Monterey Peninsula Pride & Community Human Services PRoudly Present:
"Celebrating Generations Of Pride" EVENT
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Join us for our second annual celebration, co-sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Pride and Community Human Services. The purpose of Monterey Peninsula Pride and Celebration is to unite and serve local LGBTQ+ communities by celebrating our histories, pursuing multicultural equity, developing LGBTQ+ leadership, educating ourselves and others, and cultivating alliances.
Venga a nuestra segunda celebración anual, co-patrocinada por Monterey Peninsula Pride y Community Human Services. El propósito de Monterey Peninsula Pride and Celebration es unir y servir a las comunidades locales LGBTQ + celebrando nuestras historias, buscando la equidad multicultural, desarrollando el liderazgo LGBTQ +, educándonos a nosotros mismos y a otros, y cultivando alianzas.
Overview of activities:
If you'd like to volunteer, please sign up here. Read the official press release here.
Commercial by Fearless Minds Theatrical
PRIDE STORE
Parade
Whether you're marching or cheering, we want you there! Check out the Monterey Peninsula Pride Parade on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. kicking off from the Monterey County Social Services to the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside. See you there!
If your organization would like to march in the parade, please contact Kathryn Heckroth at Kathryn.heckroth@gmail.com and Steven Goings at goings@csumb.edu.
Senior Grand Marshal Emeritus
James “Akin” Miller is an LGBTQ+, AIDS, peace and African American civil rights activist. On a trip to Nigeria in 1990, he was given the spiritual name “Akinwale” which means “the mighty warrior has returned home.”
As a guest speaker at the 1992 Annual United Way Luncheon, Akin came out publicly as a gay African American man living with AIDS. Akin’s action directly challenged the stigmatization of gay men and people with HIV/AIDS in Monterey County.
His heroic action put a human face on AIDS in Monterey County and helped dispel the notion that AIDS was only a disease of white gay men. In 1995, Akin took a life-changing journey to Nepal where he became a Tibetan Buddhist. Akin maintains a connection with a local Buddhist community through the Manjusucri Dharma Center in Pacific Grove and works out his dharma through his community activism. In recent years he has served on the boards of the Monterey Peace and Justice Center as Art Gallery Manager, African American HIV/AIDS Wellness Services as President, and the Monterey County Branch NAACP as Health Committee Chair. He was also involved for many years with CSUMB’s Visual and Public Arts department.
In the past few months, Akin’s health has taken a turn for the worse. He believes he will recover, but in true Buddhist fashion he has begun the process of releasing his attachments. And in typical Buddhist humility, Akin initially turned down our offer of serving as in the role of Grand Marshal, but came around when he understood our vision of honoring our youth and our elders. We hope Akin will be well enough to be with us physically, because we here that he has picked out a colorful suit for the occasion!
Senior Grand Marshal
Reverend Jon Perez is an Episcopal Priest, serving as the vicar for Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal Church in Marina.
He comes to the Episcopal Church after a career in the corporate and non-profit worlds including HIV/AIDS Case Management. His congregation is the largest social service non-governmental organization (NGO) facilitator serving Marina. The congregation is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-political.
Currently, he serves the Lutheran Episcopal Coordination Committee, resolving practical and theological issues between the Lutheran and Episcopal Church.
Father Jon has served as a board member of the Lesbian & Gay Rights Northern California Chapter of the ACLU, Advisor to DOD Military Chaplains on LGBTQ Pastoral Care and is club advisor for CSUMB Pride (LGBTQ campus club). He is a recipient of the Atkinson Civil Rights Award and recognized by the Obama White House for his support and education of Military Chaplains on LGBTQ issues. A local native of the Monterey Peninsula and celebrates 22+ years with his husband Robert Munoz.
Youth Grand Marshal
Jenaye B. is a 16-year-old pansexual student at Seaside High School. While it took her sometime to fully come to terms with who or what she was, she experienced support from other LGBTQ+ folk at school, especially in her theater club where everyone was accepted, no matter what. They reassured her to take her time on figuring out who she is.
Now she constantly seeks ways to bring empowerment to females and the LGBTQ+ community and she says Pride is a great way to do that!
She writes, “It isn't so often the voices of so many LGBTQ+ people can be heard at once. It's so important to know that you are not alone and there are other people like you. To me, Pride brings a welcoming feeling, like a meaningful warm hug, that I hope everyone can experience somewhere.”
