Katie Gastley, Stephanie LeBlanc and Nikki Dejsubha PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

BeetleDrag, BeetleDrag, Beetle … Fortunately, nobody finished the trio of words that would open the ‘Portal to the Afterlife’ during the annual Halloween Bash at Walking Tree Brewery to benefit Vero Pride.

“It’s great to see everybody. It’s been a long couple of weeks. We’ve gone through some stuff, but it makes my heart warm to see all of you; everybody being who they want to be, and getting along. And being in a situation that is so welcoming and friendly,” said Vice Mayor Linda Moore to kick off the evening.

“Be kind to everyone. Be loving to everyone. And be freaky,” she added, before introducing Vero Pride co-founders Stephanie LeBlanc and Katie Gastley.

“It is all the more an uplift to get the support year after year. It is so easy to feel marginalized as of late,” said LeBlanc.

She noted that they had waived the cover charge for this year’s event in light of the hurricane. In its place, guests brought donations of nonperishable food items for the Treasure Coast Food Bank.

Gastley said that the Vero Pride annual scholarship was once again underwritten by PNC bank.

She noted that the bank’s generosity this year enabled the nonprofit to give scholarships to two Charter High School seniors, who had each written about what diversity means to them.

Both students approached the 1,000-word essay differently, but the common thread was clear: diversity should be celebrated rather than feared. This year’s black-and-white-striped affair was based on the recently released, new version of “Beetlejuice” and featured some spectacularly spooktacular sets generously provided by Riverside Theatre.

LeBlanc explained that their event is ideally suited to Halloween, a time to let loose and be comfortable being something you’re not.

“With pride, it’s like, ‘Hey, this is who I am, and I’m trying to feel comfortable with it,’” said LeBlanc.

“I think it’s got that relativity with being comfortable in your skin, regardless of whether it’s something inherent or a costume you put on to have fun that night,” she added.

BeetleDrag offered plenty of tricks and treats throughout the night. People dressed as their favorite characters; some entering a costume contest in hopes of winning free beer for a year.

There was everything from ghosts and Beetlejuice impersonators to a Playboy Bunny on the arm of a debonair Hugh Hefner.

In a nod to the Beetlejuice Afterlife Cake featured in the film, Walking Tree served a Red Velvet Cider from Pierced Ciderworks. And Drag Queen Shelita Taylor reined over the festivities with her usual panache before the crowd danced the night away at the Soul Train Ball.

Vero Pride hosts events to promote inclusion and belonging. The nonprofit was established to bring visibility to the local LGBTQ+ community with the belief that how you identify and who you desire is an integral and inherent part of who you are and should be celebrated.

“Ideally, we live in a world where LGBTQ+ does not need a separate organization to act as a beacon and source of affirmation through these events.

“It’s unfortunate that right now you can feel very marginalized within the community.

“You need these events to feel affirmed and remind people that there is this peaceful coexistence between us.

“Diversity isn’t a threat, it’s a benefit,” said LeBlanc.

For more information, visit VeroPride.com.

Photos by Joshua Kodis