Soldiers of Pride to March in Long Beach

If it's May in Long Beach, it's time for Pride. Rainbow banners are strung over the city's seaside thoroughfare, Ocean Drive and hundreds, if not thousands of businesses and residences sport rainbow flags. Now the third largest LGBT Pride celebration in California and one of the largest in the U.S., Long Beach Pride will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17. The theme selected for this, their 32nd Annual year, is "Color Our World With Pride."

More than 80,000 people traditionally take part, either in the festival, parade or the weekend's many ancillary events. Among them this year will be a significant new contingent; LGBT members of the Armed Forces. Long Beach Pride has long offered free admission to all military personnel, but this year, organizers have gone a step further in support of the courageous soldiers who serve our country, by creating a LGBTQ Military Committee.

"In the spirit of Pride, it is important that we recognize all LGBTQ community members, especially those that have served and protected our country," says
Denise Newman, Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Co-President. "Creating this committee is just one of the many ways that Long Beach Pride will be reaching out to service organizations around the country to recognize their commitment and to acknowledge our right to equality."

The committee is chaired by Commander William "Bill" Murdoch, who has been actively serving as a commissioned officer in the Navy Reserve for 21 years. He graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and a concentration in Facilities/Power Plant Engineering and still holds 3rd Assistant Engineer credentials. He is currently serving with the Military Sealift Command in Washington D.C. as a Strategic Sealift Officer.

"It is an honor to be on the forefront of service to the LGBTQ military community," Commander Murdoch said. "We have fought for our country and for our equal rights. I am grateful to Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride for acknowledging my military brothers and sisters."

All military personnel will be admitted at no charge to the 32nd Annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival and are invited to march in the Pride Parade on Sunday, May 17. In the future, the committee looks forward to branding new events that continue their support of the LGBTQ military community.

If you are a LGBTQ military member or a veteran, please call 562.987.9191 or e-mail [email protected] to sign up for the parade.

The Long Beach Pride Festival takes place along downtown's beautiful Shoreline Drive. The festival will offer five large dance and performance areas; a Leather Expo, numerous exhibitors who support our community, and food
and drink vendors. Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday,

May 16 is the pioneering hip hop duo Salt-N-Pepa, who will be joined by their longtime collaborator, Spinderella. Other performers set for Saturday include Lunden Reign, Aunjel Adams, Sonsoles, Marley Munroe and Bella Novela. Set to appear on the Main Stage for Sunday, May 17 are Moxxi, Irene Diaz, ShayMari, DaniElle, Cumbia Son, Lady Cultura, The Reel Band and a "special guest artist" (not announced as of press time). The festival is held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

The annual Pride Parade on Sunday, May 17 offers over 200 entries, with various grand marshal honorees such as Dr. Cassandra Richards, Mayor Jose Luis Solache, Victer Espinoza, Chiquis and Robert VanBeveran and Leonard Sinatra. The general public is invited to view for free and the parade will start off on Ocean Boulevard at Lindero Avenue, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

SOME OF 2015'S NUMEROUS PRIDE EVENTS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE:

"Pridezilla!" Held2gether, Long Beach's award-winning improv troupe, will be at the historic Art Theatre on Thursday, May 14, performing completely unscripted improv comedy, based on audience members'suggestions. Held2gether will take and meld them into a 30-minute, gut-busting soap opera and then, they'll do it all over again... with a twist! All proceeds from this event will benefit The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. Showtime is 7 p.m. Beer, wine and Tito's Pridetinis will be available for purchase. Tickets are only $15 and available for purchase in person at The Center, 2017 E. 4th Street or by going to pridezilla2015.eventbrite.com.

The 8th Annual Pink Party This "pinkalicious" party, in support of The Center and its many community outreach programs, will "RAGE" on Friday, May 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Hamburger Mary's, 330 Pine Avenue in
downtown Long Beach. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink, for what is now the city's largest pre-Pride event. Tickets are only $15 if purchased before May 8 and are $25 through May 13 and at the door, so be sure to buy them early, as the event always sells out.

For tickets and more details, go to centerlb.org/pinkparty.

Long Beach's Third Annual Dyke March and Rally The annual event in celebration of women's rights, will take place on Friday, May 15, starting at 7 p.m. at the Bixby Park band shell (2nd Street & Junipero). Suja Lowenthal,
Vanessa Romain and Charlotte Law will be among the inspiring speakers. An after party and breast cancer benefit will follow the march at 743 E. 4th Street starting at 8 p.m. For more information go to facebook.com/longbeachdykemarch.

The Pride Run/Walk The Shoreline Frontrunners of Long Beach will hold their annual 5k and 10k Pride Run/Walk the morning of Sunday, May 17.
All are welcome to register and participate in the event, which will begin before the parade at 8 a.m., at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard & Junipero Avenue. For more information, go to shorelinefrontrunners.org.

Play@ Maya Back for their 5th year, the LGB2Network invites Pride
revelers to their annual pool party on Saturday, May 16, from 12 to 6 p.m. at the beautiful Hotel Maya DoubleTree by Hilton's waterfront pool. Come and splash poolside at one of the most beautiful sites on the Long Beach Harbor.
For tickets and information, go to facebook.com/lgb2network.

For a full schedule of 2015 Long Beach Pride events and ticket information, go to longbeachpride.com