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Pagan Pride Day welcomes all of those who follow a positive life affirming path.
NOTE:: Neither this site nor this annual interfaith community event is intended to attempt to persuade you to change your own current spiritual belief system or the traditions that you hold dear.
Our hope is rather that by joining us and experiencing a first-person view of not only what we do but how we do it, you will come to respect our beliefs and practices, even if you differ in religious opinions and approach.
Attending any Pagan Pride event will provide you with basic information about our spirituality, so that both experience and knowledge can combine to open lines of communication and to identify common ground. With that in mind, please feel welcomed to join us on an informative journey into the sacred circles of contemporary Paganism.
The International Pagan Pride Project is a non-profit organization, dedicated to the elimination of prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs and practices by fostering pride in Pagan identity through education, activism, charity and community. Definition:
The overall driving atmosphere of a Pagan Pride Day event is one of fellowship, community, and acceptance. As is common with many Pagan events, it is requested that strife be left behind upon entering and that a general atmosphere of safety and peace be maintained during the event. For those who may be new to any of the many Pagan paths, Pagan Pride Day is often an event which leads to great transformation through the simple discovery that they are not as alone as they perceived themselves to be initially.
A Pagan or NeoPagan is someone who self-identifies as a Pagan, and whose spiritual or religious practice or belief fits into one or more of the following categories:
• “Polytheistic†Honoring, revering, or worshipping a Deity or Deities found in pre-Christian, classical, aboriginal, or tribal mythology; and/or
• Practicing religion or spirituality based upon shamanism, shamanic, or magickal practices; and/or
• Creating new religion based on past Pagan religions and/or futuristic views of society, community, and/or ecology; and/or
• Focusing religious or spiritual attention primarily on the Divine Feminine.
Formed through the vision of Cecylyna “Brightsword†Dewr , Pagan Pride Day began in Illinois in September 1998 with 18 small celebrations across the United States as well as 1 in Canada, all incorporating three elements designed to increase community good will and public relations towards Paganism: a public ritual or harvest celebration open to Pagans, non-Pagans, passersby, and onlookers, press communication and public relations activities intended to encourage positive media portrayal of Pagans and Paganism; and a food and materials drive for a local charity, food bank, shelter, or refuge, to symbolize both Pagan responsibilities to their town, city, or state and in honor of the various Thanksgiving holidays common to most Pagan traditions held around Fall Equinox.
Phoenix Arizona joined the project led by Local Project Coordinator Daniel M. Poland, in 2001 and by 2003 PPD had grown internationally to 117 reported events held worldwide, including Brisbane, Australia, British Columbia, Rome, Southhampton UK, and Lisbon, South America in Brasilia and Sao Paulo, Great Britain, and Panama.
Celebrating the religious diversity abounding in Arizona, Phoenix PPD typically offers several educational examples of "Pagan Ritual" reflecting the many paths and traditions found in Neo-Paganism that allow either observation or participation by event attendees, along with educational workshops and lectures as well as entertainment ranging from folk music, to rock , creative theater and dance of all types.
Our Charity Food and Goods Drive has supported many worthy organizations throughout Maricopa County including the West Side Food Bank, Chrysalis Women’s Crisis Center and Desert Cry Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Sanctuary.. Pagan Pride Day also offers an opportunity to showcase talented area craft artisans and fine artists through our dedicated merchant vendors and art exhibits.
All of the folks you will see on-hand at PPD are area volunteers. The event committee, production crew, workshop teachers and entertainers, are VOLUNTEERS working together toward a greater good for our shared community.
If you are interested in volunteering for the production crew or event planning committee, please contact us!
