Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/130753
Sarasota News Leader May 17, 2013 Page 71 form, the festival is urging folks to press elected officials to include protections for LGBT relationships in any law passed. The issue is an under-reported one, and it directly affects Fortner, whose wife lives in the U.K. and can only stay in the States for 90 days at a time. "We keep trying to grow," says Fortner. Indeed what was once a gathering in a vacant lot in the Rosemary District has moved up in the world, to Five Points Park, with the film screening held at Burns Court Cinema and the art show at MillerBrady Fine Art. Fortner adds Right now, all the money generated by the that the festival will always "keep evolving." festival — which has broken even each year Saturday's music bonanza remains the corner— is plowed back into the free event, but, stone of the event, with nine acts scheduled having won 501(c)(3) status last year, the to perform. Some are local (such as the band all-volunteer festival board wants to expand Fortner fronts, MeteorEYES), some are from its involvement with other local nonprofits. The organization won $5,000 from Visit Sara- the Tampa area and some are from as far away sota County, and it has teamed up with groups as Brooklyn and Tennessee. The show kicks such as ALSO Out Youth and the Community off at 4 p.m. and runs till midnight. In between Foundation of Sarasota County. Fortner floats acts, guest speakers will step on-stage, and the idea of an LGBT scholarship program as there will be a candlelight vigil in honor of Milk at 8:30 p.m. Fortner says that moment is one possible future endeavor. Harvey Milk Festival President Shannon Fortner with the band she fronts, MeteorEYES. Photo courtesy of harveymilkfestival.com