For the second year in a row, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hit the streets to march in the L.A. Pride Parade. On Sunday, Academy members, staff and friends assembled in Hollywood to march alongside Oscar, wearing his now-customary Pride Month rainbow boa, and a trio of drag queens channeling cinema's most iconic queer icons: Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz and Star Wars' Princess Leia. As always, the Academy came with a message to spread: "The Future of Film Is Inclusive!"
"It was wonderful having a presence in the Los Angeles Pride Parade for a second year in a row!" says Academy Pride's Justin Jackson. "This year, our giant Oscar statue returned, and we incorporated a digital display showcasing queer moments in film. It was a highlight seeing parade spectators react to the clips."
"To see the joyful reaction of the crowd with each queer film clip reminds us of the power of representation and the hope we have for the future of film being more inclusive," adds Allison Ambili Kumar, Manager, Representation, Inclusion, and Equity at the Academy. "Pride Month is a beautiful and necessary time for the LGBTQIA+ community to come together in an expression of love, joy, and hope. Academy Pride looks forward to making our participation in L.A. Pride Parade a long-standing tradition!"
Below, check out an exclusive photo diary of the day courtesy of photographer Mark Von Holden.
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