Watermark Issue 19.14: St. Pete Pride Post Coverage by Watermark Publishing Group

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.14 • JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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DEPARTMENTS

You just accept it and PAGE forget that you’re hanging out 28 in these banana hammocks.

6 // MAIL 9 // ORLANDO NEWS 13 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE 17 // NATION & WORLD 25 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 31 // EVENT PLANNER 33 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 35 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 36 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 37 // TRANSITIONS 38 // ADVICE 39 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 44 // CLASSIFIEDS 46 // GALLERY W

—CHANNING TATUM

ON THE COVER

PAGE Members of the Righteously

Twirling Corps 13 Outrageous (ROTC) brought their signature

twirling moves and flags with them as they entertained record crowds on Central Avenue during St. Pete Pride’s 10th Anniversary celebration June 30. Photo by Jake Stevens

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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Preview

PAGE

GOING GREEN:

New York performer Hedda Lettuce brings her signature look and comic wit to St. Petersburg’s Palladium Theater July 18. She tells us about her love of Mommie Dearest and the history behind her hilarious stage name.

W A T E R M A R K I S S U E 1 9 . 1 4 // J U L Y 5 - J U L Y 1 8 , 2 0 1 2

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE Orange County begins

PAGE St. Pete Pride returned to the

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GALLERY W

Read it online! In addition to a Web site with daily LGBT updates, a digital version of each issue of the publication is made available on WatermarkOnline.com

signing couples to its longawaited domestic partnership registry this week, but the process took too long for one area couple; Orlandobased Exodus International steps away from ex-gay therapy; more.

Grand Central District on June 30 with record setting crowds; Tampa’s Outings & Adventures group goes international through a powerful partnership; Gulfport and Tampa begin registering domestic partners; more.

PAGE Hedda Lettuce will offer her

commentary when TIGLFF presents Mommie Dearest at the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg July 18; Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello talk about the magic in making the sexy Magic Mike; more.

PAGE With more than 140 entries

this year’s St. Pete Pride 46 inPromenade, it may have

been difficult to keep up with all of them. We feature a few of our many favorites in this issue’s Gallery W.

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ERIC

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I can’t thank Steve Blanchard enough for his Editor’s Desk about the meaning behind Gay Pride [Issue 19.13]. The younger generation has absolutely no memory of the riots that started it all back in 1969 and constantly takes for granted the struggles that gay men and lesbians had to face daily just a few decades ago. I get so tired of hearing people saying who or what should or shouldn’t represent the LGBT community (drag queens, leathermen, etc.) but those people forget that it was the drag queens who �inally decided that being treated differently was no longer acceptable and stood up to authorities. We owe those people a lot and thank you for reminding your readers about what Pride truly represents. JARED ACHLEY TAMPA

HEALTHCARE DECISION A STEP TOWARD EQUALITY The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in a series of legal challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, upholding the historic

“People forget that it was the drag queens who finally decided that being treated differently was no longer acceptable and stood up to authorities.” —JARED ACHLEY

law passed in the last Congress to reform our nation’s healthcare system. The Supreme Court’s decision means millions of Americans—including many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families—will be better served by our nation’s healthcare system. The Affordable Care Act addresses a number of the barriers LGBT people face in obtaining health insurance, from �inancial barriers to obtaining affordable coverage to discrimination by insurance carriers and healthcare providers. While there is a great deal more that must be done to ensure that the health needs of all LGBT people are fully met throughout the healthcare system, the Court’s decision is an important victory in the �ight for healthcare equality. CHAD GRIFFIN HRC PRESIDENT

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OBAMACARE NOT CARVED IN STONE By upholding even the most intrusive provision of Obamacare, the individual mandate, the court has enabled Washington’s addiction to big government and coercive taxes. The individual mandate forced through Congress was an unprecedented expansion of federal power in blatant disregard of the will of the American people. Log Cabin looks forward to working with our Republican allies in Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with real, market-driven reforms that will lower costs while preserving the standard of care Americans deserve. While the Court may have found Obamacare to be constitutional, that does not mean it has been carved in stone. Now is the time to go back to the drawing board and institute reforms that work for all Americans. CHRISTIAN BERLE

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

LANDED MY FIRST PROFESSIONAL POST

as a journalist before I even graduated from college. A small-town newspaper in Missouri hired me on as a sports writer two months before I walked at graduation. My editor worked with my college class schedule until I �inally had that diploma in my hand. It wasn’t exactly an exciting job, especially for a not-so-avid sports fan. But the embarrassingly lowpaying gig was an important �irst step in my new career. And although I had never considered a career as a sports writer at any time in my life, the opportunity gave me a chance to build a portfolio and bulk up my resume. It also taught me the tricks of the newspaper trade. While I honed my writing skills and dove into layout design, I also taught myself how to interact

WATERMARK STAFF

professionally with coaches, athletes and other journalists. Overall I learned the ropes pretty quickly— but it took me a long time to come out at work. I avoided questions about my personal life and was careful not to get too close to my coworkers. It was several months into my gig—not coincidentally around the time I started wearing a wedding band—before I quietly told our city reporter about my relationship with my partner. As our community comes

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down from an insanely fun and celebratory Pride month, we have a new hero in the news media. CNN anchor Anderson Cooper of�icially announced he was gay in an email to the blog The Daily Beast released July 2. While many don’t necessarily see Cooper’s announcement as news (we’ve all seen the photos of him and his hunky boyfriend on New York’s streets), others see his announcement as a milestone for LGBTs nationwide. Finally we have a wellrespected journalist who can share his sexuality openly and without consequence. Some would argue that Cooper’s decision to come out now—at 50 years old and at the peak of his career—is anything but brave. In fact, I’ve heard several people say that his action is the opposite of brave and that he should have come out of the closet 25 years ago, when he was a young adult still �inding his way professionally. Instead of celebrating the courage of someone in the media spotlight to be honest, too many want to immediately condemn him for waiting too long to share his story. Cooper has long avoided any talk about his personal life. He said he changed his mind recently, however, because staying silent on certain aspects of his life may bring people to believe he’s ashamed or afraid of who he is. “This is distressing because

it is simply not true,” he said in the e-mail. As a young professional, I was scared as to how my boss and my employer would react to the news that I was in a same-sex relationship. I was also concerned as to how the people I interacted with on a daily basis—coaches, athletes, etc.— would react if they learned I was gay. By the time I left that Missouri newspaper and began packing for my move to Florida in 2000, I had come out to the entire staff and management. While my editor and I did not see eye-to-eye, it had nothing to do with my sexuality or my relationship. My sexuality also had no bearing on my relationship with the publisher, who tried to get me to stay on at the publication. After my relocation, I began work as a business writer in Florida and I had to decide again whether I should come out of the closet. That decision was easy and within my �irst week everyone I encountered knew the “new guy” was gay. Coming out professionally is different for all of us and we all must do it at our own pace. Is it important to come out of the closet at work? De�initely. The more people who personally know a person in the LGBT community are more likely to support equality for us. Coming out can only be good in the long run. But we can’t be too quick to judge those who take a little longer to address their sexuality—especially when they are in the national spotlight like Anderson Cooper. Coming out is a personal journey, and it’s never our responsibility to direct it for others. |  |

Instead of celebrating the courage of someone in the media spotlight to be honest, too many want to immediately condemn him for waiting too long to share his story.

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CONTRIBUTORS JIM WALKER

is a former anchor/ reporter with more than 20 years of experience in television news and two Emmy nominations. He recently began his own news/commentary at Blog. JWLooseCannon.com. Page 19

ZACH CARUSO

is a musician and journalist from New Jersey who now lives in St. Petersburg. He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MA in writing. Page 25

CHRIS AZZOPARDI

is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service and has interviewed a wide range of celebrities, including Cher and Lady Gaga. He lives in Canton, Mich., and can be reached via his website at Chris-Azzopardi.com. Page 28

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MAKING HISTORY: The Orange County Commissioners passed a county-wide domestic partner registry on May 22. Couples can begin registering July 6. PHOTO BY DAVID MORAN

DPR goes countywide Central Florida couple’s story illustrates why domestic partner recognition is important Jamie Hyman

JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

RLANDO | Sometimes the smallest cuts hurt the most. Harrison and Phil had been together for nearly a decade when Phil passed away this past June. Harrison has asked that he and his partner’s names, as well as a number of other identifying details, be changed because he is not interested retribution for what happened in the days before Phil died. He also does not want to create con�lict with Phil’s family, but believes his story should be made public to prevent other gay people from going through what he went through—disappointment and grief that could have been prevented had Harrison and Phil registered as domestic partners. Both men were retired. They shared a home in the Orlando area. Harrison is “60-plus,” and Phil was in his 80s. Phil had health issues from the start of 2012 and then got worse in the early summer. He was shuttled

between hospitals, home and a nursing home several times before his �inal stay in a hospital came in early June, when he passed away. “I was very much in the mix up until the last four or �ive days,” Harrison said, when one of Phil’s close family members, through legal means, prevented Harrison from communicating with Phil’s doctors. Harrison tried to go through the

medical authorities, working sideby-side with them as Phil’s condition �luctuated. In the �inal days, a Do Not Resuscitate order was issued as Phil’s health quickly declined, but Harrison was no longer a part of the discussion. “It threw me for a loop,” said Harrison. “Because I was not allowed to talk to a doctor, I was not prepared for it.” Harrison’s story may not seem as shocking as what lesbian couple Janice Langbehn and Lisa Marie Pond encountered when they vacationed in Miami several years ago. That’s when Langbehn and their children were denied visitation by hospital administrators after Pond suffered a stroke. Pond died 18 hours after being admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital and Langbehn said before that, she was only allowed to see Pond for about �ive minutes while a priest gave last rights. The way Harrison was excluded during Phil’s �inal days was a smaller cut, a quieter, common example

“If they had signed up and registered as domestic partners, they would have automatically received those rights.” —RANDY STEPHENS

nurses and was told that in order to be updated on Phil’s condition, he would have to go through that family member. That was something Harrison was unwilling to do. In the months up until then, Harrison had received copies of his partner’s medical records and had communicated freely with Phil’s

