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Join us for the 2022 Halloween Belle Cruise, sponsored by Caperton Realty

You are invited to join the Louisville Pride Foundation for a spooky good time on our Third Halloween Cruise on the Belle of Louisville, sponsored by Caperton Realty!

BUY TICKETS NOW

Costume contest with a $500 cash prize.

Hosted by Stevie Dicks, with music by DJ SYIMONE.

Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

General Admission tickets are $35 in advance, and $45 at the door.

VIP Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 at the door.

VIP Tickets include open bar, and free admission to PLAY Dance Bar after the cruise.

Free shuttle service to PLAY provided by Marvelous Transportation.

Boarding begins at 7:30 PM and the Belle cruises from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The party continues dockside until 11:00 PM.

In case of inclement weather, the Belle will stay docked, but the party will go on!

BUY TICKETS NOW

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Statement on Nowhere Bar

On September 22, 2022, we publicly cut ties with Nowhere Bar after one of their owners (Dave Mattingly) was arrested on felony charges for sexual assault. We have received questions and criticism for that decision, and this statement is an attempt to provide more context around the decision. One line of criticism is that we acted too soon, and should wait for the case to go to trial. The other line of criticism is that we are hypocrites for waiting so long to cut ties. 

 

Why did you have a relationship with Nowhere Bar/Dave Mattingly in the first place?

Dave Mattingly was a founding Board Member of the Louisville Pride Foundation, and Nowhere Bar was a sponsor of the original Louisville Pride Festival. The Festival was organized with the help and support of the three bars on Bardstown Road that cater to the LGBTQ+ community. The relationship is as old as our organization. Dave Mattingly has not been a Board Member for several years, but Nowhere Bar has been a sponsor in all six years that the Festival has happened.

 

Why didn’t you sever ties when Christopher McKinney was killed there?

In January of 2020, a gay man, Christopher McKinney, died at Nowhere Bar after an altercation with a bouncer. The event was tragic and shocking. It was also accompanied by a widespread response in the community that many people felt unsafe at Nowhere Bar. 

Our Board discussed the issue and how we should respond  at great length on several occasions after it happened. We discussed it formally at our meetings and informally in conversations with current and former Board members. We hoped to try to find a path that was unifying and proactive. We discussed working on an initiative to promote safety in all of the bars that serve our community.  To this end, we endorsed “Christopher’s Law” in the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly, a bill aimed at making bars safer by requiring security cameras, as well as background checks and training for bouncers.

In the immediate aftermath of Christopher’s death, we decided to wait until the investigation was completed before we said or did anything. The Commonwealth Attorney decided not to file charges in April, 2020. By then, COVID-19 had shut down everything, including Nowhere Bar. There was speculation that it might never re-open. We missed another opportunity to speak out.

And while we discussed what it would mean to cut ties with an establishment that is literally in the middle of the Festival, money was never a part of the equation. We have not accepted any donations or contributions from Nowhere Bar or Dave Mattingly since 2019.

As weeks turned into months, we failed to speak out. In retrospect, our hope for finding a unifying solution was naive and our inaction was unworthy of the community’s trust in us.

 

Moving forward

Our Board knew we had been unprepared for the situation at Nowhere Bar and none of us were happy with how we handled it. We began a conversation about accountability. What do we do when one of our partners or sponsors does something wrong? How do we decide what constitutes a private conversation and what calls for a public severance? How much weight do we give to rumors of bad activity? 

In 2021, our Board revised our mission statement and vision statement and began crafting a set of core values that would guide our accountability. We decided that if we could point to a violation of our mission, vision, or core values, we would address it with the partner and encourage them to fix it. If they failed to do so, we would end the relationship.

This conversation about values and accountability has happened in the shadow of Christopher McKinney’s death at Nowhere Bar, and our collective acknowledgement that we did not handle the situation well.

 

Yesterday’s decision

With that history behind us, there was no doubt that we had to take immediate action when we learned that Dave Mattingly had been arrested. We regret that we did not take action sooner. Our only explanation is that our inexperience as an organization in dealing with an issue like this meant we dropped the ball as the dramatic events of 2020 overtook us. 

 

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The Louisville Pride Festival is THIS Saturday!

SATURDAY IS THE BIG DAY!

The 2022 LOUISVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL is almost here! See the Courier Journal Guide to the Festival for information, or keep reading below for answers to frequently asked questions

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2022/09/12/complete-guide-to-louisville-pride-festival-2022/69485092007/

GIVE FOR GOOD LOUISVILLE

Thursday, September 15 is Give for Good Louisville, our area’s most generous day of giving, hosted annually by the Community Foundation of Louisville. Please consider making a donation to the Louisville Pride Foundation to support the new LGBTQ Community Center opening o October 11th!

