Events
Southern California’s LGBTQ+ 2024 Pride events
Welcome to a celebration of Pride 2024 in Southern California. Here’s a calendar of events from around the region
Venice Pride’s Gaywatch
May 31
Baja Venice 311 Washington Blvd, Venice
venicepride.org
Venice Pride Block Party presented by Aids Healthcare Foundation
May 31
99 Windward Ave
LA’s beloved grassroots LGBTQ+ Pride celebration returns with a *FREE* party in the street!
Venice Pride Block Party
4th annual San Gabriel Valley Pride March and Festival
June 1
Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside (BGCWSGV), City of Monterey Park, and Alhambra Teachers Association are teaming up on the 4th annual San Gabriel Valley Pride March and Festival this Saturday, June 1. Hundreds of community members, including those of the LGBTQ+ group, will gather during this event to advocate for inclusivity and kindness during Pride month. The one-mile Pride march begins at Mark Keppel High School and will conclude at Barnes Memorial Park, where there will be food trucks, live music performances, art, and community resources. The festival will be hosted by Lisa Foxx from IHeart Radio and will highlight Club youth with inspiring LGBTQ+ stories, including teen member Mia Guttierez.
WHEN: Saturday, June 1 from 8:30 a.m. ā 12:00 p.m.
*Pride festival begins at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Barnes Memorial Park |350 S Mc Pherrin Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754
*Noting that this march will begin at Mark Keppel High School and conclude at Barnes Memorial Park, where the concert and festival will occur.
Los Angeles Angels Pride Night
June 1
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Join fans in the Gate 5 Courtyard for pre-game Pride festivities. Purchase a Pride Night ticket package and receive discounted pricing along with a Pride Night-themed Angles hat. Proceeds from each ticket purchase will benefit OC Pride.
angels.com/pride
AIDS/LifeCycle 2024 Ride
June 2-8
The Cow Palace
AIDS/LifeCycle is a fully-supported, seven-day bike ride
from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It’s a life-changing 545-mile ride-not a race-through some of California’s most beautiful countryside.
aidslifecycle.org
WeHo Pride Weekend
May 31- June 2
WeHo Pride 2024 kicks-off on Harvey Milk Day, May 22, with a special event.
wehopride.com
Friday Night @ Outloud
May 31
WeHo Pride presents this free-to-attend concert in West Hollywood Park featuring headliners to be announced soon!
wehopride.com
Glendale Pride in the Park
June 1, 1pm-5pm
Adams Square Mini Park
The Glendale Pride in the Park celebration and queer family picnic is back. Glendale invites everyone in the community to join and work with love, in healing, and in creating safe space for our kids to thrive.
glendaleout.org
Yappy Pride Party Returns to Just Food for Dogs West Hollywood
June 1, 2024, from 2 pm ā 5 pm
The Yappy Pride Party is returning to the Just Food for Dogs West Hollywood kitchen, located at 7870 Santa Monica Boulevard, Saturday June 1, 2024, from 2 p.m. ā 5 p.m. during WeHo Pride weekend. Dogs and their pet companions are welcome to attend the event at their parking lot on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue
Guests will celebrate the kickoff of Pride Month with some food and refreshments. Past events have offered wraps, freshly made burgers, hot dogs, and there were plenty of dog treats for pets to munch on. This year enjoy a photo session with fur family photos (available from 3-5pm) with the purchase of toy and treat bundle. There will also be a K-9 couture contest.
Relentlessly Advocating for Pet Health
Being Completely Transparent
Basing Decisions on Scientific Evidence
Driving Change in Our Category
Honoring Pet Life Through Support of Rescue Efforts
You can find them at retail kitchens, inside veterinary clinics and hospitals, at Pet Food Express stores in California, Petco locations nationwide, and on Chewy.com.
To learn more, please visit; https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/
Womenās Freedom Festival and Dyke March
Women’s Freedom Festival
June 1, 12pm – 6pm
WeHo Pride Street Fair Community Stage at La Peer Dr.
Co-sponsored and produced by the L-Project, the festival will feature emerging LGBTQ and BIPOC women, non-binary musicians, comedians, poets, and activists.
wehopride.com
Dyke March
June 1, 6pm-10pm
WeHo Pride Street Fair Community Stage at La Peer Dr.
Featuring a motorcycle-led march, this annual rally will begin immediately following the Women’s Freedom Festival along Santa Monica Boulevard.
wehopride.com
WeHo Pride weekend is almost upon us. It all begins this Friday, May 31, 2024 to Sunday, June 2, 2024, with the return of the Womenās Freedom Festival and Dyke March on Saturday. Women are taking over Boystown for WeHo Pride! Womenās Freedom Festival and the Dyke March returns for its 3rd year at West Hollywood Pride on Saturday, June 1, 2024 beginning at 12 noon!
This event is FREE. It is produced by The L-Project Los Angeles and co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood.
Located at the Celebration Stage on west end of Santa Monica Blvd at LaPeer Avenue, the event will be hosted by Jackie Steele with sounds by DJ Boom Boom & DJ Sterling Victorian.
This yearās lineup of 2SLGBTQ+BIPOC artists will include live performances by: Nekeith ā Madline Grace Jones ā Shiah Luna ā Gattison ā Cheri Moon ā Theia ā Mariah Counts and the KingQueen Band. Poetry by Yazmin Monet Watkins + Sasha MaRi ā Suri Chan and West Hollywoodās Poet Laurette, Jen Cheng.
Guest speakers will include: Queen Hollins, Chanel Lumiere, Amy Stretten (Chickhominy)
Dyke March performance by THEIA & MEDUSA, THE GANSTA GODDESS
Biker staging for the Dyke March will begin at 5pm with an opening performance by Medusa at 5:30 p.m. The Dyke March Rally at 6 p.m. and the March will begin 6:30 p.m.
Bikers! If interested in joining Pride Riders for the Dyke March, please contact: Katrina Vinson at: [email protected]
Reserve your tickets for a chance to win free promos and other giveaways by clicking on the link here: (Link)
The Womenās Freedom Festival lineup and schedule (*subject to change) is as follows:
ACT ONE ā 12:30 PM ā 3 PM
Host: Jackie Steele
Sounds by: DJ Boom Boom @mz_djboomboom
Opening Ceremony
Tongva Nation Land Blessing
Queen Hollins
Jen Cheng @jencvoice
Chanel Lumiere @chanelblaclumiere
Nekeith @officialnekeith
Madeline Grace Jones @aesthetic_thespian
Suri Chan @suri___chan
Shiah Luna @shiahluna
Cheri Moon @cherimoon
Gattison @justgattison
ACT TWO ā 3 PM ā 5 PM
DJ Sterling
Theia @theiaofficialxo
Mariah Counts @mcshmammer
KingQueen Band @kingqueen.band
ACT THREE ā DYKE MARCH 530 PM ā 630 PM
Yazmin Monet Watkins + Sasha MaRi @yazminmonetwatkins
Medusa @legendmedusa
Trans Choir
Pride Rider Rally @pride_riders_la
The L-Project is an historically lesbian non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 2015 by Elisabeth Sandberg, in West Hollywood, California. Their mission is to promote and support emerging LGBTQI BI+POC women and non-binary creatives through the arts and technology.
