ABOVE: St Pete Pride supporters enjoy 2019’s parade. Photo by Nick Cardello.
ST. PETERSBURG | St Pete Pride, Florida’s largest LGBTQ Pride celebration, has cancelled its 2020 festivities in response to COVID-19.
The 18th annual outing was originally scheduled for June 26-28. Organizers initially postponed this year’s celebration until the fall to work with city officials on securing new dates.
“After careful consideration and thorough exploration of alternatives with the city of St Petersburg, the Board of St Pete Pride has made the difficult decision to cancel all large in-person events,” the organization shared May 21.
“The initial hope was to postpone these events,” St Pete Pride’s statement continues. “However, the level of uncertainty and lack of clear guidance from experts prompted the decision to cancel as the Board deemed the health and safety of our community, both near and far, most important.”
More than 265,000 people are estimated to have attended St Pete Pride 2019, creating an economic impact of $67.2 million on the city of St. Petersburg. Mayor Rick Kriseman, one of the celebration’s earliest supporters, shared that he understood the decision.
“While I am saddened by the cancellation of this year’s St Pete Pride, I respect the decision made by the event’s organizers given the inability to plan such events in the face of this unprecedented uncertainty,” he said. “Our shared focus and most important job is public safety. St Pete Pride certainly recognizes this.
“St Pete Pride is one of the best and biggest LGBTQ+ events in the nation and will certainly outlast any challenges that come its way,” Kriseman continued. “Working with St Pete Pride and other organizations and individuals in our community, we will find ways to celebrate this year’s pride month safely and collectively. I hope that all residents of St. Pete remember that while we may be separated due to COVID-19, we are never alone and that we should continue to embrace and celebrate our LGBTQ residents and allies every day for their efforts in helping the sun to shine so brightly on us here in St. Pete.”
St Pete Pride also thanked the community for its understanding and patience while it determines safer ways to celebrate this year. They stressed that the organization will continue to develop its Community Grants Program, which supports nonprofits throughout Tampa Bay.
Sponsorships, registrations and advertisements for St Pete Pride 2020 will automatically be credited to all sponsors, advertisers and registrants for the parade and festival for 2021’s celebration. St Pete Pride noted that it appreciates continued support.
“The leadership of St Pete Pride is laser focused on our mission, our community and our supporters as we are adapting to our new reality of social distancing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic,” they concluded. “We will continue to be visible through our website, our newsletters and in the community as we all work together through these difficult times.”
You can read the organization’s full statement below:
For more information about St Pete Pride, this year’s cancellation and more, visit StPetePride.com or email Updates@StPetePride.com.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
