Weekend
promotes diverse community
By Maritza Diaz
On-line Forty-Niner
Pride
and diversity will be celebrated this weekend
in Long Beach as the 20th annual Gay and
Lesbian Pride Day shuts down Shoreline Drive.
The Rho Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi, a national
fraternity at Cal State Long Beach, will
be among the participants in the event.
The purposes of the fraternity include presenting
a positive image of people regardless of
sexual orientation and helping to determine
the rights of individuals in society, Matthew
Black, chapter president said.
To demonstrate that purpose, the fraternity
takes part in the event every year.
“Pride is very important as it lets the
community know who we are,” Black said.
This year the fraternity will take part
in the parade that runs along Ocean Boulevard
between Redondo Avenue and Alamitos Avenue.
“The Lambda Men will be making their presence
known as we ride through
the parade on our fabulously decorated rainbow
vessel — a pick-up truck,” Black said.
The event has grown throughout its 20-year
history to become the second largest event
in Long Beach, second to the Long Beach
Grand Prix. Last year the event drew about
125,000 people, according to Glenn Falero,
representative of the Long Beach Lesbian
and Gay Pride, Inc.
“The festival gets bigger,” Falero said.
“The parade gets bigger. The feedback has
been good on this event because of its representation
of a large diversity.”
The events planned have helped draw a large
number of people who are not part of the
gay community and have helped in spreading
awareness, Falero said.
“Even though we are not an ethnic group
we represent about 15 percent of the Long
Beach community,” said Falero.
The festival will also include appearances
on the main stage by musical guests Chaka
Khan and Pat Benatar. The event offers a
wide range of music in other side stages
that include gospel, country, dance and
salsa. There will also be a children’s garden
where children can create arts and crafts.
“[It is] a day to celebrate diversity and
individuality, and to let your hair down
and have fun,” Black said.
The festival is also a celebration of all
the work previous leaders and activists
have gone through to allow the gay and lesbian
community to bring awareness, according
to the Lesbian and Gay Pride, Inc.
The 20th annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay
Pride Festival will take place this weekend
along Shoreline Drive. The festival is from
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost is $15 each
day.
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