In an unexpected turn of events, one of the nation’s largest Pride festivals, scheduled to commence imminently, has been abruptly canceled. Organizers have expressed strong disapproval, criticizing the city’s decision as a detrimental message for the LGBTQ community during a pivotal period.
The Long Beach Pride Festival, celebrating its 42nd year, was poised to launch on Friday night. The festivities were slated to span the entire weekend, featuring DJs, live music, drag performances, and a ball, as detailed on the festival’s website. Historically, this vibrant three-day event has attracted up to 80,000 participants.
City officials announced on Friday that the festival, recognized as the third-largest Pride event in California, was called off due to the organizers’ failure to provide adequate information necessary for the safe execution of the event. The statement highlighted the city’s efforts over recent months to collaborate with the organizers in facilitating a secure festival environment.
Despite these efforts, the city noted, “We did not receive the required documentation needed to complete safety reviews, inspect critical event infrastructure, such as the stage, electrical systems, and tent, and ensure emergency exiting plans meet public safety standards.”
With the festival slated to kick off at 5 p.m. on May 15 with Teen Pride, the city concluded there was insufficient time to secure the necessary permits for this year’s event due to the outstanding essential information.
“With event programming scheduled to begin today, May 15 at 5 p.m. with Teen Pride and essential information still outstanding, there is no longer sufficient time to safely permit the festival this year,” it added.
The President of Long Beach Pride, Tonya Martin, issued a statement condemning the move by the city.
“Long Beach pride is deeply, deeply disappointed in the city’s decision to cancel the Long Beach Pride Festival. A long standing community event and institution built by volunteers sustained by love and rooted in belief that every person deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity,” it read.
The group said that for more than four decades they have stood as the symbol of “visibility, resilience, and belonging” for the LGBTQ+ community and said this move by the city comes at a time when the community “is being targeted and made vulnerable.”
“Long Beach should be doing more to protect and uplift us, not taking away one of the most visible and meaningful expressions of inclusion our city has.”
“This decision comes at a moment when LGBTQ+ people are facing escalating attacks from the current federal administration and from political forces across the country,” it added.
The group also said that canceling the festival sends “the wrong message” and tells those in the community “that their safety, visibility, and celebration are negotiable.”
“It undermines decades of volunteer work and community trust. And it weakens the very values Long Beach claims to champion,” it added.
Martin also called on the city leader Mayor Rex Richardson and other city officials to “engage in good faith with Long Beach Pride” to find a “path forward that preserves the festival and protects the community.
Los Angeles county Supervisor Janice Hahn, a sponsor of the event, also expressed her disappointment in a statement to The California Post.
“Long Beach Pride has been a beacon of joy, pride, and acceptance for decades. While I am happy that the Pride parade will go on as planned, I am disappointed that the festival has been canceled.”
The city noted that the annual Long Beach Pride Parade that it hosts is still planned to happen on Sunday.
“The city is proud to fully fund and produce the parade, which continues to be a cornerstone celebration of the LGBTQ+ community,” the statement read.
“The City looks forward to joining residents, visitors and Long Beach Pride along the parade route. Many restaurants, bars and LGBTQ+-affirming businesses in vibrant Downtown Long Beach and along Broadway will also be hosting celebrations throughout the weekend, and the City encourages the community to show their support by visiting them.”
