Despite recent setbacks, including the loss of county funding and corporate sponsorships, organizers of the Space Coast Pride Parade and Festival say the events will move forward as planned this weekend in downtown Melbourne.

The festival, scheduled for Saturday, comes amid what organizers describe as a "tumultuous" political climate and increased scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

“We lost grant funding, we also lost some corporate sponsorships that we’ve had year after year, after the whole DEI cancellations,” said Tina Jenson, event organizer for Space Coast Pride. “So we took it to the community.”

According to Jenson, community members stepped up quickly, helping raise nearly $10,000 to cover key expenses — including security.

“We have had so much commu

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