Mission & Vision
Solano Pride Center builds community and provides services for Solano County’s LGBTQIA2S+ people and our allies. Solano Pride Center envisions a community where all LGBTQIA2S+ people live freely and authentically.
Do you get our weekly eBlasts on Wednesday afternoons? If not, or if you need to update your email, follow this link to register for our weekly eBlasts. Look below for some of our latest eBlasts.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Go under the Program button in the menu or go to these links:
Mental Health Resources, https://www.solanopride.org/mental-health-resources/
Support and social groups, https://www.solanopride.org/social-and-support-groups
Senior Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/senior-programs/
Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
HIV Prevention & Support: https://www.solanopride.org/hiv-prevention-support/
Blood Drives: https://www.solanopride.org/blood-drives/
Volunteering: https://www.solanopride.org/volunteering/
Protests & Advocacy: https://www.solanopride.org/protests-advocacy/
Studies: https://www.solanopride.org/studies/
Regional LGBTQ+ Partners: https://www.solanopride.org/regional-lgbtq-partners/
Trainings & Presentations: coming soon. Yes, we do SB 923 trainings. Email will@solanopride.org for more information.
Events:
Suisun Pride 2025: https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2025/
Pride Center Events: https://www.solanopride.org/pride-center-events/
Community Events: https://www.solanopride.org/community-events/
Suisun Pride 2024: https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2024/
Letter from the Executive Director:
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Dear friends,
Did you know that August is Transgender History Month here in California? It started with San Francisco, and the process of the Tenderloin becoming the Transgender District I’ve written about in this space before.
As you will see both here and at the bottom of the eBlast, there are plenty of events to help us all mark these important historical commemorations, most of which are in the city. This is the second year California is recognizing it. Learn more here: https://www.advocate.com/transgender/california-first-transgender-history-month
“In 2021, activist Jupiter Peraza and The Transgender District led the advocacy efforts to recognize the month of August as “Transgender History Month” in the City and County of San Francisco. With the support of the City and County of San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI) and the Women’s Foundation of California, Ms. Peraza and The Transgender District advocated to the Mayor and received full support for the commemorative month.
Mayor London Breed signed and declared by proclamation, the month of August in the City and County of San Francisco as “Transgender History Month” on August 24th, 2021.
In 2023, Transgender History Month officially expanded statewide.” (from https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/)
There is even an historical timeline from ancient world today marking Trans (s)heroes and leaders at this link (https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/timeline).
There is also a list of Transgender leaders and figures from history with links to all of the people listed there (https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/index)
Here are some of the events!
Why August?
In August of 1966, Black and brown trans women and drag queens started and led a riot against police harassment at Compton’s Cafeteria in the Tenderloin district in San Francisco. Formally known as the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots of 1966, it is regarded as the first large-scale act of resistance of transgender and queer individuals against police in the United States–predating the Stonewall Inn Riots by 3 years. The riot began inside Compton’s Cafeteria–which at the time was a 24 hour diner where trans and queer residents of the Tenderloin congregated after socializing, performing, or working at nearby clubs and bars–but eventually made its way outside onto the Turk and Taylor Streets intersection where fighting continued. (https://www.transgenderhistorymonth.com/about)
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
Dear friends,
This last week, I was honored to be able to participate in a gathering of Executive Directors and CEO’s of California LGBTQ+ Centers from around the state. It was the third gathering we have had in the last year, deciding to meet more often to know how best to support each other and plan for future policy conversations. We met in Palm Springs last spring, Berkeley this spring, LA last weekend, and will be meeting in Visalia this fall so we are in NorCal, SoCal and the Central Valley in any given year.
We lamented the sad state of affairs since the Trump Administration chose to target the Trans community and rest of our community in the divide and conquer process of the Project 2025 debacle, and all of the funding uncertainties we have experienced while his legal attacks are decided in the courts. We brainstormed what our priorities should be in the coming CA state budget cycle, and have started to discern where we can make the most difference for our communities, urban, suburban, and rural (which Solano includes all of in our small county).
