Inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster Milk? Fancy some classic gay fun? San Francisco Pride is the international event for you. As a gay capital of the US, and perhaps the world, SF’s pride celebration is huge, and offers plenty to every section of the LGBT community, with 19 different stages and venues.

The event kicks off with the celebration in the Civic Centre, where the main stage can be found. On the Saturday, there are the more varied cultural performances, whilst on Sunday, it’s celebrities and cutting edge music all the way, with cameos from classic gay icons. Last year, the main stage on Sunday saw performances from Cindy Lauper and Lady GaGa, as well as a handful of fun and funky new artists.

The parade brings together elected officials, businesses, Dykes on Bikes, dancers, floats, and individuals who just want to join in the party. Reflecting the still very political nature of the parade, 2009’s theme is “In Order to Form a More Perfect Union”, a reference to the recent rows in the US over gay marriage and equality.

There is so much more going on in SF over pride weekend it’s hard to know where to start. Almost nobody within the LGBT (or, as they call it, the LGBTQQI) community is left out in the cold. There are stages for dance, country, hiphop, and Latin American music, as well as stages for shadowplay and tantra. Nectarena, the women’s block, is packed full of music, dance and entertainment for lesbians and their friends. There is a faerie village, a leather alley, an African-American village, a family garden, a deaf/hard-of-hearing space, a smokefree space, a clean and sober space, pavilions for the transgender and HIV positive communities. If there is one thing this city does well, it’s put on a show that everyone can enjoy; check it out if you just can’t choose what to do over this year’s pride season.