that’s way too often deemed as “flyover country,” perhaps especially for members of the LGBTQ community. On the east side of the state, in South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls Pride brings a pop of color and inclusivity to a region of the U.S. South Dakota: come for the National Monuments, stay for the surprisingly robust Pride Parade. March to the music with food and booze in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Getting back to pre-2020-style revelry (while adhering to COVID-safe protocols like mask mandates and hand sanitizing stations), the 2021 fest on June 5 is headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Utica Queen, with music and performances by the likes of Cierra Nichole and Leslie Lain. While Pride Fest in South Carolina’s capital takes place in October, Outfest Columbia gets in on the Pride month action with a bevy of musical performances, vendors, and activities, all across the street from the downtown state house at The Vista. After all, this is a city that celebrates two different Pride festivals throughout the year, and proudly waves pink-and-blue transgender flags from the state house steps on Transgender Day of Visibility. The deep South isn’t exactly known for its open-minded politics or its drag queen-starring Pride performances, but Columbia is quickly emerging as a haven for LGBTQ culture and connection. It’s one of the more unique Pride events in the country, which includes atypical Pride programming like cooking classes, comedy nights, drag bingo and Progressive Worship Services.īe there when 'RuPaul’s Drag Race'-inspired fun comes to Columbia, South Carolina Especially considering its broad slate of events, from a pet parade and the Fun Run to community yoga and the Pride Parade, it’s an apt opportunity to spread the love. It’s a major shakeup from year’s past, when all the happenings were held in the East Village, a dispersed shift made in part out of COVID precautions, and to spread the rainbow-hued celebrations beyond a single neighborhood. This year, the non-profit organization has ballooned its typical weekend-long Pride Fest into a month-long spree it’s billing “ 30 Days of Pride,” with more than 30 different events held throughout the city. Join a month-long party with over 30 events in Des Moines, IowaĪnother unexpected capital city that goes big for Pride is Des Moines, Iowa, where Capital City Pride conducts LGBTQ events throughout the year, including an impressively hefty lineup for Pride Month in particular.