All posts tagged with: LA Pride

Jessica’s outfit at Market Days in Chicago was designed by Derrek Lee.

The gays love their sexy divas! And one of the hottest diva’s who is quickly raising her profile in the LGBT community is none other than the fabulous Jessica Sutta.

In 2003, Jessica Sutta stormed the international pop music scene with the Pussy Cat Dolls. She built an amazing reputation as a singer, dancer, and entertainer. Her passion for music had her embark on a solo career, which has taken off, especially after her single, Show Me, was released in August 2011.

Since going solo, Jessica has aligned herself with the gay community. Not just because the gays love awesome pop music and know how to party, but because she really believes in LGBT rights.

“Pride events have really changed my life,” said Jessica as she described why she performs at so many gay pride events. “I love how strong the LGBT community is. Like the fight for civil rights, and the NOH8 Campaign. It’s an honour to be a part of that.”

Thousands of enthusiastic fans came to Market Days in Chicago to see Jessica Sutta perform live.

Jessica Sutta and Mr. Gay Canada 2012 People’s Choice winner, Brian Webb, at Market Days2012 in Chicago.

But Jessica didn’t decide to target the gay community because of her music.

“Growing up, I had friend that were gay,” Jessica said as she described her long term connection to the LGBT community. “They described how they felt like outsiders. I hope in my next lifetime I come back as a gay man. People respect who they are. They have the courage. Being gay is one of the most difficult things in life.”

One of Jessica’s proudest moments in the LGBT community was performing at San Francisco Pride.

“I connected with the audience,” Jessica explained as she described the explosion of energy she felt being on stage, performing in front of thousands of cheering fans. “They got me. I got them. I started to cry as I was getting off the stage.” It was a big emotional moment for Jessica; a moment she will never forget.

Throughout the summer of 2012 Jessica attended and performed at LA Pride, Toronto Pride and Market Days in Chicago.

Jessica was particularily excited about Market Days in Chicago.

“Just got chills thinking about performing,” said Jessica. “Performing my new single, Make It Loud! I can’t wait.” And the crowed loved every moment of her August 11, 2012 performance.

The LGBT community has shown their love for Jessica and her music. They have supported her solo career and have invited her to attend and perform at many events across North America. The community looks to icons like Sutta to help raise the profile and awareness of LGBT rights and issues and to support the important causes they face.

Photos from Jessica Sutta’s live performance at Market Days in Chicago, August 11, 2012:

The American Red Cross is in dire need to restock the United States blood supply. The current shortfall of available blood has left only half of the readily available blood on hand than the same time in 2011. In June 2012, the American Red Cross issued an urgent message to all eligible donors to “step up, roll up a sleeve and give blood or platalets as soon as possible.”

Since 1985, the American Food and Drug Administration has banned, for life, sexually active gay men from donating blood.

“The FDA’s ban was put into place during the very early days of the AIDS epidemic when so little was known about the disease,” said Dr. Steve Ganzell, Christopher Street West Board of Directors.

During the June 8-10, 2012, LA Pride events, festival organizer Christopher Street West held a “blood drive” campaign. The campaign had 2,085 attendees sign a petition to support the efforts to lift the outdated ban. Each signature represented one pint of blood that could have been collected, and according to the American Red Cross, one pint of blood can save three lives; meaning 6,000 lives could have been saved.

Last year, a similar ban was revised in England, Scotland and Wales which now allows gay men to give blood if they haven’t had sex with another man for at least one year.

Also in the month of June, Senator John Kerry and Rep. Mike Quigley voiced support for a new pilot study reviewing the policy being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In an op-ed, Kerry and Quigley wrote, “In the 27 years since [the FDA ban was enacted], we have seen vast advances in blood screening technology, policy changes in other nations, and staunch opposition from the nation’s blood banks who have called the current ban medically and scientifically unwarranted. Our current policies turn away healthy, willing donors, even when we face serious blood shortages.”

Richard Benjamin, Chief Medical Officer of the American Red Cross, recently told The Washington Post, “…HIV was a much bigger threat to the U.S. blood supply decades ago but that scientific advances have allowed much earlier and better detection of the virus that causes AIDS.” Benjamin is calling for the ban to be shortened to one year.

