A fundraiser tonight (6/13) at an arcade in downtown Springfield will raise funds for Equality Florida.
The organization calls itself “the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.”
The Greater Ozarks Pridefest committee says it will donate a portion of funds raised during tonight’s event to help victims of the mass shooting over the weekend at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. The committee says “our hearts are with our LGBTQ+ community as they try to recover.”
The fundraiser is tonight from 6 to 8 at 1984, 400 S. Jefferson. Admission is $7.50 for all you can play.
Another event taking place this week following Sunday’s mass shooting--a Candlelight Vigil for Orlando is planned Friday night (6/17) from 8 to 9 at the GLO Center, 518 E. Commercial Street.
The fundraiser and vigil are part of a week-long schedule of events leading up to The Greater Ozarks Pridefest Festival Saturday (6/18) from noon to 9 pm on Park Central Square. Its goal is to “increase public awareness of the LGBT community and to celebrate diversity through visibility.”
Meanwhile, area organizations that serve the LGBT community, are responding to the tragic event in Florida. Charles Abernathy, southwest Missouri field organizer for PROMO, said, "we are horrified and heartbroken by the tragedy in Orlando. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire LGBTQ community in Florida. This is particularly difficult during Pride month. We urge everyone of all backgrounds to support each other and love each other, especially in this month where we celebrate our perseverance as a community. PROMO is looking forward to attending the Greater Ozark Pridefest with our volunteers and the community because hate and fear will never take away our pride."
