New Group Steps Up After Pride Parade Cancellation
In September, Tampa Pride announced it would not hold its annual parade next year, pointing to "the current political and economic climate" as the reason. This decision left a void in the city's LGBTQ+ celebrations.
However, a newly established organization has quickly moved to fill that gap. Pride of Tampa has formed specifically to ensure that Pride events continue in the area.
"Pride was not going to go away because an organization could not do it, so we stepped up," stated Aaron Horcha, vice president of Pride of Tampa. "We started because this is not the year for the LGBT community to not be supported, to not be embraced."
Planned Events and Organization
Pride of Tampa is organizing a festival scheduled for March 28 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. Horcha mentioned the event will include music, live performances, and local vendors. Additionally, the group is planning Taste of Pride, a culinary-focused gathering, for early March.
The organization is collaborating with the nonprofit PFLAG Riverview for fundraising and event coordination. It officially filed paperwork to become a registered nonprofit in October.
"Our goal is to make sure every demographic of the LGBT community is supported," Horcha added, noting his prior experience with St. Pete Pride, the Southeast's largest LGBTQ+ festival.
Board member Stephanie Foglia emphasized the critical timing of these celebrations. "We need to be visible," Foglia said regarding the LGBTQ+ community. "To remind our political leaders that we exist. That we have voting power. That we have financial power. That we're not going away."
Background of the Cancellation
Tampa Pride, the long-time host of the city's annual festival and parade, explained its hiatus in a September Facebook post. It cited difficulties with corporate sponsorships, cuts in government grant funding, and the discontinuation of DEI programs under Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The organization stated it is taking a year off to "regroup, reassess our long-term strategy, and identify additional avenues of funding." Former president Carrie West told WFLA-TV that "there is no guarantee" events will return in 2027.
This pause occurs amidst broader crackdowns on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by state and federal leaders.
Local Government Responses
Some Tampa Bay area governments have adjusted their diversity-related programs. In September, St. Petersburg removed the terms "diversity" and "equity" from two city office titles. The following month, Tampa halted its Racial Reconciliation Committee's work, fearing federal repercussions.
Other actions were more public. Florida's transportation department painted over street murals across Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg's rainbow Progressive Pride mural, to keep roads "free and clear of political ideologies."
This is not the first instance where Tampa Pride has canceled events citing a challenging political atmosphere. In 2023, it called off its Pride on the River festival, which featured drag performances, after Governor DeSantis signed legislation restricting children from attending "adult live (performances)."
"We are afraid if we did go through with this (DeSantis) would come in with his gestapo," West told the Tampa Bay Times that year.
Other Pride Organizations Adapt
Following Tampa Pride's September announcement, St. Pete Pride confirmed its 2026 events will proceed as scheduled.
St. Pete Pride President Byron Green-Calisch explained to the Times that the organization has shifted its funding model to depend more on donations as sponsorship revenue has declined. He reported a loss of $150,000 to $175,000 in sponsorships over the summer.
"It is hard to raise money specifically in a political context when there's rhetoric vilifying the queer community," he said. "Businesses do weigh that risk: Am I going to be retaliated in this moment if I choose to support or engage?"
Horcha indicated that Pride of Tampa is funding its efforts through both corporate and "grassroots" contributions.
"Pride doesn't take a hiatus, especially in this political environment," Horcha affirmed. "We are here to stay."