Continued on page 10 |  |

RLANDO | The president of the country’s bestknown Christian ministry dedicated to helping people repress same-sex attraction through prayer is trying to distance the group from the idea that same-sex attraction can be permanently changed or “cured.” That’s a signi�icant shift for Exodus International, the 36-year-old Orlando-based group that boasts 260 member ministries around the and world. For decades, it has offered to help con�licted Christians rid themselves of unwanted homosexual inclinations through counseling and prayer, infuriating gay rights activists in the process. In Minneapolis, 600 Exodus ministers and followers gathered for the group’s annual conference. The group’s president, Alan Chambers, said on June 26 the conference would highlight his efforts to dissociate the group from the controversial practice usually called ex-gay, reparative or conversion therapy. “I do not believe that cure is a word that is applicable to really any struggle, homosexuality included,” said Chambers, who is married to a woman and has children, but speaks openly about his own sexual attraction to men. “For someone to put out a shingle and say, `I can cure homosexuality,’ that to me is as bizarre as someone saying they can cure any other common temptation or struggle that anyone faces on Planet Earth.” Chambers said the ministry’s emphasis should be simply helping Christians who want to reconcile their own particular religious beliefs with sexual feelings they consider an affront to scripture. For some that might mean celibacy; for others, like Chambers, it meant �inding an understanding opposite-sex partner. Exodus has seen its in�luence wane in recent decades, as mainstream associations representing psychiatrists and psychologists have relegated reparative therapy to crackpot status. But Exodus and groups like it continue to in�luence many evangelicals and fundamentalists, and gay rights activists said the damage they in�lict on individuals can be deep and lasting. “We appreciate any step toward open, transparent honesty that will do less harm to people,” said Wayne Besen, a Vermont-based activist who has worked to discredit ex-gay therapy. “But the underlying belief is still that homosexuals are sexually broken, that something underlying is broken and needs to be �ixed. That’s incredibly harmful, it scars people.” Chambers acknowledged some Exodus af�iliates might still offer reparative therapy. But he said “99.9%” of people he’s encountered in two decades with Exodus were not able to completely rid themselves of same-sex attraction. He believes the organization must be honest about that when people come looking for help. |  |

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orlando

Wire report

NEWS

Exodus back off of ex-gay therapy

orlando NEWS

|  | Orange County

DPR from pg.9

of how same-sex partners can suffer from complicated family relationships and insuf�icient preparation, adding unnecessary pain to an already painful situation. “They’ve been partners for nearly 10 years, in a relationship, sharing a home and because they did not have any type of protections, Harrison was not allowed to make any medical decisions,” said Randy Stephens, executive director of The GLBT Center. “The main thing he wanted was not to be left out of the medical discussions.” Harrison was able to visit Phil and he is comfortable with how Phil’s funeral was conducted. “I was just upset that I couldn’t talk to a doctor and get his updated condition,” he said. To prevent other Central Florida couples from �inding themselves in a similar situation, Stephens points to the domestic partner registry. “If [Harrison and Phil] had signed up and registered as domestic partners, they would

have automatically received those rights,” Stephens said. Orange County’s domestic partner registry takes effect July 6. It was passed by the county commissioners as a measure titled The HELP Ordinance on May 22 and will provide countywide rights and protections for unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples, including hospital visitation, jail visitation, emergency noti�ications, guardian decisions, healthcare decisions, funeral/burial decisions and participation in a child’s public education. “These are matters people take for granted right now and they assume family members will always be cooperative and they may not always be,” Stephens said. “Therefore, there’s a strong need to have these protections such as a domestic partner registry.” According to Stephens, couples who have already registered as domestic partners with the city of Orlando will automatically be included in the county registry, and can receive updated documentation from the county July 6. Couples who live outside of Orange County can register

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with the county and will receive all of the registry’s bene�its while they are in the vicinity of Orange County. “If you live in Clermont but work in downtown Orlando, and you get hurt, your partner who lives in Lake County has full authorization to visit you in an Orange County Hospital,” Stephens said. To register in Orange County, couples should go to the of�icial records department of the Orange County comptroller’s of�ice to get their forms or download them from OCCCompt.com. The city of Orlando will notarize registries and provide witnesses, but couples registering via the county are responsible for providing a notary and two witnesses. Orange County’s registry is cheaper, though—$10 compared to Orlando’s $30. There will be a celebration at the Comptroller’s Main Of�ice at the County Admin Building, as couples are registered there, on July 6. After that date, couples who want to be registered should go to the satellite of�ice at 109 E. Church St. Suite 300 or call 407836-5115 to request that their card be mailed. |  |

Volusia County kicks off domestic partner registry Staff report

AYTONA BEACH | As of July 2, both same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried couples can register as domestic partners in Volusia County, making Volusia’s registry the �irst countywide domestic partner registry in Central Florida. The Volusia County Council approved the registry with a 6-1 vote May 17. As of press time, more than a dozen couples had registered with at least �ive more future appointments scheduled. Under the registry, couples 18 and older who are unmarried receive visitation rights to hospitals and jails. They will also be noti�ied in case of an emergency and can make funeral arrangements

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for one another. It costs $50 to register and couples receive paperwork con�irming their domestic partnership. Their names are also placed on a county-run website. When commissioners approved the registry, they heard no opposition. There are two locations where couples can sign up or the registry. In Daytona Beach, couples register at the county’s tag and title of�ice at 250 N. Beach St., room 101. Call 386-2544610 for an appointment. In Deland, the location is the tax of�ice at 123 W. Indiana Ave., room 103, and couples should call 386-736-5938 for an appointment. Couples can also make appointments by emailing revenue@ co.volusia.�l.us. |  |

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COLORFUL CROWD: With no rain in the forecast, more than 100,000 people descended upon St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of St. Pete Pride June 30. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

100,000 celebrate St. Pete Pride No rain and a new headliner put attendance over the top Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T. PETERSBURG | As Curt Moore’s eyes scanned the record-breaking crowd gathered on Central Avenue for the 10th anniversary of St. Pete Pride June 30, he noticed a common trend. “The number of young people celebrating Gay Pride is just amazing to me,” the 62-year-old Bradenton resident said. “It’s moving. I couldn’t imagine being so open about who I was when I was a teenager or in my early 20s. It really shows how far we’ve come in this country and it makes me want to tear up!” Festival organizers estimate 100,000 people were at the outdoor festival and parade and credit a dry day and headliner Deborah Cox for bringing out so many people. And that crowd was just as diverse as the community it was celebrating. “I heard someone make the comment that such a variety of

people can be in the same place at the same time with no violence and no altercations,” said St. Pete Pride executive director Chris Rudisill. “We all manage to get along so well for that one day. Imagine what we could accomplish if we could do that every day of the year.” The celebration, which coincides with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots that many consider the beginning of the modern LGBT civil rights movement, has always landed on what seems to be the hottest day of the year. The 2012 celebration was no exception, with temperatures reaching the low 90s in St. Petersburg. The heat, however, was a better option than the alternative, according to Cindi Symons, who attended the festival with her girlfriend. “Last weekend I was so afraid that St. Pete Pride would be rained out,” the 19-year-old said, referring to Tropical Storm Debby. The system stalled over the Gulf of Mexico just a

week before St. Pete Pride, dropping a record amount of rainfall in the area. “When I saw forecasters say it was going to be way out in the Atlantic by today I was so happy! We can beat the heat with water, shade and sun block. There’s nothing you can do about a tropical storm.” Rudisill said that he and the St. Pete Pride board of directors watched Debby’s path closely, but they were never worried about canceling the festival. “The worst scenario I saw on forecasts was a 60% chance of rain,” Rudisill said. “I think [Debby] scared a lot of people at �irst but I knew we’d be okay. We’ve dealt with a little rain on other years. What did surprise me was how beautiful the day was. We didn’t have any rain and for the �irst time ever we didn’t have to use weights to hold the tents in place.” The beautiful weather also made for constant entertainment throughout the day—including headliner Deborah Cox, who brought most of the crowd to the main stage for her 45 minute set shortly after 1 p.m.

Continued on page 15 |  |

AMPA | It’s time to leave the bar stool or skip the booze cruises in search of LGBT companionship. More and more LGBTs are searching for healthier forms of entertainment and Outings and Adventures, run by former corporate chocolatier Robert Geller, has been organizing nontraditional events for gay men to get them onto bikes, in kayaks and out of the bars. “It’s hard to bike when you’re drinking all night,” said Geller, an avid �itness practitioner who says he exercises 10-12 hours a week. Now his travel and physical pursuits are going global with acclaimed adventure-travel company Austin-Lehman Adventures, which has provided top-�light active-travel experiences for 38 years. “I’ve kissed a lot of frogs,” Geller said as he sought a partner to expand his vision of giving gay men something else to do besides knock back cocktails and wave dollars at drag shows. It was over cosmos when “Outings and Adventures” was born four years ago prior to a screening of the �irst Sex in the City �ilm. Later, an ice cream social attracted the new-to-town Tommy Faricy, who would follow up that gathering with hiking trips, hay rides and the many outdoor doings across central and western Florida. “This was always his vision,” Faricy said. “Starting from all the smaller events in the beginning.” Now, thanks to Austin-Lehman, Geller’s gay active-travel company is going to the gorgeous California wine country for biking, hiking, paddling, gourmet food, wine tasting, and if there was any doubt this was a gay adventure, a cruisy stop at the Folsom Street Fair. Austin-Lehman has been running that trip for years but Geller tweaked it with various LGBT touches, including Folsom. The adventure groups themselves stay intimate with no more than 18 people per tour, so the ratio of guides to guests is high. It’s one of the way Geller ensures satisfaction. For 2013 Geller is entertaining a host of Europeanthemed cycling adventures as well as multi-sport adventures in Costa Rica, Mexico and Alaska. Since creating the product requires testing it, Geller admits he loves what he does. “But the camaraderie is the best part of it,” he said. “Bringing together hundreds and hundreds of like-minded gay men has been really rewarding.” And with the United States and the rest of the globe opening up for him, it looks like Geller’s “Outings and Adventures” will be enthusiastically leading the gay adventure brigade for years to come. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

tampa bay

Joseph Kissell

NEWS

Outings & Adventures goes global

tampa bay NEWS

Tampa, Gulfport sign up domestic partners Staff Report

istory was made on both sides of Tampa Bay June 25, a day after Tropical Storm Debby dropped 10-plus inches of rain on its surrounding communities. The cities of Tampa and Gulfport began signing up couples to their domestic partnership registries. In Tampa, more than a dozen couples waited outside the clerk’s of�ice. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was seen walking through the crowd, shaking hands and congratulating those ready to sign up for the registry, which offers unmarried couples protections. As promised, City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione was the �irst to sign up for the registry along with her �iancé, Josh Geary. Gulfport, who was hit hardest by Debby, still managed to register partners early on Monday. There, City Councilwoman Barbara Banno and her partner, Jeanne Kunkle, were the �irst to sign up. Banno proposed the ordinance to the city council in April. The ordinances grant straight and gay couples a set of protections, including hospital visitations, life-and-death decision-making and access to shared children. |  |

