The Time Is Now: ShanghaiPRIDE Returns June 15-18

If not now, when?

This is the question that drives the ninth annual ShanghaiPRIDE festival, slated for June 15-18 under the theme “The Time Is Now…”

In today’s uncertain world, we cannot wait any longer: It’s time to love whom we choose, to live open lives, to stand with our community, to champion acceptance and beat back intolerance. What will you do now to shape our tomorrow?

As Mainland China’s largest and longest-running Pride festival, ShanghaiPRIDE is excited to announce that this year’s Pride9 will feature a condensed format in the lead-up to next year’s milestone Pride10 and first-ever national CnPRIDE. As always, the festival will host a series of sports, cultural, social, and educational events aimed at raising awareness and promoting tolerance and acceptance—with some exciting additions to watch out for.

Festival highlights include the return of favorite pre-Pride events. On April 22, Pride’s Got Talent is back with celebrity judges and local performers in music, poetry, dance, drag, burlesque, comedy, and more. On May 20, the Rainbow Bike Ride once again hits the city with an explosion of colors, bringing bikers in the six colors of the LGBTQ flag from six different points to converge at a central park for a daytime picnic. The event will commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (May 17), celebrated around the world earlier that week.

Pride9 takes to the stage from mid-May through mid-June for ShanghaiPRIDE Theatre Festival (ShPTF). The English- and Chinese-language offerings will include two nights of improv shows from the city’s top comedic talent.

To address the topical issues impacting our community today, Pride Talk on June 10 will invite 10 speakers to discuss subjects ranging from poignant personal narratives to academic studies on gender and sexuality. In an innovative format, each speaker will have the opportunity to share 20 presentation slides at 20 seconds per slide.

Film buffs should gear up for a queer movie marathon as part of this year’s ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival (ShPFF) on June 11 and 18. In addition, filmmakers of all backgrounds are invited to enter the annual ShPFF Short Film Competition, which showcases LGBTQ Chinese stories and gives entrants the opportunity to win a spot at the prestigious UK Iris Prize Festival and compete for Iris’ £30,000 top award.

The city’s queer ladies will have a night of their own at the annual Ladies Party on June 15, complete with drink deals, performances, and prizes galore.

This year’s Pride Art, formerly the ShanghaiPRIDE Art and Photo Exhibition, invites the public to share their diverse experiences through the lens of a camera. Members of the community and allies are welcome to submit photos relating to the Pride9 theme via social media for the chance to be featured in the gallery exhibition (June 16-25) and on shpride.com.

A rockin’ new addition to ShanghaiPRIDE, the first-ever Pride Rocks musical showcase on June 16 will invite local bands to share the Pride9 stage for a day of tunes and community-building.

A cornerstone of ShanghaiPRIDE every year, the Pride Run returns on June 17. Runners will start at six points around the city and meet at a Shanghai city center venue for the Pink Brunch. Proceeds from the run will go toward LGBTQ anti-violence projects.

To show support for the organizations that underpin our community, LGBTQ Groups Open Day & Forum on June 17 will host queer organizations from across China. Forums on topics relating to community, organizations, business, and more will take place throughout the all-day event.

Pride9 will go out in 50 shades of pink at the Pink Party on June 17; expect dazzling performances, prizes, and partygoers proudly sporting this most delicious hue.

The fun continues post-Pride with a special performance by the Shanghai Hyperbolic Singers on June 24. ShanghaiPRIDE is a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ choir, which has performed at past Pride events as well as the 2015 Red Ribbon Gala Dinner.

ShanghaiPRIDE is a non-profit, volunteer-run festival. Stay tuned for more information on pre-Pride fundraising events and merchandise sales, proceeds from which will be put toward the organizing costs of the festival.

For more information on Pride9, visit shpride.com or follow ShanghaiPRIDE on WeChat (Shanghai-PRIDE), Weibo (weibo.com/shanghaipride), Facebook (facebook.com/ShanghaiPride) and Instagram (@Shanghaipride).

Contact Information
Email: shanghaipride@gmail.com
Website: shpride.com

~ The Time Is Now ~