Pride Parade shorter, but no less happy or excited as thousands line Hillcrest streets
The Free Mom Hugs group had a lot of takers Saturday in the San Diego Pride Parade Photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Street sweepers were cleaning up University Avenue after the Pride Parade by half past noon an early end to an event slated to last five hours The trail through Hillcrest was also shorter starting at Richmond rather than Normal Street None of that diminished the pleasure displayed by a happy excited and cheering crowd For critics who have complained about pride celebrations being co-opted by corporations it should be considered one of the best parades in up-to-date memory Fewer national companies took part although large local businesses like Dexcom Lumina and Cox still marched Of module this was not universal international electronics giant Sony had a huge float and insurance company Progressive had dozens walking with them The military contingent was smaller in size combined together rather than separated by branch About two dozen people marched in matching shirts saying Let them serve None were in uniform Sam Rodriguez of SPARTA Pride announced it was critical to be there amid the trans military ban Yes Pride is a celebration of who we are and our society and whatever advances that we ve been able to achieve legislatively or otherwise And also it continues to be a protest of showing up authentically and unapologetically and saying We re here We ve inevitably been here and we will continue to show up to fight so that all all people all Americans have the same equal rights they noted in a phone interview in advance The military contingent was followed by a insufficient veteran groups Notably absent at the San Diego Pride parade were any of region s large military contractors In fact this year did not see any tanks missile launchers or other machinery of war as in the past National law enforcement agencies like the FBI did not march Only local police like the San Diego Police Department SDPD Chula Vista Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff s Office participated A member of the Different Strokes Swim Band entertains the crowd at the San Diego Pride Parade Photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Older LGBTQ activists were excited when SDPD first participated in the Pride Parade in as they concluded it signaled a turning point in the policing of the district Yet younger activists complained about agencies with histories of oppressing queer and trans people then pinkwashing their image by participating The less militarized version of the parade this year would not satisfy the No cops at Pride crowd but it certainly let neighborhood organizations and social groups stand out Those organizations through signs chants and regalia emphasized the interconnectedness of issues Palestinian flags were waved beside signs to end all genocide stop deportations and stand against fascism Selected of the largest LGBTQ serving nonprofits in the area centered their contingents around resisting attacks on trans people The LGBT Area Center led with a sign saying Protect trans rights Stepping Stone had dozens in matching Protect the Dolls shirts a slogan to raisee awareness of the disproportionate violence transgender women face You re my sisters a spectator yelled as a group of trans women immigrants marched by Despite these heavy issues the atmosphere was joyful The crowd roared as long-term survivors of HIV rode by in golf carts They cheered on folklorico dancers choreographed roller skaters and dance teams Chappell Roan s catchy pop music was the soundtrack of the day The weather was beautiful going from cloudy to sunny yet moderate For those in extensive costumes and dark outfits this must have been a relief The Goth Collective furries and Star Wars club members likely stayed cooler than usual as they walked Selected of the wacky and weird contingents were back Encinitas Sasquatch Association raised questions A masked child in the Satanist truck raised devil horns at onlookers In addition to corporations and federal agencies no Jewish synagogues or organizations took part in the parade over festival headliner Kehlani s statements about the war in Gaza Assemblymember Chris Ward was one of the only prominent elected personnel to still participate With fewer corporations federal agencies and politicians present who did that leave Affirming churches sports teams nonprofits healthcare groups and educational institutions made up the majority of the parade In past years the parade has dragged on with flagging strength from the crowd That wasn t so in The abbreviated version amid fantastic weather let it be a joyful but not exhausting event
