March 30, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

LA Pride’s Bid to Host 2025 World Pride

Today, Christopher Street West (CSW), the non-profit that produces LA Pride, announced an official bid to host WorldPride in Los Angeles for 2025.

“Los Angeles is a global city where we honor our unique past and work tirelessly to imagine a better future for all,” said Estevan Montemayor, CSW board president said in a press release. “LA Pride celebrates the city’s diverse experiences ensuring all communities are represented, and we are proud to announce our bid to host WorldPride Los Angeles 2025. We are confident that the vibrant infrastructure of Los Angeles is the perfect host city to welcome the world for WorldPride 2025.”

As the first permitted pride parade in the world, LA Pride will have been advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and progressive political change for 55 years by 2025. 

“Given the transformation our city continues to undergo as well as a perfect score of 100 on the HRC Equality Index, Los Angeles stands out as the ideal global destination to host WorldPride 2025,” stated Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

Los Angeles is a city of immigrants representing a diverse array of languages, ethnicities, religions and cultures who have created the fabric of its dynamic and vibrant community. Together, the community champions human rights for all people, regardless of race, gender, and sexuality. Viewed by many as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is gearing up to host multiple monumental events over the next decade garnering exciting attention and spotlighting the trailblazing city.  

There is a long history in Los Angeles of groundbreaking advancements in the LGBTQ+ movement. Landmark achievements began in the 1950s when activist Harry Hay started the Mattachine Society and not long after, the first US pro-gay monthly magazine ONE was published. In 1959, the Cooper Do-Nuts protest became the first gay political uprising after police arrested LGBTQ+ patrons for congregating at the shop. By the 1960s, many LGBTQ+ bars and clubs opened and police raided these establishments resulting in protests around the city. Never giving up, fast forward to 2013 when the Supreme Court dismissed California’s Prop 8 appeal legalizing same-sex marriage in California. 

The Pride movement’s storied history of pioneers and activists paved the way for the rights LGBTQ+ people have today, but the fight for equality is still far from over. LA Pride embraces this rich history as the fuel to inspire, motivate and drive the LGBTQ+ community to its next chapter. In 2019, LA Pride expanded the Festival grounds adding the first-ever free block party with programming and events promoting greater accessibility and inclusivity which resulted in much-lauded celebration. As the organization prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2020, the footprint will continue to expand and unite the community. 

City of West Hollywood float at the LA Pride Parade 2019

WorldPride was founded by the non-profit LGBTQ+ rights organization, InterPride, which meets annually in different cities around the world where its members select the host city at the annual general meeting. The inaugural WorldPride was held in Rome in 2000 and other cities that have hosted the celebration include New York, Jerusalem, Madrid and more. WorldPride takes place every two years and in 2021, over 500 Prides from around the globe will attend the annual InterPride conference in Guadalajara, Mexico where the winning city for 2025 will be announced.

Christopher Street West (CSW), a 501(c)3 non-profit, organized the world’s first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970, as a response to and in commemoration of the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Since then, we have built a rich history as an active voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Today, we continue to produce the globally-recognized LA Pride Parade and Festival every June in the City of West Hollywood. We also organize a number of events throughout the year with our nonprofit, philanthropic, community, and corporate partners. Visit lapride.org for more information.

Related Posts

Long Beach Businesses with LGBTQ Flags Vandalized

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

By Susan Payne Three businesses in Long Beach have reported windows smashed in with one common denominator: visible LGBTQ symbols. ...

Newsom Calls Huntington Beach City Council Decision ‘Rank’

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

By Susan Payne Huntington Beach garnered disapproval from Governor Gavin Newsom on its recent decision to ban the flying of...

California’s Affordable Housing Crisis Disproportionately Impacts LGBTQ Adults, UCLA Study Finds

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

New Report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research highlights the connection between lack of affordable housing, delayed access...

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Gus Kenworthy’s Gay Kiss Scene in ‘80 for Brady’ Cut Out

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne “80 for Brady,” a 2023 comedy/drama film that follows a group of longtime friends who want to...

Abbey Founder Declares Drag is Not A Crime

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne “Drag is not a crime.” In solidary with drag performers, David Cooley, founder of The Abbey Food...

Grants Available for Long Beach LGBTQ-Owned or Allied Restaurants

March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

By Susan Payne LGBTQ-owned or allied restaurants in Long Beach are invited to apply for Grubhub’s Community Impact Grants ranging...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Moves to Ease Restrictions on Blood Donations from Gay and Bisexual Men

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued proposed...

Board of Supervisors Approves Motion to Fly Progress Pride Flag in LA County Offices

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

Flags will be flown at Los Angeles County facilities where American and California flags are flown each year ​​Los Angeles...

Donatella Versace Visits the Los Angeles LGBT Center

March 9, 2023

March 9, 2023

Hosts master class with CFDA designers This week, the Los Angeles LGBT Center welcomed Donatella Versace, the Chief Creative Officer...

Versace Partners With CFDA on LGBTQ-Focused Initiative

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne Donatella Versace is launching a masterclass at the Los Angeles LGBT Center on March 6 in partnership...

Suspect Pleads Guilty to Killing Los Angeles-Born Gay Man in 1988

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne Last month, an Australian man pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1988 death of an American who...

Bill Introduced for K-12 Statewide Gender-Neutral Restrooms

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

By Susan Payne A bill to require K-12 schools in California to provide appropriate and equitable access to gender-neutral restrooms...

UCLA’s New Volleyball Coach’s Gay Journey Reaches Full Circle

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

By Susan Payne Playing volleyball in a West Hollywood gym is where Alfred Reft became comfortable with his sexuality, alongside...

Girl Scouts Make Sales at WeHo Bars

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

By Susan Payne A Glendale, California Girl Scout has found a new market for cookie sales in West Hollywood.  In...