Welcome to SF Pride 2023!

By Suzanne Ford

Do not miss out on Saturday’s celebration this year!

The Main Stage will feature headliner Princess Nokia! Four community stages will be in action: Soul of Pride, Latin X, Trans stage, and the Indie Oasis. Homo Hip Hop and the Country Dance folks return for two days this year. We need you to come out Saturday and support these great communities.

Sunday, of course, will be the culmination of a month of honoring the LGBTQIA community. The Dykes on Bikes will lead us down Market Street. The API and the Women’s stages will join Soul of Pride and the Latin X. Our Kaiser Permanente Main Stage will feature headliners Princess Nokia and Hayley Kiyoko.

Remember, showing up at SF Pride goes beyond a celebration of love and acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. It becomes a powerful statement for human rights, not just for ourselves, but for all LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. By joining together in this deep display of solidarity, we send a resounding message that equality, dignity, and freedom are non-negotiable rights that should be afforded to every single person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

SF Pride becomes a platform where our voices amplify, where our presence ignites change, and where our collective determination reshapes the very fabric of society. So, let us march, let us dance, and let us embrace one another with pride, for in doing so, we become agents of progress, inspiring hope and paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Suzanne Ford is the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride.

On behalf of the entire SF Pride organization, I am thrilled to extend a warm and exuberant welcome to all community members, supporters, and allies. As we gather, we honor the vibrant tapestry of our diverse community, celebrating love, acceptance, and the hard-fought progress we have made together.

As one of the world’s largest and most iconic annual LGBTQ+ celebrations, the SF Pride Parade often strikes me as the world’s largest pageant—a magnificent display of unapologetic authenticity and queer joy. For those fortunate enough to witness the hours-long procession down Market Street on the last Sunday of every June, it is impossible to deny the fabulously queer pomp and circumstance that fills the air. For more than two decades, I have had the privilege of marching in every single SF Pride Parade, proudly embracing my identity and amplifying our collective voices. The pause forced upon us by the regrettable impact of COVID-19 may have temporarily disrupted our physical celebrations, but it has never diminished the liberatory spirit that burns within us.

SF Pride has always been more than just a parade. It is a gateway to a world of queer advocacy and activism, a catalyst for change and empowerment. It has shaped my journey as a late-30s gay Vietnamese man who has found love in the vibrant

By Nguyen Pham

heart of the Castro, and it has given me the strength and audacity to embrace my own truth.

This year, as we reunite in a renewed sense of solidarity against the coordinated vitriol and violence of our detractors, let us remember the power of community. Let us celebrate our resilience, our achievements, and the victories that have paved the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. In the spirit of this year’s SF Pride theme, “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” we acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of trailblazers who dared to dream and fight for equality, and it is our duty to carry their legacy forward.

From the electrifying parade to the captivating performances, from the inspiring speakers to the joyful expressions of love, SF Pride 2023 promises to be a transformative experience. Let us embrace the spirit of love, acceptance, and unity that has brought us here today. Let us come together in celebration of our vibrant LGBTQ+ community, while recognizing that our fight for liberation is far from over. As President of SF Pride, it is my honor to welcome you to this extraordinary event. May your time here be filled with joy, love, and a profound sense of belonging. Together, let us create unforgettable memories and continue the march toward a future where every person can live—and love—freely, authentically, and proudly. Nguyen Pham is the President of San Francisco Pride.