In Tampa 2012 we had BIG plans to be BIG in the BIG city league of conventional ideas. We made history by introducing a Domestic Partner Registry to Tampa. Yes, that is a real BIG deal. Thanks Tampa political leaders. By the Tampa’s Mayor’s swipe of the ink pen, partners gay or straight could be recognized as a couple with limited rights in the city of Tampa. Then the registry came Gulfport, St. Petersburg and onto Orange County. We are still unaware of the number of cities to follow suit. All for the enrichment and fairness to residents lives of each community. 12-21-12, # 351 is Yborites domestic partner registry Jeffy & Bud!

BIG plans for a BIG National GOP Republican Convention took place in a most secure Tampa. Unlike anything any resident had ever experienced before, Tampa was in a lockdown mode open to BIG delegates, BIG international media reporters and 5000 BIG heavy loaded law enforcement personnel. It brought BIG worldwide attention to our great city. Mark & Carrie and “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” were there following and covering different BIG political stories. An off shoot group of the Gay Republicans, GoProud  held a BIG Gay Republican party with high GOP officials in attendance at the Honey Pot during the convention. We will remember few Tampa Bay businesses though that made BIG money during the forum! BIG promising hoopla = BIG community disappointment. Our President, President Barack Obama came to visit us in GaYBOR/ Ybor City Centennial Park for a BIG political rally. Ten thousand attended. BIG smiles on individuals in the overall November election resulted.

GaYBOR District was recognized BIG with many special BIG named tourists, events and conventions. International groups included Edelweiss Airlines GaYBOR Tour with airlines VP and  30 special GLBT newspapers, magazines and TV station camera crews flown in from Switzerland to experience GaYBOR first hand. The BIG GLBTA Democratic Statewide convention convened in historic Ybor City. The BIGGEST Gay Gasparilla Softball Tourney had over 3000 coming to Ybor for the annual winter ball hitting tourney. The sudden emergence in March and BIG national attention to the Virgin Mary sighting on a wall at Hamburger Mary’s. We had BIG events including Gancho Circuit Party, a BIG boatload of 2,200 OLIVIA ladies cruising out of Tampa, 2 BIG parades of Pirates and Roughriders  through Ybor and 1 BIG GaYBOR groups presence for the BIGGEST St Pete Pride Parade last summer. 120,000 attendees isn’t bad! Being recognized & honored to be the  1st Recipient for Statewide GLBT Business Achievement Award Honor from Equality Florida for GaYBOR’s Business to Business Relationships. Ups and downs play to any group isn’t uncommon but the common goal of working together in building a positive sturdy GLBTA community prevails. A major 2 year undertaking of transforming warehouse walls on Adamo Drive into a BIG magnificent mural of Tampa history is currently underway.  A lot of interest in TV and festival GLBT movies being filmed in the historic district. More new diverse businesses, medical, non profits and graphic service industry have now opened or are continuing to look for space in the Landmark historic District. That doesn’t even come close to the 1000’s wanting to relocate to reside here! Compared to 5 years ago with over 44 empty storefronts on 7th Avenue alone. Because of GaYBOR District Coalition members working together more new door signage will and do appear. We pat ourselves on our backs for handing out over 40,000 GaYBOR Welcoming Maps in 2012.

The BIG statewide Flan bragging rights competition by the Ybor City Saturday Morning Market. I sampled so much flan with such a variety in tastes but so BIGLY delicious. Then came the BEST Cuban Sandwich competition between Miami & Tampa ever. The historic named sandwiches were great and such a variey of Cuban sandwiches I tasted and judged. Stone Soup and Michele Faedos’s  BIGGEST Devil Crabs won! More fun eating community wars are in the works. Yes, including Spanish Bean Soup entries! An open air competition. And did you remember the Hillsborough River turning Green? A new St. Patty’s Day event.

Healthy Trees were cut down and a lot were replanted by the guise of GOP funding. And more people smile with a twinkle of positive economic changes in our BIG unemployment area. Living in a BIG time to surreal the winter solstice and the end of the Mayan calendar. A freshness of holiday garland on lampposts as a parade of Ybor Holiday Spirit groups and area high school bands exploded the goodness of today and made up new traditions of young and old.

The many tears of joy are intertwined with warm tears of loved and friends we lost near to our heart. South Tampa News Editor Bill Sharpe, soldiers that fought abroad, close family members, teachers & children of Newtown Connecticut and Bradenton / Mpls friend Terry Petsch come to mind. We witness but continue. The last week reminiscing about what we did accomplish, what changes each of us did and wished for is coming to an end soon. Yes, 2012 year end will end in Ybor City with a BIG football game parade and University pep rally .

Now a NEW Year means NEW Beginnings, BIG dreams, NEW promises, NEW plans, NEW journeys, NEW opportunities, NEW resolutions…We welcome 2013!!!

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 Stripper Night @ Bradley’s on 7th

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Welcome Buffalo Wild Wings

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Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s

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Caught @ Steam Fridays @ The Honey Pot

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Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th

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Caught @ The Social