Florida Agenda

Georgies Alibi
3100 3rd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL
One of the most popular gay bars in St. Pete. It’s always
busy! Great VJ’s play Top 40 music. Mondays are Drag
BINGO and Talent contest, Pool tourney Wednesdays, and
the legendary Long Island Iced Tea nights on Thursdays.
Ages 21 and over, never a cover!

Flamingo Resort
4601 34TH ST SOUTH, St. Petersburg, FL
Florida’s “largest, luxury all gay resort”. Non-stop entertainment,
great menu, and drinks served poolside at the
Cabana. Weekly events and 2-4-1 Happy Hour daily from
11AM to 9PM. Saturday Happy Hour ($1 off) 11AM to 9PM.

Gemini Lounge
2315 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL
Gemini Lounge aims to serve a variety of tastes; music,
karaoke, Internet access, poetry readings and sports on TV.

Oar House Bar & Liquor Store
4807 22nd Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL
Fun, friendly, laid-back atmosphere where you can get great
drinks at cheap prices! Drama free! Happy Hour daily from
2PM til 9PM.

Haymarket Pub
8308 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL
More of a Men’s bar. Showing hot videos, beer specials,
Saturday Underwear Night, and different events each week.

Hideaway
8302 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL
The oldest Womyn’s bar in the country. Where Music is
always the main entree! Coldest selection of beer in town.

Detour
2612 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL
The hottest club in St. Pete. Daily specials, karaoke nights
and gogo boys from Rico’s Men. Noted for it’s Saturday
Drag shows and Karaoke nights. Full liquor bar.

ST. PETERSBURG – Florida now ranks among the top five states in the nation in protecting LGBT people from discrimination, according to a report released by the statewide civil rights group Equality Florida.

Equality Florida’s report, Winning Equality, looks at the progress made in Florida since the organization formed in 1997. It documents pro-equality successes in areas of workplace non-discrimination, family recognition, and school safety, while also highlighting that the organization has defeated anti-LGBT legislative efforts in every session over the past 13 years.

“A great deal of work remains, but Floridians can be proud of the progress in our state over the past decade,” said Nadine Smith, executive director for Equality Florida. “This report demonstrates that, while political winds may shift during an election cycle, the longterm trend in Florida is strongly in favor of fairness and equality for everyone, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.”

Highlights from the report include: repeal of the anti-gay adoption ban; banning workplace discrimination; providing domestic partner benefits; ensuring school safety; and engaging business leaders.

The report includes maps of Florida comparing the existence of LGBT legal protections in 1997 and today.

Florida now leads the Southeastern United States in passing over 55 local policies outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, banning harassment of LGBT students, and providing domestic partnership benefits to our families.

To view the full report, visit www.eqfl.org/equalityreport

By KEITH CHAMLEE

If you were to Google “Queenshead Pub” you would find one in just about every village in Great Britain and every major city throughout the world. For the most part, you will find them set in a traditional Victorian setting complete with deep rich mahogany shelves. Sports, bangers and mash (or fish and chips) served alongside a pint of ale seem to be the normal fare.

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When owners Darren Conner and Paul Smith opened their Queenshead Gastro Pub, ‘normal’ was not what they intended to offer. Located at 2501 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District of downtown St. Petersburg, this distinguished and elegantly appointed dining spot is just the place to frequent whether you are entertaining friends or out for a nice dinner for two. With ample seating at the spacious bar; dining alone (as I did) isn’t a bad idea either. You will find it difficult to locate a more inviting patio. The staff is extremely attentive and friendly. Conner and Smith take a ‘hands on’ approach which adds to the relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

I took one look at the menu and knew that I was in for a real treat. No ‘pub grub’ here. Executive Chef Chris Greer offers a creative menu with a wide variety to suit everyone’s taste. I opted to start with the seared scallops served with Brussels sprouts and cherry wood smoked bacon and for a main course chose the balsamic glazed beef filet accompanied by sautéed spring onions, thyme mash with a balsamic port reduction. I stuck up a conversation with a regular customer seated next to me at the bar, Simon (it just so happens that he is from across the pond, too), after noticing the colorful salad in front of him. He assured me that the salads should not be overlooked. His choice: a blood orange and strawberry with baby spinach, goat cheese, red onion served with an aged balsamic reduction. Brilliant!

For all the British pub die-hards out there, not to worry, you can find fish and chips and Shepherds Pie on the menu, too. The creativity doesn’t end there. For dessert, I recommend the Eton Mess — fresh strawberries, cream, meringue, candied lemon zest with basil sorbet. Enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of ale with your meal. One thing is for certain, combine ambience, quality and presentation of food, great service at a very reasonable price and you’re sure to leave feeling as if you have gotten more ‘bangers’ for your buck!

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! Queenshead Gastro Pub, that is.