West Hollywood residents attend WeHo Pride Weekend event
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - Santa Monica Boulevard was packed with people dancing, singing and soaking in the festivities at the WeHo Pride Weekend event Saturday.
Thousands of people gathered in West Hollywood for the annual Pride celebration, honoring the LGBTQ+ community while promoting acceptance and inclusion.
"I think that we are celebrating it in a way that allows us to be authentically ourselves and we're just we're here and you can't erase us," said Joe Williams, a WeHo Pride attendee.
"I love seeing the families with kids and like exposing them like early on that it's okay to be different and not judging them," said Jonathan Macias, another WeHo Pride attendee.
The WeHo Pride Weekend event is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. For many, Pride is about living authentically and not having to hide who they are.
"Pride just means people that have come from homes that either accept them or maybe not, finding a home within each other, within our community and bringing each other up, lifting each other up and just spreading the love," said one WeHo Pride attendee.
"I think it's a great way for people to come here and express themselves and be who they are. And it's just a truly great thing to bring everyone together as a community," said Sammy Van, another WeHo Pride attendee.
The OUTLOUD Music Festival is also a huge part of the weekend celebration showcasing LGBTQ+ artists and bringing together allies and the community through music and performance.
"This is our history. Everything is woven into this. And if we stop celebrating pride, I think that's when we start to disappear and our stories and our history really go along with that," said Lee Doud, the festival's co-executive producer.
Organizers say it's more than just a party. It's an opportunity to support LGBTQ+ owned businesses and recognize the diversity of the community.
"Love is love, you know? So just come out, have fun. Everybody's having fun. It doesn't matter. Straight, gay, whatever you, you know, identify as. Everybody's just here to have fun," said Mary Montgomery, another WeHo Pride attendee.
"It's really about coming together as a community and just being together in these crazy times and spreading joy," said Chris Tucker, another WeHo Pride attendee.