Moffitt named LGBT healthcare leader Staff Report

AMPA | People from around the country— and the globe—come to Tampa’s Mof�itt Cancer Center for its groundbreaking treatments in battling the disease it addresses in its name. And the large complex continues to wow patients with its inclusion and care of all people and their families. Mof�itt earned top marks for its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families from The Human Rights Campaign last month. HRC named Mof�itt a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” for 2012 on its Healthcare Equality Index. “We’re thrilled to see Mof�itt Cancer Center recognized for its commitment to workplace diversity and for treating all patients and their families with the same level of respect and professionalism,” said Brian Win�ield, managing director for

Equality Florida. Mof�itt is one of only two cancer centers named nationally. In Florida, it’s one of a select group of three hospitals/hospital systems comprising 10 healthcare facilities to receive this designation. The recognition is given to hospitals with policies and protections that meet four core criteria for equitable care. “This recognition speaks volumes to Mof�itt’s commitment to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer for all, regardless of their race, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, culture or background ,” said Dr. B. Lee Green, VP of Mof�itt Diversity, “Cancer is color-blind, �luent in every language and can impact anyone.” A press release from HRC said that Mof�itt also supports an environment that values and fosters diversity, development, and growth opportunities for its employees by offering employee networks, voluntary, employee-

initiated and led networking groups open to all employees. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance at Mof�itt (GLAAM) is Mof�itt’s �irst employee network with more than 40 members. GLAAM’s mission is to reinforce Mof�itt Cancer Center’s image as an Employer of Choice through its community outreach efforts, increasing access and providing education to the community about cancer and its impact on diverse cultures and communities. “On behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance at Mof�itt (GLAAM), it’s dif�icult to express our level of excitement and pride since this achievement was announced,” said Donna Blaha, GLAAM Chair and Mof�itt Research Program Associate. “We are proud that our employer is a leader in providing fair and equitable healthcare to all patients and their designated families. For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2012 or to download a free copy, visit HRC.org/HEI. |  |

You can get a virus as simple as your computer can. And you can protect yourself just as easily. AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) is a community resource for HIV education and prevention and for those already infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. With one in five U.S. adults or teenagers unaware of their HIV status — which may later turn to AIDS without care and treatment — it’s something you shouldn’t ignore for your own health.

Vice President, Investments

Get the facts. Visit ASAPservices.org to learn more about HIV testing in our community. For those 20 and under, visit our youth site at GTECCH.org.

Financial Advisor

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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watermarkonline.com

|  | St. Pete Pride from pg.13

“It was a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of St. Pete Pride,” Rudisill said. “I was thinking later that Tropical Storm Debby made way for Deborah to come help us celebrate.”

WHERE’S THE RAINBOW?

St. Pete Pride kept with tradition in that its annual promenade lasted most of the morning—stepping off at 9 a.m. and lasting two hours with 140-plus entries. A large number of churches, businesses, news organizations and clubs brought decorated �lat bed trailers, large festive �loats and synchronized routines to Central Avenue. But one tradition was noticeably absent. There was no 1,500 foot rainbow �lag unfurled into the crowd at the end of the promenade. Organizers were just as surprised as festival attendees when it didn’t show up as the last parade entry. “It was scheduled,” Rudisill said. “The truck from Georgie’s Alibi in Fort Lauderdale was bringing it, but they never arrived. We haven’t heard exactly what happened and at this point I just hope everyone is alright. It could have been car trouble. We plan to have it back next year.” The lack of the rainbow �lag disappointed Bo Webster, who traveled from Kissimmee to celebrate St. Pete Pride. “This is my �irst time here and it’s been amazing, but I really wanted to see that big �lag I’ve always seen on the news and in pictures,” he said. “I wanted to get my picture taken under it.” Still, Webster said he enjoyed his time at St. Pete Pride and plans to come back in 2013. “There really is nothing else like this in the state,” Webster said. “I’ve never seen so many LGBT vendors in one place before. I’m going to have to haul swag to my car a few times!”

SEGWAY SABOTAGE

Throughout the weekend, St. Pete Pride’s Mistress of Ceremonies Christine O’Leary made appearances at of�icial events—including a stint on a Segway during the promenade. Spectators enjoyed the comedienne’s comments about each �loat as she rode around with a microphone on Central Avenue. What wasn’t funny, however, was when the performer lost control of her ride and fell face-�irst onto Central Avenue near the end of

We all manage to get along so well for that one day;

imagine what we could accomplish

if we could do that every day of the year. —CHRIS RUDISILL, ST. PETE PRIDE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

the parade. After a ride to the local emergency room, O’Leary learned she didn’t break anything, but her ankle was severely injured. She talked a little bit about the accident during her stand up routine (while she remained seated) at the Metro Wellness and Community Center in St. Petersburg. “Mommy’s a little drugged tonight,” she told the packed house. “I had a little injury but the show must go on. Besides, I like this set up—I feel like Oprah Winfrey.” Her hour-and-a-half show praised the organizers of St. Pete Pride and also gave her a chance to talk about the many bridges connecting the communities of Tampa Bay— something she says her local friends complain about far too much. “You people post on Facebook all the time about the bridges here,” she said. “You hate the bridges. The bridges are too long. It takes forever to get across the bridges. I just knew that these bridges had to be awful like in the northeast where you pay $14 just to cross them. Then I �ind out most of them are free! They’re free people! Quit complaining.” Since O’Leary started a little late, thanks to her surprise hospital visit, fellow comedian Alec Mapa, who was in town as a host of Pride in Fashion, spoke to the crowd for awhile while they awaited O’Leary’s arrival. When she �inally did arrive, she was thrilled to see Mapa on stage. “Finally, Alec Mapa is opening for me,” she joked. “It’s about time he showed me some respect!”

SMALL PROTESTS, NO ARRESTS

As with every St. Pete Pride festival, a smattering of religious protestors ought signs baring Bible verses and hateful rhetoric about LGBT people. While their numbers seem to dwindle each year, a few still caused a stir with festival attendees from their

FIERCE FABULOSIT: Christine O’Leary emcees Pride in Fashion at Macy’s.

YOUNG BLOOD: An overwhelming number of young people attended St. Pete Pride this

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

year, including these volunteers at the beginning of the promenade. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

designated free speech zones. “I �ind it so frustrating that someone who represents a religion does so with all of that hate,” said Connor Weister, who said he tried to debate with a man who held a large sign with verses from the book of Leviticus condemning homosexuality. “When I tried to have a normal conversation about the other verses in that book that outlaw everything from shell�ish to touching a menstruating woman, he wouldn’t listen. He is so focused on hate that he can’t listen to reason.” Weister wasn’t alone in his interactions with the protestors. One young woman, who didn’t identify herself, wanted to let the protestor know that even though he didn’t like who she was, she still loved him as a person. “When I approached him to give him a hug, he backed up like he was repulsed,” she said. “It’s sad that someone has to live in an envelope of hate like that. All we can do is pray for him.” Despite the interactions between the protestors and attendees of Pride, there were no reported

arrests related to the St. Pete Pride festival. There were, however, several medical calls made in response to head exhaustion. “I spoke with the St. Petersburg police late in the day of Pride and they told me there were no arrests made at all,” Rudisill said. “The only incidents we had were heat-related and we did have one person who had to be transported by ambulance because of complications with the heat. All other medical issues were handled on site by our amazing medics. There were no major incidents at all.”

TIME OF REFLECTION

The people, staff, volunteers and the City of St. Petersburg are amazing to work with, Rudisill said, and he credits everyone involved for making the 10th St. Pete Pride celebration the biggest ever. The success of 2012 is bittersweet for the executive director, since this was his last year at the post. He starts a new job with Metro Wellness and Community Centers in mid-July. “It was very emotional, especially

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that last hour of the festival,” Rudisill said. “That’s when it hit me. I’m going to miss it and it was a great thing to be a part of. It’s an amazing feeling to know you’ve helped make this tremendous event happen and that you were part of bringing this to the community. I’m con�ident that the next executive director will continue on this path and we’ll see St. Pete Pride continue to grow.” For board member Chris Tate, seeing such a large and diverse crowd celebrating Pride was almost unfathomable. He spoke to Watermark in the middle of Central Avenue as he took it all in. “I’m just overwhelmed,” said a teary-eyed Tate. “Look at all these people. Look at our community. I’m so proud and so thankful and this should give everyone hope for the future.” St. Pete Pride’s Board of Directors have already begun work on next year’s festival, which is slated for Saturday, June 29, 2013. |  | For more photos of St. Pete Pride 2012 celebrations, visit watermarkonline.com.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

state NEWS 16

South Florida gays hold vigil for Texas teens Staff Report

iami Beach | A vigil on Miami Beach June 29 night honored a young woman killed in Texas, not something you would normally see in South Florida, but for the community affected the crime could have happened next door. Nineteen-year-old Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend, 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa were both shot in the head at a park in Portland, Texas. Olgin died of her injuries. Members of the LGBT community in South Florida told CBS Miami this crime hit them very hard. GetEQUAL Florida and R.Y.P.E, groups who support the LGBT community, organized the march down Lincoln Road. “We’re all just standing for peace and to honor the memory of Mollie and to honor the couple,” explained Caterina Victoria of GetEQUAL Florida. She added, “I didn’t personally know either of the girls but any violence against our communities is completely heartbreaking.” Similar vigils took place around the country to honor the victims. The groups hope the message echoes all the way to Texas and encourages tolerance in South Florida |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Anti-gay groups mobilizing in Florida Staff Report

ith 2012 being an election year, anti-LGBT groups in Florida are mobilizing like never before. That’s according to a press release sent by Equality Florida. “They know that 2012 is a crucial election year and what happens in Florida will have a huge impact on our state and nation,” said Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith. According to the release, the Florida Family Action group and the Christian Family Coalition are fundraising and opening new of�ices across the Sunshine State. FFA has hired 15 �ield of�icers and staff for nine regional �ield stations in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Pensacola, Orlando, Naples, Jacksonville, Clearwater and

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Miami. Groups are also mailing anti-LGBT messages in hopes of securing contributions. The FFA has sent numerous mailers saying that “homosexual extremists” are out to discriminate against people of faith. “What’s their common denominator?” the mailer asks. “It’s to take away the freedom of choice for the Boy Scouts of America to choose their own leaders, to take away the rights of orphaned and abandoned children to be raised by a mother and a father, the right of society to respect Marriage at the union of one man and one woman. Homosexualists seek to impose so-called homosexual ‘marriage’ on adults and children against their deepest held beliefs and convictions, this is not equality, this is discrimination against people of faith, including Christians.”

watermarkonline.com

To combat the mobilization of anti-LGBT groups like the FFA and CFC, Equality Florida has outlined a plan to defeat any measures that could be harmful to LGBT equality. While momentum is on the side of Equality Florida, the release says that combating the Right’s mobilization will be a dif�icult task. “We must turn out our 165,000 supporters to the polls,” the release states. “And mobilize staff and �ield volunteers across the state to turnout allies and pro-equality voters statewide.” The group has also set lofty fundraising goals, hoping to raise at least $120,000 this year for its Election Year Mobilization. For more information on Equality Florida or to donate, visit EQFL.org. |  |

