May 25, 2012
Orlando Black Pride Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Six-Day Event
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
ORLANDO, FL - Celebrating its 10th anniversary in a big way, Orlando Black Pride will take place May 29 through June 3 at the Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel and other venues throughout Orlando with a full schedule that includes parties, contests, karaoke competition, a bowling night, educational events and church services for the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community.
The six-day event, traditionally held the first week of June, kicks off at 8 p.m. May 29 with an OBP 10th Birthday Party, a private VIP event with free admission, food and drinks. For an invitation, contact the event organizers at [email protected]. An official welcome reception for all attendees will begin at 4 p.m. June 1 at the host hotel, 200 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.
Held simultaneously with Gay Disney, one of the largest LGBT events in the country, Orlando Black Pride aims to provide empowerment through unity and pride while promoting community health and wellness, and social justice to the African-American LGBT community of Central Florida and beyond.
"We are very excited about our 10th anniversary and expect our largest attendance ever," said Tricia E. Duncan, founder and president of Orlando Black Pride. "It says a lot that a black lesbian-owned business can flourish against all the odds for 10 years. We are forever grateful to all the individuals -- straight, gay, black and white -- and a few companies that dared to be different by allowing us to be ourselves."
Duncan went on to say that the celebratory event will have even more significance this year since it is being held in the wake of President Obama's affirmative stance on same-sex marriage. For the first time, Orlando Black Pride will hold a Group Commitment Ceremony for gay couples 3-5 p.m. June 3 in the gazebo and garden area of Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel.
Pastor Brei Taylor from Oasis Fellowship Ministries will offer pre-marriage counseling and perform the ceremony. Couples interested in participating can email info@OrlandoBlackPride for more information.
In addition to a series of afternoon and nighttime parties, including appearances by such celebrities as recording artist Dondria and Kenya Bell from VH1's "Basketball Wives," Orlando Black Pride will also include charitable and cultural events: Bowling for PRIDE will take place 8 p.m. to midnight May 31 at AMF Sky Lanes, 7401 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando.
A $20 donation will provide unlimited bowling, shoes, a live DJ, a free pitcher of Bud Light per lane and door prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, which provides a variety of health educational and outreach services to Orlando minority populations, including people with HIV/AIDS.
Books & Brunch, a literary workshop featuring LGBT authors, who will give advice on book writing and publishing, will take place at 11 a.m. June 2 at the Lake Buena Vista hotel. A full brunch will be served and the cost is $10 admission and $25 for brunch.
The 11th annual celebration will end with the OBP Entertainer of the Year Pageant, featuring performers in drag, and a finale party starting at 7 p.m. June 3 at Falafel Hookah Lounge, 13605 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando.
In all, 16 events will take place during Orlando Black Pride.
For a full schedule or more information, log on to: www.orlandoblackpride.com
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
