Port St. Lucie cancels Saturday's Pride parade and restricts event to 21 years and older

Treasure Coast Newspapers

Port St. Lucie city officials have canceled Saturday's Pride parade and restricted event access to people 21 years and older because Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign SB1438 into law soon.

Pridefest is the first Pride event in Florida to be affected by the "Protection of Children" bill, which the House passed on April 19 and the Senate passed on April 11 to block establishments from allowing "a child" to see an "adult live performance," which LGBTQ advocates have long worried will have a chilling effect on drag shows.

Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast, which organizes the annual Pridefest, said they are "upset and disheartened" at the last-minute change, and some parents who had planned to take their children said they are angry. Pridefest has always been an all-age event and the community was excited to have the parade for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit the Treasure Coast in March 2020.

The event will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie, with indoor and outdoor food, vendors and entertainment. Security will be checking identification to enforce the age restriction.

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Shelita Taylor, a drag queen, performs during Vero PrideÕs Pride on the Block 2K22 event Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Kilted Mermaid. "Remember the reason why we are here, and the reason why we are doing this, is because of our LGBT elders who fought the fight for us before we were even around," said Taylor. "The sad part is we're still, even now more than ever, fighting the same fight they started 50 years ago." The event was highlighted by multiple drag shows and performances by local bands.

"We are obviously upset and disheartened that it has come to this," Pride of the Treasure Coast wrote on its Facebook page. "We also regret to announce that we will have to cancel our plans to bring back our beloved parade. We hope that everyone understands that this is definitely not what we wanted at all and are working with the city to assure our safety as well as produce a positive event."

Port St. Lucie, which issued the event permits, told Pridefest organizers Tuesday — and in a follow-up email dated Thursday — to increase the age requirement and eliminate the Youth Pride and Robotics Team booths.

"We are doing what is required of us. We did not make this choice," Jack Waldroup, president of Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast, told TCPalm Thursday.

The vague bill does not define "child" or set an age limit, but Chapter 827, under which the bill would fall, defines child as “any person under the age of 18 years.” Pridefest organizers based the age restriction on another Florida law that prohibits establishments from serving alcohol to people younger than 21.

Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast organizes Pridefest in Port St. Lucie

Eventgoers who prepaid the $5 admission will be issued a refund.

Some parents believe their children should be able to attend Pride events.

"Pride of the Treasure Coast is our favorite family event," said Shonda Rivas of Fort Pierce, who goes every year with her wife, son and daughter. "Our 16-year-old is angry and our 11-year-old is disappointed. The look on their faces was devastating. We can’t attend without them."

Noelia Rodriguez and her three daughters, who grew up going to Pride events, have been attending Pride events in Port St. Lucie since moving to the area in 2008.

"This angers me so much because kids deserve to go to be free and feel comfortable and represent who they want to be and not be judged," Rodriguez said.

Organizers of the "United As One" event, who are also planning a future picnic in the park event for children, urge people to attend Pridefest to show children the strength of the LGBTQ community.

"We are asking all parents to not stay home. Show your children that we are still a community," Waldroup said. "We have to support each other — no matter what."

What is Pride? When is Pride?

Tampa Pride Parade on March 26, 2022, two days before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Don't Say Gay" law.

Pridefest will feature food, vendors, entertainment and an optional $30 afterparty featuring a cocktail hour and a performance by Detox, a drag performer who appeared on "RuPaul's Drag Race." She placed fourth on Season 5 and was one of the two All-Stars runners-up.

Pride is an annual celebration for the LGBTQ community dating back to June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall Uprisings in New York City. June is Pride Month, but some communities hold events in April because the weather is better and seasonal residents can attend.

The Stonewall Uprising, sparked by a police raid on a popular gay bar called the Stonewall Inn, lasted six days as police and LGBTQ protestors countered one another.

Until 1966, it was illegal to serve alcohol to a gay person. In 1969, homosexuality was still considered a criminal offense. As a workaround, bars would operate without a liquor license, making them more susceptible to police raids.

Pride events that celebrate the LGBTQ community have spread throughout the U.S., attracting millions to parades and other events every year.

Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's underserved communities reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on Twitter @gmontesano13. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.