The City of Irvine hosted the second annual Pride in Irvine event at the Irvine Civic Center to honor Harvey Milk Day and raise the Progress Pride Flag on May 22.
Harvey Milk Day, celebrated annually on May 22, is a California state holiday that honors Harvey Milk as an activist and the first openly gay politician elected to public office in California. 2023 Pride in Irvine aimed to celebrate Milk’s legacy of advocacy by displaying the Progress Pride Flag over Irvine City Hall, according to the City of Irvine website. The flag will be displayed from May 22 through the month of June, federally recognized as Pride Month.
Local officials in attendance spoke on the significance of city-sponsored Pride events and the display of the Progress Pride Flag. The Progress Pride Flag is a symbol of inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community that notably represents LGBTQ+ people of color, the transgender community and those impacted by HIV/AIDS, according to LGBTQ Nation.
Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan provided a welcome to the event and emphasized the raising of the Progress Pride Flag as a symbol of community in Irvine.
“We will soon raise the flag in [Milk’s] honor to illustrate the city’s support of our LGBTQIA people,” Khan announced. “We want to make sure you all know that we are an inclusive city and everyone is welcomed in this city.”
Vice Mayor Tammy Kim described the Pride event as a step towards positive representation and a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
“This is our city affirming our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the same way we would when we celebrate Lunar New Year, the same way we would when we celebrate Nowruz,” Kim stated. “What better way to invest resources than to tell all of our residents we support you?”
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley presented a Certificate of Recognition for the City of Irvine at the raising of the flag.
“It’s powerful to be united and inclusive,” Foley stated.
The event spotlighted community partners and featured a performance from MenAlive – Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus. The event also hosted more than 11 booths from community organizations, such as local government agencies and schools, mental health organizations and LGBTQ+ resource centers.
Detectives John Sanders and Kristi Valentine, LGBTQ+ liaisons from the Irvine Police Department, described their role as the bridge between law enforcement and LGBTQ+ individuals for resources and safety concerns.
“[As liaisons, we bring] employees and the community together in one place, creating conversations, building the trust and building that bridge,” Valentine stated.
2023 Pride in Irvine also hosted local mental health care organizations servicing LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically youth. According to a 2022 report from The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for mental health issues “because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.” The report details survey responses from LGBTQ+ youth in California, where 44% of youth “seriously considered suicide in the past year” and 62% did not receive desired mental health care.
Shanti Orange County, a mental health services organization based in Laguna Hills, CA, hosted a booth to raise awareness about therapy, support groups, bilingual resources and other programs available for LGBTQ+ youth and those in need.
Martha Lopez, a Certified Health Education Specialist from Shanti Orange County, emphasized the importance of providing necessary and accessible resources.
“Events like [Pride in Irvine] show that the LGBTQ community is not alone — there are many resources for them to reach out, whether they be low-cost or free,” Lopez said.
A booth from PFLAG Newport Beach informed residents about mental health services for parents and family of LGBTQ+ individuals. Clare Burley, PFLAG member and parent of a transgender child, described the impact of support groups and community for family and friends of LGBTQ+ youth.
“Just being in a room with other people that understand your struggles and speak your language and understand the day-to-day challenges … it just makes you feel like ‘OK, I’m not the only one,’” Burley stated. “[A big concern is] safety and allowing kids to be who they are. We are always trying to make sure that they’re safe at school but also supported by the schools they go to, and protected.”
The City of Irvine additionally hosted crafting booths and provided free food and beverage for Irvine residents, friends and family.
Families like Tiffany Chang and Lindsey Etheridge, a married couple living in Irvine, attended the Pride event with their young child. Chang commented on 2023 Pride in Irvine and its potential to grow.
“I wish there were more people out here,” Chang stated. “But just because there aren’t a ton of people here doesn’t mean we should stop having it, and the more we have it year after year I think it will grow.”
Chang identified 2023 Pride in Irvine as progress for the LGBTQ+ community.
“As an LGBTQ person, I still fear for myself and my children everyday in ways that non-LGBT people will never understand,” Chang added. “Even though there is progress still to be made, this event makes me really proud of Irvine.”
Chang additionally emphasized the importance and necessity of community to the spirit of pride.
“To me, pride means community: my community. Which also means to me safety and love and belonging,” Chang stated. “Pride to me is a symbol that LGBTQ people have a place in this world and [these pride events] are a special place for us to go to find refuge in a world that can still be hard to live in sometimes.”
Beatrice Lee is a City News Assistant Editor for the spring 2023 quarter. She can be reached at beatrirl@uci.edu.
