The Official Come Out St. Pete Guide 2023

The Off i cial

Guide 2023

Love is

choose well.

Bayfront Health is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects and values the diversity of the community that we have proudly called home for over 100 years. BayfrontHealth.com

Contents

7// History of National Coming Out Day

9// Letter from COSP Chair 11// Letter from COSP Co-Chair

14// City of St. Pete Proclamation

16// Supporter Spotlight 17// Out & Proud 19// Event Listing 21// Business Directory 22// Thank You, Sponsors!

THE OFFICIAL COME OUT ST. PETE GUIDE IS PUBLISHED BY WATERMARK PUBLISHING GROUP

Owner & Publisher Rick Todd

Editor-in-Chief

Jeremy Williams

Managing Editor

Ryan Williams-Jent

Creative Designers Caitlin Sause Dylan Todd

Sales Director Danny Garcia

Sr. Central Florida Account Manager Sam Callahan

Central Florida Account Manager Daisy Chamberlin

Founder and Guiding Light Tom Dyer

Contents of this Come OUT St. Pete Guide are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the publishers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members or organizations. Watermark Publishing Group cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. © Watermark Publishing Group Phone: ORL: 407-481-2243 TB: 813-655-9890

Publisher@WatermarkOnline.com WatermarkOnline.com

Come OUT St. Pete's mission is to advocate for community awareness and acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Royal Court photos by Terry Scopelliti.

Come OUT St. Pete 2023 Board Members PAT “TAZ” FEARNS, Chair

CHRIS JONES, Board member

BILL KODY, Co-Chair

NOELLE SONCRANT, Board member

JOSHUA WALLACE, Treasurer

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

5

Bell Pharmacy Bell Pharmacy offers specialized offers specialized LGBTQ+ care in Bell St.Pharmacy Petersburg LGBTQ+ care in

offers specialized St. Petersburg Bell Pharmacy LGBTQ+ care in offers specialized Bell Pharmacy St. Petersburg LGBTQ+ care in

offers specialized St. Petersburg As an independent Pharmacy we LGBTQ+ care inguarantee excellent and personalized service. If you’re ready for a pharmacy that knows your name again make the switch today! We will transfer all your St. Petersburg B Eon LL PH A R We M Aaccept C Y all OF F E R S :and work prescriptions your behalf. insurances As an independent Pharmacy we guarantee excellent and personalized service. If you’re ready for a pharmacy that knows your name again make the switch today! We will transfer all your prescriptions on your behalf. We accept all insurances and work directly with your insurance company to provide you the best care.

and support for expensive medications. directly withGrants your insurance company to provide you the best care.

As an independent Pharmacy we copays. guarantee excellent and Guaranteed lowest personalized service.

Ifand you’re readyPrep forand a pharmacy that knows your On site delivered STD B E Lmake L Pthe H Pharmacy A R M Awe CY O Ftesting.

Fexcellent E R S :all name switch today!

We will transfer As again an independent guarantee andyour Compounding services for customized medication.

Grants for personalized service.

Ifsupport you’re for a pharmacy that knows your prescriptions on and your behalf.ready Weexpensive accept allmedications. insurances and work Free delivery to anywhere in the U.S. name again make the switch today! to We will transfer all best your care.

Guaranteed lowest copays. directly with your insurance company provide you the Assistance in administering medication.

As an independent Pharmacy we your guarantee excellent and prescriptions on your behalf.

We accept insurances On site and delivered Prep andall STD testing. and work personalized service.

If you’re ready for a pharmacy that knows your Suggestions for medications when no diagnosis is needed. directly with your insurance company to provide you the best care.

B E Lfriendly, L PH Aswitch RM A C We YandO Fmedication.

F Emore!

Rall S :your Compounding services for customized name again make the today! will transfer Fast, personalized service so much prescriptions onand your behalf.

We acceptin allthe insurances and work delivery tofor anywhere Grants support expensive medications.

B E LFree L P HAR M A CY O FU.S. FERS: directly with your insurance company to provide you the Assistance in administering your medication. best care.

Guaranteed copays.

Grants and support forlowest expensive medications.

Suggestions medications whenand no diagnosis is needed.

On sitefor and delivered lowest Prep STD testing.

Guaranteed copays.

B ELL P H A R M AC Y O F F ER S : Fast, friendly, personalized service and so medication. much more!

Compounding services for customized On siteand andsupport delivered Prep and STD testing.

Grants for expensive medications.

Free delivery to anywhere in themedication.

U.S. Compounding services for customized Guaranteed lowest copays.

Assistance in administering your medication. delivery to anywhere the U.S. On Free site and delivered Prep andinSTD testing.

