CHANGES ARE TAKING
THE PACE WE'RE GOIN' THROUGH.
Like the David Bowie refrain above, SF Pride has had to go through some changes in the last two years during this pandemic. We had to reinvent ourselves to work around health guidelines, while trying to fill the void by our inability to do a Parade and Celebration. We got creative, tried something new, and expanded our partnerships, hopefully evolving.

But, even with all the pivots, we're coming back this year with some of your traditional favorites, still standing strong and ready to bring you what you've missed!
Suzanne Ford to Serve as Interim Executive Director as Fred Lopez Steps Down
A GREETING FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As some of you may have heard, our current executive Director, Fred Lopez, will be stepping down to take another position in San Francisco, and the Board of Directors appointed me to serve as the Interim Executive Director, so I wanted to briefly introduce myself to all of you! We owe much to Fred who steered the organization through one of the most difficult periods in our history. As one newspaper noted, he’s our only Executive Director who was unable to produce a parade, primarily due to the pandemic. 

This is a big job, and I want to assure every one of you that I am up to it. We know the importance of SF Pride to our LGBTQIA community and to the city of San Francisco. My job is to ensure that we have a safe Parade and Celebration on the last weekend in June (Saturday, June 25 – Sunday, June 26th). The staff is working diligently on our plans for that event, as well as the many other exciting activities we have for our community throughout the year. Be sure to visit our website often, and if you’re not on our newsletter list, now’s a great time to join. 

So, let us roll up our sleeves and get to work! Like our theme says, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” so join us in this amazing journey of visibility and connection!
Public Poll Open for Community Grand Marshals — VOTE for Your Local Heroes!

San Francisco Pride Community Grand Marshals are local heroes who have contributed greatly to the SF Bay Area LGBTQ+ community or to society at large. Voting for Community Grand Marshals is open to the general public to select one Individual and one Organization. Information about the nominees and the ballot can be located here. Voting closes on Tuesday, March 8th at 12:00 Noon.
Community Affiliates Application Available Online

After nearly three years since a traditional, in-person Parade and Celebration, we are thrilled that this year promises a return to the festivities we know our communities have sorely missed. The Community Affiliates Program (previously known as the Community Partners Program) is open to any 501(c)3-certified nonprofit organization based in the nine counties of the Bay Area, whose mission involves service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities, seniors, youth, bullying, housing advocacy, animal welfare/rights, people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or homelessness.

Since 1997, San Francisco Pride has distributed over $3.3 million dollars in proceeds – thanks in large part to our beverage sales and donations made at our event gates.

Starting in March 2020, COVID-19 forced us to suspend the annual SF Pride celebration for the next two years (2020 and 2021), but we’re coming back this year! To participate, fill out an application posted on our website.
Partner Spotlight
Thank you so much to our partners at Bank of the West for their continual support and for being the FIRST COMPANY to sign up for our 2022 SF Pride Annual Partners Program. Check out Annual Partnership Opportunities on our website if you're interested in becoming an Annual Partner today!
What's Hot and What's Not
Brought to you by the Community Affairs Committee of the Board of Directors

Trans Jeopardy champion Amy Schneider just got engaged! That's hot, right?

Rep. Lauren Boebert makes a transphobic joke about Russia invading Ukraine. That's definitely not!

Niecy Nash and wife Jessica Betts are the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of Essence magazine! That sure is hot!

The Florida House passes "Don't Say Gay" bill (HB 1557). That plan sucks!

President Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Very, very hot!

Texas Governor calls on citizens to report parents of transgender kids for abuse. That's just plain effed up!

The FDA approves the first condom specifically intended for anal sex! Now we're talking!

Supreme Court to decide whether some businesses can refuse to serve gay customers. Running out of things to say...

And lastly, 2022 will be the first in-person Parade and Celebration of SF Pride in three years!
SF Pride Needs Your Membership!
This year we have to have everyone's support. We are emerging from a pandemic that weakened all nonprofit organizations. If you think the Queer communities of San Francisco deserve a fantastic celebration this June, then join us! Pride now strives to support and celebrate our communities 365 days a year, and membership places you right at the center of that effort.