Douglas C. Pizac | Associated Press Eric Alva

Because of the June 1969 Stonewall riots in New York, a watershed moment for the gay-rights movement, June has been celebrated as Gay Pride Month in cities across the nation. San Antonio is no exception. Here are a few ways to participate:

“QUÉ QUEER! SAN ANTONIO!”

The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center has often held art exhibits by gay or lesbian artists, shown films about gay or lesbian issues and been host to shows by gay or lesbian performers. But for this year's Pride Month and the center's 20th anniversary, the staff decided to go all out and celebrate all things gay and lesbian in San Antonio.

“Qué Queer! San Antonio!” traces the history of the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with visual art, ephemera and photographs from organizations and individuals.

There are programs, posters and T-shirts from the Alamo City Men's Chorale. There are photographs and mementos from PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). There's a board from the San Antonio AIDS Foundation where visitors can post their memories about AIDS victims. There are clippings, political buttons, invitations, matchbooks, bumper stickers, pageant banners and more.

“It's going to be like walking into a living scrapbook of history and herstory, a his-and-her heritage of the San Antonio queer community,” said Penny Boyer, who calls herself the “queerator” of the exhibit.

Also on display will be visual art by Anna-Marie Lopez, Franco Mondini, David Zamora Casas, Anel Flores and others.

Organizers hope to educate visitors about a part of San Antonio that they believe is underappreciated.

“There has been a presence of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the city. There is a strong history of people struggling for inclusion and dignity,” Boyer said.

PRIDEFEST

If there's one thing you should know about Pridefest this year, it's that you don't have to be gay to attend.

“We're making it a point to open it up to the family. It's not strictly a gay event. We're encouraging the whole community to come out and enjoy the festival,” said Chris Nombrana of Pridefest. “To me, it's basically really celebrating who I am, not being ashamed of who I am, and this is a way of showing our pride in who we are.”

The annual celebration, which has been going on for more than 20 years, will celebrate the gay community with live music by Open Chapter, Groove Line and Kari; a pet pageant and costume contest presided over by Luke, the golden retriever from the Fairmount Hotel; a wine-tasting; an interfaith service; a health fair; food and drink booths; and raffles.

There also will be a moon bounce, face-painting and kids' entertainment.

A highlight will be the finals for Pride Idol, a take on “American Idol.” Winners (gay and straight) of four preliminary singing competitions will be vying for prizes.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor