5200 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508
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www.HamptonRoadsPride.org
Media Contact: Danny Epperson, 757-889-9101, danny@hamptonroadspride.org
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HAMPTON ROADS PRIDE Presents PRIDEFEST 2015 – June 26-27, 2015
Grand Marshal, Thomas Roberts of MSNBC & Music Headliner, En Vogue
Hampton Roads Pride, Hampton Roads Proud
On the verge of a major decision on Marriage Equality in the United States, this celebration offers stunning visuals and colorful interviews for the media with the local LGBT community & its supporters.
June 16, 2015, Norfolk, Virginia — Hampton Roads Pride (HRP) is proud to announce PrideFest 2015 will take place on June 27, 2015 from Noon to 7pm in Norfolk. This will be the festival’s twenty-seventh year in the region and the city’s largest one-day festival at Hampton Roads’ premier outdoor festival venue, Town Point Park. The fest is funded by generous supporters and donors.
PrideFest 2015 is FREE for all ages and open to the public. The family-friendly festival features the nation’s only Pride boat parade, which runs along the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth. This year, along with the American Rover, it features a U.S. Coast Guard boat with our Grand Marshal, MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts. Kicking off PrideFest 2015 is the 4th Annual Block Party, on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 7pm-midnight.
PrideFest 2015 Headliners
En Vogue – (Music Headliner) The Grammy-nominated female R&B vocal group has sold more than 20-million records. Currently comprised of Cindy Herron-Braggs, Terry Ellis, and Rhona Bennett, En Vogue formed in 1989 in Oakland and scored a number of hits in the 1990s including “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Free Your Mind” and “Whatta Man.” Contact HRP for interviews.
Thomas Roberts – (Grand Marshal) The award-winning news anchor hosts “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts” Monday through Friday, from 1pm-3pm Eastern. The program brings viewers the latest breaking news stories as well as details on the biggest stories of the day, the latest political developments, and stories of equality and human rights.
Kristin Beck – (speaker) Born Christopher Beck, she is a former United States Navy SEAL who gained public attention in 2013 when she came out as a trans woman. Beck published her memoir, “Warrior Princess: A U.S. Navy SEAL’s Journey to Coming out Transgender,” having served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years. She is the first openly transgender former U.S. Navy SEAL.
DJP and MrT – (Opening Music for En Vogue) The electropop band from Norfolk is described as “a classy bunch of elegant pop alchemists.” The band released their first full length album in 2013, “Otolith,” – “ambitious, tuneful and gloriously weird. The band updates Thomas Dolby and Soft Cell textures and twists them into something that’s addictive.” – Daily Press
Hampton Roads Pride is a 501(c)3 non-profit, community-based organization incorporated in 1997.
PrideStage special guests include Virginia’s Lt. Governor Ralph Northam, Congressman Bobby Scott, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, and other city and community leaders.
Hampton Roads Pride is very proud to announce this year’s opening musical performance at PrideFest by U.S. Navy’s Fleet Forces Band “Four Star Edition” along with the U.S. Marine Color Guard!
Festival Fun
Pride Boat Parade
Club PrideFest
DJs & Drag Performances
Live Opera!
Family Fun & Games Park
Circus Acts & Aerial Acrobats
Local Food Trucks & Vendors
Educational Experiences
LGBT History Project Exhibit & City Tour
The AIDS Memorial Quilt – The NAMES Project Foundation
Equality Advocates & Allies Area
Virginia Aquarium LIVE! Touch Tank
Chrysler Museum Mobile Glass Studio
Virginia LOVEworks display
Accessible to All – American Sign Language Interpretation Provided
PrideStage Schedule
Noon National Anthem/ U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band/U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard
Noon Pride Boat Parade (dockside)
12:30 U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band
1:30 Honored Guests & Scholarship Awards
1:45 Diana Ross, Queen Emeritus Performance
2:00 Hampton Roads Men’s Chorus
2:15 Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Featuring Kiara
2:30 Virginia Opera
3:00 Mercedes Douglas
3:15 Thomas Roberts
3:30 Kristin Beck
3:45 HR Pride Special Presentations
4:00 DJP & MrT
4:45 Presenting Sponsors – Decorum Furniture & WHRO Public Media
5:00 En Vogue
PrideFest 2015 in Norfolk is the culmination of a full week of Hampton Roads Pride official events across Hampton Roads known as PrideWeek.
PrideWeek Events
Sunday, June 21 – Pride Bar Kickoff – Various LGBT businesses around Hampton Roads
Monday, June 22 – Outdoor Movie Screening – “Pride” – Hermitage Museum & Gardens – 8pm
Tuesday, June 23 – Interfaith Celebration – Ohef Sholom Temple – 7pm
Wednesday, June 24 – Pride Party on the Peninsula – Crowne Plaza Hampton – 6:30pm
Thursday, June 25 – HRBOR – Taste the Rainbow – O’Connor Brewing Co. – 6pm
Friday, June 26 – Pride Block Party – Behind Decorum Furniture – Norfolk – 7pm–Mid
4th Annual Pride Block Party – BIGGER THAN EVER!
Now in its fourth year, this premiere party has grown to a crowd of thousands. One night each summer, Hampton Roads gathers to groove to progress in style at the Pride Block Party. HRP asks the community to be a part of the positivity as we celebrate unity, equality, and oneness. The PBP is the nighttime component to PrideFest 2015. From laser light displays, fire-eaters, music, dancing, DJs, delicious eats, and craft cocktails, the PBP is THE party of the summer in Hampton Roads. It’s located directly behind Decorum Furniture on 21st Street in Norfolk. Doors open at 7pm and the celebration wraps up at midnight. $10 donation at the door. All ages welcome. 21+ to drink.
PrideFest 2015 Theme: Hampton Roads Pride, Hampton Roads Proud
“Hampton Roads Pride, Hampton Roads Proud” isn’t just an expression of accomplishment for progress made in Hampton Roads with regard to the LGBT community, but also, more than ever, the LGBT community is proud of and proud to be in Hampton Roads. It reflects HRP’s success in its mission to instill pride through promoting education of LGBT issues to our community and providing scholarship awards for its LGBT members; showing compassion for others and being free to love who you want to love; and encouraging all individuals to stand up and be proud of who they are, no matter their sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or creed.
A Message From HRP’s President
“The show of support for the LGBT community by small and large, local and national businesses, elected officials from local, state, and national levels, the faith community, arts and cultural institutions, and the United States military at Hampton Roads Pride’s PrideFest 2015 is unprecedented,” said John Osterhout, President of Hampton Roads Pride. “For those in attendance, it will be clear that this year’s theme ‘Hampton Roads Pride, Hampton Roads Proud’ signifies how great it is to be LGBT in the heart of Southeastern Virginia.”
The Pending Ruling by the SCOTUS on Marriage Equality
The United States Supreme Court is set to make a landmark decision that would legalize same-sex marriage across the country. The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, will decide whether states must constitutionally issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and whether they must legally recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. If the U.S. Supreme Court votes in favor, it will overturn same-sex marriage bans currently in 13 states. Hampton Roads Pride stands ready to respond to this eagerly-awaited decision.
For more information on HRP and all the events, visit our website www.hamptonroadspride.org.