PrideCityKey01

Pictured below from left: Bob Crow, Marilyn Barlow, Mayor Foster, Judith Doyle Photo courtesy of Edmond-Group.com

In his annual address towards Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride (LBLGP) as well as the larger LGBTQ community, Mayor Bob Foster honored the co-founders of the 30-year-old Pride Festival and Parade–Marilyn Barlow, Bob

Crow, and Judith Doyle–with keys to the City for their service.

“The founders have gone against enormous oppositions, hardships and struggles but it did not deter these three leaders. It is with great honor that I recognize the achievements of these extraordinary trail
blazers,” said Mayor Bob Foster said at the ceremony held at the Long Beach Museum of Art. “These core individuals are the true pioneers that brought equality and diversity to our community.”

Gathering a small group together, Barlow, Bob Crow, and Doyle–this year’s Grand Marshals as well during the celebration’s parade along Ocean–in addition to other LGBTQ members attempted to kickstart the first Pride and continue it annually thereafter.

PrideCityKey01The first few years, to put it lightly, were immensely rocky. Then-Councilmembers Warren Harwood and Edd Tuttle along with former Mayors Eunice Sato and Ernie Kell were outspoken opponents of the festival and parade as well as LGBTQ rights in general. Then-City Manager John Denver unilaterally attempted to limit the festival’s second year celebration to one day, drawing 300 people to Council chambers with some sporting surgical masks with “AIDS mask” written on them.

“People were scared,” said Doyle when accepting the key. “People were just scared to even BE there. If you were a police officer, you were afraid you would lose your job. If you were a teacher, you were afraid you would lose your job. If you were anyone, you were afraid you would lose your life.”

Three decades later, the Long Beach Pride celebration is only second to the Toyota Grand Prix as the largest event in the city, drawing the gazes and delight of some 80,000 revelers.