The BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity (ODE), in collaboration with the PRIDE Initiative (PRIDE), the San Mateo County PRIDE Center, and community partners, proudly hosted the 14th Annual San Mateo County PRIDE Celebration on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Central Park in San Mateo. This year’s theme, “Unite, Empower, Resist,” celebrated the strength, resilience, and diversity of LGBTQIA2S+ communities throughout San Mateo County. 

Despite the absence of a parade this year, the event welcomed approximately 4,000 attendees, bringing together community members, families, youth, older adults, allies, service providers and local organizations for a day of connection, celebration and visibility. The celebration featured live entertainment, music, community resource booths, food vendors, youth and family-friendly activities and opportunities for attendees to engage with organizations dedicated to advancing equity, wellness and belonging. Community partners provided information on behavioral health services, healthcare access, advocacy efforts, housing resources and other supportive services available throughout the county. 

Highlights of the event included a Photovoice Pop-Up Exhibit, which elevated community voices and lived experiences through visual storytelling. One exhibit shared the powerful message: “LGBTQ+ wellness means being unafraid to be who we are, not just around friends and family, but in public as well.” Additional highlights included an author reading and community storytelling space, which celebrated the power of lived experience, representation, and collective resilience, as well as support from the Health Ambassador Program (HAP), whose ambassadors provided outreach, engagement, and behavioral health resource navigation throughout the day.  

The success of the event was made possible through the collaboration of community partners, volunteers, vendors, performers, sponsors, County staff, and the many individuals who dedicated their time, energy and passion to creating a welcoming and affirming environment for all. The 14th Annual San Mateo County PRIDE Celebration served as an important opportunity to honor the contributions of LGBTQIA2S+ communities, promote health equity, and strengthen community connections throughout San Mateo County.