Unity Awards

Mary Tavarozzi Gives LGBTQ Youth a Place to Socialize

"I wanted to make sure Florida youth didn’t become a statistic in terms of self-harm or addiction or homelessness. I want them to know they can live life out and proud here.”

01/04/2022 By Megan McDonald

Diverse Voices

Mason Gallo on Being Trans, Sexual Orientation and Equality

Gallo talks about his personal journey and the need for openness and inclusivity.

09/07/2021 By Susan Burns

A Fabulous Time

The Harvey Milk Festival Has a New Name, and It's Back and Bigger Than Ever

Now known as the Fabulous Arts Foundation, the organization's art, music, dance and film festival celebrates LGBTQ identity, representation and pride. It returns to Sarasota Sept. 23-Oct. 2.

09/01/2021 By Marc Griffin

Rainbow Road

The Ringling Bridge Will Light Up Tonight For Pride Month

After weeks of debate, the John Ringling Causeway Bridge will finally be lit for Pride Month.

06/22/2021 By Emma Lichtenstein

rainbow road

The City of Sarasota Still Wants to Light the John Ringling Bridge With a Pride Rainbow

Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody says he is "optimistic" that the bridge lighting may eventually take place, despite a previous denial by the Florida Department of Transportation.

06/14/2021 By Emma Lichtenstein

pride month

Mural Will Raise Funds to Support Sarasota's LGBTQ Community

Tag University Town Center in your next social media post, and give a boost to Sarasota's LGBTQ community.

06/10/2021 By Emma Lichtenstein

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

Celebrate Pride Month at These Fun Local Events

From Taste of Pride to parades to best-dressed-pet contests, fly your flag high at these Pride events.

06/01/2021 By Kim Doleatto

The courts

Local Lawsuit Tests Sex Discrimination Rules for Religious Institutions

Christie Leonard says a Bradenton church fired her because of suspicions that she was a lesbian. Was that against the law?

05/04/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Equality

Project Pride SRQ Installing LGBTQ+, BIPOC Crosswalk in Sarasota

The mural will be painted by Detroit-based artist Joey Salmon; a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 11.

04/08/2021 By Staff

Party Time

LGBTQ-Friendly Restaurants Celebrate 'Taste of Pride' Starting Today

Several restaurants and food businesses in Sarasota are offering special deals, dishes and drinks to celebrate Pride Month.

06/10/2020 Photography by Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards

Robert Rogers Started the Conversation With LGBTQ Elders About Loss and Legacy

“I’m a better person because of the generosity of all these people who’ve chosen to talk to me.”

01/30/2020 By Ilene Denton

Second coming

The Starlite Room Will Get a Makeover and Be Featured on the Food Network

The Starlite Room has closed, but the owner plans to reopen soon, thanks in part to a new TV deal.

03/29/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Lean on Me

Finally, LGBTQ Seniors Have Support for Aging Issues

In Sarasota County, where more than a third of the population is 65 and older, the demand for services for the aging is high. But it’s a crisis for LGBTQ adults in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

02/04/2019 By Ilene Denton

Politics

Lawmakers File Bills to Ban LGBT Discrimination in Employment and Housing

The "Florida Competitive Workforce Act" would outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

01/24/2019 By Staff

Retail

Forum to Weigh Civil Rights, Religious Freedom

March 14 event asks, “Can a Cake Shop Refuse to Make a Cake for a Same-Sex Wedding?"

02/20/2018 By Staff

No Time to Rest

How This Supreme Court Marriage Equality Plaintiff Went From "Accidental" Activist to Just Plain Activist

"The opponents of equality know they're losing and they're lashing out in every way they can."

10/12/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

After Orlando

Fear and Resilience at a Sarasota Gay Bar

Patrons of Barrel 87, one of Sarasota's last remaining gay bars, come together after the tragic shooting in Orlando.

07/29/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

We Shall Overcome

Hundreds Gather at Five Points Park to Mourn, Remember, Speak Out

Speakers on Monday evening called for solidarity, encouraged fearlessness and memorialized Eddie Sotomayor, the Sarasota native killed in Orlando on Sunday.

06/15/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Civil Discourse

Complete Transcript: Julio Gonzalez and Ken Shelin Discuss Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights

Gonzalez's "Religious Freedom Bill" would allow Floridians to refuse to provide services to customers if they object on religious or moral grounds.

03/04/2016 By Pam Daniel

Legislature

Proposed Bill Bans LGBT Discrimination in Florida

State Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) is watching to see if her bill banning LGBT discrimination gets out of committee, onto the agenda and becomes law.

01/11/2016 By Susan Burns