The largest Pride parade in the Southeastern United States returned to downtown St. Petersburg last Saturday, attracting what organizers said was more than 300,000 people all ready to celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community—and battle temps that hit 90 degrees.
Festivities kicked off with a trans march and even included churches and clergy from around the Bay area including Pastor Andy Oliver or St. Petersburg’s Allendale United Methodist Church whose congregation marched alongside an inflatable Jesus dressed in drag, and Pinellas Park's King of Peace MCC, which told partygoers "God thinks you're fabulous."
Also part of the parade was the People’s Pride Coalition (PPC) which protested from within the parade route.
“Upon seeing the PPC protestors carrying large banners and signs in support of a free Palestine and Queer Liberation, they erupted into deafening screams of support and applause, chanting along with them even after long hours in the heat,” a press release from PPC organizers said. “It was clear that of the estimated 300,000 attendees of Pride, there was overwhelming support for their political messaging: From Stonewall to Palestine, resistance is justified!”
PPC also distributed zines criticizing “St. Pete Pride Partners” for their treatment of the environment (Mosaic), feeding Israeli soldiers (McDonald’s), ties to the Florida-Israel Business Accelerator (Tampa General Hospital), and connections to the Israeli and U.S. militaries (GE Aerospace, Jabil). The zine also called for St. Pete pride to ensure its leadership was educated in pinkwashing tactics and also stop contracting local law enforcement for its events.
