The LA Pride Parade hit Hollywood on Sunday, June 11, 2023 as a climax to a weekend full of pride programing, kicking off at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue to La Brea Avenue.
Comedian Margaret Cho was the “Icon Grand Marshal,” this year. She was recognized for her anti-racism, anti-bullying advocacy and her support of LGBTQ+ rights.
LA Pride Parade 2023 – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMESThe late actor Leslie Jordan, was the “Legacy Grand Marshal” which is a new designation that posthumously celebrats “those who have made an everlasting impact on the hearts and lives of our community,” according to Christopher Street West (CSW) the nonprofit organization that produces LA Pride. Jordan died at age 67 last year in October, from a heart attack.
LA Pride Parade 2023 – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMESThe ACLU of Southern California was chosen as the “Community Grand Marshal” for the parade to recognize its 100th anniversary “of fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights.” LA Pride and the ACLU SoCal have a history that goes back to the first year they were formed. In 1970, the ACLU joined LA Pride’s co-founders and sued the LA Police Commissioner for the right to hold a parade, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court, and they won. LA Pride was the first permitted gay parade in the world, thanks to the ACLU, SoCal. This year, we’re helping them celebrate their 100th anniversary.
LA Pride Parade 2023 – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMESSinger-actress Janelle Monáe was among those joining the ACLU contingent in the parade.
The second annual LA Pride Village on Hollywood Boulevard returned for its second year to bring the free, all-day street festival to a new location between Vine Street and Gower Street just steps away from the official LA Pride Parade route. The event offered 90 local vendor booths, two entertainment stages featuring 14 performances, an expanded bar garden, 11 Food trucks, 1 LGBTQ+ Cinema Film Festival by NewFilmmakers LA at The Montalbán Theatre and a more comfortable crowd space for dancing and celebrating Pride on Hollywood Boulevard.
LA Pride Parade 2023 – Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMES
