“Generations of Strength” is an apt theme for this year’s 48th annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade, which has gained strength over the generations as one of the city’s most important cultural events — and has morphed into a celebration shared by the young and the not-so-young, the straight and the not-so-straight.

In our uncertain political climate, the massive parade — which begins downtown roughly at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 24 — will be an opportunity for everyone to just have fun and be themselves, even as we are mindful of the present and the past, and the things that bind us all.

The weeklong San Francisco Pride Celebration, which this year will also mark the 40th anniversary of the ubiquitous rainbow flag, attracts people from all over the globe. It is a sincere, yet irreverent, display of diversity. It is a gathering of innumerable LGBTQ organizations — whether it’s the Gay Men’s Chorus or the Dykes on Bikes — that make the city one of the most colorful metropolises on Earth.

Most of the major weekend action will take place at Civic Center Plaza, where numerous stages and venues will be set up for much of Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24 (including, of course, the post-parade extravaganza).

Dolores Park will be another key hub of activity, as the staging point on Friday, June 22, for the Trans March, and on Saturday, June 23, for the Dyke March.

The giant pink triangle, perhaps the most visible symbol of Pride Week, will be installed on Twin Peaks — a stark reminder of past persecution, yet an enduring symbol of strength and pride.

Here’s our easy-to-use guide to the parade, the parties, the commemorations, the films, the food, the transportation — so you can experience one of the city’s biggest destination events of the year.

David Lewis is a Bay Area freelance writer.

More Information Pride events The San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade When: 10:30 a.m. June 24. Where: The parade begins at Market and Beale streets and ends at Market and Eighth streets. Civic Center celebrations Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 24. For more info: www.sfpride.org San Francisco Pride - Generations of Strength, June 23-24 www.sfpride.org Best of S.F. pride in One Pass Pride Pass offers the best of San Francisco Pride, including grandstand seating and entrance to VIP party. The pink triangle Visitors are welcome to attend the commemoration of the pink triangle, and volunteers are urged to help put it up and take it down. Where: Twin Peaks parking area, 100 Christmas Tree Point Road, S.F. Installation: 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23. Commemoration ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 23. De-installation: 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 24 (after the parade) Note to volunteers: Bring a hammer and gloves. Annual pink triangle installation and commemoration: Memorial of LGBT oppression and homophobia, created annually by installing pink triangle on Twin Peaks during SF Pride week. For more info: www.thepinktriangle.com The Trans March Where: Dolores Park. When: 6 p.m. Friday, June 22 (preceded by rally activities at the park that start at 11 a.m.). Volunteer: Trans March is an entirely volunteer- led and volunteer-run event organized by trans people and allies. For more info: www.transmarch.org The Dyke March Where: Begins at 18th and Dolores streets. When: 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23 (preceded by rally activities at Dolores Park that start at 11 a.m.). Mission: To bring lesbian communities together to celebrate unity, raise consciousness and be visible. For more info: www.thedykemarch.org