Outloud @ WeHo Pride
June 1-2
An award-winning, ticketed concert highlighting LGBTQ artistry, this star-studded, high-energy line-up celebrates and advocates for queer voices in music, kicking off Pride Season!
wehopride.com
WeHo Pride Street Fair
June 1-2
The street fair is free and will include community group booths, exhibitors, sponsor activations, a stage with live performances, and other entertainment elements.
wehopride.com
WeHo Pride Parade
June 2
A colorful and entertaining event for the whole family, the parade will feature contingents such as floats, bands, drill teams, dance teams, entertainment entries, marchers and special guests.
wehopride.com
LA Pride in the Park
June 8, 1pm-11pm
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles
LA Pride in the Park is a highly anticipated music event. This year’s headliner is Latin superstar Ricky Martin. Joining him on the massive 80-foot stage will be MUNA, Tokischa and Jojo Siwa, among others. It’s also an LGBTQ+ community event organized by CSW, LA’s original 501(c)3 Pride nonprofit, established in 1970. Guests will enjoy over 20 acres of activities, glow-ups, giveaways, and more from LGBTQIA+ partners, exhibitors, and vendors.
lapride.org
As the first openly gay Latin artist to take center stage at the highly-anticipated Pride event of the year, this marks Martinās first-ever headliner Pride performance.
LA Pride in the Park will return to the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Saturday, June 8. Across 20 acres and with a capacity for 25,000, LA Pride in the Park is one of the most sought-after and largest Official Pride concerts in the country. Additionally, the official theme for this yearās Pride season is āPower in Pride,ā which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ communityās ability to live authentically.
General Admission and VIP Passes are now available to purchase at lapride.org.
āI am thrilled to be headlining LA Pride in the Park because itās an incredible opportunity to celebrate love, diversity, and equality,ā said Martin. āLA Pride is a testament to the power of community, the power of visibility, and the power of standing up for our rights. Being part of this vibrant community fills me with pride and purpose.ā
54th ANNUAL LA PRIDE PARADE
JUNE 9, 2024: STEP OFF at 11AM
The best Parade viewing spots are along the middle of Hollywood Blvd, or on Highland, opposite the ABC7 broadcast area. Step-off is at 11AM sharp, so get there early to get a good spot.
If you canāt be with there in person, be sure to watch the parade live on ABC7, LA Pride’s Official Television & Streaming Partner.
PARADE BLOCK PARTY
June 9, 2024
ADJACENT TO PARADE ROUTE HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
Weāre keeping the celebration going on Sunday by throwing the ultimate free Block Party adjacent to the Parade, open from mid-day and going into the evening. With a performance stage, large vendor village, food & bevs, pop-up bars, and more, itās the place to be to after the Parade. Last year, 35,000 people enjoyed this free Parade āafter-party,ā donāt miss it!
The Block Party vendor booth application deadline has now passed. Stay tuned to learn more about the cool things we have in store!
The Grove will host Los Angelesā beloved annual Pride Night celebration
June 13
The Grove will host Los Angelesā beloved annual Pride Night celebration on Thursday, June 13, presented by Afterpay. Friends, family and members of the LGBTQIA+ community will gather in The Park for a colorful night of festive bingo, live entertainment, delectable sips and bites and more in celebration of this yearās Pride Month.
When doors open at 6PM, The Park at The Grove will shine in bright rainbow ornamentation, welcoming guests to rejoice with Pride-themed dĆ©cor, upbeat tunes from a live DJ and a variety of interactive photo moments to capture the excitement. An array of bites from Roccoās Pizza and The Groveās dining tenants will be available to enjoy, including HƤagen-Dazs, Wetzelās Pretzels, Pressed Juicery and % Arabica, complemented by beverages from Hamptons Water, Casa Dragones, Grey Goose and Calidad.
The Groveās acclaimed Pride Bingo will begin promptly at 7:30PM. Tickets are $55 per person and include 10 rounds of bingo hosted by LA legend āBingo Boyā (Jeffrey Bowman) and chances to win luxury prizes from some of The Groveās renowned retailers like the newly opened David Yurman and Arhaus, along with Byredo, Backcountry, Todd Snyder and more. Caruso Signature members will also receive exclusive Pride merch and complimentary parking validation. Ticket proceeds will be donated to LA Pride.
Pride Night is sponsored by ābuy now, pay laterā service Afterpay. New and existing Afterpay customers who purchase Pride Bingo tickets will be reimbursed at check-in and guests are encouraged to arrive via Lyft, the official rideshare partner of Caruso. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://thegrovela.com/events/pride-bingo-2/.
WHAT: Pride Night at The Grove, presented by Afterpay
WHEN: Thursday, June 13
6PM ā 9PM
Check-In Opens: 6PM
Food, Drinks and Live Music: 6PM-7:30PM
Bingo and Prizes: 7:30PM-9PM
WHERE: The Grove (in The Park)
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
ADMISSION: (1) Pride Bingo Ticket: $55
*Includes 10 rounds of bingo, meal and beverage tickets, exclusive Pride merch, photo opportunities and chances to win complimentary prizes from The Groveās stores and restaurants
To purchase tickets, please visit https://thegrovela.com/event-listing/#id=pride-bingo-los-angeles-2 .
LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium
Friday, June 14 – 7:10pm PT
Dodger Stadium
Our World Series-winning Dodgers take on the Kansas City Royals with LA Pride pre-game festivities featuring DJ party, and Pride merch for special ticket holders!
Buy tickets here: (Link)
Catalina Island Gears Up for an Unforgettable Pride Celebration
June 15, 2024
Catalina Pride, sponsored by US Bank, will kick off at noon with the ceremonial Pride Walk, starting from Wrigley Stage and continuing along the scenic waterfront to the famous Catalina Island Casino. Participants are encouraged to don their brightest rainbow attire as they join in this joyous march showcasing support for the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, the historic Catalina Island Casino will be lit in vibrant rainbow colors to showcase Catalinaās love and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Wrigley Stage will be the heart of the celebration, featuring an exciting lineup of live entertainment. Highlights include:
- Pulp Vixen ā This all-female cover band, known for their high-energy performances, will headline the event.
- DJ Asha ā Returning for her third year, DJ Asha will keep the crowd dancing with her dynamic mixes.
- KingQueen ā The rock-pop band is back by popular demand.
- Mermaid ā Featuring Candace Quarrels and Brittany Campbell, this duo blends rock, pop, and R&B.
- Danielle Lande ā Singer-songwriter and founder of QUEERSOUND.
- Patrick St. James ā Irish-born, Manchester-based queer pop singer-songwriter.
- DJ Jae Fusz ā Former background dancer for Britney Spears, bringing his DJ skills to the stage.
- Tonii and Miya King ā Performing as both solo artists and their duo group Sunday.
- Sister Ray ā Known for their eclectic style and original songs.
- DJ Hovani ā Las Vegas-based DJ known for his infectious sets.
- In addition to the main stage performances, an after-party will be held at the Chi Chi Club from 10 PM to close, featuring sets by DJ Hovani and DJ Fusz.
āWe are delighted to welcome everyone to Catalina Island for this special celebration of love and diversity,ā said Jim Luttjohann, CEO of Love Catalina. āPride is not just an event; it’s a testament to our community’s commitment to inclusion and acceptance. Catalina is a wonderful destination for LGBTQ+ visitors year-round, offering a welcoming atmosphere, stunning scenery, and a variety of activities for all to enjoy. We look forward to a fantastic day of celebration, music, and unity.ā
Pride is Universal at Universal Studios Hollywood
June 15, 2024 10pm – 2am
LA Prideās iconic after-hours party is back at Universal Studios Hollywood, with a limited discounted GA ticket price of $139! Enjoy the magic of when the park closes to the public at 10pm and you get to stay until 2am for the Pride-only after-hours experience with multiple DJās, dance areas, cash bars, 14 Universal characters, and enhanced lighting throughout the park! Plus the retail stores, select restaurants, rides, and attractions remain open just for us!
