The San Francisco Bay Times, a longstanding Official Sponsor of San Francisco Pride, returned for 2025 with a strong mix of veteran contingent members and newcomers.
To honor the 10th anniversary of nationwide marriage equality, the contingent highlighted Marriage Equality USA leaders and Bay Times columnists John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, along with filmmakers Geoff Callan and Mike Shaw who co-directed the 2005 award-winning documentary Pursuit of Equality.
Lewis and Gaffney rode in a brightly colored Jeep Wrangler owned and driven by Larry Pascua. Callan and Shaw rode in a classic Alfa Romeo convertible driven by Jeff Morin. Both vehicles were festively decorated by Sparky’s Balloons with giant rainbows made out of balloons. Video taken by Shaw while in the parade is at: https://bit.ly/44FkCW5
Patrick Carney, creator of the Pink Triangle project, was also in the Bay Times contingent along with his husband Dr. Hossein Carney and at least one of their many dedicated volunteers.
Additional honored guests included drag legend and Bay Times columnist Donna Sachet, who for many years co-hosted the television coverage of the parade. Bay Times founding news editor Randy Alfred also joined the contingent, as did Out & Equal founder Selisse Berry, and Bay Times columnist and one of the longest serving members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Sister Dana Van Iquity. Sister Dana always sits on the right side of the bus and blows kisses to paradegoers!
Mai Dam, the mother of San Francisco Pride President Emeritus Nguyen Pham who co-hosted the ABC7 coverage of the parade, was yet another honored guest. She was joined by her son, Andy, and both waved enthusiastically as the contingent went in front of the ABC7 broadcast booth. Pham, who is also the current President of Mensa, noticed and gave a shout out to his mother and brother while live on the air!
Grubstake’s Jimmy Consos and his daughter Eleni were also in the Bay Times contingent, which included individuals from multiple generations ranging from grandparents to kids like young Eleni. Others aboard included LaTonya Lawson, Beth Schnitzer, internationally acclaimed taiko drummer Tiffany Tamaribuchi, photographers Bill Wilson and Jerry Palmer, and numerous others. The Bay Times lead photographer, Rink, was on Market Street throughout the parade.
Trinchero Estates assisted with the Bay Times beautiful lavender t-shirts—a nod in color to the Golden State Valkyries Thanks go to Joe, Monette, and Savannah Shirley who provided much-appreciated beverages to contingent members both before and during the parade.
Big Bus Tours provided the contingent’s double-decker, the same one used in past Warriors victory parades. It is little wonder that these vehicles are ubiquitous in San Francisco, as they are comfortable and allow for incredible views of the city. Their tours are highly recommended, and members of the Bay Times team even enjoy going on them from time to time as staycations and reminders of so many of the remarkable landmarks that residents often take for granted. The Muir Woods + Sausalito Tour is a great deal that includes admission to the woods in the already reasonably priced ticket.
Thanks to ellaprint for handling the signs and other printing services. Sparky’s Balloons, in addition to decorating the two spotlight convertibles, creatively decorated the giant Big Bus too. The San Francisco Giants was a co-sponsor of the Bay Times contingent, stepping up to the plate for not only the parade but also for other Pride-related activities this year. DJ Rockaway presented by Olivia Travel kept the music flowing.
The Bay Times contingent would not be possible without the dedicated work and creativity of veteran contingent managers Juan Davila, Leticia Lopezz, Warren Alderson, Steve Scheitlin, Karen Bardsley, Jade Martner, and Linda Schomaker. Plus, there were many other “regulars” who know the parade route by heart and bring along good cheer and youths to help carry the Bay Times banner at the front of the contingent.
Sincere thanks also to San Francisco Pride’s Suzanne Ford and the entire team of dedicated pros who make the Pride Parade happen with expertise and care. Congratulations to all in the SF Pride family for this year’s success and for their invaluable support and friendship.
Queer Joy is Resistance
Published on July 17, 2025
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