Pride is here, and we’re only 6 months into 2026. Yet for many LGBTQIA people, it’s felt like a decade. Homophobia on the rise, an active political mission by this administration to defund queer organizations, and we are getting close to the brick-throwing spirit that inspired pride in the first place. So the choice to name someone who’s partied at Mar-a-Lago as Grand Marshal of Weho Pride is a strange choice. 

“The City of West Hollywood and WeHo Pride producer JJLA announce that legendary television personality and philanthropist Kathy Hilton has been selected as the WeHo Pride Parade Grand Marshal Icon for her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, allyship in the entertainment industry, and unwavering support across pop culture,” says the City’s announcement. It goes on to say, “Hilton will also be celebrated as one of the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade Icons.” 

Hilton joins honorees, the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders, and the NFL’s first male cheerleaders, Napoleon Jinnies and Quinton Peron.  It’s worth noting that Hilton was also Grand Marshal with her daughter, Paris Hilton, at the 2005 Pride Parade. But then again, Kelly and Sharon Osbourne also had that honor in 2010. 

It’s not unheard of for women with big gay followings to be grand marshals. Elizabeth Montgomery, Carol Channing, Jennifer Tilly, and Kathy Griffin have all had that honor. But as queer visibility is needed now more than ever, was this a smart choice? 

Is Mama Hilton MAGA?

Ironically, the choice to award Hilton this title invokes all the drama and hearsay of her show. It’s a bit strange that since Lisa Vanderpump decided to open her restaurant in boy’s town, you can’t escape the Bravo of it all. 

Part of the controversy involves accusations by two of her castmates. It has been widely circulated that in 2022, Hilton skipped filming a finale party for Real Housewives to attend  Donald Trump’s Super Bowl party at Mar-a-Lago. This caused her castmate Lisa Rinna to post to her Instagram stories. 

There’s also the lingering accusation from another past OutLoud performer, Erika Jayne, who accused Hilton of using the f-slur about a DJ. Bravo launched an investigation and could neither confirm nor deny Jayne’s claims. Hilton has also formally endorsed Spencer Pratt for LA Mayor. 

It is important to note that Hilton does partner with LGBTQ organizations and charities. She hosted a party at her estate to commemorate GLAAD receiving the Governors Award by the TV Academy and hosted the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles toy drive at The Abbey. So is this just a case of a socialite attending the wrong party, or has West Hollywood selected to honor someone a little to the right of center? 

It doesn’t help that the Saturday headliner, The Pussycat Dolls, are also in the same MAGA-ish grey area. Nicole Scherzinger, amidst her career-defining run of Sunset Blvd on Broadway, faced some blowback when she commented, “Where do I get that hat?” on a photo of Russell Brand wearing a red “Make Jesus First Again” hat… on Election Day. She did make a statement that the comment was not aligned with her politics or how she voted, but there was some goodwill lost. 

The Real House Prides of Los Angeles 

Meanwhile, LA Pride, yes, there are two prides, has elected Emmy-winner Jeff Hiller as their Celebrity Grand Marshal. They also named Mia Yamaoto as Community Grand Marshal and posthumously named Shirley Raines as Icon Grand Marshal. 

Like dueling housewives, Christopher Street West, the non-profit that facilitates Pride, famously separated from the City of West Hollywood in 2020 on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Pride. It offered to hold a parade in conjunction with Black Lives Matter, then later deferred to BLM to lead it. That has become the LA Pride Parade, which will be held on Sunday, June 14th. 

Meanwhile, the City of West Hollywood has expanded its Pride programming to include its OutLoud Music Festival, which is clearly going for a mini-Coachella vibe. This shift in values and politics cannot be ignored. Also, since its inception, the new LA Pride has consistently named Grand Marshals who are LGBTQIA, including Leslie Jordan, Niecy Nash, and Hacks star Mark Indelicato.

Comments on social media have come out on both sides, with obvious fans of Hilton happy she’ll be in attendance, while the official account of @theaidsmemorial commented, “Melania Trump not available?” 

It does beg the question, why are Bravolebrities constantly booked for Pride? While Hilton’s position is honorary and unpaid, Erika Jayne, Meredith Marks, and Countess Lu-Ann have all appeared on Bravo and are being paid to perform at the musical festival.

While there are many LGBTQIA fans of Bravo, Pride has always been political. It was a literal response to the Stonewall Riots and commemorates the day queer people stood up for their rights. Similarly, West Hollywood incorporated as a response to police brutality. While our community does value inclusivity and hopefully Hilton’s role does bring some much-needed visibility and goodwill to the LGBTQIA community, it does bring up an important question.

