Coalition of LGBTQ+ groups lights underside of Ringling Bridge

Mackenzie "MJ" Jianelli was returning to Florida from a HealthHIV conference in Washington, D.C., when he learned of the "Freedom Summer" directive from Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

He found himself disconcerted by the decision to light the bridges only in red, white and blue throughout Pride Month. 

“Since my relocation for the last seven years, I have always seen those lights, and those lights have been a beacon of hope, showing and paving the way that if nothing more, we can always look forward to June, and perhaps June can turn into July, and July can turn into August," Jianelli said.

As a health education program consultant at Orenda Health & Wellness, he began reaching out to local organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community, meeting with group leaders and brainstorming. 

He had an event in mind to kick off the coalition's work, inspired by the Grand Flag March over the bridge on June 29, that he felt would be a fitting way to illustrate the coalition's message.

With a theme of "Pride 365," celebrating the recognition of Pride not only in June but also throughout the year, members of the coalition gathered at the John Ringling Causeway on July 28, bringing lights, projectors and banners.

Photo by Ian Swaby

The weather that night affected the event.

To protect the high-end lighting and projection equipment, attendees did not walk atop the bridge as originally planned. 

They created the projection display on the underside of a section of the causeway rather than on the side of the bridge as originally intended, and shone rainbow lights on the underside of the bridge instead of onto the water from the top of the bridge.

Coalition members also carried the banners onto the pier at Hart's Landing beneath the bridge. 

The two laser projectors, which each created an animated text reading "365," shone at 4,500 lumens each and totaled about $8,000 in cost. They were operated from a battery pack by digital artist Michael Murphy. 

Photo by Ian Swaby

Shannon Fortner, executive director of Fabulous Arts Foundation, said they thought the rain impacted attendance in addition to the plans. 

However, they said the coalition will hold this event quarterly, and that its goal is to "continue to grow and bring in other orgs so that we can work together to hold space for the community and really listen to the community and know what their needs are."

Tsi Day Smyth, executive officer and vice president at Voices of Florida, said the event was intended to help show the LGBTQ+ community that they are welcome in the state of Florida. 

“Absolutely, people from trans, queer, gay, straight, it doesn't matter, everybody’s welcome in Florida," they said. "And we just want to remind everybody, no matter who you are, you are welcome here in the state. You belong here in the state. We love all Floridians, and we don't care what Ron DeSantis has to say about it.”

Photo by Ian Swaby

Jianelli said he would like to see involvement of cities as far south as North Port and Port Charlotte and "all the way back up."

"Pride is all over. We're not going anywhere. It's just the beginning,” he said. 

The coalition includes Fabulous Arts Foundation, Florida Transgender Alliance, SEE Alliance, PSL Tampa Bay, ANSWER Suncoast, Equality Florida, Stonewall Democratic Caucus of Sarasota and Voices of Florida among other organizations.