Phoenix Pride (formerly known as Phoenix Pride March & Rally,[1] Desert Pride,[2] Arizona Central Pride,[2] and Phoenix Pride Festival[2]) is a parade and festival held each year in Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people and their allies.
Unlike other pride parades in major US cities, which is held in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots,[3] Phoenix Pride has been held outside of the summer months in Arizona since at least 2004,[4] due to high summer temperatures.[5][6]
While the riots first occurred in June of 1969, and while many communities across the world annually celebrate Pride celebrations or "Pride" in June, the Phoenix community has adjusted the outdoor event to occur in April which is a month more tolerable to most of its residents and visitors due to the heat.