City commissioners approve request from executive director of Fabulous Arts Foundation
On a unanimous vote, the Sarasota city commissioners have agreed that the LGBTQ+ Pride flag will be flown at City Hall from Monday, May 5, through Monday, May 12.
One concern raised before the April 21 vote — which Vice Mayor Debbie Trice expressed — was whether the action, if authorized, would pre-empt the flying of the flag for Pride Month in June.
“If it is legal,” Trice said, “I’m just hoping that none of the other commissioners will in June say, ‘Oh, but we did it already, so we’re not going to do it again.’ ”
When Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich pointed out that the board members would have a future discussion about the Pride Month issue, Trice told her, “Looking for an inclination at this point.”
After City Attorney Joe Polzak reviewed the governing resolution, he announced, “The display of a certain flag is limited to no more than 30 days in a year.”
(In 2022, the commissioners seated at that time adopted a resolution with the guidelines for approving requests from “private parties or entities” regarding the flying of specific flags for temporary periods. Section 2(5) allows for commemorative flags, including those that are identified with “a principle, ideal, goal or movement to which a person or group is dedicated …”)
“If we’re doing seven [days] now,” Trice said, “that gives us time in June.”
“Correct,” Polzak responded.
“That reassures me,” Trice told him.
Ohlrich did ask Polzak whether any new state or federal regulations would prevent the flying of the Pride flag.
“There was a bill making its way through the Legislature,” Polzak told her, “but it has not advanced.”
The Agenda Request Form for the item to be heard during the board’s regular meeting on April 21 noted that Mayor Liz Alpert had asked for its inclusion on the agenda.
Two speakers were present that morning to address the issue.
First, Shannon Fortner, founder and executive director of the Fabulous Arts Foundation, formerly the Harvey Milk Festival, told the commissioners, “This is our 15 years in the community, serving our community and celebrating folks as they are.”
She continued, “We wanted to raise the flag in honor of those folks, to help them feel seen.”
In fact, Fortner noted, although her organization had provided a Pride flag in the past for use in City Hall observances, “We just decided to donate one to the city.”
She also explained, “Our mission for the Fabulous Arts Foundation is foster the arts as a catalyst for social change and healing while amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. We do this through advocacy, public programs, education and partnerships that promote community — and flying the Progress flag at City Hall.”
Not only does flying the flag honor the Fabulous Arts Foundation’s impact, Fortner continued, but it also “reflects the values listed on the City of Sarasota’s website: “integrity, ethical and trustworthy services to all citizens, teamwork, cooperative engagement with community organizations, respect, [and] commitment to encouraging and respecting diversity in all forms.”
She concluded, “I appreciate your consideration on this.”
Noting that one person had signed up to address the request, Mayor Alpert called forward Katherine Norman.
A city resident, Norman talked of the city’s centering itself “around the arts, creativity and authenticity of who you are and presenting that to the world.” She added, “It’s very exciting to live here and be amongst the diversity that we have.” Flying the Pride flag, Norman continued, “is another step in demonstrating how very cultured and international our city continues to be …”
Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch ended up making the motion to authorize the flying of the flag from May 5 through May 12, and Ohlrich seconded it.