A color photograph of two elder women, Pride walk founders Helen and Lynne, holding a pride flad and a sign that reads "31st Ojai Gay Pride Walk". They are dressed in rainbow colored clothing and looking at the camera.

Where it all began...

In 1991, Lynne Doherty and her partner Helen Allen started the very first Ojai Pride Walk. Along with six of their close friends, they walked around Ojai in a quiet processional, celebrating the LQBTQIA+ community. Over the years, the Ojai Pride Walk has grown bit by bit; adding more participants and gaining more visibility.

In 2024, a small collaborative of younger queer folks stepped in to help. That group was known as Queers in the Valley; and along with Lynne and Helen have now expanded the Ojai Pride Walk into a full day event. On the 33rd anniversary of Lynne and Helen’s first walk we kicked off the 1st annual Libbey Park Pride Celebration, complete with music, food, dancing, resources, activities and more for the local queer community.

It is our hope here at Queers in the Valley to continue to carry on Lynne and Helen’s original message of making Ojai a place for the Queer Community to represent, strengthen, support, and inspire one another. Through the annual Pride celebration, mutual aid efforts, community building, and ongoing activities throughout the year; we hope to continue to grow our connections and uplift our incredible queer folks here in the Ojai Valley.

With love and support,

Pictured from Top Left (clockwise): QITV Organizers Kate, Robin, and JoEllen with (front right) Lynne and (front left) Helen