Tampa’s LGBT community is growing and so is the awareness of the media positivism in the Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Business Journal started 3 years ago the TBBJ Business of Pride Awards acknowledging the LGBT achievements in businesses and by individuals here in our growing diversified community.

    Carrie West, Tampa Pride president and partner with Mark Bias of MCFILMFEST.com’s, “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” E-Newsletter was one of the 8 LGBT Outstanding Voices of Tampa Bay Award recipients for the past and present work done in our community.

    “Thank You for the trusted honor! This is a great diverse and tolerarant community” Carrie remarked to the 500 at the reception at Hilton Downtown.

    TBBJ had 4 categories of PRIDE achievements. Outstanding Voices, Allies of LGBT, Companies and Community Enhancements.

    We have a full list of the TBBJ Recognized Community Award Winners.

    Congratulations to all the nominees.

    The traditional month to have Pride Celebrations around the country and St Pete Pride celebrated 15 years of local LGBT Celebrations and making a memorable stand like Stonewall Inn riots did June 1969 in Greenwich Village in New York City.

    Though the community atmosphere was more receptive and the crowds marching stood for a cause. Themselves! The full Saturday event had many events happenings. A full day entertainment & music concerts in Straub Park. An early LGBT Fashion show at Macy’s at Tyronne Square Mall and the highlight was the huge Pride parade along St Pete’s waterfront. Thousands gathered to support, cheer on and be entertained by the 130+parade walking units, dignitaries, performing corps and floats.

    A first was the Transgender March & Parade started  in the opposite direction from Whitted Park on the same route prior to the big parade beginnings. A first parade in the nation for Transgender rights.

    Also noticed this year was WFLA NBC TV 8 had a unit in the parade. A little 2009 history of Pride in Tampa Bay. 8 ears ago the local TV station played an defaming gay infomercial 2 hours after the St Pete Pride celebration. The film, Speechless:Silencing the Christians, a film shown that had anti-gay theme bigotry sponsored by American family Association and wanted radical right-wing Christians to fight  the “radical homosexual  activist agenda” and against homosexuals! The TV station had over 1,000 protesting callers.  Gay protesters of thousands wanting TV top management change was held at the station the next day.

    Though the St Pete Board took a new direction by moving the historical parade from the traditional Grand Central District to the downtown route, security was of concern. Thousands crowded the waterfront bars, shops and restaurants. Controversy of the relocation was squelched by opposing groups. Amendments were made.

    In the end, a huge fireworks display flying overhead making a great successful event days ending.  See All the photos at www.MCFilmFest.com

    Central Avenue was lined Sunday with a full array of tents, trailers, cars and more tents. From 22nd Ave all the way to 31st St, businesses large & small, corp sponsorship, food eateries, organizations and artisans. Behind the tents were the merchants of the Grand Central District open with smiles for the big daytime festival. A record crowd was expected and that was delivered. Amazing deals from necklaces, shirts to $400k motor home was yours if you made the right deal!

    A new addition was a City of St Petersburg sponsored Artist Craft Festival area. Paintings, sculptures and crafts area for small beginning start up artists & vendors displayed as part of the festivals diversity and showcasing the arts & crafts they make, hands on.

    The beaming hot blazing sun was a perfect day setting to be outdoors. Families, couples and dog lovers either walked in the festival streets or on the tree shaded sidewalks all along the district businesses. Beverages were available by many bars, food stands, restaurants and beer trucks. See All the photos at www.MCFilmFest.com

Saturday, July 1st is Canada Day. This year there will be special celebration at The Dirty Shame in Ybor from 3 to 10PM. Our favorite part is there will be a food truck serving POUTINE!!!  A French Canadian dish of fries, cheese curds & gravey!!! Everybody is encouraged to wear Red & White.

Darlene Herrick  has joined the Hamburger Mary’s family as District Executive Chef. She will be looking over all 5 local locations. Many of us know and love Darlen from the Cherokee Club, her Club Flirt Nightclub, Streetcar Charlie’s and recently La Septima Cafe. There will some fun new ideas coming soon to Mary’s. Welcome Darlene.