Virginia Pride has announced its “Endless Summer of Pride” campaign, noted by organizers as the single-largest coordinated celebration of the Richmond Region’s LGBTQ community in history. “The Endless Summer of Pride has something for everyone,” said Rae Berryman, Chair of the Virginia Pride Committee. “We want the entire Richmond Region to join in celebrating our LGBTQ community like never before.”

The campaign kicks off as Mayor Levar Stoney raises the Progress Pride flag and issues a Pride Month proclamation at City Hall in a public ceremony on June 1, 2022. Later in the month, GRTC will unveil its “Pride Bus” wrapped in LGBTQ pride colors to the public. With the message “Love Connects Us” emblazoned on each side, logos from local LGBTQ organizations, and QR codes that link to Richmond Region Tourism’s website containing information on LGBTQ events and resources, the “Love Connects Us” GRTC Bus is a mobile message of the Richmond Region’s support of the LGBTQ+ community.

On June 1st, the city will also illuminate Main Street Station in pride colors in support of Pride Month alongside many businesses and companies in the region, in addition to illuminations, pride banners and flags will be raised on properties. “June 1 will kick-off what we expect to be the most coordinated series of observances of LGBTQ Pride Month the Richmond Region has ever seen,” said James Millner, Program Director at Virginia Pride. “Nearly everywhere you turn, you’ll be reminded that it’s Pride Month. We are bringing businesses, sports and community organizations and government and cultural institutions together to send a powerful message that the LGBTQ community is welcome and celebrated here.”

Virginia Pride’s Endless Summer of Pride coincides with national LGBTQ Pride month and also culminates with VA Pridefest on September 24, 2022, held on Brown’s Island for the first time in three years due to the pandemic. Celebrations will include a minimum of 20 events, including Pride Month ceremonial events as well as events for all-ages, and families.

Pridefest features national, regional, and local entertainment on two stages, and activities for youth and families alongside more than 100 craft, food, alcohol, and non-profit vendor participants.

“We are gearing up for what we expect will be the biggest and best Pridefest ever,” said Millner. “We are making huge investments in the event to give the Richmond community the experience they deserve and that they’ve missed for three years.”

A full list of Endless Summer of Pride events and activities can be found at vapride.org/ESOP .