If you are looking for ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in Los Angeles in 2023, but you’re not super into big parties or parades, look no further. Whether you’re looking to get crafty, dive deeper into queer and trans history, or enjoy the outdoors, we’ve got you covered.
Looking for some alternative options for celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride in Los Angeles?
Pride month is certainly a fun time of year in Los Angeles, but for some of us it can be a bit overwhelming from a social perspective. We’re all different, so we all celebrate differently, and Pride is no exception.
While there’s nothing wrong with a big party or a parade, events like those aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Thankfully in a city like LA, there are many queer events and celebrations taking place in June and beyond. There’s truly something for everyone.
Read on for our list of 21 activities in and around Los Angeles to celebrate being LGBTQ+:
If you’re a crafty queer:
POT Studios LA Drop In Wheel Pride Edition
June 30th, 2023 | 7:00-9:00 pm | POT Gardens 3228 W. Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018
The Stella Nova team learned to throw pottery at POT during our SoCal team retreat last Fall. It was the first place that came to mind for me as perfect for an alternative Pride celebration! This group of Los Angeles ceramics studios prioritize spaces for people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and beginners.
“A special PRIDE edition of our popular one-time introductory wheel throwing class, for the queer community! In this workshop we will take you step-by-step through the basics of wheel throwing for beginners. No experience required! All materials, firing and glazing included to keep your own piece.”
Pride Paint + Sip
June 30th, 2023 | 7:00-10:00 pm | 935 Wall Street Los Angeles, CA 90015
“Your favorite Pride Event: Paint + Sip is BACK with another spicy art class where you learn to paint with live n*de models! Join us on June 30th @ Marmalade Studios for a spicy painting class celebrating queer love. This safe and inclusive space will feature two live nude models from our community to pose for us as we reimagine them on the canvas. As usual, all materials are included and no experience is necessary!
Making Space: Pride Themed Zine Making and Printmaking
June 29th, 2023 | 5:30-7:00 pm | 4757 York Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90042
“Rory and Cielo will be leading participants through a zine making and printmaking activity as well as providing ample space for open discussion about Queer BIPOC resistance. We will be creating while under the inspiration of our current group exhibition, for the sake of dancing in the street, which celebrates the interconnectedness of feminist and queer resistance. Featured artists include LASTESIS, Morehshin Allahyari, and Yasmine Nasser Diaz.”
If you’re more of an indoor person
It’s Reading… ✨RAINBOW
June 29th, 2023 | 5:30-8:00 pm | Chinatown Branch Library 639 North Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
“Celebrate Pride with your Queer Asian Fam. Be inspired by coming out stories, learn how to slay a runway walk, and ground yourself in all of your wonderful identities. All folks of all ages and sides of the spectrum—from confidently queer to shyly questioning—are welcome here. Bring your favorite Queer and/or Asian book to share at our show-and-tell! We can’t wait to meet you!!”
Queer Book Bazaar
June 24th, 2023 | 10:00am-5:00 pm | Plummer Park Community Center, Fiesta Hall 1166 N. Vista St. West Hollywood, California 90046
“The Queer Book Bazaar is a market and exhibition of local book dealers, independent publishers, and literary vendors. Live performances by queer musicians, dancers, and performance artists will be scheduled throughout the day on the Fiesta Hall stage.”
Take a look at some LGBTQ+ books, browse the vendors, check out some of the performances, and then scoot home to read what you find!
Zig Zag Pride Virtual Group
Every 4th Thursday | 7:00-8:30 pm | Virtual Group
“Empowered space hosted by The Los Angeles LGBT Center for the Disabled LGBTQ+ community. The group is open to all members of LGBTQ+ community with disabilities. Join us for conversation, celebrating your disabilities, abilities and pride. Build your community, share resources and a laugh. There are no fees and it is only an online event. Please, RSVP for the link or reach out to: groups@lalgbtcenter.org”
Gaymer Night
June 24th, 2023 | 5:00pm | Pomona Pride Center 386 South Thomas Street Pomona, CA 91766
“Gaymer Night is a safe space for the queer community and allies to come together for a night of games and activities! From video games (Smash Bros, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart), board games (Monopoly, Connect 4, Jenga), to queer trivia nights, we encourage gaymers and gamers alike to partake in a night full of fun, entertainment, and to create friendships with members of the community.”
