Week in Review: Gay Pride, Torch Run and AIDS LifeCycle

The 41st annual LA Pride swept through town this week, bringing close to half a million visitors celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. 

Gay corrections officer  won the right to march in uniform in Sunday's parade after he was denied by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Weho resident discussed her bold creation of "I AM" for the Dyke March t-shirt days before the Friday Pride event.

In preparation for the Special Olympics Summer Games, the LA County Sheriff's Department, including representatives from the Weho station, participated in the Central leg of the  Thursday. , a seven-day event that benefits the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, culminated in Westwood on Saturday.

Here is a recap of what happened in West Hollywood, as well as some announcements and upcoming events to look forward to. 

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In preparation for Pride, Patch spoke to  and  officials about the large influx of people coming to Weho for the weekend's activities. About 400,000 attendees were expected this year, generating about $23 million for the area.

City and county politicians joined public safety and transportation officials at a news conference Monday morning to alert motorists about a planned 10-mile, in mid-July. Residents and visitors are urged to completely avoid the freeway area.

 accompanying a West Hollywood Sheriff's sergeant on calls about a fight outside a bar, a car with expired tags and people stuck in an elevator during a ride-along Thursday night.

Best in Columns:

 was the subject of this week's . A Los Angeles establishment since 1926, the shop offers 28 wines on tap for tasting plus a vast selection of hand-selected bottles from around the world.

profiled JFS Connect. The Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles program provides volunteer drivers for seniors and disabled adults who need assistance grocery shopping and getting around town.

Must-See Photos:

 offered a preview of its LA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival at the Sofitel's Stone Rose Lounge on Wednesday. Film buffs and filmmakers alike were excited by the lineup, featuring some of the biggest talent gracing the screens at Outfest this year.

The first  kicked off Friday night just off San Vicente and Santa Monica in Weho. The assembled throng of women (and their male friends) gathered around the DJs, musicians, food trucks and bars before assembling for the Dyke March, led by the Dykes on Bikes SoCal chapter and aided by the LAFD and the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station.

Academy-Award winner Dustin Lance Black and cast members from The Real L Word were among the guests at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center's Pride cocktail party, , on Paramount Pictures' historic New York Street Saturday night.

Mark Your Calendar:

An eventful Planning Commission meeting is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the West Hollywood Park Auditorium. Public hearings will be heard for at 8301 Sunset Blvd., at 692 N. Robertson Blvd., at 8948 Santa Monica Blvd. and 1350 N. Hayworth Ave.

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