(May 21, 2006) -- LBReport.com posts extended photo coverage of the May 21 Long Beach Pride Parade, a project of Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. (LBLGP, Inc.) and part of the group's annual Pride Festival.

The parade stepped off from Ocean Blvd. at Temple (where we were) at 10:30 a.m. Crowds grew larger as the parade headed west along Ocean to Alamitos Ave

LBPride.com says the LB Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival & Parade has become the 3rd largest in the nation. This year's theme was "I am. I belong."

It was a very long parade (by our rough reckoning, nearly two hours). Our extended photo coverage shows some of the participants...but there were more beyond the capacity of our three-year old digital camera's memory card. We post our photos in the order in which the participants appeared in the parade.

Mayor Beverly O'Neill began by riding in the small golf cart.

She received a hug from the MC...

...and a flower.

Grand Marshal Charles Williams.

Political Grand Marshals are a LB power-couple: LBCC Board of Trustee member Roberto Uranga and recently re-elected 7th dist. Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga

Whitey Littlefield Community Bridge Builder Award winner Roger Reiger of LB Transit.

Last year's winner, Lorelai Kude of Charter Cable, says the award is "given to the heterosexual person who does the most to build bridges of tolerance and understanding between the GLBT and Straight communities." (This year, Ms. Kude co-commentated the Parade for Charter Channel 3 along with Justin Rudd. She says Charter's coverage re-airs for the next two Sundays at 5 p.m. Ms. Kude adds that on May 26, Charter channel 3 will re-air her one-hour special she produced and hosted titled "I Am, I Belong" [details on www.lbpridetv.com].)

Community Grand Marshal Debrah Rabonza

...and a second Community Grand Marshal, Lee Glaze.

Sign says "Edison is proud to turn you on."

From the Silver Fox club.

1st dist. Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal.

3d dist. Councilman (and Mayoral runoff candidate) Frank Colonna got out of his car and walked.

4th dist. Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and spouse.

Vice Mayor/5th dist. Councilwoman Jackie Kell.

6th dist. Councilwoman Laura Richardson. She's running for the 55th district LB-Carson area Assembly seat.

With her trademark "Neighborhoods First" sign, 8th dist. Councilwoman Rae Gabelich.

9th dist. Councilman Val Lerch.

2d district Council candidate Suja Lowenthal. She announced she'd give up her School Board seat if elected to the Council...and in April lost her school board seat to a challenger, who takes office in July.

Our digital shutter snapped just as Signal Hill Councilmembers Ellen Ward and Mike Noll turned away. Sorry.

55th district Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza...now seeking a State Senate seat.

A number of Disney employees ("PRIDE: People Respecting Individual Diversities In Everyone") took part.

Second dist. Council candidate Bry Myown. Ms. Myown was intro'd by banner stating, "Quality of Life and Equality of Life For All."

PFLAG: Parents and Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Signs say, "I have been blessed with a gay son." "Equal rights not special rights." "We [heart sign=love] our gay children."

LBCC Board of Trustee Doug Otto, Esq. in car...as Mayoral candidate Bob Foster (far right in photo) looks on...preparing to take his place in the parade.

From West Hollywood's Christopher Street West.

Flanked by Gloria Cordero (orange sweater) and campaign manager Becky Ames (white sweater), Mayoral candidate Bob Foster waves at the passing parade he's about to enter.

2d district Council candidate Gabrielle Weeks...with suitably green signs, flanked by supporters.

Mayoral candidate Bob Foster and wife Nancy decide they'll walk.

The Colonna Mayoral campaign entered this vehicle...and that's Mrs. Colonna waving to the crowd. Councilman/Mayoral candidate Colonna walked earlier in the parade.

2d district Council candidate Brian Ulaszewski, flanked by his supporters.

3rd district Council runoff candidate A. Stephanie Loftin is in the back seat of this non-polluting electric vehicle alongside former opponent Charles Legeman (who with former opponent Norm Ryan has endorsed Loftin).

No, we didn't see 3rd dist. Council candidate (finished first in April) Gary DeLong in the parade,

2d district Council candidate Becky Blair.

2d district Council candidate Lyle Sardie. Mr. Sardie was intro'd by a multi-media truck describing him with a large billboard style display.

2d dist. Council candidate Sonny Bozeman alongside endorser, retired 8-yr LB Councilman Doug Drummond.

2d district Council candidate Richard Green.

And a number of people recalled this float from last year...