Gulfcoast Pride 2026: Carrying Pride Forward, Together

justyn70

5 minutes ago

2 min read

On October 24, neighbors, families, friends and community partners gathered in Sarasota’s Rosemary District for Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party—a celebration of connection, creativity and belonging.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, the district came alive with music, performances, local businesses and opportunities to connect. Attendees explored the vendor marketplace, enjoyed entertainment on the Main Stage and Community Stage, and met organizations working to support our community.

The Family Zone, created with our partners at the YMCA of Southwest Florida, ALSO Youth, and the Ability to Include offered a space for families to spend time together and participate in activities. Across the festival, partners shared resources, stories and experiences that reflected the many ways people find community.

The celebration continued into the evening with the SRQ Beats Pride Street Party, bringing neighbors and friends together to dance and celebrate under the stars.

A community effort

Gulfcoast Pride was made possible by people who gave their time, talent and care. Volunteers helped welcome attendees and support vendors. Performers brought energy and creativity to both stages. Businesses, nonprofits and community partners shared their work and connected with festivalgoers.

We’re grateful to our sponsors, including our Lead Community Partner, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and to DreamLarge for its partnership in bringing the celebration to the Rosemary District. Thank you to SRQ Beats, our board, volunteers, vendors, performers, partners and everyone who joined us.

We were also honored to recognize Dame Lindsay Carlton-Cline as our 2026 Pride Honoree, celebrating her contributions to our community.

What we carry forward

This year’s theme, Carry Pride Forward, invited us to think about what happens after the festival ends.

It can begin with a conversation at a booth, a story shared, a resource discovered or a new friendship. It can mean supporting a local business, showing up for a neighbor or helping create a place where someone feels they belong.

At Project Pride SRQ, we’re working to create those opportunities throughout the year. Through programs and partnerships such as Aging Proudly, Next Wave and our Diversity in Business Network, we’re bringing people together across generations and creating more ways to connect.

The joy we shared at Gulfcoast Pride belongs to everyone who helped make it possible. Thank you for celebrating with us—and for continuing to show up for one another.

How was your Gulfcoast Pride? Share your experience in our short attendee survey. Your feedback will help us make future celebrations even better.

To learn more about Project Pride SRQ and find ways to get involved, visit ppsrq.org.