BUY PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL TICKETS
City of Santa Monica celebrates Pride
The month-long SaMo Pride celebration returns this June with interactive activities and experiences that honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and promote inclusivity and acceptance in Santa Monica. SaMo Pride is a citywide partnership between Santa Monica Place, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) and Santa Monica Pier, in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism.
Fierce Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family-Edition
June 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At Santa Monica Pier, the community is invited to participate in the Merry-Go-Round Building. Hosted in partnership with The Crow Comedy Club, this event welcomes all family members to enjoy a drag queen and king storytelling corner, face painting and show-stopping dance numbers by Pickle Drag Queen, Pandora Boxx and Johnny Gentleman.
Pride on the Promenade
June 22, from 2 to 8 p.m.
This lively block party transforms Third Street Promenade into a colorful celebration featuring musical performances curated by OUTLOUD, giveaways, games and a retail pop-up marketplace showcasing local LGBTQ+ businesses, creating an inclusive space for all ages to come together and celebrate diversity. Plus, local service providers and community groups will be present along the Promenade, offering support and resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
Sounds of Santa Monica: Pride Edition
June 22, from noon to 6 p.m.
Families will groove to the beats of live musical entertainment by LGBTQ+ performers in Center Plaza under Lanterns of Love, an overhead colorful lantern installation. Vibrant overhead lights will also span from Third Street Promenade to Santa Monica Place, illuminating the festive atmosphere. Also on Saturday, the Santa Monica Place Kid Zone offers kid-friendly Pride programming and activities, creating an educational and entertaining space for children to play and learn about inclusivity and acceptance. For more information about Sounds of Santa Monica: Pride Edition, visit santamonicaplace.com.
The City of Santa Monica is dedicated to increasing visibility and understanding of the broad spectrum of gender identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. The City celebrates Pride with the month-long lighting of City Hall in rainbow colors and a series of educational, uplifting events during the month of June. Community events include the Cityās Pride Proclamation on May 28; an AIDS LifeCycle Finish Line Festival on June 8; Rainbow Family Storytime at the Santa Monica Public Library on June 11; Family Pride Drag Queen Storytime with Pickle on June 14; Pride sunset swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House on June 21; and much more.
Hermosa Beach Pride
Friday, June 14 to Sunday June 16, 2024
Location: Hermosa Beach
About the Event: Girls, gays, theys, allies, ALL are welcome to join us for our 4th Annual Hermosa Beach PRIDE, June 14-16! For more information, please visit Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureauās website.
This Pride month, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath is supporting a wide range of Pride events throughout Los Angeles Countyās Third Supervisorial District in solidarity, support, and love of our LGBTQ+ community.
āThis Pride, weāre committed to making sure that our LGBTQ+ community, in all of its beautiful diversity, is welcomed, supported, and celebrated throughout Los Angeles County,ā said Chair Horvath. āAs we honor the progress we’ve made and continue to push for equality, we must stand strong, use our voices, and make sure that our LGBTQ+ community always feels empowered. The Third District and LA County will be loud and proud in our support for all our LGBTQ+ family, during Pride month and year-round.ā
The media and community are invited to join Chair Horvath for the following Pride Month events throughout the Third District.
VeniceāÆPrideāÆ| May 31st, 5 – 11 p.m. | 99 Windward Ave. | venicepride.org
West HollywoodāÆPrideāÆ| June 1stāÆ- June 2ndāÆ| Santa Monica Blvd. | wehopride.com
Chair Horvath will attend the West Hollywood Pride Parade, which takes place on June 2nd at 12:30 p.m.
Los AngelesāÆPrideāÆ| June 8thāÆ- June 9thāÆ| Hollywood Blvd. | lapride.org
Chair Horvath will attend the Los Angeles Pride Parade, which takes place on June 9th at 11 a.m.
Santa MonicaāÆPrideāÆ| June 22nd, 2 – 8 p.m. | Third Street Promenade | smpride.com
San Fernando Outdoor Pride MarketĀ āÆ| June 22nd, 6-10 p.m. | San Fernando Rd. |Ā sfoutdoormarket.comĀ
WEST HOLLYWOOD ā The City of West Hollywood is co-sponsoring the first annual Inglewood Pride Festival in the City of Inglewood on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Events are set to take place at the Creative House Gallery at 122 N Market Street and outdoors in the Historic Market Street Shopping District.
https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/06/19/weho-is-co-sponsoring-1st-ever-inglewood-pride-festival-june-22/
AFA WRESTLING PRESENTS āOVER THE RAINBOWā JUNE SOCAL PRIDE SHOW
LOS ANGELES, CA ā Alliance For All Wrestling (AFA) will hold its largest LGBTQI+ allied professional wrestling event in Azusa at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Hall ā 250 East 1st Street Azusa, CA 91702 on June 27, 2024.
The āWizard of Ozā themed show (āOver the Rainbowā) will be the greatest pro-wrestling Pride event in SoCal history, featuring 40+ of the hottest SoCal wrestling stars on the independent circuit.
Barbie Boi, pro-wrestler and founder of AFA, is encouraging everyone to grab their friends and family, āclick their heels three times,ā and head on down the yellow brick road to witness a truly magical event.
āāOver the Rainbowā is an event that will bring everyone together for a night of love, representation, equality and wrestling,ā says Barbie Boi. āPride Month is such a special time for people to come together and show how important love and equality is. Pro-wrestling, to me, can also bring so many different kinds of people together. This event is showcasing talent representing the community alongside our strong allies. I want everyone to come see what is at the end of our wrestling rainbow. Theyāre going to love it.ā
Featured and confirmed talent include: Effy, Shane Haste, Wolf Zaddies (Che Cabrera & Tito Escondido), Mylo, Sandra Moone, Delilah Doom, Barbie Boi, Keita, G Sharpe, Jazmin Allure, Titus Alexander, Tyler Bateman, Ray Rosas, Maximilien Monclair, Diego Valens, Nina, Brendan Divine, Bryn Throne, Jakob Austin Young, Eli Everfly, Bryce Saturn, Moondog Murray, Hunter Gallagher, El Primohenio, Parada, Chuy Gonzalez, Joey Mayberry, Mateo Valentine, Mighty Mayra, Shelly Benson, Everly Rivera, Marina Tucker, Krusty Krew (Lucas Riley & Dom Kubrick), The Unguided (Matt Vandagriff & Damian Drake), Gypsy Mac, Dante King and Affirmative Action (Da Shade & Project Wes).
Tickets for the June 27 show are $30 for Front Row VIP and $25 for General Admission, currently available for purchase online on Eventbrite. Tickets will also be sold at the door the day of the event.
This is an all inclusive event for all ages. Bar service for alcohol purchase available, and must be 21+ with proper identification. Pride wardrobe encouraged. Merchandise table/ photo-ops with wrestlers/ talent will be held during and after the show. Parking is free next to the VFW building and street parking is also available.
CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE For more information about AFA ā please follow on Instagram: @allianceforallwrestling, Twitter: @afawrestling, or contact via email: [email protected]
San Fernando ValleyāÆPrideāÆ| June 29th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Van Nuys | sfvpride.org
March at noon at Van Nuys Blvd. and Gault St.
Important Pride Notes!
WeHo Pride Weekend Street and Facility Closures
WeHo Pride Weekend will Take Place from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 2 in and Around West Hollywood Park and the Cityās Rainbow District
The City of West Hollywood reminds the community and the region about WeHo Pride-related street and facility closures. Drivers and Metro riders can anticipate increased traffic and commute times; please plan to use alternate routes.
Street Closures will take place, as follows:
- N. San Vicente Boulevard closed from Melrose Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 10 a.m.
- Santa Monica Blvd (Eastbound) closed from N. La Cienega Boulevard to N. Doheny Drive from Friday, May 31, at 12 p.m. (noon) through Monday, June 3, at 7 a.m.
