San Diego Pride

🌈✨ Celebrating the Vibrant Spirit of LGBTQ+ Latine Pride ✨🌈

Our latest San Diego Pride newsletter is out! 🎉 Dive into a word from our staff, updates, and upcoming events as we honor the resilience, culture, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ Latine community. 🏳️‍🌈💫

🔗 Read the full newsletter: https://loom.ly/bCAlkwU

Join us in celebrating diversity, unity, and pride! 🌟

Celebrating Our 2024 Volunteers of the Year!

Our work at San Diego Pride wouldn’t be possible without the passion and dedication of our incredible volunteers. We were honored to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in supporting our mission at our recent Volunteer Appreciation event.

We’re thrilled to share the full list of our 2024 Volunteers of the Year, whose contributions have made a lasting impact on our community.
🏳️‍🌈 Thank you to all our volunteers for your unwavering support and commitment. Together, we continue to build a more inclusive and vibrant future. ❤️

Check out the full list of honorees and photos at sdpride.org/2024-volunteers-of-the-year

🎉 Get Ready for Latine Pride! 🎉
The San Diego LGBTQ+ Latine Coalition is thrilled to present Latine Pride: Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community! 🌈✨
📅 Saturday, September 21, 2024
🕛 Noon - 6:00 PM
📍 The Soap Factory – 2995 Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92113

✨ Plus, don’t miss the BIPOC Art Show opening on September 20th! 🎨
This is a family-friendly, all-ages event, so bring your loved ones and let’s celebrate together! 💜

👉 RSVP today: https://forms.gle/ZzgtXHfsfxz7hV6Q8

Got questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]. See you there! ***rLatinidad +

Latine Pride

As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the countless workers who have fought—and continue to fight—for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal rights. This day is also a reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace.

Too often, our community experiences discrimination and the fear of being unable to live authentically at work. The modern labor movement and q***r liberation share a common goal: the pursuit of dignity, respect, and equality for all. As we reflect on the progress made, let us also commit to the work that still lies ahead.

🌈✨Reminder 🌈✨

You can help shape the future of San Diego Pride by sharing your thoughts in our 2024 Community Survey. What did you like about the 2024 Festival? What would you switch up? Tell us your thoughts by completing the survey!

📝 Take the survey now: https://loom.ly/XR981rg
📅 Deadline: Sept 13, 2024, 12:00 Midnight PST

Let's make next year’s Pride festival the best one yet! 🌟🏳️‍🌈

🌟 A New Chapter for San Diego Pride 🌟

"As I step into the role of Executive Director, I’m filled with excitement, responsibility, and gratitude. San Diego Pride is more than just an annual celebration; it’s a year-round force for inclusivity, equality, and justice..."

👓 Read more from Leane Marchese, Executive Director on her vision for the future and how you can get involved in our latest newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/sdpride/newchapter-14155323

🌈📢 Attention, San Diego Pride community! Just a quick reminder that the election is approaching quickly! 🗳️

Your voice matters, and every vote counts. If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time to do it. Make sure your voice is heard and your community is represented! 🏳️‍🌈✊VOTE WITH PRIDE!

Head over to https://sdpride.org/vote to see important election dates to get started . Let’s show up and make a difference together! 💪✨

Thank you 10News – ABC San Diego KGTV for helping us announce Executive Director Leane Marchese!

San Diego Pride announces Leane Marchese as the new Executive Director Leane Marchese was named the new executive director of San Diego Pride, replacing interim co-executive directors Jen LaBarbera and Sarafina Scapicchio.

Thank you CBS 8 San Diego for helping us welcome Executive Director, Leane Marchese at the Pride Offices today!

San Diego Pride names new executive director San Diego Pride welcomed its new executive director today.The LGBTQ+ non-profit named Leane Marchese as their new leader, after the former leader stepped dow...

