Only a few of the nominees. Left: journalist Ava Turnquest nominated for a Media/Arts/Entertainment Award; Middle: filmmaker Kareem Mortimer nominated for a Media/Arts/Entertainment Award; Right: activist Erin Greene nominated for a Community Titan Award ; and Bottom: writer Helen Klonaris nominated for a Community Titan Award

Nassau, The Bahamas - Highlighting the achievements of community builders and allies is one of the primary goals of the Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend Event. Designed and developed by a planning committee, the Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend will cater to the various layers that impact the lives of GLBT Bahamians. Hosted in Grand Bahama, the event is filled with activities over the span of the entire weekend of Friday August 29th through Monday September 1st 2014.

The Award Nominations closed on August 10th 2014 and the support was overwhelming. The planning committee did not have much of a task in deciding who all were to be highlighted for their specific and diverse achievements as all of the nominees are nothing less than deserving. Certificates will be given out beginning on Thursday August 28th 2014 to many of the awardees.

There are six award categories: Community Health and Well Being Award for contributions to the community in the fields of healthcare, research and advocacy. Community Organization Award for contributions to nonprofit service in the community. Young Achiever Award for individuals under 30 who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Business Award for contribution to profitable service within and for the community. Media/Arts/Entertainment Award for creative contributions and achievements in and for the community and the Community Titan Award for individuals who have made outstanding and significant contributions to and for the GLBT Bahamian community in any capacity.

Few of the Awardees are Erin Green, Amard Rolle, Kareem Mortimer, Ava Turnquest, Victor Rollins, Alicia Seymour, SASH Bahamas and The Bahamas AIDS Foundation. The awardees began being notified through social media starting August 27th 2014

The Story Behind The Story of Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend 2014

Nassau, The Bahamas -  The idea came to me early this year as I was thinking on how to raise funds for two organization that I had been given the task of fundraising for both groups. Because of their function in society and their target population of persons they are designed to reach, the stigma, and discrimination has had a negative impact on acquiring much needed funding.

SASH Bahamas works with MSM/LGBTI individuals in prevention, empowerment and bringing purpose to members of the LGBTI community while the Bahamas National Network for Positive living (BNN+) works with persons infected with HIV and persons affected by HIV in regards to care, treatment and support. So as you can see two topics that are still very much taboo to speak about in our country and hard to get help for. As I was continually told when trying to solicit financial help, “Vic, if I help any of these organizations people will think I’m gay or I have HIV”. Wow! Stigma in Helping? So I then had to come up with creative ways of fundraising for these two very important organizations.

In the late 70’s early 80’s Vic’s Entertainment was well know at that time as Slic Vic’s Production and ruled the event planning for Disco Themed Parties of which my work then supported the Cripple Children’s Committee, and in the late 80’s to 2000’s in the religious community as Brother Vic’s or Jubal Sounds for Gospel Parties & DJ for events which helped to give up and coming young Christians a platform to use their God given talent to share the gospel through music, dance, singing and drama.

In this attempt to use my ability to plan fun filled event that I feel would assist in fund raising and as well as to celebrate and bring together the LGBTI community during the Pride season, I came up with Bahamas Pride “Freedom Weekend”. All that is needed is you and your support.Bahamas Pride weekend was design to Inspire, Educate and celebrate the diverse Bahamian LGBTIQ Community, So I teamed up with Sash Bahamas and they bought into the Idea and now history will be made, So on the Eve of Bahamas Pride I encourage you, If your Gay , Lesbian, Transsexual, Questioning, Straight, or if have a Friend, Family member or Colleague who is, to come out support and celebrate with me Slic Vic Style as we Raise funds for two very important groups.

Celebrate our differences in the most beautiful way in the world’s most beautiful country, The Bahamas on the Island of Grand Bahama, this weekend August 29th - Bahamas Pride “Freedom Weekend” 2014.

- Victor Rollins

Bahamas Pride Freedom Weekend to take place in Grand Bahama