Rehoboth Beach Pride festival returns July 19

Sussex Pride announced its annual Rehoboth Beach Pride festival will celebrate love, inclusion and diversity with a day of revelry, awareness and unity for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 19, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. 

Workshop topics will include a variety of critical issues in the LGBTQ+ community such as healthcare, access to legal protection, suicide prevention, and challenges for the LGBTQIA-identified Latinx community. 

Returning host Roxy Overbrooke's infectious energy will engage and inspire attendees. Performers featured throughout the day will include Ivy Blu Austin, Goldstar, the Clear Space Theatre cast, JC Pizzaz and Kadet Kelly.

More than 60 vendors will give participants an opportunity to connect with businesses, healthcare providers, faith communities and diverse organizations that stand with the LGBTQ+ community.

Once again, a raffle will raise funds to support unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in Delaware through the Safeguards Housing Committee, a program of PFLAG Wilmington.

Nationwide, an estimated 40% of unhoused youth and 30% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+.

“Sussex Pride is proud to be a member of the Safeguards Housing Committee and to be able to support homeless LGBTQ+ youth in our state,” said David Mariner, Sussex Pride executive director. "The challenges facing our community are real and cannot be ignored. But the strength that we exhibit as a united front is inspiring. Delaware has long been a place of acceptance and love, and we are committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, feels valued and supported.”

An after-party will begin at 3 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar on First Street. In the evening, Gay Women of Rehoboth will host a ticketed event featuring comic Karen Williams and musician Erin McKeown, and a screening of the film “Radical Harmonies.”

To learn more, go to sussexpride.org/rehobothbeach.