If you’d like to be home early
The Manic Pixie Dream Market Candy Land Carnival: Queer Flea
June 24th, 2023 | 11:00am-5:00pm | 1110 Bates Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029
“The Manic Pixie Dream Market is a flea market in Los Angeles by queers, for queers. We are a welcoming, creative, sex positive, party loving community excited to show off our talents June 24th! Join us for our special PRIDE EDITION: We’re bringing a queer carnival to town! Shop at over 60 queer and bipoc vendors, play some carnival games, check out our inflatables, get a free face painting and MORE!”
CASUAL ~ A Queer Day Party
July 2nd, 2023 | 2:00pm-8:00pm | Siesta Day Club + Juice Bar @ 101 Cider House 119 Wilhardt Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
“CASUAL ~ A Queer Day Party featuring your fave queer + trans DJs playing hip-hop, afrobeat, amapiano and more! Your favorite queer day party is back Sounds by Deesco, Hoeteps, Terrell Brooke, and Chinua! Join us on Sunday 7/2 for a cute daytime vibe. Doors at 2pm and DJs start at 3pm! Early arrival is suggested. Our CASUAL home is Siesta Day Club + Juice Bar ~ this space is cute AF. They offer hard ciders, juice, yerba maté, sparkling water & slushies, perfect for the daytime and for those who enjoy a yummy non-alcoholic beverage.”
If you’re feeling active
Send With Pride Rock Climbing Meetup
3rd Thursday of the Month | 7:00pm-9:00pm | Sender One Climbing LAX 11220 Hindry Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045
“Join our Send with Pride Meet Up, a safe space for LGBTQ+ folx and allies to create community and meet new climbing partners. At Sender One we strive to create positive climbing experiences for our community, supporting each member for whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression may be.”
The Power of Queer Joy – A multi-sensory experience to induce joy for LGBTQ
June 25th, 2023 | 10:00am-2:00pm | Babes of Wellness 855 West Victoria Street STE D Compton, CA 90220
“”The Power of Queer Joy” is an event that transcends boundaries, embraces diversity, and celebrates the unabashed, unapologetic delight of the queer experience. Join us as we revel in the transformative power of somatic dance, the wonder of seed planting, the evocative voices of poetry, the nourishment of community connection, and the allure of our vibrant vendor market. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss – a testament to the resilience, love, and unwavering spirit of our incredible community. Come and bask in the luminous glow of queer joy!”
Pride is about remembrance, of course, but it’s also important to celebrate queer joy whenever we can. Spark some queer joy at this event!
Rainbow Skate/Disco Night at Moonlight Rollerway
Wednesday Nights | 8:00pm-11:00pm | 5110 San Fernando Rd. Glendale, CA 91204
“LA’s premier LGBTQ+ skate night! Wednesday night all ages 8 PM to 11 PM. Admission ticket only. Skate rental available at the door ($7.00).”
Skate your heart out on Wednesday nights at this roller rink with other LGBTQ+ folks.
If you want to be outside
Los Angeles Black Pride Beach Party
July 1st, 2023 | 9:00am-6:00pm | Will Rogers State Beach
“Join us at Will Rogers State Beach chill and enjoy a Saturday Funday, with food, activities, vendors, performers and special guests, good vibes, and the beach.”
Queer Ecology Sunset Hike
June 29th, 2023 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Griffith Park
“Join me on an easy, 2 mile, 200ft elevation walk through the lushest section of Griffith Park. There is water and restrooms half way along the path. Along the way we will stop a few times to discuss queer ecology.”
Sunset, queer pals, and conversations about nature sounds like a great way to spend an evening!
Queer Foraging Workshop in Culver City- Connect with Nature & the Outdoors
June 24th, 2023 | 2:00pm-4:00pm | Culver City
“Join us for a leisurely walk to find and identify edible flowers, herbs, fungi, vegetables, and fruit. Beginners welcome!”
Spend some time outside and learn about foraging for food in our natural environment with other LGBTQ+ folks!
