Pride events are an important part of the LGBT+ community. They not only offer a safe space to celebrate who you are but they provide a sense of community and give you a chance to meet other LGBT+ individuals. A Pew Research poll also found that many LGBT+ adults find pride events important in increasing visibility and acceptance of LGBT+ individuals in society.

If you’re looking for pride events to attend in Hawaii in 2020, these are some of the most anticipated planned pride events this year.

The History of Pride Celebrations

To grasp the importance of LGBT+ pride events, it’s crucial to know the history of these celebrations. Originally, these celebrations were to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and the Gay Liberation Movement. Today, these events spill over out of the confines of the annual Gay Pride Month of June to occur throughout the year, celebrating how far the community has come, remember the sacrifices and events that brought us to where we are, and push forward to pave the way for future generations.

Traveling for Pride

The good news is that these events are typically held near hotels to help ease the trouble for people traveling in for the event. You can also pick up necessities such as radar detectors which will help you continue escaping speeding tickets as you make your way around the island.

Honolulu Gay Pride

Honolulu is the biggest city in Hawaii and every year they organize a pride event for locals and tourists alike. Luckily, it seems that with every passing year, the festivities grow larger, so there’s always something new even if you’ve been before.

The main event every year is the annual pride parade. This parade features more than 60 entrants, 1,500 participants, and over 115 moving parts. It starts at 11 am and viewers can enjoy it as it makes its way from Magic Island and ends near Kapiolani Park at Diamond Head Greens where the bulk of the festival takes place.

There are also events and projects leading up to this event throughout the year. For instance, two weeks before the parade, an event called Rainbows Over Waikiki aims to hang 150 rainbow banners over the heart of the city. In 2020, this event will be held from Monday, October 12th into Sunday, October 18th.

Kona Pride Festival

On September 19, 2020, Kona Pride will hold its third annual pride festival. Kona Pride describes the event as a non-profit organization helping to promote LGBTQ+ awareness, support, and equality with a celebration for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and their allies.

The event is full of music and other entertainment as well as business from local retail vendors and opportunities for education.

Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation

In August from the 13th to the 16th, the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation will be celebrating their annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival for the 31st time. This is a cultural festival dedicated to showcasing the talent and creativity of LGBT+ filmmakers. You can even submit your own films for review if you want to be featured in the festival.

Conclusion

Pride events are a way to celebrate the community, push progress forward, and remember the sacrifices made over the years that put us where we are now. These are the best events you can go to if you want to celebrate the LGBT+ community and its history.