SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The kickoff to San Diego Pride weekend continues in Hillcrest, following the Spirit of Stonewall Rally.

While many of the attendees say they’re excited for the celebrations over the weekend, they also mentioned the importance of remembering where the Pride movement began.

Hundreds of San Diegans showed up to Hillcrest for the 50th Spirit of Stonewall Rally ready to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

“We’re still in that point in life where we still have to be out there,” said Cesar Reyes, the winner of the community service award. “We have to show up and showcase ourselves.”

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While attendees got the Pride weekend party started, Benjamin Nicholls with the Hillcrest business association says the gathering has a deeper meaning for the LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s great to have a party and we’re gonna have a party, but we’ve got to remember what pride is really all about,” Nicholls said.

The kickoff event calls back to the Stonewall Riots which took place in New York in 1969, becoming the catalyst for the gay rights movement.

“Pride did start as an uprising, but it was an uprising against folks who were trying to limit our joy,” said Kristin Flickinger, the interim director of San Diego Pride.

That’s why Flickinger says they’re trying to keep the movement alive.

“Everything that we’ve fought for can go away in a minute,” Reyes said.

San Diego Pride says they named this year’s theme “Unbreakable Pride and Unshakeable Power” to strengthen the community in spite of challenges.

“That almost activist mentality is really infused in the event this year,” Nicholls said.

San Diego Pride says they’ve donated $3.5 million, raised through ticket and drink sales, to support organizations dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

“It’s a coming together. It’s a uniting at really challenging times,” Flickinger said.

San Diego Pride honored several activists and organizations, including Bears San Diego for their work to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ community members.

“It’s hard to go into a place when you’re new to the community,” said Donnie Vella, a spokesperson for Bears San Diego said.

Vella says the organization began their work 30 years ago, and now, he’s honored to be recognized by the Stonewall service award.

“We look for people that are vulnerable in the community that maybe don’t have a mentor or someone to talk to, and we try to be that welcoming committee,” Vella said.

Many people like Vella say there’s no better place to welcome in Pride weekend than in Hillcrest— the home of the LGBTQ+ community.

“As much as we have the gloom and doom of the political climate, it’s also a time to celebrate,” Reyes said.

The San Diego Pride celebrations aren’t over yet.

The parade kicks off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the festival which begins at noon.

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