17: It's Time for Pride

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – [Tacoma Pride](http://tacomapride.org/)! This week Jessica chats with Jarel Sanders and Manny Santiago about Pride, what it means to them and what they are most excited for this year. Jarel, an [Associate Board](https://www.253club.org/) member at the YWCA, reflects on [the history of Pride and the people who made Pride possible](https://www.biography.com/news/stonewall-riots-history-leaders) for so many of us today. Manny Santiago is the Executive Director of the [Rainbow Center](http://www.rainbowcntr.org/), which is the primary organizer of Tacoma Pride, and he looks forward to connecting with his LGBTQ ancestors and what we can build in the future for LGBTQ people.

[Tacoma Pride](http://tacomapride.org/) has a rich history of its own, beginning as a community effort to celebrate Pride through STD prevention. Since this Tacoma Pride has grown and changed, with its focus shifting to honoring the LGBTQ community and all that this community does for the South Puget Sound Region. Tacoma Pride is a weeklong celebration with family-friendly events of every type that begins with the Pride flag raising and the Rainbow City Awards that honor six Tacomans who have been outstanding in their LGBTQ-centered work. Make sure you stop by Pride throughout next week, and if you are at Pride on Pacific Ave this Saturday stop by the YWCA tent and say hi!