“For me personally, San Diego Pride is much more than a party or a series of parties. It’s a gathering,” proclaims Tony Moran, arguably the biggest gay DJ in the world right now. For the second year in a row, Tony headlines Pride, this time at The Zoo Party. “So many people from around the country come to San Diego to celebrate Pride and have fun. It’s truly a spectacle.”

By now it’s common knowledge that in addition to his spinning career, Tony Moran is a world-renowned record producer. He’s worked with the likes of Celine Dion, Cher and Janet Jackson, among others. If this is the first you’re hearing about this, please turn in your gay card.

What will come as news to you is that Moran is about to release an arsenal of must-have tracks for the summer, plus a brand new album, Tony Moran’s N-R-G. He calls the record his proudest work yet. “I took my time putting this compilation together. If you liked Tour De Beats, you will not be disappointed.”

“I’ve been hard at work on songs for Deborah Cox, Mariah Carey and Rihanna,” he continues. “I just completed a new single with Kristine W that I promise is going to be like nothing you have ever heard before.”

Moran will debut the Kristine W. single at this year’s The Zoo Party.

He’s also excited about his new version of “Wings,” the theme from Brokeback Mountain that he created with Manny Lehman and Warren Rigg. “It’s so amazing. I play it over and over again, listening to all the new arrangements and sounds that are going to take this instrumental classic to a whole other level.”

Tony Moran has been making hit records since the early ’90s freestyle era. In fact, he helped start freestyle with his first girl group, The Cover Girls. Their song, “Show Me,” a single he produced, was Tony’s first smash hit, and the music man has never looked back.

“Those freestyle rhythms from back in the day are still in my music today,” he says. “They have just evolved and adjusted. The root of the tribal sound comes from within those old rhythms.”

What has changed, thankfully, is the culture we live in. Tony believes America accepts diversity now more then ever before.

“Things get better every year. We live in an age where we can be more comfortable in our own skin. I can look at anybody in the eyes and admit that I am gay. I am not embarrassed and I am not intimated.”

He does, however, acknowledge that barriers do remain.

“[President] Bush, of course,” he laughs. “But there are things we, as a community, can do to support tolerance. My boyfriend and I contribute to organizations like the Empire State Pride Agenda and GLAAD. Other people can donate their time to local gay community centers. No contribution is too small. If some of us who don’t do anything just did a little something, imagine the change that would amount to.”

Pride week, though, is a time to celebrate the year’s accomplishments. What better way to celebrate than on Tony’s dance floor?

“This year’s The Zoo Party is about energy, joy and sexuality,” he proclaims. “I can’t wait. Something tells me it’s going to be the best pride yet.”

Tony Moran, along with DJ Phil B., headlines The Zoo Party on Sunday, July 30, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the San Diego Zoo. For more information, visit www.sdpride.org.