Where furries were at for pride this year

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Across the world, furries celebrated Pride Month by marching with their local furry communities in pride parades. From Portland, Maine, to Seattle, Washington, furries showed up, donning their fursuits in the summer heat. Some tempted heatstroke wearing their full fursuit. With a fandom that had an explosion of growth during the Covid pandemic, more furries are participating now in local groups than ever before.

Most furries openly identify themselves as LGBTQ+ to an overwhelming degree, according to data from Furscience, an organization that does research in and on the furry fandom, with surveys including questions on sex and gender self-identification. One survey from earlier this year asked 869 furries online and at three conventions a slew of questions, including the self-identifications.

The results—not yet published but shared with Flayrah—show that 86.3% of furries are, in some form or another, LGBTQ+. In the survey, a mere 14.9% of respondents identified their sexuality as heterosexual, making them a minority in the fandom. Additionally, 73.2% and 9.6% of respondents identified as cisgender men and women, respectively. (The survey allowed for respondents to select multiple options, and participants could have reported, for example, to be both a trans man and a cis man.)

At the pride parades this year, even those who are allies participated. This is a list of them in which a furry organization participated in for June 2026, listed alphabetically by city. Organizers were asked about being in the parade, and their responses are included if they responded. Some organizations marched in two parades, and both are listed. Let us know if we’ve missed anything, and we’ll update this article.

Albany, New York (Eufuria)

Furries with Eufuria went to Albany Pride on the 14th to march in the parade, and had a booth afterwards. A furry marcher was captured in a photograph by Tyler A. McNeil for the Times Union.

“The crowd loved to see us, from the start of the parade to afterward during the festival,” Eufuria board member Kip wrote. “With record numbers, the parade route was long! We walked in the heat for over an hour, but the energy in the air was electric. Our efforts weren't in vain as Eufuria's group earned the Judy Garland Award for Best Use of Color!”

Asbury, New Jersey (PSFurmeets)

Furries went to Asbury Park, New Jersey, to celebrate pride on the 7th, coordinated by PS Furmeets. They marched with Project R.E.A.L., a New Jersey LGBTQ center. Some were captured by News 12 NJ wandering in the background of one of their videos, and more prominently in the Asbury Park Press. The Press also captured a photo of the group marching.

“So for the past 3 years we have been invited to march with an organization we support and where we sometimes organize our art jams at in Asbury Park,” Pawsouls, who PS Furmeets is named for, wrote in a direct message. “We had a way bigger turnout this year than past years which made the parade feel a whole lot more fuzzy on our end”.

Baltimore, Maryland (Shutterpaws, Fur the ‘More)

The Baltimore furry convention Fur the ‘More and photography group Shutterpaws attended the Baltimore pride parade in Maryland on the 13th. Shutterpaws also hosted an afterparty at a brewery.

“The Baltimore City Pride parade is an incredibly uplifting experience,” Kitra Drago, the convention chair of Fur the ‘More, wrote in an email. “What makes it special is witnessing such overwhelming support for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially during challenging times. The event uniquely transitions directly into a vibrant block party afterward, where attendees can connect with local food vendors and enjoy time together in a celebration-centered space.”

“The Baltimore Pride was an absolute blast to be a part of and march in,” Shutterpaws’ secretary Rory wrote in a direct message. “The most unusual thing that turned out to be a completely pleasant surprise was how well received our contingent was and the enthusiasm shown to us was just electric. Groups upon groups cheered and screamed in absolute delight when they realized who we were and what we represented.”

The two furry groups had planned separately to have entries in the parade, and eventually joined together for a “unified furry contingent instead of splitting our communities into separate entries,” Kitra wrote. Rory added that “Shutterpaws primarily handled logistics such as hydration, flags, and other quality of life stuff to help make the event go smoothly. … It was an absolute pleasure to work with them and I foresee us working together in the future.”

Boston, Massachusetts (Anthro New England)

Anthro New England went to Boston Pride for the People on the 6th. They also had a booth after the parade, on the Boston Common. NBC Boston 10 published a photo of a person wearing ears and a tail (photo 17). CBS News twice had a few seconds of furries in a news clip.

