Digital subscriptions provided by the City of Gulfport THE GABBER.COM No. 2827
August 24, 2023- August 30, 2023
Pride of Ownership Tensions ran high during the Aug. 15 Gulfport City Council meeting during a discussion about Gulfport Pride 2024, on the agenda as Resolution 202364. As the council began speaking about the Gulfport 2024 events calendar, the topic of the fourth annual Gulfport Pride Festival came up. “I would really rather not be here tonight,” Susan Gore, president of the LGBTQ Resource Center told the council.
ABBY BAKER
By Patrick Heinzen
Gulfport Pride Festival For the last three years, the LGBTQ Resource center benefited from the funds raised from the celebration. During this time, Suzanne King (SIK Promotions), along with Ester Venouziou, (LocalShops1), organized the event. The event also received support from Gulfport Vice Mayor Paul Ray (Ward III) and his husband, Wesley. Through these years, King submitted the application as the event organizer, with the LGBTQ Resource center as the beneficiary. According to Ray, he formed a partnership with King and became involved in the planning. For the 2024 Pride Fest, a new nonprofit organization called Gulf-
Councilmember Paul Ray (right), pictured here with his husband, Wes, created Gulfport Pride Florida with Ester Venouziou and Suzanne King also on the board.
port Pride Florida applied for the event. This nonprofit includes Ray (president), Wesley Ray (vice president), Venouziou (secretary), and King (treasurer). Because ownership of the event came into question at the meeting, The Gabber Newspaper reviewed the applications for the last
five years. Although Gore applied as the nonprofit beneficiary, King (SIK) acted as and agreed to the terms as the applicant on all applications, other than for the 2024 celebration. According to Gore, the Center submitted an incomplete application on June 9 to organize the 2024 Pride celPride continued on page 7
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