Janelle Monáe Headlines Human By Orientation, HBO’s Free Digital Pride Event

Todrick Hall, Shangela, Kim Petras, Cameron Esposito, and more will join the ten-day celebration.
Janelle Monáe Headlines Human By Orientation, HBO’s Free Digital Pride Event

Todrick Hall, Shangela, Kim Petras, Cameron Esposito, and more will join the ten-day celebration.

Words: Scott T. Sterling

photo courtesy of Coachella 

June 15, 2020

HBO is taking their Pride Month festivities to the web this year, announcing their Human By Orientation event will be streamable for free. The digital Pride celebration will launch on June 18, with daily programming through June 28. Among the performers slated for the event are Janelle Monáe, Kim Petras, and Todrick Hall.

“Pride has always been very important to us at HBO, now more than ever,” said Jackie Gagne, VP of Multicultural Marketing, to The Hollywood Reporter. “Black lives matter, Black trans lives matter, Black queer lives matter. Our goal of Human By Orientation has always been to help the community celebrate their proudest and queerest selves.”

The festivities kick off with a Los Angeles warehouse dance party hosted by Por Detroit and Ostbahnhof, followed by a Juneteenth (June 19) performance from Todrick Hall. “I am very excited to perform a one-of-a-kind set that not only celebrates Pride, but also lands on this hallowed day in the Black community,” Hall said in a statement. “Especially now, it’s so important for Black queer artists to have our voices heard.”

June 20 brings a brunch hosted by Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka O’Hara from HBO’s We’re Here. June 21 highlights a dance class with The Sweat Spot founder Ryan Heffington, followed by queer comedy night with Cameron Esposito.

Other programming slated for the event includes “Drag Queen Story Hour,” a vogueing class with the cast of HBO Max’s Legendary, and an hour-long set from Kim Petras on June 27. Janelle Monáe closes out the festivities on June 28 with a special intimate live performance. Get more details on the Human By Orientation website.