Tampa Bay’s 1st Place Favorite Local Activist
As Equality Florida’s regional manager for their Safe & Healthy Schools Project, Alex Quinto works to create safer environments for LGBTQ+ students and their families. He joined the organization in 2024 as their coordinator of professional learning, but worked as an award-winning school counselor for Pinellas County Schools before then.
“I work directly with school districts, educators and community leaders,” Quinto explains. “I provide training on best practices for supporting LGBTQ+ youth, advocate for inclusive policies and help schools navigate the challenges of ensuring every student has a safe place to learn.”
He also works with other organizations and advocates to address bullying, offer mental health support and more. It’s his mission on a personal level to “use my platform — whether through social media, public speaking or even drag — as a way to uplift and empower the community.”
Quinto regularly performs as Alice Marie Gripp, a celebrated local entertainer. He knows how important visibility and representation are, so he prioritizes supporting LGBTQ+ events, grassroots efforts and mutual aid initiatives in and out of drag.
Quinto holds a strong connection to Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ community, saying “there’s a deep sense of chosen family here… Growing up, I felt like I did not belong and I was alone — but as I became a part of this community we have built here, I realized how much love there was around me, I just didn’t see it.”
He also praises the community’s perfect blend of activism and celebration, saying “queer joy itself is an act of resistance.”
Being recognized is “incredibly humbling,” Quinto says. He notes that “advocacy isn’t about awards or recognition — it’s about the work … to be acknowledged by the community that I grew up in and that I love so much means everything.”
“Knowing that people see, appreciate and BELIEVE in this work gives me even more determination to keep pushing forward,” he continues. “For those wondering how to support the LGBTQ+ community, it starts with listening and learning. Advocacy doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful; sometimes, it’s as simple as making sure the people around you feel seen, respected and safe.”
To see all the other 2025 WONDER Award winners, go here.
