As Pride Month approaches, Los Angeles is once again preparing to dazzle as one of the world’s most vibrant and inclusive destinations to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture. With its unique blend of political history, artistic expression and unapologetic celebration, LA’s 2025 Pride programming promises to be bold, beautiful — and for many Australians, bittersweet.
From June’s iconic LA Pride Parade along Hollywood Boulevard to rooftop pool parties and thought-provoking queer art exhibits, the City of Angels is turning up the volume on visibility and celebration. And for Aussies heading over, the energy is already building.
Unmissable Pride Events for Aussie Travellers
For those making the journey, the lineup is electric.
- LA Pride Parade & Pride Village (June 8): The world’s first permitted gay pride parade returns to Hollywood in full technicolour. Expect live performances, celebrity appearances, interactive art installations, DJs, food trucks and a whole lot of sparkle.
- West Hollywood Pride & OUTLOUD Festival (May 22–June 2): Lizzo, Lil Nas X and Honey Dijon headline OUTLOUD, while the WeHo Pride Parade and a jam-packed events schedule turn the rainbow-lit district into a euphoric celebration of queer culture.
- Dodgers Pride Night (June 13): Baseball meets inclusivity as the Los Angeles Dodgers honour LGBTQ+ pride with pre-game festivities and a special edition 2025 Pride jersey.
- Pool Parties Galore: From Velvet Tsunami at Dream Hollywood to Summertramp — the wild queer waterpark in the Arts District — expect glitter, good vibes, and gallons of community joy.
- Queer Art at the Getty (from June 10): Don’t miss Queer Lens: A History of Photography and $3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives — two evocative exhibitions celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, resistance and creativity through photography and visual art.
- Tom of Finland House Tours: Nestled in Echo Park, this iconic museum celebrates the erotic legacy of one of queer art’s most influential figures — a pilgrimage for fans of queer history and bold self-expression.
Why Some Australians Are Staying Away
While many LGBTQ+ Aussies are packing their bags for LA, others have made the difficult decision to cancel their travel plans — citing growing concerns over safety and discrimination in the U.S. political climate.
Canberra-based PhD student Mik Bartels recently pulled out of attending the World Pride human rights conference in Washington, D.C., despite having secured funding to attend. “Given my appearance as identifiably queer, my academic profile being centred on LGBTIQ+ discrimination, and my online presence where I am openly queer, I was not confident that I would be able to get into the US,” Bartels told The Guardian.
Another Australian couple — a transgender woman and her wife — also cancelled their holiday to California, expressing fears about the potential for discriminatory treatment at the border. “Considering the hostile actions the Trump administration is pursuing, it just didn’t feel worth the risk,” she said.
The decision by some to stay home is a stark reminder that, even in cities as progressive and colourful as Los Angeles, global politics can shape deeply personal decisions.
Still, for many Australians heading over, LA Pride remains a symbol of freedom, joy and solidarity. Whether sipping cocktails at queer-owned bars like The Abbey and The Ruby Fruit, dancing under the stars in Silver Lake, or getting drenched at Summertramp, travellers are in for a celebration that’s as unforgettable as it is unapologetic.
In 2025, LA continues to shine as a city where Pride is not just an event — it’s a way of life.
