Thousands of people lined Santa Monica Boulevard Sunday for the colorful, funny, entertaining and sometimes moving annual L.A. Pride Parade. The parade, which began in 1970 on Hollywood Boulevard and moved in 1979 to West Hollywood, featured 130 floats and marching groups.
There were three dozen commercial sponsors, as varied as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Chipolte Mexican Grill and HBO. Civic and political figures and institutions turned out, with floats carrying members of the West Hollywood City Council and the city’s various advisory boards and commissioners. Religious groups represented included Hollywood United Methodist Church, the American Jewish World Service, St. Augustine Episcopal Church and the SoCal Lutheran group. There were the many LGBT non-profit organizations such as APLA, the Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign and Bienestar Human Services.
And of course there were the colorful and often sexy representatives of local bars such as Revolver, The Abbey, the Eagle and Mickys.
Photographer Matt Baume was on the scene to capture some of the color, offered in photos on the pages that follow.
Page 2 What could be more colorful?
Page 3 Sexy is in the eye of the beholder.
Page 4 The campaigning never ends.
We are making history in our Country State by State by legalizing Gay marriage and changing laws in the workplace so why not let our hair down (or put in on) once a year in a wild and fun parade? The gay community is as diverse as the colors on the gay flag and we should embrace all our differences and not be afraid to show them, especially at gay pride. As far as what the straights in the community think of our parade? Again, Who Cares? as long as they keep making gay babies who cares what they think.… Read more »
This was the best Pride festival I have volunteered at in 10 years. It was so different, more colorful, more exciting and inviting than ever before. I truly thought no one would ever hear the people. The people wanted change. The new leadership delivered. Big time. This is a Pride to be proud of.
What could be more colorful? Try West Hollywood’s gay bars and the gay community including something other than white guys.
Hmmm where are the picture of people of color?
Shawn, your three word question speaks volumes.
No grand marshal?