Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Queen Latifah Will Headline Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival
Photo by Urbanworld Film Festival via Flickr
Long Beach Pride has its own queen: Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah will be heading the 2-day festival next weekend.
"For Queen Latifah to make her worldwide pride debut here in Long Beach is a tremendous testament to the popularity of our celebration and the strength of our community," Pride co-President Pat Crosby said, in a statement.
It's a big deal for the Long Beach festival, but it's also putting the rumormill about the actress/singer's sexuality into overdrive: some see her choice to headline the pride festival as a sign that she's ready to come completely out of the closet (or not).
Queen Latifah will perform on-stage on May 19 around 8:30 pm, and pride organizers suggest you get there much, much earlier. The festival and parade could draw as many as 75,000 revelers over two days, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
The event goes from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on May 19 and May 20. It will be held along Shoreline Drive at Rainbow Lagoon and Marina Green parks. Admission is $20. The parade will be at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday May 20, and it will go from Redondo Avenue to Alamitos Avenue. Visit the festival's website for more info.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
