COVID-19 continues to ravage our country having stolen more than 160,000 lives from us and keeping us physically separated from the ones we love. Each of us is finding ways to personally cope, adapt our ways of working, and stay emotionally connected to friends and community. Pride is no different. We had to completely shift the ways in which we connect, support, heal, and bring joy to our LGBTQ community. Our incredible volunteers have led the way.
In addition to the Parade and Festival, Pride’s year-round education and advocacy programs are also led by volunteers. Everyday San Diegans from all walks of life contribute their time, passion, and professional skill sets to uplift our LGBTQ community while building new leaders, movement capacity, and civic spaces where we can be authentically ourselves.
Pride Live 2020 was an opportunity for us to educate over 330,000 people about each of our programs and many of the other LGBTQ community organizations that help serve us each and every year, all year round. Each of the video segments was produced by community volunteers donating their time to show the world what fun programs and critical services are available to all of us.
All of our programs are still up and running in virtual spaces helping members of our community find deep meaningful connections in areas they are interested in. We’ve hosted educational series, resume workshops, happy hours, yoga, comedy nights, and more. The silver lining has been that many of our programs that would have only reached a handful of people to a hundred people at best are now reaching thousands and tens of thousands of people.
My hope is that once this is over, and we can be together again, folks will come out of isolation feeling more informed and more connected to what is out there for our community. Take a moment to look at our and other community partners’ virtual events and sign up to be a part of the leadership of one of these programs. Let’s continue to stay connected, so Together We Rise.
With Pride,
FZL
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Fernando Lopez was 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.
