Pride Week comes to San Diego later in the summer than the rest of the country. Regardless of the date, there is growing fear and uncertainty in the LGBTQ+ community, local officials say.
In the face of a federal administration that is undermining diversity programs, San Diego Pride is leaning into the theme “Pride Shines On.”
“It felt like it was time for us to lean into and embrace the light that our community naturally shines into the world,” San Diego Pride Marketing Director Joslyn Hatfield said. “We took this perspective to choose hope in the face of significant adversity.”
Numerous events were scheduled for July 11-19, but San Diego Pride work is a year-round operation. The organization offers community grants to local nonprofits and has a queer artist development program that hosts workshops and learning opportunities.
This year’s parade (July 18) and festival (July 18-19) were not directly impacted by anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, but funding at the local level was threatened. Several arts organizations nearly had budgets slashed (a challenge many other Pride groups are facing, too).
External threats had a way of unifying the San Diego community. Pride saw support for its mission grow.
“Partners in the county, and the Prebys Foundation, stepped in to help fund the arts,” Hatfield said. “That was hugely impactful for San Diego Pride.”
Pride Week kicked off with a Dyke March, the first one in a decade. It started at Moe’s on University Avenue and made its way down to Gossip Grill for an afterparty of queer joy and celebration.
For the 10th year the Light Up the Cathedral event (July 15) was scheduled as an interfaith kickoff to Pride events.
The Spirit of Stonewall Rally (July 17) was set to be keynoted by Hailie Sahar from the FX series Pose. Named in honor of the New York City Stonewall Uprising, this gathering has a half century of tradition.
The 1.5-mile parade route from Hillcrest to Balboa Park annually draws 250,000 attendees. It’s one of San Diego’s largest single-day civic events.
The two-day festival in Balboa Park features 100-plus artists, from international performers to queer local talent.
Want to show some Pride support? Go to: Donate. SDSun
