Philly Pride 365: A Program of Galaei presents the second annual Philadelphia OURfest National Coming Out Parade and Festival/Resource Fair, the first National Coming Out Parade in the United States. OURfest stands for Our Uniting Resilience and these new events are being created to amplify the resilience of our people, our individual journeys in coming out, and how we hold and take up space everyday. OURfest: National Coming Out Parade will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, from 5th and Market to Broad and Locust. OURfest: National Coming Out Festival will take place on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, with resource fair and family zone from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, and last call for mobile bars/food trucks at 6:30pm.

OURfest looks to make history as the only parade in the country dedicated and inspired by National Coming Out Day. Come to Philly for the parade and festival, but stay for the weekend. LGBTQIA+ community members across the United States are invited to make their travel plans now for three days of events. Organizations and businesses are invited to be part of this historic weekend by hosting their own events all weekend long – before and after the parade and festival. Sign-ups are now open for the parade, festival and the weekend at www.phillypride365.org/about-ourfest

Philadelphia is a city of historic firsts – and the organization that broke records in June for “largest Gay Pride march and festival in Philadelphia history” and “largest Gay Pride Flag in Pennsylvania history” is ready to continue its legacy of going bigger, better, more inclusive - with more love, solidarity and fun than ever before. As we witnessed during Pride in June, our former 200ft flag has grown to 400 ft long. This beautiful all-inclusive rainbow flag will be out and proud once again in the streets of Philadelphia.

This year Philly Pride 365’s production of OURfest is themed as “OURfest - OUR Future.” The LGBTQ+ community has come under intense scrutiny, legislative oppression, and threats with the proposal of 638 anti trans bills. The good news is that 466 of those bills failed, the bad news is that 45 were passed, and 127 in total are active.

"These legislative attacks on the community's freedoms and right to love whom we love while devastating are the perfect opportunity for us as a community to unite to bring visibility to our community, our plight, and our demand for a just, equitable world for all LGBTQ+," said Galaei Executive Director and Community Organizer Tyrell Brown (they/them). “OURfest - OUR Future”, goes beyond a theme and is a call to action for unity around causes that are impacting our LGBTQIA+ community."

They continued, "One of our most important tools to push back against hate and division is our ability to unite in love and celebrate our diversity. National Coming Out Day and LGBTQ History month are crucial opportunities for our communities to join together in celebration and reflection, to find family and togetherness, to have access to resources, and to share the love, art and joy that are hallmarks of our community.”

"As such we using this moment for a philanthropic venture to ensure that our local organizations, and initiatives that support LGBTQIA+ community are supported and resourced. We are doing this by collaborating for a 'Beer Garden' concept that is a way for folks to engage with community resources for free entry or to donate or contribute to a local agency or initiative. We developed Galaei’s Philly Pride 365 Program with our mission of resourcing, investing, and increasing visibility for our entire community, particularly those of us who have been traditionally ignored or left out of the conversation, we hope that everyone is invigorated by this call."

OURFEST: NATIONAL COMING OUT PARADE

OURfest: National Coming Out Parade will take place on Saturday, October 12th, 2024, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, from 5th and Market to Broad and Locust. The parade will feature a mix of curated and designed floats, community organizations and live performances that spotlight the vibrancy of the LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia, the suburbs and across America. Look for themed sections to showcase youth and families, sports and recreation, professional leaders, pioneers and grand marshals, arts and culture, drag artists, and other groups. The community cheer section features the record breaking 400 foot rainbow flag that debuted in June during Pride Month. The final route for the parade is being finalized and will be shared in a future update. Also, look for a parade line-up to be shared closer to the event!

OURFEST: NATIONAL COMING OUT RESOURCE FAIR AND FESTIVAL

Philly Pride 365, a program of Galaei brings together the city’s top LGBTQ+ organizers to produce a dynamic festival – and one of the single largest outdoor festivals of the year in Philadelphia.

