JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ community and allies will march across the Acosta Bridge and the Main Street Bridge on Sunday to kick off Pride Month.
The walk began in 2021 as a protest after the Florida Department of Transportation ordered Jacksonville Transportation Authority to turn off the bridge’s rainbow lights, calling them “out of compliance.”
That decision was reversed a day later.
Last year, the bridge wasn’t lit due to FDOT’s participation in the state’s Summer of Freedom initiative.
Organizers said this event is to protest, celebrate, and be seen in the community.
“The community came together and we decided we’re going to walk over the bridge, not to be disruptive, to show that we exist and that we deserve these, and then we’ve continued up the trend since then,” Erica d’Amour said.
The march across the Acosta will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The “Pride in our Freedoms - Community Bridge Lighting” will take place on the Main Street Bridge pedestrian walkway from 9 to 10:05 p.m.
Participants will line the walkway and shine rainbow-colored lights towards Friendship Fountain. There will be a watch party at the Friendship Fountain in San Marco.
