🌈Newsletter: A reflection on celebrating Pride your own way
Plus, how to enjoy Comic-Con without badges.
Thousands of people flocked to San Diego’s gayborhood last weekend for the city’s annual Pride Parade. They donned colorful outfits, waved various pride flags and smiled from ear to ear.
On Saturday, I spoke with Joe Fejeran, an LGBTQ+ community advocate, organizer and now award-winner who was recognized for his community service and volunteer work at this year's Spirit of Stonewall Rally.
He shared a perspective I think many other queer San Diegans and allies may benefit from: carving out time and space for your own Pride celebration is critical to sustaining yourself and your LGBTQ+ loved ones.
This can mean many things, from hosting a party with chosen family and journaling about local wins for the LGBTQ+ movement or writing out frustrations with civil rights setbacks to revamping your dating profile and meeting people or binge watching “Heartstopper” for the 12th time. To each their own!
The central point I took away is to bask in the queerness. Use the energy of San Diego’s Pride celebrations and make it your own — to show both yourself and those around you that you’re prideful.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
While we can't sneak you into Hall H, we have rounded up plenty of events happening outside the conference center that you can check out to join in the fun this week.
— Kate Morrissey
San Diego Pride Parade in photos
Thousands of people lined the streets of Hillcrest on Saturday for the annual San Diego Pride Parade, celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, community and visibility. Parade watchers cheered on drag queens, roller derby skaters, spirited cheerleaders, a goth-themed parade float and countless other moments of joy and self-expression.
— Daylight San Diego Team
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killed a 26-year-old Colombian man in Maine a few days after an officer in Houston fatally shot Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. The Department of Homeland Security temporarily ordered ICE to halt vehicle stops. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Jenna Ramiscal
This week community members can shop for plants at San Diego’s first ever Hella Plants Market or watch Japanese cultural demonstrations at the Vista Buddhist Temple. Oasis Patio Bar, Misfits & Matcha and San Diego Gay Rodeo will also be hosting community bingo throughout the week.
— Jenna Ramiscal
Other news
The Port of San Diego board voted to designate a previously unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park "Kumeyaay Beach" to honor the region's original inhabitants, KPBS reported. The Kumeyaay Cultural Repatriation Committee supported the name change which marks the first use of the port's naming policy.
KPBS reported that teen activists from Youth to End Solitary SD met with San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez to propose a two-week cap on solitary confinement, a transition program and limits on which offenses qualify for isolation. The brief meeting brought no firm commitments but the sheriff didn't reject the proposal outright.The students called that progress amid an ongoing lawsuit and 13 solitary-related deaths in the county since 2015.
The U.S. Justice Department is alleging that the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine unlawfully favored Black and Hispanic applicants,, Reuters reported. The department is seeking a settlement and has threatened to sue if the school doesn't comply.
The Prebys Foundation agreed to buy the long-vacant California Theater site in downtown San Diego, with the deal expected to close July 31, Times of San Diego reported. The organization plans to clear the site and work with community and civic partners to determine what comes next.
The Ed Marsh Mariachi Museum, a rare collection appraised at roughly $3.4 million, is looking for a new home after a three-year agreement to house it at Southwestern College's library expired, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
As Comic-Con 2026 kicked off, NBC 7 reported that Mayor Todd Gloria announced a new agreement extending Comic-Con's stay in San Diego through 2030, up from a prior commitment through 2027.
Upcoming Events
July 24
Sextou Brasil: Aniversário do Pablo Costa: A Casa do Urso is hosting its weekly Brazilian happy hour with an open samba circle and a birthday celebration for Pablo Costa. Musicians are invited to bring instruments and join the acoustic samba jam. 5 - 10 p.m., The Mixer, 2750 Dewey Road #193, San Diego, CA 92106
Sun, Fun & a Second Income: The Block Club is hosting a workshop on turning a passion for travel into a side hustle. Free to attend with reservations available online. 5 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Bingo Night: Oasis Patio Bar is throwing a bingo night with host Brad. Guests must purchase a one-drink minimum to play. There are prizes for each round, and leashed dogs are welcome. 6:30 p.m., Oasis Patio Bar, 671 Turquoise St., San Diego, CA 92109
LLERMO!: Camino23 Collective is hosting "LLERMO! or My Big Fat Mexican Apotheosis, with Sincerest Gratitude to Lorca," a queer riff on Lorca's "Yerma" written by Jesús I. Valles and directed by Danniel Ureña and Daniel Jáquez. Tickets are available online starting at $10 with walk-ins paying what they can., July 24 at 7 p.m.; July 25 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Diversionary Theatre's Black Box, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92116
Slow Joy, the High Curbs and Glom Concert: Soda Bar is hosting a live show featuring Slow Joy, The High Curbs and Glom. Tickets are available online for $22.66. 7 p.m., Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Marcos Valle Concert: Belly Up is hosting a live show featuring Marcos Valle along with DJs Ozbot & Flying Disc. Tickets available online starting at $35. 8:30 p.m., 143 S. Cedros Ave., Suite T, Solana Beach, CA 92075
July 25
July Pug Meetup: The Grumble Bunch San Diego is hosting its monthly pug meetup for dogs and owners to socialize. Parking available at 12988 Bowron Road. 9 - 11 a.m., 13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway, CA 92064
Writing Letters in Resistance: Detention Resistance and Free Them All San Diego are hosting a letter-writing event in solidarity with detainees at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. RSVP online for location details. 10 a.m. - noon
San Diego Hella Plants Market: Hella Plants Market is making its San Diego debut, bringing together plant shops, artists, food vendors and handmade goods. Reserve tickets online starting at $7.18. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 2995 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Mixtapes + Meriendas: Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions and Friends of Friends are hosting a mental health and community care event for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth ages 15-24, inviting them to share songs that uplift and support them through hard times. The event features snacks and time with mental health therapists and educators. Submit a song by July 25 online. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Friends of Friends, 127 E. Eighth St., National City, CA 91950
Day Function: Illfunction is hosting a free San Diego day party at Soulside Vinyl with food, art, music and dance, curated by DAPHNE! and Waterpark Jones, featuring a New Style Hustle San Diego demonstration. Entry is free. Noon - 5 p.m., Soulside Vinyl, 3535 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Something Out of Nothing Art Camp: The group Something Out of Nothing is hosting a kids community. RSVP online. Noon - 4 p.m.
