Pride was not created out of a need to celebrate. Pride was created out of a response to trauma. Pride was created to galvanize our community in solidarity and strength. Pride is led by compassionate, bright, and determined community volunteers who bring their whole selves in service to our LGBTQ community. Pride connects us, not only to one another, but to vital services, resources, and opportunities for joy.
Prides also have a history of adapting to the ever-evolving needs and challenges of our community, and today can be no different. In the past week, we have witnessed an outpouring of innovative love, support, and community connection that honors our need to be physically separated, safe, and healthy.
San Diego Pride works with 70 nonprofits, 80 institutions of faiths, and 350 businesses. We have nearly 200 incredible volunteers in leadership roles and another 6,540 volunteers who give their time at least once a year. Our staff is reaching out to all of them to learn about the steps they are taking to support our community. We are also asking each of you to let us know what creative and vital work is being done to help the LGBTQ community stay connected, supported, and get us through the COVID-19 pandemic. From there we are building out a COVID-19 LGBTQ Community Resources & Support page on our website that will be updated frequently.
Our hope is to support everyday LGBTQ community members, small businesses, local entertainers, and nonprofits who serve the LBGTQ community to remain connected and supported as best as we can over the coming weeks.
We have all been emotionally and financially impacted by this quickly changing reality. None of us have ever lived through anything like this. I believe in the beauty and creativity of this community. I’m watching the best parts or your hearts shine all over social media right now as your generosity, talents, and compassion are out in full display. Thank you for all you are doing to help us get through this together. This moment is dark and scary, but I know that Together We Rise.
With Love, Hope, and Pride,
Fernando Zweifach López
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Executive Director
San Diego Pride
Pride Celebration 2020: Pride planning is currently moving forward with informed and cautious optimism. If we have to delay or modify the event for any reason we will keep everyone in the loop. All planning and coordination has been moved to virtual spaces.
Volunteer Support: Pride has over 6,500 incredible volunteers in our database, who are regularly called upon to help support other LGBTQ-serving organizations. If you would like to be added to that list please sign up here. If you are an organization in need of volunteers please register your need here.
(Here is an example of how we put out the call for Mama’s Kitchen as they are called upon to support some of our most vulnerable during this crisis.)
Youth Programs: Like all our programs, this has moved into digital space. Our youth program coordinator is working on increasing the number of meetups to help keep youth connected, supported, and informed.
Education & Advocacy Programs: All of our programs are continuing to meet virtually. If you would like more regular updates from any given program you can sign up for their list serve and follow us on social media.
LGBTQ Entertainers: If you are a local LGBTQ Drag Queen, DJ, band, or musician and you are going live on social media to bring hope into people’s homes while we are all physically apart, tag us on social media and we’ll do our best to reshare your post in a timely manner and help spread that joy. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Resources, Connections, & Support: We will continue to update information on our website as it comes in. Please take a moment to review our COVID-19 LGBTQ Community Resources & Support page and help us add to it as you come across new information.
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.