Given our current political climate, was there a more qualified candidate? While back in the day, having celebrities with gay fanbases lending their visibility to Pride was a boon. But with the state of LGBTQIA politics, can we afford to have anyone with even potential MAGA ties taking LGBTQIA money, prominence, and political goodwill?

As LA faces an election that could change the tone of the City, it’s strange to see that both our Prides are feeling like they have drawn stark political lines in the sand. Time will tell as Pride begins in West Hollywood this weekend. 

Regarding Hilton’s presence as Grand Marshal, the City of West Hollywood told the Blade:

“The City of West Hollywood recognizes that the selection of Kathy Hilton as Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade has generated a range of opinions and emotions within our community. We understand that Pride is deeply personal and meaningful, and we respect the diverse perspectives that have been expressed.

WeHo Pride Parade Icons are selected in recognition of their visibility, allyship, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Kathy Hilton has publicly supported LGBTQ+ causes and visibility, including through her participation in GLAAD events and initiatives. At the same time, we acknowledge that concerns raised by West Hollywood residents, stakeholders, and LGBTQ+ community members are important and deserve to be heard.

We are listening. We believe that WeHo Pride is strengthened by open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to equality and inclusion.

The City of West Hollywood remains committed to ensuring that WeHo Pride is a celebration rooted in visibility, inclusion, and respect, and we welcome respectful conversations that help WeHo Pride and our community continue to grow and evolve.”

Click here for more information about Weho Pride.

As we begin Pride month, I have a range of emotions. At the front of my mind is that I’m exhausted (and I say this with some humor). As policy and community advocates can relate, it’s felt like a nonstop barrage of actions in both response to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policies, but also, we’ve led and supported proactive action to ensure we’re protecting our community.

The second feeling is pride; I’m really proud of myself and my community. I know it sounds quite corny or at least obvious that one would feel pride during this month, but it doesn’t always come so easily. And I don’t think that, as advocates, we always have the time to reflect unless we’re scheduling it into our packed calendars. It is also my birthday month, and in recent years, I’ve come to realize how special (and maybe even chaotic) it might be to have AANHPI Heritage Month in May and then have Pride Month follow. It’s awesome, I get the permission to celebrate both major parts of my identity for eight weeks straight, but it also comes with a lot of work since I work at an AAPI civil rights organization. To be honest, it feels quite serendipitous to be in this position.

At my organization, I’m overseeing our first-ever official LGBTQ+ portfolio, and I am truly grateful to be able to be part of a long history of queer and trans resistance and community work, all while growing and learning more about my queer identity and how it can blend so beautifully with my Filipino heritage.

Our LGBTQ+ portfolio at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) was established officially in 2024, but the organization has been a strong ally for the LGBTQ+ community since its founding in 1983, including longtime support for same sex marriage. The portfolio started in 2024 after seeing a gap in representation of the queer, trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI) community in statewide advocacy. My team knew there were numerous QTAPI organizations in California, many of which do local advocacy, and others that were historically involved in federal advocacy. We knew that the exclusion of QTAPI experiences had to change, and we started with our AAPI Queer Joy coalition.

Our AAPI Queer Joy coalition is AJSOCAL’s initiative to become more inclusive by recognizing the intersectionality of being both AAPI and LGBTQ+. It’s a partnership with QTAPI-serving organizations across the state. Together, we identify and highlight the specific needs of the QTAPI community; we advocate for inclusive policies that empower the QTAPI community and allow all in the larger LGBTQ community to thrive. My current partners in the coalition are Hmong Innovating Politics, Lavender Phoenix, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, and Viet Rainbow of Orange County. 

I feel so honored to do this work on behalf of my QTAPI and larger LGBTQ+ community. When I joined the policy team in 2023, I had no idea I’d be leading our LGBTQ+ portfolio shortly after joining. It feels like the timing was just right to have been between teams and have this opportunity. This opportunity to learn so much about my community, myself, and our long fight for equity and eventual liberation has truly changed my life.

One major highlight this year was our AAPI Queer Joy Coalition’s presence in Sacramento for Equality California (EQCA)’s LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day. To represent the QTAPI community as a group of 14 at the largest LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day in California felt incredible. EQCA’s lobby day is notable because of the leadership role their organization takes in co-sponsoring bills, working with the LGBTQ caucus members, and keeping all the LGBTQ+ and allied organizations up to date with all the bills and actions. I knew that by bringing a larger group of the AAPI community members to this day of action and communicating with their staff about my plans (and the staff happily accommodating and supporting us), they would continue to understand why it’s important to continue to be intentional about reaching out to different communities within the larger LGBTQ+ community and building power and relationships with them (and us). 

