Within our community, there is an ongoing debate about what Pride events and organizations should be. Are we a celebration or a protest? We are both. There is art in our advocacy, and advocacy in our art. Our annual celebrations bring together hundreds of thousands of people who converge around LGBTQ arts and culture with clear social justice messages and access to direct services. These massive events fund our year-round work and create much-needed visibility and empowerment for our community.
At Pride, we elevate diverse LGBTQ artists who use their platform to advocate for LGBTQ justice. There is something powerful about seeing yourself reflected on stage, in a space, and for a cause that was built by and for you and your community. Our community. Don’t take it from me. Here’s what our headliners had to share.
“It’s important and especially relevant because of what’s been happening in this country with regard to the very harmful and regressive LGBTQ – and specifically trans-exclusionary – bills being passed,” said Saturday’s headliner Daya. “It’s more crucial than ever to carve out spaces where we can not only feel visible and protected from these attacks but also celebrated and lifted up for who we are.”
“Queer people deserve safety, love, fairy tale endings, and a space in our communities to be ourselves,” said Sunday’s closing performer Ashnikko. “It’s about celebrating ourselves in the face of people who try to squash and deny our existence.”
“Growing up in San Diego, it brings me so much happiness to be able to be a part of such an important event for queer people like myself,” said Saturday’s performer Snow Tha Product.
“As a bisexual Black woman in this world, justice is not something that was easily obtained for me,” said Sunday’s performer Baby Tate. “Knowing those hardships makes supporting the LGBTQ social justice movement a no-brainer. We all deserve to freely love who we choose in peace.”
These are just four of the hundreds of entertainers that will be performing at Pride this year. I can’t wait to share the full lineup with you in June. Creating civic and artistic spaces where our LGBTQ community can safely and authentically be ourselves is a social justice issue. Our entire Pride Family can not wait to bring together these fiercely talented headliners, local artists, dancers, musicians, and our entire community. This July will mark three years since our last full-scale Pride and know that all of us are ready to celebrate Justice with Joy!
With Pride,
Fernando Zweifach López
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Executive Director
San Diego Pride
Check out the full newsletter – https://mailchi.mp/sdpride/our2022headlinersare
Fernando Lopez is the Executive Director of San Diego Pride. Lopez’s years of LGBT advocacy, nonprofit management, public education, diversity consulting, media relations, guest lectures, and organizing have made them a consistent presence ensuring the struggles of the LGBT community are ever visible.
