🌈 Volunteer Spotlight: Tiffany Baca
Each month, we shine a light on one of the incredible individuals who help make OC Pride a vibrant and welcoming space for all. For July, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Tiffany Baca — a dedicated volunteer whose passion and energy have lit up our community for more than a decade.
Finding Pride—and Purpose
When asked what first inspired her to volunteer, Tiffany takes us back to her teenage years.
“When I was a teenager, I knew I was pansexual but did not feel safe coming out. I didn’t have the support I needed to truly live as my authentic self. That drove me as an adult to look for ways to help give kids now the safety I didn’t have — especially for Orange County youth. I didn’t want any other kids to feel insecure or stifled in the ways I had.”
In 2012, a friend hosted an OC Pride auction fundraiser at their home, and Tiffany jumped at the chance to help out. It turned out to be a pivotal moment:
“I met several board members — who have since become lifelong friends. I’ve been volunteering with OC Pride ever since.”
The Power of Pride
For Tiffany, Pride isn’t just a festival or a parade. It’s a deeply personal affirmation.
“Pride has given me agency by making my voice heard and my humanity seen. Pride has been a way to make a radical display of self-love and acceptance by showing my face in a crowd of other queer folks who are, or are learning to be, their authentic and unapologetic selves. Pride has helped me give back to the community that has supported and loved me unconditionally.”
Louder Than Ever
This year’s OC Pride theme, “Revolutionary: Louder Than Ever,” resonates strongly for Tiffany.
“It’s been a major talking point in these recent months that our country has felt less safe for the queer community, our trans friends especially. This year’s theme sounds like it was made as a response to the feelings of defeat and hopelessness that can permeate in a political climate like this one.”
“Our queer family, our trans family, have always been at the forefront of revolutionary action that has taken us as far as we’ve come today, but there’s more work to do so we need to be louder than ever before! This year it’s a focus less on ‘love is love’ and more ‘trans and queer folks need us now.’”
Moments that Matter
Volunteering has given Tiffany countless memorable moments but one stands out vividly:
“One of the first memories that stands out is after I was photographed riding inside the OC Pride float in the Long Beach Pride Parade. I got several compliments and shoutouts about how fierce, fired up and excited I looked. I knew my newfound passion for volunteering with Pride must’ve been palpable, even in a photo.”
Why Pride Matters
With anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and legislation on the rise nationwide, Tiffany believes community events like OC Pride are more vital than ever.
“Because community means togetherness and support. In today’s age of digital isolation, OC Pride gives us a reason to get outside our routines and have an outlet to speak out, platform ourselves and others, while having fun. I’ve found many of us are looking to feel less alone, less detached, less helpless, and OC Pride has been an outlet to instead feel empowered, together.”
Advice for New Volunteers
Tiffany has simple, heartfelt advice for anyone considering volunteering with OC Pride for the first time:
“Do it! After volunteering at so very many prides all over the state, the early mornings, long days, and late nights have blurred together and faded away. The consistent feeling and memories I’m left with is the joy and satisfaction of knowing I did the most I could to make somebody else’s life easier (and probably more colorful). Even if just one person left our event feeling pride in their authentic self, either for the first time or the hundredth, then my effort was well spent.”
Thank you, Tiffany, for being a shining example of what it means to live authentically, support your community, and inspire others to do the same. OC Pride is louder, prouder, and brighter because of you!
🌈 Interested in joining our volunteer team? Sign up here and become part of something Revolutionary.