"🌈 San Diego Pride is thrilled to welcome Leane Marchese as our new Executive Director! 🌈

A San Diego native and accomplished non-profit leader, Leane brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. From leading DEI initiatives to most recently serving as the founding Executive Director of Life Science Cares San Diego, she has consistently championed social change and community engagement.

With a strong history of building impactful partnerships and supporting LGBTQIA+ causes, we're excited to have Leane's visionary leadership guiding us forward. Please join us in welcoming, Leane! Visit sdpride.org/blog to learn more about her work. 🌟 "

**NEW DATE**
Community Building Workshops & Pride Planning Meetings
Our Pride Leadership Team meets every third Saturday of the month at the University Christian Church in Hillcrest. Join us to meet fellow volunteer leaders, participate in valuable trainings, and help plan Pride events! Saturday, September 28 9:30 am-12:30 pm

🌈✨ Help shape the future of San Diego Pride by sharing your thoughts in our 2024 Community Survey. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Pride family, we want to hear from YOU! Your feedback will help us create an even more vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable celebration for everyone.

📝 Take the survey now: https://loom.ly/XR981rg
📅 Deadline: Sept 13, 2024, 12:00 Midnight PST

Let's make next year’s Pride festival the best one yet! 🌟🏳️‍🌈

Dear Pride Family,

It has been an honor to serve our community as Interim Co-Executive Directors during a pivotal time of transition for our organization. We are excited to share that after an extensive search process, we will announce San Diego Pride’s new Executive Director on Monday, August 26. At that time, we will both transition back into our prior roles (Sarafina as Deputy Executive Director and Jen as Director of Education & Advocacy). We couldn’t close this chapter without expressing our gratitude.

The reality is that LGBTQIA+ women and femmes are rarely recognized for their leadership abilities in our community, and when they are, it tends to be in times of crisis or transition. There’s a lot of repair work that needs to be done in these transitional times, which requires a lot of listening, learning, and an extension of grace to all involved. One of our prior newsletters was titled “When in doubt, find a d**e” – we’re grateful to have been the nonbinary le***an and femme d**e who you trusted with this privilege and responsibility.

This was truly a labor of love for both of us. When we took on these roles last November, we did so out of a commitment to you, our community. It’s been joyful and challenging, smooth sailing and tumultuous, and - like our Pride celebrations have always been - full of both celebration and grief, often in the same breath.

We want to give a special thank you to our volunteers who helped us keep the ship afloat, and to our staff colleagues who leaned in to support us and each other in large and small ways this past year. Additionally, our community partners, our Board, our donors, our sponsors, our attendees, and our fellow Pride organizers around the country and around the world have been indispensable in offering advice and support during these past 9 months. Thank you, all!

“We couldn’t have done it without you” is overused, but a more accurate statement is: we wouldn’t have wanted to do this without any of you. Thank you for the support, for the challenges, and for the love, San Diego.

Also, though: we are not going anywhere, so see you out there and/or at the polls! (It’s Vote with Pride season, y’all!)

Stay tuned for our exciting announcement about our new Executive Director on Monday!

Sarafina Scapicchio (she/her) & Jen LaBarbera (they/them)
Interim Co-Executive Directors

PS: Extra special shoutouts to our partners who kept US afloat this year - thank you SO much to AD and Stacy for your love and support!

View the full newsletter at >>> https://loom.ly/-QNa7cc

1 Month Until Latine Pride!!!

The San Diego LGBTQ+ Latine Coalition presents Latine Pride- Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community

As San Diego’s official Q***r Latine Pride event, this is a space for folx to embrace the vibrancy of our community and celebrate the pure joy of our Q***r Latinidad. Join us for music, food, community resources, vendors, performances, and opportunities to connect.

Don’t forget to RSVP here and add Latine Pride to your calendar!
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Noon- 6:00 PM
The Soap Factory
2995 Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92113

BIPOC Art Show Opens September 20!

RSVP today!

