But, three members of the Polk County Commission have scuttled a five-year tradition of expressing support for LGBTQ residents.
Commissioner Neil Combee forcefully led the rejection of a proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month at Tuesday’s regular meeting. The item was listed on the consent agenda, a slate of items the board typically approves unanimously and without discussion.
At Combee’s request, the commission moved the proposed proclamation to the regular agenda, and he quickly made it clear he opposed any statement of solidarity with residents in the categories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or nonbinary.
“The truth of the matter is this issue seems to get more divisive by the day, certainly by the week and by the month, but almost daily, it gets more divisive,” Combee said.
“Having Polk Pride this year is more important than ever,” said Scott Guira, founder and president of the organization of the same name. “With the change in the political climate around LGBTQ-plus rights this year, this is the year that it’s even more important for not just LGBTQ-plus people but our allies to come out and make it known that they do not accept and will not accept this pushing back against their rights and taking away the feelings of safety of living in this state.”
Polk Pride, a multiday schedule of events culminating with a gathering in Lakeland’s Munn Park, has been held annually since 2015 during June, the month informally designated as LGBTQ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969. That pivotal occurrence in the LGBTQ rights movement arose in protest over police raids at a gay club in New York City.
Events promoting the LGBTQ community have been held in Polk County since at least 2011, when the Polk Gay Pride Celebration debuted, before yielding to Polk Pride four years later.
This year’s Polk Pride kicks off Saturday with Pride on Tap, a gathering from 2 to 5 p.m. at Swan Brewing in Lakeland. Pride for Youth follows on June 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lakeland Women’s Club.
That event, sponsored by the Lakeland Youth Alliance, is normally a skating party but was shifted because of ongoing construction at Skate World.
Pride in Faith, billed as an interfaith celebration of pride, will take place June 15 at 7 p.m. at Beacon Hill Fellowship in Lakeland. Pride Kickoff, an adult gathering featuring dancing and drag, is scheduled for June 16 starting at 9 p.m. at the Parrot, often called Florida’s oldest gay bar in continuous use.
The main event, Pride in the Park, takes place June 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Munn Park. Polk Pride describes it as a family-friendly celebration. The gathering will feature more than 100 booths occupied by vendors selling LGBTQ-themed merchandise, artisanal items and more, as well as representatives from local churches and nonprofit organizations.
A DJ and live bands will provide music, and a drag show is always scheduled, in keeping with the event’s tradition. The lineup concludes June 17 with Pride After Dark, a party and drag show for adults starting at 9 p.m. at Lkld Live Rec Room.
LGBTQ pride gatherings have arisen throughout the country over the past decade or so, and corporate expressions of solidarity have also become commonplace. But the atmosphere has altered this year, with some conservative groups and individuals leading a backlash that at times has merged into vandalism.
All events will have security.