PrideFest: Adoption, Marriage Rights Among Themes at South Florida PrideFest
When Henry Amador and his partner Joe Batten attended South Florida PrideFest last year, they were only contemplating having a family. This year they were there as parents.
“This is his first festival,” said Amador, 48, cradling in his arms the couple’s adopted 4-month old son Benjamin, who seemed eager to take in the sights and sounds of the gathering in Holiday Park at War Memorial Auditorium.
“And he seems to be enjoying it.”
The theme of this year’s two-day event was “Beyond the rainbow,” a phrase that suggested a celebration of social and legal gains made by gay, lesbian and transgender people as well as the work left undone.
“The importance of this festival is to remind people that we have to continue fighting,” said Marc Hansen, co-chair of the 35th annual edition of the festival sponsored by Pride South Florida. “The fight is not over. We don’t want special, we want equal.”