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Julicia Gouge, Rachel Bryant, and Hayley Bramall
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Chekea Dollison and Zana Cruz
Ocala embraces Pride
O
STO RY A N D P H OTOS BY J O H N SOTO M AYO R
n Saturday, October 19, 2019, Ocala Pride Inc. organizers braved risk of rain, and was rewarded with an amazing event for everyone. Held at Tuscawilla Park, the event was family-friendly, as LGBTQ and straight families mingled among the vendors and danced in the open field before the stage as performers like Mickey’s This and That, Deifendeifer, and Apex took the stage. LGBTQ+ organizations were present, such as PFLAG of North Central Florida, Unity for Ocala, and Metropolitan Community Church. A few community notables included the reining Mr and Mrs Ocala Onyx Valentino and Starr Shine, Ocala Cannibals, Soul Essentials of Ocala, host of “Mama Knows Best” Talk Show – Mama, and then candidate for Marion County Clerk of Courts, Cynthia Moody.
Albert Rager and Paula Smith, OPI President
Casey Donahue, Mike Smith, Doug Reed, and Keith Stein
Oynx Valentino and Starr Shine
