Tampa Pride Guide 2015

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 | YBOR CITY, TAMPA STREET FESTIVAL: 10AM-5PM | PARADE: 1PM

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TAMPA

PRIDE 2015

MICHAEL BRILL, CLU®, CHFC® Vice President, Investments

MICHAEL RAGSDALE, CFP® Financial Advisor

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TAMPA PRIDE PROGRAM PUBLISHED BY WATERMARK MEDIA, INC. AND TAMPA PRIDE

©2014 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC

watermark media FOUNDER: Tom

Dyer PUBLISHER: Rick Claggett EDITOR: Steve Blanchard ART DIRECTOR:

Jake Stevens CREATIVE ASSISTANT:

Patrick O’Connor ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR:

Mark Cady ADVERTISING SALES:

Bill Jeffries, Sam Rennels, Doreen St. Louis, Danny Garcia Contents of this Tampa Pride 2015 Program 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. Opinions expressed in articles generated by Watermark do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tampa Pride Organizing Committee. Watermark and the Tampa Pride Organizing Committee cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. © Watermark Media, Inc., est. 1994 Phone – 813-655-9890 Fax – 813-849-2986 Publisher@WatermarkOnline.com WatermarkOnline.com

PRESIDENT:

Carrie West DIRECTORS:

Mark Bias, Tom Barker, Kurt King, John Miller, John & Nancy Desmond, Fred Cornyn, Gerre Reynolds, Walter Pinillos, Mike Hammonds, Steve Altum, Michael Wilson, Shane Ragiel, Tripp Scuilli, Paul Sparks, Mark Eary, and Sally Phillips Tampa Pride is a non-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes, as a tax exempt entity under Statute 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and in accordance with Florida Statutes.

Tampa Pride, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Tampa, Florida. Our mission is to promote the elimination of prejudice and discrimination, the defense of human and civil rights secured by law, along with visibility and self-esteem among gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons and to promote a positive image in the Tampa area and throughout Florida through community activities and services.

When the community works together, the community works A healthy, vibrant community depends on the participation of its members. And the more diverse their backgrounds, experiences and skills, the more interesting and unique their solutions.

Bank of America is honored to be connected to Tampa Pride for their leadership in creating common goals while nurturing selfempowerment.

Visit us at bankofamerica.com/local

Life’s better when we’re connected®

©2015 Bank of America Corporation | ARH46WCM

© Tampa Pride, Inc. 1901 North 15th Street Tampa, Florida 33605 (813) 247 6233

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With student support, leadership opportunities and engaging campus life, it’s good to be part of the HCC community.

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It’s good to be me.

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HCC is an equal access/equal opportunity educational institution.

Grow Financial is a proud supporter of Tampa Pride 2015!

Look for us at the street festival and in the parade!

MEET YOUR

MARSHALS Jane Castor and Kurt King are ready to lead Tampa Pride’s inaugural parade

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STEVE BLANCHARD

AMPA | Pride is back in Tampa after an absence of more than a decade! With Pride’s return comes the return of the parade’s grand marshals; and no two people are better suited than Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and local activist and business owner Kurt King.

Board members of Tampa Pride culled through a list of nominees before deciding on the two who will lead the parade down 7th Avenue in Ybor City on March 28 and both humbly accepted the nominations.

Castor, a native of Tampa, has served on the Tampa Police Department for more than three decades. She is the first woman and first openly gay person to hold the title of police chief in the city.

King is the owner and operator of Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City and in Clearwater. He has been a part of Tampa’s LGBT fabric for more than two decades and has been at the forefront of the fight for equality.

“We are honored to feature such high profile community leaders in CONTINUED ON PG. 9 |  |

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|  | Grand Marshals FROM PG.7 our first pride parade and celebration in 14 years,” says Carrie West, Tampa Pride president.

Castor was honored at the idea of being an inaugural grand marshal, although she admits she doesn’t feel fully qualified.

“There are so many others who have done a great deal to further equal rights,” Castor says. “So if I had my wishes, there would be a whole group of individuals as grand marshals and include Nadine Smith [of Equality Florida] and [Hillsborough County Commissioner] Kevin Beckner.”