The Gayborhood will come to life again in honor of National Coming Out Day/Weekend. OURfest: National Coming Out Festival will take place on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, with resource fair and family zone from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, and last call for mobile bars outdoor service and food trucks at 6:00pm. The festival will spread out across the Gayborhood from 13th and Walnut down to 13th and Pine, form Locust to 12th, then from there to 12th and Pine, with other select roads closed around the festival footprint.

This year's resource fair and street festival will feature art and music from the community, in a celebration that combines the uniqueness of Philadelphia and showcases the diverse talents of Philadelphia’s LGBTQIA family, friends, and neighbors.

The vibrant location of the Gayborhood, the stronghold of Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community, provides a historic backdrop for 200+ grassroots organizations, CBO’s, nonprofits, artists and makers, entertainers, restaurants and bars, food trucks, vendors and small businesses to provide innovative programming, dynamic structure, community resources, education, food and drink and family fun. The full lineup will include performances, speeches, with the potential of some surprise guests.

Within the larger festival, Galaei has worked with community partners to build a variety of fun and vibrant places for everyone:

OUR Festival/Resource Fair

Youth, Young Adult, and Family Programming will be an expansive space curated by several local organizations, including The Attic Youth Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, Galaei’s SPLAT program, Philly Family Pride, and the William Way LGBT Community Center. This space is alcohol and smoke-free and will feature age-appropriate and safe youth and family programming to celebrate all generations of Philadelphia Pride. Brown said, “As we face increasing scrutiny it is imperative that we continue to invest in and create space for youth and young adults to express themselves authentically and without fear of judgment.” Look for bounce houses, resources tabling, Drag Story Time, Youth performers, Dancing and fun.

Food Trucks

This year’s festival continues with unique food and beverage experiences. The Food Truck Market, in partnership with The Food Truck Lady, will bring together some of the East Coast’s best and tastiest food trucks and mobile vendors to keep everyone happy and fed while they enjoy the day’s celebration. This area will create a buffer between the party goers and youth/sober areas – and offer food and drink at a variety of price points.

Beer Gardens

For those looking to party and dance the afternoon away you will be able to enjoy one of the (L.U.V. Philly) three Beer Gardens. The “Legends” Beer Garden will be located on 13th street, St James, and Chancellor. Within the Legends Beer Garden you will find gayborhood favorites such as Cockatoo, Flambo, Level Up, Woody’s and Franky Bradleys.

The “Unity” Beer Garden will be located on Camac street, and parts of 12 street and small side streets. This Garden will include popular establishments such as UBar, TOC, BarX, and TABU.

The “Vice” Beer Garden will be located on Quince street and parts of Locust, and will include Knock, and The Bike Stop.

**Please note that all beer gardens are 21+ with no admittance for anyone under the age of 21. Additionally for this festival alcohol will not be able to be consumed outside of the beer garden enclosures and is prohibited. We are asking that all large bags (book bags, etc) remain home or, in your vehicle, and not be brought to the festival grounds. These items will be prohibited in the beer garden spaces.

Entry into the beer gardens can be obtained in a few different ways. You can enter for free by engaging with a wellness initiative and obtaining an MPox vaccination or by receiving a wristband from getting a rapid HIV test, (Mazzoni, Bebashi,etc.) the day of the festival. There you will receive a 21+ wristband with proof of ID. You will still be required to show proof of age at the entrance to any space that serves alcohol. Your wristband will function as a universal wristband allowing you to exit and enter all three beer gardens as long as all beverages are consumed before leaving or entering a beer garden space.

If you decide that you would like to get the party started right away without engaging with any wellness, testing, or vaccination initiative, you can enter with a suggested donation of $10. You can donate prior to the event or the day of. The proceeds of the ticket sales will go to support the event itself, while also functioning as a charitable give back to local organizations and initiatives, such as the Michael Hinson Jr Institute of Organizing, The Michael Hinson Fund, The Gloria Casarez Scholarship fund, and/or general funds for local LGBTQIA+ serving organizations. Please keep in mind that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

If you are under 21 and wish to celebrate and dance we invite you to join the youth/young adult space which will have food, dancing and music - however no alcohol will be permitted in this space.

