In Florida, the organizers of various LGBT Pride events are facing restrictions and heightened security measures due to a series of recently enacted state laws that they believe unfairly single out their community. These laws have reignited a spirit of defiance among organizers who aim to push back against Governor Ron DeSantis and other conservative leaders.
One such event, Stonewall Pride in Wilton Manors, led by organizer Jeff Sterling, is calling for performers and parade-goers to refrain from nudity or risqué behavior. Sterling emphasizes the importance of unity, family, and togetherness as the central message of this year’s Pride celebrations.
Florida finds itself at the epicenter of an ongoing battle over values and beliefs. Governor DeSantis recently signed a package of bills, purportedly aimed at protecting children, which includes bans on gender-affirming surgeries for minors, fines on businesses hosting “explicit” drag shows involving children, and the prohibition of teaching sexual orientation and gender identity in 8th-grade curricula.
Critics argue that the law specifically targeting drag shows was unnecessary, as existing legislation already prohibited exposing children to lewd entertainment. They view it as a deliberate attempt to suppress Pride events by preventing local governments from issuing permits to any event that might expose children to adult live performances.
Governor DeSantis’ office, when approached for comment, declined to respond to what they deemed “baseless accusations” connecting the laws to hostility and violence against the LGBT community. They maintain that the governor will continue to prioritize protecting the innocence of children.
Despite the challenges, voices within the LGBT community refuse to be silenced. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a member of the LGBT advocacy group Equality Florida and a former Democratic state representative currently running for state senate, urges people not to hide or run, as that is precisely what the opponents desire. Meanwhile, Kristina Bozanich had to cancel a small Pride event near Orlando due to fears expressed by drag show performers and the lack of funds for increased security.
However, Tiffany Freisberg, the head of the St. Pete Pride board, which organizes Florida’s largest Pride parade and other events throughout June in St. Petersburg, made it clear that cancelation was never an option. She asserts that no event, past or present, would violate any lewdness laws. Freisberg highlights the importance of events like theirs, which serve as a crucial platform for the community, particularly in the face of the new legislation.
Joseph Clark, CEO of Gay Days in Orlando, plans to proceed with the Pride events as scheduled. He hopes that members of the LGBT community from outside Florida will make a special effort to attend this year’s events, emphasizing that unity and coming together provide a sense of security and resilience.
As Pride events in Florida navigate these hurdles, the community remains determined to express their identities, fight for their rights, and demonstrate that they are an integral part of society.