PINELLAS COUNTY ORGS RALLY FOR MINORITY RIGHTS

ST. PETERSBURG | The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County and Pinellas County Young Democrats welcomed likeminded organizations and supporters to North Straub Park April 16 to rally for LGBTQ+ and other minority rights.

The Rally for Minority Rights was organized to speak out against Tallahassee’s targeting of the LGBTQ+ community, women, Black, brown and Asian Americans and other marginalized groups. The afternoon began with a welcome and call to action from Stonewall Dems President Rick Boylan, facilitation from Vice President Christian Hotchkiss and additional remarks from PCYD President Blaine Lawson.

“If you are here, it means that you already understand the threat that we face here in Florida,” he said. “You understand that our governor is pursuing a fascist agenda, using minorities as tools to fuel rage and hatred. Our governor and the Republican legislature want us to be afraid.

“I’m looking within myself and I’m looking around at all of you and I have hope,” he continued. “We are trans, gay, Black, Jewish, Hispanic. We are women. We are mothers, parents, siblings — individually we have power and together we are a force.”

Lawson called on those assembled to join organizations to fight back, supporting groups like the Stonewall Dems, PCYD and others activist organizations which support equity and equality.

Hotchkiss subsequently welcomed Pinellas School Board Member Caprice Edmund and Teaching for the Culture Founder Bianca Goolsby, also the spouse of state Rep. Michele Rayner. She called her “the real champion” while delivering a message on her behalf.

“Stay encouraged, stay mobilized, stay organized and stay true to your values,” Goolsby said. “This culture war that is happening in Tallahassee is not by accident, it is not by mistake. It’s intentional and each person that’s here — and the people that might not be here physically with us — they matter.”

Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Nathan Bruemmer, local activists Beth and Sam VanMiddlesworth and representatives from Drag2Talle Ericka PC and Lilith Black spoke next. Florida High School Democrats Chair Tyler Williams, Pinellas Democratic Party Director of Outreach Johnny Boykins and drag performer Bak Lava all followed. They each outlined their calls for action, with Boykins stressing that “the legislature is distracting us with culture wars.”

“Decisions are made by those who show up,” he noted. “Republicans are showing up, they’re talking to their people, we need to do the same.”

Hotchkiss then urged attendees to contact their representatives, participate in elections and local organizations. Lawson subsequently led the crowd in a march across the park.

Read more and view a full photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com.