Showing up for Sacramento Pride matters now more than ever | Opinion

On June 13 and 14, Sacramento will come alive, and your presence is requested.

Tens of thousands of people will gather on Capitol Mall for the Pride Festival, and on Sunday morning, the Pride March will move up 10th Street, free and open to all, a visible, joyful declaration that our LGBTQ+ community belongs here. For some, it will feel like a celebration. For others, it will feel like something they have been waiting for their entire lives.

I have seen that difference up close.

Last year, I watched a young person step into Pride for the first time, lingering near the entrance, unsure. Within minutes, that hesitation began to fade. They found the LGBT Center’s resource booth, then a group of peers at Q-Spot Live and finally something harder to name but easy to recognize: A sense of belonging.

Witnessing a moment like that stay with you. They remind us that Pride is not just a party, it is often the first place someone feels fully seen.

At the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, we hear stories like this every year. Pride celebrations are often the first time LGBTQ+ people see themselves reflected in a positive and affirming way, and can connect to support that extends well beyond the weekend — from access to nonprofit social services, local small businesses, opportunities for activism and community. Pride has always held this kind of meaning.

Not long ago, public gatherings among LGBTQ+ people openly required courage. Police raided bars and nightclubs. LGBTQ+ people were barred from teaching, serving in the military and living openly without risk. Pride began as a protest against violence and discrimination and grew into a movement for visibility, equity and justice.

Across our community, especially among young people, we are hearing something deeply concerning: Many feel less safe being out than they did just a few years ago. Access to healthcare is more uncertain, and rights that once felt settled are being debated again. For some, even finding joy in daily life has become more difficult. That is exactly why Pride matters now.

Pride creates space for visible, shared joy and reminds people they are part of something larger than themselves. It shows us that progress is not inevitable, it is built and protected by people who choose to come together.

From allies to business owners and civic leaders, showing up matters. When allies line 10th Street during the Pride March, cheering on friends, neighbors, coworkers and even strangers, it sends a powerful message: You belong here, and you are not alone.

Pride also matters for Sacramento in very real, economic ways. The weekend supports LGBTQ+ artists and performers, creates opportunities for small businesses and vendors and drives activity across the region. Hotels fill, restaurants and bars see increased traffic and local media and cultural spaces benefit. It is one of the region’s largest and most diverse community events.

And yet, it is getting harder to sustain. The Center produces Pride as a community program. It is not a profitable enterprise, especially as the cost of safety, permits and infrastructure has nearly tripled since the pandemic. Sponsorships have become much more difficult to secure as corporations back away from their diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging commitments.

Sadly, several Pride events across the country have been canceled, and some organizations have closed due to cost and political pressures.

Still, Sacramento continues to make Pride possible because the community impact is too important to lose. We also strive to ensure events remain accessible — the Pride March on Sunday is free, and we distribute thousands of free festival tickets through our community partners each year to ensure cost is not a barrier for those who cannot afford the ticket price.

But Pride only works if people show up. So come to the festival. Join the march up 10th Street. Bring friends and family, and support local artists and businesses.

Because for someone stepping into Pride for the first time, that moment of being seen can change everything. And in a time like this, showing up for each other matters more than ever.

David Heitstuman is CEO of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.