‘Weekend of Fun’ on Tap for 9th Annual Gay, Lesbian Pride Festival

In 1995, there was a celebration of gay and lesbian families. In 1996, commitment ceremonies between same-sex partners took center stage.

The ninth annual Orange County Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration, Saturday and Sunday at UC Irvine’s Aldrich Park, stresses something more simple: fun.

“This year it’s let’s just go out and have a great time in the park,” event spokeswoman Brenda J. Baker said. “Let’s have a blowout weekend of fun and let everybody be who they are. That’s what pride festivals are all about; you hold your partner’s hand, do what you want, without getting ridiculed or beat up.”

Organizers expect to draw 15,000 people with an art show, live concerts, dancing, food, a coffee house, karaoke, book signings, concession stands, vendors, support groups and a host of organizations that cater to the needs of gays and lesbians.

Participants include Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a support service for parents with gay children; Evangelicals Concerned-Laguna Beach, a fellowship of gay Christians; Orange County Human Relations Council; Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club; Log Cabin Republican Club, and AIDS Services Foundation.

Events on Sunday include a noontime Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade led by one of the few openly gay elected officials ever in Orange County, Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Libby Cowan.

The parade will take place on Campus Drive, between Berkeley Avenue and Bridge Road.

Saturday’s events will be more “relaxed,” Baker said.

“People who are more closeted come out [to the event] because there’s not that much media,” she said. “They feel safer Saturday.”

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass.

Information: (714) 637-PROUD.