Thousands of people cheered and waved rainbow flags, shouting “Happy Pride” in West Hollywood – the mecca for Los Angeles’ LGBTQ+ community and the location for the annual parade and weekend festival. One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, the WeHo Pride Parade is the start of events held month long throughout LA and surrounding communities.
As the floats rolled by, one spectator who had attended previous WeHo Pride parades said it was all a lot of fun, but she noted a change this year.
“There used to be so many floats that were sponsored by businesses and corporations, they don’t seem to be here this year.
“This must be about fear of possible reprisals, a response to Trump’s wrecking ball to eliminate Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI). So, if these companies don’t want to be here to support us, we don’t need to support them, because we are all about DEI.”
The Diverse LGBTQ+ Community Faces Range of Issues
“I know the White House is attacking our community right now, especially our trans community,” said another young woman as she walked hand in hand with her partner. “So many of us have been worried, so I’m so happy to be here with her and everyone, feeling safe and loved and proud to be who we are.”
Along the route, there were the expected dancers, entertainers and music. This year, there were also caricatures of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the United States Health and Human Services Secretary. Floats and signs carried messages of concern about federal cuts to medical funding, including services for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Raising Pride Flags
The Progress Pride Flag was raised in downtown LA Tuesday, marking the official start of Pride Month for the county.
The county LGBTQ+ Commission was joined by the Board of Supervisors and District Attorney Nathan Hochman for the ceremonial raising of the flag.
The county Department of Public Social Services, with representatives of local LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, also hosted a Pride flag-raising ceremony with the theme “Pride: It Begins With Us.”
But, as events began, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of the names of several naval ships, including the USNS Harvey Milk. A Navy veteran, Milk was a highly respected gay activist and San Francisco politician. He was a leader in the gay rights movement. This possible “erasure” and timing of this news at the start of Pride Month was considered by the LGBTQ+ community to be “deliberate and insulting.” Milk was assassinated in 1978, and in 2021, the naval ship was christened in Milk’s honor under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Numerous Gay Pride Events Will Continue
Locally, the City of San Fernando will raise a Pride flag on Saturday, June 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the steps of San Fernando City Hall. This year’s ceremony will be held in memory of 21-year-old college student Matthew Shepard, a victim of a vicious hate crime.
Shepard was brutally attacked, tied to a fence and left to die. Since his death, the Matthew Shepard Foundation has been established to raise awareness about the injustices and hate inflicted on members of the gay community. The event is open to the public and members of the local City Council with representatives from local LGBTQ+ organizations will attend. The event will be held at 117 Macneil St. in the City of San Fernando.
I will NEVER celebrate gay pride month. There is nothing to be proud of.