Scantily clad dancers perform in the San Diego Pride Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
In contrast to last year’s rain-sodden event, about 100,000 spectators celebrated Saturday’s San Diego LGBT Pride Parade in Hillcrest with plenty of skin under sunny skies.
Despite the festive spirit of the annual Pride Parade, the shooting deaths in a gay bar in Orlando, Florida are on the minds of participants and spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
About 200 marching units, some waving rainbow flags, took part in the 1.1-mile parade through the heart of San Diego’s gay community. The parade headed west on University Avenue from its start at Normal Street, took a left on Sixth Avenue and headed south to the end at Laurel Street in Balboa Park.
This year’s parade included U.S. Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning — the first openly gay leader of a U.S. military service branch — leading the military contingent as an honorary grand marshal.
The San Diego Padres had a contingent in the parade for the first time. The Padres were involved in a controversy earlier this season when the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus attempted to sing the national anthem before a game and was drowned out by a prerecorded song. The Padres later apologized for the incident, blaming human error.
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom was an honorary grand marshal. He was joined by several other elected officials, political candidates, a law enforcement contingent, civic organizations, nonprofit groups, city school officials and the Pride Youth Marching Band.
A two-day music festival began as the parade stepped off. The featured performer, Kesha, was scheduled to take to the main stage at about 8 p.m. Saturday.
Despite the festive spirit of the annual Pride Parade, the shooting deaths in a gay bar in Orlando, Florida are on the minds of participants and spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
The shooting deaths in a gay bar in Orlando, Florida were on the minds of spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy personnel walk in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A spectator is dressed for the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer waves to the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
Security was increased for the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas walks in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
U.S. Rep. Susan Davis rides in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A man rides a float dressed as a mermaid. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria, who is running for state Assembly, rode in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Assembly Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins, running for state Senate, holds a sign supporting Councilman Todd Gloria. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators gather along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
Religious organizations carried messages of inclusion. Photo by Chris Stone
Motorcycle rider burns colored smoke at the start of the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators reach for bags of beads tossed their way. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the San Diego Women’s Chorus make bubbles for the spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
Former and current military members marched in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Participants wear wings during the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A parade participant blows a kiss to a spectator. Photo by Chris Stone
Participants carry signs in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of One Community takes part in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of churches marched with a message of inclusion. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Leather Contingent waves from a truck. Photo by Chris Stone
A marcher gives out samples. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office cheer from a truck. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl marches with participants from SDSU. Photo by Chris Stone
Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez, president of the San Diego Community College District, marches with employees of the district. Photo by Chris Stone
Terry Love with Dr. Bronner’s Soap celebrates from atop a truck. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence walks in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Participants are soaped up in the Dr. Bronner’s moving shower. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the ACLU march with signs. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators cheer a float as it passes. Photo by Chris Stone
An actor with Aroundabout Theater Company enjoys the ride down the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
A participant is soaped up in the Dr. Bronner’s moving shower. Photo by Chris Stone
A participant with white wings marches in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
US Bank employees celebrate during the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The shooting deaths in a gay bar, Pulse, in Orlando, Florida were on the minds of spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
A nember of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence walks in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A police officer handed a spectator a flower along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
Love was the theme of the San Diego Pride Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning (right) with his partner, Ben Masri-Cohen, was grand marshal of the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The Leather Contingent took part in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
The shooting deaths in a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, were on the minds of spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
Scantily clad dancers perform in the San Diego Pride Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Love was the theme of the San Diego Pride Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
