Winter Pride Tampa Bay (WPTB) is a fully inclusive, community based, non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the positive and affirming contributions that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people bring to our community. Our purpose is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination through cultural and educational programs and activities that acknowledge, promote, and encourage diversity and equality for all families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families, through community events and services that celebrate all families including an annual Winter Pride celebration, "Pride in the Park. We invite you to visit our website at: http://www.wptb.org/ . Become apart of the Winter Pride Tampa Bay Team and make a positive contribution to our community.  What is "Pride in the Park?"
"Pride in the Park" is WPTB's annual pride celebration and Tampa Bay's FAMILY pride event. All types of 'families' are welcome and encouraged to attend!
What is the "Expo in the Park?
"Expo in the Park" is an expo of businesses and organizations that support diversity and tolerance, including the GLBT community. Find out how you can showcase your business or organization during "Expo in the Park."
Why is a pride event being held in February?
The organizers of the first Winter Pride Tampa Bay event in 2006 felt that there was a need for increased visibility of the Tampa Bay GLBT Community throughout the year. "Pride in the Park," WPTB's main event, is held mid-way between the Tampa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (October) and St. Pete Pride (June).
As a bonus, the weather in late February is ideal for an outdoor celebration which is especially attractive to local residents and out of town visitors.
How many people attend "Pride in the Park?"
Organizers are expecting between 10,000 and 15,000 people to attend the 2008 event. In 2007, an estimated 10,000 people attended, doubling the inaugural event attendance of 5,000.
What activities are there for children?
WPTB places a special focus on families with children and creating a family-friendly atmosphere. "Pride in the Park" features Tampa Bay's largest pride Family Fun area. Our Family Fun area has included moon bounces, face painting, arts and crafts, games with prizes, movies, clowns, balloons and more. Â Is Winter Pride Tampa Bay the same group that used to do Tampa Pride?
No. That group disbanded several years ago. WPTB is a new group of people that formed in late 2005.
How did Winter Pride Tampa Bay start?
Winter Pride Tampa Bay, Inc. was formed in response to the June 2005 prejudicial and discriminatory actions of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. It was during this meeting that the Commissioners voted to "not acknowledge, promote or participate in any gay pride events, little "g" little "p." Outraged and upset by this decision, ordinary citizens from both sides of the Bay came together to plan the first annual Winter Pride Tampa Bay Event, which was held on February 25, 2006, to celebrate the contributions of GLBT people in our community and work to counter the prejudice and discrimination of the County Commission.
How many pride celebrations are there in the U.S.?
There are currently hundreds of Pride Celebrations, Festivals and Pride-related special events held in the U.S. Most notable are those drawing hundreds of thousands of people in major cities such as New York City, where the concept of an annual Pride Celebration was originated in 1970, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. In Florida, annual Pride Celebrations are hosted in Ft Lauderdale, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Sarasota, St Petersburg and Tallahassee.
Most Pride Celebrations are held in the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of June 27, 1969 in New York City's Greenwich Village. This event marked the turning point for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality in the United States. Pride Celebrations in major cities and regionally often coordinate their events so as not to conflict with each other's dates.
 Email Us About:
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Becoming a Sponsor [email protected]
Advertising [email protected]
Being in Expo in the Park [email protected]
Concession Opportunities [email protected]
Entertainment Opportunities [email protected]
Volunteering [email protected] & Comments [email protected]
- Winter Pride Tampa Bay, Inc.
301 W. Platt Street, Suite 152
Tampa, FL 33606