30 Years of Long Beach Pride

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Growing Long Beach Pride over three decades into one of the largest LGBT celebrations in the U.S. hasn't always been easy. Financial challenges, board member defections and deaths and leadership changes have posed challenges at times, even in recent months.

But the show must go on, especially since "the show" draws nearly 100,000 people to the International City, and Long Beach Pride leaders are promising one of the best festivals ever in honor of their 30th anniversary. Appropriately, this year's theme is "30 Years Proud."

California's third-largest Pride celebration will be held the weekend of Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 along Shoreline Drive in downtown Long Beach. It will feature hundreds of supportive vendors and exhibitors, five large dance areas and numerous activities for adults as well as for the youth in our community. There will also be abundant entertainment, including a sure-to-be-spectacular reunion of former finalists from both "American Idol" and "The Voice."

In fact, an "American Idol" winner will be headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, May 18. Fantasia (aka Fantasia Barrino), who claimed the competition series' highest honor in 2004, is set to perform at 9 p.m. Fantasia has undergone her own trials during the last few years, including financial and legal woes. She just released a soul-searching new album, "Side Effects of You," and is launching her comeback starting with Long Beach Pride.

In response to the controversy over her supposed anti-gay remarks, she had this to say; "Anybody that knows anything about my history should know how I have been judged and talked about negatively from the first day that I hit the 'American Idol' stage. However, I am not a judgmental person and never will be. I like to see people do what they enjoy and be with the person they enjoy being with. The LGBT community has been, and still are to date, my biggest supporters. Now... how you doin'?!"

Sunday, May 19 will feature a two-hour Main Stage set by "American Idol" alumni Kimberly Caldwell, David Hernandez and Paris Bennett, who will be joined by "The Voice" finalists Frenchie Davis, Jamar Rogers and Beverly McClellan. Other performers scheduled during the course of the weekend include Diana King, Sara Peacock, Radio for the People, Corday and Adina Howard. The full concert line-up as well as other festival info may be found at longbeachpride.com.

The annual Long Beach Pride Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 19 starting at Redondo Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. Bixby Park traditionally serves as the parade's epicenter, but thousands of people turn out all along the Boulevard to cheer the floats, marching groups, politicians and celebrities. Come cheer the 2013 Grand Marshals - The Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Founders, the Female Community Grand Marshal Sarah Rice, Male Community Grand Marshal, The Rage Monthly's very own columnist Jewels, the Whitey Littlefield Community Bridge Building Award-winner, Helinda Chico, Morris Kight Political Grand Marshal recipient, Senator Ricardo Lara, and Love in The Mirror founder Jonas Corona, in special recognition of his work with the homeless.

LONG BEACH PRIDE 2013

FESTIVAL: SATURDAY, MAY 18 AND SUNDAY, MAY 19

Shoreline Drive

PARADE: SUNDAY, MAY 19

Redondo Avenue and Ocean Boulevard

There is always plenty happening during Long Beach Pride weekend beside the festival and parade themselves. Here are several choice offerings:

RAINBOW CANDY RAVE 5TH ANNUAL TEEN PRIDE FESTIVAL: FRIDAY, MAY 17 FROM 4 P.M. TO 9 P.M.

Presented by Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride and California Families in Focus and located inside the Long Beach Pride Festival by the Rainbow Lagoon. Featuring carnival games; an Arts and Crafts area; a large relay bouncer; gladiator joust; chill lounge; DJs playing dance, electronic, Latin, reggae, techno and hip hop; dance contest; and youth-friendly resource booths.

This is a free event for GLBTQ youth and allies 14 to 18 years old. School I.D. or another form of identification will be required at entrance. This is a tobacco, drug and alcohol-free zone with strict security. For more information contact [email protected]' target='new'[email protected]|[email protected]>.

1ST ANNUAL RALLY AND DYKE MARCH FRIDAY, MAY 17 STARTING AT 6:30 P.M

Long Beach women will take to the streets, with the goal of celebrating women and their rights. The events are inclusive of all women; straight, bi, lesbian and trans females are all encouraged to march in solidarity. Bring your signs! The protest and march will start at 6:30 p.m. near Broadway and Junipero Avenue and will march west ending at Hamburger Mary's. The rallies welcome speech delivered by Long Beach's own Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal and Key Note Speaker Robin Tyler will deliver the rally call. For more information e-mail [email protected]' target='new'[email protected]|[email protected]>.

I LOVE A RAINBOW CONCERT: FRIDAY, MAY 17 AT 7:30 P.M.

I Love a Rainbow is presented by St. Luke's Episcopal Church and will feature the music of classical and contemporary lesbian, gay and bisexual composers at 525 East 7th Street (corner of Atlantic & 7th). Suggested admission $15 in advance & $20 at the door and for more information or to purchase tickets call 562.436.4047.

ANNUAL LONG BEACH PRIDE RUN: SUNDAY, MAY 19 AT 8:00 A.M.

This 5K/10K run/walk presented by the Shoreline Frontrunners of Long Beach is open to people of all ages and abilities and will take place along the scenic Shoreline Bike Path of Long Beach. All funds raised by the Pride Run support Long Beach and Orange County LGBT youth, education and health organizations. For more information or to register go to lbpriderun.com.

COMMUNION ON THE BLUFF: SUNDAY, MAY 19 AT 9 A.M.

Presented by St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 525 E. 7th Street on Ocean Boulevard (Bluff Park) near Redondo Avenue. An annual service, St. Luke's "Pride Communion on the Bluff" begins just before the Pride Parade. Everyone is welcome to participate and/or just come by and feel the spirit moving among the people. For more information contact 562.491.3174.

6TH ANNUAL PINK PARTY: FRIDAY, MAY 17 FROM 8 P.M. TO 12:30 A.M.

Presented by Downtown Long Beach Associates and sponsored by The Rage Monthly in the East Village Arts District. Dress in pink and kick-off LONG BEACH PRIDE in style. Hosted by Jewels with a Drag Show featuring RuPaul divas Latrice Royale, Detox, Delta Work, Sonique and Raja. An evening of live music and dancing! The Pink Party benefits The Center Long Beach's MYTE Youth Program. For tickets and more information go to downtownlongbeach.org.

[email protected] POOL PARTY: SATURDAY, MAY 18 FROM 12 P.M. TO 6 P.M.

LGB2Network's 3rd Annual Play@Maya Pride Pool Party returns as another Rage Monthly-sponsored event featuring a summer music festival, with DJ George Figares direct from Miami and one of the most acclaimed DJs in the West Hollywood scene and NYC Transplant DJ Aaron Elvis. As a special guest, Curtis Lovell II the American illusionist and escape artist known for his high-profile escape performances and corporation events, will be on hand to wow the crowd. Buy your tickets now, this event sells out quickly! For more information or to purchase tickets, go to lgb2network.com.