The Miami Herald Reports…

Log Cabin Republicans: Party passes ‘most anti-LGBT platform’ in GOP History.’

    Log Cabin Republicans on Tuesday evening issued an email announcing that “moments ago, the Republican Party passed the most anti-LGBT Platform in the Party’s 162-year history.”

The email, from Log Cabin President Gregory T. Angelo, continues: “Opposition to marriage equality, nonsense about bathrooms, an endorsement of the debunked psychological practice of “pray the gay away” — it’s all in there.

“This isn’t my GOP, and I know it’s not yours either. Heck, it’s not even Donald Trump’s! When given a chance to follow the lead of our presumptive presidential nominee and reach out to the LGBT community in the wake of the awful terrorist massacre in Orlando on the gay nightclub Pulse, the Platform Committee said,” NO.”

Read more here:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article89235362.html

From Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dear Carrie,

I wanted to express my deepest sympathy over the senseless violence that took place over the weekend at Pulse in Orlando.

We cherish the people of the LGBT Community, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones during this tragic time.

Sincerest thoughts and condolences,

Allie Lewis

From The MC Film News Bag

Exhibit, Speakers and Concert Round Out LGBTQ Programs in Gulfport

Contact: David Mather; (727) 893-1075; dmather@mygulfport.us

GULFPORT, FLORIDA: Throughout June, LGBTQ Pride Month will be celebrated by a full slate of programs sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library. All programs are open to the public and take place at the Gulfport Public Library (5501 28th Avenue South), unless otherwise noted.

The first event will be an opening reception for the exhibit, “Rags: A Survey of LGBT Periodicals,” on Wednesday, June 1st at 7 p.m. The exhibit examines the history of gay newsweeklies across the country and the significant role they played in bringing LGBT people together. Included in the exhibit are newsweeklies that operate in “gay meccas,” such as San Francisco, Washington DC and Fort Lauderdale, as well as underground publications in rural America. Chris Rudisill, Executive Director of Stonewall National Museum and Archives, will provide opening remarks. The exhibit will be on display throughout the month of June. The opening reception is free and complimentary refreshments will be offered.

Two “Lunch and Learn” programs will take place during Pride Month.   Attendees are invited to bring their own lunch while enjoying presentations by visiting speakers.   Lunch and Learn programs are free of charge. On Thursday, June 9th at noon, “From Gay Surfers to Old Lesbians Organizing for Change: Developing an LGBT Initiative at a State University in Florida,” will be the topic presented by Matthew Knight, Assistant Director of Special Collections at the University of South Florida (USF). The Special Collections Department at USF includes a variety of historically significant LGBT materials, including some “extraordinary” items donated over the years. Knight will show and discuss the range of items in the growing LGBT collections, including some of the most notable and interesting items among them.

A second Lunch and Learn opportunity will be presented by Gulfport author, educator and lecturer Susan Gore on Thursday, June 23rd at noon.   “RFRA Madness and the Law of Unintended Consequences” is Gore’s subject, posing an initial question, “What does a ‘mom and pop’ florist in Oregon and a $3.3 billion corporation have in common?”   Both have challenged legal mandates that require serving the public and their employees without regard to sex, sexuality or gender identity. Pushback to “gay marriage” has emerged in the form of 22 state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs) that claim to protect citizen’s “sincerely held religious beliefs” by providing religious exemptions to nondiscrimination laws.   Gore will discuss RFRAs in the U.S. and some unintended consequences likely to result from the current “RFRA Madness.”

A fun and lively evening, “Friends of Dorothy: Music from the Land of Oz” will be the final program in the Pride Month series on Tuesday, June 28th at 7pm. The show will feature well-known Tampa Bay singers and actors Sara DelBeato and Michael Raabe performing musical selections from “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz,” “Wicked,” and other Oz-related music. This special performance will be held at Gulfport’s Catherine Hickman Theater (5501 27th Avenue South). Tickets are now available for a suggested donation of $15 each at the Library, the Gulfport Casino and the Gulfport Beach Bazaar. Ticket sales benefit the LGBTQ Resource Center.

The LGBTQ Resource Center is a project of the non-profit Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library. The Center is the first of its kind in a public library setting in Florida and was established in 2015. For more information about Pride Month programs or the Resource Center, contact the Library at (727) 893-1074.

The Hillsborough County EXPRESS WAY ATHORITY

All roads lead to Tampa

Call to Artists Announced for Creation of Geckos

April 12, 2016:  For Immediate Release

Contact: Jessica Sager; 727-608-0070; Jessica.Sager@live.com.

GULFPORT, FLORIDA:  Organizers of Gulfport’s 8^th Annual Gecko Ball have announced a call to artists for the creation of their interpretation of a gecko. The live auction of artist-created geckos has become a much-anticipated tradition during each Gecko Ball. Seven artists will be chosen to create geckos for the Ball this year.  For the first time in Gecko Ball history, each artist will receive 25% of the proceeds from the auction of their gecko.  Additionally, each artist selected will receive two tickets to the Gecko Ball and will be acknowledged during the event.

The seven selected artists’ pieces will be unveiled at the Gecko Kickoff Opening Reception art exhibit on Friday, August 5, 2016, 6 p.m. until 8p.m. at the Catherine Hickman Theater lobby/gallery space in Gulfport. The artists chosen will also have an opportunity to have selections from their own bodies of work displayed during a curated exhibit at the Hickman Theater space throughout the month of August.  Following the opening reception, each artist’s gecko will be moved and displayed in a local business in Gulfport’s Waterfront District until the day of the Ball on Saturday, August 27^th.

To be considered, artists are invited to submit a brief resume, photos of some of their work and/or links to online sources of information about themselves and their work.  It is necessary that artists predetermine and express a concept of the gecko that they would create if selected, including what types of materials will be incorporated.  Geckos may be created from any material(s), and may be a three-dimensional or sculptural piece, but no more than four feet in length. Use of a steel form from past years is no longer required.  Artists should clearly state that the gecko they create is either intended for indoor display only or suitable for display in outdoor weather conditions.  Artists are responsible for purchasing any materials needed to create their designs.  Selected artists must complete their geckos no later than July 8, 2016.

The deadline to submit an expression of interest will be May 16th.  For more information and to submit materials, contact selection committee Chair Jessica Sager by phone at 727-608-0070 or email to Jessica.Sager@live.com.  Submissions may be sent via email or postal mail to 2624 54^th Street South, Gulfport FL, 33707.  Over 50 geckos have been created by artists for auction at the Gecko Ball in previous years, each becoming a collector’s item.  A portion of proceeds from the Gecko Ball, the Gecko Pub Crawl (August 6^th) and the GeckoFest street festival (September 3^th) is donated to local charities each year and/or used to fund public art installations.  All Gecko events are sponsored by the non-profit Gulfport Merchants Association.

The theme of this year’s Gecko Ball is “20,000 Geckos Under the Sea,” a celebration of all things in, on and near the sea, as well as the classic 19^th century Jules Verne adventure novel and the popular movie which followed in 1954.  Costumes are encouraged!  The event includes catered fare, cash bar, live music and dancing, coronation of the next Gecko Queen, a costume contest, silent auctions and the live auction of artist-created geckos.  Tickets for Gecko Ball will go on sale July 4^th, and it is known to sell out every year.  To receive updates on the Gecko Ball, including announcements of ticket sales and locations, visit and “like” the Facebook page for Gecko Ball at www.facebook.com/geckoball.  Ticket sales announcements will also be published in local media.  For more information about Gecko Ball, please contact Daniel Hodge at (727) 366-4086 or email dan@igc.org.

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