Councilmember Annalisa Perea

Today, the Juneteenth flag flies above Fresno City Hall as a reminder of both how far our nation has come and the values that continue to guide us forward.

Juneteenth is a time to honor those who fought for freedom, reflect on the lessons of our shared history, and to recommit ourselves to the ideals of dignity, respect, and equal opportunity for all.

As we raise this flag, we celebrate freedom, acknowledge the journey that brought us here, and reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, more united Fresno.

Check out some highlights from our recent council meeting!

Fresno showed up for our 36th Annual Pride Parade, loud and beautiful.

June will always be Pride Month in our hearts, our streets, and our stories. No ordinance can change that.

Budget hearings are officially underway!

Over the coming days, we will hear presentations from City departments, evaluate funding priorities, and discuss investments that support essential services, infrastructure, public safety, parks, and programs that impact residents throughout Fresno.

Join us in person or via Zoom.

Honored to stand with our community at the City of Fresno’s 6th Annual Pride Flag Raising and Harvey Milk Awards.

When we raise this flag, we’re affirming the right of every person in Fresno to be seen without apology. Thank you to everyone who showed up with open hearts to support our LGBTQ+ community and to push our city closer to the future we all deserve.

To our 2026 Harvey Milk Award honorees, your work, your voice, and your refusal to back down make Fresno braver and better.

• Dr. Sam Schmitz
• Dr. Julie Nicole
• Dr. Carol Goldsmith
• The Rev. Anna Maria Ten Bears Lopez
• Jesus Acevedo

And we honor the life and legacy of Virgil Wigley, founder of the historic Red Lantern, a pioneer whose courage lit the path long before it was safe. May we carry that light forward and continue building a Fresno where everyone can live openly and know they belong.

Please join us in celebrating another one of our 2026 Harvey Milk Community Leader Award recipients, The Rev. Anna Maria 10 Bears Lopez.

As a teacher of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition and a devoted Hospice and Palliative Care minister, she has guided countless individuals through journeys of healing, renewal, and compassion. She is committed to uplifting others and is an active voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Central Valley and beyond.

Thank you for all that you do and congratulations!

Today, we were joined by local organizations and leaders as we proudly proclaimed June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Fresno.

These individuals are all working in their own way to provide services and expand resources for local community members.

Signed by every single councilmember, this proclamation affirms our commitment as a City to work with our community partners on creating a safer, more inclusive Fresno.

We are proud to announce another one of our 2026 Harvey Milk Community Leader Award recipients, The Rev. Anna Maria 10 Bears Lopez.

An ordained minister of New Thought Community and a tribal member of The Kuksu Ma-hiz Tribe, The Rev. Anna Maria has spent more than 30 years walking the path of Shamanic healing and teaching.

Thank you for all that you do and congratulations!

Congratulations to Dr. Sam Schmitz, one of this year’s Harvey Milk Community Leader Award recipients.

Dr. Schmitz came to Fresno to complete their Family Medicine residency at UCSF Fresno and has become a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ health and equitable access to care. Through their work, Dr. Schmitz is helping ensure that every patient receives compassionate, inclusive, and affirming healthcare.

Thank you for your leadership, advocacy, and commitment to our community.