It was a quick stop over in LA, and I was impressed by the history and size of programs the LA LGBTQ+ Center offers our Famm there in the LA basin, with 10 sites, including housing for youth and seniors, a youth drop in center and more. As the oldest Center in our state, they do serve as the flagship Center in many ways, including having staff that follow state and federal funding mechanisms, and trends in policy and advocacy. If you ever visit LA, do find your way to one of their sites or programs.
After returning Friday evening, I was energized for the meeting we had at our Center’s conference room with as many of the other Queer organizations that serve our LGBTQIA2S+ community here in Solano County. Jeriann Guzman from Solano Serenity Center and I had planned out the day to hear from each group, so we all can know better what the programs and gifts each groups brings. I’m proud of the mix we have here in our county, including the programs of Solano Pride Center in counseling, case management, social and support groups around the county, Solano AIDS Coalition’s history and shift to leading the cultural gatherings in Vallejo, Solano Serenity Center’s crisis work with those on the margins, the educational programming of the Louise Lawrence Trans Archive in Vallejo, the Vacaville Peoples Forum’s hosting of Pride in the Park, and the social groups in Vallejo, Benicia, and Vacaville (let me know if you want to join the team creating a Vacaville LGBTQ+ Network with quarterly socials in northeast county).
We missed out on having representation from the Solano Community College’s Pride Club and the Trilogy Delta Rainbows in Rio Vista, but hope to include them in next year’s retreat. We also discussed how the relationship with the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum in Vallejo has quickly become a Safe Space for many of our programs. Many ideas for future events and socials were shared, and you can see the contact information for all of the groups on our Regional LGBTQ+ Partner’s page on our website here: https://www.solanopride.org/regional-lgbtq-partners/
We are putting together a shared calendar for our use in planning events so we are planning less events on the same day in different parts of the county, and will be able to refer clients and community members to each other’s programs more easily. What jumped out to me from the morning spent together was the desire for us all to help serve the broadest number of LGBTQIA2S+ people in our county as possible, and our desire to create joyful, supportive community events year round. We at SPC will do our part, holding down the clinical, case management, social and supportive groups around the county, complimenting all of the great work our siblings do every day as well.
There will be more opportunities to share your ideas for creating a stronger queer community with all of the orgs in the future. For now, we are calling ourselves together “The Network” and will support each other as much as we can, because the point of all of our common work is creating a stronger LGBTQIA2S+ community throughout Solano County, regardless of what corner of the county in which we reside, play or work. It will take all of us together, working creatively and sharing in the resistance, to protect us all during these trying times, but we’ve got this.
“Let’s build the Queer world we all need, together”
Will McGarvey
he/they
will@solanopride.org
707.200.7916 voicemail
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
A letter from Cristina Zaldana, our HIV Prevention Manager:
Dear friends,
Aidswalk SF reminds us that there is still a lot of work to be done when combating HIV & AIDS.
This event also gives us a chance to talk amongst ourselves. Ourselves being all the organizations that are in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
I felt some camaraderie and support as we all talked with each other.
• An experience that we seldom have.
• A chance to trade combat stories.
• A chance to feel supported by your colleagues.
• A chance to see that we are making a difference!
In 2024, globally, there were approximately 40.8 million people living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 deaths related to HIV-related causes.
Let us not forget that this virus is still with us, unfortunately.
Solano Pride walked along with the throngs of people at AIDS WALK SF on Sunday, July 20 at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
I would like to thank all those who supported us and donated!
In Community, Cristina
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sign up for the August 8th Blood Drive here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=SPBDF
Stephan’s Corner
Hello Solano Pride Community!
What an amazing Pride month we just experienced. We had fun, we held vigil, we learned about our history to combat erasure and we took action.
All over Solano County and beyond, we saw community come together, and that is what we all need right now to come together and show support and rise in opposition of the fascism attempting to hold marginalized groups down in our country now. So thank you.
Thank thank thank you, for donations, volunteering, going to protests and rallies, for coming to Suisun Pride, for being authentically YOU, for existing and for being allies.
When we stand together and fight, we win. Be as bold as you can, come and volunteer/participate with us and we will rise from this.
