 SarasotaOUT.com is teaming up with Macy's to launch a charity drive for The Child Protection Center in Sarasota, Florida. The donations will help support the center's mission of preventing and treating child abuse. The Child Protection Center is a non-profit organization that provides services for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They offer various services, including advocacy, therapy, and education, to help children and families heal and recover from traumatic experiences. The center also provides education and prevention programs to help raise awareness and prevent child abuse in the community. SarasotaOUT.com founder, Joshua Beadle, organized this drive to help an organization that was there for a friend. Here's what he had to say: "I recently had an exchange with a friend whose daughter was abused by her father. The aftermath of the abuse caused immense stress and emotional turmoil for their family. Child Protective Center provided much-needed support to her and her daughter during this challenging time. My friend reached out to me, asking if I had any art supplies to donate as a way to express her gratitude and give back to the organization. I was inspired to do even more! I suggested we enlist the support of the LGBTQ community to come together and make an even more significant impact. I believe it's vital for the LGBTQ community to give back to a wide range of organizations, not just those specifically catering to our community. We have a responsibility to support and uplift the organizations that provide vital services to those in need, including Child Protective Center of Sarasota. I wanted to partner with Macy's, which has its own commitment to giving back through Macy's Mission Every One program. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by abuse and neglect. By providing much-needed supplies, we can support the Child Protective Services work and contribute to creating a safer and more compassionate community for all." The drive will take place throughout April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We encourage you to collect supplies with your family, office, team or group and then drop them off at the CPC during regular office hours. SarasotaOUT.com will collect supplies at their April Gay Group Happy Hour (G2H2) event at The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. Kain Nesbit, OMNI Operations Manager, and Mission Every One Ambassador for Macy's Sarasota, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are excited to work with SarasotaOUT.com to support The Child Protection Center. Our Macy's Mission Every One program is committed to making a difference in the local community. We believe that supporting organizations like CPC is necessary!" The center is seeking various items in different categories, including general supplies, art therapy supplies, games and activities, and pet supplies. Donations can be dropped off at the center or various community locations (TBA). By supporting organizations like The Child Protection Center, we can create a safer and more caring community for everyone, especially children who have experienced abuse.   As the Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) marks its 25th anniversary, SarasotaOUT.com is proud to announce its seventh consecutive year of partnership with SFF, shining a spotlight on the LGBTQ programming and hottest parties featured during the festival. Joshua Beadle, Founder of SarasotaOUT.com, expressed his excitement, stating, "It's such an honor to partner with the Sarasota Film Festival each year, and it's always so exciting to see films with significant LGBTQ characters included."
SarasotaOUT.com features the official 'Gay Guide to the Sarasota Film Festival,' a comprehensive online guide to all the films that features LGBTQ characters and the most anticipated festival parties. This year, we are thrilled to partner with SFF for a special showing of "It's Only Life After All," a documentary about the Indigo Girls on April 1st, 2023. The event will include a special pre-party and a live Q&A session with the Indigo Girls and the director, Alexandria Bombach. Here are some of the must-see LGBTQ films being showcased at this year's festival:
Join us in celebrating the 25th Sarasota Film Festival and the incredible lineup of LGBTQ films and parties. Don't miss out on these fantastic cinematic experiences and unforgettable celebrations!  Looking for something fun to do on Saturday, March 18th? Bring your lawn chair to MLK Jr. Memorial Park near the pavilion for an afternoon of captivation, education, and entertainment! Modern Marimba, in partnership with the Newtown Farmers Market, presents "Friends of Dorothy," a free outdoor concert featuring Spectrum Ensemble. Spectrum Ensemble, comprised of Jaime Esposito and SA Hall, is an exciting percussion duo that strives to increase visibility of talented Queer musicians and composers. For this event, they have prepared something special: music that showcases famous and up-and-coming Queer composers and their music. The idea for Spectrum Ensemble had been incubating in Jaime Esposito's mind for years. After noticing that there was a distinct lack of LGBTQIA+ representation in classical music, Jaime realized their passion was to give the Queer community a platform to create and make music together. Co-founder SA Hall jumped on board with the project, and together, they have created a unique and exciting ensemble that celebrates the talents of Queer musicians and composers. The program for "Friends of Dorothy" includes talented Queer musicians and composers such as "Maria" from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, "Ah Yes, The Three Genders" by Alex Temple, "Aesop’s Fables" by SA Hall, "Kidd Gunner Brother" by Darian Donovan Thomas, "Mi Cosa" by Wes Montgomery, "Golden Gate" by Kevin Rosacias, and "Dorothy Fragments" by Derek Tywoniuk. The concert takes place at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, located at 2523 Cocoanut Ave in Sarasota. The event is free to attend, and parking is also free. Free parking is available in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park lot and in the grassy lot at Cocoanut Ave and 25th St. "Friends of Dorothy" is presented with support from the Newtown Farmers Market, Fabulous Arts Foundation, and Project Pride SRQ. This event promises to be a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and talent, and a wonderful opportunity to come together, learn, and enjoy some amazing music.  Get ready to experience Sarasota's most entertaining and fabulous event, as Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza returns to McCurdy's Comedy Club with a new host, Tamiami Trials. This event promises to be an unforgettable night of fun, laughter, and excitement.
