(updated 6/24/2026)

We’re looking forward to marching in the San Francisco Pride Parade on the last Sunday in June—and celebrating our 30th year of United in Spirit!

In a world where the LGBTQ+ community too often finds itself on the receiving end of religious hatred, our United in Spirit contingent offers a different witness: diverse religious leaders, congregations, and spiritual communities standing together in unity to celebrate and affirm the LGBTQ+ community.

DATE: Sunday, June 28th, 2026
ASSEMBLE TIME: 11:00 AM
DECORATE CABLE CAR: 10:30 AM
INTERFAITH GATHERING: 11:45 AM
LATE ARRIVALS: 11:45 AM – Noon
ASSEMBLY LOCATION: Main St. between Howard & Folsom (P1 – West Side)
LINE-UP: #143 – Look for the United in Spirit banner & Cable Car (Cable Car in place by 9:00 AM)
CONTINGENT & WHEEL MONITOR MEETING: 11:15 AM
MARCH/STEP-OFF: 12:00-1:00 PM (guesstimate)

Take BART or Muni underground for easier access. Exit at Embarcadero Station & head towards Main St.

THEME: The 2026 parade theme is “Resistance in Action!“. For 56 years, our LGBTQ+ community has gathered on the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising to demonstrate to the world who we are and what we stand for. All banners and signage need to either display the names of the congregations and religious groups we represent or otherwise reflect our unity with messages welcoming and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community or messages reflecting resistance to hatred, violence and oppression. Relevant scripture, or spiritual messages from your tradition are welcome. However other other political messages or nationalistic flags/signs are not suitable for our contingent. Please don’t hesitate to message me if you have specific questions about what is acceptable

DURING THE MARCH

The United in Spirit contingent will move together two major sections. The front portion of the contingent will focus primarily on Singing Resistance, while the back portion will feature a festive Pride Playlist. Depending on where you are in the contingent and what’s happening around us, you may hear more resistance singing at some times and more Pride music at others.

If you’re marching with a congregation or other group, please let your contingent coordinator, Michael Leslie, know whether your group would like to be in the Singing Resistance section or the Pride Playlist section.

FRONT SECTION

1) Banners & Angel Performer (front of the contingent):
The United in Spirit banners will lead the way, accompanied by our angel performer, and volunteers lifting the fabric wings.

2) Singing Resistance:
Following the banners, Leah Martens of East Bay Singing Resistance will lead short, easy-to-learn protest songs inspired by this year’s parade theme, “Resistance in Action.”

If you’re interested in joining this section of the contingent, here’s a virtual song sheet to help you get familiar with the songs before parade day. You’re also welcome to simply learn them as we march:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/BHZ8MYV530#1wwJT2Yv1Lpn

BACK SECTION

3) The cable car:
The cable car, along with its riders and wheel monitors, will be in the center of the contingent.

4) Pride playlist:
Behind the cable car, City Church San Francisco will pull speakers in a wagon broadcasting a festive Pride playlist for everyone to dance, sing, and celebrate together.

Moving between sections:
You’re welcome to move between sections during the parade. If you’d like to join the Singing Resistance group or head back to the Pride playlist at any point, please be especially mindful around the cable car. Keep a safe distance from the cable car whenever possible, and do not get on or off the cable car once the contingent has started moving. Stay aware of your surroundings and follow the directions of the wheel monitors.

San Francisco Pride has created a safety video for all parade participants so we can get oriented and move together safely and smoothly as one joyous unit up Market Street.

We need a number of volunteers from our contingent to watch the Pride safety video and complete the training survey to insure everyone’s safety! (done)

We expect a large contingent (estimated 385 people), so we will need at least (14) contingent and (4) wheel monitors trained to insure everyone’s safety. Backup is helpful.

After watching the training video, complete the training survey, entering “United in Spirit” as the Contingent name to register.