- N. Robertson Boulevard closed from Santa Monica Boulevard to Melrose Avenue from Friday, May 31, at 12 p.m. (noon) through Monday, June 3 at 7 a.m.
- Santa Monica Boulevard (Westbound) closed from N. La Cienega Boulevard to N. Doheny Drive from Saturday, June 1, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 3, at 7 a.m.
- N. San Vicente Boulevard closed from Santa Monica Boulevard to Cynthia Street from Saturday, June 1, at 6 a.m. through Monday, June 3, at 7 a.m.
- Santa Monica Boulevard closed from N. Fairfax Avenue to N. Doheny Drive (including side streets one block north and one block south of Santa Monica Boulevard) from Sunday, June 2 at 5 a.m. through Sunday, June 2, at 5 p.m. for the WeHo Pride Parade. Santa Monica Boulevard from N. La Cienega Boulevard to N. Doheny Drive will remain closed though Monday, June 3 at 7 a.m.
Facility Closures will be, as follows:
- West Hollywood Park from Monday, May 27 through Wednesday, June 5 (West Hollywood Park will reopen Thursday, June 6).
- Small Dog Park at West Hollywood Park from Monday, May 27 through Wednesday, June 5 (Small Dog Park will reopen Thursday, June 6).
- Large Dog Park at West Hollywood Park from Wednesday, May 29 through Tuesday, June 4 (Large Dog Park will reopen Wednesday, June 5).
- Five-Story Parking Structure at West Hollywood Park from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 10 a.m.
- West Hollywood Library Garage at West Hollywood Park from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 10 a.m.
- Aquatic and Recreation Center Garage at West Hollywood Park from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 10 a.m.
- Plummer Park South Lot from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 12 p.m.
- Robertson Lot from Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. through Monday, June 3, at 10 a.m.
The City of West Hollywood will activate its annual Pride Ride free shuttle service during #WeHoPride Weekend. The Cityās free transit services, The PickUp and Cityline, will offer combined Pride Ride services that will operate over the weekend.
Pride Ride vehicles (both PickUp and Cityline vehicles marked with route/destination) will travel through West Hollywood from N. La Brea Avenue to N. Kings Road along Santa Monica Boulevard. Select Pride Ride vehicles (marked with route/destination) will also run to the Hollywood & Highland Metro Station as follows:
- Friday, May 31, 2024 ā West Hollywood route will run from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. service will run to-and-from the Hollywood & Highland Metro Station.
- Saturday, June 1, 2024 ā West Hollywood route will run from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. service will run to-and-from the Hollywood & Highland Metro Station.
- Sunday, June 2, 2024 ā West Hollywood route will run from 11 a.m. to midnight. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. service will run to-and-from Hollywood & Highland Metro Station to N. Fairfax Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard due to WeHo Pride Parade street closures. Following the Pride Parade, once streets have reopened, Pride Ride will run along Santa Monica Boulevard between N. La Brea Avenue and N. La Cienega Boulevard until midnight.
WeHo Pride Weekend (May 31 to June 2) will include a free WeHo Pride Street Fair representing a diverse array of LGBTQ community groups as part of visibility, expression, and celebration; the Womenās Freedom Festival; the annual Dyke March; free Friday Night at OUTLOUD; OUTLOUD at WeHo Pride music festival; the WeHo Pride Parade, and a wide range of community group programming throughout Pride month. The WeHo Pride Arts Festival (June 14 ā June 16) will take place at various locations throughout West Hollywood.
Additional information about #WeHoPride is posted at www.wehopride.com and @wehopride on Instagram and Facebook.
#RIDEWITHPRIDE
Avoid the hassle that is parking in LA, and be good to the environment, by using one of LA Metroās convenient train or bus lines. Wherever you live, LA Pride is accessible by public transportation.
As Pride celebrations continue, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro), is supporting all the activities. As the official transit partner of LA Pride, weāre conducting station ātake oversā on Saturday, June 8 – our Chinatown station that services the concert in the park will be renamed āLA Pride Nation Stationā and the station pylon will be wrapped in Pride colors. For your residents headed to the park, getting there is easy, all they have to do is take the A Line to Chinatown Station – one quick stop from L.A. Union Station. Pay Metro fare of $3.50 for a round trip on a TAP card, which cost $2 and are available for purchase at TAP vending machines at all Metro rail and busway stations. Metro has many Park & Ride lots servicing the county ā parking is just $3.00 per day, payable onsite.
For the LA Pride parade and block party on Sunday, June 9 stations servicing both the Pride Parade and Block Party will be renamed and wrapped in Pride colors – Hollywood/Highland will be renamed Hollywood/Pride-land and Hollywood/Vine will be renamed Hollywood/Pride. And for those residents headed to both, they just have to take the B/D Line to Hollywood/Highland for the Parade and Hollywood/Vine for the Block Party.
Pay Metro fare of $3.50 for a round trip on a TAP car, which cost $2 and are available for purchase at TAP vending machines at all Metro rail and busway stations. Metro has many Park & Ride lots servicing the county ā parking is just $3.00 per day, payable onsite.
Earlier this month, Metro also launched its āRide with Prideā campaign. You may have already seen them, but our buses and trains are beautifully adorned with vibrant Pride themed designs, showcasing its support for the LGBTQIA+ community and enhancing the festive atmosphere for riders all month long.
LA Metro is the proud Official Transit Partner of LA Pride. Look for future announcements about Pride TAP cards, new LA Pride wrapped buses and trains for 2024, station takeovers, parties, and more!
PBS SoCal Celebrates Pride Month With Disco, George Takei and More
Select content slated to air during Pride Month is listed as follows (*schedule subject to change):
L.A.: A QUEER HISTORY ā Sat., June 1 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., June 20 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York has been widely regarded as the beginning of the Gay Civil Rights Movement, but the true heart of the movement, and what we know as “Gay Culture” was born in Los Angeles. This film sheds light on historical figures who are largely unacknowledged, creating a newfound dialogue about LGBTQ history but also a better understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
AMERICAN MASTERS: Ballerina Boys ā Sat., June 1 at 11:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The story of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company of men who dance on pointe as ballerinas.
DISCO: SOUNDTRACK OF A REVOLUTION āRock the Boatā ā Tues., June 4 at 8:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Tues., June 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal as well as Sat., June 8 at 5:30 p.m. and Wed, June 19 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The opening episode of the series looks at the roots of disco ā how it emerged from a basic desire for inclusion, visibility, and freedom among persecuted Black, gay and minority ethnic communities of New York City. It tells the remarkable story of how a global phenomenon began in the loft apartments and basement bars of New York City, where a new generation of DJs and musicians, like David Mancuso, Nicky Siano, Francis Grasso and Earl Young (The Trammps), pioneered a distinct sound and a new way of spinning records.
DISCO: SOUNDTRACK OF A REVOLUTION āAināt No Stoppinā Us Nowā ā Tues., June 4 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Tues., June 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal as well as Sat., June 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Wed, June 26 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Set against the backdrop of Black power and sexual liberation, the second episode takes viewers to the high watermark of disco in the mid ā70s. It was the birth of the ādisco divaā from Gloria Gaynor and Candi Staton to Donna Summer and Thelma Houston. However, mainstream success by The Bee Geesā soundtrack album āSaturday Night Fever,ā The Rolling Stonesā āMiss You,ā Rod Stewartās āDo Ya Think Iām Sexyā and Studio 54 took disco further and further from its roots of inclusivity and freedom, as straight, white men started to embrace and repackage the sound.
