March 19, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

LB MAYOR GARCIA: Parade Vs. Festival

Though complicated, Long Beach has a long-standing history in the LGBTQ+ community (see page 9). From the iconic “Gayborhood,” to the plentiful classic gay bars, it seems a natural fit for the city to have its own Pride celebration. 

Long Beachers love their community, and the gays and allies of the International City arguably love it even more. Each year, turn out is strong and everyone has fun. Even Mr. Mayor. Being the youngest, the first Latino and the first gay mayor in Long Beach, most residents know Robert Garcia pretty well. But do they know his favorite part about Long Beach Pride? The Pride L.A. does! Read all about Garcia’s Pride experiences here: 

Are you excited for Long Beach Pride? 

Very much so. It’s one of the best events of the year and we get a lot of people that come down to the city and check it out, so it’s always fun. 

Do you prefer the parade or the festival? 

You know, I like both. I mean they’re both very different. I march in the parade every year. But I really liked the festival. I mean, the festival is, um, you know… I love the music and I love seeing all my friends, so I mean they’re both excellent, but I probably lean towards the festival. 

Is there anything new going on to festival that you’re looking forward to? 

It’s pretty similar every year. I think what I look forward to is actually the tradition of it, kind of being the same note, good music, great dancing, good food, seeing friends. So I really like all that tradition that’s there. 

Why does a city like Long Beach need a pride celebration? 

Well, we have a huge LGBT population. And I think that’s really important. And so, it’s celebrated. It’s diverse, it’s large, so probably a great place to celebrate. It’s also  a good way to meet new people and new friends. 

Have you seen much of a change in Long Beach Pride since working for the City?

I mean it always seems to kind of get bigger and more folks from out of town come. But it still has the same energy and it’s still a lot of fun. So we’re excited. 

Photo: Facebook.
Long Beach celebrated the grand re-opening of Harvey Milk Promenade Park with a ceremony to honor three new inductees of the park’s Equality Plaza Honor Wall: Sabreena, Dr. Angela Bowen and Tim Patton. The plaza on 3rd and Promenade honors the legacy of civil rights leader Harvey Milk and local LGBTQ+ activists.

What are some things that the city has done recently to support the LGBT community? 

I think there’s always things going on. Just in the last couple years, the things that I can think of that stand out are that we’re doing a lot of work right now with with LGBTQ health and making sure that we’re focused on issues around PrEP and  HIV and STI health. We continue to be very trans-inclusive. We have one of the best trans-inclusive healthcare programs and within the city where we just launched a small business preference for LGBTQ businesses. 

What does pride mean to you? 

Pride means an opportunity to celebrate with your community and to be completely proud of  who we are and to create a space that’s free and open and welcoming for all people. 

For more information regarding Long Beach Pride, visit the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. website at longbeachpride.com

Related Posts

Skin Laundry Laser Focuses On Rejuvenating Skin

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Facials don’t have to be invasive. That’s why Skin Laundry has taken a revolutionary approach to skincare technology, making the...

California Trans Child Molester Gets 2 Years In Juvenile Facility

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A Los Angeles County judge ordered Hannah Tubbs, a transgender California woman, to serve two years in a juvenile facility...

Homeless Initiative Meeting In West Hollywood

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative works to address homelessness with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response. It’s estimated that...

WeHo Premieres the ‘Moving Image Media Art’ Exhibition Series

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood announces the premiere of the Moving Image Media Art (MIMA) program and the worldwide debut...

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

WeHo Spreads Word About Free Covid Testing

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood is reminding residents that free COVID-19 testing is available for them.  Demand for COVID-19 testing...

Green Qween New Queer-Owned Cannabis Shop Will Open Downtown

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

Green Qween, a new queer-owned and queer-driven cannabis shop, will open in downtown on April 20th.  The shops owners, Andrés...

2022 ‘WeHo Reads’ Series Celebrates the ‘Road to Joy’

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

The City of West Hollywood invites community members to celebrate literature and local authors with its 2022 WeHo Reads literary...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

MJ Rodriguez, 1st Openly Transgender Actress to Win Golden Globe

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Michaela Jae “MJ” Rodriguez has made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to win a Golden Globe.  The...

Animal Shelter Donations In Honor Of Betty White

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Animal shelter donations have increased exponentially in honor of late actress gay icon and animal lover Betty White. Over the...

AIDS/LifeCycle 2022 Needs More Volunteers

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

AIDS LifeCycle is back with more than $4 million raised so far for the 2022 ride benefitting the HIV/AIDS-related services...

Long Beach Named One of the Best LGBTQ Cities

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

For the 10th year in a row Long Beach has been named one of the best cities in the nation...

Gay Wedding At Dodger Stadium

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Eric Braverman and Jonathan Cottrell will exchange vows at Dodger Stadium. Showing the progress the LA Dodgers have made as...

LGBTQ Haven in Long Beach

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

Long Beach is quickly becoming more and more of a safe haven for LGBTQ individuals with its queer spaces exploding...