LA Pride to Kick Off at Universal Studios
Christopher Street West (CSW), the nonprofit that produces the annual LA Pride Festival and Parade, will once again collaborate with Universal Studios Hollywood to host PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL on Saturday, June 1 as one of LA Pride's kick-off events. The event will celebrate the LGBTQ community and its allies as they come together to celebrate Los Angeles' Pride season, ahead of the LA Pride Festival and Parade, which takes place June 8-9. This marks the third consecutive year that LA Pride has held the event at Universal Studios Hollywood.
PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL ticket holders will receive access to Universal Studios Hollywood starting at 4 p.m. (2:00 p.m. for Universal Express ticket holders), plus enjoy exclusive after-hours full park access from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with live DJ's, dance clubs, cash bars, character meet and greets, and more. Universal Express tickets, which provide priority access to all rides and attractions, are also available for purchase. PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL is open to all ages, but ID is required for guests 21 and above for cash bar access.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with Universal Studios Hollywood to host a unique event bringing together the LGBTQ+ community at the beginning of LA Pride Week 2019. PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL is unlike any experience at the theme park, and certainly one you won't want to miss," says Estevan Montemayor, CSW Board President.
This event is also an important fundraiser for CSW, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting CSW's philanthropic efforts. This includes community-wide programs including Casa del Sol, a joint project with APLA Health that provides low-income housing to people living with HIV/AIDS and PLATform, a policy, leadership, and advocacy training program to help amplify the voices of the Transgender community. Additionally, proceeds benefit the USC GLASS Endow Scholarship, a grant program awarded to students to help them conduct research affirming the important role the LGBTQ+ community plays in society today. Funds raised will also help CSW prepare for its 50th anniversary celebration in 2020.
"Comcast NBCUniversal has a strong and long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. On this historic anniversary of Stonewall, we are proud to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community and are especially excited to partner with LA Pride on PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL for a third year," said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for NBCUniversal.