• Watch Video & Take Survey to Register as a Contingent/Wheel Monitor:
  •  https://sfpride.org/parade-participant-training
    (Share with your group. All participants must watch.)
  • After completing Pride’s training video and survey, please also complete our United in Spirit Safety Volunteer Form so we can keep track. (We have already trained the required number of monitors, but we do need angel volunteers, see below.)

–> Please share the training video and the request for contingent/wheel monitor volunteers with all of the participants from your congregation or group so that we can meet Pride requirements and have everyone prepared for the big day!

For our 30th anniversary, we will have an angel performer in our contingent! We will need six volunteers to help carry the angel wing fabric during the parade. Click here to volunteer.

We have chartered a cable car! All are welcome but those with disabilities or health challenges/impairments that make walking the full route difficult take priority. Request a seat here.

Our contingent has both the cable car riders and walkers. Once the parade starts, walkers may not get on the cable car or get off until the end of the parade, at dispersal.

Note: the speakers and generator will not be on the cable car this year, but will be pulled in a wagon by volunteers from City Church.

Due to crowds and possible delays, allow plenty of extra travel time. It may take 15 minutes or more to get from Market to our assembly area. No parking available and violators are towed. Public transit is highly recommended. Purchase transit tickets a day early.

Prohibited items: Alcohol, glass bottles, illegal drugs or substances, hazardous or toxic materials, firearms, fireworks, explosives, drones, weapons, knives, impact or electric pulse weapons, stunning devices, radios, walkie-talkies, jammers, scanners, any item deemed inappropriate or hazardous by law enforcement and/or security.

For those going to the Celebration at Civic Center following the parade, please note that bags are highly discouraged and no bags over 18” x 18” will be admitted. Soft bags under 18″ x 18″ are ok. Everyone attending the Celebration must pass through the screening process. All items will be subject to inspection at the entry gates, and there are no lockers for storage of oversized bags.

Get ready for the parade!

Each congregation marches together behind the United in Spirit banner carrying their own banners and signs (if they wish).

Show your Pride! The parade is a perfect time to show off your congregation’s LGBTQ-affirming T-shirts, signs, rainbow flags, fabulous outfits, beads, and boas. Some congregations hand out beads, leis, or other pride related items (tagged with congregational info), affirming prayer cards, temporary tattoos, magnets, and so on.

Transit: Have your round-trip transit ticket or pre-loaded Clipper card ready to go before Sunday as there will be long lines at ticket machines. Get traffic and transit information to SF Pride Parade and Celebration by calling 511 or visiting www.511.org. If you’re coming by BART, travel to the Embarcadero Station and exit towards Main St. There can be long waits in the assembly area. Pack water (no glass), light lunch or healthy snacks. Check San Francisco weather on the morning of the parade. Wear layers, comfortable shoes, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen/lip screen!

Smoke-Free & Fragrance-Free Contingent: To help keep our contingent healthy, accessible, and welcoming for all, please refrain from smoking, vaping, or using recreational drugs during the event. San Francisco Pride is a smoke-free event under San Francisco Health Code Article 19L. Please also avoid perfumes, cologne, after-shave, and other scented products. Do not use spray-on sunscreen or other aerosol products in crowded areas, as they may trigger adverse reactions for those with sensitivities.

Special needs: Those who are elderly, disabled or cannot stand for long periods of time can sit on the cable car during assembly.

PARADE DAY TIMELINE

10:30 am: Volunteers arrive to decorate cable car

11:00 am – 11:45 am: Marchers arrive, volunteers check-in and get to know folks
12:00 pm: Late arrivals

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and goes up Market from Beale to 8th St. Some folks arrive early to watch the parade kick off at 10:30 a.m. and then gather in the assembly area at the appropriate time. After arriving at the assembly area, contingent monitors and congregation/group leaders will sign-in with the United in Spirit contingent coordinator, Rev. Michael Leslie. Organizers from each congregation will receive identifying buttons/stickers for their contingent monitors. As we are part of a large parade, there is usually a waiting period in the assembly area. Use this opportunity to take photos and get to know and network with your fellow marchers! You can also add finishing touches to your signs or make-up, and finalize decorations on your banners and outfits.

