Sounds like a Revolution: Flagstaff Pride '25
- Quick Kay
- 7 hours ago
- 8 min read
We are turning the corner into Pride Weekend here in Flagstaff, Arizona, and I find myself reflecting on the songs and artists that created a haven for me when I didn’t yet know how to exist as a queer person. Lady Gaga’s 2011 release of “Born This Way” found me at the typically insecure age of 15. As I cliche-ly laugh, I admit: Gaga, one of this generation’s most beloved allies, was the first voice to really impress upon me that queerness isn’t just okay, it’s powerful, exciting, and absolutely worth celebrating.
On the other side of celebration lives a different voice–angry, confused, and aching for equality. That voice found fuel in the sounds of uprising and resistance, thanks to the riot grrrl movement and bands like Tribe 8, Babes in Toyland, Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney. These bands didn’t just give me something to scream along to–they made me want to throw rocks, push back, and take up space–unapologetically.
Everyone has their own unique musical soundtrack, but queer music history beats strongest through the groundbreaking work of QTPOC—queer and trans people of color—who have been the driving force behind both sound and resistance. From sparking the Stonewall Riots (thank you, Marsha P. Johnson & Sylvia Rivera) to reshaping pop culture, QTPOC artists have shared their art and truth without apology, making music a tool for survival and celebration. Let’s share a moment of gratitude for legends like Gladys Bentley, Sylvester, Grace Jones, Jackie Shane, Frankie Knuckles, Big Freedia—and deep love to the ballroom icons of the late ’80s and early ’90s: Octavia St. Laurent, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza. Whether as fuel for uprising or the heartbeat of the dance floor, music has always been—and will always be—a vital part of our revolution.
So, as a wave of Pride events rolls into town this weekend, I reached out to a handful of Arizona-based creatives—beautiful, inspiring folks here in Flagstaff who live their truth not just in June, but every single day. I asked them to share their personal Pride anthems; songs that spark joy, ignite action, or hold space for both. Listen along with the Sounds Like a Revolution: Flagstaff Pride '25 playlist, and be sure to check out Quick Kay’s Pride Dancefloor Mix for my own picks to keep you movin’ and groovin’ through the rest of Pride Month.
Once you're ready to celebrate with these picks and playlists, check out Downtown Flagstaff’s growing list of most of the Pride events happening into the end of June, including the Deadlifts, Donuts & Drag party at Evolve on June 28 at 9am.
Artist Anthems
DJ Quick Kay | Flagstaff, AZ | “Androgynous” by Joan Jett
“Joan’s take on the classic Replacements’ tune is cozy, comforting, and overthrows the entire concept that is gender. It doesn’t matter, it’s just love…cool, queer, androgynous love”.
Find Quick Kay at Planet Pride at the Dark Sky Brewing Beer Garden, this Saturday, June 21 spinning tunes and running sound on and off from 10am til’ 9pm.
Jean Jacket | He/Him | Flagstaff, AZ | “Red Wine Supernova” (Baby Weight Remix) by Chappell Roan
“I experience queer joy the most in moments when I am in a space that is beyond just accepting, but integrating and loving. I had the pleasure of catching VNSSA play Baby Weight’s remix last year at Desert Hearts festival & I was in pure bliss. The crowd felt like family. Sharing that love with my partner, Jared, to the backdrop of that song just took me to elevated heights of feeling seen and loved; it was a powerful moment.”
Find Jean Jacket this Friday night 6/20 at Firecreek After Dark at 8pm, Saturday 6/21 at Planet Pride at the Dark Sky Brewing Beer Garden at 11am, and Desert Hearts July 3-7 at Playa Ponderosa.
“The simultaneous acceptance of an ever-changing future and power to make our dreams reality is the essence of queer identity.”
Find IIWA at Pride in Heritage Square this Saturday, June 21, with live music starting at 2pm.
