Co-Founder Bob Crow Named CAPI 2018 Person of the Year

Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride is proud to share that Bob Crow, one of our founders, has been named the 2018 Person of the Year by the Consolidated Association of Pride (CAPI). The honor was presented in Austin, Texas, and for those of us who have worked alongside Bob, it feels long deserved.

CAPI recognized Bob for his hard work and dedication as a pioneer who has paved the way for several generations to live and express their authentic lives. He is an example of the kind of dedication and leadership that has brought equality and diversity to many communities.

A Founder Who Still Shows Up

Bob founded Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride with fellow community members Marilyn Barlow and Judith Doyle. Today he is the only founding member who is still active with the organization, and he volunteers tirelessly every year to keep our celebration strong.

His fingerprints are all over the festival. It was Bob who first conceived our Latin stage, Fiesta Caliente. He saw a need for it as another way to welcome the Latin community, brought the idea to the Board of Directors and kept at it until the Board agreed to give it a try. It became one of the most popular stages at Pride. Ask Bob about it and he will tell you the success was never his alone. He says he was simply the portal that brought the stage to the festival grounds.

In 2013, for our 30th year, Bob, Judith Doyle and Marilyn Barlow served together as Grand Marshals of the parade. Each year our Bob Crow Community Grand Marshal title carries his name forward, honoring a community member whose service reflects his own.

A Pride Association With Long Beach Roots

The association honoring Bob has deep Long Beach roots of its own. It was formed in 1987 in San Jose, California, as the California Association of Pride, Inc., by five founding Pride organizations: Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Christopher Street West. In 1996 it became the Consolidated Association of Pride Inc., a name that better reflects a membership of LGBTQ+ Pride coordinators in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Mexico.

Celebrating 35 Years

The honor arrives as Long Beach Pride marks its 35th anniversary of producing our two-day festival and parade. We are a year-round operation with permanent office space and one full-time employee, and we keep up the tradition of giving back. Long Beach Pride was the first nonprofit organization in the City of Long Beach to award grants and scholarships from a portion of its festival and parade proceeds. We also provide low-income housing for the LGBTQ+ community and hold an annual Christmas Toy Drive.

Come celebrate 35 years of Pride with Bob and all of us on May 19 and 20, 2018. Our entertainment lineup and tickets will be announced soon at LongBeachPride.com.