Effort Under Way to Politicize Pulpits Ahead of 2012 Elections
The American Family Association is bankrolling dozens of events in at least 14 states that have trained almost 10,000 pastors to get their flocks more involved in socially conservative political causes, such as same-sex marriage, gay adoption, GLBT rights and abortion issues. Planners say they hope these efforts will reinvigorate the religious right as a force in national politics. Said one pastor who attended one of the regional trainings, “I came out of there like Seabiscuit out of the gate, ready to do even more.”

Fight brewing Over Calif. LGBT History Bill
A bill that would require California public school’s social science textbooks to include information about the historical contributions of LGBT Americans faces opposition from some religious groups. The measure has won support, however, the California Teachers Association and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The bill’s sponsor, openly gay State Sen. Mark Leno, said the bill is intended to provide role models for LGBT youth and help others understand the community’s place in the history of California and the U.S.

Mass. Gov. Appoints Lesbian to State Supreme Court
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has nominated Barbara Lenk to the state’s highest court, calling her a “very well prepared and highly qualified candidate.” Lenk would be the court’s first openly gay or lesbian justice.

Dozens Held in Raid on Shanghai Gay Bar
Police raided a Shanghai gay bar, Q Bar on Sunday, detaining at least 60 patrons and bar staff for as long as 12 hours. Reports from those detained suggest the police were interested in details about a dance performance. Others say it is because of the fierce competition of bar owners in the gay bar scene. The call came because of seeing nude men on the roof of the bar and they were very loud.

April 8- 10, 2011: Dade City , Sawmill Campground and Resort

The time for The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Wig Drive is upon us! Don’t miss out on this fabulous weekend of FUNdraising. We will be running amok at the Sawmill Camping Resort in Dade City Florida and raising money and WIGS for folks with cancer. Friday: The Tampa Bay Sisters will be hosting Bingo and our Hot Dog Confessional Booth. Stop by, have a wiener and share a good time with our members as we commune with condiments! Next, this year is sure to be a blast with a special guest performances and a meet and greet by none other than Pandora Boxx Saturday night! Not to mention performances by a host of other fantastic performers, a silent auction, a weekend long 50/50 chance drawing and of course antics by your favorite Sisters. And finally it’s a GOSPEL BRUNCH with the Sisters and Sawmill’s own charity case, the Divas Sunday Morning! It’s guaranteed to be a fantastic time for a good cause so make your reservations now! by calling (352) 583-0664 or visiting flsawmill.com today! We can’t wait to enjoy a spring weekend out in nature and helping out those in need!

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ANTHONY BARROS JOINS WATERMARK TEAM

I’m pleased and proud to announce that Anthony Barros is joining Watermark as our Tampa Bay Sales Director.

For the past 10 years Anthony has worked with AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP), most recently as Resource Development Manager. During his distinguished career at ASAP Anthony coordinated their World AIDS Day Gala, developed AIDS Walk St. Petersburg into a major fundraiser, and successfully introduced Dining Out for Life to Tampa Bay. During that time, he also earned the affection and respect of the LGBT community throughout the area.

Anthony has big shoes to fill. After five productive years with Watermark, Jim Nixon is leaving to be the new Group Marketing Director at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Please join me in wishing Jim every success in his new career, and welcoming Anthony to the Watermark family. Jim leaves Watermark after issue 18.08 goes to press in mid-April. Anthony starts with us at the beginning of May.

Tom Dyer, Publisher
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Subj: Cuban Sandwich Show-You Are Invited

Hi everyone,

This is not an April Fool’s joke. I hope you will join in and have some fun with this! And let your friends and fellow artists know about it too.

Get in touch soon as I plan and try to get the art to all the best places around Tampa. Looking for more venues too, North Tampa, East Tampa, South Tampa, West Tampa… Any leads appreciated!

David

The Cuban Sandwich Show is planned for the entire month of June in Tampa as an annual arts celebration with “Tampa and/or Cuban sandwiches” the subject of ALL the art, in ALL mediums. The event is family-friendly and inclusive of all individuals (children, emerging artists, professionals, non-Tampa residents), organizations, venues and businesses to participate in a capacity of their choosing, be it one hour or the full month. The Artists and Writers Group intends this to become a cultural highlight of the summer season in Florida.

The purpose of the Cuban Sandwich Show is to introduce and draw new audiences to ALL corners of Tampa and its many unique neighborhoods. The month long festival will provide destinations across the city with events both day and evening hours, encouraging exploration of Tampa. Activities will range from single-night performances to month-long visual art exhibitions, with the majority of events free and open to the public.

Participating businesses, cultural centers, restaurants, galleries, museums and other venues will design and control their specific participation/event with guidance and marketing from the Group at a level appropriate for each participant.

Participants include The Pyramid, Arts Council of Hillsborough County Advisory Committee, Tre Amici, Ybor City Saturday Market, La France, King Corona, MC Filmfest, HCC-Ybor City art gallery, Don Vicente Inn, New World Brewery, Silver Meteor Gallery, Michelle Faedo’s Deli, Florida Museum of Photographic Art, Bamboozle Café’, Community Stepping Stones, McDonald Training Center, WMNF Radio, Hyde Park Art Center, Grown Man Studios, Gram’s Place, among numerous others.

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This party is going to rock. . .great food, great drinks, great music and great people.

Looking forward to seeing you all! The party starts at 4:30 but will go on for hours.

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Hi Mark and Carrie,

I’d like to talk to you about an event we have next Thursday, April 14. It’s part of our new Philanthropic Young Tampa Bay program which is designed to encourage cultural philanthropy in the young professionals of Tampa Bay. We are currently working to raise money to purchase a piece of video art from Janet Biggs and donate it to the Tampa Museum of Art for exhibition in their show in July.
The event next Thursday is from 7-9PM is presented in collaboration with TampaBay SocialClub and features a presentation from Santiago Echeverry from University of Tampa about his current video work and the video art of South America.
It would be great if you can include us in your newsletter and, if you are interested, consider having Gaybor as a sponsor of the event.

I’ve attached some more information about PYT, and you can visit our website at pytampa.org.

Thank you gentlemen, talk to you soon,

Hampton
813.784.2972

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Thursday night in GaYBOR have just became even more HOT!!! Stat your night out shopping at MC Film & find out what the specials are. There is a new Judy B. Goode 69 Show at Hamburger Mary’s!  Get your minds out of the gutter…. her show is from 6 to 9! Immediately following Judy’s is the Mary’s Talent Contest. All talent is welcome. From signing, dancing, to stand up comedians & drag. You just never know what or who will show up. New on Thursday starting at 11:30 is Bradley’s on 7th, Amateur strip contest. What a huge hit!!! 7 of the hottest guys in GaYBOR all competed. The MC was Miss Joey Brooks & special guest was Ms Alexis Mateo.  Congratulations to this weeks winner Douglas!