The capital of - and largest city in - the state of Iowa, Des Moines has taken on a much higher profile in the ongoing battle for gay rights, since the state surprised many observes by legalizing gay marriage in 2009. Des Moines is a moderate city politically, but there is a sizable and quite visible gay community here. The city celebrates Capital City Gay Pride each year over three days in early to mid-June - the dates this year had not yet been officially confirmed but are expected to be June 8 to 10, 2013 (based on last year's event).
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Des Moines during Gay Pride.
More on Des Moines Pride 2013 will be added here when details are finalized. Here's a look at last year's Pride:
Des Moines' Capital City Gay Pride comprises a Street Party at 5 pm on Saturday, headlined by Mark Ortega and Beverly McClellan; a Pancake Breakfast, Pride Parade, and PrideFest (with an appearance by Zach Wahls) throughout Sunday; and a Gay Day at the city's Adventureland amusement park on Monday. There's also a Pride Scavenger Hunt on Friday of Pride Weekend, and a variety of performers, musicians, and comics appear during PrideFest.
Additionally, numerous bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Weekend. Check Accessline, Iowa's LGBT newspaper, for more on the Des Moines gay scene. Also take a look at the helpful visitor site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.
