This week we had a very interesting conversation with Bonnie, a nice African American lady. Bonnie was in her 30’s and had an active 3 year old. She told us how she had been in Ybor City for the past 13 years and wanted to thank us for all that we have done to make Ybor a better place the last few years. Her observation was that the people of Ybor were always open minded & accepting of the LGBT community but the outside community didn’t know this.
It was not until the “GaYBOR District Members Stickers” started to appear in the storefront windows that people outside of Ybor started to come back & feel safe. They knew it was more caring and diversified. We thanked her and said it was a group effort of many good people in Ybor City. Then we told her the story about the stickers and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. In one of our many meeting with Pam she asked about the bright GaYBOR stickers. We told her it was a way for LGBT people to know they are welcome & safe at this business. Pam looked surprised and said ” In my city the LGBT community is welcome everywhere.”
We sadly but whole heartedly had to enlighten the mayor. We said, “Pam picture yourself walking in a strange town by yourself. Some creepy people walk up fast behind you. You could turn and walk into a store and be safe. If you are a LGBT person you are not sure if you did this that you would be safe in that store.”
Pam smiled and said “Now I understand.”
After we told this story to our new friend Bonnie, she smiled and said, “Maybe, You guys don’t get it. It is not only the LGBT people that understands the rainbow but straight black women like me. When I was growing up we always looked for the rainbow. It means these are cool nice people and that I would be accepted there too. There were places in Ybor that I never thought about walking into until I saw the rainbow.”
Thank You Bonnie for in enlightning us!! Bonnie was right the Rainbow Flag means acceptance of everybody. In this cruel world a little small colorful sign of tolerance is very welcoming.