Last Fall (2024) I put out a Community Needs Assessment with questions about what YOU want and need from the center. Slowly but surely we have been adding what has been requested, we did a four week Gardening group that went well and will be continuing in the future with some tweaks, we have Ary Smith a community lawyer providing a legal update on marriage equality and other rights issues we as a community need to be aware and possibly prepare for, Craft/Gaming/Social events, including a monthly movie night at the center.
Whether you provided content to the needs assessment last year or not, we always want to hear from you. Please feel free to email me at stephan@solanopride.org.
(Movie requests too 🙂 )
Stephan Lawrence Theodore Clifford
Board Treasurer and Program Chair
Did you miss some of the letters from Will this year? There are links near the end of the home page with links to every eBlast going back a couple of months, or you could find all of the 2025 Pride messages here on our Suisun Pride 25 link. https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2025/.
The recording of Will’s fall of 2024 presentation on the “Weaponization of Christianity” against our community can be found here: https://youtu.be/pVImrR6eFIc?si=vvMb8hX1I-9cdYdq
His Pride sermon at Community Congregational Church of Benicia UCC on Sunday, June 29th entitled “Expecting Diversity” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYuvuRyUvhM&t=2s
Gen Silent and Cultural Competency Training for those serve LGBTQ+ Seniors
Wednesday, September 10th from 8:30 am to noon. (Joseph A Nelson Community Center, 611 Village Dr, Suisun City) register at this link. Free Registration now open!
Our older adult LGBTQ+ community fought the first battles for equality and are now facing fear of discrimination, bullying and abuse that many are choosing to hide their lives to survive. People are afraid to ask for the help they need. We must call it out and bring attention and awareness to this paradigm to support our elders from being hurt or silenced.
Join us for a robust discussion and brainstorming session to support our Solano County seniors! Free registration is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-gen-silent-a-documentary-film-community-panel-discussion-tickets-1513406021149?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite
Want to help us raise funds for the Center?
SPC Panera Day in Vallejo on September 10th!
Wednesday, September 10th from 7 am to 9 pm! 169 Plaza Dr., Vallejo, CA to be confirmed soon. Sorry the date in Fairfield didn’t work out. Talk to board member Trish Abbatiello about joining a group of seniors going to lunch on Wed, August 13th somewhere in central county.
Image you will need to print to take in with you to be shared soon.
Can you spare a few dollars to help keep the Center open during these trying times?
LGBTQIA2S+ Centers across the state are experiencing a drop in donations, and your support is crucial to help us continue delivering the life-saving services our community depends on.
We at Solano Pride have noticed that we have received $20,000 less in donations from the community over the last six months since the election than the previous years. We are recognizing that the uncertainty since then has definitely affected giving for our life-sustaining programs. If you are in a place to share financially right now, we definitely need your help right now. You can even set up a monthly donation of as little as $5 a month, which helps us more than you can know.
If you are giving to our General Fund to support all of our programming, you can give through our portal on Zeffy at https://tinyurl.com/Give2SolanoPride. Donate today!
Help Solano Pride Center turn candy into cash.
Thank you for supporting the Solano Pride Center! We’ll receive profits from any items you purchase below. Order more to help us reach our fundraising goal!
Copy and paste this link in your marketing emails and social media posts:
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/solanopc_solano_pride_center2/Wilwil2345/candy
This summer, the groundbreaking Hollywood feature film, PONYBOI (watch trailer here) RATED R— written by and starring intersex artist River Gallo — will premiere in theaters. It’s already won multiple international awards and debuted at Sundance 2024.
US Release Date: June 27, 2025
Starring: River Gallo, Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Murray Bartlett, Indya Moore
Director: Esteban Arango
Synopsis: PONYBOI is a groundbreaking new feature — the first ever written by and starring an out intersex person, River Gallo. Set in New Jersey and pulsing with heart, rage, tenderness, and defiance, it tells a raw and riveting story of identity, survival, and chosen family. RottenTomatoes Link.
There will be a local screening of Pony Boi at Cinemark Century Vallejo on Wednesday, September 17th at 7:30 pm at 109 Plaza Dr, Vallejo!
We need 64 more folx to preregister to get the showing confirmed (only charged when we get our base number of participants). https://gathr.com/events/e12e45cf/ponyboi-screening-at-vallejo-14
Amal, showing August 10th at 2 pm at the
Empress Theatre, 330 Virginia St, Vallejo.
