Several years ago, after many interviews we wrote the column “The Bars that Were”http://www.mcfilm.co/bars-that-were-new/ The most interesting part was the many different memories. It all depended on your age and where you were in life at that time. The same club would have many very different descriptions. The same can be said about Tampa Pride 2016. Here are just some of the many different memories.
The view was beautiful, the weather was spectacular, and the food and company was out of sight.
Tampa Waterside Marriott was the host and TAMPA PRIDE Sponsor for this years corp VIP Event.
Red lights were aimed upward around the huge Florida Ballroom. DJ Kennedy had the party rockin and servers walking around the large ballroom had a wide variety of specialty morsels of delicious appetizers the hotel chefs had created. This is the Kick-Off to TAMPA PRIDE 2016!
TAMPA PRIDE Sponsors Party had all the sponsors sharing and networking. TAMPA PRIDE Stand Fronts, Banners and 2016 TP Rainbow Sponsors Flags were all over decorating the huge packed room. In the back was all the Marriott Flag Hotels. Courtyard, Marriott, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn banners.
“We are so proud to have introduced new companies in the area to the Tampa Diversity Spectrum of TAMPA PRIDE.” said Carrie West, President of Tampa Pride 2016.
” It’s all about the Corridor of Prides in Central Florida.”
Pointing out new Pride sponsoring companies that have never been involved or dwelled into the GLBT marketplace. New comers are Bristol-Myers Squibb , an international pharmaceutical company who in a big way had a Pre Pride Pep Rally Party & BBQ with 200 of the employees at its new corporate campus next to Tampa Intl Airport. Last year new companies who never had been a part of any GLBT venture or the vast Tampa Bay Diversity inclusion included USAA Insurance, Grow Financial and T-Mobile Communications.
Highlighted guests were TAMPA PRIDE Grand Marshal Russell Rhodes, Fox 13 TV Morning News anchor, of ‘Good Day Tampa Bay’ saying tearful, ” I am a very…very Proud Gay Man!” His personal chronicles were both humerous and heartfelt.
The other Grand Marshal Lorraine Langlois, CEO of Metro Wellness and Community Centers had a fall and broke her leg. She was scheduled to be in surgery when the party took place. A toast was raised for her speedy recovery and honor.
A New Award by TAMPA PRIDE is the “Recognized Community GLBT Supporter Award” that went out to 2 larger than life individuals in Tampa Bay. 1st is Joe Redner, local businessman and Human Rights activist who gave a very personal and touching story to the audience. The 2nd is former Mayor Pam Iorio, now CEO & President of Big Brother Big Sisters of America. She was away on a conference heading back to Tampa for the TAMPA PRIDE weekend events.
A gentleman who went to TAMPA PRIDE meetings lat year and has a whale of a tale.
Charles Clancey was part of the pioneer activists that held the first Gay Parade in the United States prior to Stonewall in Provincetown in the mid 1960’s.
“We went to get a permit for a parade and were denied because we were just homosexuals.” he explained. “So we were on the side of the street when the P-Town Parade past by and ended and we just got up with signs we made our own Gay parade and continued on. The police were out numbered by the 200 gays that marched. You have to realize the city jail onlyhad for cells!” he laughed.
He went on telling the all eared crowd. “I was fired from Harvard Trust Bank because they found out I was a homosexual!”
You will be hearing a lot more about the historic pioneer activism of Charles Clancey in the future on many broadcasts and in magazine articles.
We salute the Marriott Corp for all their help and Partnering!
Key West Historic Flag
(in photo Key West, spring of 2003)
A very special section of the Historic Key West 8 Color Rainbow Flag was presented on 7th Ave in Ybor City’s GaYBOR District for the weekends TAMPA PRIDE Parade Celebration.
Section #93, part of the 1.25 mile sewn Key West Rainbow Flag that was made in 2003, just returned from Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in Australia. The original mammoth Rainbow flag was unfurled down Duval Street in Key West from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and both ends dipped into the respective oceans. The special 8 color Rainbow Pride Flag was designed by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978!
“While in Sydney the flag took a added dip into the Pacific Ocean.” remarked Mark Ebenhock, Executive Director of LoveisLove Key West.
