The City of Irvine invites the community to come together for the fifth annual Pride in Irvine event Friday, May 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Irvine Civic Center Piazza. Held in recognition of Harvey Milk Day and June Pride Month, this gathering is a moment to honor identity, celebrate progress, and stand in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The evening will feature the raising of the Progress Flag in front of City Hall — a powerful symbol of inclusion and unity. Guests are invited to engage with local organizations, explore community resources, and take part in light refreshments and activities in an open, welcoming setting designed for community connection. 

Harvey Milk Day, observed each year on May 22, honors the legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was a trailblazing advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights until his assassination in 1978. The day was officially recognized by the State of California in 2009. 

The Progress Flag, which will fly at City Hall from May 22 through June 30, represents the diversity and intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide. Its display recognizes significant milestones in the movement for equality, including the anniversaries of the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision on June 26, 2015, which affirmed same-sex marriage as a constitutional right, and the start of the Stonewall riots on June 28, 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQIA+ history. 

The Irvine Civic Center Piazza is located at 1 Civic Center Plaza. Learn more about Pride in Irvine at cityofirvine.org/pride.