It has been 45 years since the Stonewall riots launched the modern LGBT movement during the summer of 1969. This year also marks the 40th an- niversary of San Diego Pride, which launched with a mere 200 men and women marching through downtown in 1974. While some of them wore bags over their heads to protect their identities, they nev- ertheless courageously defied the police sergeant in charge at the time, who had declared “A homosexual march will never be held in San Diego!” Today, San Diego’s Pride Parade attracts more than 300,000 participants and spectators, making it the largest civic event in the city of San Diego and the 4th largest Pride parade in the U.S. Four long-standing LGBT organizations will be
honored as Community Grand Marshals and “Pio- neers of Pride” during the 2014 parade that kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19 near the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street. They are: the San Diego LGBT Community Center, the roots of which began in a utility closet in 1971; Dignity San Diego, an outreach ministry to LGBT Catholics estab- lished in 1973; Imperial Court de San Diego, which has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities since the early 1970s; and the Metro- politan Community Church, which established its local congregation in 1970. Other LGBT leaders and advocates to be honored
during this year’s parade are out California State As- sembly Speaker, Toni Atkins (Grand Marshal); both Vincent “Vinnie” Pompei, director of the Youth Well- Being Project at the Human Rights Campaign Founda- tion and Lisa Mata, Human Rights Campaign San Diego (Champions of Pride); Patti Boman (Friend of Pride), Co-President of the San Diego chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); Empress Candi Samples (Community Service) and the Lambda Archives (Stonewall Service Award) . Two Inspirational Couples have also been named
as honorees. Danielle LoPresti and Alicia Cham- pion have been partners as well as local community leaders for the past decade. Both have entertainment backgrounds and joined forces to renew San Diego’s music scene by establishing the popular, now- annual IndieFest. The other couple, Jonathan and Dwayne D. Beebe-Franqui, garnered considerable media attention for Dwayne’s unexpected marriage proposal to Jonathan while the pair was marching as part of the first-ever Military Contingent during 2012’s San Diego Pride parade. They are now married, the fathers of two children and active members of the American Military Partners Association (AMPA). Once the parade is over, Pride festivities will be only
just beginning. The annual Music Festival at Marston Point in Balboa Park is to be held from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 and again from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. Weekend passes are only $20 each, with children 15 and under admitted free when
accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, now available for purchase at
sdpride.org. The festival features a Children’s Garden full of entertainment, games and fun activities for pre-teens, as well as a special music-filled Youth Zone for those ages 14-18. There will be several new additions to this year’s
festival apart from such time-honored traditions as the Art of Pride exhibition, a variety of dance stages, free HIV testing, the exploratory Leather Realm, cool zones for Seniors and abundant beverage gardens selling alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks (a Sobriety Village for those in recovery and needing support will also again be present). New to the fest are My Big Gay Wedding Expo for those looking to tie the knot, the Bear Country Saloon, a wet and wild Oasis Beach Party featuring surfer-esque go-go guys and gals; and the NASA Destination Station, a multi-media experience that will also serve as the space agency’s first official Pride appearance. All proceeds from admission prices and festival-
goer donations fund a number of non-profit agen- cies. “San Diego Pride has distributed $2,000,000 to organizations serving the LGBT community,” reports Stephen Whitburn, Pride’s Executive Director. “Still every year, the funds needed exceed what’s avail- able.” Whitburn encourages those unable to attend San Diego Pride to support the event financially as well, either by texting DONATE to 41444 or online at
sdpride.org. As they do every year, San Diego Pride’s organizers
have enlisted some big names to perform on the fes- tival’s various stages. 2014 performers include teen singing sensation Charice, R&B chanteuse Deborah Cox, Glee’s Alex Newell, Mexican singer America Sierra and, together, EDM’s the Perry Twins and Cameron Neilson. There will also be don’t-miss concert tributes to Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. The full entertainment lineup and schedule can be found also at
sdpride.org. While orange may be the new black, maybe even the new pink, get out there and flash whatever colors you like at San Diego Pride!
OTHER PRIDE EVENTS:
She-Fest The Only All-Women Event Hosted by San Diego Pride Saturday, July 12 at North Park Community Park
sandiegopride.com
Gay Pride Contest 2014 Sunday, July 13 at The San Diego LGBT Community Center
imperialcourtsandiego.com
Big Gay Love Official San Diego Pride Screening Wednesday, July 16 at Landmark’s Hillcrest Cinemas
filmoutsandiego.com
FRIDAY, JULY 18: Expressions Of Pride Literature and art festival. 1 to 5 p.m. at the Diversionary Theatre Building
facebook.com/sandiegomulticulturallgbtbookclub
1st Annual San Diego Trans Pride and March 12 to 4 p.m. in Balboa Park
facebook.com/events/293320090842748
Harlem Nights San Diego Pride kickoff and after hours party featuring Dice Dixon 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Common Ground Hall
facebook.com/events/1470160913225787
SATURDAY, JULY 19: Flaunt Pool Party San Diego Pride Edition with DJ Hector Fonseca 12 to 7 p.m. at the Palomar Hotel San Diego
facebook.com/FlauntSD
High Tea: A San Diego Pride Pool Party DJs Dawna Montel and Josh Peace 12 to 7 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel Pool Downtown
sandiegopride.com
SUNDAY, JULY 20 Pride Masquerade T-Dance Bryant Jones presents the 1st Pride Masquerade T-dance with DJ Von Kiss. 1 to 6 p.m. at Commonwealth.
www.facebook.com/events/563547997099993
8th Annual Pride Closing Day Rooftop Pool Party 12 to 8 p.m. at The Andaz San Diego Hotel
eventful.com
JULY 2014 | RAGE monthly 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96