SAN DIEGO, Calif. – During an intimate event at the Hillcrest Whole Foods Thursday, June 22, the community welcomed Eric Heinritz, new executive director for San Diego Pride. Heinritz took advantage of the small crowd by networking closely with community members and Pride volunteers throughout the evening, over a delicious selection of appetizers.
Heinritz discussed his move to San Diego, having arrived less than a month ago, but still in the process of completing the transition. Although missing his children, who are still living in Milwaukee with their grandparents for the next month, Heinritz is thankful “not to miss out on the late state planning” for Pride and participate in the time leading up to the event. This will be Heinritz’s first official San Diego Pride, and he shared his excitement about joining the celebration. Heinritz believes that this time and experience will build a strong foundation moving forward for his work as executive director.
Following 16 years in non-profit management, Heinritz “caught the bug” of advocacy work, wanting to narrow the focus of his career to provide leadership and guidance within the LGBTQ+ community specifically. Beginning this endeavor through his work with Milwaukee Pride, then being drawn to San Diego to continue and grow his career, Heinritz expressed his excitement over contributing to the local community through his role.
Heinritz shared how thankful he has been for the “support from local government” surrounding San Diego Pride. “I see Pride as an opportunity to show that it doesn’t have to be just a neighborhood that is the safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, but instead it can be the entire city,” Heinritz said. Familiar with San Diego from his time here over a decade ago, Heinritz added, “I think it is great to see the expanding of the LGBTQ+ community beyond the borders of Hillcrest, as I know how the separation was more stark in the past.”
The community enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Heinritz on a more personal level and begin to share what San Diego has to offer. The entire event was a welcome kick-off to the weeks leading up to Pride weekend, with Pride volunteers also taking time to mingle with community members and answer questions.
okay so I just saw this new Exec Director of Pride last night at the lighting ceremony in St. Paul’s. First impression was, I love his shoes. But then he spoke to present a plaque of appreciation to the legendary Troy Perry, and boy oh boy, was it awkward! He barely introduced himself, if at all he did! No enthusiasm at all to welcome the community (duh! it was supposed to be his shining moment to welcome and be welcomed for the first time!) and I felt like he doesn’t even know who Nicole Murray Ramirez is! Hello? The mayor of Hillcrest hello??!?! Where did this guy come from? He doesn’t even know how to present an award or a plaque for that matter. All he said was “here…thank you…”….I was like,”is he serious?”…My god…Is that the best guy that the so-called Pride Board replaced Stephen Whitburn with? Really Pride Board? Really?…I feel sorry for the guy…can’t blame him…he’s not even a local…, I just feel bad that’s the best the Pride Board kept saying all this time…well it reflects on them…Shame on them to begin with…well…happy pride!