Thousands gathered on Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday for the LA Pride parade, an event known for its vibrant and diverse displays. During the celebration, an incident occurred involving a participant in 'pup-play' fetish gear who attempted to greet a little girl's Labrador. The dog, adorned with a rainbow flag, reacted aggressively, causing the activist to retreat.
The event featured a variety of participants wearing animal masks associated with the BDSM subculture. Despite the altercation, the parade continued its festivities. The parade, which started in 1970, is the world's longest-running pride parade and was led this year by "Icon Grand Marshal" George Takei. The celebrations began on Saturday with a concert by Ricky Martin at Los Angeles State Historic Park.
LA Mayor Karen Bass participated in the parade, expressing support for the LGBTQ+ community. The event also highlighted other notable figures, including LAPD interim chief Dominic Choi and LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. Themed "Power in Pride," the parade aimed to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.
This year’s parade included a significant presence from the pup-play community, a fetish subculture involving people dressed in masks and collars, which has gained popularity since 2014. However, the presence of children at the parade, often dressed in rainbow colors and witnessing participants in sexualized clothing, drew criticism on social media. Some viewers expressed discomfort, questioning the appropriateness of such displays for a young audience.
The festivities concluded with an LA Pride block party that extended into the evening, continuing the celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion.