Nassau, The Bahamas - The end of summer will not only mean the beginning of the new school year for most, but it will be the weekend the gay, lesbian bisexual and transgendered community of The Bahamas will unite and celebrate the triumphs and uniqueness of this marginalized population.

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. Held 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.

There are seven themed parties set for the weekend including a Great Gatsby Themed All White Affair, Pajama Party, Retro Party and signature beach and pool parties. The event will host a talent showcase and pageant, Best of The Best 2, sponsored by SASH Bahamas and private corporate funders as well as a Health Fair in partnership with health and wellbeing organizations.

SASH Bahamas, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help fight the spread of STDs and HIV within the GLBT Bahamian community has been a major component and stakeholder in the development and structure of the event.

Executive Director Amard Rolle commented, “The community needs a much needed boost of new energy, safe spaces and structured environments to truly be innovative. We agreed to be a part of this event because we at SASH Bahamas are committed to being social helpers and community builders.”

This event is not the first event of its kind and leading up to Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend, members of the now defunct Rainbow Alliance Bahamas, Bahamian Gays and Lesbians Against Discrimination and Hope Through Education and Awareness will be highlighted and given tribute for the cornerstones that they have laid for the community during their active period.

The event will also have a moment of memoriam for all GLBT individuals who were victims and or lost their lives because of hate crimes or HIV.

More information at: BahamasPride.org

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