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Safe Spaces for Queer Voices: Orlando Out Fest Returns to Uplift LGBTQIA+ Artists
Orlando Out Fest, presented by Orlando Fringe, is a curated festival celebrating LGBTQIA artists and entertainers. Of the 21 events offered this year, the festival includes drag, burlesque, comedy shows, film, and more. Tempestt Halstead, artistic director of the Orlando Out Festival, says the idea for a queer-specific festival stemmed from a desire to provide more opportunities for queer artists, whose voices, she says, are “massively important.”
Annual Event is Back After a Year Hiatus
The festival opened in 2024, with Orlando Fringe intending for it to be an annual event. However, financial concerns led to its cancellation last year. In 2026, Orlando Fringe is collaborating with The Center Orlando, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA members, to help bring their vision to life.
George Wallace, chief executive director of The Center Orlando, says that in curating the events, he wanted to pay homage to known Fringe entertainers and provide a stage for up-and-coming queer artists.
Ticket, Yes, But Buttons, No
Tickets went on sale to the general public on Monday, August 24. Each ticket costs $18 or less, depending on the programming. Unlike the Orlando Fringe Festival, which requires attendees to purchase both a button and a ticket for admission to a performance, the Orlando Out Festival requires only a ticket for each performance; buttons are not required.
Ticket Sales Benefit The Center Orlando
A portion of the ticket sales will be donated directly to The Center Orlando to help fund “A Walk for Change,” The Center Orlando’s third annual AIDS fundraiser. The walk brings together agencies dedicated to HIV care, support, and awareness.
Out Fest Embraces Novelty
Halstead says that although there will be many similarities to the traditional Fringe Festival, the Orlando Out Festival features film, which is not heavily featured during Fringe. She encourages everyone to “take a chance” and experience something new: “Even if you’re not a part of the LGBTQIA community, there’s something that will resonate with you as a part of this programming.”
The Importance of Safe Spaces for Queer Voices
Wallace says the government is trying to silence queer voices, and it is more important than ever to have safe spaces for queer individuals. “Being visible and telling our stories is crucial,” he said. “We need to be seen now more than ever before.”
Halstead promises that Out Fest venues will be safe places for the LGBTQIA community. She says that the festival is attracting like-minded individuals who naturally create those safe spaces.
The Orlando Out Festival is taking place September 10 to 13. Tickets can be found online on Orlando Fringe’s website.
Mike Synan
News | Sports | Politics
- After two decades in news and politics, Mike Synan is returning to his roots to write Sports as “The Sportsaholic”. Mike hosted a talk show for 6 years on WDBO after Magic home games called “Magic Til Midnight”, and spent years working as an in-game correspondent for both ESPN and Fox Sports Radio. His column “Synan Says” has appeared on both www.wdbo.com and www.floridadaily.com. He has a BS in Political Science from Clemson University. You can reach him at msynan@sportsmail.com
