FY 2027 FUNDING FOR MIAMI BEACH PRIDE AND MIAMI-DADE LGBTQ+ & ALLIED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Spoke as Chairman of Miami Beach Pride about the economic impact of Pride and thanked the city for its ongoing partnership and water-pumping support during past weather issues.

Spoke as Executive Director of Pride Lines and local clergy, thanking the Commission for supporting marginalized communities and diversity.

Expressed gratitude on behalf of the Miami-Dade LGBTQ+ Chamber for the $25,000 grant and the city's decade-long partnership supporting small businesses.

Shared personal testimony about benefiting from Pride Lines services as a youth and thanked the city for supporting future generations.

Congratulated the Commission on pushing back against SB 1134 and urged exploring legal pathways to preserve funding in perpetuity.

Provided historical context on Miami Beach Pride's founding in 2009 and thanked the Commission for funding cultural programs.

Thanked the Commission on behalf of SAVE for standing united against SB 1134 and finding lawful ways to maintain community support.

Expressed strong support for Miami Beach's actions on behalf of the transgender community and urged other cities to follow suit.

Spoke on behalf of Pride Lines, thanking the Commission for supporting at-risk youth services.

Shared how attending Pride with her family reflects the inclusive values that drew them to Miami Beach and urged permanent funding.

Highlighted the public health benefits of LGBTQ+ organizations, including HIV testing and suicide prevention.

Thanked the Commission for not overreacting to state overreach and praised police LGBTQ+ outreach initiatives.

Spoke on behalf of O Cinema South Beach, thanking the Commission for supporting inclusive community programming.

Expressed gratitude for the Commission's creative budget solutions supporting the chamber and Pride.

Spoke in an individual capacity and for the ACLU of Florida, urging long-term opposition to SB 1134 beyond December 2026.

Spoke as an ACLU field organizer and resident about the economic and safety value of Pride, warning against pre-compliance.

Praised the Commission's courage and discussed historical exclusions in Miami Beach compared to its current inclusive identity.

Shared how attending Pride in high school shaped his life and asked the Commission to preserve funding for future generations.

Thanked the Commission for supporting environmental initiatives, ocean protection, and plastic-free programs.

Shared his experience attending Pride in Miami Beach as a young African American citizen and thanked the city for upholding equality.

Expressed solidarity as a visitor and ally, thanking the Commission for standing against state preemption.

Thanked the six commissioners who supported funding for Pride, highlighting its welcoming atmosphere.

Urged continued support for family-friendly Pride events and programs that foster an open community.

Thanked the Commission for supporting Pride, calling it his favorite weekend of the year and a well-produced community beacon.