McDonald's Celebrates Pride from Coast to Coast

Is there anything more joyous and fun than a Pride festival? Hanging with your friends in the sunshine, sharing laughs and soaking up the celebratory vibe. June means Pride month and huge festivals are happening nationwide. McDonald's joins in and shows their support of the LGBTQ+ community at many of these festivals. Check out the Pride festivals below where the Golden Arches stand proud alongside all the queer folks who celebrate their true identities. Let the good times roll!

Charlotte

McDonald's goes to the Southeast for the largest Pride in the region. Taking place August 17 and 18, this year's celebration promises to be a blast with recently released mainstage talent Baby Tate, Bob the Drag Queen, and Slayyyter. Bob the Drag Queen, who describes themselves as "hilarious, beautiful, talented and...humble," is thrilled to take to the mainstage and showcase that she's "livin' my truth." Moreover, Charlotte Pride, an organization that presents and collaborates on numerous programs and activities, "has expanded its year-round programming and partnerships to better connect community members with its mission, vision and values."

Tallahassee

Though Tallahassee Pridefest already took place in April, McDonald's was there to partake in 'Pride in the Plaza,' a weekend-long community event that emphasizes the importance of showing up and being seen to support queers and allies. "I think part of being visible is not only us, but the community coming out and being visible with us in a show of solidarity," said Tallahassee Pride Chair Tyler Clark-Mclendon to WCTV at last year's festival. With events designed to entertain, educate and empower, Tallahassee Pridefest continues to bring everyone together in Florida for this beloved Pride celebration.

St. Pete

Florida's St. Pete Pride takes place in Pride month, June, and emphasizes its history to remember how its community has grown. What began as a promenade eventually transformed into a parade and then a full Pride month. Today, the community hosts year-round events "to amplify, support and celebrate the diverse voices of the LGBTQIA+ community – including the Black, Brown and Trans voices that are too often unheard." Don't miss this year's community-focused events including a Block Party, Friday Night Concert featuring Sasha Colby, Stonewall Reception, Youth & Family Day, Trans March and Pride Parade.

Long Beach

South Bay's seaside community celebrates Long Beach Pride every May with a three-day Pride Parade, live musical performances, food, drink and vendors galore. Drawing from LA's larger queer community, including gayborhood West Hollywood, the festival continues to expand and grow on its pillars of inclusion and diversity. Even notable faces from the entertainment community attend to show their support. "We should indeed keep calm in the face of indifference and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity," says beloved out actor George Takei about Long Beach Pride.

D.C.

Pride comes to the nation's capital for Capital Pride every June. Take to Pennsylvania Avenue – the iconic street that is home to the White House – for a Pride festival, unlike any other. You and your friends will be in the center of the capital region, a vantage point for taking in incredible sites such as the United States Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. As a proud sponsor, McDonald's supports the community of nearly half a million people for a weekend-long celebration packed with exciting events. And don't miss this year's A-list guests and performers, including Billy Porter, Keke Palmer, and every queer's favorite Ava Max.

Chicago

You don't want to miss McDonald's home city of Chicago and their Pride Parade that is at once celebratory and inclusive. This year's grand marshals include Fortune Feimster and Jax Smith, Art Johnston and Jose Pena, and Myles and Precious Brady-Davis. Megawatt stars Natasha Bedingfield, Jojo Siwa and Bob the Drag Queen will be some of the headlining performances on the mainstage. McDonald's not only celebrates the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ attendees, but also the all-volunteer organization that puts on the Chicago Pride Parade each June for the community.

Pacific Northwest

Seattle and Portland Pride fests are notable for their persistent focus on allyship and inclusion efforts. These festivals and the organizations behind them know that the work for LGBTQ+ equal rights goes beyond Pride parades. These organizations create year-round programs that promote diversity and inclusivity. This call to action asks our community to show up and do the work.

Texas

And if you're in Texas or passing through, pop into Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio Pride festivals to see how queer Texans show up for the community. "Everything's bigger in Texas" rings true with pride festivals and parades, cabarets, food, vendors and live performances.

Nationwide

Pride is celebrated from coast to coast for queers and allies who show up in authentic ways and stand in their truth. McDonald's stands beside them – in all of the pride festivals mentioned above and many more in our great nation. Keep an eye out for the Golden Arches at a Pride festival this season – always showing up and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.