King was also surprised by his nomination, and can only guess as to why he was selected.

“I think it’s because of what I’ve done for different organizations over the years,” he says. “I’ve been a part of Una Voce, the Suncoast Softball League, Pride and served on a number of groups.”

King may be best known for the charitable contributions that flow from his two Hamburger Mary’s restaurants. Both hold Drag Queen Bingo events throughout the week and have raised thousands of dollars for different charities.

“People actually get mad at us because they approach us for an event and we have to tell them we’re booked through the whole year,” King laughs. “That happens even with four days of bingo in Tampa and three days in Clearwater.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIDE For too long, the City of Tampa has been without a Pride, both grand marshals believe. And both are excited to see the celebration of LGBT diversity return to the city both call home.

“It means a great deal to myself and

to the city as a whole—specifically to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn,” Castor says. “He has a lot to do with bringing this event back to the city of Tampa. He has a passion for Tampa being seen as an inclusive city. This parade is part of showing that, showing that we embrace our diversity here and actually celebrate it.”

The city has been instrumental in bringing back Pride in that it came on board as an official sponsor and donated more than $30,000 to the

“Pride is needed and we have a lot to celebrate, especially with marriage equality happening this year.”

—KURT KING inaugural festival.

That support isn’t lost on King, who has lived in Tampa for 23 years.

“It just means a lot to me, bringing the event back to Tampa,” King says. “It’s needed and we have a lot to celebrate, especially with marriage equality happening this year. It’s great for our community. It’s something we lost and something we’ve gotten back.”

And celebrating those victories while embracing diversity will only make the city a better place, Castor believes.

“It’s a great opportunity for the entire community to come out and learn that our similarities are greater than our differences,” Castor says. “That usually happens when you bring diverse CONTINUED ON PG. 13 |  |

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|  | Grand Marshals FROM PG.9 groups together.”

Chief Castor would know. She speaks at an event every year that brings people from all different walks of life together.

“That first night of the event I see the looks on their faces that seem to ask, ‘What am I doing here with all of these individuals?’” Castor laughs. “But by the end of the event they all leave best friends. It’s the exact same thing with an event like this Pride parade.”

A PART OF HISTORY The City of Tampa has a long history of being LGBT inclusive. The mayors and the city council have supported LGBT measures well beyond the past decade. The return of Pride not only celebrates that, it also celebrates the evolution of Hillsborough County and closes a dark chapter in the county that houses the City of Tampa.

Just 10 years ago, Hillsborough County passed an ordinance that prevented any county employee from recognizing LGBT Pride in any way. It hurt the reputation of the area on a national scale. Fortunately, that ban fell recently, and the county joined the City of Tampa in passing a domestic partnership registry within the past year.

“The evolution has been incredible,” says King., who attended commission meetings in hopes of bringing LGBT issues back to the forefront. “It hurt when the domestic partnership registry failed the first time. When we went to the board the second time we basically told the commissioners, ‘You are either a bigot or you are not a bigot.’ They got put on the spot and had to answer if they were for love or they were not.

They all changed their votes and they have turned the tide. It’s incredible that they did that.”

That change makes the City of

Tampa and Hillsborough County more attractive to businesses, as well as its citizens. Castor believes the citizenship of the area is ready to embrace diversity fully and that sexuality is just a side note.

“I really don’t think the citizens care one way or another,” Castor says when asked about her role as one of the most visible LGBT people in the region.

“What they look for is someone who is going to do a good job.”

And Castor has done that. She plans

“This parade is part of showing that, showing that we embrace our diversity here and actually celebrate it.”

—JANE CASTOR to retire from the police department on May 8.

“When I was first named chief, I said the significance of being the first female to hold the title wasn’t lost on me,” she says. “But I wanted to end my tenure to be remembered as a good chief—not as the first female or the first gay female chief. I just want to be remembered as a good police chief.”

And it’s attitudes like that which make the City of Tampa and the county such a great place to live, King believes.

“It makes me want to live here even longer,” he says. “And it’s a major honor serving as grand marshal with Jane. I’ve known her a long time and she’s an incredible person.”

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