In response to the Pulse Tragedy, an online group under the name DeLand Pride was formed that would eventually turn into Volusia Pride.

Businesses in the DeLand Mainstreet District hang pride flags for the first time to honor those lost a month earlier in the Pulse Tragedy. This would become an annual June tradition until 2021 when the Business Welcome Window Stickers were introduced. Flags were hung in 17 businesses the first year and by 2021 over 100 businesses in the greater DeLand area hung a pride flag during the month of June.

Support Volusia officially took over management of DeLand Pride.

First recurring Drag Show kicked off at Abbey Bar. The DeLand Pride Night Drag Show eventually became Drag Bingo!

First Rainbow Cook-Off held at Abbey Bar.

DeLand Pride held its first Meet the Candidates event. This event encourages voter engagement and education while highlighting the importance of local politics!

The first “Stuff the Bus” Bus Tour was held. Stuff the Bus would later become part of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiatives.

Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program was created after DeLand Pride volunteers showed up to a community work day for a neighbor in need.

The first meeting of the DeLand Pride Monthly Meet and Greet was held at The Table Restaurant.

“So You Think You Can Drag” at Stetson University was revived in collaboration with DeLand Pride and Stetson Kaleidoscope.

Drag Bingo at Abbey Bar becomes an official monthly event, raising money to benefit our Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiatives.

The first Love is Love Pride Fest was held behind Abbey Bar just weeks before COVID 19 would shut down the community.

Youth Coffee Socials return after the COVID 19 shut downs. They are hosted at the DeLand Chisholm Center giving the group more space and sense of safety.

The DeLand Pride Business “Welcome” stickers and Pride Business Directory are debuted.

DeLand Pride welcomes our first Pride Fellow from the Stetson University Bonner Program to help us operationalize our social media management.

A small group of DeLand Pride members start the Advocacy Committee in response to community needs addressing discrimination, connecting with law enforcement liaisons, and tracking legislation and its effects on our community.

Lake Helen Pride holds their first meet up.

The first meeting was held to discuss establishing a ‘brick and mortar’ community center. It would be another 2 years before this milestone was met.

The first Volusia Flagler Rainbow Alliance Scholarships are awarded under the stewardship of DeLand Pride. VFRA provides higher education scholarships to LGBTQ youth and allies in Volusia and Flagler Counties.

First LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation issued by the City of DeLand.

Daytona Pride officially launched with a joint event with DeLand Pride and Jackie Robinson Ballpark with Pride Night at the Jack!

Lake Helen Pride officially launched with an Ice Cream Social held in the historic Lake Helen Bank.

Our Youth Social hosted its first Back to School Clothing Swap, becoming a much anticipated annual tradition.

Representatives from DeLand Pride attend their first Pride at the Capitol event.

The first Youth Pride Prom was held at the Chisholm Center in DeLand.

Representatives from Volusia Pride participate in the Drag Queen March in Tallahassee.

We used the name “Volusia Pride” officially for the first time at the 2023 Volusia Pride Pageant.

The Volusia Pride Pageant expands its categories to include an Mx Division, allowing people that do not identify with the Miss or Mister Divisions a platform to compete.

The first Rainbow Cinema Club was hosted at the Enterprise Museum. The first movie shown was “The Half of It”.

DeLand Pride’s Youth D&D Program kicked off. It will quickly become one of the fastest growing programs.

Volusia Pride Advocacy Committee releases the first three resource guides: How to legally change your name, How to respond if your child comes out, and How to start a GSA.

First LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation issued by the City of Deltona.

Lake Helen Pride holds it first Prom with the theme of ‘Footloose’.

Volusia Pride signs the lease on their first Community Space!

Support and Social Groups officially launch at the Volusia Pride Community Space with the first Monday Wellness Group. The number of monthly groups offered will grow to more than 15 by the end of the year.

OUTfront Youth Leadership Program kicked of with it’s first cohort of 4 young changemakers.

Lake Helen expands their monthly events by adding a monthly brunch.

First Gay Pride Month Proclamation issued by the City of Lake Helen.

DeLand Pride’s Youth D&D Program expands, adding an Adult D&D Meet-up to their schedule.

Deltona Pride officially launches with the Proclamation of Love event celebrating the one year anniversary of the City of Deltona’s recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.

The first installment of the Queer History Initiative, The History of Drag, debuts at a Pop-up Gallery Exhibit at the Volusia Pride Community Space

Tucked Away Boutique opens it’s doors!