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Pink Saturday, for the uninitiated, is quite simply put just about the biggest annial block party for the LGBT community that doesn't have the word "Pride" attached to it. Actually that is only partially correct as it is Pride related due to it always being held the Saturday before San Fracisco's Gay Pride Day which also happens to be that same day as the Dyke March Parade. As Pink Saturday is began as an underground party that simply continued to grow larger and larger every year it's difficult to point to the first year it occurred, the original Pink Saturday party goers and organizers for lack of a better word never envisioned it becoming so big and as such never attached a name to it.

As the years rolled on however it did receive a name. Unofficially it took on the Pink Saturday name sometime in the late 1970's according to those old enough to actually remember. What began as a group of people that were primarily from the Castro District and communities scattered throughout California has today swelled to an event that draws crowds estimated in the range of nearly a million people hailing from all parts of the world. What was once just a huge party has now taken on a much larger function in the celebration of Gay Pride events and commerce as a whole in the Castro District. The odd thing is it almost never got the chance to continue.

There was a time that Pink Saturday started to get a little out of control. It had turned into something that was bordering on a Mardi Gras atmosphere that wasn't all that family friendly and was in danger of be putting to rest. Business owners weren't terribly pleased as that meant losing a big annual revenue day, and LGBT person in general didn't want to see it end rather, they just wanted it to take place in a less adult type tone. Kitty Catalyst and Deborah Melvin of Sisters and San Francisco Pride respectively, stepped in and took charge of Pink Saturday.

With their leadership and the muscle of their organizations they reshaped Pink Saturday. While many thought it may not work, they envisioned an event that would draw all ages and serve as a huge event that attract the youth by offering a huge gathering that didn't hinge on alcohol as so many events do. Street performers and artists were recruited to perform as well as booths to educate people on not just LGBT issues but community issues as a whole were put in place. The Dyke march was now used to kick the festivities rather than to serve as a protest. So as to be bound by no agenda corporate sponsors were turned down one after the other.

What they found is that their formula and vision worked. Pink Saturday became a true family pride event. Although late at night as San Francisco's Pride Day does unofficially kick off it does get a little more adult oriented it isn't much of a concern as the kids have gone home. It is more of a time when Pink Saturday's all volunteer force gets to cut loose with the grownups and ring in the new day. Beyond all that Pink Saturday supports itself financially with no problems. In fact it does so well it distributes it's profits each year to community organizations that need help rather than hoarding it in their coffers.

As the years progressed more and more events were scheduled like a marathon, numerous musicians have performed over the years, and almost anything that has entertainment value and a positive message finds a place in the festivities. For those who have never attended a Pink Saturday it is one of the best times you can have during the year. There is almost no history of violence or hate crimes at any event. You need not be LGBT to attend, you just need to love people and a good time.

Learn more about this author, Amanda Fox.
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