Flash Back……The Fundraiser Ten Years Ago for the Rainbow Ridge Coming Out Party… It’s sad to see some are no longer with us!

Rose Dynasty Presents Rainbow Roots – A fun day of performances and gay history in Lake Mirror Center, downtown Lakeland. October Coming Out Month

Rainbow Ridge October Meeting Guest Speaker Mike Murray – Talked about Gun Violence Protection and about Cleve Jones also our President David Jones talked about General Baron von Steuben

Rainbow Ridge September 2025 Social and Meeting Guest Speaker Jo Shim President of Polk County League of Women Voters

Polk County DEC Gala

Bowling for BUCKS in Winter Haven

Labor Day Unity Celebration

David Jolly for Florida Governor

Town Hall at Polk Theater

PROTEST JULY 17, 2025

Rainbow July 10, 2025 Meeting at Beef O’Brady’s in Lakeland

Tonight we had GREAT informative speakers: Equality Florida, Anita Carson and Florida Battalion x NAFO to Help Ukraine, Brett Upthagrove and Jessica Robertson from CFFC, Separation of Church and State

Polk County elections office ends custom of outreach at Pride event in downtown Lakeland.

By Gary White, Lakeland Ledger

• KEY POINTS
• The Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office withdrew from a planned voter registration event at Lakeland’s Pride in the Park.
• Supervisor of Elections Melony Bell cited concerns about the event’s political atmosphere, despite Pride organizers and past participation suggesting otherwise.
• A separate political rally was scheduled for later the same day, but at a different time and unrelated to Pride in the Park.

Registering to vote has probably never been the primary reason anyone attended Pride in the Park, but it was an option in recent years.

That ended with the June 14 event, held at Munn Park in downtown Lakeland.

A participant said that the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office informed him less than 24 hours before the gathering began that it would not be staffing a voter-registration table, as expected.

David Jones said that he arranged months in advance to reserve a space for the elections office at the event. Pride in the Park is a celebration of LGBTQ residents and culture, though it is open to all and typically draws thousands.

Jones said he communicated for months with the elections office to confirm that it would staff a voter-registration table at Pride in the Park. Though vendors rent space at the gathering, Polk Pride offers space to the 

Supervisor of Elections Office at no charge, he said.

Late in the afternoon on June 13, Jones missed a call from someone with the elections office, he said. A voicemail asked him to call the office.

The next morning, as Jones was driving to Munn Park, a staff member with the elections office called again, and Jones’ husband answered. The employee said that the Supervisor of Elections Office would not be staffing a table after all, Jones said.

As an explanation, the staff member said the office was “expecting trouble” at Pride in the Park, Jones said.

 Bell: Avoiding political events

The late notice made it impossible to arrange with a third-party organization to handle voter registration at the event, Jones said. It also prevented Polk Pride from renting out the space it had reserved for the Supervisor of Elections Office.

In response to questions from The Ledger, Supervisor of Elections Melony Bell explained her decision not to send an outreach team to Pride in the Park.

“The decision to not attend was made based upon reports, by media outlets, of the political atmosphere surrounding the events occurring in downtown Lakeland that day,” Bell said by email. “In keeping with our mission, at the Supervisor of Elections Office, I enacted a policy that does not allow for our office to attend political functions. I felt that it was best for our office not to attend in adherence with this policy. As always, our office is more than happy to attend events that are not of a political nature.”

On 10th anniversary of same-sex marriage ruling, Polk couple worries the right could vanish

Polk Pride is the event name affiliated with the Lakeland Youth Alliance, part of the Orlando Youth Alliance, a nonprofit organization. Under federal guidelines, the OYA’s tax-exempt status places strict limitations on its political activities.

A political event did take place June 14 at Munn Park — the “No Kings” rally, a demonstration opposing President Donald Trump’s policies. That separate and unrelated gathering was scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., two and a half hours after Pride in the Park ended.

Jones dismissed as “hogwash” Bell’s suggestion that Pride in the Park is a political event.

“Republicans are welcome to get a space down there,” he said. “Libertarians have gotten a space down there. And if there were such a thing as Log Cabin Republicans here in Polk County, they would have been more than welcome, or any Republican organization, but they choose not to go there.”

