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Our History
Christopher Street West (CSW), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that organized the world’s first permitted gay parade on June 28, 1970 to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion on Christopher Street in New York City the year prior. Over 50 years later, we have built a rich history as an active voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Greater Los Angeles area.
Our Mission
While we’re best known for producing the LA Pride Parade & Festival (one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country, thanks to you!) we also produce free community programs such as donation and volunteerism events called, “Pride Makes a Difference,” and our “Salon Series” of year round panel discussions and conversations covering issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community.
CSW also organizes, sponsors or supports our community partners’ events in and around Los Angeles, and works with our nonprofit, philanthropic, and neighborhood friends to celebrate the entire LGBTQ+ community of LA.
Our mission is to create safe and inclusive spaces of self-expression, celebration, and diversity/equity/inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community of Greater Los Angeles.
Who We Are
CSW is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors.
Each member brings their unique background and experience to everything we do.
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Gerald Garth
![GeraldGarth glasses](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/GeraldGarth-glasses.jpg)
Gerald GarthBoard President
Gerald holds an MBA, and is also a minister and the Director of New Partnership and Community Engagement for Vision Church of Los Angeles, a board member of Gay Sons & Mothers.
![Noah-Gonzalez](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Noah-Gonzalez-1.jpg)
Noah Gonzalez
![Noah-Gonzalez](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Noah-Gonzalez-1.jpg)
Noah GonzalezBoard Vice President
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Steven Welliver
![Steven Welliver Headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Steven-Welliver-Headshot-705x705.jpg)
Steven WelliverBoard Treasurer
![Cyan St. James](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Cyan-St.-James.png)
Mistress Cyan St. James
![Cyan St. James](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Cyan-St.-James.png)
Mistress Cyan St. JamesBoard Secretary
![Gloria Bigelow_2021](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gloria-Bigelow_2021-705x705.jpg)
Gloria Bigelow
![Gloria Bigelow_2021](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gloria-Bigelow_2021-705x705.jpg)
Gloria BigelowBoard Member, Executive Committee
Gloria has also spent over 15 years championing DEI work in both public and private schools. Recently, she was selected to be a part of a leadership team that developed regional standards around Social Emotional Learning and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She has also created and conducted workshops for parents on Identity, Bias and Cultural Competency.
![Gabriel Bilen Headshot 2023](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gabriel-Bilen-Headshot-2023-705x705.png)
Gabriel Bilen
![Gabriel Bilen Headshot 2023](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Gabriel-Bilen-Headshot-2023-705x705.png)
Gabriel BilenBoard Member, Executive Committee
![Lawrence Carroll](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Lawrence-Carroll-1.jpeg)
Lawrence Carroll
![Lawrence Carroll](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Lawrence-Carroll-1.jpeg)
Lawrence CarrollBoard Member, Executive Committee
![Sean Gaynor](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sean-Gaynor-headshot-2022-705x705.png)
Sean Gaynor
![Sean Gaynor](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Sean-Gaynor-headshot-2022-705x705.png)
Sean GaynorBoard Member, Executive Committee
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Nic Mercado
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Nic MercadoBoard Member, Executive Committee
![Charles Beall headshot 2021](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Charles-Beall-headshot-2021-705x705.png)
Charles Beall
![Charles Beall headshot 2021](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Charles-Beall-headshot-2021-705x705.png)
Charles BeallBoard Member
Charles holds an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors of his adopted home of Southern California with his two dogs, Marty and Mandy.
![Jake Brooks-Harris](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Jake-Brooks-Harris.jpg)
Jake Brooks-Harris
![Jake Brooks-Harris](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Jake-Brooks-Harris.jpg)
Jake Brooks-HarrisBoard Member
![Wendy Celaya headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wendy-Celaya-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Wendy Celaya
![Wendy Celaya headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Wendy-Celaya-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Wendy CelayaBoard Member
homeless men, women and children with basic needs and skills necessary to stabilize their lives, secure income and find permanent housing.
![Kareem Cervantes Headshot 2023](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kareem-Cervantes-Headshot-2023-705x705.jpg)
Kareem Cervantes
![Kareem Cervantes Headshot 2023](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kareem-Cervantes-Headshot-2023-705x705.jpg)
Kareem CervantesBoard Member
![Vanessa Cervantes 2021 headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vanessa-Cervantes-2021-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Vanessa Cervantes
![Vanessa Cervantes 2021 headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vanessa-Cervantes-2021-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Vanessa CervantesBoard Member
As a CSW Board member, Vanessa focuses on inclusive programming for the trans, POC, Black, and sober communities.
