City to host free vaccine clinic at The Falcon ahead of Long Beach Pride events
The pop-up clinic will offer a variety of shots and STI testing at The Falcon on Broadway ahead of Long Beach Pride on May 19.
The Long Beach Health Department is holding a vaccination fair ahead of the 41st Pride celebration, where people can get shots offering protection against a variety of illnesses including COVID-19, MPOX and influenza.
The “Prep for Pride After Hours” event is being hosted at The Falcon, a bar deep in the heart of what’s long been known as the Gayborhood, where the city is working to establish an LGBTQ+ cultural district.
According to a memo from the city’s Health and Human Services Department, the event will offer free HIV and STI testing in addition to the free vaccines.
The event is planned for April 27 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Falcon on Broadway and is open to everyone regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation or insurance status, according to a city memo.
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“The Health Department strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where people can prioritize sexual health and access to essential services in a confidential and judgment-free zone,” Alison King, the city’s new Director of Health and Human Services wrote in the memo to the City Council regarding the event.
While the event will allow for walk-up service, people can sign up for an appointment to avoid waiting at the event. Appointments can be made on the MyTurn website, according to the memo.
The stretch of Broadway between Alamitos Avenue and Junipero Avenue is famed for its history and ties to the LGBTQ+ community. Four decades ago, the corridor served as the original parade route for the Pride parade. The city has started the public process of designating it as an official district to celebrate people and events connected to the city’s LGBTQ+ population.
This year, the Pride parade will take place on the morning of May 19. The city announced the 2024 grand marshals for the parade, which will include past board members of Long Beach Pride, the nonprofit that organizes the annual celebration, as well as rapper Saucy Santana, actress and civil rights activist Donzaleigh Abernathy and several others.
The city is serving as the official host of the parade this year after Long Beach Pride asked the council to financially support the celebration this year as it struggled to come up with funds for this year’s parade.
More information about this year’s parade can be found here.
The Falcon, also known as the World Famous Falcon, is located at 1435 E. Broadway.
