Fernando Z. López is a transformative leader and dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, whose career spans over two decades of significant contributions to human rights, social justice, and community empowerment. Originally from rural El Centro, California, López moved to San Diego as a homeless youth in 1999 and has since emerged as a prominent figure in the global LGBTQ+ advocacy community.
Throughout their career, López has held pivotal roles in influential organizations such as Equality California (EQCA), Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA), and the National LGBTQ Task Force. As the former Executive Director of San Diego Pride, López transformed the organization from an event-centric entity into a year-round nexus of LGBTQ+ art, advocacy, and education. Under their leadership, San Diego Pride became recognized as the world’s most philanthropic Pride organization, having contributed over $3.5 million globally.
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