In Canada, several lobbyist groups are calling on the Canadian Federal Government and related agencies to reverse a similar ban on men who sleep with men for not being able to donate blood.

Photo Credit: John Viscott

With a music career spanning three decades and an advocate for the LGBT community, Belinda Carlisle was welcomed with open arms on the Main Stage at LA Pride in West Hollywood Park on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

The show began with a video montage of Carlisle’s hit songs and media interviews, including interviews she did with RuPaul, and quickly led into her hit song, Be Free, followed by her first single in 1986, Mad About You. Throughout the hour long concert she performed many of her other classic and popular songs from both her solo career and songs from her time with the Go Go’s.

“I have a gay son and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” proclaimed Carlisle during her performance in front of thousands of attendees. Carlisle last performed at LA Pride in 2003.

An ocean of loyal and die-hard fans of The Queen Bee, came out in droves to see her perform live at LA Pride on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

The Brooklyn born rapper kept the crowd entertained for well over an hour with hit songs that spanned her music career.

The five-time Grammy nominated and winner of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for  the 2002 hit, “Lady Marmalade”, enjoyed her time on stage and thanked her loyal fans over and over.

The concert included multiple wardrobe changes of sexy costumes, incredibly sexy dancers and support crew, and beats that kept the crowd entertained throughout the entire performance.

Overall, the gay’s loved Lil Kim and the Mayor of West Hollywood gave her the keys to the city after she proclaimed West Hollywood her second home.

The show was one of many stops along her 2012 Return Of The Queen Tour.

The 2012 Christopher Street West LA Pride Parade was a star-studded event as well-known celebrity drag queens, activists, singers, movie stars, comedians and friends of the LGBT community came to out support the annual event. While the parade had hundreds of people, there were certainly some iconic and familiar faces. The 2012 LA Pride Parade was hosted by social media specialist, Leyla Farah, and Mayor John Duran.

The parade was co-hosted by actor, comedian and writer, Alec Mapa.

Legendary New York drag queen, actress, singer and entertainer, Sherry Vine made a special appearance.

Transgender Canadian beauty queen and Miss Universe contestant, Jenna Talackova, took part in the parade, along with her well-known attorney, Gloria Allred.

Ongina, contestant from RuPaul’s Drag Race, season 1, looked smashing in a red hat and dress.

LGBT activist, Betty DeGeneres, proudly marched in the parade. Betty is the mother of comedian, actress, and television host, Ellen DeGeneres.

The parade Grand Marshall was actress, singer and dancer, Molly Ringwald.

Lisa Vanderpump from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes made appearances both at the LA Pride festival and in the LA Pride Parade.

Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska, co-founders of the NOH8 Campaign proudly marched in the parade, along with dozens of NOH8 campaign supporters.

Mother of American stand-up comedian, television host and actress Ellen DeGeneres, Betty DeGeneres, proudly marched in the 2012 LA Pride Parade. Betty marched in the parade with her fellow PFLAG members. A human rights activist, Betty is the first non-gay spokesperson for the National Coming Out Project.

Better has been a passionate advocate of LGBT rights since her daughter, Ellen, came out in 1997.

The world’s first and oldest pride parade, LA Pride, smashed attendance records as over 400,000 people lined the streets of West Hollywood on Sunday, June 9, for the annual event.

Ellen DeGeneres’ mom, Betty, Marches in the 2012 LA Pride Parade

The colourful parade included local dignitaries and politicians, not-for-profit organizations, celebrities, sports groups, entertainers and support from large corporations.

Dykes on Bikes is always a crowd pleaser at any pride parade

“We are thrilled that this year LA Pride exceeded our wildest imaginations in terms of enthusiasm, new features, corporate sponsorships and attendees,” said Rodney Scott, Board President of Christopher Street West.

Local and State politicians were out in full-force supporting the LGBT celebrations.

The City of West Hollywood was buzzing with energy the entire day as people celebrated for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered rights and freedoms.

Berman Schaffer Service Award Winner, Tom Whitman

Bright and festive costumes

Equal rights and same-sex marriage was a common theme throughout the parade.