Police Presence At Pride
Monterey Peninsula Pride has been approached by two local police departments wishing to march in our upcoming pride parade on Saturday June 30, 2018. We have decided to allow local police departments to march in our parade provided they are not uniformed. Read our statement about police presence here
Sign-Making
If you're interested in decorating a sign for our pride parade, visit our sign-making table in the parking lot at 9:45 a.m. on event day. We'll be there with large markers and 30 blank posters (first come, first serve). Community members are welcome to bring extra sign-making materials, including cardboard and thick poster boards, for other marchers to use.
After the parade is over, please drop off your sign at the door of the Oldemeyer Center, unless you plan to take it home.
Dykes on Bicycles
Want to participate in the Monterey Peninsula Pride parade on your bicycle? Join us for the second annual "Dykes on Bicycles" gathering. All are welcome!
Here's how to participate:
1. Dress up your bicycle, or get dressed up yourself, to show your support for pride. Costumes and pride flags are encouraged!
2. Spread the word about the 2nd Annual “Dykes On Bicycles” on social media.
3. Show up with your bicycle at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 30 at Monterey County Social Services at 1281 Broadway Avenue in Seaside. When you show up, look for other bicycles, and plan to ride in a big group. The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Please note: Unfortunately, no motorcycles or motorized bicycles are allowed per the city of Seaside. Rollerskaters are welcome. If you are planning to bring a dog, they must be well-trained next to bicycles and be on a leash no longer than five feet.
Celebration
The celebration starts @ 12:00 at Oldemeyer Center at 981 Hilby Avenue, in Seaside, CA. This is a free event for the community, though donations are appreciated. During the speaking portion of the event, ASL Interpretation will be provided by Sabine Wecker.
During the pride celebration, make sure to stop by the information table to pick up your VIP wristband for the Red Afterparty. If you show your wristband at Bull and Bear, you'll get 20% off between 7 and 9 p.m. Also, part of the proceeds from our red shot special will go towards HIV/AIDS research and awareness.
Program Speakers
Interfaith spiritual welcome by Father Jon
Steven "Quazar" Goings
Jenaye Brelland
JT Mason
Deb Busman
Roselyn Marcias
River Navaille
Participants
American Civil Liberties Union Monterey County Chapter
Breakthrough Men’s Community
California Rural Legal assistance
Carmel Youth Center
Central Coast Nurses
Community Foundation
Community Human Services
Conexiones LGBTQ
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Service Center-Central Coast Outreach Office
Diversity Center
Emerging Artists Alliance
Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal Church
Interim Inc. Pajaro Street Wellness Center - Success Over Stigma
Medicare for All - Santa Cruz
Monterey Chapter of the ACLU
Monterey County Branch NAACP
Monterey County Health Department
Monterey County Rape Crisis Center
Monterey County Theatre Alliance
Monterey LGBTQ & Friends Meetup
Monterey Peace and Justice Center
Monterey Public Library
Monterey Real Estate Agent Vanessa Ramirez
MPC Theatre Company
MY Museum
NAMI Monterey
National Association of Social Workers Central Coast Unit
National Coalition Building Institute, Monterey County & CSUMB Chapters
Otter Cross Cultural Center at CSUMB
Pacific Grove Police Department
Pacific Repertory Theater
Pajaro Valley Pride
Paper Wing Theatre
Peace & Justice Center
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
Pride Club at CSUMB
Public Water Now
Rainbow Brigade
Rainbow Speakers and Friends
Salinas Valley Pride
San Benito LGBTQ+ Youth Space
Santa Cruz Pride
Seaside Voter Registration
Silicon Valley Pride
Suicide Prevention Service
Swing Left and Resister Sisters
The Epicenter
The SPCA for Monterey County
The Village Project
The Western Stage
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula (Social Justice Committee)
Whites for Racial Equity
Women's March at CSUMB
Women's March Monterey Bay
Food Trucks
Music
DJ Ayumi Winehouse
Ayumi Winehouse is a drag entertainer and party DJ from Salinas. Her fresh, pan-genre perspective on dance music has kept the kids moving for nearly a decade, and her quirky takes on global popular culture have entertained many across Northern California. Ayumi has been involved with Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations since its inception in 2010 and is currently serving as Vice President of their executive board. Today she continues to foster the existence of a regional LGBTQ scene in Monterey County and hopes to inspire everyone she meets to make this world a more fun place to be! For more information, visit www.ayumiplease.com.
