You Can Not Make This Stuff Up!!

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The Republican Convention was in town. We were seeing all kinda of crazy things. One day a big black SUV pulled up in front of our store. Out jumped 4 police offices in khaki sand uniforms. To our surprise they ran up to our super sized painted board cut outs of Dorothy & Leather man and started to take photos. Then jumped back into the suv and drove off!

Featured GaYBOR Member of the Week

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  Brick’s Ybor
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You can always count on a Great time at the Brick’s Ybor.  The food is extraordinare and drinks delightful. It is the must do fun stop for all the GaYBOR Bar Crawls. Every month the walls are covered by area artists with a theme. Next time you start your own bar crawl be sure to start at The Brick’s Ybor.

Deep Thoughts….. The RNC

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Deep Thoughts….. The RNC
Three Cheers for All the People of Tampa
Three Cheers for our Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Three Cheers for our Chief of Police Jane Castor
Three Cheers the RNC is over!!!!
    I am sure you know Gay people are everywhere and we do mean everywhere.  Did you know one of our favorite past times is to having cocktails with friends and dishing about how bad straight people behave?!?!? LOL YES, it’s true.  Did the largest convention in Tampa’s history, the visiting RNC ever give us all a lot to converse about. Many funny stories started with, “You will Not believe this!!!” Here is a sample of what we heard.  The rest of this dish allegedly happened. Nothing is confirmed true or false.
Wink Wink 
    Over & over again we heard “The RNC guests were some of the worst we have ever seen.” Rude, obnoxious, drunken are just some of the nice words to describe the delegates. The police had way more problems with the delegates than the protesters. Fights with over charging prostitutes & novel gouging drug dealers. Vandalism, stealing & looting was the norm. Were told to look the other way or to be fired over and over again. State ‘Delegatos’ walking out on their monstrous bar tabs and even lavish dinners. Trashed hotel rooms & condom littered limos. Bras found hanging on secured area hotel chandeliers. What has happened to our friendly West Coast city? The better than you attitude was everywhere.  There were more plastic AMSCOT credit card neuvo rich than at a tupperware party.  A call to room service…”We need a drawer full of knives right now to stick in our friends backs!!!”  A group of ladies were not patiently waiting for more shrimp to be put on the all you can stuff yourself table when they actual said “What is it with you people and those cigars? It must be a southern Gay fixation!!!” then all laughed… WTF???
    The encrypted gold invites to board the crowded mega yacht spaces at the Tampa marina were selective. At least $150 million in their personal or offshore accounts was the low benchmark. Wow 225′ luxury vessels are still called a yacht? The Coast Guard protected area had helicopters dropping off guests from the sky. And we thought those were all Apache Attack helicopters. Some of the small problems billionaires have we guess. What exactly is ‘Crossroads’ anyway?
    Free food events was like a cowbell! Haven’t these people eaten anything but Spam!  I thought that the police escorted convoy of beer trucks was just to much! Well, maybe needed! There were so many events with free lunches given away I think many local restaurateurs went to save on money on their weeks food bills. And there were only 2 ticketed cigar smoking conservative conferences this year.
    Taking down colorful Rainbow & Democratic flags & all those women posters. One little yellow bird told us, “If I hear… You obviously don’t know who ‘ I ‘ am?… one more time again!!”  I need an Advil!!
    The difference between a RNC delegate and a canoe is?  … the canoe tips. Wearing Alexander Amosu Silk lined suits, double starched OTR Ike Behar White shirts & Gucci Silk Ties, all knock offs, then complaining about the inside heat? Just go outside girl!!! It’s August in Florida…Really?? LOL
    Then there was the big Mormon Building on the river… The Marry-ville Riverside. Described by many as a “big out of control summer camp for juvenile delinquents running wild everywhere.” One little light blue bird told us, “There were so many people crying behind the scenes you would have thought Judy Garland or Princess Diana had just died.”  Oh the “Me first…Me first” shadowed empresses denounced. How can so called “church people” be so mean, cruel & insensitive? I guess it isn’t hard!!! We need NBC’s Saturday Night Live’s “Church Lady” to revisit us all now!.  Very expensive red Maserati cars were delivered by covered transport trucks to the hotels front door. Let’s just say major attitude were driving those cars who weren’t afraid of telling off the police. Maybe we were lucky not to have more of them in GaYBOR/Ybor City. Much of this you will never hear or will be denied. One thing is for sure…The RNC remnances will have the Gay Bars chattering & laughing for quite awhile!!!  I’m sure there were some nice people somewhere. But it’s much more fun to talk about the out of control straight bad ones.
     What about the GLBT Log Cabin Republicans? We didn’t see any of them! Humm… must have been busy practicing hiding in their Motel 8 closets.  LOL LOL  We are Voting for OBAMA.

