Dear Pride Family,
In 1974, members of San Diego Pride’s founding leadership applied for a permit to march in the street. The application was denied, destroyed, and those organizers were told “You will be getting NO permit.” Our community persisted as 200 people decided to march whether or not they were allowed.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of that first march in San Diego, we look to honor our past victories, and recommit ourselves to the work ahead. We do this with the understanding that this work has been entrusted to us by the visionaries who have come before. We honor our future by ensuring opportunities for future generations to blaze their own trails and make their own history.
Our theme this year is “Making History Now” not just because of this milestone event. It is an invitation to be a part of the movement. History is not just what happened in the past, it is happening right before our eyes.
We invite you to reconnect with our collective Queer history. Learn from the past and bring those stories into the present.
We have been making history, because we have always been here. And we always will be.
Happy Pride, San Diego! We can’t wait to see you this weekend.
With Pride,
Jen LaBarbera (they/them) & Sarafina Scapicchio (she/her)
Interim Co-Executive Directors
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.
