DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.15 • JULY 19 - AUG. 1, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM
YOUR LGBT LIFE.
ORANGE COUNTY COUPLES REGISTER AS PARTNERS
WILL LARGO’S DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY STIR CONSERVATIVES?
CONFLICT OF INTEREST Does your online life impact your professional image?
LT. GOV. CARROLL LANDS AMID A SAME-SEX SCANDAL
KATY PERRY
FIGHTS HATE WITH ‘LOVE BULLETS’
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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Get out and stay out.
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BIG PINE KEY & THE LOWER KEYS
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Key Resort – Key West Full-service, pet-friendly “green” resort with on-site restaurant, masseuse, Tiki bar, pool, gym, business center, and complimentary Internet and shuttle service. 888-310-1540 or 305-293-1818 doubletreekeywest.com Pearl’s Key West All-welcome historic inn offering guesthouse ambiance and resort amenities; breakfast, 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, Wi-Fi, gym, bar and grill. 800-749-6696 or 305-292-1450 pearlskeywest.com
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New Orleans House Only all-male guesthouse on Duval St. Cottages, rooms, full gym, complimentary happy-hour, above Bourbon St. Pub. Stay where you play! 888-293-9893 or 305-293-9800 neworleanshousekw.com
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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DEPARTMENTS
We continue to build on the legacy of 1968 Olympic decathlete
Tom Waddell, 53 the founder of the Gay Games.
6 // MAIL 12 // ORLANDO NEWS
PAGE
16 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 21 // STATE 22 // NATION & WORLD
—EMY RITT OF THE FEDERATION OF GAY GAMES, REFERRING TO THE PRIDE HOUSE AT THE LONDON OLYMPICS
31 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 35 // EVENT PLANNER 41 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 43 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 44 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 45 // TRANSITIONS 46 // ADVICE 47 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 52 // CLASSIFIEDS 54 // GALLERY W
PAGE
ON THE COVER
PAGE Juggling a social media
31
presence with a professional career can be tricky—but it is possible. We offer a few tips on how to keep your online antics from impacting your work life. Illustration by Jake Stevens
SCAN QR CODE FOR
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Preview
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SHE KISSED A GIRL: Pop icon Katy Perry enraptured legions of LGBT fans with her hit “I Kissed A Girl.” The performer—who released a new movie July 4—talks about her relationship with the LGBT community and why equality matters to her.
W A T E R M A R K I S S U E 1 9 . 1 5 // J U L Y 1 9 - A U G . 1 , 2 0 1 2
ORLANDO NEWS
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PAGE Couples line up to take
PAGE Whether Largo City
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
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part in Orange County’s new domestic partnership ordinance—but elected officials are nowhere to be seen; The Parliament House marks its 37th anniversary with a full schedule of celebrations; more.
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Commissioner Michael Smith’s motion to draft a domestic partnership ordinance stirs the city’s conservative voice remains to be seen; The Florida Family Association has a new enemy—Marvel Comics; more.
PAGE Katy Perry talks about her
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relationship with the LGBT community on a personal and professional level; Seth MacFarlane’s new film Ted is an enjoyable romp of fantasy and adult comedy that his fans will enjoy; more.
PAGE The men who make up “…
the Three Bears” have 54 and pulled together more than
10 artists to display original works of wood, glass and metal at the Milk Bar in downtown Orlando. We offer a sample of the collection.
SEE EXPANDED PHOTO GALLERIES OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRIES AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM! JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vote on August 14th!
