June is Pride Month. Here's how Indy's LGBTQ+ community is celebrating 🌈
In Central Indiana, the Indy Pride festival kicks off soon with more events planned throughout the month. Both Carmel and Irvington will hold similar celebrations near the end of June.
The festivities are happening during a time of increased public hostility toward the Trans community, which includes continuing political backlash from state and federal officials in the Trump Administration. Data from the ACLU shows more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed this year alone — nine of which in Indiana.
Despite the stormy rhetoric, here's how Indianapolis is showing its Pride.
Story continues after photo gallery.
June 14, 2025, is the date of this year's Indy Pride parade.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until noon, beginning at 748 Massachusetts Avenue. The route travels southwest along Mass Ave then turns north on Delaware Avenue, finishing at Michigan Street.
Map courtesy of Indy Pride.
Indy Pride is partnering with iPark, according to officials, to offer parking for parade attendees. Additional parking locations can be viewed online at DowntownIndy.org/explore/parking.
Indy Pride is hosting a Celebration on the Circle Pride Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Monument Circle. The event will include local art and food vendors, a community zone with local organizations and drag performances.
The Word of Mouth music concert takes place at the American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St, from 2-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15.
Tickets to the Indy Pride Word of Mouth concert series range from $35 to more than $800, depending on what package you select. They include the following:
You can purchase tickets to the Indy Pride Word of Mouth concert at IndyPride.org.
More about Pride Month: Consider these novels for an LGBTQ+ Pride Month reading list.
Officials with Indy Pride announced dozens of musical artists would perform at this year's Indy Pride concert series. Saturday's headliners include British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield ("Unwritten"), Coco & Breezy and Aluna. Sunday features Tinashe, Big Wild and Snow Wife.
Here's the full schedule:
Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a days-long series of protests against police raids at a New York City gay bar that led to shift in LGBTQ+ activism across the country.
More about Indy Pride: 'The laws are the laws:' Indy Pride organizers balance event safety, community concerns.
IndyStar public safety reporter Ryan Murphy contributed to this article.
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