You can make a donation or set up your own fundraiser here: https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organizations/louisville-pride-foundation

2022 LOUISVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL

The Louisville Pride Festival takes place on Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Bardstown Road in the Highlands between Grinstead Drive and Longest Avenue.

The Festival is free to attend, and donations are encouraged to support the new Louisville Pride Center, officially opening October 11.

The festival is presented by Ford and UAW and features 150 vendors, two stages, the GE Appliances Family Zone, the Norton Healthcare Wellness Zone, and the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge.

Water, ATMs, and restrooms are available at the event.

There is no designated parking for the Festival. Please be respectful of neighbors when you park

To find out more, visit www.louprideky.org, find us on social media (@louprideky), call 502-498-4298 or email [email protected].

VIP PASSES

VIP Passes are available of for $75 and include access to the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge, complimentary food and drink, and a Festival Survival Kit. Sales benefit the Community Center. You can purchase passes here: https://events.com/r/en_US/tickets/derby-city-gaming-vip-lounge-at-the-louisville-pride-festival-louisville-september-856727

VOLUNTEERS

We have 73 out of 100 volunteer spots filled! Thank you to everyone who has signed up! You will receive instructions by email. When you arrive, please check in at the LPF Booth, which will be at Patterson Avenue and Bardstown Road, right in front of Keith’s Hardware. If you want to sign up for a spot, you can do that here:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0544aca929a3fd0-louisville1

VENDORS

Vendor registration is closed and all 149 spots are full! If you are a registered vendor or sponsor, you should have received your information packet by now. If you did not, you can access it here: https://louprideky.org/2022-festival-information-for-vendors/

  

PERFORMANCES

(subject to change)

Hosted by Cadillac Seville, Dusty Ray Bottoms, and Gilda Wabbit

2:45 PM – VOICES of Kentuckiana

3:10 PM – B Dayton

3:55 PM – Mary Mary

4:45 PM – Rising Stars Drag Show

5:35 PM – Kiana & The Sun Kings

6:45 PM – The Sheryl Rouse Band

8:00 PM – Local Legends Drag Show

9:15 PM – Pepper Mashay

10:00 PM – DJ Sam Gee

Community Stage Schedule

(Subject to Change)

Hosted by Nicole Jackson Valentino

11:00AM – Fitness with Chris Malone

11:30AM – Dance with Joshua Gaona

12:00PM- Faith Works Studios

12:30PM – Malone Dance + Dancensation Studios

1:00PM – Community Drag Games

1:30PM – Larah Helayne

2:00PM – Redline Performing Arts

2:30PM -Pride Bar Drag Show

3:00PM – Community Drag Show

4:00PM – Pandora Productions

4:30PM – Community Drag Show

5:00PM – Mind’s Eye Theatre Company

5:30PM – Community Drag Show

6:30PM- Drag Daddy Productions

7:00PM- Nicole Valentino’s Drag Extravaganza

8:00PM- Time Slip Theatre

8:30PM- The Chicken Coop Theatre Company

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VIP Passes On Sale for 2022 Louisville Pride Festival

Enjoy the Louisville Pride Festival in style in the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge!

VIP Passes are $75 and include a commemorative pass, a Festival Survival Kit, and access to the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge, which includes including complimentary catering, a private bar, and a premiere view of the stage. Pass holders also get four free drink tickets!

CLICK HERE TO BUY A VIP PASS

The Sixth Louisville Pride Festival will be held on Bardstown Road on September 17th. The free community event will be 11 am to 11 pm on Bardstown Road from Grinstead Drive to Longest Ave.
The Festival is presented by Ford and UAW and features two stages, over 100 vendors, the Norton Healthcare Wellness Zone, a Family Zone, and the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge. Additional support comes from GE Appliances, Kroger, U of L School of Nursing, Republic Bank, US Bank Rounsavall Title Company, Tito’s Vodka, Yum Brands, Mix 106.9, Dinsmore and Stohl, the Asia Institute Crane House, Noodles and Company, Mandala House, and Aware Recovery.
The main stage lineup will focus on promoting Louisville artists, and features Kiana & the Sun Kings, Sheryl Rouse, B Dayton, Pepper Mashay, and DJ Sam Gee. Two drag shows are planned on the main stage, featuring Rising Stars and Local Legends. The Community Stage features more drag queens and several local theater companies. “Our Board felt strongly that we wanted to promote and support local artists as much as possible this year after the stress of the last two years,” said Slaton.
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“Welcome Home” is the Theme of the 2022 Louisville Pride Festival on September 17

The Louisville Pride Foundation has a message for the community: “Welcome Home.” That’s the theme for this year’s Louisville Pride Festival, and also a celebration of a new permanent home for the community. The Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Louisville Pride Festival and the opening of a new resource for the LGBTQ community, the Louisville Pride Center.

