The Intrepid Museum has long been committed to telling the full story of human achievement. Located on the Hudson River in New York City, the historic aircraft carrier USS Intrepid serves as the backdrop for an institution dedicated to education, service, and inclusive storytelling. Veterans, students, families, and visitors from all backgrounds are welcome aboard, and that spirit of inclusion is central to the museum's year-round programming.
This June, the Intrepid Museum brings that commitment to the forefront with a Pride Month event that connects the history of space exploration to the LGBTQ+ community members who helped make it possible.
Inclusive Pride Family Day: Pride in Space!
Sunday, May 31 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm ET | Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, 12th Avenue & 46th Street
On May 31, the Intrepid Museum invites families of all ages and identities to its Pride Month Kick-Off event, Pride in Space! The afternoon will highlight the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to space science through hands-on art, storytelling, and community programming.
Event Highlights
Hands-On Art and Storytelling: Activities are designed for learners of all ages and abilities, offering accessible ways to engage with LGBTQ+ history in space exploration.
Social Narrative for Registrants: All registrants will receive a social narrative in advance of the event to help them prepare for the day. This resource is particularly helpful for families with members who benefit from knowing what to expect.
Military Family Lounge: Current and former service members and their families are invited to enjoy a dedicated Military Family Lounge with light snacks and beverages during the event.
Teen Corner: Teens are encouraged to visit this dedicated space to create art, meet peers, and build connections.
Registration is required. Visit the Intrepid Museum website to reserve your spot.
One of the featured subjects at Pride in Space! is astronaut Sally Ride, whose career represents multiple milestones in both space exploration and LGBTQ+ history. Learn more about Sally Ride and other LGBTQ+ pioneers who shaped the history of space science at this year’s event.
Early Life and Education
Sally Ride was born in 1951 in Los Angeles, California. From an early age, she had a strong interest in science and astronomy, regularly using the telescope her parents gave her and her sister to observe the night sky, including her favorite constellations, Orion and Saturn, and Saturn's rings.
Joining NASA
In January 1977, Ride came across an advertisement in The Stanford Daily announcing that NASA was recruiting astronaut candidates for the Space Shuttle program and was seeking women applicants for the first time. To that point, only one woman had ever traveled to space: Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, who flew in 1963.
Ride applied and, following an extensive selection process, was chosen as part of NASA Astronaut Group 8 on January 16, 1978. She was one of 35 candidates selected and one of six women in the group.
First American Woman in Space
On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman to travel to space. She was 32 years old at the time of the flight. She returned to space the following year on a second Challenger mission.
After the Challenger disaster in 1986, Ride was appointed to the Rogers Commission, the presidential panel investigating the accident. She later served on the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in 2003 following that shuttle’s loss.
Life After NASA
Ride retired from NASA in 1987 and went on to teach at Stanford University and later at the University of California, San Diego. She founded Sally Ride Science in 1996, an organization focused on promoting science education for young students. She served as its president and CEO until her death in July 2012.
A Pioneering LGBTQ+ Identity
Following her death, Ride’s obituary identified her partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy, publicly acknowledging for the first time that she was gay. This made Sally Ride not only the first American woman in space, but also the first known LGBTQ+ astronaut to have traveled to space, a distinction that continues to carry significance for the LGBTQ+ community and for the broader history of space exploration.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Contributions to Space Science
The Intrepid Museum’s Pride in Space! event places Sally Ride’s legacy alongside other LGBTQ+ scientists, engineers, and astronauts who contributed to humanity’s exploration of space. By bringing these stories to the public through education and community programming, the museum reinforces its mission to present history in its full context.
For families looking to honor Pride Month with a meaningful and educational experience, Pride in Space! offers an afternoon rooted in history, science and community.
Visit Information
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Location: Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, 12th Avenue & 46th Street, New York City
Registration is required. All registrants will receive a social narrative in advance to assist with event preparation. Activities are designed for learners of all ages and abilities.
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