2026 Pride Empowerment Academy Application

Pride Empowerment Academy Application

2026 Cohort
Please fill out the application below to be considered for the 2026 Pride Empowerment Academy cohort.

Who & What:

Anyone is welcome to apply! Prior experience in advocacy or organizing is not required.

The Pride Empowerment Academy is a cohort-based program designed for LGBTQIA+ and allied folks who would like to build or grow their advocacy, activism, and organizing skills. The curriculum integrates essential organizing theories, vision-building, and practical tactics to empower participants in their advocacy efforts.

Every program day we'll meet to discuss, learn and engage Pride's 7 Pillars of Justice - where liberation theory meets praxis in our community.

Dates:

Cohort members must be present at all cohort dates. Reasonable exceptions will be made for health or extenuating circumstances.
1. Saturday, January 10 (Health Justice)
2. Sunday, January 11 (half day)
3. Saturday, February 7 (Racial Justice)
4. Saturday, March 7 (Gender Justice)
5. Saturday, April 4 (Repro Justice)
6. Saturday, May 9 (Economic Justice)
7. Saturday, June 6 (Environmental Justice)
8. Sunday, June 27 (Disability Justice)
9. GRADUATION (PRIDE PARADE): Saturday, July 18 (9am-2pm)
Accessibility:

San Diego Pride strives to meet all access needs of its cohort participants. Please be sure to note any access needs or accommodations in the Accessibility section below!

Questions & Contact:

If you have any questions, please contact advocacy@sdpride.org
Personal Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
(Please provide the name you go by; this does not need to be your legal name.)
Pronouns
e.g. they/them, she/her, he/him, no pronouns, etc
Date of Birth (optional)

MonthDayYear
Date
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number. You may receive occasional text message reminders from San Diego Pride.
LinkedIn Profile or Personal Website
Background Information
1. Please describe your current involvement in the LGBTQIA+ community*.
Briefly describe any roles, organizations, or activities you are involved in.
2. What motivated you to apply for the Pride Empowerment Academy?
Explain your interest and what you hope to achieve through this program.
Describe any previous experience you have in community organizing or activism.
[Provide details about past experiences, roles, or projects.]
What specific skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from this program?
List any skills or areas of knowledge you are particularly interested in developing.]
Schedule & Availability
The mandatory dates of the Pride Empowerment Academy are:
1. Saturday, January 10 (Health Justice)
  Saturday, February 7 (Racial Justice)
  Saturday, March 7 (Gender Justice)
  Saturday, April 4 (Repro Justice)
  Saturday, May 9 (Economic Justice)
  Saturday, June 6 (Environmental Justice)
  Sunday, June 27 (Disability Justice)
  GRADUATION (PRIDE PARADE): Saturday, July 18 (9am-2pm)
Are you available to attend the sessions on the dates listed above?*

YesNo
Please list any potential conflicts or commitments that may affect your participation.
Include any known scheduling conflicts or other obligations.
Accessibility Information & Requests
While participating in this program, cohort members can expect to engage in group discussions, hear from guest speakers, and engage in some hands-on experiences that may occur off-site of the primary location of the cohort meetings.

The cohort meetings will be primarily held indoors at the San Diego Pride office in North Park. Street parking, including accessible parking, is available. The building is accessible by bus/public transportation. If travel is required for off-site experiences, travel arrangements will be provided by San Diego Pride. The building is fully accessible for mobility devices and All-gender single-stall restrooms are available in the building.

San Diego Pride will endeavor to meet all access needs and accommodations requested here to the best of our ability.

Any access needs identified and/or accommodation/support requests identified below will not impact the success or failure of your application.
Do you require any accommodations or support to participate fully in the program?
Please detail any specific needs or accommodations you may require. This may include things like ASL Interpretation, large-print materials, availability of quiet(er) space, scent-safer environment, an environment safe for a service dog, etc.
Do you have any allergies (food or otherwise) and/or dietary restrictions that we should be aware of?
Additional Information
Is there anything else you would like us to know about your application?
What are your favorite snacks to have on-hand for a long day?
What is your go-to song for karaoke? (For the cohort playlist)
Demographic Information (optional)

This information is entirely optional. We ask for demographic information so that we can assess our impact and reach within the breadth of San Diego's LGBTQIA+ and allied communities. These answers will not have an impact on your application to the Pride Empowerment Academy.
Race/Ethnicity (select all that apply)

Black or African AmericanIndigenous (American Indian/Alaska Native)Latinx/LatineWhiteChineseFilipinoJapaneseKoreanVietnameseSouth AsianOther AsianNative HawaiianGuamanian or ChamorroSamoanOther Pacific IslanderMultiracial
Sexual Orientation: Which of the following best represent how you think of yourself?

LesbianGayBisexualQueerAsexualTwo-Spirit (*indigenous term)HeterosexualDon't knowPrefer not to answerI use a different term (please specify)
Gender Identity: What terms best express how you describe your gender identity? (Select all that apply)

WomanManNon-binaryTwo-Spirit (*Indigenous term)Prefer not to answerI use a different term (please specify)
Physical Sex: What was your physical sex assigned at birth?

FemaleMaleIntersexNone of thesePrefer not to answer
Professional Affiliation (if any)

Self-employedPolitician/Elected OfficialStudentNonprofitRetiredEducationGovernmentFor-profit businessOther (please specify)
Participation & Attendance Clause

By completing this form, you acknowledge your commitment to attend the scheduled sessions. Participants are allowed one excused absence and flexibility for emergencies; however, we expect all participants to engage to their fullest capacity.
Consent & Signature: By submitting this application, I confirm that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I am committed to attending and actively participating in the Pride Empowerment Academy if selected.

Clear
Should be Empty:

Pride Empowerment Academy Application

Personal Information

Background Information

Schedule & Availability

Accessibility Information & Requests

Additional Information

Demographic Information (optional)

Participation & Attendance Clause