There are some major changes in store for the 2014 St. Pete Pride Parade.
In an effort to boost attendance and spread the celebration out over the three-day weekend, the festival will now include a night parade for the first time ever.
The fundraising concert, which raises money to support the local LGBT community through the St. Pete Pride Community Grants, will take place Friday, June 27.
Rather than a single event for the promenade and street fair, a nighttime parade with lighted floats and individuals will be held Saturday, June 28, while the Street Colour Fest will be held on Sunday, June 29. The festival will incorporate a series of marches — including a Trans Pride March and a Womyn’s March — and feature live music, vendors and interactive exhibits.
“This decision is a testament to the success of St Pete Pride,” read a statement in a Q&A segment on the St. Pete Pride web site. “As the event has grown over the years, so has the demand for space to accommodate the needs of those who attend. A dedicated day for each event will allow for expansion of areas in both events. Over the years, you will see family and health & wellness zones, history and arts exhibits, bleachers for parade viewing, a reviewing stand, barricades for safer viewing, and much more.”
The addition of the night parade is in direct response to a survey of Tampa Bay’s LGBT population. The response from the community was overwhelming — people wanted "a cooler parade experience.”
The Florida National Guard announced it will extend full military benefits to same-sex married couples even though the state doesn’t recognized gay marriage.
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Defense of Marriage Act in June, the Pentagon changed its benefits policy to include same-sex spouses. Florida was one of nine states refusing to comply with the new federal law because it violated the state constitution, which bans gay marriage.
In order to not violate the state constitution but also comply with federal law, the benefits will be processed at federal, rather than state, facilities.
Earlier this week, Illinois lawmakers voted for the state to become the 15th in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Gov. Pat Quinn has pledged to sign the bill as soon as it hits his desk, though he’s uncertain when that will be. Gay weddings could take place in Illinois as early as June.
In Hawaii, the House passed a same-sex marriage bill 30 to 18 on its second reading. The legislation will face a third and final vote on Friday, Nov. 8, and is expected to pass. From there, the legislation heads back to the Senate for consideration.
Florida State University is working towards making its campus more gender neutral. Student legislators passed a resolution to remove the male and female labels from two bathrooms on campus. “People who are transgender and people who don’t identify their gender through biology but by their own individuality and expression” can now use these restrooms, said Leah Montenegro, the bill’s sponsor.
