Matt Lawrence on Facebook

This week on Facebook, Matt Lawrence asked an interesting question to the gay community.
“Why are LTR gay relationships scarce in Tampa Bay?” A question that had many people thinking, commenting and answering there inner selves. And most of all a question that needs to be answered by the GLBT community. The comments were most interesting. A Great question Matt!!!!

???? I can only think of two couples that have been together, any substantial amount of time, in this community of thousands in Tampa Bay. Why aren’t there more? I don’t get it. And isn’t that what most people want, is to have someone, not be alone etc…. Im not questioning people being single, I am questioning why LTR’s are extremely scarce in gay tampa?

    • Kyle Lam I feel u Matt. I wonder why too.

      Monday at 8:22pm ·
    • Nicholas Mack Rkc they are scarce in most places (except for a few very rare occasions)

      Monday at 8:25pm ·  ·
    • Mick Santiago I was in what I thought was a relationship that would finally take me out of the race, but these days I and others are learning to stand independently and learn to “want” someone NOT “need” someone… I’m now starting t look up again when I walk… 🙂 I hope there is someone out there for all of us…

      Monday at 8:41pm ·  ·
    • Dale James Maybe it’s just the people you know.

      Monday at 8:57pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE No Dale, that’s why I said of the thousands I know, since Ive worked in the community since 1999, I can only name a few lol

      Monday at 9:00pm ·  ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE Travis, that’s a shame, cause relationships are about personal growth, and if one is always moving on to the next, they are never experiencing the personal growth that relationships teach.

      Monday at 9:01pm ·  ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE ?@ Jacob, true, but the grass isn’t always greener as they say 🙂

      Monday at 9:01pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE Jason you are so correct. We hear it all the time in our television and print media, where they essentially say whenever anything negative occurs, “move on.” People are so quick to run, which isn’t always bad, I just think people are viewing any type of problem as totally unnacceptable.

      Monday at 9:03pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE Stand tall Mick lol

      Monday at 9:03pm ·
    • Mått Stêiñßãçh idk what a LTR is LOL someone explain

      Monday at 9:13pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE i dont know what idk is lol…just kidding….long term relationship lol

      Monday at 9:14pm ·
    • Mått Stêiñßãçh ohhhhhh long term i wish i had those 🙁

      Monday at 9:14pm ·
    • David Blake LTR’S are extremely here in the Tampa Bay area,just finding descent friends in Gay Tampa are extremely scarce.But i try not to give up hope for that special someone.-).

      Monday at 9:20pm ·
    • Nolan Kline I actually have a decent explanation for this but it draws from a lot of social theory. Let me know if you’re interested in knowing more!

      Monday at 9:23pm ·
    • Travis Rogers I couldn’t agree with you more on that one Matt

      Monday at 9:24pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE You may continue Nolan 🙂

      Monday at 9:24pm ·
    • John Butler I was with my first lover for 11yrs and my third lover for 18yrs, What do you consider long term?

      Monday at 9:25pm ·
    • Tim Durling Very interesting question! Very important one, too, I think.

      Monday at 9:25pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE Really John lol, that beyond qualifies lol…When I wrote this I meant I generally dont see people in relationships that have continued past six or eight months sadly.

      Monday at 9:27pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE I was waiting for you to chime in Tim… UR never one to stay quiet lol

      Monday at 9:30pm ·
    • Tim Durling I was brief, however… I could go on for several paragraphs, but I won’t. Hahaha. Best to you, my friend! 🙂

      Monday at 9:36pm ·
    • Nolan Kline

      Haha, well of course there are no absolutes–I’m sure there are many examples of gay couples that have been together for substantial periods of time, but I do think your question has merit. Many sociologists and anthropologists have ideas on this, but personally, I would argue that it’s a process of hegemony. Hegemony is the process by which people willingly accept their own subjugation and actively take part in it. Hegemonic ideologies are distributed through media, social structures, etc. If we look at how gay culture is portrayed in media, it’s often associated with intense consumption or excess of goods, alcohol, sexual partners and more. Monogmoous relationships don’t really fit into the excess and consumption model. So, returning to hegemony, what does this mean? Why would gay men be portrayed in media as having a fun lifestyles of excess and consumption that they buy into and replicate? Because, looking at this through the lens of hegemony, if gay men are not monogamous then the process of gay coupling will not challenge the unquestioned dominance of heteropatriarchy. Conversely, heteropatriarchy would be toppled if homosexuals were paired as often as heterosexuals. I hope that makes sense…

    •  

    • Monday at 9:39pm ·

    • Matt LAWRENCE Nolan, Ive said this before, my mother is an author, my parents were both school teachers, I went to a private school, but my grammar is beyond terrible lol…. What you wrote looks great, I just couldn’t keep up with all your big words lol

      Monday at 9:46pm ·
    • Nolan Kline HA! No, I’m sure I may just need to refine the way explain things!

