Dear Pride Family,
Our LGBTQ community has long relied on the resilience and creativity of found families. From Stonewall to present day, dedicated volunteers have shaped our organization and Pride celebrations.
In the 70s, volunteers fought for permits, sold buttons, and distributed flyers. Later, volunteer board members like Christine Kehoe, Larry T. Baza, and Vertez Burks transformed Pride into a professional nonprofit. The first Children’s Garden was thanks to Carolina Ramos, and Senior Cool Zones were created by Dan Schaefer, both volunteers.
Accessibility initiatives, spearheaded by volunteer Angela Van Ostren, now have full-time staff. Trans community leader Connor Maddocks helped build intentional space for transgender resources and visibility. Our year-round programs, such as the LGBTQ Latine Coalition, Queer APIMEDA Coalition, She Fest, and Art of Pride, also owe their existence to dedicated volunteers.
If you’re interested in joining the Pride Family, explore open leadership opportunities or register in the volunteer system.
We should all be grateful to our community’s inspiring volunteers who contribute their time and expertise.
To our community who enjoy these events and programs, please thank a volunteer when you see them!
To our volunteer leadership from each program and department, to our volunteer board, to every once-a-year and 8-hours a week volunteer, thank you for all you do.
Thousands of volunteers continue to build and improve our events every single year, standing on the shoulders of the Stonewall generation and those who came before. Volunteers hold us together, lift us up, and help our community truly Thrive!
With Pride,
Fernando Z. López
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Executive Director
San Diego Pride
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.
