Irvine Tolerance Coalition

06/21/2026

Mission Viejo Pride Saturday, June 21, 2025 12:00 PM 4:00 PM
Family-friendly activities, performances, and community resources.

Save the Date! Mission Viejo Pride’s second annual Pride event will take place Saturday, June 21st, from 12-4PM at their new location— Saddleback College!

06/20/2026

World Refugee Day is an international day organized every year on June 20 by the United Nations. It is designed to celebrate and honor refugees from around the world. The day was first established in June 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs, and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees not only survive, but also thrive.

06/19/2026

Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, and is the oldest known annual observance commemorating the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a celebration of freedom and achievement, gathering family and communities with food, entertainment, spiritual and religious ceremonies, and cultural storytelling. Today, Juneteenth takes on a symbol of pride in African American experiences and ancestral roots that is recognized annually across the country.

06/16/2026

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite 2026 - Anaheim - June 16 and 18, 2026 9:00 - 1:00 am
Come together with family, allies and friends to enjoy an unforgettable and fun-filled evening that recognizes and embraces the LGBTQIA+ community.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disneyland/after-dark-pride-nite/

06/16/2026

The Stop DEI Act, introduced by US Representative Young Kim, is framed as an effort to promote fairness by limiting how institutions consider race, gender, and other identity factors. However, this approach risks overlooking the real and persistent inequalities that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are designed to address. Treating everyone “the same” in systems that are already unequal can reinforce disparities rather than eliminate them.

DEI initiatives often provide critical support for underrepresented groups through mentorship, resources, and community-building. Restricting or eliminating these programs may reduce opportunities for those who already face structural barriers. Rather than leveling the playing field, such policies can remove the very tools that help individuals succeed in environments where they have historically been excluded.

The bill also raises concerns about academic freedom and open dialogue. Limiting how topics like race, inequality, and social justice are discussed in educational settings could discourage critical thinking and honest conversation. Over time, this may contribute to a less informed and less empathetic society, where complex issues are avoided rather than understood.

Ultimately, while the goal of fairness is important, the Stop DEI Act may undermine diversity, inclusion, and tolerance by discouraging efforts to acknowledge and address differences. A more effective approach would focus on expanding opportunities and fostering understanding, rather than restricting the programs designed to achieve those goals.

06/11/2026

Catalina Island Pride – Avalon June 12–13, 2026
A waterfront Pride weekend featuring live music, community events, and LGBTQ+ celebrations on Catalina Island.

Catalina Island is bringing the pride and the party this summer as it hosts the return of Catalina Island Pride, happening June 12-13, 2026. Proudly supported by KGay and US Bank, the event is

06/10/2026

On May 22, the City of Irvine came together for the fifth annual Pride in Irvine celebration, held in honor of Harvey Milk Day. Hosted at the Irvine Civic Center Piazza, the event was a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and community connection. Residents of all ages gathered to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community through educational activities, local organizations, and the raising of the Progress Flag in front of City Hall.

More than just a celebration, Pride in Irvine reflected the values that make Irvine such a welcoming and vibrant community. The event created a space where people could come together in the spirit of acceptance, understanding, and respect for one another. Held on Harvey Milk Day, the gathering also honored the legacy of one of California’s most important civil rights leaders and reinforced the ongoing message that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported.

From families and community leaders to advocacy organizations and local residents, Pride in Irvine showcased the strength that comes from embracing diversity. Events like this continue to help build a more compassionate and inclusive Irvine — one where tolerance and acceptance are not just ideals, but values actively celebrated by the community.

We never want to step back to Irvine’s ugly chapters of hate and divisiveness, such as Measure N, the 1989 anti-LGBTQ measure orchestrated by Christina Shea, that removed sexual orientation protections in the City of Irvine until it was rightfully overturned once Shea was out of office.

No matter what side of the political spectrum you gravitate toward, we should all agree that there’s no place for hatred in Irvine. It’s time to move forward, for all residents, and not back into the past.

06/10/2026

June Pride Month is an annual celebration and commemoration of the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout June, communities around the world host parades, events, and educational programs that celebrate identity, promote visibility, and advocate for equality. Pride Month serves both as a joyful recognition of progress in acceptance and civil rights, and as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to combat discrimination and ensure inclusion for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

06/01/2026

Tuesday is Election Day. Don't Forget to Vote!

Tuesday, June 2nd is Election Day! In this Primary Election, California voters will choose their preferred candidates for statewide offices — including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, and Attorney General. Voters will also select local representatives for U.S. Congress, State Assembly, County Supervisor, County Superintendent of Schools, and more. The top two vote-getters in each race will move on to the November General Election.

If you haven't filled out your vote-by-mail ballot and sent it in, do it TODAY!

You can mail your completed ballot through the U.S. Postal Service (no stamp is required). Your ballot must be mailed BEFORE the last pickup of the day so that it is postmarked by Tuesday, June 2nd.

You can also drop your completed ballot off at any of the Irvine Official Ballot Drop Box locations. For a list of Ballot Drop Box locations in Irvine, click here: https://webadmin.cityofirvine.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=36945

If you are using an Official Ballot Drop Box, your ballot must be placed in the Ballot Drop Box BEFORE 8pm on Tuesday, June 2nd.

For those of you who prefer voting in-person, that option is available through any of the 14 Vote Centers in town that are open on Monday (June 1st) from 10am until 6pm. On Election Day (Tuesday, June 2nd), Vote Centers will be open from 7am until 8pm. For a complete list of Vote Centers in Irvine, click here: https://webadmin.cityofirvine.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=36944

Important Reminder: Under California's "same day" voting law, if you are not registered to vote, you can register and vote at the same time at any Vote Center in Irvine.

06/01/2026

The Voter Protection Hotline is open! Have questions about voting or need to report an issue? Call 1-877-321-VOTE (8683).