The History of Phoenix Pride

THE HISTORY OF PHOENIX PRIDE In 1981, a group of gay & lesbian activists organized the first Pride march thru the streets of downtown Phoenix to the state Capitol building. It was a politically focused march to bring awareness to gay rights issues in Phoenix.

Nearly ten years later, a group of volunteers joined together to coordinate the annual Pride festival. This committee, best known as the Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, Inc. helped establish a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization known today as Phoenix Pride.

The organization was created as an educational non-profit to continue to educate and promote issues that affect the LGBTQ community in metro Phoenix. Under the leadership of Phoenix Pride, there has been an annual march, festival, parade or celebration in metro Phoenix for more than 30 years.

The organization is a leader in the metro Phoenix LGBTQ community. During the past several years, the organization has been able to make significant contributions to other LGBTQ focused non-profit organizations and has awarded scholarships to deserving LGBTQ individuals continuing their education. It is the goal of the organization to continue developing community programs to benefit the LGBTQ focused non-profit community and to continue to raise public awareness about the LGBTQ community in hopes to eliminate homophobia, transphobia and discrimination still very much prevalent some 30 years later.

In 2011, the LGBTQ community celebrated the 31st Anniversary of the first LGBTQ march in Phoenix. Phoenix Pride will continue to honor and celebrate our community by promoting April as “Pride Month” in Phoenix, Arizona and by continuing the “10 Days of Pride” started in celebration of our 30th Anniversary in 2010.

Event History of Phoenix Pride

1981 - "We are Here" - March from Patriots Park to rally on State Capitol ground.  Keynotes: Lesbian activist Arlie Scott and Serviceman/Activist Leonard Matlovich.

1982 - "We are Family" - March from Patriot's Park to rally at Wesley Bolin Plaza. 17 People walk to Phoenix from Tucson for the event.Keynote: Author Charlotte Bunch. Alternative Relations Center opens in Phoenix during Gay Pride Week.

1983 - "Uniting for Freedom, Recognition, and Understanding" March on Central Avenue. Rally at Phoenix Civic Plaza Keynote: David Clarenbach, Wisconsin State Representative.

1984 - "Unity and More in '84" - March on Central Avenue. Rally at Phoenix Civic Plaza Keynote: Attorney and Civil Rights Activist Flo Kennedy.

1985 - "Our Future in Our Hands" - Parade on Central Avenue Keynote: West Hollywood Mayor Pro-Tempore: John Heilman.

1986 - "Phoenix Pride Emerging" - Outdoor event at South Mountain Park Keynote: Activist Cleve Jones.

1987 - "Silent No More" / "Hands Across the Capitol" Rally at Wesley Bolin Plaza Rally becomes combined with Mecham Recall event. Participants held hands surrounding the State Capitol building.

1988 - "Unity '88" - Festival at Phoenix Civic Plaza with booths and entertainment Keynote: Caryoln Warner.

1989 - "Stonewall Remembered" March from Patriot's Park to rally at Wesley Bolin Plaza Keynote: Karen Thompson

1990 - "A New Decade of Pride" Festival at El Lienzo Charro Rodeo Grounds (27th Ave & baseline)
with booths and entertainment.
President: Beth Verity Entertainment: Comedienne Lynn Lavner

1991 -"Desert Pride: It's Hot" Festival at Kiwanis Park, Tempe, AZ Entertainment:

1992 - "Pride = Power: A Simple Matter of Justice" Festival at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields Entertainment:

1993 - "A Family of Pride" Festival at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields Entertainment:
1st year for Royalty pageant: Miss Markus

1994 - "Stonewall 25: A Global Celebration of Pride" Festival at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields expands to 3 day event Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss- Roxy Blue

PLGPC rename ACP
1995 - "Discover Pride" Festival at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss- Felicia Fahr, replaced by Miss Ellie

1996 - "Discover: Pride Without Borders" Festival at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields
8/1996 New ACP President: Ernie Mendoza Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss- Diane Daniels, Mr. Tony Geraldes, Ms. Jennifer Guthrie

1997 - "Pride...Equality Through Visibility" Festival (June) at Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex Soccer Fields, 1st year for Parade (April) in Phoenix Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss- Pussy LeHoot, Mr. John (Tigner) Dennem, Ms. Pat Brinegar
Entertainment: Royalty: Miss- Paula Sha', Mr. Carl Gommer, Ms. Jennifer Stieha

1998 -"Pride 98...A Gateway to Change" Pride Parade (1st year together with Festival date)
Festival moves to Margaret T. Hance Deck Park in Phoenix

1999 - "Millions of Lives...One Voice in Pride.." Pride Parade, 5K Pride run by Team AZ/ACP, and
Festival at Margaret T. Hance Deck Park Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss- Mimi Rae Rose, Ms DaMomma Powers, Mr. Jeff Edwards

2000 - "One Heart, One Mind, One Vision, Take Pride, Take Joy, Take Action" Pride Parade, 5K run, and
Festival at Margaret T. Hance Deck Park Entertainment:
Royalty: Miss-Antewnette, Mr-Byron Lourde, Ms-Liz Kestner, Mr. Jeff Edwards

2001 - "What Part of Equal Don't You Understand" Pride Parade, 5K run, and
Festival at Margaret T. Hance Deck Park
6/2001 New ACP President: Linda Hoffman (YEAR OF THE STORM)
Entertainment: RuPaul (almost), Crystal Waters (not!)
Royalty: Miss-Aurora Gayheart, Mr.-Tommy D

1st time Gay Billboard (I-17 & 17th Ave)

