Cindy Barnes is a woman who knows how to leave on a high note. After six years as chairwoman of Sarasota Pride, in 2015 Barnes announced she’s stepping down as the successful event’s big cheese.
Come Out With Pride caps a comeback year with a vibrant, crowded, but well-organized event. After the firing of COWP’s executive director in late 2014, the Pride committee worked overtime in overdrive to ensure that 2015 Orlando Pride would do Orlando proud. Mission accomplished.
Apple CEO Tim Cook acts on his “tremendous responsibility” to come out publicly on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” he announced, then was later rewarded for his emergence from the closet with a spot on TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the year.
SunCoast MCC experienced a devastating loss in March 2015 when the only pastor in its history, Rev. Dr. Sherry Kennedy, passed away suddenly. In October, Suncoast MCC brings Gina Durbin on board, to lead the church, guide its members through their grief and help them to heal.
Following in the footsteps of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando City debuts its first-ever Pride night, complete with adorable new rainbow-themed merchandise. We were unable to resist and bought a scarf. Go, Lions!
That crinkling sound we heard in October was people across the nation – and in Watermark’s offices – ripping open their bags of special edition Rainbow Doritos. For a $10 donation to the It Gets Better campaign, the colorful crunchers could be procured. They tasted like Cool Ranch and glitter.
Florida’s longest-running bear event, Bear Bust, marks 25 years. Bear Bust survived the shuttering of their initial home, Full Moon Saloon, and the dissolution of their founding organization, Bears of Central Florida. Bear Bust’s new organizers – Parliament House and Bears in the City – assure us they plan to stick around for at least another 25 years.
The Central Florida Softball League, as an Amateur Sports Alliance of North America, brings the Women’s Softball World Series to Orlando for a long weekend of October.
