Prime Timers World Wide Convention

The 17th Biennial Convention of Original PrimeTimers® Worldwide, Inc. (PTWW) has over five days and nights to enjoy the social, educational, and recreational opportunities for mature 21+ years of age gay, bisexual and transgender men that self-identify as male. The joy of the social journey is found in renewing acquaintances and meeting new men from around our planet through group workshops, inspiring speakers and workshops, sightseeing and excursions, in a supportive atmosphere of respect and vision. Our 2023 Host Chapter is PrimeTimers ® of Tampa Bay.

Registration is welcome now. Registration Fees will slowly increase as the time gets closer to the event.

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Questions have been raised about our PrimeTimers® Worldwide (PTWW) Convention being held October 1-5 in St. Petersburg, regarding safety and economic/political impact.  Like the saying “Out, Loud, and Proud” – here are answers and facts for those asking about the topics.

1. Safety. PTWW has consulted with Equality Florida Co-Founder and Deputy Director Stratton Polliker, the Hilton Hotel management team, and St. Petersburg FL Police.  All agree that St. Petersburg is an accepting city, with no imminent threat of protest or violence targeted against the LGBTQ+ Community in the city during planned June Pride events nor our October Convention.

Same-sex couples still hold hands walking the downtown streets of St. Pete. Hundreds of thousands of retired LGBTQ+ Community Members live happily and feel safe in Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater area.  The state’s largest pride celebration is staged in St. Petersburg with thousands of participants at various venues.

2. There is no boycott. Both the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida said neither is calling for a blanket boycott or making a recommendation against visiting Florida.  The intent was to highlight new laws passed by the Florida Legislature that it said are hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, gender affirming healthcare, along with restricting abortion access, banning books, impacting migration work, and allowing Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit – to mention a few.  But, “There is no boycott.”

Read the entire updated May 23 Equality Florida travel advisory at: www.eqfl.org/updated-travel-advisory-HRC

3. Join us. “Those who visit Florida must join us in their vocal opposition to these dangerous policies,” stated Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign.  And that is exactly what PTWW is going to do, along with other LGBTQ+ groups are still staging major events in the state.

Stratton cited the September 11-14 – International Out & Equal Workplace Summit is the largest LGBTQ+ workplace equality gathering in the world.  This global event brings together more than 3,500+ executives to Orlando and are taking a stand to support local LGBTQ+ businesses while in the state.

4. Action.  PrimeTimers® Worldwide will support the frontline fight against to anti-LGBTQ+ actions in Florida – in person – with our convention.  Our Host Chapter PrimeTimers® of Tampa Bay is identifying LGBT-owned businesses and restaurants to support.

Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith will speak at our convention, enlightening Prime Timers® everywhere on championing our LGBTQ+ culture.

The Presidents’ Roundtable will be tasked to identify how PTWW and Local Chapters can further our mission in building more educational, social, and cultural opportunities for mature gay, bisexual, and Trans that self-identify as male.  Also, please do not forget that Inclusion and Diversity are parts of the PrimeTimers® Worldwide mission.

In summary, PTWW is an educational, social, and cultural organization and will not cancel this convention to make a showing for political or economic reasons.  If the recent Disney cancellation of $1,000,000,000 project, with 2,500+ jobs and related housing, tax and income gains did not get the message to Florida government leaders, then I know our PTWW 300+person convention will not even get a footnote in this battle of headlines.  So, let’s make a public stand.

Our PTWW Convention presence in Florida makes a strong statement in support of the frontline fight against anti-LGBTQ+ actions.  Again, as the saying goes “Out, Loud, and Proud.”