LA-West Hollywood to Host LGBTQ+ Hub for 2028 Olympics and Paralympics
Pride House Paris has officially handed over the torch to Pride House LA-West Hollywood, marking the beginning of preparations for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. The ceremonial event occurred on Friday, August 9, with key figures from the City of West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, Out Athlete Fund, and Olympic champions in attendance.
Organized by the Out Athlete Fund, a California-based non-profit, Pride House LA-West Hollywood aims to serve as a welcoming hub for LGBTQ+ athletes and fans during the 2028 Games. The Out Athlete Fund’s mission is to provide resources for LGBTQ+ athletes competing in national and international events, while Pride House itself will celebrate and support these athletes during the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Hosting Pride House in West Hollywood for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics presents tremendous opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Alex Soejarto, founder and president of the Out Athlete Fund. “We are already engaging incredible community and business leaders to support out LGBTQ+ athletes, as well as celebrate the entire community at Pride House.”
Pride House Paris co-presidents Frédérique Vidal and Jérémy Goupille hosted the event in Paris, which featured notable supporters from various sectors, including West Hollywood Mayor John M. Erickson, Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath, Janice Hahn, and Hilda Solis, and Olympic champions Greg Louganis, Ian Thorpe, and Matthew Mitcham.
“As the first openly gay athlete at my college and now the Mayor of the City of West Hollywood, the center of LGBTQ+ activism and a hub of culture, creativity, music, and inclusivity, I look forward to welcoming the world to experience Pride House in West Hollywood in 2028,” said Mayor Erickson.
Lindsey P. Horvath, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, expressed excitement about the future Pride House, stating, “Experiencing Pride House in Paris gave us insights for Pride House LA-West Hollywood as part of the 2028 Games. Pride House, as well as international LGBTQ+ athletes and fans, will be at home in West Hollywood in four years!”
Pride House International, modeled after traditional Olympic hospitality houses, provides a space for LGBTQ+ athletes, fans, and allies during large-scale international sporting events. It offers a range of cultural, sporting, and educational programs to raise awareness and promote inclusivity.
For more information, visit Out Athlete Fund, Pride House International, and Fier Play, the organization behind Pride House Paris.
