Los Angeles celebrates Gay Pride in mid-June (June 12 to 14 in 2009), 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 40th annivesary of the Stonewall Riots, and this coupled with the activism generated around gay marriage as a result of the political events of 2008 ensure huge crowds for the 2009 event (especially as the Grand Marshals are the ever-fabulous duo of Chelsea Handler and Chuy Bravo). It's produced by Christopher Street West and takes place in L.A.'s most gay-identified area, the city of West Hollywood.
Shop for and compare rates on hotel rooms in Los Angeles during Gay Pride
Shop for and compare rates on hotel rooms in West Hollywood during Gay Pride
In Los Angeles, Pride celebrations take place over three days in mid-June (from June 12 to June 14, in 2009). Here's a quick look at L.A. Gay Pride in 2009. Note that you can also download pdf versions of the official 2009 Pride! Guide.
On Friday night, June 12, the West Hollywood Lesbian Visibility Committee presents Dyke March 2009, 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 "after party" follows the march (from about 9 pm until 11:30 pm), and events include a drumming circle, women on motorcycles, prominent community speakers, and much more.
The L.A. Pride Festival occurs over Saturday, June 13 (from noon until midnight) and Sunday, June 14 (from 11 am till 10 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 $15 in advance and $20 at the admission gate, features about 200 community and gay-friendly business exhibitors, plus plenty of entertainment on a variety of stages. Headliners include Fantasia, Deborah Cox, Expose, Terri Nunn & Berlin, and Blake Lewis on the main stage; along with additional appearances by Ben Patrick Johnson, Marcellas Reynolds, Billy Masters, Momma, the Smart Set, LunarClick, Erika Jayne, Debby Holiday, Taxi Doll, Jimmy Clabots, Syesha Mercado, and dozens of other luminaries.
During the evenings of Gay Pride, a much sexier event called Erotic City, takes place in the same venue from 8 pm until midnight. Any type of attire is welcome at this salacious little fete, and rubber, leather, and fetishwear are encouraged.
The 39th Annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, June 14, 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 late-night talk-show host and comedian Chelsea Handler and her trusty sidekick Chuy Bravo, who have both been ardent supporters of the GLBT community - check out the very funny PSA they made to encourage California residents to vote no on Prop 8.
Of course, 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 IN Los Angeles for details.
