WeHo Pride

For decades, West Hollywood has been home to one of the largest annual Pride celebrations in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of revelers each June. It has long been the main LGBTQ+ city in Los Angeles, with the LGBTQ+ community flocking in numbers to the area's many gay bars, queer spaces, restaurants, and more. In fact, more than 40% of WeHo's residents identify as LGBTQ, and three of the five West Hollywood City Council members are openly gay.  

In celebration of the city's robust LGBTQ+ culture, WeHo launched its inaugural WeHo Pride in June 2022. The event runs alongside the WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival and offers a series of Pride-related entertainment in the true spirit of Pride Month.  

Since its incorporation in 1984, the City of West Hollywood has been one of the most influential cities in the US for its outspoken advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues. Home to the "Rainbow District" along Santa Monica Boulevard, which features a concentration of historic LGBTQ+ clubs, restaurants, and retail shops, West Hollywood consistently tops lists of "most LGBTQ+ friendly cities" in the US. 

Pride is a deeply rooted part of West Hollywood's history and culture. In fact, Pride events have taken place in West Hollywood since 1979, five years before the City of West Hollywood was incorporated as a municipality in 1984. Historically, Pride in West Hollywood was produced by the nonprofit organization Christopher Street West (CSW), formed in 1970 to organize a parade commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots.

Originally called "Gay Pride" in the 1970s, Pride became an annual celebration in Hollywood during most of the 1970s before moving to West Hollywood in 1979. In the 1980s, the event was renamed "Christopher Street West" in honor of the New York City street where the Stonewall uprising occurred. The ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic heavily impacted it, and the parade became a powerful tool for raising awareness and funds for the fight against the disease.

Pride evolved into "Gay and Lesbian Pride" and then came to be known as "LGBT Pride" in 2001 before becoming "LA Pride" for many years. The City of West Hollywood annually partnered with CSW to support event permits, public safety, public works, communications, and monetary grants for the production of the Pride events, such as the Parade and Festival and complimented this by producing its own arts and culture events during Pride month each June.

In 2022, the City of West Hollywood inaugurated WeHo Pride with programming that represents diverse LGBTQ+ community groups as part of visibility, expression, and celebration, including continuing to support partners' Pride events. 

The WeHo Pride Street Fair celebrates Pride with the diverse participation of LGBTQ+ community groups and allied organizations as part of visibility and expression. The Street Fair is free and features a wide variety of exhibitors along Santa Monica Blvd, live entertainment, and performances on a community stage. The Street Fair is a family-friendly event and is open to everyone. 

OUTLOUD @ WeHo Pride is the flagship music festival and concert experience of WeHo Pride Weekend, a star-studded, high-energy line-up celebrating and advocating for queer voices in music. OUTLOUD represents the next generation of queer entertainment, with hundreds of featured artists and thousands of event attendees.

The WeHo Pride Arts Festival is the City of West Hollywood’s annual celebration of LGBTQ+ art and culture. Formerly known as One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, It was first launched in 2008 and features a stellar range of LGBTQ+ dance, visual art, performance, literary arts, craft, and more. It runs from Harvey Milk Day (May 22) through the end of June Pride month (June 30). 

The WeHo Pride Parade is an imaginative and colorful annual tradition along Santa Monica Boulevard that embraces LGBTQ+ representation, inclusion, and progress. Full of music, dancing, colorful floats, festive marching contingents, and creative flair, the Parade celebrates LGBTQ+ people and their contributions to the community and culture. The Parade is a lively, energetic experience with good cheer, great vibes, and many rainbows! Whether you participate in the Parade or join in the fun as a spectator, there’s something for everyone at the WeHo Pride Parade! 

The Dyke March takes place at the WeHo Pride Street Fair Community Stage following the Women’s Freedom Festival. It’s an annual celebration featuring speakers, community activists, and the March, led by a motorcycle contingent.

The Women’s Freedom Festival features emerging LGBTQ and BIPOC women and non-binary musicians, comedians, poets, and activists.

WeHo Pride celebrations during WeHo Pride Weekend and Pride Month also include an array of LGBTQ+ community group programming and events.