Stay after for the panel conversation.
You don’t want to miss this EXCLUSIVE opportunity to see AMAL on the big screen after it WON the GENERATION jury at the 2024 Galway Film Fleadh!
Synopsis: Amal, a French teacher in a Brussels high school, encourages her students to cultivate a passion for reading, defend freedom of expression, and promote acceptance of others. But her outspokenness upsets some students and colleagues tied to Islamic extremism. Yet Amal stands her ground, especially when she helps one of her students suspected of being homosexual, has been attacked, harassed and threatened.
Trailer Link. Link to buy tickets.
VGN & Louise Lawrence Trans Archive host “Upstairs Inferno: The 1973 New Orleans Gay Mass Murder.” October 11th at 7 pm at Odd Fellows Lodge, upstairs at 342 Georgia Street, in Vallejo.
“Upstairs Inferno” refers to the 1973 arson attack at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, Louisiana, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people and injured 15 others due to fire and smoke inhalation. The event is also the subject of a 2015 documentary film of the same name, directed by Robert L. Camina, which details the tragedy and the city’s reaction. The cause of the fire, which occurred on June 24, 1973, is officially listed as “undetermined origin,” though a primary suspect was identified but never charged.
Foreign Film – Oddfish
Look for this beautiful little film back at the Empress in October. Dates to be announced.
A film about friendship and dreams, about acceptance and identity. Two friends, Björn and Hjalti, run a popular seafood restaurant in a fishing village in the Westfjords of Iceland, where they were born and raised. Hjalti is a confident family man; Björn, a reserved, single guy who has always lived in his parents’ house. They usually close their restaurant during the winter, but a good opportunity arises and they decide to grab it. At the same time, Bjorn comes out as a trans woman. Prejudice is around the corner and the friendship sways under this unexpected turn of events. With a delicate and Nordic narrative, we live the doubts and fears of a person who finally makes the step to become who she is, and of a man who was raised with strict beliefs who has to work on himself to understand and to keep close to one of the most important people in his life. The inspiration came to the director by growing up in a similar small fishing town; he has shared the writing credit with Veiga Grétarsdóttir, herself a trans woman who brings much warmth, humour and authenticity to the story.
Renay Conlin, Executive Director, Vallejo Center for the Arts
renayconlin@vallejoarts.org, 707-346-7328.
We had 200 come out for Good Trouble protest in Fairfield, Thursday, July 17th.
Hello, People of Fairfield CA!
Please consider coming out to rally for Freedom and Civil Rights here in Fairfield. Make Good Trouble by carrying your voices and signs in protest of the actions of this current administration. Register for the event at Indivisible.org, or just show up if that’s not possible. The easiest way to find the event on the Indivisible website is to search “Fairfield.” It is a “John Lewis” event.
This will be my last rally as your Event Host and Group Leader. If you’re interested in picking up the baton, reach out to me and I’ll be happy to get you started. It’s been Amazing. Let’s do it one more time!
Azonia Haney
Contact Azonia Haney to help make it happen at (503) 419-8469 or handsoff.fairfieldca@gmail.com.
The Fairfield Hands Off group has a Facebook page you should join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197790722132920
Other local and regional gatherings:
Thursdays at 5 pm in Benicia, Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible hosts flag waving by the Gazebo in City Park (Military & First Street, Benicia). https://www.facebook.com/events/1077820594478484/1077820677811809/?active_tab=about
Sunday, August 10th at noon in Benicia, Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible hosts flag waving by the Gazebo in City Park (Military & First Street, Benicia). https://www.facebook.com/events/1077820594478484/1077820677811809/?active_tab=about
Stand Up for Democracy Vallejo: This a local Indivisible event! Stand Up For Democracy…..continue the momentum !! Benicia-Vallejo Indivisible will continue their weekly Saturday protest. Bring a friend, a sign, and your voices! Saturday, July 26th at 11 am at Vallejo Plaza, Admiral Callaghan Lane & Plaza Drive, Vallejo. Link to sign up.
