Small Business Focus: Celebrating Local BizPride

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. While this year’s Pride may look a little different than previous years with many local events taking place virtually, there are still elements that many will recognize, including a Colorful Pride Mobile Parade happening this Saturday.

Many local businesses in Arlington have already started showing their support by updating their social media profiles with a rainbow flag, a symbol of LGBTQ+ Pride. (We see you, Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee!) For our Small Business Focus, we wanted to take an opportunity to highlight some events and initiatives local businesses are hosting for Pride Month.

First up, Bash Boxing, an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, is hosting a Bash Pride Celebration on June 11 at 6 p.m. at their Rosslyn location — a 60-minute class coached by founder Alex Trakas. The Bash team will be on-site raising funds and awareness for the Capital Pride Alliance.

 

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Next, we’ve got Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, Northern Virginia’s only gay bar. Freddie’s has been a fixture on 23rd Street for more than 20 years and has always been a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Their events for Pride include Drag Bingo this evening, Freddie’s Follies Drag Show on Saturday and Drag Brunch on Sunday. In addition to these events, they also will be hosting additional events throughout June — follow their Facebook page to learn more.

And speaking of Freddie’s… The National Landing BID is teaming up with Painted Palettes to create a work of art that celebrates Freddie’s. This limited-edition print is available for pre-order with 50% of the proceeds going directly to AGLA.

 

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For those seeking something sweet to celebrate Pride, Kingsbury Chocolates developed a pride-themed chocolate, infused with a candied citrus blend of orange and lemon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance (AGLA), a local nonprofit working to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

 

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Finally, VIDA Fitness, one of the region’s premier health and fitness clubs, has always been a staunch advocate of equality and supportive of LGBTQ+ inclusion. On June 12, five years since the tragedy at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, VIDA Fitness is partnering with Everytown for Gun Safety on a live stream to reflect on the progress made, honor the lives lost and recommit to honoring them with action.

Learn more about VIDA’s commitment to the LGBTQ + community by checking out the recent Ballston Connect Podcast.

June 12th will mark five years since the tragedy at Pulse nightclub, we are partnering with @Everytown to reflect on the progress made, grieve the lives taken, and recommit to honoring them with action. #RememberPulse https://t.co/OV7mxgIlpQ

— VIDA Fitness (@VIDAFitnessDC) June 4, 2021

Have a favorite business that you like to support during Pride Month? Let us know in the comments, and from all of us at BizLaunch we wish you a happy Pride Month.