In 1969 the Stonewall riots happened because LGBTQ+ folks, particularly transgender women of color, fought against hate and police brutality that pervades multiple systems and policies in our communities. Pride honors the queer people who paved the way for us to celebrate.

Southern Finger Lakes Pride Festival is many things. It is a celebration of all identities. Of all genders. Of all sexualities. Of rights for all. It is a time to learn. It is a time to educate ourselves on those who stood before us. Those who had their lives taken. It is for those who continue to fear for their lives. Fear for their safety and have lost loved ones.

This year’s project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program (SCR), a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Finger Lakes Pride is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our Southern Finger Lakes LGBTQ+ youth and their loved ones by connecting them with affirming resources, advancing community acceptance through education, and providing opportunities for inclusive celebration.

Beginning in 2019 as a grassroots effort, Southern Finger Lakes Pride has impacted the community of the Southern Finger Lakes through:

• Starting youth programming throughout Schuyler, Chemung, and Steuben Counties with our young adult Bloom group and with a second pride group partnering with SUNY Corning Community College.

• Business partnerships throughout all the Southern Finger Lakesholding events and collaborating with wineries and breweries on Seneca Lake, businesses on Market Street, Community Partners in Elmira and Watkins Glen, and more.

• Large festival celebrations in support of the LGBTQ+ community and their families. The overwhelming success of our annual events have reached more than 56,000 people virtually and 3,500 in-person, a number we hope to grow as we look for greater support from the business and non-profit community.

The success and sustainability of Southern Finger Lakes Pride Festival is dependent on the overwhelming community support from organizations and individuals like you! As Southern Finger Lakes Pride continues to evolve, we are seeking sponsorship to support our growth. Our work will enhance regional quality-of-life efforts and help to make our community more diverse and equitable. In turn, this makes our region a more welcoming place to live, work, and play. Your support will help make our efforts throughout the year a success and we hope you will celebrate with us at our signature event!

Give $5 to Pride.

We cannot do this work without the support of our community. We work hard to make our events and services FREE because everyone should have access to queer spaces!

For our 5th anniversary, we are asking folks to donate $5. If you donate to the Give $5 for Pride campaign you will be entered in a raffle to win epic prizes during our Twas the Night Before Pride Celebration on June 7th!

Show us your donation and get a glitter sticker or pin at our booth!

Donate

Pride Made Possible by:

  • GOLD SPONSOR: Corning Inc.

  • Finger Lakes Wine Country

  • WINK 106

  • Magic 106.7 + 106.9

  • Gimme! Coffee

  • Planned Parenthood of Greater New York

  • The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes

  • The Garage at Rye

  • The Palace Theatre

  • Eleven Lakes Market

  • Brave World Media

  • Card Carrying Books and Gifts

  • Gradma's Kitchen

  • Radisson Conring

  • Guthrie

  • First Heritage

  • Chemung Canal

  • Trillium Health

  • Hillard Corp.

  • Wilkins Recreational Vehicles

  • Incubator Works

Become a Sponsor