{"id":320453,"date":"2026-05-17T22:06:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T22:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/320453\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T22:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T22:06:24","slug":"massive-california-pride-celebration-called-off-at-last-minute-as-organizers-condemn-citys-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/320453\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive California Pride celebration called off at last minute as organizers condemn city\u2019s decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the largest Pride festivals in the country has been canceled hours before it was set to begin and organizers are slamming the city for the decision, saying it sends the \u201cwrong message\u201d at a critical time for the LGBTQ community<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 42nd annual Long Beach Pride Festival was set to kick off on Friday night, with several day-long events planned on Saturday through Sunday with DJ\u2019s, music, and live performances, drag show, and a ball, per the website. Typically the 3-day-long festival draws up to 80,000 attendees.<\/p>\n

In a statement on Friday from the city<\/a>, officials said that the weekend-long festival \u2014 known as the third-largest Pride celebration<\/a> in the state \u2014 was being canceled \u201cas sufficient information to safely permit the event has not been made available by the event organizers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Long Beach Pride Festival has been cancelled. Alberto Sibaja\/Pacific Press\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

An Instagram post from @supjanicehahn discussing the Long Beach Pride festival cancellation. Instagram\/@supjanicehahn<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

People in a Long Beach Pride Parade holding a banner that reads \u201cCelebrating Pride Diversity Community!\u201d and \u201cQueen Mary Cares\u201d Alberto Sibaja\/Pacific Press\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

It also said that over the last few months, it had worked with the group to safely put on the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite continued collaboration and multiple deadline notices, the City did not receive the required documentation needed to complete safety reviews, inspect critical event infrastructure, such as the stage, electrical systems and tent, and emergency exiting plans to ensure compliance with public safety standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith event programming scheduled to begin today, May 15 at 5 p.m. with Teen Pride and essential information still outstanding, there is no longer sufficient time to safely permit the festival this year,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

\"Officials<\/p>\n

Officials said it was being canceled \u201cas sufficient information to safely permit the event has not been made available by the event organizers.\u201d Alberto Sibaja\/Pacific Press\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The group also said that canceling the festival sends \u201cthe wrong message\u201d and tells those in the community \u201cthat their safety, visibility, and celebration are negotiable.\u201d Alberto Sibaja\/Pacific Press\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

The President of Long Beach Pride, Tonya Martin, issued a statement<\/a> condemning the move by the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong Beach pride is deeply, deeply disappointed in the city\u2019s decision to cancel the Long Beach Pride Festival. A long standing community event and institution built by volunteers sustained by love and rooted in belief that every person deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n

The group said that for more than four decades they have stood as the symbol of \u201cvisibility, resilience, and belonging\u201d for the LGBTQ+ community and said this move by the city comes at a time when the community \u201cis being targeted and made vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLong Beach should be doing more to protect and uplift us, not taking away one of the most visible and meaningful expressions of inclusion our city has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The group that puts on the festival said the city needs to do more to protect the community. Instagram\/@lbpride<\/p>\n

\u201cThis decision comes at a moment when LGBTQ+ people are facing escalating attacks from the current federal administration and from political forces across the country,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

The group also said that canceling the festival sends \u201cthe wrong message\u201d and tells those in the community \u201cthat their safety, visibility, and celebration are negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt undermines decades of volunteer work and community trust. And it weakens the very values Long Beach claims to champion,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

Martin also called on the city leader Mayor Rex Richardson and other city officials to \u201cengage in good faith with Long Beach Pride\u201d to find a \u201cpath forward that preserves the festival and protects the community.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles county Supervisor Janice Hahn, a sponsor of the event, also expressed her disappointment in a statement to The California Post.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong Beach Pride has been a beacon of joy, pride, and acceptance for decades. While I am happy that the Pride parade will go on as planned, I am disappointed that the festival has been canceled.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city noted that the annual Long Beach Pride Parade<\/a> that it hosts is still planned to happen on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The city noted that the annual Long Beach Pride Parade that it hosts is still planned to happen on Sunday. Alberto Sibaja\/Pacific Press\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city is proud to fully fund and produce the parade, which continues to be a cornerstone celebration of the LGBTQ+ community,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe City looks forward to joining residents, visitors and Long Beach Pride along the parade route. Many restaurants, bars and LGBTQ+-affirming businesses in vibrant Downtown Long Beach and along Broadway will also be hosting celebrations throughout the weekend, and the City encourages the community to show their support by visiting them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: <\/a>Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n