Has anyone been? I'm from Chicago and they have one but I've never had the opportunity to go. Either I have been pregnant or had no one to go with me, and its not really my husbands thing. Is it worth making the trip down there? Did y'all have alot of fun? What are the must-sees? Tia 

I would never be caught dead attending such an event. The things they do to the Marine Corps uniform is infuriating. I'm all for being yourself, but men and women died serving in that uniform. To see it being used in such a fashion is terribly disrespectful. 

Are you talking about the San Diego Pride Festival as in for the LGBT community? or something Military related? 

Im pretty sure she is talking about the LGBT Pride parade. What MrsMacho is referring to is a lot of people at the parade or in it wear the uniform even though they havent earned it. And they change it so it looks stylish to them. You know like how some musicians have in music videos and people bash them for it. I think a lot of people are afraid to say something because someone is going to take it as if its because the person is gay and not because they are disgracing the uniform. I think any use of the uniform not by a military member who has earned the right to wear it is disgraceful no matter who you are or what your sexual orientation is. If you are from the LGBT community and have earned the right to wear than do so but do it respectfully. 

Weird.. I went to the one in SD last year and I didn't see anyone wearing uniforms much less in a disrespectful manner.. They had a group for each branch in the parade but they were wearing like the PT sort of shirts that had the branch name on them... or maybe my memory is just foggy.. Either way it's not mainly about the military, that was just a small portion of the day.

The parade is awesome and has people in super colorful costumes! Some highly over priced vendors along side (to be expected of course lol) but that's really about all that comes to mind from what I seen. 

hey there knight... yes i have been and it is sooooo much fun! my daughter and i do the 5k in the morning and stay for the parade afterward. we just did the pride celebration up in west hollywood- same thing, we did the 5k then watched the parade. if you are a supporter of the lgbt community then you should definitely go (and it's not that long of a car drive). and for those who don't want to attend- dont go.. its that simple 

BTW- parking sucks lol! But I plan on going again this year. :) 

When is it? 

The San Diego Pride is a whole lot better than the Long Beach Pride by far!!

San Diego Pride: July 20-22 

SO going! Thanks for the info :)
Miss the Mardi Gras in Sydney! 

I always go with my hairdresser. This year her gf moved here so we are all going together. Hubby is on child-watch :)

I would suggest getting a hotel room down there that way (1) no fighting with parking (2) You can pre-drink so you're not spending as much money on drinks. One drink would be about 6 tickets (3)Can easily walk back to room and everyone could have a fun drunken time ;p 

Yes I'm definitely a supporter :) I just have to find some people to go with me. All my friends back home go and always have such an amazing time. 

I was a BIG part of the Pride Fest in NM. Most of my friends were gay and I used to have a blast at the gay bars! I did a lot of fund raising for them, and even helped with the floats for 'our' bar.
I haven't had the chance to go to the one down here :( 

I've been to the one in Chicago, it was a great time. Haven't been out here though, have fun! 

Went last year and had a blast. We took our daughter and went with my sister and her family. During the day it is usually a little more family and less party. It was fun and we will be going this year as well.

Also I didnt see anyone "abusing" uniforms. Yes there are military members there, some in appropriate uniforms (meaning they can wear them on the street) and there is nothing wrong with that. 

Also I didnt see anyone "abusing" uniforms. Yes there are military members there, some in appropriate uniforms (meaning they can wear them on the street) and there is nothing wrong with that.

I went last year to support a Marine I use to work with and had a blast. He wore his uniform the correct way along with most of the men and women I saw in them. There were a few in tied up green shirts but that's nothing compared to the pictures of half naked women in them on the photographs websites. 

What's the best hotel to stay at that isn't going to break our bank account? 

Someone clue me in; I don't see/understand the need to wear one's uniform to a gay pride event. To..show they are a gay Marine? Military members can't go to political events as a service member, but a gay pride event "as" a service member? I mean, you don't see me wearing my girl scout uniform that I earned to political events as a girl scout. The uniform has nothing to do with gay pride. 

The whole parade is a joke IMO. 

The whole parade is a joke IMO
I dont have anything against the LGBT community I just think that the parades are a way for them to get attention and say we are here whether you like it or not. They have every right to do so, I just think its not the right way to get acceptance. But than again that's my own opinion. I dont judge someone by there sexual preference to me its how you carry yourself and show respect for everyone round you. 

^^ I agree. I don't have anything against the gay community at all...just don't understand the reason for these type of things. 