Performers
Artists
Sponsors
Panel at Wave Street Studios
After the pride parade and celebration, join a panel of pride organizers as they discuss the event and development of the new nonprofit Monterey Peninsula Pride. A Q+A will take place after the panel for our live audience members. All are welcome. RSVP on Facebook here.
The day of, we will also share a link for those who wish to watch the event online. Stay tuned for more information.
This year's panelists include:
Steven/Quazar, President and Panel Moderator
Tyller, Board Co-Chair
Rachel, Board Co-Chair
Father Jon, Senior Parade Marshall
Reilly, Board Member
JT Mason, Planning Committee
Afterparty
Need more pride after dark?
Come on down to Bull and Bear Whiskeybar & Taphouse for the official Peninsula Pride 2018 Afterparty, hosted by DJ AYUMI WINEHOUSE and DJ LUNA.M.
Make sure to DRESS IN RED to show your support for HIV/AIDS research and awareness! Part of the event's proceeds will go towards Monterey Peninsula Pride as well as an HIV/AIDS charity.
Stay tuned for more information about drinks and dinner specials. RSVP on Facebook here.
So far, here's what's happening:
— Mingle @ 8:00
— Drag show @ 9:00
— Food until 11:00
— DJ until midnight
During the pride celebration at Oldemeyer Center, make sure to stop by the information table to pick up your VIP wristband for the Red Afterparty. If you show your wristband at Bull and Bear, you'll get 20% off between 7 and 9 p.m. Also, part of the proceeds from our red shot special will go towards HIV/AIDS research and awareness.
This event is 21 and over with a valid ID; please bring cash for a cover charge to support Monterey Peninsula Pride. The address is 479 Alvarado Street in Monterey. See you there!
How To Get Involved
Donate
There are many ways to give! Donate online here or consider donating artwork, gift certificates, packages or speciality items for our silent auction at the pride celebration. For more information, please contact David Ciani at treasurer@peninsulapride.org.
Purchase An Advertisement
This year our pride celebration will feature an event program to showcase our celebration activities, speakers, entertainment and more. If your business or organization would like exposure in the local LGBTQ+ community, please consider purchasing advertising space. Contact Christine Miller at christinesj1@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsor Us
If you'd like to sponsor our event, we'll include your advertisement in our program, provide a link to your business or organization on our website, give recognition on our social media accounts, announce you as a sponsor at our event, and prominently feature your logo at our celebration. Please contact Christine Miller at christinesj1@gmail.com for more information.
March In Our Parade
We're hoping to make our pride parade even bigger and better than last year — and we need your help to do it! We're calling on businesses, organizations, schools, groups, troupes, bands, entertainers, supporters and community members to make our parade truly shine. If you're interested in marching, please contact Kathryn Heckroth at Kathryn.heckroth@gmail.com and Steven Goings at goings@csumb.edu.
Table At The Celebration
While we're celebrating love, we're also placing a huge emphasis on education for our community. If you're organization or business would like to table at our celebration, contact Rachel Henry at rachellavonhenry@gmail.com.
Bring Items For The Community Altar
At our pride event, we encourage you to bring items and photos to place on the community altar in remembrance and in honor of those who came before us and those we have lost too soon. We will also be displaying the Pulse Orlando Memorial Altar, thanks to The Epicenter.
Entertain Us
Pride just isn't pride without entertainment! We're looking for singers, dancers, drag performers and entertainers to give our attendees a celebration to remember. If you'd like to perform, contact Rachel Henry at rachellavonhenry@gmail.com.
SHOW OFF YOUR ART
Our queer art gallery was a huge hit at last year's celebration... so we're bringing it back! If you're interested in reserving space for your artwork in our gallery, contact Stefanie Berman at stefanie.berman@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEER
Our volunteers are the true superheroes of our pride parade and celebration. From keeping the march safe, to setting up tables at the celebration, to manning the photo-booth at our after party, being a volunteer for Monterey Peninsula Pride is a beautiful way to give back to your community! If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up here.
Spread the word
Help us reach more community members by downloading and sharing the flyer here, posting this event announcement and parade route on your social media account, or sharing the event from our Facebook page here. Thank you for your support!
Art Contest
Past Events
Our Neighbors
Save the date for more pride celebrations nearby: