Lina LecaroUPDATED 6/16/2022
2022 Pride marks the most event-packed month in Los Angeles ever, and there are a few reasons for this. Most notably, LA Pride’s organizers Christopher Street West and the city of West Hollywood have parted ways, so each group will hold its own events for the first time this year. LA Pride now will have its march on Hollywood Boulevard (where the inaugural Pride march took place in 1970) and a concert at LA Historic Park on June 11-12. Heading off those festivities, The City of West Hollywood now has its own event called “WeHo Pride” taking place June 4-5. LA Pride has Christina Aguilera headlining, while Weho Pride has Jesse J and Lil’ Kim. Both have a ton of fun activities and since they’re on subsequent weekends, we say the more the merrier.
There’s also more to celebrate in general. The LGBTQIA+ community is stronger, louder and larger than ever. Society has come a long way since the first Pride events, but we are still making strides in terms of understanding and respecting the queer community, especially as a new generation has come to highlight the significance of both gender and sexual identity via entertainment, social media, activism and more.
While there’s power in numbers, this growth also has led to backlash, as bigoted politicians try to suppress it with legislation, misinformation and discrimation toward what they don’t understand and won’t accept. The fight for equality and self-expression in the gay community most definitely remains. Along with support by straight/cis allies in these environments, Pride events aren’t just parties, they’re safe spaces where people relate, educate and celebrate. Post-pandemic, we’re all excited to get out and be together again, celebrating life and love of all forms. This year, we have more options than ever to do so. Here’s our picks. Happy Pride, L.A.
(See more Pride month picks and spotlights in our Arts, Food and Music sections).
UPCOMING / STILL GOING:
Pride at Beverly Center (Month of June)
The landmark shopping center celebrates Pride all month long with activations and celebrations for the LGBTQA+ community. Special initiatives include: “Park For Pride”- show your parking ticket at the Concierge B.C. will donate $1 to the Los Angeles LGBT Center in June; “Meet @ Bev” (June 16, 23, 30)- featuring LGBTQ+ inclusive events including “Bites @ Bev” with samples from Yardbird, plus cocktails; “Beats @ Bev” (June 19, 26)- All-female DJ sets on Sunday afternoons; “Bingo @ Bev,” (June 30) – Drag diva Marta Beatchu calls out the numbers and letters in BC’s Grand Court. Prizes include gift cards to Beverly Center’s stores. 8500 Beverly Blvd. More info here.
Landmark Theaters’ “Pride on Film” Series (June 24-26)
Screening of the best queer cinema to close our Pride month includes But I’m a Cheerleader, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, My Own Private Idaho and Hairspray. Landmark Westwood, 1045 Broxton Ave., Westwood. landmarktheatres.com/los-angeles/the-landmark-westwood
Pride Month at Cinespia (June 12 to June 25)
Cinespia’s June lineup at Hollywood Forever provides some pitch-perfect Pride-appropriate screenings. Presented by Amazon Studios, titles include The Wizard of Oz (6/12) (celebrating gay icon Judy Garland’s 100th birthday), Aliens (6/18), and Selena (6/24), and the month’s closer in partnership with LA Pride presenting the Natasha Leone classic But I’m a Cheerleader (6/25). Concessions, photo booth, DJ sets before and after the movie. Lawn-style seating and BYO beer, wine and food, too. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.; gates at 7:15 p.m., movie at 9 p.m. More info at cinespia.org.
(Courtesy Cinespia)
Rooftop Cinema Club (Month of June)
Held at LEVEL in Downtown LA, and in El Segundo, RCC has some great Pride Month movies at both locations all June long, with a portion of proceeds donated to The Trevor Project. Titles include To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, The Birdcage, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Set It Off, But I’m a Cheerleader, and Tangerine. Full schedule and more info at rooftopcinemaclub.com/los-angeles.
Melrose Rooftop Theatre (Month of June)
Pride Month screenings at MRT include The Birdcage (6/3), The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (6/10), and Brokeback Mountain (6/17). We like this one, especially after dinner at E.P. & L.P. where it’s located, as the food is some of the best in L.A. The outdoor cinema event also offers gorgeous city views, a state-of-the-art 16’ x 19’ screen, wireless headphones, concessions, and bean bag seats. Dinner & movie packages available, too. Doors at 7:30 p.m., film at 8:30 p.m. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood. More info at melroserooftoptheatre.com.
The Birdcage (United Artists)
Eat See Hear at the Autry (June 24)
The popular dog-friendly film series via Showtime, featuring inflatable movie screens and high quality HD-projection, celebrates LA Pride by showing the classic Robin Williams comedy The Birdcage at the Autry Museum of the American West, alongside a live set from Lucy & La Mer and a lineup of queer-owned food trucks. Come early and get free entry to the Autry with your movie ticket. 4700 Western Heritage Way; Friday, June 24, 6 p.m. More info at theautry.org/events/special-events/eatseehear-birdcage-1996.
Pride is Universal (June 25)
Enjoy Universal Studios after hours, at this mega-event featuring access to select rides, the Universal Studios Tram Tour (running until 9:30 p.m.), two DJ’s spinning high-energy dance music throughout the park and drag shows featuring queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Various retail stores, restaurants and cash bars also will be open, and Universal’s costumed characters will be around for “distanced photo ops.” Enter during usual operation hours at 4 p.m., or come after the park closes to the public at 8 p.m. The after-hours experience doesn’t stop till midnight. Portions of the proceeds from this event go to Christopher Street West (CSW), producers LA Pride. 100 Universal City Plaza; Saturday, June 25. More info at lapride.org/event/prideisuniversal2022/.
