The annual Los Angeles Pride parade has been cancelled this year and will be replaced with a political rally to protest the Trump administration.
Organisers Christopher Street West have teamed up with the LGBT Resist March to plan the event which is expected to attract between 250,000-500,000 marchers.
The West Hollywood rally will be held in conjunction with dozens of LGBT+ marches scheduled around the United States, including a National Pride March in Washington, DC.
“Instead of a Pride Parade meant to celebrate our past progress, we are going to march to ensure all our futures,” the event’s Facebook page reads.
“Just as we did in 1970's first LGBTQ+ Pride, we are going to march in unity with those who believe that America's strength is its diversity.
“Not just LGBTQ+ people but all Americans and dreamers will be wrapped in the Rainbow Flag and our unique, diverse, intersectional voices will come together in one harmonised proclamation.”
Christopher Street West member Brian Pendleton told the LA Times that the June 11 march aims to channel the spirit of the first Los Angeles Pride march in 1970.
“We’re getting back to our roots,” he said. “We will be resisting forces that want to roll back our rights and politicians who want to make us second-class citizens.”
“It’s about marching for human rights, which are a Republican concept and a Democratic concept," he continued. “We’re changing the format this year to let people know we care about human rights, whether you’re a woman, a Dreamer, or an LGBTQ person.”