Assistance inservices administering medication.

Suggestions medications when no diagnosis needed.

“Bell Compounding Pharmacy isfor a promoter of healthfor equity foryour all members of ouris LGBTQIA+ customized medication. community, unlike other companies, we fly no our diagnosis pride flag year-round. ” Suggestions forpersonalized medications when is needed.

Fast, friendly, service and much more!

Free delivery to anywhere in theso U.S. Fast,Assistance friendly, personalized service andmedication. so 3535 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FLmuch 33713more! in administering your

813-689-2273 | bellspecialtypharmacy.com Suggestions for medications when no diagnosis is needed.

Fast, friendly, personalized service and so much more!

“Bell Pharmacy is a promoter of health equity for all members of our LGBTQIA+ community, unlike other companies, we fly our pride flag year-round.”

3535 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FL 33713 813-689-2273 | bellspecialtypharmacy.com “Bell Pharmacy is a promoter of health equity for all members of our LGBTQIA+ “Bell Pharmacy is a promoter of health equity for all members of our LGBTQIA+ community, unlike other companies, we fly our pride flag year-round.” community, unlike other companies, we fly our pride flag year-round.”

3535 Avenue, Petersburg FL33713 “Bell Pharmacy a promoter of health St. equity for all members of33713 our LGBTQIA+ 3535isCentral Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FL 813-689-2273 || bellspecialtypharmacy.com community, unlike other companies, we fly our pride flag year-round.”

813-689-2273 bellspecialtypharmacy.com 3535 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg FL 33713 813-689-2273 | bellspecialtypharmacy.com

6

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

As You

Are

The History of National Coming Out Day

T

Ryan Williams-Jent

he LGBTQ+ community and its allies began celebrating National Coming Out Day more than 30 years ago, on the one-year mark of 1987’s historical National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Believing the personal is political, founding activists Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary sought to unite their community by positively raising awareness for LGBTQ+ civil rights as they celebrated authenticity.

“Most people think they don't know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact, everybody does,” Eichberg later reflected. “It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes.”

In 1988, the first National Coming Out Day was celebrated in 18 states, expanding nationwide to all 50 and even seven other countries by 1990. It was then that organizers partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights group, to reach more people than ever before.

“We first observed National Coming Out Day as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power

of coming out,” they share ahead of each Oct. 11 celebration. “One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10.

“Coming out – whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer – STILL MATTERS,” the organization continues. “When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law.

Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other.”

It’s important to remember that everyone has the right to decide for themselves if, how and when they come out, which can happen more than once. It can be an ongoing process for many in the LGBTQ+ community, which National Coming Out Day fully embraces.

Whatever your age, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and much more, there’s a community waiting to welcome you whenever you’re ready. Come OUT St. Pete celebrates you for who you are on this and every National Coming Out Day. C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

7

THE JAMES MUSEUM

OCT. 14, 2023 - JAN. 28, 2024

thejamesmuseum.org This exhibition is organized by The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. Jie Wei Zhou (b. 1962), Dragon Parade, 2012, oil on linen.

The Tom & Mary James Collection. © Jie Wei Zhou. Photograph by Todd Bates.

8

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

As Come OUT St. Pete enters its seventh year, it is with a vision of hope and the promise of continuing to create a world unified around a culture of hearts and minds that values freedom of expression, acceptance, love and equality for ALL LGBTQIA+ people!

This is possible because of a dedicated Board of Directors that voluntarily work tirelessly to promote our mission throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. The teamwork and selflessness of our members and volunteers is without comparison.

Our community partnerships have included Kori Stevens' annual Toys for Tots Drive, nonperishable food drives for the Metro Inclusive Health Community Pantry and our crowning achievement: the Longstreth Family Scholarship endowments to St Petersburg College.

This year we were able to award $5,000 in scholarships in the Spring and Fall. Three awardees each semester “received valuable support that truly changed their lives and impacted their ability to further their educational endeavors.”

This year’s annual Family Day festival, which once again includes the Chili-Cook-Off, is a celebration of National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. As we continue to provide events at venues where people can live their true authentic lives, we envision additional opportunities for people to continue to share their own coming out stories. We consistently receive feedback from our communities that “they are thankful for the safe spaces and opportunities our events provide.”

Our multiple social media platforms not only provide additional safe spaces for the community, but also include support, guidance and resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. They also celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and the achievements of our community.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped create Come OUT St. Pete’s success throughout this year. That includes our Board of Directors, countless volunteers, sponsors, community partners and especially the supporters of all of our events. Thank you for all the continued support. If you are not already a member of the Come OUT St Pete Family, then come join us! We would love to have YOU!

