Lina LecaroAll month long the Westside’s Beverly Center has been celebrating Gay Pride with festive events, and this week they outdo themselves with a rainbow’s worth of informative and fun LGBTQ parties worth battling for parking in their lot. Actually, you don’t even have to do that — if you spend $250 or more at B.C. and show valid same day receipts to the concierge, you’ll receive a “Friends of Beverly Center Valet Card” for free valet.
Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown’s Instagram account, @lgbt_history, is incredibly popular for a reason. They always seem to post the most inspiring, visually appealing and meaningful images, stuff that evokes the long-going fight for gay rights, but also provides historical context and celebrates people making a difference whether it be via activism or simply being true to one’s self by rejecting gender norms or showing affection to whomever they chose. The photography is always eye-catching too. The pair have collected their best images for a new book, We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation, a visual narrative that seeks to represent the LGBTQ liberation movement by showing that, indeed, gay people are ubiquitous, and their contributions to our world are as meaningful and culturally significant as those of straight people. Riemer and Brown will discuss the inspiration behind their IG account and the book that came out of it, with moderator Ashlee Marie Preston. Bloomingdale’s, where the event is held, is donating 10 percent of sales to the ONE Archives Foundation, who co-hosts the event. ONE supports LGBTQ+ people, history and culture through archiving, exhibits, education, community outreach and more. Bloomingdales in the Beverly Center (Levels 6 & 7), Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd.; Thu., June 20, 6:30-9 p.m.; free. more info here.
Jessie Paege (Courtesy Tarte Cosmetics)
When L.A.-based Jessie Paege became a top influencer via YouTube, she used the platform to expand into acting, writing and advocacy for mental health and LGBTQ+ equality. In June 2018, she came out as bisexual to over 3 million followers across her social platforms. Collaborating with several brands the past couple years, her latest, with Tarte Cosmetics, celebrates Pride in bold face fashion. For the launch of her new Let It Rain-bow Tarte Pride eyeshadow palette, she’ll be at Sephora in the B.C. to meet and greet with fans. Sephora in the Beverly Center (Level 7); Sat., June 22, 3-5 p.m.; free.
Bob the Drag Queen (center) will be at The Beverly Center’s Pride party this Saturday. (Photo from the movie Cherry Pop/credit: Assaad Yacoub/Wolfe Video).
The mall is making use of the new design set up we wrote about here in its centralized Grand Court area, with a major bash this Saturday that fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race don’t want to miss. Along with The Advocate and World of Wonder they’re hosting a “Tea with the Queens Panel” discussion featuring queens from the Emmy-winning reality show. Kim Chi, Violet Chachki, Ginger Minj, and Bob The Drag Queen will be sharing and shading and moderator Carson Kressley (Drag Race and the orginal Queer Eye) will steer the comvo. DJ Cottrell Guidry spin festive party sounds and there will be photo ops, makeovers and snacks too. Drag performances too. Sat., June 22, noon-3 p.m.; free. In the Grand Court (main floor) at Beverly Center; more info here.
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