A Guide To Celebrating San Francisco Pride
Earlier this month, San Francisco declared itself a transgender sanctuary city, officially a place of safety for transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and Two-Spirit people — a term for Indigenous and Native individuals possessing both a masculine and feminine spirit.
Pride began 54 years ago after New York City’s Stonewall uprising for gay rights. Since hosting its first Pride event in June 1970, SF’s celebration has grown from a gathering of a few hundred people to around one million LGBTQ+ people and allies.
Fittingly, this year’s Pride celebration is themed “Beacon of Love” as our city continues to be a leader and rallying point for the movement and LGBTQI+ social justice. This month, a banner of queer events, exhibitions, and shows bolster SF’s diverse entertainment and cultural scene, culminating in the 54th annual San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration on Sunday, 30 June.
Here’s where to continue celebrating love with no bounds in the SF Bay Area!
Wednesday June 26th
4 pm to 7 pm: Bi-BQ Bi+ Pride Potluck Picnic, Dolores Park at 19th + Dolores
Bring tasty dishes and sides to share for this low-key community potluck in the Mission Dolores neighborhood. After the picnic, adults can meander to the Eclectic Box Theater (446 Valencia St.) for BiConic Film Festival’s screening event from 6:30 pm. Movie tickets are $10 to $20.
Thursday June 27th
9 am to 5 pm: SF Pride Human Rights Summit, Commonwealth Club (110 The Embarcadero)
Ramp up for the weekend with a day of keynotes, panels, conversations, and—of course—live drag at the second annual SF Pride Human Rights Summit. Mayor London Breed and Human Rights Commission Director Sheryl Davis will make special appearances. Tickets are free.
6 pm to 10 pm: Pride NightLife, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive
Cal Academy’s weekly adults-only NightLife event celebrates Pride with an evening dedicated to joy, activism, unapologetic self-expression, and community, featuring fierce drag performances by Oaklash. “Cozy Corner” will feature soulful music by Azuah; pour your heart out in a letter-writing session in support of the global trans community with Point of Pride; and join a down-to-earth panel discussion about what it means to be “queer enough.” Tickets are $25.95.
Friday June 28th
7:15 am: Women and Non-Binary Bike Friday Morning Ride, McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park (501 Stanyan St.)
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition leads a “no rider left behind” easy-paced bike ride through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach. It might be chilly: Bring a Yeti and snack for a short break at the beach before the return bike ride to the lodge.
11 am to late: The Trans March, Dolores Park
This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Trans March, which celebrates the transgender and gender-nonconforming communities, kicking off with at 11 am with Señora Felicia Flames Intergenerational TGI Brunch at The Women’s Building (3543 18th St.) followed by The Trans March Stage and Resource Fair at Dolores Park at 3 pm. At 6 pm, the march begins at Dolores Park and ends at Turk and Taylor streets, followed by an after-party co-hosted by El Rio (3158 Mission St.) and Mothership (3152 Mission St.)
Saturday June 29th
7.30 am to 11 am: Pride for Breakfast, Civic Center Plaza
Early birds might enjoy Pride for Breakfast (7.30 am to 11 am), starting the day right with coffee, bites, and movement provided by Haum Yoga and a Dance Workout Class at Civic Center Plaza.
11 am to 6 pm: Official “Beacon of Love” Pride Celebration, Civic Center Plaza
Celebrated Drag Queens D’Arcy Drollinger and Black Benatar will host Saturday’s Main Stage and an all-day drag extravaganza produced by Ms. Drollinger and her club and cabaret OASIS. Drag queen Adore Delano, a singer-songwriter who gained fame as a contestant on “American Idol,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” will make a special appearance.
Community Stages include SF Pride Hip Hop Stage for all ages from 10 am and The Root of Pride, an 18+ “unapologetic celebration where we dig deep, get wild, and celebrate liberation in all its glory!”
Sunday June 30th
10.30 am to 6 pm: “Beacon of Love” Pride Parade, Civic Center Plaza
On Sunday, SF’s world-famous Pride Parade takes over the city’s streets from 10.30 am, led by Dykes on Bikes from Market Street at Beale and ending at Market and 8th St, near the Pride Celebration at Civic Center Plaza.
Here, the Main Stage will be headlined by Billy Porter, star of Kinky Boots and POSE and Grammy, Emmy, and two-time Tony winner, with performances by Nina Sky, Rêve, N3ptune + Resty, and more! Within walking distance, you’ll find Latin, Womxn’s, Asian & Pacific Islander, Indie Oasis, and Sundance Country-Western Dance Corral community stages.
1 pm to 5 pm, SF Pride Party at City Hall
After the parade, the SF Pride Party at City Hall features a hosted bar, delicious bites, and three non-stop drag, dancing, and entertainment rooms for anyone keen to keep the festivities going while escaping crowds on the street. Tickets are $100 to $150.
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For more information, visit sfpride.org.