Dishing with Mark n Carrie…. Bars That Were

Bars That Were

About 10 years ago we went on a mission to list all the LGBT Bars that were in the area. We stopped at 244+ WOW. We know it needs to be updated again. Many times, people write to us their memories of the club. We try to add them to this list. Here is a letter we received just this week.

Hi Guys, I’m writing from Los Angeles, but grew up in Tampa. I’ve really enjoyed your “Bars That Were” section, but I think I can give you one more. It had to have been around 1968-69, and a buddy at Plant High School told me he was gay. And he told me I was too! In any event, he decided he was going to take me to a gay bar that he could get us into. We were 16.We drove to St. Pete, somewhere around downtown. He led me into a dingy neighborhood straight bar, with loud sports playing on a TV. There were maybe three drunks slumped over their drinks. But my friend led me past all that, to a door at the back of the room. He knocked on the door and someone on the other side slid open a small peep panel. My friend said the word “Fugativa” and the door was opened. Inside was a bigger room with quite a lot men – and a few women who looked like men – all much older than we were. Instantly, I felt like I’d walked into a den of wolves. We only stayed long enough for my friend to get served alcohol, without any questions. And I gulped down a Coke. But the hungry eyes of the male patrons were too scary for me, and we left fast. My buddy was pissed, but I had been to my very first gay bar. In essence, it was a speakeasy, and the name was Fugativa. Which he told me meant fugitive in Spanish. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Use it on your web page if you’d like. Maybe it will spark other guy’s memories of that time or place.

Regards, Nancy

Bars That Were

PROUD of Tampa

This week we were asked to be on a City of Tampa panel to discuss understanding diversity and how it can be taught to all city employees. This course will be called “Implicit Bias, Diversity and Cultural Competency Training for City of Tampa Employees.” It is also known as The USEA Enrichment Program (Understanding, Sensitivity, Enlightenment & Awareness). What a positive and proactive approach to making Tampa a better place to live. Their motto sounds like Ybor City & something we all can live by. Each color has its own mission. Altogether they “Invigorate the Tree of Life.”

Tampa PRIDE

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Help Support Tampa PRIDE. Go to Smile.Amazon.com and pick Tampa Pride, Inc. ( 46-5680985 ) as your charity. Thank You

Bradley’s on 7^th 10 Year Anniversary

Click HERE for more Photos

http://www.mcfilm.co/category/great-photos/caught-bradleys-on-7th/

NEW – Metro Inclusive Health’s Youth Market

Starting this Saturday, March 13^th https://www.facebook.com/events/1158136831285435

From Metro Inclusive Health….

METRO absolutely loves our LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, and we’re proud to say that these young folks are incredibly talented. That’s why we think it’s about time we share their talents with all the amazing folks who support us! Our first ever Youth Market is an opportunity for the young and emerging queer artists involved with METRO to have a presence in the community without the typical barriers that come along with vending in a market. So come on down to our welcome center and discover (and purchase) the beautiful artwork of these talented young people! All proceeds go to the artists and we accept cash and Venmo!

The Watermark Wave Awards

The 2021 Wave Awards are HERE!!! There is a lot to be proud of in the Tampa Bay Area!!!!