LA Pride Parade draws thousands to Hollywood for culmination of weekend festivities

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Sunday, June 11, 2023
LA Pride Parade in Hollywood culminates 3-day celebration
The LA Pride Parade made its way through Hollywood on Sunday, highlighting the last day of this year's weekend-long Pride celebration.

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The LA Pride Parade made its way through Hollywood on Sunday, highlighting the last day of this year's weekend-long Pride celebration.



The parade kicked off with a musical performance at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue.



Ellen Leyva and Christiane Cordero hosted the broadcast of the parade on ABC7, Hulu and other streaming platforms.



Comedian Margaret Cho served as the "Icon Grand Marshal," honoring her years of anti-racism, anti-bullying advocacy and her support of LGBTQ+ rights, according to the Christopher Street West Association, which produces the LA Pride celebration.


Mariah Carey sent her fans into a frenzy during her concert signaling the end of this weekend's "L.A. Pride in the Park," where people from the LGBTQ community and allies enjoyed food, dancing and a celebration of people being themselves.

The late actor Leslie Jordan, who died at age 67 in October when he suffered a heart attack while driving in Hollywood, served as the "Legacy Grand Marshal," a new designation that posthumously celebrated "those who have made an everlasting impact on the hearts and lives of our community," according to Christopher Street West. A group of Jordan's relatives and friends were riding in the parade in a custom vehicle.



"We are overjoyed by Christopher Street West's heartfelt recognition to name Leslie as LA Pride's Legacy Grand Marshal," Jordan's sister, Jana "Cricket" Jordan, said in a statement. "This honor further solidifies the positive impact he made in the world, but more importantly for the LGBTQ+ community. His spirit continues to bring love and light."



The ACLU of Southern California was chosen as the "Community Grand Marshal" for the parade to recognize its 100th anniversary "of fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights." Organizers of LA Pride noted that the ACLU helped Christopher Street West sue the city in 1970 so it could obtain a parade permit for the first Pride Parade.



Singer-actress Janelle Monáe was among those joining the ACLU contingent in the parade.



Sunday's parade was followed by festivities at LA Pride Village along Hollywood Boulevard between Vine and Gower streets. The event included 90 vendors, two stages of live entertainment, food, drinks and more.



ACLU fought for historic Pride parade in 1970 and continues to fight today


The ACLU SoCal will celebrate 100 years fighting for LGBTQ+ rights as the community grand marshal of the #LAPride Parade on June 11.

The village will stay open until 8 p.m.



On Saturday Mariah Carey headlined day two of the two-day Pride in the Park festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park and later expressed her appreciation to the crowd.



"Thank you @lapride." Carey tweeted. "You were amazing!! I love you so much!!"



Carey's Saturday concert capped a day that also included performances from King Princess, Violet Chachki, Gottmik, Sasha Colby, Jenevieve, Vincint, Mad Tsai and Minke.



ABC7 is your official L.A. Pride station! Join our hosts Ellen Leyva and Christiane Cordero as we broadcast the parade on ABC7, Hulu and wherever you stream ABC7 Los Angeles. Check out abc7.com/pride for stories about the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, and share your Pride with #abc7eyewitness.


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