It was “a lovely event and I'm consistently impressed by the ability of the organizers and Boston Pride for the People staff for managing such a busy and hectic event,” wrote Camille Lee-Fitzgerald, secretary on the board of directors at Anthro New England, in an email. “Anthro New England is proud to march in our home city, showing our proud [sic] loudly!”
He added: “Boston's Pride parade route is a grueling one, so we also want to thank all our marchers for their participation, muscling through that 3 mile walk in 80 degree heat to show Greater Boston a little bit of the fun we have here at ANE.”

Columbus, Ohio (AnthrOhio)

AnthrOhio came down to Columbus, Ohio, on the 20th to march and have a booth at Stonewall Columbus Pride. A photo of furries in full fursuit was captured by John Hulkenberg at the Columbus Dispatch. Furry apparel company Pawstar also boothed at the festival. The convention did not respond to a request for comment.

Frederick, Maryland (Shutterpaws, Fur the ‘More)

The Baltimore furry convention Fur the ‘More and photography group Shutterpaws attended the Frederick pride parade in Maryland on the 26th. Shutterpaws also hosted a dinner afterparty. The Frederick News-Post captured two photos of some furries that day.

FurAfinnity was one of the sponsors of the festival, and had a booth there. Since 2023, the host of the event, The Frederick Center, has been the charity of the convention Fur the ‘More. “Frederick Pride's parade is a newer tradition, only running parades for a couple of years,” Kitra Drago, the convention chair wrote in an email, “but it brings remarkable energy and community enthusiasm despite being smaller than Baltimore.”

Compared to Baltimore Pride, “Frederick Pride was a completely different vibe—it was more relaxed and laid back,” Shutterpaws’ secretary Rory wrote in a direct message. “I suppose that had something to do with it being on a workday evening as compared to a weekend midday event.” They added that “It was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely participate in Frederick Pride again.”

Fur the ‘More’s “involvement began in 2019 through a partnership with the [sic] The Frederick Center, when one of our volunteers connected us to participate in their festival booth program,” Kitra wrote.

Manchester, New Hampshire (Barks and Rec)

Barks and Rec, the organizing group behind bimonthly kink night Prowl, went to Manchester, New Hampshire, and marched in the pride parade. Barks and Rec did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Pawstar)

Furry apparel company Pawstar hosted furries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 7th to walk in the pride parade. “This year's pride parade had a great turnout,” Fox Grace, the CFO of Pawstar wrote to Flayrah in an email. “The weather was beautiful for a parade day and we had an even bigger turnout of fursuiters to walk with us this year!”

New York City, New York (NYC Furmeets)

The New York City pride parade, on the 28th, was held by NYC Furmeets. It was sponsored by Furpocalypse, two other local furry groups, Montclair State Furry Club, and Stevens Furry Club. Perennial Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, a known lover of cats, happened to cross paths with the marchers outside of the parade itself. NYC Furmeets held an informal dinner after the march. NYC Furmeets did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Disclosure: the author of this article writes the blog posts for the group, as a regular attendee.)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Steel City Pups/Yinzfur)

Furries with Steel City Pups and Yinzfur came down to Pittsburg pride on the 7th. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is where Anthrocon is held, but the convention did not participate.

“The event went very well, our panning team was a mix of furries and people from the pet play community,” Don Lupercal, one of the organizers, wrote in a direct message. “Day of the parade we had between 150 and 200 furs & pups attend our section and made sure we marched side by side to show unity between the two communities as Anthros!”

Portland, Maine (Furcationland)

Furcationland went to Pride Portland in Maine on the 20th, and had a booth on display afterwards. The Portland Press Herald reported that some “even dressed as animals (known as ‘furries’)” in an article about the parade. A photographer at the Press Herald, Brianna Soukup, captured the Furcationland group amidst a sea of marchers.

