Santee Pride draws hundreds of people for LGBTQ+ walk, faith and community
Hundreds of people gathered in East County on Saturday for the Santee Pride Walk and Festival, the first Pride celebration of the season in San Diego County.
Hosted by Santee United Methodist Church, the event brought together LGBTQ+ community members, allies, families and nonprofit organizations for a day focused on visibility, inclusion and support.
Emma Bagnas spent the morning volunteering. She is an electrical engineer, church member and transgender woman.
“There is some religious trauma and so there’s a negative connotation with church and religion,” Bagnas said. “But I think spirituality and belief in a higher power is so very important to get through times like these.”
The Rev. Jaime Pangman has led Santee United Methodist Church since the COVID-19 pandemic and said the congregation has worked to create an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ people.
“Affirming says we see who you are and we love who you are,” he said. “Not, ‘You’re welcomed as long as you leave these parts of yourself at home.’”
Since its launch in 2023, the annual Pride event has grown beyond a small church gathering. Participants walked along nearby Santee streets with the help of safety volunteers providing safe crossing at large intersections.
The festival also included nonprofit organizations serving LGBTQ+ youth and families. Among them was Rainbow Spaces, which provides programs and resources for young people throughout the region.
“Everything we do is inclusive,” said Rainbow Spaces Executive Director Nadia Keanayub. “We’re not just open to queer youth. We’re open to all youth who want to come out, and that makes it better because then they see representation within their own peers.”
Her 10-year-old daughter, Layla, helped staff the organization’s booth and spoke about the importance of participation and acceptance.
“Children are no different than adults,” Layla said. “We can do the same thing they can.”
For Bagnas, the event demonstrated the power of community in the face of adversity.
“Because we’re an easy target, it’s hard for such a small population to fight back,” she said. “So where I find hope is in community.”
Next weekend, Pride by the Beach will take place in Oceanside. San Diego Pride Week begins July 11.
