In the heart of the Bay Area, Richmond is gearing up for its 11th annual Pride celebration, and it’s so much more than just a parade. This year’s event, themed “forged in resistance, shaped by love,” is a powerful testament to the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of mounting political challenges.

Richmond Rainbow Pride, the community group behind the event, is transforming the Civic Center Plaza into a vibrant space of solidarity and joy on Sunday. From 10 a.m., a parade will wind through Nicholls Park before the main festival kicks off, featuring live music, performances, food, and a defiant spirit of unity.

The current political landscape makes this celebration especially crucial. With nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ bills being monitored by the ACLU across the United States, and continued attempts to restrict transgender rights, Pride events have become more than just celebrations - they’re acts of resistance.

Jamin Pursell, the organization’s co-chair, emphasizes the importance of community connection. “We realize the best thing we have to do is come together and recognize that we’re not alone and we’re not isolated,” he explains. The event draws parallels with Richmond’s historical resistance during World War II, positioning the LGBTQIA+ community as inheritors of a proud tradition of standing up against oppression.

Richmond’s Pride is just the beginning of a month-long Bay Area celebration. Following the Richmond event, other local cities will host their own Pride festivals, including Concord, Pacifica, San Mateo, Fremont, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland - each offering unique ways to honor queer identity and solidarity.

As attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights continue, these celebrations serve as powerful reminders of the community’s strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to love, acceptance, and visibility.