Starting June 1, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) will inaugurate its first Pride At The Park events to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and allies across Los Angeles County.
Pride At The Park was created in partnership with LA County nonprofit organizations who are dedicated to advancing LGBTQIA+ equality through education and advocacy.
Pride At The Park programming will span throughout the month of June across 57 LA County parks in celebration of Pride Month. The events will feature mini-pride festivals, performances, health and wellness activities and more.
Two such events will take place later this month in Sylmar, one on June 24 in Dexter Park and another in El Cariso Park on June 30.
As a commitment to the community, LA County Parks staff also received unconscious bias and DEI training from its organizational partners.
“We’re ecstatic to launch our inaugural Pride At The Park events, and are excited to partner with our LBGTQIA+ partners to invest in LA County Parks staff training so that we can deepen our commitment to inclusivity at LA County Parks 365 days a year,” said Norma García-González, director of LA County Parks.
“Delivering on inclusivity is part of our core values and it’s our mission to create an environment where everyone is equally welcomed and celebrated for their authentic self,” said Hilda L. Solis, LA County supervisor, First District.
“We are committed to intentionally increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusivity at our LA County Parks,” said Holly J. Mitchell, LA County supervisor, Second District. “Pride At The Park is an exciting partnership that welcomes all and creates much needed space to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community and our collective joy and resilience.”
“I am thrilled to support the first-ever county wide celebration of Pride At The Park, bringing education, activities, and fun to LA County parks throughout June,” said Lindsey Horvath, LA County supervisor, Third District. “Come out to one of our 57 parks to join us in uplifting Pride Month throughout our communities.”
“Los Angeles County is proud to be a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community and through Pride At The Park we are sending a message of love and acceptance,” said Janice Hahn, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “Our parks belong to everyone and all month we are going to celebrate that by spotlighting local LGBTQ+ artists and performers at our county parks.”
“Our goal with Pride At The Park is to show a local and authentic commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community through the power of collaborations,” said Kathryn Barger, LA County supervisor, Fifth District. “Partnering with a wide range of incredible organizations strengthens our ability to create inclusive programming and establish park staff training programs that build a welcoming environment for all.”
Pride At The Park Partners include:
— PFLAG Santa Clarita Valley
— OUTreach Center – AV
— AltaMed
— Gay Men’s Chorus Of Los Angeles
— Life Works Mentorship – Los Angeles LGBTQ Center
— LA LGBTQ Center
— Pride Support Systems
— No Easy Props
— A Window Between Worlds
— Get Lit
— LA vs. Hate
— The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
— SGVLGBTQ
— The Original Whittier Pride
— The Wall Las Memorias
— The SFV LGBTQ Center
— The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
For more information about the times and dates for Pride At The Park programming, visit https://parks.lacounty.gov/pride.