Students at San Luis Obispo High School are already two whole days into summer. However, it’s not going to be what anyone thought it was going to be, especially for the LGBTQ+ students at SLOHS. 

  June is known as Pride Month, a time when people who are discriminated against for their sexuality and gender come together to celebrate. Pride month is filled with colorful parades, LGBTQ+ events, and, best of all, really happy people who are proud to be who they are!

  But unfortunately, due to COVID-19, San Luis Obispo Pride has been cancelled, a huge letdown for students all over the county and at SLOHS. 

  “I was really hoping to go to the Los Angeles or the San Francisco Pride, but I understand why they were canceled, so I’m just disappointed, not upset,” said sophomore Anthony Meinhold.   

  Sophomore Izzy Nino de Rivera has similar opinions. 

“Everyone else’s health matters and I’m sure the community agrees with me. This year, I was planning to go to pride after not being able to last year when I finally was sure about my sexuality and gender identity, but I had some family problems pop up at that time last year. It’s a huge bummer, but pride parades being cancelled doesn’t stop me from being proud of who I am and how far we’ve come in accepting LGBTQ+ people (and also what work needs to be done),” said Nino de Rivera. 

  For many LGBTQ+ students, summer will come and go and the opportunity to come together and celebrate themselves will not be something that can happen. However, there are still many ways in which students can celebrate who they are. 

  Pride organizations will unite globally to stream “Global Pride 2020, a 24-hour live-streamed event featuring musical and artistic performances, speeches from activists and campaigners, and addresses by public figures.”. 

  For those who will be really missing the local SLO parade, the largest Pride parade in the world, the New York Pride Parade, will be broadcasted on national television on June 28.

  It’s unfortunate that students won’t be able to show their support on the streets of downtown SLO, but there are still many ways to embrace the uniqueness and individuality that every student brings to SLOHS. 

Sources: elle.com, slopride.com