For the first time in Santa Barbara’s history, an LGBTQ+ Pride Flag is waving above De la Guerra Plaza, outside City Hall, to celebrate the city’s Pride Week.
Santa Barbara leaders, members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and activists gathered outside City Hall on Monday to mark the historic moment and gaze up at the rainbow flag gently blowing in the breeze.
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo called the moment “truly an honor — for me personally, also for the city” of Santa Barbara.
“This moment reflects years of advocacy, partnership and commitment with so many individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly to ensure Santa Barbara is a place where everyone feels valued and safe,” she said.
The flag-raising kicked off a weeklong Pride celebration, just days ahead of the Pacific Pride Festival and other Pride events.
Julio Roman, executive director of the Pacific Pride Foundation, said this year’s “Out, Proud and Unstoppable” theme represents the ongoing effort to create communities where people can be themselves, especially during current efforts to diminish transgender rights.
“This is why more than ever, this flag-raising means so much,” Roman said, “because this flag is more than color and fabric. Today, flying over our city has become a statement and a symbol. You belong here. You are valued here, and your story is a part of Santa Barbara’s story.”
Deja Hartley, director of programs for the Pacific Pride Foundation, said she hopes the flag makes every LGBTQ+ person — particularly youths — feel as though their lives and futures matter, and that they are part of the community.
“Today, we didn’t just raise a flag; we raised visibility, we raised hope and we raised the standard for what belonging can look like in Santa Barbara,” Hartley said.
“Thank you for making history with us today. Happy Pride, and let’s keep moving forward out, proudly and unstoppable.”
Santa Barbara Pride Events Scheduled Throughout This Week
On Tuesday, The Marjorie Luke Theater will host a special screening of the award-winning documentary “50 Years of Fabulous: The Story of the Imperial Council” and a panel discussion from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The documentary follows the Imperial Council’s evolution from creating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco to becoming a force for equality, advocacy and fundraising throughout the country.
The Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus will open the show. After the screening, a discussion with the film’s producer and 36th empress of San Francisco’s Imperial Council, David Lassman, will take place, along with representatives from Pacific Pride Foundation.
Tickets are $17.85, including online fees.
On Wednesday, the Kimpton Canary Hotel will host the Sunset at the Canary, an LGBTQ+-friendly rooftop event with DJs and live performances.
The free event occurs once a month, April through September, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Thursday, the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus will perform at 7 p.m. at the Pride Cabernet at The New Vic Theater at 33 W. Victoria St.
The performance will include Broadway classics and ballads. Ticket sales will support the Santa Barbara Gay Men’s Chorus.
The Pacific Pride Festival, hosted by the Pacific Pride Foundation at Chase Palm Park, will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, with drag performances, live bands and DJs, arts and crafts, and other family-friendly activities scheduled.
Vivian Storm will serve as the official festival host, while Morgan McMichaels — from “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” — will be the special guest host.
Ada Vox, a former “American Idol” and “Queen of the Universe” contestant, will headline. Vox will perform on the festival’s main stage, which will have other live music, dance, drag entertainment and community performances.
The family-friendly stage will have more performances for all ages, sing-alongs, arts and crafts, and dance parties.
On Sunday, the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara will host an LGBTQ+-affirming service at 10 a.m. featuring a “glitter blessing” where participants can receive a symbolic blessing affirming identity, diversity and self-worth, per organizers.
Services are held at 1535 Santa Barbara St.
To wrap up the week, also on Sunday, Wildcat Lounge will host its weekly Drag Glitter Bunch, hosted by Vivian Storm and Angel D’mon.
There will be a $10 cover charge, plus the cost of dining. The doors will open at 11:30 a.m.; the show is set to begin at 12:45 p.m.