Wire Report

administration to ensure that military personnel and chaplains can freely express their religious convictions about homosexuality. The Rev. Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Tex., was one of the authors of the gay marriage resolution. “It’s important to sound the alarm again, because the culture is changing,’’ he said in an interview after the vote. McKissic, who is black, said it was “an unfair comparison’’ for gays to equate same-sex marriage with civil rights because there is not incontrovertible scienti�ic evidence that homosexuality is an innate characteristic, like skin color. “They’re equating their sin with my skin,’’ he said. |  |

“I had hoped that debating gay marriage might help to lead heterosexual America to a broader and more positive recommitment to marriage as an institution. But it hasn’t happened,’’ Blankenhorn wrote. “If �ighting gay marriage was going to help marriage over all, I think we’d have seen some signs of it by now.’’ Human Rights Campaign President Chad Grif�in, who spearheaded the lawsuit challenging Prop 8, applauded his former adversary’s conversion on the issue. “While it can be dif�icult as a public �igure to change course, I applaud him for taking a courageous and principled stand. His experience

wrestling with the issue of marriage equality and coming out on the right side of history will be an inspiration to millions of Americans who are in the same place,’’ Grif�in said. In his New York Times commentary, Blankenhorn wrote that while he still thinks children bene�it from knowing both their biological parents, he has concluded that it is just as important for same-sex couples to be treated equally under the law. “I don’t believe that opposite-sex and same-sex relationships are the same, but I do believe, with growing numbers of Americans, that the time for denigrating or stigmatizing samesex relationships is over,’’ he said. |  |

a mistaken impression that he was ashamed. “The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself and proud,” he wrote in the letter, published by blogger Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Beast. Cooper, the son of Gloria Vanderbilt, had long been the subject of rumors about his sexual orientation. He said that in a perfect world, it wouldn’t be anyone’s

business, but that there is value in “standing up and being counted.” “I still consider myself a reserved person and I hope this doesn’t mean an end to a small amount of personal space,” he wrote. “But I do think visibility is important, more important than preserving my reporter’s shield of privacy.” CNN said it would not comment, and that Cooper was on assignment and there were no plans for Cooper to discuss it on the air. |  |

Former marriage foe endorses same-sex unions in California Wire Report SAN FRANCISCO | The chief witness who testi�ied at trial in favor of Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban, reluctantly came out in favor of gay and lesbian unions on June 22, saying he is now “more interested in conciliation than in further �ighting.’’ In an opinion piece published in The New York Times, Institute for American Values President David Blankenhorn partly attributed his change of heart to a recognition that years of opposing same-sex unions had done nothing to strengthen heterosexual marriage.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “The fact is, I’m gay” Wire Report NEW YORK | Anderson Cooper revealed on July 2 that he is gay, ending years of reluctance to talk about his personal life in public. The CNN journalist wrote in an online letter that he had kept his sexual orientation private for personal and professional reasons, but came to think that remaining silent had given some people

Thousands of people joined an annual Gay Pride march through central Madrid on June 30 amid fears Spain’s conservative government may try to scrap a law allowing same-sex marriages. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, leader of the center-right Popular Party elected late last year, has said he prefers civil unions instead of marriages and has challenged the law in the Constitutional Court.

POLICE PROTECT PRIDE RALLY IN BULGARIA Gays and lesbians gathered for Gay Pride march in downtown Sofia on June 30 had to be protected by riot police after extremist groups threatened to disrupt the annual rally. Some 2,000 people joined the march through the Bulgarian capital, organizers said. Gays and lesbians face widespread hostility in the Balkan country’s machodominated society, and opposition to their public events has often been violent.

RHODE ISLAND HOUSE SPEAKER SAYS HE’LL HOLD GAY MARRIAGE VOTE The Speaker of the Rhode Island House, Gordon Fox, says he will hold a vote next year on legalizing gay marriage if he is elected to the position again. Fox called the legalization of same-sex marriage “unfinished business’’ and ``one of the main reasons’’ he’s running again. Fierce opposition last year prompted the Legislature to abandon a gay marriage bill and approve civil unions instead.

nation+world

EW ORLEANS | A day after electing their �irst AfricanAmerican president in a historic move that strives to erase its legacy of racism, Southern Baptists passed a resolution opposing the idea that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue. Thousands of delegates at the denomination’s annual meeting in New Orleans on June 20 were nearly unanimous in their support for the resolution that af�irms their belief that marriage is “the exclusive union of one man and one woman” and that “all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful.’’ The largest U.S. Protestant denomination is attempting to

broaden its appeal beyond its traditional white Southern base. At the same time, leaders said they feel it is important to take a public stand on their opposition to same-sex marriage. The resolution acknowledges that gays and lesbians sometimes experience “unique struggles’’ but declares that they lack the “distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections.” “It is regrettable that homosexual rights activists and those who are promoting the recognition of `samesex marriage’ have misappropriated the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement,’’ the resolution states. Another resolution, intended to protect religious liberty, calls for the U.S. Justice Department to cease efforts to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act and for the Obama

MADRID MARCH AIMS TO UPHOLD GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS

NEWS

Southern Baptists: Gay rights not civil rights

IN OTHER NEWS

WASHINGTON LAWMAKER BACKS SPOUSAL BENEFITS FOR MILITARY GAYS Democratic Congressman Adam Smith of Washington wants benefits for same-sex spouses of veterans and service members. Smith is introducing legislation to make the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments recognize any marriage that has been recognized by a state, the District of Columbia, commonwealths or territories. His bill would change the definition of spouse in the U.S. code to include same-sex marriages.

CDC TRYING OUT FREE RAPID HIV TEST AT DRUGSTORES The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on June 26 announced a $1.2 million pilot program that will offer free rapid HIV tests at pharmacies and in-store clinics in 24 cities and rural communities. The test requires a swab inside the mouth and takes about 20 minutes for a preliminary result.

MASSACHUSETTS TRANSGENDER RIGHTS BILL GOES INTO EFFECT The Massachusetts Transgender Equal Rights Act took effect July 1, just seven months after Gov. Deval Patrick signed it into law. The law adds gender identity to the state’s existing anti-discrimination laws as a protected category, and protects transgender Massachusetts residents against discrimination from employment, housing, public education as well as credit and lending.

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loosecanon

Supporting Obama this year will ensure progress for LGBTs

Jim Walker WALKER@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

UNE 28, 2012, WILL BE

remembered as a historic day in America. The Supreme Court af�irmed that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege reserved for only the wealthy.

The decision means that our president and our Supreme Court recognize that how we treat those most in need speaks volumes about who we are as Americans. The monumental ruling comes on the heels of a fantastic month of celebration, recognizing what has been one of the most historic periods ever for the advancement of gay and lesbian rights. From the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” to President Obama’s announcement of support for marriage equality, we have reason for great optimism. With that bright outlook for the future, however, comes one very important caution: Right-wing conservatives, struck by defeat after defeat are now more energized than ever. We must be as well. What action we take during the next four months could in�luence our entire movement and its success or failure for the next 20 years. It is that serious. President Obama’s re-election is no longer a certainty. Not only has Republican Mitt Romney made substantial

gains in the polls, the GOP’s multimillion dollar donors are writing massive checks, and special interest cash is gushing in, setting new records. In May, Romney and his “Super Pacs” raised $76 million, considerably more than the $60 million raised by President Obama and his supporters. The donors funding Romney, many of whom choose to remain anonymous using “Super Pacs,” have pledged to spend $1 billion dollars in their all-out efforts to protect the wealthy from paying taxes, stop gays and lesbians from full marriage equality, and turn back the clock to 1950 for women and minorities in general. Romney has signed the National Organization for Marriage Pledge to �ight against our right to marry, but beyond that, there is another even more important reason President Obama must be re-elected. The next president will likely have the opportunity to appoint several Supreme Court justices. If Romney is elected, it’s likely those justices would be replaced by conservatives, dramatically swaying the majority on the court to right, and seriously lessening our shot at equal rights for decades to come. It’s not just gay and lesbian rights at stake, but the rights of all minorities. No equal pay for women. No af�irmation action in hiring. And women would have even less control over their own bodies. Romney has said repeatedly he is committed to repealing healthcare reform and repealing Roe v. Wade. He would outlaw a woman’s right to choice. You may not believe the polling data that shows the presidential race is close. Of course, no one in Texas thought George W. Bush had a chance of beating Democratic incumbent Governor Ann Richards in 1994, even though some polls had her ahead, and even though she had outspent Bush by 23%. Richards lost by less than 300,000 votes statewide. Democrats were clearly overcon�ident and didn’t vote in the large numbers expected. More recently, the polls to recall union-busting Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker showed the Republican stood a good chance of being thrown out of of�ice, but when the votes were tallied, the darling of the Tea Party remained in of�ice with 53% of the vote, compared to 46% for challenger. It is impossible to overstate the importance of voting. Beyond that,

however, is the responsibility that each of us has to get involved. Like it or not, more than ever before, winning an election in this country takes money. President Obama needs every dollar you can spare. During the next four months, the GOP will spend hundreds of millions of dollars on TV ads attacking the president’s achievements and highlighting his weaknesses, most of which stem from a lack of bipartisan cooperation on virtually everything. We must counter that by providing the resources for the president to strike back with ads telling the truth about our economic recovery underway, how he saved the U.S. auto industry, worked

for gay/lesbian rights, and as the commander-in-chief, achieved the end of Osama Bin Ladin. If you don’t have money to give, volunteer to make calls for Obama. Host a fundraising event in your home. Or purchase a yard sign or bumper stickers. Write email your local newspaper expressing your support for the president and explain why. Most of all, talk to people. Tell everyone you know why this election is critical for gays and lesbians as well as anyone who believes in equal rights, and continuing the economic recovery. |  |

What action we take during next four months could influence our entire movement and its success or failure for the next 20 years.

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perspective

PUBLISHER’S

Beads and Beaming Faces

well into mid-afternoon. There are unique challenges to dressing for St. Pete Pride: how do you express your rainbow self while wearing as little clothing as possible? The results—creative, hilarious, tragic, sexy, challenging—are my absolute favorite thing about the event, now in its 10th year. This year I brought a lightweight movie camera and �ilmed the Promenade from my vantage point at the front of the Watermark parade unit. The route was a blur of beads and beaming faces, punctuated be several vignettes caught on �ilm. • Close to 50 “Dykes on Bikes” roared their engines loudly in front of Georgie’s Alibi, building anticipation as the traditional lead unit for the parade.

