John Russo

OCEAN CITY — We Belong Cape May County hosted its third annual OC Pride Fest on Saturday.

Hundreds of LGBTQ+ members and supporters took to the Boardwalk for a morning stroll on a partly cloudy, windy day on the Jersey Shore. Some held signs, others rainbow and LGBTQ+ pride flags and banners, all with a common message: "We belong."

"It's beautiful to see," said We Belong President and Upper Township resident Christine Stanford.

The festival began at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk with an opening ceremony and Pride Walk. The ceremony honored Vince Grimm and Craig van Baal of GABLES, an LGBTQ nonprofit celebrating 30 years in the county. Also speaking was Dan Rogan, director of operations for the Trans Equity Coalition.

"Pride is about showing up for ourselves and each other,

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