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Some nights are special because they’re well planned. Others are special because they exceed every expectation placed on them. Our inaugural installation of the Pride Bar Association of the Inland Empire managed to do both.

From the moment doors opened, it was clear this was more than just an installation ceremony—it was a statement. A statement that this association is needed, supported, and here to stay.

We knew there was excitement around the formation of PBAIE. What we did not anticipate was the sheer volume of support that showed up, loudly and proudly, in the room. Sponsors came out in force—far surpassing what we initially hoped for—and their presence was not passive. It was active, engaged, and deeply affirming. Seeing our community, allies, firms, and organizations stand shoulder to shoulder in support of this mission was nothing short of extraordinary.

Next year will be hard to beat—and that’s a challenge we welcome.

A Moment of Leadership and Legacy

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was witnessing our board officially sworn in by the Honorable Wilfred Schneider. It was a powerful reminder that representation, leadership, and visibility matter—not just symbolically, but structurally. The photo of that moment captures exactly what this association stands for: pride, professionalism, and purpose.

Welcome our 2026 Board of Directors!

(Photo: PBAIE Board, Deliesha Brown, Veronica J. Garcia, Sophia Arredondo, Jaime Cartagena, EJ Gonzalez, Dean McVay, Matt Kugizaki, Linda Guzman, L Orozco, Hon. Lisa Rogan, Christopher Marin, Jim Palmer, Tu Le -  not photographed Member at Large, Brynna Popka).

(Photo: PBAIE Board being sworn in by Hon. Wilfred Schneider)

Honoring Excellence and Impact

We were also privileged to recognize truly remarkable award recipients whose work embodies courage, advocacy, and service. These honorees represent the best of our profession and our community, and their impact reaches far beyond the legal field.

One of our award recipients, Beth Broderick, captured the spirit of the evening beautifully in her Substack post, When We Were There. Her reflections articulate what many of us felt but struggled to put into words—the significance of being present, being seen, and building something meaningful together. I highly recommend everyone take a moment to read (and listen to) her piece.

Gratitude, Momentum, and What Comes Next

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors, the dedication of our board, the trust of our members, and the enthusiasm of a community that showed up ready to believe in something new.

We are deeply grateful—and energized.

The Pride Bar Association of the Inland Empire was created to expand opportunity, foster connection, and create space where none previously existed. If this inaugural installation was any indication, the future of this association is bold, inclusive, and impactful.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this night unforgettable. We are just getting started.

On January 22nd, something historic happens in the Inland Empire.

For the first time ever, we will gather as a community to celebrate the Inaugural Board of Directors of our LGBTQIA+ Bar Association at the Ontario DoubleTree Hotel—and this night is going to be nothing short of extraordinary.

This isn’t just a formal installation.

This is the birth of something that will grow, evolve, and strengthen year after year.

And while this is only our first, it’s already setting a powerful standard.

An Evening You Won’t Want to Miss

We didn’t want this to be another stiff legal dinner. We wanted it to feel like us—bold, expressive, artistic, and deeply connected.

That’s why the evening is expected to feature:

• Ballet
• Opera
• And live performances that reflect the beauty, resilience, and diversity of our community

This is the kind of entertainment you don’t stumble into—it’s the kind that stays with you.

But the real magic of the night won’t just be on stage.

It will be in the room.

A room filled with people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and allies, gathered in a space where we don’t have to explain ourselves, soften ourselves, or shrink ourselves. A space where we get to show up fully—and be met with respect, warmth, and belonging.

This is what legal community should feel like.

Nine Months of Work. Years of Impact.

Behind this moment are nine months of tireless work by a board that believed this was possible before most people even knew it existed.

We didn’t just form an association—we formally filed as a 501(c)(3) so that we can begin raising funds and building something sustainable and powerful for the future.

Why?

Because we know how many talented, brilliant people never make it into this profession simply because they didn’t have the support we all wish we’d had.

We are committed to changing that.

Our goal is to fund:

• Scholarships
• Professional development
• Pipeline programs
• Support for law students, paralegals, and early-career attorneys

We want to be the resource we didn’t always have.

We want to open doors that used to stay shut.

A Legal Family for the Inland Empire

This organization exists for one simple reason:

So that no one in this region ever has to navigate the legal profession alone.

This is a place to find mentors.

To find support.

To find opportunity.

To find family.

And January 22 is where it all officially begins.

Join Us

Come celebrate our First Board of Directors.

Come witness the start of something that will only grow stronger with time.

Come be part of a legal community that finally reflects who we really are.

This is our moment.

This is our space.

And we cannot wait to share it with you.

See you on January 22 at the Ontario DoubleTree. Tickets and sponsorships are still available! 

To celebrate Pride Month, the Pride Bar Association of the Inland Empire (PBAIE) proudly supported local arts and LGBTQ+ storytelling by gathering for an unforgettable evening at Ophelia’s Jump Productions in Upland. The occasion? A special Pride Night performance of The Slow Drag—a powerful jazz musical that moved and inspired all who attended.

Before the show, members of the PBAIE Board came together for a community dinner, an opportunity to connect, laugh, and deepen relationships outside the board meetings. For some of us, it was our first time meeting in person; for others, it was a much-needed chance to recharge and re-engage in shared purpose. The night reminded us that building an inclusive legal community starts with showing up for each other—in solidarity, in celebration, and sometimes, over good food (a beautiful cake!) and great theater.

The featured show, The Slow Drag by Carson Kreitzer and directed by Sheila Malone, tells the haunting and beautiful story of Johnny Christmas, a jazz musician who spends a lifetime concealing his gender identity to pursue the music he loves. Alongside him are June Wedding, his fierce and fiery torch-singer wife, and Chester Kent, their best friend and a biracial musician navigating his own secret to survive in a racially segregated world. The story, inspired by the real life of jazz performer Billy Tipton, is a moving exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the lies people are forced to live to do what they love.

It was a night of emotional resonance, artistry, and reflection—one that reaffirmed the power of storytelling to elevate unheard voices and challenge societal norms. We’re proud to support Ophelia’s Jump, a small but mighty theater company amplifying queer and diverse narratives in the Inland Empire.

If you haven’t yet seen The Slow Drag, you still have time! Performances run through the end of June—don’t miss this extraordinary production.

Happy Pride.  ️‍