Despite a chilly national climate for the LGBTQ+ community, hundreds of thousands of San Diegans warmly celebrated Pride Saturday as the annual parade made its way up University Avenue in Hillcrest.
The 3 1/2-hour parade again featured many sectors of society — military, law enforcement, churches, education and corporate America. Even the FBI.
Temperatures didn’t reach 80 degrees, and a cooling sea breeze kept it comfy for parade units and spectators.
On the eve of the Women’s World Cup, San Diego’s NWSL Wave soccer club marched with a banner saying “Love is a terrible thing to hate” and club president Jill Ellis waved to the crowd.
The drag community — under fire across the country — was designated as parade marshals, and transgender advocates were out in force, including Rep. Sara Jacobs, whose brother is trans. State Senate President Pro Ten Toni Atkins and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria shouted “Happy Pride” along the route.
Reps. Juan Vargas and Mike Levin marched or rode as did District Attorney Summer Stephan, Police Chief David David Nisleit and county Sheriff Kelly Martinez.
Assemblyman Chris Ward and several San Diego City Council members were there along with Janessa Goildbeck and Monica Montgomery Steppe, the two Democratic candidates to fill Nathan Fletcher’s seat on the county Board of Supervisors.
The parade — which began in 1974 — skipped the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. It was back in full force this year, with live coverage by CBS8.
