After two years of minimal and cautious participation in pride parade, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's parade was close to full revival. Known as a world famous parade which is held every year in June in San Francisco, this year was a welcome return to celebrating pride for the LGBTQ+ community. And what a great parade march along Market Street it was!
 |
| Marching with the UCSF contingent |
Thousands of spectators attended as well as hundreds marched in celebration. As a march participant for my employer, we were at least 200+ strong. It was a bit overwhelming with the crowds cheering all marchers on. Once we march around the corner to head along Market Street, I got comfortable holding our employer banner, UCSF with Pride! It's my second year marching and it felt so gratifying and liberating!
This march was especially important as our transgender community has been under so much attack, it was definitely a reminder we need to be heard and be seen. We can't take anything for granted. We cannot go back in the closet, we've come too far to be put in our place. UCSF t-shirts printed, "PRIDE IS PROTEST". I think many spectators got the message as the cheers were loud and encouraging! I'm proud to be part of this event as we need to all be one when it comes to challenges to our community. All we want is to be accepted and be visible to the community and the world in general.
Let's hope next year will be a bigger and more positive pride march, I think it will be!
https://sfpride.org/
