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Dunedin plans fundraiser to celebrate diversity

The city is proud of its inclusiveness and, with the help of the Blue Jays, has planned a night to promote equality.

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published August 12, 2005

DUNEDIN - A gay men's chorus will sing the national anthem.

An-all girls band with a large lesbian following will perform its 1994 hit I Want Her Name.

Hundreds of families, including gay and lesbian couples, will be welcomed to "Pride in Our Diversity Night," a fundraiser to be held Saturday at Knology Park.

The event, which has been months in the making, has the support of city commissioners, local business leaders and even the Toronto Blue Jays, the main sponsor.

It's a sharp contrast to Hillsborough County, where the County Commission voted to ban county government from promoting, participating in or even acknowledging gay events.

"We're inclusive," said Dunedin City Commissioner Bob Hackworth. "We are encouraging of diversity and equality. I thought what happened in Hillsborough was terrible."

Hillsborough Commissioner Ronda Storms introduced an antigay measure June 15. It passed 5-1 and the decision has created an uproar among gay rights supporters, who have marched and rallied to protest the policy.

It has thrust Hillsborough into the national media spotlight and sparked a boycott of the county from several outside organizations.

"This is really a new low," said Nadine Smith, executive director for Equality Florida, an organization in St. Petersburg that works to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. "The reason it sparked the boycott and national criticism is that they have put the county seal of approval on discrimination."

But across the bay, in delightful Dunedin (as the city is known), things are very different.

In this town of 35,000, gays are routinely part of city events. They serve on the arts and cultural advisory committee, are members of the merchants association and the chamber of commerce.

A good portion of downtown's redevelopment was stimulated by gay merchants.

Dunedin commissioners encourage members of the gay community to get involved and work with them on events, such as Mardi Gras and the Miss Mardi Gras pageant, which features drag queen contestants.

People here, gay and straight, mourned the closing of 1470 West, a gay bar that was once a destination for people across the Tampa Bay area.

What is it about Dunedin?

"We have so many creative and educated people here," said Greg Brady, a downtown business owner and a member of Equality Florida. "That doesn't leave much room for ignorance.

"Dunedin really has always been a very accepting and inclusive community," Brady added. "My partner and I have always enjoyed just being able to live a normal lifestyle."

Hillsborough County commissioners have declined to explain their vote, a point that has frustrated gay activists.

Storms, Commissioner Thomas Scott and Commissioner Kathy Castor, the lone vote against the policy, did not return calls for comment.

Terry Kemple, a conservative Christian activist in Brandon, supported the county's actions. He said events such as the Pride in Diversity event are wrong because they promote homosexuality.

"I believe the family consists of a mother and father and children," he said. "I think the natural law would uphold that viewpoint and certainly God's law upholds that viewpoint."

Pinellas County Commissioner Calvin Harris, however, applauds Dunedin and the Toronto Blue Jays for their efforts.

"I think a part of what we are, especially as Americans, is a melting pot," he said. "We need to accept people for who they are."

The Blue Jays, which has pride events in Toronto, first approached Brady last year about a fundraiser to promote equality.

"Our overall goal is to be an inclusive organization rather than exclusive," said Rob Godfrey, vice president of communications for the Blue Jays.

"Being in the business of having a team that represents a city, you can't choose which parts of the city you would like to represent. You represent the entire city, and that includes everyone for us."

The event is being touted as a family affair not exclusive to gays and lesbians.

The poster shows a lesbian couple, an older woman and an African-American man. Tampa Bay Family Pride also is encouraging families to bring their children.

Smith said Hillsborough's decision has created a renewed sense of energy that should help make "Pride in Our Diversity Night" a huge success.

"It's certainly caused folks to refocus on the importance of doing this work," said Smith, referring to the ban.

"While Hillsborough County is moving backward, more and more communities are protecting all of their citizens from discrimination, sending a message that these are places that value everyone," she added. "Dunedin is no exception to that."

Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

The Dunedin Blue Jays will host the Equality Florida "Pride in our Diversity Night" fundraiser on Saturday at Knology Park, 373 Douglas Ave. A silent auction and concert featuring the Fallopian Tubes start at 4:30 p.m; the Jays play the Tampa Yankees at 7 p.m. Admission is $6 and will help Equality Florida, a St. Petersburg organization that works to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation. Call 733-9302, ext. 4610.

[Last modified August 12, 2005, 00:46:18]