{"id":276660,"date":"2026-05-19T14:44:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276660\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:44:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:44:37","slug":"photos-equality-florida-st-pete-gala-honors-local-advocates-raises-over-750k","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/276660\/","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS: Equality Florida St. Pete Gala honors local advocates, raises over $750K"},"content":{"rendered":"

Equality Florida honoree J. Carl DeVine (L) and Development Leader Preston Scott. (Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent)<\/p>\n

ST. PETERSBURG | Equality Florida<\/a> held its 2026 St. Pete Gala<\/a> May 16, welcoming supporters to the Coliseum for a sold-out evening benefiting the organization\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme was \u201cRainbow Disco: Our Colors. Our Power. Our Groove.\u201d The gala celebrated \u201cthe resilience and joy of our community\u201d while raising over $750,000, including $255,000 during the evening\u2019s in-room ask alone.<\/p>\n

Attendees enjoyed a plated dinner, open bar, silent auction and disco-inspired entertainment. It was led by Orlando\u2019s Blue Lala Entertainment Group and featured entertainers like Blue Star<\/a>, Angelica Sanchez<\/a>, Tasha Long and Alice Marie Gripp<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Speakers included St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch<\/a>, who noted that he and the city are in the fight for equality \u201cuntil we win,\u201d and Equality Florida St. Petersburg & Sarasota Development Leader Preston Scott<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cAmongst all the glitter, sequins and rainbows, this was a beautiful embodiment of our beloved community,\u201d he says. \u201cSt. Pete always shows up and shows out, and this was proof once again that our hope will not be diminished, our love will win and our joy will only grow stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Executive Director Stratton Pollitzer<\/a> delivered the event\u2019s keynote with that in mind. He began by reflecting on Equality Florida\u2019s Tampa Bay roots.<\/p>\n

He shared that Equality Florida has \u201cmore volunteers \u2026 from right here in Pinellas County than in any other city or county in the state,\u201d a critical part of combating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Pollitzer thanked St. Petersburg for its decades of support.<\/p>\n

He then highlighted the organization\u2019s work before, during and after this year\u2019s legislative session. He noted Equality Florida was founded to provide support to LGBTQ+ Floridians from birth to retirement, a \u201cworld Equality Florida has been building for decades\u201d made \u201cpossible because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Equality Florida subsequently presented two awards. They recognized Allendale United Methodist Church<\/a> and Rev. Andy Oliver<\/a> with the 2026 Voice for Equality Award first.<\/p>\n

The honor recognizes those who \u201cmove the LGBTQ+ community closer to full equality.\u201d During his acceptance speech, Oliver noted that \u201cif you are LGBTQ and have never heard a kind word from a pastor, from a church, maybe even from your family, you are beloved\u2026 and exactly who you are supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

J. Carl Devine <\/a>was presented with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award next. Equality Florida called him \u201ca visionary who has inspired many to address the unmet needs in their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Devine, among other accomplishments, is the executive director of the Banyan Tree Project, a social service agency that has served Pinellas County for 20 years. He noted that \u201cbeing a Black, same-gender loving man in America has not been easy,\u201d sharing to thunderous applause that he had fought to be where he is today.<\/p>\n

\u201cA story was told, a message was delivered and new hope was inspired,\u201d Scott notes. \u201cThank you to every sponsor, guest, supporter, artist, vendor, volunteer and our incredible Equality Florida team for making the gala unforgettable. A huge standing ovation and congratulations to our honorees this year!\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more about Equality Florida\u2019s work at EQFL.org<\/a>. View our photos from the evening below.<\/p>\n

Photos by Ryan Williams-Jent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sign up for the Watermark Out News eNewsletter<\/a> \u00a0and follow us for more:
BlueSky<\/a> | Facebook<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | TikTok<\/a> | Threads<\/a> | YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n

\t