Miami Beach Pride Festival<\/a> this weekend at Lummus Park<\/p>\n\u201cWe stand forever proud in Miami Beach, because we have straight allies on the Miami Beach City Commission,\u201d said Fernandez. \u201cI am forever grateful to you guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Fernandez, the only out member of the commission, this is a significant moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means so much that it wasn\u2019t the gay commissioner on the Miami Beach City Commission that saved these bricks,\u201d he said. \u201cNo, it was my colleagues, my straight commissioners, my straight colleagues on the city commission, who came together and said, \u2018Oh, no, we are goinf to save these bricks.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Fernandez\u2019s colleague, City Commissioner Tanya Bhatt, was the one behind the bright idea.<\/p>\n
During the unveiling, Bhatt, seen wearing a festive, rainbow colored checkered dress, gifted Fernandez one of the original bricks from the crosswalk that she held onto for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was offended. It was so offensive to me that the state was telling us how we could recognize and celebrate part of our community,\u201d she said. \u201cThis will be a real spot of reflection, a great gateway onto the beach in the heart of the Art Deco District.\u201d<\/p>\n
City Commissioner Joe Magazine showed his support as well, sponsoring a rainbow bench at the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe take on some really hard tasks. This? This is not one of them This is really easy. This isn\u2019t about politics; this is about just being a good person,\u201d said Magazine.<\/p>\n
Now this plaza is a permanent staple for years to come, commemorated with a plaque at the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether with the crosswalk, we have a historical plaque commemorating that history, reminding people that we stand on the progress that other have fought for us to enjoy, but we can\u2019t take these rights for granted,\u201d said Fernandez.<\/p>\n
For more information about this weekend\u2019s Miami Beach Pride events, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\nCopyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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