The Venice sign at Pacific and Windward, which reflects the event or the season, will, for the first time, go “rainbow” Friday night in celebration of Venice’s First LGBTQ Pride Weekend. The lights will stay rainbow for the month of June in celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month. (The added “Q” to the alphabet pride weekend name stands for questioning or questionable, just in case you questioned the use of the “Q.”)
For a history of how this weekend came about and the part Danny Samakow, owner of Danny’s restaurant, former Councilman Bill Rosendahl, Roosterfish played in conception of this Gay Pride weekend, read the 2 June edition of the Argonaut “Pride Lives On.”
Councilman Mike Bonin and a special guest will light the historic Venice sign.
“I am excited and elated to be a part of the first Venice LGBT Pride celebration,” said Bonin, who represents Venice and is one of three openly gay elected officials currently serving in Los Angeles. “For more than 100 years, Venice has been known as a place of diversity and tolerance. For decades, it was a home and a safe haven for the gay community, and having a special pride celebration in Venice is long overdue. I am particularly grateful to Grant Turck and Daniel Samakow for conceiving the event, and to George Francisco and so many others who are working with them to make it happen.”
The Venice Pride Sign Lighting and Block Party will benefit The Trevor Project, and is hosted by Bonin, the Venice Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles. In addition to the sign lighting ceremony, more than 1,000 expected guests will enjoy a free block party with music by DJ Victor Rodriguez. The event will also feature special posthumous recognition of Bill Rosendahl, the first openly gay man elected to the Los Angeles City Council, as well as an award for 17-year-old Shear Avory, a trans youth advocate and organizer. The event was conceived by Daniel Samakow and Grant Turk and made possible through the partnership of Bonin and Venice Chamber of Commerce Vice President George Francisco.
WHO:
Mike Bonin, Los Angeles City Councilmember, Council District 11
Grant Turck, Co-Chair, Venice Pride
George Francisco, Co-Chair, Venice Pride
Daniel Samakow, Owner, Danny’s Venice
Shear Avory, Trans Youth Advocate and Organizer, Venice Pride Pioneer Award Recipient
Victor Rodriguez, DJ
WHEN: Friday, June 3, 2016
7:00 pm Block Party
7:45 pm Pre-lighting Ceremony
8:15 pm Sign Lighting
8:20 pm Block Party continues
WHERE: Windward Avenue (between Pacific Avenue and Park Row)
121 Windward Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
