JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies walked up the Acosta Bridge, smiling, waving, and holding items that would shine bright in the dark.
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Nearly 30 minutes later as they were making their way back across the bridge, those items lit up to represent the rainbow.
It was a contrast to the red, white, and blue shining behind them.
Amy Glassman, the lead organizer of the Acosta Bridge Pride March talked about the importance of the event.
“It is the end of Pride month, but Friday was also the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, this past week was also the ninth anniversary of gay marriage being legalized in the United States, and this month was also the anniversary of the Pulse shooting that happened in Orlando,” Glassman said.
It’s just a few reasons why the fourth annual Acosta Bridge Pride March was held.
This year, the march also had another reason to be held, which was similar to the first time this was started in 2021.
It was also a protest to the Acosta Bridge not lighting up in rainbow colors because the Florida Department of Transportation joined Governor Ron DeSantis’ “Freedom Summer” initiative.
That meant bridges in Florida would only light up red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Members of the LGBTQ+ and African American community protested this in late May and early June by lighting the Main Street Bridge in traditional pride colors and Juneteenth colors at separate times.
Although Saturday was a chance to protest that initiative again, it was also a chance to rally for what people called a bigger cause.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that we have to be able to use our voices if we do not vote, we are basically giving up our speech,” Manny Velasquez said.
A voice and speech people said they’ve fought too long and hard to get.
“The queer community here in Jacksonville just wants to belong, just wants to feel like we’re wanted,” Amy said.
Organizers said they hope to have an even bigger crowd for the walk next year.