San Francisco kicks off Gay Pride Celebration

Hundreds of thousands of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders converged on the city by the bay this weekend for the 31st Annual Pride Parade and Celebration.

‘Last year’s event had three-quarters of a million people, so we are projecting that we’re going to have close to a million at (this year’s) event,’ said Cecilia Chung, Gay Pride Parade president.

Rainbow flags flapped in the breeze along Market Street as the celebration began Saturday at noon with the Stand Against Hate rally, which kicked off on the main stage downtown near City Hall.

‘Today is pride and protest day,’ said Chung, who’s transgender. ‘Usually, there are political speakers, including some transgender activists.’

The rally also featured a domestic partners commitment ceremony, which is an annual tradition, Chung said.

Later in the afternoon, lesbians marched in the Dyke Festival and March at Dolores Park.

And more than 10,000 people were set to participate in Sunday’s parade. This year’s theme is ‘Queerific.’

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, drag queens sporting elaborate costumes, along with more than 200 community and youth organizations and marching bands have signed up for the parade.

Following the parade, the celebration at Civic Center plaza will feature 10 stages of entertainment.

This year’s event will feature several new additions and promises more diversity than ever and a more family friendly environment, organizers said.

‘We have the first ever women’s stage and the first ever African-American stage,’ Chung said. ‘And this is the second year for the Asian and Pacific Islander stage.’

The new women’s stage, which is called ‘Nectar,’ will feature a poetry performance, dancing and the music of groups like The Butchies and KinnieStarr.

The African-American stage, named ‘The Soul of Pride,’ and sponsored by the Black Brothers Esteem Program, will feature gospel, soul and hip-hop music.

‘We’ll even have a gay mayor that day,’ said Teddy Witherington, Gay Pride Parade executive director. Since Mayor Willie Brown will be out of town Sunday, Witherington said openly gay Supervisor Mark Leno will be ‘mayor for the day.’

Leno is one of the parade’s five grand marshals.