There is plenty of Pride news, with the 45th annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade being less than three months away.
The Office of Economic Analysis in San Francisco recently released an extensive “San Francisco Outdoor Event Visitor Survey.” (Full report here: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/scottwiener/pages/242/attachments/original/1429587382/The_Economic_Impact_of_Outdoor_Events_with_appendices.pdf?1429587382) The survey estimates that the total visitor impact of SF Pride is $357.1 million, which includes $40 million at retail trade establishments, $33.6 million at restaurants, and $14.3 million at hotels.
The report also provided a breakdown of attendees: 20% come from San Francisco, 42% come from other parts of the Bay Area, 18% are from other parts of California, 15% are from other U.S. states, and 5% travel here for the event from other countries.
This year’s Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 28, in downtown San Francisco beginning at 10:30am. A two-day celebration and festival is scheduled from noon to 6:00pm on Saturday, June 27, and from 10:30am to 6:00pm on Sunday, June 28, at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza Park.
This year’s theme, “Equality Without Exception,” signifies the struggles that continue to exist across all communities seeking social justice. “The LGBTQ Pride movement remains relevant,” according to SF Pride Executive Director George Ridgely. “The message of the #blacklivesmatter movement and the continued fight for LGBTQ rights, civil rights, women’s equality, reproductive rights, income equality and immigration reform are at the heart of our 45th anniversary commemoration.”
For 16 years, the SF Pride Membership and Board of Directors have continued the tradition of public selection for Community Grand Marshals, Organizational Grand Marshal, and the Pink Brick recipient. Here are this year’s community grand marshals, along with several special awardees, in recognition of their contributions to the LGBTQ community and movement:
Community Grand Marshal – Judy Dlugacz, Olivia Co-founder
Organizational Grand Marshal – Transgender Law Center
Community Grand Marshal – Alicia Garza, #blacklivesmatter Co-founder
Community Grand Marshal – Brian Basinger, AIDS Housing Alliance/SF
Community Grand Marshal – Belo Cipriani, award-winning author and disabilities advocate
Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal – Felicia Elizondo, transgender community leader
Pink Brick – American Family Association, U.S. nonprofit organization championing Christian activism
(The Pink Brick is an opportunity to highlight an individual or organization that has done harm to the LGBT community.)
The Gilbert Baker Pride Founder’s Award – Patrick Carney, Pink Triangle Organizer and Co-founder
The José Julio Sarria History Maker Award – Julia and Sam Thoron, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
The Audrey Joseph Entertainment Award – Audrey Joseph, SF Entertainment Commissioner, activist, record executive
(This award is in its inaugural year. It honors those who have made a significant and historical impact, or left an indelible impression on the LGBTQ community and the movement for LGBTQ rights, through their artistic expression, or through their contribution within the entertainment industry.)
The Teddy Witherington Award – Tita Aida, Transgender, Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQI community leader
Heritage of Pride, 10 Years of Service Award – Tom Taylor and Jerome “Jerry” Goldstein, community advocates and fundraisers
Heritage of Pride, Pride Freedom Award – Mary Midgett, community leader, author
Heritage of Pride, Pride Creativity Award – Monica Helms, creator of the Transgender Pride Flag
Heritage of Pride, Pride Community Award – Harry Lit, community organizer and fundraiser
The San Francisco Pride Board of Directors is hosting a 45th Anniversary Kickoff Party at the Hotel Whitcomb Grand Ballroom on Saturday, May 30, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. This will be the first opportunity to meet many of the 2015 Grand Marshals and Awardees before the Pride Celebration in June. The benefit will feature hosted bars and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and performances by SambaFunk! and Cheer SF.
“The anticipated Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in late June will be a huge draw for attendance at this year’s Pride events,” said Board President Gary Virginia. “After 45 years, SF Pride continues to be a significant platform for advancing our LGBT movement and celebrating our victories.”
Information on participating in the parade, purchasing event tickets, advertising opportunities, or becoming an exhibitor, sponsor or donor may be found at www.sfpride.org or by calling 415-864-0831.
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