COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, is being blamed as the reason massive LGBTQ+ Pride Celebrations have been postponed.
Miami Beach Pride and Pride of the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, FL, both scheduled for late March, have been postponed. At this time, it is unknown when Miami Beach will reschedule. Pride of the Americas has only provided a vague "Fall" date for the celebration to be held. Many other early Pride celebrations from Tampa to Phoenix and beyond have begun to reschedule their celebrations until later in the year. Even celebrations in the traditional Pride Month of June have been pushed back like Los Angeles as increased uncertainty brings social distancing to priority status.
Out of an abundance of caution, since many in the LGBTQ+ community are considered high-risk for developing serious illness, many of these organizations made the tough decision to move them to a time when the virus might be contained.
LA Pride Statement:
Due to the concerns of COVID-19 around large public events, CSW will postpone all events related to the 50th Anniversary of LA Pride that were scheduled for June 2020. Organizers are assessing the situation. More information will be provided around the postponement as details become available.
Miami Beach Pride issued the following statement:
Upon further collaboration today with the mayor of Miami Beach and our health-related partners, the Board of Directors of Miami Beach Pride has announced the rescheduling of the 2020 Pride event, with the exception of the smaller, outdoor events scheduled for Monday, March 30. The decision was based on safeguarding the health of the event’s guests, sponsors, volunteers, staff and community-at-large.
Monday night’s events will go on as scheduled as a symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Those events include the rainbow flag raising ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall, the Pulse Nightclub remembrance ceremony at 1111 Lincoln Road and the pop-up art gallery exhibition at the rooftop of 817 N. Lincoln Lane.
The dates for the other Pride events to be rescheduled will be announced upon further dialogue with City officials.
Pride of the Americas issued a similar release:
Pride Fort Lauderdale, organizers of the first Pride of the Americas festival planned for April 21 – 26 in Greater Fort Lauderdale, today announced the postponement of the event until later in the year.
The decision came in response to uncertainty around the current COVID-19 pandemic and concern for the health and safety of both residents and the hundreds of thousands of guests expected from across North and South America and the Caribbean.
“This is obviously a disappointing blow to the entire Pride Fort Lauderdale team and our sponsors and partners,” said president Miik Martorell, who noted planning began more than two years ago. “However, the safety of the public is always our utmost concern.”
Pride Fort Lauderdale has already begun working with the city, county and Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the festival’s presenting sponsor, to identify new dates this fall.
Organizers and community partners had planned dozens of events, including conferences dedicated to seniors, health care and business issues, an LGBT+ arts festival, runway fashion show, 5K run, parties, a parade and beach festival. Most events are expected to be rescheduled for the new dates.
Martorell added, “We look forward to this opportunity to make Pride of the Americas bigger and better, once the global health crisis passes.”
At the time of this writing, many other June celebrations are still planning to proceed as scheduled. Follow our PRIDE 2020 Calendar for the latest updates.