San Diego Pride Launches Multi-Media Web Project
Capturing Local Pride History
San Diego, CA - San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride has begun work on the first phase of "Stonewall 40 - Generations of Pride in San Diego," a comprehensive, multi-media timeline highlighting key individuals and events that helped shape this city's Pride movement since the Stonewall riots of 1969.
The archival project will be debuted on the Pride web site leading up to the organization's 2008 celebrations. It will feature sound and video clips, as well as photographs and written interviews showcasing the activists and events as they pertain to San Diego Pride's rich past. Updates and additional features will be added in 2009 for the actual 40th anniversary of Stonewall and 35th anniversary of Pride in San Diego. Project Coordinator John Bilow is currently gathering material from the public at large and existing archives. "We're putting out a history call to former board and committee members, award winners, employees, volunteers, entertainers and anyone with early photographs and memorabilia, as well as those who attended early Pride celebrations in San Diego," he said.
According to Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego Pride, the project is being spearheaded by Pride in commemoration of the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that occurred in New York City in 1969. The Greenwich Village uprising became the flash point of the modern gay rights movement in the U.S.
"The project is also intended to bring awareness and recognition to those in our community who have played significant roles in the quest for equal rights. The archives will serve as an informative and timeless reference for youth, future generations and newcomers to San Diego," added deHarte.
For those who have information to contribute to the archival project, please e-mail to history@sdpride.org or call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683, ext. 5
This year's Pride celebration is scheduled for July 19-20. The festivities include a mile-long parade down University Avenue in Hillcrest at 11 a.m., July 19, and a two-day festival on July 19-20 featuring multiple performance stages, local community organizations, arts/crafts, employee groups, and food & beverage gardens.
About Us
Formed in 1974, as a sponsored program of The Center for Social Services, the Pride committee produced the first Lesbian and Gay Parade in San Diego to celebrate the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion on New York's Christopher Street. The 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 1994 and today San Diego Pride continues to bring together the skills, talents and vision of our diverse community to produce the annual LGBT Pride Celebration which attracts 225,000 participants to Hillcrest for America's Finest Pride parade and festival.
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