Pride-SWFL, a local nonprofit, is hosting its ninth annual gay pride celebration this weekend.
Though it will include the usual live music, food and drinks of a pride festival, the event, fittingly named SWFL Pride, prides itself on being volunteer-run and will feature members of other nonprofits in the area as well as community groups and supportive religious organizations.
Pride-SWFL formed in August 2009. That month was the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City, so a small group of Southwest Floridians came together — with little to no experience — to host the first SWFL Pride.
Pride-SWFL board member Charlie Grissler joins the show to talk about the grassroots movement that formed the organization.
This year’s SWFL Pride Festival begins Oct. 7 at noon on the grounds of the Alliance for the Arts.
