Bring on the rainbows

Of course, Sacramento Pride is a cause for celebration no matter what year it is, but with one of the world's most Catholic countries recently passing a referendum approving same-sex marriage, the president of the Boy Scouts of America stating that the ban of gay leaders is “unsustainable” a few weeks back, and Sacramento's own city council approving the construction of rainbow-colored crosswalks in Lavender Heights last month, there's even more reason to celebrate progress toward equality on both the international, national and local level.

The festival takes place on Capitol Mall between Third and Seventh streets June 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the parade moving along N Street from Third to Tenth streets. Revelers can shake it up at the Dance Pavilion (sponsored by Badlands, natch), grab a bite from some of the area's favorite food trucks, and take in art by John S. Huerta, Yolie Reyes and Ms. Vihil Vigil in the Crocker Art Museum-sponsored Art Zone. Belinda Carlisle, frontwoman for the Go-Go's, will headline the festival, and attendees can also catch stars from RuPaul's Drag Race, local singer-songwriter Andrew Castro and more.

Tickets are $10, and for the little ones the Kids Zone offers face painting, a bounce house and removable tattoos (if they're 5 or younger, admission is free). It's an excellent chance to celebrate with Sacto's supportive LGBTQ community as we await next month's Supreme Court decision as to whether the U.S. will be the 20th nation to legalize gay marriage. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 6. www.sacramentopride.org.