Category Archives: POW (Photos Of the Week)
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 7-18-12
This week with Mark & Carrie.
GaYBOR on USF Diversity Panel
This Saturday, July 21 there will be a diversity panel including GLBT issues and “coming out” issues with graduate level students at USF Tampa Campus. Carrie West, President of GaYBOR District Coalition is proud to be one of the invited panelists. Arrive at the USF Educational Building, Rm 214 at 9:45 AM. Everybody is invited.
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Leading Up to the RNC
The GOP Republican National Convention in Tampa is less than 6 weeks away. The biggest convention event ever in Tampa and Tampa Bay. This high level national hooraw is like having a big fancy social engagement in your home, except that the convention will be spending upwards to $100 MILLION!. Everybody is busy painting, picking up / cleaning up and planning for the big 4 year political presidential assembly. The big difference is that this is the whole Tampa Bay area that is sweeping up and sprucing up their buildings, parks, streets and businesses in getting everything ready for the conservative come together. Some of our neighbors could use a nudge, “Just Say N”.
I once saw a sign at a party store that read “Your Lack of Planning… Is Not My Problem.” This past Sunday the RNC took over the Tampa Bay Times Forum and Tampa Convention Center now thru the convention. We are sure there will be a lot of OMG moments with this convention. There are already many fun things happening. This past week a cigar company in Ybor came out with this video. LOL LOL
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GaYBOR Sunday FunDay
A little rain didn’t stop the GaYBOR Sunday FunDay!! First stop is always MC Film to see whats new! At Barbarella’s, the Party was moved inside. The Doggie Drag Pageant was a huge hit! At Hamburger Mary’s there are now 3 drag show every Sunday Fun Day!!! Live Music & Great Frozen drinks at Centro Cantina & JJ’s. At Fresh Mouths it’s fun to share a specialty Mango milkshake with your friends. Catch a movie at Muvico 20 for a perfect start of a date day. The shot boies are Hot at RISE Sunday. Liquid TAMPA has become quite the Latino/Club Kid place to be. On Sunday different theme parties & 2 must see shows. It was so HOT at Bradley’s on 7th that the men had to take their shirts off! Who can leave GaYBOR with out a slice of Pizza from NY NY??? They are now remodeling to handle the crowds faster. If you’re looking for a Sunday with just plain Good Clean fun visit GaYBOR!!!
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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“Vodka & the Professor”
(9)
There is a wonderful & kinda nutty professor who is Loved by everybody here in GaYBOR. One night she was so excited that their daughter & son in law were coming for a concert in GaYBOR. The 3 of them & their friends all had a VIP space with bottle service. The perfect son in law ordered the second bottle of Grey Goose. The concert ended and when nobody was looking the daughter poured the rest of the bottle into a water bottle and sneaked it out. Monday, the professor was running late for work so she grabbed some fruit and a bottle of water. In the middle of a lecture she reached into her purse and pulled out a bottle of water & took a big sip! OMG you guessed it. The water bottle was vodka. We asked if she finished the bottle. Our favorite nutty professor just smiled and said it was a very interesting relaxing teaching day. LOL LOL
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Summer Swimwear Still Arriving at MC FILM
New swim suits and tops from Pistol Pete, Unico, Go Softwear and Vulthy Swimwear are still arriving weekly at MC FILM. Come on in to get into the summer beach, pool, or cruise groove! For that on the go. We are open 7 days a week at 8th Ave & 15th Street. 813-247-6233
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Dance Your Pants Off Party
If you’re ever lucky and get a invitation to a GaYBOR/Ybor resident party be sure to say YES!!! The nicest people in the world live in GaYBOR!!! The last 2 years a large number of gays have relocated and have taken residence in shotgun and cigar houses in historic Ybor City. This past weekend was Prada’s Birthday Party!! The party was hosted at the loft home of CJ & Brent & Alexis Mae. The birthday theme was “Dance your Pants Off” as guests arrived they were encouraged to take their pants off and hang them on a rack. It was like a fun pool party without a pool! The rainbow cake was made by Parda’s best girlfriend. A true GaYBOR/Ybor Party with all types of people having a great time together. Thanks everybody for a wonderful night! Viva La GaYBOR!!!
