SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – On Saturday, Santa Barbara's annual Pride Festival returned, flooding the city's waterfront with a wave of color.
Hosted by the Pacific Pride Foundation, this year's festival lived up to its theme: “Out. Proud. Unstoppable.” Chase Palm Park was full of vendors, stages, booths, art installations, food, and entertainment – all centered around providing support for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Executive Director of PPF, Julio Roman, says its an event the entire community looks forward to, emphasizing that finding a inclusive spaces isn't always easy.
"We want our community to know that they can show up unapologetically as themselves and that they will always find a safe space here in Santa Barbara County," says Roman.
On Monday, a rainbow pride flag was raised outside of city hall at De La Guerra plaza, a first for the city of Santa Barbara.
The flag raising kicked off Pride week in Santa Barbara, and organizers say it was a step towards visibility, along with events like today's pride festival.
Supporters of the event say, while they can't always sheltered the LGBTQ+ community from the bad times, they're here to provide support wherever they need it.
"We try to be an affirming place to go, a safe space as much as possible. Arms to hug, if you need a hug, an ear if you need someone to listen to you, or a shoulder to cry on. We are just here to be visible, vocal, supportive members for the LGBTQ community," said Emily Wells, from Free Mom Hugs.
Free Mom Hugs is a world-wide organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and families with a simple hug and conversation.
"Everybody was created from a different recipe. However you believe that creation happens or didn't happen, it doesn't matter. None of us are comprised of the same exact combination of things. And so for that reason, it's pride festivals are important and pride is important because it's a rare opportunity to show the world who you are and that you are enough and worthy and great and valid."
Visit Pacific Pride Foundation for all current and present events, and you can find avalible resources here.
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