Long Beach Pride Festival canceled, parade to proceed
Key Points:
- The city of Long Beach has canceled the Long Beach Pride Festival scheduled for this weekend due to insufficient permitting information from event organizers, though the Sunday parade will proceed as planned.
- City officials stated they did not receive necessary documentation to complete safety reviews and inspect critical event infrastructure, leading to concerns about public safety compliance.
- Despite the festival cancellation, other Pride-related events and celebrations at local LGBTQ+-affirming businesses will continue throughout the weekend.
- Long Beach Pride expressed deep disappointment with the cancellation and urged city officials to work collaboratively to find a solution that preserves the festival and supports the community.
- The organization called on Mayor Rex Richardson and city council members to help ensure the Pride Festival occurs and maintain Long Beach's reputation as a beacon of equality and safety.