Fifth time’s a charm for Vanbeaverhousen
When the very first Miss St. Pete Pride pageant was held five years ago, Muffy Vanbeaverhousen knew it was the crown she wanted. After several attempts landed her as first runner-up, she finally achieved her goal before a packed house at Georgie’s Alibi on May 26. The annual pageant awards its winner a chance to represent St. Pete Pride for a year as well as perform on the main stage during the St. Pete Pride Street Festival on Central Avenue on June 29. The pageant win is a first for Muffy, who admits she’s not sure what crown she’ll seek next. The pageant also had Mr. and Mister divisions, for male impersonators and men, respectively. Those crowns went to Akillis (Jorland Ayala) and to Rico M. Taylor. Taylor is the first-ever Mister St. Pete Pride. The third category was added this year and featured two contestants.
Honoring Harvey Milk
Elected officials, candidates, actors, directors and representatives from companies large and small were all on hand for a Harvey Milk Day reception at The Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg May 22. The date, Milk’s birthday, commemorates the slain California official who helped encourage LGBT people to seek public office and rally for change. The celebration and networking event at The Birchwood was hosted by St. Pete Pride and sponsored by GayStPete.com and Metro Wellness and Community Centers. Each $50 ticket sold helped support Pinellas Youth Pride and You Are Valued, two local non-profit organizations. Those attending were treated to hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a chance to catch a spectacular view of Tampa Bay, the Pier and St. Petersburg’s waterfront.
Buckhorn: Better mayor than bowler
Approximately 500 gay bowlers from around the world arrived in Tampa Memorial Day weekend to participate in an international bowling tournament, held at Pin Chasers Midtown. Bowlers were greeted by two very special guests on opening day-Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor. Buckhorn spoke to the crowd assembled around a ball return, saying “It shows the world that we are open for business, that we are a diverse city and that we celebrate and honor diversity. We know that as a city we are better together, and we are proud of that.” Buckhorn is fortunately a better Mayor and speaker than he is a bowler. His opening roll nearly landed in the gutter as he ceremoniously launched the tournament.”
Snow White everywhere
The annual White Party returned to Ybor City over Memorial Day weekend and attendees quickly warmed to the theme, just as they do every year. White-clad dancers, friends bartenders and photographers roamed The Honey Pot throughout the night and most had their creative fashions photographed in front of a wall that proudly displayed the GaYbor logo. Outfits ranged from white dresses and gowns to white athletic attire, like a football player that came complete with a white helmet. Sources say the 2013 GaYbor White Party was the biggest one yet, and you know what that means-next year will even be more over the top!