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YCDC Offers Grants For Ybor Events
Ybor City Development Corp is offering financial grants for events or projects in Ybor City. Non profits and organizations have the chance to secure some funding for your project in the historic district. The grants are for October 1, 2012 thru Sept 30th 2013. The money is limited and a grant application has to be in the YCDC office by July 30th at 5pm. Contact the YCDC office on 7th Ave or Ybor Development Corp City website thru the City of Tampa. http://www.tampagov.net/dept_economic_and_urban_development
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Dancers Wanted for The Corner in Asheville, NC.
The owners of “The Corner” a LGBT Club in Asheville, NC are seriously looking for GaYBOR men. Air fare & a guest house to stay at will be provided.The Corner is the newest project of Will “Cherokee”. In Asheville Will is the owner of the successful chain of stores called “The Octopus Gardens.” . If you’re interested give the cub a call at 828-575-2241
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GaYBOR Member of the Week
David Edmund
(54) If you recognize this painting then you know who David Edmund is!!! An contemporary artist born in Brazil. A person who can live anywhere in the world. This international known artist now calls GaYBOR/Ybor City his casa (home). A lot of his work is hanging in the King Corona Gallery on 7th. Some of his work have made it into the rooms of local mayors homes. We were very lucky to have David be one of the invited artist in the “Pianos of Ybor” exhibit. Today you may see his piano at MC Film. David is what makes GaYBOR so wonderful.
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Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/ Niece of the Week
Brandon D’Alvia
(119)
Brandon is a hard working guy who likes his job. Always has a smile on his face and love GaYBOR. You will find Brandon working at Bradley’s on 7th
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Skittles Vodka
From
It’s like hanging out at a frat house! LOL
Facebook Tip
A must do. Join the group facebook group “GaYBOR Knights”today!
Be the first to hear about all the fun in GaYBOR/Ybor City!!!
This group has grown to over 2,100+ members.
Please share your events here & this with all your friends.
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Snap Princess Belina in GaYBOR
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Caught @ MC Film
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Night Time Dining @
The Laughing Cat Bistro
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Celebrities Caught @ Bernini
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DJ @ JJ’s Cafe
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Caught in GaYBOR/Ybor City
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Peter Pan & Dorthy @
Barbarella’s
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Great Friends
Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
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Men of G.BAR
Caught @ G.BAR
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Trip & Will
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
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Caught @ Liquid Tampa
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Collage Night
Caught @ The Social Thursday
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Naughty Toby
Caught @ Steam Fridays
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 7-11-12
Mark & Carrie
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NEW this Week “The Rainbow Table” by Mark & Carrie
A friend once asked us, “What advice do you wish an older Gay person would given you when you were young?” This got us a thinking. Here is something we would like to share.
When you become a couple it is not about you & me anymore. It becomes about “us” or “n” as in Mark n Carrie. We are not saying that you should loose your identity but that a third person is created “us/n”. Life is much easier and a lot more fun if you let “us/n” do the cooking. Here is what we did. Over the years we cook back and forth for each other. Sometimes cooking old family traditions and other times new things. When we both agreed that the recipe was GREAT we would write it down in our “Best Dish” journal. All theses recipes then received the “us/n” stamp of approval. Some times we would also write a note about the recipe too. What fun to come home not knowing what to cook and to just pick up this book. Then to find ourselves saying, “That sounds good, we haven’t had that for a long time!” or “Remember that crazy party when…?”
For many years we have wanted to write a cookbook for our nieces & nephews. With “Dishing with Mark and Carrie” we now have 10′s of 1,000′s of nieces and nephews across the world. Suddenly a light bulb went off. Since we already have our web site www.mcfilm.co why not write it on the site. Now we can share the progress weekly. To be quite honest… by writing one or two recipes a week we actually might get the book written!!! LOL LOL We invite you to join us on this journey of creating our book “The Rainbow Table.”
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Where did the title “Rainbow Table” come from?
