Category Archives: GaYBOR Photos

St Patrick’s Day Float GaYBOR Style

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The Preparations and implementaion to have a parade is enormous. Ybor City does have it’s fair share of parades. Most recently, last Saturday, The Annual Rough Riders St Patrick’s Day Parade. For the 5th year in a row, GaYBOR District Coalition has been invited to attend and participate in the big fun Irish event. As being a real spurt of change and ecconomics to Tampa, GaYBOR members ( 60% gay friendly & 40% gay owned businesses/ organizations from all around Florida) are  so proud to participate and show the diversity that GaYBOR/ Ybor City has. We had a blast being a part of the annual Shamrock themed Irish parade.
We are honored to have been invited by the charity giving Rough Riders but there is a segment of the country that doesn’t allow any GLBT participation in any St. Patty’s traditional event..LGBT’s are not allowed in Boston, New York, Chicago and Savannah, Ga parades. Just say’n…
Wake up America it is 2013 !!!

Lighting of the GaYBOR/ Ybor City Holiday Tree

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The official kick off to the 2012 Holiday Season has begun!!!
Groups like: The GaYBOR District Coalition, YCDC &&& Businesses: like Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, G.BAR, Social, MC Film Fest, JJ’s Cafe, Carne, Don Vicente Inn &&& Ybor residents: like Mike, Scott, Rich, Tessa, Jack, Mamma &&& Many Many more organizations and individuals all worked together, under the leadership of Mathieu Stanoch & Florida Entertainment Group, to bring an exciting line up this Holiday Season. Last week volunteers decorated the famous 7th Ave. lamp posts of GaYBOR/ Ybor City. It really looks marvelous and highly welcoming.
On Wednesday, 11-27-12 was the lighting of the Holiday Tree in Centro Ybor. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Santa Clause both did the honor of lighting the 2 story tree. There were 100’s of people and performers from Busch Gardens & The Straz Performing Art Center all there to cheer them on. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, Dec 15, 2012, the date of the next BIG event you will not want to miss and experience! “The Holiday Spirit Parade & Snowing on 7th Ave.”  (We hear there will be snow flying.)

EL GOYA Reunion

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    Friday night was an El Goya Reunion Party and brought back great memories of days past. Bradley’s on 7th was the host to the 30 year old kindling. Hosted by Joey Brooks and a cast of performing entertainers that haven’t performed in years. Attending and performing were some of the Ybor City’s Golden Days Drag stars. The numbers and outrageous outfits were spectacular. Bobbie Lake, Melanie Minyon, Gilda Golden and Joey Brooks. The place was packed with memory hounds, well wishers and renewed friendship seekers. Also was longtime area favorite Drag Star, “Hey Everybody” Stephanie Shippae.
    Memories of the 1980’s days of the very popular gay bar were portrayed by the smiles, talents and friendships that people developed. This was a very visual exciting youthful gay bar that many found out and acted upon their true inner feelings and found a comfort zone.
    “Straight or gay, El Goya was a very popular place to take visiting dignitaries to.” said former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. ” Most people had never even seen a real drag show and it was a very interesting place to take our city’s VIP visiting guests. I loved it. And so did the guests.”
    “Mayor Dick Greco had a reserved table in the front of the stage whenever he wanted it.” commented reunion host Joey Brooks.
    Ybor City’s famous El Goya closed in late 1980’s changed to Tracks and then Pleasure Dome and now Czar.
“It was so unique back then in Ybor City that it was one of 2 businesses that stayed open after dark, the Columbian Restaurant and El Goya. “ said Horst Glamsh, a lifelong Tampa Bay resident, bartender and El Goya Bar frequenter.

GaYBOR District Meeting

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    TIGLFF Executive Director Larry Biddle talked about the 23rd Annual Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival starting October 5th at the Tampa Theatre. What a great time to get out and have fun seeing new GLBT movies being theatrically released for the year. Florida Aquarium’s Animal Registrar, Jason Donnell talked about the future million dollar expansion program of the aquarium, group events and finding the 1900 sunken boat in Hillsborough River. The GaYBOR District gave a $500.00 check to the Holiday Spirit of Ybor Festival for the upcoming 6 week Christmas Holiday events in Ybor City. The next GaYBOR Meeting is October 13th.

 

Once again, GaYBOR Saved the day in Historic Ybor City.

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    Labor Day Sunday FunDay GaYBOR Style was a huge success. The GaYBOR members pulled together and turned a quiet Sunday into a very busy Saturday night. All the GaYBOR Members were very busy. The GaYBOR Bar Crawl started at Barbarella’s with 150+ Party People. The group made their way thru 9 clubs spreading Labor Day Cheer! At the last stop Bradley’s on 7th they were treated to a wonderful, fantastic buffet. Hamburger Mary’s kicked the day off with their Famous Sunday Brunch! Later in the day they had the Legendary Lady Bunny Performing. Romantic dinners at The Laughing Cat & New sidewalk dinning at The Row Boat. New York, New York Pizza had the outside tables filled. The Ybor Social hosted the “Ybor Eagle Reunion Party.” A full day of Friends, Family, Great Food,Cigars, Cocktails & Shopping. To end the day off there was a 4 dimensional Light & Sound, “Black Light – Glow Party” at The Honey Pot. Viva La GaYBOR!!!!

GaYBOR President Guest Speaker @ Sam’s Club

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    GaYBOR District Coalition had a special invitation to address the South Tampa Sam’s Club Mangers, staff and employees in their weekly morning meeting Thursday. GaYBOR Board officers Mark and Carrie arrived for the before 9 AM employee breakfast gathering.
    ” Diversity starts at all levels and areas. Businesses, churches, schools, organizations, and government agencies all have to share in the process.” Carrie said. “Sam’s Club is inclusive of a wide variety of outreaches including GaYBOR District Coalition.”
    Store Manager, Theresa and Human Resource Manager, Christina helped set up the morning speaking engagement to help educate staff & employees of a better understanding of Tampa’s historic Ybor City and GLBT community. After the breakfast we joined the group in a wake up store cheer! GDC now has over 286 GLBTA businesses and residents.
    Sam’s Club in South Tampa is a long time member of the GaYBOR District Coalition and are sponsors to the upcoming GaYBOR’s FREE, ‘5th Annual 7th Ave Health & Wellness Fair’ , September 21st at Metro Wellness Community & Wellness Center in Ybor City.