TBO.com > News > News blog Reports
- Acting Haines City Police Chief Details Problems With Department
- Palin’s Barnyard Pardon
- Pre Thanksgiving Weekend Weather!
- Lake Effect Snow!
- Fla. Senators Make Good on World Series Bet
- Bilirakis Snags Better Capitol Hill Office Digs
- De Palma: I’m Running for Congress Again in 2010
- Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office Promotes Its Own
- Salvation Army Struggling For Donations
- Warmer Today Unless You Go North
- Cold Again!
- More Cold Temperatures
- Great American Teach-In
- Hillsborough, Pasco Open Cold-Weather Shelters
- Final Morning of Putnam’s House GOP Leadership
We pulled out of Channelside following a pickup truck with a couple of drag queens and a giant high-heeled shoe in the bed of the truck.
 |  |
| The giant hig-heeled shoe |
Destination: Pride In Exile Celebration runs through Sunday.
Mood: Festive
Photographer Chris Urso and I are aboard a charter bus with about 50 people who are kicking off a weekend that is part celebration and part protest of Hillsborough County’s refusal to acknowledge gay pride events.
Mark Bias served as bartender and entertainer during the trip.
| |  |
| On the charter bus |
He quickly spotted Urso on his cellular phone. “Oh look at the cute boy on the phone. He is talking with his wife,†he said before departing, prompting waves of laughter n the bus.
We were soon joined by several other vehicles bound for Key West and Pride for Exile Celebration.
We are pulling past Naples and more beer is consumed with each mile increasing the laughter and group sing-along. So far no arrests.
(The reporter and photographer are not drinking…yet.)
Baird we totally enjoyed having you along for the weekend.You took everything in stride and just went with the flow which was really cool. Hopefully we can drag you along next year as well.
People need to continue to throw the hypocrisy and intolerance of these so-called “religious conservatives” back in their faces.
Have fun down in the Keys!
Thanks for the support. Keep up the fight. I am sure you will receive a lot of hate mail from our local, so called religious hypocrites and bigots. Have fun. 
Advertisement
Posted by Duane, Dunedin on 08/21 at 03:20 PM
Baird,
Just got around to reading your blogs,
I sat behind you on the way down to Key West, actually I “googled” Melanie because I want to get a couple of songs to her that we discussed on the bus. I found your reports well balanced. Unlike the ones that made us all out to see to be a bunch of drunks. I respected your sexuality, and I appreciate your respect for mine
- a key ingrediant for any reporter. And do remember I did try to find you a date....but tamara was married. But I will keep an eye out for you....otherwise THANX