UC Davis and UC Davis Health show up with pride in Sacramento
Hundreds of UC Davis and UC Davis Health employees, students, family members, friends and allies came together this weekend to celebrate Sacramento Pride, filling downtown with color, energy and community spirit.
UC Davis Health employees and families walk in the Sacramento Pride march carrying a “Believe in Better” banner and handmade signs.
Marching side by side, the contingent reflected the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. From vibrant flags and Pride gear to shared smiles and moments of connection, the day served as a strong reminder of the importance of visibility, belonging and support.
UC Davis Health participants pose at the Pride resource festival booth wearing “Empowered Hope” shirts during the Sacramento Pride celebration.
Participants also gathered at the festival to connect, celebrate and honor the resilience and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities. The strong turnout underscored an ongoing commitment across UC Davis and UC Davis Health to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, valued and supported.
UC Davis Health participants gather at the Southside park activation area, wearing “Empowered Hope” shirts, before the Sacramento Pride March.
Thank you to the many volunteers whose time, care and coordination made the march and festival possible. The event would not have been as successful without their contributions.
UC Davis Health leaders gather at Sacramento Pride to celebrate inclusivity and community.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s Sacramento Pride a meaningful and memorable celebration. The community is already looking ahead to next year with excitement.
UC Davis Health mascot Gunrock joins employees and volunteers walking in the Pride march alongside a large rainbow flag.
Share your Pride story
Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate authenticity, connection and community. Employees across UC Davis and UC Davis Health are invited to share photos throughout the month and during Sacramento Pride.
Submissions may be featured in internal and external communications, including newsletters, social media and future Pride storytelling efforts.
When you submit photos, please make sure badges are not visible and images are not taken in patient care areas. Uploading photos indicates consent for UC Davis and UC Davis Health to use the images for promotional and storytelling purposes.
This event reflects months of planning and collaboration across UC Davis and UC Davis Health. The result is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate community, connection and pride together.
As Sacramento Pride returns in 2026, UC Davis Health and UC Davis will join the march to visibly support the LGBTQIA+ community and the values of dignity, belonging and care.
By Matthew St. Amant, assistant director, Culture & Business Administration, chair, Sacramento Pride Planning Committee, and Evan Priestley, chair, PRIDE Employee Resource Group, vice chair, Sacramento Pride Planning Committee
Sacramento Pride is, at its heart, a celebration of queer culture, identity and community. In 2026, it also serves a deeper purpose: uplifting resilience, camaraderie and hope at a time when many people feel exhausted, afraid or unseen.
“Empowered by Hope” is more than a slogan. It is a reminder that hope grows through community, courage and the choice to keep showing up for one another.
The UC Davis Health Sacramento Pride group embodies the spirit of community, allyship and shared humanity. It brings together people with diverse identities, histories and lived experiences, all walking side by side, including:
UC Berkeley Band
Grant Union High School drum line
Inderkum High School cheer team
NorCal Ambulance
Together, the group creates a celebration rooted in culture, visibility, joy and care. Marching together is one way to put inclusive excellence into practice by honoring the distinctness of each person and community. Communities are stronger when they include a wide range of experiences, perspectives and voices.
That message aligns with UC Davis Health’s Believe in Better campaign, which reflects a vision of healthcare shaped not only by medicine but also by inclusion, community partnership, access and human connection.
When people feel pressured to hide who they are or remain silent about parts of themselves, the effects can extend far beyond the individual. Isolation and exclusion can affect emotional well-being, physical health and trust within a community. When people feel accepted and that they belong, communities grow stronger, relationships deepen and healing can begin.
Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence (HEDI) at UC Davis Health shares that commitment, with a mission to advance equity, belonging and opportunity for all communities. Those values also reflect the UC Davis Principles of Community:
Affirm dignity
Reject discrimination
Value differences
Encourage environments where all people can thrive
The 2026 Sacramento Pride march puts those principles into visible action. Different voices will come together to deliver one clear message: everyone deserves dignity, safety and belonging.
At its core, Sacramento Pride, though rooted in the LGBTQIA+ community, reflects a broader human truth: the courage to live authentically, the responsibility to care for one another and the belief that every person deserves to be seen and valued.
For some, Pride is a celebration. For others, it reflects deeply personal experiences of safety and well-being. For many, it is the first time they see their identity publicly reflected with joy rather than fear. This year, Sacramento Pride will make hope visible through music, movement, culture and community.
UC Davis Health and UC Davis’ participation serves as a reminder of what is possible when communities choose compassion, courage and one another. As the Sacramento Pride March and Festival returns in 2026, that message remains as important as ever.
Together, we can build a community where every person is welcomed, respected and empowered to thrive.
Pride Information Hub
The PRIDE Employee Resource Group develops this Pride Information Hub. It is your one-stop resource for marching with UC Davis and UC Davis Health, staying safe, and finding meaningful ways to celebrate Pride Month across the organization.
UC Davis Health employees march together with rainbow flags during a Pride parade.
Why “Empowered by Hope” matters
A UC Davis Health participant cheers with pom-poms while taking part in a Pride celebration.
The 2026 theme, Empowered by Hope, reflects both celebration and purpose.
Hope is what fuels advocacy, builds community and inspires action — especially at a time when LGBTQIA+ rights and protections continue to face challenges nationwide. By marching together, we reaffirm our commitment to equity, visibility and belonging.
UC Davis Health employees gather for a photo during Pride celebrations.UC Davis Health employees gather during Pride celebrations near the California State Capitol in 2025.A rainbow Pride flag waves above the crowd during a Pride parade.
Living the Principles of Community
Handwritten messages of inclusion and support are displayed during Pride celebrations.
Our presence at Pride reflects who we are — and who we strive to be — as an organization committed to creating a welcoming environment where all feel seen, supported and valued.
Ways to celebrate Pride Month beyond the march and festival
A UC Davis Health participant and child attend a Pride celebration together.
An adult and child share a quiet moment during a Pride event, wearing rainbow-themed clothing.
Let’s make Pride Month 2026 a celebration of hope, unity and belonging — and a reminder that at UC Davis Health, everyone deserves to live, work and thrive as their authentic selves.
Learn more about all our UC Davis HealthEmployee Resource Groups. These groups are open to anyone, regardless of background, who wishes to support, participate in, or learn about the many cultures and communities at UC Davis Health. Membership and participation in Employee Resource Group activities are not dependent on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any protected category under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
