Dear community,
A few weeks have passed since Pride Week, and our team has finally had a chance to breathe, reflect, and take in what we accomplished together.
What a week it was.
More than 600 people marched in the return of the Dyke March. Light Up the Cathedral welcomed over 40 community, civic, and faith leaders representing 16 faith traditions for an interfaith celebration attended by hundreds. More than 200 people gathered for the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, where we honored eight extraordinary individuals and organizations whose leadership continues to move our community forward.
More than 200,000 people lined our streets for the Pride 5K and Parade. Tens of thousands celebrated at our festival. Thousands volunteered their time. More than 50 artists shared their gifts. Dozens of sponsors invested. More than 70 community partners helped create spaces of connection, advocacy, and joy.
Together, we created a place where people could shine on.
As I reflect on my first Pride as Executive Director, I keep coming back to one truth: behind every moment of joy is an extraordinary amount of unseen labor. Pride is built by people who choose, again and again, to invest their time, talent, and treasure into a vision of a better world where we all belong.
To every volunteer, donor, sponsor, partner, artist, staff member, board member, and community member: thank you.
I will never forget my first Pride with you. I’ll do everything I can to make every moment matter until the next one.
Next week, I’ll share a few reflections on what comes after Pride. Until then…keep shining!
With Pride,
KishaLynn Elliott
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.