11:45 pm: Inclusive Interfaith Service

Each year we share in an inclusive gathering in the assembly area before we march. You do not need to hold any particular theology or even be a member of any congregation, to participate. Our hope is this experience will unite us across traditions. Folks from neighboring contingents are always welcome to join us. All are welcome! Those leading the service, please meet at the cable car 10 minutes earlier.

12:00 pm: Wheel Monitors meet with Captain Roger, our cable car driver, following the Interfaith Service.

12:10 Line-Up & Boost with photos. We are #UnitedinSpirit!

Contingent Coordinator Rev. Michael Leslie will line-up the contingents and insure safety and wheel monitors are in place as we prepare to march. Before we step off on the parade route, take time for photos of the contingent, each congregation and group, as well as individuals with their fabulous signs and outfits! Sharing photos from the day along with the reasons we march helps spread the love! You can also take video and photos during the parade and share them with our WhatsApp group and on our Facebook page. Use the hashtag: We are #UnitedinSpirit! to help spread the message and promote future participation. After the parade, write something up for your congregational newsletter and share it with your denomination’s LGBTQ-affirming group.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Step-off and share the love

The Parade goes up Market from Beale and ENDS at 8th & Market. For safety, when we have a cable car, a wheel monitor will be in place at each wheel as we “step-off” and throughout the parade. Pride has greatly reduced delays by improving the parade dispersal plan. However, any estimated step-off time is an approximation. Patience is a virtue! Follow instructions of parade staff, our contingent coordinator, Rev. Michael Leslie and our safety volunteers: wheel and contingent monitors. If interviewed, keep walking to prevent delays and don’t forget tell the interviewer that your congregation is marching with United in Spirit — an interfaith group of LGBTQ-affirming/inclusive congregations. and spiritual groups.

Once we step off onto Market Street, enjoy the experience. Greet the crowds with smiles, songs, dance and hand waves. Keep in mind that it can be quite meaningful for folks to see a person of faith carrying a sign with “God Loves You” or to hear a marcher or say aloud: “God loves/blesses you.” You can also quietly bless people, wishing them happiness, as you pass them, smiling and waving!

Dispersal

The parade ends at 8th & Market! MARCHERS GO FORWARD on Market Street to 9th Street towards the Pride Celebration. VEHICLES & WHEEL MONITORS TURN LEFT (South) down 8th past Mission Street.

Following the parade, check out United in Spirit’s Referrals Booth at the Pride Celebration at Civic Center. The booths will be on Fulton Street, between Larkin & Hyde.

More Details

Assembly

• Be aware there is a waiting period in the assembly area
• Porta-POTTIES should be on the same block or in front of 77 Beale Street (don’t wait, can take 30 minutes!)
• No loud music in assembly area pre-parade!
• Marchers stay on sidewalks in assembly
• Once assigned, remain in line-up position.
• Keep center of street clear

Parade

• March BROAD, spread out to be seen, no single file or clusters
• OUR CONTINGENT IS FAMILY FRIENDLY. NUDITY IS NOT PERMITTED in our contingent, but you might see it at Pride! According to SF Pride: “Nudity is welcome in both parade and celebration areas. Express yourself freely while respecting others’ boundaries and comfort.”
• SF Pride: “Zero tolerance for non-consensual behavior, sexual misconduct, or harassment. We’re a community built on inclusivity, respect, and consent.”
• Don’t stop at TV cameras, keep moving.
• If interviewed, keep walking to prevent delays.
• EVERY contingent will make it on TV/Web
• SMILE, wave, and keep moving at cameras!
• Increase or slow pace to CLOSE GAPS, but no running
• Keep your distance from the cable car during the parade.
• No getting on or off the cable car once the parade has begun.

