Pride & Passion, the official kick-off event for Gay Pride Month events across Tampa Bay, will return for a ninth year this year. In addition to kicking off six weeks of pride events, Pride & Passion also serves as the annual LGBT outreach event for the Tampa Museum of Art (120 W. Gasparilla Plaza). Over 800 LGBT people and their allies will be present, enjoying art, entertainment, food, drinks, and of course each other’s company at the Museum.
Since its inception, Pride & Passion is the largest yearly event to be held at the Tampa Museum of Art. According to Pride & Passion’s committee, the mission of the event is “to be 
the premier LGBT event for the Tampa Museum of Art’s community outreach by producing a fun, memorable and profitable annual event that raises funds for Museum exhibitions, encourages new memberships, fosters a continuing commitment by current members and reaffirms the Museum’s commitment to diversity.” The event won the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Urban Excellence Award in 2013. This year Wells Fargo joins the Tampa Museum of Art to sponsor Pride & Passion.
Attendees will be allowed full access to view all of the museum’s exhibits and artwork. They will also be treated to hors d’oeuvres by Timpano Italian Chophouse, dessert and coffee by Piquant Hyde Park, cocktails by Tito’s and a champagne bar by Wine Exchange. When purchasing a ticket, you also purchase a Museum membership for the year. General admission tickets cost $100. The VIP experience includes a VIP hour, one hour before the main event begins at 8 p.m., and an invitation to attend the private sponsor party in June. The VIP tickets cost $200. Both ticket levels are available for purchase at tampamuseum.org/museum-events/pride-passion.
About the Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art is the city of Tampa’s contemporary and modern art museum. Located on the Hillsborough River, the Museum houses a permanent collection of antiquities and world-class traveling exhibitions. The Museum is dedicated to providing art education to students and adults. The Tampa Museum of Art first opened in 1979 and has been in its current building since 2010.
