If you missed out on Saturday’s San Francisco Pride celebration, don’t worry, we were there. Here’s the lowdown on what happened at three big events.
The 2022 San Francisco FrontRunners Pride Run
Early on Saturday morning, runners and walkers made their way to Golden Gate Park for the 2022 Pride Run. The race is a longstanding Pride weekend event organized by San Francisco FrontRunners, the founding chapter of the international FrontRunner LGBTQIA+ running and walking clubs. Sponsors of the event included Kaiser Permanente, Lululemon, Brooks (running shoes and apparel company) and local running store A Runner’s Mind.
Pre-race events included bib pick-up, guest speakers, the National Anthem and, for budding runners, a kids’ dash.
The Pride Run itself offered two distance options, a 5K (3.1 miles) and a 10K (6.2 miles). Attesting to the popularity of this local race, registration sold out this year. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, families, groups of friends and several members of the San Francisco-based Impala Racing Team were out in force on Saturday, many with rainbow-themed outfits to celebrate Pride.
The race started near the intersection of Middle West and Martin Luther King Jr. drives, where runners and walkers gathered behind the rainbow “starting line” arch, ready for the horn that blared at 9 a.m. as a signal for them to take off at their chosen pace. The loop course took runners and walkers onto Chain of Lakes and up John F. Kennedy Drive on a mostly gravel path, and then onto Traverse and Martin Luther King Jr. drives. Those participating in the 10K completed the loop twice.
Course monitors were at hand to direct Pride Run participants as they made their way around the orange cone-marked and relatively easy-to-follow route. And the person dressed as a pink unicorn, stationed near the finish line arch, seemed to put a smile on every runner and walker’s face.
In lieu of medals, race volunteers distributed a pair of rainbow shoelaces to each Pride Run finisher. The top-three overall winners of the women, men and nonbinary categories, as well as age group winners, received the ultimate award: a large bag of candy.
Pride Run 2022 proceeds went toward beneficiary LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ+ Youth.
Castro Family Pride Block Party
“And you can dance. For inspiration.” As Madonna’s “Into the Groove” emerged from nearby speakers, children of various ages took to the stage to do just that: dance. In fact, adults were dancing too, as well as smiling and laughing — having a fun time at Saturday’s Castro Family Pride Block Party.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Noe Street at Market Street was the “place to be” for families to head outside together and celebrate Pride. The Castro Merchants event featured a drag show; an art mart with vendors selling jewelry, paintings, clothing and other items; a petting zoo; and both a stage and street space to dance to Pride-esque songs on a warm-ish and, of course, still windy San Francisco afternoon.
Three ice cream vendors with wheeled carts stood among the crowd, ready to serve a frozen treat to those interested. The biggest draw was certainly the live unicorn (llama with a rainbow horn) — children and adults alike gathered around the mystical creature in awe, taking photos. Another photo op at the block party was the display at the entrance from Market Street: It featured a rainbow balloon arch with the letters “FAMILY PRIDE,” a sequin backdrop with the Pride-colored “CASTRO” affixed to it and two “dabbing” unicorn cutouts.
San Francisco Dyke March
Dolores Park served as the meeting spot for the 2022 San Francisco Dyke March, held on Saturday. Drawing a large and diverse crowd, the march started at 5 p.m. on 18th Street, and the route took the large group on Valencia, 16th and Market Streets, with the final turn onto historic Castro Street.
Chants during the march were feminist and LGBTQIA+-focused, including “End the patriarchy,” “We’re here; we’re queer” and “Trans rights are human rights.” Some were directed toward the recent Supreme Court decision, such as “Get your hands off my body” and “My body; my choice.”
Members of Dykes on Bikes led the march, with front rider Stacy Poulos revving her motorcycle and driving down the route’s streets, the rest of the Dyke March crowd proudly marching behind them.
Throughout the march, bystanders cheered on sidewalks and street corners and from within the multitude of restaurant parklets; car horns honked in support. And when the marchers made their final turn onto Castro Street — the hub of Pride weekend activities — they were welcomed with applause and vocal support from those there, the camaraderie of the LGBTQIA+ community palpable.