Just as many children anticipate the third week in December, members of the Southern California GLBT community anticipate the third weekend in May.

Like clockwork, it is this weekend that the unofficial GLBT holiday season known as Pride, is ushered in with the Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride festival and parade, which is typically the first Pride celebration of the year. Some even call it the best Pride event because it is one of the only Pride celebrations that is held by the beach, with the parade going right down Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, between Termino and Alamitos avenues.

This year the two-day festival will take place on the weekend of May 16 and May 17, along Shoreline Drive in Long Beach. The event theme for this year is “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights.” Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco will serve as the “Morris Kight” Political Grand Marshal of the parade that will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, along Ocean Boulevard.

Sharing in the honor of Grand Marshal will also be Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, who became heroines to many in February 2004, when their personal fight to marry became public in the California Supreme Court case Tyler vs. County of L.A. Their case became known, not only because it granted equal rights, but because it was the first time in U.S. history that gays were granted equal protection under the law.

Consequently, the County of Los Angeles granted Tyler and Olson permission to be the only couple to receive a license June 16, 2008 – the evening before licenses were available to everyone else.

The Lesbian & Gay Pride Celebration is the city’s second largest annual event, coming in right behind the Long Beach Grand Prix. This year it is expected to draw more than 70,000 visitors during the two-day period. Many of the traditions of previous Pride celebrations will continue. With seven stage and dance areas and more than 200 vendors, attendees are sure to have a great time.

The Main Stage will feature an eclectic range of entertainment, including headliners such as Smash Mouth, Ari Gold, and Kat DeLuna on Saturday, and Sara Bareilles and Jazmine Sullivan on Sunday. The Dance Stage area will feature a special appearance by Niki Harris and the Perry Twins. The Fiesta Calienta Stage will feature Laura Leon, Olga Tanon and Vilma Diaz. Great acts and music are also planned for the Urban Soul, Country, Interfaith and Coffee House stage areas.