SeeCalifornia.com

While surveys of the U.S. citizens identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) have varied as much as five percentage points (online surveys offering respondents anonymity yield much higher percentage numbers,)  California definitely has the largest such population in the country. Latest estimates are around 5% or about 2 million Californians. No wonder LA Pride Week May 31-June 9, 2019 in West Hollywood and Sacramento’s Sac Pride June 8-9 get draw such large crowds! As several of many pride celebrations throughout the state, these events pay homage in 2019 to Stonewall Uprising, celebrating 50 years.

While West Hollywood’s Pride Parade can get half a million attendance, San Francisco Pride June 29-30, 2019, previously went down in the books as one of the largest pride parades in the world, with upwards of an estimated 1.7 million people watching and participating.

Here’s our pride list of California Pride Festivals & Events! The festivals, parades, concerts and lectures are open to all and offer unique entertainment. Some are free, some charge a fee and there may be age restrictions — so check before you go.

Library of Congress hosts pride events during the summer months and offers this brief history: “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.”