From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend to take place in Grand Bahama
By Society Against Sti's & Hiv (Sash Bahamas)
Aug 28, 2014 - 7:56:35 PM
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
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