Moe Hayward poses with accessories during a Neon Bear Glow Party at MJ’s Tavern in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

This year’s Hampton Roads Pride brought together the LGBTQ+ community and its allies for a monthlong packed calendar of events. While many of these events focused on celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, there was an element of urgency that more work needs to be done for the community to survive and thrive outside of Pride Month. Drag queens are facing threats to their livelihoods with anti-drag legislation sweeping the country.

Landon Burford, left, and Joy Martinez share a kiss after their surprise wedding on the clubstage at Hampton Roads PrideFest at Town Point Park in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Drag queen and reality television personality Mo Heart performs on the mainstage at Hampton Roads PrideFest at Town Point Park in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Mo Heart has been featured as a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Neo Patterson, 14, of Virginia Beach, Va., poses at the Ghent Pride Party in Norfolk, Va. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Patterson came out as omnisexual three years prior. “Pride means embracing who you are as a person.” (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Mia Knowles-Davis, of Hampton, Va., center, dances at the Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival in Hampton, Va. on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

People dance on the first floor of NorVa's Studio 54 PrideFest Block Party in Norfolk, Va. on Friday, June 23, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Hampton Roads drag queen Lola Monroe dances during the Fushia and Friends performance at NorVa's Studio 54 PrideFest Block Party in Norfolk, Va. on Friday, June 23, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

A background dancer for drag queen Mo Heart performs a flip on the mainstage at Hampton Roads PrideFest at Town Point Park in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Hampton Roads drag queen Lola Monroe, right, applies makeup in a dressing room with drag queen Gillette Belladonna before performing at NorVa's Studio 54 PrideFest Block Party in Norfolk, Va. on Friday, June 23, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

From left: Husbands Bill Fearnside and Kirk Burgess spend time with Pam Montegue (center) at Hampton Roads PrideFest at Town Point Park in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The pair has been friends with Montegue for 40 years. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Hampton Roads drag queen Chanel performs at a Neon Bear Glow Party at MJ’s Tavern in Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)

Nonbinary artist Jay Spears poses on the first floor of NorVa's Studio 54 PrideFest Block Party in Norfolk, Va. on Friday, June 23, 2023. (Tess Crowley / The Virginian-Pilot)