WHAT IS
PRIDE? OIs it a parade? Is it a party? Is it fun outfi ts and rainbow fl ags? ur community is diverse.
LGBTQ+ individuals and
allies represent a wide
spectrum of ethnicities,
sexual and gender identities, ages,
backgrounds, political affi liations and ways
of thinking. Ask any of our 160,000+
attendees “what is pride” and you’ll get
160,000+ answers.
As we embark on the 14th anniversary
of Come Out With Pride here in Orlando,
let’s remember that we only truly become
a unifi ed community when we embrace
everyone’s diff erences. Pride is about
being true and authentic to yourself and
accepting others for who they are. Pride
is the ongoing fi ght for freedom and
happiness for all of us.
“But wait, I just came to hang out with
my friends and celebrate!” Nothing wrong
with that—we have so much to celebrate
here in Central Florida. Let’s laugh, hold
hands and #KeepDancingOrlando. But I
challenge you to do more.
Pride exists because passionate activists
over past generations sacrifi ced time,
money, families, careers and in some
cases their lives so that we can enjoy the
privileges and freedoms many often take
for granted today. Yet so many are still
targets. So many live in fear, afraid to come
out or are enduring unnecessary pain for
doing so. Parents are throwing their kids
out on the street. HIV is still a massive
epidemic in Florida. Our trans brothers and
sisters are being murdered.
There is SO much work to be done.
Our amazing pride team has worked
tirelessly to bring you an amazing week of
events this year, and we want you to leave
with a huge smile on your face feeling that
this was the best Pride ever. But we also ask
that you take a minute to ask while you’re
here, “what can I do to help?”
Take action! Donate. Volunteer.
VOTE! Every bit counts. Somewhere
amidst the colorful fl oats and the plethora
of vendors at Lake Eola we know you’ll fi nd
your own answers.
So what is pride?
Let’s all fi nd out together.
Yours in Pride,
JEFF
PRYSTAJKO
BOARD PRESIDENT
COME OUT WITH PRIDE 2018 7