Welcome to Central Valley Pride!
Serving the Central Valley's LGBTQIA+ community with authenticity, integrity, and PRIDE!!
Creating Safe Spaces and Transforming Communities
Impact.
Empower.
Impact.
Professtional Development and Educational Workshops
Creating safe spaces through education and professional development for all, while supporting book drives, Pride Proms, and youth events.
Engage.
Empower.
Impact.
Community Activities and Events
*Merced County Pride Fest, Downtown Merced Trick-or-Treat Street, Pride Flag Raising, community socials, workshops, etc.
Empower.
Empower.
Empower.
Peer Advocacy
*Peer support groups (on and off site), monthly youth, adult, family and 40+ socials, and assistance accessing resources to improve and promote whole self wellness
CVP in the Central Valley Community
Student Pride Alliance (SPA)
CVP is currently providing direct student services on 4 different high school campuses for the 2025/2026 school year, and already slated to add more schools for the next school year! CVP staff bring representation, visibility, and support 2x/month for SPA Club sessions either at lunchtime or after school, and also provide special events such as Pride Tea Parties, live LGBTQIA+ artists, and even PRIDE PROM!!
*Check "Schedule" to see when we will be at your school!
Professional Development Workshops
Facilitated by Dr. Jon McFarland (bio under "CVP Team"), CVP offers a wide assortment of professional development sessions and educational workshops including Culture of CARE, LGBTQ+ 101, LGBTQ+ Education Policy in Schools, Anti-Bullying, and Trans/Non Binary 101. Workshops can be catered and tailored to your needs and offered in person, online, or hybrid.
*Contact us for more details!
Monthly Youth Socials
Typically on Saturday or Sunday, CVP offers monthly Youth Socials (17 and under) with 2 adult mentors/facilitators as a safe space for young LGBTQIA+ folks to make friends, connect with peers, and build community.
*Check "Community Events" for schedule
40+ Koffee Klatch
Started by CVP co-founder, Eric Olson-Diehl, and continued by CVP Directors Adam Castro and Jesse Cruz, Koffee Klatch is a time for all LGBTQIA+ folks aged 40+ to get together and socialize, get to know each other, build friendships, and enjoy a cup!
*Every 1st Sunday of the month
*Check "Schedule" for updates
Monthly Adult Socials
Typically on evenings during the week or weekends, CVP Adult Socials offer all LGBTQIA+ folks who are 18+ a time to have some fun and connect with others while exploring safe spaces out in our Central Valley community.
*Check "Community Events" for schedule
Community Events
With events like the June 1 Flag Raising, PRIDEfest, Downtown Merced Trick-or-Treat Street, and National Coming Out Day celebrations, CVP is bringing folks of all ages together in both the LGBTQIA+ community and the community at large.
*Check "Community Events" for schedule
"When I was going through one of the toughest and darkest times of my entire life, the support from CVP saved my life." -Community Member "I never thought I would be 'out' in Merced until I started coming to your (CVP's) events and meeting other people like me." -Community Member
Central Valley Pride Founders
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Dr. Jon McFarland (he/him/his)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
Jesse Cruz (he/him/his)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Adam Castro (he/him/his)
Director of Events
Adam Castro (he/him/his)
Jennifer McQueen (she/her/hers)
Adam Castro (he/him/his)
Director or Community Relations
Peter Gillis (he/him/his)
Eric Olson-Diehl (he/him/his)
Eric Olson-Diehl (he/him/his)
Co-Founder
Eric Olson-Diehl (he/him/his)
Eric Olson-Diehl (he/him/his)
Eric Olson-Diehl (he/him/his)
Co-Founder