Close to 400,000 people are expected to show up on Sunday for the annual L.A. Pride Parade, celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, according to CBS Los Angeles.
The parade will begin at 11 am. A traditional moment of silence will be held at noon to honor the memories of members of the community who were killed in hate crimes, CBS notes.
“The LA Pride Parade is based on celebrating the LGBT community and the people and organizations that have helped make progress in terms of equality,” according to parade chair Tom Pardoe.
Singer Demi Lovato has been selected as the parade’s grand marshal, and Mayor Eric Garcetti will be among those in attendance. Couples Paul Katami and partner Jeff Zarrillo and Kris Perry and partner Sandy Stier will serve as the community grand marshal, according to CBS. The couples were the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit that led to the overturn of California’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The parade will travel west on Santa Monica Boulevard and end on Robertson Boulevard. Due to heavy traffic and road closures, the parade will be providing a free shuttle service called the Pride Ride to interested participants.
According to the City of West Hollywood, the following roads will be affected:
— San Vicente Blvd. will be closed between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave from 7 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Monday
— Santa Monica Blvd. will be closed between Fairfax Ave and Doheny Drive from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
— Streets one block north and south of Santa Monica Blvd. will be closed between Fairfax Ave and La Peer Drive from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
— Crescent Heights Blvd. will be closed between Romaine Street and Fountain Ave from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Additional information about the parade and its festivities can be found here.
Photo: File
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.