ABOVE: St Pete Pride President Nathan Bruemmer (L) and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried June 25. Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent.
ST. PETERSBURG | St Pete Pride supporters gathered at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art June 25 for the PrideFest 2021 Stonewall Reception.
The annual evening is billed as the nonprofit’s “must-attend reception for sponsors, VIPs and friends.” This year, St Pete Pride promised to “find our West” at the popular venue, providing access to the museum and more.
Attendees included Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. The LGBTQ ally, who is currently serving as the only statewide-elected Democrat and running for governor, recognized Pride Month on behalf of Florida later in the evening.
“After a year like we’ve had, I think being amongst community just feels that much more special,” St Pete Pride President Nathan Bruemmer shared as the event began. “This year, St. Pete PrideFest was brought to us by some truly amazing partners … we spread out over four weeks [and] we’ve had great feedback.”
Bruemmer then detailed PrideFest 2021, the reimagined celebration consisting of four signature events flanked by gatherings across the city. St Pete Pride held its final anchor event the next evening, a picnic culminating with fireworks along the waterfront.
“All of this happens because of partners,” he shared. “It takes a village.”
Bruemmer also highlighted eight local nonprofits benefiting from PrideFest, noting that entry to each St Pete Pride event was $5 to limit attendance due COVID-19 concerns. After covering administrative costs, the groups will receive the remainder of funds collected.
The beneficiaries are Reach St. Pete, EmpowHERment, The Well, Ready for Life, Community Tampa Bay, the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and the St. Pete Youth Farm. Representatives for each welcomed reception guests after the main presentation to detail their efforts in the city. Read more about each of them and the initiative here.
The evening’s speakers included Raymond James & Associates President Tash Elwyn, St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin and openly LGBTQ State Rep. Michele Rayner, who is currently running for U.S. Congress.
“I understand what it means to be the first Black, queer woman to sit in the state legislature,” Rayner shared. “I understand that representation matters … we see the assault that is happening against our community and against our people.
“Being yourself and living in your fullness is an act of resistance; is an act of freedom,” she continued. “I honor all of you in here who are your full selves, and those who aren’t a part of the LGBTQ community, I honor those who are accomplices in allowing us to be our full free selves – because that is what is going to get us to freedom.”
Rayner touted Fried as one of those allies. The evening’s final guest speaker subsequently took the stage.
“As your Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, I’m so excited to be here tonight celebrating Pride Month with all of you here today,” Fried began. “My department is so proud to be a partner with you and support the amazing work being done here on the ground at St Pete Pride.”
Fried reflected on some of the ways she’s done so as commissioner. In 2019, she added sexual orientation and gender identity to her department’s list of workplace protections.
She also presented Bruemmer with a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in Florida. It read in part:
WHEREAS, we recognize St Pete Pride for working to protect and promote the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community in Tampa Bay and throughout the state of Florida; and
WHEREAS, we also recognize that there are those that are in our state who do not respect the rights and freedoms of the LGBT community, even when it harms our children; and
WHEREAS, as to fight back against this cruelty, consistent advocacy and vigilance is needed to ensure that LGBTQ rights are freedoms and are protected and ensured every day; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stands proudly with the LGBTQ community and its movement and reaffirms our commitment to be a place of acceptance and equality for everyone to thrive,
I, Nicole Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture for the state of Florida, do hereby proclaim that June 2021 shall be known, designated and set aside as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
Fried also noted that in 2019, she also created her department’s first LGBTQ Consumer Advocate. “Historically, the State of Florida has turned a blind eye to discrimination against our LGBTQ community – but today is a new day in our state,” she shared at the time. “We’re building a Department that represents all Floridians, and it’s paramount that LGBTQ Floridians have a voice in defending their safety, economic security and well-being.”
LGBTQ activist Nik Harris filled the role, working to safeguard consumer rights since its inception. With the longtime advocate departing for a position with the Human Rights Campaign, Fried announced Bruemmer will now hold the position.
“As a statewide leader, I take seriously my responsibility to recognize everyone as deserving of dignity and respect, with full rights and privileges as Floridians,” Fried advised in a statement June 28. “Ensuring that LGBTQ+ freedoms are protected requires consistent advocacy and vigilance, which is why upon taking office I established the role of Florida’s first LGBTQ Consumer Advocate.
“I am thrilled to appoint Nathan Bruemmer to this position as we build on the work we’ve done over the past two years,” she continued. “For over two decades, Nathan has served non-profit organizations in his community and throughout our state, and his experience in addressing food and housing insecurity and advancing the rights of LGBTQ Floridians makes him an exceptional addition to our team. I welcome Nathan to the FDACS family and look forward to his efforts on behalf of Florida’s consumers, citizens, families and businesses.”
“I am honored to join the FDACS family,” Bruemmer added, “and combine my passion for education and LGBTQ advocacy with my Florida roots – literally! My father was not only a researcher with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but also a Florida farmer and rancher.
He also noted that “I spent much of my childhood working with him on the farm and learning about Florida citrus and cattle. I’m ready to get back to my roots and get my hands in the dirt, and I thank Commissioner Fried for the opportunity to get to work on behalf of all Floridians and businesses.”
View our photos from St Pete Pride’s reception below.
Photos by Ryan Williams-Jent.
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