St. Petersburg – With just over a week to go before the Greater St. Petersburg Gala, Equality Florida is nearing its goal of $250,000. Organizer Todd Richardson is confident he can reach that goal, if not surpass it.
“We’re over $245,000 so far and that surpasses last year’s $237,000,” Richardson explained. “Our stretch goal is $275,000, which I’d like to hit.”
The gala—one of 14 Equality Florida holds in communities across the state each year—is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers of the year. In 2014, the gala welcomed Edie Windsor, who sued the federal government and helped overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. Windsor accepted an invitation to appear again this year, but is unfortunately not well enough to travel, Richardson said.
“She was so excited to come back and honor Dr. Rose Walton, one of her longest and dearest friends,” Richardson said. “Last year Edie loved the community and she fell in love with St. Pete. She loved the people and she had such a great time.”
Walton, 78, lives with her partner Marge Sherwin, on Treasure Island most of the year. But Walton is originally from the New York City area, where she worked in the HIV/AIDS arena.
“We’re presenting her with a lifetime achievement award,” Richardson said. “Rose played a major role in Long Island, getting HIV care established. She is a pioneer in HIV education and advocacy. The work she did stretched far and wide. She did some amazing work and volunteers and helps out Equality Florida even today.”
Equality Florida will also honor Larry Biddle and Syvlia Rusche with Voice of Equality awards. both are active in Equality Florida as well as other organizations, Richardson said.
“Larry jumped in from the minute he arrived in Florida and started helping everybody,” Richardson said. “I can’t say enough about him. I respect and admire him a great deal. He’s always the first to open up his home for a fundraiser—for anyone, not just Equality Florida.”
Biddle has worked with the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Metro Wellness and Community Centers and the Warehouse Arts District Association.
Equality Florida will also honor Tech Data with an Equality Means business Award during the gala.
“Our steering committee chose these people and they vetted some great candidates,” Richardson said. “It’s their decision and they pick out who they feel should be honored. They did a great job this year.”
Now that marriage equality is in Florida—and possibly set for the entire nation come June—why does Equality Florida need the money?
Richardson doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“I truly believe our work is far from over,” Richardson said. “Just like gay adoption, marriage equality in Florida was just one more issue in our fight for full equality. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act is very important. Now that we do have marriage equality, we have to make sure we have equality in housing and in the workplace.”
Richardson also said that anti-bullying causes and transgender equality are also on Equality Florida’s to-do list.
“When I stop seeing pictures of 15 year old boys and girls on Facebook who have been bullied because of who they are, or transgender teens who have killed themselves, then I’ll know our work is over,” Richardson said. “I think about all of the LGBT youth that can be helped out there and one of the many things Equality Florida does well is work with of all of our LGBT organizations. There is still a lot of advocacy work to do.”
Tickets to the Greater St. Petersburg Gala are $125, and 81% of that money goes directly to Equality Florida’s mission of education, outreach, advocacy and mobilization, Richardson said. About 14% of the funds go toward paying for the gala and just 5% goes toward administrative costs, he said.
“We have an outstanding rating for transparency,” Richardson said, referring to a recent study by Guidestar, a non-profit organization that rates other non profits. “Our books are open. People can be very comfortable that their money is going toward a good cause.
“Marriage equality is here and we defeated an anti-transgender bill in Tallahassee,” Richardson said. “We have a lot to celebrate.”
The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 29. Tickets are still available at EQFL.org.
