Venice Pride, Inc.

News & Updates ❤ March 24, 2022

About Us

Events

Volunteer

Newsletter

Note from the Team

The past few weeks have been amazing and unsettling at the same time.

We have seen the community come together in opposition to the "Don't Say Gay" bill, Florida's bill which is the most well-known bill across the country. Similar bills have been introduced in multiple states. Right now, the Florida bill has passed in the state legislature and is awaiting Gov. DeSantis's signature. He is expected to sign it.

A press release from the Human Rights Campaign indicated that "more than 290 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across 33 states in 2021, including more than 140 specifically anti-transgender bills." All trends show that 2022 will surpass 2021 in anti-LGBTQ+ measures being proposed.

With more than half of Black LGBTQ+ students saying they feel unsafe in school due to their sexual orientation and gender identity, according to a 2020 survey from the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group GLSEN and the National Black Justice Coalition, advocates say the “Don’t Say Gay” bill will have an negative effect on students of color.

WATCH THE EQUALITY FLORIDA TV AD

All over Florida the community has come together. We need to stay informed on what's next. Follow the news and updates from Equality Florida, Project Pride SRQ, ALSO Youth, Venice Pride, Inc . and the students who are spearheading and leading state-wide walk-outs, holding town halls, marching to Tallahassee and galvanizing the community. Together we are stronger!

This is an historic moment. This outpouring of unity among the LGBTQ+ community and allies shows over and over that the majority of Americans oppose these bills which harm our community, especially our youth, families, teachers, parents, educators and staff.

We will not be forced back into the closet!

With Pride,

Your friends at Venice Pride

Donate HERE

Stay Up To Date

Planning an Event you want to share with the community. Email us!

ALSO YOUTH PROM

Sat. • Mar. 25 • 6pm―10pm

Details HERE

VENCE PRIDE VIRTUAL GIVING CHALLENGE

Tues. - Wed. • Apr. 26―27

CLICK HERE on Apr. 26 anytime after Noon

CASINO NIGHT *

Fri. • Apr. 29 • 7pm

Details HERE

THIS IS ME FLASH MOB *

Sat. • Jun. 4

10am―10:30am

Details HERE

VENICE PRIDE

RIDE FOR PRIDE

Downtown Venice

Sat. • Jun. 4 • 1pm

More details soon

THE GRAND CARNIVAL*

Sat. • Jun. 4 • 7pm―10pm

Details HERE

PRIDE CAR PARADE *

Downtown Sarasota

Sat. • Jun. 11 • 11am―Noon

Details HERE

PARADE OF PETS *

Sat. • Jun. 18 • 9am―10am

Details HERE

GRAND FLAG MARCH *

Sat. • Jun. 25 • 7:30pm

Details HERE

Spread Spencer’s Sparkle "HUNKS IN HEELS"

Sat. • Jul. 23 • 6pm―9pm

Details HERE

SARASOTA PRIDE

Sat. • Oct. 22 • JD Hamel Park

More details soon

VENICE PRIDE FESTIVAL

Sat. • Nov. 12 • 11am―4pm

More details soon

*PPSRQ - Project Pride

Featuring Lisa and Blaze

Meet Lisa Moore

Lisa founded Blaze of Hope after her sweet son Blaze was diagnosed with liver cancer at only seven months old. This was the most challenging time of her life by far. She had to take a leave from her job because Blaze was so sick and spent most of her time in the hospital. Blaze endured aggressive chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Sadly, Blaze passed away at 13 months old.

While she was at the hospital, she saw other families desperately in need of HOPE of their own. Not only were they struggling with the unexplainable sadness and pain involved, but they were also struggling to meet their personal financial responsibilities.

These people chose their child instead of their mortgage payment, a choice no parent should have to make.

Her dream was to honor her son, so she started: "Blaze of Hope,” a 501(c)3 non-profit organization where a family can fill out an application for financial assistance.

The funds from the charity are used to help them pay their expenses during the trying times of having a sick child in the hospital.

Lisa is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ family! She and her wife support the many LGBTQ organizations of the Suncoast. In return, how can our community help support Lisa and Blaze of Hope?

Volunteering. Blaze of hope has built relationships with local festivals. When the Blaze of Hope volunteer army donates their time, Blaze of Hope is gifted significant funds from the festival organizers. Follow the Facebook Page for volunteer opportunities.

CLICK HERE

Donate. Raising funds is what helps us achieve our mission! In 2022 it's our goal to help 120 families! Help us “Spread HOPE like wildfire.”

CLICK HERE

Share. Let people know about Lisa and Blaze! We want to reach as many people as we can so that if someone knows a family that needs help, they will know about us and can recommend Blaze of Hope.

Community, Partnerships and Advocacy

Chat With Pride

Hosted by Venice Pride, Inc.

March 3, 2022

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first Chat (via Zoom). Stay tuned for more details about the next Chat with Pride.

Manatee Pride Festival

Presented by ALSO Youth

March 5, 2022

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community and allies.

St Patty’s Day Party

Hosted by Margaret Kennedy

March 17, 2022

Great time at the Giving Challenge kickoff fundraiser for Venice Pride. Thank you to Robinson, Gruters and Roberts PA for their donation, Margaret Kennedy and Ashley Williams for organizing the event and to the Venice Wine and Coffee Company for their hospitality. We raised about $1K for our Youth Scholarship.

Venice Farmers Market

March 19, 2022

We had an awesome inaugural presence at the Venice Farmers Market. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Shout out to our volunteers: Ellen Kindstedt, Kathy Hanas and Nancy Wilson.

Giving Challenge

April 26-27, 2022

We are participating in an annual 24 hour virtual giving event sponsored by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Patterson Foundation where credit card contributions of $25.00 to $100.00 will be matched.

This fundraiser will help us to award scholarship(s) to LGBTQ+ H.S. students who are getting ready to attend college and to also fund some of our community efforts, right here in the Suncoast region of Florida. Please consider making a donation. Details HERE

Ready to Get Involved?

We are looking for board members. If you are positive, passionate and are looking to get involved in the community, we are in the early stages of forming groups, tasks and programs around governance, social identity, development, pride and so much more.