Lennon Moss, Beaux Vine | Any/All | Flagstaff, AZ | “Francesca” by Hozier
“Loving who you want to love and being unapologetic about it, which is how I will always live my life as a proud queer person.”
Find Beaux hosting their very own “Legen-Dairy” drag pop-up at Yogaert this Wednesday, June 18 at 7pm, on Saturday, June 21 Pride in Heritage Square starting at noon, then Planet Pride at the Dark Sky Brewing Beer Garden at 2pm.
Mo’Kohete/Mateo | He/Him | Albuquerque, NM | “Rainbow” by Dodie
“I love that this song served as a way for me to come out when I finally left home, for a while it was my home and for that I’m grateful.”
Find Mo’Kohete on Saturday 6/21 for Pride at Heritage Square starting at noon then at Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 2pm.
Revelucien | Anything Respectful | Flagstaff, AZ | “Xcuse Me (Where Are My Sunglasses?)” by Franklin Fuentes
“It’s silly, pretty hidden online, and makes me super joyful. It’s about nothing and everything and makes me feel great.”
Find Revelucien at Cornicopia on Friday 6/20 at Cornish 9pm, Saturday 6/21 at Pride at Heritage Square at noon, Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 3pm, and their Pride Pole Party the Monte Vista at 9pm…and you might as well follow their socials because this girl is BOOKED!
Joe Baby | He/Him | Tucson, AZ | “If It Wasn’t For The Nights” by Abba
“Definitely one that I think of when I've been out having late nights, whether it's long nights of drag, work, or spending time with those around me, sometimes those nights catch up to you.”
Find Joe Baby at Cornicopia on Friday 6/20 at Cornish 9p and on Saturday 6/21 for Pride at Heritage Square starting at noon then at Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 4pm.
“I hear Amy singing in a yearning and very bi way to a woman who’s caught up in comphet (happens to the best of us).”
Find io moth at the High in the Pines fest starting on October 22.
Cynthia Frenczek & all members of The Pübes | She/Her | Phoenix, AZ | “Secret Handshake” by The Pübes
“Our protest anthem of sorts. Screaming ‘I AM GAY!’ at the end feels liberating, anger, joy, and all sorts of emotions. Hearing people scream it with us brings down walls around who is or is not a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and brings us all into the celebration and RIOT that Pride is and should be!”
Find The Pübes this Saturday, June 21 at Planet Pride at the Dark Sky Brewing Beer Garden, they play 7-9pm.
Miasma | She/Her | Flagstaff, AZ | “Do You Realize” by The Flaming Lips
“A reminder that we are all beautiful, and that we need to seize every moment we can to show our love and appreciation for each other, because tomorrow is never promised.”
Find Miasma at Cornicopia on Friday 6/20 at Cornish 9pm, and on Saturday 6/21 Pride at Heritage Square starting at noon, Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 5pm, then at Revel’s Pride Pole Party the Monte Vista at 9pm…and again, you might as well follow Miasma on insta if you really want to keep up!
Lilith Gore | She/They | Flagstaff, AZ | “It’s Okay To Cry” by SOPHIE and “Constance” by Spiritbox
“[It’s Okay To Cry” is] An incredible homage to queer people because the message here is that it’s okay to be who you are and there will always be people who love you for that.”
“While this song [“Constance”] isn’t directly catered to queer people, it helped me through a dark time when I was learning to love and accept myself for who I was, it has this power over me that allows me to push for what I dream.”
Find Lilith on Saturday 6/21 Pride at Heritage Square starting at noon and Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 5pm.
Jason Libby, Glamlad Cometh | He/Him out-of-drag; It/She/He in-drag | Flagstaff, AZ | “Small Red Boy” by AJJ
“Describes the journey of self-acceptance as nurturing a ‘small red boy inside my tummy’ who grows into an all-consuming devil proclaiming I am the truth.’ To me, this song speaks to the often shared trans and queer experience of noticing one’s vulnerable and honest self buried and demonized by preconceptions, and choosing to cultivate that self and watch it grow and bloom.”
