In the past, the month of June was a beacon for queer people everywhere as shops, streets and social media pages fill up with rainbows for Pride month…but in 2020 everything paused.

This year, Traverse City’s Up North Pride celebration has been moved to October to keep queers and allies healthy and safe, with plenty of time for COVID vaccinations. The event will be a festive, fun-packed week starting Wednesday, Oct. 13 and wrapping up with the Big Gay Brunch on Oct. 17.

Up North Pride organizers have been working hard to celebrate Traverse City’s queer community with a beautiful celebration of love that no pandemic could squash. This week's issue of the Northern Express, sister publication of The Ticker, gives an overview of three key events to check out this week, including the Visibility March, Comedy Show, and Pride Picnic. The Northern Express is available to read online, or pick up a free copy on newsstands at nearly 700 spots in 14 counties across northern Michigan.