All aboard the Supernova Space Station
Seattle Pride is excited to announce it is making many changes to its happenings this summer. One of the biggest will be the addition of a second stage, sponsored by Supernova, at Pride in the Park, which will happen on June 3.

"We're excited to bring that Supernova magic to [the event] this year," Albritton said.

A bit of background for this change: For the last few years, Seattle Pride has struggled to figure out how to balance the energy, sex positivity, and party vibes that many feel at Pride while also being inclusive of families and children who may be attending for the first time or exploring their own identities. This year, it hopes to meet the needs of everyone by having two different stages.

"We've traditionally only had one stage, where we feature live music, and we [have] some DJ sets, some performances," Albritton explained. "There was this moment last year where everyone was dancing in the rain, and we realized that we want both of those energies at our event. So, we have this family-friendly live music feel this year that will be happening at our Mothership Mainstage. Then our second stage is going to be all dance focused. Supernova is the host of that space."

The second stage, dubbed the "Supernova Space Station," will include an alcohol garden for participants 21 and older and provide all the fun party vibes many childfree adults have come to expect from Pride Month. This stage will be located on the east lawn of Volunteer Park, just north of the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

"We focus on bringing local LGBTQIA+ performers and artists to our events," Albritton said. "We love showcasing the talent that's right here in our city and region, so our headliner for this year is Moon Palace. We have performances from CarLarans, Brittany Davis, and more."

The Supernova Space Station will also include drag performances by Cookie Coutour, Macy Marcs, Hot Pink Shade, LuChi, and Cali Foxtail.

Family-friendly fun awaits at the Mothership Mainstage
This year's Pride in the Park will have something for everyone. The "Mothership Mainstage" will be at the Volunteer Park amphitheater. This location will have fun, family-friendly offerings, including a drag queen story hour hosted by Cookie Coutour. This stage will also host a Disney-themed performance from the Supersonics, a combination of the Seattle Men's Chorus and the Seattle Women's chorus.

The area will also have a youth space, co-hosted by Seattle Pride interns and the Seattle LGBTQ Center, for older kids to hold dialogues about important LGBTQ+ topics and create crafts and zines. "We hired Queer young people to plan spaces for Queer young people, which is very exciting," Albritton said.

Many artists will feature on both stages, including Mase III, SuperCoze, and Stephanie Anne Johnson.

"Our event isn't just about music," Albritton added. "We're going to have booths there, we're going to have food trucks, and we're adding an all-new LGBTQ+ vendor marketplace called the Milky Way Marketplace," a space for local LGBTQ+ makers, craftspeople, and artists to sell their goods. The marketplace is a first for Pride in the Park, which usually hosts booths for local businesses and organizations but has never made a specific space for Queer vendors.

"It's in alignment with our passion to make avenues and pathways to ensure that our resources flow back into our community as well," Albritton said of the marketplace.

A space for everyone
Another change coming to Pride in the Park is a new focus on accessibility. This year, it will also have a "Neurodivergent Nebula," a space designed specifically for people who want to come out and enjoy the day without experiencing sensory overload. The Arc of King County is hosting the Neurodivergent Nebula, which includes low sensory decompression activities, ear plugs, and resources for people who are looking to be there but also have their needs met.

Seattle Pride also ensures ADA seating for those who need it at the Neurodivergent Nebula and the Mothership Mainstage. An accessibility consultant from the University of Washington was used to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event.

"One big change we've made at Pride in the Park — and this was very difficult to find — is affordable accessibility mats that can be placed on grass," Albritton said. "Folks who use mobility devices and mobility chairs can get out to a place where they can see the stage well, so we'll have those placed at ADA seating and the Neurodivergent Nebula."

ADA seating will also be available at the Pride Parade. "It essentially allows for one person with accessibility needs and two of their counterparts, so you can still be with your people and get accessible seating as needed," Albritton added. ADA seating for the Seattle Pride Parade is limited; it needs to be reserved ahead of time, as will any grandstand bleacher seating.

Listening to our voices
Many of Seattle Pride's changes for 2023 are because of community input. Organizers like Albritton have spent the entire year listening to what people want to see at this summer's happenings.

"We're doing things like listening to community voices to figure out what kind of talent they want to see, we're securing our vendor booths, finding Queer makers in the Seattle area, and inviting them to come to join us, all the way down to the logistics of planning on where people are going and how they're getting there," he said.

Aside from expanding Pride in the Park, Seattle Pride has also increased the area for the parade.

"At the Pride Parade, we have some exciting changes," Albritton explained. "We'll have three stages along our parade route... one at Westlake, one at Fourth and Lenora, and one at the 'L' corner, Fourth and Denny Way. The main change is that the second stage will be at Fourth and Lenora: it's a bit more spacious of a block, and it will allow us to have ADA-priority seating and bleachers right near the stage, as well as our Jiffy Lube alcohol garden — very classy."

"We're also going to have some of Seattle's favorite LGBTQIA performers serving as announcers along the parade route at our stages," Albritton continued. "We'll have Ceasar Hart, Versace Doll, DonaTella Howe, Kylie Mooncakes, Sable Jones St. James, and Goddess Bricq House."

Each stage will also include DJs. The stacked lineup promises performances by Kween Kaysh, LGSP, DJ Ramiro, Harmony Soleil, and DJ Orion.

The Pride Parade has also expanded the Westlake alcohol garden. This year, patrons will be able to access prime parade viewing spots from the garden.

Introducing Seattle Pride's 2023 grand marshals
Seattle Pride is also excited to announce this year's Parade grand marshals. Leading the way will be renowned Nonbinary burlesque performer, producer, sex educator, and body-positivity advocate Mx. Pucks A'Plenty. Joining them will be the Lavender Rights Project and activist and author Ijeoma Oluo.

"We are so excited to have them at the front of our parade this year, showing all the beautiful pieces of our community and who they are and what they stand for," Albritton said.

Seattle Pride is packing a punch into June, with events scheduled for LGBTQ+ people of all ages and abilities, highlighting local artists, both on stage and behind the Milky Way Marketplace. This year's Pride Month is going to be out of this world!