File Photo.Jessi Salas, right, volunteers at the South Georgia Pride tent during the 2017 South Georgia Pride Festival. 

VALDOSTA — The South Georgia Pride Festival is a model for diversity, said Raynae Jones, executive director of South Georgia Pride. 

“We started it to have a day to celebrate diversity, a day to celebrate the LGBTQ community here in Valdosta and the surrounding counties, to celebrate families and allies,” she said.

The ninth annual festival will be hosted 12-7 p.m., Sept. 15, at John W. Saunders Park, 1151 River St. It will feature entertainers such as Spikey Van Dykey and the headliner GOD-DES, Jones said.

The LGBTQ community represents members of society; the festival emphasizes that the LGBTQ community is part of the whole South Georgia community, Jones said. The theme of the festival is “love still wins.”

“We go to the schools, the churches; we work here; and, (we) just wanted a day for people to be themselves and have a fun day,” she said.

The free event will consist of a Kid Zone, HIV testing, a food court and a teen zone. There will also be a Drag Queen Story Time, Jones said.

She said the books that will be read will be relatable to the LGBTQ community such as “Heather Has Two Mommies” written by Leslea Newman.

Jones said there are people within the area who have been shunned by parents due to their sexual or gender preferences.

“A lot of young people don’t have families that will still talk to them,” she said.

To demonstrate love to people disconnected from their families, Jones said “free parent hugs” will be available during the festival from parents of homosexual children.

“A booth just for people to get that hug and be told ‘hey, you’re OK,’” she said.

Vendor applications are being accepted until Aug. 31 for the family-friendly event, Jones said. Organizers have secured more than 60 vendors so far.

To jumpstart festivities, the Third Annual Mr. and Miss South Georgia Pageant will be held 8 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Registration is from 4-7 p.m. and is $50 in advance and $75 the day of the pageant, according to organizers. The entry fee for guests is $10.

Categories consist of a self-expression presentation, talent, evening gown and formal wear and a question-and-answer session, according to organizers.

“It has all the categories that other pageants will have, but I guarantee there’s going to be more rhinestone, glitter and bling in this pageant,” Jones said.

Two winners will receive a crown, sash trophy and a cash prize of $300 — $200 will be received upon winning, and $100 will be received after the crown is surrendered, according to organizers.

The first-runner up will receive $50, and the event will be hosted by Chi Chi Bonet Sherrington.

At 7 p.m., Sept. 13, an educational panel will explore conversion therapy, the practice of converting someone out of homosexuality, Jones said.

“Not Broken: A Discussion on Conversion Therapy” will be held at the University Center at Valdosta State University.

“If (people) learn their child is gay, they usually send them to conversion therapy to pray the gay away, and sometimes, there has been shock treatment that has been used to reverse someone’s sexuality,” Jones said.

Therapy survivor Peter Nunn will be present at the event, as well as, therapists Dr. A.J. Ramirez and Dr. Larry Green to speak.

The Comedy of Queens Kickoff Party will be hosted 8 p.m., Sept. 14, with comedian DeAnne Smith at The Patterson. Doors open at 7 p.m.

VIP tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door. VIP seating consists of one bottle of wine, a swag bag and an autographed poster.

General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $35 at the door.

For registration information, or for more information about any of the events, visit southgapride.com, call (229) 444-3090 or email rjones@southgapride.com. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.