LAS VEGAS SIGN TO CHANGE COLORS FOR THE 30TH ANNUAL LAS VEGAS PRIDE CELEBRATION

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc (SNAPI) with support from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will be changing the light bulbs of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign in support of Las Vegas PRIDE, a celebration that supports members of the LGBT community and their straight allies. The re-lighting of the Las Vegas sign takes place on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 10:00am. The following day, August 31st, will kick-off a series of festivities including a family skate night, family bingo, brunches, pool parties, and of course the PRIDE Parade and Festival. Currently bordered with 89 chasing yellow incandescent bulbs, the sign will take on the hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple to emulate the LGBT rainbow flag, the symbol of diversity for the LGBT community. The lighting change will continue for a period of 11 days. Present at the sign’s unveiling will be Dina Titus (D), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 1st Congressional District, who has been a pivotal supporter of the Las Vegas LGBT community for years; and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani. “This is an historic moment for the Las Vegas community to recognize HRC’s PRIDE, especially on the event’s 30th anniversary,” said, James Healey (D) member of the Nevada Assembly’s 35th District who will also be in attendance at the re-lighting. “The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign is an internationally celebrated icon and by turning rainbow in celebration of Pride Week, it shows the world how welcoming Las Vegas is to its LGBT community members, visitors and allies. I am thrilled to be a part of history.” “Las Vegas was one of the first cities to fully embrace its LGBT residents and valued visitors,” said Latoya Holman, member of the National Board of Governors at the Human Rights Campaign. “This re-lighting of our beloved sign will be incredibly moving for our LGBT community members who will be attending the festivities. This is tangible proof that their hometown accepts them and is proud of who they are.” For more information regarding PRIDE 2013, a destination PRIDE, and to purchase tickets to the Festival, please visit: www.hrc.org/lasvegaspride. The public is invited to stop by and have their photo taken with the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign between August 30 and September 8, 2013. The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc. (SNAPI) is Nevada’s largest and most recognized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organization. The primary objectives and purposes of SNAPI are: To educate the general public to the needs and issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to provide educational outreach to persons directly or indirectly involved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to advocate and facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources between the various non‐profit Nevada lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or related organizations; to promote a positive image of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and PRIDE; to provide inclusive and diverse representation within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; to recognize and celebrate the substantial achievements in our community. Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With nearly 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.7 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to LVCVA.com or LasVegas.com.