Be the Rainbow first began as an annual family-friendly diversity event in 2021 and hosted by hello again books, a local, independent, new and used bookstore in Cocoa, FL. During that 1st event, friends and families gathered in historic Cocoa Village to celebrate diversity in our community with a day full of events, including a sticker scavenger hunt, a pet pride parade, a moment of remembrance for the Pulse nightclub tragedy, market opportunities for creative merchants in our LGBTQIA+ and ally community, exposure for support services and organizations, and a raffle supporting nonprofits active in the county.

“At the end of that 1st Be the Rainbow event, it was clear that this event did more than we could have expected in terms of promoting diversity, equality, and acceptance in such a fun and positive way. We wanted to do it again!” – MerryBeth, co-owner of hello again books

The level of community participation and support, as well as the unique challenges that the LGBTQIA+ community faces in Florida served as key indicators that a more formal access point to supportive, engaging, and educational opportunities would be beneficial and warranted. A nonprofit organization was formed with Brevard County community members who not only shared their love of the Be the Rainbow event but also reflected our diverse LGBTQIA+ and ally community and envisioned a future of change and growth.

The bookstore continued to host the Be the Rainbow event, incorporating additional unique events and activities, eventually turning Be the Rainbow into a full week of fun in 2023.

With more than 500 friends and families in attendance, 2023 was also the year that married bookstore owners, Amy Elkavich and MerryBeth Burgess, Brevard County residents, realized that the Be the Rainbow event had become something bigger than an event. MerryBeth, Amy, and some truly wonderful people who helped make Be the Rainbow 2023 a success were ready to make Be the Rainbow a nonprofit organization.