Tampa Theatre offers unisex bathroom
We’re not sure if it was a coincidence or not, but did anyone else find it nice that the Tampa Theatre offered a unisex bathroom during the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’s opening weekend? The basement restroom that has served as the women’s room in previous years had a “Unisex” label taped to it on Oct. 3. The other restroom next door appeared to be closed, but there were no signs of maintenance. Those using the facilities barely blinked at the unisex set-up, but one woman did pause at the door when she saw a man inside and politely asked, “Is it okay if I come in?” Coincidence or not, we’re thrilled that the sign for transgender inclusion was prevalent at TIGLFF’s 25th anniversary.
Proud. Determined. United.
Nearly 200 people braved the driving rains of Tampa Bay to help Tampa Pride kick off its official fundraising program at The Honey Pot on Friday, Sept. 26. The celebration, titled “Out of the Storm,” gave the newly formed organization a chance to raise some money, share the excitement about the March 28 parade and festival in Ybor City—and a stage to announce the theme. Pride president Carrie West said the 2015 theme is “Proud. Determined. United.” To get the inaugural event off the ground, Tampa Pride must raise $70,000 by Feb. 1! A GoFundMe.com account has been set up and more fundraisers are in the works. The “Out of the Storm” title, by the way, officially had nothing to do with former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms, who banned LGBT Pride in the county—wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
Del Shores loves a Badcock…store
Fresh off of his two performances in Tampa Bay the first weekend of October, comedian and Sordid Lives creator Del Shores posted a video to his Facebook account documenting his discovery of Badcock & More Furniture Store. Shores, who performed at Flamingo Resort Oct. 3 and at the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Oct. 4, was en route to a show in Wilton Manors when he stumbled across a Badcock & More store on Oct. 5. In true Del Shores fashion, he created a video of the sign and then expressed dismay when he learned the store was closed that day. Check out his video on Del Shores’ Facebook page.
Get your plastic crap!
Everyone’s favorite Tupperware lady is back at the Straz Center in Tampa, beginning Oct. 15. Dixie Longate’s Tupperware Party is an off-Broadway production and real life Tupperware party! The performer (who some say is actually actor Kris Andersson) has been to Tampa many times before and started by doing private Tuppeware parties in homes along Tampa’s waterfront. Tickets go fast for this one-of-a-kind-show, so purchase them early. And expect a lot of LGBTs in the audience and a fair share of naive and surprised ticket holders in the mix, which is half the fun.
