Gainesville-based grassroots organization The Rainbow Collective will host its first-ever Pride at the Park event June 30 at Longwood Park.
The free event will feature several Gainesville-based businesses and organizations, an art market and free on-site HIV testing and prevention education provided by District 2 Public Health. Founder and head organizer Matéo Penado said the event aims to create a welcoming environment while also providing free health-related resources to the community.
“Gainesville itself has a very long history of community and community organizing,” Penado said. “For the LGBTQ community, in particular here in Gainesville, what we require is our physical spaces to be in and to also to be able to hold events. Seeing one another creates community connections and ties, and also, for us to be able to access very important resources and services as well. Many people cannot…whether it be because of lack of funds, lack of car, lack of time as well.”
Aside from District 2 Public Health, Rape Response, Community Organized Relief Effort and PFLAG Gainesville will also table the event, providing their resources for free. There will also be pamphlets with a list of local inclusive health resources available in both English and Spanish.
“We want to make this available for everyone,” Penado said. “And the event is for everyone as well. People of all ages- not just LGBTQ people, but also allies as well.”
Pride at the Park will also feature a gender-affirming clothing swap, where gently used, clean clothing can be donated and be provided to those in need. Any clothing that remains at the end of the event will be donated to area shelters.
Also tabling the event will be Gainesville-based and LGBTQ-owned or affirming businesses such as Feral Print Co. and The Hive Body Art. The art market will also feature local artists selling their work.
Pride at the Park will be held on June 30 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Dogwood Pavillion in Longwood Park on Pearl Nix Parkway.
