News Summary
The annual Oxford Pride Week 2025 has begun, themed ‘Defying Gravity!’ with a series of events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Highlights include the Oxford Pride Parade on May 3 and various gatherings throughout the week. The parade will honor the Justice for Jay Lee advocacy group and will feature events like Lavender Graduation and a Pride Drag Show, promoting inclusivity and community support.
Oxford, Mississippi – The annual Oxford Pride Week 2025 kicked off on Sunday, April 27, with a vibrant lineup of events celebrating inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community. This year’s festivities are themed “Defying Gravity!” and will culminate in the highly anticipated Oxford Pride Parade taking place on Saturday, May 3.
The parade will serve as a highlight of the weeklong celebration. It is scheduled to begin gathering participants at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with the parade stepping off at 2 p.m. The route will start and end at the Oxford-University Depot, traveling up University Avenue, turning left onto Lamar Boulevard, circling the historic Courthouse Square, continuing down Jackson Avenue, and returning to the Depot. Members of the public are encouraged to join by marching in the parade or supporting from the sidelines.
This year, the honorary Grand Marshal is the Justice for Jay Lee community advocacy group, recognized for their steadfast support of LGBTQ+ rights and efforts seeking justice for Jay Lee, an Ole Miss student tragically killed in 2022. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy the Pride on the Plaza event from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ole Miss Student Union Plaza, and a Pride Drag Show fundraiser will be held later at The Lyric starting at 8 p.m.
Events throughout Pride Week include several meaningful gatherings and celebrations. Highlights include the Annual Lavender Graduation Ceremony set for Wednesday, April 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ole Miss Student Union Ballroom, which will honor LGBTQ+ students. Additionally, there will be a Queerly Beloved: Pride Celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oxford on April 27 at 10:30 a.m., and an interfaith gathering hosted by the Queer Interfaith Alliance at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church from 2 to 3 p.m.
For entertainment enthusiasts, the week features a “Very Wicked Screening” of the movie “Wicked” on Monday, April 28, in the LGBTQ+ Lounge. Other scheduled events include a poster-making night with the UM Pride Network, a performance by artists Julien Baker and TORRES, and discussions on important topics such as Sexual Wellness & Healthy Relationships, with various activities spread across the week.
In addition to activities in Oxford, the town of Water Valley will also host pride events. Sherry Cothren will have a book signing and performance scheduled for May 2 at the Violet Valley Bookstore, and earlier on May 3, a Pride in the Valley event will showcase various LGBTQ+-owned businesses from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. before the Oxford parade.
Tickets for the Pride Drag Show are priced at $20 for UM students and $25 for non-students in general admission, with VIP tickets available for $40 for students and $50 for non-students. Day-of tickets for the drag show will match the general admission pricing, while VIP tickets will not be available for purchase on Saturday.
The Oxford Pride events organized by Outgrads and the UM PRIDE Network aim to foster inclusivity and visibility in the community, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals. Community members can also support Pride Week and ongoing LGBTQ+ programming by contributing to the LGBTQ Arts, Culture, and Community Development Fund through the University of Mississippi Foundation.
As the week progresses, Oxford Pride Week 2025 promises not just to celebrate but also to honor the contributions and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, culminating in a parade that embodies the spirit of defiance and pride.
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Additional Resources
- Oxford Eagle: Oxford Pride Week 2025 Celebrates with Parade & Community Events
- Google Search: Oxford Pride Week 2025
- The Daily Mississippian: Oxford Pride 2025 Defies Gravity with Week-Long Festivities
- Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in the United States
- The Daily Mississippian: Code Pink Oxford Spotlights New Performers with First Open Stage Drag Show
- Google News: Oxford Mississippi
- Oxford Eagle: Best of Oxford 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ Community
- The Daily Mississippian: Oxford Conference for the Book Brings Together the Oxford Literary Scene
- Google Scholar: LGBTQ Events
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