Sober Vibes
Sober Vibes will be hosted and co-facilitated by The Phoenix and Galaei’s POP program with a dedicated space for sober folks. This is a space that centers around adults who do not drink alcohol, and simultaneously is not geared towards family and children, however, they will be welcome in the space.

Bailar Con Amor
In keeping with Galaei’s dedication to highlighting Queer and Trans Black and Brown traditions and forms of expression, Galaei is proud to present “Bailar con amor,” an ode to Afro-Latinx heritage art, dance and expression. Bailar Con Amor will be located within the “Unity” Beer Garden on 12th street.

Kiki Alley
Kiki Alley will return with a dance and celebration space highlighting the rich culture and history of the Philadelphia ballroom community and will be located on Chancellor Street within the Legends Beer Garden. This dedicated dance space will be a love letter to everything that is vogue.

Philadelphia Muses Stage
The Philadelphia Muses Stage located on Locust street will feature a diverse lineup of local performers and producers, including DJ sets by Sway Philly and BOS Philly, plus the presentation of the first Ms, Mx, Mr OURfest 2024, with additional bands, choirs and other entertainers. This will be a stage festival goers will not want to miss!

Decompression Zone
The Decompression Zone, in conjunction with Disability Pride PA, is a space for attendees seeking an accessible, low-sensory respite from festivities. This area will feature comfortable seating, tables, accessible bathrooms, a cooling station, a wheelchair charging station, adult changing station and low level music. This provides a space for elders, those living with disabilities, and others seeking rest and relaxation during the event.

Community services will include medical tents for onsite medical needs such as dehydration and minor injuries. These medical services are provided by doctors and nurses from Bebashi and Mazzoni Center. Therapists for folks who are in mental health crisis or may be over stimulated, individuals trained to administer narcan, security managers, staff to answer all day of questions, Sign language and Spanish interpreters, and de-escalation specialists that will move to any point in the festival grounds or at the bars that they are needed.

POP Wellness

POP Wellness will feature local cbo’s to offer a one stop pop up wellness and resource station, linkage to testing, linkage to care and resources via case management opportunities. Attendees will be able to stop by to set an appointment, and speak to case workers and staff at organizations about linkages to resources, such as housing, healthcare, education, and employment. Please also stop by to get tested receive an Mpox vaccination, sign up for an affinity group at Colours or Galaei and receive your complimentary wristband for entry into the Beer Gardens.

Please stay tuned for a full list of vendors, food trucks, entertainment times, stage line-ups and more coming the week of the event. For more information on volunteering, participating, or sponsoring the festival, please visit our website, www dot phillypride365 dot org/about-ourfest or email Pride365@PhillyPride365 dot org.

ABOUT GALAEI

Galaei is comprised of a talented staff of black and brown, nonbinary, and trans organizers, who at our building and in the lgbtq+ community are committed to getting resources, providing empowerment, volunteer opportunities, and assistance to all while prioritizing the most marginalized in our QTBIPOC community.

Galaei believes in celebrating pride year-round as queer and trans people because celebrations of our joy and love are implicitly an act of defiance against those who seek to oppress us. We are committed to using our events to educate, provide resources, and facilitate spaces of empowerment and love.

ABOUT PRIDE 365

Every PRIDE festival is a crucial opportunity for our communities to join together in celebration, find family, get resources and share the love, art, and joy that are hallmarks of our community. Pride 365 is a new program of Galaei that seeks to elevate the experience of every Pride every year. By combining the unique and vibrant location of our Gayborhood, the stronghold of our queer businesses, supporting small queer and trans business owners, providing innovative programming, dynamic structure, and intention around how the space is curated, we endeavor to have a space for everyone.