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
I
WAS DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN that [neither] the Orange County Mayor’s Of�ice, nor any current elected Orange County Commission members or representatives, were present for this historic day [of the implementation of the domestic partnership registry]. All of the debates and forums and backroom meetings, [yet] no one came to be part of the kick-off celebration? Not even the openly gay Orange County Ethics Ombudsman, Chase Smith, attended. Having attended all public meetings for the Orange County Human Rights Ordinance as well as the Orange County Domestic Partner Registry, I don’t recall seeing him at any of those meetings. Smith even helped draft some of the “criteria” for the registry and lumped all gay men into a category, saying: “Gay men jump from bedto-bed. Therefore, we need to insure they have been in a relationship for 6 months before they can become domestic partners.” Really? I jump from bedto-bed? I’m sure my partner would be happy to hear that. It’s almost as if the county representatives all but washed their hands of the celebration. I applaud and appreciate Orange County for this
“Although it doesn’t provide the same equality as marriage, it is a step forward.” —RON HILL
initiative and recognize there are countless couples, no matter their sexual orientation, who will now be protected by the registry. But Mayor Jacobs, her staff and our county commissioners dropped the ball here. RANDY ROSS ORLANDO
LIKE DADT, DPRS ARE A POSITIVE STEP
T
HE PENTAGON GAVE AN OFFICIAL SALUTE TO THANK GAYS AND LESBIANS in the military marking Gay Pride month, Amazing! However, as a prior service member who was active on the day that DADT was enacted, I have to take issue with the continued berating of what was considered by many a victory. At the time, a local gay newspaper asked readers “Do you think gays should serve in the military?” Shockingly, some Active Duty gays said “No!” My stance then is
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the same now. This kind of change does not come in one fell swoop, but in bits and pieces. Too many have lost sight that before DADT, we were asked if we were homosexual at enlistment and had to swear under oath that we were not in order to serve our country. DADT removed that question and was to prohibit military personnel from discriminating or harassing service members or applicants. I am sorry for those who fell victim to the misuse of DADT, but their sacri�ice paid off. The policy changed the environment and opened some minds. It’s a different world now. DADT and the fallout helped make it so. We are now able to serve openly and we are thanked for it. Let’s hope that domestic partnership will eventually result in something recognized by the government as equal to any straight marriage. RON HILL ST PETERSBURG
editor’s
Steve Blanchard EDITOR
SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com
T
Desk
HE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE WERE A
whirlwind of activity for me—and for the entire Watermark Media staff. Not only did we continue to produce high-quality issues of Watermark every two weeks and maintain an active website, we also produced two specialty publications (an in-depth Gay Days schedule and the of�icial St. Pete Pride Program). In addition, we were present at booths, parades, parties and events throughout almost every weekend. Each year we know we have two intense months of preparation, fun, and major work. It’s something we dread, yet look forward to each spring. But the hard work always pays off in the end and I am proud of what we accomplish each summer. Amidst all of that very gay activity, I had the opportunity to do some not-so-gay things—namely spend a
WATERMARK STAFF
few days with my vacationing family. My parents, sister and brother-inlaw and their two daughters spent two weeks exploring the theme parks of Central Florida. It was an opportunity for me to see the nieces I hadn’t laid eyes on in two years and visit with my parents. Back in May I wrote in this space detailing my apprehension about
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seeing the girls, who are now old enough to ask speci�ic questions of their uncle. The questions I dreaded most were: “Why aren’t you married?” or “Do you have a girlfriend?” See, the girls have no idea that I’m gay nor do they have a clue that I’ve been in a relationship with a man for longer than either one of them has been alive. I just knew the 12-year-old would ask me some direct questions, or that the 8-yearold would ask about the ring on my �inger. They don’t know their uncle is gay because, quite simply, my sister doesn’t want them to know. Their uncle living 1,500-plus miles away makes their cluelessness easier to maintain. That’s the right of her and her husband as parents, I suppose. When I met the family at the Magic Kingdom, I was prepared to answer any questions my nieces had of me directly and honestly. I formulated a response that not only answered their questions but also directed them back to their mother for details on why they were never informed of their “other uncle.” Amazingly—and honestly, to my somewhat disappointment— the subject of my personal relationships never came up. The girls were more interested in checking out the attractions within the park (at least the non-educational ones), asking questions about growing up with their mother and sharing stories surrounding their respective activities—ranging from church
plays and school friends to softball and soccer games. It made me realize that kids don’t really care about what we do or who we have relationships with as adults. The personal life of their uncle—or anyone else for that matter—is totally removed from their world. They care about what they’re doing, who they see and what awaits them next on their path. It’s a smart way to live, and adults could learn from that perspective. As more and more cities and counties throughout our state approve domestic partnership ordinances to give at least some rights to unmarried couples, it’s become clearer that the personal relationships of adults are just that—personal. Very few—if any—area residents protested the idea of granting partners basic rights. Those who are opposed to same-sex marriage have seen that granting those rights to same-sex couples has absolutely no impact on their daily lives. The institution of marriage remains safe. Domestic partnership registries are not marriage and they will never be a substitute for same-sex marriage. However, they are a step toward marriage equality, whether they are packaged and sold as that or not. Someday, hopefully in the nottoo-distant future, I’ll have an opportunity to share more of myself with my nieces. One day it will no longer be about their inquisitive minds, asking questions of their uncle. It will simply being people sharing stories about their lives. Through continuing progress, my hope is that they will be as affected by my sexual orientation as I am by theirs. | |
It’s a smart way to live, and adults could learn from that perspective.
