During June, many across the country gather to celebrate queer history, love, pride, and liberation. Pride is set to have been recognized as early as the 1970s, following a series of protests against police brutality that came with a routine raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York. The Stonewall Inn served as a haven for many marginalized individuals who were often discriminated against.
As Pride Month comes to an end on June 30th, a few organizations in Kern and Tulare counties have planned a multitude of events to celebrate and commemorate the LGBTQ+ community.
One organization in Visalia, The Source LGBT+ Center, will host its annual Youth Pride Night tonight June 24th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Roller Towne. The event welcomes LGBTQ+ youth and their families for an evening of community and skating.
Erika Hawkyward, Director of Programs at The Source, explained the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ stories and history.
“We are committed to preserving the stories of those who came before us. Sharing LGBTQ+ history is more important than ever,” she said. “As LGBTQ+ communities continue to face marginalization, many young people lack access to local histories that demonstrate how communities survived and thrived despite discrimination.”
Hawkyward added that in rural communities, specifically in the Central Valley, many queer stories are not nearly as documented and are at risk of being lost.
“Few formal archives capture the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in this region, particularly around the AIDS epidemic, rural stigma, and community resilience,” shared Hawkyward.
The Central Valley itself is home to Guinness World Record holder El Dana, the oldest living and performing drag king to date. She also served as the founder of the Sequoia Empire of Tulare and Visalia- a branch of the Imperial Court. Many, however, are still unaware of the rich history and what it entailed to be queer, and of the lives lived throughout the Central Valley.
“The loss of many elders during the AIDS crisis created an irreversible gap in historical memory, and many survivors are now aging without support systems to preserve their stories. At the same time, LGBTQ+ people continue to be erased from historical narratives and monuments,” explained Hawkyward.
Although the California FAIR Education Act (SB 48) requires public schools to include LGBTQ+ accomplishments and efforts in social science classes, many other states do not impose similar mandates on educators, thereby further erasing vital history. The constant erasure of queer history is one of the most vital reasons why efforts to preserve this information are important, Hawkyward noted.
Loud for Tomorrow will begin their Care Camp on June 25th and end on June 27th, a three-day event that will include workshops on queer liberation, harm reduction, and wellness, as well as a pride rally. Loud has invited a local queer DJ who will provide music and set the stage for the drag queens to perform.
Information about the Care Camp is below, and an RSVP can RSVP here.
- June 25th- Queer Liberation Chat 3-8 p.m.
- June 26th- Healing Diaries Sampler 3-8 p.m.
- June 27th- Delano Pride Rally 6-9 p.m.
Location will be at 629 Main St, Delano
In Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMoA) will host the Art After Dark Celebrates Pride on June 25th from 7-10 pm. The event will include art, music, food, and a crafts section. The event is open to the public ages 18+. Additional information can be found here: Art After Dark Tickets.
