FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Christopher Street West Media Relations, 323-793-4742

JUNE 12, 13 & 14 IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

LOS ANGELES (March 5, 2009) - Christopher Street West is Proud to present LA PRIDE - the 39th annual Los Angeles LGBT PRIDE Celebration taking place in the City of West Hollywood, June 12-14, 2009.

LA PRIDE FESTIVAL  Saturday June 13 from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight Sunday June 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. San Vicente Blvd. between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. 

All are invited to come out and show their Pride at one of the most exciting PRIDE Celebrations in the country as Christopher Street West launches their latest three-year vision "PRIDE 365: Power. Passion. Purpose."  Thousands of festival attendees are expected in the heart of West Hollywood to revel amongst world-class headlining entertainment (previously featured artists include: Olivia Newton John, Joss Stone, Joan Jett and the premiere of the music video "Hollywood" by Madonna).  In addition to lively dance pavilions with music spun by some of the hottest DJ's in the country, a new layout of festival grounds boasts food, drink, socialization, community programming and unique exhibitors, all hosting a diverse spectrum of activities to entice the entire LGBT family.  Together, as a united force, the LGBT community has the power to ignite the change it desires to see.  The LA PRIDE Festival offers an opportunity for all who gather and be celebrated, entertained, educated and encouraged in finding new ways of generating Pride values for greater equality and social acceptance.  Festival admission, inclusive of entertainment venues and dance pavilions, is still just $20 per day -- or $15 per day with advance purchase from LAPRIDE.org.

LA PRIDE PARADE Sunday June 14, steps off at 11:00 a.m.
& Silent Celebration Sunday June 14 at 12:00 noon
Santa Monica Blvd. between Crescent Heights Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd. 

Crowds will continue to feel the palpable excitement amid the largest gathering of the LGBT community in Southern California by playing witness to this historic and time-honored tradition.  Participants are encouraged to get their place along Santa Monica Blvd. in the City of West Hollywood early as over 400,000 people look forward to this dynamic and crowd-pleasing display of moving community creativity.  The Parade steps-off at Crescent Heights Blvd. and extends past the Grand Bandstand viewing area at the Veterans Triangle on Holloway Drive to its final completion at Robertson Blvd.  As part of the parade, there will be a Silent Celebration at exactly 12:00 noon, where for one full minute, all are invited to quietly honor those who cannot be with us today and celebrate those who are oppressed and continue fighting for Pride and the freedom we will achieve. 

For those who are unable to attend in person, the LA PRIDE Parade Live Broadcast will air on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 in West Hollywood reaching over 2 million viewers. It will also be available worldwide streaming on the web at LAPRIDE.org/webcast  reaching over 20,000 viewers annually.

DYKE MARCH Friday June 12, rally at 7:30 p.m. San Vicente Blvd. at Santa Monica Blvd. 

Kicking-off another momentous weekend, several functions are slated for Friday night beginning with a staged rally (at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and San Vicente Blvd.), the Dyke March along Santa Monica Blvd. (starting at approximately 8:00 pm) and the Lesbian Visibility After Hours Party hosted on the festival lot.  Enjoy a fun and meaningful evening that includes free admission and entertainment as the West Hollywood Lesbian Visibility Committee continues to provide encouragement for all lesbians to live openly and healthy in a free society.

PRIDE DAYS Friday May 29 to Sunday June 28, 2009

As Christopher Street West partners to support over 100 non-profit organizations, the LA PRIDE Celebration expands every year as we seek ways of reaching all members of our inclusive community.  For an updated list of exceptional cultural events, social activities and civic programming surrounding LA PRIDE please check our website for continuously updated information.