event for consideration.
— Christina J. Campodonico
San Francisco Pride 2022 Event Calendar
575 Castro St.
Friday, June 10, 6 - 10 p.m. | Free
The artist-led pop-up known as Queer Arts Featured or Queer AF officially takes over historic SF politician Harvey Milk’s camera shop in the Castro on June 10. The new gallery, boutique and gathering space aims to not only sustain the legacy of Milk—California’s first openly gay elected official—but also feature the artwork of underrepresented and emerging local queer artists by breaking traditional financial models in the art world. The event is free, but you can make a donation to the gallery. (CJC)
Living Room Bar at the W San Francisco, 181 Third St.
Friday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. | $15
Two years after closing her Saturday night run at Oasis, SF’s “Mother” of drag, Heklina, retakes her city to kick off Pride 2022 at The W. Drag artists Landa Lakes, Carnie Asada, and Madd- Dogg 20/20 will also perform at the Living Room Bar, where a portion of proceeds from a colorful menu of Pride-full dishes will support the SF LGBT Center. (MJT)
Manny’s, 3092 16th St.
Friday, June 10, 7 p.m. | Free
Head to Manny’s on Friday night for a screening of Pariah, the compelling coming-of-age-and-coming-out tale of Alike, a 17-year-old Black woman in Brooklyn. A 2011 Sundance Film Festival premiere, the feature expanded director Dee Rees’ 2007 short film of the same name. (MJT)
The Presidio Theatre, Main Post
June 10 - 12 | Free
Returning to the big screen, the 18th QWOCFF focuses on “Love, Embodied” with 35 films combined into 5 showings at the Presidio Theatre in the Main Post. Jewelle Gomez—the Native American, African American and lesbian activist and subject of Jewelle: A Just Vision—will be on hand for a Q&A before the Saturday evening screening to discuss the historic and future impact of Black, indigenous and feminist movements. (MJT)
SFIAC, 1630 Stockton St.
Saturday, June 11, 7 p.m. | $50+
Queer ladies in their semi-formal finest will fill the SF Italian American Club’s ballroom for a night of complimentary hors d'oeuvres and dancing to the beats of DJ Jeanine Da Feen, complete with a and a high-end cash bar. (MJT)
Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park
Saturday and Sunday, June 11 - 12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Free
See San Francisco’s largest-ever display of 3,000 panels of the AIDS memorial quilt. The quilt now includes 50,000 sewn panels and over 100,000 names of those who have lost their lives to AIDS. Guests will be able to walk through the massive display and discover the stories that are sewn into it. Click here for details about the activities and ceremonies surrounding the 35th anniversary display. (MJT & RT)
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St.
Saturday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. | $10 - $35
Alica Rose’s bluegrass-driven violin concerto headlines the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony’s celebration of Pride 2022. Adolphus Hailstork’s Fanfare on Amazing Grace and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2 round out the program at the SF Conservatory of Music. (MJT)
Manny’s, 3092 16th St.
Wednesday, June 15, 7 p.m. | $5 - $12
Chaplaine Claire Chuck Bohman, head of the multi-faith spiritual care center at SF General Hospital, and Buddhist Reverend Daigan Gaither lead a conversation on the latest aspects of queer spiritual practice at Manny’s. (MJT)
The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St.
Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m. | $45+
A drag extravaganza! Willam from RuPaul's Drag Race, Lady Bunny, Derrick Barry, Meatball, Shannel, Stasha Sanchez, Mimi Marks, Nebraska Thunderf*ck and Heklina will take the stage in the St. Francis’ Grand Ballroom to benefit the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. (MJT)
The Commons at KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mission St.
Thursday, June 16, 7 p.m. | $15 in person; free livestream
Hear a discussion of the history and joy of LGBTQ+ club music in the SF Bay Area led by KQED Arts Associate Editor Nastia Voynovskaya at KQED’s headquarters in Potrero Hill. (MJT)
Various Locations
June 16 - 26 | $17.50+
The world’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival spreads its screenings across the Bay Area with 132 films, including 46 features, 30 documentaries and 61 shorts showing everywhere from the Roxie Theater in the Mission to SFMOMA to Oakland’s New Parkway Theater. This year’s theme is “The Coast is Queer” and spotlights films from around the world as well as local filmmakers. A few of this year’s highlights include the premiere of Amazon’s video series reboot of A League of Their Own, the Sundance Film Festival award winner Girl Picture and Coline Abert’s documentary Last Dance about SF-reared drag performer Lady Vinsantos’ last performance in Paris. (CJC)
Secret Location in the Mission
Thursday, June 16 | $34
The promoter of intimate concerts at tiny venues, Sofar Sounds plans a Pride show in The Mission on Wednesday night. LGBTQ+ performers will each perform two or three sets aimed at celebrating Pride history. The secret location will be reviewed 36 hours before the show. (MJT)
Online
June 16 - 26 | Free
Experience more than 40 performances by trans and queer artists specializing in a range of genres, from hip-hop to comedy to modern dance. Five new programs combine cutting-edge acts in an expanded two-week run. Check the website for the full calendar and free tickets. (MJT)
Manny’s, 3092 16th St.
