Long Beach hosted its 3oth annual Gay Pride Weekend in support of gay and lesbian rights.
Gay Pride Week in Long Beach is one of the most popular and colorful events held in Long Beach. Events are held all weekend, including concerts and club events, all ending in the pride parade on Sunday, May 18, at 10:30 am on Ocean Blvd.
The gay pride celebration has become one of the most popular events in Long Beach, attracting over 80 thousand participants over the weekend.
Long Beach is one of the most gay friendly towns around, having it’s own “rainbow district”, where many businesses fly rainbow flags in front of their shops to show their support for the gay community.
David Leon, 31, physiology major at Cal State Long Beach, said, “Pride week gives the gay community a chance to celebrate without being judged, it’s definitely a week where we can be comfortable with who we are. I don’t feel judged this weekend, I honestly feel really accepted and at home.”
Many who have been to the gay pride events in Long Beach in the past couple of years are able to shed some light on the upcoming parade, which definitely starts and ends with a bang.
Local businesses also partook in the weekend events, flying rainbow flags outside to show their support within the gay and lesbian community.
Ashley Greene, 23, public relations major and a server in the rainbow district said, “We definitely expect a lot of gay and lesbian couples this weekend. Everyone comes out to drink, party and generally have a nice time.”
Jordan Kink, 21, business major, “I have been to the parade before, their will be many floats from local business’s that show their support for the gay community. It’s an all day event. House parties are being thrown every night, brunch the next time, the party doesn’t seem to end. You definitely don’t look forward to work the following Monday”.
The parade will start by Lindero Ave. on Ocean Blvd, and go all the way to downtown Long Beach. Jennifer Short, a local, said, “It’s definitely a colorful event, but living in Long Beach, I’m kind of used to colorful, so I don’t mind showing my support for the local community, I’ll definitely walk by and see what costumes people have on this year.”
Events at gay businesses such as Ripples and Silver Fox were jam packed with lines out the door and wrapped around the block. Ripples, which was Long Beach’s first gay club, will definitely be the highlight of the week with it’s beach views and fun cocktail menu.
The parade is what everyone waits for, and ran on Sunday to end all of the festivities. Gay and Lesbian Pride Week is simply an all week party that is supported with not only the gay and lesbian community, but also tends to bring out supporting friends, supporting family members, business owners, and those who simply want to express their support in the right’s of the gay and lesbian community.
