San Diego Pride
weekend is here, with bars bursting at the seams, sidewalks flooded with people, vendors already trying to make sales, and even Trader Joe’s decorated for the event.
Port-a-potties are up and signs direct people around the many traffic changes, closed bus stops and parking regulations as the neighborhood braces for 250,000 spectators on Saturday.
While the weekend is largely the same, minus the canceled block party, construction of the Pride Plaza has shifted a few of the events.
This was obvious at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally which took place not on Normal Street but on University Avenue. Despite being fenced off and surrounded by unfinished construction work, the rainbow flag was still raised in the midst of it all at the end of the rally.
The rally frames the weekend as a place of activism, not just celebration. Keynote speaker Raquel Willis, an activist based in New York City, said, “So today, in this time of creeping fascism and legislation masquerading as morality, we must do something. Are you going to do something?”
Another trans woman, Victoria Castro, spoke about the plight of LGBTQ+ migrants, who are the parade’s grand marshal this year. “Always remember, we are not illegal. We are not mistakes. We are not a powerless minority. We are love in motion,” she said through a translator.
For the first time, members of the leather community were invited on stage during the ceremony. Earl Gray, Mr. San Diego Leather 2024, introduced title holders and explained the significance of the subculture being platformed.
“The leather community has always been here, marching, mourning, protecting and resisting,” he said. “Leather has never been about what we wear. It’s about who we are.”
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After the rally, KZ, the inaugural winner of title Mx. San Diego Leather, echoed Earl Gray’s sentiments on the importance of being recognized. “It means unity, right, being actually admitted into the family,” they said. “Leather community has always been there but we have always been on the fringes because we were too extreme for the extreme. So it’s nice that we’re being taken under the fold.”
Between speakers, spoken word, and songs by the Pride Pop-up Symphony, the Spirit of Stonewall awards were handed out. Each received a brick with a label about the award.
•
Champion of Pride
–
Courtney Johnson
was described as an icon by emcee Amber St. James.
•
Community Grand Marshal
– Representatives from multiple nonprofits making up the
LGBTQIA+ Migrants & Defenders
contingent got up to receive the award.
•
Community Service
– Cesar A Reyes, publisher of local LGBTQ+ newspaper The Word, said in an interview after the rally, “I’m just glad the work that I’m doing is resonating with people.”
•
Julia Legaspi Trans Leadership Award
–
Bliss Vasquez
won this inaugural award named after late advocate Julia Legaspi.
•
Inspirational Relationship
– Julie Hoffman and Summer White were ecstatic on stage while being honored as one of the lesbian couples who supported the community during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
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•
Larry T. Baza Arts & Culture Award
–
Jackette Knightley
, founder of Queens & Kings for Causes, dressed in a huge gold outfit for the ceremony.
•
Stonewall Philanthropy Award
– Jill Barrett of Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort was recognized for supporting LGBTQ+ causes.
•
Stonewall Service Award
–
Bears San Diego Inc.
helped Jackette Knightley leave the stage, which St. James said showed that they are always serving others.
•
Light of Pride
–
Rev. Dan Koeshall
was honored primarily at
Light up the Cathedral
but was still included in the rally.
The rally concluded with St. James leading the crowd in a callback of this year’s theme. The drag queen yelled “Pride” and the crowd shouted “Unshakeable.” She said “Power” and the crowd roared “Unbreakable” as the flag was raised.
