United by Pride, bound for a good time
"United by Pride, Bound for Equality," the theme of this year's LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration, took on a bit more meaning last month when the California Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the state.
The move could encourage more people to attend Pride this year than ever before. Pride officials estimated this week that up to 1.25 million people - a record - would take part in the 38th annual celebration that begins Saturday, June 28, and continues with the parade on Sunday, June 29.
Early Wednesday, the "Bay Area Reporter" learned that those involved with the upcoming "Milk" movie would march in the parade. Pride Executive Director Lindsey Jones confirmed that screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks will ride with celebrity grand marshal Stuart Milk, nephew of the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, the subject of the movie that stars Sean Penn and is being directed by Gus Van Sant.
Cleve Jones, a consultant on the film, offered only a "No comment," when asked if Penn would make an appearance.
A multitude of individuals and groups, ranging from the Bare Chest Calendar men and Bears of San Francisco to the Radical Faeries, will march down Market Street during the world-famous parade.
There will be plenty of familiar faces in the parade: in addition to Stuart Milk, True Colors tour headliner Cyndi Lauper and the legendary Charo are celebrity grand marshals. They join lifetime achievement grand marshal Theresa Sparks; community grand marshals Erick Arguello, Joan Benoit, Marvin Burrows, Joey Cain, Evan Low, and Julius Turman; and organization grand marshal Gay Asian Pacific Alliance. Local and state elected officials and nearly 200 parade contingents will show just how much variety and diversity there is in the community.
The Pride Parade starts at Market and Beale streets with the thunder of the Dykes on Bikes at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The parade will end at Market and 8th streets, near Civic Center.
The Pride celebration and festival in Civic Center takes place Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. A $5 donation is requested.
"I strongly suspect we'll have more people this year than ever," said Mikayla Connell, president of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee board. "I think the biggest challenge this year is a good challenge to have," Connell said. "How do we honor and celebrate the Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage and, at the same time, let people know that the struggle's not over, and that there will be a vote on this issue on the November ballot?" If the ballot measure passes, it will amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
The parade will be broadcast live on Comcast cable channel 99 (digital) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and via a live Web cast at www.KRON4.com. A "live, uncensored" Web cast will be featured at Clear Channel Radio on www.sfpridelive.com, from 10 a.m. to the end.
Comcast On Demand will have the parade starting at 7 p.m., and KRON 4 will show the parade during prime time, from 7 to 9 p.m.
In recent years, Pride has raised more than $170,000 annually for community organizations. This year, almost 80 organizations will benefit from the event, including HIV/AIDS services, health centers, churches, sports groups, and other organizations, through the Community Partners program.
On Sunday, Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, will appear on the main stage to talk about defeating the November ballot measure.
Dance music divas Inaya Day, Kat DeLuna and Crystal Waters will perform on the main stage Sunday, in addition to celebrity grand marshals Lauper and Charo.
The main stage will be active both Saturday and Sunday. Other features will be on Sunday only, including the Asian and Pacific Islander stage and pavilion, with a special appearance by comedienne Margaret Cho; the Homo Hip-Hop stage, with local queer and allied deejays; and the Steamworks Latin Pride dance stage, with Ivy Queen. A clean and sober area, Fag Friday's community dance arena, Leather Alley, and the NectArena women's stage will be among the other spaces included on Sunday.
Saturday and Sunday, Marriage Equality USA will host the Get Engaged! wedding pavilion, which will include games, prizes, and information on how marriage in California will be recognized in other jurisdictions, as well as the November ballot measure. The pavilion will be in Civic Center Plaza.
On Saturday, blues and funk artist Meshell Ndegeocello, the Glide Ensemble and the San Francisco Opera are all expected to appear on the main stage. There will also be a dance arena Saturday.
Also Saturday, Marriage Equality USA will have a wedding reception on the main stage at 4:55 p.m. All are welcome to join Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and others in a toast. People wishing to attend are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, visit www.marriageequalityusa.org.
For more information on Pride festivities, visit www.sfpride.org.