Pride MONTH at SDSU
Dear SDSU Community,
This month, we at SDSU join our 2SLGBTQIA+ community in celebrating Pride Month. In doing so, we honor the countless activists,
advocates and movements that have, and continue to, work towards collective 2SLGBTQIA+
liberation.
In addition to celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the history of Pride is rooted
in resistance. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New
York. The raid sparked six days of protests, largely led by Black 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals,
and inspired the modern liberation movements in the U.S. The impact of these protests
is now known as the Stonewall Uprising. The anniversary of Stonewall is now honored around the world each year.
Pride Month provides an opportunity to recognize the countless protests which came before Stonewall and the individuals who hold both 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) identities.
They include those who led the liberation movement, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and many others at the forefront of our understanding of Pride history.
Pride at SDSU
In 1970, shortly after the Stonewall Uprising, San Diego State University students
founded a chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF). With the goal of supporting gay
students, GLF volunteers hung posters around campus announcing “San Diego’s First
Gay-In.” The event was “a public celebration of gayness… held at the Eucalyptus Grove
in Presidio Park… [marking] the first time in San Diego that a group of self-declared
gays and lesbians” gathered in a public place. Later, as a result of student activism
through GLF, SDSU established one of the first gay studies courses in the U.S.
Today, SDSU students, staff and faculty continue to uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
to ensure all campus community members feel seen, heard and supported. Most notably,
the recent 10th anniversary of a brick and mortar pride center at SDSU reiterated the purpose of having a dedicated
community-focused 2SLGBTQIA+ space: to support and advance 2SLGBTQIA+ student outcomes
and experiencestory.
Moreover, in light of the external attacks on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and higher education settings, SDSU and The Pride Center are immensely proud of the resilience and dedication of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and their allies, in fostering a campus community that promotes excellence through unity. This year, Pride House, a collaborative peer mentorship program for first-year undergraduate students facilitated through The Pride Center, effectively supported students through their transition into higher education. Further, student-led peer programming brought together community members to engage in impactful conversations and activities, which strengthened belonging and fostered peer-to-peer connections.
Participation in Pride Month and many other 2SLGBTQIA+ events hosted by the SDSU campus community, combined with the work of The Pride Center, the Pride ERG, LGBTQ+ Studies, SafeZones and various registered student organizations, are some of the many ways SDSU continues to build on its history as one of the nation's top LGBTQ+ friendly campuses.
As of April 2026, more than 529 anti-LGBTQ bills at the state and federal level have been introduced during the legislative session, many of which directly impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Compounded by the ongoing challenges on higher education settings, deportation of student protesters and a push against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide, many 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are faced with navigating a complex politicized environment. Collectively, these conditions reinforce the critical importance of inclusive campus environments.
Pride is not just a month-long event; it is an ongoing effort encouraging unity and celebrating growth, joy and community, while also engaging in critical learning and direct action. Whether it is through attending the Pride Center events or educating oneself about 2SLGBTQIA+ history and issues, active and consistent allyship from all is needed to uplift the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. SDSU students, faculty and staff can learn more about allyship through SafeZones, a program designed to create a welcoming, educational and safe environment for all 2SLGBTQIA+ members of the campus community.
As we continue to advocate for and support our 2SLGBTQIA+ community at SDSU, you are invited to show your support and allyship for the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by attending Pride Week events and programs at The Pride Center throughout the coming academic year. Happy Pride Month!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
San Diego Pride Parade
Each year, San Diego Pride organizes the Pride Parade in San Diego, which brings together over 250,000 people over a 1.5 mile parade route. The first permitted Pride Parade in San Diego took place in 1975, with the first contingent sponsored by SDSU participating in 2006. This year, the parade will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and will feature the SDSU Color Guard.
