Durand Bernarr will headline the 5th annual South L.A. Pride Festival on Saturday, July 15, at 12 p.m., at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex, 5001 Obama Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The free one-day festival lineup highlights the talents of artists who are queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or are from South Los Angeles including drag performances by Amber Crane, Sole Valentino, and Porshaa Lejayy.
Other performers include Ginger Roots, Devan M, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Lost Angeles, Yalla the Melodica, disco queen Kiki Kyte, rappers Freaky Boiz, and more. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the stage and dance floors open at noon.
In addition to the main stage, other activations include a ballroom voguing competition with Season 1 winner of HBO MAX’s “Legendary” Torie Amour Bodega, a softball game hosted by the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association, yoga with WalkGoodLA at 11 a.m., a meet and greet with the L.A. Legends Women’s Tackle Football team, and an outdoor dance floor with various deejays mixing throughout the day.
This year’s emcees include journalist Shar Jossell and content creator and comedian Jade Fox. Also, the honorees will be Garth Gerald, executive director of the AMAAD Institute; Liliana Perez, cultural affairs director for the Los Angeles Chargers; and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Presented by South Los Angeles Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Heather Hutt, and Curren Price, South LA Pride event will include food trucks, a vendor village marketplace, games, and more. Attendees can bring food and drinks or purchase refreshments from the onsite vendors.
“I am honored to support the LGBTQIA+ community at the 5th Annual South LA Pride Celebration,” remarked Harris-Dawson.
“While love knows no boundaries, it is crucial to confront the harsh reality of unjust laws that infringe upon human rights. I stand united with my colleagues and our city in our dedication to champion freedom for everyone.”
“South LA Pride is a powerful experience that amplifies the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in South L.A., while also celebrating its diversity, resilience, and strength,” said Hutt.
“It’s important that LGBTQ+ individuals in our community feel a sense of belonging and love from their constituents and their City, and this gathering is a testament to that commitment. Join us as we create a safe space where everyone can proudly express their authentic selves, and together, we’ll ignite change, foster peace, and promote acceptance of all!”
South LA Pride Chair and Director Jasmyne Cannick added, “South LA Pride is a celebration that recognizes and embraces the intersectional identities that exist within our communities. The queer community is not a monolith and we don’t all live in West Hollywood. Celebrating pride means celebrating all of who we are, where we are. We don’t have to — and we won’t — leave our community to celebrate pride.”
The 2023 South LA Pride Festival is sponsored in part by Community Coalition, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the LGBT Center, Gilead, Los Angeles Chargers and KPFK 90.7FM.
To learn more, visit southlapride.com and follow hashtag #SouthLAPride on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