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Breyon Clemmons
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Breyon ClemmonsBoard Member
Breyon holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, has worked with foster care and probation youth, and volunteers for organizations such as AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), In the Meantime Men’s Group, and Volunteers of America, servicing various populations.
![Andy-Colgan headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Andy-Colgan-headshot-705x705.jpg)
![Santino Lojero](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Santino-Lojero-pic-705x705.jpg)
Sanya Lojero
![Santino Lojero](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Santino-Lojero-pic-705x705.jpg)
Sanya LojeroBoard Member
Originally from the Pomona and Inland Empire area, she is now based in Los Angeles, focusing on mobilizing the local queer nightlife scene into actions that advocate for the equity of Queer and Trans People of Color, while incorporating their passion for art in the work they do. For the past two years, Sanya has co-organized LA’s premier Asian and Pacific Islander focused drag party called, “Send Noodz!” which has been featured at LA Pride Village and other notable community events.
![Imene Meziane headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Imene-Meziane-headshot-705x705.jpg)
![Enrique Monagas 2021 headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Enrique-Monagas-2021-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Enrique Monagas
![Enrique Monagas 2021 headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Enrique-Monagas-2021-headshot-705x705.jpg)
Enrique MonagasBoard Member
The case resulted in a landmark decision affirming the equal dignity of gay and lesbian Americans. His work is featured in HBO’s documentary film “The Case Against 8,” and the books “Forcing the Spring,” “Redeeming the Dream: The Case for Marriage Equality,” and “Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial.”
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Ulisses Rivera
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Ulisses RiveraBoard Member
![Gianna Sobol headshot.jpg](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gianna-Sobol-headshot.jpg--705x705.jpg)
![AR Vincent headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AR-Vincent-headshot-705x705.png)
Addison Rose Vincent
![AR Vincent headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AR-Vincent-headshot-705x705.png)
Addison Rose VincentBoard Member
After graduating with a BA in Peace Studies, Addison served in various roles with nonprofits focused on LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy, including Victory Fund, Strength United, TransLatin@ Coalition, APAIT, and Nonbinary & Intersex Recognition Project. They are now the CEO & Founder of Break The Binary LLC, providing LGBTQIA2S+ educational training and consultation to businesses, schools, and organizations.
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Dara Nai
![Dara headshot](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Dara-headshot.jpg)
Dara NaiOPERATIONS MANAGER
She has also worked on productions for live TV specials, concerts, and awards shows, and inexplicably, as a researcher and graphics designer for a sea level rise vulnerability assessment report for a major coastal California city.
Dara serves on the board of directors of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, the official and only nonprofit of the historic The Stonewall Inn in New York City.
Open Positions
We have no job openings at this time.
CSW Financials
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Christopher Street West Association is required by law to make our annual returns and exemption applications filed with the IRS available for public inspection and copying upon request. To request a copy of our annual tax return, please email [email protected]. We are proud to be ranked Platinum for Transparency on GuideStar, the quintessential database of philanthropy and nonprofits.
CSW / LA Pride is a proud member of these networks of Pride organizations:
Board Emeritus
Directors Emeritus/Emerita are honorary distinctions that recognize the exemplary contributions of former board members who demonstrated the highest levels of service and dedication to Christopher Street West Association. These individuals have successfully served a minimum of three full terms on the CSW Board of Directors, and are part of LA Pride history.
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- Rodney Scott (President Emeritus)
- Sharon Donning
- James Fields
- Hope Hindrichs
- Danny Levy
- Jerry Lovell
- Raymond Rector
- Pat Rocco
- N. Lee Waddell
- Irene Williams
- Michael Yates
DONATE
OUR PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS
Casa del Sol
Casa del Sol is a joint project between AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and CSW to provide low-income housing and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
CSW purchased the Hollywood property in 1988, and after navigating bureaucratic issues and renovation needs for years, it finally opened its doors in 1993. The existence of Casa del Sol was groundbreaking as the first low-income housing project for people with HIV/AIDS to receive HUD funding. This arrangement set a precedent for other independent living programs for persons with HIV/AIDS.
Today, APLA occupies and manages the property, and continues to provide ongoing tenant advocacy and support.
![LA Pride](https://lapride.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/LA-Pride-HORZ-WHITE-RGB.png)
About Christopher Street West
Christopher Street West Association Inc. (CSW) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that produces the annual LA Pride Parade & Festival in Los Angeles, and hosts, supports or sponsors a number of other LGBTQ+ events and community programs throughout the year.
Our EIN is 95-3736454
Our mailing address is:
323-969-8302