san diego pride
JO JO
by joel martens When you share a common struggle or
a personal challenge, no matter what it looks like, a bond is often forged. Fighting your way out from under an oppressor or oppression by society is one that the LGBTQ community and singer JoJo share and that bond has only grown over the years, according to the singer. She had to fight her way out of a manage-
ment contract that in effect had complete control of her voice for nearly ten years, stalling what was a booming career at the time. She had to sue her label, Blackground Records and after a long-protracted battle, won back control of her voice and career in January of
2014.Mad Love, her most recent album, was the first release ten years after that mêlée and just as earlier in her career, it quickly found an audience, entering and peaking on theBillboard 200 Chart at number six. This woman knows what it is to fight and
lose, to face another day of battle and then finally win… And we love her all the more for it. JoJo is sharing her undeniable talent
during San Diego Pride and since we last spoke to her October 2016, just after her albumMad Love hit the charts, we wondered what she’s been up to. “Putting outMad Love was a monumental time in my life. My incredible team and I had fought so hard and found a way through obstacles that at times seemed immovable. To have the album be received and loved by my fans is the most gratifying feeling. It’s a real community we’ve created and I’m proud of who we are,” she said. “Beyond career stuff... I’ve been having profound realizations in
I THINK IT’S BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO GIVE UP, AND WE RELATE TO EACH OTHER’S WILL TO WIN: TO BE HEARD, TO CUT THROUGH, TO THRIVE, TO COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE BEAUTIFUL AND
PERFECTLY SCARRED, AND MORE EQUIPPED TO HELP OTHERS AND BE A LIGHT.”
my personal life. Really how to be present in each moment and revel in connection with the amazing people all around me. There is so much beauty and inspiration everywhere we look and I’m enjoying life now more than I ever have. She discussed the reasons her connection
is so lasting with the LGBTQ community, “It’s always been such a strong, organic connection. The LGBTQ community is such an integral part of my fanbase and what’s kept me alive, literally. I think it’s because we refuse to give up, and we relate to each other’s will to win: To be heard, to cut through, to thrive, to come out on the other side beautiful and perfectly scarred, and more equipped to help others and be a light.” Regarding what it means for her to be a
part of San Diego Pride 2018, she offered this, “It makes me so happy to get the chance to put on a show especially for the Pride audience. Some of the closest people in my life identify as one or more of the letters in LGBTQ, and I will always stand in solidarity as we strive to achieve equality and protection under the law.” “I believe if we focus our energy on the
positive changes we see and experience, we can attract more of it,” JoJo continued. “It’s a whole new world and with every personal or professional struggle I didn’t know how I would get over, I did. Learning how to not take things personally and to go with the flow and find joy in the unexpected are lessons I’ll continue to learn. JoJo is performing at San Diego Pride from
8 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 at The Stonewall Mainstage in Balboa Park. For tickets and more information, go to
sdpride.org/festival.
36 RAGE monthly | JULY 2018
BRINGING SAN DIEGO TOGETHER FOR PRIDE SHARING HER MAD LOVE
OFFICIAL SAN DIEGO PRIDE EVENTS
Spirit of Stonewall Rally and Awards FRIDAY, JULY 13, STARTING AT 6 P.M. Hillcrest Pride Flag, University Avenue and Normal Street Awardees include:Grand Marshal Danica Roem, Community Grand Marshal Alberto Cortés, Champion of Pride awardee Tinesia Conwright, Community Service winner Liat Wexler, Friend of Pride goes to Terrie Vorono, Stonewall Philanthropy Award to SDCCU, and the Stonewall Service Award for the We Care Mixer.
Guest speakersinclude California State Senator, the Honorable Christine Kehoe, activist Liat Wexler, Sakeenah Gallardo, SPEAAQ Inc. founder and educator, Ryland Whittington, with featured Keynote Speaker, Virginia delegate Danica Roem addressing the LGBTQ community’s progress and current challenges.
Pride Parade: Persist with Pride SATURDAY, JULY 14 AT 11 A.M. Normal Street along University and Sixth Avenues See Grand Marshal, Virginia delegate Danica Roem and Community Grand Marshal AlbertoCortés as well as other awardees and San Diego Pride’s distinctive 300-foot rainbow flag. Look for the Interfaith contingent blessing the parade, as well as San Diego parade favorites like the motorcycle contingent, military contingent including Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and Air Force, The Youth Marching Band, which includes any sexual orientation or gender identity enrolled in a school/college band class who has completed at least the ninth grade.
Pride Music Festival SATURDAY, JULY 14, NOON TO 10 P.M. SUNDAY, JULY 15, 10 A.M. TO 9 P.M. Marston Point in Balboa Park, Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street
Highlights Include: STONEWALL MAIN STAGE Saturday, July 14 Headliner JoJo, 8 to 9 p.m. Kim Petras, 6 to 6:45 p.m. Sunday, July 15 Headliner TLC, 8 to 9 p.m. Horse Meat Disco, 3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
MOVEMENT STAGE: Saturday, July 14 Le1f (Khalif Diouf),8 to 9 p.m.
MUNDO LATINO: Saturday, July 14 Graciela Beltran, 6 to 6:45 p.m.
For a full lineup of performers and a schedule of events, go to
sdpride.org.
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