Pride 365
Tampa Bay celebrates LGBTQ Pride year-round RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT
T
here’s no shortage of ways to showcase your Pride in Tampa Bay. It’s been celebrated throughout the area by LGBTQ residents and visitors alike for decades..
While the largest celebrations have traditionally been held in June – chosen to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which birthed the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement – the desire to honor authenticity in Tampa Bay has long outgrown the month. It’s a testament to the impact the LGBTQ community has had on the region.
With so many advocates and allies proudly showing their support, this list is far from complete. Be sure to read Watermark’s Central Florida and Sarasota Living with Pride guides to see how even more of Tampa Bay’s neighbors share their LGBTQ Pride – and watch future issues of Watermark and visit WatermarkOnline.com for the latest details about each outing.
Come OUT St. Pete
for LGBTQ civil rights and
the Gulfport Peace, Love and
organized by SIK Promotions,
St. Petersburg, Florida |
encouraging authenticity. The
Pride Fest, scheduled to return
which manages festivals;
ComeOUTStPete.org
holiday has led COSP to envision
in March 2022 – and as of 2021,
LocalShops1, which supports
Come OUT St. Pete (COSP) has
a world that is unified around a
Gulfport Pride.
local businesses and the city
advocated for the acceptance
culture that values freedom of
The former is presented
itself. Both celebrations are
of every sexual orientation
expression, acceptance, love and
by ProSistersRadio and co-
expected to grow in the coming
and gender identity since
equality for LGBTQ individuals.
sponsored by the City of
years.
2017, encouraging a sense of
COSP’s next outing is scheduled
Gulfport. Organizers explain that
community through a series
for Oct. 16, 2021, with events
the celebration “is about more
Pasco Pride
of events and activities that
once again beginning Oct. 11 for
than LGBTQ Pride. We’re proud
New Port Richey, Florida |
promote equality for all. The
National Coming Out Day.
of our hometown. We’re proud of
PascoPrideFestival.org
our diversity. We’re proud that
The goal of Pasco Pride is to
everyone is welcome here.”
connect, build and strengthen
organization’s main events are traditionally held in St.
Gulfport Pride
Petersburg in October, coinciding
Gulfport, Florida | GulfportPride.com
Similarly, the latter celebrates
the LGBTQ community in
with National Coming Out Day.
Gulfport’s LGBTQ residents
and showcases the area’s
and around Pasco County.
National Coming Out Day has
have led numerous celebrations
growing LGBTQ community
It was founded in 2018 and
been celebrated on Oct. 11 for
over the years, most frequently
and LGBTQ and ally-owned
made history by becoming the
more than 30 years. It seeks
with the LGBTQ Resource
businesses. Held May 29, 2021,
area’s first festival celebrating
to unite the community by
Center at the Gulfport Public
it served as a fundraiser for the
the area’s growing LGBTQ
positively raising awareness
Library. Newer events include
resource center. The event was
population.
TAMPA PROUD:
Crowds gather for Tampa Pride's Diversity Parade along 7th Ave. in Ybor in 2019. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD
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