"This Feels Healing" Pride Week 2026

For us, participating in San Diego Pride is a joyful witness that God's love extends to every person. We began Pride Week with our summer sailing kickoff that reminded us that creation itself proclaims God's goodness. Out on the water, students, alumni, and friends found space to reconnect, laugh together, and experience the beauty of the world God has made. That spirit carried into the raising of the Pride flag at SDSU, where our campus community affirmed that faith and authenticity belong together.  "One of the best things that SDSU does in that it lifts up talent and authentic stories about why inclusion matters," recalled The Rev. Darin Johnson, Agape's Executive Director and Campus Pastor. The week continued with Light Up the Cathedral, a moving celebration of prayer, music, and hope that reflected the community at its best by proclaiming that all are beloved children of God.

One of the joys of San Diego Pride was celebrating with Ruth, who found a welcoming community at San Diego State through Lutheran Student Association (LSA) in the 1970s. LSA later became Agape House under the combination of the ELCA in 1988. Alongside Ruth, ten of us joined nearly dozens of members of Lutherans for Love in vibrant witness to God's inclusive love.

We felt inspired gathering with so many supporters of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) movement, hear stories of faith and belonging, and share in the joy of a community committed to ensuring everyone knows they are loved by God. Moments like these remind us that campus ministry creates connections that extend far beyond graduation, nurturing faith, friendship, and hope for years to come.

The celebration reached its joyful culmination walking alongside Christians from many traditions and reminded us that the Gospel calls us not only to welcome, but also to stand publicly with our neighbors in love, justice, and compassion.  For college students especially, seeing communities of faith show up with joy and humility offers a powerful reminder that they do not have to choose between their faith and their identity, or between their convictions and their commitment to inclusion.  “I grew up in a very conservative Lutheran church so being here with Lutherans in San Diego Pride is so wonderful,” shared Luca, a third year student leader with Agape at SDSU.  He continued, “It’s something that never would’ve happened in the church that I grew up in. It feels healing and I’m so happy to be here. Everyone’s so kind.”

Pride week was more than a series of events; it was a pilgrimage of community, courage, and celebration, bearing witness that God's abundant love is present on our campuses, throughout our city, and in every person created in God's image.