PARTY & PROPOSAL AT HOLLYWOOD PRIDE

John Hayden

The street was packed. The energy was high. My Hollywood Pride was the party of the year (so far) and the community was there for it. In its second year, MHP built on its initial success and promoted the city as a destination for LGBT families.

“We had so much room and it was packed. There were people as far as the eye can see. It was magic,” MHP Chair Todd Delmay said.

He estimates that crowds doubled from last year and says small changes made a big difference. This year no vendors were placed in the median of Hollywood Boulevard. Instead, there were chairs and tables for guests to sit, relax, and enjoy the entertainment.

The event kept its “hyper-local” feel while still welcoming more guests from across South Florida. The appeal to families, both LGBT and straight, was a conscious choice. It’s also one of the reasons that Safe Schools South Florida was a presenting sponsor. They produced volunteers including young people to manage the Teen Zone.

The event also saw MHP’s first proposal. Singer Jonathan Casanas had just finished his set on stage when host FayWhat?! came up and took the microphone. She said someone had a very important question.

Christopher Cragg got down on one knee and asked, “Will you spend the rest of your life waking up next to my sweaty body?”

Casanas managed to say yes and the crowd erupted.

FayWhat?! said this was fairly spur of the moment and MHP planners had no idea it was going to happen.