St. Pete Pride Celebrates DOMA Decision

The Supreme Court of the United States' decision Thursday to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act — and later Prop 8 — has St. Pete Pride rejoicing ahead of its annual celebration in St. Pete this week. 

"This is a cause for celebration, and proof that the law, much like society, inevitably falls on the side of equality,” says Eric Skains, executive director of St Pete Pride, in a news release. “Without all the decades of shaming and discrimination directed towards the LGBT community, there never would have been a need for a day to stand up and be seen. And now, a day that began out of that defiance is a celebration of the milestone towards true equality.”

St Pete Pride events start Wednesday night and culminates with a street parade and festival Saturday morning in the Grand Central District along Central Avenue.  

There is a LGBT art show at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Blue Lucy Gallery. Thursday's events include an evening with Hedda Hetuce at 7:30 p.m. at the Palladium. Friday night, Macy's in Tyrone Square Mall is hosting a Night of Fashion at 5 p.m. Following the fashion show there will be a 2782 concert at 7 p.m. at State Theater. 

Saturday's street festival and parade begin at 9 a.m.

For a full list of Pride events, click here. 

"Like Lawrence v. Texas, which changed all gay persons from presumptive criminals to members of a constitutionally protected class, the decision today is a step towards full equality, with remaining discrimination likely to fall steadily," Skains wrote. 

Tuesday, Mayor Bill Foster issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring St. Petersburg Pride Month in the City of St. Petersburg. 

"Through the years, St. Petersburg has been building a foundation of equality and fairness for all residents and visitors, and has become a city that treasures the diversity of all citizens who call the 'Sunshine city' home," Foster wrote in the proclamation.

"St. Petersburg has become a model for inclusion and has demonstrated to the rest of the world that this city, our city, is open for business and is grateful for the gifts and talents of all people without regard to race, gender, national origin, disability or sexual orientation," Foster said. 

Foster's proclamation asks all residents to, "join with me in celebrating the diversity which makes us all unique and the pride we share in our community which brings us together."

Last summer, the city of St. Petersburg unanimously passed an ordinance creating a domestic partnership registry in hopes to give domestic partners — gay or straight — the same benefits as married couples. 

Council member Steve Kornell and his partner were the first to register in St. Pete as domestic partners.