Happy fall, y'all!

Fernandina Beach Pride is gearing up for a fall/holiday season full of activity. Check out our updated event calendar below, and make sure you're following us on social media for the latest information (just click the Facebook & Instagram icons at the bottom of this email). We also have a unique volunteer opportunity to join Pride in the Lighted Christmas Parade -- scroll to the bottom!

As your new president, my personal mission for Pride is to keep up the good work started by Genece Minshew and her colleagues back in 2019 to grow Pride's reach in Nassau County. For me, pride is all about understanding and learning to love yourself fully and unapologetically, regardless of what obstacles the social "norms," constructs, dogma, and politics might throw your way. Pride is a journey of self realization and acceptance, and then leading by example. The farther along we are on our journey, the more we must strive to live openly as the truest version of ourselves and always speak out when there is injustice. We owe it equally to those who came before us and paved the way, and to those who are just beginning their journey and need guidance and a good example.

Regardless of where you are on your pride journey, we are grateful that you have allowed Fernandina Beach Pride to be a part of it. This includes all our wonderful allies. We certainly wouldn't be where we are today without you. Onward!

With Pride,

Jordan Morris

President

Fernandina Beach Pride Inc.

Mon 10/23 – WELCOME Monthly Dinner (Memorial United Methodist Church, 6 p.m.)

Every 4^th Friday of the month, MUMC hosts an inclusive, free dinner for all genders & sexualities. Representatives from Pride will be in attendance this Monday to speak about the Transgender Day of Remembrance (details below) and the launch of our Youth Program. This is not Pride-sponsored, but we encourage anyone interested in this type of gathering to join us!

Tue 10/24 – October Meet-up (The Decantery, 6 p.m.)

We've had a strong response on social media for our next monthly meetup at The Decantery. We hope you can make it! No cover, 21+ only this month.

Sun 10/29 – LGBTQ+ Author Event (Story & Song, 2 p.m.)

We are excited to co-host this event with Story & Song Bookstore & Bistro. Mike Coleman, author of "The Way From Me to Us," an LGBTQ+ memoir about dealing with internal and external homophobia, will be in conversation with our friend Ron Kurtz. Gordon Fowler will provide a musical program. This is a free event! Story & Song will host a small wine and cheese reception for meeting the author and musician following the book discussion.

Tue 11/7 – Proclamation of Transgender Day of Remembrance (City Hall, 6 p.m.)

Mayor Bean will read a proclamation from the City of Fernandina Beach for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. These proclamations generally take place between 6 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. If you can make a brief appearance with us, it would be a great showing of solidarity.

Mon 11/20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance (Burns Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 6 p.m.)

Every year, we hold a service to remember those we’ve lost to anti-trans violence. This year, we are adding a “teach-in” to the program to explain transgender issues. Heather Gupte will host, and several trans members of the community have agreed to take part. Memorial United Methodist Church will be combining their monthly “WELCOME” dinner with this service. This promises to be a powerful event you won't want to miss.

Mon 11/27 – November Meet-up at Don Patron Mexican Grill II (next to Staples) at 6 p.m.

Can you say, "orgullo?" That's "pride" in Spanish. The new Don Patron on the island is excited to host "La Noche de Orgullo," our free monthly meet-up where we hope to pack the restaurant full of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies. You'll probably need a break from turkey sandwiches by this point, so bring the family for dinner! All ages welcome!

Fri 12/15 – Pride Holiday Fundraiser Party (Courtyard by Marriott, 7 p.m.)

Are you ready to party? Save the date for our annual event full of dancing, cocktails, festive frivolity, and perhaps a drag performance or two. We are stoked to return to the Marriott for a big, gay old time. Tickets will go on sale in early November. Stay tuned for more information!

Volunteer with us!

Do you like parades? Are you artsy-fartsy? Want to help create and decorate Pride's float and/or walk with us in the Lighted Christmas Parade (Downtown Fernandina Beach, Saturday, December 2)? Send Jordan an email, and he'll put you in touch with the parade planning committee.

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