After a two-year hiatus, South LA Pride is set to make its return on July 1. Co-hosted by Los Angeles Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Herb Wesson, South LA Pride will host a free outdoor community picnic featuring a live DJ, games, drag performances, food vendors, and live performances from popular LA-based BIPOC queer entertainers.
A free family-friendly event, South LA Pride, is scheduled to kick off the Independence Day weekend on Friday, July 1, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Norman O. Houston Park, 4800 South La Brea. More information at southlapride.com.
“I am once again proud to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community of South LA and to host this year’s Pride Picnic,” said Harris-Dawson.
“We should be able to celebrate our diverse community in our way, in our neighborhood, and with our families. South LA is home to the majority of LA’s queer BIPOC community, so it’s only right that we host our pride celebration at home.”
“I am so proud of Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Herb Wesson for their ongoing commitment to ensure that we celebrate, support, and increase the visibility of South LA’s LGBTQ+ community,” said Jasmyne Cannick, 2022 chair of South L.A. Pride.
“These events put a face on the many, many LGBTQ+ families and allies that call South LA home while helping to amplify our diverse voices.”
In addition to Harris-Dawson and Wesson, Councilmembers Curren Price and Mike Bonin are also co-hosting South LA Pride.
This year’s performers include Los Angeles’ Queen of Underground Hip Hop and Gangsta Goddess Medusa, Cor.ece, disco queen Kiki Kyte, and drag performers Sole Valentino and Amber Crane. There will also be a special tribute to LA’s ballroom community featuring Ballroom 1 on 1, and other special guest appearances.
In addition to the live performances, there will be dance contests, dominoes, spades, and other games.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drink or can opt to purchase food and drink from the onsite food truck vendors. A limited number of barbecue pits are available in the park and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Onsite parking is limited, so public transportation and ride-sharing are encouraged. Shuttles will be available between local parking lots and the event site. More information will be available online and on social media.
In addition to Cannick serving as committee chair, the planning committee members include representatives of Bienistar, Black Lesbians United (BLU), Community Coalition, Compton Pride, Independent Development Programs, Invisible Men, LA Black LGBTQ Movement, Los Angeles Legends Football, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Minority AIDS Project, Pride and Promote, and the Unique Women’s Coalition.
To help kick off South L.A. Pride, Harris-Dawson and Wesson have asked queer and allied South L.A. residents to submit images of themselves that show their LGBTQI+ pride and tag them on social media. We will feature these images in a photo exhibition during the event.
More information can be found at southlapride.com. To get involved or to sponsor South L.A. Pride, email [email protected] or visit southlapride.com.
