Our niece Sarah married her partner, Jennifer several years ago. Now in our American Family we have a second niece and 2 great nephews.  They have a home in the Washington, D.C. area. When the Supreme Court handed down their Same- Sex Equal Marriage ruling we were all so exited.

    Then later that night we received the following text & photo from our niece.

    Here is that photo of an American Family.  We are so Proud.

 

    The largest GLBT Pride event in Florida, 13th Annual St Pete Pride had another great and successful event. An estimated diverse crowd of 150,000 for viewing the 130 unit night parade cheered the lit up decorated floats and walking groups. Large numbers came from across the state to be a part of the 2nd night parade festivities. A huge triumph right after the SCOTUS decision on the prior day, Friday morning, putting Same- Sex Equal Marriage legal in all 50 states. A Proud & Pride moment for everyone.

    Grand Marshals of the 13th Annual St Pete Pride Parade were Larry Biddle from a vast number of business organizations he has headed including most recent Metro Wellness and Community Centers LGBT Welcome Center and as TIGLFF executive director. Ashley Brundage with PNC Bank and first transgender to head the Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and other GLBT organizations is a very outspoken community activist and role model. Nick Janovsky the public relations director for Smith & Associates and founder & CEO of Strategic Campaigns, a political campaign think tank in Tampa Bay working on numerous local and statewide campaigns including Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and St Petersburg City Council Darden Rice’s campaigns. The Grand Distinguished Organization was the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas.

    Except for the upper 90 degree heat that sunburning day, the evening air was a little refreshing. The evening dusk parade went off without any hitches. This year lights were lighting up the parade route all along the side streets of residents and inside businesses along Central Avenue.

    On our way walking to the car with Judy B Goode, we had to do the annual stop at Lucky Star Lounge on Central Ave. to see bartenders Daniel Harris and others. We ran into former Central Bar owners of Detours Bar, Jim & Kris who now live an hour south of St. Pete on an island. What a great reunion place. The two guys who were on a float and got married during the parade also made their way into the little club along with 100’s of their best congratulating friends. You can imagine that with the numbers at the night parade everywhere you went, the places were packed wall to wall.

    The new St Pete Pride logo of intertwining pavers were hanging from street lamps all along Central Avenues Grand Central District. Welcoming to visitors from all over the country and world. Congratulations St Pete Pride Board!

    Thundering clouds in the morning washed the pavement for what then turned out to be a fabulous sunny Sunday for the Street Festival on Central Ave. Over 400 venders filled Central Ave. Music sponsored stages by Wells Fargo Bank and another stage by sponsored by Verizon FIOS had a great number of area acts performing. A 3 story zipline in the middle of the street festival had courageous attendees flying through the air with surrounding crowds on looking right on Central Avenues fair.

    Local area businesses from banks, Insurance, newspapers, crafts, Non Profit organizations and a long block long area for a variety of tasty edibles. Don’t forget about all the Beer Gardens and all the open shops in the Grand Central District that had their doors open.

    Musical DJ’s activities at Key West Bar & Grill and Queen’s Head had youthful crowds dancing in the parking lots. So many friends we knew were their displaying and working the happy mesmerized Pride crowd.

    Misters and cold towels were being handed out by a great number of venders. Again, a typical hot humid day in St Pete but luckily no rain during the daytime festival.

    A welcome greeting and Save the Date cards were traded with vendors letting them know of the I-4 Corridor of Prides upcoming TAMPA PRIDE 2016 Celebration coming next March 26th in Ybor City.

    The next I-4 Corridor of Prides Celebrations will be in Orlando coming October 9-11th with Orlando’s Come Out With Pride Festival & Parade,Saturday, October 10.