Size and significance matter in this year’s Saint Petersburg LGBT Pride Parade. Last Saturday At dusk tens of thousands of supporters lined the crowed sidewalks along the Grand Central district route. Celebrating an end to years of struggle was top of mind but also realizing the struggle still isn’t over.
On the heels of several Supreme Court decisions, the LBGT Pride parade capped off a historically progressive week. The Confederate Flag has fallen into disfavor and been taken down; Obamacare has been upheld; the Fair Housing Act strengthened and the constitutionality of same-sex marriage was vindicated. D Newland, riding her Harley Davison Soft Tail, took part in the parade. She is confidant that the tsunami of progressive social justice will continue to wash over the US.
LJ Wood also got on her bike, a Honda VTX 1300 Retro, in the parade. She is the organizer of the (name). She’s been organizing riders since the Pride parade in Saint Petersburg began. Wood said everybody’s welcome to get on their motorcycles and show some pride.
The sidewalks were crammed with onlookers, party goers and food and drink vendors, many donning the LGBT rainbow solidarity emblem. True to the ideological theme of the LGBT flag, a rainbow of diversity was on hand to give their support. Several local politicians closed ranks with the LGBT community and walked in the parade; like, Saint Petersburg city council member Steve Kornell and Mayor Rick Kriseman. Kornell said a victory party is deserved but the fight for equality is still raging.
The last letter in LGBT stands for transgender. A variety of high profile transgender people of have come into the public spot light this year; most notably, Caitlyn Jenner. However, transgender people are still misunderstood and mistreated. Steve Kornell said he will push the city of Saint Petersburg to change that.
Another politician at the parade was state representative Dwight Dudley. He put the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision in perspective.
Whether you’re gay, bi, or straight, you can still be fired from your job for just appearing to be a member of the LGBT community. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which is legislation to protect this from happening, has passed the US senate and awaits a vote by the US House of Representatives.
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