DISCO: SOUNDTRACK OF A REVOLUTION āStayinā Aliveā ā Tues., June 4 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Tues., July 2 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal as well as Sat., June 8 at 8 p.m. and Wed, July 3 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The final episode documents the wellspring of resentment from white, straight, male-dominated, rock-loving middle Americans, as they targeted disco for its hedonism, femininity and queerness. A vocal āDisco Sucksā movement began to gain momentum, culminating in the āDisco Demolition Derbyā at Comiskey Park Stadium in Chicago, where organizers destroyed thousands of disco records in front of a baying audience of baseball fans. In addition, the hedonism and sexual liberation embodied by disco found itself stopped in its tracks by the AIDS crisis. Pushed out of the mainstream, the pioneers of disco retreated and regrouped.
DEAR IKE: LOST LETTERS TO A TEEN IDOL ā Sat., June 8 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
The story of a teenager’s all-consuming childhood quest to contact his boyhood idol, Ike Eisenmann, and ask him to star in an animated science-fiction epic that he was forever developing in an overstuffed three-ring binder.
UNIDAD: GAY & LESBIAN LATINOS UNIDOS ā Sat., June 15 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos was founded in 1981, only a few years before HIV/AIDS began to ravage LGBTQ communities. GLLU was the Los Angeles areaās first major Queer Latin@ organization, and the film chronicles events at a pivotal time in the history of LGBTQ equality, womenās rights and civil rights movements that shaped the destinies of GLLUās communities.
TO BE TAKEI ā Wed., June 19 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., June 20 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal
This award-winning documentary features Star Trek legend, marriage equality advocate and spokesperson for racial justice; superstar George Takei.
ARTBOUND: LGBTQ Nightlife ā Wed., June 19 at 9 p.m. and Sun., June 23 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
In this episode of ARTBOUND, see how a roving LGBTQ night club event in Los Angeles called āMustache Mondaysā became a creative incubator for todayās leading edge contemporary artists. This film examines the history of these spaces and how they shaped the Queer cultural fabric unique to Southern California.
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE āStonewall Uprisingā ā Thurs., June 20 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., June 22 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days.
LOST LA: Coded Geographies ā Sat., June 22 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
This episode of LOST LA explores two underground guidebooks, The Negro Travelers’ Green Book and The Address Book, that reveal the hidden geographies many Angelenos had to navigate, exposing Los Angeles as a place of coded segregation and resistance.
OUTRAGE OF DANNY SOTOMAYOR: American Stories ā Sun., June 23 at 5 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
Danny Sotomayor was a man on a mission to address injustice. The fiery, openly gay AIDS activist, political cartoonist and organizer took to the streets of Chicago, using civil disobedience to wage war on city officials who marginalized the LGBTQ+ community and turned a blind eye to the AIDS crisis ā all while fighting a losing battle with the disease himself.
CLIVE DAVIS: The Soundtrack of Our Lives ā Sat., June 29 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
A look at the life and work of record executive and producer Clive Davis, whose five-decade career has launched many superstars, including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith.
JUSTLY WED: Scenes from the Marriage Equality Movement ā Sun., June 30 at 5 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
An exploration of the experience and legacy of the 2004 gay marriages in San Francisco.
Events
Queer Latin Dance LA celebrates decade of inclusive lessons
How this small dance class turned into a decade-long organization
Queer Latin Dance L.A. hosted their Holiday Social on Saturday, celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Beginner and experienced dancers were welcomed to the night-long party that went from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The evening featured music by D.J. K Bunny and special performances.
Arlene Santos, one of the cofounders of Queer Latin Dance L.A., said the group started when a friend who had visited Santosā own studio invited her to teach at a meetup in North Hollywood. Through word of mouth, about 80 people showed up to the first meetup of what they called a āsame-sex dance class.ā Chairs and tables had to be shuffled around to make space for dancing in the small, smoky dive bar.
Santos told CALĆ News that people had driven to North Hollywood all the way from Diamond Bar and Orange County. When she suggested salsa studios closer to those travelers, they told her they didnāt feel welcome in other dance spaces. One of the reasons was that gender was more strictly enforced; attending men didnāt want to dance with other men and women werenāt welcome to try and lead. Same-sex dancing couples received uncomfortable stares from others and teachers used unnecessarily gendered language to refer to class members.
āThat’s something that I was guilty of 20 years ago when I was teaching,ā Santos said. āIād say, āokay, take the ladies and rotate.ā And now it’s something I would never even dream of saying because it doesn’t even make sense to me anymore. It’s not about ladies and gentlemen, [dancing] is about leaders and followers.ā
The queer-specific dance scene has grown over the past 10 years, according to Santos, who said Queer Latin Dance L.A. cross-promotes with other groups and sends students with different schedules to places that are a better fit. The company has grown in their own ways as well. Now, a few former students have become instructors who lead the groupās very own competitive dance team.
Santos said sheās hopeful about the years to come.
āI just want the scene to keep growing and for these spaces to be around so that anyone can come and dance and feel like they’re in a safe space,ā she said.
Saturday night featured a salsa class at 8 p.m., bachata lesson at 8:40 p.m., and dance performances at 10 p.m. more information can be found on their site
Arts & Entertainment
GMCLA to perform concert filled with holiday magic and sugar
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles heads to the Saban Theatre on 14th and 15th December
When it comes to all-sing-and-dance musical productions, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles never fails to pull out all the stops. The festive shows make the Top Twenty LA Holiday Events List annually and 2024 looks to be no exception.
The SugarPlum Fairies Holiday Concert is set to feature āsome of the most magical music ever written, filled with sugar plums, rich chocolate, and pure fantasy.ā
Audiences can expect the 200-strong chorus to perform 25 songs ranging from iconic Christmas classics to a modern twist on the festive ballet. The Nutcrackerās Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’s Pure Imagination are among the musical repertoire, while Dolly Partonās Hard Candy Christmas and Siaās Candy Cane Lane represent the new holiday cohort.
“You’re going to hear some Christina Aguilera, you’re going to hear some old school [songs] from the 60s about candy, and you’re also going to hear some traditional music,” said choreographer, Ray Leeper. “Wonka is really hot right now, so you’re going to hear some of the the old Wonka and from the new movie.”
This yearās Christmas show promises to be a particularly special one, with the group celebrating its 45th anniversary of service and community.
āEverything we do is because of the incredible support we get from our singing members, who have been giving their time, energy, commitment, and activism for over 45 years,ā GMCLA Executive Director, Lou Spisto explained.
The chorus continues to garner acclaim for artistic excellence while remaining deeply rooted in its service. For those who donāt know, GMCLA was founded in 1979 in the midst of the countryās gay rights movement.
Members spread a message of love and acceptance, with programs like SugarPlum focusing just as much on social justice as they do show tunes.
āThe Gay Menās Chorus of Los Angeles is well known for great music, great artistry, and great concerts that we do in these major venues around townābut itās far more than that,ā Spisto added.āEach year, we do around 43 events in high schools, community centers, and hospitals to be with our communities and support themā¦ those who look like us and those who donāt. Iām so proud to say weāve grown these projects over the last six years.ā
Its award-winning school program Alive Music Project has served over 90,000 young people since its inception. AMP also offers an opportunity to enrich each schoolās music education program, with Choral students invited to perform with GMCLA at the presentations.
Their Arts for Healing & Justice program provides introductory music classes for incarcerated youth in Los Angeles Countyās juvenile correctional system. They join an interdisciplinary collaboration of outstanding organizations, providing exceptional arts programming to build resiliency and wellness, eliminate recidivism, and transform the juvenile justice system.
Concerts such as SugarPlum are helping to raise funds for this vital work on an annual basis. When the chorus isnāt working on ticketed events like their Christmas concert, their yearly free events help to expand community access even further. Past venues include the Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
As for the immediate future, GMCLAās hope is triumphing over hate. The result of this yearās presidential election is likely to affect Californiaās LGBTQ+ community in some way, but Spisto is only seeing upsides, not downsides.
One such upside? Using SugarPlum as the perfect opportunity to celebrate Los Angelesā vibrant queer community for the loud and proud individuals they are.
āItās an interesting time in our world today. GMCLA has been speaking loudly, singing loudly, and standing up for this community and others for decades, and weāre going to continue to do that,ā said Spisto.
SugarPlum Fairies will be at the Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills on December 14 at 8pm and December 15 at 3:30pm. Buy tickets now at https://www.gmcla.org/sugarplumfairies. Prices range from $45-$125. If you want to support the Chorusā ongoing educational work, you can make a donation at GMCLA.org/holidaygiving. Eligible donations of $120 or moreāor new monthly donations of $10 or moreāwill receive an official GMCLA Holiday Sweatshirt as a thank-you gift. Donations must be made by December 31st to be eligible.
Arts & Entertainment
Comedian Adam Sank knows heās just as damaged as his ‘Bad Dates’
In his āone-man show about many menā Adam Sank comes to terms with a lifetime spent searching for āthe oneā
At 54 and single, comedian Adam Sank is as much a veteran of the gay dating scene and of the stage, so when he was challenged to put together his new show, he did what came natural: he mined his lifetime of hookups and dates gone wrong, for an hour of laughs.
Now heās bringing that award-winning show, Bad Dates: A One-Man Show About Many Men, to Southern California for a pair of dates in Los Angeles and San Diego Dec 6-7.
āThe show opens with me saying, āI’m 53 years old and single,ā and fortunately, I haven’t had to change the script in the last year and a half that I’ve been performing this,ā Sank said with a wry smile over a Zoom call from his New York apartment.
If that sounds like a hint of bitterness about the single life coming through, Sank is quick to dismiss it.
āI think there’s this notion in our culture, it’s sort of ingrained in us that if you’re not married, if you don’t find your person, you’re somehow lesser. You’re somehow leading a less full life,ā Sank said. āIt’s taken me a long time to be able to say I truly believe that’s bullshit.ā
āFinding your person does not equal happiness and being single does not equal sadness,ā he continued.
Sank has been rising through the comedy trenches for twenty years. He says he got a late start in stand-up at age 32, after getting burned out working as a television news producer. Over the years, heās competed on Last Comic Standing and appeared as a commentator on shows like I Love the 2000s and Best Week Ever.
Bad Dates marks something of a departure, with a stronger focus on long-form narrative as Sank goes deeper into what a life spent single means. And itās a departure thatās won him many plaudits from critics such as two Broadway World Cabaret Awards for the showās original run at the Stonewall Inn in New York last summer.
āThereās a cost to spending your entire adult life searching for the one, the perfect love story, when we expend so much energy and time and resources into that one thing we neglect everything else,ā he said.
But Bad Dates at least proves thereās one benefit to trudging through the dating trenches across decades: the stories. And boy, does Sank have stories. Twinks, injuries, being invited to orgies, not being invited to orgiesāSankās dating life has proven a goldmine of hilarious material.
āWe like hearing about any misfortune because we identify with so much of it and it makes us feel less alone. You know, I think a lot of people out thereāespecially people who are not necessarily young and singleārelate to this show because they’re like, āOh my God, I’m not the only one who has been through these situations,āā he said.
Which isnāt to say Sank doesnāt have those romantic notions. Heās just maybe become a bit more realistic about the pursuit of partnership.
āWhen I was younger, I don’t think I was ready. I think I had so much work I needed to do on myself, and I had this very false idea about what a relationship should look like and what it would do for me. I basically bought into the whole rom-com idea that you would meet your person and you would live happily ever after. And that’s just not true for anyone. Even if you have the world’s greatest relationship, you have to constantly be doing work on yourself and on your relationship to keep it going,ā he said.
If Sank reveals any regret, itās that he didnāt figure all that out sooner.
āI really need a guy in my age range who’s single and they’re almost always really damagedāwhich is why they’re still single at my age,ā he said. āI’m sure I’m just as damaged as they are, but the point is, it’s a lot harder.ā
Adam Sankās solo show Bad Dates goes on at The Broadwater Main Stage, 1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, on Friday, December 6 at 9pm, and at the Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Boulevard #101, San Diego, on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets here.
Events
Botitas World: the business brand aimed at building community
CafƩcito and Comunidad, the event to gather in QTBIPOC community
Zizi Bandera and Ty Curiel, came together to form what is now Botitasāa small business brand and organizing space for Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color to celebrate and embrace identity, ethnicity and community.Ā
The co-founders of Saturdayās Botitas event CafĆ©cito and Comunidad, say they had to close the RSVPās because they reached capacity and were afraid of having issues with the Parks and Recreation Department that issues parking permits and sets a limit for the number of people allowed to gather at Elysian Park in Los Angeles.
āItās our first event here and itās an amazing turnout,ā said Bandera. āTikTok blew us up.ā
Bandera referenced the TikTok video they posted announcing the event and says that they woke up the next morning to see that they had well over a hundred RSVPās for the event that they expected would only have a couple dozen people.
āWe had someone who is part of our community call up the councilmember for this district and was able to talk to whoever is in charge of Parks and Rec to OK more capacity,ā said Bandera. ā[Eunisses Hernandez, Councilmember CD-1] also got us the tables and permits.ā
Bandera stresses that the amount of people who reserved a spot for the event comes to show the need for space like Botitas.
āI thought it was going to be maybe fifteen, twenty people,ā said Bandera.
The space is held intentionally for the BIPOC community within the broader LGBTQ+ community, with the intention of centering BIPOC voices that can otherwise be erased, marginalized, sidelined or silenced in broader community conversations.
āOur focus is to have these community spaces and to serve our trans Latine community in Los Angeles and beyond,ā continued Bandera. āWe thought about making this project a nonprofit, but we wanted to really have full agency and control over, in terms of the needs of our community.ā
Bandera says that going the nonprofit route has its own challenges and obstacles because of different stakeholders. They stress the importance of their community being the stakeholders in this business journey.
Though the day was a bit gloomy with some light rain, many people gathered to mingle, chat and yap, along with some coffee at Elysian Park in Los Angeles this past Saturday (Photo Credit Gisselle Palomera).
āIāve been working in community organizing, mobilizing around LGBTQ and immigrant issues for almost fifteen years now and Iāve always wanted to create something that was for us, led by usāqueer, trans, Latine and intergenerational.ā
Bandera says that they were inspired to create this space for QTBIPOC because of a report released earlier this year pointing to a loneliness epidemic that disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ people over their heterosexual peers.
The report states that āā¦LGBTQ+ youth exhibit higher rates of loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms than their heterosexual peers. Moreover, LGBTQ+ youth grappling with loneliness are less likely to reach out for help regarding their mental health concerns.ā
The other co-founder of Botitas has different reasons to have started this business journey.
āBotitas is one day today and another thing tomorrow,ā Curiel said. āOur idea came from wanting to create a brandāsomething that you can wear when youāre out and about in the city. A brand that is backed by people who resonate with you as Latine folks, queer, trans and thatās what we are.ā
Curiel also states that the current state of politics also plays a major role in his idea to create Botitas. āWe want to [create these spaces], especially in this time and age where thereās a rhetoric of people spreading hate.ā
This event is in a public space, encouraging people who show up, to gather in a space that supports sobriety. The offerings included cafƩcito, pastries and games.