9-30-12 Bus Accident, MC Film on TMZ, Protesters Come/ Gone

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    The last day of the convention and there are mixed reactions from everybody. In Ybor City the day started with a convention bus hitting a building. It was very quiet in GaYBOR/Ybor City. That night our phone rang off the hook!!!! The TV Show TMZ TV had caught Homophobic Illinois’ Republican Congressman Aaron Schock,  in GaYBOR in front of MC Film – Gay Pride Store, The Ybor Social  -A GLBT Bar & The Ybor Resort & Spa – The Gay Bath House!!! ( From Wikipedia: Schock voted against amending federal hate crimes laws to include crimes where the victims were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability. He voted against the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell“ in December 2010. Schock is opposed to gay marriage.Schock opposes abortion and has voted to prohibit federal funding for the procedure.) Aaron Schock was asked about GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan physique & clothing. We think the real question should have been, “What are you doing walking around in the GaYBOR District?”  Hum……  See the video here  http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_wrwfhybx  also in the http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=12839&MediaType=1&Category=22
    One last Protest. The clandestine campfire group Westboro Baptist Church were protesting in Centro Ybor. What a wimpy group and a joke! There was nobody there to protest against in front of  the sand trooper police. Across  the street on the balcony behind the protesters was Sammy waving his rainbow flag. We noticed one person wearing a yellow poster talking back at them. Later that night to our delight we learned that person was Miss Tiffany Middlesex. You Go Girl!!!! Sammy insisted we take a photo from his balcony, showing all the protesters asses!!! LOL   Then came the final speeches on RNC fantasy night TV.  Thank You Clint Eastwood for helping the Democrats. Talking to an empty chair!?!?!  Tampa stood proud. Good Bye RNC.

8-29-12 Where are the Protesters? & TV Personality Ross Mathews Lures GaYBOR.

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    Our friend Judy B. Goode called first thing in the morning. She was ranting and raving about the Republicans on TV & Facebook. We told her to put on a Gay Pride outfit and come to Tampa to join and experience the convention’s perimeter and the protesters. At 3pm Judy & Mark arrived in downtown Tampa. We couldn’t believe it and found plenty of empty parking spaces near Tampa Theatre. It was like a  ghost town. Judy found some rainbow suspenders, rainbow top and hat and rainbow streamers flying off her hat. Isn’t this suppose to be Tampa’s largest convention with over 75,00 visitors in the downtown???? There was nobody and we do mean nobody there! We walked the baron streets and could only get within 3 blocks of the Tampa Convention Center. We did encounter a few groups handing out a variety of their concerned issues literature. Near the Tampa River Walk & Kennedy Bridge we saw military gun boats patrolling the Hillsborough River. In the streets were barricades with the flip up road blocks. Just like you see on TV reports of the Middle East war zones. Wow, what has happened to our little friendly city?? At one point we walked into a traveling marching group of police officers. The khaki sand wearing officers were very nice asking us if we needed anything, water or directions. Walking away Judy said, “Darn…. even the police are nice!!!” We decided to head for Ybor City, maybe we would find some protesters there. Looked around. None there!!! We couldn’t think of any other places protesters would be this time of day.
    OK, so we had tried to protest very hard and it was now time for a beer!!! Into Hamburger Mary’s where we found Stephanie Shippae’ and Melanie Minyon sharing an order of Macho Nachos & toasting Holy Water.  When Stephanie shouted out “HEY Tea Cup meet  Ross Mathews… he’s famous and on the Tonight Show”. It was the real Ross Mathews http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Mathews!!!! Of course that could only mean on thing… Picture Time!!!  On the way home Judy said, “No protesters but we did meet Ross! It was a Great Day!”  That night we decided to protest from our living room. Drinking Patron Margaritas, eating Mark’s homemade seafood pasta and shouting at the RNC speakers on TV from our living room couch.

