is a nonprofit organization made up of an all-volunteer board and production team inspired to make an impact in the LGBTQ+ community. More than a year later, the community continues to remember our 49 brothers and sister, their families and the survivors as they continue to heal from the tragedy.Ĭome Out with Pride, Inc. On June 12, 2016, Orange County was impacted greatly by a senseless act of violence and hatred at Pulse Nightclub when a gunman killed 49 people and injured 68 others at Pulse in the City of Orlando. Mayor Jacobs also thanked LGBTQ champions, advocates and leaders throughout Central Florida for their collaboration and support during Orlando’s most difficult moment in history last year during the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the community for the 2017 Orlando Come Out with Pride Parade and Rally held in downtown Orlando on Oct. “We are a community that doesn’t just embrace diversity and inclusion, but views it as one of our greatest sources of strength and pride.” It’s more important than ever for us to show unity and compassion, and to lead with love and kindness,” Mayor Jacobs said during her remarks. “Come Out With Pride has always been a much anticipated and treasured event in Orlando, but recently it has taken on a much broader purpose. 14 as Come Out with Pride Orlando Day in Orange County. 14 and has become one of the largest Pride festivals in Florida.Īt the end of the parade, participants gathered for a Pride Rally at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park, where Mayor Jacobs presented a proclamation declaring Oct. The event, which gathered more than 50,000 attendees, was held on Oct. Orange County District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke, District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla and City of Orlando District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan were also in attendance. Where: Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E University Ave.Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the community to celebrate the 2017 Orlando Come Out with Pride Parade and Rally, which celebrated Orlando’s LGBTQ community, its allies and all those who stand united with Orlando. When: Parade begins at Seventh Street and West University Avenue at noon Saturday Festival runs 1-9 p.m. What: Pride Day featuring annual Pride Parade and Festival “It’s really important for kids that are coming out and coming to terms with their sexuality see that there are other people like them and they get to celebrate and be part of that community.” “The LGTBQ community faces some significant challenges, in general many of us are discriminated against, not just by government, not just by society, but sometimes our own families reject us,” Fleming said. According to Fleming, the events are important because they encourage people of all ages to embrace who they really are.
Saturday's events are free to all with Fleming expecting about 5,000 people to come over the course of the day. “We’re facing a lot of challenges in the community, and we feel like we have to be out and open and proud more now than ever,” he said.
“It’s wonderful that the community comes together to celebrate being out and proud of who we are,” Fleming said.Īccording to Fleming, not much has changed with the festivities since last year, but the new theme for this year’s celebrations is "pride now more than ever," due to the adversities the LGBTQ+ community has faced this year.