News

Written by Lansing Pride

LANSING, MI — Lansing Pride is excited to announce that internationally-acclaimed drag performer Trinity The Tuck will headline the 2026 Lansing Pride Festival.

Best known as the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars and a fan-favorite finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Trinity The Tuck has built a global following for her polished performances, sharp wit and impeccable pageant-style drag. She’s often celebrated for her high-glamour aesthetic, precision costuming and commanding stage presence.

“Bringing talent of Trinity’s caliber to Lansing is a huge moment for our community,” said Ben Dowd, president of Lansing Pride. “She represents excellence in drag and LGBTQIA+ artistry, and we’re thrilled to have her headline this year’s festival.”

Since rising to prominence on Drag Race, Trinity has toured extensively across the United States and internationally, appearing in major Pride festivals, live tours and television projects. Her performances blend humor, storytelling and high-energy production, making her one of the most sought-after entertainers in the drag world.

Trinity joins a stacked entertainment lineup for 2026 as Lansing Pride continues to provide entertainment across two stages — the Ovation Main Stage and LCC Connect Fish Ladder Stage — featuring a full day of drag, music and live entertainment. This year’s festival will also include more than 300 vendors, showcasing local businesses, artists, nonprofits and community organizations from across the region.

This year’s Lansing Pride festival is scheduled for 1-9 p.m. June 27 in Old Town Lansing. Held annually on the 4th Saturday of June, the festival has become one of Michigan’s largest LGBTQIA+ celebrations. The free, all-day event brings together thousands of attendees each year to celebrate community, visibility and pride, with the 2025 festival drawing around 30,000 attendees!

Written by Lansing Pride

Lansing, MI - The Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) recognized Lansing Pride with its Community Partner Award during its annual meeting, honoring the organization’s ongoing commitment to the Old Town community.

At its annual meeting, held Feb. 3 at UrbanBeat in Old Town, OTCA Board Chair Jamie Schriner presented the award to Lansing Pride President Ben Dowd, recognizing the organization’s consistent presence and support of the neighborhood.

“This award honors an organization whose support extends beyond our borders, showing up for Old Town time and time again,” Schriner said. “You name the circumstances, they have been there.”

The Community Partner Award recognizes Lansing Pride’s dedication to community-building through strong partnerships, volunteerism, and the opportunities it has created for Old Town to grow and thrive, Schriner said.

“Five years ago, we decided to do this thing, and our fourth year in, we had 30,000 people that showed up into this community,” Dowd said. “We will continue to do the work here, for you and our community together.”

At the 2025 Lansing Pride Festival, an estimated 30,000 people attended a day of community, celebration, and visibility, headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Adore Delano. The Lansing Pride Board of Directors is already working to deliver an even larger and more impactful event in the year ahead.

Written by Lansing Pride

Lansing, MI - Lansing Pride is only two weeks away and we are thrilled to share the final details for the annual Lansing Pride festival weekend! This annual weekend continues to grow as joyful and inclusive gatherings, welcoming both LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies for a weekend of love, visibility, and community.

“Lansing Pride has become a cornerstone event for our city, and 2025 is shaping up to be our biggest year yet,” said Ben Dowd, President of Lansing Pride. “Last year, we saw record-breaking attendance, and the energy was incredible. We can’t wait to celebrate with even more friends, family, and supporters this year!”

To start the weekend Lansing Pride will be hosting the annual White Party on Friday June 27, 2025 from 8 pm - midnight in Old Town Lansing. For more information you can visit www.lansingpride.org/whiteparty.

This year’s festival will be on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 1 pm - 10 pm. and is being presented by Pure Options who will host the Loud and Proud Lounge. Lansing Pride will feature more than 200 vendors—surpassing last year’s count—along with an expanded and reimagined Free to Be Family Area, two stages, and an increased variety of food and beverage options, including the popular Beer Tent. 

Lansing Pride is excited that the one and only Adore Delano will be headlining this year’s festival. A powerhouse performer, singer-songwriter, and TV icon, Adore first captivated audiences on American Idol before taking the world by storm on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 and All Stars Season 2. With a fierce voice, electrifying stage presence, and hit albums like Till Death Do Us Party and Dirty Laundry, Adore is ready to bring an unforgettable performance to Old Town Lansing. 

