The LA Pride Parade was Sunday, and we have the pictures to prove it. They come courtesy of fotonomous, a contributor to our (award-winning!) LAist Featured Photos pool. more ›

Franklin Avenue's piece on the expansion of Barney's Beanery with an upcoming new Pasadena location reminded us of this LA Independent article from last week that we had forgotten to finish reading. Not only has the relatively new ownership expanded the dive bar with a Santa Monica location and the restructuring of the Pasadena Q's Billiards but they've quietly started to reverse a long history of homophobia that most recently showcased itself with the hanging of a rainbow flag in the window during the WeHo Pride Parade. 35 years earlier the bar proudly hung a sign saying "Fagots[sic] Stay Out". more ›

We found ourselves down in the wilds of WeHo this Sunday to support our friends and to take in the spectacle and glory that was the 35th annual Pride Parade and Festival. Naturally there were thousands of men and women in various stages of dress or undress--some leaving little to the imagination, and some imaginatively dressed to the nines, and tens, even! The Parade had a controversial choice for Grand Marshal this year; Paris Hilton's reputation as a glamorous press-friendly party-girl has very little relation to the gay community, and there were plenty of snide comments and voices of dissent (albeit mellow ones) floating along the parade route. And if one overrated, seemingly airheaded blonde wasn't enough, Anna Nicole Smith gave the crowds all the best waves, grins, and giggles her newly minted face and body could muster. Aside from the usual "Dykes on Bikes" and men who like to dress in leather, there were hundreds of marchers from all walks of life, and it truly was a sight to behold. The adjacent Festival was packed with booths bearing information, trinkets for sale, and all kinds of fair food. Music icons like Debbie Harry, Tiffany, and Debbie "call me Deborah" Gibson took to the mainstage for eager onlookers. We had a hot and tiring time soaking up the plethora of local color, but, boy howdy, did we get some great pictures! more ›