History of Santa Cruz Pride

Santa Cruz Pride as it exists today grew from the first Santa Cruz "Gay Pride" event in 1975. Below are the annual themes used for our local Pride events (the first theme being assigned in 1990), along with notes about festival location changes by year. We continue to compile information about our history of Santa Cruz Pride.

2024 - Beacon of Pride - 49th Annual

2023 - Waves of Pride - 48th Annual

2021 - “Season of Pride” and the Pride Picnic Xtravaganza
We held a series of Pride events during the summer of 2021 culminating with our Pride Picnic Xtravaganza. See info from 2021.

2020 - Nothing Can Stop Our Pride
Because of the pandemic, we went virtual. The community submitted photos and videos to help create our virtual parade. We had live speakers and singers who joined us as well. Our 2020 Virtual Parade on YouTube: Part 1 - 1 hour, 50 minutes (Interviews: Justin Cummings, Kinsha Em, Jimmy Panetta, Mireya Gomez-Contreras, Linus Harless, Rev. Deborah Johnson) * Part 2 - 37 minutes (Interviews: John Laird, Adam Spickler) * Part 3 - 42 minutes (Interviews: Paul Richmond, Jorge Guillen, Mark Stone, Sharon Papo.)

2019 - 45th Santa Cruz Pride: Turning the Tide
Our annual parade, festival and stage was enjoyed by hundreds of people.

2016 - Embracing the Generations
Focused on often neglected seniors and youth of our LGBTQ community. Truly, Embracing the Generations. It featured a second youth stage for the first time.

2015 - Transforming  Transitioning  Transcending
The 2015 event celebrated the "T" in LGBTQ. It also reversed the direction we marched on Pacific to allow a larger and more centralized festival at our beautiful new festival location.

2014 - Pride Marches on... Celebrating 40 Years of Trailblazers
The 2014 festival marked the 40th Annual Santa Cruz Pride Celebration. It was held on Pacific Avenue between Church and Water (including Cooper Street and Abbot Square), following the parade which ran along Pacific Avenue from Cathcart to Church.

2013 - Calling All Allies
The 2013 festival was held on Pacific Avenue between Church and Water (including Cooper Street and Abbot Square), following the parade which ran along Pacific Avenue from Cathcart to Church. 

2012 - Life Gets Better Together
The 2012 festival was held on Pacific Avenue between Cooper and Water, following the parade, which ran along Pacific Avenue (from Cathcart to Church). 

2011 - Courage. Unity. Equality.
The 2011 festival was held at the Civic Auditorium due to ground saturation of San Lorenzo Park following a long period of steady rain, and the parade remained on Pacific Avenue (from Cathcart to Water). 

2010 - One Community
The 1975-2010 festivals (or rallies) were held in San Lorenzo Park following the parade (or march) on Pacific Avenue and along Water Street. 

2009 - Love Equality
2008 - Shake it Up
2007 - Freedom Now/Liberacion Ahora
2006 - We Are Family
2005 - Equality Matters
2004 - Family Values
2003 - Peace through Pride
2002 - Pride = Action
2001 - 2001: Still Here, Still Queer
2000 - 25 Years of Pride
1999 - Celebrate Diversity
1998 - Keep the Flame Burning
1997 - Feel the Beat; No Retreat
1996 - Don't Hide Your Pride
1995 - No Pride without Freedom/No Freedom without Pride
1994 - A Generation of Pride
1993 - Family of Pride
1992 - Pride = Power
1991 - Together in Pride
1990 - Look to the Future