Something very unique happened this week and it wasn’t that students were getting ready for the first day of school. It was how the LGBTQ+ community supported the return of students back to school. Sunserve organized an old fashion ‘Back To School Carnival’ on Friday. It was unusual in that it was the only back to school event like it in all of South Florida because it was presented by the LGBTQ+ and allied community. In an environment of “Don’t Say Gay” and the attacks on gender and identity experiences in schools, the Carnival was an incredibly positive event attended by hundreds of children and their parents. Also unique was the carnival was held in the parking lot of Sunshine Cathedral, the world’s largest progressive queer church. Organized by Sunserve’s Development & Community Engagement Coordinator Keith Priemer it was very clear the goal was to have LGBTQ+ community interaction with students and parents. John Marler, Sunserve’s Director of Communications added in the community message “The event promotes understanding, acceptance, and awareness.” The carnival included engaging activities, lots of food, fun amusement rides, free backpacks and school supplies. Sunserve Therapists & Life Coaches were available for what they described as life assistance, mental health care, education and more. Most of the children present were pre-school and elementary school age. What wasn’t present… was any of the politics that have become so commonplace with the intersection of LGBTQ+ and school children. What was also noticeable was a police presence. There were three Fort Lauderdale police cars on site. And officers interacted with the carnival participants, especially the children. We are happy to report there were no reported incidents. The event had many sponsors participating including AHF, Hof’s House of Sweets, Papa John’s Pizza, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and many Broward and South Florida organizations. #Queer Up Education