project leader
Alex M
location
520 S Richmond Rd
(Indian Wells Valley)
latest update rss
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the project

Ridgecrest PRIDE started with a long-time need in the Indian Wells Valley (especially in Northeastern part of California’s Kern County)- to create space for people who identify as  lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or their allies to acknowledge themselves and each other as a vibrant, vital part of the larger community not in spite of who they are, but because of who they are. This will be a historic event for the town of Ridgecrest, its neighboring town of Inyokern, and the military installation that supports the city, Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, CA. A homecoming, a coming out, and outreach event, all in one day.

Besides the capital city of Kern County, Bakersfield, there was no other event that brought together the people of Kern County and the surrounding communities for one purpose alone, to celebrate PRIDE. Not until Pride Month 2018, Bakersfield’s neighboring city of Tehachapi held their first ever Pride event. Now, more than ever, it’s our turn!

All donations received today will go towards Phase I of our fundraising efforts which is to secure Laila Ireland as our Featured Guest. As the City of Ridgecrest prides itself in being a military town, it is no surprise that the Pride Planning Committee wanted to honor the military heritage and support that NAWS China Lake has provided. We need your help to bring our Featured Guest, Laila Ireland, to our city's Pride Festival next year. Army veteran and wife of USAF Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland, Laila Ireland, has accepted our invitation to be our Featured Guest at next year's Pride celebration. Logan and Laila Ireland, a transgender military couple, created an "op doc" titled "Transgender, at War and in Love." The documentary has been recognized as one of the key events that led to the repeal of the ban on transgender service members.

the steps

With your donation today, we will be able to secure Laila Ireland as our Featured Guest for the 2019 Ridgecrest Pride Festival. 

 

why we're doing it

It is our mission of the Ridgecrest PRIDE to provide a safe place of inclusive and authentic self-expression for the LGBTQ+ community of the Indian Wells Valley and their allies. Our vision is to create space where people within the LGBTQ+ community will not only feel inspired by the celebration to be who they truly are but become empowered to help others achieve the same goal.

Despite being one of the major cities in California’s Kern County and supported by the largest U.S. Naval base in the world (in terms of land), Ridgecrest has never had an LGBTQ+ PRIDE celebration. Support from the community remains restricted to small pockets, while some local politicians and religious leaders still adopt openly hostile positions due to the county’s strong conservative beliefs and attitudes. There is a lack of open acceptance and representation for the queer population.

We strongly feel that this will send a strong message of support to the queer community of the Indian Wells Valley.

 

budget

DISBURSED AMOUNT (4.17.19)

Featured Guests - $461.63

 



TOTAL RAISED = $500.00
less ioby Platform Fee waived
less ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $23.81
less ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $14.56
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $461.63

 

ORIGINAL BUDGET

Featured Guests- $1,500



SUBTOTAL = 1,500
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $75
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $45
TOTAL TO RAISE = $1,655

 

updates

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photos

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donors

  • Anonymous

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