A wave of positive energy has been flowing over 7th Ave in GaYBOR/Ybor City this past month. There have been many Conventions, Cruise Ships, Parties, Pageants, Tournaments, Special Events & Meetings held because of GaYBOR!  These events and planners have worked together with GaYBOR District and drew 10’s of 1,000’s of national travellers, international visitors, state tourists along with locals to GaYBOR/Ybor City. Creating a huge economical impact on not only GaYBOR/Ybor City but the West Coast of Florida.

Many in the LGBT & friendly community are Cheering “Viva La GaYBOR/Ybor City!!!”

This past weekend was The Krewe of Sant’ Yago Pin Chaser Knight Parade. The GaYBOR District Coalition was very honored & proud to be in this parade for the 5th time. On the GaYBOR Float & in the walking delegation were over 80+ members proudly representing diversity. The crowds cheered wildly and loudly for the group. There were also thumbs up from Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn & TV entertainer and honorary Sant’ Yago Knight Parade Marshall Jerry Springer. This past weekend was also the 17th Annual Gasparilla Softball Classic http://www.suncoastsoftball.org/gsc/ .  84 LGBTA teams from across North America competed this year. For the first time both the registration and closing parties were both held in GaYBOR/Ybor City.  Many of the softball players & other groups commented on how much they liked the GaYBOR Membership stickers & Posters in the merchants windows. We heard over & over not only did the stickers & posters make them feel welcome but told them where their LGBTA Money was appreciated at. This weekend was the Opening of Liquid Tampa. Congratulations to Mike, Manny & Steve! How very Fantastic to have Liquid Tampa bring life back to the corner of 15th St & 7th Ave. The dirty blacked out windows are now clean & open to the outdoors.  Inside you will find a NEW positive LGBTA Dance/Happy Hour Club full of Color, Excitement & Fun!!! A Great Happy Hour  with a South Beach feel as you watch the sun set over the Tampa Skyline and the Night Life begin in GaYBOR/Ybor City.

Coming up this weekend is the first “Florida Leather Weekend 2012” to be hosted in GaYBOR/Ybor City. The host hotel will be the Hampton Inn & Suites. Registrations starts Thursday at Bradley’s on 7th. There will be educational sessions at the Metro Wellness & Community Center (did you know that the Metro Center is the 6st largest LGBT Community Center in North America?). The Flamingo Auto Group will host a car show in the metro parking lot on Saturday 25th too. There are many more events including a Motorcycle Run, Reception at Reservoir Bar, Family Dinner at Laughing Cat, Cigar smoker & more . FMI at  http://www.flleatherweekend.com

On that same Saturday is the 9th Annual Flan Festival 11- 4  in Centennial Park.

GaYBOR President Carrie West will be a Judge!!!  And Saturday the streets of Ybor City come alive with the Annual Fiesta Day with the famous recognized American Main Street winner, Ybor’s 7th Ave. lined with vendors, and local restaurants.

Saturday Night, Feb 25, at The Italian Club will be the ” 6th Annual Equality Florida Tampa GALA.” The GaYBOR District Coalition will be receiving the first “Business Means Equality” Award at the GALA.

Tickets are $100.00 and available at http://eqfl.org/Upcoming_Events

The Board of GaYBOR & committees are very busy working on upcoming events, promotions, advertising, outreach & programs. Just some include; St. Patrick’s Day Parade, GaYBOR Days, Easter Bar Crawl, Health Fair, LGBT Conventions across America, St. Pete Pride,  Educational Programs,  Designation Programs,The Republican National Convention are among the many.

GaYBOR District Coalition