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For the first time, Hollister’s Pride Day event will feature a parade taking participants from City Hall to a five-hour “PrideLand” celebration at Dunne Park, following the now-traditional 10 a.m. raising of the Pride Flag.
PrideLand will feature activities, games, music, some of the city’s favorite food trucks and performances by Folclórico Colibrí.
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Peer mentors of Hollister’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center at the Esperanza Center and representatives of San Benito County Behavioral Health, co-sponsors of the event, will be hosting a booth with guides to services and counseling organizations geared toward the LGBTQ+ community.
“It’s our sixth annual party,” said Behavioral Health Staff Analyst Louise Coombes, “and we thought we’d go bigger and better than last year—and for longer than just two hours. Last year felt kind of frenetic to me!”
Peer mentor Camila Celador credited City Councilmember Rolan Resendiz with the idea for the parade.
“As we were cleaning up after the Fourth Annual Pride event,” Celador said, “Rolan talked about how he dreamed we could have a proper pride parade one day. I am quite excited that we are making a step in that direction.”
Those visiting PrideLand will receive a passport that can be stamped at the various booths and activities. Completed passports will be entered into a raffle for a host of donated prizes, including a one-year membership to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, an Amazon Fire tablet, a Nintendo Switch and Fulgivate Earbuds. Food will be available from The Steak Stop, La Cascada Tacos and Ivan’s Baked Potatoes.
“I want to emphasize that this is an inclusive, family-friendly event,” said Coombes. “We want it to be community-focused where everybody can coexist, and it’s safe enough to bring their little ones.”
Mental Health Case Manager Beatriz Penilla said people who might otherwise have issues with the LGBTQ+ community are welcome to join in the fun.
“No matter what orientation you might be or whatever group you might consider yourself a part of,” said Penilla, “we believe everybody deserves to be accepted. So that’s what our focus will be out there—not necessarily on issues that can be more emotionally triggering for people.”
Pride Day is only one part of the outreach being done toward LGBTQ+ youths who may feel isolated, persecuted or afraid to express their identities. Coombes and the peer mentors have also reached out to Hollister High School and Anzar High School to spread the word about resources available through the Esperanza Center and Behavioral Health, and have been attending more events in the area to provide outreach.
“Every time I talk about Pride Day,” Penilla said, “I joke that this is the sixth one, but nobody knows about the first three except hearing that a dog, someone’s mom or a neighbor went. I am hoping awareness has risen and we are really hoping to focus on the younger crowd to let them know we are here.”
The LGBTQ+ Youth Resource Center, located at 544 San Benito Street in Hollister, is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Adult LGBTQ+ Group meets from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
“We are passionate about getting our roots into our community and making sure that young people know that we’re here for them,” said peer mentor Alejandro Dones. “Whether they are just passing by, coming in to get access to our services, or just to be in a safe space where they can sit and talk—or not talk, if that’s what they wish.”
Raffle prizes include:
- An Amazon Fire tablet
- An Echo Dot with a clock
- A Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart 8
- An Amazon Fire TV Stick
- A Waterproof Speaker
- Fulgivate Earbuds
- A $50 Gift Certificates to Amazon
- A one-year membership to Monterey Bay Aquarium
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