Key Takeaways
- Megan Thee Stallion and Mariah Carey will headline LA Pride 2023 in the Park festival, taking place on June 9 and 10 at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
- The choice of two women of color as headliners highlights the artists' groundbreaking work in promoting women's empowerment and their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
- LA Pride has evolved to prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity, and last year it relocated from West Hollywood to Hollywood Boulevard.
- The 2023 LA Pride event will include health and wellness workshops and programming for Black artists, Latin film-industry professionals, and queer women in comedy.
- Ticket prices for LA Pride in the Park 2023 start at $69 for single-day entry, with VIP wristbands ranging from $299 for single day entry to $549 for the entire weekend.
Renowned music artists Megan Thee Stallion and Mariah Carey are set to headline the 2023 LA Pride in the Park festival, taking place at Los Angeles State Historic Park on June 9 and 10.
Organized by the Christopher Street West Association, the festival is a major event in Los Angeles County, celebrating Pride month and the LGBTQIA+ community.
More performers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets already available for purchase.
A Strong Statement of Empowerment and Support
The choice to have two women of color as the headliners was a conscious decision by LA Pride’s board president, Gerald Garth, highlighting the artists’ groundbreaking work in promoting women’s empowerment.
Both Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion have been supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community throughout their careers.
Carey has been a long-time LGBTQ rights advocate and was scheduled to headline Brighton Pride in the U.K. in 2020 before its cancellation due to the pandemic.
Megan Thee Stallion has been vocal in her support for the LGBTQ community and launched a website last year focused on mental health support for LGBTQ individuals.
Previous Events and the Evolution of LA Pride
Last year marked a significant shift for LA Pride, as the event moved from its long-standing home in West Hollywood to Hollywood Boulevard.
The relocation aimed to improve accessibility, public transportation, and freeway access.
Additionally, the festival sought to address criticisms of catering predominantly to white, upper-class members of the LGBTQ community by embracing a more diverse and inclusive vision.
LA Pride 2022 commenced on June 11 with the music event, LA Pride in the Park, featuring performances by Christina Aguilera and Anitta at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
This year’s event will include health and wellness workshops, as well as programming for Black artists, Latin film-industry professionals, and queer women in comedy.
The celebration continued the following day with the 52nd annual LA Pride Parade through Hollywood.
Christopher Street West, the nonprofit organization behind LA Pride, diversified its board in response to criticism and expressed interest in partnering with West Hollywood in the future.
Meanwhile, West Hollywood held its own Pride weekend from June 3 to 5, featuring its parade, the Outloud music festival, Women’s Freedom Festival, and a five-week LGBTQ Arts Festival.
The back-to-back Pride events created some confusion but ultimately offered more opportunities for celebration throughout the month.
Last year’s Pride in the Park event was headlined by Christina Aguilera, Anitta, and Kim Petras, with Paula Abdul serving as the first “icon grand marshal” of the parade.
In 2022, the festival saw a triumphant return following the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring performances by Meghan Trainor and Years & Years.
This year’s LA Pride will also include the traditional parade through Hollywood on June 11.
Addressing Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ+ Community
While LA Pride has evolved into a large-scale celebration, its roots as a protest movement remain at its core.
With anti-trans and anti-drag bills being proposed and passed across the United States, the festival’s organizers recognize the need to prioritize safety and uplift the community.
This year’s event will include health and wellness workshops, as well as programming for Black artists, Latin film-industry professionals, and queer women in comedy.
A Weekend of Music and Celebration
Fans can expect an unforgettable experience at the 2023 LA Pride in the Park festival, with ticket prices starting at $69 for single-day entry, $119 for weekend access, and VIP wristbands ranging from $299 for single day entry to $549 for the entire weekend.
The festival precedes another major LGBTQ-focused event in West Hollywood, Outloud, which will feature headliners Grace Jones and Carly Rae Jepsen the previous weekend.
