Pride Festival celebrates its final day

Down Town Palm Springs was home to thousands of festival goers this weekend. The unique two-day Pride Festival is the largest LGBT gathering in the Coachella Valley. Palm Canyon was showered in vibrant colors, as travelers and locals alike, celebrated equality and diversity. The Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival was started to remember the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, a catalyst for the LGBT movement for civil rights. Thirty years later, Pride in Palm Springs has become one of the largest LGBT festivals in Southern California. Stewart Wallace sells his merchandise at festivals all over the country. “What I love most about doing it, is the merchandise brings people so much joy. Especially when I have young teenagers, especially in the middle of the country, where things are less accepting. It makes them feel more validated. It makes them feel like they exist,” said Wallace. Many, like Wallace, are proud to see how far the LGBT community has come. “It’s still being fought for and debated still, but it’s happening, and it’s becoming a part of life, and it’s becoming a part of main stream America,” said one Pride goer. All pride supporters agree, everyone is welcome to the festival. “It’s great to see, like clearly, straight families here as well. Sort of like, ‘yes, thumbs up, we are here to support you too’, which is awesome,” said another Pride goer.