We were at a auction with our good friend Marie Hall, a neighbor and good ol Southern Charm Mom. A new classic Florida antique white pedestal dining room table with 6 matching chairs came up for sale. While Carrie was out getting Marie & Mark our beer soaked hot dogs, Mark bought the table. When Carrie came back with the hot dogs Marie leaned over a with a smile laughing said, “How do you like that table Carrie? Mark just bought it!” Carrie was not amused but we took it home that night.
The next day when Carrie came home around 5pm Mark was in the back yard with the chair seats removed and was busy spray painting the chairs. Carrie yelled, “What are you doing?!?!?” Mark said, “You really didn’t think I like antique white chairs, did you?? 6 chairs 6 colors in the Gay Rainbow flag, it’s a natural.” We both laughed and the chairs have been a big conversation piece ever since.
Visit www.MCFilm.co and click on The Rainbow Table.
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July 3rd GaYBOR Style with Mark & Carrie
After dinner we went out for a stroll down 5th Ave in GaYBOR/Ybor City. The sun was just starting to set and the lights were coming on. People forget how beautiful the homes are in GaYBOR/Ybor. Our first stop was at the Crowbar to see Bonnie & Tom. Out on the patio Tom was busy grilling hotdog for the big Annual 4th of July HOTDOG Contest! Inside Bonnie was looking beautiful, as always. We popped into Hamburger Mary’s to say hi. Dinning on the sidewalk was Frank Sinatra with his wife & friend. At New York New Ybor Pizza there were busy remolding. New store front & larger kitchen. Looks like they are keeping the Hot Guys!!! wink wink… At Bradley’s on 7th it looked like a Friday night. Many groups of fun party people getting the party started. Liquid TAMPA’s party was “Candy Land USA” Hosted by DJ Power Infiniti. There was candy every where and we do mean every where!!! On the way to G.BAR we thought we were seeing double!!! A Flaming Orange Honda Element exactly like ours was parked next to us! G.BAR felt like a Wild Saturday Night. Dances on top of the bar everywhere. Miss Esme Russell Hosting a Crazy show and from NYC DJ Chris Cox!!!!
What a Great way to kick off the July 4th Celebration, GaYBOR Style!!!
Viva La GaYBOR
For more Adventures in GaYBOR with Mark & Carrie Visit
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From the Tampa Bay Times
Read in the Tampa Bay Times Miss Melanie Minyon calling BINGO at Hamburger Mary’s.
Congratulations!!!!
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Photo of the Week
Mark & Carrie’s Nephews Justin & Jarrod
Photographer Mark Melnick
Clothing provided by MC Film
Location GaYBOR of Course!!!
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People R Talking
A new night club is opening in Ybor City replacing the old Empire Club on 7th. It is called Dream but will it become a nightmare? The Empire Club had many shootings, 1 shooting death inside and closed last November. St Pete Pride Parade has come and gone. It is interesting to see the attendance counting from the news agencies. Fox network reported 40k there. Channel 10 CBS reported 80,000 as did Tampa Bay Times, Channel 28 ABC & Watermark magazine reported 100,000. Such a disparately in attendees.
What a wonderful surprise as our niece Natalie & boyfriend Ryan came from Satellite Bch for the weekend and surprised her uncles in Tampa. She has a lot of Uncles as she says about all the friends we have and say she is there niece too!
Is it to early to clean up Tampa for the RNC convention? Trees and shrubbery are being planted and after the storm replanted! Trees and shrubbery are being trimmed. New paving jobs are in the works on the Tampa downtown streets. Are the private building owners being responsible and cleaning up and painting their historic frontage structures? The Code Enforcement officers in Tampa told us they have been warned. The biggest convention in Tampa’s history, the GOP National Republican Convention is just 1 month away!
The only tri-lingual (Spanish- Italian English) newspaper in United States is La Gaceta located in Ybor City and is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. The newspaper started in 1922 by Victoriano Mantiega, a lecture at Ybor City cigar companies reading to the hand making cigar rollers. Congratulations to editor/ publisher Patrick Mantiega.
