Your guide to Indy Pride
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
It's time to get loud and proud, Indy. Pride weekend is almost here.
Why it matters: The annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community joyously and unapologetically living life as their authentic selves continues to be increasingly important, organizers say, amid anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that's gotten louder over the last several years.
The big picture: Corporate support began to erode as President Trump's second term put pressure on institutions and companies to align with his administration's conservative principles, and that support has not rebounded, says Alex Richardson, Indy Pride's board chair.
- Gov. Mike Braun has declared June "Nuclear Family Month," a move that felt like a pointed attack to many in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Still, the parade will be bigger than in recent years thanks to strong local support, Richardson tells Axios.
What they're saying: "We have seen a downturn in corporate giving inspired by political priorities, and in some ways that's only intensified," he says. "But we've maintained a large group of core supporters based in Indianapolis that are really doubling down on the importance of showing what kind of community Indianapolis is."
The festival will kick off Friday night with a concert at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park featuring genre-defying artist Tash Sultana.
- There will be multiple free and ticketed events throughout the weekend so it can be accessible to all, Richardson says.
Zoom in: The annual parade down Mass Ave starts the Saturday festivities at 10am — expect packed sidewalks, raucous floats and plenty of audacious outfits.
- The festival returns to Military Park this year, with a full-day lineup of performances beginning at noon and ending with headliner Todrick Hall at 9:30pm, plus food trucks and other activities.
- New this year is its extension into White River State Park, where visitors can find hundreds of vendors and a free community stage on the bridge over the White River, backing up to the zoo.
- The goal is a campus feel, Richardson says, with everything connected between the two parks. Along the way are a sober zone, space for teens and families, and a sensory-friendly area.
On Sunday, the festival footprint condenses to White River State Park for the second day of the vendor market and pet parade.
If you go: The Tash Sultana concert at Everwise Amphitheater is 7pm Friday. Tickets start at $40.
- The free parade along Mass Ave starts at 10am Saturday.
- Festival grounds open at noon Saturday and 10am Sunday.
- Tickets start at $15.