These advocacy days, community events, rallies, and townhalls remind me how important visibility and participation are, especially as QTAPI community members. We have experiences that bond us with the larger LGBTQ+ community, but also have our own unique set of challenges as AAPIs, many of us are children of immigrants, which means there may be language barriers, especially for certain LGBTQ+ terminology.

If we don’t show up and share those stories with other advocates and also members of the legislature, then they can’t work with us to make our lives better. It’s a reminder that all our stories are different and though we might share a common thread, it’s a moment to learn how our differences allow us to expand what the LGBTQ+ experience.

As I’ve worked with LGBTQ+ partners in Los Angeles and Orange County, I’ve learned so much, and I’ve been able to share a lot of data and stories with our partners who might not have experience with our QTAPI community. I’ve learned so much about our QTAPI community and the type of courageous history we have here in Southern California that spans back decades. I’ve met elders who were community organizers during the AIDS epidemic who worked together with Black and Latine communities to ensure that AIDS advocacy and education were inclusive.

I’ve heard stories of the queer and trans Vietnamese community leaders in Orange County claiming their rightful stake to march in their city’s and community’s annual Tet Festival in the 2010’s. And the list goes on. AAPIs have long been part of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and equity, and oftentimes, our work and community are invisible. I’m hopeful that in my role, I can help to uplift this history and these brave community leaders and trailblazers. That I can foster even stronger cross-community solidarity. And that I can encourage the younger QTAPI generation to engage in these times to continue and lead the fight for progress. 

The work we do has truly felt nonstop; it has asked so many of us advocates to dig deep and lock in. Life has required a lot of balancing, asking ourselves, “how much more can I really give?” and I know for many of us the answer is usually, “I can give a little bit more, I need to push a little more.” In my own practice of balance and centering myself after I feel anger, disappointment, sadness, exhaustion, or some combination of all four, I remind myself that rest and joy are essential. It’s a response. It’s an act of resistance. Rest allows us to reflect, breathe, and slow down so we can come back to our coalitions and partners with new ideas, knowing that someone can fill in for you when you need to take a step back.

Joy is an act of resistance. It is what I have reminded myself of since the first Trump presidency. That the goal of the opposition is for us to feel bogged down, to give up, to not feel like life is worth living, but that’s the reason we fight and resist. We fight because we know the type of life we deserve; we know that we deserve to celebrate our survival, existence, and especially our futures. We celebrate our resilience, our ingenuity, our community care, and our commitment to change. 

In the spirit of this, and uplifting my QTAPI identity, community, and my AAPI Queer Joy coalition partners. I want to formally invite you (yes, you, the reader) to our coalition’s 3^rd Jade Jubilee, a celebration of our state’s beautifully diverse QTAPI community. My partners are fierce, creative, loud, and brave, and we’re here with our 2026 bill priorities, fighting for our LGBTQ+ community’s future. Our Jade Jubilee will be hosted on June 10, at Cafeteria 15L in Sacramento at 5:30 PM. It’s a FREE event, and there will be free food and non-alcoholic beverages. We’ll be honoring Assemblymember Chris Ward, the Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, and Shai Chang, co-founder of Queer Hmong Intersectional Pride in Fresno, and there will be performances from two QTAPI and some of Sacramento’s best drag queens, PrincessB and LOTUS. 

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that I was feeling exhausted. But I’m also excited and looking forward to so many things while leading this LGBTQ+ portfolio. I feel honored to do this work, to work with my community partners, and see them and connect with them in person and at their events. In so many ways, it can feel lonely, especially as I do this work with only one other openly queer person on my team. With my community partners, I feel seen, understood, comforted, and strong. I feel blessed to be able to learn from them. As small as our community may be in relation to the state’s population, it doesn’t mean we have to do it alone, either as AAPI or LGBTQ+.

This pride season, I remind the community to engage even with how scary and daunting it feels, to remember that pride is for everyone and that inclusivity is a choice, and we should always ensure that we are listening to everyone in our beautifully diverse LGBTQ+ community – and not just during the month, but throughout the year as we build our movements.

