SARASOTA (WSNN) – A Suncoast non-profit, Project PRIDE SRQ hosts its first LGBTQ parade on Saturday.
“We started dating in high school and went through quite a bit of discrimination and scary time,” Sarasota resident, Terry Ramos-Esses, said.
This is why the two women, Ellen Esses & Terry Ramos-Esses celebrate PRIDE month.
And a one-year-old non-profit organization Project PRIDE SRQ is celebrating too.
On his birthday, Project PRIDE Co-founder & Exec. Director, Joshua Beadle, celebrates pride. Coming from a town where there wasn’t LGBTQ support, Beadle says it’s his personal mission to bring it to his new home in Sarasota.
“The parade on today really represents a new era in Sarasota, one where the gay community is visible and more represented,” Beadle said.
Board member, Brian Craft, says it’s important to the organization to bring visibility to the Suncoast.
“I hope it provides a ray of sunshine for everyone,” Craft said. “And really gives everyone a glimpse of PRIDE month even though we’re going through this trying time right now.”
About 40 cars participated, with the parade kicking off at East street and ending at the Bayfront.
“We have Also Youth in the parade, we have Equality Florida, Harvey Milk is in the parade, Sarasota PRIDE is in the parade,” Beatle said.
Ellen and Terry lived through the Stonewall riots in late June 1969, when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, setting off six days of protests and violence. The couple says they’re happy the LGBTQ community is making progress.
“PRIDE started as a riot and now it’s a peaceful and loving event that we get to enjoy,” Ellen said.
“We still have a way to go, so it’s important for all of us to say ‘hey, we’re here, we people, we’re loving people.,” Terry said.
Beadle says he hopes to beat the parade in the St. Petersburg PRIDE.
“So, St. Pete, we’re coming for you baby.,” Beatle said.