Conejo has its first pride
Conejo Valley’s long-awaited and first ever Pride Festival took place on Sept. 22. Pride is an event held internationally that celebrates gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and multisexual pride and equality. The event consisted of guest speakers, performers, booths, food trucks, a drag show, a march and, of course, its iconic rainbow signature.
Reina Geinsberg, a 56-year-old immigrant from El Salvador and local bakery owner, is a proud advocate of LGBTQ rights. “I just bought this flag and I am going to fly it at my house so everyone knows the love in my house,” Geinsberg said. As a mother of gay children, she has witnessed first hand the hardships her children endured when they came out.
At Pride, Geinsberg sold rainbow-themed cookies with her son, who inspired her to attend the event. “My son was 14 or 15 when he came out to me and my husband. People would make rude comments. It hurts me and to watch my son go through (something) that is so painful,” Geinsberg said. Her favorite moment at Pride was seeing other parents being supportive of their children.
Audrey Gerber, sophomore, was ecstatic when she realized Conejo was having its first Pride. “I was enthusiastic because we finally got some representation and in Thousand Oaks, there’s a lot of LGBTQ, so I was glad we were finally getting that,” Gerber said.
Looking back on her first Pride, Gerber recalls her favorite aspect of the event. “It was really good seeing everybody being themselves and feeling free to express themselves how they want with no judgment,” Gerber said. “It had so many games. The drag show was by far the best event at Pride.”
Jane Doe*, sophomore, has questioned her sexuality since middle school, and finally realized she was bisexual at the start of her freshman year.
“It was my first time going to Pride, and I wanted to experience it. It’s not like the Pride parade they have in LA, but it’s close enough,” Doe said, recounting her experience. “When I got there I was overcome with emotion. It’s a really open and accepting event, and it’s just great for everyone; you don’t have to be gay to go and be expressive and enjoy yourself.”