Dunedin’s golf cart Pride parade 2022. Credit: Photo by Jennifer Ring

Dunedin is a bit of a paradox.

Conservative townies and Toronto snowbirds alike saddle up to its breweries. And Gov. Ron DeSantis’ hometown elected its first openly gay mayor last year.

Despite the governor’s and President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI sentiment, the city isn’t just standing with its LGBTQ+ residents this Pride season, it’s celebrating.

The city’s chamber of commerce leads its third-annual Pride week at the start of June, which has only gotten bigger since the chamber took it over from a third party last year. More than 150 dragged-up golf carts are expected to roll through Main Street for its first event on May 30 leading into the Dunedin Blue Jays’ Pride Night game. The aforementioned Mayor Maureen “Moe” Freaney raises the rainbow flag at City Hall in a ceremony this weekend.
However, events director Janette Donoghue told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that a big corporate sponsor dropped out this year, and two other corporations are still contributing but had their names pulled.

Dunedin isn’t alone. Some of the nation’s biggest LGBTQ+ Pride events have reported big corporate sponsors backing out this year for fear of President Trump’s anti-DEI agenda. Pride organizations in Polk County and Sarasota have seen similar losses.

“It’s been challenging,” Donoghue said. “I’m not gonna lie, this year has been completely different than past years.”

Still, the city’s lifeblood—its local businesses—made up for the losses.

“They’re loud and proud to be a part of it,” Donoghue said. “They want their name out there and say, ‘If people don’t like it they don’t have to come to my store.’”

The city is prepared for physical threats after an anti-LGBTQ+ protester stood outside City Hall with a blowhorn last year. After Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016 and homophobic protesters showing up at local Pride events over the years, the city has cops securing all its events—including a celebration for kids and pets in Pioneer Park.

“I never thought I would have to have sheriff’s officers and undercover officers at a family park event,” Donoghue said. “But it’s required because of our political climate. … So we’re preparing for everything.”

In the end, the stress is all worth it, Donoghue said, adding, “Our hope is that one day everybody can be accepted and treated equally. That’s what it’s all about. We are a city that is welcoming to everyone.”

Readers are invited to submit their own events to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar.