After high-profile concerts in the Park, LA Pride wraps up Sunday with march through Hollywood
LA Pride‘s three days of festivities will culminate Sunday, June 11, when the LA Pride Parade makes its way through Hollywood, capping a celebration headlined by food, exhibits and Pride in the Park concerts featuring pop icons Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion.
Sunday’s march steps off at 11 a.m. at Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue, then moving north on Highland, east on Hollywood Boulevard and south on Cahuenga to Sunset.
Comedian Margaret Cho will serve as the “Icon Grand Marshal” of the parade, honoring her years of anti-racism, anti-bullying advocacy and her support of LGBTQ+ rights, according to the Christopher Street West Association, which produces the LA Pride celebration.
The late actor Leslie Jordan, who died at age 67 in October when he suffered a heart attack while driving in Hollywood, will serve as the “Legacy Grand Marshal,” a new designation that will “posthumously celebrate those who have made an everlasting impact on the hearts and lives of our community,” according to Christopher Street West. A group of Jordan’s relatives and friends will ride in the parade in a custom vehicle.
“We are overjoyed by Christopher Street West’s heartfelt recognition to name Leslie as LA Pride’s Legacy Grand Marshal,” Jordan’s sister, Jana “Cricket” Jordan, said in a statement. “This honor further solidifies the positive impact he made in the world, but more importantly for the LGBTQ+ community. His spirit continues to bring love and light.”
The ACLU of Southern California was chosen as the “Community Grand Marshal” for the parade to recognize its 100th anniversary “of fighting for LGBTQ+ civil fights.” Organizers of LA Pride noted that the ACLU helped Christopher Street West sue the city in 1970 so it could obtain a parade permit for the first Pride Parade.
Singer-actress Janelle Monáe will be among those joining the ACLU contingent in the parade.
Sunday’s parade will be followed at noon by festivities at LA Pride Village along Hollywood Boulevard between Vine and Gower streets. The event will include 90 vendors, two stages of live entertainment, food, drinks and more.
The village will stay open until 8 p.m.
Megan Thee Stallion was the Friday headliner at Pride in the Park, which continued Saturday at Los Angeles State Historic Park, just north of Chinatown. Other Friday performers included Fletcher, Dorian Electra, Symone, Gigi Goode, The Scarlet Opera and G-Flip.
“This incredible event advocates for diversity, inclusivity and equality, so I’m honored to perform,” the singer said in a statement.
In addition to music, the festival included dozens of local vendors and LGBTQ+ exhibitors, bars, merchandise sales, food, an Erotic City for “the leather community” and an area for “the sober community.”
Mariah Carey, one of the best-selling artists of all time, was scheduled to be the headliner Saturday, also scheduled to performances from King Princess, Violet Chachki, Gottmik, Sasha Colby, Jenevieve, Vincint, Mad Tsai and Minke
“I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of LA Pride 2023,” Carey said. “I am happy to be back in person celebrating with the LGBTQIA+ community here in Southern California and throughout all of the lands. Let’s come together to celebrate love, inclusion, and Pride.”