News Summary
The San Diego Pride Festival is under fire as multiple Jewish organizations organize a boycott in response to headlining artist Kehlani’s controversial remarks regarding Israel and Gaza. Scheduled for July 19–20, the festival will feature Kehlani and Kim Petras, amidst concerns over community inclusivity and leadership transparency. San Diego’s Mayor and other officials have also opted out of attending, while the Pride Military Department cites safety issues. The festival’s board is seeking to address community concerns through investigations and audits.
San Diego – The San Diego Pride Festival is facing significant backlash as several Jewish organizations and community members declare a boycott over headlining artist Kehlani’s controversial remarks on Israel and Gaza. The festival is scheduled to take place at Balboa Park’s Marston Point on July 19–20, 2025, featuring Kehlani alongside fellow headliner Kim Petras. The event will showcase over 100 performers across four stages under the theme “Unbreakable Pride. Unshakeable Power.”
General admission tickets for the festival are currently on sale, with one-day passes priced at $39 and two-day tickets available for approximately $64. VIP passes are set at around $233. Young attendees aged high school and younger can receive free admission by collecting a ticket at the festival’s box office, while seniors aged 65 and over can purchase discounted $15 general admission tickets in person. Proceeds from the event will support San Diego Pride’s year-round initiatives focused on LGBTQ+ arts, culture, education, and advocacy.
The controversy erupted following Kehlani’s outspoken support for the Palestinian cause, which many have interpreted as antisemitic. A notable point of contention is a music video in which Kehlani included the phrase “Long live the Intifada,” a message some critics argue endorses violence against Jews. Kehlani has since denied any allegations of antisemitism, claiming her stance is “anti-genocide” and specifically against the actions of the Israeli government.
The growing concern over Kehlani’s comments led San Diego’s Mayor Todd Gloria and several other elected officials to announce their decision not to attend the Pride Festival. Additionally, major institutions such as UC San Diego and UC San Diego Health have withdrawn their support. A coalition of Jewish organizations has moved forward with plans for a boycott and is organizing a separate Pride event on the same weekend, aiming to create a more inclusive space for their community.
The fallout from the headliner controversy has also prompted the Pride Military Department to announce its non-participation in the parade, citing safety concerns for LGBTQ+ military community members. Community members have expressed deep dissatisfaction with San Diego Pride’s management and communication practices, voicing concerns over a perceived “lack of transparency” and inadequate community engagement.
In light of these criticisms, San Diego Pride’s board has acknowledged the situation and is actively seeking to address community concerns, which include hiring outside personnel for consultation and an internal investigation. Critics have pointed to recent leadership changes within the organization as contributing factors to the ongoing turmoil.
San Diego Pride has publicly characterized the backlash it faces as a “coordinated attack,” suggesting that it undermines the organization’s leadership and detrimentally impacts the wider LGBTQ+ community. To further these efforts, the organization has commenced an internal audit in response to community feedback, although the specifics of its findings remain uncertain.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how both the festival and the broader community will navigate these significant tensions. The upcoming Pride Festival is set to be an important event not only in celebrating LGBTQ+ culture but also in testing the resilience of its community amidst the existing controversies.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego Pride Under Fire
- 10 News: San Diego Pride Board Crisis
- Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego Pride Festival Lineup
- CBS 8: San Diego Pride Festival Boycotts
- MSN: Jewish Groups Withdraw from San Diego Pride
- Wikipedia: San Diego Pride
- Google Search: San Diego Pride
- Google Scholar: San Diego Pride
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ+
- Google News: San Diego Pride
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
