In 2013 we were approached by a group of women led by community organizer Kelcie Kopf who was interested in creating a trans-inclusive LGBTQ-women centered event in San Diego. Knowing full well at the time that LGBTQ women’s spaces were disappearing all over the country, we eagerly said “Yes” and provided the infrastructure and resources needed to support the vision of these women. Several months later, She Fest was born.
When San Diego’s Dyke March dissipated, San Diego Pride made a commitment that no less than 50% of our entertainers at the Festival would be female-identified and that we would have no less than one trans entertainer on each stage each day. While inclusive representation should be a minimum bar that we set for ourselves, having intentional trans-inclusive LGBTQ women-centered spaces is a social justice issue we can all support.
What started as a call for a new event has become a year-round Pride program that brings together dedicated and talented LGBTQ womxn who design their own events and spaces while building leadership skills and capacity for our community. COVID-19 hasn’t slowed them down. This year these amazing volunteers have built an online comedy show and self-care spaces while holding their regular meetings, all while envisioning what She Fest can be online.
The seventh annual She Fest is this weekend. This live streaming, woman-centered event is full of education and entertainment that celebrate and support the talents and contributions of women while fostering meaningful connections within and between the LGBTQ+ and larger San Diego communities. The interactive day will be full of content that will stream on multiple platforms simultaneously and will include breakout spaces, music, art, pet fashion shows, panels on women in business and politics, and so much more, all brought to you safely on your digital devices.
If you have never been to She Fest, I hope this is your year. Save the links, tune in, and join us to celebrate and support the talents and contributions of LGBTQ women as we kick off Pride week in San Diego. COVID-19 may be keeping us physically apart, but all are welcome to come together and take part in this online interactive space. If we all uplift and support our LGBTQ womxn’s community, then Together We Rise.
With Pride,
Fernando Zweifach López
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Executive Director
San Diego Pride
Watch She Fest Live This Saturday here: www.sdpride.org/shefest
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.
