On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the Pink Torch Procession began in Oakland with a kickoff led by Mayor Libby Schaaf near Oakland City Hall, followed by a procession to and around Lake Merritt. Near Lake Merritt, members and friends of Lavender Seniors, including San Francisco Bay Times photographer Sandy Morris, carried the torch along Grand Avenue.
Members of Dykes on Bikesâ transported the Torch across the Bay Bridge to the Ferry Building, where its journey began up Market Street, by City Hall and into the Castro. More than 30 LGBTQ community members, civic leaders, and friends served as Torch bearers through the San Francisco streets. Dykes on Bikesâ leaders, including President Kate Brown, completed the final leg from the Castro up Twin Peaks for the Lighting Ceremony led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mayor London Breed. They were joined by Pink Triangle project founder Patrick Carney and Ben Davis of the nonprofit Illuminate.
Also attending the ceremony were Ukraine Consul General Dmytro Kushneruk, who spoke about the plight of LGBTQ people trapped in Russian-held areas of Ukraine, and Jeopardy! champion and trans-activist Amy Schneider. Performer Leanne Borghesi braved the windy, cold weather of the evening and beautifully sang rousing tunes while the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band played. San Francisco Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet and Supervisor and former columnist Rafael Mandelman were among the other participants who also included columnist and SF Pride President Carolyn Wysinger and SF Pride Interim Executive Director Suzanne Ford.
Volunteers wishing to support the Pink Triangle project can help throughout the month of June. Contact Patrick Carney: 415-726-4914 or pat724@gmail.com
Video of the Pink Triangle by Nick Schiarizzi: https://tinyurl.com/5cjcfp4c
Speaker Pelosi Video: https://tinyurl.com/4jd2tuv8
https://www.thepinktriangle.com/
Published on June 9, 2022
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