Homophobia in GaYBOR
Prejudice exist every where whether you want to admit to it or not. The real test is how you deal with it when it happens. This past week our Yborite friend Mathieu Stanouch had just gotten off work and was making a purchase at 7-11 Store in our historic Ybor City, when a tourist man loudly called him a “faggot” and more. Mathieu did the right thing and just let it go. When Mathieu walked out side it became worse. There was the visitor to our lovely historic Ybor City, known by the attire he wore and now with others dressed still calling out the “Fag” word.
Mathieu did the right thing again and simply took out his cell photo and started taking photo and video. His next call was to Ernie Webb, the President of the GaYBOR District Coalition. You see the men calling names were all visiting Shriners, in uniforms, in Tampa for their huge national convention. After several more calls to Tampa Officials, the conference President of the Shiners called to apologize.
What happened next was incredible. Mathieu was invited to watch the parade down 7th Ave from the Presidents tent. Then the next day, August 18, Mathieu was invited to the Tampa Convention Center for an open convention apology from the called out person who called the names. This is no small matter!
Below is a copy of the press release issued that day. We applaud the fast and swift actions by the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Inc. It means so much to the LGBTA Community to know that our Government officials, Police & Community leaders will back us up in difficult times.
THANK YOU TAMPA!!!!
Historic Ybor City have a Newly Renovated Great Pool
This old building structure on North 15th Street and Columbus Ave has been closed for 7 years and many new arriving residents didn’t even know that it was a city pool. Historic Cuscaden Pool in the VM Ybor district reopened after a major city facelift and reconstruction surgery in sorts. The fanfare was great with local council members reliving tales of the pool they had a chance to learn to swim at. This is a survival mechanism for community kids to have so they don’t drown and can share the youthful pool memories, was the overtone of the reopening and dedication.
Councilman Charlie Miranda started the dedication. He had lived a few blocks away when he was growing up, “So this is the spot” he said, “where he and his school friends learned to swim.”
Councilwoman Yolie Capin who also grew up in Ybor City and just blocks away from the city pool, said she too learned to swim at Cuscaden Pool with her neighbors and friends when she was growing up.
” It is really beautiful now.” she said.
Also attending the reopening celebration was Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Council members Mike Suarez, Guido Maniscalco, Harry Cohen and Frank Reddick. Clerk of Courts Pat Frank, Cty Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, Cty Public Defender Julie Holt, Tpa Police Chief Eric Ward, Tpa Fire Chief Thomas Forward and a dozen Cuscaden family members that traveled from around the country.
The Cuscaden Pool was named after Arthur Cuscaden, a former Tampa City councilman and board of education member in 1930’s. The large blocks of orange groves land was given to the city for a multi sports park. It still remains today as a basketball, softball, soccer, and football fields. Now the large historic above ground oval pool adds to the community.
The above ground pool is only 1 of the 135 above ground pools built by Michigan engineer Wesley Bintz in the 1930’s. How many pools still exist is in question. The project was paid for by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the New Deal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 1930’s programs employing millions of unemployed American workers in constructing infrastructures and projects all across these great United States. From building community buildings, community high schools, federal buildings, state roads to the great Hoover Dam. The plan restarted America after the Great Depression in 1929.
The local $3.2 million dollar Tampa pool project had its ups and downs. Considering that the 1937 built Cuscaden Pool had a big red X placed on its renovation plans in 2013 by city officials. It had leaks, structural defects and was closed because of major foundation concerns in 1999. After a $2.5 million dollar city approved patch repair was reopened in 2005. But short lived, just 4 years later when it was closed again by leaks and disrepair!
After taking office in 2011 Mayor Bob Buckhorn had concerns about trying to refix what was suppose to have been fixed. In a report city engineers stated that the pool problems that are occurring now were new problems. City Council members took a very stern role in the community fix up efforts. The Roy Jenkins Pool Park on Davis Island was also recently repaired with controversy in 2014 and is another historic Bintz above ground pool.
“It shows what kind of community we have.” said Councilwoman Capin.
Councilman Frank Reddick, representing where the city’s pool is located, also said, ‘Council people have to make a stand!’ Reddick further added that , ” I never had learned to swim and had lived in a segregated time in Tampa growing up where blacks could not go to use city pools.”
We are proud and honored that Councilman Reddick reached out to Mark & Carrie for help and advocacy in saving the Cuscaden Park Pool.
Cuscaden Pool is located at 2900 North 15th Street and is maintained by the City of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Dept. Membership is minimal. Swim lessons and classes for all ages.
