By Steffen Klenk
Last Saturday, the local community showed up in Ocean City in collective cause for inclusion and acceptance.
We Belong Cape May County organized the city’s first ever Pride Fest, held on the practice fields at Ocean City High School. Representatives from dozens of local businesses and organizations were in attendance for a day that was filled with music, art, yoga, giveaways, and resources.
The event was preceded by a Pride Walk on the Boardwalk between 6th and 10th streets. Student Nathaniel Ginet performed “The Star Spangled Banner” prior to Saturday’s walk. Ginet, who is also founder of the High School’s PRISM Club, felt happy about the support and turnout.
“It makes me feel really proud that we, as a community, have been able to come together and do something that’s been needed for a long time,” Ginet said.
“We are all here in a collective cause for humanity,” South Jersey meteorologist Nor’Easter Nick Pittman said in a speech moments before the Pride Walk. Pittman has been using his platform to help others and described Saturday’s gathering as enormous for Cape May County. “There should be universal acceptance across the board for our actions, and for what we do to help other people live a better life.”
For residents, and visitors alike, it was an opportunity to lend support to the LGBTQIA+ community. Members of the affirmative Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, including Micki Merritt of Mays Landing, were in attendance for the day’s festivities.
“It feels great being here,” said Merritt who said she has seen and witnessed too many suicides and was there to support kids and youth.
Many nonprofits were also on hand, including The Peyton Heart Project, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about suicide, bullying, and to end the stigma of mental health issues. Free Mom Hugs, a nonprofit dedicated to embracing and empowering the LGBTQ community, provided outreach and resources.
Photos by Steffen Klenk
