The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has long been celebrated not only for its expansive fantasy world but also for fostering a welcoming and diverse player base. Each June, that spirit is on full display during the game’s annual Pride Parade – a player-led celebration of love, identity, and inclusion. For 2025, the parade promises to be bigger and bolder than ever, thanks to the passionate efforts of the Alphabet Mafia guild, a well-known LGBTQIA+ community in ESO.
A Parade With Purpose
The ESO Pride Parade is more than just an in-game event; it’s a testament to the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community within the game and the support of allies who march alongside them. This year, the parade will take place in Auridon, the beautiful High Elf homeland, offering a picturesque route full of sunlit roads and scenic coastlines.
The march will begin on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with participants gathering at 8:00 PM Eastern Time at the Firsthold Wayshrine in northern Auridon. The procession will step off at 8:15 PM, heading south along the main road to Vulkhel Guard, where a beach party will serve as the grand finale. It’s a celebratory route that not only allows players to express themselves but also reminds everyone that MMORPGs are as much about community as they are about combat and quests.
Bring Your Best Look – and Your Bear Mount
The theme for this year’s parade is as playful as it is powerful. “Bears riding bear mounts” was just one of the many lighthearted, inclusive themes proposed by organizers. Whether you identify with the “bear” archetype or just want to join in on the fun, participants are encouraged to dress up and get creative.
From bi pride colors to stud lesbian orcs in chainmail, the fashion possibilities are endless. Whether you’re donning rainbow-dyed armor or coordinating your outfit to match a themed guild group, this event is a celebration of self-expression. Fashion scrolls, rare motifs, and even glamor pets can all be part of your look – just make sure it doesn’t disrupt the flow of the march.
Event Etiquette and Tips
The Alphabet Mafia has provided a few helpful guidelines to ensure the parade runs smoothly and respectfully:
Walk, don’t run – keeping a steady pace helps preserve the sense of unity and makes for better screenshots.
Turn off nameplates and hide your UI for cleaner photography.
Dismiss non-combat pets and mounts, unless they’re part of your outfit. No oversized visuals that could obstruct views.
Dismiss all combat pets – “No big flappies, please!” refers humorously to necromancer pets or Daedric summons.
If trolls show up to disrupt the event, block, report, and screenshot. Don’t engage – the community will handle it together.
These simple rules are designed to ensure a smooth and respectful experience for everyone involved, making it easier to focus on celebration rather than conflict.
Online Harassment and Resilience
Unfortunately, events like these often attract unwanted attention. The subreddit thread announcing the 2025 parade was quickly locked due to an influx of toxic and bigoted responses. Commenters like u/HintDeadFish highlighted the hypocrisy of calls to “keep politics out of games,” especially in a series like The Elder Scrolls, which frequently deals with themes of class, race, gender, and societal conflict.
In response to past harassment, including the shutdown of a prior Tamriel Pride Discord server due to hate speech, the Alphabet Mafia is taking precautions. This year, they’ve opted to keep communications limited to a closed Discord channel. While that might reduce visibility and spontaneous collaboration, it’s a necessary step to protect participants and preserve the spirit of the event.
Still, despite challenges, the community’s determination and joy remain undeterred. The 2025 parade is shaping up to be a powerful display of solidarity, fun, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Why This Parade Matters
Some might ask: Why do this in a game? Why have a Pride Parade in a fantasy world? The answer is simple: representation matters, even in virtual spaces. For many LGBTQIA+ players, games like The Elder Scrolls Online offer not just escape, but a chance to live more authentically – to find connection, acceptance, and friendship. Events like the Pride Parade turn that into something visible, shared, and joyful.
The parade sends a message – to developers, to communities, and to the wider world – that LGBTQIA+ players are not just part of gaming spaces, but essential to them.
Get Ready for the Parade
Want to join the march but feel underprepared? Don’t worry. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, there’s still time to gather gear, dye your armor, or even buy a new mount. If you need in-game currency, services like MMOexp can provide affordable and fast ESO Gold, allowing you to grab that perfect Pride outfit or decorate your beachside party camp.
Prepare your look, gather your friends or guildmates, and plan to march with pride on June 14.
In a world that sometimes feels increasingly divided, a game like ESO – and a parade like this – reminds us that inclusion, joy, and community can still triumph. So whether you’re riding a bear mount in rainbow gear or cheering from the sidelines, you’re part of something bigger.