By Kevin Ferrisi –
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – Downtown Hartford came alive as music filled the air and rainbow flags lined Trumbull Street for the 2025 Hartford Pride Festival. The annual event brought together thousands of people to celebrate love, identity, community and drag in the heart of the capital city.
Organized by The Health Collective, this year’s festival blended entertainment with education and support. Dozens of local vendors and community organizations set up booths offering resources for health, wellness, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Attendees could find information on mental health care, youth programs, and inclusive medical services, all while enjoying live performances, food, and art.
Hartford Pride has a long history thanks to Connecticut Latinos Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO), who ran the festival for 16 years and made it one of the state’s most visible celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, for the first time, The Health Collective stepped in as the lead organizer. They’re building on that foundation while bringing in new resources, local partnerships, and ways for people to connect, helping the event grow and reach even more of the community.
The festival also served as a safe space for families and allies to show support and connect with one another. Children played in the crowd, parents stood proudly beside their kids, and longtime friends reunited to share in the celebration. Kids even got to enjoy a special drag story time during the event.
Throughout the day, the main stage lit up with performances from some of Connecticut’s most beloved drag artists. Local icons Angel Rivers and Xiomarie LaBeija hosted the drag showcase, keeping the crowd entertained between sets from a full lineup of queens and kings from across the state. The energy built with every performance, leading up to a star-studded finale featuring New York’s Jasmine Rice LaBeija, who recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent. Joining her as co-headliners were Connecticut’s own RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 stars Loosey LaDuca, Robin Fierce, and Amethyst, who brought the house down.
Brayden Ransom, Community Impact Manager for The Health Collective, shared with ConnecticutDrag.com, “Drag has always held a special place in the history and culture of Pride. From the Stonewall uprising to today, drag performers have been at the forefront of visibility, activism, and celebration. Drag challenges gender norms, uplifts queer artistry, and creates a space where joy and resilience can shine. Including drag in Pride events honors that legacy while giving our community a vibrant, creative way to express identity and connect with one another.”
With so many conversations nationwide about LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion, especially for trans youth, organizers said Hartford Pride remains an important space for visibility and support. Beyond the music and dancing, it’s a reminder of how powerful it can be when a community comes together to celebrate everyone exactly as they are.
Founded in 1983 and incorporated in 1986, The Health Collective has grown into a respected community health organization, supported by a dedicated mix of staff and over 100 volunteers who contribute thousands of hours each year. The organization provides professional, judgment-free care to everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or ethnicity, while promoting healthy living and addressing healthcare disparities faced by sexual and gender minority communities. With a mission to offer compassionate care and advocate for systemic solutions, The Health Collective strives to be a leading voice for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in Connecticut.
The day ended much as it began, with joy, color, and connection. Hartford Pride once again proved that in this city, love and acceptance will always have a place to shine.
Leave a Reply