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Get ready for the 44th LA gay pride weekend
A woman marches with Equality California (EQCA), an LGBT civil rights group, at the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that overturned California's same-sex marriage ban, will be the grand marshals of this year's LA Pride Parade.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Cross dresser Roxy Baltimore walks down Santa Monica Boulevard at the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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Sudsy people ride in the Dr. Bonner's soap float the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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People ride on a float in the 43rd L.A. Pride Parade on June 9, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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Get ready for the 44th LA gay pride weekend
It’s gay pride weekend in Los Angeles. Events are planned Friday and Saturday in West Hollywood in the run-up to the L.A. Pride Parade on Sunday. This year’s event has extra significance. It’s the first since U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to gay marriage in California.
The two men at the heart of the Supreme Court case are grand marshals in this year’s LA Pride parade.
RELATED: Beyond gay marriage: What's the biggest issue facing LGBT community?
Jeff Zarillo and Paul Katami got married days after the High Court upheld a lower court ruling abolishing California's ban on same-sex marriage.
“It has been an amazing year not only for us personally but for us as a community," Katami said.
One of the LA Pride organizers Sam Borelli says a lot has happened in a year.
“This time last year only 10 states had full marriage equality. Now as we go into our pride weekend this year, 18 states have full marriage equality. and a couple more will be coming on board as well. So to be able to celebrate with our hometown heroes Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo who took that fight all the way to the Supreme Court, its quite a remarkable experience.”
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Below are list of activities this weekend:
Free concert — Lavender Menace
- When: Friday June 6th, 5 p.m. to midnight
- Where: West Hollywood Park
- Performers: Mary Lambert, Betty Who
WeHo Dyke March
- When: Friday June 6th, 7 p.m.
- Where: Start from West Hollywood Park, head to Santa Monica Boulevard, then return to the park.
- What to expect: The presentation of the third annual Etheridge Award.
Trans*Party LA
- When: Friday June 6th, 7 p.m.
- Where: West Hollywood Park
- Performers: Nikki Exotika, Audry Cobra, Shane Ivan Nash, Lynden Reign and many more
The Festival
- When: Saturday June 7th, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; June 8th, 11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Where: West Hollywood Park, between Santa Monica Blvd. and Melrose Ave. bounded by San Vicente and Robertson Blvd.
- What to expect: Food, drink, vendors, performances, numerous exhibitors, art and a roller disco
- Performers: Jennifer Hudson, Azealia Banks, The Bangles
The Parade
- When: Sunday June 8th, 11 a.m.
- Where: The route runs down Santa Monica Blvd. from Crescent Heights Blvd. to Robertson Blvd.
- What to expect: Over 400,000 participants, spectators and marchers. Click here for the lineup.
- Grand Marshal: Demi Lovato
- Tips: Traffic will be closed on Santa Monica Blvd. between Fairfax Ave. and Doheny Dr. starting at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8.
Trans Pride After Party (next weekend)
- When: Saturday, June 14, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
- Where: Arena Nightclub, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038
- Sponsor: Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders
For a guide to road closures, click here.
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Sources: L.A. Pride, LAist, MyFoxLA
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