(Courtesy SaMo Pride)
SaMo Pride (Month of June)
The first big Pride event of the month kicks off June 1, in Santa Monica at various picturesque locales including the pier, Santa Monica Place (look for their “Made with PRIDE Marketplace” showcasing over 15 LGBTQIA+ business owners) and Third Street Promenade. And speaking of pictures – SaMo Pride’s vibrant light installation “Miles of Pride,” spanning S.M.’s streets, is a visual treat, infusing the city with rainbow hues alongside a lit-up City Hall and the Main Street Santa Monica visitor’s center. There’s also a full calendar of events from lively nightlife to family friendly activities with art, vending, story time, and live performances celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture. More info at SMPride.com.
PAST EVENTS:
(Courtesy Bob the Drag Queen/Jacob Ritts)
Bourbon Room (June 10-12)
The rockin’ Hollywood Blvd. hotspot offers a wiggy wonderful weekend starring RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty, starting with Bob the Drag Queen on the decks Friday, June 10. Then it’s the Pink Party on Saturday hosted by the Barbie-esque Trixie Mattel, who also deejays (this is the afterparty for Alaska Thunderfuck’s sold out DRAG: The Musical, which will also have a presence at the Pride Village); Sunday it’s thrilla queen Manila Luzon (2-6 p.m.) hosting the venue’s Pride Party right after the parade just outside the parade. 6356 Hollywood Blvd. bourbonroomhollywood.com
LA Pride in the Park (June 11)
The divas are coming out for LA Pride’s huge new celebration near Chinatown, co-presented by Tik Tok. Christina Aguilera headlines and pop goodness also will be served by Anitta, Syd, Chika, Zolita and Pose star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. The festival also will have vendors and exhibitors, sponsored activities, food and drink. VIP tickets include private entrance, exclusive viewing options, VIP bar and premium food vendors. At LA State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., Los Angeles; Sat., June 11, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Info at lapride.org/event/2022-la-pride-in-the-park/.
Pride March 2017 (credit: Star Foreman)
#LoveYourPride Parade (June 12)
LA Pride is touting a return to its roots with this Hollywood procession kicking off at 10:30 a.m., on Sunday, June 12, at Hollywood and Vine. This year’s theme is “Love Your Pride,” and along with marchers, there’ll be floats, trucks, exotic cars, bands, performers and more. The parade route will go west to Hollywood & Highland, south on Highland to Sunset Boulevard, and then east on Sunset to Ivar Avenue. It’ll be followed by a street fair-style Pride Village, with vendor booths, a ferris wheel and other amusements (see below). On Hollywood Boulevard at Vine Street, Sun., June 12, starts at 10:30 a.m. More info at lapride.org/event/2022-la-pride-parade-in-hollywood/.
Summertramp (LA Weekly/Colin Young Wolff)
Future Lovers Block Party: LA Pride 2022 (June 12)
After the first annual PRIDE LA Hollywood march, keep the good vibes going with this bumpin’ block party from the Nightbreed and Future Lovers. A large portion of Hollywood and Vine will be closed off, and feature three stages surrounding the Capitol Records building and Avalon nightclub. The bill includes pop songstress Kiesza and Eurovision Winner Netta Barzi, plus Felix Da Housecat along with RuPaul’s Drag Race faves Jessica Wild, Elliot with 2ts, Maria Balenciaga, and Calypso Jet, and more TBA. Inside of Avalon Ballroom “1 On 1” (paying homage to Ballroom Culture), will feature performances and education covering the fundamentals of the underground ballroom culture, with judges PackRat 007, Legendary Pretty 007, Gravity Balmain Jacobs and Father Torie Balmain from HBO Max’s Legendary, and a special performance by Kornbread “The Snack” Jetè (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14). Also, the waterpark-themed shindig called Summertramp will have presence with DJs, inflatables and more. A portion of ticket sales will go to Los Angeles LGBT Center. At Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street; Sun., June 12, noon to 10 p.m. More info at wl.seetickets.us/event/Future-Lovers-Block-Party/.
LA Pride Pool Party (June 12)
The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s I|O Rooftop (the largest rooftop venue in Hollywood with 360-degree views) kicks off its weekly Summer Pool Party series with a bash following the LA Pride festivities in the area, touting DJs, drink specials, tacos and more. Sun., June 12, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1400 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. More info at godfreyhotelhollywood.com
(Star Foreman)
Catch One (June 10 and June 11)
Catch One nightclub’s queer history is well-documented – opened by Jewel Thais-Williams in 1973, Jewel’s Catch One was been a beacon for the community for decades. During Pride Month the disco will elevate L.A.’s gay nightlife once again. The Yard x Lez Croix, brings the two Angeleno promoters together for a night of local talent and queer artists and mixmasters from Atlanta, San Francisco and New York on Friday. The next night, BeDazzled from Glamcocks (best known for their colorful Burning Man camp) invites clubsters to dress to the nines in their sparkliest, glitteriest get-ups, as DJs spin pride anthems, electro and more. 4067 West Pico Blvd. Friday-Saturday, June 10 and June 11, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. More info catch.one/#/events.
Pearl Pool Party (June 12)
Boasting a “weekly summer kiki for the entire LGBTQIA+ community,” this splashy bash debuted last summer, focusing on inclusiveness and celebrating diverse races, body types, and identities. This year, they’ve added a photo area, new DJs, drag performances and queer vendors, as the party celebrates both WeHo Pride (on June 5) and LA Pride (on June 12). Foxy pool fashion – from kaftans and heels to speedos and pearls – is encouraged. DJs spin cool grooves and a portion of the proceeds from the June 12 event go to the Trans Wellness Center in Los Angeles. At Le Parc Suites Hotel Pool, 733 West Knoll Drive, West Hollywood; Sundays, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. More info at eventbrite.com/e/pearl-pool-party-sundays-tickets.
This Pride Guide is updated throughout the month. 🌈
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