This is a family-friendly, all-ages event.
Questions? Email us at: [email protected]

How was this a month ago !??! Just 326 days until Pride 2025 😜

📸

Community Building Workshops & Pride Planning Meetings
Our Pride Leadership Team meets every third Saturday of the month at the University Christian Church in Hillcrest. Join us to meet fellow volunteer leaders, participate in valuable trainings, and help plan Pride events! Saturday, September 21 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Dear Pride Family,

As the new school year begins, I find myself reminiscing about the excitement and nervousness that come with returning to school. Reflecting on my own experiences, I recall how my family’s frequent moves—from city to city and even across countries—made navigating school and understanding my q***r identity particularly challenging. Raised in two countries with different languages and cultural norms, finding support and a safe space to be my authentic self was not easy.

Thankfully, times have changed. I am hopeful that more LGBTQIA+ youth are coming out earlier, thanks to increased support at home, at school, or both. However, I recognize that for many LGBTQIA+ youth, this time of year can still be filled with stress and uncertainty. Despite progress in LGBTQIA+ acceptance, many young individuals continue to face bullying, erasure, discrimination, violence, and even threats of expulsion due to their identities. Based on the Trevor Project National Survey, more than half (54%) of transgender and nonbinary young people found their school to be gender-affirming, and those who did reported lower rates of attempting su***de. The support provided to LGBTQIA+ youth varies widely across districts, schools, classrooms, and among faculty, often leaving many feeling vulnerable and unsupported. However LGBTQIA+ young people who reported living in very accepting communities attempted su***de at less than half the rate of those who reported living in very unaccepting communities.

In California, the new AB 1955 SAFETY Act brings promising changes. This legislation mandates that the California Department of Education (CDE) develop resources and strategies to support LGBTQIA+ students and their families. It also prohibits retaliation or adverse actions against employees who support students' rights or provide instruction consistent with state law and educational standards. Importantly, it prevents employees from being forced to disclose a student’s s*xual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression without the student’s consent and nullifies any public school policy that requires such disclosure.

Despite these advancements, the SAFETY Act is being implemented amidst ongoing legal battles in Southern California. Here in East County, the Cajon Valley Union School District has removed LGBTQIA+ people from its s*xual health curriculum, and just passed a “parental rights” policy on Tuesday of this week, in flagrant violation of state law. These lawsuits debate whether teachers should be required to inform parents if a student changes their gender identity, highlighting the tension between parents’ rights to be informed and students’ rights to privacy. The legal disputes are complex, and the final outcomes and applications of these laws remain uncertain.

I was able to make the most of my school experience by staying true to myself, and I believe you can too. Remember to stay authentic, embrace your style, and surround yourself with people who appreciate and support you as you are. Bring your own pronoun pins and fidget toys, and check out this fabulous zine for additional support and resources.

Liliana Hueso
Youth Programs Manager
She/They/Ella

Read the full Newsletter >>>

Trans Pride/History Month: Celebrating Our Legacy Proudly declaring August as Trans Pride/History Month.

We're hiring for a Part-Time Field Organizer! If you have the passion and qualifications for this exciting opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Check out our Careers page for more info!

https://sdpride.org/careers

We are hiring for a Marketing Communications Specialist. If you have the passion and qualifications for this exciting opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Check out our Careers page for more info!

https://sdpride.org/careers

Dear Pride Family,

The last couple of weeks have been exhilarating watching the world’s most prolific athletes compete for glory and recognition at the highest level. And, it’s not lost on me that the Olympics began (in part) with the hope of fostering peace and collaboration among nations.

Citius, Altius, and Fortiusm, or, faster, higher, stronger continues to be a call for nations of the world to vye for precious metals. It’s fitting then, that the Paris Olympic games made history, with the highest participation rate ever recorded from LGBTQIA+ and female athletes.