Friday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. | $5 - $12
The U.S. has 800 gay bars and only 21 lesbian bars, according to the Lesbian Bar Project. Why? Discuss the past, present and future of lesbian spaces with activist Alex U. Inn and ethnic studies professor and lesbian event promoter, Carol Hill.
Follow that up with a converation with author Jeremy Atherton Lin about the state of the gay bar and the future of queer spaces, also at Manny’s, on June 22. (MJT)
SF Main Library Children’s Center, 100 Larkin St., 2nd Floor
Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. | Free
Through the power of story, drag personality PerSia brings youngsters and their families on a journey of diversity and self love. (MJT)
Online
Saturday, June 18, 12:00 p.m. | Free
Ashlé Blow, The Dragon King, and Bobby Friday join Champlain B0NNi33 Vi0L3T and Glide Memorial Church to explore the intersection of spirituality, gender and drag. (MJT)
Nancy Pelosi Dr. and Bowling Green Dr. in Golden Gate Park
Saturday, June 18, 3 p.m. | $100+
The National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Pride celebration returns on June 18 with food, drinks, music, and family activities to commemorate Juneteenth and 50 years of Title IX. (MJT)
Oasis, 298 11th St.
Wednesday, June 22, 7 p.m. | $15 - $35
Celebrate 81 spectacular drag queens from 16 cities, including 15 SF local legends. Drag artists Glamamore, Donna Personna, Renita Valdez, Collette LeGrande, Carla Gay and Joan Jett Blakk grace the stage with their presences in a showcase emceed by Sister Roma and Kochina Rude. Authors Devin Antheus and Harry James Hanson kick off the night with a book signing at 7:30 p.m. followed by performances by the all-star cast. (CJC)
Dolores Park, Dolores and 19th St.
Friday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. March begins at 6 p.m. | Free
SF’s biggest trans pride event begins with a brunch and continues with a resource fair and community stage. The march begins at 6 p.m. at Dolores and 18th St. and concludes with speakers before heading to El Rio for the afterparty. Click here for more details. (MJT)
Middle Drive West and Metson Road, Golden Gate Park
Saturday, June 25, 7:30 - 11 a.m. | $45
Run for a good cause in Golden Gate Park. The San Francisco FrontRunners 42nd annual Pride Run features 5K and 10K loops through the park and a Kids’ Dash, this year benefitting the Lyric Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth. (CJC)
Dolores and 18th Sts.
Saturday, June 25, 5 p.m. | Free
Celebrating a love for women and queerness in all its manifestations, dykes of all stripes are welcome to join the 30th Dyke March around Dolores Park. Find out more and get the FAQs for participation here. (MJT)
Civic Center Plaza, 335 McAllister St.
Saturday, June 25, 12 - 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free
The largest Pride gathering in the U.S. officially gets rolling on Saturday afternoon, with two afternoons of music, activism and entertainment hosted by Per Sia and Yves Saint Croissant on Saturday and Honey Mahogany and Sister Roma on Sunday. Get more info on community events all month on SFPride.org. (MJT)
Market St. from Beale St. to 8th St.
Sunday, June 26, 10:30 a.m. | Free
Actor Sherry Cola and “Jeopardy” champion Amy Schneider will serve as celebrity Grand Marshals in the 52nd Pride Parade up Market St. The sidelines are almost as much fun as the participants but it’s not too late to ride with Dykes on Bikes, volunteer or get grandstand seats! (MJT)
Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell St.
Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. | $150
The 24th year of the famed morning party honors the Pride Grand Marshals and benefits the PRC (formerly the Positive Resource Center), provider of legal, social and behavioral health services for the LGBTQ+ community. Gary and Donna serve a three-course brunch and hosted bar with Tito’s Vodka and Korbel sparkling wine. (MJT)
Online
Wednesday, June 29, 12 p.m. | Free
In honor of AANHPI Month and Pride, the SF Public Library presents a conversation with Malinda Lo, the New York Times bestselling author of National Book Award Winner, Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Teen librarian Rachel Fiege, will discuss the impact of Lo’s story, which takes place in the 1950s at Galileo High School during an era of racism and homophobia. (MJT)
SF LGBT Center, 1800 Market St.
Thursday, June 30, 5 p.m. | Free
Find an item that says “Pride” to you and head to the SF LGBT Center on the last day of Pride Month. Artists Bridget Bertrand and Willi Farrales will lead a restorative art practice aimed at healing and reflection. The session part of the monthly Center Community Program focused on nourishing mind, body and spirit as it relates to community. (MJT)
Contributors: Christina Campodonico and Maryann Jones Thompson