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GaYBOR Member of the Week
PFLAG-Tampa
John & Nancy Desmond
(53)
Tampa Bay has had a number of PFLAG’s (Parents & Friends of Lesbian & Gays) organizations start and close. But because of these 2 devoted individuals John & Nancy Desmond, they have started a new Tampa chapter,created, generated a great awareness to the Gay youth right here in Tampa. They have been active members of GaYBOR District Coalition and recently had booths at St, Pete Pride and the First Pride Event held at the VA Hospital in Tampa
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Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/Niece of the Week
Natalie & Ryan
(118)
We are proud to say that our niece, Natalie and boyfriend, Ryan are our featured nephew and niece. We just love Natalie’s go get’ em energy! Natalie graduated from USF and stayed with us during her off times. And yes, she has hundreds of friends here in Tampa because she brings them all over to our house! Our little Space Shuttle niece was working at Kennedy Space Center and is now at Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach. She is also the Satellite Beach High Swimming Coach and dance instructor at a Greek Church group in Mehlbourne. She got us passes to see the last space shuttle last summerl. She is in a High Security position! We don’t ask and she can’t tell!
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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“Pianos of Ybor”
(8)
The Pianos of Ybor was a social & art exhibit. We purchased 10 pianos had them tuned and then had 10 artist paint the pianos. The pianos were the placed thru out Ybor City in public spaces. Everybody was encouraged to play the pianos. At the end of 6 weeks not one piano as damaged not even the piano beaches!! The pianos were then auctioned off and the moneys were given to charities. On the 1st day we were moving the pianos into lo actions. The pianos were on top of a moving platform. As we were moving down 15th street suddenly Stephen Moss started to play the piano. Who knew he studied class piano!!! More surprises came everyday. Dancer Mica & even the mailman were great pianists.
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You Just Can Not Make This Stuff Up!!!
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! Kinda – Sort of… LOL
“4th of July Fireworks at the SunCoast Resort”
(7)
The fireworks at The Suncoast Resort were one of the crowds favorites. The first few times the maintenance manager would drive to Tennessee and come back with a car load of fireworks. Later after words from the city this all changed and it was done professionally. The fireworks were shot off the second floor of the parking garage. One of the first times one of the rockets went into the garbage dumpster next to the SW building. The fire department was called out to put the fire out. The next time they started to shoot off fireworks somebody tipped off the fire department. With sirens blazing and lights all flashing here came the BIG NEW Fire Truck. They hit the horns and told security to get out of the way here they are coming in. They went straight back to the up ramp to the second floor. Once again security tried to stop the fire trucks but they insisted they were coming in!!! Driving up on the second floor of the garage to stop the fire works. The Suncoast management turned white and ran up to the fire chief. The upper deck of the parking garage was CONDEMEND Unsafe for small cars!!! There sat the new many ton fire tuck. Back up police & fire were called. The garage was closed with 100’s of cars packed in below. VERY SLOWLY the fire truck was backed out with dozens of firemen on radios trying to back out over supports only. Many new large cracks were made in the concrete that long night!
To read more “You just can not make this stuff up” visit
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RNC Rejection Letter
This week we received a media rejection letter from the Committee on Arrangements for the 2012 Republican National Convention. Last fall we applied for special press passes. We thought it would be interesting to cover the Gay Republican Log Cabin & Go Proud GLBT groups from a GLBT perspective. After filling out the online applications the RNC requested, we sent in samples of our “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” newsletter columns and advised we had been writing our column for over 16 years. We sent printouts of our on line blog & copies of magazines that we are in. We have been kept in the RNC loop for media briefings all along though. We were told if you are in the media communications emails it looks good for you to be a RNC accepted journalist. Now 6 weeks before the convention we get this letter.
Several months ago on behalf of GaYBOR District we filled out the online request to use the RNC logo on “Welcome RNC from GaYBOR” posters. We were told NO but we could purchase welcome posters from the RNC.
Humm…….. I’m not saying homophobia, but we are not getting warm fuzzy’s here either. Actually it’s much like the same reception we receive from the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.
