When the City of St. Petersburg launched the Beyond the Rainbow project, I had the honor of representing the color Purple: bold, joyful, expressive, and unapologetically queer. In that same campaign, Claire, who leads Project No Labels, stood proudly representing the color Brown: Resilience.
Those two colors tell a real story about what it means to survive and thrive here in Florida. Purple is our celebration, our glamour, our spirit, and our laughter. But Brown is the backbone that holds us steady through the storms. It is our resilience, our mutual care, and our refusal to leave anyone behind.
Fast forward to right now: the holiday season is arriving, and for so many queer and trans folks, Thanksgiving is not a Norman Rockwell painting.
Too many LGBTQIA+ people, especially our trans siblings and youth, do not have a safe home to return to. We know what it feels like to brace for misgendering, to sit through hostile political chatter, or to quietly realize that going home simply isn’t safe for our mental health or physical well-being. Far too often, that leaves people spending Thanksgiving Day alone in an apartment, feeling invisible on a day meant for belonging.
Chosen family is not just a sweet catchphrase. For our community, chosen family is survival, connection, and joy.
That is why PFLAG Safety Harbor & Greater Pinellas is partnering with Megan Marie and Project No Labels to host our Community Friendsgiving Potluck on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm) at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg.
What We Are Building at Allendale
We did not want a stiff, formal dinner where folks feel pressured to mask or perform. We are opening up the Wesley Room, community kitchen, and playground grounds to build a day full of warmth, good food, and zero judgment:
A Massive Shared Potluck: Traditional holiday comfort dishes alongside dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-labeled food so everyone can eat safely with dignity.
Low-Pressure Sensory Lounge: A quiet room with soft seating, dim lighting, and relaxing reads for neurodivergent folks, introverts, or anyone who needs a breather.
Games, Crafts, and Movies: Tabletop coloring and crafts for all ages, classic movies in the background, plus cornhole and kickball outdoors on the lawn.
Communication Lanyards: Optional green, yellow, and red lanyards plus pronoun stickers at the door so you can signal your social bandwidth without having to explain yourself.
The Community Is Already Stepping Up
Organizing a grassroots meal for 40 to 50 people takes a village, and local partners have already blown us away with their generosity:
Grove Surf + Coffee: Donating piping hot coffee totes, cups, and oat milk to keep everyone caffeinated and cozy all morning.
Valhalla Bakery: Providing incredible vegan and gluten-free baked treats for our dessert station.
Tombolo Books: Contributing financial support and a curated box of LGBTQIA+, YA, and neuro-affirming books for free holiday door prizes.
Navigators USA Scouts: Supplying art materials, tabletop games, and activities for youth and families.
How You Can Join Us, Cook, or Support
Whether you are looking for a plate, want to bring a favorite side dish, or just want to help us feed our community, there are a bunch of ways to jump in:
Pull Up a Chair (RSVP): Space is capped around 40 to 50 guests so the room stays comfortable and relaxed. Reserve your spot on Partiful here.
Bring a Dish to Share: We are looking for mains (meat and vegan), hearty sides, rolls, and holiday sweets. Sign up on our Food Form here.
Lend a Hand (Volunteer): Give 30 to 60 minutes for morning setup, food labeling, buffet help, or cleanup. Grab a volunteer shift here (volunteers are full guests too!).
Partner or Sponsor as a Business: PFLAG Safety Harbor is a 501(c)(3) public charity. If you run a local eatery, business, or non-profit, you can sponsor dishes or supplies with full tax-deductible perks through our Sponsorship Sign-Up Form or make a direct contribution through our 501(c)(3) Zeffy Donation Portal.
No one should have to spend Thanksgiving Day feeling like an outsider. There is always a seat for you at our table.
Come as you are. We cannot wait to celebrate with you. 🧡🏳️⚧️
