Although Pride Month usually is celebrated in June to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, when people took to the streets of New York to decry police brutality against gays and lesbians, San Diego celebrates Pride Week in July. Celebrating Pride one month later in San Diego has served to build and prolong support for local LGBTQ organizations and to provide a sunnier backdrop to the festivities versus the typical gloomy June weather.
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, 2020 celebrations all will be virtual, but a full slate is still scheduled.
She Fest kicked off this year’s Pride week on Saturday, July 11. The 2020 She Fest was a virtual event featuring live music, workshops, interviews, activities, and a pet fashion show, to name a few. To watch a playback of the live-streamed Zoom event, go to the SD Pride She Fest site, the Facebook page, or YouTube.
Lineup of Festivities
There are still plenty of upcoming activities that honor Pride Week, including the following: 
- Light Up the Cathedral, Wednesday, July 15, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm: Join interfaith leaders, elected representatives, and the local LGBTQ community in this virtual event on the SD Pride website (also available on Facebook and YouTube). An annual event, the exterior of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral on Sixth Street in San Diego will once again be lighted in traditional rainbow colors. Speakers, awards presentations, and music are part of the celebration, culminating in the lighting and blessing of the cathedral.
- Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Friday, July 17, 6:00 pm: The first San Diego rally was held in 1975 and since then has honored leaders who strive to preserve LGBTQ gains in the community. 2020’s rally will be live-streamed for people to watch at home on the SD Pride website, Facebook, and YouTube. This year’s Spirit of Stonewall Awardees include the Light of Pride Award winner the Rev. J. Lee Hill Jr., the Friend of Pride Award recipients David and Jessica Mier, and the Champion of Pride recipient Bixby Marino-Kibbee. The Community Grand Marshal will be a group of essential workers throughout the community.
- Pride 5K, Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19: Because it is a virtual event, this year’s Pride 5K Run + Walk can be participated in by anyone and anywhere—even outside San Diego. Participants choose their own 5K route, starting time, and pace. To register for the event, visit the registration page of Pride 5K. The cost to join is $25 (plus a $3 processing fee) and includes a neck gaiter that can be worn as a face mask. For a T-shirt and finisher’s medal, chip in an extra $20. Proceeds go to Pride Programs & Events as well as the LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project, which provides 23 affordable, supportive housing units for youth between ages 18 and 24. If you cannot participate but would still like to contribute, you can make a donation at Support the San Diego 2020 Virtual Pride 5K Run & Walk Charity Partners,
- Pride Live: Saturday, July 18, beginning 10:00 am: Pride Live: Together We Rise is taking place instead of the Pride Parade and Festival Day this year. To celebrate and provide support for Pride, participants are encouraged to order merchandise, like T-shirts and face masks, from Pride Basics, and VIP Pride Packs, Pride-themed catering packages from established food vendors around the county. Order by July 15 for pickup on July 17. The packs include everything from rainbow-colored appetizers to beer and cocktails to meal packages from Behind-the-Scenes Catering, Mo’s Universe, and Wild Thyme. Visit the Pride Partners Party Packs page for more information and to place an order. Check back on the Pride Live website or the SD Pride Facebook page for the schedule of events throughout the day.
Sources: San Diego LGBTQ Pride, BTS Hospitality, https://btsfresh.square.site/san-diego-pride-2020; Pride 2020, https://sdpride.org/pride/#shefest; Pride 5K, https://sdpride.org/5k/; Why Is Pride in July?, https://sdpride.org/pride-july/; Pride Basics, https://pridebasics.com/sdpride/; SD Pride She Fest 2020, https://sdpride.org/shefest/
Images: https://sdpride.org
