2008 San Diego LGBT Pride Parade

History of the San Diego LGBT Pride Parade

The first San Diego Pride parade was held in 1974, and for the participants in that parade much was at stake. Those who took part in the event faced losing their jobs and being ostracized from their social circles. Because of this risk, several of the 200 participants wore paper bags over their heads to keep their identity hidden. Yet, regardless of their fear, they marched for justice and social equality.

The following year, in 1975, the first permit was given out by the San Diego Police Department, and the parade was legitimized. Twenty years later, in March of 1995, the San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride organization, which puts on the annual parade and festival, was given official 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Over the years, the San Diego Pride Parade has developed into the celebration that we recognize today. Having grown from the original 200 individual participants in 1974, this year’s parade will host upwards of 200 contingents that include community organizations and churches as well as local businesses, politicians, and straight supporters.

2008 Parade – Live, Love, Be

This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, July 19, and the official step-off will be at 11:00 a.m. The theme for the 34th annual parade is "Live, Love, Be" and the parade route will follow the traditional “Rainbow Mile” along University Avenue which passes through the heart of Hillcrest. Residents of Hillcrest are encouraged to look up road closures and parking prohibitions for this weekend. There will be a free shuttle available with drop-off points at the staging area of the parade (information about this shuttle can also be found on the Pride website).

Because of the size of the parade, parking will be tight, so it is helpful to plan accordingly. The estimated number of spectators at the parade is usually in the neighborhood of 150,000. However, due to the fact that the ban on gay marriage has recently been overturned in California, thousands more spectators are expected to attend and demonstrate their support of the LGBT community this year.

These spectators will be in for quite a treat when the parade’s three Grand Marshals are introduced. The 2008 Community Grand Marshal will be Ruth Henricks, a local business owner and AIDS activist, and the Celebrity Grand Marshal will be Gilbert Baker, the designer of the famous rainbow flag which has come to serve as an international symbol for the LGBT community. The International Grand Marshal will be Peter Tatchell, an activist and leader who has participated in nearly 3,000 civil disobedience protests around the world and has even endured beatings as a result of his advocacy.

As these Grand Marshals lead the parade, there will be several places on the route where floats and costumes will be judged. Awards will be given in a variety of categories, based on the determinations of the judges at these “reviewing stands,” and a $1,000 Grand Prize will be given to the entry which best represents the theme “Live, Love, Be.”

So, bring your best cheering voice and come out to witness the wide array of contingents that this year’s parade has to offer. Just make sure to get there early so you get a good viewing spot!

For more information about the Pride Festival, please visit this article.

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