Protesters arrested at St. Petersburg gay pride

Four people from a Georgia evangelical group were arrested on June 30 at gay pride celebrations in St. Petersburg, Florida after they violated a city order restricting demonstrators to a "free speech" zone a block from the festival. Police also arrested a woman at the celebration who allegedly threw a drink at one of the protesters. The beverage splashed several other people standing on the sidelines. Most members of the evangelical group, from Georgia, obeyed the city order limiting where they could protest. Some held signs reading "Sodomy, It's To Die For" and "Adam & Eve, NOT Adam & Steve" while others used a bullhorn to denounce gays. People attending the festival largely ignored the demonstration, with some waving and others blowing kisses at them. The loud music from the festival virtually downed out the protesters. Police estimated about 40,000 people attended the pride celebration, although organizers said it was closer to 60,000. This was St. Petersburg's fifth annual pride event and has become the city's biggest cultural festival. The grand marshal this year was former Largo city manager Susan Stanton who was fired this year after announcing she was undergoing male to female sex reassignment. Riding in a Mercedes-Benz convertible Stanton was greeted with cheers and applause as the parade made its way down the city's main street. Since her firing Stanton has become a spokesperson for transgender rights. In addition to marchers from LGBT advocacy groups and floats from various clubs and businesses, was Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich - the only candidate to support same-sex marriage.