More than 500 guests donned their most festive Halloween costumes and made their way to Walking Tree Brewery to attend the Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s Hallo-Queen fundraiser, based off the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” to benefit Vero Pride.
“As one of the most iconic cult classic movies, ‘Rocky Horror’ was the perfect marriage or connector to drag,” said event organizer and board member Pat Schlitt.
“It was hard for me as a young kid to not have any resources. I wanted to come out, and I wanted to be myself, but there was no group here that I felt could help me,” shared Schlitt, who had been “bullied tirelessly” growing up in Vero Beach and finally found a community while away at college.
“I felt a change and a shift. A belonging and an acceptance. I’ve never felt this in my entire life living in Vero. Moving back here was my worst nightmare. I was coming back to the trauma.”
In the meantime, Vero Pride had been founded by a group of like-minded individuals to support members of the LGBTQ community and their friends and families.
“The underlying goal is to create a safe space, a resource for those who need it within the community,” said Vero Pride co-founder Stephanie LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said they have never had trouble drawing crowds to celebrate Pride. Instead, they have had to turn people away because they couldn’t accommodate additional attendees.
LeBlanc said their goal is to create an “inclusive co-existence among everyone, without any bigotry. This is a night where everybody comes together to celebrate who you are and love.
Whatever stigma people might have, surely if they come, it’s erased. And they’re leaving smiling and laughing at the end of the night.”
To increase the footprint of the grassroots organization, they plan to hold additional fundraisers and bring back the scholarship program for high school students.
“The message that there are others like you means the world to people who think there’s something wrong with them,” said LeBlanc.
“I want people to be seen, heard, listened to, accepted, supported and highlighted. That’s what Vero Pride is all about to me. I’m proud to live in a place where people are changing their minds, and people are becoming more accepting,” added Schlitt.
“Straight people, you are free to be yourself tonight. You can be proud. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re any different just because of who you love,” declared famed drag performer Shelita Taylor, welcoming the raucous crowd.
The evening was chockful of libations, food and entertainment, including performances by Vero Beach Burlesque and aerialists, who provided a graceful dance from above. Between acts, guests could take selfies at several photo booths, outfitted with ‘horrifying’ props donated by Riverside Theatre.
A highlight of the evening featured a gaggle of drag queens from near and far, who kicked up their stilettos in a showstopping musical revue of songs and dialogue from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” telling the story of sweethearts caught in a storm who find themselves in the mansion of transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
For more information, visit veropride.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
