Making History: Pride in Livermore

50 years ago this year, the Stonewall Riots kicked off the beginning of what is today’s modern LGBTQ+ movement, community building, and rights-organizing.  Over the past five decades, many of us have grown up with the words, “Gay” and “Lesbian,” and their shadows, “Faggot,” and “Dyke.” There have been moments of both profound introspection and exposition along the way - notably the AIDS Crisis, the 1987 and 1993 Marches on Washington, and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015.

We’ve learned more about each other, our families and our neighbors, than many of us thought possible, and every year, it seems as if LGBTQ+ representation in our society grows stronger, more diverse, and paradoxically, more divisive than the year before.  It doesn’t need to be this way.

“ Every year, it seems as if LGBTQ+ representation in our society grows stronger, more diverse, and paradoxically, more divisive than the year before.  It doesn’t need to be this way.”

Both of us are relative newcomers to Livermore, but came because of the incredible beauty, strong community, and the safety and tranquility our city offers.  Livermore works its way into the heart in a manner few other cities do, and it’s because we as a community are strong of heart and courageous of vision, that we’re working to bring forth Livermore Pride.

“. . . it’s because we as a community are strong of heart and courageous of vision, that we’re working to bring forth Livermore Pride.”

October is an ideal month in Livermore.  The weather is fair, the days are pleasant, and the traditional Pride season is winding down elsewhere in the country.  It is also National LGBTQ+ History Month and contains National Coming Out Day on October 11.  In many ways, this makes an October Livermore Pride event well-placed.

While our October 19 event will be a celebration, it will also be the beginning, and not the de facto, of what Livermore Pride brings to our town.  There is still prejudice, misunderstanding, isolation, and fear in our world - some of it echoes of the past that haunt those of us who have experienced discrimination and violence first hand, some of it in the present that we seek to change.

“When we posted fliers across downtown this past April asking for anyone who wanted a Livermore Pride event to join us in a discovery conversation, we had no idea what would happen.”

When we posted fliers across downtown this past April asking for anyone who wanted a Livermore Pride event to join us in a discovery conversation, we had no idea what would happen.  The past five months have been… overwhelming. A core group of dedicated allies and volunteers appeared out of the woodwork to help bring a joyful event to bear this October, and lay the foundation for bigger dreams and goals, such as an LGBTQ+ community center.  We might not get everything perfect the first time, but the volume of positive support, heartfelt stories, and goodwill from business owners and residents has sustained us in the attempt.

Livermore is a city in renaissance, one that includes a vibrant central park, embracing its past heritage and looking forward to a bright future.  We are a destination and cultural center, steeped in historic and wine country tradition, and big enough to offer our residents something that along with the many other cultural celebrations, contributes to the fabric of our city.  We aren’t Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco and don’t need the kind of Pride events these cities offer. Ours is one that is uniquely Livermore and rooted in connection, community, and bridge building, keeping us at the center of both the Tri-Valley cultural tradition and crossroads to the Central Valley.

“Ours is one that is uniquely Livermore and rooted in connection, community, and bridge building, keeping us at the center of both the Tri-Valley cultural tradition and crossroads to the Central Valley.”

So, why Livermore Pride? Because even after 50 years, the relevance of Pride remains: our young people still need to see that they aren’t alone in discovering and understanding their identities, our armed forces members still face federal discrimination, our social and political landscape still seeks to marginalize LGBTQ+ citizens, and our world has great strides to make in its understanding.  And Livermore is the perfect city to help shape our collective future.

Lastly, to help create not only this event, but our future foundation, we need your support - please consider donating here 

About the Authors

Tracy Kronzak (they/them) and Amy Rose (she/her) live in Livermore, CA. They enjoy spending their time around town biking, hiking (and the outdoors in general), dancing, catching new movies, discovering new delicious places to eat, and travel adventures together. Both work in the tech industry in support of nonprofits, and pursue artistic and creative avocations in their spare time.