And here in San Diego, our first “parade” was actually a march - staged without a permit and without permission, while many members of our community marched with bags over their heads to protect their identities. The Pride movement is rooted in protest, in claiming space for our community, in fighting back against state-sanctioned oppression and violence. Pride has at times been a riot, has always been a protest, and more recently has been - thanks to those who paved the way - a celebration. Our annual Spirit of Stonewall Rally is also returning in-person to the Hillcrest Pride Flag, and Pride events are planned in Hillcrest throughout Pride week. She Fest, the annual festival centering women and non-binary folks, is returning to help kick off Pride week on July 10 as a hybrid virtual/in-person event, with an incredible festival planned for the area around Pride Plaza.
For example, folks can join the LGBTQ Latinx Coalition at Mujeres Brew House (a new women-owned brewery space in Barrio Logan), take the elevator up to the rooftop of the Hotel Solamar to celebrate Black Pride with the San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition, picnic and play yard games in the LGBTQ youth-only space at the Pride Youth Picnic in Mission Hills, or head out to the Viejas Casino to party with Gottmik at Pride at the Park.Īnd, of course, San Diego Pride and the LGBTQ community still has a home base in Hillcrest, where the Pride Block Party and our LGBTQ-owned businesses are eager to welcome folks back throughout Pride week. On Saturday, July 17, Pride attendees will be able to tune in to our virtual Pride Live or join the LGBTQ community in person for resilient celebration throughout the city and county. For those who are able, coming back out either virtually or in-person with other LGBTQ folks will be more important than ever. The economic and health consequences of COVID-19 have disproportionately affected LGBTQ communities, and our community has endured so many losses over the past year and a half. Reports from both the Trevor Project and SAGE have found that LGBTQ youth and seniors, respectively, have experienced significant social isolation during the pandemic, putting folks at risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes. The pandemic has been particularly hard on LGBTQ communities who have spent a long time apart from their chosen families. To recycle some overused buzzwords from 2020, we’re again pivoting to a new version of Pride in this still-unprecedented time. While we are all finding our paths back to some sort of “normal,” a typical San Diego Pride this July still isn’t in the cards. Happy Pride 2021! Yet again, Pride will look much different this year - in a new and exciting way.
That would boost sales tax from cars, which is about $6 million per year, by $720,000.LaBarbera (they/she) is the education and advocacy manager at San Diego Pride and lives in Normal Heights. They estimated a large, electronic sign would boost business 12 percent at the auto mall’s 24 dealerships, increasing the number of cars sold each year from about 30,000 to 33,600.
“But the Car Country dealers feel they don’t have enough visibility, especially for drivers headed southbound on Interstate 5.”Īt a City Council hearing in August, several auto dealers lobbied the council. “They didn’t feel comfortable changing the character of Carlsbad,” DeCerbo said. The Carlsbad Planning Commission has rejected the proposed digital signs twice in the past year, calling them ugly and worrying they might cause crashes by distracting drivers. He said Car Country Carlsbad, which must get an additional approval from the Coastal Commission next year, would probably add its sign in late 2014 or early 2015. The large signs won’t be allowed anywhere else.Ĭity Planner Chris DeCerbo said last week he expected Westfield to erect a digital sign sometime next spring or summer. The city has previously banned such signs, which feature static digital images that rotate every few seconds, based on concerns they would cheapen the city’s image and distract drivers.īut the City Council recently amended Carlsbad’s sign ordinance to allow electronic signs at the largest two producers of local sales tax revenue, which covers a quarter of the city’s expenses.
We need a boost to our economy! This is good in my opinion! What do you think readers? Leave your comments! ThanksĬARLSBAD - Carlsbad has lifted its ban on electronic freeway signs to allow Car Country Carlsbad and Westfield Carlsbad to draw more attention to themselves.
I think this is good! I don’t believe it will cheapen Carlsbad. Large electronic freeway signs will now be allowed for Car Country Carlsbad and Westfield Carlsbad.