(Above image from Come Out With Pride)
ORLANDO | Come Out With Pride (COWP) released details for its reimagined, socially-distanced 2020 Pride celebration in a Facebook Live event Sept. 27.
While many events, celebrations and Prides have cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, COWP announced in July that the annual Pride celebration in Orlando would continue; however it would look different than in years past.
“Pride puts a spotlight on our community and greatly increases our visibility,” Come Out With Pride Board President Jeff Prystajko said in a press release Sept. 28. “Without Pride we risk losing our momentum to educate others about the issues still affecting us. Pride allows our collective voices to be heard. Although Come Out With Pride takes place a different way this year in order to keep our community social-distanced and safe, we will not be silenced.”
One change this year, no week of events. Unlike the past few years, COWP will hold events on just one day, Oct. 10. Two events have been planned; “Pride in the Streets,” a vehicle procession throughout the streets of Orlando, and “Pride in the House,” a virtual showcase of Pride streaming online.
“Pride In The Streets,” which is presented by Truist, will be a 15+-mile route through downtown Orlando that starts and ends at Parliament House. It will pass by many LGBTQ businesses and hot spots including Savoy, The LGBT+ Center, Zebra Coalition, Southern Nights, the Pulse Memorial, Stonewall Bar, Hamburger Mary’s, the future site of Haos on Church and around Lake Eola.
The vehicles in the procession will be decorated for Pride and will spotlight this year’s community grand marshals — Charlotte “Cha-Cha” Davis, Mike Nemcheck and Chantel Reshae.
With COWP’s overarching theme this year reinforcing the importance of avoiding large gatherings due to COVID, its “Pride In The House Virtual Extravaganza,” presented by 26Health, will be an online event focusing on connecting the community. Viewers are encouraged to gather in small, safe groups with family and/or close friends, go all out with Pride-themed decor, food and drinks and enjoy the show.
“Pride in the House” will feature a mix of interviews, performances from local artists and more. The evening will be headlined by recording artist Robin S., as well as performances by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums Detox and Roxxxy Andrews. “Pride in the House” will stream live on COWP’s Facebook page and YouTube channel starting at 8 p.m. with pre-show entertainment airing throughout the afternoon.
Along with COWP’s “Pride in the Streets” and “Pride in the House,” several local organizations will host official events for Pride. The Orlando Gay Chorus will present an online performance and forum Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. called “We Shall Overcome: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Diversity,” Zebra Coalition is hosting it annual Drag Race 5K in virtual form and Bowie Bakery is holding a popup bakery fundraiser.
For more information on events and to get official Come Out With Pride merchandise, visit ComeOutWithPride.com.
