OC Pride celebrates all lifestyles - The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA Inclusion, awareness, diversity and celebration were among the pervasive themes Saturday on 4^th Street in Downtown Santa Ana, where thousands of supporters of the lesbian, gay and transgender (LBGT) community turned out for OC Pride.

Hosted by the Orange County Equality Coalition, the fourth annual festival included representation from dozens of organizations providing a variety of services to LBGT groups.

Drag king Landon Cider, right, woos Keren Martell of Santa Ana during a performance at OC Pride 2012 in downtown Santa Ana on Saturday.

MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Despite the high temperatures, hundreds of attendees roamed up and down 4^th street at any given time, some carrying mini rainbow-striped flags ? considered a declaration of gay pride ? or donning rainbow colored wigs.

"When you have a group of people that face challenges, they need something positive to unite them," said event co-chairman Mike Izzo, 35, of Irvine. "They need to be reminded that it is okay to be who they are."

Throughout the day, a stage on the west end of the block featured entertainment that included and old fashioned themed burlesque show, a hip-hop dance crew and an amateur drag show.

Kaya Jones, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls and advocate for the LBGT community, was scheduled to be the showcase performer of the night.

More than 50 organizations ? including LBGT focused churches, law firms, clothing designers, support groups, and social clubs ? lined both sides of the street.

Nina Turcic, owner of Hollywood based Dignity Clothing, sold shirts imprinted with phrases such as "We are all equal" and "Own your identity."

"We are trying to promote something that you can wear in everyday life and still get the message across," Turcic said.

Several religious groups that welcome the LBGT community manned booths at the festival, including Saints Aelred & Hildegard, which encompasses 15 county based churches.

"We like people to know that there are plenty of places to go to ... and be accepted for who they are and be welcomed," said Dean DeSain, a member of the Aelred & Hildegard congregation.

Also manning a booth was Irvine attorney Rick Jorgensen, who said gays and lesbians are an underserved demographic that account for about 35 percent of his firm's business.

Gays and lesbians need legal help in dealing with harassment in the work place, Jorgensen said, and also when domestic partnerships come to an end.

"We don't judge," the attorney said. "(Legal help) is something they need."

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/lbgt-368278-need-pride.html

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