It is important that our queer community doesn’t lose sight of the reason we celebrate pride. It is and will always be a protest, it is a safe place for our queer community to be who they are, to be free, to be radical, to be loved, to be proud!… and to us, that’s the most important thing.
Be Proud! Fest was built around the belief that pride celebrations should be for EVERYONE not just the ones that can afford it, it should serve our local community, our local businesses and our local youth, it is up to us, our local LGBTQ community to be the change.
For this reason, entrance to the weekend long festival, Sept. 27-29, is free.
When you embrace your authentic self and come as you are, you not only honor your own truth but also contribute to a space where others feel safe to do the same.
Another facet of Be Proud! Fest is the spirit of giving back to the community. After last year’s event, which had over 20,000 attendees, festival organizers were able to plant 45 new trees along Broadway Corridor and Bixby Park with the help of Vice Mayor Cindy Allen and the City of Long Beach.
The idea is that by helping our neighborhoods and activating our neighborhoods we can create a more vibrant, diverse and safe community; a community that takes pride on their streets, their shops and overall community.
Be Proud! Fest is made possible, in part, by contributions from the community. Donations are 100% tax deductible.
To learn more about the festival or to get involved, be sure to check out the webpage.