PHOTO BY LIZZI VAN DESS PHOTO COURTESY SUNCOAST SOFTBALL LEAGUE
COMMUNITY LGBTQ
AWARD RECIPIENT: DR.
SHAWN H. ROBINSON Dr. Shawn Robinson is very
dedicated to Ybor City, something
more than evident on his resume.
As the president of Hillsborough
Community College’s Ybor City campus, of
which he’s served since 2007, he works as
a community representative to promote
open communication, trust, support and
accountability.
He also serves as a board member of
the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, the
Ybor City Development Corporation, the
Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough
County and the Tampa Historic Streetcar
Board of Directors.
“I am proud to have been recognized
by Tampa Pride,” he says. “It has been
my honor to assist and serve those
in the LGBTQ community in Ybor
City and Tampa.”
“I believe that everyone deserves equal
rights and equal opportunities to succeed
in life and express who they are without
fear of discrimination, reprisals, or harm,”
he adds. “Tampa Pride showcases the
best in the community and I am proud to
be part of it.”
RECOGNIZED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION: SUNCOAST
SOFTBALL LEAGUE The Suncoast Softball League, the
Tampa Bay area’s largest LGBTQ
sports league, is dedicated to
promoting sportsmanship, tolerance and
acceptance of the LGBTQ community.
The organization touts that it was
first organized in 1993 to promote a
friendly, competitive and emotionally-safe
environment for gay men and women
in the area to play softball, and in its
25th year, it’s more committed to the
community than ever.
“The league isn’t just about sports,”
producer Gerre Reynolds says. “For all
of our 25 years, we’ve raised money, lots
of money, for our community. We raise
thousands of dollars that we donate to
local charities.”
Recipients over the years have included
the Tampa AIDS Network, Athena House
for homeless female veterans, Suncoast
Animal League, Vets for Pets and Meals on
Wheels, amongst others.
“We also volunteer with many of our
sister organizations,” Reynolds adds, “with
league members in leadership positions in
both Tampa and St. Pete Pride.”
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