Known for her Grammy winning hit, “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” Houston is a long time friend to the LGBT community. Houston online) and Special Recognition Grand Marshal to actor and advocate Wendell James. This year is no exception with the Parade Grand Marshal mantle being awarded to Grammy Award-winning singer, Thelma Houston (see our interview of Ms. Furthering the concepts of visibility, cooperation, mutual respect and understanding within the LGBT community and Long Beach as a whole.Įach year in celebration of diversity and solidarity, members are chosen as representative collaborators and supporters of the community. More than 200 marching groups and floats comprise the parade entries representing various religious, human service, governmental and social organizations. Over the past several years, Long Beach’s festival and parade has grown to become the third largest in the nation, attracting over 80,000 participants during the two-day celebration.
Long Beach was known to have a large LGBT population, so the idea was, as is the case for most Pride celebrations, to unite the community, foster communication and understanding, as well as creating a sense of solidarity and strength. Established in 1983, the first Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival and Parade took place in June of 1984.