San Diego LBGT 2009 Pride: “Stonewall 2.0 – Activism for Equality,” will take place this weekend, July 18-19. The theme commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City while embracing today’s new generation of GLBT grassroots activists and the methods they’ve used for mobilizing attention to equal rights.

Billed as San Diego’s largest, most colorful and exciting event, the 35th Annual LGBT Pride Parade, will take place on Saturday, July 18, stepping off at 11 a.m.

The parade will travel the “rainbow mile” down University Avenue at Normal Street to Sixth Avenue at Upas Street. (The “rainbow mile” actually clocks in at about a mile and a half, but who’s counting?) Almost 175 decorated contingents will traverse the route, as close to 150,000 spectators cheer them on. Expect to see banners, cars, drag kings and queens, dykes on bikes, politicians, sponsors, community groups, students, parents, people of color, old people, young people and everything in between. The parade is a testament to the true diversity of our community.

San Diego LGBT Pride welcomes NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder Cleve Jones as the grand marshal to its 2009 parade lineup.

Jones currently works with UNITE HERE, an international union representing workers in the hotel, restaurant and textile industries in an effort to strengthen the growing coalition between labor leaders and the GLBT community.

Jones, a globally recognized human rights activist, emerged onto the gay-rights scene in San Francisco during the turbulent 70s, while working as an intern for the late Harvey Milk. After Milk’s tragic assassination in 1978, Jones went on to work as a legislative consultant for California State Assembly Speakers Leo T. McCarthy and Willie L. Brown Jr., an experience that ultimately groomed him to serve three terms on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

Serving as a celebrity grand marshal is The Lady Chablis. Famous for her comedic performances at Club One in Savannah, and for playing herself in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The Lady Chablis brings a rousing dose of Southern-style wit and glamour to this year’s San Diego Pride parade.

The parade will also feature two community grand marshals – The San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality and The San Diego Equality Campaign (SDEC). The San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality was founded by a group of young activists during a Proposition 8 debriefing at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, shortly after the Nov. 4 elections. Its mission in the face of the state amendment’s passage: “To fight for LGBT rights, including marriage equality.”

The San Diego Equality Campaign (SDEC) was born from the massive local response to the passage of California’s Proposition 8, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry within our state. From that response event on Nov. 15, new local transplant Sara Beth Brooks spearheaded organizers to form SDEC, which has since conducted marches and candlelight vigils calling for direct action for GLBT rights.

This year’s parade will include a record number of reviewing stands placed along the route with community leaders, entertainers, and local personalities and radio stations emceeing the parade. Again this year will be The Deaf Pride reviewing stand presented by San Diego Youth and Community Services, where ASL interpreters will be provided. San Diego Pride also has a Braille Pride Guide available for the blind.

With 150,000 descending on the already crowded Hillcrest neighborhood, parking is non-existent. Pride will provide free shuttle service to and from the parade route from two locations. Parade shuttles will run to the parade route between 7:15-11 a.m. from the Old Navy Hospital parking lot located at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way, and from the north lot of the County Administration Building at West Grape Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Riders will be dropped off at the start of the parade route and will be free to enjoy the event without worrying about any parking hassles. Shuttles will return to the pick-up sites or the Pride Festival Site beginning at 2 p.m.

Immediately following the parade, crowds will descend on Balboa Park’s Marston Point for the two-day Pride festival, July 18 and 19.

The Pride festival will include a number of attractions including entertainment, dance parties, beverage gardens, community information booths, vendors, a Ferris wheel, youth and children’s area, adult-oriented areas, and more. San Diego Pride continues to make changes and upgrades to the festival each year to ensure a fresh, exciting experience for everyone. More than 90 performers will entertain the crowds on the stages, as popular San Diego DJs rock the outdoor stages.

Tickets to the San Diego LGBT Pride Festival are $20 for one day and $30 for two days, which includes access to all entertainment and attractions within the festival grounds. For the first time ever, festival-goers can purchase tickets online at www.sandiegopride.org, print them out, and show them at the gate. This is the best way to avoid the long lines that typically are seen at the front gate.

Children 15-years and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian, and seniors and students (age 16-24) get in for just $10 (these discounted tickets are only available at the Pride office or festival gates).

Active-duty members of the military must present valid ID at the ticket sales gate to receive a special ticket and free admission.

Tickets may also be purchased at the San Diego LGBT Pride office, or from several community organizations that are selling tickets as a fundraiser, including The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Tickets will also be sold at the main gate to the Pride festival.

July is one of the hottest months in San Diego. Spending hours outdoors in the heat can be hazardous to your health. While it is tempting to bare as much skin as possible during Pride weekend, remember to protect that beautiful body! Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses and drink lots of water. Many Pride revelers tend to overindulge in alcohol and forget to remain hydrated with H20. Should you meet an out-of-town hottie during the weekend and end up in bed, remember to practice safe sex!

Last, be sure to celebrate the community’s many milestones this year – smile and wish everyone Happy Pride!