If you’re interested in queer history
Gay Downtown LA Walking Tour
July 8th, 2023 | 10:30am-1:30pm | Grand Central Market
“Join Esotouric on a walking tour of 20th century LGBTQ landmarks in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, for a time travel trip along The Run, the circuit of queer friendly spaces that provided community, culture and connection at a time when homosexuality was still criminalized, and in the early years of gay liberation. Drawing on original archival research and featuring unpublished images, this tour will bring a lost world to life.”
Coming Out West: LGBTQ+ Elders Share Their Stories
June 30th, 2023 | 11:00am-5:00pm | Santa Monica History Museum
“Santa Monica History Museum and The Outwords Archive present an exhibition of oral histories, ephemera and historical objects from LGBTQ+ elders with ties to Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Bay area.”
Get a chance to learn more from queer elders in the Los Angeles and Santa Monica communities! Supporting cross generational connections is a powerful way to build community.
Self-Guided LGBTQ History Tour through the Pride Explorer App
Take Anytime | Downtown Los Angeles and Tinseltown
“Tour #1 is our “Walk In Our Shoes DTLA” (Downtown Los Angeles). You’ll discover how the City of Angels gave birth to a rich, vibrant and little known LGBTQ+ History. Learn how LA pioneered the fight for LGBTQ+ Equality, long before Stonewall, and continues to contribute to the global movement. Tour #2 is “LGBTinsel Town Tour” – a distinctive LGBTQ+ view of the origins, growth and current existence of the little citrus grove called Hollywoodland, that helped to change the world. From the historic and haunted Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to the hustler-laden intersection of Hollywood & Vine, you’ll uncover a century of closeted stars, underground pansy bars, and Gay rights battle scars.”
If you’d rather take a tour at your own speed, try one of the LGBTQ+ history tours on the Pride Explorer app.
If you’re looking for a work buddy
Let’s Werk ~ A Weekly Coworking Date Just for Queers (Los Angeles)
Thursdays | 11:00am-3:00pm | Siesta Day Club + Juice Bar @ 101 Cider House, 119 Wilhardt Street, Los Angeles, United States
“Our queer af cute af coworking meetup is now at Siesta Day Club + Juice Bar in Chinatown. We meet each Thursday from 11a-3p. Feel free to join for the entire time or just a portion. Meet new people & share what you’re working on, brainstorm a new project together, read a book, or quietly work and enjoy the energy.”
Let’s Werk ~ A Weekly Coworking Date Just for Queers (Long Beach)
Wednesdays | 11:00am-3:00pm | Wood Coffee Co. 2728 East 10th Street Long Beach, CA 90804
“Aren’t you tired of working from home? Hang out with other queer cuties while you get shit done at Wood Coffee Co., a plant-based & queer-owned coffee shop in Long Beach! We meet every Wednesday from 11a-3p and work together. You can join for the whole time or just a portion ~ whatever you’d like! Meet new people, share what you’re working on, brainstorm a new project together ~ or, just quietly work and enjoy the energy.”
Qoworking
Wednesdays | 9:00am-5:00pm | 660 South Avenue 21 #5 Los Angeles, CA 90031
“Qoworking is designed specifically for LGBQTIA+ professionals (not limited to web3) seeking a supportive community of like-minded individuals to collaborate, co-create, and work together. Join us every Wednesday to connect, work, and thrive!”
No matter how you intend to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in Los Angeles, we’re so happy you’re making space for it. We hope you find shared joy and pride in your community this June and all year!
Please note that Stella Nova is providing these resources for informational purposes only. We’re not affiliated with any of the events listed and we can’t endorse them — we’re just sharing some ideas for celebrating Pride we found interesting this year!
About The Author
Dr. Maya Borgueta is a California psychologist and the founder of Stella Nova Psychology. Her practice specializes in supporting women women and nonbinary professionals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and folks of color. She’s celebrated Pride all over California, from San Francisco to Santa Cruz to Los Angeles, and is always excited to find new LGBTQ+ events!
LGBTQ+ Therapists in Los Angeles
If you’re a member of a queer or trans community and looking to connect with a therapist in Los Angeles, Stella Nova can help.
Our team of LGBTQ+ and allied therapists work with women, nonbinary folks, and people of all genders seeking an affirming space to heal. We also offer therapy for couples of all genders and orientations, including poly and kinky folks.
Want to get matched with a great-fit, LGBTQ+ affirming therapist in offering online therapy in Los Angeles? Reach out to schedule a free consultation today!