While residents of Tampa and Florida were celebrating the annual tradition of pirate invasions, parties and parades throughout the city during the weekend of Jan. 28-30, one politician was looking for a way to use Gasparilla as a way to “warn” constituents about LGBTs.
Eugene Deguadio, a district supervisor in Loudon, Va., blogged about the dangers of homosexuals when describing the city’s largest festival—which mostly consists of straight residents.
“The event is a full weeks of seemingly family-oriented events with parades and treasure hunts around the city,” Deguadio wrote. “But in recent years, radical homosexuals have been intent on turning it into a two week alcohol fueled display of public debauchery.”
Degaudio, who most recently made headlines by saying the Transportation Safety Authority’s new policy on pat downs was part of a “gay conspiracy” went on to blame the route of the annual Gasparilla parade—which follows the shoreline of the bay—as a means by which homosexuals prevented a “straight” route.
“Organizers started by purposefully making the parade route zig-zag so no one could call it a ‘straight parade,” he said. “Word is that Radical Homosexuals have infiltrated as event organizers to promote homosexual events that are designed to prey upon unsuspecting college students by enticing them to join their ‘krewes’ and help build parade floats in exchange for free alcohol. When the young men are sufficiently intoxicated, homosexuals dressed as pirates whisk them away to God knows where to take advantage of them sexually. “
He goes on to say there are “countless stories” of immoral sex acts being performed by open homosexuals—some even in broad daylight.
Despite the claims, the Tampa Police Department reported 349 citations—fewer than previous years—during the 2011 festivities. Almost all of those were alcohol violations. Three felony arrests were reported—grand theft auto, resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer. Police records do not indicate any reports of illegal sexual encounters.
No part of the annual Gasparilla events were specifically gay, except for El Gancho, a circuit party at The Ritz Ybor on Jan. 29, where more than 1,000 people partied to the sounds of DJ Abel. A portion of those ticket sales benefited local charities.
“Benefiting our local community is one of our top priorities,” said organizer tony LaColla. “Providing a contribution to Ybor City based Metro Wellness and making sure local businesses felt a positive financial impact was extremely important to our team.”
