What started as a gay rights rally in 1975, evolved into the San Jose Pride Festival in 1976. The following year, 1977, San Jose Pride added a parade to its celebration and from then on has been marking every year with a celebratory week of festivities culminating in a parade through downtown San Jose. In 2014, San Jose Pride changed its name to Silicon Valley Pride to incorporate and bring together neighboring cities and communities around San Jose and to encourage folks from all over to celebrate love in all its forms. Silicon Valley Pride is now the largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in the South Bay and invites everyone -- those who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies -- to their yearly family-friendly event.
SJPL + Silicon Valley Pride
San Jose Public Library is proud to partner with Silicon Valley Pride and supporting the LGBTQ+ community in San Jose. We will be celebrating in person, too! As in previous years, SJPL staff members will be marching in Silicon Valley's Pride Parade--look for our banner, our smiling faces, and our Maker[Space]Ship. Following the parade, the Maker[Space]Ship will be parked at the festival at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. There will be fun rainbow-filled activities, crafts, and, of course, storytimes, too! Stop by our space and say hello -- we would love to see you.
"Proudly Authentic"
Silicon Valley Pride's 2022 theme is "Proudly Authentic" and invites everyone to show up proud and authentic to their festivities this year! The festival will kick-off with an evening festival Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, featuring two stages offering a variety of entertainment from DJs and other live performances from 6:00 - 11:00 PM.
Silicon Valley Pride Parade begins at 10:00 AM Sunday, August 29, 2022. The parade will be along Market Street, starting at Julian Street, and ending at the festival grounds at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The festival grounds will reopen at 12:00 PM at the end of the parade and is guaranteed to have something for everyone. There will be a variety of live performances and music, a Family Garden, a cocktail lounge, a variety of vendors featuring local businesses, artisans, and LGBTQ resources. As well, as, of course an array of food trucks to keep you going all day!
Get out and get together with the community and party with Pride! To keep up to date on what Silicon Valley Pride is planning for this year's Pride event, check out their website for more information.
Pride at Home
SJPL is proud to offer so many LGBTQ+ materials for all ages. Check out some of our booklists for kids and recommended reading for teens and adults. Don't forget our Wee Read Books to Go and Grow prepared by our Early Education department, as well as our YouTube channel for recorded storytimes for children and their families.
Visit our LGBTQ Resource Page for even more recommended reading lists, as well as a curated list of local resources addressing health and community needs across the LGBTQ rainbow.
Want more pictures? SJPL has been actively participating in Silicon Valley Pride for many years. We have some outstanding photos from 2018, 2019, and 2021 on our Flickr page. Browse our photo albums to spot your favorite SJPL staff members!
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