      Monday at 9:48pm ·
    • Dante Queen because most gay men just wanna fuk, that’s why im still single cuz i want more than that

      Monday at 10:07pm ·
    • Tim Durling Is gay Tampa ready for growth and progress toward a deeper more meaningful level of relationship building, both on a “couple” level and on a “community” level? Thoughts?

      Monday at 10:29pm ·
    • Hart Tomas

      Unfortunately this phenomenon is not limited just to Tampa Bay- Part of it here is that this area has probably a higher transient population than other cities. But the primary consideration is just the biological wiring of the male of the species, we are pre-programmed to be hunters and gatherers, and not really programmed for monogamy,straight or gay- but trying to get two people that are programmed that way together and to stay together increases the odds against it. It’s not a new problem but the reality sucks as each generation realizes it and comes to terms with it collectively and individually. Hang in there, like they say MR. Right will show up when you least expect him and when you stop looking so hard for him. 🙂 ?

      Monday at 10:37pm ·

    • John Telander my last relationship went fourteen years

      Monday at 10:53pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE ?@ hart, I’m not single lol, haven’t been for a long time 🙂

      Monday at 11:30pm ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE U go john 🙂

      Monday at 11:30pm ·
    • Richard Zulkowski

      My partner and I have been together 8 years and counting we have had ups and downs. But he is my best friend and I love him with all my heart. Most gay men look at is he hot does he have cash or is he well hung. All are great but will not help you find true love. Follow your heart not your dick. This is my advice. My bf is hot and well hung but poor. But I love his brain over his body. Look to marry your best friend and not a sweet piece of ass

    • Monday at 11:55pm ·

    • Matt LAWRENCE Richard I a not single and haven’t been for years… but thank u for your tacky, beyond tacky lol, words…

      Yesterday at 1:07am ·
    • Jason Cammuse I still view Florida as a transient state and somehow this influences the temporality of relationships. Always someone better moving into the neighborhood and unitl that mentality waivers in the general population then relationships will suffer.

      Yesterday at 2:09am ·
    • Jason Cammuse Oh and that’s not inherent soley in the Bay area but most urban areas in Florida!

      Yesterday at 2:10am ·
    • Jeremy Gloff People say they want a man but they really want a mannequin.

      Yesterday at 2:29am ·
    • David Schauer And fewer all the time

      Yesterday at 3:45am ·
    • Judy B Goode Mark and carrie from MC Film have been together 32 years!!!!

      Yesterday at 6:34am ·
    • Doublemband MikeMonrad Mario Jooste We just celebrated 16 years!….

      Yesterday at 7:27am ·
    • George Henry not just in tampa,its everywhere,mostly has to do with ppl not wanting to compromise,sacrifice,..alot of guys have this whole fairy tale image in their mind of who they should be with,and an extremely selfish mindset in general,,it takes a lot of hard work and patience to stay with someone as long as my friends jeff and devin have been together,and there still going strong!!

      Yesterday at 7:49am ·
    • Bob Cristaldi Call me I will give you the answer!

      Yesterday at 8:00am ·
    • Brian Longstreth

      Matt, maybe it’s where you chose to hang out that you don’t see the other couples.. look up Florida Gulf Coast Couples, look in many of the older neighborhoods in St Petersburg, and you’ll find them working on their homes, yards, raising families etc…go to Home Depot or Lowes….they are there. they aren’t into the clubs, rarely go to the beach, but do eat out often in many smaller restaurants throughout the city, many of them owned by long term gay couples. They get involved in other civic activities, arts, theater, and socializing with other couples and friends. They are out there…..