We want to Thank LovisLove Key West for helping provide the historic Key West Rainbow Flag to TAMPA PRIDE 2016 for its last memorable historic parade performance.
“Sacred Flag “, section #93 name, was specially transported to Tampa for the TAMPA PRIDE Weekend Event. The flag past tens of thousands of GaYBOR District cheering spectators not once but 3 emotional moment times!.
The 8 color flag had its own celebration on Saturday. The flag was carried by members and employees of Marriott Corp and Tampa Marriott Waterside. The Special historic Key West Rainbow Flag Celebration was held in front of Hamburger Mary’s in Centro Ybor on 7th. Each of the flags were anointed to the large distinguished Key West Flag to 4 other GLBT community represented flags (Rainbow, Bear, Leather Community and Transgender flag) and the United States Flag that had been given to TAMPA PRIDE and had been flown over the U.S. Capital given by Representative Kathy Castor.
The ceremony started 1 hour late due to flat tires on the street barricades semi truck on I-4! Barricades were then rushed into place.
Standing with the employees of the Marriott both Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Award winner of this years new TAMPA PRIDE Recognized Community GLBT Supporter Award held the special 25′ x 16′, famed #93, International traveled Rainbow section.
In the front of the line-up flag carriers was the Tampa Bay Rainbow Pride Band performing a cadence march along with Marriott Waterside Manager Ron McAnnaugh. A Drone took overhead video and pictures of the remarkable and memorable moments above 7th Ave for both the flag ceremony and the large TP Parade.
Section #93 now has special instructions as it has already been to over 120 countries around the world. The precious section, “Sacred Flag”, is now heading to the White House and will be on display in Washington, DC for the next 6 weeks. The trail ends in Washington, DC as it will then be traveling over to the Smithsonian Institute Museum for permanent historic display.
Marriott employees said, “They wanted their DNA on this celebrated historic Rainbow flag!”
Gasparilla Film Festival
The 10th Annual Gasparilla Film Festival is running now thru April 3, 2016. The festival features movies, interactions with filmmakers and events in Ybor City FYI http://www.gasparillafilmfestival.com/
We at Hamburger Mary’s care a great deal not only for our community at large, but our Mary’s Family as a whole.
When one of us suffers a loss, we all feel that loss.
The best way for us to show this appreciation to all of our family is to help contribute in times of need.
Fred Green, one of our kitchen staff in the historic
Ybor City, Tampa location has just suffered a tremendous loss in his family.
His wife, Lisa passed away after a long and difficult battle with cancer.
We all understand what a tough time his family must now endure and ask that ALL of our Hamburger Mary’s families from around the country will show it in their hearts to donate for the services and arrangements that must be made to lay her peacefully to rest.
Please find it in your hearts to donate what you can so he and his children can make the proper arrangements to ease dealing with such a horrific loss in their family.
Anything helps, if even only $5.
Join us in showing our love and support to this amazing person and friend in his time of need.
It truly takes a village to host Tampa Pride. Volunteers from across the State & Country have come together to give you the Best Pride Experience Ever!
Here are the Highlight you need to know.
The TAMPA PRIDE 2016 Parade & Festival
are
SOLD OUT
Arrive early.
There are two large parking garages in Ybor City.
Arrive by Bus, Street Car or Uber would also be fun.
The TAMPA PRIDE Street Festival
Will be in and around Centennial Park
1800 E 8th Ave. 10AM to 5PM
The TAMPA PRIDE PARADE
Starting with a Special Key West RB Flag Ceremony at 12Noon
going down 7th Ave in front of Centro Ybor.
The Parade will start at 1PM. The Parade Route starts at 7th Ave & 12th St. traveling East on 7th Ave, ending in Centennial Park.
Main Stage
Will be in Centennial Park.
A Packed Full Day of Fabulous Entertainment Starting at 10AM
Hamburger Mary’s Stage
Located in Centro Ybor with continuous Entertainment all day.
Children Friendly Area
West side of Centennial Park
TAMPA PRIDE BEER GARDENS
Will be located on both sides of the Main Stageand Festival areas.
Volunteers from Balance Tampa Bay & SunCoast Soft Ball league will hosting the beer tents.
