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What an exciting week and time for the GLBT community and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. First, at the Annual GaYBOR Mayor’s Luncheon last Thursday, he was honored by GaYBOR District Coalition with a standing ovation. He was given the GaYBOR  Award for the positive GLBT contributions he has asserted and proclaimed in our local community.

 The well attended event had the mayor speaking of the diversity Tampa has had and still instills in all the citizens. “It was just one of many things the world noticed at last years RNC National Convention in Tampa.”

Then added, “Wouldn’t a new baseball stadium do wonderous things to our Tampa’s downtown?” as he grinned! One thing about our boisterous mayor he knows how to throw out some high eye brow zingers!

The revitalization of the Hillsborough River as the center of Tampa activity and not a barrier to Tampa’s new growth was echoed throughout the mayors speech. He consistently talked of Tampa’s national spotlight  and development and trying to live by the old 1980’s nationwide slogan,‘Tampa: America’s Next Great City.’

He recognized the hard work and positive direction GaYBOR District has on Tampa’s economy. Helping make recent changes by the Hillsborough County Commissioners to the 8 year old  county’s gay pride ban. About Tampa’s long record for accepting and showing diversity for new businesses looking to relocate or add a satellite site to the area.  Lastly, an appreciative Thank You for working as a team player to the GaYBOR District Coalition!

Our labeling of Mayor Buckhorn as, “Tampa Bay’s Mayor” furthered his exposure to the Tampa Bay GLBTA community as being the highest ranking elected official in the St. Pete Pride Parade. The overzealous enthusiastic record breaking crowd of over 150,000 GLBTA parade watching attendees saw the mayor wave and walk the 1.5 miles parade route in the rainy day event.