Fight for Our Democracy and Constitution Vacaville: Protesting in front of Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville Saturday, August 9th at 10 am. There is public parking behind City Hall off of Walnut St. Also parking on the side streets of Lovers Lane and Walnut Street. Bring your signs, flags, and spirit of American protest. This is a peaceful protest. Do not engage with any negative language or gestures. Please stay on the sidewalks & do NOT step into the street. There is not a dedicated restroom available. Please plan for your comfort by bringing water, a hat, sunscreen and a chair to rest if needed. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. This is a family friendly event. Our protests are always peaceful! Link to sign up.
Trangender Law Center’s ID Please Resource for helping Trans, Intersex and GNC people change their identification cards
This guide was created to help you navigate the often confusing process of obtaining California and federal identification documents that reflect your gender and identity. It is designed to be used without the assistance of an attorney. However, in some cases it may be quickest or easiest to work with one.
The information in this guide should not be considered legal advice. This guide provides you with legal information but does not seek to apply that information to your specific situation. We’ve tried very hard to make sure that this resource is accurate and up-to-date. Still, the changing nature of laws and policies concerning identity documents makes 100% accuracy nearly impossible. It’s also important to note that this is a guide to policy, and how things are supposed to work. Unfortunately, not all judges and other government employees always implement these policies by the book.
If you have a question about your specific legal situation, feel free to contact Transgender Law Center’s Legal Information Helpdesk at http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/legalinfo and we’ll do our best to answer your question or point you to resources that may be helpful.
https://tlcenter.app.box.com/s/3da7afk3p7dn1ngoxcz3tuy18q3u1dco
• Our friend Omar Kahn from Health Markets Insurance Agency who helps provide the Backdoor Films monthly at the Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez! Come on out the 4th Saturdays of the month at 8:30 pm to see a classic film, together.
Red Cross Blood Drives come to Solano Pride Center!
Not everyone can give blood…but everyone is eligible to volunteer.
There aren’t the restrictions there used to be against our community, so schedule a time to come to the Conference Room off the Main Entrance to the Center’s building, and come out Friday, August 8th between 10 am and 3 pm. Sign up here!
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=SPBDF
See our new Blood Drives website under Programs in the menu above….
Sat, August 23rd at 1 pm. Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit presented at Oracle Park, SF.
They are attempting a record in attendance for this Ladies Soccer team at the Baseball Field! Talk to Audra Orr from our board for more information, as she and Heather are season ticket holders.
Statement on our Agency’s commitment to confidentiality in our care:
We don’t ask questions of our clients around citizenship or documentation. We never have and never will. We also do not disclose any personal or contact information about our clients without their written permission. If any public agency comes seeking such information, they will be turned away and referred to our legal representation. We are contractually obligated by the County and other funders to keep HIPAA privacy laws and protect the privacy and confidentiality of all of our clients. See our “Notice of Privacy Practices” in our Center, and on the paperwork shared during intake of all counseling and case management services.
Solano Pride Center offers counseling and psychotherapy to the LGBTQ+ community of Solano County.
There are openings available for those who wish to be seen for counseling services right now! We can even talk to you if you just want to make sense of the times we live in. We are able to see clients for up to six months at no cost to clients, helping you make sense of life as a queer person, get support coming out, or deepening your self confidence by talking about your past. Please call our confidential line to make an appointment at: 707-389-4520.
In addition Solano Pride Center is accepting application from Associate Clinicians (AMFT and ACSW) in addition to trainees needing practicum sites who are interested in providing therapy to the LGBTQ community. Please contact our Clinical Director Colin Amato at colin@solanopride.org for more info.
For more Mental Health Resources, https://www.solanopride.org/mental-health-resources/
Have you ever been near the end of your rope, and need someone to help you find the resources you need to survive? Solano Pride Center staff can help! Many of our staff know much about the County’s support system, and can help you sign up for food assistance, Medi-Cal, and even give you referrals to our sister organizations serving those in need around the county. Give Kacen Cosmos, our Associate Clinical Social Worker a jingle or email to learn more.
Social and Support Groups for many sub groups within our community.
To see all of the support and social groups, go under the home button in the menu or go to this link: https://www.solanopride.org/social-and-support-groups
Senior Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/senior-programs/
Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
HIV Prevention Awareness
Did you know you can get STI testing mailed to your home?
