The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center participated in the 2012 San Jose 4th of July Rose, White and Blue Parade and Festival and San Jose PRIDE CFO & Publicist Eydie Mendoza marched along with BDF staff and volunteers.
Billy DeFrank Center
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The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center participated in the 2012 San Jose 4th of July Rose, White and Blue Parade and Festival and San Jose PRIDE CFO & Publicist Eydie Mendoza marched along with BDF staff and volunteers.
San Jose PRIDE and the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center along with members of the LGBT community joined, Mayor Chuck Reed and city officials for the ceremonial raising of the LGBT rainbow flag over City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 6 p.m. Stone Church Reverend Ken Henry gave the invocation and The Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chior (SVGMC) sang the National Anthem. The City Council announced their support for the Billy DeFrank Center and its services during the ceremony and promised to honor its lease with Billy DeFrank if the current location closes next year. SVGMC also sang the Mighty Mouse theme song during the actual raising of the Rainbow Flag.
A Freedom Can’t Wait rally was held in the City Hall plaza immediately following the flag raising in response to the announcement that the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reconsider its ruling that Proposition 8 gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. Recognition and special thanks were given to Councilmembers Ash Kalra and Xavier Campos for their support on Marriage Equality. Testimonials for gay marriage were presented by same-sex couples, in English and Spanish.
Freedom Can’t Wait Rally at San Jose City Hall immediately following the Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony | Photo by Eydie Mendoza
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 4, 2012
Media Contact:
Nathan Svoboda
president@sanjosepride.com
State of Pride
Issue: Gay PRIDE Celebration Committee of San Jose, Inc. (GPCCSJ, Inc.) also known as San Jose PRIDE will hold a two day PRIDE celebration the third weekend in August, on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the19th. Due to the high 
cost in the production, San Jose PRIDE is unable to bring back the parade this year. The passionate PRIDE Board is proud to report, however that in collaboration with supporters and sponsors, the 2012 Gay PRIDE Celebration will be an interactive experience for all. The theme is “Equality of Everyone” inspired by the momentum of LGBT equality efforts and recent legislations like Don’t ask Don’t Tell, Prop8 progress, anti-Bullying, and recognition of health care needs for same sex partners.
With the strong support of Club Papi Productions, Eden Pride Events, HP, and Symantec among others, the Board is close to meeting its goal to raise $40,000 before August. San Jose PRIDE President Nathan Svoboda shares, “The fundraising/sponsorship goal was $66,300 and we currently have $28,400. We need is $38,900.”
Since the first PRIDE Rally in 1971 and Festival in 1976, each Board and Festival has empowered the LGBT community with appropriate actions against challenges indicative of each decade, which represent the stones in the path PRIDE travels today. The 2011 Board’s successful incorporation of the theme Moving Forward Together, encompassed their passion and efforts, laid out a smooth transition for 2012.
This year PRIDE strides on that path motivated by the concept of “reinvention.” It does not mean reinventing the wheel but rather to build upon an already strong foundation by carrying on the legacy of former Boards, by embracing current and creating new relationships with local and neighboring businesses and organizations, by incorporating Silicon Valley technology, by collaborating with the growing amount of LGBT groups in the valley, and by partnering up with Consolidated Association of Pride, Inc./CAPI, a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation made up of LGBT Pride coordinators in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Utah and the country of Mexico. In embracing reinvention the Team offers a diverse fundraising lineup in support of the 2012 Festival by working with additional organizations, and venues in San Jose and neighboring cities.
San Jose PRIDE too, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Board of Directors is seated by President Nathan Svoboda, Vice President Roman Fernando, Administrator Jess Hutchins, Controller Eydie Mendoza, and Board Members: Jen Bueller, Jesse Lacuesta, John Miranda, Robert Parra, AJ Solis, and Greg Williams, who make up a talented and skilled team that possesses the drive to create a fantastic experience and with the communities best interest at heart.
There has not been a parade in over two years because PRIDE and funders have experienced a deficit.
Although the Board made it a goal to bring back the parade this year, there aren’t enough funds raised at this time to strategically carry out a successful parade. Svoboda says, “The estimated parade costs are over $15,000. We qualify for a $7,550 grant from the city that cannot be approved until the 2013 budget after July.” A two day celebration benefits PRIDE vendors, local downtown businesses and adds to the City of San Jose tourism.
San Jose PRIDE continues to raise funds in collaboration and with the support of its sponsors, local businesses, friends and community members. Local nightclubs like Splash, Brix, and Tinker’s Damn (TD’s) are assisting the Board with fundraising efforts to help reach its needs.
The San Jose PRIDE Board is executing a fundraising plan while marketing the Festival, recruiting volunteers and reaching out to “Friends of Pride.” Community members who donate at least $100 will receive a VIP PRIDE experience and are the “Friends of Pride” donors.
Presenting Sponsor for $15,000, Platinum Sponsor for $10,000, Gold Sponsor for $5,000, Silver Sponsor for $2,500 and Bronze Sponsor for $1,000 are financial levels of sponsorship for the PRIDE Celebration. Also available are designated sponsorships for naming rights to the Main Stage or Community Stage, Gate and Entrances, Volunteer T-shirt and Check-in Area, Media Lounge, and the Family Fun Area.
The Board is looking for skilled volunteers to aid in the execution of the Festival and their fundraising efforts.
“PRIDE represents the community. It provides inspiration, resources and hope to a diverse and multi-generational community. As long as the need exists, PRIDE will always be around,” adds Svoboda.
Pride continues to strengthen its relationship with Billy DeFrank Center to support the needs of the Silicon Valley LGBT community.
PRIDES’s partnership with Breathe California helped the Board host the first of two free Smoking Cessation Ash Kicker courses benefiting the LGBT community. Twelve participants successfully graduated in May and the second course will begin in late fall. This partnership also created a $5000 grant to support the courses, and the marketing of this year’s smoke free family friendly festival.
The Board looks forward to the festival, and values our 2012 partners who encourage members of San Jose Pride to strive for more. Saturday will be a “Community Day” highlighting community talent, vendors, food, and fun. Sunday will be a more traditional celebration, offering a variety of quality entertainment, dancing and vendors. This year, the entertainment for the main stage is presented by Club Papi Productions, Splash, and The Water Garden.
Svoboda emphasizes, “Pride strives to deliver a community inspired Festival for the Silicon Valley LGBT society, but the financial and volunteer support of the community is an intricate ingredient in the recipe for success. It’s the PRIDE of the community that keeps the thrive alive.”
For more information about San Jose Pride, visit our web site www.sanjosepride.com, our blog, follow us on Twitter, and “Like us” on Facebook.
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Public Affairs Committee
President – Gay Pride Celebration Committee San Jose, Inc.
San Jose PRIDE – www.sanjosepride.com
San Jose Pride 