by tim parks
The 36th Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride theme of “A Million Moments of Pride” is in line with celebrating those milestones, both as individuals and a community as a whole, that have propelled us forward in our quest for true equality. The other part of the focus for this year’s Pride is “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall,” which is very indicative of recognizing the strides that we have made since 1969.
In the early hours of that June morning, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village. Raids such as this were a commonplace occurrence in the 1960s, a sign of the times and one that created both a tension and a reason to rebel, simmering beneath the surface of conformity. For example, solicitation of homosexual relations was illegal in New York City, and there were also criminal statutes that allowed police to arrest people wearing less than three gender-appropriate articles of clothing. Both a far cry from the simplicity of today’s world and the ability to log onto Grindr or Scruff.
In their own way, the Stonewall Inn and other gay bars of that era became a refuge, a home of sorts, where people could be themselves. So, imagine if someone came to your front door and said that you couldn’t be who you wanted to be, or who you actually were.
The Stonewall raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents, as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar. That event lead to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots and others before and after, such as San Francisco’s Compton’s Café in 1966 and L.A.’s Black Cat in 1967, served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement both in the United States and worldwide.
So while you are out celebrating your own personal victories during Long Beach Pride, take a moment to stop and think of those who came before. The ones who carved the pathway up the steep mountainside that afford you the luxury of being able to be your authentic self during the weekend. Remember too, the work is ongoing and that it’s a legacy that still needs to be fashioned as we move forward.
Get Your Pride On!
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate this year during the two-day LGBTQ festival on May 18 and 19. The country’s third largest Pride, with over 80,000 revelers in attendance, featuring two days of the festival, its vendors and headliners and more than 200 floats and marching groups participating in a united front, when the Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Ocean Boulevard.
Pride Festival:
Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19
Marina Green Park, 386 E Shoreline Drive
The Nissan Stage:
Saturday:
| DJ Starlett | 11am – 1pm |
| DJ Kiki SD | 1pm – 3pm |
| DJ Romeo | 3pm – 5pm |
| DJ 2LIPS | 5pm – 7pm |
| Aina Brei’Yon | 7:15pm – 7:45pm |
| DJ Spank | 7:45pm – 10pm |
Sunday:
| DJ Pinke | 11am – 1pm |
| DJ Groovesection | 1pm – 3pm |
| Sabrina LaBlanc | 3pm – 5pm |
| Carletta Couture and Sabrina Leblanc | 4pm – 4:50pm |
| Ada Vox | 4pm – 5pm |
| Surprise Guest | 4:50pm – 5pm |
| Whitney Mixter & Mishelle Ramos – Krave Spring Break Crew | 5pm – 10pm |
| DJ Spark | 4pm – 10pm |
| @IAMZOIE | 7:30pm – 8:30pm |
| Big Freedia | 8pm – 8:45pm |
| TBA | 9pm – 9:45pm |
Estrella Jalisco Stage:
Saturday:
| DJ Edith | 11am – 1:30pm |
| DJ Eduardo | 1:30pm – 4pm |
| Marger | 4pm – 4:15pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 4pm – 5pm |
| Ambar | 5pm – 5:20pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 5:20pm – 6:15pm |
| Marjorie De Sousa | 6pm – 6:15pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 6:15pm – 7:15pm |
| Pablo Montero | 7:15pm – 8pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 8pm – 8:30pm |
| DJ Kidd Madonny | 8:30pm – 9:58pm |
Sunday:
| DJ Eduardo | 11am – 2:30pm |
| Mari | 2:30pm – 2:50pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 3pm – 3:30pm |
| Ambar | 3:30pm – 3:50pm |
| DJ Tatiana | 3:50pm – 4:45pm |
| Selena Tribute Band | 4:45pm – 5:30pm |
| DJ Hardy | 5:30pm – 6pm |
| Marjorie De Sousa | 6pm – 6:15pm |
| DJ Hardy | 6:15pm – 7:15pm |
| Diana Reyes | 7pm – 7:45pm |
| DJ Unknown Boyz | 8pm – 10pm |
| Miss Shalae | 8:40pm – 8:45pm |
Country Stage:
Saturday:
| DJ Rick | 11am – 10pm |
| LA Wranglers | 4pm |
| Brandon Stansell | 5pm |
Sunday:
| DJ Jonno | 11am – 3pm |
| DJ Rick | 3pm – 10pm |
| LA Wranglers | 3pm-6pm |
Dance Stage:
Saturday:
| DJ Don French | 11am – 1pm |
| DJ Notorious Jen | 1pm – 3pm |
| Enrique Jesus Hernandez | 3pm – 3:30pm |
| TBA | 3:30pm – 5:30pm |
| Leopold Nunan | 5:30pm – 6pm |
| Ani | 6pm – 6:45pm |
| DJ Alex | 6:45pm – 7:45pm |
| Alien Dance Band | 7:45pm – 8:30pm |
| DJ Mike Bryant | 8:3opm – 10pm |
Sunday:
| DJ Don French | 11am – 1pm |
| DJ Timbalerx | 1pm – 2pm |
| DJ Katrina | 2pm – 3pm |
| DJ Koibito | 3pm – 4pm |
| DJ Val Fuery | 4pm – 5:30pm |
| KingQueen | 5:20pm – 6pm |
| DJ Lez Lee | 6pm – 7pm |
| DJ HateBoy | 7pm – 8pm |
| DJ Angie Vee | 8pm – 8:45pm |
| DJ Josh Peace | 8:45pm – 10pm |
Sabrina La Blanc’s Block Party “Stonewall Edition”
Sunday, May 19
Ada Vox, Sean Vaughn Carter, Carletta Coutore Viktoria Vennice, Joe Tamayo, Carlisha Gizelle, Djon Theartist, India Michelle, Pepper Mashay & DJ Spark
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade:
Sunday, May 19
Parade step off at 10:30 a.m. with a Pre-Parade Show at 9:30 at Bixby Park, located on Ocean Blvd between Cherry Avenue and Junipero Avenue. This year’s Long Beach Gay Pride Parade announcers will be Jewels, Cory Allen, LaDawn Best, Mia Farrow and Missy Vee, with Cheer L.A. performing “magical stunts” and prize giveaways, including free Pride Festival tickets.
