Here are some things you may not already know about Long Beach: This city in southern Los Angeles County (just 20 miles south of L.A. proper) has a population of nearly 470,000, making it the 35th-largest city in the nation (bigger than Cleveland, Minnapolis, Tampa, and many others), and the fifth-largest in California (putting it ahead of Fresno, Sacramento, and Oakland). It's also home to a sizable, dynamic gay and lesbian population, and in 2008 (on the weekend of May 17 and 18), the city celebrates the 25th anniversary of Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride. Organizers claim this two-day event, with its draw of some 75,000 participants and 200 floats in its parade, has become the third-largest such event in America. In other words, GLBT Pride in Long Beach is one of the biggies, and it's a terrific time to acquaint yourself with a gay-friendly that city that, frankly, doesn't get as much press as it deserves.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of the key activities that will make up Long Beach Pride in 2008:
The Long Beach Gay Pride Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 17 - 18, from 11 am to 10 pm, along East Shoreline Drive near the excellent Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific - it's right at the city's Rainbow Lagoon Park.
The entertainment lined up for Pride in Long Beach is astounding - a main stage features numerous musicians (The Bangles, Sheena Easton, KC and the Sunshine Band, and so on), and additional stages are themed according to different interests and GLBT groups: Fiesta Caliente with Latin sounds (and Crystal Waters), Urban Soul, Dance, Interfaith (with a commitment ceremony at 1 pm on Sunday), coffeehouse (think folk and vocals), and country-western (with line-dancing lessons on Saturday and Sunday at 4:30.
The Long Beach Pride Parade takes place on Sunday at 10:30 am at the corner of East Ocean Boulevard and Temple Avenue.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Weekend. Check local gay papers, such as IN Magazine and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade as well as the Long Beach Community Business Network/Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, for details.
