Prystajko says COWP aims to make festival goers aware of opportunities to get involved. “It’s a way to raise awareness about what we do and hopefully reach more youth as a result.” “Pride is our biggest event of the year,” Wilkie says. Zebra Coalition is a nonprofit dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth in Central Florida. Heather Wilkie, executive director of the Zebra Coalition, says they plan to participate in Pride Takes Action because of the opportunity to speak with people who may not otherwise have heard of what they do. Pride Takes Action, a section of the festival that features local advocacy groups and organizations, is back this year as well. This year, they’re closing off Robinson St. Prystajko says nearly 160 vendors have already signed up to participate. The festival will open at noon around Orlando’s Lake Eola where attendees can visit the Pride Marketplace. “So different nonprofits and students are able to have better lives and better opportunities based on the revenue we’re able to bring in.”Īpplications are still open for the grants and the chosen recipients will be announced at a later date. “The money that we raise, if it’s not going back to paying for the event itself, it’s going back to the community in the form of grants and scholarships,” he says. Prystajko says giving back to the community is what makes COWP more than just a celebration. Proceeds from the brunch will benefit Pride Gives Back, an initiative by COWP to give grants to local LGBTQ groups and students. “We are hoping to see more people at all of our events this year.”īefore the parade begins, the Orlando Immunology Center and the Orlando Weekly host Big Gay Brunch at The Abbey starting at noon, and will feature a spread from Seasons 52. “We are seeing increased interest on our social media and website so I think that’s a good sign,” he says. COWP President Jeff Prystajko says there will likely be even more this year. 13.Īligning with National Coming Out Day and LGBTQ History Month, COWP is one of the largest Pride events in Florida with over 160,000 attendees last year. ORLANDO | Come Out With Pride (COWP) is gearing up for its most colorful day of the year - its 14th annual Pride festival and parade held on Oct.
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ABOVE: COWP’s Most Colorful Parade at downtown Orlando in 2017.