Los Angeles Pride

Los Angeles’ Pride parade has deep roots. One year after the Stonewall Riots rocked New York in the late sixties, a small group of organizers were looking for a way to bring the energy of the newly catalyzed gay rights movement to the West Coast scene. They considered a demonstration. But it was co-founder Reverend Troy Perry who famously said, “No. We’re going to do a parade. This is Hollywood.”

The parade would become the first of its kind, and would inspire events like it around the world. In an era when many LGBTQ youth and adults found themselves living on the gritty streets of Hollywood with nowhere let to turn, it was first and foremost a beacon of hope, help, and community.

No matter what you’ve heard, Hollywood is an industry town. For every glamorous movie starlet there’s a cast of make-up artists, choreographers, and costumers supporting below the line. And for every location film shoot, there’s a team cops directing traffic. It’s no different at Pride.

Yes, Pride is part excess. But, in a town built on entertainment, nothing you’ll see is any more outrageous than your average football game halftime show. People act themselves when they’re in a place of safety, and they feed off each other’s energy. What you see in these streets is nothing less than pure joy.

The true message of Pride is about inclusion and self-expression in a safe environment. And yes, part of it is rebellion. Behind every flag waved there are real stories of struggle that everyone in the LGBTQ community share.

Now, there are folks who still have a problem with this. But, I’ve never met a more welcoming bunch of real people. Their only agenda is to live free and to be themselves.

Yes, Pride is a celebration. For those who’ve found their tribe, belonging is a powerful thing. The desire to rise above the struggle, and take the passion that you have for your people out into the streets is universal one. After all, this is Hollywood, and flamboyance is part of the point.