    • Yesterday at 8:11am ·
    • Jack Oneal Cause most gay men, just like straight men can not keep their dicks in their pants… just saying

      Yesterday at 8:32am ·
    • Jason Peterson

      I’ve had the same question for years Matt. Not only in Florida. I’ve lived up and down the East Coast and the plague seems to be evident throughout. I too, can only name a few couples that have been together long enough to consider an LTR, but a deeper question for me – “Why don’t most couples believe in monogamous relationships?” To me, that’s one of the most important parts of a “relationship.” Call me old fashioned (or maybe a little naive) but I believe in “Foresaking All Others” – I’ve found that and I hope anyone else that wants the same will find it too… It does exist, you just have to be strong enough to stick it out…

      Yesterday at 8:59am ·

    •  

      Mark Carrie We LOVE YOU!!! M&C

      Yesterday at 10:45am ·
    • Brian Humphries A LOT of people in Tampa are flakes! And it stinks cause a lot of people are not from here either….On a side note there are relationships that have lasted a long time…You just do not really see them in bars/clubs that often :)..

      23 hours ago ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE ?@ both brians…yes ur correct, we just don’t here about them cause they ain’t on here postin details about it or out at bars or clubs together either. Good points 🙂

      10 hours ago ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE And congrats mark and carrie… I know some vodka and meyers dark has helped lol

      10 hours ago ·
    • Matt LAWRENCE Good pt jason 🙂

      10 hours ago ·
    • Al AlandChucktravel Ferguson someone should forward this entire string to Watermark…finally something not so trivial on FB! LOL. Commitment…in good times but more importantly bad times. To have that person be your best friend and best friend’s stand by you and tell you the truth. My partner Chuck Scott has been my partner for 24 years. I was nothing before him. I am his. He is mine.

      5 hours ago ·  ·
    • Larry Wood

      I also think being originally from here and moved away for a while, Its not only here. We are taught by movies, tv, novels ect that with love theres those damn butterflies. when the butterflies are gone its time to move on, wasn real ect when in reality there is no perfect person out there its up to YOU as well as the other person to keep the spark/butterflies alive. Love the person your with faults and all because when your committed to each other no one will have your back or love you the way that person will.

       

Sawmill Campground – First Gay Co-Op in America

Below is from Al Ferguson
 
 “BREAKING NEWS: Sawmill Campground Becomes America’s FIRST Gay Community! It’s official, Thursday, April 28 the document signing takes place where the 50,000 members and residents become the owners of the 120 acre Sawmill Resort. This will make Sawmill the FIRST Gay Co Op in America. Shareholders have purchased Sawmill from a straight business owner for $4.2 million. Sawmill owns two full liquor bars, food outlets, 106 permanent home sites, more than 270 accommodation offerings including Cabins, RV sites and electric and primative tenting.

Sawmill is now and will become one of Florida’s largest Gay Charity supporters as NOT FOR PROFIT. Sawmill also has a full SAWMILL CHARITIES 501c3 and combined in total efforts raises more than $100,000 a year for Charity!

AMERICA’S first gay community is a reality…no one profits…everyone wins! It is a historic and monumental step forward for the entire gay community.”

 
Happy Birthday Carrie
A Huge Thank you to the 100’s of Birthday cards & well wishes on facebook!

Rule 64D-4 Workshop
These rules affect all medicaid and Ryan White Clients.
There will be busses leaving from Tampa & St. Petersburg.
FMI contact

Bob Reynolds
 
 
Facebook Tip of the Week
The New Group you will be hearing a lot about in the future!
Balance Tampa Bay
 
GO EAT TAMPA BAY
    Returning to the area after a five year hiatus is GO EAT TAMPA BAY put on by Francis House serving the AIDS & HIV Community in Tampa Bay. The annual take off of Tampa Aids Network’s (TAN), ‘Dine Out for Life’s successful program of having a dinner party with paying guests at your home and then go out for desert sponsored by corporate groups. Joy Winheim, Francis House executive director, is taking over the famed charity dining experience with Francis House being the recipient. Money raised are for those clients needing and sharing AIDS/ HIV information, counselling or treatment.  Francis House recently bought the property next to their headquarters. The new annex to be built will be expanding Francis House and will be named in memory of Carlos Alvarez, a longtime AIDS/ HIV case manager in Tampa.
    GO EAT TAMPA BAY is looking for hosts for the June 4th dinner party charity benefit. Contact director of client services, Vicky Fortugno-Oliver, at Vicky@FrancisHouse.org .

