United in Pride

SAN DIEGO, CA – June 5, 2023 – 159 organizations, institutions of faith, businesses, and community, faith, and elected leaders have come together to issue a joint statement expressing their unwavering support for Pride events and the LGBTQ+ community amidst a rising tide of threats and hostility.

In a powerful expression of unity, these diverse community leaders have condemned the growing threats against Pride events and the LGBTQ+ community, specifically from anti-LGBTQ+ groups and extremist factions. The statement highlights an alarming increase in public hostility and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, resulting in fear and concern over safety within the community.

The joint statement underlines the crucial importance of Pride events, not just as celebrations, but also as potent symbols of defiance against hate, resilience against oppression, and an affirmation of existence. The leaders also pledge to work tirelessly to safeguard the LGBTQ+ community and Pride events with a call to action for all leaders, community members, and allies, asking them to stand in unity against fear, hate, and violence.

The joint statement is signed by 80 organizations, institutions of faith, and businesses, as well as 79 community, faith, and elected leaders. To add your organization, click here.

United in Pride: Solidarity with Prides and the LGBTQ+ Community

As leaders in our diverse communities, we stand united in condemning the growing threats against Pride events and the LGBTQ+ community at large. We are deeply concerned by the escalating attacks and disruptive activities perpetrated by anti-LGBTQ+ groups, including extremist factions such as the Proud Boys. These attempts to incite fear, spread disinformation, and sow division within our society are unacceptable.

We have seen a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and an alarming increase in public hostility towards our LGBTQ+ community, leading to fear of physical violence and harm. The ongoing attacks and threats have reached a point where our Pride celebrations, symbols of joy and unity, are now being targeted. This is an affront to our cherished American principles of equality, liberty, and justice. 

We firmly believe that safety is a fundamental right, not a privilege. No ideological differences should culminate in life-or-death consequences. We pledge to work tirelessly to safeguard our LGBTQ+ community and Pride events.

We condemn these threats and stand unwavering in our support of the LGBTQ+ community. We will use our collective platforms to counteract the false narratives propagated about our community to foster a climate of understanding, tolerance, and acceptance.

We are not fair-weather friends of the LGBTQ+ community. We understand the importance of Pride for our LGBTQ+ community. These events are not mere celebrations, but potent symbols of defiance against hate, resilience against oppression, and an affirmation of existence. The vibrant Pride events planned for this year all across San Diego County will not be marred by hatred. They will remain shining beacons of diversity, love, and unity.

To all those spreading hate, we say this: We are not strangers to adversity. We have faced it before and we will face it again. Our LGBTQ+ community is resilient, born from the crucible of struggle, and hardened by a history of vibrant resistance and radical love. Your fear, hate, and violence cannot silence us. We are many, we are diverse, and we are powerful.

We call to action all our fellow leaders, community members, and allies. Let us stand in unity against fear, hate, and violence. Let us ensure the power of our intersectional solidarity leads to positive action. We are LGBTQ+ and allied leaders in business, faith, community, and elected office. Our collective strength is our best weapon in the face of adversity. Together, we can and will continue to Thrive! Now, more than ever, it’s time for Pride.

SIGNED BY: 

Community Organizations

1. San Diego Pride
2. ADL San Diego
3. Art of Pride
4. BikeSD
5. Center for Community Solutions
6. Change Begins With ME (Indivisible)
7. Circulate San Diego
8. City of San Diego LGBTQ+ Employee Alliance
9. Diversionary Theatre
10. Downtown San Diego Partnership
11. Equality California
12. FilmOut San Diego
13. GLSEN San Diego
14. Human Dignity Foundation
15. Jewish Family Service of San Diego
16. Kiwanis Club of Hillcrest All-Inclusive
17. Lambda Archives of San Diego
18. Lambda Rising Soccer Club
19. LEAD San Diego
20. LGBTQIA+ Survivor Task Force
21. Mama’s Kitchen
22. Meals on Wheels San Diego County
23. Modern Military Association of America
24. National LGBTQ Task Force
25. North County LGBTQ Resource Center
26. Our Time to Act United
27. Out Professionals
28. Pacific Arts Movement
29. PFLAG San Diego County
30. POZabilities
31. Pride Youth Coalition
32. Proyecto Trans Latina
33. Queer Asian Social Club
34. Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego
35. Regional Task Force on Homelessness
36. San Diego API Coalition
37. San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition
38. San Diego Convention Center
39. San Diego Foundation
40. San Diego History Center
41. San Diego LGBTQ+ Latine Coalition
42. San Diego Pride Military Department
43. San Diego Queer Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American Coalition (QAPIMEDA)
44. San Diego Regional Chamber
45. San Diego Women’s Chorus
46. Stepping Stone of San Diego
47. Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, Inc.
48. Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association 
49. The Old Globe
50. The San Diego LGBT Community Center
51. TransFamily Support Services
52. Uptown Community Service Center
53. Volunteer with Cheli
54. World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024

