CV Pride at Peak of Summer

Castro Valley Pride returns for it's 13th year this Saturday. The free, family friendly, and in-person event celebrates and supports its LGBTQ members and its shared community. This photo from 2019 features more than 14 welcoming and affirming congregations.

Though Pride month is over, that doesn’t mean the celebration has to stop—the annual Castro Valley Pride event will take place this Saturday, July 15, from 12 pm to 5 pm at Castro Valley High School.

CV Pride has always been alcohol-free and held on high school grounds in front of the Performing Arts Center and plans to remain that way to ensure that pride is accessible to all ages and families.

Originally dawned the “Rainbow Rally in the Valley,” this yearly event began 13 years ago when a small group of high school students wanted to have a local and family-oriented Pride event, as opposed to going to the large-scale Oakland or San Francisco Pride events.

The first event in 2010 was small, with only four booths, but has since grown into a much larger event, with tickets even selling out pre-pandemic. This will be the first year the event will be held in person since the pandemic, and the turnout is expected to be large.

This year, attendees can expect to see plenty of vendors, food trucks, and at least four hours of family-friendly drag entertainment. The event traditionally begins with an opening prayer with 14 affirming and welcoming religious, spiritual, and secular congregations showing support.

Head of CV Pride, Austin Bruckner Carrillo, says that these congregations are integral to the pride experience, as many people in the LGBTQ+ community face homophobia in the name of religion.

“We have prepared for protestors with the local sheriff. They say they are peaceful rallies, but their words are hateful and violent. It can get really scary out there.” says Carillo.

Security is extremely important at Pride events. Last year in San Lorenzo, Proud Boys stormed a local Drag Queen Story Hour, and in response to this, CV Pride is proud to host two Drag Queen Storytimes this Saturday.

Amidst controversy around drag queens and “Don’t Say Gay” bills in today’s political climate, Carrillo says, “Castro Valley Pride is loud and proud. Proud to say gay, proud to support our Trans community, and proud to support drag queens and LGBTQ+ youth.”

Carillo wants people to see that drag is a form of art and self-expression.

Also featured this year are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a San Francisco-based nonprofit charity group of LGBTQ+ nuns that have raised thousands for AIDS and breast cancer research, aiding refugees, and more since their formation in 1979.

More information can be found on the CV Pride website (castrovalleypride.org).