Welcome to our 50th Anniversary
Our 50th
One of the First Smaller City Prides in the Nation in 1975
First SC Pride event took place in San Lorenzo Park
Since 1975, Santa Cruz Pride has convened an annual event, parade or festival that brings nearly 5000 people to downtown Santa Cruz. The 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride is a milestone in history for the visibility and celebration of a vibrant LGBTQ+ community unlike any across the country. It is a time to celebrate all people and allies across the county.
In 1975, Santa Cruz became the first smaller city to convene a Pride event in the nation. The Stonewall Riots took place in New York in June 1969 when LGBTQ+ people fought back against police harassment. Many historians consider this to be the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago held the first official “Pride” events in 1971. Since then, Pride is celebrated each year in cities across the world to commemorate the Stonewall Riots.
Special 50th Anniversary Activities
Pride thursdays
Join local businesses in celebrating with a Pride Thursday event, meal or cultural event from March - June.
Podcast
Over 20 interviews of older queer people have been conducted by younger queer people to share stories about the rich and vibrant LGBTQ+ history in Santa Cruz County. Student interviewed, student edited, student narration, and student produced. Each podcast is no longer than 20 minutes long especially for younger people.
Utility Art Box
Local artists have painted utility boxes around Santa Cruz to recognize the rich LGBTQ+ history across the county in celebration of the 50th Anniversary.
Radio
Pride Perspectives on KSQD launched in January 2025 and will be broadcasted every other Sunday from 5-6pm live. Our purpose is to increase Santa Cruz County knowledge about the important contributions of Santa Cruz County LGBTQ+ people to the local, state and national culture and history and to share how the local LGBTQ+ community impacted state and national LGBTQ+ events. Achieved shows will appear on our website.