About Us.

lgbt deland volusia

DeLand Pride is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation run by a team of volunteer staff. Our mission is to attract LGBTQ members and their allies to our community by nurturing professional and personal relationships and providing an active and positive force in Volusia County and beyond.

Our annual Love is Love Pride Fest Celebration is very well attended with previous years’ attendance numbering close to 1,000 people. Support Volusia also coordinates a month-long celebration of June’s National LGBTQ+ Pride Month at over 150 Volusia County businesses in the DeLand area and facilitates multiple social events monthly. In addition, we work to support others throughout Central Florida, especially in Volusia County. Our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program reaches out to needy and at risk members of Volusia County to provide support for a variety of needs throughout the year. Annually we hold a new undergarment drive, toy drive, pet supplies, and school supplies drive that directly benefits our local community. Our Youth Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies for a variety of higher education expenses in partnership with Volusia-Flagler Rainbow Alliance. Our Youth Outreach Program offers monthly socials, D&D sessions, an annual Youth Pride Prom, and an annual back to school clothing swap, to name a few. Our newly formed Advocacy Committee has traveled to Tallahassee for Pride at the Capital with Equality Florida for the last two years, and has recently held an Equity & Diversity Book Giveaway in response to the recent increase in book banning attempts at the school district level.

The Growing History of DeLand Pride.

lgbt deland volusia

DeLand Pride was founded by Dagny Robertson in the wake of the Orlando Pulse Shooting in June of 2016.

Dagny and her husband, Tom, have 2 sons that they extremely proud of. Their youngest son came out as gay as a teenager and lost several friends in the Pulse shooting. His entire family supported him when he came out but it was still very hard for him to just be himself and not be afraid of what might happen.

After the Pulse shooting Dagny saw the entire world supporting the LGBTQ community and decided it was the right time to show support and acceptance for our diverse community of DeLand.  

Dagny began working with existing LGBTQ Pride groups in our area, including Collective Cares DeLand, to foster the sense of acceptance and well being in the DeLand community and develop a network of safe spaces where everyone could be themselves without fear. 

We are proud to be able to call Abbey Bar in Downtown DeLand home.  They have given us a safe and welcoming place to gather, celebrate, grow, and further cement our roots in Volusia County.

Meet The Team.

DeLand Pride is run by a group of volunteers dedicated to celebrating the diversity, culture, and well-being of the LGBTQ community in DeLand and beyond. For information on joining any of the committees please email info@delandpride.org and you will be forwarded to the appropriate committee chair.

Staff and Committee Directory.

Volusia Pride Executive Director

Pride Chapters

Volusia Flagler Rainbow Alliance Scholarship Steward

  • Dr. Meg Young

Community Outreach Committee

Advocacy and Education Committee

Youth and Family Programming Committee

Strategic Planning and Logistics Committee