Los Angeles celebrates Gay Pride in mid-June (June 8 to 10 in 2012), to honor what many consider to be one of the foremost events in the history of lesbian and gay rights, the Stonewall Riots, which commenced early in the morning on June 28, 1969 at New York City's still busy Stonewall gay bar. Los Angeles Gay Pride was begun just a year after Stonewall, in 1970, and has been growing stronger every year since - this year will be the 42nd anniversary of Los Angeles Gay Pride, or "LA PRIDE," as its organizers officially call it. It's produced by Christopher Street West and takes place in L.A.'s most gay-identified area, the city of West Hollywood.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Los Angeles during Gay Pride.
Check the West Hollywood Guide to Gay-Friendly Hotels
More on LA Gay Pride 2012 will be posted here as information is made available. Here's a look at last year's event:
On Friday night, the West Hollywood Lesbian Visibility Committee presents Dyke March and Purple Party, which takes place at on San Vicente Boulevard just south of Santa Monica Boulevard at 7:30 pm - the event includes both a rally and march. A free party takes place throughout the evening (from about 5 pm until midnight), and events include a drumming circle, women on motorcycles, prominent community speakers, and much more.
The L.A. Pride Festival occurs over Saturday (from noon until midnight) and Sunday (from 11 am till 11 pm) in the heart of West Hollywood at West Hollywood Park (along the west side of San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue). This festival, with an advance admission price of $15 for one day or $28 for two days (online only, from the official Pride site), features about 200 community and gay-friendly business exhibitors, plus plenty of entertainment on a variety of stages. You can also purchase tickets at the gate for $20 per day. Headliners last year included Kelis, En Vogue, Martha Davis & The Motels, and Kelly Rowland, as well as dozens of other luminaries.
During the evenings of Gay Pride, a much sexier event called Erotic City, is back this year as one of the festivals main pavilions. Any type of attire is welcome at this salacious little fete, and rubber, leather, and fetishwear are encouraged.
The Annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, June 12, at 11 am, beginning at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Heights Blvd. and running for several blocks west along Santa Monica Boulevard to the corner of Robertson Boulevard. The parade's Grand Marshals this year are last year were Sharon and Kelly Osbourne - this year's Grand Marshals had not been announced as of this writing.
There are, of course, all sorts of exciting Pride-related parties taking place around Los Angeles during Pride weekend. One promoter, Monster Beach, is offering an LA Gay Pride Package, which includes admission to Pride Parties around town, from Thursday through Sunday. Among these celebrations is a "Monster Beach Party" at Venice Beach, and a "TigerHeat Party" at the Avalon Theatre, featuring a live performance by Pepper MaShay.
Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Frontiers Magazine and Lesbian News for details. Also take a look at the outstanding GLBT site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the West Hollywood CVB, as well as the similarly useful L.A. Gay Nightlife Guide created by the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau..
