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Oakland Pride packs streets, clubs downtown

Published on Monday, September 03, 2012
Last updated on 07:38AM, Monday, September 3, 2012
EBBC valet bike parking, https://twitter.com/EBBC/status/242357926063390720/photo/1/large

EBBC valet bike parking, https://twitter.com/EBBC/status/242357926063390720/photo/1/large

By Oakland Local Editorial Team

Oakland's third annual LGBTQ Pride festival happened this Sunday, with thousands of people filling the streets downtown to mingle, eat a diverse mix of food and watch and listen to dancers and musicians on four stages.

Sunday's Pride festivities included stages focused on women's music, urban soul and Latin entertainment, as well as a main stages. Performers included the  Oakland Ballet, the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, CeCe Peniston, MC Aima the Dreamer, Rah Digga, Clyde Carson, Martin Luther, DJ Leydis, the Turf Feinz Dance Crew featuring Chonkie and K-Paz de la Sierra, among others.

Oakland Pride was criticized in some circles this year for an emphasis on recruiting corporate sponsors and accepting their money (reportedly $30,000 from Richmond-based oil company Chevron). Despite the public debate, thousands turned out to take part in the annual celebration.

 

About Susan Mernit
Susan Mernit is the co-founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, a popular speaker and facilitator, and a consultant to media, non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland with a rescue dog named Cazzie, a little dog named Violet, a fat grey cat named Gracie, a very cool housemate, and a yard in serious need of soil remediation. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist who's found home in Oakland.