Earlier this year during pride month, Curiel says he and Bandera were looking at historic news articles and photographs of LGBTQ+ life in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 60s, from an exhibit at the Central Library in DTLA, and thatās when it hit them both that none of the people in the photos looked like them. They did not feel represented.
This moment urged them to reconsider what it means to them to feel represented, heard and seenāthus bringing about the idea for Botitas.
Follow @Botitas.World on Instagram and TikTok to get more information on upcoming events.
Events
LA events to attend in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance
If youāre looking to pay your respects or be in community with others, here are a few events to attend
Content Warning: Mentions of hate, gender-based violence.
Trans Day of Remembrance is coming up this Nov. 20, preceded by the Trans Week of Awareness from Nov. 13 to 19.
This year has been full of grief for the transgender community across the country. In 2024 alone, the Human Rights Campaign has kept track of 27 transgender and gender-expansive people across the United States who died of violent causes, such as gun or intimate partner violence. According to the Los Angeles District Attorneyās Office Hate Crime Report on data from 2022, 44 anti-trans hate crimes were the highest number ever recorded in the county, surpassing 42 in 2019. The county crimes had a large rate of violence as well at 91 percent. TDOR seeks to honor the lives of people lost to this type of circumstance.
For those unfamiliar with the history, Trans Day of Remembrance started in 1998 with Gwendolyn Ann Smith. According to Vogue Magazine, the trans writer and activist heard of Black trans woman Rita Hesterās murder in Boston in an online forum, and found the case was greatly similar to that of another Black trans woman who had been killed in Boston in 1995, Chanel Pickett. Realizing a need for documentation, Smith created the Remembering Our Dead web project to track instances of violence against the trans community.
In 1999, trans community members in both San Francisco and Boston used the web project as source material to coordinate candlelight vigils, creating the November holiday.
āI am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost,ā Smith said. āWith so many seeking to erase transgender people ā sometimes in the most brutal ways possible ā it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.ā
If youāre looking to pay your respects or be in community with others, here are a few events to attend. Allies welcome.
November 15, 6 p.m.:Ā The Trans Advisory Board in West Hollywood is hosting a small reception and ceremony at the WeHo City Council Chambers. For more details, visitĀ weho.org/lgbtq
November 20, 3 to 6 p.m.:Ā Cal State L.A., is hosting a resource fair with music, vendors, and more to celebrate and commemorate the trans community. Find more informationĀ on their event page.Ā
November 20, 4 p.m.: L.A. Civil Rights Department, Trans Advisory Council and the office of Councilwoman Traci Park are hosting a gathering at City Hall. Guests are invited to join an evening of reflection and community. Register for free through this form.
November 20, 5 to 7 p.m.: The queer and trans connect team at Latino Equality Alliance is hosting a special event inviting community members to bring photos for their TDOR altar and enjoy light refreshments. Find more details and register for the event for free through their online form.
Arts & Entertainment
Infinity Festival Kicks Off Today: A Celebration of Creativity, Innovation and AI
The founders are a gay couple who met in the tech industry
Infinity Festival brings together art, innovative technology and creative thinking, to the intersection of the Hollywood entertainment industry. This year, the event is taking place at The Avalon Hollywood, Nov 6 through Nov 9.
The event founders, Mark Lieber and Adam Newman, created this space to bring together Hollywoodās creative visionaries, with Silicon Valleyās cutting-edge technology.
Mark and Adam are not only business partners, but life partners too.
āWe met at a party in the Paramount lot and that was 28 years ago,ā said Adam. āWe worked separately for many, many years and when our careers started to change a bit, we came together to develop projects in television through a company that we formed.ā
The two decided to marry in 2014, soon after it became legal to do so in California after Prop 8 was successfully ruled unconstitutional and same-sex couples were allowed to marry.
āWe live together, so work is 24/7 and we often get into situations where I have to ask Mark not to talk about work after one oāclock in the morning because I need to go to sleep,ā said Adam.
The two set out on a mission to unite their complementary strengths and creative visions, to bring together this innovative festival that spotlights the foremost cutting-edge technologies in the entertainment industry.
This yearās festival will feature prominent voices from the technology, gaming and entertainment industries. The festival will also feature Julienās Auction, presenting over 200 collectibles from Star Trek on exhibition throughout the festival and then culminating in a live auction on Saturday at 10AM.
The festivalās purpose is to display and discuss the future of technology and its intersection with the gaming and entertainment industries using Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
The festival features keynote speeches, collaborative demonstrations with partners like Sony, HP, Verizon and Intel.
The panels will feature discussions on the evolution of animation, cross-media development, virtual effects, gaming production and many other topics.
āWeāre not there to talk about how scary AI is, but to talk about how itās going to be a wonderful tool to push the entertainment business into a broader scope of technology,ā said Adam in an interview with Los Angeles Blade.
Mark addressed the concerns that many people have regarding AI taking jobs in the entertainment industry, specifically Hollywood.
The major points of discussion and demonstration at Infinity Festival include: Generative AI, Utility AI, Procedural AI, Mini Labs- Scripted & Unscripted, Machine Learning, Ethics, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision (AR, Spatial Computing), Deep Learning and Expert Systems.
Earlier this year, Gov. Newsom singed AB 896, the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, into law.
āWe are talking to people who are using it in a way that wonāt eliminate creative jobs, but maximize efficiency,ā said Adam.
There is a lot of fear and anxiety surrounding job loss to AI, but Adam reassures festival attendees that learning about how to work in tandem with AI, will be beneficial to productivity and that this is a good thing for many of these industries and their many job functions.
āI look forward to seeing everybody, I mean really, itās just a great group of people and bring these two groups of tech and production together,ā said Mark.
(Photo Courtesy of Mark and Adam) Adam (L) and Mark (R), have been married for over 10 years and together they dedicate their careers toward making Infinity Festival a success for the entertainment, gaming and tech industries.
Mark and Adam created the festival in 2018, but they have been married for 10 years. They got married shortly after it became legal in California in 2013.
They both came from a background in entertainment, Mark has experience in executive roles and Adam had experience in Hollywood production. They came together, married and in 2017, when both of their careers were taking a different path, they decided to start Infinity Festival.
Since then, they have worked together to bring forth the best and latest technology to their events and bridge the gap between industries that will continue to incorporate AI into their systems.
The Monolith Awards this year will happen on Friday, Nov 8 at 7:30PM at The Aster. There are various categories for the Monolith Awards; Gaming Tech: Audio-Driven Narrative, Excellence in User Experience, Visionary Innovation, Live Engagement, Jurors Choice: New Media Fine Art, Audience Award for Best of Fest Popular Vote, Next Gen: Student + Teacher, and the Nexus Award: Excellence in Applied Technology.
Events
Beverly Hills Pet Festival returns with doggy adoptions, family activities
Even the dogs know 90210 is the zip code that offers the best treats.
Beverly Hills is known for high-end shopping, $500 haircuts, pampering at every turn and a few famous and infamous celebrity homes. But this Sunday it’s going to the dogs ā at least for one day.
Beverly Hills will host its annual Doggy Daze 90210 festival next Sunday at Roxbury Park, transforming the grassy expanse known as “Wiggly Field” into a hub for pet adoptions, entertainment and family activities.
The free event, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 3, aims to connect homeless pets with potential owners while celebrating the bond between humans and animals.
“This is more than just a pet festival ā it’s about building community and helping animals in need,” said Dana Besen, spokesperson for the City of Beverly Hills, which organizes the event.
Five rescue organizations, including The Amanda Foundation and Wags and Walks, will bring adoptable pets to the festival. A highlight of the day will be a pet parade featuring costumed animals, followed by a talent contest.
