Members of the Sacramento Roller Derby march down 10th Street during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in downtown Sacramento.
Sara Nevis
snevis@sacbee.com
People came out in force for the Sacramento Pride Parade and March on Sunday in Sacramento. The parade-goers marched from Southside Park to the state Capitol, where a festival lined the Capitol Mall.
The two-day event had booths featuring food vendors, local businesses, nonprofits and other groups, plus three stages featuring music and other entertainment. The performers included TikTok sensation and former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Plastique Tiara among others.
Many families lined the streets to watch the march.
“I wanted to celebrate pride this year since both my parents are gay and I am gay,” said Athena Fiorentino, 12, attending the pride parade for the first time with her mother.
Clarmundo Sullivan, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Golden Rule Services, served as a grand marshal for the parade. Sullivan’s organization provides health services, including education and prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, to people of color.
“It means visibility, credibility and long overdue acceptance,” said Sullivan about being grand marshal. “It’s important to see people of color in this community.”
Sacramento Pride March and Parade grand marshals Clarmundo Sullivan, left, and DoMe Moore pose for a photo on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Southside Park. “It means visibility, credibility and long overdue acceptance,” Sullivan said of being a grand marshal. “It’s important to see people of color in this community.” Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
William Wimsatt, 12, and Athena Fiorentino, 12, watch was the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in downtown Sacramento. “I wanted to celebrate pride this year since both my parents are gay and I am gay,” said Fiorentino, attending the parade for the first time. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Evan Phillips, of the First United Methodist Church, holds a sign “Fruit Loops are just Gay Cheerios” during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Sacramento. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Haley Hayes, of the Zombie Club, waits for the Sacramento Pride March and Parade to start Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Southside Park. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
The Sacramento Fire Department participates in the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Elsa Herzog-Meyers, 9, of Congregation B’nai Israel, participates in the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Leah Morris drives while her wife Veronica Perez holds the rainbow flag during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023. This was their 19th year attending the parade. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Sinan Dunlap, left, Justin Carlos, center, and Alex Liberati watch as Sacramento Pride March and Parade passes by on 10th Street during the on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Mayor Darrell Steinberg rides with the Sacramento Fire Department during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Dean Matthew Woodward, of Trinity Cathedral Church of Sacramento, performs communion before the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Southside Park. Woodward said that many parade-goers aren’t comfortable with religion, sometimes because of negative past experiences. “It will take a long time to change that perspective, but I believe in the fullness of time we will if we continue being consistent, present and showing up and sharing the love of God in an inclusive way for the LGBTQ community.” Sara Nevis Sacramento Bee file
San Francisco Dykes on Bikes head the parade during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Southside Park. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Spectators take photos as Sacramento Pride March and Parade passes R Street on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
The McClatchy High School dance team performs a stunt at R Street during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Sacramento. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
Dancers from the Lavender Heights club Badlands perform during the Sacramento Pride March and Parade on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Sara Nevis snevis@sacbee.com
