San Diego Begins Pride Celebrations with Raising of Progress Pride Flag at Balboa Park

-Editorial 

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined community leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates and representatives from local organizations to raise the Progress Pride flag from the California Tower at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park, marking the beginning of the city’s annual Pride celebrations.

The flag-raising ceremony is an annual tradition that highlights San Diego’s recognition of the LGBTQ+ community and the city’s efforts to promote inclusion, visibility and equal treatment for residents and visitors.

City officials said the Progress Pride flag reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community while recognizing the continued work to advance equality and ensure residents feel safe, respected and welcomed.

“As we unfurl the Progress Pride flag above Balboa Park, we reaffirm that everyone belongs here and that our city is strongest when every person feels seen, respected, and welcome,” Gloria said during the ceremony.

Gloria said Pride serves as an opportunity to recognize the history, contributions, and resilience of LGBTQ+ residents while celebrating the community’s role in shaping San Diego.

“Pride is a celebration of the people, history, and resilience that make San Diego stronger,” Gloria said.

The ceremony brought together representatives from the Mayor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, San Diego Pride, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, TransFamily Support Services, Hillcrest All-Inclusive Kiwanis Club, Vivo Viva Collective Binacional, the Museum of Us and other community organizations.

San Diego Pride Executive Director KishaLynn Elliott said the raising of the flag represented the importance of collaboration among community groups, elected officials and residents.

“Watching the Pride flag drop over Balboa Park tower made my jaw drop with joy,” Elliott said. “It was a powerful reminder of who we are as a city and what is possible when we choose community over division.”

Elliott said San Diego Pride and city leaders remain committed to supporting a safe environment for the hundreds of thousands of people expected to participate in Pride-related events.

“As hundreds of thousands of diverse people gather for Pride events through this weekend, I know both the mayor and I are committed to ensuring their safety during the celebrations,” Elliott said.

She added that continued partnerships between LGBTQ+ organizations, city officials and community leaders help strengthen support systems for residents.

“When we work together, we build a brighter future for our LGBTQIA+ community, which makes San Diego shine,” Elliott said.

Gloria Cruz Cardenas, chief impact officer for The San Diego LGBT Community Center, said the organization was proud to join city officials in launching Pride Week activities.

“The San Diego LGBT Community is so proud to celebrate San Diego Pride Week with Mayor Todd Gloria and our community,” Cardenas said. “As we kick off San Diego Pride Week, we can’t wait to see our community out in full force at the Pride Parade and Festival this weekend.”

The city said its work with community partners continues beyond Pride Month through programs and initiatives designed to support LGBTQ+ residents and promote a city where all people have opportunities to participate and thrive.

The Progress Pride flag combines elements of the traditional rainbow flag with additional colors representing transgender people and communities of color. The design was created to emphasize inclusion within the broader LGBTQ+ movement.

The flag will remain displayed as San Diego hosts Pride events throughout the celebration period.