San Diego Pride 2015

• PRINT
• EMAIL
• LARGE
• MEDIUM
• SMALL

As we stand on the other side of the historic Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage, it is not without significance that it is during San Diego Pride, that we have even more cause to celebrate. Now that the momentous decision has landed squarely on our side, it is still important to remember that we have many other reasons to gather in community - to remember those who fought before us, and to support the many others who still need it.

We are a group who has fought long and hard for the right to exist - not just that, but for the right to flourish. The LGBT community is adept at joining forces in a common cause and in doing so, has gained confidence and changed social norms. Coming together in celebration at Pride, for the many joyous rallies around gay marriage, or the myriad of other LGBT events across the country, is the best way to take ownership and enjoy those gains made. It is also, the most effective way to march and have our voices heard, in order to right losses that we must continue to stand up for.

Historically, we have always gathered in an effort to find connection, even when it was in a society that often reviled us. We sought each other out in the ways that humans do, to find comfort and to alleviate the ravages of isolation. It was covert and always with great risk professionally, socially and sadly, more often than not, physically. That didn't stop us, because isolation exacts such a great price. Lonely closets were (and for some, still are), places filled with darkness and terror.

We learned to gather in spite of those fears, because even in dark times, we understood that there was safety in numbers. Secrecy and hiding were still deeply ingrained realities, but those moments of connection made us stronger and were the beginnings of the freedoms we enjoy now. Wisely learning along the way that there is great power in those numbers. One voice can indeed change things, but can also be easily silenced. The volume of ten is harder to ignore, a hundred even more so... the voices of a hundred thousand, impossible.

Many dismiss LGBT Pride events as a debaucherous spectacle, but I believe that they are a hard-won and vital part of what it means to be out and free. We have earned the right to celebrate our bodies, our loves and our community. We have earned that celebration, because we have fought so hard, in order to leave behind the indignities of those dark closets. And, when few would reach out to help, we fought even harder to survive the ravages of HIV/AIDS. Even now, on the other side of yet another hard-fought, long battle, even in victory, we must continue to gather and fight if necessary. Because... somebody, somewhere out there, still needs us to.

So, my friends, celebrate this victory, show your Pride, get out there and love what we have achieved... and what is to come. As you do, take a minute to remember the many unique facets that make up our glorious community. Look out across at all those beautiful colors in that rainbow and take a minute or two out of your revelries to reach out to someone not as familiar to your daily life - you as an individual and we as a community - will be so much stronger for it.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT SAN DIEGO PRIDE 2015 HAS IN STORE:

Spirit of Stonewall Rally

San Diego's first "gay gathering" was back in 1975. It was created as a way to commemorate and honor leaders, who where working hard to promote and preserve community gains and meet the many challenges still being faced.

This year's Spirit of Stonewall Rally has returned to the Pride Festival location at Marsden Point and will take place on Friday, July 17. The event features Master of Ceremonies Stephen Whitburn, Executive Director of San Diego LGBT Pride, with this year's Keynote Speaker Tony Atkins, Speaker of the California Assembly. This year's awardees include; Champions of Pride Connor Maddocks as well as Tracie Jada O'Brien; as Friend of Pride Darlene Tando, LCSW and as Community Grand Marshal, The Entire Trans* Community.

Connor Maddocks, the Project Trans Coordinator at the San Diego LGBT Center, offered this about winning his award: "I am incredibly honored, to have been selected as one of San Diego Pride's Champions of Pride. I have been volunteering with San Diego Pride for 11 years and know so many of the past recipients. My predecessors have done so much for our community and to be included with them humbles me."

He continued, "My work in the community is something I do because I feel such a deep need to help make this world a better and safer place for all transgender people. To be a part of a system that is open to and working towards equality, more resources, medical assistance, etc., is incredibly important. I had none of this growing up, not even an awareness of what transgender was. It makes me proud to have played at least a small part in helping our world change, so that our youth today have less of a struggle to be their authentic selves and have a better chance to live in a safe and supportive world. This is what we fight for and this is how it should be for everyone."

San Diego Pride Parade

San Diego has the distinction of being the fourth largest Pride march in the country, which only goes to show how much we love a gay parade! Typically, the crowds top out at over 100,000 for the single day event and feature elected officials, community groups, military service members, first responders and offer significant media participation.

The parade takes place on Saturday, July 18, stepping off at Normal Street and University Avenue starting at 11 a.m. There will be eight different reviewing stands, including a handicap accessible reviewing stand with ASL interpreters, shaded stands for seniors and bilingual reviewing stands.

This year's Grand Marshal for the Parade is the entire Trans Community, about the significance of its meaning, Connor Maddocks opined further. "Having our entire community named as Grand Marshals of Pride says a lot about how far our community has come. In the past, trans people were not always recognized as being part of the greater community and now Pride has honored all of us this way. Pride is about celebrating all of us - unique and special and proud. Finally it feels like 'all of us' means just that."

In 2011, San Diego became the first city in the nation to have a contingent specifically for service members and veterans. For 2015, the tradition continues; all members of the United States armed forces, members of allied forces and family members join the Pride Parade Military Contingent. In another first and as a special new treat for 2015, the Pride Parade will feature The Pride Youth Marching Band, with more than 100 young, local musicians from across the region. It's part of a volunteer program designed to foster character development and leadership in LGBTQ- identified youth.

The Pride Music Festival

Like we said, there are a lot of changes to 2015's Pride celebration and the Pride Music Festival has undergone its share of entertainment upgrades. Pride Executive Director Stephen Whitburn had this to say about what Pride is hoping to create: "There are two primary goals. One is to create a space for everybody to celebrate who they are and to celebrate each other; it's a massive party for all people who believe in equality. The other goal is to raise proceeds that we can give back in the form of grants to community-serving organizations.

"In addition to the performance stages, Pride Music Festival features an open-air art gallery, food vendors, craft beers, spirits and more than 200 exhibitor booths offering information, services and products."

This year, the festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, at Marsden Point in Balboa Park, with multiple stages of entertainment, including the Stonewall Main Stage presented by Harrah's, the Euphoria Dance Garden presented by Bud Light, Mundo Latino, The Movement: Hip Hop and SHE-FEST, with more than 150 musicians, bands, comedy and dance performers - in total, there are over 100 featured entertainers.

Other festival highlights include multiple beverage gardens, a Cool Zone for those 55+, the Leather Realm, Art of Pride (LGBT local artists), Youth Zone, Children's Garden, HIV testing, a She-Power Health & Wellness Zone and the Accessibility Booth and Deaf Zone.

Whitburn continued, offering the following about what the changes are, "The Pride Music Festival is an updated name for the event that has always been San Diego's biggest music festival celebrating diversity and equality. We've also updated our entertainment philosophy. In the past, our headliners were often performers best known for hits in the '80s and '90s. This year, our entire lineup consists of current artists on five electronic and live stages."

He continued, "They include dance, pop, hip-hop, Latin and other acts including Mary Lambert ("Same Love,""She Keeps Me Warm") Taryn Manning and Ruby Rose ("Orange Is the New Black"), Emma Hewitt, Late Night Alumni, Pierce Fulton, Big Freedia, Rocio Banquells and dozens more. And, as a special treat, Carmen Electra will host the Main Stage on Saturday."

2015 promises to be an event-filled weekend at Marsden Point in Balboa Park, at a bargain price: Two-day General Admission tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. If you want "superstar" access, two-day VIP tickets are $120 in advance or $150 at the gate.

For a complete lineup of all this year's performers and more information, or to purchase your festival tickets, go to sdpride.org/festival