“Being LGBTQ means being isolated at some point in your life,” said Executive Director Mike Slaton. “Our message to everyone is that you have a home with the Louisville Pride community. After two years of cancellations for COVID, the Festival is back. And we are now expanding that work year round with the Center.”

The Sixth Louisville Pride Festival will be held on Bardstown Road on September 17th. The free community event will be 11 am to 11 pm on Bardstown Road from Grinstead Drive to Longest Ave.

The Festival is presented by Ford and UAW and features two stages, over 100 vendors, the Norton Healthcare Wellness Zone, a Family Zone, and the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge. Additional support comes from GE Appliances, Kroger, U of L School of Nursing, Republic Bank, US Bank Rounsavall Title Company, Tito’s Vodka, Yum Brands, Mix 106.9, Dinsmore and Stohl, the Asia Institute Crane House, Noodles and Company, Mandala House, and Aware Recovery.

The main stage lineup will focus on promoting Louisville artists, and features Kiana & the Sun Kings, Sheryl Rouse, B Dayton, Pepper Mashay, and DJ Sam Gee. Two drag shows are planned on the main stage, featuring Rising Stars and Local Legends. The Community Stage features more drag queens and several local theater companies. “Our Board felt strongly that we wanted to promote and support local artists as much as possible this year after the stress of the last two years,” said Slaton.

The Louisville Pride Center Grand Opening is set for October 11, also known as National Coming Out Day. The Louisville Pride Center is located at 1244 South 3rd Street and will be open 12:00 pm- 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Additional hours are planned as the Center grows. The Center will be a safe and affirming gathering place for LGBTQ people and their friends and family, a backbone organization to support LGBTQ small businesses and nonprofits, and a point of entry for services. Center programs and services will include game nights, book club, movie nights, legal clinics, clothing swaps, mental health services, 12-step groups, support groups, co-working and more. The Louisville Pride Center is made possible by generous support from the Trager Family Foundation and proceeds from the Louisville Pride Festival.

The Louisville Pride Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2014. Its mission is to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and advance equity and representation for all people.

Click here to download the LPF 2022 Poster

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Louisville Pride Foundation announces Festival Theme and Opening Date for Community Center

The Louisville Pride Foundation has a message for the community: “Welcome Home.”

 

That’s the theme for this year’s Louisville Pride Festival, and also a celebration of a new permanent home for the community. The Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the beloved Louisville Pride Festival and the opening of a new resource for the LGBTQ community, the Louisville Pride Center.

 

“Being LGBTQ means being isolated at some point in your life,” said Executive Director Mike Slaton. “Our message to everyone is that you have a home with the Louisville Pride community. After two years of cancellations for COVID, the Festival is back. And we are now expanding that work year round with the Center.”

 

The Sixth Louisville Pride Festival will be held on Bardstown Road on September 17th. The free community event will be 11 am to 11 pm on Bardstown Road from Grinstead Drive to Longest Ave.

 

The Festival is presented by Ford and UAW and features two stages, over 100 vendors, the Norton Healthcare Wellness Zone, a Family Zone, and the Derby City Gaming VIP Lounge. Additional support comes from GE Appliances, Kroger, U of L School of Nursing, Republic Bank, US Bank Rounsavall Title Company, Tito’s Vodka, Yum Brands, Mix 106.9, Dinsmore and Stohl, the Asia Institute Crane House, Noodles and Company, Mandala House, and Aware Recovery.

 

The main stage lineup will focus on promoting Louisville artists, and features Kianna and the Sun Kings, Sheryl Rouse, Bryce Dalton, Pepper Mashay, and DJ Sam Gee. Two drag shows are planned on the main stage, featuring Rising Stars and Local Legends. The Community Stage features more drag queens and several local theater companies. “Our Board felt strongly that we wanted to promote and support local artists as much as possible this year after the stress of the last two years,” said Slaton.

 

The Louisville Pride Center Grand Opening is set for October 11, also known as National Coming Out Day. The Louisville Pride Center is located at 1244 South 3rd Street and will be open 12:00 pm- 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Additional hours are planned as the Center grows. The Center will be a safe and affirming gathering place for LGBTQ people and their friends and family, a backbone organization to support LGBTQ small businesses and nonprofits, and a point of entry for services. Center programs and services will include game nights, book club, movie nights, legal clinics, clothing swaps, mental health services, 12-step groups, support groups, co-working and more. The Louisville Pride Center is made possible by generous support from the Trager Family Foundation and proceeds from the Louisville Pride Festival.

 

The Louisville Pride Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2014. Its mission is to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and advance equity and representation for all people.