A stilt walker wearing giant rainbow butterfly wings poses with a brightly dressed attendee at a vibrant, neon-lit Pride & Passion party

Two decades ago, Tampa Museum of Art (TMA) started a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and DEI—just as Hillsborough County Commission banned Pride.

Now, as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration purges DEI from Florida’s pavement and local governments, TMA continues its even bigger, gayer DEI fundraiser.

Pride & Passion, the museum’s yearly celebration of the LGBTQ community and Tampa Bay’s diversity, returns Saturday, Sept. 19 with the theme “Go Greek and Roman.” The date was moved from its usual time in May due to TMA’s expansion.

All proceeds from the event directly support the Museum’s Art Space and Connections programs—an initiative that uses art to help people struggling with mental health or trauma. The ticket includes access to the galleries and any performances taking place.

TMA’s development director, Raelene Ohanesian-Pullen, told CL that the museum isn’t intimidated by the anti-DEI movement—even as local arts programs are defunded.

“If we lose funding from the federal government or state government, we don’t lose heart for our mission,” she said. “If a particular government organization doesn’t find value in the work we do or doesn’t support that financially, we find other individuals or financial institutions that do.”

She continued, “We see every day the benefit that we make in the lives of so many people in Tampa Bay, so we just keep going.”

Tickets start at $155 for for Pride and Passion 2026, happening Saturday, Sept. 19 in Tampa.