Florida's biggest LGBTQ Memorial weekend party in Pensacola not deterred by travel advisory
The largest Memorial Day weekend pride event in the country will move forward with its 2023 event on Pensacola Beach despite Florida advocacy groups issuing a state travel advisory following the passage and pushing of controversial bills by Gov. Ron DeSantis this legislative session.
LGBT Memorial Weekend Pensacola is a four-day pride celebration that draws in crowds upwards of 200,000 from all across the U.S. For many, it’s a safe haven where gay, lesbian and transgender people can come together and outwardly express themselves without fear of ostracism.
Florida’s anti-LGBT bills
Republican lawmakers in Florida have filed at least a dozen bills that directly or indirectly target transgender Floridians and the broader LGBTQ community, according to civil rights organization Equality Florida.
Three of these bills passed the Florida House on Wednesday. One bill (SB 1438) that critics say will censor drag performances and Pride events will head to DeSantis’ desk to be signed into law.
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The other two bills, which aim to restrict health care and regulate bathroom access for trans people, still need to move through the Senate for approval.
How — or if — the passage of SB 1438 will affect LGBT Memorial Weekend Pensacola remains unclear. The bill, which would go into effect the same day should DeSantis sign it, would ban children from attending “adult live performances.”
Florida civil rights groups issue travel advisory
On April 11, Equality Florida issued a travel advisory warning of the risks posed to anyone in the LGBTQ community considering traveling or moving to Florida.
"Today, Equality Florida took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state," according to an Equality Florida press release.
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In its advisory memo, the group cited the state’s “assaults" on medical and academic freedoms, businesses, arts and entertainment along with the “censorship and erasure” of the LGBTQ community and repealing gun safety laws as reasons prompting the move.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition, a statewide immigrant rights coalition of 65 member organizations and over 100 allies, joined Equality Florida in issuing the warning after it says Florida has passed and is poised to pass legislation targeting immigrant communities.
LGBT Memorial Weekend Pensacola 2023 still a go
Planning for LGBT Memorial Weekend Pensacola, which is set to take place May 25-29, is already in full swing with weekend passes for its nightly parties starting at $220 and individual nights ranging between $40 and $80.
These ticketed events are circuit parties put on by local and traveling companies that take place in massive tents and include live DJs, intricate light shows, neon balls, glow parties, disco parties and toga parties.
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These parties may be big attractions, but they’re completely optional. Anyone can head over to Park East, located about two miles east of Portofino Island Resort, and enjoy the weekend soaking up the sun while tent-hopping among the thousands of elaborately decorated tents.
Despite its 30-year history, the gathering has received little — if any — community pushback. Businesses welcome the windfall as hotels and restaurants fill up as the beach’s busiest time of the year kicks off.
For more information about the event, head over to johnnychisholm.com.
When is Memorial Day Weekend 2023?
Memorial Day weekend will be celebrated this year May 27-29, with Memorial Day falling on May 29. The Memorial Day holiday is officially observed on the last Monday in May.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Memorial Day weekend: Florida's LGBT party not deterred by politics