The streets of St. Petersburg were alive with the sights and sounds of the 13 annual Pride Parade Saturday night.
Thousands crowded along Central avenue to watch floats, marching bands and dancers, as Tampa bay celebrated the LGBT during a historic time.
“My mom and the lady that I already call stepmom can finally get married, and no matter what state they go to, it will be considered as marriage,” said parade goer Kiera Dickey.
- Supreme Court extends same-sex marriage nationwide
- St. Pete Pride 2015 (Events, tickets, schedule, parking & history)
- Post your St. Pete Parade pictures to our Facebook page
The event comes just one day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to make gay marriage a right nationwide.
“It’s our day in the sun, really,“ said Carol Walther, who said she marched in the very first Pride parade in the city. This time, she watched from the sidelines and reflected on how things have changed.
People picked their seats for the parade early on Saturday. (PHOTO/Cheryl Glassford, Staff)
“People have changed so much. Back in the 80s when we were out, it was a lot different then. You kind of hid, ‘I’m gay.’ It was a scary thing. But the young people today are totally different. Very different. And it’s a good thing,” said Walther.
Others shared in the excitement of change.
“It’s something where you’ve fought for so long to have the same rights as everybody else, and you’ve got it, so it’s a big, big deal,” said parade goer Matt Cassem.
A big deal, and a big turnout for the festival that continues Sunday.
Wedding during St. Pete Pride takes on extra meaning
Couple Kacey Frierson and Chwanda Nixon said it’s been a long road to get to this point. Their wedding ceremony in a St. Petersburg park Saturday afternoon was actually the pair’s 15th wedding ceremony in as many states.
However, it was the first one since a Supreme Court ruling made gay marriage a right nationwide.
The two have been traveling the country since 2012 to bring attention to the issue most close to their hearts.
"It just wasn't equal so it was frustrating not being able to be like everybody else," said Chwanda.
They were already on their way to St. Pete for the ceremony from their home in Georgia when they heard the news.
"We were actually on our way to Wal-Mart to get some stuff to come here. I started crying," said Kacey.
Saturday they said their vows once again; the same words, but different.
"It's more special today because it's recognizable no matter what. After yesterday no matter what, we're recognized. "
The two still plan to finish their goal of traveling to every state for a ceremony, but they said now they can take their time.
The ceremony was put together by organizers with Loud Mouth Radio and May Day Equality.
St. Petersburg city council member Steve Kornell also attended the ceremony, and proclaimed June 27, 2015 as “No Ordinary Love LBGTQ Day” in St. Pete.