I like to think the best of people, so it's rather distressing (but not surprising) that there are folks out there who are unable to deal with the reality of a non-heterosexual community. I was offered a taste of this prejudice in the form of a notice posted at the mailboxes where I live. In this notice, addressed to residents who had complained, the condo board advised that the rainbow flag flying under the American flag on our property was raised in support of Pride Month, and that it would be lowered after June. Apparently these individuals feared they would appear gay, or that their children would be "inappropriately influenced" by this symbol of tolerance.
Those folks better prepare themselves — a much larger, brighter flag (1,700-feet long) makes its way into town for the second annual St. Pete Pride Promenade and Festival, at which locals celebrate St. Petersburg and West Central Florida's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, the St. Pete Pride Promenade (a fancy name for a parade) begins at 3100 Third Ave. N., winds through historic Kenwood, and then moves on to Central Avenue, ending at the Pride Festival on 26th Street. (A shuttle runs between 3100 Third Ave. N. and 2600 Central Ave. for most of the day; parking is available at the Third Avenue address.)
The Festival event features nearly 200 vendors, games, cultural exhibitions, art auctions and, of course, live entertainment showcasing local and regional talent.
On the main stage, the schedule is as follows: True Expressions Singers (noon); Crescendo, the Tampa Bay Women's Chorus (12:20); Una Voce (12:40); No More Silence (1); Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay (1:20); Unity Chorale Finale (1:40); Mele (2); Billi & Patti (2:30); Kelly Neff (3); New Tribe (3:30); Providence (4); Chameleons (4:30); and Steven Franz (4:50).
Finally, make sure to check the free Taylor Dayne concert at the St. Pete Pride Finale Party on Sunday, June 27, from 5 p.m. until close at the Suncoast Resort, 3000 34th St. S. in St. Petersburg.
Last year's celebration attracted more than 10,000 people of all ages and sexual persuasions to the Grand Central District of St Petersburg, and this year's turnout is supposed to be even larger. For more information, visit www.stpetepride.com.
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2004.