Your Support
Please support businesses that are flying the Rainbow Pride Flag!!!
Huge Thank YOU the Promo Printing Team
Search Results
Bristol-Myers Squibb 1st time ever in a Gay Pride Event
TAMPA PRIDE 2016 ends at 5PM.
The Magic of GaYBOR then takes over.
Here are some of the EXCITING PARTIES PLANNED for YOU
The Liquid Lounge in GaYBOR hosted a very successful Trade Auction raising over $1,400+ that night . The staff members were auctioned off for dinner a dinner date. The highest price went to CJ in his marine Uniform. THANK YOU Liquid Lounge!!
Hamburger Mary’s GaYBOR hosted BINGO for TAMPA PRIDE. The prize gifts were way over the top !!! With concert tickets, hotel stays, bar tabs, dinners,wines & much more. With a generous donation from Hamburger Mary’s then total for the night was over $6,000 for TAMPA PRIDE. THANK YOU!!!
The place to be this Super Bowl Sunday is GaYBOR!!! All the clubs and restaurants are having Fantastic Parties!!! Start with brunch. At 1:30 there is the Legendary Drag Show at Hamburger Mary’s. BINGO at 5PM then watch the game at your favorite club!
U Tampa PRIDE BINGO
Help the U of Tampa LGBTA get a float in this years TAMPA PRIDE. BINGO at Hamburger Mary’s starts at 5PM. Stephanie Shippae will be the BINGO caller. Don’t like BINGO then stop by and make a donation.
We are so very lucky to live in Tampa, Florida! The TAMPA PRIDE team have been working very closely with the City of Tampa. It’s incredible how this all works together. There are these huge round table meeting with the city. At these meeting are the City events, police, fire dept, waste management , transportation and more. The location of every booth, parade line up, restroom, parking and more are talked about by all these departments. This is so we have the safest event in Florida. A big THANK YOU goes out to Team Tampa!!
BOOK YOUR Hotels NOW
The Hotel room are filling us fast! Book your today.
Making its depue this Sunday will be the TAMPA PRIDE Pop Up Store. It is actually a shopping cart that will visit the TAMPA PRIDE Sponsor Clubs. This cart will have for sale, buttons, T-shirts, Sweat Shirts, Flags & more. Ther will also be FREE Give-a -ways .
The Reservoir Bar
When asked to describe the Reservoir Bar was always way say… “It from leather to feathers, straight to gay and every where in between!!!” It is one of those few places in the world where everybody is truly welcome. the next time your in Ybor City stop in for a drink. You will be glad you did.
Across the Universe
One of our favorite things to do is ask friends…. “What’s your favorite movies?” This past week JJ told us it was the film “Across the Universe.” How did we miss this one? It was so much fun. It’s all Beatle Music from the 60’s. Not only was the music great but it was a time capsule of the 60’s. We give it 5 thumbs up. It was on Amazon Fire stick.
VOTE VOTE VOTE
The Watermark Wave Awards are open for Voting. PLEASE take a couple of minutes and VOTE!!! Think; Mark & Carrie, Hamburger Mary’s, Bradley’s Tea Cup and your GaYBOR Family.!!!!
It’s just amazing how many sponsors have already stepped up to the plate and become 2016 Tampa Pride Sponsors. Now it’s your turn to show PRIDE. Visit www.TampaPRIDE.org today and become a sponsor.
Sunday, TAMPA PRIDE held its first MISS TAMPA PRIDE 2016 PAGEANT. Last year the honor of being TAMPA PRIDE’s first reigning crown was selected by merit by the Pride Board to Miss Esme Russell.
This year the pageant at the Honey Pot was headed by Kurt King, Miss TAMPA PRIDE Emeritus Esme Russell and Miss Jocelyn Summers.
The colorful table decorations by Mathieu, flowers by Island Florist and 7 area pageant judges. A long list of performers added continuous excitement to the nights pageant. Talent, Gown and Question/Answer were the three areas of record for the 7 community selected Judges.
Contestants were Miss Amy DeMilo, Alexis Mateo and Miss Kila.
Thank You to the packed pageant goers that came out to the Honey Pot for the First MISS TAMPA PRIDE 2016 PAGEANT