By Jeffrey Deguia, LA Regional Policy Advocate at Asian Americans Advancing Justice SoCal

“What should I wear to Pride?” As June approaches, this question is filling search engines, Reddit forums, gay blogs, and TikTok reels. Gay clothes have become such an integral part of Pride Month, so much so that the annual blast of rainbow logos and “Love is Love” campaigns is hard to miss. 

This year, LA Pride is anticipating over 100,000 attendees, and 5,000 of those participating are estimated to be marchers. From vendors to celebrities to allies, walking down Hollywood Boulevard means being seen by thousands of bystanders, making it all the more exciting but also stressful. This brings us back to square one: what pride outfits will you be wearing this year? 

Gay fashion is a diverse representation of the LGBTQIA+ community itself, complex and intensely personal. Finding pieces that speak the same language requires looking beyond the mainstream, which is why we turned to Differio, a trendy online destination known for challenging the typical, one-size-fits-all menswear mold. From gay clothes to rave outfits to gala statements, the brand offers event-driven men’s clothing styles perfect for year-round parties, dinners, concerts, holidays, and beyond. 

Scroll on to discover Differio’s style guide on how to take your pride parade outfits from standard to standout. 

Parade Outfit Basics: What to Know Before You March 

Any experienced parade-goer will tell you there are a few things to keep in mind before hitting the march. Personal style is important, but never at the expense of comfort. Before you start building your look, keep these tips in mind to make sure your pride outfit works as hard as you do on parade day. 

Safety First: Check the parade’s official website for its list of prohibited items, so you know what you can and can’t bring. 

Prep Your Feet: The LA Pride march is roughly 1.5 miles, so comfortable shoes are a must. If you’re ordering new shoes, give yourself enough time to buy them in advance so you know they fit properly for parade day. 

Weatherproof Your Fit: Choose gay apparel with June’s forecast in mind. Keep yourself cool with summer-friendly items, like hats, bandanas, headbands, sweatbands, sunglasses, and hand fans. 

Stay Hands-Free: Bring a small bag to keep essentials on you, like your ID and phone. You can also look for gay clothes with functional details, like cargo pockets and keyrings.

Dress Light: Don’t let heavy items slow you down. Consider lightweight, walking-friendly styles like micro shorts, cotton tops, and activewear leggings. 

Top Pride Outfit Ideas for Mainstage Marchers 

Marching in the parade? Your outfit might be begging for something more exciting than your average graphic tee. Check out these pride outfit ideas to help you style a look that’s more expressive and elevated this year. 

The Unexpected Pride Outfit: Reimagining the Rainbow 

Pride outfits might feel incomplete without a rainbow, but don’t feel boxed in by rigid stripes either. You can still rep the iconic pride flag colors with unexpected treatments. 

As an alternative to the traditional rainbow, try gay clothes in iridescent or holographic tones for futuristic, multicolored shine. For something softer, look for an ombré rainbow that’ll lend more of a gradient, high-fashion effect. Tie-dye gay clothing is also a great way to play around with rainbow shades while paying tribute to Pride’s beginnings in the late 60s. 

The Squad Pride Outfit: Coordinate for Impact 

Celebrating with your friends? They say there’s power in numbers, and this definitely applies to gay clothes. 

Make the most of your group’s size by dressing as your favorite queer pop culture icons, like The Golden Girls or The Village People. You can rep the pride flag by having each person wear a different color or play off of each person’s unique identity. Don’t forget, you can always enhance the look with face paint, body glitter, and other makeup items for added impact. 

The Kinetic Pride Outfit: Find Movement 

Ever find yourself drawn to all the streamers and flags at the parade? We’re wired to prioritize moving shapes over static objects (like the way inflatable tube men catch our attention). The same kinetic concept can work with gay outfits. 

Simply look for any garment or fabric that naturally sways with the wind or movement. Try gay clothes in airy, loose styles, like fringe pants, tassel earrings, pride capes, or rainbow kilts. You’ll also want to avoid skintight clothing if you want to maximize this motion effect. 

The Altitude Pride Outfit: Create Height 

Height is something you might not think about, but it’s a great way for your gay clothes to be seen from all angles, even spectators beyond the barricades. Plus, it’s right in line with LA Pride’s theme this year: Rise with Pride!

Start from the ground up with platform shoes, such as platform boots or chunky sneakers, to add a few inches to your height. You can layer more height with towering headpieces, such as flower crowns, spiked hats, feather headdresses, and similar items. 

The Hybrid Pride Outfit: Wear It on Repeat 

On a budget? Don’t limit yourself to wearing your gay clothes only once a year. When you dress with intention, pride outfits can be recycled for post-parade events, such as after parties, concerts, raves, pool parties, and much more. 

