In what has become an unfortunate tradition, only a minority of Hillsborough County Commissioners signed a proclamation supporting GaYbor Days this year. Only Commissioners Les Miller and Kevin Beckner signed the proclamation celebrating the GaYbor District Coalition's contributions to revitalizing Ybor City by promoting LGBT-owned and LGBT-friendly businesses within the historic district.
Other proclamations were signed by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and all seven members of the Tampa City Council. Those were read aloud when the five-day festival closed on May 28.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Commissioner Mark Sharpe issued a letter of congratulations rather than signing the proclamation. The letter, printed on Hillsborough County letterhead, simply stated that he wished GaYbor “future success and will do all I can to help our citizens enjoy a prosperous quality of life in Hillsborough County.”
Carrie West, president of the coalition, told the Times that the letter was “ironic” and other supporters of GaYbor said that Sharpe is anti-gay, unless it's convenient for him not to be.
Sharpe told the Tampa Bay Times, he had no political motives at all.
“A person’s sexual orientation is not the government’s business,” he said. “But at the same time, I wanted to send an all-inclusive letter recognizing them. I support anybody and all who want to support the local economy.”
GaYbor Days 2012 ran through Memorial Day Weekend.
