(L-R) TAMPA PRIDE PRESIDENT CARRIE WEST, TAMPA MAYOR JANE CASTOR,
HER PARTNER ANA CRUZ AND TAMPA PRIDE VICE PRESIDENT MARK EARY
NEW YEAR, NEW VISIONS
TAMPA PRIDE 2020’S WILD KICKOFF!
RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT
Tampa Pride kicked off 2020 on
Nov. 2, 2019 at ZooTampa at
Lowry Park, welcoming more
than 350 supporters to “Wild Carnavale,”
their second annual Pride Zoo-La.
Guests enjoyed a silent auction,
special performances and interactions
with zoo animals, including a giraffe
feeding. “This is one special event,”
Tampa Pride President Carrie West
reflects. “It’s made for everyone.
We had a great time and it was a
great turnout.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor was in
attendance, a two-time Tampa Pride
grand marshal and longtime supporter.
She proudly reflected on the status of
Pride throughout Tampa Bay, discussing
her election last year as Tampa’s 59th
and first openly LGBTQ mayor.
Castor detailed the year’s inclusive
accomplishments, including her
executive order unveiled at the National
LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s
International Business & Leadership
Conference. She announced that
Tampa would formally recognize
LGBT businesses in contracting and
procurement opportunities.
“It really is through a partnership with
all of our citizens that we’re able to get
so much done and we’re able to lift our
community up,” Castor shared. “I am so
excited about our sixth Pride parade.”
The gathering featured a variety
of entertainment, beginning with
the Tampa Bay Pride Band. DJ Greg
Anderson led the evening’s music,
introducing emcee Adriana Sparkle, De
Delovely, Lady Janet and more.
West and Tampa Pride Vice
President Mark Eary also presented
Catherine Lowry Straz with the
organization’s Community Leader
Appreciation Award. The organization
cited her environmental activism with
ZooTampa’s Catherine Lowry Straz
Veterinary Hospital, which provides
services to more than 300 species.
“We came together with our many
voices,” West says. “This year, we’ll
come together as a community, we’ll
come together as a country and
we’ll come together as a world …
Tampa Pride 2020 is going to be
bigger than ever.”
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