As long as you find pieces that can be worn for more than one occasion, you’re on the right track. For example, harnesses are a win-win because they can be styled as lingerie staples, nightlife tops, or even fashion-forward accessories. You can also look for garments labeled as “2-in-1” or “hybrid” for more styling options.

WeHo Pride is now fully underway with an arts festival happening now, leading up to a weekend-long worth of events celebrating the kick-off of Pride season. 

On Friday, May 31, the Women’s Freedom Festival will take over the Celebration Stage, celebrating women’s rights — and wrongs. The event is co-sponsored and produced by the L-Project, featuring emerging and local artists from the LGBTQ and QTBIPOC identities, including activists, musicians, poets and comedians. 

The exciting lineup of events features an arts festival that is currently hitting the streets of West Hollywood, the historic Dyke March featuring Dykes on Bikes and Pride Riders L.A. — an organization for queer and lesbian women motorcycle riders — and much, much more. 

Katrina Vinson is the founder of Pride Riders L.A., working hard over the last few years to bring much-needed visibility to dykes, women who love women and nonbinary people who identify as sapphics. 

Her application to start the first Dykes on Bikes Los Angeles chapter is about more than branding. It’s about connection to a legacy of activism — dating back to the group’s 1976 founding in San Francisco, when leather-clad lesbians led the Pride parade in defiance of the police force and society’s patriarchal norms.

“It’s not just about riding,” Vinson says. “It’s about showing up for each other and reminding the world that we’re still here, still loud, still proud — and still riding.”

Pride Riders LA will feature an all-women and nonbinary people lineup of motorcycle bike riders, revving their engines all up and down West Hollywood. Pride Riders LA will roll in following the Women’s Freedom Festival, creating a transition from stage to street. The call for riders is already underway—with an emphasis on inclusivity and outreach to younger riders, trans and nonbinary folks, and LGBTQ+ bikers of color.

Jackie Steele is a multi-faceted community organizer and longtime activist who has built a reputation in queer and sapphic spaces. She is the Los Angeles District Attorney LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Chair, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Member, and was previously the Public Safety Commissioner for the City of West Hollywood, Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board of the City of West Hollywood and a self-proclaimed militant queer.

“Chris Baldwin runs the L-project and what they’ve put together is a concert and an event that is a true celebration of intersectional queer identities,” said Jackie Steele. “We worked really hard to work with the city to create a space that was accessible for everybody, where folks can just come out, enjoy the street fair and enjoy themselves.” 

This year, they are expecting around 50 bikes to roll through for the Dyke March, so if you’ve never been, this will be a moment to remember, some might even call it a canon event. 

“If you’ve never been, Dyke March is a celebration of dykes and what lesbians have done in the community — which is often under-celebrated,” said Steele. “There’s going to be bikes everywhere, engines roaring, a live program on stage and we will be fists in the air, standing together.” 

WeHo Pride will take over Santa Monica Blvd., over the weekend. Check the West Hollywood Pride events page to keep up with street closures, parking information and full lineup of performers and events.

By John Erickson, City of West Hollywood

Every June, rainbow flags rise above Santa Monica Boulevard and all across West Hollywood.  Music pulses from our parks and the city becomes a beacon for millions who come to celebrate LGBTQ Pride. But for those of us who live here, serve here and fight here, Pride is never just a party. It’s a political act — and an act of protest that reminds us how far we’ve come and that we must not stop fighting for the future we deserve.

West Hollywood wasn’t built on complacency. It was built with the mission of serving a greater purpose by activists, trailblazers, and everyday people who refused to be silent. In West Hollywood, we fought for safe housing for people with HIV and AIDS in the 80s and 90s — a fight we continue to this day. We marched in the streets for marriage equality and trans rights long before the national conversation caught up with us. We organized, advocated, and showed up — even when it was dangerous.

That’s what Pride means here and in 2025, as we confront the legacy of a second Trump administration and brace for what may come next, our fight is far from over.

We Must Protect What We’ve Won and Push Harder Than Ever

Let’s be clear: the Trump administration is leaving deep scars on our community. Every day, I hear from residents fearful of so many things, from rolling back healthcare protections for trans people and the proposed ban on transgender troops; to “religious freedom” laws that allow discrimination under the guise of faith — moves that are direct attacks on our rights, our dignity and our lives.

