St. Pete Pride
St. Pete Pride was in the news a lot in 2010, but not just because of the record-setting 80,000 people that descended upon Central Avenue in June. In the spring, Pride’s first executive director, Shayna Bruce, resigned after only a month or so of service. The organization then brought in Chris Rudisill, who remains at the post. The month of the annual festival, Pride and Clear Channel had a public dispute after the media giant rejected two of Pride’s proposed billboard images. Rather than compromise its images, Pride pulled the campaign and Clear Channel ultimately returned St. Pete Pride’s funds.
Going Straight Ministries opens in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg’s Kenwood Neighborhood is one of the gayest in the area. So it was surprising when late last winter Going Straight Ministries opened its doors on 5th Avenue North near 34th Street. The small “church”—which is housed within what appears to be a storage unit or old garage—went mostly unnoticed until it posted a message on its signage proclaiming the “sins of homosexuality.” A small story in Watermark prompted an online discussion about religion, sexual orientation and strange lawsuit threats. The ministry remains open, but curiously silent.
New Pride Events
St. Pete Pride is the big Pride event in Tampa Bay, but 2010 saw the introduction of two new rainbow celebrations. North Pinellas Pride took to the streets of Dunedin in June—just a week before St. Pete Pride—and included vendor booths and special outdoor entertainment. In August, Pride on 7th, which benefitted the GaYbor District Coalition and Metro Wellness and Community Centers, debuted to mixed reviews. The Umbrella Management Corp.-created event was held within an old streetcar warehouse several blocks away from the Ybor Historic District.
Lakeland man murders daughter’s girlfriend
Polk County added another black eye to its reputation when Jerry Lee Seger allegedly murdered his daughter’s girlfriend in April. Reports say the body of Courtney Bright was discovered inside a foreclosed home in Lakeland when a real estate agent showed the property to potential buyers. It was later discovered that Bright and her girlfriend, Ashley Dunn, would regularly meet friends in the abandoned home. Dunn and Bright reportedly dated for three years. Authorities said Seger confessed to a friend that he strangled Bright and that he blamed the 24-year-old for his daughter’s own troubles with the law and that he did not approve of the women’s romantic relationship. Seger is still awaiting trial.
St. Pete Police get same-sex benefits
In September, the St. Petersburg Police Department has something to celebrate. The Suncoast Police Benevolent Association voted to approve a new labor contract including same-sex health benefits for members. The association’s decision makes the St. Petersburg Police Department the third major law enforcement agency in Tampa Bay to offer the benefits. St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster said that offering same-sex health benefits makes fiscal and business sense for the city and that “It’s the right thing to do.” He also said that other city employees could see same-sex benefits in the very near future.
Other headlines of note:
LGBT Relay for Life canceled
Florida Family Association dislikes Florida State University’s Queer Theory class
St. Petersburg’s Coco Montrese is named Miss Gay America 2010
TIGLFF executive director resigns after short tenure
