Dunedin To Continue Pride Celebration Through June 29

DUNEDIN, FL — Dunedin Pride Week is not only back, but Pride Committee Chairwoman Kimberly Platt said the celebration will be bigger than ever. In fact, there are so many events planned, the city had to extend Pride Week five extra days.

Despite the passage of a series of new Florida laws that the national Human Rights Campaign said are intended to suppress the LGBTQ community, Dunedin government and business leaders hoisted the Pride flag at the new Dunedin City Hall June 1 to acknowledge National Pride Month throughout June.

Now the entire community is ready to celebrate with a full slate of events which kicked off June 16 and continue through June 29, Platt said.

"This town is not just about LGBTQ Pride," she said. "It's about celebrating pride throughout our city and the diversity of the people living here from different countries, different backgrounds, different religions, different ethnicities, different ages, coming together in unity."

The second annual Dunedin Pride Week is organized by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce's volunteer-led Dunedin Pride Committee.

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"There are so many new people moving to Dunedin and we want them to come here and feel supported no matter their walk of life or who they love. Everybody's welcome," Platt said. “Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We hope that these events will bring people together, celebrate diversity and inclusion, and inspire continued progress toward equality.”

Platt said the support of the business community is crucial to the success of Pride Week. Nearly every business in downtown Dunedin either hosts an event or supports the events during Pride Week.

"You can see the support all around the city, in all the Pride flags, the Pride posters and the decorations in all the storefronts," she said. "Every day new businesses are joining in."

While some events are restricted to those age 21 and up, Platt said there are plenty of family-friendly activities as well.

"We have an incredible lineup of events for this year’s celebration," she said. "There will be events happening all over Dunedin, giving attendees the chance to connect with local LGBTQ+ community members and learn about the resources available to them. We'll also host a variety of educational and cultural events throughout the week, including film screenings, art exhibitions and guest speakers. These events are designed to promote awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and provide opportunities for community members to engage in meaningful conversations."

"As we embark on the celebration of Dunedin Pride, we pause to recognize that our differences spark change, growth and innovation only if we clear the pathway to a more diverse workforce for this to happen," said Pamela Pravetz, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.

She added that the chamber is thrilled to have Duke Energy sign on as the title sponsor for Dunedin Pride Week 2023.

"Their support will help us create a memorable and meaningful event for all attendees," she said.

She said the chamber is equally thrilled to donate the proceeds of Pride Week to the LGBTQ Caregiver Center, part of the Caregivers Wellness Collective.

The center was founded by Jennifer Henius to educate and advocate for caregivers and recipients alike.

“We provide advocacy, education and resources to empower LGBTQ caregivers and those who care for LGBTQ people to improve their health and well-being," Henius said.

Events still to come include:

On Monday, June 26, Dunedin Pride invites attendees to wear their favorite neon colors for the Pisces Glow-in-the-Dark Party at Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro, 799 Highland Ave., Dunedin, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 and include a DJ, food, a swag bag and two specialty drink tickets. Call 727-216-6764. Plus, there will be complimentary drinks poured by Tito's, Don Q, Angels Envy, PRP Wine and Illegal Mezcal.

The festivities will continue on Tuesday, June 27 with the All the Colors of the Rainbow Art Exhibit hosted by Blur Night Club, 325 Main St., Dunedin, and sponsored by Feet in the Sand Pottery Studio from 5 to 8 p.m.

The finale event will be the Pride Summer Send-Off Wednesday, June 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. hosted on the back patio of the Crown & Bull, 319 Main St., Dunedin. There will be live music from 7 to 10 p.m., raffles and giveaways and food and drinks available for purchase. There is no cover charge.