Celebrate LGBT Pride

Paul Munson prepares to light rainbow candles during a Pride community ceremony in Sonoma County

  Last year organizing a community-wide SF Pride parade group, though intended to be a specific response to Prop 8, was so successful that we wish we could have continued this every year. But we do not have the resources. This year the LGBT Alliance will not be sponsoring a community-wide SF Pride parade group. Instead, as in past years, members of the LGBT Alliance and our allies will march with other organizations that are sponsoring a parade group. If you or your organization is interested in marching in the SF Pride Parade, please visit our Facebook page and share your plans so others can join you. We understand that Camp Newman, Congregation Temple Sinai and Congregation Sha'ar Zahav are all marching in the SF Pride Parade.  After having just completed a two-year process of study, reflection and strategic planning, the Alliance has chosen to begin implementing its plans with a focus on leadership development and programmatic partnerships, and this year encourages Pride 'organizing' among the many Jewish groups and organizations in our community who have participated in Pride for years. The LGBT Alliance is excited to celebrate the many diverse Jewish groups and their Pride involvement. 

Celebrate Pride Weekend   San Francisco Pride held over "Pride weekend" June 25 to 27, 2010 throughout the Mission, Tenderloin & Castro neighborhoods is said to be "one of the last remaining pride events that can truly be called a rite of passage." The LGBT Alliance has a booth this year on both Saturday and Sunday among the major festiveness at Civic Center. We will be introducing multiple Bay Area LGBT Jewish lay led programs like The HIV Story Project and A Wider Bridge as well as providing information about our Bay Area Jewish community. 

Celebrate Pride Month   In the Bay Area the entire month of June is filled with opportunities to celebrate LGBT Pride including highlights like: 

• The 34th Annual Frameline LGBT International Film Festival
• The 3rd Annual Contra Costa County LGBTQ Pride Picnic & BBQ
• Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride including the annual young adult pride dance
• The 9th annual Fresh Meat transgender & queer performance Festival
• The 12th Annual Queer Arts Festival
• The 6th Annual Trans March
• The 33rd Annual Santa Cruz Pride Rally
• The 18th Annual Dyke March
• Sonoma County Pride Parade and Celebration along the Russian River in Guerneville
• The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Pink Saturday Castro Street Party
• Plus, in August we have San José Pride and after a six-year absence, the East Bay Oakland Pride festival will return Labor Day weekend along with the 9th annual Sistahs Steppin In Pride East Bay Dyke March & Festival!

Multiple Bay Area Jewish Congregations celebrate Pride each year by hosting a Pride Shabbat. If you would like to organize a Pride Shabbat or community ritual at your Bay Area Jewish congregation or home please connect with us! We would love to help you discover unique Drashot & help spread the word about your Pride celebration! Here are a few of the congregations that have communicated with us that they are organizing a Pride Shabbat, Potluck, Oneg or Havdallah gathering during Pride month this year: