Jason A. Heidemann
QUEERS AND BEERS Milwaukee gays it up for PrideFest.
Photo: Kate Sherry
NW Indiana Rainbow Days
(Gary, Indiana)
June 6
Highlights This second annual event kicks off at noon with a Pride Parade that starts in downtown Gary at the intersection of 25th Avenue and Adams Street and proceeds west. A Gay Pride Picnic at Marquette Park follows. A to-be-determined event is in the works.
Lowlight Did we mention it’s in Gary?
Straight but not narrow Just a stone’s throw east of Gary, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (nps.gov/indu) offers 25 miles of shoreline, including the gay-frequented beaches at Mt. Baldy.
Fruity fact Michael Jackson’s boyhood home at 2300 Jackson Street is a mere six blocks from the parade’s starting point.
For more info nwirainbowdays.bravehost.com
PrideFest 2009
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
June 12–14
Highlights The 22nd annual hip-shakin’, music-makin’ homopalooza stars Cyndi Lauper, Brandy, Etta James and Deborah Cox, plus Chicago-based tribute band the Joans and local divo Jason Antone. Other festival high spots include the Mr. and Miss PrideFest Pageant and the Pride Parade, which starts at 2pm June 14 at Greenfield Avenue and Second Street.
Lowlight PrideFest falls on the same weekend as Midsommarfest, Andersonville’s mega-gay street festival.
Straight but not narrow Bed down for the weekend or just saddle up to the bar at the Iron Horse Hotel (theironhorsehotel.com), a gay-friendly boutique hotel and lounge that hosted a PrideFest kickoff event in May.
Fruity fact In 1998, PrideFest was moved to August to accommodate the 95th-anniversary Harley-Davidson celebration.
For more info pridefest.com
Circle City IN Pride
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
June 13
Highlights Beginning June 6, Indy Pride week culminates in the parade and festival on June 13. The parade gets rolling at 10am on Mass Avenue between College and Penn Streets, followed by the fest at 11am.
Lowlight Like Milwaukee’s PrideFest, it conflicts with Midsommarfest. Boo!
Straight but not narrow Check out the architecturally impressive Fountain Square Theatre Building, which contains a ’50s soda fountain and diner, a rooftop restaurant (with sparkling city views) and two duckpin bowling alleys (the kind with mini pins and balls).
Fruity fact Indy’s Pride Parade is only four years old. The first one featured a single float, some antique cars, a few drag queens and several walking groups. It lasted 15 minutes.
For more info indyprideinc.org
Kentuckiana Pride Festival
(Louisville, Kentucky)
June 19, 20
Highlights The Bluegrass State rocks out its Pride weekend with dyke duo Indigo Girls, one-hit wonder turned gay diva Tiffany, homo hip-hoppers God-des and She, and more. On June 19, the parade kicks off at downtown queer bar Tryangles. Festivities also include a Pride pet contest and the Miss and Mr. KPF Pageant.
Lowlight You’ll have to make a weekend out of this one. Louisville is a five-hour drive from Chicago, making an overnight stay compulsory.
Straight but not narrow The 21c Museum Hotel (21cmuseumhotel.com) epitomizes Louisville cool with its exhilarating collection of 21st-century art and progressive regional cooking in its restaurant, Proof on Main. Hit the bar for the bourbon flight; on a busy night, it’s teeming with gays.
Fruity fact In 2008, Kentuckiana Pride began entering floats into the Pegasus Parade, the oldest Kentucky Derby Festival event held annually the Thursday before the Derby.
For more info kentuckianapridefestival.com