Gay Pride 2009 Events in New Jersey

This summer in New Jersey, there will be Gay Pride festivals and events throughout the state. The following is a list of four major cities in New Jersey, and what they are doing for Gay Pride:

Trenton, NJ

As with last year, Trenton will be holding an event called Capital Rainbowfest. No particulars have been released as of yet on their website, http://www.capitalrainbowfest.org/, but from reviewing what they had at the 2008 Rainbowfest, here is what one can expect for this year's Gay Pride event:
1) A large number of vendors, such as Sandra's Hat Box, Kim's Fashion Jewelry, Just As I Am LLC and Henri's Hotts Barbeque.
2) A wide variety of social services organizations handing out information like New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women, Planned Parenthood, and Department of Children and Families from the State of New Jersey.
3) A large number of musical performers to entertain throughout the day. 2008's event included artists such as Lovari, Tomas, The Swippers, Nhojj, Carrie Ashton, as well as karaoke and local DJ artists.

The website has not mentioned a date as of yet. However, Capital Rainbowfest has been traditionally held in September. Check the website as the year goes on for updates.

Asbury Park, NJ

A local group called Jersey Pride, Inc, will be it's 18th annual Gay Pride celebration this year. There are not many specifics listed as of yet, but here are the few events that are already planned:

June 6,2009- Jersey Pride's 2nd Annual 'Ride with Pride' Cycling Event (8 AM start time)- As with last year, 50 cyclists will be accepted for the fourteen mile bike ride. The ride will be from the Asbury Park boardwalk to Pier Village and back. If this year's ride is like last years, there will also be breakfast served at the ride's conclusion in front of Brielle Cyclery (near Convention Hall). The cost of the ride will be approximately $10. More details will be posted later for registration on http://www.jerseypride.org/.

June 6,2009- Jersey Pride and QSpot's 2nd Annual PRIDE Dance (8 PM til Midnight)- The dance will be held at UVA Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar located on 800 Main St. in Bradley Beach. The cost is $40 per person for an Italian Buffet, dessert and a cash bar. The website asks that the attire be casual, meaning no jeans or shorts.

June 7,2009- The 18th Annual Pride Celebration- (Noon to 7 PM)- Along with the normal pageantry of the parade, there will also be vendors for you to shop at, the Names Project (a way to remember friends and loved ones who have passed due to AIDS), as well as rides and games for the kids and family at the Family Zone. If you wish to be a vendor or take part in the parade, please go here for the appropriate registration forms.

Newark, NJ

Newark will be holding its fifth annual Newark-Essex Pride week from June 8th to June 14th. The week kicks off with the third annual raising of the LGBTIQ flag atop City Hall in Newark , giving the mayor and City Council's official endorsement of the event. This occurs on June 9th at 10:30 AM. Throughout the week there will be different forums held concerning different topics that effect the lives of lesbians, gays, bisexual and trans gendered people. These topics include:
LGBTIQ Rights and Same Sex Marriage Forum (June 10th)- This forum will answer the differences between civil unions and same-sex marriages, and which option is the best one.
Safe Spaces: Education Conference (June 11th, 8AM-3PM)- Safe Spaces is an annual event that brings people together to discuss items relevant to the community. This year, the focus is on education.

There will also be other events such as an awards reception to recognize those in the Newark LGBTIQ community who helped bring about change (June 12th), a family cookout and health fair (June 13th), as well as the Pride Parade (June 14th, 12PM).The parade will take place down Halsey Street in Newark. Following the parade there will be Pride Jam in the Park (Washington Park 1 PM to 9 PM). This will be a festival similar to the one in Asbury Park with vendors and entertainment for family and adults.

Jersey City, NJ

Jersey City is holding its ninth annual Gay Pride festival on August 28th, 2009, from 12 PM to 9 PM. The organizers are still taking applications if you wish to perform and provide entertainment, or if you wish to be a vendor. Names scheduled to appear at this year's festival include DJ Fred Pierce, Stewart Lewis, Ten Year Vamp and a stage group named Parlour Productions. The organizers have not posted much information at this time, but it will be held at Exchange Place in downtown Jersey City. They also promise speakers and a rally during the day as well as dancing and an open marketplace for the vendors. More information will be posted the closer we get to the date of the event. Check http://www.jclgo.org/festival-2009.shtml for more details.

These are just a few of the events being held this year. As we continue through the summer, more information and more events will be sure to be made public. However, this will give anyone interested in celebrating a good start.

Sources:
List of cities holding Gay Pride events: http://www.gaycityusa.com/pride.htm
Trenton Gay Pride Events: http://www.capitalrainbowfest.org/
Jersey City Gay Pride Events: http://www.jclgo.org/festival-2009.shtml
Asbury Park Gay Pride Events: http://www.jerseypride.org/
Newark-Essex Pride Events: http://www.newarkessexpride.org/