“Fabulous Free Future” is the theme for the 11th annual Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival, which will be celebrated Saturday in Hilo.
The theme was conceived in response to threats made to the LGBTQ+ community across the country, such as anti-trans health care laws, anti-drag laws and book banning in schools and public libraries.
“We want our community to know that Hawaii Island is a place where fabulous drag queens thrive, the LGBTQ+ community embodies the true freedom that is at the core of our country’s values, and the future is rainbow for our island, our state, our country and the world,” said organizer Greg Lupton.
Although in general the LGBTQ+ community in Hawaii does not experience the same systemic issues that people in some states on the mainland face, there are still problems that plague the island, such as lack of accessibility to transgender health care.
“We’re lucky to not face the limitations many states face, but there are still issues that need to be addressed in the midst of the fun of Pride,” Lupton said. “We’ve had protesters shutting down some of our small events, and transgender health care is not accessible on neighbor islands. We’re not going to change what we offer, but it’s important to remain vigilant and aware that there are people who aren’t friendly to our community.”
2023 has been a big year for the LGBTQ+ community with the the opening of the Big Island’s first LGBTQ+ center, Prizma Hawaii, in downtown Hilo. Prizma occupies a space in The Change Center Collective Workspace located upstairs at 120 Keawe St.
Prizma currently is providing regular weekly and monthly programs for young people and adults. The center will have a booth at the festival for those who want to get more invloved.
“One of the most interesting parts of Prizma is the diverse types of parents and kids that have come in. They’ve heard about us and some of the youth programs, and it’s been great to see how we can help each family individually through game nights and talk story sessions,” Lupton said. “Part of Hawaii Island Pride’s mission is to be open to the whole community, to be a family-friendly space and have an eye for all kinds of families we represent.”
With more people becoming involved in Hilo, there is now a bigger lineup of entertainment slated for the Pride festival at the Mooheau Bandstand and nearby Pride Picnic Drag Stage.
Longtime favorites 12 Daze and the Puna Men’s Chorus will be featured, along with new participants including the Hilo Community Players, Puna Taiko and the singers of Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theater performing with The Hot Potaytahs Band.
The Oceania Hawaii Action Network for the Arts, or OHANA, will be presenting Crossover Cabaret during the Pride festival as a precursor to a larger concert that will help raise funds for Prizma Hawaii.
Crossover Cabaret serves as an opportunity to break down barriers and inspire conversations with LGBTQ+ individuals and families through entertaining performances.
The grand marshals for the Pride parade will be leaders from Hawaii Island’s theater community.
“Hawaii Island is fortunate beyond measure to have a thriving theater community for performers and audiences alike. The theater community has long been a place of safety, acceptance and creative expression for LGBTQ+ young people,” Lupton said in a press release. “Our production companies and directors have chosen content and casting that highlight and sometimes showcase the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Pride parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will follow a different route due to the construction on Keawe Street.
The parade will begin on Kamehameha Avenue in the parking lot between Ponahawai and Pauahi Streets, and then travel north to turn left onto Haili Street. The parade will then turn left on Kinoole Street and right on Ponahawai to finish the route.
The festival will be from noon to 4 p.m. around the Mooheau Bandstand and Park and will be free to the public, although donations are welcome at The Pride Booth near the entrance. Merchandise with this year’s theme logo will be sold at the booth.
The festival is family friendly and will have a keiki tent with games, activities and prizes. Some of Hawaii Island’s favorite food and gift vendors, as well as community information booths, will be on hand.
The popular “PINK!” Drag Show at the Hilo Town Tavern will serve as the official after-party. Doors open at 8 p.m., with a drag show beginning at 9 p.m. A portion of the $15 cover charge will go to support Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride.
There also will be a Day After Pride BBQ presented by Equality HI on Sunday, and the full Crossover Cabaret show will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 29, at Kukuau Studio.
Crossover Cabaret will be an evening of storytelling and role reversals as performers sing the songs that help tell their stories involving sexuality, mental health and neurodivergence. Tickets are available at linktr.ee/hawaiiislandlgbtqpride.
More information on upcoming events through Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride and Prizma can be found on each group’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
For more information about Pride or any of the Pride Month’s events, contact Lupton at (323) 788-7626 or sisterbuffy@aol.com.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.