(Above photo by Dylan Todd)
BRADENTON, Fla. | Manatee Pride has cancelled its 2020 celebration in response to COVID-19.
Its festival serves as a fundraiser for Prism Youth Initiative, the nonprofit which provides services for LGBTQ youth throughout the greater Manatee County area. The coronavirus originally led organizers to reschedule its seventh annual celebration from March 21 to May 23.
“After careful consideration, we are so very disappointed to announce that the 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival must be cancelled,” Prism Youth Initiative Board President and Manatee Pride Chair Valerie Fisher shared with sponsors May 12.
The festival subsequently addressed the cancellation via social media May 13, updating their original rescheduling notice.
“Because of the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, for safety and the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community and our allies, we have cancelled Pride for this year,” they wrote. “Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you all in 2021! Pride On!!!”
Another graphic shared May 12 also explained the decision.
Organizers had initially planned to detail Prism Youth Initiative’s merger with the Sarasota-based ALSO Youth at this year’s festival. The nonprofit has provided services to LGBTQ youth in the area since 1992 and recently welcomed its new executive director.
“The goal is to expand services for youth in Manatee County; the resources that we’re able to generate through Manatee Pride will be reserved and spent on the youth here,” Fisher, also a board member for the organization, shared with Watermark in March. “I personally am very excited about it.”
For more information about Manatee Pride, Prism Youth Initiative or ALSO Youth, visit ManateePride.com, PrismYouth.org and ALSOYouth.org.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
