- 2025 -

PRIDE

At St. Paul's Cathedral

Celebrate Pride with us!

St. Paul’s Cathedral is committed to celebrating the spirit of Stonewall and Pride with our LGBTQ+ siblings as we seek to be the Cathedral for the City of San Diego. Regardless of race, religion, or creed, Pride is about the whole community indivisibly, and we are grateful for the diversity expressions that come with all the colors of the rainbow. We honor those who fought for this visible sign of Pride by embracing every expression of it. We hope you will join us in the below events!

Cathedral Of Light: Summer Sound Healing

Saturday, July 12, 3 pm, In Person

Immerse yourself in a 90-minute journey of deep relaxation and renewal. Let your senses be guided by the harmonious blend of crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, stringed instruments, drums, and more – crafted by skilled sound artists and healers to bring balance and peace to your mind, body, and soul.

This event is more than a moment of personal wellness – it’s a celebration of love, inclusivity, and community. In honor of San Diego Pride, we’re dedicating this gathering to support LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Your presence helps uplift young lives, promote diversity, and foster a more compassionate and inclusive world for all.

For Additional Details & Tickets (Click Here)

Light up the Cathedral: A Pride Interfaith Celebration

Wednesday, July 16, 7 pm, In Person or watch on our YouTube channel.

Join us for Light Up the Cathedral, an inspiring interfaith service marking the start of Pride Week in San Diego. This special evening brings together diverse faith communities to celebrate unity, love, and acceptance, illuminating the cathedral with vibrant colors and powerful messages of inclusivity. Be part of this uplifting event as we honor the spirit of Pride and stand together in solidarity, embracing the beauty of love.

Photo Credit: Susan Forsburg

Pride Parade & BBQ

Saturday, July 19, 10 am, In Person

If you wish to walk in the parade with us, meet in the 6^th Ave. Dean’s Courtyard at 8 am. We will leave from there to the staging area at 8:30 am. Simple eucharist will start at 9 am and step off will be 10:30 am. Wear sunscreen, hats, good shoes, umbrellas, water you can walk with, flags are allowed but No Banners. Route takes about 45 minutes, we are contingent #40 in the pink area.

If you are unable to walk and need to ride the Trolley, please email Susan Jester (jesters@stpaulcathedral.org). You will need to be at the cathedral at 7:30 am.

The parade ends in Balboa Park so we will be practically back at the Cathedral. A Free BBQ picnic will be waiting for us in the Dean’s courtyard, starting about 11:30 am.

Pride Sunday

Sunday, July 20

8 am Holy Eucharist
9 am Forum,
10:30 am Choral Eucharist In Person or streamed on YouTube.

St. Paul’s Cathedral continues to celebrate Pride at our morning services and forum. Join us for joyful worship, affirming services and welcome our special guest preacher.

Photo Credit: Susan Forsburg

About our guest preacher, Rev. Drew Stever:

Rev. Drew Stever (they/he) currently serves as Lead Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Hollywood, CA. Born and raised in the Midwest, he earned his Bachelors in Religion from Hamline University and his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In the summer of 2016, the Holy Spirit came to Drew in a dream and let him know that he did not need to be angry anymore. Intuitively, Drew understood this to mean that he could live his authentic truth as male. In the fall of 2016, just before the US presidential election, Drew came out as transgender. His story of transformation has been spotlighted by CBS News’ “The State of Spirituality” and publications like The Advocate.

At Hope Lutheran, Pastor Drew emphasizes all are truly welcome and celebrated at God’s table without exception. Rooted in the foundational belief that as God’s creation, we receive God’s grace freely, Pastor Drew seeks to interrupt the messages of the world that tell us that we are not good, we are not worthy, and that we are not enough.

Pastor Drew’s spiritual practices include paying attention to the rhythms of nature, saying “thank you,” sitting silently and listening deeply to the ocean, and listening to Britney Spears.

Pastor Drew lives in Ventura County with his wife Hazel, their three children, two dogs, and a garden that is still unsure if it wants to grow or not.

Forum: From Outcast to Priest

Join us for our morning forum to hear the story of how the Spirit, moving in mysterious ways, slowly but surely, transforms a disillusioned, LGBTQ+-identified, unchurched skeptic into priest. Followed by an open question period on Sunday’s sermon or the topic of gender. Forum led by our guest preacher Rev. Brynn Craffey at 9 am in the Dean’s Courtyard.