Hundreds of people waving rainbow flags filled Ocean Boulevard as Long Beach celebrated the 36th Annual Pride Parade on May 19.
Slight rain in the early morning did not intervene with the spirits of the audience or participants who continued with the walk.
The parade began Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. and was followed by festivals in Downtown Long Beach hosted by the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride nonprofit organization.
It was a particularly special Pride as festival goers also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a monumental moment in the gay rights movement in 1969.
The neighborhood families filled their streets with booths of free lemonade, cookies, and free hugs to share their support.
Mayor of Long Beach Robert Garcia was in attendance along with other Grand Marshals, including Kate Linder, Karina Samala, Gays with kids, and Equality California.
Long Beach City College Student Life walked the parade and invited students to participate in the walk.
ASB Student Treasurer Nash Neyra, has family members in the LBGTQ community which prompted him to show support.
“Everyone deserves to get supported, and seeing so many smiles on people faces was very memorable” said Neyra “I would definitely do it again”
Siblings Alex Santiago and Milo Santiago, who previously marched with ‘Parents and Friends’, watched from a distance to show their support.
“A lot of the times you feel like you have such a small support group but coming to pride and walking the streets, it changed my whole perspective” said Alex Santiago.
“Being on the opposite side of the streets and watching from a different perspective was an amazing first experience,” said Milo Santiago.
Long Beach will celebrate another Pride Parade next spring.