LA PRIDE 2008
Start with beautiful Southern California weather, add tens of thousands
of interesting people, and throw in a hearty helping of top name entertainment.
Toss those ingredients into one of the most unique cities in America, and
you have the recipe for LA PRIDE, an annual event in West Hollywood
presented by the Christopher Street West Association, Inc., a non-profit
service organization within the GLBT community of Greater Los Angeles.
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| The hard work of the CSW staff has really paid off. LA PRIDE is not
only one of the largest Pride festivals, it seems to have become one of
the best and most beneficial events of any kind in Southern California.
Under the direction of CSW President Rodney Scott, LA PRIDE 2008 is a well-organized,
perfectly executed event considered to be, based on comments from attendees,
the best to date.
And what will you find at LA PRIDE? Just about anything you could possibly
want or need, ranging from jewelry (yes, rings seem to be quite popular
right now given the recent green light for same-sex marriages to take place
in California) and unique gay-oriented novelty items to leather goods that
will allow you to explore your wild side, featured in an adults-only section
of the festival called Erotic City. |
She's
looking at rings...
Is
there a wedding in her future??
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How
gay are you?
Actor
Jim J. Bullock demonstrates the "Gaydar Gun"
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Now
entering Erotic City.
Sorry...no
children allowed.
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The
quality leather goods of Erotic City...
Why
not try 'em before you buy 'em!
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Great
gift ideas for everyone in the family.
Christmas
will be here before you know it.
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Two
hot young gay video stars pose for Eye On Weho.
Oops,
I almost didn't recognize them with their underwear on!
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| If you are a bit hungry upon arriving at LA PRIDE, you won't be for
long. I can see and smell just about every type of food you can think of,
from tasty Teriyaki Bowls to spicy Mexican food and zesty chili fries.
Thirsty? That's not a problem either. You'll find a wide variety of adult
beverages for purchase and, for those who wish to remain sober and remember
being at PRIDE, you can enjoy a frozen lemonade or - get this - a refreshing
smoothie served in a hollowed pineapple and topped with a paper umbrella! |
Mmmm...teriyaki
bowls.
A
popular favorite at LA PRIDE!
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Stay
away from this booth PETA members...
fresh
cuts of meat are being grilled to perfection.
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| OK, enough of the food and fun for a moment. PRIDE is also about helping
the community. Some outstanding organizations are represented here, such
as Project Angel Food, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and The Trevor Project
(a 24-hour crisis and suicide prevention helpline for GLBT teens), just
to name a few. You can get tested for STDs at the festival and, at another
booth, the "Hep Team" will give you free hepatitis shots.
Needless to say, a highlight of the festival is the Parade that makes
it's way down Santa Monica Boulevard on Sunday morning. Corprate sponsors
and community organizations have colorful floats in the parade. Political
figures and celebrities pass by, as well. And yes, as you can imagine,
you'll see more than your fair share of gorgeous young hunks wearing nothing
more than a Speedo and a smile! |
Christopher
Street West
There's
a lot of PRIDE on this float!
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The
Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor
of Los Angeles
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West
Hollywood Crossing Guards?
No,
the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles!
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Pride
has no borders...
Mr.
Mexico Gay Pride 2008
|
Marry
you? The question isn't will I,
the
question is which one??
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Adelante's
entry in the parade provided some
eye
candy for those along Santa Monica Boulevard
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Is
this what they mean by
"taking
the band on the road"?
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A
convoy of classic automobiles presented
by
the G.A.Y. Car Club. What, no Mazda Miata?
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| While there are many things that draw the huge crowd to LA PRIDE, I
guess that at or near the top of the list is the top name entertainment
that appears at the festival. Some perform, while other well known celebrities
simply stop by to say hello and show their support. The festival closes
this year with a performance by Olivia Newton-John. Olivia will turn 60
this year, but she still looks and sounds fantastic! |
Gretchen
Bonaduce sings on the WaMu Main Stage
(Yes,
she's the ex-wife of Danny Bonaduce)
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Kimberley
Locke sounds great!
Kimberley
was on Season 2 of American Idol
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Billy
Masters tries to keep up with
the
always energetic Charo
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Ross
"The Intern" Matthews
from
The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno
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Terri
Nunn, lead singer of Berlin,
stops
by to say hi to the PRIDE audience
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It's
Leeza Gibbons
TV
personality and informercial hostess
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The
Main Stage comes alive with
the
talent of Olivia Newton-John
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Olivia
sings several of her hits
including
the memorable Xanadu
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The
leather jackets are a clue...
Olivia
is singing a few classic numbers from Grease
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A
nice surprise...Olivia receives a proclamation
and
a key to West Hollywood from LA PRIDE
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As Olivia concludes her memorable perfomance and exits the stage, LA
PRIDE 2008 comes to a close and the crowd begins to clear the venue. As
I walk to my car, I can't help but wonder how CSW can possibly top this
event next year. I have a feeling they will, and that gives me a reason
to look forward to the next festival. It should be reason enough
for all of us to meet here in twelve months for LA PRIDE 2009.
For additional information about LA PRIDE: http://www.lapride.org
For images from LA PRIDE 2007, click
here
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