Come OUT St Pete (COSP) is finishing a busy and challenging year.
Under the leadership of co-chairs Chris Jones and Loralei Matisse, the organization was able to not only move forward with their traditional events, adjusting them for COVID-19, but to also add new ones.
On May 22, COSP organized a Harvey Milk Day proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg which was presented virtually. On June 27th, the organization worked with the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum and Project No Labels to create a virtual vigil for Black Lives Matter on Shore Drive adjacent to Vinoy Park. It was an emotionally-draining event to honor the lives of transgender people who had lost their lives to violence and for George Floyd among others.
In the months leading up to October’s events, COSP and Woodfield Fine Art Gallery hosted a virtual art show and selected this year’s commemorative art piece. Loralei also led the changes to the annual Miss COSP contest at Enigma, turning it in to an all-inclusive Come As You Are virtual event, adding a full Royal Court with Drag King, Nonbinary and Transgender categories.
On National Coming Out Day, socially-distanced volunteers unfurled COSP’s 375-foot rainbow flag. Chris then took the lead on changes to the traditional parade and festival, creating the first Come OUT Cruise Around. It showcased rainbow-adorned vehicles cruising through downtown St. Pete, the Grand Central District and Gulfport.
The festival moved off the sidewalks and into several businesses in the Grand Central area including long time favorites and new businesses. Chris was able to forge new partnerships with the St. Pete Opera Company and Spitfire Theater, while Loralei worked closely with Equality Florida and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum on Get Out The Vote campaigns.
COSP also gave back to the community in many forms, including supporting the JuneTeenth celebration at the Carter G. Woodson museum, the Progressive Pride Mural intersection at 25th & Central Avenue in the Grand Central District of St Pete, and new board member John Gascot’s Diversity in Arts project for youth.
The board of COSP felt it was critical to be visible and OUT, even in the middle of a health crisis. Chris and Loralei showed remarkable drive and courage to pull off these safe events in these challenging times.
To view the full list of Watermark’s Most Remarkable People of 2020, click here.
