Pride Events In Full Swing As Flags Raised In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — Despite the passage of a series of new Florida laws that the national Human Rights Campaign said are intended to suppress the LGBTQ community, communities throughout Tampa Bay hoisted their pride flags to acknowledge National Pride Month in June.

Among them, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and city council members were on hand for the raising of the pride flag over Old City Hall at 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, and Hillsborough County commissioners watched as the pride flag was raised over the County Center at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. June 1.

Castor, Tampa's first openly gay mayor, made it clear that she will not permit the anti-LGBTQ atmosphere in Tallahassee to spread to Tampa.

"Here in Tampa, we've raised our pride flag over City Hall to let everyone know we embrace our diversity," Castor said.

"As mayor of Tampa, I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms," she said. "Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of America's greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee.

The Human Rights Campaign has issued a travel advisory to warn the LGBTQ community visiting Florida or planning to move to Florida of the state's public policy meant "to oppress the existence and rights of LGBTQ+ people," said the campaign.

The bills of concern signed by DeSantis include:

House Bill 1438, which prohibits children from attending drag shows and holds businesses accountable "if the establishment admits a child to an adult live performance.”

House Bill 1069, which “provides requirements relating to titles and pronouns”

Senate Bill 254, which prohibits “sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures for patients younger than 18 years of age.”

Ahead of other pride events around Tampa Bay, Tampa Pride traditionally hosts its annual Tampa Pride Diversity Parade and associated festivities in Ybor City in March, and those events were held as usual.

Other communities have proceeded with their pride events this month including the third annual Gulfport Pride June 3 and Gay Days in Orlando May 31 to June 5 and St. Pete Pride events including the annual parade on June 24 and Polk Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 17.

Upcoming events include:

Trek Tampa Carrollwood Pride Ride

The Trek Tampa Carrollwood Pride Ride will take place Saturday, June 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Trek Bicycle Tampa South, 530 S MacDill Ave., Tampa.

Everyone is welcome. There will be snacks, drinks and free goodies. Click here.

'Happy Together' To Be Shown

One of the most searing romances of the 1990s, Wong Kar Wai’s emotionally raw, lushly stylized 1997 film, "Happy Together," starring Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung, will be presented at Screen Door Cinema in the Kress Annex, 1624 E 7th Ave., Tampa, on Friday, June 16 at 7 p.m. Click here.

LGBTQ+ Support Circle

Creating a safe space for LGBTQ parents, prospective parents and caregivers to meet, support their peers, and explore shared concerns, the LGBTQ+ Support Circle will meet monthly on the second Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 p.m. The next meetup will take place Sunday, July 16, at Community Roots Collective, 2915 N Florida Ave., Tampa.

Click here.