Scoop: Pinellas commission won't recognize Pride Month
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For the first time in several years, Pride Month will go unrecognized by the Pinellas County Commission.
- That's because not enough commissioners agreed to sign the ceremonial document commemorating the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, chair Dave Eggers confirmed to Axios.
Why it matters: Such proclamations "communicate whether LGBTQ+ residents are seen, valued and welcomed in their own communities," PFLAG Safety Harbor/Greater Pinellas president Wendy Vernon told Axios.
The big picture: That's especially relevant as Gov. Ron DeSantis and local government leaders, including all seven Pinellas commissioners, have declared June "Faith and Family Month."
- Several Pinellas commissioners said they understood the proclamation to reflect a broad celebration of families and faith communities.
- But the organization promoting that designation defines marriage as between a man and a woman and denies the existence of transgender people.
- It's in line with a national push by conservatives to make June a celebration of Christianity and heterosexual family structures.
Catch up quick: After an Axios reporter asked this month whether Pinellas would recognize Pride — as it had for at least eight of the previous nine years — Eggers circulated a proclamation among his colleagues for their signatures.
- Commissioners initially weren't considering a Pride proclamation because no outside organization had requested one, Eggers said.
- But "for me it was important enough to make that option available," he said. "I don't believe any group should be marginalized, ever."
- Commissioner Chris Latvala introduced the Faith and Family measure and previously told Axios it wasn't linked to a specific organization.
Reality check: Faith and Family Month touts the commission's support on its website, and Latvala told WTSP that he wouldn't sign the Pride proclamation because it would be "counter-messaging ... to sign both."
- He did not return Axios' requests for comment.
State of play: Only Eggers and Commissioners René Flowers and Brian Scott told Axios they supported the Pride proclamation. Proclamations typically require a supermajority, meaning at least five commissioners, Eggers said.
- Commissioner Vince Nowicki for the second year declined, telling Axios he took issue with the language. Commissioner Chris Scherer did not return requests for comment.
- Commissioner Kathleen Peters, who has previously supported Pride measures, said she had no issue with the substance but emphasized that no local organizations had requested it.
What they're saying: "Leadership isn't waiting to be asked," PFLAG's Vernon said.
- "It's recognizing what is right and acting on it because you have a responsibility to the people you serve."