The city canceled the Long Beach Pride Festival just a day before it was to begin, saying it could not issue a permit because required safety documentation was not provided in time. The Pride Parade is still scheduled to proceed Sunday.
The day before the Long Beach Pride Festival was set to kick off, city officials announced the event would not go on—after citing a missed deadline for safety paperwork needed to issue a permit.
“In responsibility to the safety of attendees, staff and the broader community, the city cannot issue the permit and has directed the event organizers to not continue their event,” the city said in a news release Friday.
The city said the Pride Parade will still take place as planned, starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Tonya Martin, president of Long Beach Pride, the nonprofit that organizes the festival, said she was “deeply disappointed.” Her statement came Friday evening, after the cancellation was announced.
“At a time when our community is being targeted and made vulnerable, Long Beach should be doing more to protect and uplift us, not taking away one of the most visible and meaningful expressions of inclusion our city has,” Martin said.
The festival was expected to run over the weekend at Marina Green Park, with live music, art and food.
In its statement, the nonprofit did not address the permitting process directly. Instead, Martin emphasized the need for the event to remain in place for LGBTQ+ residents and allies.
City officials, though, pointed to the permitting steps they said did not finish in time. They said they made repeated efforts to work with the organization and issue the permit, but ultimately did not receive what they called “essential information.”
“Despite continued collaboration and multiple deadline notices. the city did not receive the required documentation needed to complete safety reviews. inspect critical event infrastructure. such as the stage. electrical systems and tent. and emergency exiting plans to ensure compliance with public safety standards. ” the city said.
The city said it notified the organization Thursday that it could not issue a permit. It added that it continued working with event staff Friday, aiming to permit a shortened version of the festival.
Beyond the cancellation, the city said it would refund businesses that obtained special licenses and health permits to participate. It directed questions about ticket refunds and vendor participation fees to Long Beach Pride.
Martin rejected the decision, arguing that ending the festival sends a harmful message. She called on Mayor Rex Richardson and City Council members to take urgent action and allow the event to proceed.
“Inclusion is not proven when it is easy,” Martin said. “It is proven when leaders choose to stand with vulnerable communities when they need support the most.”
Long Beach Pride Pride Festival Pride Parade permit safety review LGBTQ+ community Marina Green Park Rex Richardson
If they missed paperwork, that’s on them tbh. How do you not have safety docs ready by then.
So they cancel Pride but still do the parade? That feels messed up like they’re picking and choosing which parts to allow. Also sounds like bureaucracy got people’s rights tangled up.
I don’t even get it… like if it’s just paperwork, can’t they just issue a temporary permit? Unless they already had the stage/electric approved or something, which the article didn’t really say. Missing forms doesn’t equal unsafe, right? Seems like politics more than safety.
This is why I hate permits. My cousin said Long Beach always does this right at the last second, like they want to scare organizers. And refunds for vendors?? But what about the people with tickets and parking and hotels? I’m sure it’s “essential information” but it sounds like someone dropped the ball.