Tom Dyer TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

ICTORY IS A NEW BOOK BY

lawyer and feminist scholar Linda Hirshman that chronicles “the triumphant gay revolution.”

Some might �ind the author’s bold proclamation premature, what with same-sex marriage banned in 38 states and LGBT teens subject to epidemic bullying. But Hirshman argues that our community’s relatively short 60-year journey from demonization to dignity is miraculous, nearly complete, and worthy of study by right and left, at home and abroad, as a model of successful social activism. It sure felt that way last Saturday in St. Petersburg. By design, St. Pete Pride has always been “the People’s Pride.” It starts in un�lattering morning light, winding through residential Kenwood before turning into the Grand Central district, 30 blocks from the city’s signature waterfront parks and condo towers. Attendees spill out into the street to greet and touch Promenade participants, creating impromptu parties between casually paced parade units. This year more than ever, St. Pete Pride felt like a celebration not just for our community, but for all of free-thinking Tampa Bay. On our �loats and banners, we proclaimed pride in our history and accomplishments. On their warm, smiling faces thousands of locals declared pride in the diversity and welcoming inclusivity of their city. It was a glorious day—hot, of course, but with a consistent breeze that kept people at the Street Festival

• In contrast, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell and Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith offered a 21st century glimpse at Gay Power—mainstream elected of�icials waving with one hand and proudly holding their respective partners with the other. After the Promenade, I turned the camera off and watched the spectacle pass by from the shade of the Watermark booth. A woman I’d spoken with at several Pride’s in the past stood next to me as two shirtless men wearing matching ‘Just Married’ caps walked by holding hands. Not

to me, but to herself, she said, “I can’t believe this happened in my lifetime.” The gay revolution that Victory author Hirshman referred to may not be complete. But in overcoming deeply and culturally entrenched homophobia in just half a century, it has certainly been a triumph, and something in which we should all take pride. And that’s exactly what we did last Saturday in St. Petersburg. |  |

To see Tom Dyer’s 6-minute compilation of St. Pete Pride video, visit WatermarkOnline.com

• On a corner in residential Kenwood, a beaded man in a rainbow hat stood silently in front of protestors, smiling at the insigni�icance of their over-the-top placards and pronouncements.

• Carrying signs saying, “I love my lesbian daughter,” “I love my gay son,” and “I love my transgender friend,” a huge PFLAG unit spread a contrasting message of unconditional acceptance and support throughout the adoring crowd. • A woman with shocking pink hair danced shirtless, but with joyful innocence as if saying, “While we’re talking about stupid rules… how about the one that says girls have to wear shirts and boys don’t.” • Pansexual and transgender teens touchingly braved a �irst public event, as though inching their way into the bracing swimming pool of adult choice.

• Impressive �loats created by the Flamingo Resort, the GaYbor District and the Krewe of Cavaliers offered muscle, sequins and spectacle to a bass beat; a welcome reminder that parties and bars serve an integral and important role in our community.

By design, St. Pete Pride has always been ‘the People’s Pride.’

• Mistress of Ceremonies Christine O’Leary used her Segway as a hilarious comedic prop along the parade route until an accident sidelined her. A trouper, she performed later that night in a cast.

• Like proud war veterans wearing uniforms from the Castro Street front lines, leather men in chaps and harnesses were greeted warmly throughout the parade route.

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TALKING POINTS

While most self-loathing, self-destructive gay men are content to abuse booze, drugs, or dick,

the self-hating GOProud boys abuse themselves with politics.

55% OF ADULT FILM RENTALS ARE VIEWED IN HOTEL ROOMS

12 MINUTES THE AVERAGE VIEWING TIME OF THOSE FILMS

—Source: MSNBC, Kinsey Institute, June 20, 2012

COOKIE PRIDE O

—COLUMNIST DAN SAVAGE

LAST GAY HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR DIES

UST SIX DAYS BEFORE HIS 89TH BIRTHDAY, the last known gay Jewish survivor of the Holocaust died in his Berlin home on June 24. Gad Beck would have been 89 on June 30. Beck was a pioneering gay activist and educator in a severely anti-homosexual, repressive post-World War II German society. He was famous for his witty, lively style of speaking. He often told the story of trying to rescue his boyfriend. The young Beck disguised himself as a member of Hitler Youth

N MONDAY, JUNE 25, THE LGBT COMMUNITY RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM ANOTHER MEGA-FOOD DISTRIBUTOR. The Nabisco company posted a Facebook photo of its popular Oreo cookie complete with six layers of rainbow-colored deliciousness with the words “Proudly Support Love.” A �irestorm soon followed and nearly 40,000 comments on the site debated the power of the message—including the inevitable calls for a boycott. Nabisco-Kraft joins General Mills, JCPenney and Nike in supporting Pride this year. |  |

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM ON 1913 EDITOR’S DESK COLUMN REGARDING THE MEANING OF PRIDE:

IN BOY SCOUTS CHUCK NORRIS: GAYS IS A TRAIL OF TEARS

militant lesbians October in Orlando. ON ANDERSON are the people we COOPER COMING It’s just too freaking get the most upset hot!” OUT: seeing at the parades, – ROB MCCULLOUGH “And in his typical, shown on the evening understated, news. Without measured and “I was unable to “As those around us them, we would not professional way. attend St. Pete PRIDE share rude comments be watching these Kudos to Cooper!” this year, I know about those “we parades, celebrating Watermark, as always believe are the – DON HOPKINSON our pride. For these will supply me with fringes of the LGBT are the people that lots of photos and community,” we began the march we ON ST. PETE PRIDE: coverage ;)” forget... they started follow.” it all. The outcast, “I’m still REALLY – AJ STEVERSON the drag queens, the –TODD KOTTMEIER happy we do this in

and entered a deportation center to free his boyfriend, Manfred Lewin. Lewin declined to leave his family and was later murdered at Auschwitz along with them. Beck is survived by his partner of 35 years, Julius Laufer. |  |

THEY’RE BAAACK!

UST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SAFE FROM THE SPICE GIRLS, the 90s beauties are back to launch a new Spice Girls musical in England. The group that forced “Wannabe” and “Say You’ll Be There,” into our brains are behind Viva Forever, which opens in London this November. According to the girls, the show is fueled by Spice Girls music and tells the story of four friends whose bond is tested when their band enters a television reality show. “It’s better than we could ever have imagined,” said Mel C. Mel B. adds that the cast “sings it better than us.” |  |

ETIRED ACTION HERO AND HOME-FITNESS SALESMAN Chuck Norris is convinced that if the Boy Scouts lift their ban on gays leading troops, it would be a low point in American History. “I can think of some lower points in American history—the Trail of Tears immediately comes to mind—than allowing gay men and women to lead Boy Scout troops,” the star told the magazine Ammo Land. Norris goes on to say that President Obama is working behind the scenes to lift the scout’s decades-old ban on gays because the president is friends with James Turley, a pro-gay board member at the BSA. |  |

WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL Central Florida, Tampa Bay and Watermark’s other coverage areas have a variety of LGBT-specific sports leagues.

DO YOU PLAY?

Yes, I participate in more than one LGBT sports league. I am a participant in

one LGBT sports league.

I play organized sports, but not with an

LGBT-specific league.

I don’t play

any sports, period.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

watermarkonline.com

Lettuce

AARTS RT &

ENTERTAINMENT

Laughter Hedda Lettuce brings her take on Mommie Dearest to St. Pete July 18

Zach Caruso CARUSO@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T. PETERSBURG | TRY TO FORGET THE

name Hedda Lettuce. Easier said than done. Try not to smile when it rolls off the lips. Hedda Lettuce. Grinning yet? If you can’t forget that name, and you can’t help but chuckle when you say it aloud, then you’re one of thousands who have had the distinct pleasure of learning about New York’s premiere drag queen.

Once you see her—and she’s hard to miss—all you remember is the lime colored blouses, shamrock eye shadow, and chartreuse hair. “When I walk in the room, everyone knows who the greenhaired lady is,” she says during a recent telephone interview. And that infamous green hair is slated to appear at The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg on July 18.. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the release of Mommie Dearest, the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has invited Lettuce to brin her talkback presentation of the �ilm to the stage. “It’s the night of my birthday, by the way,” she says with a laugh. “It’s going to be really wild. We just celebrated my 11th year doing classic

movies with my stand-up, and I actually did the Mommie Dearest interactive the Thursday before New York Pride to a sold out crowd of around 1,000 people.” “We have a live accompanist, so it becomes like the silent movies of the old days,” she says. “We underscored the movie, highlighting stuff that doesn’t have music and kind of pushing it forward and to the edge. Then I do my commentary, �illing in dialogue in certain areas. It’s like Mystery Science Theater meets Rocky Horror.” And Lettuce sees the experience as more than just simple entertainment. “When you have a roomful of people screaming out the lines with

Continued on page 30 |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Benjamin Walker as Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Starring Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell

Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward plan their elopement in Moonrise Kingdom.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Weird and Wonderful Worlds Moonrise Kingdom

Starring Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Francis McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Harvey Keitel, Bob Balaban

HERE IS NO WAY TO DESCRIBE A WES ANDERSON

comedy without using the word “quirky.” He creates visually memorable movies—like the wonderful Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Even the less successful Life Aquatic and The Darjeeling Limited are still awesome to look at. However, when Anderson stretches beyond his singular style and tells a �ilm with emotion and surprise, he hits it out of the park. Examples: The Royal Tenenbaums and now Moonrise Kingdom. It’s 1965 on a secluded New England island populated with family homes and scout camps. Oddball scout Gilman and dark girl Hayward have made a pact to run away with each other, because they’re in love. They’re both 12. The problem is—as 1960s narrator Balaban

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

tells us—there’s a nasty storm on its way. So, the ineffectual parents (McDormand, Murray) enlist sad, lonely sheriff Willis and goo�ball scoutmaster Norton to help locate the two unpopular kids before everyone gets blown away. See all the stars Anderson attracts? It could be because of his rich stock of dry, sardonic characters. It could also be his art direction— �illed with timely but strange artifacts and warmly shot as if on Instragram �ilm. However, having fallen in love with this unconventional �ilm, I hope people signed on because Anderson tells an unpredictable story about kids who don’t �it in, who are on their way to becoming glorious, weird individuals, like Anderson. |  |

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Fiery Princess Merida in Brave.

