OKC Pride Looks Forward To Celebrating ‘Pride On 39th Street’

June 1 marked the start of Pride Month in Oklahoma City. Mayor David Holt made the official proclamation Wednesday morning along 39th Street.

OKC Pride, Inc. president Craig England said they are expecting thousands of people to attend. The group’s goal is to create a safe space for all to celebrate.

“We want to be a shining beacon for people who are still in the closet. Whenever they are ready to come out, we have a very special, accepting family waiting for them,” OKC Pride treasurer Tessa White said.

“If you think about it, some people come to Oklahoma City for one day or two days to celebrate Pride because that is the one day or two days a year that they can be their true self,” England said.

2022 will be the 35th year that Oklahomans will celebrate Pride.

“This year, we are expecting probably 30,000 people where last year we cleared 15 to 20,000. Vendors are going to be full. The parade is going to be amazing. It is just going to be a great time.”

Both event coordinators are looking forward to bringing in a large crowed after two years of planning around the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best place to find all of our information is prideon39th.com,” England said. “We will have events posted (and) photo galleries updated the entire time.”

Dust Bowl will be hosting a Pride bowling night at 7 p.m. Thursday evening, followed by the festival on 39th Street starting at noon Friday.

All pre-festival events will lead into the parade scheduled for Sunday.

“The parade lineup takes place on Classen Blvd., and we are going to be lining up between 3-5 p.m. and then the parade will go down 39th Street and it will end in our gay district,” White said.

England and White said they are looking forward to an accepting and successful Pride Festival.

“Whether you are gay, lesbian, trans or straight and accepting, come out and hangout with us,” White said.

There are 50 parade entries so far. The deadline to register to be in this parade is set for 6 p.m. Thursday.