By Steve Blanchard

TAMPA – Those doubting the possibility of gay pride returning to Hillsborough County became after the inaugural Winter Pride Tampa Bay Feb. 25. Police and park officials estimate at least 4,000 people attended the event at Lowry Park.

"We are absolutely so grateful to the community for their support," said Zeke Fread, member of the organization's board of directors. "We're already looking at next year. The community was desperate to have a pride event back in Tampa and this showed that pride is here to stay."

Pinpointing attendance is difficult, Fread said, especially since the event was next to Lowry Park Zoo. But the Tampa Police Department reached the figure by looking at the park's square footage and the constant flow of traffic into the parking lot. That's not a bad turnout for only five months of planning.

"We had people working who poured their hearts and souls into Winter Pride," Fread said. "Now we know that we have a whole year in front of us for next year's event. I can't wait to see what we can do in that time."

More than 25 vendors have clamored for space at next year's pride, Fread said. The location of the 2007 event is still in the air, but he said that participants can expect to see more than the 65 expo tents set up this year.

The speakers at Winter Pride Tampa Bay were just about as diverse as the vendors. Politicians, activists and church leaders all took the microphone to encourage the crowd and to speak about the importance of the GLBT community in Tampa Bay.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kathy Castor – the only commissioner to vote against last year's county ordinance to ban gay pride from government property – received a standing ovation when she walked on stage.

"That Board of County Commissioners does not represent this community," Castor told the crowd. "They tried to kill the pride you feel in yourselves and they failed. Look around you. Their actions had no effect at all. How can you ban the pride you feel in yourself?"

Castor, who is also a candidate for Congress, didn't offer any specific promises to the crowd. She did say she plans to support the GLBT community in every way she can.

"We have many challenges and struggles ahead," she said. "I'm going to be as supportive as I can be, as a mother, as an attorney, as your local government official, and hopefully as your representative."

Castor wasn't the only politician on hand to recognize Winter Pride. Tampa Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena read a letter from Mayor Pam Iorio welcoming the crowd to the event. She thanked the community for making Tampa "less boring."

"We're starting to figure out what an interesting place we can be," Saul-Sena said. "I endorse your decision to celebrate gay pride in the winter. Isn't this a beautiful day?"

Other speakers were just as grateful to be there.

Joe Redner, who sued the county over its gay pride ban and later came out himself, took only a few short moments to address the crowd.

"I saw the drinking fountains, one for whites and one for blacks," Redner remembered. "Even at that time in my life I was ashamed that I lived in a county that would do that to people. ... We have to keep working until we don't have to be ashamed of the people who are running our lives in Hillsborough County."

With that, Redner left the stage with thunderous applause.

The Rev. Phyllis Hunt, the senior pastor at MCC Tampa, took a moment to laugh at the ridiculousness of the elusive "gay agenda" that so many anti-gay groups tout as a reason to discriminate against the GLBT community.

"(Today) we've found our gay agenda," Hunt said. "Our agenda is to proclaim our pride in who we are, and nobody's going to stop us."

Winter Pride Tampa Bay seemed to offer something for everyone – regardless of your age, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. According to Fread, quite a few straight parents and their children attended the event after exiting Lowry Park Zoo.

"Many would come up to me and ask what was going on," Fread said. "I would tell them we were celebrating diversity, and then I invited them to enjoy the children's play area. Most of these families did, and I think that sends a powerful message. I enjoyed seeing the children of gay parents and straight parents playing side-by-side."

For Palm Harbor resident Rich Oxborough, Winter Pride Tampa Bay was his first time to a pride celebration. He said he came out to his family shortly after the Hillsborough Commission's decision to ban gay pride last summer. The 33-year-old wasn't sure what to expect at this inaugural event.

"I didn't know if being gay required me to attend this or not," he laughed. "But I am glad I came out – both to this event and to my family. It's nice to see what a normal community this is. Being who I am isn't something I can hide in a dark corner anymore, and an event like this proves that I have a lot to be proud of."

The number of gay men and lesbians at the event seemed to be fairly equal throughout the day.

"I like that we all get to see what everyone else has been up to," said Trish Barnes, who attended the expo with her partner. "I had no idea how many groups and clubs are out there. You can kind of see who's doing what and find out if it's something you want to be involved in."

The pair was checking out a booth catering to lesbian travel, but both also wanted to see what the story was behind the Tampa Leather Club.

"Let's just say this day is a learning experience," Barnes laughed.

The five-hour event drew more than 4,000 people and not one single arrest, according to the Tampa Police Department. No protests were reported either.

"Our police department did an excellent job of keeping us safe," Fread said. "We can't thank the city enough for the help they provided. I think everyone had a great experience throughout the day and I didn't hear anyone complain about the weather, the set up or the entertainment. It was positive feedback all around."

Winter Pride Tampa Bay received help from many local organizations. Even St. Pete Pride organizers offered a helping hand – and the Winter Pride's crews plan to return the favor in June on the other side of the bay.

"Both sides of the bay were represented," Fread said. "This is an area event – that's why we have Tampa Bay in our title. We're here for everyone and represent every walk of life. Pride is definitely back."

For more information on volunteering for next year's Winter Pride Tampa Bay or for highlights of the event, visit WinterPrideTampaBay.com. W