Brave Voices of Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly

Pixar follows their parent company’s example, giving us a new The question must be begged Disney princess with her own Celtic whether we needed a revisionist myth. This time she isn’t just pretty; history of Honest Abe as an axeshe’s �iery and reckless. Brave is fast wielding vampire hunter. Of course, and fun, and its Scottish-inspired this adds to his Paul Bunyon-like scenery and Gaelic art are stunning. legend. However, did we need At the core, Brave is a traditional story the Southern slave owners to be about a family’s urgent need to listen bloodsuckers for slavery to be to each other’s hopes and dreams. considered evil? Princess Merida (MacDonald) is There’s not much to add to the daughter of raucous King Fergus the description here. Seth (Connolly) and elegant Queen Grahame-Smith (Pride and Elinor (Thompson). They live Prejudice and Zombies) wrote on the ancient, dangerous RATINGS GUIDE the gore-�illed book and this highland. In fact, one time, equally bloody screenplay. when Merida was just a girl, As a child, Abe saw his the king wrestled a vicious Overflowing mom killed by a slave-selling bear and lost his leg. Now with glittery vampire. As a young man, that the princess is a teenager, fabulousness Lincoln (Walker) learns the proper Queen plans to from fellow hunter Cooper. marry her out to the �irstborn Pretty damn Lincoln’s meeting of Mary of one of the four neighbor good, but it’s no Todd, his interest in politics, clans. To stop this tradition, Sunset Boulevard his ascendency to president, Merida �inds an addlepated and the Civil War are all a witch to cast a spell. This part of Lincoln’s dual goal to An entertaining magic transforms Mom into emancipate all slaves and kill enough flick a bear, so Merida and the with perhaps all undead. Queen have to work to get the a few holes The bloody action is spell reversed. amazing—directed by Russian Brave is all energy and visionary Timur Bekmambetov Ever so slightly heart. Perhaps more could (Wanted, 9). The storytelling, watchable, just be known of the traditionfor that hot actor though, is rather silly. Whole obsessed queen’s motivation. years of Lincoln’s life—and It seems she has seen the key aspects of his personality violence of the Scottish Two hours of and politics—are glossed your life you’ll past—she saw her husband’s over. Really, the actors commit never get back bear attack, and she knows amicably to this brainless their bloody history. Perhaps summer blockbuster as it transforms she believes propriety—hers and Abe into a two-dimensional superhero. her daughter’s—will save them Though the movie is dead serious, it’s from barbarism. Somehow the three impossible not to see this all as a light, directors missed this detail. dorky, gory diversion. However, this is a small quibble in this Let’s just hope that some particular traditional Disney tale about family teachers don’t start showing it in history and the need to hear each other’s class, to keep the kids interested in heart. |  | America’s record of slavery. |  |

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JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

TRUE HUNK: Channing Tatum, center, stars in Magic Mike, loosely based on his career as a stripper in Tampa.

Channing

Joe, Stripped FILM

Actors talk film’s gay following, wearing thongs, and the real-life Magic Mike

“W

Chris Azzopardi CHRISAZZOPARDI@PRIDESOURCE.COM

EARING A THONG IS A PAIN IN THE ASS” ESCAPES

Joe Manganiello’s mouth with complete disregard to the glaring innuendo. “Oh God. I can’t believe I just said that.” Who can blame him? Avoiding double entendres about Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh’s unexpected—but completely acceptable— foray into the male-stripper world is dif�icult Magic Mike stars Manganiello of True Blood, homo heartthrob Matt Bomer, Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum, the latter being the movie’s muse after it was revealed that the gay-loved dreamboat wasn’t just busting a move in 2006’s breakout role Step Up. Before acting,

Tatum was pocketing dollar bills throughout Tampa Bay for his dance moves, too. One of Hollywood’s hottest actors, known for melting hearts in Dear John and The Vow, was suddenly faced with a poledancing past. His stripper alias? Chan Crawford.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

“That’s so lame,” Tatum says in our recent interview. “I didn’t choose it. But Crawford? What am I, Cindy Crawford’s brother?” In his late teens, the stint lasted a mere half-year—and though it’s all “pretty foggy,” he also remembers it being a “weird world”—but it was

JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

enough for Soderbergh to get behind the idea of turning Tatum’s dollar days into a big-screen event with salacious stripteases, a penis pump and a military fantasy come to life. “I just hope its fun for everybody: gay, straight, male, female … animal,” Tatum says. “I just want people to go and get a picture into this world, because I don’t think it’s ever been done on screen—never like this.” Never so hot, anyway. G-strings and rip-away costumes aside, there’s enough titillation in the names themselves to get the hormones doing their own little dance: Dallas (McConaughey), Ken (Bomer) and, perhaps the most stimulating besides Tatum’s titular character, Manganiello’s Big Dick Richie. “Apparently they said they wrote the script with me in mind. I don’t know who they talked to,” he says, as if to suggest that his pseudonym isn’t necessarily a sham. But is it? “You know, it’s interesting because people say, ‘Aren’t you worried about the expectation of playing this character and what’s going to be expected from you the rest of your dating life?’ And I say, ‘I’m just gonna revel in the curiosity.’” And so will we.

MAGIC MIKE: ALMOST GAY?

What if the strippers in Magic Mike were all gay? Expect a totally different—probably X-rated—movie, agree Manganiello and Tatum. But for bros who are all hetero

watermarkonline.com

to hang in … thongs? “It’s pretty hilarious, to be honest,” Tatum says. “You just accept it and forget that you’re hanging out in these banana hammocks.” Manganiello, who plays a hunky werewolf on True Blood, couldn’t forget. That thing was a constant reminder of how much he hates stuff in his butt. “Werewolves don’t wear underwear because they’re just gonna lose them anyway, so there’s that,” he says, “but prior to that, no, I’ve never had a thong on, ever. So this was my inaugural voyage.” And not just with thongs (to which he notes, now, “I’ve of�icially hung the thong up”). The boys went to L.A.’s Hollywood Men, a self-proclaimed man “buffet” in Southern California, to check out the scene. The clientele was mixed: Tatum observed lots of women— but also gay men. “It wasn’t just straight or gay,” Tatum recalls. “Females and males could go. The only reason in the movie it’s just women is because that was my experience.” Mostly, anyway. He did reveal to us that, once, he danced fully clothed on a platform at a gay bar. “We talked about making it more of a diverse crowd (for Magic Mike), but it just always felt contrived. I never knew how to do it correctly.” Do what you know, they say, and this is what Tatum, 32, knew: that he was 18 and living in Tampa, where some of the movie was �ilmed,

HEAT WAVE: Joe Manganiello, of True Blood fame, plays “Big Dick Richie.” continues. “That’s when I really felt it.” when he decided to drop out of college Tatum has done some pretty gay football and strip. The rest, though, stuff in his career, too. Besides a goof-off isn’t at all real. scene in Magic Mike where, in Marilyn “Magic Mike is a completely Monroe drag, he tries charming the �ictitious character,” he says, “but there sister of his new stripper-in-training was a Magic Mike in my group. He was (played by Alex Pettyfer of I Am Number a fantastic dancer and performer, but Four), he also simulated butt sex on this has nothing to do with his actual Jonah Hill in his big-screen comedy life.” reboot of 21 Jump Street. The hard For the other actors, that it’s so far removed from reality—shocking for the question comes: Which is gayer? He silently deliberates, and then level of hotness in the movie—was part makes his decision: “Humping of the allure. Jonah, probably.” “It’s just male As for the Marilyn wish ful�illment,” says scene, of all the things in Manganiello. “You the movie that weren’t hang out, get drunk, make-believe, one of do a bunch of drugs Tatum’s best roles with your buddies might be as the blonde all day, and then you bombshell ... because this get out there on stage wasn’t his �irst time doing and grind on a bunch her. of women and have “I actually did that in them grope you and my real life to a buddy of stuff money down mine,” Tatum says. “It was your pants. Then you his birthday and he was take them all home, or —CHANNING TATUM at Denny’s and I totally into the parking lot or bum-rushed the table backstage or wherever, and embarrassed the hell out of him in and you sleep it off, wake up, lift some public.” weights and go back. It’s good work Drag queen, stripper, lovebird—no we’re being given.” wonder these ladies at the revue, and And it’s good eye candy we’re the gay men watching them, want to being given. Is Manganiello clued into put a few bucks in his thong. There’s no just how good? alpha male in him. “I have a NewNowNext Award from “I don’t think you need to act tough, the Logo channel,” he says, “and I spoke and I don’t think you need to cry to at the Human Rights Campaign as a show you’re emotional and have straight man in favor of gay marriage. feelings; that’s not the case either,” I’m well aware of the gay fan base.” Tatum says. “I love my life and I’m As Alcide on the Alan Ball about as happy as I could ever be, and juggernaut, he really got our blood so I’m bringing that to my characters.” �lowing—though, Manganiello Coming up is a movie with Mark says, the gay community �irst Ruffalo about Olympic wrestlers called latched onto him during VH1’s So Foxcatcher. Tatum teases, “That gets NoTORIous, because Tori Spelling “is pretty dirty.” somewhat of a gay icon.” Two words: damn right. |  | “But de�initely True Blood,” he

“You just accept it and forget that you’re hanging out in these banana hammocks.”

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

|  | Hedda Lettuce from pg.25

you, it’s not just a movie anymore, it’s a religious experience, it’s like church. It’s like gay church.”

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

“The truth of the matter is, I was trying to come up with a good drag name, and the �irst name I had was one of those terrible “Miss” names. Miss Fortune, Miss Understood, something like that,” says Lettuce. “This is a true story, I went to sleep and had this dream and the name popped up in the dream. So when I woke up, I went to a friend of mine and said to her ‘I had this dream and the name Hedda Lettuce came to me, I think that’s what I’m going to call myself.’ “And she said ‘That name is terrible!’ and I replied ‘It may be terrible, but it’s also catchy.’ Whether you know me or not, you laugh when you hear the name.” The versatile actress/singer/ comedienne began her career in the early 1990s in New York City through activism. “I got started through organizations like ACT UP, and there was another off-shoot group at

the time called Queer Nation,” she explains. “They dealt with other issues besides HIV and AIDS, it was a lot of political issues in the gay community, and oppression, things of that nature.” But it was her role in Queer Nation that gave birth to the performance side of Lettuce. “Queer Nation was the group that I used to do street theater for, and we used to go to Sheridan Square Park and lip sync on the street for money,” Lettuce recalls. “We made a lot of money, and had a few cigarette butts thrown at us, but on a whole it was rather successful.”

“Whether you know me or not, you laugh when you hear the name.”

