The 9th annual Space Coast Pride will have grand marshals representing the L, the G and the T, but not the B.
“We were unable to locate a bisexual grand marshal,” Lexi Wright, president of Space Coast Pride, says when running down the list of the chosen individuals. “Our original intent was to select one grand marshal to represent each letter of LGBT who has contributed to the community.”
Instead, they’re doubling down on the L, choosing a lesbian couple. Orlando attorney and LGBT activist Mary Meeks, who was an attorney in Florida’s lawsuit fighting for marriage equality, will be joined by her wife Vicki Nantz, “who produces documentary films to provide awareness and visibility of the LGBT community and its struggles and has won several awards for her films,” says Wright in an email to Watermark.
The gay grand marshal is Barney Frank, the first openly gay Congressman, and Sabrina Toraboletti will represent the transgender community. According to Wright, Taraboletti worked for NASA for 28 years then was fired after announcing her transition.
“[She] then testified in front of the Committee on Education and Labor at a hearing examining discrimination against transgender Americans in the workplace on June 26, 2008,” Wright says.
Space Coast Pride is weekend is Sept 25-27 with the main festival and parade set for Sept. 26 in the Eau Gallie Arts District. For more information, visit SpaceCoastPride.org.