Category is Resistance and Resilience

Aurora Pride is proud to announce, in the face of modern struggles and our enduring march toward a more loving and accepting world, our theme for 2025

Resistance and Resilience

From Stonewall to the Supreme Court, we have faced hardships and we have celebrated victories. But the fight for justice and equality has never been an easy one. We honor our champions who have come before; Langston Hughes, Marsha P. Johnson, Audre Lorde, Sylvia Rivera, Harvey Milk and oh so many others both seen and unseen, who gave us a foundation to rise up and declare that we are here and we are queer.

Resistance is in our nature, we resist the calls to conform to a world that would see us hide our light, we resist the powers that seek to reign us in and command us to fall in line. We are not powerless, for we stand together in solidarity with those who paved the way to demand our freedom, our rights, and our lives.

Resilience has been critical to every move we make, and to withstand every blow that comes. It is resilience that has allowed us to rally, to collect ourselves again, and to press forward with new and increasing strength. Like every muscle in our bodies torn down by the struggle for a better tomorrow, we bounce back, we find our footing, and we move again to gain new ground and win new victories.

Resistance and Resilience are the hallmarks of our fight for equality. Because no matter how hard they try, we will resist. No matter how hard they hit us, we will rise up again, and we will say with one voice, with one purpose…

WE’RE HERE, WE’RE QUEER, AND YOU WILL NEVER MAKE US DISAPPEAR!

Donate Today to Keep Pride Alive in Aurora

Right now, we’re seeing government efforts to erase our community and cut critical funding that helps nonprofits like Aurora Pride continue our work. These attacks threaten the very existence of safe, affirming spaces like our Pride Parade.

But while our commitment to the Aurora LGBTQ+ community remains, we need YOU.

Every dollar you donate helps us cover permit costs, security, entertainment, and all the essentials that make the annual Aurora Pride Parade possible. Without funding, we risk losing one of the few spaces where we can celebrate, resist, and exist unapologetically.

If you believe in the power of Pride, if you believe in showing up for the LGBTQ+ community when it matters most, if you are looking for another fun event this year—now is the time.

Please consider donating today and help us keep Pride alive:

Join the Parade - March - Skate - Ride - Celebrate Pride 2025

Aurora Pride is excited to invite you to participate in the 2025 Aurora Pride Parade! Aurora is Illinois' second largest city, and we want to show our support for our LGBTQI family, friends and allies across the western suburbs and beyond.

We welcome the participation of businesses, religious organizations, non-profit organizations, youth groups, schools, community organizations, etc. It is a great way to show your group's support for the LGBTQI members of our community.

The parade is scheduled on Sunday, June 8, 2025, stepping off at noon. Lineup times and staging information will be sent approximately one week prior to the event.

Participation in the Parade is by APPLICATION ONLY. All applications are subject to review and approval. Aurora Pride reserves the right to reject or modify any application as deemed necessary. Because of time/space limitations, the number of units will be limited. The selection committee is looking for variety and show. Applicants are encouraged to develop a unit plan that will engage the crowd. Some suggested activities: music, chants, dancing, acrobatics, costumes/themes, bubbles, water sprayers/misters, roller skates/scooters, remote control vehicles, bicycles, instruments, etc. Please be as detailed as possible in your application to increase your chances of being selected.

2024 Aurora Pride Grand Marshal Nominations are Now Open!

🌈 As we gear up for Aurora Pride 2024, we're thrilled to announce that nominations for the prestigious role of Grand Marshal are officially OPEN! 🎉

Do you know someone who embodies the spirit of Pride? Someone whose passion for equality, advocacy, and empowerment shines brightly in everything they do? 🌟 Now is the perfect moment to shine the spotlight on them and honor their contributions to our vibrant community! 🌈

Whether it's a fierce activist, a dedicated volunteer, an inspiring artist, or a beloved ally, we want to hear about those remarkable individuals who inspire us to stand tall and proud! 💖

To nominate someone for the esteemed role of 2024 Aurora Pride Grand Marshal, simply follow the link below with their name and a brief explanation of why you believe they deserve this incredible honor.

Let's make sure our Grand Marshal reflects the diversity, strength, and beauty of Aurora's LGBTQ+ community! 🌈

Make your nomination before May 1st, by CLICKING HERE.

2024 Aurora Pride Parade Float Competition

2024 Aurora Pride Parade Float Competition

The next Aurora Pride Parade is on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, and we have some news!

We wanted to step things up a bit for next year, and we hope you’ll join us. We love all the marching units that participate every year; groups walking, performance groups, vehicles, etc. One category we’ve noticed has declined somewhat has been floats, and we’d love to see more of them! To that end, we’re announcing the 2024 Aurora Pride Parade Float Competition!

“What’s a float? I know it when I see it.” - Justice Potter Stewart, probably

So what do we consider a float? For our purposes, a float is a mobile build that goes beyond a simple vehicle. So a pickup truck isn’t a float, but one could be built in the bed or on a trailer. A float could be built around a car. It needn’t be motorized; it could be pulled by people or pedaled. It also needs to be safe; it must hold the people on it securely, and it needs to be controlled, with steering and brakes with which to safely navigate the parade route. It must also comply with the usual parade rules.

It also needs to be fabulous! For parade floats, more is usually more.

The theme this year is Prom.

When you’ve largely decided on your design, submit a description and any sketches with our online form. We’ll take a look and make sure it meets our definition of a safe float, and make suggestions if it doesn’t. Once it’s approved, you can start building!

Approved floats will be allowed early access to the staging area to complete final assembly.

After the parade, we’ll post pictures of all entries and let the community vote. There will be prizes for the winners, along with bragging rights.

We know a float isn’t something everyone can do, or is interested in doing. We’ll also have a separate prize for best non-float marching unit. Every non-float unit that marches will be automatically eligible.

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