We’re taking Pride back.Back to our roots.
Pride started as a protest and a promise to show up for each other. That’s the Pride we’re bringing back: rooted in Long Beach, run by our own volunteers, and open to every one of us.
They didn’t give up then. We’re not stopping now.
In 1983, Judi Doyle, Marilyn Barlow and Bob Crow decided Long Beach deserved a Pride of its own. The next June, five thousand people came out to Palm Island and proved them right.
The road to equality has never been easy. It isn’t now, and it won’t be tomorrow.
We buried friends to AIDS while the rest of the country looked away. We held on through two summers apart during COVID. And we’ve stumbled, sometimes by our own hand.
In 2026, our gates didn’t open. We let our community down, we’ve said so publicly, and we meant it. But our doors are still open.
Pride was never about a perfect track record. It’s about the people who keep showing up to make it right.
Four decades later, we’re still here. Prouder than ever. And we’re not going anywhere.
Our Shore. Our Community.
Allies
Moms in Free Mom Hugs shirts. Neighbors on the barricades. Coworkers who show up. Allies don’t have to explain why they’re here. They just have to keep coming back.
Bears
Since 1972, The Mineshaft has been Long Beach’s bear and leather bar, the place bears, cubs, otters and the people who love them have called home for half a century. Want to meet the family? Start there. Pride weekend is the reunion.
Bi+
Bi+ people have always been at Pride, and too often asked to explain themselves at the gate of their own community. Not here. Whoever you love, and however that changes, you already count.
Drag
Jewels is the Queen of Long Beach: presented the keys to the city and an icon for our LGBTQ+ community, known for her charity work, her activism and her deep ties to the City and the organizations that make Long Beach home.
Gay
Until 2020 this was Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride. Gay men marched through the worst of the AIDS years, stood with the AIDS Memorial Quilt aboard the Queen Mary in 1991, and kept dancing on Ocean Boulevard when dancing was its own kind of protest.
Leather
Leather was out in Long Beach in the ’70s, at the bars and at the protests. Mr. Long Beach Leather traces its roots to 1981, when The Mineshaft sashed one of its first titleholders, and the Leather Expo keeps the tradition loud and proud.
Lesbian
Two of the three people at the first Long Beach Pride meeting in 1983 were women. Judi Doyle and Marilyn Barlow helped build this from nothing, and lesbians have run its committees, its gates and its stages ever since.
Nonbinary
Nonbinary Long Beach was here long before the forms had a box for it. Now our applications ask for pronouns, and nonbinary neighbors help run the stages, booths and gates that make Pride happen.
Queer
Queer is the word our elders took back from the people who threw it at them. It holds everyone the older labels never quite fit, and today it’s the word a whole generation of LGBTQ+ Long Beach uses to name itself.
Seniors
We owe everything to our elders. They marched when marching cost jobs, families and lives, and without their activism LGBTQ+ Long Beach would not be what it is today. The Senior Serenity Zone is how we pay homage: a place to rest, dance and be thanked.
Trans
Trans women of color stood on the front line at Stonewall, and trans people still take the first hits. Every November the transgender flag rises over Long Beach City Hall, and every Pride, trans Long Beach leads the way.
Youth & Teens
Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ youth are the future of this community, and they’re already shaping it. We look to them for inspiration, make room for their voices and bring them with us on every step forward. Teen Pride, free with a school ID, is only the beginning.
For our allies
Moms in Free Mom Hugs shirts. Neighbors on the barricades. Coworkers who show up. Allies don’t have to explain why they’re here. They just have to keep coming back.
For our bears
Since 1972, The Mineshaft has been Long Beach’s bear and leather bar, the place bears, cubs, otters and the people who love them have called home for half a century. Want to meet the family? Start there. Pride weekend is the reunion.
For our bi+ community
Bi+ people have always been at Pride, and too often asked to explain themselves at the gate of their own community. Not here. Whoever you love, and however that changes, you already count.
