ABOVE: Advocates participate in “Together We Rise” June 27. Photo by Dylan Todd.
ST. PETERSBURG | Come OUT St Pete (COSP) partnered with Project No Labels (PNL) and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum to virtually present “Together We Rise” June 27, a vigil designed to unite the LGBTQ and African American communities.
The gathering was initially designed as a vigil for George Floyd, whose murder May 25 in Minneapolis launched global protests against police brutality. It was expanded to reflect on the murders of Black, transgender members of our community and others, including Tony McDade of Tallahassee.
More than 100 volunteers gathered along Bayshore Dr. at 8 p.m., maintaining social distance to unfurl COSP’s 375-foot rainbow flag. They knelt for nearly nine minutes of silence to reflect on the Black Lives Matter movement and Pride Month. The 18th annual St Pete Pride‘s parade was originally scheduled for the same date but cancelled in response to COVID-19.
“We must recognize the origin of Pride was a riot against police actions,” COSP Board Member Brian Longstreth shared with Watermark ahead of the vigil, “and show solidarity when any minority is facing persecution.”
“Black, trans women are being murdered at an alarming rate,” PNL CEO Claire Elisan added. “This fight goes hand in hand. We have to acknowledge and validate our Black, transgender siblings in this fight. They’re fighting every single day to survive.”
Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum Executive Director Terri Lipsky Scott reflected on the vigil afterwards, calling it a “beautiful and moving tribute to ‘Black Lives Matter’ when commemorating PRIDE in our community.” Additional shirts worn by volunteers, made possible by the Home Shopping Network, were donated to the museum.
The vigil can be watched in its entirety here from COSP and here from PNL. You can also view Watermark’s photos below.
Photos by Dylan Todd.
For more information about COSP, PNL and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, visit ComeOutStPete.org, ProjectNoLabels.org and WoodsonMuseum.org.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ community in Tampa Bay, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
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