(Photo by Madison Pollock)
ORLANDO | Audience members sat in awe as colorful flags were tossed up in the air and the hum of music rattled their chest at Walt Disney Amphitheater at Orlando’s Lake Eola Park Oct. 13. In partnership with Come Out with Pride, five local nonprofits put on a show to honor diverse trailblazers within the LGBTQ community, called “We Shall Overcome: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Diversity.”
The collaborative efforts of COWP, QLatinx, Bros in Convo, the Orlando Gay Chorus, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom and Descolonizarte Teatro brought a culturally inspired display of music, song and dance that shared the stories of LGBTQ people of color who had lead their local communities to where they are today. Daniel Downer, executive director of the Bros in Convo, said that the event was an opportunity to bring people together in a safe, creative space.
“We are creating spaces where we celebrate the uniqueness of our community. Where it just doesn’t look one way, one color, one body type, one language. But that’s a spectrum of that, so I think diversity almost kind of reminds me of a gumbo or a jambalaya!” he said. “Where there all these different things put in there, but it’s really, really good.”
In between performances there were speeches provided by local community leaders, each shining light on the Black and Brown trailblazers who helped form this blossoming community. Some of the trailblazers that were announced included Audre Lorde, Sylvester, Sir Lady Java, Cecilia Chung, Sylvia Rivera and Bayard Rustin.
Downer said that this event was not only recognizing the past accomplishments of its predecessors, but also rewarding that of it’s present and future community leaders. One winner was Mikaela Mendoza-Cardenal with Heart of Florida United Way, who brought along her family to witness her accomplishments. Mendoza-Cardenal said, as a bit of advice for future trailblazers, they should never feel discouraged, as their time to shine will come so long as they continue to put in the effort and make sure that their own well-being is ensured.
“All you really have to do is do the work. You have to show up, you don’t have to make noise about yourself, you don’t have to call attention to yourself. You just have to show up and do the work and people are going to recognize it,” Mendoza-Cardenal said. “It was a long road to get here, but you know, through like so many different types of recovery that I feel like my clients helped me with, I’m just in a place that I hope other people can see that too.”
In the midst of celebration, Gabby Montoya, executive director of the Orlando Queer & Trans Asian Association, took the opportunity to share their disappointment with the Come Out with Pride when receiving their reward as a current trailblazer.
“Last year, Come Out With Pride had stolen the ideas from Access Pride Coalition to make Come Out With Pride more accessible and still continue to use those ideas without credit or compensation. To see people profit off of the work of queer people of color – financially, emotionally and to claim monopoly – is one of the most inhumane actions I’ve seen such a large organization take. It is unfortunate to see community love taken advantage of,” Montoya said to the audience.
Montoya made clear that they weren’t targeting the organizers of the event , noting they had great respect for them and the work they have done. One of the biggest accomplishments the OQTAA had put together this year was the Pride of Color, which provides a space for queer people of color to be celebrated within Central Florida.
“While we are grateful for being seen as the trailblazers we are, this award does not cover it. We do not work for the thanks, but to ensure that everyone gets the care that they deserve, and that starts with giving credit where credit is due,” Montoya said.
COWP and OQTAA spoke privately after Montoya’s speech and are continuing to have conversations.
Chase Maldonado, who came from a small rural town that had no LGBTQ representation, said that when he moved to Orlando in 2012 Come Out with Pride was the first event where he felt a sense of community. Witnessing the OGC perform at the very same amphitheater that year, Maldonado said that he wanted nothing more than to perform with them. Though he no longer is apart OGC, but Maldonado said he makes sure to attend any event he can.
“Stepping out that door changed my life,” Maldonado said. “Their first performance was at this exact band shell and I remember sitting at it and thinking ‘this is a really amazing group of people, from all kinds of diverse walks of life.’ … It kind of saved my life, because I was going through a rough patch and OGC was there to help me.”
Without much representation through sexuality or culture while growing up, Maldonado was able to find resources and communities here in Orlando. Showing his support Maldonado had attended the event with his husband and friend.
“It’s thanks to events like this and Come Out with Pride, where I not only get to experience my community, but also parts of my own heritage that I never got to know while growing up,” Maldonado said.
Each speech and song was translated into ASL by Valencia College professor Debbie Drobney. Drobney signed the entire performance so that the audience could be entertained, educated and empowered through ASL. The event ended with the OGC singing “One Song” as flags sprung into the air once more in a beautiful display of pride and recognition. Welcoming another year of Come Out with Pride here in Orlando.