8-28-2012 Protests & GO Proud’s HOMOCON 2012 Party

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8-28-2012 Protests & GO Proud’s  HOMOCON 2012 Party . The so called protesters were offset by an unannounced tropical storm now disastrous Hurricane  Isaac. Start of the day was to get out our weekly “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” blog and then search downtown Tampa for some more RNC tidbits. Yes, the gavel was struck and the 50,000 conventioneers were ready for the party to begin. The Official ‘legitimate” party that they say is.  Romneyville, the focal center of protesting groups leaders ‘info center’ north of downtown Tampa behind the Army & Navy Store had a smidgens of any group activity. Large signs were displayed all around the tented city block stating “FOOD Needed.” Rain and wind is still a major problem to the tent city. Talking to some of the ‘info center’ leaders “nothing was happening” they stated. Mainly disorganized factions were gathered from just a few days prior.  Asked, “What are your causes?” There was quite the silence. Maybe exhausted or just plain tired from talking to the 15 thousand press members.

I headed to downtown Tampa and this time no incident. Really downtown Tampa was quiet considering the 50k conservative member convention was now underway. The biggest rallying group was a couple hundred supporters for Ron Paul for President were scattered in Lykes Gaslight Park. Quite the unique Ron Paul specialized corvette driving around the park. I met Charlie, a delegate to the convention for Ron Paul. He said that he has a house with 20 other Ron Paul delegates staying with him. He was very popular. Every few feet a different cause handed you literature or pamphlets. Still a humungous amount (over kill) of khaki brown wearing police patrolling our friendly light hearted city. Hundreds of police patrols are still walking, bicycling, riding in vehicles, standing inside fenced properties or riding police horses. Yes, today they are getting rained upon.

A bipartisan house was being built at Encore redevelopment, halfway between downtown and Ybor City. Republicans built half here in Tampa and the Democrats in Charlotte are to build the other half of this gifted giveaway house. The house will be given away and placed on a lot in Encore Project.

Creative Loafing Magazine held a panel discussion at there CL offices on 9th Ave with panelists Log Cabin Board Member, Sara Longfellow; Sally Phillips, GLBTA Democratic State Committeewoman; Nadine Smith with Equality Florida and David Warner, CL publisher as the moderator. The topic theme was “GLBT in today’s political parties; Are they invisible?” Comments and positions were debated by all the panelists on their own party’s platform position.

Back at our MC FILM store, we hadn’t noticed anything positive in store sales during the largest Tampa convention.  Zero sales = Zero dollars! We knew the delegates wouldn’t come in to buy but we did think the media and others would. Ybor City businesses and Tampa businesses are not getting any shoppers. Another sad day for store sales! I was talking with King Corona owner, Don Barco. He has had a lot of national media also interviewing him. One particular fun story is the FOX Network interview with an Emmy award winning broadcaster. He asked Don,” What is it with this close relationship between Ybor City and cigars?” I just laughed as Don was telling me the story.

Onto the night with the Gay Republican splinter Washington conservative based group, GO Proud’s  HOMOCON 2012 Party at the Honey Pot in GaYBOR. Before going we witnessed another Anti-gay mockery bully campaign on 7th Ave in front of Centro Ybor. On the balcony of Hamburger Mary’s we saw 2 battalions of 40 police along with a bicycle patrol of 10 separate the street banner holding self serving religious toting zealots and  the positive horn blowing, yelling in their face and holding there line, GLBT Yborites.