For our drag community
Jewels is the Queen of Long Beach: presented the keys to the city and an icon for our LGBTQ+ community, known for her charity work, her activism and her deep ties to the City and the organizations that make Long Beach home.
For our gay community
Until 2020 this was Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride. Gay men marched through the worst of the AIDS years, stood with the AIDS Memorial Quilt aboard the Queen Mary in 1991, and kept dancing on Ocean Boulevard when dancing was its own kind of protest.
For our leather community
Leather was out in Long Beach in the ’70s, at the bars and at the protests. Mr. Long Beach Leather traces its roots to 1981, when The Mineshaft sashed one of its first titleholders, and the Leather Expo keeps the tradition loud and proud.
For our lesbian community
Two of the three people at the first Long Beach Pride meeting in 1983 were women. Judi Doyle and Marilyn Barlow helped build this from nothing, and lesbians have run its committees, its gates and its stages ever since.
For our nonbinary community
Nonbinary Long Beach was here long before the forms had a box for it. Now our applications ask for pronouns, and nonbinary neighbors help run the stages, booths and gates that make Pride happen.
For our queer community
Queer is the word our elders took back from the people who threw it at them. It holds everyone the older labels never quite fit, and today it’s the word a whole generation of LGBTQ+ Long Beach uses to name itself.
For our seniors
We owe everything to our elders. They marched when marching cost jobs, families and lives, and without their activism LGBTQ+ Long Beach would not be what it is today. The Senior Serenity Zone is how we pay homage: a place to rest, dance and be thanked.
For our trans community
Trans women of color stood on the front line at Stonewall, and trans people still take the first hits. Every November the transgender flag rises over Long Beach City Hall, and every Pride, trans Long Beach leads the way.
For our youth & teens
Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ youth are the future of this community, and they’re already shaping it. We look to them for inspiration, make room for their voices and bring them with us on every step forward. Teen Pride, free with a school ID, is only the beginning.
Next from Long Beach Pride
Long Beach Pride’s Annual Thankful & Giving Food Drive
- 11/20/2026 – 11/21/2026
- Long Beach Pride, 1017 Obispo Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90804
This Thanksgiving, 100 Long Beach families will pick up holiday groceries from Long Beach Pride. Help fill their tables.
What’s happening in
our Long Beach community.
Our events, plus the ones our friends are throwing: the Center, local bars, nonprofits, the City. Hosting something for the community? Send it our way and we’ll help get the word out.
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Hump Events
BÜFF Party Long Beach
Gear party for gay men.
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The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Lez Chat Intergenerational Gathering (18+)
A special Lez Chat session open to LBQ women and nonbinary folks of all adult ages, bridging generations at The Center.
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach Learn more: Lez Chat Intergenerational Gathering (18+) (opens in a new tab) -
Historical Society of Long Beach
Flashback Fabulous: An Evening of History, Community & Drag
Jewels Long Beach hosts storytelling, archival photos and drag to celebrate local LGBTQ+ history, with a Veterans Day tribute.
Hamburger Mary's Long Beach Learn more: Flashback Fabulous: An Evening of History, Community & Drag (opens in a new tab) -
The Connection Strategist
Speed Dating on the Marina for Gay Men (Ages 25–45)
A small-group speed dating night for gay men ages 25–45, held at a marina brewery.
Ballast Point Brewing Learn more: Speed Dating on the Marina for Gay Men (Ages 25–45) (opens in a new tab) -
Los Angeles Silver Screen Invitational
Los Angeles Silver Screen Invitational (LGBTQ+ Bowling Tournament)
Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Nov 15
An IGBO-sanctioned LGBTQ+ bowling tournament weekend at Cal Bowl, with its banquet at The 908 in the Long Beach Exchange.
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UUCLB LGBTQ+ Caucus
On the Sea Screening – UUCLB LGBTQ+ Caucus
A love story set among North Wales mussel harvesters, about coming out late in life. Free, open to all, with a discussion after the film.
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MyCheekyGayDate
Gay Men Speed Dating at Fairmont Breakers (Ages 22–44)
A Fancy a Go? speed dating event for gay men ages 22–44 at the Fairmont Breakers.
