PRIDE 2007

.
Waking up yesterday morning to thoughts of intense heat and humidity with a possibility of rain, I was reluctant to attend PRIDE, but decided that it was important to support the gay community.

Police estimates indicate that there were approximately 70,000 people in attedance at the promenade which included Grand Marshall former Largo City Manager Susan Stanton who was fired after choosing to live openly as transgendered; along with Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. The promanade lasted more than two hours and included several gay friendly political and religious organizations as well as floats from area gay bars and businesses. My favorite delightfully irriligious but extremely charitable Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were passing out condoms and after receiving a packet of six condoms, I entertained those around me by exclaiming..... "great, these should last me a couple of years!"

Those in attendance were considerate of one another; united as family.

Booths lined up in a six block area included vendors selling crafts and pride merchandise; others were business or political oriented. I spent time talking to volunteers at the Barack Obama for President booth and I continue to support his bid for the presidency.

It was wonderful to socialize with friends (old and new) as well as some of my co-workers but after four hours in the blazing sun, it was time to leave. I left with a great sense of pride in my community!

THE FACE OF HOMOPHOBIA

Police say four protesters were taken into custody after they were seen holding signs above their heads while within the street festival. Officers say they repeatedly asked the protesters from Georgia to follow a city ordinance which does not allow hand held signs that are larger than the sign holder's torso or signs held on a stick within a closed street. Joshua Pettigrew, Douglas Pitts, Willie Lee Holt III and Francis Primavera have been taken to the Pinellas County Jail, charged with violating a city ordinance.

I'm not certain how things are done in Georgia, but as soon as there is an arrest in Pinellas County, Florida, it immediately becomes public information. These are the men who chose to drive to St. Petersburg, Florida to disrupt GAY PRIDE; spewing hatred in the name of christianity.

NOTE from the author: These photos may be visually offensive!

Name: BALL, WILLIAM G
DOB: 4/8/1960
Docket #: 1255927
Arrest Date: 6/30/2007 3:00:43 PM
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE



Name Docket No. Booking Date Arresting Agency
BALL, WILLIAM G 1255927 6/30/2007 3:00:43 PM ST. PETERSBURG POLICE
Address City State Zip Code
200 PRIMROSE RD GRANDWILLE GA 30222
Race Sex DOB Place of Birth Arrest Age
WHITE MALE 4/8/1960 GA 47
Eyes Hair Complexion Height Weight Occupation
GRN BRO MED 5'11 275


Name: HOLT, WILLIE LEE
DOB: 9/5/1975
Docket #: 1255928
Arrest Date: 6/30/2007 3:02:16 PM
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE


Name Docket No. Booking Date Arresting Agency
HOLT, WILLIE LEE 1255928 6/30/2007 3:02:16 PM ST. PETERSBURG POLICE
Address City State Zip Code
257 WHITE OAK TRAIL JEFFERSON GA 30359
Race Sex DOB Place of Birth Arrest Age
WHITE MALE 9/5/1975 GA 31
Eyes Hair Complexion Height Weight Occupation
HAZ BRO 6'04 330

Name: PITTS, DOUGLAS C
DOB: 11/12/1956
Docket #: 1255930
Arrest Date: 6/30/2007 3:10:35 PM
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE



Name Docket No. Booking Date Arresting Agency
PITTS, DOUGLAS C 1255930 6/30/2007 3:10:35 PM ST. PETERSBURG POLICE
Address City State Zip Code
1843 NEW CORNITH ROAD MEWMAN GA 30263
Race Sex DOB Place of Birth Arrest Age
WHITE MALE 11/12/1956 SS 50
Eyes Hair Complexion Height Weight Occupation
BRO BRO FAR 5'08 200

Name: PRIMAVERA, FRANCIS N
DOB: 12/27/1981
Docket #: 1255929
Arrest Date: 6/30/2007 3:09:40 PM
Race: WHITE
Sex: MALE



Name Docket No. Booking Date Arresting Agency
PRIMAVERA, FRANCIS N 1255929 6/30/2007 3:09:40 PM ST. PETERSBURG POLICE
Address City State Zip Code
5571 FORREST RD HOGANSVILLE GA 30230
Race Sex DOB Place of Birth Arrest Age
WHITE MALE 12/27/1981 TX 25
Eyes Hair Complexion Height Weight Occupation
HAZ BRO LGT 600 205