Get your rainbow accessories out of the closet — it’s Pride Month. While Silicon Valley Pride officially runs from August 27-28 — June is still an important month to reflect on our local LGBTQ+ history and attend can’t-miss Pride events.

BAYMEC was a leading LGBTQ+ rights organization in Santa Clara County. | Photo courtesy of BAYMEC Community Foundation

🏳️‍🌈 A movement for rights

The history of San Jose’s struggle for LGBTQ+ rights began in the 1970s, with local groups seeking political recognition and legal protections. Unfortunately, in 1978, the first attempted Pride proclamation in San Jose was rescinded after religious backlash, and in 1980, anti-discrimination laws were rejected at the polls.

To counter these losses, locals Ken Yeager and Wiggsy Sivertsen founded BAYMEC in 1984 to hold elected officials accountable for their positions on LGBTQ+ rights.

Through their work, BAYMEC fought to create an AIDS Task Force + helped defeat the 1986 AIDS quarantine initiative, known as Prop. 64. They also worked to enshrine LGBTQ+ rights any way they could — starting with nondiscrimination policies and spousal benefits at big tech companies.

“[Once] enough companies [...] passed these ordinances, then elected officials felt more comfortable doing it,” said Ken.

San Jose’s first rainbow flag raising in 2001. | Photo courtesy of BAYMEC Community Foundation

🏳️‍🌈 Major accomplishments

Ken broke the “lavender ceiling” himself in 1992 — becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected in Santa Clara County. Through he faced homophobic attacks from opponents, he went on to serve on San Jose’s City Council + the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

In 2001, the City of San Jose issued its first official Pride proclamation — 23 years after the first attempt was rescinded. This was the first time that the rainbow Pride flag was flown at City Hall, followed by the trans and bisexual pride flags in 2016 and 2017.

In 2016, Santa Clara County created the Office of LGBTQ Affairs — the first county-level office of its kind in the US. Its work supporting the health + housing needs of local community members is a testament to over 40 years of progress.

Reflecting on this progress, Ken believes there’s a lot people can learn. “I think gay or straight people in San Jose don’t know our history or all the fights we had to battle,” he said. “I think it can give people hope and inspiration that this is as good of a place to do those battles as San Francisco or Los Angeles — and maybe more important because there are fewer of us. That’s allowed a lot of people to become leaders.”

In San Jose, LGBTQ+ pride events welcome all. | Photo via Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrations today

Now that you’re feeling inspired — check out some of the ways San Jose is celebrating Pride Month this June:

Community events

Proud of My Family | Sat., June 4 | 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose | $15 non-members, free for members | This celebration will include a parade, craft activities, a swag bag of Pride goodies + more.
“Coming Out” Exhibit Farewell | Sun., June 5 | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | History Park, 635 Phelan Ave. | Free entry | Enjoy a day of food, performances, and community activities to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ history exhibit that will leave History Park on June 26.
Pride Month at City Hall | Tues., June 7 | 5-6 p.m. | 200 E. Santa Clara St. | Free | Join San Jose’s official Pride Month celebrations including singing, dancing, a flag-raising ceremony, and special lighting in the Rotunda.

Social gatherings

QTAPI Pride Mixer | Thurs., June 2 | 6-8 p.m. | SoFA Market, 387 S. First St. | Free | Mingle with fellow queer + trans Asian Pacific Islanders.
4th Annual Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival | Fri., June 10-Sun., June 12 | Times vary | Double Tree by Hilton, 2050 Gateway Pl. | $25+ | Join the Lak’ech Dance Academy for a weekend of workshops, a Bachata challenge, a pool party, and social dancing.
Drag Queen Bingo | Thurs., June 16 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | S27 Alehouse & Brewery, 461 Perrymont Ave. | Free | Win prizes at this audience-participation comedy show.

Activism

Special Screening of Queer Silicon Valley | Wed., June 15 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Recovery Café San José, 80 S. Fifth St. | Free | This documentary memorializes local LGBTQ+ activists from the 1970s to the present day.
Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Workshop | Fri., June 24 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This interactive workshop will share local LGBTQ+ history, resources, and ways to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable community.