By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/19/15 – Long Beach Pride 2025, held on May 17 and 18 at Marina Green Park, marked a return to the festival’s grassroots origins, emphasizing local talent, community engagement, and inclusivity. The event’s theme, “The Power of Community,” resonated throughout the weekend, highlighting the collective strength and unity of the LGBTQ+ community.
Festival Highlights
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Founders Stage Performances: The main stage featured a diverse lineup, including HYM the Rapper, George Michael Reborn Tribute, Tori Kay, Jewels Drag Show Extravaganza, Secret Service, Tiancho, and DJs BSelecta, Icy Ice, and 360.
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Diverse Music Offerings: Attendees enjoyed various musical genres across multiple stages, from Latinx bands like Mamboson to 80s/90s hits by Radio Royalty.
Themed Experiences: The festival featured unique zones such as the EDM Tent: The Fairies’ Dance Area, Queer Country with DJ Rick and The Wranglers, and the TransVisibility space, showcasing art and performances by trans artists.
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Community-Centric Spaces: Teen Pride offered a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth, while the Health Hub provided free testing and wellness resources. Recovery and support spaces, including NA/AA meetings, were also available.
Commitment to Local Talent
This year’s festival emphasized local performers, artists, and activists, reflecting Long Beach Pride’s dedication to community involvement. Elsa Martinez, Interim President of Long Beach Pride, stated, “This year, more than ever, we’re celebrating the strength, creativity, and unity of our local community.”
Sponsor
THT caught up with our friend Leslie Barclay, LGBTQ+ Specialist at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and alcohol sponsor for Long Beach Pride. She shared, “Diageo has been a dedicated sponsor for many years and is proud to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community—next up, we’re looking forward to West Hollywood Pride!”
OUTSIDE THE PARK GROUNDS – JENNIFER CORDAY SHINES AT SHENANIGAN’S DURING LONG BEACH PRIDE 2025
Long Beach native Jennifer Corday delivered a standout performance at Shenanigan’s on Sunday, May 18, during Long Beach Pride 2025. The venue was packed, the dance floor was buzzing, and the energy was electric as Corday captivated the crowd with her signature blend of acoustic, pop, rock, and country.
“What a fantastic gig — and what a great crowd!” Corday said. “It was packed, which only made things more fun on the dance floor.”
Although she wasn’t booked to perform on the festival’s official stages this year, Corday drew a strong crowd just steps away from Marina Green Park, reminding everyone of her enduring connection to the community and her strong local following.
“As someone born and raised in Long Beach, performing here always means a lot,” she shared. “I performed on the Main Stage last year and on the Country Stage the two previous years.”
Rumors among Pride-goers suggest the 2025 festival may have faced funding challenges, possibly due to waning corporate sponsorships linked to shifting national sentiments around DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). While unconfirmed, this is a topic that may warrant clarification from the Pride Board and we are waiting on a response.
Still, Corday made the most of Pride weekend. Her Sunday night set at Shenanigan’s—a beloved local spot owned by Theresa and her mother (names coming)—was a joyful homecoming.
“Shenanigans has been great to me for many years,” Corday said. “They’re super supportive of musicians and have live bands every weekend. I’ve also promoted Pride parties at Harvelle’s and Shannon’s at the Top, but it was a blast getting back to Shenanigan’s—that’s where it all started.”
Corday’s performance featured a mix of original songs and classic covers that deeply resonated with the crowd. Known for her fun, magnetic stage presence and authentic storytelling, she’s cultivated a loyal fanbase within the queer community. Her music—often described as “acoustic pop rock”—blends grit, heart, and high energy in a way that’s both personal and universal.
Beyond her music, Corday is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility. She’s spoken openly about her experiences as a queer artist and has used her platform to address issues like homophobia in the music industry and the importance of authentic representation.
Over the years, she’s played Pride festivals across the country—from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Atlanta and Buffalo—but says there’s nothing quite like performing at home.
Whether you caught her live this weekend or not, Corday’s music remains available on all major streaming platforms—offering fans a chance to experience the energy and heart she brings to every performance.
Conclusion
Long Beach Pride 2025, though quite smaller than in the past, successfully blended entertainment with advocacy, offering a vibrant celebration that honored the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and unity. The event not only provided entertainment but also reinforced the importance of community support and inclusivity.