To close out the weekend, Lansing Pride and Copper Moon (formerly Club Spiral) will host the Official Afterparty at Copper Moon on Saturday June 28, 2025 from 10 pm - 2 am. For more information you can visit https://www.lansingpride.org/calendar. 

With each passing year, Lansing Pride strengthens its commitment to fostering a sense of unity and belonging. This year’s festival would not be possible without the unwavering support of our volunteers, sponsors, and community partners, who continue to make this event an unforgettable experience.

To support Lansing Pride and its mission, consider donating at lansingpride.org/donate

For more information about the 2025 Lansing Pride Festival, please visit www.lansingpride.org or contact hello@lansingpride.org.

For media inquiries, contact Lansing Pride Vice President, Communications Director Brian Hercliff-Proffer at press@lansingpride.org. 

Lansing Pride extends its sincere appreciation to this year’s Title Sponsor, Pure Options, and Prism Sponsors: Spring Forest Counseling, University of Michigan Health–Sparrow, and CASE Credit Union. Special thanks also go to Feldman Chevrolet of Lansing for their generous financial support and in-kind contributions, including the use of a truck to assist with festival setup. Everyone’s support plays a vital role in the success of the event.

About Lansing Pride

Lansing Pride is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in Lansing, Michigan. Formed in 2021, Lansing Pride was established to dedicate resources and support specifically for the annual pride festival that had been hosted in the city since 1989. Lansing Pride has hosted the annual pride festival in Old Town since 2022, and organizes LGBTQ+ events throughout the year to uplift and celebrate the community. Our mission is to build a more connected and supportive Lansing through advocacy, education, and celebration.

Written by Lansing Pride

Lansing, MI - The city of Lansing will join Lansing Pride for a flag raising ceremony to officially kick off Pride Month on June 3, 2025 at 4:30 pm. The ceremony will take place at the flagpole in front of Lansing City Hall, located at 124 W. Michigan Avenue. City officials, community leaders, and members of the public are invited to attend and show their support as we raise the pride flag to celebrate the city’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and the LGBTQIA+ community.

“It’s great to know that the city of Lansing, which is home to so many members of the LGBTQIA+ community, is welcoming and supportive of so many people,” said Ben Dowd, president of Lansing Pride. “The city’s support is instrumental in us creating a safe, inclusive environment not just for the annual Lansing Pride festival, but every other day of the year as well.”

Raising the pride flag at City Hall was first held in 2024 after a resolution was introduced by Councilman Ryan Kost and Councilman Peter Spadafore dedicating June as Pride Month in the City of Lansing. Lansing Pride, the nonprofit behind the city’s annual Pride Festival, presented the Progress Pride Flag to the city for the inaugural ceremony. The flag represents the diverse identities within the LGBTQIA+ community.

The flag will remain flying throughout the month of June.

The flag raising marks the beginning of a series of Pride events in Lansing, culminating in the Lansing Pride Festival, Saturday, June 28, in Old Town. Both the flag raising and Pride Festival are free and open to all.

For more information about the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony or other Pride Month events, please visit www. lansingpride.org or contact hello@lansingpride.org.

For media inquiries, contact Lansing Pride Vice President, Communications Director Brian Hercliff-Proffer at brianhp@lansingpride.org.

About Lansing Pride

Lansing Pride is a volunteer-powered non-profit organization based in Lansing, Michigan since 2021. As an organization, Lansing Pride’s goal is to bring Lansing’s independent LGBTQIA+ spaces together and foster a sense of love and true belonging. They also host a variety of LGBTQIA+ events throughout the year to bring recognition and celebration to the Greater Lansing community.

###

Written By Lansing Pride

Lansing, MI - The public is invited to join Lansing Pride along with local resources and organizations to be in community as we process the results of the 2024 Election and its impacts, in particular, to the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The queer experience is no stranger to resilience. For many, the struggle for existence and recognition has been a lifelong battle. We have spent our lives fighting for existence and recognition. In this moment, we are reminded that we are not alone in our fight. 

As we move beyond the 2024 Election we continue to lean on one another and our resilience to exist, thrive and celebrate. 

Join us as we come together as a community to offer and receive support, show unity, and promote hope. Local organizations joining the space include Free Mom Hugs, Lansing Area AIDS Network, Suits in the City, Salus Center and others.

