The City Council today declared July as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in the city of San Diego.
A proclamation, presented by councilmen Carl DeMaio and Todd Gloria, calls San Diego a "trailblazing city'' led by Mayor Jerry Sanders, who frequently speaks out on behalf of marriage equality.
Gloria said the council unanimously supported the change of the name of a Hillcrest roadway to Harvey Milk Street and a 65-foot pole in the center of the city's LGBT community that will fly a rainbow flag.
"San Diego is at the forefront of LGBT rights,'' Gloria said.
DeMaio, who is running for mayor against Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, said the city is extremely diverse socio-economically, ethnically and in sexual orientation.
"By every measure, this council has stood for diversity and tolerance in San Diego and you've reflected the best of San Diegans,'' DeMaio said. "San Diego leads the way when it comes to tranquility and that's something to be proud of.''
The council declaration came three days before the 38th annual Pride Weekend begins.
Events are scheduled to begin Friday with the raising of the rainbow flag at University Avenue and Normal Street.
The Pride Parade is set for Saturday at 11 a.m., running along University Avenue in Hillcrest and Sixth Avenue to Balboa Park, the site of a weekend-long entertainment festival.
Comic Sandra Bernhard will be the headliner at the festival Saturday night. Sunday night, the festival will wrap up with a performance by British singer Natasha Bedingfield.
