From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend Awards 65 Community Builders
By Society Against Sti's & Hiv (Sash Bahamas)
Aug 29, 2014 - 11:46:57 AM
Only a few of the nominees. Left: journalist Ava Turnquest nominated for a Media/Arts/Entertainment Award; Middle: filmmaker Kareem Mortimer nominated for a Media/Arts/Entertainment Award; Right: activist Erin Greene nominated for a Community Titan Award ; and Bottom: writer Helen Klonaris nominated for a Community Titan Award
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Nassau, The Bahamas - Highlighting the achievements of community builders and allies is one
of the primary goals of the Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend Event. Designed and
developed by a planning committee, the Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend will cater
to the various layers that impact the lives of GLBT Bahamians. Hosted in Grand Bahama, the event is
filled with activities over the span of the entire weekend of Friday August 29th
through Monday September 1st 2014.
The Award Nominations
closed on August 10th 2014 and the support was overwhelming. The
planning committee did not have much of a task in deciding who all were to be
highlighted for their specific and diverse achievements as all of the nominees
are nothing less than deserving. Certificates will be given out beginning on
Thursday August 28th 2014 to many of the awardees.
There are six award
categories: Community Health and Well Being Award for contributions to the
community in the fields of healthcare, research and advocacy. Community
Organization Award for contributions to nonprofit service in the community.
Young Achiever Award for individuals under 30 who have made outstanding
contributions to the community. Business Award for contribution to profitable
service within and for the community. Media/Arts/Entertainment Award for
creative contributions and achievements in and for the community and the
Community Titan Award for individuals who have made outstanding and significant
contributions to and for the GLBT Bahamian community in any capacity.
Few of the
Awardees are Erin Green, Amard Rolle, Kareem Mortimer, Ava Turnquest, Victor
Rollins, Alicia Seymour, SASH Bahamas and The Bahamas AIDS Foundation. The
awardees began being notified through social media starting August
27th 2014
The Story Behind The Story of Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend 2014
Nassau,
The Bahamas - The idea came to me early this year as I was thinking on
how to raise funds for two organization that I had been given the task
of fundraising for both groups. Because of their function in society and
their target population of persons they are designed to reach, the
stigma, and discrimination has had a negative impact on acquiring much
needed funding.
SASH
Bahamas works with MSM/LGBTI individuals in prevention, empowerment and
bringing purpose to members of the LGBTI community while the Bahamas
National Network for Positive living (BNN+) works with persons infected
with HIV and persons affected by HIV in regards to care, treatment and
support. So as you can see two topics that are still very much taboo to
speak about in our country and hard to get help for. As I was
continually told when trying to solicit financial help, “Vic, if I help
any of these organizations people will think I’m gay or I have HIV”.
Wow! Stigma in Helping? So I then had to come up with creative ways of
fundraising for these two very important organizations.
In
the late 70’s early 80’s Vic’s Entertainment was well know at that time
as Slic Vic’s Production and ruled the event planning for Disco Themed
Parties of which my work then supported the Cripple Children’s
Committee, and in the late 80’s to 2000’s in the religious community as
Brother Vic’s or Jubal Sounds for Gospel Parties & DJ for events
which helped to give up and coming young Christians a platform to use
their God given talent to share the gospel through music, dance, singing
and drama.
In
this attempt to use my ability to plan fun filled event that I feel
would assist in fund raising and as well as to celebrate and bring
together the LGBTI community during the Pride season, I came up with
Bahamas Pride “Freedom Weekend”. All that is needed is you and your
support.Bahamas Pride weekend was design to Inspire, Educate and
celebrate the diverse Bahamian LGBTIQ Community, So I teamed up with
Sash Bahamas and they bought into the Idea and now history will be made,
So on the Eve of Bahamas Pride I encourage you, If your Gay , Lesbian,
Transsexual, Questioning, Straight, or if have a Friend, Family member
or Colleague who is, to come out support and celebrate with me Slic Vic
Style as we Raise funds for two very important groups.
Celebrate
our differences in the most beautiful way in the world’s most beautiful
country, The Bahamas on the Island of Grand Bahama, this weekend August
29th - Bahamas Pride “Freedom Weekend” 2014.
- Victor Rollins
Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend to take place in Grand Bahama
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