Thank You “The Daughters of the American Revolution”
We are so happy to see this! On a personal note, we both are “Sons of the American Revolution”: our 4th great grandfathers fought in the American revolution.
Long before she became a household name, The Lady Chablis was a force of nature on the stages of Savannah. The Grand Empress of Savannah carved out her legacy in the city’s nightlife, most notably at the old Club One on Jefferson Street.
Her life took a turn toward international fame in 1994 with the publication of John Berendt’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Playing herself in the subsequent film adaptation, Chablis showed off her sharp wit and fierce, unapologetic authenticity to the world, permanently cementing her place as a Savannah icon! (Personally, I thought she was the highlight of the whole movie)
Beyond the glamour and her famous catchphrases, she was a trailblazer for the transgender community, commanding respect and visibility at a time when both were hard to come by. Her passing in 2016 marked the end of an era, but her rebellious, brilliant spirit remains if you know where to look!
Obituary
Rest in Peace and May your memories be a blessing.
Ybor City is one of the most Diverse Communities in the world. Enjoying a cocktail at Bradley’s on 7th and watching the world go by. It doesn’t get any better than this!
Happy Juneteenth
Happy Father’s Day
Porch Goose Club of America
Who knew that there was a Goose Club!!!! Count us in. Here is the PRIDE Goose from Deb’s font porch! YAAAAAAA
At the USF Tampa campus, where LGBTQ+ and drag shows were once staples of semester nighttime events, students are beginning to notice a shift in the university’s programming priorities. USF’s Campus Activities Board has hosted many LGBTQ+ themed events in the past — including Pride Night in spring 2024 and spring 2025, as well as a Pride Showcaseand a Jumanji-themed drag show in fall 2025. Read more at
A place to collect, protect and share our community with the world. No place in the Louvre does it state Da Vinci was a gay man, nowhere in the Vatican does it say Michelangelo was a gay man, the Library of Congress doesn’t claim that Rita Mae Brown or Susan Sontag were lesbians. No concert hall tells us Leonard Bernstein was bisexual or theater reminds us that Tennessee Williams was gay.
All those people who came before us and will come after us deserve to be celebrated for who they are and for what they accomplished. That is how we understand history and the body of culture they created.
FREE trees, compost, educational sessions & more at our first annual Earth Fair! This family-friendly celebration will also feature live music, food trucks & hands-on activities. Join City departments and sustainable community partners as we highlight ways we’re building a healthier, more resilient Tampa.
Calling all Spanish teachers — past, present, and future! If you or someone you know is a Spanish teacher, we would love to connect with you. We’re exploring the return of Spanish lessons at Centro Asturiano de Tampa and are seeking Spanish teachers interested in being part of this future offering. Classes would be held one night a week and designed for adult learners in our historic Ybor City building. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to be considered as we plan this program, please email ansley@centroasturianotampa.org.
Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
The newly released on Oct 3, Netflix show, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” is currently #1 with viewers nationwide. Ed Gein, a single, deranged Wisconsin farmer, is a name associated with a specialty genre of movies such as Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller, “Psycho”, the drive-in B-film, “TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE”, and the 1991 film hit scary drama with superstar casts Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, “The SILENCE OF THE LAMBS”. This is also a name and person that I was personally associated with through my parents and my Aunt Grace.
I was very young in kindergarten in the fall of 1957 when my parents picked me up from grade school in Plover, Wisconsin. “We were heading on a small trip,” I was told.
I remember so vividly that cold, snowy fall day when my father was conversing with my grandfather West in the front seat of the car. Mom was sitting in the back seat of our green Buick, where I got in and sat next to her. I was so excited to know where we are heading and who we are going to see, especially with grandpa with us.
I was told, “We were heading to Plainfield just for a ride! Then stop at the café to get something for lunch.” my mom said softly, giving me a hug.
The 15 minute ride south had us running into a lot of cars parked on the side of the road and police patrols with their lights on. All I could wonder and ask was, ‘what and where are we headed to?
We were off to the Ed Gein house and farm where newspapers, radio, tv reports had put this small town in Wisconsin on the map. My Aunt Grace had a farm market and knew this guy, Ed Gein, who was a pretty peculiar guy and came to pick up vegetables bi-weekly. She talked about him as being weird but friendly.
We slowly drove by the little white house amongst the bare trees and barn where hundreds of people were walking around and were on the small dirt road to the farm. Police were doing traffic control as was the Wisc. State Patrol.
“A crazy SOB!” my grandfather said as they were talking and my dad waved to people he recognized. This was known through the community and country as the “Butcher of Plainfield “ for murdering women, cannibalizing women, digging up graves, and making clothes out of the women’s hides to wear and to dress in. A day I have always remembered and followed!
MONSTER: The Ed Gein Story
Meet Twila Holiday
This incredible Drag Host is now every other week at Kurt’s Place Tampa. Also, the Sawmill Campgrounds. She will remind you of the Legendary Drag Host “Miss Rich Field 1981”.https://www.facebook.com/missrichfield1981/ become Twila Holiday Facebook friend today. Do not miss her next show.
For 12+ years “The Judy B Goode & Paul Thomas Show” has been performing to SOLD OUT audiences at the Holender Hotel. Every show is different and has new acts. Click here to see the photos from the last show. https://www.mcfilm.co/category/great-photos/special-events-photos/
Bert Crawford… WT Grant’s building Ybor City…..before his tragic death in 1993 the word was actor River Phoenix wanted to open his own night club in Ybor City. In 1995 Michael Tubbs, heir to the Gatorade fortune and boyfriend of River’s sister, founded a night club called “Rubb” (which was one of Phoenix’s nicknames) in this building…. https://www.facebook.com/groups/614408325353551/
A silver gelatin print in the Tampa Bay History Center’s collection captures Tampa’s “new” City Hall, completed in 1915, adorned with lights and patriotic bunting. This image is part of a large archive of postcards recently donated to the History Center.
Explore more of Tampa’s past during Archives Awareness Week, July 13-19, which marks the city’s 138th birthday. The week includes 14 free public programs and multiple exhibitions. For a full schedule, visit https://www.tampa.gov/city-clerk/aaw
Here are some ways you can get involved locally in Hillsborough County.
5/10 Gen-Z Outreach at Southern Nights Tampa!
5/17 Canvass Ybor with the LGBTQ+ Caucus
5/22 May Equality Social – How To Def*nk The Democratic Party: A Discussion Of Our Future at Corner Club Tampa.
More to come including special guest speakers from the Conversion Therapy Survivors Network on 05/14 at our general membership meeting at 1920 Ybor City.
