GAZETTE Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian News

ST. PETERSBURG-St. Pete Pride announced the theme for St. Pete Pride 2005 and introduced it's new board of directors at a Sponsor Appreciation reception, November 3 at the new Metro Center. "In light of the election outcome yesterday, the board of directors has chosed the theme, 'Pride In Motion: Our Resolve Strengthens,' as our theme for next year's Pride celebration," annonced out-going co-chair Brian Longstreth.

St. Pete Pride finished its 2004 fiscal year nearly $30,000 in the black and recently moved to a new office at the Metro Center, 3170 3rd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. This past June's celebration had an estimated attendance of 20,000, in its second year of existence in the city's revitalized Grand Central Business District.

New board officers were elected in September. Elected as co-chairs were Christine "Chris" Lovett and Greg Stemm. Lovett has served as the Merchandise chairperson and Stemm coordinated both the 2003 and 2004 Promenade. Past Co-chairperson Brian Longstreth has been hired by the organization to oversee sponsorship development.

The new Board of Directors includes Robin Ash, Claudia Cole, David Johnson, Ellen Levett, Shirley Oleary, Carol Sciannameo, with David Perkins and Jerry Notaro as alternates. Rod Houston was reelected as Secretary, and George Shaugnessey was reelected Treasurer.

As they did in 2003, St. Pete Pride plans to return funds back to the community through grants to eligible not-for-profit organizations. Any not-for-profit organization is welcome to download a grant application at www.stpetepride.com. The deadline for receipt of grant applications is a postmark of November 30, 2004. A committee of St. Pete Pride volunteers has been formed to research all applicants. Funds are limited and each organization's application will be reviewed before any determination can be made. Grant recipients will be notified on or before December 15, 2004.

The board of directors of St. Pete Pride recently voted to make permanent the last Saturday of June as the date for the Promenade and Street Festival. This year's events are scheduled for Saturday, June 25. A wide range of other activities ranging from sporting events to art shows, youth dances and fund raising events are scheduled throughout the year.

Pride In Motion

ST. PETERSBURG-St. Pete Pride offers vitually unlimited opportunities for people or businesses and organizations to be involved in next year's celebration. Sponsorship packages for St. Pete Pride 2005 are available now; early sponsors receive maximum exposure through ongoing media releases, mention at fund raising events and on the stpetepride.com website.

It's also never too early to sign up to volunteer. As the event continues to grow, many more volunteers are needed to help staff tables at various St. Pete Pride events, as well as Promenade marshals and Street Festival volunteers.

St. Pete Pride is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion of St. Petersburg as one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the Southeastern United States. Most of the volunteers and organizers are members of the area's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities, although the group welcomes participation from anyone who embraces diversity. Complete information is available here.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR presented by the Tampa Bay Business Guild

LINKS

Are You Registered to Vote? It's easy! Click Here!

AIDS Memorial Bells

Tampa Bay Business Guild

Metropolitan Charities/Metro Center

gaystpete.com

Tampa Bay Lesbians

Equality Florida

National Center for Lesbian Rights

Winter Pride Tampa Bay

St. Pete Pride

queertampa.com

King of Peace MCC

First United Church of Tampa

Gypsy Productions

Team Tampa Bay

Una Voce