These Olympic games have brought q***r and trans visibility to the forefront, and with that, fake transphobic outrage targeting cisgender women of color such as Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. For all of the progress we have made, she is still fighting overt disinformation campaigns claiming she is transgender. (See this fact check from GLAAD, InterACT, and Athlete Ally. )

Khelif, who comes from the small village of ‘Aïn Mesbah in Northwest Algeria, is just one of countless women of color whose gender identity has been needlessly and unjustly scrutinized in the name of equity. These allegations are indicative of a broader trend in the fight for gender equality. Just as the tears of white women continue to be weaponized against Black, Indigenous, people of color. The transphobia and misogyny behind these allegations impacts all people, including cisgender women.

Here in California, AB 1266 (2013) attempts to safeguard all young athletes from these kinds of transphobic and misogynistic attacks; state law here requires public schools to allow students – whether cisgender, transgender, and/or inters*x – to access sports teams in accordance with their gender identity. Despite this, school boards and school officials have often challenged the participation of certain girls in girls’ sports, echoing the rhetoric and transphobia across the country. We have to be vigilant in monitoring our local school boards for these violations of inclusion and state law.

Collegiate, professional/semi-pro, and recreational athletics policies are determined by other governing bodies, which can be subject to that same transphobic rhetoric and sometimes problematic s*x verification and are able to be changed through advocacy.

As interACT Executive Director Erika Lorshbough stated: “All women should be able to participate in their sports free from discrimination and exclusion that is antithetical to the spirit of sport itself.”

Shiwali Patel, senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Center, categorized the current climate best, “It’s important to recognize that these discriminatory policies don’t enhance fairness in competition. Instead, they send a message of exclusion and reinforce dangerous stereotypes that harm all women.”

Indeed we see signs of hope as many local recreational sports leagues have explicitly inclusive policies. Like so many moment of meaningful progress, many of these policies are the result of folks advocating for equitable and inclusive policies around participation. While the fight for equity and inclusion is far from settled, I remain hopeful that the community voices and advocacy efforts will have the final say on comprehensive inclusion for LGBTQIA+ athletes at all levels.

While speaking about inclusion in sport, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge that the sports world lost an incredible champion for inclusion, equity and representation this week. We join friends and family in mourning the loss of Billy Bean, Major League Baseball, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

In Pride,

Esme Quintero-Cubillan
they/she
Organizing & Outreach Coordinator

Joslyn Hatfield
she/her/hers
Director of Marketing Communications

Full Newsletter >> https://loom.ly/kVCtM-8

It's a great day to shout out the incredible talents of the San Diego Pride Media Team! Special shout out to our team leads , , .bydearing and CR Associates for collaborating to bring us some amazing visuals this year! Stay tuned for more gallery goodness!

Happy August! 🌤️🌈 Here's a look at what events are happening this month so far!

More info >> sdpride.org/events

Dear Pride Family,

This year, San Diego Pride has been utilizing our weekly newsletter to “pass the mic” - often within our own Pride volunteer and staff teams and at times, to valued community partners. This week, we’re passing the mic to our friends at T-Spot, G.E.M, and Lambda Archives of San Diego, who are making history now. We’re looking forward to celebrating this upcoming month and supporting them in their plans for this work in 2025; we hope you join us!

------------------------

The T-Spot and G.E.M, in collaboration with Lambda Archives of San Diego, proudly declare August as Trans Pride/History Month. While the San Diego City Council has recently acknowledged this month, we have been preparing for this celebration and announcement since the start of the year.

Why August?

August is a month steeped in historical significance for the trans community. It marks the anniversary of the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria riot, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history often overshadowed by the Stonewall riots. This event in San Francisco was a catalyst for broader LGBTQ+ activism and significantly impacted the treatment and perception of trans individuals in society. Recognizing August as Trans Pride/History Month allows us to highlight the resilience and contributions of our community throughout history.

Other Significant Events in August

Several key events occur in August that further underscore its importance:

- Transgender Flag Day: Celebrated on August 19th, this day honors the history and significance of the Transgender Pride Flag, created by Monica Helms on this day in 1999.
- Marsha P. Johnson’s Birthday: August 24th marks the birthday of Marsha P. Johnson, an iconic figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and a prominent participant in the Stonewall riots.

