In protest of the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Ban of Recognition of Gay Pride, GLBT Displays and Events. The GLBT Community, Our Friends and Supporters held a march in Downtown Tampa. The "Pride is Back" march began with a rally at the John F. Germany Library as thousands marched to Joe Chillura Courthouse Square, which sits in front of the County Commission offices. Marchers rang bells to symbolize healing. When we arrived at the square we sang verses of 'We Shall Overcome' and 'God Bless America'.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes to these Tampa Police Officers who volunteered their time to offer protection, traffic control and their support for the march.
Throngs Who Believe in Diversity and Equality Begin to Gather For the Rally and March in Protest to the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners Ban on Gay Pride.
Community Leaders Address the Thounsands Who Participated in the Rally and March in Downtown Tampa.
Thousands of Marchers Make Their Way to Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in a Show of Pride and Defiance.
"News Articles and Video News Reports"
Hillsborough County Commissioners Vote to Ban Any Recognition of Gay Pride, Displays and Events.
A Setback For Our Community
Letter to St. Petersburg Times
June 21, 2005
Dear Hillsborough County Commissioners:
Your discriminatory, 6-1 vote Wednesday may have set this community back at least 10 to 20 years. I don't say this lightly as I consider most of you personal friends and respect you greatly for your public service. However, "Friends Don't Let Friends Discriminate."
Putting aside the obvious human rights and civil liberties issues, the inconsistencies of your various positions need to be addressed. You say you want to bring in huge sporting events. Likewise, you vote to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to bring in new businesses and conventions from around the nation. I believe that the people associated with these events, businesses and conventions want to come to progressive communities with leaders who are open-minded and accepting of all people.
Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio got it right Thursday when she said that "our diversity is our strength and it should be celebrated." There is still time to reconsider your vote and when you do, please remember that you were elected to represent all of the people.
-- John Dingfelder, Tampa City Council member, Tampa
"News Articles and Video Clips"
2000 March Against County's Gay Pride Vote
Marchers Take Aim at Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms in Tampa. (Read Article)
St. Petersburg Times
June 27, 2005
Hundreds Protest Anti-Gay Policy (View Video News Report - High Speed - Low Speed)
Winter Pr!de Tampa Bay ~ Bringing Pride Back to Our Community"
DontAmend Tampa Bay is proud to be on the Board of Directors and Organizing Committee of the "Inaugural Winter Pr!de Tampa Bay". The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners may have banned the recognition of Gay Pride displays or events throughout the county, but, they can not and will not ban the pride we feel in ourselves and our community. On February 25th. 2006, we are bringing "Pride Back to Tampa Bay". Learn the Who, What, Where, When, How and Why of "Winter Pr!de Tampa Bay" by clicking WPTB Logo or Link below.
