Gulf Coast Equality Fest

The LGBTQ community was colorful and full of pride at this year’s Gulf Coast Equality Fest on Saturday at Harrah’s Great Lawn.

Hundreds came out to have fun with friends and bring awareness to equality. A hope board was filled with encouraging words for festival goers to read or add to. There was plenty of entertainment, even a few drag performers made appearances on stage.

The LGBTQ community was in full force and had the community’s support behind them. Performer Amanduh Pleaze said, “It’s important for people who don’t know the lifestyle, people who don’t know about our community, it brings awareness. It brings a light to a dark situation and it opens the door for everyone, not just people in the LGBTQ community, but everyone to come and get involved, allies, parents, friends, co-workers, like I said, just unity in the community.”

There were a few protesters but those at the Equality Fest didn’t let that stop them from spreading light on their mission.