The arrival of summer signals the beginning of backyard barbecues, beach days and, of course, the season of LGBT Pride festivals. From June to November, Californians have an opportunity to show their pride and support for the LGBT community at a variety of events throughout the state, from San Diego to San Francisco. Each event promises a great time with a cornucopia of entertainment, food, vendors and more, all in support of the LGBT community.
Trying to figure out which Prides you want to attend this year? We’ve done the research on several local Prides as well as the big city events to help you decide!
LA Pride: June 7-9
Drawing more than 500,000 people to the heart of West Hollywood, LA Pride is one of the largest gay Pride festivals in the nation, and it’s just a short drive up the freeway for San Diegans.
“LA Pride strives to showcase the diversity within our community,” said Mike Strommel, a four-year board member of LA Pride. “Transgenders are a community with our own history and achievements and our own special interests and needs that celebrate our unity and acceptance into the greater community at large.”
One of the highlights of LA Pride is the fourth annual Transgender Party. This event within an event is an opportunity for the transgender community to showcase their artistic talents via performances and to network among one another.
The three day event features a Pride Run, more than 150 exhibitors and performances on the main stage by Ciara, The Pointer Sisters and Luciana. LA Pride also offers various stages to satisfy those with different musical tastes, including Latin, country, hip-hop and R&B.
The LA Pride parade, which attracts more than 400,000 participants and spectators, begins Sunday, June 9, at 11 a.m.
Tickets are on sale now for $20.
For more information, visit lapride.org
San Francisco Pride: June 29-30
Head north to the Bay Area and take part in the largest gathering in support of LGBT people in the nation, the San Francisco Pride celebration and parade.
With more than 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors and 20 entertainment stages, this event has earned its bragging rights.
According to the their Web site, “Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer dignity; the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression.”
This year, San Francisco is celebrating its 43rd annual Pride with a theme of “Embrace, Encourage, Empower.” The parade begins Sunday, June 30, at 10:30 a.m.
Performers on the main stage include Raquel Rodriguez, Nina Sky and Lovesick Radio.
Although the event is free, a $5 suggested donation helps support several Bay Area non-profits.
For more information, visit sfpride.org
San Diego Pride: July 12-14
If you would prefer to stay close to home, come celebrate and show your support at San Diego LGBT Pride in Hillcrest. The theme of this 39th annual Pride celebration is “Freedom to Love and Marry” honoring the state of the movement in this historic year for LGBT equality.
“I hope people enjoy the weekend as an opportunity to get together as a community, have a good time and take pride in how far we’ve come,” said Stephen Whitburn, San Diego Pride general manager. “It’s also an opportunity for us to be visible in the broader community as we keep working to end discrimination.”
The event kicks off with a rally and the annual raising of the Rainbow Pride Flag Friday, July 12. Following these formalities, the party moves into high gear for guests 21 and up with a DJ-filled block party on University Avenue from 6-11 p.m.
Saturday’s Pride parade, which attracts about 200,000 people and is the fourth largest in the nation, begins at 11 a.m. and winds down University and Sixth Avenues.
The Pride festival in Balboa Park is a two-day event featuring entertainment headliners, DJ Morgan Page and R&B singer Monica, and a total of eight music stages. San Diego Pride also boasts the first and longest-running Children’s Garden.
“San Diego Pride is a charitable nonprofit organization,” Whitburn said. “We provide tens-of-thousands of dollars each year to organizations that provide services in our community. The Pride festival is our biggest source of revenue to provide those much-needed dollars.”
To help support the community, buy your festival tickets in advance for just $15.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit sdpride.org
South Bay Pride: Sept. 14
Chula Vista is home to the South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival, a smaller and newer event. Created in 2006 and managed by the South Bay Alliance, it began as an effort to bring attention to the LGBT community in South San Diego.
“When broached about Proposition 22, (the local politicians) claimed this was not an issue for them since the LGBT community was in Hillcrest,” explained South Bay Pride chair, Dae Elliott. “We knew better. We knew that there was, and still is, a large LGBT community here, as well as many allies.”
South Bay Pride offers a more laidback and intimate setting compared to the big city festivals. With an expected attendance of 2,000 people, it feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a huge party.
“We had a couple from Riverside attend our 2010 Pride event,” said Elliott. “They said they had been attending since the beginning of Pride events (they were in their 70s) and they stated our Pride event was one of the best ones that they had ever attended.”
The one day event features live entertainment, art, food, a wine/beer garden, a children’s garden and more! The festivities begin at noon at Bayfront Park and the event is free.
For more information, visit southbayalliance.net
Pride@The Beach: Oct. 12
Join Pride@The Beach in Oceanside and keep the celebration going in North County. Created in 2008, this festival has steadily grown from 800 attendees in its first year to 4,000 in 2012.
Located directly across from the beach, the setting for this fun-filled event is hard to beat. With a combination of up-and-coming performers, food, vendors and activities for the kids, this is a day of fun for the whole family and a great way to show support for the LGBT community.
“North County San Diego tends to be much more conservative than the areas surrounding downtown, so this event gives those who may not have the financial means to go down to San Diego, as well as those who may have unsupportive families, an opportunity to be surrounded by the LGBTQ community in a very proud, supportive way,” said Pride@The Beach director, John Jones.
Tickets are $5 and military are free.
For more information, visit northcountypride.com
Palm Springs Pride: Nov. 2-3
To wind up the LGBT Pride festival season travel to the desert for the Greater Palm Springs Pride. Since 1969, people have flocked to this oasis for an exciting weekend in support of the LGBT community.
This year’s theme, “It’s Time,” represents “new hope, new beginnings and future progress toward equality,” according to the Palm Springs Pride Web site.
Located at Pride Park, the festival highlights include more than 60 performances, a country dancing tent, a farmer’s market, 150 exhibitors and an array of food and drinks.
The event features a block party downtown Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. and the Pride parade Sunday, Nov 3 at 10 a.m.
Price is $15 per day or $25 for the weekend. Tickets go on sale in late September.
For more information, visit pspride.org
I would like to Sacramento Gay Pride added to your list of Pride Festivals. Although smaller than the average Pride event, there’s much to see as our event takes place near our State Capital and near the downtown district, lots of events to partake in and tons of celebration with our local LGBTQ communities.
The more publicity Sacramento Pride gets, the stronger the LGBTQ community becomes.
Thanks for your support,
Socorro