Warriors, Macy Gray Help To Headline Silicon Valley LGBTQ Pride

CAMPBELL, CA — The South Bay gay community is expected to show its colors this weekend, with the Silicon Valley LGBTQ Pride Festival and Parade descending on downtown San Jose at Plaza de Cesar for its 44th year.

With a stellar lineup of participants headlined by the Golden State Warriors as the parade grand marshal and singer Macy Gray on the main stage, organizers are expecting about 15,000 attendees — about 5,000 more than last year. The NBA team is based in Oakland but has a long history of embracing inclusion.

Santa Clara County has observed LGBTQ Pride for the month of August, with some departments participating in the parade. All parade members will receive a limited edition of the Santa Clara County Pride T-shirt and early entry into Sunday Festival while supplies last.

This year, Silicon Valley Pride will operate under the theme “Diversity in Action" and starts at 4 p.m. Saturday — with the parade kicking festivities into high gear at 10 a.m. from Julian and Market streets to the plaza of San Fernando Drive. The public is invited to set out lawn chairs.

New this year, pride festivities will launch the activities with the Trans and Friends Rally at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez at 4 p.m. Speakers will hit the stage at 5 p.m. This event is free and will be followed by a night festival labeled a 70s disco night from 6 to 11 p.m.

A multitude of dance performers, local artists, live bands and vendors will keep the parade. The festival features a community stage, children's activities, and given the Valley's influence, a high-tech pavilion with video games.

Headlining Sunday’s main stage is Macy Gray and Rupaul Drag Race Season 11 winner, Yvie Oddly. More on the entertainment schedule may be found at www.svpride.com/entertainment.

The 2019 Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival is sponsored by a literal who's who mix of South Bay culture, including: Adobe, Amazon, ARM, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, Elemental Wellness, Equity Residential, Ernst & Young, GED Magazine, Google, Gordon Biersch, Knight Foundation, Jabil, iheartmedia, Kaiser Permanente, Lyft, Mercedes Benz, Olivia, Microsoft, Rainbow Chamber SiliconValley, Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose State University, Seagate, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, SOFA Market, Texas Instrument, VMWare, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., VTA, Western Digital and Zipcar.

Tickets are available at the door for $5 per day. Visit www.svpride.com for more information.

Given today's divisive political climate, the San Jose Police Department confirmed it will have additional officers out to keep the peace.

Note: Those with the county wanting to RSVP for the parade are asked to contact Amy Lanteigne with the Office of LGBTQ Affairs at Amy.Lanteigne@ceo.sccgov.org.