7 events to help you celebrate Pride in an authentic way this year

It’s pride month, and you’d bet there’s a whole host of events out there intended to celebrate it. But it's tricky to figure out how to separate the grain from the chaff, how to tell the ‘rah-rah’ing tokenist events from the authentic ones created by queer people in queer-forward spaces that truly know what Pride is about. The seven events on this list understand the assignment; primarily because it’s their school, and that makes all the difference.

Gaysi Family X Absolut
When: 24th June
Where: Fatty Bao, Bandra, Mumbai

An LBTQ-forward space, this Friday Night party is all about having a safe space to truly be your purest, queerest self. The free-entry event is at Fatty Bao in Bandra and will function on a first-come, first-serve basis. All you have to do is be there, be queer–and be over 21, vaccinated, and respectful of people’s boundaries, obviously.

Gaysi Family X Tinder
When: 25th & 26th June
Where: DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, Delhi

A weekend-long queer collective-slash-festival that brings together queer brands, influencers, musicians, artists and creators for the capital city to partake of. Curated in partnership with Tinder India, you can expect to drink, dance, peruse and sample things from local queer-led brands through the weekend of 25th-26th June. When the sun starts to go down, of course; it’s 49°, we’re not animals.

The Gay Gaze
When: 12th June
Where: The Den, Bandra, Mumbai

The easy, comfortable restaurant bar The Den has always created a welcoming queer space; which makes it an apt location for Mumbai-based The Gay Gaze’s Pride Karaoke & Queer Marketplace. Expect tarot readings, Stick n Poke Tattoos, gin and of course, queer folk aplenty. And, naturally, some terribly fun (and even more terribly off-key) amateur singing!

Kitty Su | The LaLit
When: June 10th, 18th, 26th; July 9th, 16th
Where: Kitty Su Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Bengaluru

If anyone knows how to throw a queer rager, it’s the Lalit Hotel’s iconic late night club, Kitty Su. You expect something big from the LGBTQ party-vets when Pride Month rolls around, and they always deliver. This year, its a string of parties across the country through June with queer artists, DJs and drag performances in the mix. Not for the faint-hearted or the early-to-bed crew.

@thewrittenjourney_ & @kitaabeinaursukoon
When: 2nd-30th June
Where: Virtual

A read-a-thon that intends to promote queer literature, this month-long reading event will really direct you to some great queer lit. Just follow their tagging and posting rules to participate (available on their Insta) and read about the prompt for each week; there are four (Gay and Lesbian Lit, Exploring the Spectrum, Beyond the Gender Binary and Bipoc Queer Lit). You’re good to go!

Depot 48
When: All Through June
Where: Depot 48, GKII M Block, Delhi

This is easily one of my favourites on the list because it’s an all-year-round property that just gets an extra special somethin’-somethin’ come pride season. Pink Thursdays at Depot 48 are one of the best places to meet and hang with other queer folks every week; a safe space with great drinks. These Thursdays usually have something fun happening in addition to the general vibe; think live Raaga or half-priced cocktails.

Gaysi Family & InQueerable Happenings
When: 2nd July
Where: Pioneer Hall, Bandra, Mumbai

If you want your pride events to have a touch more culture than the average cocktail-and-club-music gathering, book tickets for Short & Salty, InQueerable Happenings mini-festival of queer short theatre (in association with Gaysi Family). Take in some theatre, listen to some stories and meet other like-minded queer folks in a safe space that lets you partake of the art in all its glory.

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