Subscribe to the Pride Source Substack, Cozy Up For Queer Movies, Queer the Carnival, Laugh for a Cause
We can officially say it now, right? Happy Pride, friends! Whether you want to get loud in a dunk tank or curl up with a queer classic on a Monday night, these next two weeks are all about saying yes. Yes to joy. Yes to connection. Yes to riding a mechanical bull named Miss Behavin’ Hooves.
Or Buck Wilde. Or Sashay Saddles. Or Meryl Steed.
So partake then, of whatever your ragey, grittily hopeful, glittery, exhausted heart needs.
Don't forget the sunscreen.
1. Subscribe to Our Substack
We know, we know, you already get 900 emails a day and navigating yet another news feed may feel a little Herculean. But this one will actually make you feel better about the world. Pride Source now has a Substack, and we’ll be publishing exclusive content, community news and behind-the-scenes extras. It’s free, it’s fabulous, and if you want to keep independent LGBTQ+ journalism thriving in Michigan, it's one impactful click away. Go on, be a trendsetter as part of our early launch family.
Subscribe anytime (but really, now is a great moment) at pridesource.substack.com
2. Cozy Up For a Queer Film
It’s called MonGays, and if that doesn’t make you want to grab your nearest snugglebuddy and an oversized hoodie, what will? Hosted by the Hamtramck Queer Alliance at Passenger Recovery Community Center, past showings have included “Jeffrey,” “Trick,” “Carol” and, of course, the King of Problematic Faves, “The Birdcage.” Doors open at 7, the film rolls at 8, and the popcorn is always free. Show that you had good home training (or, absent home training, community guidance) and bring enough nutritional yeast to share.
Mondays, 7 p.m. Passenger Recovery Community Center (2697 Caniff St., Hamtramck), bit.ly/mongaymovie.
3. Queer the Carnival
This is not your grandma’s church festival — unless your grandma is a leather-daddy lesbian who deejays on the weekends. Detroit Queer Women is putting together an evening of dunk tanks, giant inflatable games, mechanical bulls and spiked snow cones. This sprawling outdoor bash is hosted by an all-queer cast of royalty including DJ IC3 who is flying in from Miami to bring the beats.
And yes, "ride the mechanical bull" sounds like a euphemism, but we promise it's literal just this once.
June 7, 7 p.m.- 2 a.m., Sandbox Lounge (641 Beaubien St., Detroit), bit.ly/queercarnival2025.
4. Support Soberfolk
There's no denying there is a whole lot of party this time of year, including plenty of the party-as-a-verb business — i.e., getting drunk and high like “Most Inebriated in a Mesh Tank" is an award category with a trophy all its own. If you're sober or love someone who is, take a second to lean into that journey this June: Pack a messenger bag full of seltzers, host a non-bar hangout or throw a Pride cookie exchange where the only thing getting baked is the snickerdoodles.
Still enjoying your ride on the party train? Plan ahead to prevent a derailment: Carry Narcan, grab harm reduction supplies and test every batch, every time.
Information on recovery support at goaffirmations.org; harm reduction resources at harmreductionmi.org.
5. Laugh for a Cause
Join the 2025 Pride Comedy Gala Fundraiser on Sunday, June 8 in support of the Ruth Ellis Center's vital work with LGBTQ+ youth. The event aims to raise $3,000 for the organization's unique approach to providing support, opportunities and education for local LGBTQ+ youth facing issues like homelessness and domestic violence.
The lineup features talented comedians Meta Mendel-Reyes, an activist, storyteller and college professor, Olivia Heator, Mike Boone, Kim Turner, Lauren Noelle and Hailey Zureich. Special guest Miss Trans Michigan Baddie Brooks will provide musical entertainment, while DJ T Lou Ease will set the musical mood all night.
June 8, doors open at 7 p.m., 215 W (215 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale). Get tickets at bit.ly/PrideComedyFundraiser.
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