Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. (LBLGP,
Inc.) was established in October 1983 and produced the first
annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival & Parade
in June of 1984. The Board of Directors felt that, with such
a large Gay & Lesbian population, there was a need to increase
awareness and to promote PRIDE and a greater sense of self-worth
within the Community. Additionally, the Board felt it important
to facilitate greater cooperation, mutual respect and understanding
between the Lesbian & Gay Community and the community of
Long Beach.
At first, money to meet the city's stringent
fees was in short supply. Yet, after producing only two parades
and festivals, LBLGP, Inc. began making outright grants to other
nonprofit organizations. Shortly after that, LBLGP, Inc. began
donating funds to their volunteer's favorite charities. The
amount of this contribution is based on the number of hours
volunteers work at the parade and festival. Today, LBLGP, Inc.
continues the tradition of giving back a portion of the proceeds,
which has become the hallmark of our organization. For over
more than a decade now, LBLGP, Inc. has grown to become the
large philanthropic organization that it is today--- having
granted over a Half Million dollars in the past five years and
nearly One Million since its inception.
While the main project of Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride,
Inc. is the annual Pride Parade & Festival, the organization
operates year-round and sponsors other philanthropic projects.
Since the beginning, LBLGP, Inc. has spearheaded a toy drive
for disabled and disadvantaged children. In 1994 alone, the
toy drive collected over 1500 toys distributed in cooperation
with Catholic Charities.
Over the past several years, the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay
Pride Festival & Parade has become the 3rd largest in the
nation, now attracting over 75,000 participants over the two-day
celebration. More than 200 marching groups and floats comprise
the parade entries since 1995, representing various religious,
human service, governmental and social organizations.
