Taking a look back at this year's Pride month across Connecticut: A month filled with celebration of community

In a time when the rights of the LGBTQ+ community are being challenged by the government, celebrating Pride month is more important than ever. This past June, Connecticut hosted Pride events across the state. From cities holding their annual Pride celebrations to brunches and balls, there was no shortage of ways to celebrate. Let’s take a look back at some of the incredible Pride events that took place.

Middletown PrideFest

The month-long celebrations began with Middletown PrideFest on Saturday, June 6. As always, the festivities began with a parade through downtown Middletown. Chez Est owner John Pepe had the honor of serving as one of this year’s grand marshals and was one of many local speakers at the rally. In the afternoon, Giganta Smalls, Kiki Lucia, and Felicity V. Lay hosted the Pride Showcase Concert, where several local drag performers and singers took the South Green Stage. Once PrideFest wrapped up, many headed to the official after-party at Chez Est in Hartford, where RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorite Manila Luzon performed alongside local drag stars Rozzz Aura, Kiki Lucia, Angelina Fierce, and Mx. Chez Est 2026 Angel Rivers. VIP ticket holders were treated to a meet-and-greet with Manila before the show.

Manila Luzon at Chez Est in Hartford, CT on June 6, 2026. Photo by Anna Bechtel.

Norwalk Pride In The Park

On June 13, the Triangle Community Center (TCC) held its annual Pride In The Park celebration at Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk. Will Beauty hosted for the third consecutive year alongside Angelina Fierce. New York City drumline Fogo Azul returned as a headliner for the second year in a row to kick off the afternoon of performances. RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Detox and Roxxxy Andrews also headlined and hosted a paid meet-and-greet with the Triangle Community Center. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 star and Connecticut native Robin Fierce performed and hosted a free meet-and-greet at the Circle Care Center booth. After her performance, Detox highlighted the importance of Pride and gave a speech honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando ten years ago. Throughout the day, TCC accepted donations to support its services for the community. Angelina and Will both spoke about how TCC had helped them during their own journeys.

Roxxxy Andrews, Eric Rosswood, and Detox at Pride In The Park in Norwalk, CT on June 13, 2026. Photo by Eric Rosswood.

Robin Fierce at Pride In The Park in Norwalk, CT on June 13, 2026. Photo by Anna Bechtel.

Detox at Pride In The Park in Norwalk, CT on June 13, 2026. Photo by Anna Bechtel.

Roxxxy Andrews at Pride In The Park in Norwalk, CT on June 13, 2026. Photo by Anna Bechtel.

Capital City Pride

This year, Hartford’s Pride celebration took place on June 13 instead of its traditional September date. Following the launch of the Hartford Pride Center last year, the annual celebration, formerly known as Hartford Pride, was rebranded as Capital City Pride and moved to June to coincide with Pride Month and reflect a new direction for the event. Hosted by the Hartford Pride Center, Pratt Street featured several local performers and entertainers throughout the celebration. After the event, community members flocked to Chez Est in Hartford for the official after-party, where local drag artists Angel Rivers, Angelina Fierce, Dro Lopez Fierce, and Lady Tatiana performed.

Foxwoods Live Out Loud

Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket hosted two events for Pride Month. On June 13, the Fox Tower hosted its annual Pride Month drag show. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 star Ariel Versace and season 12 and All Stars 6 contestant Jan Sport performed alongside season 15 contestants Loosey LaDuca and Robin Fierce. They were joined by New York City legend Jolina Jasmine and local star Natalia Fierce. On June 14, Ariel, Robin, Jolina, and Natalia also hosted a Pride Month Drag Brunch at Cedars Steaks & Oysters.

New Haven Black Pride

APNH and New Haven Black Pride hosted several community events throughout the second week of June in celebration of Pride Month. The organization’s main celebration took place in New Haven on Saturday, June 13, bringing together community members for a day of entertainment, resources, and celebration. Hosted by Sparkle A. Diamond, the event featured performances by local entertainers, a variety of vendors, and free HIV and STI testing provided by APNH. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 3 contestant, model, and The Real Housewives of Miami star Carmen Carrera headlined this year’s celebration, drawing one of the day’s biggest crowds.

Sparkle A. Diamond at New Haven Black Pride in New Haven, CT on June 13, 2026. Photo by New Haven Black Pride.

Glastonbury Pride

On Sunday, June 14, the third annual Glastonbury Pride took place on the Hubbard Green, bringing together the community for an afternoon of entertainment, local vendors, and Pride celebrations. Hosted by Angel Rivers, the event featured performances by several local drag artists throughout the day. Circle Care Center also hosted a free meet-and-greet with RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 contestant Loosey LaDuca, who closed out the celebration with a headlining performance. After the festivities, many attendees made their way to The Spicy Green Bean in Glastonbury for the official after-party, where Angel Rivers, Angelina Fierce, Rozzz Aura, and Dom Parinyon kept the celebration going with an evening of drag performances.

Celebrate Drag 2026

On June 14, TheaterWorks Hartford hosted its fourth annual Celebrate Drag showcase, bringing together local talent and a nationally recognized headliner for an evening celebrating the art of drag. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 18 Miss Congeniality Jane Don’t headlined this year’s event. Robin Fierce returned as host for the third consecutive year, while Natalia Fierce made her fourth Celebrate Drag appearance, and Ambrosia Black returned for her second. During her performance, Jane emphasized the importance of coming together in queer spaces and supporting local drag artists, encouraging audiences to continue uplifting performers in their own communities. Following the show, VIP ticket holders had the opportunity to attend a meet-and-greet and photo session with the entire cast.

Natalia Fierce, Jane Don’t, Robin Fierce, and Ambrosia Black at TheaterWorks in Hartford, CT on June 14, 2026. Photo by Taylor Dauphinais.

Bridgeport Pride

On June 20, the Bridgeport Pride Center held its 16th annual Pride celebration at Wheeler Park in Bridgeport. The festivities began with a parade through the city, where local drag star Frankie Cyanide, author T Ashley, and actress and activist Pooya Mohseni served as grand marshals. RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13 and All Stars 10 star Olivia Lux and season 10 and Slaysian Royale star Yuhua Hamasaki served as the headlining performers. Local drag legend Xiomarie LaBeija hosted the first half of the show, while Yuhua hosted the second. VIP ticket holders were treated to a meet-and-greet with Olivia Lux and Yuhua Hamasaki after the show. The day also featured speeches from each of the grand marshals, activist Robyn Ochs, poet Emmanuel Xavier, and ACT UP member Jason Rosenberg.

West Hartford Pride

On June 27, the 7th annual West Hartford Pride took place. Presented by West Hartford Pride and Sky Casper Entertainment, the day began with a rally at Town Hall in West Hartford and featured a showcase of local drag performers and musical acts. The show was hosted by Natalia Fierce and DJ Edgewood. This year, RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars winner, season 5 and All Stars 2 contestant, and Netflix star Alyssa Edwards headlined the event and treated VIP ticket holders to a meet-and-greet in the early afternoon. Following her performance, Alyssa praised the crowd and organizers, specifically highlighting the parents who brought their children to Pride. The event also featured performances from musicians Bentley Robles and Miss Kelli.