Oakland Pride to Have Inaugural Parade

The fifth incarnation of Oakland Pride is coming up later this month and, to mark the occasion, there will be a parade.

Carlos Uribe, an Oakland Pride board member, said that the organization wanted to do "something bigger" to mark the festival's fifth anniversary since the event was relaunched in 2010 following a seven-year hiatus.

"We felt it was the right next step," he said.

Oakland Pride is a nonprofit organization that works with Oakland and neighboring East Bay communities to ensure equal rights to the LGBTQ community. This year's parade and festival take place Sunday, August 31, over the Labor Day weekend like previous years.

In a news release, Uribe said that the organization "has worked hard to create an event that not only represents the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community but one that serves to highlight the success, challenges, and the families that make up who we are."

This year's theme, "Pride is Oakland. Oakland is Pride," is similar to last year's, which was so popular that the board wanted to use it again, officials said.

"We received such a wonderful response to the theme," Oakland Pride board Chair Amber Todd said in an email. "So many people love it that we decided to use it again and just switch it around a little. It is a reflection of our pride in our city, our pride in who we are, and our pride in our community."

Organizers hope to welcome nearly 50,000 people to the parade and festival. The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. at Broadway and 14th Street downtown, and heads to the festival site five blocks away at Broadway and 20th Street in the Uptown neighborhood. There is no cost to watch the parade, though grandstand seating will be available for $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. Access is free for persons with disabilities.

Originally called East Bay Pride, the festival was organized in part by former Oakland City Councilmember Danny Wan, who started the LGBT Roundtable working group when he was on the council. The first festival was held in 1997.

East Bay Pride was eventually displaced by the city's multi-day Art and Soul Festival and a lack of funds. Art and Soul then changed its dates, freeing up Labor Day weekend.

In 2008, lesbian Oakland City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan led an effort to bring back the LGBT Roundtable. Oakland Pride, which came out of those meetings, was organized two years later.

Oakland Pride's website states that the roundtable, along with members of the LGBT community, decided to bring the Pride celebration back "for the long term and advocate for LGBT rights and interests, including the development of the first LGBTQ community center in Oakland for everyone." To date, the community center remains a long-term goal.

In a phone interview, Kaplan, who is running for mayor this year, said that Pride not only helps the local economy but it also stands as a testament to the power of the LGBTQ community.

"It's more grassroots-based and very supportive of the local community," she said.

What makes Oakland Pride unique from other Pride festivals is that it caters to a different crowd.

"We are regarded as the most family-friendly Pride," Todd explained. "We are a satellite center for a day in a community that does not have a centralized location for LGBT services," said Todd.

The festival is one of northern California's biggest Pride parties. Last year over 30,000 people attended the festival. The San Francisco Business Times estimated that Oakland's LGBT population is 40,000.

The budget for the parade and the festival is around $300,000.

In an email, Uribe that funding for Pride comes from a variety of sources, including sponsors, fundraising by the all-volunteer board, booth/vendor sales, gate receipts, and community donations. Last year the organization broke even on the festival at around $250,000, Uribe said.

Stages, Headliners

The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., will have a main stage, joined by the womyn's and Latin stages and one of the most popular venues, the family and children's garden. There will also be an area for seniors.

Oakland's own Grammy-nominated artist, Sheila E., will be the headlining performer. Her hits include "The Glamorous Life," "A Love Bizarre," and "Erotic City" (with Prince).

The easiest way to get to Oakland Pride, organizers said, is to take BART and exit at the 12th Street/City Center station for the parade, or the 19th Street station for the festival.

Admission to the festival is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under.

Oakland-based streaming music company Pandora is among numerous sponsors, which also include Tesla Motors, Whole Foods Market, Clear Channel Radio, Kaiser Permanente, and the Golden State Warriors.

Past Pride festivals have resulted in few problems, but the Oakland Police Department and security personnel will be on hand as usual.

In the news release, Uribe said that volunteers are still needed for the parade and festival. People can also register parade contingents by visiting http://www.oaklandpride.org/parade_map

"I encourage everybody to come," said Kaplan.

Kaplan also said that the festival has "a very friendly and welcoming environment."

Todd encouraged people who have not been to Oakland Pride before to check it out this year.

"To those who think they have seen what all Prides have to offer and have not taken the time to attend our event, I challenge you to attend Oakland Pride and tell me if it is not one of the best festivals around," said Todd.

Related Pride weekend events include the Oakland Pride Creative Arts and Film festival and the Oakland Pride Block Party.

Additionally, a gala fundraiser will take place Saturday, August 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Betti Ono Gallery, 1427 Broadway. Tickets are $75 in advance or $100 at the door.

For more information on Oakland Pride, go to www.oaklandpride.org or check its Facebook page, at "Oakland Pride and Parade 2014."