Maybe it is a sign of a demographic change in Ybor. Or maybe it is a sign that Ybor has not changed at all, as a melting pot of cultural diversity. The latest group to claim a stake in Ybor is the gay and gay-friendly business. HYNCA welcomes the Coalition and hopes that it is able to achieve its goal of attracting residents, businesses, and tourists to the neighborhood. The group has received some press coverage past week (Fox 13 excerpt):

TAMPA - There have been a lot of visions for Ybor City: an entertainment district, a place for families.

One of the latest is to turn the historic district into a gay Mecca.

"Since there’s a uniqueness to Ybor, we thought ‘Gaybor,’ that’s perfect for the uniqueness of Ybor City," said Carrie West, the Gaybor Coalition founder.

West runs MC Film Festival on 8th and 15th - what he describes as an eclectic gay gift shop.  When West and his partner moved to Ybor in July, they say they saw the potential for revitalization - and gay tourism.

The couple started the Gaybor Coalition, and 35 businesses have signed up so far. The Coalition is targeting west Ybor City for a "Gaybor" district.

The goal is to bring in gay tourists, and add new businesses, and residents, to compete with other major cities with popular gay districts. West says he hopes to produce a bohemian feel.

"It’s going to be filling in shop areas, not with just bars and nightclubs but variety, eateries coffee shops, that’s what’s going to make the uniqueness of Ybor City come to life," West explained.

Despite efforts by the city and local businesses, what Ybor’s been known for recently is it’s violent crime rate. But promoters of the Gaybor brand hope it can give the entire Ybor area an image makeover.

The Gaybor Coalition is working with the city and chambers of commerce to make their vision a reality.

The Hampton Inn on 7th Avenue and 13th Street has already had success working with West to bring in gay tourists. The Ybor City hotel offered a "Play and Stay" promotion in August, targeting gay couples, and the response was overwhelming.

"The tourism potential is unbelievable," said sales director Becky Fox.

The Hampton Inn is currently hosting Pentecostal convention participants, but sales manager Becky Fox says, there’s room in Ybor for everyone.

"I actually feel sorry for people who aren’t open-minded enough to see what this will do for our economy and this area," Fox said. "I honestly think this is a great opportunity for Ybor City to shine."

But not everyone wants Ybor to star as a gay destination.

"To each his own, but just being a Christian it’s not something I’d condone," said Tampa resident Vikkie Franchina, who was shopping in Ybor City.

But most area businesses are eager to bring in extra tourism dollars any way they can. The feeling is that, while we all may be different colors of the rainbow, everyone’s money is green.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at 8:16 pm and is filed under General News.