Plant Bingo at San Diego Hella Plants Market: Misfits & Matcha is hosting two rounds of plant bingo at the Hella Plants Market, and San Diego Paint and Stain is sponsoring free pot painting. Sessions run 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.; Tickets for the market available online starting at $7.18. The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Vista Buddhist Temple Obon Festival 2026: The temple is hosting its annual Obon Festival with homestyle Japanese food, cultural demonstrations, local produce and crafts. 2 - 8 p.m., Vista Buddhist Temple, 150 Cedar Road, Vista, CA 92084
Community Day: We Resist, We Remain: Palestinian Youth Movement San Diego is hosting a day of art and cultural activities and community remembrance. Activities will include tatreez embroidery, crafting and food. 2 - 6 p.m., De Anza Cove, 3000 N. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Bike Ride & Games for Bicycle Film Festival Tickets: Bikes del Pueblo and the San Diego Bike Coalition are hosting a group bike ride event, featuring games of footdown and piñata, for a chance to win tickets to the Bicycle Film Festival at the Museum of Photographic Arts. 2:30 p.m., Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Cowboys and Crooners Bingo Night: The San Diego Gay Rodeo Chapter and San Diego Gay Men's Chorus are hosting a bingo night featuring Mr. San Diego Gay Rodeo Chapter 2026 and Luxe Ver$ace with prizes and proceeds benefiting both organizations. RSVP online. 6 - 8 p.m., Pecs Bar, 2045 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
I Set My Friends on Fire, Strawberry Girls and Current Comfort Concert: SOMA is hosting a live show featuring I Set My Friends on Fire, Strawberry Girls and Current Comfort. Tickets available online starting at $34.31. Doors open at 6 p.m., 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110
Star Wars Night — San Diego FC vs. FC Dallas: San Diego FC is hosting Star Wars Night for its match against FC Dallas. The ticket package includes a match ticket and an SDFC-branded Grogu bobblehead. Tickets are available online. 6:30 p.m., Snapdragon Stadium, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110
Casket Cassette, Stare Away and Mercury Girl Concert: Soda Bar is hosting a live show featuring XYZ. Tickets available online starting at $18.54. 7:30 p.m., Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Un Romance Boricua: DJ Ilana Feliu is spinning a salsa set featuring salsa romantica and brava vinyl at Brewjería Taproom & Kitchen. 8 - 11 p.m., Brewjería Taproom & Kitchen, 241 3rd Ave. C, Chula Vista, CA 91910
July 26
Exploring the Elements: Water Gardening: City Farmers Nursery is hosting a class on planning, installing and maintaining a water garden that will cover how to add water features and aquatic plants that support wildlife and bring movement to a landscape. Free to attend, no RSVP required. 9 - 10 a.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Self-Defense Workshop with Sifu Victoria: Fit, Black & Educated is hosting a practical self-defense workshop. Tickets are available for purchase for $20 on Heylo app after joining the FBE community. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., Lindbergh Park, 4141 Ashford St., San Diego, CA 92111
Summer Market: In Sheep's Clothing, Longplay Hi-Fi, Part Time Lover and We Share Records are hosting a summer market at Woo Studios featuring more than 40 vendors selling vinyl records, Japanese goods and food, along with all-vinyl DJ sets. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Woo Studios, 2212 Main St., San Diego, CA 92113
Blanket Sounds: Blanket Sounds is hosting a free community event at Waterfront Park with live music from Diamante, a DJ set by Almond Eyez and art from Irlanda Navarro and Jennifer Swedell. 3 - 7 p.m., Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
San Diego Dance Convening #3: San Diego Dance Matters and Dancepaw Performing Arts Workshop are hosting the third San Diego Dance Convening featuring a panel on "The Hybrid Dance Leader: Leadership, Service and Community-Building in Today’s Dance Ecosystem.” Reserve space online. 3 - 5 p.m., Performing Arts Workshop, 1465 Encinitas Blvd. a102, Encinitas, CA 92024
JVP-SD Self Defense Workshop: Jewish Voice for Peace San Diego is hosting a hands-on self-defense workshop with a professional martial arts instructor, open to all ages, genders and skill levels. RSVP online for free. 4 - 6 p.m., Fellowship Hall, Mid-City Church of the Nazarene, 4101 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
A Vinyl Listening of Hiatus Kaiyote + Influences: The Thief That Stole My Sundays and Sound by the Sea are hosting a vinyl listening session spinning Hiatus Kaiyote records and their influences, with RIVA joining to spin and talk records. 7 - 10 p.m., 325 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
Tony Hannah, the Lonesome Lowdowns and Ypsitucky Concert: Soda Bar is hosting a live show featuring Tony Hannah, the Lonesome Lowdowns and Ypsitucky. Tickets available online starting at $15. 7 p.m., Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
