The Rainbow Family & Friends held their first-ever Pridefest in The Villages on Saturday at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
Katie Green and Chris Benvenuto of the Village of Rio Grande got married Aug. 24 in Delaware.
It’s not simply a marriage of symbolism, but a legally recognized marriage which has brought with it tangible benefits.
Benvenuto served 22 years in the military. Now her Tricare medical benefits can be extended to her new spouse.
Saturday’s event recognized the progress that has been made on the same-sex marriage issue in the United States.
Members of the group paraded around the celebration with signs bearing the names of the 15 states and the District of Columbia that now recognize same-sex couples.
A video tribute noted the timeline of those states’ decisions on the issue and showed photos of local couples who subsequently got married in those states. Each couple shown in the video won a round of enthusiastic applause when their photo was shown.
The Rainbow Family & Friends donated the proceeds from the night’s event to Deliver the Difference, a local organization working to eliminate hunger. Rainbow Family & Friends handed a $2,000 check to Deliver the Difference but noted that the final tally from the night’s event could be greater and could mean money for the charity.
“This will make a big difference in the lives of families who are really hurting here locally,” said Rob Braddock of Deliver the Difference.
Villages entertainer Petrina performed at the event and even led a congo line to “We Are Family.”
