S.F. Pride is struggling. Here’s why Oaklash is thriving
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
“[Oaklash’s] leaders said they’re weathering the difficult climate for queer organizations because they’ve been focused on the Bay Area LGBTQ community. The organization has also been careful not to depend too much on any one type of funding and has made sure not to grow beyond its means.
‘It’s proof that something that we thought was sustainable — relying on corporations for our communities — is not a long-term solution,’ said Mama Celeste, co-founder and executive director of Oaklash, referring to funding cuts organizations like San Francisco Pride have faced so far in 2025.
Much of Oaklash’s funding this year comes from individual donors and fundraising events, tactics that rely on community connections and goodwill rather than the whims of politics. This move by the now 8-year-old festival prepared them to navigate the current anti-diversity, equity and inclusion moment the country is facing under the second Trump administration.” - Tony Bravo
People cant stop talking about Oaklash!
Keep scrolling for more recent press about this year’s festival »
KQED:
Oaklash Returns With an Epic Block Party, Drag on Skates and Wellness Workshops
“For diehard drag fans and those new to the scene alike, Oaklash is an ideal destination to appreciate the Bay Area’s multifaceted abundance of gender-bending expression.” - Nastia Voynovskaya
48 Hills:
Eight years in, Oaklash is setting the inclusive drag festival standard
“Eight years after its creation, the event has evolved from a single-street festival into a fledgling nonprofit arts organization offering year-round programing, and an ambitious artist residency program.” - Daniel Sanchez-Torres
Bay Area Reporter:
Oakland’s festival of queer and trans performance returns
“A festival like this is basically like running a small temporary city, and we’ve learned so much about how to create safe and accessible spaces for our community that the rest of the country should learn from us.” - Mama Celeste in conversation with David-Elijah Nahmod