SARASOTA, Fla. — While Florida leaders decided not to light local bridges in rainbow colors for Pride, one local group is taking matters into their own hands.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, June 29, Project Pride SRQ will march a 700-foot rainbow flag over the Ringling Bridge in Sarasota. All community members are invited to participate.
“As Governor DeSantis touts his so-called ‘Freedom Summer,’ with bridge lights limited to red, white and blue, we affirm our freedom to light the bridge our way: with love, inclusion and pride," Jason Champion, president of Project Pride SRQ, said.
The event will begin with speeches by local activists and LGBTQ+ leaders before the Grand Pride Flag March.
The group will gather on the south end of the bridge at 920 John Ringling Causeway. Participants are encouraged to arrive early as parking on the bridge is limited.
In place of different colors for certain observances and causes, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has decided to light all state-owned bridges in red, white and blue from Memorial Day to Labor Day “to celebrate America."
The decision to light the bridge in red, white and blue will impact the following causes that are typically recognized through different color bridge lights:
- Mental Health Awareness (May 28-31)
- National Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 7)
- Sickle Cell Awareness Day (June 18)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
- Pride (June 20-28)
- World Fragile X Day for Autism (July 22)
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness (Sept. 1-7)