Not a shocker but an extreme bully pulpit decision was made by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners last Wednesday. The “make sure I lean to the’ right dim light’ commissioners voted down the county fairness par bill, Domestic Partnership Registry. Although the country including Florida has made major strides in supporting equality judgements for unmarried couples- both gay and straight, the board voted 4-3 against the change. Tampa made a positive directive for Domestic Partnership Registry, a family fairness change as did a dozen other cities and counties in Florida.

The proposed equitable change to Hillsborough law was bought up by Commissioner Mark Sharpe. Commissioner Al Higginbotham said he “had an open mind” a couple of months ago about the possible fairness change. What the changes to the county would do is be fair and give a partner medical decisions, visiting hospital rights, sharing a partners child’s educational and funeral arrangements. Some basic but important” family” needs. This is Not a gay or straight issue! It is not involving “Gay Pride Events”  either!

It is an important county family ” Just “ act. It was just a week ago that Pinellas County Commissioners passed countywide domestic partnership rights to all Pinellas County residents.

What is wrong with this so called progressive board who are looking for ways to economically support new  business development, ideas, relocations and growth in the county?

The 2 other commissioners that supported the change were Commissioners Les Miller and Kevin Beckner. What is important to know and remember are those that VOTED AGAINST the equitable change.

and al higginbotham.

My Bucket List! To have a drink in every bar in GaYBOR/Ybor City. This week I went with my nephew Mathieu to The Broadway Bar and checked this off the bucket list!!! It was a very interesting bar. Located in Ybor City on 7th Ave & 22nd St. When we arrived the bar was packed. Every table & stool taken. We were on an adventure, so it was OK. The way they serve is by the bottle only! We had a 1/2 pint of vodka with a can of coke, 2 cups with napkins & stir sticks and a big glass of ice. All for a very reasonable $7.00 Quickly we made friends with both couples on each side of us and the bartender. The music was great and we had a real good time. Oh, did I mention that it is also an African American bar and we were the only 2 white people there. As we were walking back Mathieu said, “I bet they were wondering why those 2 crazy white guys were there?” I laughed and said, “No Mathieu they probably are wondering & laughing why those 2 crazy gay guys stumbled in there!” LOL LOL.

Now lets see if I can name all the clubs I’ve had a cocktail in the past 7 years in GaYBOR/Ybor City. Some locations have been many different clubs. Amphitheater, Big City Tavern, Bad Monkey, Barbarella, Bernini, Blue Samurai, Blue Dog Bistro, Blues Ship, Boneyard, Bradley’s on 7th, Bricks Ybor, Broadway Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cantina Centro, Carne, Castle, Carmine’s, Cuban Club, Collage, Columbian, Copa The, Coyote Ugly, Crowbar, Czar, Dirty Shame, Double Decker, Don Vicente Inn, El Puerto, Elmer’s, Empire, Forge The, Fuma Bella, First Chance last Chance, Flirt, Game Time, Game Works, GBAR, Gaspar’s Grotto, Green Iguana, Hamburger Mary’s, Hampton Inn & Suites, Honey Pot, Italian Club, Improv, James Joyce Pub -both locations, JJ’s Cafe & Bar, Jose Marti Center, King Corona, La Terrazza, Laughing Cat 1 & 2, La Level 3, Lower Red, Liquid lounge, Liquid Tampa, Lounge 714, Market on 7th, Mema’s Alaskan Tacos, Muvico Centro Ybor 20, Mix the, New World Brewery, Orpheum – both locations, Parna, Rare Olive, Reservoir, Rehab, R Bar, Rock n Sports -both locations, Rise Sundays, Ritz Ybor, Silver Meteor Gallery, Social, Skins, Skye, Spurs, Streetcar Charlie’s,Sushi on 7th, Sundays Fine Dining, Tabu,Tampa Bay Brewing Company both locations, Teatro on Seventh, White Room the, W Lounge, Wranglers, Zoya Hookah Lounge. Did I miss any??? Thank goodness I had 7 years to do this in!!!

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Co-Owner chef, Jerry from The Laughing Cat Restaurant had neck surgery last week and is now out of the hospital. Get well soon. The fun continues through February with a full list of Gasparilla activities including Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Gasparilla Softball Tourney, Fiesta Days and of course this weeks Super Bowl Parties. This past weekend GaYBOR / Ybor City had GLBT tourists visiting from all over the world filling the clubs, stores and restaurants enjoying our beautiful district with mid 70 degree weather. Local entertainer Arica Love is a guest on the Ricki Lake TV Show, Feb 12th! What are you going to tell Miss Ricki? GaYBOR we hope.