During Pride Week (May 16-23rd), there are a variety of events to join including:
Sun May 16th (12pm-5pm)
Pride Talks – An informative-prerecorded talk style event with the goal to highlight the stories, experiences, and knowledge of the LGBTQ+ members in our community and to share those experiences with others. Individual talks will occur between 12-4PM with a live-panel discussion airing at 4PM. Our lineup includes:
- “Education: the Most Powerful Weapon You Can Use to Change the World.” featuring Jessica Lynn
- “The Kinky Activist” featuring Serrina Ruggles
- “Where Language Ends” featuring Kris Gottlieb
- “Surviving High School” featuring Kamela Proulx
- “GSA Clubs & How Important They Are For Youth” featuring Lillith Byllesby
- “National & Local History of LGBTQ+ Pride” featuring Michelle Call & Doug Heumann
- “Queer Crip: At the Intersection of Queerness and Disability” featuring Bailey Hamblin
- “Two-Spirit Storytelling: An Undocu Chicana from Whittier” featuring Erika Sarmiento
- “Diet Culture’s Impact on Queer Body Image” featuring Elissa Dehart
- “You Are Beautifully and Wonderfully Made- Our Spiritual Journeys as LGBTQ+ Individuals” featuring Rev. Rob Keim
Mon May 17th (5pm-8pm)
LGBTQ Lounge – This lounge is an opportunity to join the Board and Staff of the Gala Pride & Diversity Center for a meet and greet and social hour.
Car Caravan– Join us for a parade through downtown San Luis Obispo to kick off Pride Week. Decorate your vehicle in advance or join us at United Staffing Associates at 6PM to decorate your vehicle with supplies we provide. We will be following a designated route through Downtown San Luis Obispo beginning at 7PM ending with snacks at Skipper’s Brew and SLO Provisions. Help us spread some love and make the downtown a bit queerer! Download the Map
Tues May 18th (5pm-8pm)
Spanish-Language Lounge – This lounge is an opportunity to join other Spanish-speaking community members in a meet and greet and social hour.
Game Night – You and your family are invited to join Central Coast Pride and Rob Ferre, a professional DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and entertainer, for a night of laughter and fun in the Best GameShowEver. Watch as Rob turns up the energy of the crowd and encourages participation in an interactive evening centered around some of your favorite games including; Minute to Win It, Jeopardy, Family Feud, Name That Tune, Finish that Lyric, Lip Sync, Air Guitar, Dance Off, Customized Games, and More!!
Wed May 19th (5pm-8pm)
Youth Lounge – This lounge is an opportunity to join other LGBTQ and allied youth across San Luis Obispo county.
Youth Night (24 and under) – Join Cal Poly and Cuesta Pride students in this 24 and under gathering for an evening of LGBTQ+ affirming cartoons, discussion, and hangouts. Learn more about Cal Poly Pride (@calpolypridecenter) and Cuesta Pride (@cuestapride) on Instagram.
Thurs May 20th (1pm-8pm)
Nonbinary 101 – Join Cal Poly’s Gender Equity Center for a two part workshop centering the experiences of Nonbinary identities. Each workshop is 2 hrs which will cover introductory themes about the gender spectrum, presentation, differences and similarities with binary transgender people, intersections with other social identities, and allyship practices. The second portion will be held May 27th (1-3PM).
Trans Lounge – This lounge is an opportunity to join Tranz Central Coast to learn more about transgender and gender diverse communities across San Luis Obispo county. This is a meet and greet and social hour.
An Evening with Tranz Central Coast – Join Tranz Central Coast to premiere two short videos about being transgender on the Central Coast. Following the videos, there will be a panel discussion.
Fri May 21st (5pm-10pm)
Senior Lounge – This lounge is an opportunity to join LGBTQ and allied elders across San Luis Obispo county as well as representatives from the Central Coast Queer Archive Project. This includes a meet and greet and social hour.
CKCC presents Guy Baldwin (18+ only) – The Central Coast Kink Community presents Guy Baldwin, an American Titleholder, author and psychotherapist from Los Angeles who was named International Mr. Leather in 1989 and who has authored Ties that Bind, SlaveCra, and The Leather Contest Guide. This event will feature a moderated conversation facilitated by Serrina Ruggles.
DragShow(TicketedEvent-18+only) -Join Central Coast Pride for our Annual Pride Drag Show “Strong. Proud. United.”, hosted by Juicy CW. This event will highlight some of the Central Coast’s finest drag and burlesque performers such as Queerlee, Jota Mercury, Nala Diamond, Eve Riot, Skinny Mocha, Foxy Moron, Cleo Van Scarlett, Bessie Snow, Pussy Grime, and Santa Maria’s own DJ Suz. This event will also be live-streamed to Libertine Brewing Co in San Luis Obispo. Purchase your tickets at www.slopride.com.
Sat May 22nd (11am-Midnight)
Take Home Art Kits – The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) is celebrating PRIDE with a free take-home art activity. Visit Mission Plaza lawn near SLOMA from 11am-1pm (or while supplies last) to pick up yours.
Livestream Concert (Ticketed Event) – Join Central Coast Pride for our 25th Anniversary Livestream Concert featuring various musicians from around the central coast including DJ Mikie Orange, Leia O’Brian, Date Night with Nick and Jill Bilich, Jill Knight and Her Band (sponsored by Spirit Winds Physical Therapy), Declan Galli, Simple Harmonic Motion, That’s the Key, Brynn Albanese, Wryn, Not Thomas Edison, and ITF. This event will also be live-streamed to Libertine Brewing Co in San Luis Obispo. Purchase your tickets at www.slopride.com
Sun May 23rd (1:30pm-8pm)
Multifaith Service – Join Central Coast Pride at 1:30pm and numerous LGBTQ and affirming clergy, lay leaders, and practitioners of faith and spiritual traditions across the central coast who draw strength from their intersectional lives in this Multifaith Pride Service.
Pride in the Park – Join the Cal Poly Pride Faculty and Staff Association for a socially distanced outdoor get-together at Meadow Park! It’s a BYOE (bring your own EVERYTHING) event. Bring yourself a chair/blanket, a beverage, and a snack to enjoy.
Pride’s Got Talent – Join Central Coast Pride and emcees Rick Castle and Mr. Sparkles for this year’s Talent Show. During this event, community members from across the Central Coast who will be competing for a $500 Visa Gi Card first place prize and the winners of the Pet Photo Competition will be revealed. Central Coast Pride is still looking for submissions, so enter our Talent Show today.