Greg Louganis leads Pride Parade

lympic Gold medalist Greg Louganis will lead this year's "Out & Free" Parade as Grand Marshall during the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Pride Festival. Louganis, formerly of El Cajon, will be joined by his mother in leading the colorful procession of floats and community groups down University Avenue to Sixth Avenue on July 15 starting at noon.

To cope with the large amount of trash generated, San Diego Earth Day and the Urban Corps are teaming up to lead the recycling effort at this outdoor event.

"We really admire the terrific job that San Diego Earth Day does cleaning up the park during the EarthFair," says Brenda Schumacher, executive director of San Diego Pride. "Our volunteers are inspired by the commitment that they have to the environment. I know that our community shares that commitment and we will have the cleanest Pride festival ever."

Following the Parade, a lesbian and gay festival featuring food, exhibits and live entertainment at Marston Point in Balboa Park will attract an audience of over 20,000. Louganis will be visible throughout the entire three-day Pride celebration, beginning with the rally on the evening of July 14. After the Parade the next day, he'll autograph copies of his autobiography, "Breaking the Surface," at the P.A.W.S. booth on the festival grounds.

Like San Diego Earth Day events, the Pride Festival is staffed by volunteers from all over the San Diego area. Volunteers are needed for safety, sales, ticketing, recycling, stage setup, bartending, and parade marshaling.

To volunteer, attend one of the training sessions on June 10, 16, 17, 20, 24 or on July 1 at the Lesbian and Gay Men's Community Center, located at the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street. Volunteers receive a two-day festival pass, a souvenir t-shirt, a catered meal, discounts on the new "Out & Free" line of merchandise and a "volunteer appreciation party." For more information about volunteering, exhibiting or sponsoring, contact the San Diego Pride office at 297-7683.