Grow It: Pride, Plague, and Perseverance in the 1990s

The 1990s brought both progress and profound grief. The AIDS epidemic devastated the LGBTQ community nationwide, and Jacksonville was no exception. Many LGCAJ board members passed away or stepped back due to the emotional and financial toll. Yet from this hardship emerged new leadership. Attorney Kim Blankenship helped re-establish the organization as Community Rainbows, Inc., and reignited the fire of Pride in Jacksonville.

The revival was a testament to the resilience of a community that refused to disappear. Even when institutional support faltered, LGBTQ Jacksonville found a way to regroup and keep moving forward. Community Rainbows served as a platform for multiple programs and projects that addressed everything from HIV testing to cultural events. This decade proved that Pride wasn’t just about celebration—it was about survival.