ABOVE: St Pete Pride, Watermark file photo.
ST. PETERSBURG | Mayor Rick Kriseman reflected on the importance of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) during a St. Petersburg City Council meeting March 18, issuing a proclamation recognizing March 31 as such in the Sunshine City.
TDoV is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender people worldwide. It also raises awareness of the work that is still needed to save transgender lives.
“It is my honor today to present this proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility,” Kriseman shared. While St. Petersburg has done so in the past, he noted this year’s TDoV was perhaps more important than ever before.
That’s because of “what’s happening on the state level and the actions that have been taken, or are proposed to be taken, that directly impact our transgender community,” Kriseman shared. The mayor was referring to anti-transgender legislation currently under consideration in the Florida House and Senate.
Senate Bill 2012 (SB 2012) and House Bills 1475 (HB 1475) and 935 (HB 935) specifically target transgender Floridians. HB 1475 and SB 2012 would bar transgender youth from participating in sports with their peers, while HB 935 would criminalize doctors for providing transgender-affirming care.
Florida is one of more than 20 states weighing similar measures, work LGBTQ advocates are currently fighting in Tallahassee. Kriseman reaffirmed St. Petersburg’s commitment to inclusivity while reading the proclamation, the full text of which can be found below:
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates transgender representation, activism, and equality; and
WHEREAS, we come together as a community to promote visibility and fairness to all transgender individuals; and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge the resilience of transgender individuals throughout history and how they have contributed to the betterment of society and made our American tapestry even more vibrant; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the Transgender Day of Visibility is crucial since the Biden administration is inclusive [and] we have to focus on the state legislation; and
WHEREAS, gender is a spectrum, and we honor the bravery of the many transgender individuals who live, work, or play in our Sunshine City in their authentic gender; and
WHEREAS, we reaffirm our commitment to promote the full inclusion of transgender individuals in our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Kriseman, Mayor of the City of St. Petersburg, Florida, do hereby proclaim March 31st, 2021 as TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY in St. Petersburg, and I encourage all citizens to treat each other with dignity and respect, without exception.
The proclamation can also be seen below:
Representatives from Metro Inclusive Health’s transgender services division and St Pete Pride received the proclamation. The former’s Kayla Emmons and the latter’s Nathan Bruemmer each spoke about the importance of being heard as well as seen.
“I so appreciate these words today,” St Pete Pride President Nathan Bruemmer addressed those gathered. “I drove back after two days in Tallahassee last night and there was no better feeling than being on the bridge and seeing our skyline … knowing I was coming home after a really tough fight [with] this in front of me today.
“I’m honored to recently have taken the helm of St Pete Pride and there are so many trans folks in visible positions, much less in positions of leadership, and I know that possibility is because of the work we have all done collectively as a community and with each and every one of you and your courageous leadership,” he continued. “For that I will always be thankful. From the entire community, thank you.”
Members of the council spoke in support of the proclamation next, beginning with Vice Chair Gina Driscoll. “It’s such an important thing for us to reflect on this value that we share as a city,” she began.
“I want to make sure you know that this goes beyond words on a beautiful piece of paper, every single day we do see you, we do hear you and we do stand with you,” Driscoll continued. “You are part of what makes St. Petersburg so incredibly special – as a place where everyone, everyone, can say ‘this is a city for people like me.’”
Councilmember Brandi Gabbard agreed, reflecting on the “hateful battle” advocates are facing in the state legislature. “Just know that we’re with you and I respect the work you do so much,” she said. “You’re doing it for so many people, not only across the state … the nation is looking at what is happening here in Florida.”
“This is a great reminder of why St. Pete is so great,” Councilmember Robert Blackmon added. “We are not a tolerant city, we are a city that celebrates all of the members of our community. I don’t think the word ‘tolerant’ goes far enough to show how much we care about everybody.
“We want every member of our community to feel like they can survive and thrive here,” he noted. “The transgender community, their success is the success of our whole city.”
Councilmember Darden Rice closed out the discussion, thanking Bruemmer and other advocates for the work they’ve done throughout St. Petersburg. “15 years ago, this city was different,” she said. “One of my own personal metrics for our progress and my happiness and sense of belonging here is that my wife and I can walk down Central Ave. holding hands and not be worried about being stared at … or worse.
“Lately when I go downtown, I see transgender people also walking down the street, holding hands, just being themselves … that’s beautiful,” Rice concluded. “St. Pete is a city where everybody from all walks of life can come here to thrive, be who they are, find a good life and be respected.”
You can watch the full City Council meeting below. The proclamation portion begins at 20:08:
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