ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — To kick off pride month, the steps of St. Pete City Hall have been transformed into an art installation showcasing the colors of the pride flag.

Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, president of the board of directors with St. Pete Pride, says the mayor’s team started working with them months ago on brainstorming ideas for pride month. He says the wanted to know what they could represent inclusivity and settled on this idea.

This comes after the rainbow crosswalk in the city’s grand central district was painted over last summer as part of a state mandate, as well as the passage of Senate Bill 1134, which bans cities and counties from supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

“Losing the crosswalk was a huge hit to us, so making sure that we pop up more visual signs of inclusion was right in alignment,” Green-Calisch said. “So, the fact we got to see it at the beginning of pride month was chef’s kiss.”

St. Pete Pride has lost a number of corporate sponsors totaling roughly $200,000, Green-Calisch said. The organization has worked to recoup that money through individual donors and community supporters. Green-Calisch says the funding hit is a mix of pressure from state legislators and an overall contraction of the market.

“Money is tight for everyone right now,” he said.

Spectrum Bay News 9 asked each St. Pete mayoral candidate their views on St. Pete Pride and the state’s DEI bill.

They provided the following statements in response:

Maria Scruggs

“My position is straightforward: Senate Bill 1134 does not give local governments permission to treat one group of residents differently from another. In fact, local governments remain bound by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and all applicable federal and state civil rights laws.

If the City of St. Petersburg chooses to support community celebrations such as Christmas events, Fourth of July festivities, cultural festivals, or other public gatherings, then the city must be careful to apply its policies fairly and consistently. Government should not pick winners and losers based on who people are, what they believe, or which community they belong to.

For me, this is not about special treatment. It is about equal treatment. Every resident of St. Petersburg deserves the same access to city services, public facilities, permits, and opportunities under the law.

As mayor, I will ensure that the city complies with Senate Bill 1134, Florida law, and the United States Constitution. We will not operate outside the law, but neither will we deny equal treatment to any community. The standard should be simple: if the city supports community events under a neutral and lawful policy, that policy should be applied fairly and consistently to everyone.

That approach protects taxpayers, respects state law, and upholds the constitutional principle that all people are entitled to equal protection under the law.”

James Large

“St Pete Pride is a private event. We must, as a city, follow state law. The city should continue to provide public safety, city services and event permits properly. The Mayor has the responsibility to comply with state law and be a good steward of taxpayers dollars. He or she must serve all members of the community fairly and with respect.

The mayors focus should be ensuring all major events such as PRIDE are safe and beneficial to the city, working within the legal limits of the law.

I believe the city should remain neutral on causes, but not on people’s safety. The city must provide fair and equal access to all persons. I support every community within St Petersburg fairly and respectfully, and within the law.”

Kevin Batdorf

“Events, especially those that are economic generators, should be privately funded and can be supported by the city through an equal opportunity grant process.

The grants should be based on specific criteria and open to ALL individuals and groups. To promote private sponsorship, matching grants could be an option. City Council would be required to budget sufficient funds into an umbrella grant acvount. Applications would be widely advertised and have a deadline to apply. A citizen committee would review applications and submit to city council for approval. Additionally, at their discretion, City Council could create a budget item to provide safety support (police and fire) for any and all special events.

Grants could be awarded for various categories and criteria such as:

1. Arts

2. Entertainment 

3. Economic Benefit to the city 

4. Civic Pride

Regarding the events: As long as they are open to ALL, the theme should be irrelevant in regards to DEI. 

Assuming the grant process is administered properly, it is the Mayor’s duty to defend the policy. Bad policy occurs at all levels of government. I will stand up and fight for St. Pete.”

Charlie Crist

In a social media post Crist stated: 

“This is the St. Pete I believe in, a place where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.”

He previously stated he considers the rainbow crosswalk in St. Pete’s grand central district to be an issue of free speech. 

Spectrum News reached out candidate Brandi Gabbard and Mayor Ken Welch for statements, as well as a full statement from candidate Charlie Crist. This story will be updated if/when they are received.