As the sibling of someone in the LGBTQ community, it warms my soul to see how far we have come in terms of acceptance and inclusivity. We still have progress to make, but today proved to me that at the end of the day, love always wins. I swear today felt like one big 100-person group hug.”

Jill Stanley

The Keep Fairhope Family Friendly (KFFF) group gathered for a second day, Sunday, June 4, across the street from the Color Fairhope with Pride Drag Brunch, but that did not deter ticket holders from the event.

The Color Fairhope with Pride Drag Brunch doors opened at noon and ticketed guests streamed into the sold-out event. Event organizers had a security officer checking guests’ tickets and Fairhope Police had a visible presence in the area.

Guests to the Drag Brunch enjoyed a delicious brunch spread and were entertained by singing and dancing drag queens. Those in attendance that spoke with Gulf Coast Media had varying comments, but the one common thread was that it was great to see the community come together.

“The brunch was wonderful,” said Mette McCall, Fairhope resident. “The performers knew how to throw a great party that got everybody singing and dancing. I almost felt sorry for the protesters outside that everybody ignored. They really missed out on a fantastic afternoon filled with love, laughter and inclusivity.”

“As a new Fairhope resident, I’m happy to see that diversity and inclusivity are largely welcomed in the city,” said Michael Hoadley. He also volunteered at Saturday’s Color Fairhope with Pride event.

Leslie Mulcahy said, “It was so wonderful to see so many smiling folks shamelessly having fun and loving one another. I had a blast and left feeling a little bit more hopeful.”

“I had tears threatening a few times today at the overwhelming support I witnessed from Fairhope residents,” said Jill Stanley. “As the sibling of someone in the LGBTQ community, it warms my soul to see how far we have come in terms of acceptance and inclusivity. We still have progress to make, but today proved to me that at the end of the day, love always wins. I swear today felt like one big 100-person group hug.”

Keep Fairhope Family Friendly

The initial rally cry called for those attending Sunday’s KFFF event to gather on the top deck of the Fairhope Public Parking Garage to pray before walking to the event site. Only four assembled; Zach Miller, Tim Finnamore, Rusty Green and Pete Callison. The men prayed and then joined a group of roughly six already assembled at 217 Fairhope Ave.

By 12:50 p.m. a group of approximately 16 KFFF members had gathered with a more diverse makeup than Saturday’s event held on The Bluffs. Sunday’s event brought out a small group of younger participants. The group sang hymns and prayed.

“The object of yesterday’s gathering and today’s gathering is simply showing light in a dark place. That’s it,” said Zach Miller who was present at both events.

Despite claiming to be there as just a presence throughout the weekend, two members of the KFFF group purchased tickets to the Drag Brunch and tried to gain entry to the event just before it was set to begin.

Miller and Finnamore crossed the street with tickets to the Drag Bunch in hand. The two men were stopped by security and event organizer Sarah Fischer let them know their tickets had been refunded and they were sent an email Saturday evening.

The men told Fischer they did not ask for a refund and had purchased tickets to attend the event. Fischer turned the situation over to security who asked the men to move off the private property and return to their event across the street. They refused to leave but did move to the public sidewalk after an exchange with the security officer.

Fischer said in the weeks leading up to the Color Fairhope with Pride Festival and Drag Brunch, organizers were carefully tracking online and social media activity that indicated potential people who could make participants in the events feel unsafe.

“We have, unfortunately, had to create a list of names and photos to make sure that we could keep unsafe individuals out of our event. Anyone who purchased tickets with an intent other than to be in the event joyfully celebrating in community was informed that their ticket had been refunded,” Fischer said. “Those tickets were refunded and the people at our entrance have a list of names and photos of people we would prefer to keep out. As this is a private event that is what we have chosen to do.”