PFLAG Niceville confirms Emerald Coast Pride will return on June 1

NICEVILLE — After facing backlash from community members at a Niceville City Council meeting, PFLAG Niceville has announced that its annual Emerald Coast Pride event will return on Saturday, June 1, at the Niceville Community Center.

Here is what we know.

Backlash recap

Niceville residents' frustrations about the pride event stemmed from a social media post that began to circulate online. Those who opposed the event focused on the original advertising for a "Drag Queen Story Hour," billed as an event where some special ladies read lighthearted stories.

Several outspoken Niceville residents condemned the event at the April 9 Niceville City Council meeting, claiming that the proposed story hour violated Florida Statutes. One resident even compared the event to a Ku Klux Klan rally and argued that the event would be used to indoctrinate children into the LGBTQ-plus lifestyle.

After about 30 minutes of back and forth, Mayor Dan Henkel called for a vote to close the meeting.

Putting the 'Nice' in Niceville

As the fallout from the event ensued, David Simmons, president of PFLAG Niceville and co-chair of Emerald Coast Pride, and Misti Schneidewind, PFLAG's treasurer, met with Niceville City Manager David Deitch to discuss how the event could proceed.

In an interview with the Northwest Flordia Daily News, Simmons and Schneidewind said the conversation with Deitch was fruitful as the event was allowed to proceed with one exception — a drag story hour would not be held.

Simmons also gave his thoughts on the backlash on social media.

"I feel that it was a huge positive result for us whenever the haters come out and say such extreme things like that," Simmons said. "It really shows a line between who's on the side of love and truth and justice and who is not. It made it very clear we are doing the work to help a marginalized community. This (reaction) is the very reason why we need pride."

Simmons and Schneidewind referenced statistics that supported their claims. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, LGBTQ-plus youth are five times more likely to commit suicide compared to their straight counterparts.

Additionally, a study conducted by the National Network for Youth found that individuals identifying as LGBTQ-plus have a 120% higher risk of experiencing some form of homelessness.

"That's why we need to be there to give the message that we love you and affirm you and that you are safe here in Niceville and that Niceville is safe for you," Simmons said.

For Schneidewind, the statistics referenced above hit her a little closer to home, as her daughter, who is a part of the LGBTQ-plus community, feels like Niceville is not a town that she would be accepted in.

"She's not coming home because she doesn't want to hang out with us. She is not coming home because Niceville was not so nice to her. She can't walk down the street freely and hold her wife's hand, and that's ridiculous," said Schneidewind.

As local LGTBQ-plus youth and allies get ready to attend Emerald Coast Pride, some of whom may be attending for the first time, Simmons and Schneidewind echoed the sentiment that attendees would have the chance to see how much support they have in the community.

"Anyone that comes will feel like they can authentically be themselves, whoever that is, and they will not be judged for it. In fact, they'll be celebrated for it, and they'll just be surrounded with love and affirmation," Schneidewind said.

Schedule of events

Event organizers tout this year's event as family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. It boasts a day-long celebration where members of the local LGBTQ-plus community and allies can come together. All events will feature police security and medical volunteers to ensure safety.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for activities, games, crafts, a food truck and a DJ. Eventgoers can receive gifts, such as hand-held pride flags, pens, buttons and stickers. For this year's event, PFLAG announced that it will also hold a pride closet, where attendees can donate or take gender-affirming clothing.

Also, attendees can participate in a pride book swap and virtual silent auction to raise scholarship funds for local LGBTQ-plus youth.

At 9 a.m., the newly formed Gulf Coast Pride Choir will sing three songs before Spencer Brecevic, the official Emerald Coast Pride poet, will read an original poem composed for the event. Following his performance, Simmons will offer a speech called "Wave the Colors of Your Pride!"

The sixth annual Pride Walk will begin about 9:20 a.m., taking eventgoers south along Partin Drive before heading east on John Sims Parkway. As they approach Juniper Avenue and Bullock Road, walkers will be met by Free Mom Hugs, a group of local mothers of LGBTQ-plus children who offer free hugs to anyone in need. Event organizers say that those with age or mobility issues who want to participate in the Pride Walk can distribute cookies and water with Free Mom Hugs.

After a brief rest, the route will continue west along John Sims Parkway and return to the Niceville Community Center.

After returning to the center, the Disney animated short "Out" will be shown at 10:15 a.m., followed by an open mic segment at 10:30 a.m., where attendees can share their stories with other LGBTQ-plus youth before an afternoon break at 2 p.m.

From 6 to 9:30 p.m., the event will feature a Pride Prom for all ages. The prom will also feature Vanessa Kanamoto, a professor of dance at Northwest Florida State College, as she performs an original choreographed dance routine. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided.