SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – San Francisco's Pride Parade has kicked off Sunday for the first time in two years, celebrating love while also channeling roots of protest and activism.
The celebrations come in the wake of the highly controversial Supreme Court decision on abortion and concerns about where the court may go next.
In the past, Pride has been about celebrating an expansion of rights from the Supreme Court and the decisions by Justices like Anthony Kennedy. However, Rafael Mandelma, the San Francisco Supervisor representing the Castro district, said this year's events will be seen in a different light.
"It calls Pride back to its roots," Mandelman told KCBS Radio. "Pride started off as a protest I think this weekend is going to be a lot about protests I think it's going to be a lot about preparing for the next set of fights."
Related
Mandolin said he doesn't believe the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will be the last word on choice in America, but admits there could be some turbulent days ahead.
"The LGBTQ community is used to setbacks. We've won and then lost and then won again," Mandelman said. "We won marriage in California and then we lost marriage in California and then we had to continue to work to get the marriage back."
As parade festivities get underway Sunday, Mandelman said this year will be about joy mixed with a common purpose.
"Yeah there will be some celebrating, and there should be, people should celebrate, but I think people are also going to be trying to figure out how to continue to fight because clearly there is a lot of fighting to do," he said.
He said San Francisco is already looking out for those in states where reproductive rights have been rolled back.
"Some of my colleagues have proposed legislation to make San Francisco a sanctuary city to try and be a place that supports women seeking to exercise their reproductive rights," he added.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram