Here are events, in order of appearance, for the 44th Pride Weekend, themed “Persist with Pride.” See separate article on the Trans Pride Celebration.

July 13 (Friday): Spirit of Stonewall Rally and Awards – they will be presented to individuals or groups who contribute significantly to the LGBT community through their leadership, activism, and fundraising effort (see article, “Our Friend of Pride”). The location for the rally is the Hillcrest Pride Flag, 1500 University Ave, Hillcrest, starting at 6:00 pm. The keynote speaker is Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, the first transgender state legislator. The event is free.

As a refresher on the history of Stonewall (Inn) riots, there was a series of violent confrontations that began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, between police, who were brutal in the treatment of the gay community, and gay rights activists outside the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village. The “event” lasted three days and is heralded as the beginning of the mainstream LGBT rights movement.

July 14 (Saturday): At 9:30 am, Front Runners and Walkers will have their Pride 5K Run/Walk beginning at University Avenue at Centre Street. To register, go to:
www.sdpride.org. Please note, there are no discounts for seniors or military. At the Festival, tickets are $30.00 which is a weekend pass.

Anyone wanting to volunteer to work at the PFLAG booth at the Festival (Saturday or Sunday), please contact Mike Minnick at 619-804-5512 or MMinnick@pflag.com.

Here comes the lecture part. For the Pride Parade on Saturday, read this BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME! These are suggestions that have stood the test of time: 1) get to the shuttle buses early; there are free shuttle buses from the old Balboa Naval Hospital located on Park Blvd. across from President’s Way. If you are a procrastinator, now isn’t the time as the buses back up and you’ll be waiting in line so long that you’ll miss part of the parade, 2) wear comfortable shoes, 3) put on lots of sun block, 4) wear a hat, 5) bring a camera/cell phone, 6) make PFLAG signs and bring them, 7) wear as much PFLAG/rainbow clothing and paraphernalia as you own.

Here are a few suggestions for signs:

Closets are for Clothes, Focus on Your Own Family, Gay Rights ARE Civil Rights, Homophobia – Now That’s a Choice, I’m for the Separation of Church and Hate, Homophobia – That’s SO last millennium, I’m the Pink Sheep of the Family, Love Knows No Gender, Protect Marriage. Let’s Expand It, What Part of Love Don’t You Understand?, We the People – that means all of us.

Hope to see your decorated selves and signs at the Parade!