The office of Councilman Tom Simplot and the Parks and Recreation Department recently collaborated to be an event partner of the annual Phoenix Pride Festival held at Steele Indian School Park.

“The annual Phoenix Pride celebration is the largest gay and lesbian event in Arizona. We are pleased to have the City of Phoenix as a Premier Partner with Phoenix Pride,” said Brandi Sokolosky, Phoenix Pride executive director.

The annual festival, scheduled for April 12 and 13, popularly known as the Phoenix Gay Pride Festival and Parade, is the largest event coordinated by Phoenix Pride, an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity and the future of Phoenix’s LGBT community. Since 2003, the event has been held at Steele Indian School Park and each year is a huge success, attracting more than 27,000 attendees in 2007.

“Phoenix is a city that values its diversity, and that includes our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population,” said Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot. “It’s a genuine source of pride for me, personally and as an elected official, to see Phoenix take a meaningful role in this event. It is one of the most important celebrations in our community—and always a great party.”

“This is a great and important partnership. Besides celebrating diversity, another thing I like about the Gay Pride Festival and Parade is that it represents the new energy, progress and sense of community we’re seeing downtown,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “This is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community to our city and for supporting tolerance and understanding in our city. I’m pleased to have proclaimed Gay Pride Week in Phoenix for many years and to have walked at this pride event.”

For more information on Phoenix Pride or the event, call 602-277-7433 or visit phoenixpride.org.