October is always a nostalgic time for me. It reminds me of my coming out, not as a gay person, but as an active member of this LGBTQ community.
I started working at Watermark in February 2002 under the leadership of founder Tom Dyer and business manager Mike Ames. My first couple of years I was a quiet, shy administrative assistant who kept his head down and got his work done. I really enjoyed it. I was like a sponge, learning everything I could from the two men who knew how to run a business that operated like a community service.
Not long after I got my bearings at Watermark, Mike started to push me to get involved in the Metropolitan Business Association, now called The Pride Chamber. Honestly, I’m not sure if he wanted me to get involved to better myself and the community or because he wanted an assistant in the nonprofit world, but either way I am glad he pushed. I admired Mike and would follow him anywhere at that point, so I stepped into the role of board member-at-large under the guidance of then-board president Debbie Simmons. To say she changed my life would be an understatement. She is inspiring, passionate and not afraid to speak her mind. She made me want to be a better community member.
I also had the privilege of meeting Michael Thomas, owner of the amazing John Michael Exquisite Weddings and Events. He was treasurer of the MBA at the time and was every bit as passionate for this community as Debbie. It’s important to remember their names because we celebrate Come Out With Pride because of them.
In July of 2005, The MBA held a meeting to discuss the future of Pride. The normal June celebration put on by Central Florida Pride did not happen for various reasons, and Michael and Debbie wanted the MBA to save it. The discussion entertained the idea of waiting until the following June to carry on the June tradition, but we all felt it was too far away. We didn’t want to skip the year. Pride was too important.
It made sense for the board to host a celebration around National Coming Out Day in October. UCF’s GLBSU already hosted a rally at City Hall to commemorate the day, with Joe Saunders as the president of the college-based youth group. A handful of us set out to meet Saunders at the Panera Bread outside of UCF with the hopes of combining his rally and Pride, and that’s where Come Out With Pride was born. In less than three months our small group threw the inaugural event in Heritage Square Park, outside the Orange County Regional History Center. Fitting, since October is LGBTQ History Month.
We were pretty excited that first year. Mike Ames and I were up early to mark off the vendor booth areas, the dearly loved Miss Sammy was hosting and we had lined up a pre-Oscar winning Jennifer Hudson to perform. I like to think this event is what set her career in motion.
I remember how excited we were, how exhausted we were and how covered in trash we were at the end of the day. We had a small budget so we did most everything ourselves, including taking the trash to the dumpster. Unfortunately the bags were thin so some of us ended up wearing the trash. You live, you learn.
Come Out With Pride grew bigger and got harder to pull off, but its impact became immeasurable. My favorite memory of working in Orlando came from a Come Out With Pride event, where an 18-year-old at his first Pride stopped me to say thank you for giving that day to him. It’s hard while you are in the moment and working to realize how important Pride is to everyone. I am grateful to that kid for reminding me.
Thank you, Michael Thomas and Debbie Simmons, for starting something so meaningful and for taking me along for the ride. Thank you to the current board, executive director and volunteers who work so hard to give us this celebration. No matter how big or small the day, I know the amount of time, dedication and passion it takes to pull off pride. So, thank you. Thank you to St Pete Pride, Come Out St. Pete, Tampa Pride, Manatee County Pride, Sarasota Pride, Polk County Pride, Pasco Pride, Sanford Pride and anyone who volunteers to help us all celebrate who we are.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to say I celebrate six years of sobriety this month. Alcohol had a negative impact on my life and yet I felt like if I stopped drinking my life would end. I couldn’t see a way out until I reached out for help. If you feel like drinking is affecting you negatively, I promise you there is a better way.
We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.
