West Hollywood's annual pride parade returned alongside the street of Santa Monica Blvd beginning at N. Crescent Heights Boulevard and ending at N. Robertson Boulevard which is primarily known as the Rainbow District.

 

West Hollywood has a rich history for celebrating gay pride dating back to the 1970’s when the city emerged as a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ individuals who gathered seeking acceptance, individuality, and community. Organizers have orchestrated parades that have swept the streets of this city growing more extravagant and colorful with each passing year as more and more people have gathered to raise awareness on visibility, solidarity, support, and historical commemoration for the LGBTQ+ community. These events allow individuals to march together to share their advocacy and activism to honor the struggles of past generations and ongoing work needed for LGBTQ+ individuals to live their lives authentically without discrimination, prejudice, or fear.

 

Within the tens of thousands of people celebrating together this year, the girls, gays, theys, and everything in between didn’t hold back on letting their unique self expression and pride shine this year. There was an overload of drag queens spread across the parade showing off their unique styles and vibrant colored outfits, while many supporters wrapped themselves in rainbow flags and waved them throughout the entire parade. Whether dressed in a costume, booty shorts, casual, or in a thong, everyone that made an appearance didn’t hesitate in being authentic to their own fashion sense!

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Kicking off pride weekend, Pop Star Kesha, a huge icon in the gay community, (who has a history of making upbeat music that promotes empowerment and inclusivity), made a surprise appearance on Friday as she took the center stage to perform some of her most chart topping hits.

 

Rolling into Saturday, the businesses that ran alongside the parade hosted events to celebrate pride including clubs High Tops, Beaches, The Abbey, Mickeys, and The Wild. Multiple food venues and businesses took camp in the street for attendees to visit, drink, eat and party! 

 

Grindr, the most popular gay dating app parked a large bus in the street wrapped in the app's design allowing attendees to take pictures. Next to that, was pop singer Kylie Minogue who set up a photo wall, who also had a line of attendees waiting to pose for a picture! 

 

On Sunday, the parade went full throttle as the fences went up along the street barricading attendees on either side as many businesses, celebrities, brands, and supporters made their way down the street on different floats, vehicles, marching in groups and structures covered in colorful designs to show off their support of gay pride.

 

Starting off the parade was the iconic moment a group of lesbian bikers took control of the street and got the ball rolling for the floats and supporting groups to follow behind. 

 

Some extra celebrity appearances included Jojo Siwa dressed in a sparkly top, and embracing her sexuality by kissing another woman on her float for fans to see. 

 

There was Melissa Mcarthy sitting in a convertible covered in balloons, waving excitedly at attendees while holding a rainbow umbrella for shade. 

 

Billy Porter made an appearance wearing an entire body suit of the rainbow flag. 

 

The nonbinary singer Khelani arrived by riding in a convertible decorated with pro-palestine flags, to show support her of the war going on in Israel and accompanied by protestors marching alongside her float.

 

Dark Vader stole the show at one point wearing a rainbow cape and had a group of white troopers following behind with their own pride stripes. 

 

More notable appearances included BFF’s of RHOBH Garcelle Beauvais and Sutton Stracke sitting in the back of a white pick up truck. 

 

Lance Bass made a highlight appearance promoting his new gay friendly bar in the Rainbow district called “Beaches Tropicana”!

 

Entrepreneur Tristan Schucraft, the new owner of The Abbey and Chapel in WeHo participated by riding on a float filled with toned up go-go dancers.

 

The most anticipated guest, Cindy Lauper, known as this year's “Lifetime Ally Icon” stole the show while riding her float in support of gay pride wearing a disco themed tiara. 

 

The parade ended with a live performance by Kylie Minogue that closed out the OUTLOUD music festival which also hosted appearances by Janelle Monae, Noah Cyrus, Big Freeda and a list of other famous performers, including Diplo and Orville Peck who introduced and performed their new single, “Midnight Ride”, concluding the festivities organized for the 2024 West Hollywood Pride Parade.

 

Overall, what a vibrant, exciting weekend of costumes and music with support from the community, the crowd, the celebrities…gay pride will never be outdone!