Newark Pride Announces 17th Annual LGBTQ Festival

NEWARK, NJ – Newark Pride, Inc. announces the 17th Annual Newark LGBTQ Pride Week, taking place across New Jersey’s largest city July 11th through the 17th. Newark Pride, Inc. works tirelessly and collaboratively to create engaging, safe, and empowering events for the members of the LGBTQ Community year round, and this year’s theme of “Legacy of Liberation” comes at a critical turning point.

Last month’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was a devastating blow that puts millions at risk and sets a disturbing precedent that puts many other constitutional rights and freedoms in jeopardy.

In line with this year’s theme we are calling on all residents, local businesses, non-profits, Civil and Human Rights activists, allies, and LGBTQ resource agencies to stand in solidarity as we head into a week full of exciting, informative, and liberating programs.

Newark Pride, Inc. Executive Vice President, Alonzo S. Blalock, issued the following statement:

“Newark Pride was born out of protest following the 2003 murder of Newark’s own Sakia Gunn, a 15-year old, Black lesbian. The community response from local LGBTQ agencies advocating for justice birthed an annual gathering the third week of July to commemorate her life, demonstrate our presence in solidarity, and to fellowship freely without fear.”

The week-long festivities will wrap with our annual Pride Parade that will begin at Lincoln Park, down Broad Street, onward to NJPAC on Sunday, July 17th from 11 AM until 1 PM, right before our park festival at Chambers Plaza.

This year’s sponsors are the New Jersey Department of Health, African American Office of Gay Concerns, Newark Happening, Gilead Sciences, Rutgers University - Newark, Prudential Financial, and Hyacinth Foundation.

For more information about Newark Pride Week activities and events, please visit  http://linktr.ee/NewarkPrideFestival or email info@newarkpride.org. To donate or learn more about Newark Pride, Inc. please visit  www.newarkpride.org.