People are Talking

It is very easy to see how GaYBOR has become THE LGBT HOT SPOT in SE USA!!! The line at G.Bar & Honey Pot were long &  packed with HOT guys. The ladies at PLAY Ybor packed the inside & patio too. There was drag, drag & more drag all over GaYBOR including Hamburger Mary’s, The Honey Pot, G.BAR & Bradley’s on 7th. I was standing next to a couple visiting the weekend from Ft. Lauderdale who said,  “We have drag in Ft. Lauderdale, but nothing compared to this quality.” WOW what a compliment! There are now 9 LBGT Bars & 4 hotels in GaYBOR. Then add in the 16 other clubs & restaurants who are all members of GaYBOR and you have a Great Time. Opening soon in GaYBOR are 2 new restaurants. Both will be in the heart of GaYBOR on 15th Street across the street from MC Film. The rumors are flying about a new a Gay Bar, a leather shop, new gym and guest House coming soon too. A new gay bar is said to be opening on Kennedy Blvd. Oh the changes! 

LGBT News

Police Arrest Suspect in Murder of NY Gay Bar Owner

Police in Elmira, N.Y. have arrested Louis Duffy, 20, in the murder of Clinton “Billy” Lewis, the owner of Club Chill, a local gay bar just blocks from his home. Police responded to a report of a shots fired and located Lewis inside his residence, the apparent victim of a gunshot wound. Lewis, 53, was transported to Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and pronounced dead a short time later.

5 Men Charged in Beating of North Carolina Gay Teen

The York County Sheriff’s Office has made five arrests in a case involving a gay teen who was brutally beaten nearly three weeks ago in Rock Hill. Joshua Esskew was assaulted on Saturday, April 9, at the Spot Convenience Store located at 990 South Cherry Road. According to the sheriff’s office, there was a verbal altercation between Esskew and Bobby Wilson who was standing in front of the convenience store. Wilson allegedly struck Esskew in the back of the head with a bottle. The sheriff’s office says when Esskew attempted to confront the assailant, four other males ran to the scene and also attacked Esskew.

Obituary

logo
In Memoriam: Rob Elkins
As you may know, Board member and long-time King of Peace MCC member, Rob Elkins, died on May 1. He was 58.

Recently, in addition to being a member of the Board of Directors, Rob was an integral part of several ministry teams, including strategic planning, assimilation, and the kitchen.

He is survived by his partners, Richard Waugh and Charles Champion, to whom we extend our sincerest sympathies.

There will be a memorial service at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 14.

From the MC Film Mail Bag…

 
 
 
****************************************

May 4, 2011                                                                                                                                                         

Contact: David Audet

813-323-7830

                                                                                                                                                                                            daudet@hccfl.edu

                       

Ybor Documentary to Screen at the Cuban Sandwich Show

 in June

Director Gayla Jamison will screen and host a panel discussion of her documentary, Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor, Saturday, June 11, HCC-Ybor Room, 10:30-noon, free and open to the public in conjunction with THE CUBAN SANDWICH SHOW. The venue is located at Hillsborough Community College-Ybor City Campus, 2001 N. 14th Street and Palm Avenue, across the street from the Cuban Club.

 The Artists and Writers Group, Inc is the creator and sponsor of THE CUBAN SANDWICH SHOW, taking place at numerous venues in Tampa, June 1-30, 2011. The premise is that all the art, in all mediums, has as its subject, “Tampa: past, present, future…and/or Cuban sandwiches.”

 The Artists and Writers Group is partnering with Hillsborough Community College-Ybor City Campus and Ybor City Development Corporation to evolve this event into a cultural highlight of the summer season in Tampa Bay.

 Living in America: 100 Years of Ybor, directed by Gayla Jamison, aired on The Learning Channel as part of the series, “New to America,” hosted by Edward James Olmos and later the film aired nationally on PBS. 

Gayla Jamison: “What I have in mind is to ask the panel (and invite audience members to join in) to talk about the film’s role in preserving cultural history, especially since most of the people interviewed in the film are no longer living (25TH anniversary of film).  Thus the film has become a kind of living history that enables first-hand accounts of this unique immigrant community to be passed to future generations.  I’d like for people to talk about why that is important and the role that it plays in teaching history, in bringing history to life.  Ideally, there will be interplay of academic analysis, nostalgic reminiscences from older members of the community and the fresh perspectives of young viewers.  It will be a way of bringing the community together to share an inter-generational experience.”

