The Third Annual Metro Wellnes & Community Centers Charity Benefit, ‘GALA ROUGE’ was a burlesque of a great time. The annual benefit fills the needs of LGBTA youth programs, food banks, transgender counseling, transportation cards and a well recognized health care provider for the area GLBTA community.

    We congratulate  Metro Wellness CEO, Lorraine Langlois and all the staff and doctors that are now encompassed in the work of Metro Wellness & Community Center. Officially recognizing LGBT leaders with specially recognized honors went to gay Hillsborough County Commissiner Keven Beckner and to longtime writer and former Watermark Magazine editor, Steve Blanchard.

    The night opened up at the old St Pete Historic Train Depot on South 22nd Street in the Vintage Art District. The newly transformed building was a beautiful backdrop to the many changes in St. Petersburg’s different districts. It was a themed night of classic European Cabaret ambiance with different performances by Tampa Bay’s Femmes & Follies with leading lady Katie James and the nights Emcee and colorful ringmaster, Matthew McGee. The handsome twisted shirtless young man and the fire dancer treated the revelers.

    A wide variety of raffles, vacation auctions, great appetizers, food garnishments and drinks were arranged all around the transformed train depot.

    Many spotted friends and celebrities. James Keane and Chris Rudisill from Metro Wellness, Michael Brill from Raymond James Investments, New St. Pete Punkies Bar owner, Brian Longstreth, Creative Loafing editor David Warner and partner political consultant,Larry Bittle, Tom Crist from Hotspots Media, newcomers from Watermark Magazine were with Bill Jeffries,  political consultant Nick Janovsky and now with Smith & Associates, and St. Pete gay icon leader and friend, attorney Bob Pope.

    Metro Wellness & Community Centers is such a great asset to the Tampa Bay community for all they work for and towards human dignity!