Tamiami Trials is a vibrant and glamorous drag queen known for her impeccable style and wicked sense of humor. As the new host of Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza, she's taking the event to new heights of entertainment, with her unique energy and charisma. This event features three games of bingo, each with its own set of prizes sponsored by local businesses such as Kinky Kitty. But these aren't your typical bingo games, as each round is filled with surprises and twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. But bingo is just one part of the entertainment at Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza. The event also features performances by special guests from all over Florida. These drag queens are some of the most talented performers in the state, bringing their unique personalities and styles to the stage. Their performances are sure to leave the audience in awe. It's important to note that this event is rated AB (Adult Bawdy), with adult humor, language, and themes that may not be appropriate for everyone. However, for those who are looking for a night of over-the-top entertainment and fun, Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza is the perfect choice. Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza is back and better than ever, with Tamiami Trials as the new host. This event promises to be an unforgettable night of fun, laughter, and excitement, with three rounds of bingo, performances by talented drag queens, and a lively atmosphere at McCurdy's Comedy Club. So put on your best outfit, gather your friends, and get ready to experience the magic of Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza.  On February 18th, ALSO Youth held its annual Youth Prom at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, and it was a night to remember. With almost 200 youth in attendance, the event was a huge success, and it was all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the prom planning committee, volunteers, and sponsors. The theme for this year's prom was disco, and the attendees had a blast dancing the night away while enjoying fun crafts and contests. But the prom was much more than just a night of fun and dancing; it was an opportunity for LGBTQ+ youth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties to come together in a safe and inclusive environment and celebrate who they are. ALSO Youth is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, leadership, support, and outreach programs for LGBTQ+ youth in the area. The prom is just one of the many events and programs they offer to support and empower LGBTQ+ youth. Leading up to the prom, ALSO Youth hosted a prom closet where youth could come and pick out jackets, dresses, and shoes to wear to the prom, all for free. They also offered free services at the ALSO Youth Prom Salon to help youth look and feel their best on prom night. While the youth partied disco-style, parents and guardians had an event of their own. ALSO Youth and PFLAG hosted an event for parents of youth attending the prom to relax and enjoy some light bites and beverages at the ALSO Youth Sarasota Center, located just half a mile away from the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. It was a chance for parents to connect with others in a similar situation and get access to valuable resources. Volunteers, like Stephen Lasher, were moved by the event and the positive impact it had on the youth in attendance. He said, "Being of a certain age, some of us shed tears of joy knowing that these kids can dress, talk, laugh, and dance safely. We remember when in our day, this was not usually possible. Thank you, ALSO Youth." The success of the ALSO Youth Prom would not have been possible without the support of sponsors like the Hurlburt Foundation, the DeBartolo Family Foundation, Cindy Barnes of Sarasota Pride, Sights and Sounds AV, Macy's, Georgia Moore, Selby Gardens, and many more. The ALSO Youth Prom is a reminder of the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to thrive and be themselves. It's a celebration of diversity and inclusion, and it's an event that youth look forward to every year. Thanks to ALSO Youth, LGBTQ+ youth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties have a place to go where they are accepted and celebrated for who they are. Do you wish you had a service like ALSO Youth when you were growing up? Let us know in the comments section below. Please Note: For the privacy of the youth, there are limited photos from the event.
 Manatee Pride is an annual event that celebrates diversity and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. This fun family event is organized to raise funds for ALSO Youth, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth by providing advocacy, leadership, support, and outreach programs. The event features an incredible lineup of live entertainment, music, delicious food, refreshments, health checks, and more. It's a celebration of unity and acceptance that brings people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations together to celebrate their differences and support the LGBTQ+ community. One of the talented entertainers set to perform at Manatee Pride is Hovercar, an up-and-coming indie pop band known for their catchy, danceable tunes and energetic live performances. Their music is sure to get attendees up and moving, and their unique sound is not to be missed. Another performer who will take the stage at Manatee Pride is Brittany Zeff & Crew, a local favorite who is known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Her blend of rock, pop, and soul is sure to captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. Momma Ashley Rose from Rose Dynasty is another exciting addition to the lineup, known for her high-energy drag performances and her commitment to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals in Sarasota and beyond. She is sure to bring the house down with her dazzling costumes and impressive stage presence. Grace Cespedes is a talented singer-songwriter who will also be performing at Manatee Pride, known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Her music is a blend of pop, R&B, and soul, and she is sure to captivate the audience with her powerful performances. Finally, Diversity: Voices of Sarasota is a local choir group dedicated to celebrating diversity and inclusivity through music. Their performances are always uplifting and inspiring, and they are sure to be a highlight of Manatee Pride.
Manatee Pride will take place on March 11, 2023, from 12-5 PM at the Riverwalk Pavilion & Event Area in Bradenton, FL. This is a great opportunity to come out and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community, have some fun, and make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. In addition to the event itself, Manatee Pride offers a chance for volunteers to get involved and make a difference. If you're interested in volunteering at the event, email info@alsoyouth.org to get started. Volunteers play a crucial role in making this event a success, and they help to ensure that ALSO Youth can continue to provide the vital support and resources that LGBTQ+ youth need. Manatee Pride is an important event for the LGBTQ+ community in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. It's a celebration of diversity, support, and acceptance that brings people together from all walks of life. By attending, volunteering, and supporting this event, you're helping to make a positive difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in our community. Overall, Manatee Pride promises to be an unforgettable event with an incredible lineup of entertainers, delicious food, and refreshing drinks, this is an event you won't want to miss. |
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