The panelists are Dr. Susan Greenbaum, Professor Emerita of Anthropology Dept and former Dept. Chair at USF., Dr. Cheryl Rodríguez, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Institute on Black Life at USF, and Maria Pasetti, who is on the Executive Board of Tampa Hispanic Heritage — she’s also interviewed in the film–and  Rene Tamargo, educator and Tampa native.

ABOUT THE CUBAN SANDWICH SHOW: While all the art must be exclusively about TAMPA and/or Cuban sandwiches (our chosen symbol of Tampa-slightly tongue-in-cheek), the artists can be from anywhere. Thus, whatever the art form—visual arts, photography, video, dance, theater, music, cuisine, poetry, literature–the root subject is Tampa and it’s past, present, and/or future. And for those of you who ask, yes, Ybor City is the heart of Tampa.

 Current participants (subject to change)  are; Arts Council of Hillsborough County Advisory Committee, Bamboozle Café, Blue Bird Books, Café Hey, Community Stepping Stones, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Gram’s Place, Grown Man Brand Studios, Hillsborough Community College-Ybor Art Gallery, Tampa Regional Artists at Old Hyde Park Art Center, King Corona Cigar Cafe, La France, MacDonald Training Center, MC Filmfest, Michelle Faedo’s On the Go, New World Brewery, The Pyramid, Silver Meteor Gallery, Tre Amici at the Bunker,  Ybor Art Association, Ybor City Saturday Market, among others to be announced.

 The Cuban Sandwich Show is an expanded version of a very popular annual arts exhibition was that originated in Ybor City in 1991 by Gordon and Denise Mhyre and continued in Seminole Heights for a number of years. The 2011 Cuban Sandwich Show will mark the twentieth year anniversary and is a major expansion of the event.

 www.artistsandwritersgroup.com

audetproductions@gmail.com

 

Gayla Jamison, Producer-Director
In Our Son’s Name
Lightfoot Films, Inc.
404.377.4980 voice/fax
404.483.4980 mobile
www.inoursonsname.com

 

Dishing with Mark & Carrie 4-27-11

 

Did you know?
 In GaYBOR there are 9 Gay Bars & 4 Hotels,
 all with in 3 blocks!!!
 
Bradley’s on 7th, G.BAR,  Hamburger Mary’s, The Honey Pot, Liquid Lounge, PLAY Ybor,  RISE Sundays, Social, Streetcars.  The Hotels are: The Hampton Inn, Hilton Gardens, The Don Vicente Historic Inn, Ybor Resort & Spa. The Very Gay Friendly Restaurants & Clubs include: Castle, Centro Canteen, The Reservoir, Ritz Ybor,Bernini’s, Blue Dog Bistro, Fresh Mouth, Gaspar’s Grotto, Green Iguana, JJ’s Cafe, La Terrazza, Laughing Cat, Mema’s Alaskan Tacos, NY NY Pizza, Bricks of Ybor, Stone Soup Company, The Italian Club & The Cuban Club.
 
ALL ARE PROUD MEMBERS
of The GaYBOR District Coalition
 
Discover the Magic of GaYBOR that everybody is talking about!
Viva La GaYBOR
 
Pride on 7th
Join GaYBOR as we welcome “The TUMG Group” & their production of “Pride on 7th”. This Saturday, 4/30/2011
1054
 
Congratulations to Miss Crystal Chambers
 
MISS PRIDE ON 7th Pageant
With a whirlwind of activity for a springtime Gay Pride Event, the annual Pride on 7th has changed to a springtime venue and added a new dimension to there lineup of events. Miss Pride on 7th Pageant was held last Sunday at Bradley’s on 7th main stage bar. The event by TUMG and promoter Jorge Alvarado and Hosted by Miss Everything of Florida..Ybor City’s Diva Miss Joey Brooks. The pageant drew in contestants that competed in 3 categories: presentation, fashion, and talent. This years winner of Miss Pride on 7th is Miss Crystal Chambers. A full lineup of weekend Pride events for Saturday, April 30th at Centro Ybor in historic Ybor City are on www.prideon7th.com.