This year is the 43rd annual San Francisco Pride Parade and we have uncovered a few facts you might not know:

1. The first Gay Pride parades were held the weekend of June 27 and 28, 1970 in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. They were organized to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The first San Francisco parade was held in 1970— it was a small gathering in Golden Gate Park. Since 1972, the event has been held each year and the name of the festival has changed over the years. The event organizers each year select a theme for the event, which is reflected in the logo and the event’s publicity. 

2. The rainbow flag was created by Gilbert Baker, one of Harvey milk’s good friends. It made its debut as a gay pride symbol at the San Francisco Pride Parade in 1978. Baker was asked to design a unifying symbol for the gay community and the rainbow flag was the result.

 3. Originally thre were eight colors on the rainbow flag includeing hot pink and turquoise, symbolizing sexuality and art. As a result of the  increasing demand for the flag, Baker approached Paramount Flag Company for mass production. At the time hot pink fabric was unavailable, so Baker dropped the hot pink stripe from the design. To keep an even number of stripes, turquoise was also dropped, resulting in the six-stripe flag that is widely used today.

4. The first mayor to take part in a Pride Parade was San Francisco’s George Moscone in 1978.

5. The parade which started as a small gathering of 30 “hair fairies” in 1970 has grown up over the years to reach 1.2 million people in 2008.

Enjoy the festivities this week-end. and show some pride!

Congratulations San Francisco ane the LGBT community. 

We have the ins and outs of everything SF Pride 2012

First thing, first!

What is SF Pride 2012?

Let's go back into time. June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York's Greenwich Village which sparked the Stonewall riots. This was one of the first well-known instances of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rebellion. One year later to the date, on June 28, 1970 the first Pride was held in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Back to the present SF Pride 2012 marks the 42nd anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade. Now, that's what we call history with personality.

When is SF Pride 2012?

Saturday, June 23 in San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza from Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 24 in San Francisco's Civic Center from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where is SF Pride 2012?

San Francisco Civic Center --along Market Street begining at 10:30 a.m. on Beale Street on Saturday, June 23 in San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza.

Ok... I am convinced I am going but How do I get to SF Pride 2012?

Since SF Pride is one of the largest outdoor events, traffic will be at a stand still. Plan ahead. Take Bart or Muni. Both Bart and Muni transit systems serve the Civic Center station. 

Where should I stay before or after SF Pride 2012?

If you're the Diva we think you are... Hotel Diva is the place to stay! Sexy, modern and fresh from a facelift, Hotel Diva is the most chic of Personality Hotels. Conveniently located on Geary Street just two blocks away from Neiman Marcus and Saks, Hotel Diva has a style that is attractive and architecturally appealing.

Or maybe you think you deserve to be treated like American Royalty, if that's the case, we suggest staying at the Kensington Park Hotel. A gorgeous 1925 Gothic style building, the grand and fashionable Kensington Park Hotel revisits an era of elegance, with historic San Francisco charm. The stylish lobby features hand-painted ceilings, modern artwork, and serves complimentary tea and sherry, nightly to hotel guests. Cheers!