Lesbian Life
Tampa Bay lesbians have used bars, private homes, newsletters and feminist organizations to create a sense of community.
Jimmie White’s Tavern
Jimmie White’s Tavern on Grand Central (now Kennedy Blvd) was the first lesbian bar in Tampa. In July 1957 Tampa Police began a Friday night raid at Jimmie White’s, arresting 13 women based mostly on their wearing “mannish clothing.” Captain Howell Ryals says “we are going to put a stop to this activity once and for all.”
In 1959, two lesbian couples were united in a mock wedding or commitment ceremony. Butch/Femme couples were common in the 1950s, but here one of the couples appears to be two butches. They are seen below playing pool.
Fungie’s
Fungie’s, on Grand Central Blvd (now Kennedy Blvd.) was also a popular lesbian bar. It featured a carnival or circus décor inside.
1960s Lesbian House Parties
Because of the increasing threat of police raids at gay and lesbian bars, middle-class lesbians tended to socialize in private homes. But judging from these photos by Bobby Smith, they were not tame affairs.
1970s
In March 1975 Noelle Valentine (aka Noelle Warner) and her partner (Linda Holmberg) co-found a local chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis, with meetings held at their home in Lithia, near Brandon. Women from as far away as Sarasota, Lakeland, and St. Petersburg attended regularly. “I don’t feel so isolated anymore. It’s quite a drive to come to Tampa for meetings. But it’s worth it to me,” one member expressed. By April they are meeting at the new Tampa Women’s Center on Platt. They published one issue of Daughters.
1980s
Edith “Edie” Daly launches Women’s Words, a lesbian publication to support her non-profit support group Women’s Energy Bank. Changing its name to Womyn’s Words within its first year, it became a valuable resource to the local lesbian community to discuss important problems within and outside of the community, including issues of trans-inclusion.
Starting out as a mimeographed DIY effort, by the 1990s it became a professionally printed newsletter and source of information about both local and national issues of concern to lesbians. It continued to be published until July 2011.
1990s: Lesbian Avengers
Dee DeBerry was a Tampa lesbian who contracted HIV through a dirty needle when she got a tattoo. She became an HIV/AIDS activist and educator, telling audiences that anyone, even lesbians, coud get the virus. DeBerry had received anonymous, hateful, and threatening phone calls warning her not to participate in the upcoming March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights. She went to the March anyway and met with Health and Human Services director Donna Shalala and joined the Dyke March down Connecticut Avenue.
While she was out of town, her home was firebombed and destroyed. While police never made an arrest, evidence overwhelmingly indicated the arson was a purposeful attack. They found chemicals and evidence of burglary. In response, ACT UP and the Lesbian Avengers held a series of marches and “rolling car blockades” in downtown Tampa. “I am not shutting up. If anything, I’ll speak out louder.” The mayor of Tampa spoke at one rally, proclaiming the incident a hate crime.
Dee DeBerry (center) with other members of Lesbian Avengers
