Mayor of Hudson, NY Kamal Johnson was announced as co-Grand Marshal with OutHudson Executive Director Osun Zotique at “Out of this World” themed Pride Parade Saturday, June 4
Additional event programming announced includes a diverse roster of events supporting OutHudson’s mission of advancing visibility and improving the quality of life of local LGBTQIA+ and ally folx.
The 2022 festivities return for the first time since the 2019 Pride Celebration.
Hudson, NY; Monday, May 9, 2022: OutHudson, a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to improve the quality of life and advance the visibility of LGBTQIA+ folx in and around Columbia County, today announced the complete lineup of partner events surrounding the return of the 2022 OutHudson Pride Celebration. The 13th year of the festivities launch Wednesday, June 1, and culminate Sunday, June 5, 2022. The 5 days of festivities include a diverse roster of events celebrating and benefiting the life of local LGBTQIA+ and ally folx. The complete lineup of partner events is listed below, which follows the April 2022 announcement that OutHudson would return for a 13th year of celebration, and for the first time since 2019.
Additionally, OutHudson announced Kamal Johnson, Mayor of Hudson, NY, and Osun Zotique, OutHudson Executive Director, as Grand Marshals of the centerpiece LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade on Saturday, June 4, which embraces the community of Hudson’s historic Warren Street, from the 7th Street Park to the end of Warren at Front Street. The “Out of this World” themed parade runs from 2:00-4:00pm, with line-up set for 12:00pm at 7th Street Park.
Mayor Kamal Johnson, Mayor of Hudson, NY said of the announcement,
“I am thrilled and honored to serve as Grand Marshal for the exciting return of OutHudson’s Pride Parade this year. I look forward to celebrating our local LGBTQ+ community in June, and continuing to serve as an ally in my capacity as Mayor.”
Recently appointed OutHuson Executive Director Osun Zotique (pronounced Ocean Zo-TEAK) said of the announcement,
“I am filled with immense gratitude to Mayor Kamal Johnson for joining me in leading the 2022 Pride Parade as Co-Grand Marshal, as well as the many organizations and members of the community who are marching along with us. And I am filled with appreciation to the entire Hudson community for how we are coming together to revel in LGBTQIA+ Pride this year, including our 18 event partners across the Columbia County area, who will be hosting additional fantastic community events outside of the parade.
Columbia County is full of amazing individuals of all walks of life. Our community is so very ‘Out of this World’ that we can create magic when we dream together into our collective imagination, as evidenced by the bastions of the LGBTQIA+ community who reside in and visit this historically significant and culturally rich city. After a two year hiatus, OutHudson Pride 2022 will be a reunion to re-connect and rejoice, while lifting up the community in celebration.”
More information: www.zotique.org
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
About Kamal Johnson, Mayor of Hudson, NY:
Born and raised in Hudson, Kamal Johnson was elected to serve as the Mayor of Hudson, New York in November 2019. He made history as the city’s first black Mayor, and at 34 years old, its youngest. As a child, Kamal’s family was directly impacted by poverty, addiction, and incarceration. These experiences inform his work as a community and youth advocate, and his vision for a city that is safe and equitable for all. Upon entering office in January 2020, he was immediately confronted with the issues posed by COVID-19. Partnering to create the Shared Streets program, Hudson Safe, WiFi hotspots, and more, Mayor Johnson has helped the city navigate one of its most challenging periods of crisis. Now reelected for his second term, he continues to use his time in office to champion projects in Hudson and Columbia County that address local issues of mental health, substance use, housing affordability and displacement, and accessibility to public spaces. Johnson is a graduate of Columbia Greene Community College (‘05) and SUNY New Paltz (’07), with degrees in History & Early Childhood Education.
Awards are presented for a variety of parade and non-parade categories, including:
Parade: Out of this World; Highest in the Sky; Most Cosmic; Most Nebulacious; Blackest Hole.
Community: Biggest Cuddlebear; Intergalactic Champion; Queerest Menu; Most Gargantuan; Milkiest Way; Betty White Memorial; Golden Girl Award.
Roy G. Biv Award Trophy Artists: Paige Simpson, Jessica Weinberg, David Bruner, Becca VanK, Tim Ebneth, Tom McGill, Jessica Willis, Abbie Zuidema.
Businesses and community advocates who wish to participate in the parade or support the festivities through sponsorship options may contact Osun Zotique at ozotique777@gmail.com.
OutHudson Pride 2022 Official Lineup of Events:
Wednesday, June 1
Nine Pin Pride Can Launch Event
Wednesday, June 1
5:00-8:00pm
Nine Pin Tasting Room, 929 Broadway, Albany.
Live music by Ryan Leddick.
Cider and food available for purchase.
Hosted by Nine Pin Cider + OutHudson.
A portion of all the sales of all Nine Pin Pride Cans will be donated to OutHudson.
Free.
