San Francisco, CA – 24 June 2009 – Programming for this year’s San Francisco Pride Main Stage pairs speakers from the frontlines of the LGBT civil rights struggle with up-and-coming, cutting-edge performers. 

Among the headliners rank a mix of talented women including Korea’s BoA, Mexico’s Fey, Canada’s The Cliks, and R&B songstress Solange Knowles. Also, on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Celebrity Grand Marshals Cloris Leachman, Howard Rosenman, and Bruce Cohen will make a special appearance on the Main Stage.

In addition, leaders of the marriage equality movement including Community Grand Marshal Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA will also speak on Saturday.

Celebrity Grand Marshal Lt. Dan Choi will be speaking about the military’s controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy which bans lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the armed forces from openly serving.

Joining our openly gay elected officials on the main stage Sunday will also be California’s state Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg.

"As the biggest stage at the largest LGBT gathering in the nation, San Francisco Pride's Main Stage melds the diversity of our community with cutting-edge entertainment,” said Lindsey Jones, Pride’s executive director. “In the wake of the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold discrimination in the state’s constitution, the community has even more reason to come together on June 27 and 28 to hear about and get active in the ongoing struggle for LGBT equality while taking in the unique sounds of our main stage."

“Since the first Gay-In 39 years ago, San Francisco Pride has continued to lead the way in fusing the celebration of LGBT culture, the diversity of the LGBT community, and the advocacy of LGBT civil rights,” said Board President Mikayla Connell.  "It could not be more fitting that our Main Stage stands at the base of the stairs of San Francisco City Hall where the legal battle for marriage equality in California began in February 2004 and across the Civic Center plaza from the Supreme Court of California which heard the challenge to Prop 8 earlier this year. Our 2009 line-up of speakers and performers will continue our tradition of engaging our community, advocating for our civil rights, and celebrating our diversity."

Information about Pride's Main Stage acts and the most current artist set times are available at sfpride.org.

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More Information about Pride’s Main Stage Headlining Acts:

BoA
Asia's #1-charting pop star, BoA, now 22, has enjoyed an extremely successful nine-year career in Asia where she has released eleven #1 albums.    BoA will be headlining on the SF Pride Main Stage on Sunday, June 28. 

Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles, the sister of the other R&B songstress Knowles, presents her melodic, sweet, and soulful music.  Solange recently release her album Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams.

Fey
Mexico’s pop sensation, Fey was born in Mexico City in July 21, 1973, to a family of musicians. She produced and released her most ambitious album yet, Dulce Tentación (Sweet Temptation), distributed independently with Mi Rey Records (part of Grupo Mantequilla). The album was produced by Sam “Fish” Fisher, who has worked with artists like Duran Duran and Marilyn Manson.  The album was released in Mexico physically and Worldwide Digitally, the last week of April  and her debut single from the album, Lentamente, has been a top ten her native country since it’s release in February.

The Cliks
Composed from a place of deep turmoil, lead singer Lucas Silveira began work on the Cliks’ second album, Dirty King, following the highly successful tours behind sophomore release Snakehouse. The band’s incendiary live shows became the calling card by which they were known, and in short order, musical heroes Ian Astbury of the Cult and Cyndi Lauper hand-picked the band for their respective tours.

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Main Stage Line Up
(As of June 24, 2009, and subject to change)

Main Stage Saturday Line-Up 

Main Stage Sunday Line-Up