Our Journey

Since February, The T-Spot, G.E.M, and Lambda Archives of San Diego have been working on an initiative to declare August as Trans Pride/History Month. This initiative aims to honor the pivotal role the trans community plays in the fight for social justice and equality.

Upcoming Events in 2025

Although the first events will take place next year in August 2025, here’s a glimpse of what’s being planned:

- Educational Workshops: These will delve into the rich history of the trans community, highlighting key figures and milestones. Topics will include the history of trans activism, significant legal battles, and contributions of trans individuals to various fields.
- Community Gatherings: These events will offer opportunities to connect with fellow advocates and allies, share stories, and build stronger networks. Activities will include panel discussions, storytelling sessions, and community-building initiatives.
- Pride Events: Joyful celebrations, including pride parades, parties, and cultural performances, will celebrate our identities. These events aim to create spaces where trans joy and resilience are front and center.
- Support Services: Resources and support tailored for the trans community will be available. This includes health workshops, mental health support sessions, and information on legal rights and services.

Get Involved

Together, we honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to a future of equality and acceptance. All members of the community, allies, and supporters are invited to join in making Trans Pride/History Month 2025 unforgettable. Here are some ways you can get involved:

- Participate in Events: Attend workshops, gatherings, and pride events to show your support and learn more about trans history and activism.
- Volunteer: Help organize and run events. Your support can make a big difference in the success of these celebrations.
- Spread the Word: Share information about Trans Pride/History Month with your networks to raise awareness and encourage participation.
- Support Trans Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with local trans advocacy groups to help sustain their vital work.

For more information, visit www.tspotsandiego.org or contact us at [email protected]. Stay tuned to T-Spot, G.E.M, and/or Lambda Archives of San Diego for updates and details on how you can participate and support.

In solidarity,
The T-Spot Team

Full newsletter >> mailchi.mp/sdpride/3324

The San Diego Pride Festival was a week ago already? OHFR? ❗

Throwback to Rico Nasty blessing the stage and audience with a SPECTACULAR performance, closing out the festival 🤯🥶🔥

📸:

She still got it! 🥁🥵

Throwback to Sheila E.'s amazing performance at the San Diego Pride Festival last week! 😍

📸:

San Diego Pride extends heartfelt thanks to Falck Mobile Health for celebrating diversity and inclusion with us at Pride 2024. Falck's standby medical services and participation as our Ambulance provider made a significant impact. Thank you for your continued support!

Rocked With Pride //

It was their 4th Year celebrating with San Diego Pride. 100% of profits from their 'Active SciFi' Pride pair support Pride organizations! Celebrate love with sunglasses featuring their enhanced sun protection and the superior scratch resistance of their PureBlend Lens.

Dear Pride Family,

THANK YOU! In a year marked by transitions, thousands of you showed up to celebrate q***r joy and be in community together. Pride is a celebration and a protest at the same time. We have much more work to do in the coming months and years, and our joy is resistance. THANK YOU for showing up for each other!

Thank you for helping San Diego Pride celebrate our 50th Anniversary! As we remember the LGBTQIA+ community members who came before us, we can re-imagine what our own future could and should look like. History is alive, and we shape it every day through our collective action and individual choices. So we ask you again, how will you choose to make history?

San Diego Pride week may be over, but we will carry the spirit of the Stonewall and Compton cafeteria protests with us, because Pride does not end in June OR July, and we demand to be part of the narrative.

Every voice matters, and every step forward is a victory. As we reflect on our beautiful Pride week together, let us recommit ourselves to the origins of Pride.

Let us celebrate with Pride,
Let us vote with Pride,
Let us live with Pride.

With Pride,

Jen LaBarbera (they/them) & Sarafina Scapicchio (she/her)
Interim Co-Executive Directors

P.S. If you enjoyed our celebration and love our year-round education and advocacy work, please consider becoming a sustaining donor to San Diego Pride.

Thank you for celebrating PRIDE at Rich's San Diego! Happy Pride!!