With a nearly new board of directors, Lambda Pride made some big changes. The budget grew to $95,000, nearly three times the budget of the previous year, and a two-day festival was planned for the first time. However, the ambitious new board experienced more turmoil than the previous year in the weeks leading up to… Continue reading 1986: “Forward Together”
Category: San Diego Pride Timeline
1985: “Share the Pride”
Following the turmoil of the previous year, the 1985 board of directors was comprised of mostly fresh faces and saw the return of Doug Moore. Lambda Pride again adopted an international theme, “Alive with Pride in ‘85,” and a local theme, “Share the Pride.” That Pride weekend, which took place June 8-9, was dedicated to… Continue reading 1985: “Share the Pride”
1984: “Celebration ‘84, A Decade of Pride”
1984 marked the 15th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and the 10-year anniversary of the San Diego Pride march. As such, Lambda Pride adopted the national theme “Unity and More in ‘84” and a local theme “Celebration ‘84, A Decade of Pride.” A number of changes took place that year. The first annual Lambda Pride… Continue reading 1984: “Celebration ‘84, A Decade of Pride”
1983: “I Love Being Out”
In 1983, Lambda Pride officially received its non-profit status, which allowed the organization more autonomy in planning their annual event. Pride celebrations grew in participation, activities, and attendance. However, permits were once again initially denied by the San Diego Police Department. With help from attorney Tom Homann, Lambda Pride filed an appeal and contacted the… Continue reading 1983: “I Love Being Out”
1982: “Proud-Diversified-United”
With the addition of a Tijuana contingent and a “Black and White Men Together” group in 1982, Lambda Pride chose the theme “Proud-Diversified-United.” The parade took place on June 12th and featured forty-six contingents including horses and motorcycle clubs. Christian fundamentalists, referred to by parade participants as “fundies,” protested on the sidelines with signs quoting… Continue reading 1982: “Proud-Diversified-United”
1981: “United For Our Rights”
Due to the divide created the previous year by the Lesbian Solidarity March, the Lesbian/Gay Men’s Pride Alliance disbanded. With the leadership of Doug Moore, Lambda Pride formed and took over the task of planning Pride. Lambda Pride filed for 501(c)(3) status, established a board of directors, and brought about many changes to the annual… Continue reading 1981: “United For Our Rights”
1980: “In Celebration We Are…”
In January of 1980, the Center for Social Services was renamed the Lesbian and Gay Community Center, a move spearheaded by lesbians to address sexism. The success of the Gay Pride Picnic and Olympics the previous year seems to have influenced the 1980 Pride parade. That year the event took on a tone more celebratory… Continue reading 1980: “In Celebration We Are…”
1979: “Remember Stonewall”
After nearly a decade of activism with a handful of victories, 1979 was a tumultuous year for the San Diego gay community. In February, five officers from the San Diego Police Department raided the Fourth Avenue Club and charged twenty-three patrons with lewd conduct. In response, lobbyist George Raya and activist Fred Scholl organized a… Continue reading 1979: “Remember Stonewall”
1978: “No More Lies, Never Again!”
As with the previous year, defending homosexuality in education took the spotlight of the 1978 Pride event, which was held on June 25th. California voters faced Proposition 6, which would prohibit gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools and prohibit the use of curricula that presented homosexuality positively. Prop 6 was fueled by Anita… Continue reading 1978: “No More Lies, Never Again!”
1977: “Unity (A Day With Human Rights Is Like A Day Without Sunshine) / No More Miamis”
Despite the infighting and dispersion of niche interest groups that occurred the previous year, participation in the 1977 Pride march increased. That year, former Miss America runner-up Anita Bryant began crusading against gay rights and was involved in overturning a Florida ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Bryant then pushed a Christian fundamentalist-backed national… Continue reading 1977: “Unity (A Day With Human Rights Is Like A Day Without Sunshine) / No More Miamis”