Find Glamlad at Cornicopia on Friday 6/20 at Cornish 9pm, and on Saturday 6/21 Pride at Heritage Square starting at noon then Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 6pm.
Gwendolin Cometh | Any in drag | Flagstaff, AZ | “Wind of Change” by The Scorpions
“An anthem for positive change, the first time I heard it I felt inspired to make change and fight for my community and it’ll be what I’m performing for Pride!”
Find Gwen at Cornicopia on Friday 6/20 at Cornish 9pm, and on Saturday 6/21 at Pride in Heritage Square starting at noon, Planet Pride at Dark Sky Brewing at 7pm, then at Revel’s Pride Pole Party the Monte Vista at 9pm.
Snailmate (Kalen & Bentley) | He/Him | Phoenix, AZ | “Red Riot” by The Pübes
“It’s hard to pick just one song from The Pübes, they are a queer band who aren’t afraid to talk about things that might be taboo. Plus they are hilarious. I (Bentley) grew up listening to them and they will forever be a local favorite ”.
Find Snailmate on July 11 at Yucca North with Cam Girl (Ashville, NC) and James Brown Band Band (Flagstaff, AZ) for a FREE rock show. 8pm doors.
Molecule | She/Her | Flagstaff, AZ | “Girl Crush” by Boyz Noize & Rico Nasty and “Dingaling” by Greentea Peng
“The dirty basslines [in “Girl Crush”] hit deep in the body — total root chakra activation — and the lyrics strike that sweet spot of queer angst and euphoric defiance. After spending years denying my love for women, this track became my personal soundtrack for liberation. It's gritty, sexy, and unapologetically bold.”
“This track [“Dingaling”] is a slow-dripping love spell — soft, playful, and drenched in sensuality. It reminds me of the sweetness and soul-nurturing warmth of loving women. Embracing our sexuality and gender expression is a holy fight.”
Find Molecule hosting Twilight Sessions — a mini festival of art, music, and dancing delight — at White Dove Coffee in Flagstaff, 5–9 p.m. on July 18 and August 29. Come dance your face off and still be in bed by 10pm.
Sonni Side Up | Hopi & Dinè | “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode
“The verse about ‘reach out and touch faith’ was about calling someone who knew and understood about me coming out without any judgment.. Knowing the fact that I came from a religious background, I would not be shamed for coming out Gay to the world. ‘Someone to hear my prayers & someone who cares’ – the song, for me, was my own personal Jesus.”
Find the founder of “The Bat Cave”, Sonni Side Up at the Pride Edition of Batcave this Saturday night, 6/21 at 9pm at Firecreek Afterdark with DJ Bear Cole & DJ Franky.
DeLano Hays | She/He/They | Flagstaff, AZ | “Take Your Mama” by Scissor Sisters and “I Am What I Am” by George Hearn, Original Broadcast of La Cage Aux Folles
“My gut reaction is ‘Take Your Mama’ by Scissor Sister. It's been my go-to karaoke song for 15 years. It's the ultimate song about coming out when you don't really know how, and I just love that it's someone taking their mother along for a queer night out to solve that problem. Plus, it's an absolute banger that you can't help but sing and dance along to.”
“I don't think there's any other song [aside from “I Am What I Am”] that makes me feel so proud to just BE. There's such an expectation when you say that you're queer - how you act, how you dress, etc - but ultimately, the most important part is that you are allowed to just be your own unique self and whatever that means to you.”
Find DeLano at Stargazer’s “We Have Dog Sees God: Tales of a Teenage Blockhead” playing at the Coconino Center for the Arts October 3-12.
Nia Setteducato | Any/All | Gilbert, AZ | “Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie
“Taught me the beauty of nonconformity, of “not [being] sure if you’re a boy or a girl,” in causing a stir, in confusion, and that I can still find love and friendship amongst the outcasts and misfits.”
Find Nia at a Stargazer Collaborative Theatre event at some point in the future.
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