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Two Stories of Tampa Gay Life in the 1980’s

+Gay Life in the 80’s.

In the 1980’s we had two friends, Harold & Dale. Harold was in his early 30’s while Dale was in his 50’s both were total HOOTS & so much fun!!! The lovers had been together for 10+years and had just moved to Tampa. We were invited to their home for Thanksgiving. The apt was one of those overly packed with expensive antiques. Dale asked Mark to get down the big glass serving dish with a lid from the top of the china cabinet. When we opened the lid there was the biggest bag of pot we had ever seen! Dale screamed, “FABULOUS!! I thought I had lost that bag 6 months ago!” Needless to say there were no leftovers that night.

A few weeks later Dale invited us over for his famous spaghetti and meatballs. We arrived right on time. Harold & Dale were sitting at the table laughing. Dale said, “I thought it was oregano! We sampled and sampled the sauce until it was all gone. Sorry Guys we ate everything.” How can you be mad about that? We all laughed. The next year they moved back up north. We stopped to see them in Chicago. They had us laughing right away like old times. Dale looked sick and Harold looked tired. A couple months later Harold wrote us that Dale died of AIDS and he was sick in the hospital with it too. That was the last we heard from them. The Christmas card was returned that year. Living the Gay Life in the 80’s.

+Gay Life in 1984

In 1980, we moved to Tampa. Mark was working as a bartender/server at The University Restaurant next to University Square Mall. There was a very fun group of young hot Gay guys that all worked there and hung out together. Like us were attending USF! Names like Dakota Mike, Big Jim, Stevie Wonder, The Dancing Queens (PR of course) Tony & Carlos, Dead Sister Waneta, Crazy Keith, Big T Joanne and Need a Man Brenda. Our group leader of the pack was Rodney. Cute, hunky & full of life Rodney knew how to get the party started. Together we all would go to quarter night at the El Goya, to the St Pete causeway & beaches and had our own afterhours parties.

Several years later we all got a call from Rodney. It was his 30th birthday and he wanted to show the world he still had it all! It was a must event. The party was at the Firehouse Pub on Busch & Florida Ave. Rodney danced the night away on the bar top looking great as we all filled his daisy dukes shorts with money. Three months later Rodney was dead from AIDS. By the end of 1984 Dakota Mike, Big Jim, Stevie Wonder, The Dancing Queens (PR of course) Tony & Carlos, Dead Sister Waneta had all died of AIDS too. Only Crazy Keith, Big T Joanne, Mark & Carrie are alive today. I often wonder how my life would have been different if they were all were still alive today. Then we smile just thinking of them all dancing the night away at the big The El Goya in the sky. Gay Life in 1984

BREAKING NEWS….

Carnival Cruise BANS Drag at sea! Then Changes mind???

A very strange & direct to their point email letter that was sent out 4 days before the set sail, Carnival Cruise Lines wrote to the gay passengers,”…banning all drag in public spaces at sea.” The only exceptions will be for performers on stage. This surprised everybody including the organizers of the event, AlandChuck.Travel. The LOGO TV show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race – Drag Stars at Sea” will go on but nobody will be allowed to be in drag in the audience or anywhere else on the cruise..

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory. (Photo: By Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines)

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3:18PM EST November 27. 2012 – UPDATE: Carnival now says it will allow guests on the Dec. 2 Carnival Glory cruise to dress in drag. The line says it will also provide full refunds to anyone who wants to cancel their cruise.

Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO, in a letter sent today to all guests booked on the sailing – and posted on social media – says there was a “miscommunication” between the cruise line and travel agency.

“When the group was presented to us we were advised that only the performers would be dressed in drag during the private events. However, we are now aware that this was not clearly communicated to members of the group and therefore anyone who wishes to dress in drag may do so. Please keep in mind that our safety and security procedures require guests to present government-issued ID, and to be recognizably that person,” Cahill says.

“At Carnival, we are proud to carry more than 4.5 million guests every year and we welcome them all aboard. We do not practice any form of discrimination against the LGBT or any other community. We sincerely apologize for the miscommunication and for any unintended offense we have caused,” he continues.

“Given this misunderstanding, anyone on this cruise who wishes to cancel for any reason may do so and will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, as well as reimbursement for any non-refundable travel related expenses.”

ORIGINAL POST, 1:24PM EST: In advance of a “Drag Stars at Sea” cruise on the Carnival Glory next week, passengers received notification drag costumes will not be allowed in public areas of the ship.

