HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of individuals gathered outdoors a Seminole Heights enterprise as Equality Florida unveiled its new mural.

Gillian Fazio created the mural. She graduated from the College of Florida and designs murals throughout the Tampa Bay space.

She painted a mermaid with a colourful tail on the surface of Sea Maids Creamery.

“We settled on this stunning mermaid that has a rainbow tail. It is iconic. I simply wished to verify she was in a pose that was celebratory, so we’re thriving and we’re right here and it is stunning,” mentioned Fazio.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor attended the celebration together with different metropolis leaders.

Brandon Wolf, Press Secretary for Equality Florida and a survivor of the Pulse Nightclub taking pictures defined the mural is a reminder that LGBTQ youth are welcomed in Tampa Bay. He needs the paintings to encourage others.

“Regardless of what you see by way of LGBTQ laws, you belong in our neighborhood. You are liked. You are valued. You are appreciated. That is imagined to be a beacon of hope and optimism and a reminder of what is attainable in our communities,” mentioned Wolf.

Emily Macias and Zoe Vera, the homeowners of Sea Maids Creamery, opened the enterprise about three years in the past. They mentioned everyone seems to be welcomed at their enterprise.

“We’re a protected house and it is okay to be your self. You are liked,” mentioned Emily Macias.

The homeowners allowed the mural to be painted on the surface of their enterprise.

“Final 12 months, as a part of our annual Tampa gala within the space, we auctioned off the chance to create a mural and that opened up the chance to work with Gillian Fazio, the artist who created this stunning murals and actually in my thoughts turned a beacon locally,” mentioned Wolf.

The mural is positioned on North Florida Avenue and West Genesse Road in Tampa.