San Diego Pride Announces 2021 Adaptations

After months of planning and consideration, San Diego Pride recognizes that in 2021 there is still no certain path to safely produce Pride events at the same immense scale we did prior to the pandemic. Instead, San Diego Pride will host a virtual streaming Pride Live event that can be viewed safely from home and will also produce a number of smaller, COVID-19 compliant, and scalable in-person satellite events across San Diego County to allow us the ability to adapt to the changing state of public health guidance while allowing our community to participate in the ways they feel most supported and safe.

San Diego Pride’s staff and year-round program volunteer leaders will team up with our community partners, sponsors, and small businesses to produce or promote unique Pride celebrations in COVID-19 compliant venues. These live streaming and in-person events will celebrate San Diego’s many distinct LGBTQ communities in ways that uplift diverse cultural identities and experiences.

“I appreciate the care that San Diego Pride is taking to ensure the safety of our LGBTQ community for this year’s Pride celebration. While I am filled with hope that we are making progress against the COVID-19 pandemic, we must still take the necessary precautions to protect one another. It was my pleasure to participate in last year’s virtual Pride event, and I look forward to celebrating with you all again, in the safest way we can,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins

“I appreciate San Diego Pride’s resiliency and adaptability in this moment. It is a testament to the strength of our LGBTQ+ community that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we can still find ways to be proud and celebrate each other,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “San Diego Pride is doing exactly that as they work to honor our annual celebration in ways that are safe and meaningful.”

For decades, San Diego Pride has brought together hundreds of thousands of people to celebrate, mourn, and protest while raising millions of dollars to support the LGBTQ community locally, nationally, and globally. In 2020, COVID-19 stripped away funding and completely changed the way San Diego Pride served our community. Our community could not meet in person, yet Pride virtually reached more than 700,000 people, more people than ever before.

“I applaud San Diego Pride for their diligent and thoughtful efforts to create a virtual gathering space for the community while also standing by for health guidance on public gatherings,” said San Diego City Council President Dr. Jen Campbell. “Whether online or in person, I hope you will participate in San Diego Pride 2021!”

San Diego Pride and our partners have been in constant communication with local, state, and federal elected offices and public health officials who have helped us make the determination that while the state of allowance for public gatherings, COVID-19 guidance, and infection rates are improving with vaccine rollouts, there is much about the future that is still uncertain. This measured approach to reopening allows us and our over 500 partner groups, companies, and institutions to adjust to the changing guidelines and public health status in ways that feel best and safest to them while still celebrating Pride.

“San Diego Pride is a pillar of the community and continues to advance equality and dignity for all LGBTQ people,” said California State Assemblymember Chris Ward. “I applaud San Diego Pride for taking steps in prioritizing the health and safety of San Diegans and our entire region. I’m looking forward to this year’s virtual event as well as attending in-person Prides in the future.”

Pride Event Details:

The details such as time, location, capacity, and entertainment content for Pride 2021’s limited-capacity in-person events will be announced the first week of June. If public health guidance allows, capacity at these events may increase as the date of each event approaches.

She Fest: July 10, 2021

Annual LGBTQ+ woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women.

Light Up the Cathedral: 7pm, July 14, 2021

Annual LGBTQ Interfaith Celebration in partnership with St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Spirit of Stonewall Rally: 6pm, July 16, 2021

Annual Rally honoring our movement’s origins, celebrating those who are leading the way, and calling our community to action around some of our most pressing issues.

Virtual Pride 5K: Date Range TBA

Annual Run/Walk hosted by San Diego Front Runners & Walkers raising funds for San Diego Pride and the Sunburst Youth Housing Project.

Pride Live: July 17, 2021

Our second virtual Pride celebration showcasing our community organizations, volunteers, leaders, elected officials, businesses, and entertainers that make Pride possible every year.

Pride Community Events: July 17-18, 2021

Smaller, diverse in-person community Pride celebrations spread across San Diego County.

“I support Pride’s difficult decision to modify this year’s festival in the interest of public safety. I know how much our community, myself included, look forward to it every year. I am excited for next year when we can all gather together in-person again; there will be even more to celebrate,” said Nathan Fletcher, Chair, Board of Supervisors, County of San Diego.

“I am forever grateful to each and every volunteer, donor, staff and board member, elected official, community member, small business, and sponsor who not only stayed with us but actually leaned in and stepped up their support during the most challenging and traumatic years in generations. It is each of them, each of you, who lifts up our community and makes Pride possible. Your individual strength, brilliantly diverse creativity, and unstoppable drive keep our community and our movement resilient,” said Fernando Z. López, Executive Director. “San Diego Pride, each of us, and all of humanity need to heal from the toll COVID-19 has taken on all of us. That will take time. While I know that this year’s Pride events may again look different, next year’s Pride will be a massive unforgettable celebration.”

About San Diego Pride

San Diego Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which has distributed more than $2.7 million in the advancement of its mission: “fostering pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.” You can learn more about the organization by visiting sdpride.org.