Pride Day 2018

Locals are gearing up to celebrate Pride Day in South Mississippi.

With Pride Month coming to an end, the Gulf Coast Association of Pride invites South Mississippi to Pride Day 2018 on Saturday at Point Cadet in east Biloxi.

For the second straight year, the Gulf Coast Association of Pride puts on a festival for everyone to enjoy, regardless of sexual preference. Gulf Coast Association of Pride Chairman of the Board Jana Riley said, “It’s going to be even bigger. We got a board of directors that have been committed to planning of it for seven months now.”

Last year, the Gulf Coast Pride event was a small response to the political climate at the time with 800 people attending. However, it turned out to be much more. Gulf Coast Association of Pride member Lynn Koval said, “We had to have one day, a feel good day. We needed that positive day. It was an incredible weekend.”

“This year, we are expecting at least twice that many people. I’m hoping to see between 1500 to 2000 people come out throughout the day,” said Riley.

Starting at noon, this family friendly event will have something for everyone. There will be food, splash pads, live bands, and 20 drag performers ready to entertain South Mississippi. Drag performer Karie Walter said, “You’re so nervous until you go out there and see the friendly faces. You know, the people. At that point, it’s about having a good time. You don’t come inside, you come out.”

Walter tells News 25 this event isn’t just for the LGBT community. It’s a time for the Gulf Coast to come together and unite. “Anybody has the freedom to do religion, be who you are, sexual preference, just be a great human being and expect people to treat you how you would like to be treated.”

“This Coast has always been one Coast. We are just holding them to it. We are one Coast,” said Koval.

The Just Us lounge started their pride festivities with a kickoff party tonight in Biloxi.