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach Learn more: Gay Men Speed Dating at Fairmont Breakers (Ages 22–44) (opens in a new tab) -
Fantasy Suite
Fantasy Suite: Tears in the Club EMO NITE
Queer pole troupe performs to emo, pop-punk and alt anthems.
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Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
LBGLCC Evening Mixer (host TBA)
Monthly chamber networking mixer; host business and venue not yet announced.
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City of Long Beach
Transgender Flag Raising
November 2026 · Date TBA
Under a 2024 Council action the City flies the Transgender Pride flag at the Civic Center each November.
Long Beach Civic Center Learn more: Transgender Flag Raising (opens in a new tab) -
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil – Long Beach
November 2026 · Date TBA
Annual candlelight vigil and reading of names honoring trans and gender-nonconforming people lost to violence.
TBA (past years: Bixby Park / Harvey Milk Promenade Park) Learn more: Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil – Long Beach (opens in a new tab) -
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach
Lez Chat Off-Site Outing (55+)
The Center's Lez Chat group for LBQ women 55+ heads out for an off-site outing. RSVP required by Nov 18.
Off-site (details on RSVP) Learn more: Lez Chat Off-Site Outing (55+) (opens in a new tab)
The 2026 festival was on us. 2027 is being built to last.
The festival didn’t open, and we own that. The full timeline of what happened, and what comes next, is public. Now we’re doing the work to bring Pride back to Long Beach the right way.
- 01
Own what happened
The Board’s full timeline of the cancellation is published, decisions and all.
- 02
Keep you in the loop
Board updates are posted in the Newsroom, so you can follow along.
- 03
Build it together
Pride is made by volunteers. There’s a place for you in Get Involved.
The Long Beach Pride Parade
Four decades of floats, marching groups and Grand Marshals on Ocean Boulevard, broadcast live on NBC4 and Telemundo 52. Watch the old broadcasts back to 2008, and meet the people we’ve asked to lead it.
Produced by
and
Pride is a group project.
The gates, the stages, the food drive: it’s all people like you. Start with one shift. If you like it, stay. Some of our board members started exactly that way.
Become a Volunteer
Work a festival shift, a food drive or a flag raising. No experience needed, and it’s the first step toward membership.
Join as a Member
Join the organization: serve on a committee, help plan the year, and vote at the Annual Meeting every August.
Join our Leadership Team
Directors are elected by the members every August. Apply for an open seat, or meet the volunteers serving on the board now.
Thank you to the
people who fund this.
Stages, floats, security, porta-potties: none of it is free, and none of it happens without these partners. If your business wants a spot on this wall, sponsorships start at $250.
From the team who makes Pride happen.
Governance is public. Board decisions, deadlines and member notices are posted here first.
View the latest
2026 Festival Fundraiser Cancellation: Timeline and Next Steps
Read moreLong Beach Pride Reaffirms Its Mission for the 2025 Festival
Our volunteer board reaffirms a festival with purpose: local talent, year-round outreach and unity for the 42nd Long Beach Pride, May 17 and 18, 2025.
Sep19 Board of DirectorsLong Beach Pride Opens 2023 Board Installation to the Community
For the first time, our new President and Board of Directors were sworn in at a public dinner, held Sept. 23, 2023, at Hamburger Mary’s Long Beach.
Jul26 COVID-19Long Beach Pride Returns July 2022 After Two-Year Pause
After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, the Long Beach Pride Parade and Festival returns July 8 to 10, 2022, along Shoreline Drive.
Subscribe to our LBCPride365 eNewsletter
Get #LBCPride365 in your inbox.
Festival dates, ticket drops, parade news and community events, plus a heads-up when we’re short on volunteers.
Follow us on social!
Stay connected with Long Beach Pride! From community events and celebrations to everything happening throughout the year, follow along and be part of the Pride. Remember to tag @lbpride on all your posts and appear on our wall!
Pick your stage