Shimmers and shouts filled Glide Memorial Church on 23 June as Runway of Pride turned the historic sanctuary into San Francisco’s standout Pride fashion moment, mixing couture, civic leaders and drag glamour to celebrate community, creativity and crucial fundraising for Glide and SF Pride.

Essential Takeaways

  • Star-studded cast: Pat Cleveland, Honey Mahogany, Mayor London Breed and State Senator Scott Wiener were among the VIPs who modelled on stage.
  • Theatre and feeling: The night opened with a Thierry Mugler tribute and closed to Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real,” creating high drama and joyful singalongs.
  • Community-first: The model cast intentionally represented the full LGBTQ+ spectrum and multiple generations, emphasising inclusion over spectacle.
  • Fundraising impact: The event raised nearly $30,000 for Glide Memorial Church and San Francisco Pride, fashion with a purpose.
  • Local flavour: Glide’s choir and a DJ mix of house music brought a sacred-meets-club atmosphere that felt uniquely San Franciscan.

A runway that felt like a ritual , and a party

The first thing you noticed was the sound: Gospel harmonies drifting over house beats, a curious, moving collision that set the tone for an evening that refused to be tidy. Pat Cleveland’s couture entrance in a Naeem Khan gown immediately told you this wouldn’t be a garden-variety benefit; it was theatrical, tactile and unabashedly glamorous. According to an event programme and coverage, organisers leaned into fashion’s queer histories, opening with a Thierry Mugler-inspired segment to honour that over-the-top, affirming legacy. For guests, the smell of perfume, plush fabrics and candlelight made the experience feel intimate and celebratory.

Civic figures on the catwalk , when politics walks the runway

San Francisco’s civic life walked the runway alongside designers and drag artists, and that blending mattered. Mayor London Breed surprised the room in a custom red gown and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman accepted the inaugural Runway of Pride Fashion Award, a symbolic nod to leadership that shows up. These moments were less about celebrity and more about the city staking a public claim: Pride is for everyone, and leaders can literally stand with the community. For anyone choosing whether a civic figure should appear at LGBTQ+ events, this was a successful model , visibility that felt earnest rather than performative.

Casting with purpose , every letter, every generation

One striking decision was the intentionality of the casting. Models spanned generations and identities, from legendary supermodels to first-time runway walkers representing letters across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. That diversity amplified Glide’s long-standing mission of radical inclusivity. Industry observers will note this reflects a wider trend: fashion events increasingly prioritise lived experience and representation over the traditional commercial ideal. If you’re organising or judging an inclusive show, make representation explicit in casting calls and storytelling, and let the runway reflect the audience you want to welcome.

Design moments and memorable turns

The clothes did the talking: couture by Naeem Khan, a striking Nuvaa creation on Honey Mahogany, a Mariya Milovidova closing look on Senator Scott Wiener, and a faux fur moment by Banana Republic on Rafael Mandelman. Small surprises , like Mother Jahnell Chanel’s unannounced appearance , stopped the room and created genuine theatre. For fashion fans, the evening offered a neat lesson: well-chosen surprise appearances and a tight thematic through-line (in this case, theatrical queer fashion) keep energy high and social feeds buzzing. Photographers captured it all; expect these looks to be talked about well after Pride weekend.

Glide’s unique mix of spirit and spectacle

Glide Memorial’s sanctuary has long hosted events where activism and art mingle, and this show leaned into that DNA. The Glide choir’s presence over a danceable soundtrack reminded the audience that joy and service aren’t mutually exclusive. Nearly 600 guests rose for the finale, a communal moment that stitched together spirituality, protest and celebration. If you’ve ever wondered how to stage an event that’s soulful and slick, this was a clear template: honour the space, programme meaningful art, and make fundraising feel like part of the story rather than an add-on.

It's a small change in format that made every walk down that aisle feel like an act of love.

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