FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Some people in Fernandina Beach want this year's pride parade relocated. They are concerned children will be exposed to adult performances in public. However, the city of Fernandina Beach said the event was applied for and approved via a permit.
This year's parade and festival will take place at Central Park on 1200 Atlantic Avenue. The parade will travel through Downtown, up Ash Street and then 2nd and Centre Street. It ends back at Central Park. Genece Minshew, president of Fernandina Beach Pride, said this is a regular parade that takes place in the city. 2023 marks the third annual pride march in Fernandina Beach.
"We've always been a welcoming and affirming community," Minshew said.
However, during Tuesday's commissioners meeting, some people expressed disapproval of the parade. Residents did not like the idea of a festival near a park where there is a playground. Some people argued the event would violate city and state laws concerning adult performances in public.
Jack Knocke, executive director of Citizens Defending Freedom in Nassau County, referred to his comments on Tuesday's commissioners meeting. He believes the event could be held somewhere else in the city.
On Tuesday, Knocke said he supports the pride parade event but its not an attack on the LGBTQ+ community. He argued it should be held in commercial zones instead of parks.
"Honestly, I don't know why this is the only location that - that festival could be at," Knocke said.
"Central Park is really the largest park in the city," Minshew explained to First Coast News on why the festival is held at the park.
This comes after Florida legislatures passed a bill that prohibits vendors from allowing minors to view "adult live performances." However, Fernandina Beach's city attorney, Tammi Bach, said the event was applied for and approved. She told First Coast News the pride event does not break city or state law. In fact, Bach said the parade and festival is not considered adult entertainment. Minshew encourages residents to see for themselves.
"This year, we're not planning on having any formal drag show. That does not mean that there will not be people in drag," Minshew said. "I have no concerns about it at all. You'll see a lot more flesh at the beach than you will at our events."
The Fernandina Beach Pride parade and festival is June 10.