Saturday July 19 and Sunday July 20, come join your fellow San Diego locals as we celebrate 2008 San Diego LGBT Pride in beautiful Balboa Park. At Marston Point, between 6th and Laurel, watch or march with some of our city's most passionate people to celebrate the recent triumphs of the gay community.
The day is split into two events: the San Diego Pride Parade and the San Diego Pride Festival. Both events will celebrate the growing gay and lesbian community in San Diego.
The Parade steps off promptly at 11am, walking the Rainbow Mile down University Avenue. With over 175 floats and contingents, the Parade is the largest civic event in San Diego. Another beneficial aspect of this walk this year, is that there will be recycling bins set up all along the way, making this year's Pride as green as possible.
The Festival, which begins its caucus Saturday morning at 11am and sets with the sun around 8pm. Sunday, and both days, include multiple stages of entertainment, more than 70 musicians, bands, comedy and dance performers, 300 participating vendor booths, an art exhibit, a vintage car show, cultural presentations, and of course, great food. New to the Festival in 2008, the Emmy-winning comedian famous for sharing her life from Hollywood's D-list makes the San Diego A-list at this year's Pride Festival. Kathy Griffin will make her special appearance at 6pm on July 20, on the festival's solar-powered Green Stage. You can see why two days have been dedicated to this culturally explosive event.
Lately, I've been spending my evenings atop my roof watching the sunset with my neighbor. We drink beers and she tells me about her experiences. A lesbian and 6 months new to San Diego, she already has some appalling stories. Discrimination in clubs and on the streets is prevalent in any city, San Diego not excluded. It is so important for San Diego as a community to support all people living in our city, for we all have an equal right to enjoy life. By coming out and participating in the 2008 San Diego Gay Pride events, you bolster an integral part of San Diego's widely diversified community.
San Diego Gay Pride 2008 costs include $15 for a one-day pass; $25 for a two-day pass; students 16-24 with id pay $10 at the gate and active military duty with id are free. 50,000 people are projected to attend this event so come early!
Stay tuned for the guide to San Diego Gay Pride after parties - coming soon. We'll give you hint - Universal is the star of the show.
In the meantime, remember 2007 Gay Pride here. For more info on San Diego Gay Pride, visit sdpride.org.
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