In a season when rainbow crosswalks are being painted over, Equality Florida’s Palm Beach Brunch — held on National Coming Out Day — reminded attendees that the fight for equality is far from over — raising over $26,000 in a single afternoon to keep the movement alive.
The annual event united activists, community leaders, and allies for an afternoon of celebration, reflection, and resolve. Two awards recognized drag icon Melissa St. John and the historic gay bar H.G. Roosters for their lasting commitment to equality.
Roosters owner A.J. Wasson accepted the award with gratitude, recounting the bar’s legacy, including its pivotal role during the AIDS crisis through the Stop AIDS Project (now part of Compass Community Center).
“It's important to remember why gay bars like Roosters matter so much. Gay bars and gay businesses are more than just places to grab drinks. [They are] safe spaces, centers for community identity, and launchpads for activism and political assistance,” Wasson said. “Before mainstream acceptance, these bars and organizations gave us a sense of belonging, a place to be ourselves, to connect and to support one another. They became lifelines during the toughest times.”
Melissa St. John, drag icon and community activist, received Equality Florida’s Our Voice for Equality award. Christopher Rhoades introduced her on stage, praising her decades of advocacy — from co-founding Mother’s Cupboard to leading the 2023 Drag March on Tallahassee and so much in between.
Accepting her award, St. John reflected on resilience and legacy:
“It takes a village — not just by name, but in love, compassion, and support of each and everyone in this room and beyond,” she said. “When I first started my career, [someone] told me I’d never be anything. Well, today we proved that is fake news.”
The crowd agreed, roaring in approval.
She also shared stories of her activist lineage — from her great-grandfather marching with Dr. King to her father’s experience confronting segregation in the very same area where a rainbow crosswalk was just painted over in West Palm Beach.
Equality Florida’s Senior Political Director Joe Saunders and Co-Founder Stratton Pollitzer reminded attendees why the fight continues. Pollitzer delivered a fiery “State of the State” address, describing Florida as “the test kitchen for the worst ideas in Project 2025,” but also the state proving how resistance works.
Pollitzer celebrated recent victories, including defeating all anti-LGBTQ bills in the 2024 Florida legislative session and mobilizing more than 25,000 Floridians across 800 direct actions in three years. He praised local leaders like Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long and the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council for standing firm as state officials targeted LGBTQ+ symbols and protections.
Between speeches, applause, and a spirited live auction, the brunch underscored the power of joy and love as political tools.
Pollitzer urged the community not to mirror hate, but to confront it with love. “The way through this is to fight with love, with joy, with hope — because that’s what makes us strong. That’s our superpower.”