 Pride leader disputes description

Polk Pride President Scott Guira also asserted that Pride in the Park is not political.

“Polk Pride in the Park is an event open to, and for the benefit of, the entire community,” Guira said in a text message. “This space is offered free because we encourage everyone to have their voice heard by voting. The prior Supervisor of Elections participated in this event for years and shared that same perspective. The only change is Melony Bell.”

The Lakeland Police Department made no arrests at this year’s Pride in the Park, spokesperson Stephanie Kerr said.

Bell’s office provided a list of “outreach events” attended by staff members this year. Among the dozens of events, none appeared to be overtly political.

The list includes visits to assisted living facilities, libraries and nonprofit groups, along with appearances at Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades, the Polk County Youth Fair and a Renaissance festival.

The office has held one event at a church — HighPoint Church in Lake Wales. The senior pastor, Jack Hilligoss, is mayor of Lake Wales and active in conservative political organizing.

Bell, a former state legislator from Fort Meade, gained election as Supervisor of Elections in November 2024, ousting six-term incumbent Lori Edwards. Bell ran as a Republican and Edwards as a no-party candidate.

The Supervisor of Elections race had been nonpartisan since 2004, along with other constitutional officer elections, in keeping with the Polk County charter. But the general counsel for Florida’s Department of State directed Edwards in 2023 to handle those elections as partisan races, citing a court decision from 2019.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

Scott Franklin: Stand Up Against the BIG BAD BILL Protest at the Lake Wales Art Council Chamber Meeting Guest Speaker Scott Franklin

Aging Well with PRIDE – Information for Gay Seniors

Old Age is Serious Stuff – Sponsored by Rose Dynasty LGBTA Center, Lakeland. Held at AGB Museum in Lakeland FL

NO KINGS PROTEST in Lakeland, June 14, 2025

Here in Polk County!!! Over 1500 people

Polk Pride in Munn Park, Lakeland

What a Wonderful Day…. Very Warm Day with Friendly Faces and Hearts Fill with LOVE! A Celebration of Pride. We got this far, let’s NOT go back!

Rainbow Ridge at Polk Pride 6/14/2025

Pride Kick Off

June 1st Potluck – Dinner with Rainbow Ridge at the Rose Dynasty Center

Bowling for Dollars – Funraiser for the Polk County Democratic Executive Committee

A really fun night at the Polk County Democrats Fundraiser …. Bowling Night at Lake Wales Mall…

Rainbows at Thirsty Dragon’s Lake Wales Democrats Club Social… A Special Gathering of Special Friends!

We are at it again…. Protesting at May Day Strong We are the Many!!!

Lakeland May 3

May Social and Meeting

Guest Speaker Luis Davila, Candidate for Florida House District 48.

Luis is a problem-solver, a dedicated community advocate, and a
firm believer in the potential of District 48. He will focus on building a district where every resident has the opportunity to thrive, where neighborhoods are safe and vibrant, and where our children have access to the resources they need to succeed. 

April General Meeting and Social

At  Beef O’Brady’s, Winter Haven

Guest Speakers Karen Welzel of the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Polk County and Matthew Crowley, Candidate for Winter Haven City Commission and President of the Polk County Young Democrats. 

HANDS OFF Rally

Attended the HANDS OFF Rally in Lakeland. It’s nice to know we are not alone. How’s your 401 doing? These are scary times!

Protest at Lake Wales City Hall.

Pastor Mayor Hilligoss NO SHOW at AAUW Candidate Forum and his influx of DARK Money for his Smear Campaign against Curtis Gibson is a disgrace to all citizens.

VOTE – Municipal Elections Are Fast Approaching !

Lake Wales Mayoral Race – Pastor Mayor Jack Hilligoss vs Curtis Gibson- Two Events and Door Knockings

AAUW Candidates Debate – Mayor Hilligoss is a no show!!!Lake Ashton Mayoral Candidates – NO QUESTIONS from the audience allowed!!!! Jack Hilligoss was there but no questions can be asked in an open discussion. Spent six hours knocking on doors to remind people to turn in their vote by mail ballots!

Rainbow March 2025 Membership Meeting at Beef O’Brady’s Restaurant in Lakeland FL

Victor Sims – Polk County School Board District 3

Kick-OFF Campaign

National Women’s Day @ Lake Morton, Lakeland

Doing what we can to make sure they know we matter!