Did you know that PreP and PeP can help you remain HIV negative?
Contact me for more info! Thank you.
Cristina Zaldana
More information now in our HIV Prevention page, under the Programs in the menu above… https://www.solanopride.org/hiv-prevention-support/
Calling All Volunteers!
Calling all volunteers! If you want to be a volunteer at Solano Pride Center, please let us know!
Our next Volunteer Training is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th at 6 pm on zoom. If you are interested in volunteering, just for special events or on a more regular basis at the Center, please email cristina@solanopride.org with the best times that work for you to be trained. These trainings are necessary for anyone who wishes to volunteer at the Center, in one of our Programs, or even for short term events like our Pride celebrations being planned now! Don’t miss this informative background on how to help, knowing our best practices and Community Agreements!
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
See our Volunteer page under the Programs menu above….
To see more Youth Programming, go to Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
SPC Trainings for your Team
We have Cultural competency Trainings for Schools, Teachers, Professors, Therapists, Social Workers, Case Managers, Businesses, Health Care workers, Senior Centers, and all who work with LGBTQIA2S+ people in every environment. Contact will@solanopride.org for more information about our SB 923 Training available this summer.
Ever wondered how to find all of the Queer organizations here in the Bay Area? Well, the Horizon’s Foundation has just such a list!
Here: https://www.horizonsfoundation.org/org-directory/
Save the Date! Wed, Sept 3rd at 7 pm on zoom. “Current Status of Legal Protections for LGBTQIA2S+ Rights and Same Sex Marriage.“
Ary Smith from the Legal Services of Northern California presents “Current Status of Legal Protections for LGBTQIA2S+ Rights and Same Sex Marriage.” Ary and their team presents regularly to our Senior Lunch Bunch, and is always well received! (Register at https://tinyurl.com/RainbowLegal25)
Fiestas Patrias! Saturday, Sept. 13th from 11 am to 5 pm, 200 block of Georgia St, Vallejo.
Fiestas Patrias stands as a momentous occasion in Mexico, a fervent national holiday that pays tribute to the historic independence from Spain. Much like the renowned American Independence Day on July 4th, Fiestas Patrias holds great significance in Mexican culture. Although Mexico’s commemoration does not adhere strictly to the exact date of their liberation, it stands as a testament to the resolute calling for a sovereign nation.
On the monumental day of September 16th, Father Miguel Hidalgo, the dedicated parish priest from the humble town of Dolores, rallied his fellow Mexicans in a passionate plea for the overthrow of oppressive Spanish dominion. This remarkable event, known as the Grito de Dolores (the cry), reverberates in the hearts of Mexicans nationwide. Today, this historic proclamation continues to be widely celebrated throughout Mexico, symbolizing the undying spirit of freedom and unity.
Fiestas Patrias representa una ocasión trascendental en México, una ferviente festividad nacional que rinde homenaje a la histórica independencia de México . Al igual que el renombrado Día de la Independencia de Estados Unidos el 4 de julio, las Fiestas Patrias tienen gran importancia en la cultura mexicana. Aunque la conmemoración de México no se adhiere estrictamente a la fecha exacta de su liberación, representa un testimonio del llamado resuelto hacia una nación soberana.
En el monumental día del 16 de septiembre, el padre Miguel Hidalgo, el dedicado sacerdote parroquial del humilde pueblo de Dolores, convocó a sus compatriotas mexicanos en un apasionado llamado para derrocar la opresiva dominación española. Este notable evento, conocido como el Grito de Dolores, resuena en los corazones de los mexicanos en todo el país. Hoy en día, esta histórica proclamación continúa siendo ampliamente celebrada en todo México, simbolizando el espíritu inquebrantable de libertad y unidad
Best Buck in the Bay Rodeo & Festival September 13th & 14th, 2025, in Duncans Mills, CA
With over 29 years GSGRA-BAC strives to be an active part of the LGBTQ community by hosting of fund-raising events to benefit local charities and to educate others on the Country-Western Lifestyle through Rodeo, Dance Events, and Royalty. Membership is not restricted and all who are interested are welcome to join.
GSGRA-BAC is a California 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. https://bayarearodeo.com/
Sunday, Sept, 28th from 6-8 pm at Unity Hall at Unity of the Valley (350 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville) Poetry Slam & Talent Show!
