Dear Pride Community,
As we reflect on the past year, we are overwhelmed by the incredible impact we’ve made together, in both seen and unseen ways. What isn’t always seen, but continues to inspire us day after day is the strength, compassion, and generosity of our dedicated community, who never fail to come together in times of celebration and joy as well as times of need and support. It is because of our network of passionate staff, dedicated volunteer leadership, and all of you who lend your support by offering your time, resources, and talents that makes our work possible and meaningful.
Our annual year-in-review page seeks to shed light on the myriad ways the San Diego Pride community has united in arts, advocacy, education, and coalition-building over the past year.
Join us in celebrating the profound impact we’ve brought about together, continually centering the diverse voices and experiences of our local LGBTQ community throughout our year-round programming and in our flagship Parade and Festival spaces. As the largest civic event in the county, our festivities showcase over 200 local LGBTQ artists to tens of thousands of people each year, in addition to featuring dedicated areas for the Latinx, Black, Indigenous, Transgender and Nonbinary, Sober & Recovery, and Youth communities.
In addition, your support of the annual Pride Parade and festival fuels our year-round programs. 2023 saw the establishment of new, groundbreaking programs addressing our community needs. The newly formed Disabled LGBTQ+ Coalition brings together disabled queer and trans folx to plan events, share resources, and advocate with each other. Our inaugural Pride Power Summit in March 2023, brought together 80 local community activists and aspiring grassroots organizers to share knowledge and build coalitions. Additionally, we launched our Transitional Age Youth internship program, providing meaningful work experience for LGBTQ youth aged 18-24, empowering them with mentorship and leadership opportunities in developing youth programming. We hosted the InterPride conference in October, bringing together Pride organizers around the world to exchange experiences and resources, building a stronger, more unified global LGBTQ movement.
Looking ahead to 2024, we acknowledge the challenges our community faces during this upcoming election year, where we anticipate targeted attacks on our trans and youth communities, in addition to further challenges to bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. Yet, we choose to approach these challenges as opportunities for unity and resilience. In adversity, our community consistently shows strength and solidarity, turning challenges into triumphs.
Stand with our LGBTQ movement by supporting our year-round initiatives with a tax-deductible donation before year-end. Donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, up to $10,000 through year-end, doubling the impact of your giving. Contribute to our journey toward a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for all.
Thank you for being the driving force behind San Diego Pride. Together, let’s continue into 2024 creating ripples of positive change that resonate throughout our local, national, and global LGBTQ community.
With Pride,
Lo Horst (they/she)
Philanthropy Manager
San Diego Pride
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