Institutions of Faith

1. All Faith Center
2. American Baptist Churches USA Evergreen
3. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Encinitas
4. Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation
5. Chavurah Shir Ha-Yam
6. Congregation Dor Hadash
7. Dharma Bum Temple
8. Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
9. First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
10. First United Methodist Church of San Diego
11. Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego
12. Normal Heights United Church
13. Pioneer Ocean View UCC
14. St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
15. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, City Heights, San Diego
16. Summit UU Fellowship
17. Temple Emanu-El
18. Tifereth Israel Synagogue
19. University Christian Church

Company / Business

1. Better APC
2. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps
3. KOA+ROY
4. OutAt Inc – Out at the Fair®
5. Red Ace Press
6. Sum of Us Festival
7. The San Diego Union-Tribune
8. Waves, A Psychological Corporation

Elected or Appointed Officials

1. Congressman Scott Peters, 50th Congressional District
2. Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, 51st Congressional District
3. State Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, State Senate District 39
4. State Senator Steve Padilla, California State Senate District 18
5. Assemblymember Chris Ward, California State Assembly District 78
6. Assemblymember Akilah Weber, California State Assembly District 79
7. Vice-Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 3
8. District Attorney Summer Stephan, County of San Diego
9. Mayor Todd Gloria, City of San Diego
10. City Attorney Mara Elliott, City of San Diego
11. Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, City of San Diego, District 9
12. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, City of San Diego, District 3
13. Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, City of San Diego, District 2
14. Councilmember Kent Lee, City of San Diego, District 6
15. Councilmember Raul Campillo, City of San Diego, District 7
16. Hon. Andrea Beth Damsky, Division 2 Director, Helix Water District
17. Vice Mayor Colin Parent, City of La Mesa
18. Councilmember Patricia Dillard, City of La Mesa
19. Councilmember Jack Shu, City of La Mesa
20. Chief Deputy Assessor Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk 
21. General Manager Sandra Kerl, San Diego County Water Authority
22. CEO Sharon Cooney, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
23. California State Youth Commissioner & Youth Organizer Aidan Lin

Community Leaders

1. Ryan Bradley
2. nicole buruse
3. Benny Cartwright
4. Rick Cervantes
5. Ryn Corbeil
6. Kathleen Dang
7. Susan Hartman
8. Haydee Juarez
9. Clay Kilpatrick
10. Heidi Knuff
11. TC Krentz
12. Nicole Kronick
13. Michael Lavach
14. Kevin Lee
15. Noah Lomax
16. Jimmy Lovett
17. Connor Maddocks
18. Mark D. Maddox
19. Joseph Mayer
20. Kevin Mayer
21. Emmanuelle McCall
22. Oleene Perera
23. Rip Rippetoe
24. Leah Shapiro
25. Angela Smiley
26. Russ Sperling
27. Kat Tessero
28. Shaun Randall Travers
29. Eden Tropp
30. Luke Vaughn
31. Nicole Verdes

Faith Leaders

1. Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert, All Faith Center
2. Reverend Mary Sue Brookshire, Pioneer Ocean View UCC
3. Bishop Susan Brown Snook, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
4. Revered Daniel Brunner, American Baptist Churches USA Evergreen
5. Andrea Beth Damsky, Lay Cantorial Soloist, Chavurah Shir Ha-Yam
6. Canon for Mission Jason Evans, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
7. Dr. Stephen Fitzgerald, Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego
8. Alan Hay, First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
9. Susan Jester, Lay Minister Evangelism, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
10. Pastor Molly Lorden, Normal Heights United Church
11. Rev. Dr. Michelle Kirby, Metropolitan Community Church
12. Reverend Daniel Koeshall, Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego
13. Priest-in-Charge Richard Lee, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, City Heights, San Diego
14. Senior Minister Caleb Lines, University Christian Church
15. The Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch
16. Rabbi Devorah Marcus, Temple Emanu-El
17. Rabbi Mathew Marko, Tifereth Israel Synagogue
18. Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Congregation Dor Hadash
19. Rev. Trudy Robinson, First United Methodist Church of San Diego
20. Reverend Brent Ross, Normal Heights United Church
21. Rev. Justine Sullivan
22. Minister Sharon Wylie, Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation
23. Pastor Laura Ziehl, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Encinitas
24. Jeffrey Zlotnik, Dharma Bum Temple