St. Petersburg Kicks Off LGBTQ+ Pride Month with Flag Raising

News Summary

St. Petersburg celebrated the start of LGBTQ+ Pride Month by raising the Pride flag at City Hall for the twelfth year. The ceremony included local officials and advocates, who emphasized love, acceptance, and inclusivity. This year’s theme, ‘Rooted In,’ aims to extend support to all community members. Mayor Welch proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, honoring the history of St. Pete Pride, Florida’s largest celebration. Events will kick off on June 1, promoting unity and joy within the community.

St. Petersburg celebrated the beginning of LGBTQ+ Pride Month on May 29 by raising the Pride flag for the twelfth consecutive year. The flag-raising ceremony took place at St. Petersburg City Hall and was attended by local officials, community supporters, and advocates.

The event was introduced by St. Petersburg City Council Chair Copley Gerdes, who was joined by Mayor Ken Welch and several council members, including Lisset Hanewicz, Brandi Gabbard, Richie Floyd, Deborah Figgs-Sanders, and Gina Driscoll. Several prominent representatives also took part, including U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and state Reps. Lindsay Cross and Michele Rayner.

During the ceremony, Council Chair Gerdes expressed appreciation for the support of both federal and state officials, underscoring the collaboration between parts of Florida and the nation in promoting inclusivity. Rayner highlighted the personal significance of the event, noting her role as the first Black, openly queer woman in Florida’s office and addressing ongoing challenges against inclusive policies from state leadership.

She pointed out that this year’s Pride theme, “Rooted In,” aims to extend support to all community members, beyond just those identifying as LGBTQ+. The sentiment was echoed by Gerdes, who noted that raising the Pride flag symbolizes a message of love and acceptance, affirming that “all are welcome here.” Castor emphasized the connection between happiness and equal rights, reiterating St. Petersburg’s commitment to this cause. Mayor Welch described the flag-raising as a simple but potent act that embodies the city’s values of diversity and inclusiveness.

In addition to raising the flag, Mayor Welch officially proclaimed June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in St. Petersburg and read the Pride proclamation. The proclamation celebrated the 23-year history of St. Pete Pride, marking it as Florida’s largest Pride celebration. Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, the President of St. Pete Pride, expressed gratitude to attendees and introduced various members of the Pride organization, highlighting the deep historical roots of the LGBTQ+ community connected to St. Pete Pride.

The ceremony culminated in raising the Pride flag, signaling the start of a series of LGBTQ+ festivities commencing June 1. These events are designed to celebrate love, unity, and joy within the community. St. Pete Pride will feature several activities throughout June, including a kickoff party on June 1, Youth and Family Day on June 7, and the Grand Pride Parade scheduled for June 28, among others.

The city of St. Petersburg is enthusiastic about the upcoming Pride celebrations and is encouraging community participation throughout the month. The events not only promote recognition of the LGBTQ+ community but also aim to foster an environment of acceptance and celebration of diversity.

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Additional Resources

• Watermark: St. Pete Raises Pride Flag
• Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in Florida
• I Love the Burg: St. Pete Pride Events
• Google Search: St. Petersburg LGBTQ Pride Month
• St. Pete Catalyst: St. Pete Pride Names New Executive Director
• Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ Civil Rights