Venice Pride, Inc. ❤ News & Updates

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Note From the Team

August 29, 2022

As we enter the 4th quarter of 2022, we find ourselves reflecting on what we have accomplished this year and how best to position our efforts for greater impact in 2023.

What we do know is that embracing our community is a priority for us. We continue to navigate through the many issues our community faces, including a pandemic that won't go away, don't say gay laws, threat to same-sex marriage legislation, Roe vs. Wade, hate crimes against the transgender community, racism, health care and safety to name some of the top issues.

Venice Pride, Inc. was founded as an inclusive place where we celebrate the diversity, visibility and strength of our LGBTQ+ community and allies. This statement still holds true for us. In the remaining months of 2022, we have several events planned (see below).

Stay tuned for some upcoming focus group invites where we can join together and hear from you ... our community and supporters, on how WE can grow and support each other in 2023 and beyond.

We are stronger together!

With Pride,

Kathy Hanas, President

(She, Her, Hers)

kathy.hanas@veniceflpride.com

Upcoming Events

4PRIDE@VT PARTNERSHIP

Sept. 2022 (1st show)

Ticket cost for all

4 shows is $116.00

2022

Sept. 28: Revolutionist

Nov. 2: Kinky Boots

2023

Jan. 25: Up on the Roof

Mar. 8: Gypsy

Theatre subscription to promote a message of diversity and inclusion in the performing arts

Details HERE

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

Oct. 6 to 8, 2022

Panel Discussion

Say Gay:

An Intergenerational Dialogue with Those Most at Risk

Guest Speaker

August Bernadicou

President

LGBTQ History

Project, Inc.

Details HERE

3rd COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

Nov. 12, 2022

A fun-filled day to

build and embrace community

Live Music

Entertainment

Kids Korner

Pet Blessing

Pet Parade

Vendors

Artists

Crafters

Community groups

Business leaders

and much more ...

Details HERE

Tracy Silver

Board Member-At-Large

As a new member, Tracy looks forward to introducing the VPI mission and initiatives to our community through her many connections as a Business Owner for over twelve years.

Tracy is the owner of Venice Wine and Coffee Company and has lived in Venice full time for over 12 years, however, she has spent years here as a visitor and snowbird since the mid-1970s. Originally from Central Illinois, Tracy is a Registered Nurse and spent most of her career in Healthcare Administration. She has four children and four grandchildren, all of whom love visiting the paradise that IS Venice Florida.

Tracy is currently the President of the Board of Directors for Venice MainStreet, a Board on which she has served for over six years, four of which she served as Treasurer.

Tracy looks forward to help connecting Venice Pride, Inc. with our community, grassroots groups, new partners and local businesses to build visibility, a presence and a voice in Venice.

Daniel Werner

Youth Advisor to the Board

Daniel is a Junior at Venice High. He was adopted at the age of 7 and has two brothers and one sister. He has a passion with the Performing Arts and Music. His parents are strong believers in loving people for who they are and they taught him that at a young age.

He believes that everyone has a right to live and choose and he cannot wait to help out our lgbtqia community.

Marcy Jack

Volunteer Coordinator

Marcy was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and she currently resides in Sarasota with her dachshunds, Snickers and Coco.

Marcy is a retired Elementary Physical Education teacher with years of experience planning and organizing school and community events. She served on the board of Pennsylvania AAHPERD as the Convention Exhibits Manager. Marcy enjoys beachcombing, kayaking, golfing and playing in the SRQ Kickball LGBTQ League.

Jay Pennell

Grant Writer

Jay is a retired Juvenile Justice (JJ) Specialist from the State of Maine. He moved to Florida to never need to shovel snow again.

As a Licensed Social Worker he worked for the State of Maine as a Juvenile Probation Officer/Supervisor for 20 years before being selected as the JJ Specialist where he learned both ends of the Grant Writing business. As a Specialist he learned to write for and draw down $400,000 a year in Title II grants from the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.

Working with a 35 person board appointed by the Governor the JJAG served as a Federal watch regarding Maine’s Juvenile Justice System. Part of this was writing smaller grants to local communities to allow them to serve youth and families in the justice system. This allowed him to work with Maine’s Native American communities, Immigrant and refugee communities and Mainers in general including its LGBTQ population.

Retirement in Florida has meant being able to volunteer to help write grants for Venice Pride Inc. to help improve outcomes for the youth and the adults in the LGBTQ community.

Yolanda deJesus

Strategy & Social Identity Consultant

Serves as a consultant in strategic planning, website development and communications for Venice Pride, Inc. She was born in NY but also resided and worked in NJ and NC.

She retired from a global association (of 428,000 members in 130 countries) where she led and held various roles in human resources, strategy, operations, organizational design, communications, learning & development and diversity & inclusion. She holds a Masters in Leadership and Communications and is an SPHR professional. Enjoys spending time with her family, grandson and dog (Kelly). Loves reading, travelling and quilting.