In Trump's America, Wilton Manors Pride learns who its real allies are

Miami Herald

18 hours ago

Backstage at Georgie's Alibi Monkey Bar, a popular LGBTQ club in Wilton Manors, Jacob Smith carefully removed his gravity-defying, bejeweled blonde wig and light pink costume. The 29-year-old dabbed sweat from his forehead and tried to catch his breath after lip syncing to the Black Eyed Peas. He moved to South Florida from Iowa six months ago and is still getting used to the heat.
Smith, also known as drag queen Barbie D., quit his corporate job, packed up his wig business and drove 23 hours straight down to South Florida where — unlike in Iowa — the local LGBTQ community is 'so alive and fearless and proud.'
But while Smith has been chasing his dreams performing at local bars and selling custom-made wigs, he said President Donald Trump's policies and 'anti-woke' agenda have really taken a toll on him, his business and his community.
'It's sort of like a deer in headlights,' Smith said backstage as the crowd cheered for a performer in the bar. 'It feels like there's this immovable force coming towards us as a community.'
In Wilton Manors, a small city near Fort Lauderdale known as South Florida's gay neighborhood, LGBTQ community members say Pride Month feels different this year under Trump's second administration. Many describe an underlying sense of fear for what may come next, especially as LGBTQ non-profits and institutions are at risk of losing funding, both from the government and from corporations who have walked back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
And this is coming from a community that already dealt with an onslaught from Gov. Ron DeSantis over the past three years. In Florida, the LGBTQ community has faced lawsuits over drag shows and the so-called 'don't say gay' policies in public schools. The governor faced backlash on Thursday when his statement on the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting did not mention LGBTQ and Hispanic communities, despite the fact that the shooter targeted the gay nightclub during 'Latin Night.'
Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, is typically marked by parties, festivals, parades and drag shows. But this year, as Wilton Manors prepares for its 25th annual Pride parade and festival on Saturday, organizers and community members say the celebration has taken on a whole new meaning.
'I'm really hearing from the community how much more significant these celebrations are,' said Jameer Baptiste, the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival president. 'Throughout the years, you notice that people are here to celebrate and have fun, and the message that was once the prominent understanding of why [Pride] started gets lost in the fun and celebration of it all. But this year, you're hearing that this is more than just a celebration. This is a moment of solidarity and a show of unity to the public.'
Serving the community despite setbacks
More than 50,000 people are expected at the Wilton Manors Pride block party, filling six Wilton Manor city blocks with vendors, food and entertainment from 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturday. At 8 p.m., the Glow Night Parade will feature glow-in-the-dark floats and vehicles lighting up the streets.
The festivities, which cost $1 million, are funded by a number of sponsors, like the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Absolut. But this year, Baptiste said, the event lost about a third of its typical corporate sponsors. The lack of support is significant, he said, especially when the security bill alone is six figures.
Trump signed an executive order the day after he was sworn into office that rescinded the federal government's DEI policies and encouraged the private sector to do the same. LGBTQ advocates say the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance has deterred some corporations and brands from recognizing Pride month.
'To see corporations that once were excited to be part of our experience and our celebration are no longer part of that does leave a bitter taste in the mouth,' Baptiste said.
Corporate support at Pride events has been a hot button issue in years past, with some community members arguing against the commercialization of Pride given its origins as a protest. Others warned that corporate support of LGBTQ rights may be superficial and purely for financial gain. 'Some of those individuals feel validated now,' Baptiste said.
'Was it a good thing that [corporations] are coming in or are they just coming in for the rainbow dollars? You're actually seeing that play out in front of your eyes,' Baptiste said. 'Because of what's going on, there are some corporations that are like, 'No, our commitment to the LGBT community is solid, regardless what may come out of it.' And then there's other ones that are like, 'We can't take the risk.''
SunServe, a Wilton Manors LGBTQ non-profit that offers free mental health and social services, is in the same boat, said CEO Tony Lima. Traditional corporate support for the organization dropped by 40 percent this year. And if the president's sweeping 'big beautiful bill' comes to fruition, SunServe will 'lose our housing focus completely,' Lima said. About 1,000 South Floridians benefit from SunServe's housing services.