“Resilience in Community” will be held this Sunday, 10 November 2024 from 3 - 5 p.m. at The Fledge, located at 1300 Eureka St., Lansing, MI 48912. The event will be open house style, and the community is invited to join us as they are able. Free Uber rides, courtesy of Lansing Pride, can be claimed through this link: https://r.uber.com/rCBvDofI2wr. Remarks will be given at 3:30 by local community leaders. 

For more information visit www.lansingpride.org. 

Written By Lansing Pride

Lansing, MI - Lansing Pride is proud to announce its third annual Festival celebrating the incredible LGBTQ+ community, on June 22nd in Old Town Lansing. The Lansing Pride Festival is an opportunity to honor and celebrate LGBTQIA+ community, and is open to both those who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. 

“This festival, once again, offers us all a day to celebrate who we are with dancing, music, a family area, and performances of all kinds,” said Ben Dowd, president of the Lansing Pride Association. “2023 was only our second year, and we saw nearly 10,000 people attend. The support from our community, volunteers, sponsors, and local government officials makes it clear that we will see that again.”

2024 Highlights

Vendors - Over 180 vendors from mid-Michigan and beyond will be attending Lansing Pride this year with treats, swag, informational materials, and goods for purchase! 

Activities - The Family Area at this year’s festival will feature drag queen story hours, bubble activities, and more. Lansing Pride is a family friendly event and welcomes members of all ages to come and celebrate!

Entertainment - This year’s festival has an incredible line-up featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race star, Loosey LaDuca! A Meet-and-Greet with Miss LaDuca is also available to those who sign up in advance. Lansing Pride will close out the evening with a great show by Star Farm starting at 8pm.

Beer Tent - While Turner Street is part of the downtown social district, and attendees can feel free to purchase drinks from participating bars and restaurants, Lansing Pride will also have a fully stocked beer tent offering a variety of beverages including Long Drink and Duke & Dame whiskey.

A special thank you to this year’s entertainment sponsors: Capital Area Transportation Authority, CASE Credit Union, Consumers Energy, European Wax Center, For Good Foundation, High Society Cannabis, Red Cedar Counseling and Verizon.

Written By Lansing Pride

LANSING, MI - April  5, 2023 – Lansing Pride, the community-based non-profit organization in its second year of supporting the area's LGBTQIA+ community, will host the 2023 Lansing Pride Festival in Old Town Lansing on Saturday, June 17. Building on its over 3000 attendees last year, this year will add more vendors, more performances, and expects an even larger crowd to attend.

Like last year, the festival is free to all and will feature live music and performances, as well as food from local vendors. The festival will overlap with the 2023 Lansing Juneteenth Celebration, allowing attendees to recognize the history and connections of Black and LGTBQIA+ communities. 

“We want everyone to come together and celebrate who we are as a community ,” said Ben Dowd, President of Lansing Pride. “We work closely with the community and Lansing local businesses which results in a highly promoted and visible event,” Dowd went on to say. “This year’s event shares the weekend with the 517 Juneteenth Weekend, and we are proud to be working with them to align these two celebrations.”

This year’s 517 Juneteenth Weekend will include four days of events, musical acts, and community outreach from June 15th - 18th. “The large intersection between the Pride community and the Black community will benefit the most from our sharing this weekend, and we are excited to be bringing together all humans under an umbrella of connection and celebration,” said Mikeyy Austin, Founder and Director at OURSpace, the group behind the 517 Juneteenth Weekend.

Lansing Pride is excited to welcome all of our new and returning vendors, sponsors, and supporters representing many parts of Lansing and the State of Michigan. “Vendors from last year are returning with a fervor that we are so excited to see, and spots are filling fast,” said Linda Sarnelli, Director at Lansing Pride. Parties interested in joining this year can find more information at the Lansing Pride website: https://www.lansingpride.org

The Lansing Pride organization is supported by volunteers from all over the state. Nearly 150 people helped bring 2022 to its success last year, and this year the organization has doubled its volunteer base. To find out more about volunteering with Lansing Pride, visit us at https://www.lansingpride.org/volunteer

And just in case you couldn’t attend last year, the Lansing Pride Board recommends you remember your umbrella!

