July was named LGBT Pride Month Tuesday by the San Diego City Council in an 8-0 vote and San Diego Pride General Manager Steve Whitburn and activist Nicole Murray Ramirez were honored as they accepted the proclamation.
Council President Todd Gloria presented Whitburn, Ramirez, and six others to the Council before the unanimous vote was entered. (Ninth District Councilmember Marti Emerald was absent, but she has voted for it previously.)
“With the U.S. Supreme Court ruling several weeks ago giving all Californians the opportunity to marry the person they love, this is going to be the best and biggest Pride celebration that San Diego has seen,” said Whitburn.
“Pride’s theme reminds us the time for equal rights and for equal love is now,” said Gloria. “Our community, our country, and our courts are all coming to the consensus that our freedom to love and to marry is a basic human right.”
Gloria noted that San Diego Pride is the fourth largest celebration in the U.S. and 200,000 spectators are expected in what is the biggest event of the year for the City.
“The Pride Parade is a powerful display of diversity, acceptance and celebration. For over three hours, the streets of Hillcrest burst with colorful displays of pride, music, dancing and 200 contingents,” said Gloria.
“Pride’s goal is to demonstrate that freedom, love and commitment are shared values of all Americans, no matter your gender or your sexual orientation,” said Gloria.
Whitburn thanked the Council for its vote, and invited everyone to attend. “It’s going to be a great time, and happy Pride!” said Whitburn.
Ramirez noted that in the 1970s “there wouldn’t have been a proclamation” to note the annual parade. “This city has changed,” he said, adding that the current Council is composed of people “committed to social justice.”
Ramirez said the late Tom Homann and Jess Jessup were the first to apply for a permit for a parade in 1974, and the police department told them “there would never be a homosexual march or parade in San Diego.”
Ramirez said Homann, an attorney, threatened to sue the city, and the first permit was granted in 1975 for the very first parade.