Bring a snack to share! Contact will@solanopride.org to join the planning team!
We are looking to find a few folx willing to help create a Vacaville LGBTQ+ Network that can create quarterly to monthly social events for the East County Queer Community!
Need to contact one of our staff? Would you like to drop by to check out a book from our Queer Library? Contact us this way.
If you find yourself in crisis during this time, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or our partners at these crisis numbers!
• Trevor Project Crisis Line: 1-866-488-7386
• Trans Lifeline Crisis Number: 1-877-565-8860
• Solano County Mobile Crisis Number: 707-806-0866
• Solano County Crisis Stabilization Service Number: 707-428-1131
Weekly Eblasts – Links below:
Do you get our weekly eBlasts on Wednesday afternoons? If not, or if you need to update your email, follow this link to register for our weekly eBlasts.
My name is Kenyatta, and I am the founder of Learning Self-Love, a wellness-focused brand dedicated to empowering individuals through healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. I am reaching out to explore a potential collaboration with the Pride Center to support your mission through my published works and self-help tools.
I have authored several books and journals including a powerful coming out memoir and a series of self-love and affirmation journals that speak directly to individuals navigating identity, trauma recovery, self-worth, and emotional resilience. In addition, I’ve developed a 36-card Law of Attraction affirmation deck designed to uplift and motivate users of all ages and backgrounds.
These tools have already found success with mental health practitioners, educators, and personal development coaches. I believe they would be an excellent addition to your self-help curriculum or resource library particularly for the people you serve who are actively engaged in healing, empowerment, and transformation.
Warmly,
Kenyatta Edwards
Phone: 707-920-6016
Founder & CEOLearning Self-Love
Learning Self Love: A Guided Journey to Embrace, Heal, and Celebrate Yourself $9.99
Phoenix Rising: A New Journey To Self-Love: You Are Not Broken, You Are Becoming now $16.99
Pride, Pleasure and Liberation: Becoming Me, My Coming Out Story $15.95
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Learning Self 36 Deck of Alphabetical Powerful Affirmations Cards
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Solano Pride Center
The Board of the Solano Pride Center shares our sadness that the Mayor of the City of Vacaville continues to use his position to give cover for the discrimination many in our community experience there. Like we did for every city, our Executive Director sent proposed language to use in a proclamation that actually gives an account of our history of discrimination and need for civil rights protections from our elected leaders.
This year we sent the request early, and attempted to hear back when the proclamation would be shared, and have not had that time confirmed. In preparing the so-called “Proclamation,” the Mayor’s office produced a document to be signed by the Vice Mayor that was similar to those of previous years, but with no proclamation that June 2024 would be Pride Month in the City of Vacaville. We also noticed a change to the text, including the deletion of the phrase “celebrate and build”, which was changed to “while building,” without an actual declaration of Pride Month. The language is so vague that it could apply to any other community, without addressing the violence members of our community experiences every day. Every other city we have received Proclamations from have adapted the language we have offered, but has still included the historical portions because that was the point. The language the Mayor used further white washes the history of America as if our country wasn’t created with the legality of slave states and the second class citizenship of women.
Furthermore, our biggest frustrations have centered around the lack of notification of when the flag was to be raised, as we experienced in almost every other city of the county today. Because we were not notified of the time of the flag raising, our community was denied the opportunity to be in attendance and participate to mark the moment. We understand that the Pride Flag has been raised on the School Street site, and will remain except for a day to honor the Army on June 14th (veterans comprise a significant portion of our community). Though we sent our request to the whole City Council on April 17th, we have had to ask for responses rather than a friendly sharing of events. The lack of communication feels intentional.
The erasure of our community happens on a daily basis, and the policies coming out of the Mayor’s office continues to discriminate against our civil rights and treats us like second class citizens. We call upon the good people of Vacaville to remind their Mayor that his oath of office is to serve all of the city, and not just those of his particular religious tradition. Leading Vacaville together means including your LGBTQ+ family and protecting their civil rights.
Will McGarvey
Executive Director
On behalf of the Solano Pride Center’s Board of Directors, June 2024