ST. CLOUD, Fla. — The City of St. Cloud had been planning to hold its second Pride event on June 10.
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However, organizers decided to cancel the event, and it all came down to safety.
Organizers said there was no direct threat to the event, but it wasn’t a risk they were willing to take in what they said is an unsafe climate.
Event coordinators Kristina Bozanich and Brenda Torres along with local business owners spent months ironing out the details.
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The event would have featured vendors, guest speakers and a drag performance for people 18 and older.
We adjusted our event so that it would only be 18 and up for the last part, the drag portion, but even after discussing with entertainment, the drag queens did not feel it would be safe,” Bozanich said.
She said after recent state laws, they lost their headlining acts, then a street sign in Lake Nona was changed to read “Kill Gays.” Police are still looking for who is responsible.
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Tampa had a Pride event, but they canceled it the same day St. Cloud did.
Refunds are on the way to anyone who bought tickets to the event in St. Cloud.
Organizers are still encouraging people to support a Kissimmee Pride event scheduled for June 3.
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