St. Petersburg threw a party Thursday, with uncertainty hanging over city’s reputation as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and host of the state’s largest Pride celebration each year.
The colors of the Progressive Pride flag draped the front steps of City Hall. Organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights gathered for a block party as the mayor hoisted the Progressive Pride flag above for crowd for the 13th year.
It’s unclear if those activities can continue after Jan. 1, 2027, when a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis banning cities and counties from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs goes into effect. But instead of bemoaning what may come, speakers celebrated Thursday, undeterred by recent state and federal attacks on local support of minority communities.
“We have a mayor and a City Council that is inclusive, not only in word but also in deed, because how many cities do you know that would shut down a city block … in the face of a governor that says, ‘I’m going to snatch money away from you’?” said state Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg. “Pride is always about a protest. It is always about resistance, and in this moment we must resist. In this moment we must resist. Our joy is our resistance.”
Mayor Ken Welch raised the flag with Rayner and seven out of eight members of the City Council. He was also joined by city LGBTQ+ liaison Nathan Bruemmer, Pinellas County School Board chairperson Caprice Edmond and outgoing state Rep. Lindsay Cross.
“The truth is, our LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors have faced real attacks in recent months at the state level, at the federal level and across this country,” Welch said. “And while others may choose division, we choose compassion. While others traffic in fear, we choose hope. While others try to drag us backward, we continue to fight to move forward.”
