CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO HONOR LGBT COMMUNITY LEADER
November 1, 2016
San Diego Pride’s Director of Operations, Fernando Lopez, is to be honored with a City of San Diego Human Relations Commission Commendation on Wednesday, November 16th.
A letter sent to Lopez from Joel Day, Executive Director of the City San Diego Human Relations Commission, stated:
“On behalf of the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission, it is our pleasure to inform you of our desire to honor and recognize your work across San Diego to promote dignity, diversity, and inclusion. You are to be awarded a Commission Commendation at this year’s HRC Awards Ceremony. Your work at Pride has become part of the fabric of who we are as a City and we are grateful for your tireless commitment to making San Diego a ‘World Class City for All.’
It is the mission of the Human Relation Commission to protect basic human and civil rights, promote activities that foster mutual respect, understanding and dignity, and create an atmosphere of amicable relations among all members of the San Diego community. We see that the work you are doing demonstrates a commitment and dedication to similar goals.”
“We are so thrilled that the substantial advocacy work Fernando does every day here at San Diego Pride continues to be recognized in the greater community! Whether he is shining a light on global inequality by bringing in dozens of LGBT delegates to Pride World Forum every year, speaking with a GSA in Santee, taking a field trip with our Pride Youth Lunch Bunch, or organizing with community partners to help the implementation of the FAIR ACT in our local public schools, you can be sure that he is always hard at work on projects that will make the world a safer place for our LGBT community,” said Sarafina Scapicchio, San Diego Pride Director of Development. “We could not be prouder.”
“Fernando’s ability to see opportunity in the community and strategically bring organizations and community leaders together to implement positive change is admirable,” said Josh Coyne, Co-Chair of The Trevor Project – San Diego. “Our collaboration over the last few years has not only benefited The Trevor Project, but has allowed us to better the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. I’m proud to call him a mentor, colleague, and, most importantly, a friend.”
“We are so lucky to have Fernando at Pride. On behalf of the San Diego Pride board of directors, congratulations Fernando and thank you for all of the amazing work you do!” said Bianca Burt, Co-Chair, San Diego Pride.
“We are so pleased that Fernando is being recognized for the great work he does in the community,” said Maureen Steiner, Board President of Lambda Archives of San Diego. “Fernando’s own story is an inspiration, and the fact that he so freely shares it to inspire others is his gift to us all.”
The award will be presented on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at the City’s Central Library Shiley Special Events Suite with the theme “I See You.” The event is free and open to the public. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with the award ceremony lasting until 7 p.m.
Click here for Fernando’s Bio.
San Diego Pride’s Mission: Fostering Pride in and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
The City of San Diego Human Relations Commission conducts and promotes activities that foster mutual respect and understanding, protects basic human and civil rights and creates an atmosphere that promotes amicable relations among all members of the San Diego community.
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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.
