There is a story behind every person who celebrated along University Avenue in Hillcrest, Saturday, during the annual San Diego Pride parade.
It is the year’s largest one-day community event in San Diego County. More than 250,000 people watched along the parade route that stretched from Richmond St. to Balboa Park. They celebrated people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality.
“I’m Jewish, gay, I look like a man, and I get picked on a lot,” said Donna Danzig, 67. She has spent three decades helping lead the parade as a member of the San Diego women’s motorcycle community. Known as “Mz Daddy,” Danzig said she has faced discrimination throughout her life.
She remains comitted to mentor younger people who continue to face hate, harassment, and threats.
“Keep living your dream and standup. Don’t be passive and don’t look the other way,” said Danzig.
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Donna Danzig, 67, has been part of the San Diego Pride Parade for almost 30 years. Saturday, she led the contingent of women motorcycle riders, July 18, 2026.
Along with the party atmosphere and celebration, there was also a reminder of the current political attacks on transgender people and others in the community.
San Diego Pride Executive Director KishaLynn Elliott has lead the organization for six months.
“Let’s understand there’s a lot of work to do and in San Diego Pride I need everyone to get involved as best they can. Whether that’s donating time, money, or just showing up and being in community,” Elliott told NBC 7.
Allies were also recognized in the day’s events.
Alan Villegas traveled from Arizona with his wife and their two children to support friends they love and support. “It’s been tough to make sense of it all. What we do is teach our kids is to be there for everybody else and we push together through anything,” Villegas said.
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The San Diego Pride morning began with a 5K Run and Walk, Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Danzig said she will continue to participate for at least another decade promoting the message of unity. “We’re all together, we’re all here, and we’re all loving with no negativity.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.