SAN DIEGO — San Diego city leaders joined Pride honorees at city hall Monday morning to kick off San Diego Pride month.
This year marks the 50th year since the first Pride parade was first held in San Diego.
The theme of this year's celebration is "Making History Now."
"Fifty years ago, a small group here in San Diego, very brave brothers and sisters of the LGBTQ community, got together and organized the first Pride parade," said Council Member Jennifer Campbell. "It was so illegal back then that many had to wear a bag over their heads, so they wouldn't be identified. That's how much times have changed."
San Diego City Council Chambers was packed. People dressed up in bright colors and waved Pride flags. The council proclaimed July as "Pride Month."
"When I was a kid, we didn't live in a big city, we didn't have a Pride parade. It would have been reassuring to know there are LGBTQ people all over the place," said Council Member Stephen Whitburn.
"Every year is another young person's first Pride," he added.
Council Member Marni von Wilpert shared her own personal story.
"Last year, I came out as part of the LGBTQ community," she said. "I was met with the most love you have ever seen."
"The antidote to hate, is not tolerance. The antidote to hate is love," she added.
CBS 8 is partnering with San Diego Pride. We will be airing the parade live on the CW for the first time. We will also be live streaming it on CBS 8+ and our digital platforms.
WATCH RELATED: 'Making History Now' | Reflecting on San Diego Pride's history