Come out with Pride 2012

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Sure, last year was a washout replete with bangs (the fireworks still happened!) and ample whimpers, but the hastily rescheduled Nov. 13 Come Out With Pride Parade "Take Two" turned out to be a shimmering success. The moral of the story, of course, is that you can't keep a good gay parade down. That's precisely why we're not even going to bother worrying about the weather for this year's Oct. 6 loop-de-loop around the lake.

Raindrops be damned, this year's festivities promise to bring with them more of the spectacular same – grin-hurt cheeks, oonce-oonce throbs, Mardi Gras beads – along with a bit of star power in the form of Debbie Gibson's Electric (and eternal?) Youth. No, it's not only in your dreams. It's right here, downtown! This year, you'll even have a chance to get hitched at the ceremonies: Volunteers from the Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee will be at the Equality Florida booth from noon to 6 p.m. to sign couples up for the county's domestic-partner registry.

We've cobbled together some of the best events that make Come Out With Pride Orlando the most ridiculously endearing event of the year, from the quiet to the audacious to the downright frightening. Something for everyone, then. Come out, come out wherever you are – it's Pride 2012!

Oct. 4
Opening Ceremonies
6:30 p.m.
The Abbey
100 S. Eola Drive
321-800-3944
free-$20 VIP
Help kick off Come Out With Pride! The Abbey will host live music by DJ Scott, a silent auction and a special performance by Phantasmagoria.

Pride at Halloween
7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Universal Orlando
6000 Universal Blvd.
321-800-3944
$55
The price of admission to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights will include private entrance into the park, a complimentary Pride/HHN T-shirt, entrance to CityWalk clubs and a $10 drink coupon for the main Pride event at Lake Eola.

Oct. 5
Comedy at Hamburger Mary's
8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Hamburger Mary's
110 W. Church St.
321-319-0600
free
Before Pride Day starts, go out for dinner, drinks and a night of laughs with music
and comic legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen.

Oct. 6
Pride Day
12 p.m.-9 p.m.
Lake Eola
195 N. Rosalind Ave.
321-800-3944
free-$55
Featuring the parade, the Hilton GV Showcase, music, fireworks and optional romantic dinner packages. Couples can also stop by the Equality Florida booth from noon to 6 p.m. to sign up for the county's domestic-partner registry.

Parade
begins at 4 p.m.
Lake Eola
195 N. Rosalind Ave.
321-800-3944
free

Dinner & Fireworks
6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Lake Eola Park
195 N. Rosalind Ave.
321-800-3944
$55-$150