Lettuce then began her progression from street corners to stages and the small screen, where her credits include appearances on networks like MTV and Comedy Central, as well as parts in programs like Sex and the City and Ugly Betty. “It was a natural evolution,” she says. “I got off the street and started performing in bars and clubs. I got into stand-up comedy, and was the �irst drag performer to headline at Caroline’s [On Broadway].” She says that her ascension through the entertainment world

to a higher level. Her stint on Project Runway is perhaps one of her most well-known appearances, and she was very conscious in making sure that was the case. “It was fascinating because there we were, 12 queens, and drag queens are not usually wall�lowers, but they were so in awe of Heidi [Klum] and they all wanted to be on their best behavior,” she says. “But I thought ‘Look at this. This isn’t fabulous.’” So she set to changing things. Not

FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE

was aided by the fact that at the time there wasn’t an oversaturation of similar acts in the market—an issue she sees today—and Lettuce is grateful she isn’t just starting her career. “There are just so many of them [drag queens] now, and most of them are willing to work for a prune Danish, a cup of coffee, and a cigarette,” she says. But Lettuce has taken her career

—HEDDA LETTUCE

subtly. Not gradually. But all at once. “So I thought to myself, ‘What’s a girl to do to get a little attention in the company of all these drag queens?’ I knew enough about reality television to know that the loud, slightly bitchy one gets the most attention” she says. Her plan to make a splash worked so well that her impact was felt for seasons to come. “I became an adjective for a ‘dif�icult client’,” Lettuce says. “They were still referring to me, saying ‘Oh don’t be a Hedda Lettuce.’ I certainly made an impression.” But her progression didn’t stop there. Lettuce has been in a number of Hollywood and independent �ilms throughout her career, and is especially proud of her appearance in 2011’s Go Go Crazy, a mockumentary that follows those involved in a go-go dancing contest. “I play a matron at this club in Philadelphia, and there was this contest to pick Go-Go Boy of the Year,” she says. “It was a lot of improvisational comedy, which I’m good at and love, so I was able to do what I do and have a lot of fun.” What about her appearance in To

Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar? “If you burped, farted, or sneezed, you would have missed me,” she says. “I was a victim of my own provocative beauty. The ugly ones get all the screen time and the pretty ones are just a �lash.” And what about her “Queen of Green” title? “That developed later in my career, probably within the last seven years or so,” she explains. Lettuce says the title began to stick after her regular appearances on Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s OutQ Channel’s The Derek and Romaine Show. “Every other week I do my ‘Queen of Green’ segment on the show, and what I do is take green topics and make them comical so they’re easier to understand and not preachy or overly intellectual,” she explains. “I just bring them down to basics and have some fun with it.” |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHO: Hedda Lettuce WHERE: Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg WHEN: Wednesday, July 18 TICKETS: TIGLFF.com

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HAT’S A GIRL TO DO WHEN A BOTCHED SEX-CHANGE OPERATION leaves an East German boy named Hansel with a Barbie doll crotch and an inch of useless scar tissue? And what should she do when lovers betray and abandon and steal from her? Why, what else but go from being a “slip of a girly boy” to an “internationally ignored song stylist” and front-woman of the band “The Angry Inch.” Hedwig and the Angry Inch,, the genderbending, off-Broadway musical returns to Orlando with local actor Joshua EadsBrown in the title role. The WAVE-winning performer will take on the familiar role at Parliament House’s Footlight Theater July 14, 21, 28, and 30. For tickets, visit ParliamentHouse.com. |  |

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Cabaret The legendary 1966 musical smash with score by Kander and Ebb gets a chance to shine again when freeFall Theatre presents Cabaret through July 22. For the uninitiated, the musical is set in pre-war Weimar Germany in the seedy world of a Berlin cabaret called The Kit Kat Klub. While tensions build outside with the rise of the Nazi party, the carefree abandon of the Bohemian world of the club is interrupted.

Battle lines are drawn and the world of the cabaret begins to parody the politics outside its doors. The production caps freeFall’s season. The gender-bending Emcee will no doubt captivate LGBT audiences, which is not a new concept for the gay-owned theater company. Remember, Cabaret is not suggested for little ones. For tickets and details, visit freeFallTheatre.com. |  |

Nunsense II: The Second Coming After the stressful and fun month of June, it’s good to relax and have some laughs with some of your favorite nuns. So Eight O’Clock Theatre in Largo will present Nunsense II: The Second Coming July 13-22 at the Largo Cultural Center. This version actually has women in the roles of the nuns, which is something the LGBT community may not be used to seeing. Director and Choreographer James Grenelle

has cast �ive local actresses to play the �ive headlining nuns who have been bitten by the theater bug. The plot follows the nuns as they prepare for their big day so they can impress a talent scout that is expected to be in the audience. The comedy musical has been a hit across the country and this sequel will no doubt have crowds laughing in Largo. For tickets, visit EightOclockTheatre.com. |  |

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JULY 12-29 Jobsite Theater 813-229-STAR JobsiteTheater.org

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MORE INFORMATION For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit WatermarkOnline.com.

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1- COMMUNITY PILLARS: (L-R) Jay Aller, Chris Rudisill and Brian Longstreth were all on hand to enjoy St. Pete Pride’s Stonewall Commemorative reception at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art June 28. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 2- TRUE COLORS: The UV Rays strike a colorful closing pose following a performance at the Pre-Gala concert at First Presybterian Church in St. Petersburg June 24. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.COM

3- HEAT IS ON: Despite the heat, St. Pete Pride headliner Deborah Cox brings amazing energy to the main stage on June 30. PHOTO BY

STEVE BLANCHARD

4- REIGNING QUEEN: Miss St. Pete Pride 2012 Jasmine Skiis performs at the Pride in Fashion event at Macy’s in Tyrone Square Mall June 29. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 5- SHOW MUST GO ON: Christine O’Leary talks to a sold out house at the Metro Wellness and Community Center on June 30 from a comfortable chair, since she injured her ankle in a Segway accident earlier in the day. PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTOPHER TATE 6- GETTING VOCAL: Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota were just one of several choruses celebrating during a Pre-Gala concert at the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg June 24. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.COM

7- DETAIL ORIENTED: Pet artist Eunice Fisher displays her work at the Big Gay Art Show at the St. Petersburg Metro Wellness and Community Center June 15. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.COM

8- RED FOR MONEY: The Tampa Bay Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence raise money for charity at their Red Dress Ball at Bradley’s on 7th in Ybor City on June 23. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST

OVERHEARD US? VAIN? It seems Florida’s west coast is constantly the subject of magazine polls and lists. Late last year, Men’s Health said that St. Petersburg was one of the saddest cities in the country, based on suicide and unemployment rates. (Just a note, we didn’t see one depressed person along Central Avenue during St. Pete Pride this year!) Now the magazine has another list out about our area, claiming that Tampa has the most vain residents in America! Men’s Health looked at the things residents consume, like Botox, teeth

whitener, dental surgeries, at-home hair dyes, shapewear, plastic surgery and tanning sessions. The trend isn’t something new in Tampa— or the state of Florida, the magazine says. “Five hundred years before Botox, that Ponce de Leon guy scoured Florida for a fountain that could rinse off the wrinkles.” Neighboring cities can’t say a whole lot in mocking Tampa. St. Petersburg placed 11th on the list and Orlando came in at 16th. All three are well ahead of what many would consider as the stereotypical vain city of Los Angeles, which ranked 60th! Of the 100 cities listed, the least vain city is Des Moines, Iowa.

DUPUIS TAKES MISS GAY FLORIDA TITLE A performer out of Key West took the title at the annual Miss Gay Florida America pageant held on July 1 at the freeFall Theatre on Central Avenue. Victoria DuPuis took the crown on Sunday after participating in male interview, evening gown and talent. In all, there were six contestants in this year’s pageant. First alternant went to Orlando’s Essence T. VanCartier. The pageant was noticeably less attended than the 2011 pageant, which was held in the Hickman Theater in Gulfport. However, the enthusiastic crowd cheered DuPuis to victory. She and

VanCartier will both now move on to the Miss Gay America Pageant this October in Columbus, Ohio.

PROUD WALK THROUGH HISTORY

Now that St. Pete Pride 2012 is in the history books, it might be a good time to check out the full 10 years of Florida’s largest LGBT Pride event. Not to toot our own horn here (okay, maybe a little) but Watermark teamed with the Metro Wellness and Community Center in St. Petersburg and St. Pete Pride to produce a Pride retrospective within the building. The hallway holds a

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collection of photos arranged by year pulled from the early days of St. Pete Pride in 2003 to last year’s 2011 celebration. Within days, expect the 2012 collection of photos to take their place within the hallway. But remember, we still have thousands (literally) of photos to comb through from last week’s biggest Pride ever. Each frame offers a quick glimpse at each year’s amazing festival and many of the photos are ones taken by Watermark staff that have never been published before! The St. Pete Pride Wall of History is near the community room of the Metro Center, just outside the St. Pete Pride of�ices. |  |

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ORLANDO 1- SOAKING WET: The Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls hold a fundraiser car wash June 30 at a downtown Orlando Walgreens. PHOTO COURTESY ALICIA LARKIN

2- OUTDOOR LEARNING: Teens in Charge Educators Dylan Michael and Cristina Calandrucio enjoy a beautiful day at Ward Park July 1, educating Full Sail’s GSA, “The Lift Club.” PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN STRONGOLI 3- BROADWAY STYLE: Orlando director Kenny Howard, Laura Johnson and singer Rebecca Fisher, formerly of Orlando enjoy “Laura Osnes Live” at New York City’s Café Carlyle. PHOTO COURTESY BROADWAY RECORDS

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4- DO-GOODERS: Scottie Campbell, Andre Santiago and Jody Buyas take a break from painting at the Ivanhoe Village Spruce Up on June 23. PHOTO COURTESY IVANHOE VILLAGE 5- CELEBRATING EQUALITY: (L-R) State Rep. Darren Soto, State Rep. Scott Randolph, Nancy Jacobson, Susannah Randolph and Carlos Smith at the Equality Florida sponsor party at the home of Gary Lambert and Shawn Hunt. PHOTO BY TOM DYER 6- FUNDRAISING: John Ruffier hosts a fundraiser for Orange County Commission candidate Gina Duncan at his home on June 22. PHOTO BY TOM DYER 7- PAYDAY: Gary Lambert holds his huge paycheck from the Orlando Ballet for his performance last season. PHOTO BY TOM DYER.

8- ELECTION TALK: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chair of Democratic National Committee, speaks to a group of LGBT leaders and allies at a reception held June 25 at Bob Poe’s penthouse. PHOTO COURTESY RANDY STEPHENS

OVERHEARD YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH Rev. Lisa Heilig, who has been interim pastor at Joy MCC while the congregation searched for a new full time pastor, has announced her departure from Orlando on Aug. 15. During her two years with Joy MCC, Rev. Heilig assisted in answering the questions like, “Who have we been as a church?” “Who are we now as a church?” and maybe most important, “Who is God calling us to be as a church?” “Answering these

questions allows a church to be ready to embrace the future with a new spiritual leader. Joy is ready now,” says Rev. Heilig. “I could not be more proud of the work that Joy did and out of that work, have come to know that their purpose is to be a vital, growing spiritual community reaching out in God’s radically inclusive love.” Several candidates have already applied to become the new pastor for Joy MCC and are in the interview process. Hellig will be leaving to assume another interim pastorate at MCC of our Redeemer in Augusta, Ga. She says that her calling is now with them

while they are in transition, with their pastor of 15 years having just resigned. This next position will not only bene�it MCC of our Redeemer but will also allow Rev. Heilig to be closer to her partner of 17 years, with whom she has had a long distance relationship with for the past 4 years. “I truly love Joy and the Orlando and Central Florida area and will miss the great community here,” she says. “However, I know that both Joy and the wider community will embrace and work with the next pastor who is coming.” Previously, Rev. Heilig was interim pastor for Church of the Trinity in Sarasota.

