Los Angeles celebrates Gay Pride in mid-June (June 7 to 9 in 2013), to honor what many consider to be one of the foremost events in the history of lesbian and gay rights, the Stonewall Riots, which took place on June 28, 1969 at Manhattan's 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 43rd 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. There's usually a fun celeb parade Grand Marshall - last year it was actress Molly Ringwald.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Los Angeles during Gay Pride.
Check the West Hollywood Guide to Gay-Friendly Hotels
Details on LA Gay Pride 2013 will be posted here closer to the event. Here's a look at last year's festivities:
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 admission price of $20 per day (you can buy tix from the official Pride site), features nearly 200 community and gay-friendly business exhibitors, plus plenty of entertainment on a variety of stages. Headliners last year included Lil' Kim, Belinda Carlisle, Karmin, Dev, Alec Mapa, Jessica Sutta, Dan Holguin, and 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 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 Marshal this year is Molly Ringwald.
There are, of course, all sorts of exciting Pride-related parties taking place around Los Angeles during Pride weekend. One promoter, Monster Beach, offers an LA Gay Pride Package, which includes admission to Pride Parties around town, from Thursday through Sunday.
Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hip 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..