In the past Tampa has hosted large national events like the Super Bowls. Leading up to these events there is excitement in the air. People are looking forward to the special events and all the fun festivities. Now here comes the RNC and people are already stressed out and nervous. It feels more like we are getting ready for a natural disaster like a out of control hurricane coming.
With Gay PRIDE,
Mark & Carrie
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Caught at Muvico 20 Centro Ybor
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Christian & Bobbie & the Crowbar
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Dogs Welcome at Centro Cantina
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Great Food & Service
@ Fresh Mouth
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Great Pizza @ NY NY Pizza
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Judy B. Goode @ Bad Monkey
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Field Trip to Ybor
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Caught @
Bradley on 7th
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Sunday FunDay
@ Liquid Tampa
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G.BAR
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Cast of Steam Fridays
Party @ Steam Fridays
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Cast of Hamburger Mary’s
Stephanie Shippae”
@ Hamburger Mary’s Every Sunday
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Collage Night
@ the Social
Dishing with Mark & Carrie 7-3-2012
SPECIAL EDITION
PRIDE & July 3rd Celebrations
Congratulations
St. Pete Pride Breaks 100,000 Attendees
It was a perfect day for the 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Parade and Street Festival. Sunny, light breezes and positive energy in the air! A day where diversity mattered to so many people. Multi-news agencies and St Pete Police reported the crowd to be over 100,000! That is a feather in the St. Pete Prides Board. Congratulations from the whole GLBTA community! The variety of businesses that were in the parade was extreme.Over 120 entries in this years promenade and 2 protesters! Major corporations including many national health care companies Florida Blue & Humana, Frito Lay Chips, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Wells Fargo Bank’s six horses pulling their recognized big red stagecoach, political candidates including St Pete Councilman Steve Kornell and Hills Cty Comm. Kevin Beckner, lawyer firms, Leather Tribe, community non profits, church faiths, publications, Dykes on Bikes and of course GaYBOR District float. 300 vendors stayed the hot sun to talk and network with the large friendly audience. Noted no drunks or revelers were arrested at the parade!
The St. Pete Grand Central District has come together and have put on a fabulous and the largest Gay Pride Parade in Florida. The pictures show it best and we are glad to have pictures of St. Pete Pride’s big day at www.MCFILM.co .
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1st Gay Pride Celebration at Tampa VA Hospital
A Great First Veterans Administration Pride Tradition started with an auditorium of GLBT organizations exhibiting. A super luncheon by Hamburger Mary’s, a most impressive decorated rainbow cake from Publix Grocery and the Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor behind the mic at Tampa’s James Haley VA Hospital Friday. “Let people know who you areA new division of positions in the VA hospitals is the GLBT Liaison group. A first for the U.S. Veterans Hospitals across the country since President Obama claimed June Pride month and let GLBT military members enlist openly and stay in the military.
In attendance were veterans and hospital workers both GLBT or just supportive of the new GLBT groups efforts. PFLAG, Bear Groups, United Church of Christ, Metro Wellness, local GLBT magazines, U.S. Veterans Administration groups, Dishing with Mark & Carrie and GaYBOR District Coalition.
More photos @
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Swiss Delegation Tour GaYBOR
GaYBOR District was proud to showcase GaYBOR in Historic Ybor City with 20 business and government leaders from Switzerland, Edelweiss Airlines executives, 6 Swiss GLBT journalists, a Swiss TV Camera crew and European TV personalities. The “asked for tour” by the Swiss delegation requested a tour of the GaYBOR District in Historic Ybor City. The night included a European style dinner at Laughing Cat Restaurant and then an Official Meet & Greet event with local Tampa leaders at Don Vicente Historic Inn. Other samplings of the Landmark designated district were at Jose Marti Park, G.BAR, Stone Soup Company, Metro Wellness & Community Centers, TECO Streetcar, King Corona Cigars, Hamburger Mary’s, Honey Pot, Centro Ybor Complex, Bradley’s on 7th and Liquid Tampa.
