I am proud to call myself a resident of California...

I have spent the last month highlighting organizations and festivals that support young media producers. From film festivals that showcase young filmmakers to an international NGO that teaches refugee youth how to express themselves through photography, this state is littered with amazing people supporting the next generation of truth speakers.

This culture of self-expression and acceptance is one of the many reasons that San Francisco, one of California's most progressive cities, hosts one of the worlds largest Gay Pride Celebrations. With the newly passed resolution overturning the ban on same sex marriages this year promises to be one of the largest celebrations yet. From Frameline, the world's largest LGBT film festival to this Sunday's Gay Pride parade the whole bay area has been waving their rainbow flags in support of love, tolerance and freedom.

Next week I will be posting a video covering this year's Gay Pride parade and speaking with young folks about why they turn out in such huge numbers for this event. Due to San Francisco's commitment to civil liberties and self expression the bay area has a huge LGBT community that has the power to influence policies and politicians at the local level. Is this constituency large enough to affect national politics?

That is one of the questions we will be asking to this weekend's revelers. Please stay tuned for this exciting report next week....

Peace, Carl

Street Team 08' California