San Francisco begins exhibiting its ‘Satisfaction’
San Francisco is beginning to show its “pride”
Pride Month celebrations are returning to San Francisco and the Bay Area after a 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic. Although there is more to celebrate this year, in-person events will be restricted for health reasons.
SAN FRANCISCO – The first day of June marked the start of Pride 2021, a recognition from the LGBTQ community.
The organizers kicked off this year’s Pride celebration, which gathered and marched in Oakland.
Pride returns after moving to a virtual celebration in 2020. There will be some live events including a ceremony to illuminate the oversized pink triangle that adorns Twin Peaks.
“In 2020 most things were canceled, so 2021 brings renewal, all of the fellowship’s energy will be back,” said Patrick Carney, who helps organize the Pink Triangle in San Francisco every year. “There won’t be a parade, but there will still be a lot of community energy.”
The triangle is a powerful symbol. At first it was used by the Nazis as a remedy against gay men and women, but now it’s a token of pride.
SEE ALSO: Biden declares June “LGBTQ + Pride Month” and explains its origins and history
“The pink triangle is one of the memories of hate and brutality in history,” Carney said. “That’s why we do it every year, we try to remember the gays who were forced to wear a pink triangle in the Holocaust.”
While the Pride Parade, which traditionally draws tens of thousands of attendees and fans to Market Street in San Francisco, is canceled this year, the Dykes on Bikes, who traditionally open the parade, were there to say that even without the parade the pride continues.
You will climb the Twin Peaks with the pink torch and initiate the pink triangle lighting ceremony. “We’re all excited to be here,” said Kate Brown of Dykes on Bikes. “We’re all looking forward to Pride this year. It’s not a normal year, but I think it’s better than last year.”
SEE ALSO: SF Pride 2021 will have personal events but no parade
This year there will be a mix of face-to-face and virtual events. Pride Movie Nights are scheduled for June 11th and 12th at Oracle Park. The 45th LGBTQ International Film Festival will be shown online and in person, and is proud to partner with the African American Arts and Culture Complex mid-month.
Community members in San Francisco are happy that Pride is back.
“It’s an important time and I’m excited to have it back,” said Vernon Kirton. “I know it gets a little watered down, but it’s a time for people to be out and have a good time.”
Trans opera singer Breanna Sinclaire says she is preparing to perform on June 20. She says Pride is a time to celebrate, but also a time for the LGBTQ community and allies to work hard to ensure visibility and equality for all.
“Living on a homeless trans woman, living my truth and doing what I love to do is powerful because what we all do is uplift each other,” Sinclaire said.
The pink triangle lighting ceremony is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 8 p.m. Out of consideration for social distancing guidelines, the pink triangle is just an outline, with 2,700 LED lights filling it in, making it visible for 20 miles.
