San Diego LGBT Pride

In the last 50 years, Pride has grown from a riot against police brutality to a global movement for LGBTQ justice. Fernando López will walk through the history and evolution of Pride, both globally and locally, and the role of Pride in San Diego today. Caroline Dessert will discuss the ongoing efforts to serve and advocate for our local LGBTQ community, particularly youth and seniors.

Fernando Z. Lopez is the Executive Director for San Diego LGBT Pride. He moved to San Diego in 1999 as a homeless youth and has since become a prominent LGBT community leader through his work with organizations such as Equality California and Marriage Equality USA, advocating for the rights of LGBT individuals, couples, and families. In his time with San Diego Pride, Fernando oversaw the creation and growth of Pride Youth Leadership Academy, Youth Internship Program, Pride Youth Lunch Bunch, and Pride Youth Marching Band that foster leadership skill development in LGBTQ+ young people.

Caroline (Cara) Dessert, Esq. is the Chief Executive Officer of The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Prior to being named CEO, she served as the organization’s Chief Development and Community Engagement Officer.

Dessert was previously the executive director of Immigration Equality, a national organization focused on LGBT immigrant rights. She worked closely with the Obama Administration, as well as local, state and national organizations working at the intersection of LGBT and immigrant rights. She served in the California Department of Justice in the Office of the Attorney General as a Deputy Attorney General in the Public Rights Division, Consumer Law Section.