Look across the vast regions of Los Angeles County and you will probably find an event marking LGBTQ+ Pride this month.
From the South Bay to the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys to, of course, West Hollywood and Hollywood proper, the queer community is putting on parades, flag-raisings, street fairs, arts festivals and marches. These are often seen as twofold: Part freedom of expression, part celebration of their differences with all-comers — both queer and straight.
There appear to be more events, though the numbers are not officially counted. Some reasons for an increase could be a backlash against the 515 anti-LGBTQ bills in the United States being tracked by the ACLU as of May 28. That comes on the heels of recent rules and laws stifling drag queen shows and restricting rights for transgender people — mostly happening outside of California.
“What is so enriching this year are the many events, from Venice, WeHo, city of San Fernando, the San Fernando Valley and others who all have their own Pride events,” said Third District Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, chair of the board, whose district includes the San Fernando Valley and the westside of Los Angeles.
“To see a collective of Pride events across L.A. County is remarkable,” she added during an interview on May 29. “We have to make sure we recognize people in all corners of the county. This is not just for the LGBTQ community but it is also welcoming to all of us.”
The county is raising the LGBTQ+ Progress flag on Tuesday, June 4 at the Hall of Administration for the second year. Horvath said the county is trying to put up rainbow flags at all county buildings, from firehouses to county library branches. to parks and administrative offices.
On Monday, the county will raise a Pride Flag at the Los Angeles County Office of Education in Downey, weeks after the Downey City Council voted to stop flying the flag on city property. “Despite the recent vote by the Downey City Council,…
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