Mergers

Florida's Planned Parenthood Affiliates Are Merging

The new Planned Parenthood of Florida comprises Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.

07/08/2025 By Staff

Fab Forward

The Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest Celebrates 15 Years This Weekend

All are welcome at the event on May 10 at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota.

05/07/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Full of Pride

Sarasota City Commissioners Approve Flying Pride Flag at City Hall Next Month

In a unanimous vote, commissioners OKed flying the flag from May 5 through May 12.

04/23/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Unity Awards

Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota Creates Joy and Connection Through Song

“When people come to our concerts, we hope it bridges gaps and starts conversations.”

03/03/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Rainbow Connection

The Limelight District's New LGBTQ+ Center Will Host a Grand Opening on Friday

Located in the Limelight District, northeast of downtown Sarasota, the center will offer a roster of services and workshops spanning mental health to gardening.

12/13/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Ask Me Anything

Transgender Activist India Miller Can’t Wait to Take Your Questions

“I’m hoping to enlighten some people not already sensitive to our plight,” she says.

12/09/2024 By Andrea González

I Want You to Know My Story

A New Show at The Ringling Features Jess T. Dugan's Striking, Intimate Photo Portraits

The work 'hinges on me and my subject having an emotional experience together, and it works best in the quiet and private,' says Dugan.

08/27/2024 By Andrea González

See Change

The SEE Alliance Is Working to Mobilize Florida's Young Voters

'The movement that is growing within Gen Z in Florida right now is monumental, unique to circumstance and cannot easily be recreated or reinvigorated later on,' says SEE Alliance founder Zander Moricz.

08/19/2024 By Elizabeth Djinis

Rainbow Connection

Project Pride SRQ, Community Activists Hold Grand Pride Flag March at Ringling Bridge

The event came in response to the news that Florida would not light its bridges for Pride Month this year.

06/29/2024 By Megan McDonald Photography by Hannah Phillips

Fly Pride

The Pride Flag Will Fly High at Sarasota City Hall for the Month of June

In response Gov. Ron DeSantis' allowing only red, white and blue lights on state bridges this summer, City of Sarasota commissioners voted to fly the Pride flag for a month.

05/21/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Grand Opening

Project Pride's New Headquarters Provides a Gathering Place for Sarasota's LGBTQ+ Community

The new location “is about creating safe spaces while providing opportunities for marginalized groups within the community to meet and organize,” says Project Pride president Jason Champion.

03/15/2024 By Andrea González

Things to Do

A Month Full of Pride Events

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and there are a slew of opportunities for people to join together and celebrate in Sarasota.

05/22/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Flying Colors

The Progress Pride Flag is Flying at City Hall This Week. Here’s What It Stands For.

"We’re not a political party. We are humans, and this is about a community coming together to show support," says Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation.

05/10/2023 By Bethany Ritz

My Furry Valentine

How Does a Furry Celebrate Valentine's Day in Sarasota?

AJ Riskey explains why stereotypes about furries are just that—stereotypes. 'It’s just a costume,' she says. 'If someone can dress up as Superman, we can dress up as characters we made up ourselves.'

02/14/2023 By Isaac Eger

Big Plans

Sarasota Activist Shannon Fortner Wants to Build an Arts Center Focused on LGBTQ+ Voices

Fortner hopes to create an arts and mental health hub where queer and trans voices can shine and thrive.

07/08/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Celebration

How to Celebrate Pride Month

A list of events and activities dedicated to celebrating and uplifting our LGBTQ+ community this month.

06/01/2022 By Chloe Nelson

Fast Track

ALSO Youth Names New Executive Director

Rebecca McDonough has a long career in business and behavioral healthcare administration.

04/15/2022 By Staff

Talks

Sarasota World Affairs Council to Host Arsham Parsi at April 5 Event

Parsi lives in exile in Toronto, where he founded the International Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR), which provides essential support to LGBTQ+ persons in Iran and throughout the Middle East.

04/01/2022 By Staff

Politics

DeSantis Signs 'Don't Say Gay' Bill Into Law

The bill bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

03/28/2022 By Megan McDonald