20+ Years of St Pete Pride!

To the Tampa Bay community,

 

As the new President of St Pete Pride, I’m writing today with transparency, urgency, and hope for the future of an organization our community has spent nearly 25 years building.

 

St Pete Pride needs to raise at least $289,000 by November 30 to close out the remaining

expenses from this year’s Pride and put us in a position to move forward with 2027.

 

We’ve already begun planning for next year, and we have big hopes for what our 25th

anniversary celebration can be. But we can’t responsibly continue that work until this year’s Pride is paid for.

 

How did we get here? Sponsorships were down significantly this year. Some companies reduced their support, while others pulled out completely. At the same time, the cost of producing large-scale events increased significantly and unexpectedly due to factors largely outside our control. This isn’t unique to St Pete Pride. Similar organizations across the country are facing a lot of the same challenges.

 

We also entered this year still paying expenses from 2025’s Pride celebration. And from what I’ve found, this has been occurring for several years.

 

We can’t continue operating this way. Going forward, we need to finish each Pride season

financially before producing the next. We need to break this cycle and begin our next chapter with a $0 balance.

 

For years, St Pete Pride has provided an incredible amount of free programming to our

community. Our parade. Our festival. Our street fair. Our beach party. Networking and

community-building opportunities. And so many of the experiences that bring us together

throughout the year.

 

We want to continue doing that.

 

In late June, approximately 300,000 people attended our Pride Weekend.

 

If just 12,000 of those 300,000 people (only 4%!) gave at least $25, we’d raise $289,000 and reach our goal.

 

And if $25 isn’t possible, $5 matters. $10 matters. $20 matters. Every contribution gets us closer.

 

If you’re able to give $100, $500, $1,000 or more, your support can make an extraordinary

difference. If you own a business, become a sponsor. If your company believes in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, we need you at the table. And if you can’t contribute financially, sharing this message matters too.

 

The timing is especially important. In January, a new Florida law, SB 1134, takes effect restricting how local governments can fund and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

 

There are people who’d be happy to see St Pete Pride disappear. We can’t allow that to be the story of our 25th year.

 

For nearly 25 years, St Pete Pride has created a place where people can celebrate openly, find community, support one another, and know they belong.

 

But reaching our 25th anniversary isn’t guaranteed.

 

Without these critical funds, St Pete Pride as we know it could be at risk in 2027.

 

So, I’m asking our entire Tampa Bay community to step up.

 

There’s no single person, sponsor, or company that should have to save St Pete Pride. There are thousands of us who can make it possible together.

 

As your new President, I’m committed to strengthening this organization, rebuilding our

financial foundation, expanding our community and corporate partnerships, and building a

sustainable future for St Pete Pride.

 

But right now, I’m asking you to be part of that future.

 

Give $5. Give $10. Give $25.

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Because Pride has always belonged to all of us, and together, we can make sure it continues.

 

With Pride and gratitude,

Trent Brock

Board President, St Pete Pride