Braving the chilly winds, hundreds gathered at the Los Angeles Zoo on Thursday, Jan. 4 for the second “L.A. Zoo Lights: Pride Night.” The annual event featured life-size animal light displays, live entertainment, a full bar and plenty of photo opportunities.
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Brynn Taylor DJxe2x80x99d music for the LA Zoo Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The LA Zoo held its annual Pride Night on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Festivities included an all-ages dance party, full cocktail bar with two signature cocktails, photo opportunities throughout the Zoo and more. This festival of lights at the zoo includes lantern sculptures, interactive displays and live entertainment. The LA Zoo lights show continues through Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Raquelle Armendariz, who uses she and they pronouns, attended Pride Night with her 3-year-old daughter as a Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association member. The 39-year-old from Riverside said that their hometown is “really lacking in the Pride department,” and was excited to be attending more events in the L.A. area.
“For the most part, I always go to the parades. Before my daughter was here, I’d go to some of the pride parties. Lately, now I look for more family-friendly stuff,” Armendariz said.
“I like that I get to be in an environment where you get to be yourself, and encourage and motivate other people to be your best version of yourself,” Taylor said. Pride, she added, has been “life-saving; it’s what gets me up in the morning.”
The 133-acre zoo and botanical garden is “committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all of our communities, including those who visit and work at the zoo,” said Jess Kohring, L.A. Zoo’s curator of community inclusion, in a news release.
“Pride Night is put together as an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ staff, community members, friends, families, and allies to come together in a supportive environment to experience L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow,” Kohring said.
The Pride-themed event was held on one of the final days of the zoo’s annual “Animals Aglow” holiday lights special, where visitors can see life-like animal and nature lanterns; from a butterfly garden to a giant snake archway. “Animals Aglow” opened at the zoo last November and ends on Jan. 7.
While LGBTQ+ Pride Month is formally celebrated in June, with events held throughout the summer, Pride Night organizers said “the diverse communities of Los Angeles exist year-round.” They hope to curate experiences throughout the year “where all Angelenos can belong.”
All guests were invited to use their chosen restroom. Other special touches for the event included a rainbow-lit Los Angeles Zoo sign, signature Pride Night cocktails called “Pride Punch” and “Taste the Rainbow,” and themed photo opportunities.
