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 about 465,000, making it among the top 40 largest cities in the nation (bigger than Kansas City, Minneapolis, and many others), and the seventh-largest in California (it's just behind Fresno and Sacramento). It's also home to a sizable, dynamic gay and lesbian population, and in 2012 (set for the weekend of May 19 and 20), the city celebrates the 29th Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride. This two-day event, with its draw of some 80,000 participants and 200 floats in its parade, has become one of the largest Gay Pride celebrations in America - big crowds are expected this year, as Queen Latifah is headlining. 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.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Long Beach during Gay Pride.
Here's a quick preview of Long Beach Gay Pride 2012:
The Long Beach Gay Pride Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday (May 19 and 20), 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 impressive - a main stage features numerous musicians (including legendary singer and actress Queen Latifah, along with Robert Lopez, the LBians Jeff Dewitt, Adaawe, Abraham McDonald, Omar Perez, and many others), and additional stages are themed according to different interests and GLBT groups, from Latin music to soul and hip-hop to country-western dancing. Tickets to the festival cost $20 per day and are available the day of the event; you can also buy guaranteed reserve parking for $8, with reservations also available online.
The Long Beach Gay Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, May 20, at 10:30 am at the corner of East Ocean Boulevard and Lindero Avenue. There's also entertainment and pre-parade fun beginning ahead of time, at 9:30, during Parade Central, on Cherry Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, right by Bixby Park.
For the first time this year, the iconic Queen Mary ocean liner, which is permanently docked in Long Beach, will be hosting the Proud Mary Weekend, complete with a party on Saturday night and a brunch gathering on Sunday morning.
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 the Orange County and Long Beach Blade as well as the Long Beach Community Business Network/Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, for details. Also take a look at the useful Long Beach CVB site, a handy resource for general travel planning.
