This year marks the 49th annual San Francisco pride celebration. Whether this is your first time at SF pride – or your 49th – here is the quick and dirty on what’s in store.
This year marks the 49th annual San Francisco pride celebration. Whether this is your first time at SF pride – or your 49th – here is the quick and dirty on what’s in store.
History
This celebration dates back to 1970 when a group marched down Polk Street to City Hall in San Francisco’s first gay rights march. Just two years later in 1972, San Francisco held its first Pride parade with 2,000 marchers and 15,000 spectators. A few years after in 1978, Gilbert Baker debuted his rainbow flag design at SF Pride, which quickly became the symbol of the movement.
Today
While some things have changed since 1970, much has remained the same. This event is still FREE, although $1-$5 donations are encouraged at the gate.
Location
Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco
Timeline
Saturday, June 29 | Noon to 6pm
Sunday, June 30 | 11am-6pm (Parade @ 10:30am)
Stages
Main Stage: Located at the steps of City Hall in Civic Center Plaza.
Community Stages: Over 20 community-programmed stages and gathering spaces from a hip hop stage, to an LGBT family garden, to a queer youth space.
Event Hit List
Frameline 43 | June 20-30 | Various Venues in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland | www.frameline.org
The San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival is celebrating its 43rd year, making it the longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival. Enjoy over 150 film screenings that capture the spirit of queer life in America.
Trans March | Friday, June 28, 11am-6pm | Dolores Park
Festivities kick off with a brunch hosted by Lyric & Openhouse at 11am and continue with a resource fair, performances and speakers. The 45-minute trans march begins at 6pm and the celebration continues with after-parties throughout the night.
Dyke March | Saturday, June 29, 11am-5pm | Dolores Park
An annual celebration of dyke power, visibility and community. This rally and march will include speeches, musical performances, queer-crafted merchandise, and an Emotional Security Tent with trained counselors available for support.
Pride Parade | Sunday, June 30, 10:30am | Market & Beale
This grand finale of SF Pride is – you guessed it – the parade. The parade runs along Market Street, starting at Market & Beale and concluding at Market & 8th. “Generations of Resistance” is the theme of the celebration this year. “As the floats, bands, subcultures, and more cruise down Market Street toward City Hall, we can all cheer in unison to recognize how far we’ve come, acknowledge the threats to our survival, and embrace one another as equals. With the cast of Netflix’s Tales of the City reboot joining community leaders like Donna Personna and Vince Crisostomo as Grand Marshals, it’s indeed a milestone year. Be proud, San Francisco.” Peter Lawrence Kane, “Pride Guide 2019”, SF Weekly
Packing List
What should I bring?
Water
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
An energy bar (or two)
Money to purchase food/drink
An open mind 🙂
What should I leave at home?
Any bag or container over 18” x 18”
Alcohol
Coolers
Glass bottles
Illegal drugs or substances
Hazardous or toxic materials
Firearms, fireworks, explosives
Drones
Weapons
Knives, impact or electric pulse weapons
Stunning devices
Radios, walkie-talkies, jammers, scanners
Portable speakers
Any item deemed inappropriate or hazardous by law enforcement or security
Transportation
Pause Uber, pause Lyft. Public transportation will be your best friend. Both BART and Muni will make direct stops to the event. Use the Civic Center stop for quick access to the celebrations there, and head to the Embarcadero stop to access the start of the parade on Sunday.
Have other modes of transportation in mind? Bicycle parking is located on Hastings Plaza on the northeast corner of Hyde and McAllister. Driving is not suggested, but if you insist, get there early!
SF Pride is committed to ensuring that those with disabilities have equal access to, and participation in, the celebration and parade. Accessibility seating and ASL interpretation are provided at the Main Stage and other stages throughout the event. Full details here. For more information, contact marsha@sfpride.org.
Food & Drink
If you forgot to pack that energy bar recommended above, don’t fret. SF Pride hosts over 200 exhibitors including a variety of food and beverage vendors, artists, local and national businesses, nonprofits, and more. “Official Beverage Booths” offer water, soda, beer, wine and cocktails. The Castro Country Club Sober Stage, located on United Nations Plaza, offers a drug and alcohol free zone.
Zeus is proud topartnerwithSF Pridethis year by offering accommodations to the team that planned, coordinated, and worked fervidly to bring this celebration to life.
