Southwest Floridians are getting ready to mark the area's 7th annual Gay Pride celebration on October 10th. The theme of 2015's SWFL Pride Fest will be “#Free2be”. The 2015 theme highlights how close we are coming to our dream of full LGBT equality and liberation. In fact, one facet of it is—full legal recognition of marriage equality that is now a reality throughout our country. In selecting “Free2 Be” as the 2015 theme, the organization endeavors to honor all people seeking to be fre...
Southwest Floridians are getting ready to mark the area's 7th annual Gay Pride celebration on October 10th. The theme of 2015's SWFL Pride Fest will be “#Free2be”. The 2015 theme highlights how close we are coming to our dream of full LGBT equality and liberation. In fact, one facet of it is—full legal recognition of marriage equality that is now a reality throughout our country. In selecting “Free2 Be” as the 2015 theme, the organization endeavors to honor all people seeking to be free to be who they truly are. It's a theme that works for all of us... we are all Free 2 Be, so let's embrace it and celebrate it!! Join your LGBTQA family from Charlotte, Lee and Collier Counties and beyond as we gather to celebrate, to dance, to eat, to organize and to wake up SWFL Florida in Pride!
This year’s SWFL Pride Festival and vendor marketplace will be held from 12 Noon – 5 PM on the grounds of the Alliance of the Arts, located at 10091 McGregor Blvd., off Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
The festival will include plenty of on-site free parking. SWFL Pride is a family friendly event, the vendor market will include service organizations, local and national community organizations, social organizations, area non-profits, supportive religious organizations, antique vehicles, face painting in the family play area, lots of shopping plus plenty of food and drinks. Plus an afternoon full of fabulous entertainment on the amphitheater stage featuring DJ Mad Mel, Kelly Neff, DJ Koshie, local drag queens and kings and so much more!
Pride-SWFL was created in August 2009 out of a grass roots effort to put on a community festival to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. Pride-SWFL started with twenty something individuals meeting in living rooms representing local businesses, local clubs, local organizations and local colleges. Within only six weeks, with no money, little experience, and only a few posters to get the word out, they put together and threw a four hour festival with a stage packed full of entertainment, and over 30 participating vendors.
Last year, SWFL Pride celebrated with over 6,000 members of and supporters of the local LGBT community, this year we are looking to exceed over 7,000 in attendance.
Now in our 7th year, Pride-SWFL proudly points out the fact that we are still a 100% volunteer based organization!
PRIDE - SWFL is a (501c3) non-profit membership organization founded to produce the annual Southwest Florida Pride Event. Pride - SWFL is dedicated to education, commemoration of LGBT heritage and celebration of LGBT culture and liberation. Pride-Southwest Florida's Purpose/Mission Statement: "To provide the citizenry of Southwest Florida with a positive image of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and to create functions and events throughout the year promoting educational, civic and cultural activities that further this goal and enrich the lives of our members and the entire Southwest Florida community."
Spread the word and invite everyone you know – let’s make this the biggest and best pride Southwest Florida has ever seen! #Free2be
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pride.SWFL
Twitter: @SWFLPride
Instagram: SWFLPride
Interested in being a Vendor, Sponsor or want to Volunteer? Get those details at the Pride website: PrideSWFL.org or email us directly at info@prideswfl.org.
Please bring a chair and please no coolers!
As much as we love our furry friends... due to insurance reasons, we ask you to please leave your animals at home. Entrance into SWFL Pride Fest is a $5 suggested donation.