Santa Cruz LGBTQ pride event focuses on community

Santa Cruz is known to be a “prideful” city, at least when it comes to those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community.

“I know a whole lot of people that live here along with myself that feel very safe because unlike a lot of places, this place is a place that accepts all,” said Makena Calderon, a Santa Cruz resident.

People here say events like these help foster community and create a safe space where people can be themselves without fear of judgement. It is also a chance to celebrate how far the LGBTQ community has come.

“There’s more openness in the community. People in the community at large are aware of the fact that there are these people called gay people and that they’re not bad,” said Adam Holbrook, a Santa Cruz resident.

And what still needs to be done.

“It’s been a battle just because I want to be able to exist like every other human being with my partner and not have it be looked down on or looked at as weird, you know?” said Calderon.

For many here, the journey toward embracing their true identity has been tough.

“Anytime something came up where there’s some element of homosexuality, the vibe was that that was a bad thing, no matter what it was,” said Holbrook. “It was like those people, but we don’t want to talk about that. Or yeah, we don’t want to talk about him because there’s an issue with that, so you don’t want to spend time with that person.”

But those here who are not LGBTQ believe if people just got to know someone who is, it will change their perspective.

“As long as people are happy, that’s all that really matters at the very end. It’s not my place to judge anybody, I’m just here to help celebrate and honor my friends,” said Raymond Ledoux, an LGBTQ ally.

And while they say more still needs to be done, especially for transgender rights, building community is a step in the right direction.

“The first thing I would say is that you’re not alone,” said Calderon.