We cannot afford to be passive; we must not look away.  The rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country — from drag bans to book bans — is a coordinated backlash against our visibility and progress. And while Los Angeles County may feel like a haven, we must have a responsibility to lead by example. Pride in West Hollywood isn’t just about celebration — it’s about organizing. It’s about raising our voices in solidarity with our siblings in states like Florida, Texas and Tennessee who are facing existential threats.  Just a few weeks ago, I was out in the community enjoying a wonderful evening and met a person from Florida.  We began speaking and they said that they extended their stay for an extra evening because they didn’t want to go back to hiding their true identity in the state they were from.  

The Fight for Trans Rights Is the Fight for Our Future

This leads us to one of the most urgent fronts in this fight: protecting our trans community. Statistics show trans women of color continue to face disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination. Black and Latinx trans people experience higher rates of homelessness, unemployment and police harassment. If we’re serious about equality, we must center trans lives in our activism and policymaking.  Across L.A. County, we must demand that every city follow suit.

HIV/AIDS: The Fight Is Not Over

While medical advances like HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and undetectable equals un-transmittable (U=U), have changed the landscape of HIV prevention, the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. This is especially true for communities of color and LGBTQ youth. Nationally, Black gay and bisexual men account for nearly one in four new HIV diagnoses and young people between the ages of 13 and 24 account for over 20% of new infections. These drastic cuts in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment funding at both the federal, state, and county levels are disastrous for our communities.  

In West Hollywood, we have never wavered in our commitment to ending the epidemic and we won’t stop now. From free testing to access to treatment, we must continue to invest in the tools and care our community needs.

LGBTQ Youth Deserve More Than Survival

LGBTQ youth today are growing up in a nation that sends them mixed signals: celebration during Pride month, but censorship in their classrooms, validation on TikTok, but violence in their neighborhoods. We cannot let them down.

According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 41% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Among transgender and nonbinary youth, that number climbs even higher. These numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re a call to action, and in West Hollywood, we answered that call.

This coming budget season, we’re investing in mental health resources, funding youth-led organizations, and creating safe, affirming spaces in our city, and we’re pushing for more across LA County. Because every queer kid deserves a future — not just to survive, but to thrive.

Pride Is a Promise

Pride is not a luxury. It’s not a brand. It’s a promise: to protect each other, to show up for the most vulnerable among us, and to never forget those who came before us. Together, we must fight for the existence, dignity, and respect of our entire community — for the queer kids back in Ripon, Wisconsin, where I come from and for the friends and family that we all know across the country.  

In West Hollywood, we honor that promise every day, not just in June. We’re proud to stand on the frontlines of justice, love, and liberation. And we invite every Angeleno to stand with us.

Because Pride didn’t start as a parade — it started as a riot and we’re not done fighting.

Happy Pride Month, all. Let’s celebrate now, more than ever. 

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris Dawson, Councilmember Heather Hutt, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath, South LA Pride Board Chair Jasmyne Cannick, and hundreds of people came out to celebrate the intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community at South LA Pride Sat. Jul 15 at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex. 

This year’s South LA Pride theme – #WeOutside – embodied the celebration of being outside and visible while standing proudly together in South Los Angeles.

Presented by South Los Angeles Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Heather Hutt, and Curren Price, the epic free one-day festival centered on the talents of artists who are queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in South Los Angeles.

The 2023 South LA Pride Festival was sponsored in part by Community Coalition, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the LGBT Center, Gilead, Los Angeles Chargers, and KPFK 90.7FM.

Additional details about South LA Pride are on social media. Follow the hashtag #SouthLAPride on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram, or visit southlapride.com for the latest updates.

Photo Gallery:

LOS ANGELES –South LA Pride announced today that following his sold-out tour and viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Durand Bernarr will headline the 5th annual event on JULY 15 at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex (formerly Rancho Cienega Park) in Baldwin Hills. 

The epic FREE one-day festival lineup for South LA Pride will once again center the talents of artists who are queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or are from South Los Angeles including drag performances by Amber Crane, Sole Valentino, and Porshaa Lejayy.  Additional performances include Ginger Roots, Devan M, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Lost Angeles, Yalla the Melodica, disco queen Kiki Kyte, rappers Freaky Boiz, and more. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the stage and dance floors open at noon. A full lineup can be found here.

In addition to the main stage, other activations include a ballroom voguing competition with Season 1 winner of HBO MAX’s “Legendary” Torie Amour Bodega, a softball game hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association, yoga with WalkGoodLA at 11 a.m., a meet and greet with the LA Legends Women’s Tackle Football team, and an outdoor dance floor with various DJs mixing throughout the day.

