Pittsburgh Pride returns with virtual and in-person events

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pride returned this year with mixture of virtual and in-person events including a march and mini-festival.

Last year’s Pittsburgh Pride event was canceled because of the coronavirus.

Events will take place through the weekend.

The Pittsburgh Pride Revolution March took place Saturday, beginning at Grant Street and ending at Allegheny Commons Park West with a mini-festival.

The mini-festival will take place Saturday and Sunday and it’s free to attend.

For more information or to register for the event, check out their website.

It was emotional for Maggie Lashlee to be at the event.

“I wanted to come here for years. I’m from a small town, I live in a small town in Pennsylvania it’s hard to be gay in my hometown, so I will always want to come to Pittsburgh pride to celebrate. I’m glad to be here,” Lashlee said.

The re-opening of the state didn’t give a lot of time for planning, but organizers wanted to make sure to have some in-person events like this.

And for people not comfortable going out yet, the March streamed live on Facebook.

Leah Lashlee took part to support her sister.

“I’m so proud of my sister. She came out about a year and a half ago. And ever since then I’ve been so proud of her. I know how hard it is for her to come out,” she said.

John Mastriano has been a vendor for 20 years — and is happy to be back in business — but sales were slow.

“Not too good. Not yet. It’s kind of, it’s in the tank today. Maybe things will get a little better,” he said. “I thought there be a much bigger crowd here. But there isn’t.”

Marches held downtown for LGBTQ rights during Pittsburgh Pride weekend Marches held downtown for LGBTQ rights during Pittsburgh Pride weekend

Cox Media Group