Safety

• Put personal items in a wearable bag
• NO GLASS containers (plastic/metal OK)
• HAND items to crowd, NEVER THROW!
• No STICKERS with heavy glue backing
• Do not place stickers on public buildings (FINES!)
• NO MYLAR balloons & high-flying streamers (MUNI WIRES!)
• Careful, watch out for grates in the street (tripping hazard)
• BE ALERT and aware of your actions
• Do not engage protesters. Notify Safety Team.
• Report anything suspicious to Police.
• Call 911 in an emergency.
• Stay safe after the parade, DON’T LEAVE ALONE
• YELL OR USE A WHISTLE to signal for help!
• For safety, YOU MUST BE SOBER to participate

Safety Command Center is at 77 Beale Street.

• Special needs assembly waiting area (scent-free) is available at command center (77 Beale Street)
• Parade leadership will be wearing RED T-shirts and gap monitors will be wearing PINK T-shirts.
• Medical staff will be wearing WHITE RockMed T-shirts and SAFETY MONITORS will be wearing LAVENDER T-shirts.
• Please follow ALL their instructions for the safety of everyone.

Media & Legal

• MEDIA NOTICE: Broadcasters will record and transmit the contingent, logos, signs, slogans, and individuals in it, and SFLGBTPCC may retain and use those recordings to promote and advertise future Pride parades, celebrations, and events in any and all media. Participants may be included in the Parade recording and transmission, and your participation constitutes complete consent and permission for SFLGBTPCC to use the recordings as described above.
• LIABILITY DISCLAIMER:  You release from liability and waive any rights to recovery from SF Pride or United in Spirit for any personal, property, or other injuries that You may sustain while participating in SF Pride. You acknowledge Your obligation to obtain appropriate insurance coverage for activities, and participation in relation to SF Pride.
• By participating in the United in Spirit Contingent, you are a consenting party to our contract with SF Pride.
• Your participating in the United in Spirit contingent signifies your agreement to release United in Spirit, Dignity/San Francisco and all their agents, and organizers of any liability, cost, and damages resulting from your participation.

Watch the Parade!

• Broadcast information: TBA

Interviews
If you are asked for an interview, very briefly share part of your story. Who are you and what group are you marching with? Say UNITED IN SPIRIT and your congregation’s name if you are marching with one that is LGBTQ-affirming. Why are you marching? Are you queer and a person of faith? Do you have family members who are queer? Who did you bring with you? How did you/your congregation come to this place where you want to publicly show support LGBTQI people? How are you/your congregation working to make your congregation safe and welcoming to LGBTQI people?

Attitude

One of our goals is to reach out to express our love and support and demonstrate solidarity with our LGBTQI+siblings and to acknowledge our inherent shared human dignity. Marching in the parade is a simple, yet deeply human gesture that conveys these ideals. We encourage participants to smile and be friendly, available, and genuine. As representatives of your spiritual communities, orient yourself to convey love and recognize that as a child of the divine, anyone you meet in the parade has infinite worth in God’s eyes.

We have always received a loving reception from crowds! They respond to the energy we put out. However, if there is a negative confrontation by an angry individual, before or after the parade, don’t get drawn into contention, just say a silent loving prayer for that person, smile, and focus on the folks who are happy to see you.

Because the church and other religious groups have mixed records on LGBTQ issues, there could be a rare case where individuals want to engage in discussion in the assembly area before or after the parade. If you are willing to engage, it can be loving to listen and restate what you understand they have shared with you. It can also be powerful to acknowledge the sins of religious institutions and affirm that we are seeking change! If you do not feel comfortable engaging, you could consider a simple response and clarification: “I understand your feelings. I’m sorry for what the institution did. We are here to share a message of love and acceptance.” Or choose your own respectful and loving words.

Thanks for participating and looking forward to seeing you Pride Sunday!