It’s Gay Pride Month. And at 24 years, the Pride Festival isn’t as shocking as it was in the early years.
 
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride (LBLGP) was established in the fall of 1983. The founders believed that there was a need to promote Pride for those who still struggled with low self esteem, to educate others and to increase awareness. There still is, but many advances have been made.
 
“When ever I come to our parade and festival, my heart starts to pump up, then I feel the veins in my neck physically pound to the same beat,” says Pride co-founder Judith Doyle.
 
“Hundreds of photographic milli-seconds flit through my mind as I walk the festival grounds.  So many memories of the tenacity that it took to get this fantastic event produced.  We were not wanted to say the least.  Passion and pride pound in the irresistible music in the air.  And in the final analysis, our City of Long Beach came out a big winner along with Long Beach Lesbian Gay Pride, Inc.!”