At Congressman Scott Franklin Office to discus our concerns.

February 20th 2025. We’re at Congressman Scott Franklin’s office again today!!! Speak out America!!!

Rainbow February 2025 Membership Meeting at Zest Bar and Grill in Bartow FL

Guest Speaker Momma Rose Dynasty – Jason DeShazo, Winter Haven City Commissioner Candidate Matthew Crowley, Polk County School Board Candidate Victor Sims

LGBTQ+ Dynasty Community Center – the center offers free or inexpensive health care for all people, support groups, therapy and social groups. Pineapple Care. They are a great resource for connecting you to other resources.

National Day of Protest – Not My President’s Day – February 17

What a Great Turnout. Speakers were fantastic. Kudos to the organizers!!! We even made the ABC news and Rachael Madow!!!

January 2025 Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Dems Meeting

Rainbow Members and Friends

January Election of New Officers’ Meeting -Guest Speakers Sara Fortney, John Hill and Curtis Gibson

RIP Judge Bob Doyel

Our good friend Judge Bob Doyel has left us and I will miss him! RIP Bob

Polk County Democrats Holiday Party

So nice to gather with like-minded friends to celebrate the season! Thanks to Tapatios for the great food and service. And thanks to everyone who donated to the Rudolph Roundup Toy Drive. We have a car full of toys to drop off for the kids!

Democratic National Convention

Woody Wilbanks and Perry Brokaw from our Cacus attended

Picture of Perry

Labor Day Unity Celebration

Polk Pride @ Munn Park, Lakeland FL.

Hot times at Pride in the Park!

Congratulations to Momma Ashley Rose and everyone involved in making this Center a reality!!

Fun times at the Trop – Rays Pride night! 

Lightning Hockey Pride Night

March 2024 General Meeting

Great Turnout! Thanks to all who attended! Meeting/Workshop at CoHatch in Lakeland Fl. Good Friends- Great Food- and a Good Time!!!!

February 2024 General Meeting

Thank you to all who. attended the Rainbow Ridge Meeting in honoring our friend Paul Ritz for his three years as President and a special thanks to our guest speaker Brandon Alvarado , who is running for Lake Wales City Commissioner, a seat we need to win!!!!

MLK Parade in Lakeland, FL – Rainbow Ridge Represented

MLK Weekend – Fundraiser for Carol Gillespie Candidate For Lake Wales City Commissioner – MLK Breakfast – MLK Parade in Lake Wales, Florida

Let Us Not Forget!

RIP Senator Feinstein

Dianne Feinstein, the grande dame of California Democrats who became the mayor of San Francisco after a horrific double assassination at City Hall in 1978 and then gained national stature as an influential voice in the United States Senate for more than 30 years, died early Friday at her home in Washington.

Register to Vote

Check with the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office to ascertain that your voter registration is in order and then sign up to Vote By Mail. The phone number for the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office is 863-534-5888.

LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

https://lgbthistorymonth.com/

Polk Pride In Munn Park, Lakeland

Rainbow Ridge had two tents and the Supervisor of Elections were there to register new voter.

It rained in the morning to cool thing off allowing us to shine all afternoon. At the end of the day there were protesters, the Christian Right spreading hate. The Polk Pride Staff made a circle of love around them and the crowd yelled “LOVE WILL WIN!!”, drowning out the haters. We would like to thank the Lakeland Police and to the Polk Pride Staff for their courage and strength. Here are some pics…

Polk County School Board Meeting

The Pride Proclamation was removed from this months agenda and possible postponed to October. Looking for a good showing at the School Board Meeting to show our support. The Rainbow is here!

Highland County GAY PRIDE – Sebring FL

The Rainbows attended to support our friends in Highland County

Pride Service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Lakeland

Service at the UU Congregation celebrating Gay Pride

Anita Carson was the Guest Speaker from Equality Florida. She game a n informative address on how to stand strong , stand together and stand PROUD! Justin Neal and Karen Doutre, fellow Rainbows, sang their hearts out and we all dance to the sounds of love!

Tampa Rays vs. Teas Rangers

PRIDE Baseball Game

Our Caucus The Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Dems at the Pride Ballgame