On the main stage in front of thousands of fans, West Hollywood Mayor, Jeffrey Prang, officially welcomed Lil’ Kim to West Hollywood, and thanked her for her support of the LGBT community. It was all part of the LA Pride celebrations on Saturday, June 9 in West Hollywood, California.

Grammy Award winner and actress, Lil’ Kim, is one of the largest female rap artists of her time, with platinum records in 1997 and 2000, two Soul Train / Lady of Soul awards, and was The Source Hip-Hop Music Awardee for Female Artist of the Year in 2003.

The City of West Hollywood recognized Lil’ Kim for her dedication to supporting the LGBT community and for her support of gay marriage. Lil’ Lim performed for thousands of her fans at the 42^nd Annual LA Pride Festival on June 9, 2012.

West Hollywood proudly celebrated their 42^nd annual pride June 8-11. They hosted the world’s first pride parade in the world and are one of the largest pride events in the United States.

The forecast is for sunshine all weekend long in West Hollywood for LA Pride… but things are really going to sizzle on Saturday evening when Lil Kim takes to the main stage at SummerTramp!

The Queen Bee will perform for one full hour, 6:00-7:00pm, on Saturday, June 11. Festival tickets will get you into the show.  $20 USD per person, per day, or $40 USD per person for a weekend pass.

LGBT advocate, Molly Ringworld will be the Grand Marshall for the 2012 LA Pride Parade

ABC’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Molly Ringwald, has been selected as the Grand Marshall of the 2012 LA Pride parade this Sunday, June 10, 2012, on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California.

The 80’s teen-queen shot to fame after appearing in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Native to California, Molly was an original cast member of The Facts of Life, and made numerous appearances in television shows, films and on Broadway.

In 2008, Molly and her family appeared a public service announcement for the No on Prop 8 campaign.

“Same sex marriage has been legal here for months and nothing’s happened,” Molly said in the PSA. “I would feel really horrible if two people who loved each other as much as we do couldn’t get married.”

Also that year, ABC Family launched The Secret Life of the American Teenager with Molly as the title character’s mother. Recently picked up for a fifth season, “Secret Life” has been a hit, telling real stories of issues facing teens today such as coming out, relationships, sex and teen-parenting. When asked in this month’s issue of OUT Magazine if her character will be the rumored next to come out, Molly said, “I would love it. It would give me an opportunity to explain why I don’t think I am ruining America’s youth.”

“Molly and crew told our stories in the 80′s, helping so many of us dealing with all of the challenges of being a teen,” said Sam Borelli, LA PRIDE Communications Consultant. “That she continues reaching young people, letting them know that their stories matter, that they are real, is why we chose her during this year of youth empowerment.”

Gigantic waterslides. Above ground pools. DJ’s. Bars. Hot guys. The fun, wet and wild times are hitting LA Pride for the first time as SummerTramp, a 10,000 square foot portable water park party, slides into West Hollywood for the first time ever for the June 8-10 event.

“West Hollywood Park has been totally renovated for 2012 and this wonderful space has allowed us to be super creative. SummerTramp is already a wildly popular downtown event and now our attendees can ‘Swim and Slide with Pride,’” said Jeff Consoletti, Event Producer. “SummerTramp will help LA PRIDE totally blow it out of the water.”

SummerTramp at LA PRIDE will feature the biggest water slide in California, two above ground pools and a mix of the hottest local DJ’s and hosts all weekend, including Aaron Elvis, Casey Alva, Josh Peace, Chris Bowen, Daisy O’Dell and more. Victor Rodriguez will host

‘The Mess Around Lot Hop’ on both Saturday and Sunday night. “SummerTramp is a hidden paradise where drag queens flirt with lesbians, leather daddy’s swim with WeHo boys, east-side hipsters hang with DTLA queens, jocks canoodle with twinks and gay guys meet ladies,” said co-creator Andres Rigal. “It’s an amazing mix of people of all stripes and dots celebrating summer… together!” Rigal created SummerTramp with international promoter Luke Nero.

SummerTramp, the official LA PRIDE water park, is free with event admission. Advance tickets are on sale now.

Event producer, Tom Whitman, has been putting together high-energy parties across the United States for over a decade. But it’s his philanthropic actions, which have earned him the 2012 LA Pride Berman Schaffer Service Award.

