First ever Pride Chamber launches in Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A mother’s love is like no other. For Amanda Frank, that meant taking a stance for her daughter.

“When my daughter came out to me … it changed,” said Amanda Frank, Chair of the Pride Chamber of Kern. “It made it so personal and took on a whole new meaning, in terms of making this community safe and prioritizing Bakersfield as a place she would want to live.”

Frank now joins the first chamber dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Dozens filled the Ovation Theater in downtown Bakersfield, leaving no seats available to witness history in Kern County.

The chamber was a project David Madding knew he had to create.

“I’ve been thinking about this for three years, so it’s kind of like watching this idea come to life. It’s been incredible,” said David Madding, President of the Pride Chamber of Kern.

Resources available include financial literacy, help to start a business, and networking.

“I grew up here in Kern County,” said Madding. “I have such a love for our community and I want to see it enriched.”

Further closing the gap between marginalized groups and catered help is a growing community ready to claim its space in the Central Valley.

“I think everyone in this community has someone that they know, that they love, and that they work with or interact with that is going to be gay.” said Frank.

For more information and resources from the Pride Chamber of Kern, click here .

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