San Luis Obispo proclaims June Pride Month; local center urges continued support

Mayor Erica A. Stewart read a proclamation on June 17 declaring June 2025 as Pride Month in the City of San Luis Obispo and urged residents to “respect and honor our diverse community.” The proclamation recognized the resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer residents and called for continued efforts toward acceptance and safety.

The proclamation was accepted by Linnea Valdivia, program manager at the GALA Pride & Diversity Center. Valdivia thanked the council and said civic affirmations like proclamations “really matter” because they tell LGBTQ people that “they are seen” and that their years of activism “are honored.”

Valdivia outlined three areas of work for the center: expanding access to culturally competent healthcare, promoting LGBTQ arts and history, and increasing civic engagement. On healthcare, she cited the U.S. Transgender Survey finding that many transgender people avoid care because of negative experiences and noted local limits on culturally competent services. On the arts, she reported that a partnership exhibit with the History Center and the Queer Archive Project broke attendance records during Pride Month. On civic engagement, she said the center is working on voter outreach, coalition building and advocacy training.

The council’s proclamation and Valdivia’s remarks came as similar affirmations in other jurisdictions face rollback, she said, and she thanked the council for “leaning in” to send a message that “everyone belongs here.”

The proclamation did not carry a separate council vote on policy changes; it was read as a civic recognition and ceremonial item on the council’s agenda.