Ever meet somebody and right away think, “This person will be very famous one day”? Clay is one of those few people. An Alabama boy with a smile and accent that is so Southern you’d think you were in the heart of the South…
DISHING WITH MARK AND CARRIE
Nephew of the Week: Clayton Hood
Ever meet somebody and right away think, “This person will be very famous one day”? Clay is one of those few people. An Alabama boy with a smile and accent that is so Southern you’d think you were in the heart of the South! He studied art at the famed Atlanta School of Art Design in Georgia. He has an international presence with gallery showings around the world.
Today, he has his own company at clayhood.com.
GaYBOR Member of the Week: The Honey Pot
The Honey Pot is a founding member of the GaYBOR District Coalition. This bar is part of the Florida Entertainment Group of drinking establishments. We think it’s the number #1 club in Central Florida. Nobody even comes close to the number of events and caliber of entertainment The Honey Pot produces EVERY WEEK!
Outstanding Community Leaders Under the Age of 35
We have been local LGBT, human rights and community activists ever since we first moved to Tampa in 1980. It was a time when we first started to hear about the terrible mystery killing virus, now known as HIV/AIDS. Many good people from that time and later have passed. Now we are over the age of 50. Many people in the next generation are gone. We, as a community, skipped a generation of creativity and direction. The next forthcoming leaders will be in the under 35 group.
All these deep thoughts were brought on when nephew Mathieu asked us a very thought-provoking question. “Who do we think, under the age of 35, will be the next LGBTA community leaders in the Tampa Bay area?”
What a great question! After much debating and thought we came up with our 15 picks. All of these people are community leaders today, responsible and the new ”go to” people in our community. The one thing they all have in common is that they all lead by example.
We then asked the top 15 who they would include in this list. The best way to be introduced to new people is to ask your peers. The list is very diverse and impressive. Yes, there were people I’m sure we missed and some you might not understand. You might see that some of the selected leaders are not even gay! They do an awesome job in helping our community. So the group consists of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies.
One thing is for sure, Our LGBTA community’s future will be in very good progressive hands.
You can see the full list at mcfilm.co/category/dishing-with-mark-carrie/
You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
International Wigstock promoter and entertainer Lady Bunny has been a gay icon for many, many years. We have met Bunny many times. In the early 2000s she was performing at Georgie’s Alibi in St. Pete.
Our good friend Clayton Hood created a beautiful painting of Lady Bunny. After her performance, 
In Clay style he…turned around and started to auction the painting off. $50, $100… the audience bidding stopped at $420.00.
Lady Bunny turned to Clayton with her hand out and said wittingly, “Why…thank you so much.” Clay smiled and said in his Alabama drawl, ”F–K YOU, girl!” He then cocked his head and walked off the stage and bought all his friends cocktails.
P.S. I think we had two each…thank you, Clay!
