08/06/2026
On June 6, 2026, Gulfport Pride’s ‘Heart of Gulfport Award’ was presented to ‘Dia’ Adamadia Vartsakis, to recognize her Leadership and Support of our LGBTQIA + community!
Dia was selected by Gulfport Pride’s board of directors as a leader in our Gulfport community who exemplifies the true meaning of a powerful cultural idiom to - “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
If you are aware of these past several years of extremist targeting of LGBTQ individuals and groups who are simply like everyone else - living their best lives, yet were and still are targeted to be forced back into their closets.
Some people turned away, some people were on the front lines loud and necessary, and a few said, ‘The Show Must Go On’! That was Dia. She made the space necessary for the show to go on!
Dia is a modest person, incredibly smart business owner with a devoted staff we’ve all come to love as our own family at Neptune Grill. Many call her friend.
There are others in our community who are similar in leadership however this past year, after the hurricane surged and destroyed Neptune Grill in fall, 2024, as a community we waited and hoped for their return - what feels like a home to many Gulfportians.
We watched as Dia, community helpers and her staff brought back Neptune Grill, resurrected from devastation to glory last fall, after 11-12 months of sheer determination, Dia is still standing, brought our beloved space back full force in time for an awesome Pride Festival 2026!
Sometimes the best leadership is quiet, steadfast and always determined to live the motto, The Show Must Go On! Indeed. Thanks Dia! ❤️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️👏👏👏👏👏👏