Pat “Taz” Fearns Come OUT St. Pete Chair

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

9

10

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

My name is Bill Kody, and I've had the incredible privilege of serving as the co-chair for Come OUT St. Pete, where we celebrate and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in St. Petersburg, Florida.

It's a role that I stepped into two years ago, after being an active part of this wonderful organization for a total of four years. I've never looked back since.

For me, it all started with a deep-seated passion for championing LGBTQ+ causes and a desire to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for my community in St. Pete. Come OUT St. Pete presented the perfect avenue to channel that passion.

Over the years, I've poured my heart and soul into this organization. As co-chair, I've had the honor of working alongside a dedicated team of individuals who share the same vision of inclusivity and celebration of our community's diversity in St. Petersburg.

One of the things I love most about Come OUT St. Pete is our unwavering dedication to our local "gayborhood," the Grand Central District in St. Pete. This vibrant district has become a symbol of unity and pride for our community, and I take immense joy in supporting the local businesses, art initiatives and community events that make it such a special place in St. Petersburg.

But our work extends far beyond the district itself. We've made it our mission to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and raise awareness about the challenges our community faces in St. Pete. It's been incredible to see the progress we've made and the positive changes that have taken place in our city.

At Come OUT St. Pete, we're committed to providing help and support to all members of the LGBTQ+ community, including those who are transgender and nonbinary. We understand the unique challenges they face, and we strive to create a safe and welcoming space where everyone's voices are heard and respected.

I'm particularly proud of the events we've organized this year. They've brought our community together in such a meaningful way, fostering connections and strengthening our bonds. I'm excited about our Family Day and Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 14th. It promises to be a day filled with laughter, delicious food and a sense of togetherness that truly defines the spirit of Come OUT St. Pete.

When I'm not immersed in LGBTQ+ advocacy and community-building, you can often find me wandering the streets of the Grand Central District in St. Pete, soaking up the culture and spirit of this welcoming neighborhood. It's a place where I feel truly at home, surrounded by people who understand the importance of acceptance and love.

In my role as co-chair and as a member of the St. Petersburg community, I've found purpose, fulfillment and a sense of belonging. I couldn't be prouder of the work we've accomplished together at Come OUT St. Pete and I'm excited to continue pushing for positive change, one step at a time.

Bill Kody Come OUT St. Pete Co-Chair

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

11

Sylvia Rivera

Harvey Milk

Lorraine Hansberry

cancommunityhealth.org

Premier specialized LGBTQ+ medical care inyour commun

Bayard Rustin

Marsha P. Johnson

James Baldwin

nity through outreach, advocacy, education, and research.

14

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

15

Supporter Spotlight The Studio Public House Mike and Ali Crippin, owners of St. Petersburg’s The Studio Public House, hail from England but are longtime residents of St. Pete. Their goal is to have everyone who enters The Studio Public House as guests to leave as friends!

The restaurant’s name “The Studio” originates from the history of its building, which at one time served as a recording studio for local musicians. “Public House” is the original British term for “Pub.” The local hotspot offers grub, grain, vino and vibes — and as a valued ally of Come OUT St. Pete since the day they took over ownership of the space, they have been the location for the organization’s monthly board meetings, as well as a hub for many COSP events.

“We champion all of the nice people in our neighborhood and circle,” the Crippins told Watermark in 2021. “We wanted to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community so we have also incorporated the rainbow flag

16

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

in our mural on the side of our building. We are very open to having any events held at The Studio Public House and are hoping we strengthen the bonds within our neighborhood.”

That’s exactly what they’ve done. The board of directors wish to thank Mike and Ali and the amazing staff at Studio Public House for always providing a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community!

OUT & PROUD Come OUT St. Pete celebrates 7 years

C

Ryan Williams-Jent

ome OUT St. Pete has advocated for every sexual orientation and gender identity since 2017. Seven years in, the organization is better positioned and more eager to serve the community than ever before.

“As Come OUT St Pete enters its seventh year it is with a vision of hope and promise of continuing to create a world unified around a culture of hearts and minds that values freedom of expression, acceptance, love and equality for all LGBTQIA+ people,” COSP Chair Pat Fearns says. She credits the organization’s board and supporters, among them their Royal Court.

COSP crowned its latest two representatives Sept. 24 at the VFW Post No. 39, a staple in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. Around 50 supporters attended their fourth annual Come OUT As You Are Royal Pageant to see the crowning of Tampa Bay drag king Silver Foxx, Mr. COSP 2024, and drag queen Veronica Vixen, Miss COSP 2024.

