Hollister hosts pride celebration

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) The City of Hollister is partnering with the LGBTQ+ Resource Center to host a pride celebration on Sunday.

Special guest speakers include Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Assemblyman Robert Rivas, Supervisor Bob Tiffany, Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki, and Vice Mayor Rolan Resendiz.

People came out to the streets of Hollister to show their pride on Sunday's LGBTQ+ celebration complete with a colorful and expressive show of support. For one pair, it'll be their first pride celebrating as a married couple.

"We want to show our support especially with all of the rest of the community and say we're out here and we're proud," said Olivia Dion, Hollister resident.

Despite the ear-to-ear grins and cheer of Sunday's celebration, events like these wouldn't be possible without previous generations laying down the foundation for years to come. Raymond Mueller came out during the 1980s, during the beginning of the AIDS outbreak and the harsh social stigma attached to being gay. Mueller believes that events like these are important to humanize the community.    

"Visibility is vital because people tend to react out of fear. If we don't put a human face on the situation, they will continue to have fear and they continue to react," said Mueller.

Last year was the first time the city of Hollister had an event like this but the community says it's needed.

 "To come to a smaller community and sometimes not knowing if we had that support but seeing people come together whether they be allies or a part of it, it means a lot," said Frances Rosa, a Hollister resident.

Most importantly, Maxx D'Elia, a member of the LGBTQ+ community says the fight for equality continues.

"These are people out here fighting, they are fighting very hard for those rights. We've come a long way and we want people to see that this world is worth living for," said Maxx D'Elia, a Hollister resident.

Vice Mayor Resendiz tells KION that they plan on having more events like these in the future.