President’s Pride
Imagine his surprise when Dr. David Baker-Hargrove opened his mailbox and found a letter from the White House inside. If was from President Barack Obama, congratulating the Come Out With Pride organizer on the upcoming event, and sharing his belief that such events help move our nation forward. Baker-Hargrove swears up and down it was unsolicited. “Obviously President Obama directed someone in the White House to find out about these events and offer congratulations,” he said. “I think it’s unprecedented for a sitting president to do that.”
Bye Bye Urban Body
One of the classiest fixtures in Downtown Orlando’s retail community is quietly closing after nine years in Thornton Park. Urban Body, a purveyor of classy-sexy-masculine clothing and accessories for men, will officially close at the end of September. Owner Scott Moore says he’ll focus on his popular South Tampa store, which in October will begin offering club wear catering to lesbians and women who like sexy unisex clothing. “It was a great nine years in Orlando,” Moore said. “We made a lot of great friends that we’ll miss, and I hope they’ll all come visit us in Tampa.”
Beginner Bears
Orlando Bear Bash 2010 is an inaugural event held Sept. 16-19 at the Sonesta Downtown Orlando Hotel on Lake Ivanhoe. It’s billed as a “united celebration of the bear, leather and uniform communities,” but when Watermark sought to communicate with organizers via their Facebook page, we were promptly blocked. Here’s what we can tell you: the website touts exclusive use of the hotel, but days prior to the event rooms are available to the general public; there’s an ambitious lineup of events (visit BearBash.com); more than 300 have announced plans to attend on Bear411. Another local bear event—Bear Bust—takes place in October.
Gay bar next to the Mosque?
Fox News, of all places, recently reported that investors are trying to open a bar next to the proposed Islamic Community Center and Mosque a few blocks from Ground Zero. A gay bar that is catering to Islamic gays! The report stated that, in the spirit of the mosque, the bar will “break down barriers and reduce deadly homophobia in the Islamic world.” Proposed names for the bar include: Outfidels, Brokeback Mecca, The Queeran, JiHot! and Talibuns.
