Video above: Tampa raises LGBTQ Pride flag for Pride Month
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida’s decision to not display rainbow colors on the state’s bridges during Pride Month has left residents taking matters into their own hands to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
As night fell on June 1, dozens of Jacksonville locals walked from Friendship Park with rainbow-colored flashlights in hand, to the pedestrian walkway of the Main Street bridge. Once on the bridge, residents turned on their flashlights, illuminating the overpass above the St. Johns River with a mirage of rainbow colors.
Jimmy Midyette took a picture of the glowing bridge, telling WFLA that residents displayed the lights from 9:20 to 9:40 p.m. to kick off the start of Pride Month before returning to the park.
Photo courtesy of Jimmy Midyette
Travis Akers, a Jacksonville resident, shared Midyette’s photo on X, stating he loves how his city and residents came together to display the rainbow colors on the bridge despite recent controversy.
“I love my city! In response to Gov. Ron DeSantis banning Pride lights being displayed on bridges in Florida this year, dozens of local residents used different color flashlights to project a rainbow on
