MEDIA KIT
2026-2027 Advertising Opportunities, Rates, & Specifications
PRIDE IN THE QUEEN CITY
Charlotte Pride is the leader in LGBTQ visibility, offering programs and events that enrich, empower, and amplify the unique experiences of LGBTQ people in Charlotte and the Carolinas. Founded in 2000, Charlotte Pride continues the more than 40-year Pride tradition in the Queen City. We invite you to join us for a year of exciting events and meaningful opportunities. Be a part of the celebration, connect with our community, and take advantage of our more than 25-year legacy!
AREAS OF IMPACT
Arts & Culture
Programs and efforts to support diverse arts and culture
Economic Growth & Upward Mobility
Providing opportunities for LGBTQ people and groups to grow their economic power and stability
Community Solidarity
Uplifting and empowering the lives of the most marginalized
Visibility & Education
Year-round programs to raise awareness & empower our people
A DIFFERENT KIND OF VISIBILITY
Advertising with Charlotte Pride in our film festival playbill, preshow trailers, or annual magazine lets you connect with new audiences. Since our founding in 2000, we’ve expanded our year-round programs and partnerships to align with our mission, vision, and values, and now we are one of the largest LGBTQ Pride organizations in the Southeast. Supporting these programs helps Charlotte Pride create meaningful connections with the community through impactful events, while offering exceptional visibility for our partners.
A SEASON TO GROW
As Charlotte Pride embarks on the next 25 years of our legacy, we are refreshing our advertising opportunities.
If you have advertised with us before, or picked up one of our magazines at a local shop or restaurant, you might be familiar with the publishing of the Charlotte Pride Magazine being in the latter part of the year. For the last few years, the magazine has served as a recap of the prior year’s events.
This time around, we are updating the timing of that launch to better serve our advertisers, sponsors, and readers.
The next Charlotte Pride Magazine will publish in the spring of 2027 to serve as a conduit between the prior and upcoming seasons, offering both a recap and a look ahead.
This new publication date will capture people’s attention just as the city gears
up for the Charlotte Pride season, capitalizing on the heightened interest in for collaboration while continuing the work of expanding visibility for LGBTQ and allied people in Charlotte.
As you explore the opportunities laid out in this kit, consider the possibilities for touchpoints in both May 2026 (for Reel Out Charlotte) and Spring 2027 (via the magazine).
We look forward to collaborating with you in the coming year!
Caroline Bedenbaugh Communications Coordinator she/they caroline@charlottepride.org
ABOUT REEL OUT CHARLOTTE
As we plan our film festival’s 18th year, we invite you to join us in bringing new exciting films that highlight the beauty of independent cinema and celebrate our LGBTQ lives, loves, and triumphs. When you purchase ad space in the playbill or in the preshow trailers for Reel Out Charlotte, the Queen City’s only annual LGBTQ Film Festival, you’ll amplify your year-round support of Charlotte Pride, our LGBTQ community, and the arts.
Thank you for supporting us as we endeavor to showcase the best in LGBTQ film and to foster a vibrant arts community in Charlotte.
We’ll see you at the movies!
HIGHLIGHTS
May 15-17, 2026
Film festival’s return
The Independent Picture House
We’ll enjoy a true theatre experience as we return to Charlotte’s Independent Picture House for a fourth year
20+ Short and Feature Length Films
Including packed, free-admission annual short films night!
Hundreds of Attendees
Over the multi-day festival
REEL OUT CHARLOTTE OPPORTUNITIES
File Requirements:
• Resolution: 300dpi
• Color: CMYK
• Formats: PDF, JPG, EPS (please flatten all files and/or include all fonts when submitting your ad file)
Deadlines & Submission Info:
Advertising Deadline: April 24, 2026
Submit your ad file to media@charlottepride.org
- (10 sec max) in trailer loop
- Longer still or video advertisements are available at higher-tier sponsor levels - still ad must be a minimum 3360 x 1890 pixels
ADVERTISING DEADLINE: April 24, 2026
To advertise, email Caroline Bedenbaugh at media@charlottepride.org
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
The Charlotte Pride Magazine is a limited-run, full-size glossy magazine. Like other premium arts, entertainment, leisure, and lifestyle publications, Charlotte Pride Magazine includes interviews with artists, entertainers, and high-profile community members, as well as features on the top local LGBTQ events of the year.
The magazine also offers a wide breadth of useful information about Charlotte Pride’s programs and events, and highlights community leaders, award winners, scholarship recipients, and more. The Charlotte Pride Magazine is an annual, evergreen source of information — perfect for living room coffee tables, reception rooms, and lounges, allowing readers to flip through the pages and find something new or interesting throughout the year.
The magazine also features directory listings of community organizations, events, and other useful information. Your Charlotte Pride Magazine advertisement will attract readers from across the region — in any month they pick it up!
A Unique Resource
The Charlotte Pride Magazine is the go-to resource for LGBTQ residents, visitors, and newcomers to Charlotte! Filled to the brim with engaging features, community resource listings, and more, it is the perfect guide to Charlotte Pride and the LGBTQ community in the Charlotte region — think of it like the rainbow version of mainstream newcomer, resident, or visitor guide!
The Stats
Distribution
The magazine is distributed to select locations across Charlotte, including popular neighborhoods like Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, NoDa, South End, Uptown, and University City. Bulk deliveries of the magazine are also available by request. Magazines are available at official Charlotte Pride events such as Reel Out Charlotte and the Job Fair.
MAGAZINE AD SPECS & PRICING
File Requirements:
• Resolution: 300dpi
• Color: CMYK
• Formats: PDF, JPG, EPS (please flatten all files and/or include all fonts when submitting your ad file)
Note: Discount applies only to ads sized quarter-page and above.
Deadlines & Submission Info:
Advertising Deadline: October 30th, 2026
Submit your ad file and advertising contract to media@charlottepride.org.
Nonprofit & Returning Advertiser Discount
Returning advertisers from last year’s magazine and nonprofit organizations receive a 20% discount!
ADVERTISING DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30TH, 2026
To advertise, email Caroline Bedenbaugh at media@charlottepride.org
When you become a sponsor of Charlotte Pride, you can:
• Connect face-to-face with your target audience
• Develop meaningful connections with LGBTQ Charlotteans and Carolinians
• Grow your brand recognition, reach new customers, and develop new brand loyalty
• Provide team-building, appreciation, and volunteer opportunities for your LGBTQ employees
• Spotlight the LGBTQ community inside your organization while supporting education, visibility, and awareness efforts in the greater community
Want to learn more about further involvement like sponsorship? Contact us!
Advertising Contact Caroline Bedenbaugh (she/they)
Communications Coordinator media@charlottepride.org
Sponsor Contact Meredith Thompson (she/her)
Managing Director sponsors@charlottepride.org