Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2803
March 9, 2023- March 15, 2023
A Gulfport Celebration June is not the only time for Pride – it’s a year-round celebration. Gulfport’s Peace, Love, and Pride Festival returns to the Gulfport Casino Ballroom for its fifth annual celebration on March 12 from noon to sunset. The Peace, Love, and Pride Festival began in March of 2018 by co-founders Amy Oatley and Lynn DiVenuti. They hope everyone comes together to celebrate love and the Gulfport community. “It is basically a festival not just for the LGBTQ community, but for everybody,” DiVenuti said. “People here are just so friendly and diverse. Nobody thinks twice about seeing people running around holding hands.” The festival hosts many of Gulfport’s home-grown bands and LGBTQ-friendly vendors and sponsors. The Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band starts the festival with a march from the Gulfport Recreation Center to the Casino. Performances occur on the outdoor stage facing the beach to make room for any dancing and/or lawn-chair lounging. Performers include Anarkitty, Doug
DINE-IN •
ABBY BAKER
By Cameron Healy
Rachael Meir and Kasey Kersher take a seat between sets at Gulfport Peace, Love and Pride 2022.
and Dayna; Elysian Sex Drive; The Lynn Music Experience; Keith Bonvie and Greg Foley; Marianne and The Professor; Roxanne; and The Rum Syndicate. Each year, the festival chooses a beneficiary for a portion of the proceed; this year they chose Girls Rock St Pete. The organization empow-
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ers “women, girls, and gender-expansive folx [per Merriam Webster: this explicitly signals ‘the inclusion of groups commonly marginalized’]” to fearlessly express themselves, artistically experiment, and build confidence through playing instruments. Celebration continued on page 14