The Stonewall Pride Parade and Festival kicked off without any hiccups Saturday afternoon, as thousands of people braved the heat and rain to descend on Wilton Manors in rainbow umbrella hats, tutus, and T-shirts reading things like “Don’t Say DeSantis” and “Drag is not a crime.”
Even more so than past years, attendees say, pride is political.
“Everybody needs to come out in drag and support,” said Eddy Sacerio, who arrived in drag, patting drops of rain from his rainbow eyeshadow, adding, “we work so hard to be us.”
Saturday’s festival came exactly one month after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1438, titled “Protection of Children,” legislation that prohibits anyone from knowingly admitting a child to an adult live performance. Opponents say the law is part of a series of anti-gay attacks on a marginalized community. Proponents say it is about protecting children from watching performances only meant for adults.
Pride came with new rules this year: No profanity, nudity or sexualized conduct. No items that mimic or suggest genitals. Those dressed in drag can march in the parade, but not perform in public. The festival, known as a celebration of freedom and a place to let loose, had a more cautious atmosphere this year, as some attendees worried about the new rules and their safety amid Florida’s current political climate.
It appeared the rules were being followed. Only a few people were dressed in drag as they walked along Wilton Drive Saturday afternoon. No one was performing.
The sight came as a disappointment of some, who hoped to see more people dressed in drag than past years, not fewer, as a protest against the new legislation.
“I wonder if people are afraid,” said Isabella Springer, 29. “I’m a little worried myself.”
She wondered if this year’s event might be one of the last, if there will be a point that it’s not worth it to manage new laws and restrictions.
Springer’s friend, Michelle Schlyer, 32, said two of the groups she is a part of, a women’s roller derby group and a women’s motorcycle group, were more hesitant about attending this year because they have multiple transgender members who are afraid to go out.
Others said they saw some sense in restrictions on sexuality, even if they disagreed with DeSantis, in order to make pride more accessible to families. Some attendees said they saw more families this year.
“Now Pride has become more family friendly,” said Anthony Sapp, who came from Fort Lauderdale. “We should be more appropriate. Now some of us have families, we’re becoming moms and dads. It’s not like how it used to be.”
But, he added, “we’re here to celebrate.”
Weather was another concern Saturday, though the event went on without an issue until the evening, when a thunderstorm temporarily forced people to evacuate the event area around 7 p.m, according to a tweet from Wilton Manors Police. The parade kicked off as usual 15 minutes later.
Neither the new rules nor the weather appeared to dampen turnout; by 5 p.m. Saturday, the street was bustling with around 20,000 people, estimated Jay Jay Woodruff, who worked in event management for the festival.
“It’s very early, so this is nothing,” he said. “As soon as it cools down, the sun goes down, it’s over, baby.”
Spirits remained high as revelers began to flood in over the course of the afternoon. Bars began to fill up as Lady GaGa and Doja Cat blasted from speakers outside. Vendors lined several blocks, selling drinks and food, while others handed out trinkets and information about issues like LGBT healthcare.
Metal gates lined Wilton Drive, keeping attendees in and bisecting the street so people couldn’t cross to the other side except at specified pedestrian crossings. Dozens of police officers and private security patrolled the street and guarded the crossings.
Several attendees said they felt that security this year was heightened compared to previous years.
Cody Hellijas said that his apartment building had a community meeting on how to stay safe, such as “if you see a suspicious person” or “someone with a gun,” he said, something they didn’t do before. His friend, Justin Musial, said he got a flyer from the city about safety.
Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton said security was about the same as last year.
“We’re as safe as we can be,” he said, but he didn’t want it to be “overkill.”
Hellijas and Musial said they mostly felt safe, surrounded by people in the community. But events like the Pulse shooting in Orlando, where a gunman killed 49 people in a gay nightclub, weighed more heavily on their minds this year, they said, as mass shootings increase.
“When you have an event with 50,000 gay, LGBT people, it’s a target,” said Johnny Hunter, who stood next to Musial and Hellijas, his body fully painted rainbow.
Musial said he went to Pulse the Wednesday before the shooting. The threat is something he acknowledges, but he won’t let it deter him.
“You can’t live in fear,” Musial said.
