Pride parade will honor Billy Manes, gay chorus
The Orlando Gay Chorus, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Rebecca Storozuk and the late Billy Manes have been named grand marshals for the Oct. 14 parade of the Come Out With Pride Festival.
The headliner for this year’s event, which has the theme #Keep Dancing Orlando, will be singer JoJo. Her hits include “When Love Hurts” and “Too Little Too Late.”
The free festival will run noon-10 p.m. at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. More than 100 vendors will be at the Pride Marketplace and SponsorWalk noon-7 p.m.
The Most Colorful Parade through Orlando’s streets starts at 4 p.m. The Orlando Gay Chorus will be the parade’s Talent Grand Marshal. The group marked its 25th anniversary in 2015. Since the Pulse tragedy in June 2016, the chorus has performed at more than 100 special events.
“As the world wakes up and continues to realize there’s no place for hate, we remember and recognize our past, when there was no place for our members except for within our organization,” said J.D. Casto, chair of the chorus board. “We also recognize that, for some, this hatred, fear and persecution is still very real. We are here for you, we will continue to be here for you, and we will continue to spread our message of love and acceptance.”
Storozuk, the first transgender deputy at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, will be the Community Grand Marshal.
The group praised Storozuk as “a shining example that anyone — no matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, race or age — can be a model citizen working and serving in any capacity.”
Storozuk, an Army veteran, has been an Orange County deputy since 2012. She said she was inspired to be true to herself after the massacre at Pulse nightclub, in which 49 were killed. Storozuk said she enjoyed Pulse and felt safe at the gay nightclub in Orlando.
“When I stumbled and faced loss along the way, the Orlando community was there to carry me when I couldn’t carry myself,” Storozuk said. “I love this community and look forward to growing together.”
Come Out With Pride is honoring Manes as Honorary Grand Marshal. The journalist became a Central Florida favorite through his writing for Orlando Weekly and Watermark. He died in July at age 45.
“Billy Manes believed in the power of community. He knew one must be an active part of a larger community that promotes openness, fairness and access,” said Tony Mauss, Manes’ husband.
Pride on Church Street will run 8-11:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Hamburger Mary’s in downtown Orlando. The restaurant will transform Church Street into a block party.
The Big Gay Brunch will be noon-3 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive. Orlando Immunology Center presents the brunch, which features DJs and live performances. Tickets are $49.23 with fees.