Faces of Pride Project at St. Petersburg
In most years, June marks the start of Pride events and celebrations in many cities. As we know, Covid19 and in the wake of social unrest and protests resulting from multiple police brutality incidents put Pride on hold this year. With a large and thriving LGBTQIA+ population in the greater St Pete’s area, Bishops St. Petersburg decided to to do their small part to acknowledge Pride this year with a photo series meant to highlight strong voices and allies in the local queer community. Juxtaposing the models wearing the Bishops 2020 Pride “Love is Love” with an alternate image signifying a different aspect of each person’s personality. The content intends to humanize, enlighten, educate, and celebrate the movement on taking pride in our differences in sexuality and gender identity. Sandy Bean, marketing manager for the shop explains in more detail below.
All models photographed by Stephanie Agudelo and Ungala Grace.
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- Vivi Prince
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- Vivi came here from Shanghai at age 18 and is a well-spoken math genius and LGBTQ advocate.
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- Ashley and Sofia
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- Meet Ashley, a social worker, and her wife Sophia, a musical entrepreneur. Together, they created @lovehugh_llc, an organization that provides eclectic mental health services to all individuals with a focus on marginalized groups.
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- Pain Killer Cam
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- Artist, activist, badass, visionary, and energetic force with which to be reckoned, Cam speaks to all communities with his art (Lizzo wears his custom art!), intelligence, and humor; his voice is one that echoes loud and clear with the #blm movement; social justice & empowerment in general are the undercurrents of his life and his work.
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- Miguel Fuller
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- Entertainer, creator, crusader, educator, source of love & light ✨ ✨Miguel is best known as the co-host of @hot1015 @miguelandholly show! Miguel laughs easily and puts people at ease as he spreads messages of social justice, good recipes, Oprah love, and current topics (and have you SEEN his TikTok?)
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- John Gascot
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- John is the founder of the nonprofit @diversityartsinc, which “aims to serve disenfranchised youth and groups by providing safe environments, guidance and materials for creative self-discovery, expression and sociocultural interaction.” Art, to John, is empowerment, and he practices as a role model and voice of reason and passion. He’s won multiple awards, including @cltampabay 2019’s #bestofthebay award for Critic’s Choice: Best Conversation Starter. He’s painted murals, album covers, and countless other works, and maintains a strong presence in the Latinx, artist, and LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay. He serves on the board for @comeoutstpete & @equalityfl as well as on the Artist Selection Committee for the @pinellasartsvillage.
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- Melanie Posner
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- Mural artist and lover of community 💜💜 , Melanie loves to paint beautiful women, and her big, bold, breathtaking art can we seen around town, in places such as @hollanderhotel and along the @pinellascounty bike trail. Melanie loves the sense of unity within the LBGTQ community in St. Pete, calling it “a beautiful thing.”
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- Shop stylist and colorist Marissa Destino said for her, coming out was a non-event because her family is supportive no matter what. She acknowledges that isn’t the case for everyone, and has still worked hard to accept every part of herself. She encourages the same in you! Marissa embodies and spreads the Bishops’ mission every day. She’s a perfect Face of Pride to us. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
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- Mason Gallo
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- Mason is queer-identified transman activist and an activist whose journey started at a young age. In high school, he volunteered as an HIV and AIDS peer educator in 1994 for the public-school system in Flint, Michigan. Since then, his extensive leadership background has played an integral part in the LGBTQIA+ community by continuing to participate and volunteer for various organizations. He works as a leader in the healthcare industry while attending the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, pursuing a degree in psychology and leadership. In 2018, he was nominated and selected to take part in the Transgender Leadership Summit for @EqualityFl. He recently started a Tampa Bay queer book club and is working towards the creation of a Tampa Bay queer social meetup to assist in creating safe spaces for queers to unite. Mason is an outspoken advocate for the Transgender community and provides outreach and education by partnering with universities and organizations to share his story of transitioning. He extends outreach to be visible for those who are unable to do so.
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- Nathaniel Kelly
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- Nathaniel is the social media coordinator for the Deaf @poorpeoplescampaign. He is a native from NYC, and a graduate from Gallaudet University, in Washington, DC. Nathaniel is also Deaf. He is involved in Deaf community events here in Dt. Pete and also devoted time to the Pinellas Youth Democrats. If you’re looking for a big heart, a wide mind, and a crusader for causes, Nathaniel is your magic man ✨He loves St. Petersburg for how gay-friendly it is, especially DTSP. Safe space is so important!
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- Throwback to last years Pride with the Bishops contingent