TAMPA, FL – Equality Florida presented its yearly “Corporate Voice of Equality” award to the Tampa Bay Times on Saturday, Feb. 25, during a benefit at the Italian Club in Ybor City. Tampa-area realtor Charlie Hounchell, who presented the award, called the Times a “progressive voice for civil rights and human dignity.” Paul Tash, chairman and CEO of Times Publishing Co., accepted the award on behalf of the newspaper. Equality Florida is a civil rights organization with a mission to secure full equality for the state’s LGBT community.
Keith Roberts, a Tampa resident and co-founder of the Tampa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, received the group’s “Individual Voice of Equality” award for his efforts to pass human rights ordinances in Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. The not-for-profit also presented its inaugural “Equality Means Business Award” to the GaYbor District Coalition.