Silver Pride draws nearly 1,000 in its celebration of older LGBTQ+ adults

Jory Courtier, an attendee at Silver Pride, noted that while a new generation is rising, he had the chance to represent his own generation.

He said that in the past, the LGBTQ+ community was not represented. 

He was among the approximately 1,000 attendees at the event, held June 6 at Senior Friendship Centers and presented by the organization alongside Project Pride and Golden Girls Solutions.

"It was nice they had a variety of people that they brought in with the different generations," said attendee Tom Poklewski, a friend of Courtier. "It's great to get everybody out, have a good time, to celebrate. I think it's wonderful. I just hope the funding continues with everything that's going on."

Declan Sheehy, chief advancement officer at Senior Friendship Centers, said that amid the current political climate, some larger companies at the national level withdrew their support.

Nonetheless, he said significant local support resulted in the costs of the event being fully covered. 

The event featured entertainment like Azara Ballet, the Chorus of the Keys, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and the Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota choir. 

It also helped to connect members of the community with resources, and featured a tribute that invited couples on stage to celebrate their varying spans of years spent together. 

In total, 51 sponsors and vendors were present.

"We come every year," said attendee Susan Mintz, who came with her husband, Fuzzy Mintz, to support the LGBTQ+ community. "It's just nice to see something for older folks."