HOMOCON 2012 had been invited by the GaYBOR District to help identify nationally & internationally   the positive measures Ybor City GLBTA members have re-created to Tampa’s historic district.  We wore our traditional sparkling jacket outfits. Over 1000 attendees said they really liked Tampa but were unaware of its beginnings or culture.  The over 100 press members present from all over the globe interviewed us about our views of the GOP’s platform against GLBT rights and the convention being in Tampa. Tampa’s economical situation is very grave and unemployment for East Tampa at over 17%. We need all the financial stimulus help we can get.  We said “ Tonight, we are Switzerland.”

Dishing with Mark & Carrie 8-28-2012

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RNC  SPECIAL  EDITION
    We are so very excited it’s hard to write!!! This week we are including our M&C RNC Diary  each day complete with 100’s of photos. Our interpretation input blog about the local RNC events. To read please go this SPECIAL RNC Section on our web site.    Read More   http://www.mcfilm.co/category/daily-rnc-blog/
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Tampa Bay’s RNC In & Outs
    What a wild ride for Tampa this week. Tampa does have a few crazy roller coasters in our city.The long planned  GOP Republican National Convention 2012 came to Tampa in force. Tidied up hotels and revamped resorts and golf courses are packed all the way to Lakeland. The anti protesters came or are still coming. An underestimated number though. The Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor is overseeing  3,000 statewide police officers converging on the security of downtown Tampa and the area bridges in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, What great looking light weight ‘sand storm trooper police uniforms’ they sport to the world. We commend the leadership to giving a required police crash class on “Be nice & friendly to everyone.” The event planners with groups from 100 to 50,000 are pulling their hairs out. Party locations had to be realigned for the unexpected storm. The 14,000 national and international press media contingencies merged to the West Coast of Florida looking for a slant story on the RNC event. And what appeared to possibly be disastrous to everything, a major annual gulf storm. Hurricane Isaac caused a little havoc with winds and rain to our area but moved away from Tampa to the Gulf Coast states. Lookout New Orleans! Hurricane Katrina was 7 years ago to the day.
    This is an historic time in Tampa Bay. Be it stormy rain or hot humid sunshine the party continues.The big GOP hasn’t yet had national memorable events (well they did cancel the 1st day of the convention). BUT Tampa residents are shining on all media reports. This is a very diverse and friendly city.
    What has positively happened to Tampa Bay we have all noticed. Historical Ybor City’s GaYBOR District rekindled new business and crime cleaned up. New Tampa’s expanded new suburban growth and residences, downtown Tampa being redeveloped after decades of scarred blight and controversies and St. Petersburg shining redesigned downtown is well kept manicured and prospering.
    Say what you want, we are very happy that the former Republican Chairman Michael Steele, former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Investor /Developer Al Austin persuaded a conservative convention site delegation to Tampa Bay, even if Tampa is led by a Democrat governance with Mayor Bob Buckhorn at the realm. August is a traditionally dead month in almost all industries in Tampa except for the 9th largest school system in America!
    So we are all driving different routes to work or play, witnessing what looks like a police battalion scene on TV from Beirut, closed downtown city and county government business, and 400+ charter buses roaming Tampa’s streets looking for a place to let off its passengers.
    We all Welcome You All to Tampa GOP’rs !!!
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This is just too funny!!! 
Today a big black suv stopped in front of our store. 4 Police in sexy brown sandstorm trooper outfits jumped out and ran up to our cut outs to take photos as Dorthy & Leatherman!!! LOL LOL  
Backstage
Caught @ Steam Fridays
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Caught @ G.BAR
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Caught @ Bradley’s on 7th
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New Chef Scott
Caught @ Hamburger Mary’s
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Caught @The Social
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Caught @ JJ’s Cafe & Bar
Caught @ Centro Cantina
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Brandon & James Joyce Pub
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After Glow Proud GaYBOR Members
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The Obama Flag is proudly flying over the tallest building in GaYBOR-Ybor City!!!! The old ice house behind the Hampton Inn on the streetcar line!!!
Caught @ GaYBOR/Ybor City
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Controversial Billboard