About Lansing Pride

As an organization, Lansing Pride’s goal is to bring Lansing’s independent LGBTQIA+ spaces together and foster a sense of love and true belonging. Lansing Pride was formed in 2021 out of the desire to both create a cohesive Lansing Pride Festival and to build closer and more intentional relationships. With an initial goal of having the first Lansing Pride Festival in 2022, the community came together to make it an overwhelming success.

The 2023 Lansing Pride Board includes local leaders from across industries with diverse specializations, and is building on last year’s successful inaugural festival, anticipating thousands of attendees this year and even more memories to last a lifetime.

About 517 Juneteenth Weekend

The 517 Juneteenth Weekend is a unique opportunity for the Mid-Michigan region to celebrate Black culture, expression, and experiences. Attracting thousands of participants to Lansing’s REO Town Corridor, the 517 Juneteenth Weekend recognizes the emancipation of African-American slaves in the United States of America. 

Although Juneteenth has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, the celebration of culture, expression, and experience is nothing new in the 517. Ourspace (517) works as a bridge that connects Black arts and culture to the Lansing community at-large, creates platforms to promote Black-led businesses and entrepreneurship, provides high-quality programming that is free and accessible, and much more. 

Written By Lansing Pride

LANSING, MI, November 22, 2022 - The public is invited to join Lansing Pride organizers to remember the victims of the Club Q shooting over the past weekend.

In a unanimous decision, the board and committee members have agreed to honor those lost with a candlelight vigil, which will take place on Wednesday November 23rd at 6pm at Turner Mini Park (located on the corner of Caeser E Chavez and Turner Street in Old Town Lansing).
Partnering with Lansing Pride to put on this event include Suits in the City, Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN), and Salas Center. Other organizations who may contribute are currently pending.

“In response to the tragedy at Club Q in Colorado, Lansing Pride wants our LGBTQ community in the greater Lansing area to know that we are here for support during this difficult time.” says Board Chair Ben Dowd. “We know it is important to come together to recognize and grieve such a horrible event and stand in solidarity together for the concerns in our local community.”

Speakers for the vigil are currently being scheduled. Those who are interested in participating in the vigil may meet at the mini park shortly before 6pm. There will be candles provided by the group as well as luminaries that will bear the names of those affected by this tragedy.

Written By Lansing Pride

Lansing’s Inaugural Pride Festival to Feature Uplifting and Family Friendly Activities

Lansing, MI, July 26, 2022 – Lansing’s Old Town will be alive on Saturday August 13th with the sights and sounds of Pride from 1pm – 10pm. The single day event is founded by the iconic Lansing based drag queen, Delicious. Lansing Pride is centered on celebration, inclusion, and positivity.

The idea for Lansing Pride came to Delicious during COVID when gay bars around the world started shutting down, including Lansing’s staple-Spiral, where Delicious had performed since it opened. “[After Spiral closed] I decided something has to happen.” Says Delicious, “I always wanted to start my own Pride so I talked to my husband and he said ‘Let’s do it.’ It was time for the community to come together and enjoy each other. I felt it was time to celebrate each other.”

Lansing Pride will feature more nearly 100 vendors and food trucks with something for everyone. Vendors include Salus Center, Samaritas Foster Care, LanSING Out Chorus (who will also be performing the National Anthem), along with an array of local vendors. Event goers will have a wide variety of food options as food trucks will enhance the dining options available in Old Town.

Music and entertainment will be constant during the festival as Delicious has cultivated a wide variety of entertainers and performers. Lansing Pride will have two drag shows one at 2:00 and one at 7:00. The main stage will also feature a performances from Michigan native James Taylor (not to be confused with the Fire and Rain singer/songwriter) along with other musical performances. A complete entertainment schedule is available on the festival’s website.

Along with entertainment on the main stage, Lansing Pride will feature a family area that will operate from 1pm-7pm and will be geared toward youth. This area will feature putt-putt golf, bubble entertainment, an animal exhibit by Preuss Pets among other great fun.The Waverly Robotics Club will also be giving demonstrations on their student built robots. Free books will be offered courtesy of Resistance Book Store.

The festival will be held on Turner Street in Old Town on Saturday August 13th from 1pm-10pm. Admission is free, with donations gladly being accepted throughout the festival area. A beverage tent will be available for those 21+ and will feature drinks by Bell’s Brewery and American Fifth Spirits.

For more information about Lansing Pride, please visit www.lansingpride.org