West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land, hosting an LA Pride reception at the Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip Wednesday (5 June), took to the microphone and uttered the line of the night: ‘I want to thank you in advance for all the fun you will have and all the money you will spend.’

It is a weekend where hundreds of thousands of people descend upon West Hollywood for one of America’s largest LGBT celebrations.

‘It’s so exciting to feel the energy that started a week ago and goes through Sunday,’ Land also said.

The three-day festival, presented by the organization Christopher Street West, officially kicks off with the Purple Party on Friday 7 June and will continue through Saturday and Sunday at West Hollywood Park.

Rodney Scott, LA Pride director, talked to Gay Star News at the Mondrian about the significance of this year’s event taking place in the weeks before the US Supreme Court issues its ruling in cases challenging California’s Proposition 8 and the US Defense of Marriage Act.

With partygoers all around him, Scott turned completely serious and said: ‘We’re going to show up saying, "I value myself, I value my community and I value what I’m about."’

He added: ‘In our country, a civil rights movement has never failed and we won’t be the first.’

With that message in mind, the Sunday morning parade – always a highlight of LA Pride – will include some heroes to the LGBT community.

NFL player Brendan Ayanbadejo, who is LA Pride’s George Moscone Ally Award honoree for his outspoken support of marriage equality, will ride in the parade and give autographs and pose for photos inside the festival on Sunday at 3:30 pm next to the Main Stage.

Also in the parade will be Person Of The Year Award honoree US Congressman Mark Takano who is the first openly gay, non-white member of Congress and Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, the first openly gay male member on the council and the highest-ranked openly gay official in Los Angeles.

Rosendahl is leaving office in June and is being honored by LA Pride with the Morris Kight Lifetime Achievement Award.

The parade travels along Santa Monica Boulevard starting at Cresent Heights Street and ending at Robertson Boulevard. The Grand Marshal is Maria Menounos, host of the syndicated entertainment show Extra. The Community Grand Marshall is The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.

Among the festival entertainment on tap: The Pointer Sisters, Judith Hill, Ciara, Kat Deluna, and OV7.

Gay Star News is a global media sponsor of this year’s LA Pride and will be providing coverage of events throughout the weekend.

Tickets to the LA PRIDE Festival can be purchased at: www.lapride.org.