Hollywood Youth Pride Draws 500 to Plummer Park

Approximately 500 youth descended on Plummer Park on Sunday, July 10, for the second annual Hollywood Youth Pride.

The event grew from 300 attendees and six workshops in its first year to hosting 500 attendees and a wealth of workshops and artists from around the country this year.

After a community sign making effort, a throng of teens and 20-something's marched from Santa Monica and La Brea Boulevards to Plummer Park at 1 p.m.

The celebration continued with 16 eclectic workshops from Zine Creation, Media Justice, Self Defense and others. A dinner took place from 5-6 p.m. And DJs and performers spun music from 5-9 p.m. Performers included Athens Boys Choir and Actor Slash Model.

"It was nice to be able to spend the whole day in a safe and fun area with my friends," said attendee Jordan James.

HYP is the brain child of Steggie Hufstedler and Maurice Lopez, who conceived the event two years ago after witnessing San Diegans call for a reorganization and return to what San Diego, Christopher Street West and other Pride events were meant to be: A safe space to empower marginalized communities.

"We just hope to create opportunities for youth to connect with each other, for knowledge to be shared- not kept secret, for support to be available- from elders and the youth themselves, for them to be safe in exploring their identities," said Hufstedler of the event's goal.

It was also important that the event was substance free, partially because of the reliance of Pride festivities on alcohol sponsorship and partially because of the rampant substance abuse within the LGBTQ community.

"We are a group of volunteers who want to promote change within our community. We don't profit from outrageous entry and vendor fees and certainly don't receive kick-backs from Alcohol companies," said Hufstedler.

While there have been youth Pride events held throughout California, Hollywood Youth Pride is the first for Los Angeles. HYP is particularly proud that the event has remained free for all attendees.

"Why should anyone pay to be out, to celebrate identity, to have social opportunities to meet other folk in the community?" asked Hufstedler. "It's difficult enough to be out, to be queer, to explore one's identity. We shouldn't make it a class issue."

This year's Hollywood Youth Pride was fiscally sponsored by Legacy, which seeks to address the health of LGBT people. With their assistance, the event was able to remain free.

For more information on Hollywood Youth Pride, visit www.hollywoodyouthpride.com.