Buckhorn urges NCAA to return in 2016
The NCAA women’s tournament has come and gone through Tampa (it was held April 3-5) but Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn saw an opportunity to keep it another year. The LGBT friendly mayor addressed a letter to NCAA president Mark Emmert on April 2 encouraging the organization to pull the 2016 tournament out of Indiana and return it to Tampa. “A championship host city should reflect that spirit of sport. Championship games held in the state of Indiana with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in effect can no longer do so. I encourage you to relocate the 2016 Women’s Final Four to Tampa from Indianapolis.” Tampa is already slated to host the 2019 tournament. No word on if the NCAA will take Buckhorn up on his 2016 offer.
Leslie Jordan booked for Polk Pride
He goes by many names—Beverly Leslie, Brother Boy. But the Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan rarely needs an introduction to LGBTs. Jordan will launch Polk Pride 2015 on June 19 with a performance at the Polk Theatre in Lakeland. The openly gay actor has been a staple on the comedy circuit for years and an icon ever since his “Brother Boy” role in the film Sordid Lives. Tickets start at $32.50 and are available through PolkTheatre.org.
Tampa Tribune highlights MC Film
The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com on April 3 ran an article on Mark Bias and Carrie West, owners of MC Film Festival. The long-time couple are no stranger to press, but the story was a bittersweet one for the pair. The “pioneer gay pride couple” announced earlier this year that they would be closing their popular novelty shop in Ybor City. The pair told Watermark in March that they hope to relocate to a new storefront in Ybor City in the near future, but they have not yet unveiled a location.
Fashion joins networking
The worlds of LGBT fashion and business collided at Quench Lounge April 16 as 15 performers took to the runway for the 6S Boutique Fashion Show. The show was part of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer, which allows members to network and see various aspects of the community. The celebration was pulled together by 6S owners Andy and Sasha Citino, Quench Lounge manager Jeff Beadle and TBGLCC president Ashley Brundange, all of whom were present. The night was a huge success and was complete with a 50/50 raffle and light bites provided by the bar.