Many Tampa City and Hillsborough County officials were very instrumental in participating in the “Discover GaYBOR District Swiss Tour”. THANK YOU to the GaYBOR GLBTA Business and Community residents in making these international guests very welcomed to GaYBOR/Ybor City – Tampa!
Franco @ Laughing Cat
taking Great care of the Swiss Delegation
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GaYBOR in St. Pete Pride
More photo @
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The St. Pete Pride’s Stonewall Commemorative Reception Sponsors Night at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts was another great undertaking for St. Pete Pride. The 10th Anniversary of St. Pete Pride’s VIP event had the finest in entertainment. Una Voce Florida Men’s Choral sang and entertained in a choreographed show stomping rendition of classic and modern revamped signature songs. “Hostess and Mistresses of So Many Things” comedic Christine O’Leary just didn’t start the St. Pete fire she added fuel to the great comedy of laughter in the crowds. Awarded by St. Pete Pride’s Chris Rudisill for years of continuous Pride laughter, a framed picture of the famous lesbian on the cover of Watermark Magazine.
And we haven’t even gotten to the over the top Blue Boy and Pink Girl flower arrangements yet!
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GaYBOR Member of the Week
Bryan Chan
The Queen & I Restaurant
A founding member of the GaYBOR District Coalition. Bryan Darling always has a big warm smile! His restaurant is located at 2410 Central Ave and was the Official GaYBOR beer stop during St. Pete Gay Pride!!!!
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Mark & Carrie’s Nephew/Niece of the Week
Cassandra Hair
Born & raised in Ybor City Cassandra is what makes Ybor so Fantastic. Always a big smile and up beat personality. She even know how to smoke a Ybor Cigar!!! The next time you see her out…. do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to her!
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Congratulations Mike & Scott
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GaYBOR Ambassador Brenda Hollaway at La Terrazza with Mark & Carrie
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Pride Glow Party @ The Honey Pot
Click Here for More Photos
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New Club Opens in GaYBOR
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Roof Top T-Dance @ Barbarella’s
Click Here for More Photos
Best Sunday FUNday Drinks @ Barbarella’s
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Miss Arica Love on the GaYBOR walk of Fame
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New Entrance to NY NY Pizza
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The Ladies of Hamburger Mary’s
Miss Joey Brooks & Kenny showing Pride Colors
@ Bradley’s on 7th
Click Here for More Photos
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Crazy Fun @ Liquid TAMPA
Click Here for More Photos
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College Night @ The Ybor Social
Click Here for More Photos
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North Dakota Men @ Liquid TAMPA
Click Here for More Photos
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From the MC Film Fest Mail Bag….
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of St. Pete Pride – THANK YOU for making the 10th Annual Pride in Paradise such a huge success!! With record numbers in attendance and clear beautiful skies, the 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival & Promenade was the best one yet! We’d especially like to thank all of the many volunteers who helped make this day and the events throughout the month of June possible. Without the community – this event wouldn’t exist and we should all be very proud.
For one day, a record number of folks – gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight and of all races and nationalities came together as ONE on the streets of St. Petersburg to celebrate their diversity, strengthen the bonds that pull us together and increase recognition for further LGBT Equality. THANK YOU for being a part of that astounding accomplishment.
At the end of the weekend I was reminded of a simple lesson – “Act like you do on the day of Pride – where diversity is celebrated, our advances in equality are acknowledged and our fight is recognized.” Just imagine the difference in the world if we considered that with everyone we met. Even after a long Pride weekend here in Florida and beyond the tiredness the important reasons of Pride ring clear.
Many have asked the question, “Where was the flag?” Just to put all rumors to rest – the flag was scheduled for the 10th anniversary and we are also disappointed that it wasn’t part of the festival it has been a part of since its inception. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the flag which is donated for use annually from a group in Ft. Lauderdale did not make it to the festival. It is planned for a return in 2013 and make sure to save the date for the 11th Annual Pride in Paradise on June 29, 2013!!
With Pride,
Chris Rudisill
Executive Director
St. Pete Pride
Post your photos of the event on www.facebook.com/stpetepride
Stay tuned for more events coming soon!! www.stpetepride.com
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