Alhambra and Monterey Park kicked off Pride Month bright and early (Photo – Chasity Jennings-Nuñez)
It’s Pride Month! And many cities in the San Gabriel Valley are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with events that foster understanding, promote community and support local LGBTQ+ business owners.
By Chasity Jennings-Nuñez
Alhambra and Monterey Park kicked off Pride Month bright and early with a parade and festival on Saturday, June 1st. The community members themselves formed the parade. Over 150 people including residents from Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel and other SGV cities, teachers from the Alhambra Teacher’s Association, and members of the SGV Boys and Girls Club created a festive procession of rainbow flags and attire.
Uplifting signage and a musical background of pop music captured the attention of passing motorists and neighbors. The parade started at Mark Keppel High School, proceeded west on Hellman Ave to Garfield and ended at Barnes Memorial Park, as paraders passed under a giant rainbow balloon arch. The family-friendly festival had music, food trucks, and over 25 community booths that offered free swag, resources and education specific to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, especially the youth, and hugs from the Free Mom Hugs organization. Elected officials Thomas Wong, Hilda Solis, Mike Fong, and Judy Chu were on hand to congratulate the organizers and celebrate the day.
Pride Month began to take form in 1969 after the Stonewall riots in New York, but it wasn’t until 1999 that June was recognized by the federal government as a time to acknowledge the courage and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month is also a time for Americans to reflect on the inequities that LGBTQ+ individuals experience and pledge to respect them and support their inclusion.
Many cities in the San Gabriel Valley have partnered with the SGV LGBTQ Center to provide activities for a month-long celebration of the more than 115,000 people who identify as queer or transgender in the SGV. Events are family-friendly and intended to “celebrate our beautiful diversity and reaffirm our dedication to creating a world where everyone feels safe, included and celebrated!”
Pride Month in the San Gabriel Valley (Photo – Chasity Jennings-Nuñez)
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