30 vendors will line the park, offering everything from luxury pet spa services to gourmet pet food. Even Shake Shack is getting in on the action, selling special “pup cups” for four-legged attendees.
For children, the festival will feature an arts and crafts zone, face painting, and library story time sessions. Food trucks will be onsite throughout the day.
The event has attracted notable local support, with Beverly Hills residents Lili and Jon Bosse serving as gold sponsors. Owen Care and Foo Dee Doo Press have also signed on as sponsors.
To manage the expected crowds, organizers have arranged free parking at Beverly Hills High School, with pet-friendly shuttles running to and from the park from 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last year’s event drew hundreds of attendees and resulted in so many pet adoptions, according to city officials, that the event is now one of the most popular the city hosts. They expect an even larger turnout this year.
The festival comes as animal shelters across Los Angeles County report high numbers of pets needing homes, making events like Doggy Daze increasingly important for connecting animals with potential adopters.
Roxbury Park is located at 471 S. Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills. More information about the event can be found at beverlyhills.org/csevents.
Arts & Entertainment
This Bunny is not for everybunnyĀ
Lady Bunny Warns āDonāt Bring the Kidsā to her LA Show
Drag legend Lady Bunny is back in Los Angeles in “Don’t Bring the Kids,” her laugh-out-loud comedy show that has been selling out venues nationwide. Known for her towering wigs, sharp wit, and fearless attitude, Bunny’s latest revue delivers everything fans love about herāand more. On Saturday, October 19, at 6 p.m., “Don’t Bring the Kids” lands at The Vault in the Beverly Center, promising an early evening of pure, unfiltered entertainment that’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
So, what can fans expect from Lady Bunny this time around? True to form, āDonāt Bring the Kidsā is packed with jaw-dropping moments, from parodies of pop icons like Adele and Cardi B to an original dance tune called āIs It Ozempic, Orā¦ā, based on Bunnyās distorted views of the popular weight-loss drug. āThe show is a mix of musical styles,ā Bunny explains. It even includes a dishy number about some of your favorite queens from RuPaulās Drag Race. āI tease Trixie Mattel for stealing my look, call out Willam for being a whore, and do a remake of āBig Dick Energyā about Yvie Oddly. Letās just say the rumors are true,ā she says.
āDrag Race has given me plenty of material,ā she reflects. āI love poking fun at the queens, and I always update my act with topical humor.ā
āDonāt Bring the Kidsā isnāt merely about drag celebrity gossip. Bunny tackles serious issues, like defending drag queen story hours in the face of conservative backlash. āAs I say in the show, āLook at my wig. I can barely groom myself!āā Bunny quips.
Thereās also a parody of the viral spat between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Representative Jasmine Crockett, and Bunny takes the opportunity to unveil her brand-new bitch track, āPussy This Goodā, out now on all platforms.
The performance pushes boundaries, and Bunny admits thatās exactly the point. āI came up in the late-night NYC club scene where we were encouraged to be as wild and dirty as possible. My humor isnāt for everyone, and itās certainly not for kids ā hence the title.ā
āDonāt Bring the Kidsā is both a warning and a promise. Bunny makes it clear that her comedy is strictly for mature audiences, with jokes and performances that might be too much even for some adults. āIāve always felt itās important to be upfront,ā she continues. āI love dark, raunchy humor, and thatās what my audience comes for. Every show so far has gotten a standing ovation, and weāve sold out in Philly, DC, and San Francisco.ā
For Bunny, bringing her show to LA, particularly at The Vault, is an exciting opportunity. āIāve worked with Voss Events (the showās producer) for years, and they found this fantastic space. I DJed there this past New Yearās Eve, and itās perfect ā great stage, excellent sound. Iām excited to be back in LA, a city that always knows how to appreciate a little twisted drag humor.ā
Of course, no Lady Bunny interview would be complete without a few words about her longtime friendship with Troy Masters, publisher of LA Blade. āTroy and I go way back,ā Bunny recalls. āOne of my first magazine covers was for Outweek, a publication he ran back in the ā80s. I was still thin then and working my own blonde hair! Heās been such a supporter, even hiring me to work as a phone monitor for his boyfriendās sex line. Iād pop onto the leather line in a queeny voice, calling myself āHumphrey Davenport, dominant top.ā The leather guys hated it, but I thought it was hilarious.ā
Lady Bunny presents āDonāt Bring the Kidsā at The Vault in the Beverly Center on Saturday, October 19th at 6pm. For ticketās visit VossEvents.com.
AIDS and HIV
40th anniversary AIDS Walk happening this weekend in West Hollywood
AIDS Project Los Angeles Health will gather in West Hollywood Park to kick off 40th anniversary celebration
APLA Health will celebrate its 40th anniversary this Sunday at West Hollywood Park, by kicking off the worldās first and oldest AIDS walk with a special appearance by Salina Estitties, live entertainment, and speeches.
APLA Health, which was formerly known as AIDS Project Los Angeles, serves the underserved LGBTQ+ communities of Los Angeles by providing them with resources.
āWe are steadfast in our efforts to end the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. Through the use of tools like PrEP and PEP, the science of āundetectable equals intransmissible,ā and our working to ensure broad access to LGTBQ+ empowering healthcare, we can make a real step forward in the fight to end this disease,ā said APLA Healthās chief executive officer, Craig E. Thompson.
For 40 years, APLA Health has spearheaded programs, facilitated healthcare check-ups and provided other essential services to nearly 20,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community annually in Los Angeles, regardless of their ability to pay.
APLA Health provides LGBTQ+ primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, HIV specialty care, and other support services for housing and nutritional needs.
The AIDS Walk will begin at 10AM and registrations are open for teams and solo walkers. More information can be found on the APLA Healthās website.Ā Ā
Arts & Entertainment
LGBTQ+Ć Literary Festival kicks off this week in Los Angeles
The festival will bring together authors, readers, academics and activists to discuss their experiences and share perspectives about the LGBTQ+ community.
The first LGBTQ+Ć Literary Festival in Spanish ā the first of its kind ā will kick-off six days of panels, short film screenings, book signings, performances and a photo exhibit starting today, at different locations across Los Angeles.Ā
The LGBTQ+Ć Literary Festival will bring together Spanish-speaking and Latin American writers who explore and celebrate a variety of themes in their work, including sexual diversity and perspectives on identity.Ā
āFeminist culture and LGBTQ+ culture have been the movements that have most transformed modern societies in recent decades, and therefore deserve special attention,ā said LuisgĆ© MartĆn, director of Instituto Cervantes of Los Ćngeles. āThere was no stable forum that brought together creators from across the Spanish-speaking world, which is why we have organized this literary festival. It aims to serve as a framework for reflection and a meeting point for LGBTQ+ writers.ā
The festival will bring together authors, readers, academics and activists, to discuss their experiences and share perspectives about the LGBTQ+ community and its academic intersections.Ā
The first stop for the literary festival is at the Instituto Cervantes of Los Ćngeles, from 7 PM to 9 PM on Tuesday, to screen short films that are part of FanCineQueer.Ā
The festival will feature authors like Myriam Gurba Serrano, Alejandro CĆ³rdova āTaylorā, Felipe J. Garcia, Boris Izaguirre, Nando LĆ³pez, MarĆa MĆnguez Arias, Felipe Restrepo Pombo, Claudia Salazar JimĆ©nez, Pablo Simonetti, and Gabriela Wiener.
There will also be a photo exhibit and featured photographers such as Gonza Gallego and Liliana Hueso.
The festival will take place at multiple venues including the Instituto Cervantes of Los Ćngeles, The Student Union at Los Angeles City College and Circus of Books.
For more information on the event visit the Instagram page for Instituto Cervantes of Los Ćngeles.
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