With Tampa Pride in hiatus, LGBTQ+ advocates to discuss next steps

State of play: Discussions among advocates on next steps for a Tampa-based Pride movement began soon after the announcement, Watermark Out News reported.

• Now, representatives from organizations including PFLAG Tampa and Tampa Bay Black Lesbians are inviting local LGBTQ+ nonprofits, fiscal sponsors and cultural leaders to join the conversation.
• The hybrid virtual-in-person event is scheduled for 10am Sunday. Interested parties must RSVP to [email protected] to attend, per organizers. A link and location will be shared with participants 24 hours in advance.

What they're saying: "This convening is about reclaiming our collective power and ensuring that LGBTQIA+ Pride in Tampa is sustained," PFLAG Tampa president Trevor Rosine told Watermark.

• "Pride has never belonged to any one board or organization — it has always belonged to the community," Rosine said.

• Rosine will moderate the conversation along with former St. Pete Pride president Nathan Bruemmer and Tampa Bay Black Lesbians president Tamara Leigh.

Between the lines: Tampa Pride leaders blamed the hiatus on challenges with corporate sponsorships, reductions in grant funding and Gov. Ron DeSantis' anti-DEI policies.

• However, the organization has faced criticism in recent years from former board members who say it needs to diversify its leadership and shed more light on its finances.