By Joe Thompson

The sun beat down on the City of Angels, as it often does in late summer, and while some folks lethargically moved through their weekend, a hot party was sparking to life in Hollywood. Mexican rock battled against Americanized house hits as cold beer was poured into sweaty plastic cups and the mouth-watering scent of grilled meats floated above the area. It looked like any other festival, but it was the people who made the difference: young, shirtless gay men with low-slung shorts; sexy lesbians donning wife-beaters; gay gang bangers opposite Latin fashionistas; college kids alongside queer cowboys; and everyone moving to the rhythms as one. The year was 1999, the location was Circus Disco and the Hollywood Arena's parking lot, and the event was the first Latin Gay Pride. Los Angeles has never been the same since.

"From 1,000 people that first year, we now get over 30,000 people attending," says Zeke Jacquez, president of the Latin Pride Foundation, a non-profit organization that was formed in 2002 to run the event. "Latin Pride has a different taste and a different flavor than typical pride events like Long Beach, Christopher Street West, San Diego or San Francisco," he explains. "It's about our Latin heritage, our culture, the food, the music, the different demographics of people that [attend]. It's about having [people] come and learn about who we are."

Supporting that mission, Latin Pride was named the official kick-off festival for Hispanic Heritage Month in the city of Los Angeles two years ago. Likewise, the Spanish language network, Univision, is both a major sponsor and will also broadcast a 30-minute program on the event. But amidst all of the public outreach and support, the main draw to this Labor Day weekend celebration isn't a parade -- in fact, organizers decided against hosting one this year -- it's their dynamic festival and parties.

The official pre-party for the Latin Pride Los Angeles Festival will be held Sept. 3 and returns patrons to the organization's roots at the Hollywood Arena. Then on Sunday, Sept. 4, following a full day of celebration at the main outdoor event, the official after-party is being held at Club NoŽ OlŽ in Huntington Park and being hosted by those same party monsters who bring you Club OlŽ OlŽ in North Hollywood. Then, to make this year even more dynamic, the boys over at Club Tempo in Hollywood are hosting the official post party on the Monday holiday. The Latin Pride Foundation has also announced that all three clubs will feature "huge celebrities performing," but due to contractual obligations they could not release the names at this time.

"We get people from all over the country and parts of the world [attending] Latin Pride," says Jacquez. "So I'm very excited [that] the clubs have gotten involved."

The festival itself, which is being held only on Sunday, Sept. 4, will consist of cultural and art exhibits, HIV/AIDS/STD screening clinics, and the famous food court that includes cuisine from over seven different Latin cultures. Whether it's Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, Salvadorian, Argentinean or any of the other tasty treats being offered, organizers hope to emphasize the various Latin ethnicities that make up Los Angeles in general and L.A.'s queer community in particular.

Of course, no party would be complete without music, and Latin Pride is known for their magnificent dance tents. The first, a 100 x 100 square foot behemoth, features Latin music and is hosted by radio station Super Estrella, which has supported the pride celebration for six years. Likewise, fans of more American-centric tunes can check out the nearby KIIS FM sponsored dance tent. Then there is the Univision main stage, where performers from all over the world appear before screaming fans. This year's scheduled highlights include Niurka y Bobby (from Cuba and Mexico), Albita (Cuba), Zayra Alvarez (Puerto Rico), Vilma "La Sonora Dinamita" (Colombia), JJMC (Mexico), Sultanes (Argentina) and more. Finally, keeping a watchful eye over this fiesta is Latin Pride's Queen of the Festival, Veronica Castro, mother of Latin singer Christian Castro and a singer, actress, and gay icon in her own right.

Making the 2005 event also stand out is the Latin Pride Foundation's commitment to represent the transgendered community, and they're doing it with the help of a major personality.

"There is a famous Univision Network program, El Gordo y La Flaca, and a transsexual person named Cachita comes out as their sidekick," Jacquez says. While he and many of the organizers knew who Cachita was as a comedic personality, they didn't realize how popular she would be with Los Angeles gay audiences; however, during the official Latin Pride launch party this past Fourth of July weekend, Univision brought Cachita to Hollywood and the crowds went wild. "You would be surprised how many people just died to get autographs from her," he continues. "She is so famous in the public eye."

While Latin Pride has been sponsoring La Academia De Travestis (The Academy of Transvestites), an American Idol-style trans-competition at Club Coco Bongo in Reseda, they wanted to do more because, as Jacquez explains, "The transgendered community always gets kind of left out. I see it with all the gay communities." Organizers wanted to change that situation, and since their event has never had an official "godmother" or "madrinas" as the master of ceremony, "We [decided to] cater to the transgendered community by having Cachita as our godmother," says Jacquez.

At 7 years old, the Latin Pride Los Angeles Festival may be the youngster of gay celebrations in the United States, but it has also grown at an unprecedented rate. It's an event that truly encapsulates the diversity of this city in a positive, fun, and educational environment. As Jacquez attests, "We're here to break borders, break boundaries, and see what we [can] do to expose more of our Latin heritage with the LGBT community."