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Uniting the Community in Support of Human Rights and the LGBTQIA2S+ Community
FONTANA, CA— On Saturday, July 1, 2023, a Pride decorated vehicle caravan led by Fontana Residents was started in both the north and south of Fontana, California. The two caravans moved throughout the city raising awareness and merged into a Fontana’s first Pride Rally in the center of the city at Fontana City Hall. The purpose of the event was to unite the entirety of the city behind Human Rights and bring together people from different walks of life to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
The event provided an opportunity for residents and visitors to share their stories, their struggles, and paint a future where “love conquers all and belonging is unconditional.” Participants pledged to go beyond support: the attendees vowed be accomplices to the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the fight to maintain their civil rights. The spontaneous chant by the crowd, “Pride is Every Day!” was a reminder in a time where civil rights are being threatened, and intolerance is rearing its ugly head, standing by or giving passive support is no longer enough, and Pride should not be a single month of visibility —but a shared mission, every day.
The event was a joint effort by several community organizations, including the Fontana Dems Club, Ontario Democratic Club, the San Bernardino County Young Democrats (SBCYD), GROW Fontana, the Fontana Good Neighbor Coalition, and the Progressive Alliance of the Inland Empire, as well as Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes’ (AD-50), whose district includes Fontana and surrounding cities.
Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes spoke at the event and later tweeted, “Today, I joined up with the @fontanadems to celebrate our LGBTQ+ family at the Inaugural Pride Care-A-Van and Rally! I want to thank the individuals who shared their story and I want you to know we are here standing with you -as accomplices!”
Organizers of the event were thrilled with the turnout and the positive response from the community. They believe that the success of the event will encourage more people to support the LGBTQIA2S+ community, not just during Pride Month, but throughout the year.
“It was an amazing experience to see so many people come together to support the LGBTQIA2S+ community and to feel the love and support from so many as we drove through the city,” said Bobbi Jo Chavarria, President of the Fontana Dems and one of the event’s organizers. “We hope that this event has helped to raise awareness and show people that Fontana is filled with a community of support and solidarity with our LGBTQIA2S+ brothers and sisters, cousins and friends.”
Organizers felt hosting the caravan and pride rally in Fontana was crucial and has proven that a community can come together to support and celebrate diversity. It is a reminder that everyone can play their part in creating a more inclusive society regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and organizers are already planning next year’s event!
