83 Photos From the Heart of California — Pride Visalia

This area of the state is mostly rural and is sometimes called the "Bible Belt" of California. The area's first major Pride event was in 2017 when The Source LGBT+ Center created Pride Visalia. In Pride Visalia's inaugural year, about 1,500 people attended on a 105 degree June day to support inclusion and equality in the area. This year the crowds neared 4,000 people and had perfect Pride weather. Pride Visalia featured drag shows, food, local vendors, a kids zone, Free Mom Hugs, queer slam poetry, and an LGBT+ Ballet Folklorico, Mexico Moderno. Another popular feature was the Pride Portrait Studio, a professional studio for LGBT+ people and their families.

Venue photo credit: Dana Rosenberg
Pride Portrait Studio photo credit: Elizabeth Jacques
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