The Sonoma
Valley Pride Story
Our Mission
Making Sonoma Valley an inclusive community for all. We celebrate our diversity and our differences, which are the source of our strength.
Our Story
Founded in 2020 by Gary Saperstein and Matthew Long, Sonoma Valley Pride was started to celebrate pride in the face of rising inequality. With the support of the City of Sonoma and Lisa Stormont from WakeUp Sonoma we’ve grown from displaying our beloved pride banners on the square into a pride festival.
Sonoma Valley Believes in Equality
For years Sonoma City Hall has raised the Rainbow flag in support for its LGBTQ residents and visitors during Gay Wine Weekend. In June of 2020, Sonoma approved Sonoma Valley Pride to hang pride banners along the plaza.
A Banner to celebrate Pride
A lot of work went into the initial banner. Inspired by Gary Saperstein, designed by Matthew Long and sponsored by so many wonderful businesses in Sonoma. The city approved our banner and we got to see it hung around the plaza for the first time on June 1, 2020.
The city comes out for pride
In 2023, our mayor wanted to help us make an impact, and she helped pave the way for our first official Pride gathering and event. We are so proud to be a part of such a wonderful city who loves and supports it’s queer community.
Our biggest pride celebration ever
In 2025, we took it a step further, joining forces with advocate Lisa Stormont from WakeUp Sonoma to bring pride to another level in the wake of increasing suppression and the rolling back of LGBTQ+ rights. Pride is a protest, and we welcome Sonoma’s first-ever Pride festival and biggest celebration to date where we stand Proud, Queer and we unite with our beloved community.
