Sausalito has a long legacy of welcoming all people and embracing many lifestyles. Writers, artists, and musicians — the beats, the hippies and yes — the LGBTQ+ community.
Building on and celebrating this history of inclusiveness, Sausalito is launching its first-ever Pride Celebration June 9-July 2. As one of the original gay meccas in the Bay Area following WWII, Sausalito, like San Francisco, had some of the first “gayborhoods.” Sausalito, reputedly, had more gay bars per capita at the time than San Francisco did!
In the 1960s and 1970s (pre-HIV), a tag line in the gay community was “Take a ferry to San Francisco and bring a fairy home.” There were occasional drag shows in town at a place called the Sausalito Inn, but no real visible gay activity or special events. Sausalito’s inaugural Pride Celebration is going to change that.
A small but mighty, and diverse team has put together Sausalito’s first-ever Pride Celebration, partnering with The Spahr Center, Marin County’s only LGBTQ+ nonprofit. Charles Melton is Chair of the Sausalito Pride program and is joined by committee members Janelle Kellman, Wayne Kaleck, Juli Vieira, Monica Finnegan, Scott Thornburg, Jeffrey Hannan and Michael Rose. The organizers are looking for volunteers and welcome donations.
The City of Sausalito and the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce have both endorsed the Pride Celebration as have many local merchants who are planning programs to celebrate, showcase and support Sausalito’s LGBTQ+ community, culture and history. “I’m proud of Sausalito’s vibrant and inclusive past, and I’m proud that we’re creating an inclusive community for the future as well,” said Sausalito City Councilor and former Mayor Janelle Kellman.
Sausalito Pride Events
Pride Not Prejudice: A multi-media art exhibition
June 9-July 2
Homosocial — a photographic collection of same-gender couples curated by Brian Van Camerik and LBGTQIA+ Art — showcasing original work by 28 LBGTQIA+ California artists curated by Charlie Barboni.
Opening Night Preview Party
Friday, June 9th
Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
SCA will also feature artist lectures and presentations throughout the month.o
A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Literature
Wednesday, June 21st
Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Author Bill W. Jones (Bachelor Father: The First Single Man to Legally Adopt a Child in America) in conversation with Cheryl Popp of Sausalito Books by the Bay. Includes screening of the documentary A Family of My Own — The Bill Jones Story. Free to attend.
Pride Night at Jazz and Blues by the Bay
Friday, June 30th
Gabrielson Park, downtown Sausalito, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Music by Banda Sin Nombre
A free, public event in conjunction with Sausalito’s Park and Recreation summer event series. Equator Coffee, Mollie Stones, and Lappert’s Ice Cream (who will provide Rainbow Sherbet!)
A Night in Drag: A Glam Entertainment Evening
Saturday, July 1st
Gene Hiller Menswear in Sausalito, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A ticketed event hosted by Gene Hiller with Sausalito Pride Ambassadors Wayne Kaleck and Michael Rose. For more information [email protected].
For updates and to learn more about events, volunteering, and donating: sausalitopride.org
