Powerful Progress
In the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose’s LGBTQ+ movement has been quietly powerful — built by organizers, elected leaders, and everyday people who refused to be invisible.
It began with safe spaces like the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, founded in 1981 and named after a drag performer who symbolized pride and resilience. The DeFrank Center became a vital hub — offering everything from HIV education to youth support to dance nights that gave people room to breathe and be.
Then came Ken Yeager, who made history in 1992 as the first openly gay elected official in Santa Clara County, later serving on the Board of Supervisors and helping push forward policies for marriage equality, healthcare access, and anti-discrimination protections. His leadership paved the way for others to serve authentically and openly.
In 2016, San Jose became the first city in the nation to establish an Office of LGBTQ Affairs at the county level — a bold step in acknowledging not just the presence of LGBTQ+ people, but their right to be represented, resourced, and celebrated.
Each year, Silicon Valley Pride carries that legacy forward — transforming downtown San Jose into a vibrant, defiant, and joyful parade of color and community. From early grassroots activism to government-backed support, San Jose’s Pride isn’t just a celebration — it’s a reflection of decades of organizing, surviving, and thriving.