Grand Gay Pride Parade July 19 | Saturday, July 19 2008
11:00 AM to 1:00 PMHillcrest - University Ave between Normal St and 6th to Ivy
Univesity Ave and Normal St.
San Diego, CA
 34th Annual Gay Pride Parade
Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 11:00am
Parade route: Rainbow Mile - University Ave between Normal St. and 6th down to Ivy Lane.
When San Diego's first Pride march took place 33 years ago down Broadway, its participants could not have imagined traversing down a mile-long parade route lined with 150,000 applauding spectators. The handfuls of brave activists who marched back then recall being afraid of losing thier jobs or becoming ostracized in a climate that incited fear and hatred from those witnessing the event from the sidelines.
The San Diego LGBT Pride parade has come a very long way since the 1970s. It now embodies 200 floats and contingents from our diverse LGBT community, including our straight supporters, local politicians and community churches and businesses. It is an enormous spectale not to be missed!
With over 200 floats and contingents the Parade is the largest civic event in San Diego.
It has also become a strong drawing card for political and civic leaders, as they have awakened to the unity and strength of this civil rights movement.
THEME: Marriage for Gays and Lesbians
Given the historic ruling by the California courts (finally) giving Gays and Lesbians equal rights to marry the person they love, we are concentrating our theme this year on the marriage issue. Feel free to make your own signs and bring them (something like, "MARRIED TO PEACE, DIVORCED FROM WAR!" or the like). If you really feel so inclined, come wearing a wedding dress (and that goes for women as well as men!).
Meet-up at: 10:00 AM, Al Davis Mattress Store 1601 University Avenue (one block W. of Park) (along bus lines 1, 3, 10 and 11
VOTER REGISTRATIONS:
The SD Voter Group expect to set a new record for voter registrations of over 1,000 during the Gay Pride festival this weekend. The is always one of the richest opportunities for registration of new voters. In the last few years registrations run overwhelmingly in favor of the Democrats. You can participate in this effort.
See separate article in this newsletter.
PARKING:
Remember, parking is difficult in this area on Pride morning... consider parking near/on Robinson Avenue and walking a few blocks. Be prepared to "hurry up and wait" as the march itself starts around noon and often concludes around 2:30ish. Also, be prepared to either walk back from Balboa Park after the march, or take the numerous pedicabs available.
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