“It was an honor to be crowned,” Vixen says. “Although my crown is full of rhinestones, my reign will be full of dedication, fundraising and kindness. I’m just a boy changing the world one rhinestone at a time.”

“I am honored and humbled to be crowned Mr. Come OUT St. Pete 2024,” Foxx adds. “As a 65-year-old male impersonator, my success proves that no matter your age,

you can accomplish anything you put your mind to!”

“This past year’s court was exceptionally productive and did a lot in the community and helped with a lot of fundraising,” Fearns says of COSP Ambassador Ceazia Giovanni Kreshé, Mr. COSP Adam Cole and Miss COSP Rockell Blu, who will continue to guide the 2024 court. “I’m really looking forward to working with Veronica Vixen and Silver Foxx and seeing the freshness that they can bring to COSP Royal Court experience.”

Their work will support COSP initiatives like the Longstreth Family LGBTQ+ Scholarship, named after COSP co-founder Brian Longstreth and his family. COSP designed it to award up to $5,000 for students attending St. Pete College through a joint effort with the school’s foundation. They’ll also be seen fundraising at LGBTQ+inclusive or focused events like Halloween on Central, St Pete Pride and COSP’s T-Dances, as well as this year’s Family Day and Chili Cook-Off. “As our communities continue to be under attack from the far right … we must continue to speak up and say this isn’t acceptable,” Fearns says. “We will not go back and we will not go back into the closet! We encourage the entire greater Tampa Bay LGBTQIA+ community to come out and support our mission.”

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

17

EVENTS COME OUT ST. PETE FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION AND CHILI COOK-OFF

Oct. 14 | Seminole Park, St. Petersburg Join Come OUT St. Pete Oct. 14 at Seminole Park in Historic Kenwood for this annual gathering, highlighted on p. 18 and at ComeOUTStPete.org/ Events. Meet our 2024 Royal Court and more.

CHARITY BINGOS

Weekdays | Multiple Venues Join us Tuesday nights with Alexis De La Mer at Quench Lounge, located at 13284 66th St. N. in Largo and Wednesday nights with Georgia Moore at The Pesky Pelican Brew Pub, located at 923 72nd St. N. in St. Petersburg. Visit ComeOUTStPete.org/Events for dates and times.

COME OUT ST. PETE SUNDAY T-DANCES

Central Ave. | St. Petersburg Our signature gatherings are held at several locations along Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. Visit ComeOUTStPete.org/Events for dates and venues.

TOYS FOR TOTS

This Holiday Season | St. Petersburg We will once again partner with Tampa Bay entertainer Kori Stevens for a toy drive. Visit ComeOUTStPete.org/Events for additional details.

723 823 7529 | americanstage.org

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH By: John Cameron Mitchell Directed by: Kirsten Kelly

May 15 - June 16, 2024

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Music by: Alan Menken

Lyrics by: Howard Ashman and Tim Rice Book by: Linda Wolverton Directed by: Kenny Moten

April 3- May 5, 2024

PRIDE PLAY CRAWL By: Jayne Deely

May 30 - June 23, 2023

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

19

20

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

Business Directory ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: American Stage Theatre Company 727-823-7529 AmericanStage.org

Duke Energy Center For The Arts – Mahaffey Theater 727-892-5767 TheMahaffey.com

AQUARIUMS AND ZOOS: The Florida Aquarium 813-273-4000 FLAquarium.org

FAMILY LAW: Family Diplomacy

MUSEUM AND GALLERIES: The James Museum Of Western & Wildlife Art

813-443-0615 FamilyDiplomacy.com

727-892-4200 TheJamesMuseum.org

HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Bayfront Health St. Petersburg

TRAVEL AND TOURISM: Orlando International Airport/ MCO

727-823-1234 BayfrontHealth.com

407-825-2001 OrlandoAirports.com

CAN Community Health CANCommunityHealth.org

MEDIA: Watermark Publishing Group 813-655-9890 WatermarkOnline.com

C O M E O U T S T. P E T E 2023

21

813-655-9890

“OF ALL THE BOOKS IN THE WORLD, THE BEST STORIES ARE FOUND BETWEEN THE PAGES OF A PASSPORT”” With 150+ destinations worldwide, the opportunity to escape is now. From 100+ Domestic destinations and 45+ International destinations, Orlando International Airport provides access to unique travel experiences that you seek and deserve. Why wait? The time for adventure is now.

Inspiration

FO R Y O U R N E X T A D VE N T UR E

MCO. Your Florida Airport of Choice® Download the MCO App at orlandoairports.net/app

Scan for airfare deals