Ten Reasons To Love LA Pride

Here comes LA Pride! We’re just moments away from SoCal’s greatest LGBT party, featuring sexy dancers, gorgeous floats, and plenty of beautiful weather. There’s no shortage of fun to be had all over Los Angeles this weekend, and we have some insider tips for having a gay old time.

logo pride party

1. Fans of Drag Race won’t want to miss the official LogoTV Pride Party at The Factory, an infamously sexy party grotto that’s home to LA’s trendiest events. Host Michelle Visage welcomes Drag Race legends Raja, Sharon Needles, and Jinkx Monsoon, with fan favorites like Shangela, Ivy Winters, and Latrice Royale wandering around.

walk in closet

2. If you’re looking for something a little more literary, check out Abdi Nazemian’s reading from his new book, The Walk-In Closet. It’s a cute tale, featuring some cusp-of-thirtysomethings who pretend to date in order to relieve some hetero-normative parental pressure. You might know Nazemian from the short film Revolution, or if you frequent the local park you may know his dog, Hedy Lamar. The reading is on Saturday at 5pm at Skylight Books in Los Feliz.

pride lineup

3. Of course, the big treat this weekend is seeing Jennifer Hudson perform at the official Los Angeles Pride festival. She’s sharing the stage with some amazing talent, including Azealia Banks, Betty Who, Mary Lambert, and The Bangles. Yes, that’s right, the freakin’ BANGLES. Walk like an Egyptian over to the festival grounds near the Pacific Design Center for a $20 single-day pass, or a $40 pass for the whole weekend.

dyke day la

4. Don’t you dare forget about the lesbians this weekend. Dyke Day LA is, in many respects, the best part of Pride weekend. It’s a fun crowd, admission is free, and it’s just about the most welcoming atmosphere you can imagine. It all goes down on Saturday from noon to 6pm at Barnsdall Park near Little Armenia. And just get a load of the activities planned: there’s body painting! Hooping! Twister! A kids crafting area! And so many picnics! (No open boozes allowed, though.) If you’re looking for something a little less intense than the massive pride onslaught in WeHo, don’t even think of missing this.

out at universal

5. Let’s say you’re in the mood for a little theme park fun, but you don’t want to make the drive to Anaheim. That’s where Out @ Universal Gay Day & Night comes to the rescue! Starting at 3pm on Saturday and running past midnight, the party at Universal’s theme park offers exclusive rides and attractions for tickeholders. Families are welcome, but there’s also a giant dance party for grown-ups. Don’t miss the all-new Despicable Me ride.

alc closing

6. A bunch of awesome athletes who are currently cycling their way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Come cheer them on at the finish line on Saturday. The closing ceremony for the AIDS Lifecycle ride starts at 3:30, but you should get there early to cheer on your arriving friends. Most folks roll in between 11am and 3pm. There’ll be music, food, and good vibes aplenty. And of course, bike shipping services to get those wheels back home.

reflex party

7. Take off your pants. That’s right, we’re in the mood for a good old fashioned underwear party. You know the drill: Gussy yourself up with your skimpiest posing briefs. Then rip off your trousers and hand ’em in at the free clothes check. This weekend’s most intense undies festival is happening at the Factory, just down the street from Pavillion’s, and is presented by the party animals at Reflex. Check out the huge new LED screens and a new DJ booth that’s built like a fortress. It’s happening Friday night, so there’s not much time left to slip into something revealing.

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8. Who doesn’t like a little chuckle? This Friday and Saturday, head over to Fubar for the Mikey & Teddy Comedy Hour, specially branded as “Double Penetration Pride.” Now that’s something you can really be proud of. Mikey and Teddy describe themselves of a mix of Sonny & Cher and Laurel & Hardy, which sounds like the kind of hot mess we want to see. And after the stand-ups have tickled you, stick around for Booty Bumpin’ Fridays and Saturday Night Slut, two of the raunchiest parties in LA. Bonus: get cheap drinks if you show them that you’ve checked in on Facebook.

thunderground

9. Gay Roller Disco? Yes please. Presented by warm-weather party experts SummerTramp, the Thunder Ground roller rink and disco promises a hot set of wheels, drinks, great food, and best of all, really nice bathrooms. Seriously, we cannot overstate the importance of having access to excellent bathrooms at LA Pride. Skates are provided, but of course you can bring your own if you’re a professional. We’re expecting to see lots of themed Xanadu outfits, so do not disappoint us, Los Angeles. Added bonus: a non-stop lineup of great DJs, including the dreamy James Cerne, whose muscles make our heart melt.

submerge party

10. Skip the beach this weekend if you want to stay close to the action. LA’s hottest pool party is SUBMERGE at the Line Hotel. It’s got everything: A rooftop view of beautiful mid-Wilshire, international DJ Leonardo Glovibes, lots of sexy skimpy swimming trunks, and a raffle of an original painting to help the cause of battered woman and children.

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