June 24, 2019
Suncoast Sierra Proud to Be Part of St. Pete Pride
For Sixth Consecutive Year, Suncoast Members and Allies March Together at Biggest Pride Event in Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida, is considered by many to be one of the coolest places anywhere. Two reasons why that's true: It was the first Ready for 100 city in the Southeast U.S., back two and a half years ago, and it boasts the biggest Pride events in Florida, second only to Atlanta in the Southeast.
The local Suncoast Sierra Club has participated in St. Pete Pride ever since the Florida Chapter moved to a net zero office in the Grand Central District, long the heart of Tampa Bay's LGBTQ community. This city embraces important values, such as equality and clean energy, and is led by a Council with three of its seven members belonging to the LGBTQ community. Suncoast demonstrates its support by marching in the St. Pete Pride Parade, attended by a quarter million, but we don't stop there. The next day we exhibit at Pride Fest, an event two blocks from our office.
This year was no different, with a big crew carrying a "float," Flintstone-style, led by a decorated, electric Chevy Volt. Our theme was "Animals are Cute, Highways Pollute," bemoaning the planned creation of three new toll roads by the Florida Legislature that would pave over much of Florida's remaining wilderness — something we're determined to fight every step of the way. Our marchers wore forest animal masks to help make our point.
At Pride Fest Sunday we talked to people about the #Readyfor100 Campaign, which won its fourth commitment in this county earlier that week. Our hearty crew endured microwave-level heat and humidity to get 330 postcards completed, most directed to one of our next #Readyfor100 targets: the Pinellas County Commission or the new mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor. Mayor Castor is the first openly lesbian mayor in the Southeast U.S. She's pledged to soon follow the lead of St. Pete and make her city Ready for 100 as well.
We're proud to have so many friends and allies in a city where the Pride flag flies from City Hall every June. Being Ready for 100% clean energy for all goes right along with the values we all embrace for our families — all of them.