If you or any of your readers would like a free bumper sticker of the image, please send them to our website: www.RuthsListFL.org and click on the billboard. Or, go directly to http://www.ruthslistfl.org/content/welcome-tampa-rnc-billboard-and-bumper-sticker

From the MC Film Mail Bag

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From: pflag.tampa@gmail.com
To: pflag.tampa@gmail.com
Sent: 8/24/2012 12:16:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: PFLAG Tampa – Matthew Vines Video
Hi, PFLAGers-

At last week's meeting, we mentioned a YouTube video that has been 
having a profound effect on some of our family members and friends. 
As suggested at the meeting, we are forwarding a link to this video 
to our email list for those of you who would like to view it yourselves. 
It is long - just over an hour - but well worth the viewing. 
Grab a cup of coffee or pop some popcorn, and get ready to be moved 
and challenged by this incredible, and highly-likable, young man. 
In our opinion, the end is the best, so even if it takes a few 
viewing sessions, make sure you get all the way through. We'll post it again
 on facebook, too, and would love to hear your reactions.


Matthew Vines: The Bible and Homosexuality: Why I Left College and Spent Two Years Finding Out What the Scriptures Really Say (VIDEO)

– John & Nancy Desmond, PFLAG Tampa

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr., Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963

“We must make it clear that a platform of ‘I hate gay men and women’

is not a way to become president of the United States of America.”
– Jimmy Carter, 1996

Email: pflag.tampa@gmail.com
Web: http://pflagtampa.org
Telephone: (863) 535-5239
Calendar: http://goo.gl/gg3dp
Facebook: http://facebook.com/PFLAGTampa
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PFLAGTampa
Subscribe: http://goo.gl/ywnmA
==============================
If you received this message in error, or would prefer not to receive any email from PFLAG Tampa, we apologize for inconveniencing you. Just reply with the word “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the subject line.
==============================
PFLAG Tampa meetings:
1st Wednesday of the month — 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Church of Tampa (UCC), 7308 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. (Temple Terrace area of Tampa, just off I-75.)
3rd Tuesday of the month — 7:00pm at Faith Family UCC, 9350 Bay Plaza Blvd, Suite 125, Tampa, FL 33619. (Off Rt. 60, E. Adamo Dr., between Rt. 301 and S. Falkenburg Rd.)
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PFLAG is a nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with any political party or religious institution.

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Metro Wellness & Community Centers Celebrate LGBT Center Awareness Day

Tampa Bay – Metro Wellness & Community Centers are joining with CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers to celebrate the annual LGBT Center Awareness Day. On Saturday, September 15th, the Metro Wellness & Community Centers will hold events at both locations across Tampa Bay (1315 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City and 3251 3rd Avenue North in St. Petersburg) to showcase the many offerings of our local community centers.

 

“Every year we think it’s vital that people recognize the pivotal role LGBT centers play in our community,” said Terry Stone, CenterLink’s Executive Director. “Estimates of over 40,000 people visit centers each week and access programs and services that literally build community from the center. We have seen the effects on communities served by LGBT centers, including financial, health, wellness, and community organizing impacts, and we are excited to highlight that work through Center Awareness Day.”

 

The theme of this year’s LGBT Center Awareness Day is “Building Our Community From The Center,” showcasing the integral role that community centers play in the development, unification, and empowerment of all LGBT communities. Locally, the Metro Wellness & Community Centers provide social activities, classes, support groups, counseling, health and fitness programs, youth programs, substance abuse programs, mental health services, HIV/AIDS services and free HIV Testing.

 

LGBT Center Awareness Day also has a civil rights equality push on a national scope, with an organized effort for municipal, county, and state proclamations honoring the day and the work that LGBT centers do, as well as efforts to get individuals everywhere engaged in “personal awareness actions,” ranging from wearing a button to visiting a center.