This year’s emcees include journalist Shar Jossell and content creator and comedian Jade Fox.

Presented by South Los Angeles Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Heather Hutt, and Curren Price, South LA Pride is a family-friendly event that is free and open to all to attend. There will be food trucks, a vendor village marketplace, live DJs, games, and more.  Attendees are welcome to bring their food and drinks or can opt to purchase food and drinks from the onsite food vendors.

“I am honored to support the LGBTQIA+ community at the 5th Annual South LA Pride Celebration,” remarked Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “While love knows no boundaries, it is crucial to confront the harsh reality of unjust laws that infringe upon human rights. I stand united with my colleagues and our city in our dedication to champion freedom for everyone.”

This year’s honorees include:

• Garth Gerald, Executive Director of the AMAAD Institute
• Liliana Perez, Cultural Affairs Director for the Los Angeles Chargers; and 
• Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

“South LA Pride is a powerful experience that amplifies the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in South L.A., while also celebrating its diversity, resilience, and strength,” said Councilmember Heather Hutt. “It’s important that LGBTQ+ individuals in our community feel a sense of belonging and love from their constituents and their City, and this gathering is a testament to that commitment. Join us as we create a safe space where everyone can proudly express their authentic selves, and together, we’ll ignite change, foster peace, and promote acceptance of all!” 

South LA Pride Chair and Director Jasmyne Cannick added, “South LA Pride is a celebration that recognizes and embraces the intersectional identities that exist within our communities. The queer community is not a monolith and we don’t all live in West Hollywood. Celebrating pride means celebrating all of who we are, where we are.  We don’t have to–and we won’t–leave our community to celebrate pride.”

The 2023 South LA Pride Festival is sponsored in part by Community Coalition, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the LGBT Center, Gilead, Los Angeles Chargers and KPFK 90.7FM.

Additional details about South LA Pride will be made available on social media. Follow the hashtag #SouthLAPride on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram, or visit southlapride.com for the latest updates.

WHAT:

5th Annual South LA Pride

A free, family-friendly LGBTQ+ pride festival in South Los Angeles hosted by Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Heather Hutt, and Curren Price.

WHEN:

Saturday, July 15, 2023

12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE:

Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex

5001 Obama Blvd.

Los Angeles 90016

COST:

Free 

Attendees are encouraged to pack their picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs.

MORE INFORMATION:

Southlapride.com

Hashtag to follow #SouthLAPride

Related:

LOS ANGELES – From San Francisco to Denver to Chicago and then New York, cities large and small marked the end of Pride Month 2023 in parades and gatherings. Across the globe there were also celebrations including the 40th anniversary of Dublin Pride in Ireland and in the true spirit of that very first Pride gathering, thousands took to the streets in Istanbul, Türkiye in defiance of the ban on Pride by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

As LGBTQ+ communities celebrated they were joined by elected leaders and representatives.

Here are some highlights of Pride 2023:

Illinois Governor Jay Robert “J.B.” Pritzker:

I’ve been marching for LGBTQ+ rights since Pride was thought of as a protest — and I’m proud to keep marching as a celebration of hope and recommitment to the fight for equality today. pic.twitter.com/kyjhROgh3h

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) June 25, 2023

Colorado Governor Jared Polis:

Happy Pride from Colorado State Employees! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

We love celebrating a Colorado for All! pic.twitter.com/fUmLq1SckG

— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) June 25, 2023

New York Governor Kathy Hochul:

New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and today, thousands of New Yorkers came together to show our #StrengthInSolidarity. Happy #Pride! pic.twitter.com/GqdwuJuIAs

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 25, 2023

NBC Bay Area, KNTV 11:

San Francisco celebrated its 53rd annual Pride Parade Sunday, with a crowd nearing a million people. The theme of this year's parade was about “looking back and moving forward.” https://t.co/HTIA85kueg pic.twitter.com/dHV3ZEOIBF

— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) June 25, 2023

California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis:

Happy Pride, San Francisco 🌈❤️💜💙💚💛

Proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our incredible LGBTQIA+ community today as we celebrate diversity and continue the fight for equality. California is with you! pic.twitter.com/TDJU9Mofap

— Eleni Kounalakis (@EleniForCA) June 25, 2023

Mayor of the City of Houston, Texas, Sylvester Turner:

In the most diverse city in the nation, we chose to continue embracing the unity, inclusiveness, and ability to express ourselves for who we are.

