CELEBRATING PRIDE 2009 -- MAIN EVENTS

This year San Antonio's GLBT community will celebrate Pride from June 1 through July 5. This page showcases the Main Events of this year's celebration. New events this year are the San Antonio Public Library's month-long Pride@YourLibrary and a special Pride Kick-Off event sponsored by five local GLBT groups.

June 9, 2009 -- Mayor Castro to be Grand Marshal of S.A. Gay Pride Parade

June 11, 2009 -- Proclamation: Mayor Castro Proclaims PrideFest Day

June 12, 2009 -- Photos: Activists thank Mayor for Pride parade participation

June 13, 2009 -- Photos: PrideFest beats the heat with enthusiasm

The San Antonio Public Library announced it plans to observe Gay Pride Month in June with a series of events planned at library branches around the city. Dubbed Pride@Your Library, the observance includes panel discussions, readings and screenings of the movie "Milk."

June 9, 11, 13 & 26, 2009 -- Screening: "Milk" starring Sean Penn
June 9 -- Central Library,6:30 p.m. 600 Soledad, 207-2500
June 11 -- Hollow Branch Library, 6:30 p.m. 530 Heimer Road, 496-6315
June 13 -- Landa Branch Library, 2:00 p.m. 233 Bushnell Avenue, 732-8369
June 26 -- The Tobin Library, 1:30 p.m., 4134 Harry Wurzbach Road, 828-2569

June 11, 2009 -- Panel discussion: All in the Family
Panel discussion with local lawyers about legal rights for same-sex partnerships and families. At 6:30 p.m. at the Cody Branch Library, 11441 Vance Jackson Road o 696-6396.

June 18, 2009 -- Panel discussion: Coming Out
Coming Out: Personal Journeys of GLBT Community Members. Sponsored by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. At 6:30 p.m. at the Landa Branch Library, 233 Bushnell Avenue, 732-8369.

June 20, 2009 -- Dramatic reading: Take Me Out
"Take Me Out" is a part of the "Bringing Books to Life" series of dramatic readings. At 2:30 p.m. at Maverick Branch Library 8700 Mystic Park, 680-9346.

June 25, 2009 -- Readings: Out and (Writing) About
Author readings with GLBT authors. Co-sponsored by Gemini Ink. At 6:30 p.m. at Brook Hollow Branch Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road, 496-6315

A new event this year, 5 for 40, is sponsored by the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio, the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Equality Texas. The event will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Candlelight Coffeehouse, 3011 N. St. Mary's Street. Cover charge is $5. There will be hors d' oeuvres and a cash bar.

The 28th annual San Antonio PrideFest kicks off at noon on June 13 at HemisFair Park. There will be an opening ceremony that includes the reading of a proclamation by the Mayor, the presentation of colors and an invocation. Booths sponsored by local GLBT groups will offer information and items for sale. There will be food and drink and plenty community fellowship. The main stage will include a day-long roster of entertainment including headliners Jade Esteban Estada, gay Christian music stars Jason and deMarco, and the Pride Idol Finals. The event ends at 10 p.m. For more information go to PrideFestsatx.com.

Other PrideFest related events during June:

June 4 -- Steak Night-- Thursday, 5p-7p at Pegasus
June 5 -- PrideFest Awards Banquet -- 7p at Bloom N Bistro
June 6 -- PrideFest BBQ-- Saturday, 5 - 9 p.m. at Pegasus
June 7 -- Karaoke Gong Show - Benefiting Alamo Empire and PrideFest 5 - 7 p.m. at Pegasus
June 7 -- Idol - Wild Card Round 7 p.m. at Pegasus
June 11 -- 1st Annual Pride Idol Concert at Bloom N Bistro

From the smooth samba, sexy bossa novas, and sizzling salsa, submerge your senses in to the tantalizing sounds of all things Latin! In celebration of their 30th anniversary, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston has invited ACMC to join voices on this commissioned project of exuberant Latin music. The musical excursion will weave through Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the heart of Tejano. Get your tickets early for this tasty Tango will surely be a sell out! 8:00 p.m. at the Travis Park United Methodist Church. For tickets phone 210-495-7464.

Final preparations are underway for this year’s Gay Pride San Antonio block party and parade which will be held along North Main Street on July 4. Organizers are predicting that this year’s events will exceed expectations. This year's theme is "Stonewall '69 - One history, One future!"

The Gay Pride S.A. block party is in its fifth year and it’s the year the organization has staged the Pride parade. The event originated with local GLBT businesses that sought to create a community celebration in the predominantly gay area of town. And even though it’s a relatively new event, it has become the official finale for Gay Pride month in San Antonio.

The block party, which takes place from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., has something for everyone. There will be numerous booths manned by local GLBT organizations offering information, different types of food, cold beverages, etc. An entertainment stage will feature drag performances, live singers, skits, production numbers, and "just a little of everything," say organizers.

The Gay Pride S.A. parade kicks off at 9:00 p.m.

Other Gay Pride S.A. related events during June

Saturday, June 13 -- 12PM-10PM Pridefest at Hemisfair Park

Sunday June 14 -- 10AM Gay Pride SA 2nd Annual Gay Softball Tournament (Brackenridge Park )

Sunday June 21 -- 10AM Gay Pride SA 2nd Annual Gay Softball Tounament (Brackenridge Park)

Saturday June 27 -- Million Gay March in Dallas-Gay Pride SA is helping to coordinate a trip to Dallas

Applications still being accepted for vendors and parade entrants. "Let's make history-Let's turn San Antonio Gay!" For more information go to: www.gaypridesa.org.

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