A Note from Our Executive Director

15 April 2025

First, I would like to thank everyone who has responded with support for Andry José Hernández Romero. We all agree that his treatment is barbaric, and he should be released immediately.

After receiving a text from a community member demanding SF Pride name Andry an honorary grand marshal, I shared that request with our board president. We deeply honor the sentiment behind that call. At the time, we felt the best thing we could do was issue a public statement calling for his release.

Since then, we’ve consulted with members of our board, including those from queer migrant communities. We also reached out to other queer leaders of migrant organizations here in the Bay Area. What we heard was clear: the issue deserves more attention than a symbolic gesture – it requires deep, sustained action and input from those living this reality every day.

That is why we have chosen to take thoughtful, collective action. SF Pride will partner with Michelle Meow to bring queer and migrant leaders together so that the broader community can hear directly what is being done and what resources are needed. We will also dedicate a significant portion of the Human Rights Summit on Thursday of Pride Week to highlight this important issue and center the voices of impacted communities.

This is how we are supposed to tackle issues: Speak with the affected community. Listen to how they want you to show up. Accept criticism with love and humility. Then, take action with responsibility.

I know that not everyone will always agree with my decisions in this role, but this work is not about me. It is about the people that we serve. I have the greatest job in the world that allows me to fight injustice every day.

In love and service,