What started with an ugly act of hatred has turned into a celebration of achievements. OUTKITSAP, the support organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population in Kitsap County, was started by county employee Steve Parsons in response to a cross being burned on the lawn of a gay couple in Bremerton.

That was 10 years ago and the organization has grown to include 12 community building and health programs, from a youth drop-in center to a monthly feast and Queer Bingo Night.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Kitsap County, with OUTKITSAP hosting the event for the last seven years.

This year’s Annual Pride Celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. July 15 at Evergreen Park in Bremerton.

Linda Henderson, OUTKITSAP executive director, said the day will be one of fun.

“The celebration is a celebration,” she said. “We don’t need to talk about the difficulties, but to celebrate the victories.”

The celebration is open to the community, with up to 600 people expected to attend.

“It will be predominately LGBT, with a strong contingent of allies,” Henderson said, noting that the increased awareness of OUTKITSAP in the general community may also bring in people who are simply curious about the organization.

Last year was the first time the celebration was held in the public Evergreen Park, but Henderson said there were no negative responses.

The celebration features a keynote speech by OUTKITSAP founder Steve Parsons and speakers from Equal Rights Washington and the Governor’s Human Rights Commission.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without entertainment, and Henderson has secured a varied lineup for the event.

Bremerton’s The Landlord Tenant Act is a country duo with “Gay Cowboy” Pat Haggerty on guitar and Bobby Brown on blues harmonica. Haggerty released the first gay country album, “Lavendar Country,” long before “Brokeback Mountain” “outed” gay cowboys.

The Bearatones are a Seattle choir of 10 burly men, or “bears,” seven of whom are in the Seattle Men’s Chorus, who sing songs from the silly to the sublime.

Xade (pronounced Zade) is a Bremerton singer/songwriter who performs pop and rock tunes, and is also the production manager for the event.

Miss Tia, a drag queen from Bremerton, will perform her campy gender-bending routine, along with several other drag queens from Tacoma.

We Become Fireflies is an acoustic rock/indie trio, with members from Kingston, Poulsbo and Bremerton.

The “Rocky Horror Picture Show” re-enactors “Terrible Thrills” will perform two songs from the classic campy musical.

There will also be food, business and organizational vendors.

The 10th Annual Pride Celebration is free and open to all.

The regular monthly NightOut dance follows the Pride celebration, 8 p.m. at the Eagles Club, 205 Sixth St., Bremerton (use entrance on upper level of club on Sixth street). Suggested donation $5, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. No one under 21 admitted. Music by DJ Xade.

For more information about OUTKITSAP and the services it provides visit www.outkitsap.org.