Family Pride Craft: Make a Rainbow Dancing Ring!
Get ready for the Pride Parade by making some DIY flair.
Wednesday, June 1
5:00-6:30pm
Hudson Area Library, 51 N. 5th St., Hudson.
Free.To register, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101.
Sprig & Social presents Sip & Support – An evening benefiting Planned Parenthood
Wednesday, June 1
7:00-10:00pm
Sprig & Social, 21 Green St., Hudson.
Hosted by Sprig & Social. Wines provided by Hudson Chatham Winery.
$25 donation. All Proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood.
Eventbrite Tickets – Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood
Thursday, June 2
Hudson Coloring Club, Pride Edition
Thursday, June 2
6:15pm
WYLDE Hudson, 35 South 3rd St., Hudson.
Hosted by Hudson Coloring Club and WYLDE Hudson.
$10 at the door.
Friday, June 3
Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony
Friday, June 3
7:30pm
Hudson City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson.
Hosted by the Mayor’s Office, Pride Center of the Capital Region, In Our Own Voices, and OUTHudson.
Remarks by Mayor Kamal Johnson; OutHudson Executive Director Osun Zotique; Capital District Executive Director Nathaniel Gray; In Our Own Voices Director Tandra La Grone.
Free.
SPECTRUM Exhibition Opening Party
Friday, June 3
6:00-9:00pm
Athens Cultural Center, 24 2nd St., Athens.
SPECTRUM is a mixed-media exhibition running June 3-26, featuring Hudson Valley Queer Artists :: curated by local artists Farika and Carter Lou McElroy, presented by Athens Cultural Center. Artwork submissions accepted via athensprideny@gmail.com.
100% of raffle proceeds will be donated to the OutHudson Scholarship Fund.
Free.
All The Bodies
Drag! DJs! Dancing!
Friday, June 3
9:00pm-12:00am (doors at 8:30pm)
Space 428 of The Hudson Eye
aka Tyler’s Better Oblivion
428 State Street
Hudson, NY 12534
Program by Lil Deb’s Oasis.
Tickets at the door or @lildebsoasis
LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade
Saturday, June 4
2:00-4:00pm (Lineup at 12:00pm, 7th Street Park)
Warren Street, Hudson.
Presented by OutHudson.
Free.
The Maker Hotel’s Poolside Celebration
Saturday, June 4
3:00-6:00pm
The Maker, 306 Warren St., Hudson.
Celebrate Pride on the pool deck, in the courtyard, and in the Lounge.
Performances by Davon and Uncle Rudy.
Sponsored by The Maker Hotel.
$20 at the door.
Hudson Hall presents NEARLY STATIONARY
Saturday, June 4
5:00pm AND 7:00pm
Conceived and designed by Barbara Kilpatrick
Choreography by Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener
Music by John Cage: String Quartet in Four Parts (1950)
Running time: approx. 30 mins
Hudson Hall at the historic Opera House, 327 Warren St., Hudson.
$15. Tickets – Events for Hudson Hall
Poke the Bear Beer Blast
Saturday, June 4
3:00-6:00pm
Hudson Brewing Co., 99 South 3rd St., Hudson.
Sponsored by Poke the Bear.
$10 advance. $15 at the door. A portion of proceeds benefit the OutHudson Scholarship Fund.
Tickets – Poke the Bear Beer Blast & Trixie’s Drag Extravaganza
Trixie’s Drag Extravaganza starring Merrie Cherry
Saturday, June 4
7:00pm-9:00pm
Hudson Brewing Co., 99 South 3rd St., Hudson.
Starring Merrie Cherry, Ophelia Nightly and Katarina Mirage!
Sponsored by TrixiesList.com.
$25. A portion of proceeds benefit the OutHudson Scholarship Fund.
Tickets – Poke the Bear Beer Blast & Trixie’s Drag Extravaganza
Sunday, June 5
RECESS Pride presented by The Hudson Eye
Sunday, June 5
1:00-4:00pm
Queer Artists Salon of Hudson, NY
Location TBA
Program by The Hudson Eye
Free. RSVP: development@jonahbokaer.net
Tea Dance + Roy G. Biv Awards Show
Sunday, June 5
2:00pm
Hudson Power Boat Assn., 23 Ferry St., Hudson.
Sponsored by Nick Haddad.
$5 at the door.
MORE INFORMATION:
In an ongoing collaboration with OutHudson, Nine Pin each year creates a signature rainbow label for their Signature cider! You can find the Nine Pin Pride can at various bars and eateries throughout the month of June. Each year, Nine Pin donates a percentage of the Pride Can proceeds to the OutHudson Scholarship Fund.
OutHudson is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit LGBTQ organization in New York State. In addition to sponsoring multiple events throughout the year, OutHudson sponsors OutHudson Pride Weekend in Hudson, NY on the first weekend of June. OutHudson also administers a scholarship for local LGBTQIA+ high school seniors.