Grand Parade Marshal: Kate Linder
Actress Kate Linder portrayed Esther Valentine for 37 years on the CBS daytime soap The Young and the Restless. In her personal life, Linder has been a staunch advocate for LGBT issues, such as stopping harassment and promoting equality. Additionally, she was a founding member of TV Cares, an AIDS Awareness program that raised AIDS Awareness and funds for those dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Marilyn Barlow Parade Grand Marshal: Delta Work
RuPaul’s Drag Race third season alumni, Delta Work, is both a Long Beach native and 20-year veteran in the “art of impersonation” and is a producer of the famous Dreamgirls Revue of Southern California at Hamburger Mary’s. Since her time on the beloved TV competition show, Work has won an Emmy for her behind-the-scenes turn as a producer for Drag Race. You better work, Delta!
Morris Knight Political Grand Marshal: Equality California
Equality California boasts the title of being the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil right organization and has been leading the charge in the fight for equality in the Golden State for the past two decades. Equality California’s mission statement of advancing “civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve,” is very in line with the theme of this year’s Pride.
Whitey Littlefield Community Bridge Building Award: Megan Kerr
Kerr is a lifetime Long Beach resident and is a current member and past president of the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Kerr has been a strong ally for LGBT students and instrumental in the implementation of policies that improve safety, provide access and nurture a positive school environment for all students. Additionally, Kerr has supported GLSEN teacher and staff trainings, FAIR act implementation in materials and curriculum, and access to clubs and opportunities to engage with the greater community.
Judith Doyle Community Grand Marshal: Karina Samala
Samala has spent the past 25 years campaigning for equal rights and human rights for transgender men and women in Long Beach and Los Angeles County. She is the chair of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission Transgender Advisory Council, and a board member of the City of West Hollywood Transgender Advisory Board. Samala is also a member of LAPD’s Community Police Advisory Board Jail Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department LGBT Advisory Council. Plus, she is the producer of the Queen USA, Queen of California and Queen of the Universe Transgender Pageants.
Robert Crow Community Grand Marshal: Mario Ernesto Gonzalez
Gonzalez is highly regarded for his work with both LGBTQ youth and community seniors. When he was just 16, Gonzalez began working at City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services as a Peer Health Educator. He then transitioned into a Health Education Associate role and has managed a wealth of programs, including an HIV education and prevention program and a mobile resource center for young people. He has also served as the Health Department liaison at local, regional, county and state HIV/AIDS planning groups to advocate on behalf of the greater Long Beach area.
Dr. Robert Garcia Youth Grand Marshal Award: Oliver Nieto
18-year-old Nieto, who identifies as transgender, advocates for trans and LGBTQ rights. As a high school senior at Renaissance High School for the Arts in downtown Long Beach, Nieto has the distinction of being the first transgender Student Council President at his school.
For tickets and more information regarding Long Beach Pride, call 562.987.9191 or go to longbeachpride.com.
Other Long Beach Pride Events:
Pink Party
Friday, May 17
Hamburger Mary’s
330 Pine Ave
centerlb.org/event-view/the-2019-pink-party
This official kickoff to Pride features the Dreamgirls Revue and is a fundraiser for the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach and the AIDS Food Store in Long Beach. Donations requested at the door.
Bearracuda Pride: Long Beach 2019! Upgraded with GROWLr
Friday, May 17
The Suite
3428 Pacific Coast Highway
bearracuda.com/long-beach
Join the largest attended Bear dance party with DJ’s Mateo Segade, Matt Stands and Omar Di Jou. Enjoy three floors of fun, a parking lot party and two rooms of music.
Pride Pool Party
Saturday, May 18
Renaissance Long Beach Hotel
111 East Ocean Boulevard
eventbrite.com/e/lb-pride-pool-party-2019
Consider the Pride Pool Party your double threat chance to celebrate both Pride and to kick off summer. This event will feature go-go boys dancing to the beat of DJ Galaxy from Palm Springs two turntables and a microphone, drink specials, and fun in the sun.
The Rainbow Party
Saturday, May 18
Club Ripples
5101 E. Ocean Blvd.
clubripples.com
This one night only Pride extravaganza features DJ Latin Lunatic and sexy go-go dancers to keep you moving and grooving all night long. Be sure to arrive early, this is always one of Long Beach Pride weekend’s most popular events.
The Ladies Playhouse
Presents The Official Long Beach After Party
Saturday, May 18
Sunset Lodge
516 West Esther Street
visitgaylongbeach.com/events
Enjoy special performances by Dallas Da Body, Classic, The King of DC Face and more, plus a special surprise guest.
Pride Run
Sunday, May 19
Ocean Running Path at Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue.
shorelinerunners.org
Annual Pre-Pride Parade Run hosted by the Shoreline Frontrunners of Long Beach.
For more information on the plethora of other events, go to visitgaylongbeach.com.