‘It’s about community’: Virginia Pridefest celebrates unity, visibility in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Thousands of people filled Midtown Green for Virginia Pridefest, transforming the space into a sea of rainbow flags, live music, food and hundreds of vendors.

This year marks the 46th year, the annual celebration is taking place and is both a cornerstone of Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community and a reminder of the power of visibility during challenging times.

The festival was held Saturday, Sept. 27 at Midtown Green formerly known as the Bon Secours Training Center.

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“This moment feels different,” VA Pride Director James Millner said. “The attacks on the LGBTQ community, particularly trans folks, have really ramped up. We are here, we are strong, and we are not going anywhere.”

This year’s Pridefest was filled with more than two dozen events across Richmond, from cultural showcases and drag performances to sporting events.

“We had a fantastic series of events throughout the summer… more than two dozen, from cultural events to sporting events to drag shows, you name it, we did it,” Millner said.

Organizers also introduced new additions this year, including an LGBTQ-themed hotel room at the Quirk Hotel and the first-ever Virginia Pride Honors, an event recognizing trailblazers who paved the way for future generations.

For Luka Laurent, recently crowned Mr. Virginia Pride 2025, Pridefest is personal. He began as an attendee, later took the stage as a performer, and now holds one of the festival’s most visible titles.

“I think now, more than ever with our current political climate, it is really important to have an outspoken voice… because if I don’t, then I fear that nobody else will,” Laurent said. “Being yourself is the most influential and the best possible version of yourself that you can be.”

Longtime Virginia Pride board member Cheezi Farmer, who also works with Diversity Richmond and Black Pride RVA, said the festival is as much about everyday life as it is about a single weekend.

“For me, it’s about community,” Farmer said. “We live, work and breathe in this community just like everyone else. We just want to live our lives and enjoy our lives.”

With more than 250 vendors and dozens of corporate sponsors backing the event, organizers say Pridefest has become an important platform for advocacy and inclusion.

“To folks in our community who are feeling isolated, alone, under attack, what I want those folks to know is that there is a huge community, both LGBTQ and ally, that support you,” Millner said. “We are not going anywhere.”

Despite the weather, the energy of the festival didn’t waver as attendees marched, danced, and celebrated throughout the day.

From rainbow flags waving over the crowds to the sound of music carrying across the green, Virginia Pridefest 2025 stood as both a celebration and a statement: Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community is visible, unified, and here to stay.

You can find all upcoming Diversity Richmond events here.