2002 - "For One Day Feel Like the Majority" Pride Parade, 5K run, and Festival at Margaret T. Hance Deck Park

Entertainment: Abigail
Royalty: Miss- Dottie D, Mr-Jerry Lee (moved),
replaced by Mr. Mikey P

2003 - "Let Your Pride Be Your Guide" Pride Parade (1st year northbound), 10K Pride run, and
Festival at Steele Indian School Park, Circle of Life area Entertainment: Pointer Sisters, Digital Soldier
Royalty: Miss- Anita Champagne Pride (aka Kelvin Brown)

2004 - "Celebrating Rainbow Flag 25" Pride Parade on April 3, 2004
5K Pride run moves North & is organized by AZ Frontrunners.
Festival: Moved to rain date: April 4, 2004 12:00-6:00 pm
Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Green (another new location)
(added Bistro Stage & Pride Saloon) 1st ever Phoenix Gay Pride Week proclamation-Mayor Phil Gordon presented on Festival Stage.

Entertainment: Kim English, Thea Austin, Paul Lekakis, comedienne-Michele Balan
Royalty: Miss- Paula Sha', Mr. Jeffrey Klimas-Mckenzie,
Ms-Madame Rose (Rosemarie Nagle) ,
Miz-ter Tomi Boi (aka Tara Masters)

2005 - "25 Years of Pride in Phoenix" Pride Parade on April 2nd and April 2-3 2 day Festival at Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Green. 5K Pride run organized by AZ Frontrunners.on April 3rd Entertainment: Evelyn Champagne King, Crystal Waters, Liquid 360, Kevin Ceballo, Rockell, Debbie Deb, Comedy: Sabrina Matthews, Nick Tarr

2006 - "10th Annual Parade" Pride Parade on 3rd St on April 1st and April 1-2 2 day Festival at Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Green. 5K Pride run organized by AZ Frontrunners.on April 2nd Entertainment Headliners: Jennifer Holliday and RuPaul. Added Art Expo, Wine Experience and Bungee-Trampoline Ride.

2007 - "Over The Top" Pride Parade on 3rd St on April 14th and April 14-15 2 day Festival at Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Green. 5K Pride run organized by AZ Frontrunners.on April 15th Entertainment Headliners: Taylor Dane and En Vogue. Added additional interactive Entertainment / Friends Fun Zone. Pride Royalty: Miss Claudia B

2008 - "More Color, More Voices, More Pride"!, Two day festival held April 12th-13th. "The Celebration Starts Here!" Pride Parade held April 12th with Community Grand Marshal's Bob Heygi and Regina Gazelle Wells, National Grand Marshal the Phoenix Mercury.  Festival Entertainment: Ultra Nate’ and Expose’ on Saturday night or Kat DeLuna and Sheena Easton. Pride Royalty: Miss Afeelya Bunz.

2009 - "Celebrate Community, Celebrate Family, Celebrate YOU!", Two day festival held April 18th -19th. Pride Parade held April 18th with Community Grand Marshal's Linda Hoffman and Mayor Phil Gordon and our 1st Annual International Grand Marshal’s, from Tijuana Pride, Lorenzo Herrera and Dr. David Oliva Jimenez . Festival Entertainment: Inaya Day, Deborah Cox, The Cliks & Gin Blossoms. Mister and Miss Phoenix Gay Pride Royalty: Chane' Jordan (title removed) & Brandon Packer. Inaugural Pride Gala was held June 13th at Memorial Hall. Inaugural OUTdayPHX at the Phoenix Zoo is held Oct. 11th. Celebrity keynote speakers: My So Called Life's Wilson Cruz & former The L Word star Daniel Sea. Phoenix Pride teams up with the Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for the 1st annual Festival of Trees held at the Hilton in Scottsdale on Dec. 5th.

2010 - "1 Community. 3 Decades. 4 Pride. 30th Anniversary of Pride Festival.  Two day festival held April 17th - 18th. Pride Parade held April 17th and presented by Verizon Wireless, Community Grand Marshal's Tambra Williams & Micheal Weakley and International Grand Marshal's Adam Biskupiak and Tomasz Baczkowski from Warsaw Pride of Warsaw, Poland . Festival Entertainment: Colby O'Donis, Nina Sky, Berlin and Joan Jet & The Heartbreakers. Added Erotic Art World, Red Bull Tent, Fort McDowell Casino Tent, 10 Days of Pride, T-shirt Design Contest, ProEM's Wedding Expo. Mister and Miss Phoenix Gay Pride Royalty: Diamond Dallas and Nikki Kidd. OUTdayPHX returns to the Phoenix Zoo for the second year with celebrity keynote speakers ANT and Heather Matarazzo. Phoenix Pride teams up with Aunt Rita's Foundation for Celebration of Giving held Dec. 4th.

2011 - "Do Ask. Do Tell. BE PROUD." 15th Annual Pride Parade was held on April 16th. Featuring Celebrity Grand Marshal's Lynda Carter, Derek Hartley & Romaine Patterson, Community Grand Marshal's Meg Sneed & Jimmy Gruender, and honoring the first LGBTQ Youth Grand Marshal Caleb Laieski. Two-Day Festival held at Steele Indian School Park April 16th - 17th. Festival Headliners: 80's Teen Idol Tiffany, American Idol finalist Blake Lewis, former The L Word star Leisha Hailey's Indie/Electropop band Uh Huh Her and American indie rock Shiny Toy Guns. Added expanded Erotic Art World, ARTS Expo/Bistro Stage all under one roof, additional shading throughout the park. Mister and Miss Phoenix Gay Pride Royalty: Olivia Gardens and Freddy Prinze Charming.

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