The city of West Hollywood brought their WeHo Pride float to the LA Pride Parade to show there are no hard feelings between the two events. At a regular city council meeting several months ago city council directed City staff to extend an olive branch and register to be in the LA Pride pride parade, which took place this past Sunday, June 12, 2022.
The WeHo Pride float was the 39th entry on the LA Pride parade route. West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister was joined by council member Lindsey Horvath and some appointed members from the city’s advisory boards and commissions. The Mayor was seen dancing to disco music and waving to the crowd as the float made its way down Hollywood Boulevard.
WeHo Pride at LA Pride – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
WeHo Pride at LA Pride – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESThe Los Angeles Times reported a competition between the two events saying the former power couple proved an irresistible opportunity to upstage and outshine each other, but rivalry was not on display on the WeHo Pride Float this past weekend.
“As far as I’m concerned there’s no competitiveness,” West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore, Sepi Shyne, told the LA Times. “We’ve completely shifted the way West Hollywood [does Pride] and actually made it our own for the first time.”
WeHo Pride at LA Pride – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES“An LA Times article today mentioned a supposed competition between the Los Angeles and West Hollywood pride festivals,” tweeted the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “The Center participated in both and is also a key organizer in Trans Pride. If there is any doubt where we stand, for the record we say, ‘The more the merrier!’”
An LA Times article today mentioned a supposed competition between the Los Angeles and West Hollywood pride festivals. The Center participated in both and is also a key organizer in Trans Pride. If there is any doubt where we stand, for the record we say, “The more the merrier!”
— Los Angeles LGBT Center (@LALGBTCenter) June 12, 2022
The WeHo Pride Parade and LA Pride Parade were one week apart.
WeHo Pride kicked off its lineup of events with the city’s annual Dyke March and a new Women’s Freedom Festival which took place beginning on Friday, June 3, 2022. Events included the OUTLOUD Music Festival ticketed event at West Hollywood Park “Lil’ Kim, Marina and Years & Years headlined WeHo’s music festival), a WeHo Pride Street Fair in and around West Hollywood Park, and a WeHo Pride Parade on Santa Monica Boulevard. West Hollywood is also hosting a WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival through June 30, 2022.
WeHo Pride at LA Pride – Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESLA Pride had a massive turnout for their LA Pride at the Park event with headliner Christina Aguilera who was joined by Anitta, Syd, Chika, Michaela Jaé, and over a dozen more at the LA State Historic Park.
The LA Pride Parade also turned up large numbers of spectators and a long list of floats promoting several large corporations, and non-profit organizations.
“It is so nice to see LA Pride back in Los Angeles,” said LA Pride Board Vice President, Noah Gonzalez, during his speech at the LA Pride at the Park event. “We have been bringing people together since 1970. It’s incredible to be back after two years later.”
West Hollywood Mayor Pro-Tempore Sepi Shyne, and council members John Erickson, and John D’Amico did not make it to the parade this past weekend.
Why were city council candidates on this float? Why were some excluded? Isn’t there an ethic’s committee that should be making sure this type of conflict of interest doesn’t happen. These council hopefuls basically got free publicity on an official city float with the the city logo. Shameful.
The crowd in Los Angeles really showed the love for the WeHo City float. Mayor Meister was a tireless cheerleader.
Wait. Why were you on this float? Are you also running for city council? I think you are. Maybe the city didn’t want the Mayor up there by herself.