Beyond June: Conversations on Pride and Belonging

**Episode notes** This episode of the "SLO Equity Podcast — Making Space for Every Story", explores Pride beyond the month of June through a conversation with GALA Pride and Diversity Center, San Luis Obispo County's LGBTQIA+ community center. As the first installment in our year-long Pride series, this episode reflects on the history of Pride as both a celebration and a protest, the evolution of LGBTQIA+ advocacy on the Central Coast, and the importance of creating spaces where people can experience belonging. Guests Linnea Valdivia and Trevor Norcross discuss the history of GALA, why Pride still matters today, and what they hope the future of the LGBTQIA+ community in San Luis Obispo County will look like. Trevor also shares his perspective as the father of Lily Norcross, whose experience as a transgender student-athlete in Arroyo Grande became part of a national conversation. Together, they reflect on the power of public narratives and how communities can choose empathy, curiosity, and care over fear and division. **Guests:** - Linnea Valdivia — Program Manager, GALA Pride and Diversity Center - Trevor Norcross — Vice President, Board of Directors, GALA Pride and Diversity Center **Pride All Year Long** In this episode you'll also hear brief excerpts from longer conversations with local LGBTQIA+ community members. Those full interviews will be released individually over the coming months as part of our Pride All Year Long series. The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organizations. **Continue learning:** Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County — https://www.diversityslo.org GALA Pride and Diversity Center — https://galacc.org Resources for Transgender People - https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/ Fact Sheet: Transgender Participation in Sports - https://glaad.org/fact-sheet-for-reporters-transgender-participation-in-sports/