Tampa Pride Parade Returns To Ybor City After 13 Years

YBOR CITY — When the Hillsborough County Commission voted unanimously not to acknowledge, promote or participate in annual gay pride celebrations, that decision 10 years ago sparked lawsuits and condemnation.

It was made out of fear, ignorance and hate, said Congresswoman Kathy Castor, R-Tampa, who was the only commissioner to oppose the ban at the time. “That’s not a reflection of our community at all.”

The inaugural Tampa Pride Parade returned to Ybor City this weekend after a 13-year hiatus and attracted thousands of people wearing colors of the rainbow flag.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Mayor Bob Buckhorn said. “I couldn’t be happier to be the mayor in office when we bring back the Tampa Pride Parade.”

The parade wound down Ybor’s 7th Avenue with participants tossing beads to the crowd who were gathered on both sides of the street.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, the department’s first female chief and who is openly gay, was co-grand marshal this year with Hamburger Mary’s restaurant owner Kurt King.

“I apologize for not wearing something a little more colorful,” Castor said, pointing to her blue police uniform.