This has sparked a controversy that has drag queens and supporters crying foul on websites including America Blog, although the gay-owned travel agency that arranged the cruise is defending the cruise line.

The week-long eastern Caribbean cruise, set to embark Miami on Dec. 2, has been billed by organizer Al and Chuck Travel as the largest gathering of drag queens at sea, with more than 30 drag stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race set to perform.

Al and Chuck Travel posted the following letter on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ALandCHUCK.travel

Dear Valued Guests and Friends,

We hope that this brief note finds you well.
By now, we are sure that most of you traveling with us on the upcoming Drag Stars At Sea: Caribbean Adventure – Revenge of the Wench have received Carnival’s letter regarding their regulations concerning costumes and masks (under which traditional “DRAG” falls under).We are sympathetic to your sentiments that you have …

expressed via email and social media. As a gay man who has been partnered for 25 years, I have suffered many forms of discriminations because I am part of the GLBT community. But please take note, Carnival’s regulation is NOT an example of discrimination. Carnival is an ally of the GLBT community. Please understand that this cruise could not even be happening on the GLORY if Carnival was not an ally of our segment of society. When they say they are a “family friendly” cruise line they mean it in both the traditional and metaphorical sense of the phrase.Carnival’s “no costumes rule” is NOT meant to be an insult to the gay community. As a gay business, we would not have organized this cruise if they were prejudiced against gay people. This rule goes for both GAY and STRAIGHT passengers that travel on all Carnival cruises. It is in response to the post-911 world we live in. It is meant to protect passengers and guests – NOT to marginalize a few.

Additionally, we know that transgendered members of our community will be aboard with us during this event. Please do not worry, Carnivals rule is not meant towards you. Your right to live your identity is always supported.

Finally, Drag Stars At Sea is a cruise venue for you to meet the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Just as you would not go in costume (other than on Halloween) to a club to see them perform, neither should you on the GLORY. Again, our desire was always to bring this incredible talent together in one place for you to enjoy along with all the other benefits of the VALUE of a mixed guest cruise. We pointed out to you that a private charter (and they are excellent cruises) can be DOUBLE what you are paying for this experience. This is an opportunity for your favorite entertainers to shine for YOU! We will of course, still have our parties and events aboard (the rules of which are outlined in your travel package) for you to join in on the fun.

Ultimately, let’s use this opportunity to set an example so that all the world can see that the GLBT community can follow rules and regulations just like everyone else. Finally, I want to say from the bottom of my heart, we have done our absolute best in creating this event. We have tried to communicate effectively and bring you the best possible experience, which we believe would not be available to you any other way. At the end of the cruise, I hope you will agree with my sentiment humbly expressed here.

Chuck and I look forward to meeting you on board….we promise you the best time of your lives!

Sincerely,
Al Ferguson

World AIDS Day Dec. 1, 2012

December 1 is World AIDS Day!

Thursday, Nov 29, 2012 Join your friends and family at Hamburger Mary’s. 50% of your ticket will be donated Metro Wellness Community Center.

Saturday Dec 1 Rock AIDS will be at the Lowry Park Band Shell in Tampa, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The event will feature live music performed by a variety of bands including John Q, Roundhouse Social, Donni Bennett Band, and Talk to Mark Band. There will be a food truck rally, beer garden, a variety of vendors, health related booths, a children’s activity area, free HIV testing, raffles and more.

This family event is planned to bring awareness about HIV/AIDS and to raise funds

for services provided by Metro Wellness and Community Centers located in St Petersburg, Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida.Metro Wellness and Community Centers is the premiere provider of HIV/AIDS services in Tampa Bay area serving more than 8,000 clients through medical case management and services. The Centers also offer services and programs, including health education, cyber centers, LGBTQ youth groups, social events and networking, 50+ awareness, classes and workshops, community outreach and partnerships to the diverse community that makes up the Tampa Bay area.

Number of HIV Tests performed each year by Metro Wellness & Community Centers – 3,500.
Number of Lives Touched Through Programs, Events and Outreach – 500,000
Number of Cents Per Dollar Donated that Goes to Client Care – $.95

Someone is infected with HIV in America every 9 ½ minutes, but the end is in sight. World AIDS Day this year is about “Getting to Zero.” Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.

Rock AIDS is a free community event, however there is a suggested donation of $10 per person. More if you can, less if you can’t.

