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While there are literally hundreds of LGBT events and activities in San Francisco year-round, the month of June is, in particular, the season for Pride.
This year’s theme is "Stand Up, Stand Out, Stand Proud," reflecting the community’s continuing political fight for equal rights. Many events begin Saturday, June 25 with music and performances by the San Francisco Opera, which makes its debut at this year’s LGBT Pride Weekend; Glide Memorial Chorus, and a choral extravaganza of local choirs in San Francisco’s Civic Center from noon to 6 pm.
The San Francisco Dyke March begins with a rally and stage show at Dolores Park beginning at 3 pm on Saturday as well. Opening blessings and rituals include Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits; bands, dancing and spoken word poets are also slated. The march leaves Dolores Park at 7 pm. For more details and a list of performers, visit www.dykemarch.org.
On Sunday the Pride parade starts its march up Market Street from Beale to Eighth Street at 10:30 am on Sunday, June 26 and the Civic Center again hosts a celebration from noon to 7 pm including Third Eye Blind, Betty, Kimberly Locke, and main stage headliner, En Vogue on Sunday following the conclusion of the parade. For online event information visit www.sfpride.org.
San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau President John Marks notes, "We are thrilled to see the event continue to gain momentum just as the City continues its significant economic recovery and general tourism arrivals continue to swing upwards."
Through July 1 City Hall is the site of two LGBTQ exhibits opposite the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS), Room 260. "A Movement Chronicled" includes coverage of the emergence of gay pride from 1918 to now; "Spouses for Life" is a wedding album capturing photos and stories of newlyweds.
Notable LGBT performance art includes "Whoop-Dee-Doo!" at the New Conservatory Theatre Center May 21-June 25, "Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte" at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre June 4-August 31, and "Watch Me Shine – A Musical History of the Gay & Lesbian Experience," Michael’s Octavia Lounge, June 15-25. For a searchable directory of San Francisco’s arts scene, visit www.sfarts.org.
Among other events is the National Queer Arts Festival, June 1-30, www.queerculturalcenter.org. The 29th San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival takes place June 16-26. For details, visit www.frameline.org. The James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center at the San Francisco Public Library celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special exhibit, "Out at the Library," June 18-October 16. Many personal and historically significant stories are told through the exhibition, including that of Dr. Mary Walker who posed as a man during the Civil War in order to practice medicine. For exhibit details and other special events associated with the exhibition, visit www.sfpl.org. An ongoing exhibit at the GLBT Historical Society, 657 Mission St., "Sporting Life," tells the story of GLBT athletes and how on and off the fields of play they changed the face of competitive sports. For information, visit www.glbthistory.org.
In conjunction with GLBT Pride Week, the American Conservatory Theater also presents its biggest "Out with A.C.T." reception following the June 22 evening performance of Edward Albee’s "The Goat Or, Who is Sylvia?" The party is free to ticket holders for the June 22 performance.; mention "Out with A.C.T. when purchasing tickets. Details are available at www.act-sf.org. The SS Jeremiah O’Brien has scheduled a GLBT Pride Cruise on June 24 from 10 am to 4 pm; for details, visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
The Golden Gate Business Association, San Francisco’s LGBT chamber of commerce, is spreading its advertising slogan across the country this month, encouraging people of all demographics to "Come Out Here!"
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