If wishes could come true, these past few months would not have been so challenging for our community. Unfortunately, that is not reality.

Many families have suffered the loss of a family member because of the pandemic. The worst part is many died in a hospital bed all alone. For the safety of our community, the Hawai’i LGBT Legacy Foundation canceled our annual Gala, the Pride Picnic, and Splash at Wet’n’Wild. It would have been very easy to justify canceling 2020 Honolulu Pride too. However, we feel Pride is always a reason to come together in support of each other even if we have to do it digitally or socially distanced.

The Hawai’i LGBT Legacy Foundation has been inspired by the love and support that the community has provided to those in need. Everyday more and more people that are in need themselves are on the front line. They are in the hospitals, patrolling the streets, handing out food and clothing, helping with crisis hotlines, and in so many other roles in our lives. Giving wherever they can.

This year the Foundation has already donated nearly $10,000 in funds and services in Honolulu including $2,000 to the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC), $2,000 to the Gregory House Food Basket, $2,000 to Aloha Harvest, and $2,000 to the Hawaii Foodbank.

To recognize our community’s struggle and inspiration we have decided to celebrate each other through the first ever virtual Honolulu Pride. This year’s theme is Shaka and Shine.  There are three major parts to this year’s virtual Pride and we would really like for you to be a part of them.

 To bring the celebration to as much of our community as we can we are producing a 30-minute show–“Aloha With Pride: Shaka and Shine”– to be broadcast on KHON2 on October 15th at 7:00 pm, KHII on October 16th at 8:00 pm, KHII on October 17th at 6:30 pm, and KHON2 on October 18th at 7:00 pm. The program will also be live-streamed on KHON2.com, KHON’s Facebook, and KHON’s You Tube.

On October 17th at 7:00 pm we will kick off a livestream Honolulu Pride Virtual After Party via social media and HonoluluPride.com. This live stream will be hosted by Candi Shell and DJ My Friend George and will feature content created by Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ community.  It will also showcase sponsor video clips, prerecorded video submissions from local performers, and have a Tiny Float Parade.

And from Oct. 14 -28 the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation is hosting Rainbow Town Hall, a series of virtual panel discussions. Educators, health care providers, members of the business community and activists on the front lines will discuss how to move forward on critical issues facing Hawaii’s LGBTQIA community: criminal justice, inclusive education, the economic impact of COVID-19, stigma and mental health and safe and stable housing. Panelists will be announced a few days before each discussion. Get more information at our Facebook Events pages.

Rainbows Over Waikiki, an annual beautification and awareness project in the heart of Waikiki, has run for four consecutive years during the two weeks leading up to the Honolulu Pride™ Parade + Festival.

To support our theme of Shaka and Shine, a portion of your sponsorship contribution will be donated, on your behalf, to the non-profit organizations that are helping our community during this unprecedented time. One sponsorship with the Foundation will reach numerous other organizations and your neighbors.

Below is our Sponsorship Benefits spreadsheet. Thank you in advance for any contribution you are able to make. It is our mission to support Hawaii’s LGBTQ community and your support helps to make that possible.

Mahalo,
Will and Francine
Chairpersons
The Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Jim Miller at jim@hawaiilgbtlegacy.com.

Mahalo to our 2020 Sponsors.

Our work depends on the generosity of people across Hawaii who support the LGBTQ community, our families and allies. Please make a contribution today. Every donation, however large or small, makes a real difference. Thank you.