Happy 2014 Everyone!
Look Back at Good Ol’ 2013
Mark & Carrie 35th Anniversary & Tampa Domestic Partnership Registry
Mark & Carrie from MC FILM celebrated their 35th Anniversary with a special touch. They ceremoniously registered downtown Tampa at City Clerk Office for the Tampa’s Domestic Partnership Registry. The duo were honored to have Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, some of the Tampa City Council members, Brothers and sisters, and 100 friends and local media gathered and witnesses the ceremony.
“We were honored to sign the certificate from pens given to us by Mayor Buckhorn when he signed the city law making DPR possible.” the couple said.
Tampa is one of the many progressive cities and counties in Florida allowing Domestic Partnership Registries.
Selected Mark & Carrie as Grand Marshal of 2013 St Pete Pride
It was with great pleasure that we were selected as one of the three 2013 St Pete Pride Grand Marshals. The Tampa Bay community came out in the light rainy day to an attendance of over 150,000. The fun and excitement was that nobody left!
Pride was divided into 3 Grand Marshal categories; Men, Women and Organization. Winning men was Mark & Carrie, Winning woman was Susan McGrath and Winning community organization was Metro Wellness & Community Centers
Mark & Carrie Graduates, “The City of Tampa Citizen Police Academy”
Click here for the whole story & photos
New Trees Planted Over Community Outcry in Ybor City
After the destruction and removal of 120 street lined trees in October 2012 in Historic Ybor City. The community wasted no time in approaching the Tampa City Council with questions. Even at that point City members were very confused and uninformed. No, there really wasn’t a definite reason. The ones that were given were lame excuses and really had residents outraged and P**sed off.
New olive trees 2013 were planted for replacements and are being watered earlier part of this past year. It may take a few years or decades but it is better than nothing!
Good Bye Community Friend, Donald Vanderboegh
New Same Sex Love Song goes to America’s TOP 10, “Same Love”
Hip Hoppers Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and singer Mary Lambert gave a surprise gift to the GLBT community and Gay Marriage Proponents. Their Gay Marriage Hit song, “Same Love” went to America’s Top 10 songs being played last spring, summer and fall. It is really a huge ”across the music crowds” hit lists and explains GLBT’ plight to have equal marriage rights with a huge homophobia fear here in the United States. Who would of thought! Starting lyrics tell a visual existence in this major hit song.
“When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay,
‘Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight.
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She’s like “Ben you’ve loved girls since before pre-k, trippin’ “
Hillsborough County Commissioners Change LGBT Stance
Kudos to straight ally Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe for bringing the annual GaYBOR Days a commendation that the Gay Friendly Business organization wanted for 6 years. Gay Comm. Kevin Beckner told the GaYBOR leaders of the possibility earlier in May. It wasn’t until the June Hillsborough County Commissioners that had strong community input and voted to repeal the 2005 Anti-gay law that had stated, “Nothing GLBT be promoted, acknowledged or funded in and by Hillsborough County.” It always made the GLBT community feel like 2nd class tax paying citizens. It was repealed unanimously by the commissioners 7-0! Again Kudos!
The GaYBOR District Coalition has received for the Annual GaYBOR Days, National Proclamations and Commendation from President Barrack Obama, U.S. House of Representatives, Florida State Senate, Tampa City Council and Tampa Mayor’s Pam Iorio & Bob Buckhorn. Only then Hillsborough County Commisioners neglected to acknowledge the diverse group of 260 business members.
With what has happened…Now, let’s move forward.
Florida Petition for Marriage Equality Unveiled
A 750,000 petition drive to grant same sex marriages in Florida started in July. Head Chair Vanessa Brito & her Miami partner, Heather started the grass roots ‘Equal Marriage Florida’ petition drive with a lot of regional co-chairs coming on board to support this statewide measure. The petitions will get the item on the Florida ballot for voters to choose.
Today we have over 15 states dedicated to equal marriage rights and we don’t think Florida should come in last!
Boy Scouts of America Accept Gay Scouts
In May, the 113 year old Boys Scouts of America are reversing their decision to let Gays into the organization. It was 1991 that the BSA barred any gay individual to be a part of the organization. Many mixed feelings but the change had over 65 percent of the voting scout chapters wanting to make the positive move and forward change.
The effective change date was Jan 1, 2014. Now let us see what happens.
U.S. Supreme Court GLBT’s Positive Rulings
ENDA and Prop 8 were the big GLBT changes.
Pope Francis Open Minds to More Than Catholics
New Businesses Open in GaYBOR
The new Ybor City Wine Bar, Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza, Tequilla’s to name a few.
Tampa Tops HRC’s Municipal Index of Florida Cities
Also Oakland Park, Tallahassee, Wilton Manors and St. Petersburg.
St Pete Elects Openly Gay Candidates for City Council in 2013
Newly elected open GLBT members to the St. Petersburg City Council are Darden Rice and Amy Foster. Already on the council is Councilman Steve Kornell. Congratulations.. The newly elected GLBT Super Friendly Mayor Rick Kriseman takes office also Jan 1st!
St Pete Pride Welcomes over 150,000 to PRIDE 2013
It was and is the biggest Gay PRIDE event in Florida. More to come….. Thanks Erik
Caught @ Steam Fridays
