Eleven-year-old transgender girl Dempsey Jara was the youngest grand marshal in the history of Orlando’s Come Out With Pride parade which took place on Saturday, October 21 at Lake Eola Park. Her mother Jaime Jara, a schoolteacher, beamed beside her on stage when the girl stood up to share a message while wearing a princess-style gown. She talked about the importance of being who she is in the world that wants to change her. Her message, though personal, touched everyone's heart as most trans youths and adults face the same choices every day when they have to fight back every attempt people make to change who they are. This was the 18th year of Orlando’s Pride Parade which had a two-hour parade of rainbow-adorned floats pledging support for a community frustrated by a spate of state legislation that intends to erode personal freedoms. The parade concluded with fireworks and performances by LaLa Ri and Monet X Change. Former Orlando state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the first openly LGBTQ+ Latino legislator in Florida also praised the event calling it impressive and encouraging despite the Republican-led Legislature’s animosity and hostility during the spring session. #Queer Up South Florida & Florida