Pride Portland “is certainly unique,” Kovu the Husky wrote in an email. “Furcationland has been marching in the parade since 2023, and we've been running with a parade float for two years now. Our contingent seems to be growing quite fast year over year, too - we've gone from just a couple dozen marchers to what appears to be approaching 100 participants!”

Kovu added: “Most unique of all is the festival in Deering Oaks Park. It's quite a vibe itself with live music and booths from tons of communities and nonprofits. We sell our merchandise there, which helps cover our costs for participating in Pride. Having a presence at the festival also gives us a great opportunity to chat with attendees, help them understand what we represent, and promote our charity.”

Providence, Rhode Island (Rhode Island Furs)

On the 19th, Rhode Island Furs marched in the Providence pride festival. A fursuiter was briefly captured in a WJAR video. The group acknowledged a request for comment.

Rapid City, South Dakota (SD Furs)

On the 6th, South Dakota Furries marched in the Rapid City pride parade. Their float made it in to the nightly newscast for KOTA-TV for a few seconds.

The Rapid City contingency of SD Furs enjoyed “having the opportunity to participate in their side of the state’s pride festival and parade and spread the word about furries in South Dakota,” Miggs, event coordinator for the east side of South Dakota, told Flayrah in an email.

Salem, Massachusetts (Anthro New England, Furcationland)

Anthro New England also went to Salem, Massachusetts, for North Shore Pride with Furcationland. “We were delighted to partner and share a float with our friends at Furcationland, decorated to highlight both our cons' next event theming,” Camille Lee-Fitzgerald, secretary on the board of directors at Anthro New England, wrote in an email. He added that “we were floored by the amount of support the community came to show us - the event was an amazing success and we couldn't have done it without our dedicated staff and volunteer marchers.”

Kovu the Husky wrote to Flayrah that the parade “was a great time and we’re looking forward to working with ANE again!”

San Francisco (NorCal Furries)

NorCal Furries came to San Francisco pride parade on the 28th. They were photographed by an uncredited photographer for ABC-7 (photo 72). The group could not be reached for comment.

Seattle, Washington

Furries came to Seattle pride parade on the 28th. Furries were captured in photographs by Megan Farmer for KUOW. The organizers could not be reached for comment.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (SD Furs)

On the 13th, South Dakota Furries marched in the Sioux Falls pride parade. The group was protographed by Vanessa Carlson Bender for the Argus Leader.

“This years’ Sioux Falls parade took place in the busiest road of our downtown area, spanning the length of our downtown,” Miggs, event coordinator for the east side of South Dakota, told Flayrah in an email. “The atmosphere is cheery, playful, and joyous as we celebrate as a community and use the event to advertise that there are furries in our relatively small neck of the woods.”

“It was beautiful to see the community of people in a very red state show up to celebrate Pride,” they added. “It’s something that’s important to us dearly because of the politics of South Dakota as a whole.”

Syracuse, New York (Eufuria)

The day before going to Albany, New York, furries with Eufuria marched in the CNY (Central New York) Pride parade. Two photos of their group were captured by Chloe Trofatter for Syracuse.com.

“Pride for me, first and foremost, is about community,” Eufuria board member Kip wrote. “Organizing CNY Pride was a group effort from start to finish, and the end result was so satisfying. Each year, we seek to make our float bigger and more impressive than before, and the rest of the parade participants have started building floats and expanding their efforts in an attempt to match ours.”

“It's amazing to see how participating in the pride parade so enthusiastically has caused others to do the same,” he added. “It is always such a joy to participate in the parade, and the organizers love to see us returning year after year.”

Toronto, Canada (Muzzled, Bark in the Dark)

On the 28th, furries in Toronto came to march in the Toronto pride parade, hosted by rave groups Muzzled and Bark in the Dark. Muzzled, the rave group that organized the event, did not respond to a request for comment. Bark in the Dark could not be reached for comment.

A furry watching the parade was photographed by Arlyn McAdorey for the Canadian Press. The parade float was captured by Fareen Karim and Kris Yue for BlogTO (photos 140, 141, and 181). CityNews showed the furries briefly in a video.

This article will be updated should any more information of any other events come in.