Now, Lima said he and his team have to get creative to ensure its services for the 4,000 clients SunServe aids each year. Need for the group's mental health services increased 'exponentially' in the last six months because of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and political policies, Lima said.
'What in the past has been political rhetoric is becoming real life, palpable attacks on our community,' Lima said. 'There's 100 people walking with us or on our [Pride] float that are really interested in not only celebrating Pride, but also showing that we're here and we're not going anywhere. We're not scurrying away because this administration doesn't have a tolerance for us.'
Other local LGBTQ cultural institutions and non-profits have had to lean in on community support as corporate funding dries up. Earlier this year, the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale was abandoned by its usual corporate sponsors leading up to its fundraising gala on March 1. The museum had also lost state funding when Gov. Ron DeSantis cut all arts and culture grants last year and support from federally-funded foundations. After news reports of the museum's woes, individual donors sold out tickets to the gala.
'Lots of organizations are hurting for money, but they're still going to come out big for Pride,' said Robert Kesten, the Stonewall Museum executive director. 'I think that people are very excited about Pride, but people are tentative. There's so much uncertainty.'
Kesten said his main concern this Pride Month is 'preserving our democracy' to safeguard the rights of all marginalized groups. He's heard a lot of talk among the LGBTQ community about next year's midterm elections and serious concerns over the safety of transgender people, especially transgender women of color.
'You're only as safe as your weakest link,' he said.
Parties and protests
On the first Sunday of every month at Georgie's Alibi a new party encourages South Florida's transgender community to leave their problems at the door — at least for a couple hours.
'When we leave this club, when we leave this show, we're all going to worry about if you can get your documents updated, if you can access your hormones, if you'll still be able to do this, do that,' said Ariesela Diaz, a transgender woman, Miami drag performer and producer of Transtasy, a monthly drag show featuring transgender performers. 'But for right now, for these two hours, we're going to enjoy each other's company and be a family.'
Diaz, 25, said her life is a testament to the power of community in hard times. Born and raised in Miami, Diaz started doing drag when she was 21 and living with her grandmother. But after her grandmother's death, she couldn't afford rent and became homeless. She performed in drag to survive, eventually moving into a spare room with friends she considers her chosen family. With hard work and community support, Diaz and her drag sister were able to get their own apartment and car.
Now, Diaz is producing two regular shows: Doll Linkup in at Villain Theater in Little Haiti every Friday and Transtasy, the first show of its kind in Wilton Manors. Both shows have been a success, she said. Even when Transtasy falls on the first of the month when rent is due, supporters still show up to party.
The drag shows have also been an opportunity for transgender folks to find nonprofits and resources may they need, Diaz said. The Transtasy and Doll Link Up performers often text each other information on everything from free food to clothing. 'You never know what girl needs what,' Diaz said.
'What I've learned is the importance of trans visibility. We share our stories to create understanding,' Diaz said. 'Dolls can do anything. We're not going anywhere. Sharing my experiences and my struggles and my wins with everybody has really gotten me into new spaces I've never been before.'
Sin Silva, the Alibi show producer, said that while LGBTQ community members feel frustrated with the Trump administration, Wilton Manors Pride is an opportunity to uplift each other.
'With us queer people, we are always going to fight. We're always going to push and shove and make sure that we are celebrating each other and who we are,' Silva said. 'And we should always be doing that, with or without Trump, we need to be strong together and taking care of each other.'
Standing backstage at Georgie's Alibi, finally catching his breath after performing as Barbie D., Smith agreed. 'Don't forget why we have Pride, because the previous generation before us fought for this, and it wasn't pretty,' he said. 'We have to be ready to do that at any moment. That moment may be now.'
Smith won't be able to make it to the festival in Wilton Manors, though. He'll be at an anti-Trump protest instead.
If you go
What: Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival
When: 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. June 14. Parade starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $13 at door. $10 for pre-sale available online at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/stonewall/1420209
Info: https://www.stonewallpride.lgbt/