ABOVE: LGBTQ advocates and allies gather at Largo City Hall June 3, photo via Michael Smith.
LARGO, Fla. | The City of Largo raised the Pride flag at City Hall June 3 after issuing a proclamation honoring LGBTQ Pride Month.
The small ceremony was open to the public but socially distant in response to COVID-19. It marked the city of nearly 85,000’s second recognition honoring LGBTQ Pride after last year’s historical first.
“The month of June is designated in communities across the United States as Pride Month, to both acknowledge the history of prejudice and discrimination toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals, and as an opportunity to celebrate the advancements of the human rights movement and the LGBTQ+ rights movement,” the city shared via social media June 1.
“The City of Largo encourages all residents to continue to grow with us in our recognition, understanding, and celebration of diversity,” they continued, “and to continue to build connections with one another so that together we can achieve our vision to be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay! #LoveLargoFL #PrideMonth”
Largo Commissioner Michael Smith, the city’s first openly gay elected official who was first elected in 2011, also reflected on the ceremony via social media.
“This years flag, The Progress Pride Flag, was created by Daniel Quasar, who identifies as queer and nonbinary,” Smith shared. “The white, pink, and light blue reflects the colors of the transgender flag, while the brown and black stripes represent people of color and those lost to AIDS.”
“I’m very proud of the direction Largo is going,” he continued. “Very proud to serve with a great City Commission & Mayor, and an outstanding city staff that are working to make Largo ‘The Community of Choice in Tampa Bay.’”
Smith called the city’s LGBTQ Pride Proclamation powerful, emphasizing its words. “We encourage all residents to continue to grow with us in our recognition, understanding and celebration of diversity, build connections with one another, and live up to the ideals of freedom, equality and justice,” it reads. Read it in full below:
You can also view photos from the ceremony via Smith and watch it via the city below:
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.
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