Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Altadena Pride Walkabout To Proceed June 14 Despite Recent Disaster

Scene from the 2022 LGBTQ+ Altadena Pride Walkabout. [Courtesy altadenapride.org]

Annual community celebration emphasizes resilience and unity after tragedy

Despite a devastating natural disaster that recently leveled half of Altadena, organizers are forging ahead with the town’s 4th Annual Pride Walkabout on Saturday, June 14, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event, beginning at Altadena Main Library (600 E. Mariposa St.), will transform from a regular celebration into what organizers call “an incredible celebratory walk of defiance and strength through the devastation” while emphasizing themes of resilience, resistance and community unity.

“In addition to the recent natural disaster that leveled half our town, diversity is under attack nationally, but Diversity Equity and Inclusion will always be an Altadena priority,” said Nic Arnzen, Altadena Town Council member, LA County LGBTQ+ commissioner and founder/organizer of Altadena Pride Walkabout. “It is a deep foundation to our community that wind, fire, hate-filled executive orders or incredibly cruel and fear-based legislation can’t take away.”

The event begins with an opening ceremony at 3 p.m. at Altadena Library, where Supervisor Kathryn Barger will unveil a Pride flag on the east lawn. Participants will receive free flags before embarking on the walkabout at 3:30 p.m., described as “a celebratory walk of defiance and strength through the devastation.”

The walkabout is planned to wind through central Altadena with stops to support local businesses and include the traditional group photo at the Grocery Outlet Welcome to Altadena mural.

Each event exists as a stand-alone, so participants are welcome to join for the whole tour or meet for any individual element.

From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., activities return to the library with multiple concurrent events. The Altadena Library parking lot will feature a free community concert, entertainment and resource tables with giveaways.

“The LGBTQ+ community, and in particular our beautiful transgender family, continue to come under attack. Our Black and Brown community have felt deep pain in their displacement including the loss of so many generational homes. Our undocumented residents are being terrorized by our own government,” Arnzen said. “We move forward with Altadena Pride to increase visibility and promote kindness and respect toward all of our diverse community members in Altadena.”

The spiritual exploration and community healing sanctuary in the library’s Community Room will be blessed by faith leaders from various spiritual practices and will feature gentle music, interactive art and a meditative area for spiritual reclamation. A separate Youth Sanctuary on the library’s main floor will serve as a VIP area for youth up through college age, offering a variety of activities in addition to the safe space reserved for them.

Throughout the day there will be appearances and speeches by surprise guests. All activities, events and food are free to attendees.

Free Pride flags are available at Webster’s Community Pharmacy throughout May and through the day of the event. Residents are encouraged to hang flags on their existing homes or plant them on their lots.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 3 p.m.: Opening Ceremony (Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.)
• 3:30 p.m.: Walkabout through Central Altadena
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Free Community Concert and Resource Tables (Library Parking Lot)
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Spiritual Exploration and Community Healing Sanctuary (Library Community Room)
• 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Youth Sanctuary (Library Main Floor)