Thousands celebrate “Power in Pride” at 54th annual LA Pride Parade

Hollywood Boulevard was a sea of rainbow flags, signs, and outfits, as thousands converged on the streets for the 54th annual Los Angeles Pride Parade on Sunday, June 9.

Parade producers from the nonprofit Christopher Street West said it was the largest number of contingents in L.A. Pride history, with 165 entries — including community groups and elected officials — marching to the theme “Power in Pride,” recognizing the LGBTQ+ community, achievement and representation.

The parade route ran north on Highland Boulevard, headed east on Hollywood Boulevard and south on Cahuenga Boulevard.

“This parade originated out of protest. That is what it is in spirit — a First Amendment parade,” said parade producer and director Mariela Spillari before the event.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who also attended the “Pride in the Park” music festival a day prior, reiterated her city’s support for the diversity of LGBTQ+ individuals and causes.

“LA supports Pride because L.A. supports the LGBTQIA+ community,” Bass said during the parade.

The trio of 2024 grand marshals included “Star Trek” actor and L.A. activist George Takei as the parade’s “Icon Grand Marshal,” professional wrestler Cassandro, El Exótico as the “Legacy Grand Marshal,” and L.A. Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley — the first woman and first openly gay person to ever hold the department’s highest position, parade organizers said.

“I am overjoyed to be named the Community Grand Marshal. This recognition is not just a reflection of my own efforts, but a testament to the hard work and dedication of all those who have fought for LGBTQ rights and equality,” said Crowley in a news release.

Gerald Garth, the board president of Christopher Street West and L.A. Pride, said that this year’s grand marshals “epitomize this year’s theme of ‘Power in Pride,’ not just through their own achievements, but through their unwavering commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

“They embody the essence of empowerment, showing us that our differences are not obstacles but sources of strength,” Garth said in the release. “Together, they inspire us to embrace our identities, break barriers.”

While Sunday’s June gloom cast a bit of shadow on the lively event, the weather didn’t deter attendees from coming out in droves, wearing their best and brightest as the sun eventually came out.

It was the first time back to the spirited parade in five years for Los Angeles resident Devin Seawright, who said he took L.A. Metro to see his friends marching. He had a prime viewing spot on the corner of Hollywood and Highland Blvds.

“I’m really excited to see my friends on the floats this year — that’s mainly why I came,” Seawright, 33, said. He got a spot on the corner of Hollywood and Highland around 20 minutes before the parade started.

Pasadena resident Heather Evans said it was her first time at L.A. Pride, and her first Pride Month event as an ally.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Evans, 33, said.

While the parade did see a few conservative counterprotesters from different religious groups walking with signs, it was a mostly spirited, pro-pride event. Parade marchers included the ACLU “Fight For Trans Futures” float, the Gay and Lesbian LGBTQ+ Armenian Society, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Trans Latin@ Coalition, and the Rainbow Book Bus, which advocates for keeping LGBTQ+ titles in libraries.

L.A. resident Stacy Smith has been coming to L.A. Pride weekend events for the last five years. As a mental health professional, she came to show her support because she has family, friends and patients who are part of the community.

To Smith, celebrating pride means “standing for love and accepting people for who they are.”

“I love Pride, I love the color and I love the people,” Smith, 41, said from the sidelines. “I love everything about it and I love what it stands for. I just think everyone, all the legislators and regular people, just need to focus on yourself and allow people to express themselves and to be who they choose to be understand.”

The festivities continued with a spirited community block party, which came back in 2022 when the L.A. Pride Parade returned to Hollywood with support from The Hollywood Partnership and the City of Los Angeles.

At the street party, LGBTQ-friendly vendors included groups like Bienestar, the Stonewall Democratic Club and others providing community resources.

Michael Gonzalez, the marching band director of the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles, said that L.A. Pride weekend is an important space for the group of performers, which started in the 70s and continued on through the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The band, Gonzalez said, is “accepting of all” with many LGBTQ+ members plus allies.

With the “slowly creeping” increase of bills and legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people nationwide, Gonzalez said worries for the future of communities in Los Angeles. He worries about veiled transphobic, anti-LGBT policies in schools and cities.

“It’s important for us to maintain community because individually we only have one specific lens,” Gonzalez said. “Through many of our members who are transgender, these bills introduce a lot of challenges, especially bills about trans health care and bathroom bills… it’s important as adults to try and be positive role models in light of all of this.”

Staff writers Steve Scauzillo, Allyson Vergara contributed to this report.

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Thousands celebrate “Power in Pride” at 54th annual LA Pride Parade – Daily News

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