Pack your bags and hit play: DJ Lina’s tips for a fabulous Pride
Lina Bradford is a living legend who has seamlessly evolved from the golden era of club culture to the most coveted parties of today.
Mark
Lina Bradford is New York City‘s quintessential DJ, a living legend of the nightlife scene who has seamlessly evolved from the golden era of club culture to the most coveted parties of today. A champion for Black trans women, she will take center stage this year at NYC Pride as a Grand Marshal.
Beyond the DJ booth, she is a fierce advocate, serving as a board member and global ambassador for the Hetrick-Martin Institute and as a chair member for GMHC. A true multi-hyphenate, Lina is also an actress, radio personality, and the creator and star of the beloved interview series In the Dollhouse with Lina.
Dubbed the “Princess of Light” for her ability to bring people together through music and joy, Lina’s decade-long residency on Fire Island Pines was celebrated in the documentary Linish. Anyone who’s ever swayed under the stars at Sip-N-Twirl to the sound of Diana Ross knows the magic Lina brings to a community—uniting people through music, love, and the sheer joy of the moment.
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For Lina, the honor of being named a Grand Marshal at New York Pride is more than a title. It reflects a lifelong commitment to love, light, and community. “To hear that my community thought of me for such a huge honor is something I would’ve never imagined growing up. I’m humbled, honored, blessed, and grateful,” she says.
When asked what makes New York Pride so special, Lina lights up. “Every other Pride in the world looks to New York. We’re like a little Europe inside America, so diverse, so vibrant. It’s all the communities coming together, a true skittle taste, the rainbow, the full crayon box. It’s the energy, the culture, the whole city turning into one big celebration. We go big or we go home.”
Lina reflected on New York Pride in the nineties, when she and Candis Cayne would be at Club USA or waving from the HX magazine float. She remembers dancing in the street in the “New York nineties heat,” all day and having so much adrenaline and how “you weren’t exhausted because of the adrenaline,” and then going to host parties later in the evening. “And we did it in those heels,” she remembers, with a laugh, “it was pure joy, pure happiness. Those were definitely the most fun times.”
Her decades in nightlife have taught her the secrets to having a great Pride experience. “You want to be with your people. It’s really about having your tribe with you. Your friends, your family, the ones who lift you up. That’s who you want to be dancing with all day and night.”
And when it comes to the main Pride weekend in New York City, she says a stop at Lina’s Lounge at Cafeteria on Friday night is essential. “It’s a family reunion, honey. I make sure everyone knows each other, so by the time we’re on the dance floor, it feels like home.”
Lina Bradford’s journey is as iconic as the city she calls home. Born and raised in the heart of Manhattan, just across the street from Carnegie Hall, she grew up surrounded by the pulse of the arts. From an early age, Lina knew who she was, embracing her identity as a trans woman and finding her creative spark through movement. She immersed herself in dance, training for over a decade in modern ballet, tap, and jazz.
That foundation in movement continues to shape her dynamic presence as a DJ, where she seamlessly blends grace, rhythm, and a captivating energy. Before her DJ career took off, Lina was a vibrant part of New York’s underground scene, performing throughout the East Village in spaces where music, performance art, and community collided. Her early gigs were more than just sets; they were immersive experiences where the dance floor became a space of connection, joy, and freedom.
Her connection to Fire Island Pines became a defining chapter. In 2005, she began her iconic summer residency, first at Pavilion and later at Sip n Twirl. There, “Twirlina Tea” was born, a Sunday ritual where music, love, and community fused into an unforgettable experience. For ten years, Lina’s sets were more than just parties. They were a phenomenon that drew crowds week after week.
“The Pines became part of my story, and I became part of Pines history,” she says with a smile. “It was magic, honey.”
Even with a packed calendar of gigs, Lina knows how to stay grounded. “I always stay with friends or family when I travel. I don’t like hotels, they just don’t feel right to me. Having that little piece of home wherever I go makes all the difference.”
Her travel essentials include a carefully packed arsenal of self-care items: facial sprays, serums, and a blend of vitamins and immune-boosting potions. “I mix my Airborne, Emergen-C, echinacea, and vitamin D3. I’ve been doing this a long time, honey.”
She also has some must-visit recommendations for fellow travelers. “When I travel, I need that little piece of home. I always stay with friends or family because it keeps me grounded. And I tell everyone, if you’re going to Toronto, make sure you stop by Pho Hung on Spadina for the best pho and wings. And honey, always bring an extra suitcase, because the vintage shopping on Queen Street is fierce. You’ll thank me later.”
Packing, she admits, is an art form. “I’m a professional packer. I roll everything, photograph my outfits with accessories, and make sure I’m only bringing what I’ll actually wear, though let’s be real, I still overpack.”
Her travel playlist is a curated mix of classic rock favorites, with Led Zeppelin as a go-to, but she also recommends her SiriusXM show Sunset on the Porch with Lina and her Spotify playlists for an eclectic, feel-good vibe.
Lina’s joy is infectious, but it is also deeply rooted in gratitude. “I’ve been so blessed to see so many beautiful places and meet so many beautiful people. But it’s not about the glitz. I always remind myself that I’m here to bring love and light, to uplift others, and to stay humble.”
As she gears up for Pride, she takes it all in stride. “I’m excited, I’m grateful, and I’m ready to show up for my community. That’s what it’s all about. It’s love, baby, always love.”
This year’s NYC Pride March kicks off at 12:00pm ET on Sunday, June 29. Reflecting this year’s theme, Rise Up: Pride in Protest, Lina and her fellow Grand Marshals will lead a sea of millions of spectators, supporters, and allies through the heart of New York City, marching in celebration, advocacy, and solidarity.
Pride festivities extend beyond the March with PrideFest, the largest LGBTQIA+ street festival in the United States, and Youth Pride, an inclusive celebration for LGBTQIA+ youth under 25.
Lina adds that, “it’s special to all us, but it’s special for the whole world, because we know everybody’s looking. And that’s why we do it so good.”
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