Councilwoman Megan Kerr

Dear Friends,

With open arms and open hearts, welcome to the 43rd Annual Long Beach Pride Celebration! In Long Beach, we are extremely proud of our longstanding history of supporting, accepting, and advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The decades-long legacy of this very festival and parade, among the oldest and most prominent in the nation, continues to affirm our unwavering dedication to creating a community where everyone can feel safe, seen, fearless, and free.

This year’s theme, “Fearless & Free,” speaks to the incredible tenacity, strength, and power of the LGBTQ+ community. Even as the world seems more plagued by injustice and hate than ever, we must refuse to be forced into the shadows. Pride gives us the power to push back, to show that we are not to be bullied into hiding all that makes us unique. As we celebrate our diversity and fight for equal rights, we find that our differences are what give us the strength to stand together and continue facing what challenges come our way, until every person is fearless and free to live and love whomever and however they choose.

To all who are celebrating Pride with us, welcome! Your support, love, and solidarity empower us to continue our pursuit of a more inclusive and accepting world. May this weekend be filled with cherished moments, new friendships, and a profound sense of belonging.

Thank you for celebrating Pride with us!