2016 New Orleans Pride Festival Announced

Organizers of the New Orleans Pride Festival and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, have come together to create an amazing weekend of events for the LGBT community.

Each year, the LGBT community travels from across the nation to gather in New Orleans for a weekend of events that include top-tier music and entertainment, a parade, legendary New Orleans cuisine, an atmosphere of acceptance, and one of the premiere fundraising events of the year.

"Our kick-off event features the one and only Bianca Del Rio, who will host as only she can," said Chris Leonard, Director of New Orleans Pride. "The entire weekend is a celebration of over the top events that celebrate diversity."

New Orleans Pride Festival Schedule of Events

Friday, June 17th

New Orleans Pride Kick-off Event with Bianca Del Rio (Winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 6)

HRC Federal Club Gala Kick-Off Party at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Saturday, June 18th

HRC Louisiana Gala, presented by Hyatt Regency New Orleans and WDSU, at Hyatt New Orleans featuring Chef Kelly Fields of Willa Jean, Chef Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace and Eric Damidot of the Hyatt Regency

The New Orleans Pride Parade in the historic French Quarter and down Bourbon Street featuring a 100+ foot rainbow flag and Grand Marshalls

Sunday, June 19th

PrideFest 2016 at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets, presented by Oz New Orleans - starring Debby Holiday, Jai Rodriguez, Billy Francesca and many more.

There will be numerous events spread across New Orleans, so check www.Neworleanspridefestival.com and https://www.facebook.com/hrcnola/ for more details and updates.

For those individuals that are not affiliated with a business or organization, there are volunteer opportunities available for several events, including volunteering to carry the 100+ foot long rainbow flag in the Pride Parade.

New Orleans Pride's Kick-off Event with Bianca Del Rio is the only ticketed event. All other New Orleans Pride events are free and open to the public. Cash, in-kind and event sponsorships are available to businesses and nonprofit organizations that would like to be involved in this year's Festival. Any business or organization is also welcome to register and have a walking group or float in the Pride Parade.

In addition to buying tickets, there are many ways to support the HRC Louisiana Dinner. Corporations may become corporate partners and associate their brands with the leaders of the movement for equality. Local businesses may contribute one of their products or services to the silent auction or purchase a recognition page in the program book.

Each year, the HRC New Orleans Steering Committee honors an individual and/or organization that has improved the lives of the LGBT community in Louisiana, increased our visibility and ability to express our love and sense of self, and enhanced our inherent dignity and self-worth. This year, the HRC New Orleans Steering Committee will honor Arthur Roger as its 2016 HRC Louisiana Dinner Equality Award Recipient.

"We are humbled to honor someone who is known to many in our community as a silent warrior," said Lester Perryman of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors. "Arthur Roger has an incredible amount of grace, and humility and has set the bar for servant leadership in the LGBTQ community."

About New Orleans Pride Festival

2016 marks the 6th consecutive year that the New Orleans Pride Festival has been held since Hurricane Katrina. The objectives of New Orleans Pride are to create an atmosphere where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people can be proud of their sexual orientation and identity. The Festival is comprised of a weekend of events that showcase the diversity of New Orleans LGBT community through events that are welcoming to all members of the community, including hetero-identifying allies. In 2015, New Orleans Pride was listed as #6 in Travel+Leisure's "The Guide to Pride: Nine LGBT Destinations to Visit This Summer."

About Human Rights Campaign Louisiana (HRC)

As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide - all committed to making HRC's vision a reality. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

More information about the HRC Louisiana Dinner can be found at hrclouisianadinner.org