Media Alert: Festivals United Newark (FUN) | Newark Pride Festival
Reclaiming OUR Time: Legacy of Resistance
WHAT: Festivals United Newark (FUN) 20th Anniversary Newark Pride Parade and Festival
WHEN: Sunday, July 13, 2025, 11 am lineup for the Parade; 1 pm Festival in the Park begins
WHERE: Lineup in Lincoln Park at the intersection of Broad St. and Clinton Ave. for the Parade Concert, Freedom Rally, and Pride Festival in Mulberry Commons Park, Newark, NJ
WHO:
Alonzo S. Blalock, Newark Pride President
“In a world that can sometimes feel divided, it’s so important to remember that our identities are just one part of who we are. We are not defined solely by our sexual orientation or gender identity. Each of us carries unique dreams, talents, and stories that go far beyond the labels society might place on us. Here in Newark, we have a special opportunity to create a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and celebrated for exactly who they are.”
Jae Quinlan, Grand Marshal; Artist, Curator, and Minister
“At 18, I came out. I was engaged to marry, and a week before I was to meet his parents, I met my first lover. Everything happens in the order it’s supposed to. My mother was shocked, my father said I knew that since you were about 13. My father and mother are both in the ministry. Were they happy? No. Did they love me any less? No, but it took a while to massage that muscle. I went to therapy at my parents’ request. I do not subscribe or appreciate being boxed into the ‘gay lifestyle.’ My being gay is who I was born to be. It’s not an alternative lifestyle.”
Milan Garçon, host—a Black Trans TV personality, emcee, journalist, and LGBTQ+ advocate
Known for her unforgettable appearance in Season 2 of HBO Max’s Legendary, Garçon brought heart, confidence, and charisma to the ballroom stage, quickly becoming a standout voice for the trans community and beyond. As an On-Air Personality and Influencer, Garçon uses her platforms to uplift marginalized voices, bring visibility to Black trans excellence, and entertain with authenticity and style.
TheARTi$T, headliner, one of the most compelling new voices in R&B
A 25-year-old singer/songwriter whose emotionally raw, deeply relatable music has resonated with a new generation of listeners online and beyond. TheARTi$T broke out in early 2025 when her viral single “Sober” took off on TikTok, capturing the pain and complexity of moving on from toxic relationships—whether with people or substances. Hailing from the South and heavily inspired by artists like Brent Faiyaz and Summer Walker, TheARTI$T blends soulful melodies with personal storytelling.
Dawn Richard, singer, songwriter, and visual artist hailing from New Orleans
Richard rose to fame as a founding member of the chart-topping girl group Danity Kane, formed on MTV’s Making the Band 3, and later as part of Diddy–Dirty Money, known for their critically acclaimed album Last Train to Paris. Her solo albums—Goldenheart, Blackheart, Redemption, New Breed, and Second Line—showcase her experimental artistry, dynamic choreography, and deep-rooted New Orleans heritage. In 2023, she released The Architect, and continues to push creative boundaries across music, film, and visual media
WHY: The parade and festival not only promote LGBTQIA+ visibility and empowerment but collaboratively produce year-round community events to support and uplift the community.
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