I don't have anything against the gay community at all

But didnt you just say that the whole parade was a joke? I know its a touchy subject for some people because everyone has their own beliefs, but when I think of Pride, I don't think of it as just celebrating gays or lesbians but celebrating one love and equality. I know that straight individuals don't have celebrations or parades for their love of a different sex but you can argue the same point between different races as well. IMO, I think its awesome that they are able to display their love between anyone and everyone, out in the open where they don't have to worry about being judged. And I'm glad that I get to be apart of that.

With that said, I found a hotel pretty close and if anyone is looking for a hotel try Holiday Inn Express Downtown. They offer military discount and you dont have to put a deposit down to hold the room :) 

But didnt you just say that the whole parade was a joke?

I didn't know "gay pride" meant dressing like cross-dressing-outlandish buffoons LOL. The idea of a PARADE to celebrate one's sexuality that is taken to extremes is what she thinks is a joke. Do straight people have parades? No. You go, do you not see the outlandish attire? Nothing I would bring children around, but if they didn't dress like that it wouldn't be worth putting on a show.

but when I think of Pride, I don't think of it as just celebrating gays or lesbians but celebrating one love and equality.

That is the biggest load of rainbow-unicorn-BS I've ever heard. It's not a "one love" parade; it's specifically called GAY pride for a reason. What is this equality that you speak of when it'd be "hate" and "discrimination" to host a straight pride parade. 

Do they not want equality? Im pretty sure they do. To be able to get married just like any straight couple? And I'm not saying that someone wouldn't get upset about their being a straight parade, as i clearly stated i know there isn't one. There is always going to be someone you offend, no matter what you do. and yea sure, maybe its not suitable to have children around. Like someone previously posted during the day is more family friendly. But if you dont like it, then dont go. it may be unicorn bs to you but I meant that I didnt look at it as for just gays or just lesbians but as an equal stance as well. I know that there are people out there that feel the same way as you do, but that's how I feel. 

They don't want to attain equality in an "equal" manner. They want the full backing of the US government to force someone to be "equal". If you're not for or in support of gays you are "against" them. Hating those who "hate" gays to show that "hating" gays is wrong, is redundant. If someone dislikes someone, they should have that *freedom* to feel that way (I'm just talking about the feeling itself, not actions that sometimes follow a feeling).

If I recollect on my news feed, news stations are showing highlights of gay pride parades during the day in which outlandish buffoonery is still taking place.

If I don't like it I won't go, but I still have the "right" to disagree with it, and you have no right to make me, nor anyone else feel bad for disagreeing with it. :) 

If I recollect on my news feed, news stations are showing highlights of gay pride parades during the day in which outlandish buffoonery is still taking place.

They do dress a little extreme BUT have you walked down town lately? I've seen women walking around in shorts that I'm pretty sure panties would cover more than. The only difference is these men and women wear a ton of glitter and makeup with their outfits. I personally take my kids to support my best friend (who does dress a little crazy) but that's alright with me (although it took my husband a few years to get us to it). Alex also dresses my kids up, this year they have rainbow rompers and bows, feather boas and sandals covered in rime stones and my son has a tie-dye onsie that says "love doesn't have a gender". I choose to raise my children not to judge someone by the clothes they wear but by the person they are. IMO I'm doing nothing wrong by letting my kids dress cray and go to these events (they get the choice to wear the outfits or pick something, but they love dressing up) my husbands family on the other hand see me as a horrible parent. They think by me dressing them up like this I'm teaching them to be gay, to me it's sad that people are truly that simple minded. 

I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad. I didnt say anything you were saying was bs, nor did I say that you were wrong for feeling the way you do. I said that I know it's a touchy subject because everyone has their own beliefs. I also said that in my opinion I think it's great that they have a festival. I myself have never been, this will be my first year so I couldn't argue with you on what is there and what isn't, just tell you what others have said. 

I didn't know "gay pride" meant dressing like cross-dressing-outlandish buffoons

There is something wrong with cross dressing? Who are you to call them buffoons. If a man wants to wear a dress ITS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! Does calling names get your point across more? They dress different so they arent on your level? Just buffoons walking around... 

Lulz. When stuff done in the privacy of one's home is brought to the public domain it removes the "right" to privacy. So, where does it say i dont have the right to disagree with any lifestyle choice i so choose? Better rally the troops for a smokers pride parade then, obscure pride parade. Everyone has at least one thing, characteristic about people they don't like. Proved my point: hating to show that hating is wrong. 

I didn't know "gay pride" meant dressing like cross-dressing-outlandish buffoons LOL.

I would love to know where you learned your definition of gay pride. I find it funnny that just because those at gay pride dress a little outlandish, they are considered buffoons. What about mardi gras? Is everyone who dresses up for mardi gras a buffoon as well? And I am pretty sure there is much more body exposure on mardi gras than at pride.