Now that we’ve celebrated San Francisco Pride, it’s time to hit the road (or hop on BART) and head to one of the most enthusiastic and meaningful Pride celebrations in all of California: Castro Valley Pride. It’s a fabulous Pride celebration in the sometimes-sleepy suburban community of Castro Valley, 30 miles southeast of San Francisco. But things will be anything but sleepy on July 12.
Castro Valley Pride is the brainchild of Castro Valley High School students and Billy Bradford, a seasoned and fearless activist with Marriage Equality USA and GetEqual. A longtime resident of Castro Valley, Billy stands up for what’s right—leading countless rallies all over the Bay Area for marriage equality and for full LGBTQ equality in all 50 states. He also sits down to risk arrest in the face of injustice, whether protesting Proposition 8, religious intolerance, or the Chick-fil-A owner’s anti-LGBTQ views.
A gay dad himself, Billy’s most important work perhaps is inspiring and empowering students and other young people in Castro Valley to stand up for their lives and to be out, loud and proud where they live.
Three years ago, the students and Billy conceived of the first Castro Valley Pride as simply a couple dozen or so people walking down the sidewalk to the Community Center. Instead, hundreds of people, including students, parents, church goers, politicians, and residents decided to show up, and the event transformed into a full-fledged Pride festival in the high school parking lot.
Every year, Castro Valley Pride has grown bigger and better. And Billy invites everyone to come! In his own words:
“Castro Valley Pride is back for the 4th year with 50 booths (including a number of area churches), compelling speakers, wonderful musical performers, dozens of community and special interest groups as well as food trucks! Our wish is to create a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community as well as to give our friends, family, neighbors, and allies a place to enjoy a beautiful summer day together. We think it’s important for Castro Valley and the surrounding areas to understand that our families share the same visions and values that all American families share. We must continue to remain visible locally while acting globally, with a renewed push for full equality across the country and around the world. Please join us on Saturday, July 12, and let’s make sure that Castro Valley is a safe place for everyone.”
WHERE: Castro Valley High School, 19501 Santa Maria Avenue, Castro Valley
WHEN: Saturday, July 12, 2014, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CVPride
No need to worry about fog either, so come on out to Castro Valley Pride!
John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for nearly three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. They are leaders in the nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA.
Recent Comments