SANTA MONICA (KABC) -- The Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, and Santa Monica Place, in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, are celebrating Pride Month with the return of the "Miles of Pride" lighting display through June 30, 2022.
This month-long celebration aims to support the LGBTQIA+ community as well as provide a space for Santa Monica (SaMo) Pride's events. This is the third year in a row that SaMo Pride has been hosted.
For example, a Pride Marketplace will be held at Santa Monica Place every weekend at Nordstrom Court's level one. The marketplace will feature over 15 local LGBTQIA+ business owners such as Stuzo, Humankind Swim, Pippi and Lola, Soul Food Candle Co., and more. Additionally, visitors can enjoy live music sets from a DJ under SaMo Pride's "Lanterns of Love," which includes a colored lantern installation across Center Plaza.
Through June 17 and 19, Downtown Santa Monica will host three live events. On June 17, a story-sharing session by the Mortified Podcast will take place where members of the LGBTQIA+ community can speak in front of a live audience. On June 18, Angel City Market is hosting an outdoor market featuring minority-owned businesses. And to end off the weekend, dancer Dane Sorenson will host a "Dancing with Dane" aerobics class that's open to all ages.
Furthermore, art installations by James Kinsley Daniel titled "I Stand With Trans Youth" and "I Love My Queer Family" are available to see at the Third Street Promenade. Curated by Allies in Arts, a non-profit organization that supports underrepresented artists, these pieces help visitors show support for trans and queer youth and families.
Moreover, the merry-go-round windows at the Santa Monica Pier are slated to include a special Pride display.
Other events by the City of Santa Monica are scheduled such as a Queer Prom at the Water Garden on June 18 and a Pride sunset swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House on June 24.
For more SaMo PRIDE event details, visitors can check out smpride.com.
Check out abc7.com/pride for stories about the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, and share your Pride with #abc7eyewitness.