GAYBOOK Social media maven Facebook is changing yet again. This time, however, it’s for gay rights. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Facebook has added two new icons to denote same-sex married couples for LGBT users. Previously on the Facebook Timeline, being married was symbolized by a bride-and-groom icon. Now same-sex couples can choose either two brides or two grooms. The recent update follows last year’s addition of “In a Civil Union” and “In a Domestic Partnership” to

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users’ “Relationship Status” feature. This also comes on the heels of Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes marrying his longtime partner, Sean Eldridge in New York City last Saturday. Facebook has also taken signi�icant steps toward preventing anti-LGBT bullying, and created the Network of Support with GLAAD and other LGBT organizations in 2010. In June, Facebook even became the �irst social media company to be given an award at the GLAAD Media Awards. |  |

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BIRTHDAY HOSTESS: Pinellas County author, radio host and performer Staci Backauskas, left and pictured while doing a tarot card reading at the Dali Museum, celebrates her birthday July 17.

Transitions

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Local Birthdays Orlando printress extraordinaire and MBA mainstay Debbie Simmons and St. Petersburg entertainer Kori Stevens (July 5); MBA man and co-owner of John Michael Weddings & Events Michael Thomas, Sarasota and Provincetown diva David “Scarbie” Mitchell, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and St. Petersburg leather man Randall Isgrigg (July 6); former Watermark editor, stand-up comedian and singing fool Ronni Radner, former Watermark Orlando Staff Writer and Montessori teacher Natasha Kay, Orlando resident and USF IT guru Angel Arcelay, former Tampa Bay Business Guild officer Chris Hennessey, New Port Richey model and singer Chris Stein and former Tampa Bay Gazette music columnist John Chambrone (July 7); Tampa chiropractor Scott Barry, Shelbie Press co-owner Michelle Murray (July 9); Former St. Petersburg Westcare professional Ricki Liff, arthritis advocate and meditation master Tony Ward (July 10) Ritz Ybor operations director Carla Vaughan, Tampa airline pilot Brian Russell and sexy Tampa tri-athlete Jon Pello (July 11); Hope and Help’s Patrick Brown, Wylde’s bartender Bruce Duckworth, former Full Moon bartender

Jeff Patrick, Tampa attorney Kim Byrd and Karmic Tattoo percussionist Amy Black (July 14); Three Boys Café owner, Matthew Downs (July 15); Production Manager for Walt Disney World Entertainment Robert Hargrove and Tampa Humane Humana representative Mike Snyder (July 16); Tampa author and performer Staci Backauskas, Guantanamo Slay-er Katie MacDonald and St. Petersburg candle maker Frank Meekins (July 17).

Celebrity Birthdays of Past and Present Pants-wearing feminist literary icon George Sand, fey French writer Jean Cocteau, Kissing Jessica Stein director Charles HermanWurmfeld, and muscle-bound, out racket smacker Amelie Mauresmo (July 5); unibrowed bi folk artist Frida Kahlo, Flirtatious Sarasota softball coach Oscar LoPolito and talk-show/game-show producer and host Merv Griffin (July 6); Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant (July 10); suit god Georgio Armani and silverscreen star Tab Hunter (July 11); Spandexwearing aerobics queen Richard Simmons (July 12); True Colors Tour diva Deborah Cox (July 13); Glee’s so-mean-you-have-to-love-her cheerleading coach Jane Lynch (July 14).

Are you making a Transition? Having a birthday or anniversary? Did you get a new job or promotion? See your news in Watermark! Send your Transition to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com or go to WatermarkOnline.com/Submit-a-Transition - it’s that easy!

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Do This! SAGE ADVICE FROM ‘THE TRUTH’

Know how to express your opinion DEAR TRUTH,

AST SATURDAY NIGHT I WENT DANCING AT THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE. It was packed, as usual, but there was a group of straight women there for a bachelorette party who were really drunk and obnoxious. Of course, the bride-to-be and her friends began groping the dancers and loudly commenting on the “freak show,” as they called it. Finally, after the �ifth spilled drink and countless choruses of “I’m getting married!” I lost my cool and told the shrieking cow that she was being incredibly disrespectful by having a marriage ritual in a gay bar when gays and lesbians can’t even get married, and that she should take her f-ing party elsewhere. She got all pissy and said I was rude and that the bar is a “public place.” Then she started crying and she and her friends left, but not before cussing me out and saying, “This is why everybody hates you.” Was I wrong to say something? —Orlando Gay Boy Down with OGB, Technically speaking you weren’t wrong, but any reaction based on anger, executed in the heat of the moment, is probably not the best version of you available. While the behavior of the bachelorette and her party (sounds more like it was just the bride-to-be) was obnoxious, it isn’t your job to manage that situation. While she’s wrong—the Parliament House is, by no means, a public place; it’s private property—it was up to the staff at the P to take care of the situation. Hopefully this situation won’t come up for you again, but if it does, I’d start by complaining to the bartender, and then escalate up through the org structure if you don’t get the repair you’re seeking. We want to be inclusive and let our straight friends enjoy our fabulous spaces, but this sort of behavior is annoying, insulting and counterproductive. Here comes the Truth: She needed to be called on it, just not by you.

attracted me to Kevin was his athleticism and muscular body. Since I moved in, however, Kevin has practically stopped working out and, predictably, he’s gained a ton of weight. I’m not a gym rat, but I keep �it and I want my partner to do the same. I’ve tried to get Kevin off the couch but he always says he’s too tired. When I mention his weight, he blames me for bringing food into the house. I admit I keep the kitchen stocked—I like to cook— but I resent Kevin’s blaming me for his overeating and lack of motivation. I’m worried that pretty soon I won’t �ind him attractive. What can I do? —Fit To Be Tied Dear Un�it, By the time you’ve reached three years in your relationship, it shouldn’t be quite so heavily based on what the person looks like at that moment in time. That said, it is incumbent on both parties to do their part to keep the other one interested. Look, a desire to �ind a mate is often the fuel that powers the engine of motivation. It’s natural that once you’ve become comfortable in your love and life, a certain exhaling is inevitable. But there are things you can do to help the situation. If you are the house cook, then you have a real opportunity to enact change. You could have great fun creating delicious dishes that are healthy and nutritious. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. Replacing pasta with quinoa, or turkey sausage for pork sausage, or ensuring that there are only delicious healthy snack foods (unsalted nuts, turkey breast, fruits and vegetables) available and none of the bad stuff (chips, cookies, candy, ice cream, etc.) will set the right kind of example for Kevin, and truncate some of his excuse-making. Once you’ve changed your household’s eating habits, Kevin will have no excuse but to accept that his weight gain is due to his own sloth. What he does at that point is entirely on him. No one likes a nag, so lead by example. Spend your own time in the gym. If he’s smart and thoughtful, eventually he’ll get the point. Here comes the Truth: Love Kevin for who he is, not what he looks like. But set a good example, too. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

watermarkonline.com

Staff Report

he NBA is expected to review an exchange on Twitter between Amar’e Stoudemire and a fan in which Stoudemire used foul language and a gay slur. An NBA spokesman said in an email Sunday night that he’s sure the matter “will be reviewed” by the league. The exchange, which was con�irmed by a source close to Stoudemire as being sent by the Knicks star, occurred Saturday when a Knicks fan, whose twitter handle is @BFerrelli, tweeted a message to Stoudemire: “You better come back stronger and quicker to make up for last season.” The tweet included an obscenity at the end. Stoudemire responded with a

direct message, which can only be seen by the recipient. The response included foul language and a gay slur. The response was posted by @BFerrelli on his public Twitter page for all users to see. On the morning of June 24, Stoudemire sent @BFerrelli an apology via direct message, which @BFerrelli also then posted publicly. In the apology, Stoudemire said: “I apologize for what I said earlier. I just got off the plane and had time to think about it. Sorry bro. No Excuses. Won’t happen again.” A source close to Stoudemire con�irmed that it was Stoudemire who sent both direct messages to @BFerrelli. The Knicks had no comment. Stoudemire is in Spain working at a basketball camp. He has tweeted since the exchanges but didn’t reference the exchange. He did,

Three MLB pitchers, wives, join NoH8 campaign Staff Report TWITTERGATE: The New York Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire has apologized for using a gay slur in a Twitter conversation with a fan.

however, retweet a positive tweet from @BFerrelli and wrote, “Thx bro 1love, big year next year !!” The fan later tweeted to Stoudemire: “@Amareisreal sooo after all this that happened can I get a follow back or tickets to a game lol or is that pushing it?” The NBA has a public service announcement featuring Stoudemire’s former Suns teammate Grant Hill in which he encourages people not to use gay slurs. |  |

John R. Dickson,

he ever-popular NOH8 campaign, which battles homophobia across the country, has three new celebrity endorsers. Three Major League Baseball players have joined the 25,000 people already apart of the campaign, which features the now familiar duct taped mouth and NOH8 logo painted on their faces. San Francisco All -Star pitcher Matt Cain is photographed for the campaign with his wife, Chelsea. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos appears with his wife, Dallas. And Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo posed with his wife and son. The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest. It was launched shortly after Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, was passed by voters in 2008. |  |

sports

Stoudemire apologizes for gay slur on Twitter

OW N E R

A N D TA K E YO U R P E R S O N A L T R A I N I N G B U S I N ES S TO N E W H E I G H T S AT F LO R I DA FI T N ES S CO N C E P T S! V I S I T W W W. F L O R I D A F I T N E S S C O N C E P T S . C O M /N E W T R A I N E R

TO H I R E A N FF C T R A I N E R O R F O R M O R E I N F O, V I S I T

W W W. FLO R I DA FI T N ESS C O N C E P T S .C OM JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Galleryw

Photography by Jake Stevens

ORE THAN 140 ENTRIES IN THE ST. PETE PRIDE promenade made it the longest one ever in the celebrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10year history. Bright colors and eye catching costumes were prevalent throughout. the two-hour parade.

More fabulous photos of St. Pete Pride at watermarkonline.com

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

watermarkonline.com

JULY 5 - JULY 18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.14

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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