Maybe you’ve always wanted to march in the Pride Parade, maybe you’re motivated by the tragedy in Orlando, or maybe you have designs to someday run for elected office. Whatever your reasons for wanting to march in the 46th annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade this Sunday, there are a handful of contingents that are still accepting new registrants at this eleventh hour, and would allow you to march with them.
If registering for one of these contingents of the Pride Parade, remember that it’s about them. It’s not about you. You are joining the parade to represent and support this contingent. Most of these groups do require pre-registration, some have a certain dress code they would want you to follow, and not all of these contingents are free to join. Furthermore, they probably need you more as a Contingent Monitor than as a marcher. The Contingent Monitor training consists of merely watching the nine-minute YouTube video below, so check that out and then register for the parade with one of these groups.
San Francisco Pride Orlando Memorial March
You saw them on last night’s KNTV news, now you can join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and nearly 500 marchers in the Orlando Memorial contingent of the Pride Parade. “Join us!,” organizer Richard Sizemore Palmer told SFist. “Be seen, be heard, and don't be scared. If you would like to join our contingent, please remember to e-mail.”
Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club
Join supervisors Jane Kim, David Campos and several other local Democratic party superstars to march in the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club contingent. Registration is required and purchase of a $10 t-shirt is encouraged.
Bernie Sanders March at SF Pride Parade.
The Bernie people are still at it, and you can march with them. The contingent is called Still Sanders, they’re particularly committed to this year’s parade theme of racial and economic justice, and you can register with them online
UPDATE: Team Bernie is not registered to march in the parade.
SF Zen Center
2016 Pride Parade Community Grand Marshall Larry Yang teaches at the San Francisco Zen Center, and you can march with their contingent by registering online.
Oasis California with the United In Spirit Contingent
Not to be confused with the drag nightclub or the southern California town, this Oasis California is the LGBT Ministry of the Diocese of California. “Around the Bay Area as across America, Episcopal Churches offer sanctuary and a safe place for spiritual growth to LGBTQ people, their families, and their allies,” Oasis California President Father Tom Jackson told SFist. You can register with them online.
If you haven’t been in the parade before, realize it will feel like a four-hour Bataan Death March in the hot sun (though the course is not even a mile) so bring water and be well-rested. Or simply grab a spot on Market Street and watch the parade. For the most spectacular parade watching spot available, the Academy of Friends VIP Parade Viewing Party at the Equinox Sports Club (Market Street and Third Street) offers a terrific vantage point, plus complimentary bites and cocktails. Tickets to that start at $100.