Letter From The President

As we move into 2026, I find myself asking a simple but profound question: What does Pride mean to me?
What does it mean to be proud in the face of discrimination? What does Pride look like when those in power are actively waging war on our Trans siblings and on diversity, equity, and inclusion in real time?

These attacks on our community are, sadly, nothing new. We have been fighting this fight for generations—and we are still here. We are still visible. And we are still refusing to be erased.

When darkness creeps in and the loudest voices are rooted in fear and division, Pride asks more of us. It asks us not only to shine our light—but to shine brighter than ever. Even when the world feels heavy and the odds feel stacked against us, Pride demands that we show up, speak out, and stand tall.

Tennessee Williams once wrote, “If you can't whisper, it is wise to shout.” Pride is that shout.

Pride is bravery.
Pride is visibility.
Pride is being so unabashedly yourself that your existence becomes a beacon for others.

Pride is volunteering. Pride is getting involved in your local community. Pride is protesting. Pride is choosing love—again and again—even when it’s hard.

So let this be my call to action: support our Trans siblings loudly and unapologetically. Show up—to rallies, to meetings, to each other. Invest your time, your resources, and your voice into the communities that protect and uplift us. Build chosen family. Create safe spaces. Refuse silence. Refuse fear. Refuse to disappear.

Because when we fight for love, when we fight for what is right, the world around us becomes a little brighter. The weight of the darkness lifts—and hope takes hold.

Please be safe. Find your community. Get involved. And never forget: your light matters, your voice matters, and your Pride is an act of resistance.

Brandon Chavez
Interim President Of The OC Pride Board