The following are LGBT-oriented resources in Bradenton/Manatee County and the surrounding Tampa Bay and Sarasota County areas. Advocacy organizations include national and statewide advocacy organizations.
Do you have or know of an organization or resource that’s not listed below and want it to be considered for inclusion? Please email us with a link to its website or Facebook page, at manateeLGBTA@gmail.com.
Advocacy – LGBT Rights & LGBT Professional Organizations
- ACLU of Florida
- Equality Florida
- Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus
- GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
- GLARP (Gay & Lesbian Association of Retiring Persons
- GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality
- GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network)
- HRC (Human Rights Campaign)
- Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
- National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center (NALGBTCC)
- NALGAP (National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Addiction Professionals)
- NGLTF (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation)
- National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
- National Lesbian and Gay Law Association (NLGLA)
- National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, Inc. (NOGLSTP)
- Out and Equal Workplace Advocates
- Out4Immigration
- Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
- Pride at Work
Business – LGBT-oriented businesses and directories
- Al and Chuck Travel
- AYP – LGBT yellow pages/business directory for Tampa Bay region
- Rainbow411.com – directory of LGBT business and resources
- Randell’s Travel of Sarasota
- Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- Watermark – A major Florida LGBT newspaper, serving Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota
Community – LGBT Organizations & Activities
Bradenton/Manatee County:
- Manatee LGBTA Democratic Caucus
- Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship – LGBT-inclusive church in downtown Bradenton, Prism meets here
- Prism Youth Initiative – an LGBT youth services organization
- Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project
Sarasota City/County:
- ALSO Youth – an LGBT youth services organization
- Church of the Trinity Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) – LGBT outreach and resources, HIV/AIDS resources, POZ M4M and Prime Timers meet here
- Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota – an LGBT chorus, formed from the merger of the former Gulf Coast (Gay) Men’s Chorus and Harmony: the Women’s Voices of Sarasota
- Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza – a lighthearted weekly event at The Players Theatre in downtown Sarasota
- Fabulous Independent Film Festival (annually in August, many LGBT-oriented films)
- GLBT and Friends League Bowling
- Harvey Milk Festival – an annual music, film, and art festival held each June in commemoration of the LGBT Civil Rights leaders
- Our Sarasota Fund Giving Circle – a fund and budding social circle to help grow Sarasota and Manatee LGBT service organizations
- Out @The Asolo – wonderful LGBT theatre nights at the Asolo Repertory Theatre
- Prime Timers of Sarasota
- Southwest Florida Community AIDS Quilt
- Stonewall Democrats of Sarasota
St. Petersburg/Pinellas County:
- GayStPete.com
- Mature Men’s Group/Mature Women’s Group/Mornings at Metro – LGBT Elders
- Friendly Visitor Program – Caring for LGBT Elders
- Next Generation/Queery/The Lounge – LGBT Youth
- Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County
Health & Help – LGBT-oriented service organizations
Bradenton/Manatee County:
- Family Resources – Operates the Manatee SafePlace2B family and youth emergency shelters in Manatee (Bradenton) and Pinellas (Clearwater, St. Petersburg) Counties
- Florida Department of Health in Manatee County: General health, women’s health, sexual health, HIV/STD testing
- Florida Department of Health in Manatee County: Mobile Van schedule (free HIV/STD testing)
- Manatee Glens – crisis care, mental health, addictions
- MASS (Minority AIDS/HIV Social Services) – HIV testing, referrals, food bank
- Planned Parenthood – Manatee Health Center – HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, women’s health services
Sarasota City/County:
- CARES Outreach Services – testing/screening and referrals for HIV, STD’s, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, hepatitis; resources and referrals
- CAN (Community AIDS Network) and Comprehensive Care Center – HIV healthcare, HIV testing, Mental Health, Dental care, wraparound services
- Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County – HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, general healthcare services
- Genesis Health Services – free HIV testing, affordable healthcare services
- Hedges Health Mart Compounding Pharmacy – hormone replacement, hormone therapy, medications, medication compounding, online refills, medication home delivery
- Planned Parenthood – Sarasota Health Center – HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, women’s health services
- SPARCC – Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center – Emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, safety planning, children’s services, hospital advocacy, case/service management, referrals and information
- Trinity Charities – Urgent financial aid
St. Petersburg/Pinellas County:
- AIDS Service Association of Pinellas
- Family Resources – Operates the SafePlace2B family and youth emergency shelters in Pinellas (Clearwater, St. Petersburg) and Manatee (Bradenton) Counties
- Metro Wellness and Community Centers (HIV care, HIV testing, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Support Classes)
Nightlife – LGBT-oriented local nightlife
- Barrel 87 – a Sarasota (Gulf Gate) neighborhood gay bar
- G2H2 Sarasota – Gay Guy Happy Hour, Sarasota location varies monthly
- Ivory Lounge – LGBT nights at this downtown Sarasota lounge – Cream Thursdays, Sunday Service
- Purple Rhino Lodge – a Sarasota non-profit private gay dining and social club and bar, at Beneva and Webber Streets
- Throb Nightclub – a popular Sarasota/Bradenton LGBT industrial nightclub (weekends) and bar
Pride – LGBT Pride Events & Organizations
- Manatee Pride (Annually in March)
- Charlotte County Pride (Annually in May)
- Sarasota Pride (Annually in October)
- St. Pete Pride (Annually in June)
- InterPride – InterPride is the international organization that ties Pride together globally
