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Saturday’s Gulfport Florida Pride is good to go

David Phandara

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Gulfport Florida Pride. Photo: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.

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The third annual Gulfport Florida Pride event takes place Saturday, even as the Florida Legislature passes several anti-LGBTQ bills. Event producer Suzanne King and the LGBTQ Resource Center – a charity fundraising group housed in the Gulfport Public Library – say they’re ensuring things proceed as planned.

King believes Gulfport to be an exceptional community, so for those with concerns of safety attending the LGBTQ-friendly event with the pressures of current state politics, she assures that the Gulfport Police Department will be offering its assistance to ensure a safe, family-friendly festival.

“The last two years have been amazing, and we expect this year to be the same. This is not a political or religious forum, but a celebration,” King says.

The city of Gulfport has a long history of being LGBTQ-friendly and implementing policies that promote equality, specifically in 2021 when Gulfport Florida Pride hosted its first event. The unique celebration turned community tradition has people all over Florida coming to celebrate in this lively festival.

In response to a series of bills targeted at the LGBTQ community, such as SB 1438, which prohibits children from attending drag performances, and the “Don’t Say Gay” bill that prohibits discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in grade school, other cities including Tampa have canceled some Pride events. For Gulfport Florida Pride, plans will proceed as scheduled.

“Being flexible and smart with planning is important, we want to see people walking around and enjoying their time with all their loved ones without worry,” says King.

With this in mind, drag performances have been scheduled during the after-party event at a much later time at two local bars, Zipperz Bar and Alphabet Soup, between 9 and 11 p.m., with an age restriction of 21 and over. King’s response to the planning of the drag shows was to be “safer than sorry.”

Tom Grant, general manager of Zipperz, believes each city should celebrate. “I’ve been a part of this industry and community for over 30 years … as a previous manager at Flamingo Resort in St. Pete and now with Zipperz, it’s unfortunate to see Florida go backwards, but we will have extra security for the event,” he says.

Amongst participating businesses, some are returning for a third year in a row, including Gulfport Beach Bazaar, which sells the official event T-shirt, Moonlight Sticker Company, Got Pride, Scopelliti Photography, Nevermore Photography, OUTCOAST – Gay Florida Travel and more.

Expect street food vendors and bars/restaurants all along the boulevard.

“I’m very particular with food,” says King. “I looked for vendors offering foods that can be eaten as they walk, like street food or anything different from what’s already there to encourage no competition.”

The festival includes two main stages, sponsored by Caddy’s Gulfport and the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, and the parade – which, according to King, won’t be your average parade.

“There are no motorized vehicles,” she says, “but expect several walkers, a marching band, golf cart, and unicycles.”

The absence of motor vehicles, with the exception of slow-moving golf carts, allows more walkers to celebrate in an untraditional fashion, and participate alongside everyone, like Vice Mayor of Gulfport Paul Ray and Gulfport Gecko Queen Betty Pearson.

In the midst of all of the political issues surrounding the United States – and especially Florida – the city of Gulfport’s love of individuality and diversity is what makes Gulfport Florida Pride unique. “We want to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusivity where our community can come together to celebrate all of our differences,” says King.

Gulfport Florida Pride 2023 happens all along Beach Boulevard South, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday.

The full event schedule can be found here.

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Avatar

    Bar Tom G

    June 7, 2023at2:40 pm

    Here at Zipperz Bar, we welcome everyone to come to our friendly and fun Bar and atmosphere. We have a nice mix of the Community all around us: Gay, Straight, and all LGBT, and also friends and allies. Give us a try and visit. 🙂 Tom – GM

  2. Avatar

    Steve D

    June 2, 2023at3:22 pm

    Hmmm… not political? My husband and I hope that’s the case, but I doubt it. Our experience has been that if you don’t think exactly the way members of the community want you to think, they threaten you and call you names. Diversity of thought? Definitely not welcome by LGBTQIA+ leaders.

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