As a producer and entrepreneur, Tom has put together some amazing events in the LGBT community, including ones for HRC, GLAAD, LA Gay & Lesbian Center and LA Pride’s 2012 Community Grand Marshall, The Trevor Project.

One of Tom’s recent initiatives was The Gang of 100; an informal group of friends, 100-people strong, that used their social connections to raise funds for a number of Los Angeles not-for-profit organizations. 100% of the funds raised goes directly to the benefit organizations. Over the past five years, The Gang of 100 has raised $700,000 for The Trevor Project, The Point Foundation and AIDS Project Los Angeles.

For the past five years Tom has served as the Chair of APLA’s Board of Directors. It’s his dedication, influence and philanthropic attitude which has earned him the Berman Schaffer Service Award.

Let’s face it; coming out of the closet in high school is a big deal for any teenager. For 17 year-old high school student, Katy Butler, she faced all the typical challenges that any queer student would face on a daily basis– bullying.  When a new documentary, “Bully” was set to be released with an “R” rating, Katy was outraged.

The “R” rating meant that anyone under the age of 17 would not be able to see the film. Katy started an online petition on Change.org urging the MPAA to change the rating of the film from “R” to “PG-13″.

After receiving over 500,000 signatures and the support of celebrities including Ellen Degeneres who welcomes Katy on her show, the Washington Post named Katy “a new voice against bullying’.

Because of her demonstration that one person is never too young to inspire change, Katy has been honoured as the 2012 Outstanding Youth Leader by LA Pride.

Canadian Facts on Bullying (provided by PinkShirtDay.org):

• Bullying happens to someone in Canada every 7 minutes on the playground. (Bullying.org).
• Bullying happens in many different forms. It’s doing, saying or acting in a way that hurts someone else or makes him or her feel bad on purpose. (Verbal, physical, social, extortion, cyber bullying).
• 50% of Canadian school children report being bullied and 45% of children surveyed do not feel safe when they go to school. (Bullying Study, University of Guelph).
• 34% of Canadians surveyed knew of students in their community who had been targeted by cyber bullying in the past year
• Children who are bullied are at risk for impaired social development, mental and physical illnesses, suicide and school absenteeism.
• Direct Bullying: open attacks, physical, threats, teasing
• Indirect Bullying: attempts to harm social position including exclusion & gossip

Volunteers of the The Trevor Project march in the 2011 LA Pride Parade

The Grand Marshal of any parade is an important position. It’s especially important in the LA Pride Parade. For 42 years, Christopher Street West has hosted the annual parade in Hollywood, California. This year The Trevor Project, an LGBT organization headquartered along the parade route, will be the Grand Marshal for the Sunday, June 10, 2012 event.

“Today, throughout our country, many parents, teachers, councilors, legislators, advocates and event the White House know that Trevor is the default when it comes to supporting kids struggling with their sexual orientation,” said Owen Ward, Christopher Street West Board of Directors. “LA PRIDE has always served as a beacon of hope and inspiration and that is why we are so pleased to bestow the honor of Community Grand Marshal to The Trevor Project.”

The Trevor Project has used their exposure to build awareness of its life-saving and life-affirming services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth. Their volunteers across the country have helped thousands of young people who are in crisis or considering suicide.

They also offer secure online services including TrevorChat, an online instant messaging service and TrevorSpace, a social network for teens and youth, to connect with real, live counsellors.

“On behalf of the teens and young adults who need The Trevor Project, as well as the many volunteers and supporters who make our work possible, we are honored to be recognized as this year’s Community Grand Marshal,” said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project.” We are grateful to Christopher Street West and the community of West Hollywood for supporting a culture that encourages young people to reach out for help. You help make sure The Trevor Project is there for young people whenever they need to talk live,”

Leila Lambert, mother of Adam Lambert, proudly marched in the LA Pride Parade on Sunday, June 12, 2011, in West Hollywood, California. As a proud mother of her gay son, she was very happy to be in the LA Pride Parade.

Adam Lambert is from San Diego, California, and finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. Today, Adam is a singer, songwriter and actor and is one of the few mainstream pop artists to launch his career on a major label in the United States.

Adam’s mother has been very supportive of both his career and his lifestyle choices. She has attended events in support LGBT rights and causes.