It was great to see many Houstonians attend this year’s @PrideHouston parade last night in @downtownhouston. #Pride pic.twitter.com/t6DO3v6mrG

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) June 25, 2023

The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar:

We marched in Dublin's Pride parade today! #HappyPride 🏳️‍🌈 pic.twitter.com/BEpUezcbWo

— Fine Gael (@FineGael) June 24, 2023

Türkiye İYİ LGBTİ:

Susmuyoruz, korkmuyoruz itaat etmiyoruz! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️#Istanbulpride #OnurYürüyüşü #Dönüyoruz pic.twitter.com/nBNnh2inbp

— 🇹🇷 İYİ LGBTİ ☀️🌈 (@IYILGBTI) June 25, 2023

Maryland Governor Wes Moore:

In our state, no matter who you love or who you are, you are welcome and you are loved.

Happy #Pride, Maryland! pic.twitter.com/Ff6BtwOM9W

— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) June 25, 2023

Toronto Pride 2023:

Happy Pride! #Pride2023 #TorontoPride pic.twitter.com/y5v7B8Ax8G

— blogTO (@blogTO) June 25, 2023

Member of Parliament for Whitby, Southern Ontario, Ryan Turnbull:

In Canada, we believe in the freedom to “love who you love, and to be who you are!” Happy Pride!! #cdnpoli #Whitby #Toronto #Pride2023 pic.twitter.com/I0R048VkCa

— Ryan Turnbull 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@TurnbullWhitby) June 25, 2023

Pride Mexico City 2023 via Reuters:

Thousands of revelers crowded the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the Pride parade pic.twitter.com/5oRnAFBUIb

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 25, 2023

Twin Cities Pride via The Star Tribune; First Lady Dr. Jill Biden:

First lady Jill Biden made an appearance at Twin Cities Pride in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/1eoKz82mcC

— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) June 24, 2023

Pride in Edinburgh, Scotland 2023:

Happy Pride 🏳️‍🌈 #PrideEdinburgh #Pride2023 https://t.co/jaESsSOVpJ

— The City of Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) June 24, 2023

Seattle Pride 2023:

Organizers estimate nearly 300,000 people were out and about, proud to be part of the 49th Annual Seattle Pride Parade. https://t.co/OBvR7q2sBK

— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) June 26, 2023

Metro Manila Pride, Philippines 2023:

Flags, Friends, and Feathers: The 2023 Metro Manila Pride March 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/ITqf9d2Jnq#TAYOangKULAYAAN#JUSTICEforCHADBOOC#JUSTICEforNewBataan5#Pride2023#PrideMarch2023#PrideMonth2023 @mmprideorg

Watch in 4K: https://t.co/HtfjqMpWsi pic.twitter.com/Hr8vhN3XWK

— Ralph Revelar Sarza (@walphs) June 25, 2023

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY):

Happy Pride NYC! I've never missed a march in over 30 years, and with the LGBTQ+ community facing increased attacks, it's more important than ever to celebrate visibility & diversity. pic.twitter.com/zQa6pHsNST

— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) June 26, 2023

Oklahoma City Pride 2023:

It was amazing to see our Indigenous brothers and sisters at OKC Pride today. Sending love and hugs to my Two Spirit siblings! pic.twitter.com/XOCsOzmnWp

— ᒪᗩᑎᑕᗴ 🏳️‍🌈 (@LanceUSA70) June 25, 2023

HOLLYWOOD – The LA Pride Parade made its way through Hollywood on Sunday, highlighting the last day of this year’s weekend-long Pride celebration.

LOS ANGELES – (KABC7) The 53rd annual L.A. Pride Parade will be rolling through the historic heart of Hollywood Sunday, and you can watch the celebration on ABC7.

The grand marshals for the parade this year are Margaret Cho, the ACLU SoCal and the late Leslie Jordan – a family member will represent Jordan.

The parade will feature a special performance presented by the ACLU SoCal and staged by Morgan McMichaels to music by 14-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren.

The parade features hundreds of marchers, colorful floats, celebrity guests, and there will be a few big surprises too.

There is a new route and direction this year. The parade will start at Sunset Boulevard and goes up Highland, and then turns right on Hollywood Boulevard, rolling all the way to Cahuenga where it makes a final right turn heading back to Sunset Boulevard.

It all begins Sunday, June 11 at 11am.

ABC7 is your official L.A. Pride station! Join our hosts Ellen Leyva and Christiane Cordero as we broadcast the parade on ABC7, Hulu and wherever you stream ABC7 Los Angeles.

Check out abc7.com/pride for stories about the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, and share your Pride with #abc7eyewitness.