WeHo Pride Stories: Darryl Pelletier – “Together We Stand”

Photographer Darryl Pelletier shares his love of photographing everything Pride.

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When I’m asked what my favorite event(s) are to photograph, I can never narrow it down to one specific event. My usual response is, Pride MONTH! In the 11+ year I’ve been a photographer in the LGBTQ+ community, I have had the honor to photograph on average 12  to 14 pride parades, festivals, picnics, etc., per year. Each one just as special as the last one.

Whether I’m in Sacramento, San Francisco, LA or Las Vegas, it’s always amazing to see the LGBTQ come together as one. To celebrate the progress the community has come. To the highlight current issues the community has, including BLM and Trans issues. I’m reminded of the quote, “Together we Stand.” Whether you’re a twink going to your first pride, a leather daddy, a drag queen on a float, or to watch the Dykes On bikes, the whole community comes together.

While we celebrate on a local level, and as a country, I do feel it’s a great time to not only thank our elders who fought for LGBTQ rights over the years, but to also learn something new about our community, whenever it’s learning about Harvey Milk, what the Pink Triangle means, or about the Compton Cafeteria Riots.

I have been fortunate enough to photograph LA Pride in both 2018 and 2019 and will be doing so again when the pandemic is under control. It was awesome to see everyone dressed up (or down) each year, as well as seeing many of the LA based corporations have booths and sponsor pride. It gave me a warm feeling to see MAC Cosmetics do makeovers, as well as give people a chance to walk their runway for photo ops.

My favorite moment for LA Pride was in 2019. It was amazing to see Paula Abdul perform opening night, and from the photographer section, be able to see a wide range of people, most 30+, when Paula Abdul was at the height of her career. 24 hours later, in the same spot, I saw a younger-aged audience range from teens, to 20’s, to my age. Again it was awesome to see the age range of the community.

I look forward to seeing people out this year for LA Pride events, as well as other LBTQ+ events across the state.

(To learn more about Darryl Pelletier and to check out his large collection of pride photos, visit https://darrylpelletierphotography.com?

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HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!! This is here is a call to all of our colorful readers who celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. Share your Pride stories with us. Bring is your happy, your love, your family, your friends, your shirtless, your drunk, your outfits, your best, and your worst; bring us your first pride event, your parade, your festival, your activism, your meaning, your evolution, your visibility, your dignity, or whatever you want to share about pride. We want to hear your stories. We want to document your history. Please allow us to share your pride.

Email your stories/pictures to [email protected].