St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman helped raise a rainbow flag over City Hall Thursday and touted his work with the city's police to ensure security during St. Pete Pride this weekend.
- St. Pete Pride among nation's largest LGBT celebrations
- Kriseman reinforcing message of inclusivity in the city
- More than 200,000 expected to take part in festivities
St. Pete Pride is one of the largest LGBT celebrations in the country, and the largest in Florida. Kriseman said he wants everyone to know that St. Petersburg is a city of inclusion.
"This is a community that is, and you'll hear me say it over and over again, we are welcoming, we are tolerant, we are diverse, and we celebrate that diversity here and that is what makes us special," he said.
Kriseman prides himself on continuous efforts by his administration to encourage equality. He said the city has been working closely for months with the St. Petersburg Police Department to make sure security is top notch.
"We will keep you safe," Kriseman said. "We want you to come here and show why this city is the greatest city in the state of Florida and in the country."
Tourism leaders said they hope the celebration will bring in big business to hotels, restaurants, and shops all over the Bay area.
"This is up there with the PGA tour, with offshore powerboat racing, with the Grand Prix," David Downing, President and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater said. "It's one of the largest single day events in Pinellas county every year."
More than 200,000 are expected to take part in the festivities this weekend, who all want to share a message of love, even when confronted with hate.
"We are here to fight for rights, and this is why the parade and festival started, because the LGBT community is still discriminated against on a routine basis," Luke Blankenship, Executive Director of St. Pete Pride said.