The Red AIDS Ribbon

30 years after the first cases of HIV – the red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV. The red ribbon was the first ever ribbon symbol, inspiring later versions such as the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. www.worldaidsday.org

*Where did the idea come from?

In 1991 – a decade after the emergence of HIV – a group of 12 artists gathered to discuss a new project for Visual Aids; a New York arts organization that raises awareness of HIV. They were photographers, painters, film makers and costume designers, and they sat around in the shared gallery space in New York’s East Village.

After a short brainstorm they had come up with a simple idea that later became one of the most recognized symbols of the decade – the red ribbon, worn to signify awareness and support for people living with HIV.

*Why did we need a symbol?

When the artists sat down to work on this project, their aim was to get people talking about HIV. This was during a time where HIV was highly stigmatized and people living with HIV were suffering behind closed doors, some too scared to even tell their loved ones they were living with the virus. The artists wanted to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with, and affected by, HIV.
The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colors were rejected because they were too closely associated with the gay community, and they wanted to convey that HIV went beyond the gay community and was relevant to everyone.
Red was chosen as it is bold and visible – symbolizing passion, a heart and love. The shape was chosen simply because it was easy to make and replicate – anyone can make one by just cutting out a piece of ribbon, looping it around your finger and pinning it on.

Lighting of the GaYBOR/ Ybor City Holiday Tree this Wednesday

Tree Lighting 7PM followed by BINGO at Hamburger Mary’s

Join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, local leaders, businessman, residence and GaYBOR members for the 4th lighting of the GaYBOR/ Ybor City Holiday Tree in Centro Ybor at 6-7PM this Wednesday, Nov 28.

Then join your Family at Hamburger Mary’s for a Special BINGO to benefit Crescendo

The following week 2 great upcoming GaYBOR events. GaYBORS Holiday Party at Bradley’s on 7th,

Dec 7th at 7-9pm.

Then on Sat. Dec 8th at 5pm is the Annual Holiday GaYBOR Bar Crawl starting at Gaspar’s Grotto. Bar Crawl T-shirts are $15 and available at MC FILM, Bradley’s on 7th and Hamburger Mary’s.

MC FILM * NEW Holiday Items

Newly arrived wall plaques & statues from Museum Art of Men, Women Panels, 4′ Rainbow & 6′ Silver or Gold Christmas Trees, 2013 COLT Calendars, Mr Leather – Leather Gear, Men’s Colognes and Special on Knockers Underwear.

Lucky Month!!!

Did you know that December 2012 has 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays and 5 Mondays. This only happens every 824 years!!! We are in for one very lucky month & even better new year!! 2013 here we come!!!

Holiday Ornament Decoration Contest at Bradley’s

The starting of the Christmas Holiday season started a new 2nd nnual event at Bradley’s on 7th. With dozens of Ornament decorating competitors, the winner was Carla Vaughn. The hand crafted decorations are on display on the tree inside Bradley’s.

Sam’s Ybor

On the south west corner of 7th Ave and 14th street is the building that is now home to “The Bricks”. Back in the 1970’s the south corner on the 14th streets side was home to Sam’s. Every day Sam would arrive in his beat up old car. Then pull clothing out of his store and lay them FOR SALE on top of the car. Inside the small store was one light blub hanging on a cord in the middle of the room. Thank You to Diane & Dean James for this photo and for restoring this beautiful building.

Latrice Royale

The popular kahuna star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Miss Latrice Royale, WOW’d the sold out standing room only shows at Hamburger Mary’s last Sunday Night. She has more one liners than Henny Youngman. The line for photos stretched from the stage out the front door! It was a bitter sweat night too. It was the farewell performance for local Favorite Diva Miss Desiree DeMornay. She will be returning to Phoenix, AZ.

Santa Speedo Run Ybor

Mark you calendars f’or A.S.A.P.’s Santa Speedo Run Tampa Bay, Dec. 9, 2012 Registration starts at 1PM at Centennial Park in GaYBOR/ Ybor City. Don’t feel like running in the 1 mile fun run? That’s OK too. Please make a donation and go to https://www.facebook.com/events/162940337183257/?fref=ts and tell all your friends too.

BTW Hot Red Speedos and red running shorts are available at MC FILM in GaYBOR.

Be sure to read this weeks ” You Just Can Not Make This Up“ to read only 2 of the many stories why this is such an important event.