 

Metro Wellness & Community Centers will be open to the public on Saturday, September 15th and visitors are encouraged to stop in, take a tour and learn about the many programs being offered. The St. Petersburg Center will be open 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. and will also host “Metro Unplugged” – a night of music featuring Leslie Kille, food and more from 7 to 9 p.m. A cash bar will also be vailable. The Tampa Center will be open 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., during which time the LGBT Youth Group will produce an art project to enhance the Community Center. Free HIV Testing will also be available at both locations. With the National LGBT Center Awareness Day in mind, Metro Wellness & Community Centers is launching its “We are Family” campaign which looks at how LGBT Community Centers are shaping our lives, encourages the community to get to know the Centers, experience the programs, classes and support services and help shape the future of its offerings.

 

“Our community centers are the heartbeat of the community,” says Chris Rudisill, the new Director of LGBT Community Center Services. “We are committed to serving all persons of the community and look forward to growing along with the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight communities to make our programs strong and supportive of the community’s needs. In addition, we serve as a welcoming hub of information and activity for the many visitors that come to the beautiful Tampa Bay area.”

 

Details about LGBT Center Awareness Day are available at www.mycenterlink.org and more information about Metro Wellness & Community Center can be accessed at www.metrotampabay.org.
Media Contact:
Chris Rudisill
Director of Community Center Services
Phone: 727-321-3854 ext 238
Email: ChrisR@metrotampabay.org

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ADVANCE TICKET SALE

Pre-show three-course prix fixe dinner & a free cocktail. Show your online ticket, 5 to 6:30 pm.

539 Central Avenue
Reservations call 727-823-6372
On the 30th anniversary of the release of “Mommie Dearest”, Hedda Lettuce, the beloved “Queen of Green,” is coming from New York to share her now-infamous talkback presentation of “Mommie Dearest.” You might think you already know this camp movie classic, but wait till you hear Hedda’s take on Joan Crawford, Faye Dunaway and “No wire hangers, ever!”

The audience is encouraged to talk back, too, shouting lines along with the characters and dressing up like Joan, Faye-as-Joan, or maybe even little Christina. Limited VIP tickets ($25) allow you to get up close with Lettuce after the show. Online ticket $10 or $12@ the door. In honor of the Queen of Green and the picky Ms. Crawford, please bring wire hangers to be recycled; if you do, you’ll get a free raffle ticket. Showtime is 8 p.m. This is a fundraiser for Friends of the Festival (TIGLFF) and is hosted by Todd Richardson.

Sponsors: C1 Bank; Frog Pond Restaurant; Hake Investments; Rearden Killion Communications; The UPS Store; GayStPete House, MityMo Design, Queens Head Restaurant & Bar Purchase tickets
July 18th – The Palladium – 8 p.m.
253 5th Ave. North – St. Petersburg

 

You Can Not Make This Stuff Up!!

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    The Kress Building Toilets & MC Starts Trouble Again
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This past month there have been massive renovations on the Kress Building block in downtown Tampa. Back in the 1990’s the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival had a “Video Cabaret” and Festival Vendor Show here. We had a booth there. When they turned on the water after 10 years having been shutoff, all the pipes broke and were spraying water all over. There were 5 blue portable restrooms brought in. One Late night a little dizzy person came charging up to us demanding to know, “WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE!!!!” We said they had left and would be back later. Is there something we could help with? He actually said “Only one of those 5 toilets would flush!!!” He was serious!!! LOL LOL
    The featured film, at the Tampa Theatre, this festival was “The Naked Civil Servant” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naked_Civil_Servant_%28film%29 an award film about the life of the famous eccentric Gay Icon Quentin Crisp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Crisp . He had appeared in over 20 LGBT films. The day before at an art gallery in SoHo we had met Quentin & became friends instantly. That night he was the guest speaker and doing a question & answer after the film. The night the film was showing we ran into Quentin in the Video Cabaret. We offered to buy him a beer, which we found out he loved!!! After several beers we asked him if he needed to get over to the film. With a Quentin smile he said, “What for darlings, I know how the film ends. Let’s have another beer!!!” The film at the Tampa Theater ended & no Quentin & they couldn’t find him. OOOPS We caught hell for being too good of hosts that night!!! The best part was that we became life friends of Quentin. Who remembers the Sting song “Englishman in New York”? that was Quentin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englishman_in_New_York
Quentin Crisp
Dec 1908 – Nov. 1999