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CONTRIBUTORS ABBY DEES
is a civil rights attorney-turnedauthor who has been in the LGBT rights trenches for 25-plus years. She lives in Los Angeles and Nashville. 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 31
STEPHEN MILLER
is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 35, 37
Greg Burton, Erik Caban, Scottie Campbell, Amy Dees, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Anthony Paull, Greg Stemm, Brett Stout, Louanne Walters, Stephen Warne
PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Tom Eckert, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson
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COMPLERA (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a prescription medicine used as a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV medicines before. COMPLERA does not cure HIV or AIDS or help prevent passing HIV to others.
The
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Patient model. Pill shown is not actual size.
INDICATION COMPLERA (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) is a prescription HIV medicine that contains 3 medicines, EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), EDURANT™ (rilpivirine), and VIREAD® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) combined in one pill. COMPLERA is used as a complete single-tablet regimen to treat HIV-1 infection in adults (age 18 and older) who have never taken HIV medicines before. ®
COMPLERA does not cure HIV and has not been shown to prevent passing HIV to others. It is important to always practice safer sex, use latex or polyurethane condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with any body fluids, and to never re-use or share needles. Do not stop taking COMPLERA unless directed by your healthcare provider. See your healthcare provider regularly.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contact your healthcare provider right away if you get the following side effects or conditions while taking COMPLERA: • Nausea, vomiting, unusual muscle pain, and/or weakness. These may be signs of a buildup of acid in the blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical condition • Light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, and/or if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. These may be signs of serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly), and fat in the liver (steatosis) • If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV), your liver disease may suddenly get worse if you stop taking COMPLERA. Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how COMPLERA works, and may cause serious side effects.
Do not take COMPLERA if you are taking the following medicines: • other HIV medicines (COMPLERA provides a complete treatment for HIV infection.) • the anti-seizure medicines carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Equetro®, Tegretol®, Tegretol-XR®, Teril®, Epitol®), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®, Dilantin-125®, Phenytek®) • the anti-tuberculosis medicines rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifater®, Rifamate®, Rimactane®, Rifadin®) and rifapentine (Priftin®) • a proton pump inhibitor medicine for certain stomach or intestinal problems, including esomeprazole (Nexium®, Vimovo®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), omeprazole (Prilosec®), pantoprazole sodium (Protonix®), rabeprazole (Aciphex®) • more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium phosphate • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) • other medicines that contain tenofovir (VIREAD®, TRUVADA®, ATRIPLA®) • other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (EMTRIVA®, Combivir®, Epivir® or Epivir-HBV®, Epzicom®, Trizivir®) • rilpivirine (Edurant™) • adefovir (HEPSERA®) In addition, also tell your healthcare provider if you take: • an antacid medicine that contains aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA • a histamine-2 blocker medicine, including famotidine (Pepcid®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), nizatidine (Axid®), or ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac®). Take these medicines at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA • the antibiotic medicines clarithromycin (Biaxin®), erythromycin (E-Mycin®, Eryc®, Ery-Tab®, PCE®, Pediazole®, Ilosone®), and troleandomycin (TAO®) • an antifungal medicine by mouth, including fluconazole (Diflucan®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), posaconazole (Noxafil®), voriconazole (Vfend®) • methadone (Dolophine®) This list of medicines is not complete. Discuss with your healthcare provider all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take.
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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Before taking COMPLERA, tell your healthcare provider if you: • have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection • have kidney problems • have ever had a mental health problem • have bone problems • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child • are breastfeeding; women with HIV should not breast-feed because they can pass HIV through their milk to the baby Contact your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following serious or common side effects: Serious side effects associated with COMPLERA: • New or worse kidney problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do blood tests to check your kidneys during your treatment with COMPLERA • Depression or mood changes can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: feeling sad or hopeless, feeling anxious or restless, or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself • Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do additional tests to check your bones • Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the main part of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effect of these conditions are not known • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV medicine
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
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FDA-Approved Patient Labeling Patient Information COMPLERA® (kom-PLEH-rah) (emtricitabine, rilpivirine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Tablets
COMPLERA may help: • Reduce the amount of HIV in your blood. This is called your “viral load”. • Increase the number of white blood cells called CD4+ (T) cells that help fight off other infections.
Important: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with COMPLERA. For more information, see the section “What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA?”
Reducing the amount of HIV and increasing the CD4+ (T) cell count may improve your immune system. This may reduce your risk of death or infections that can happen when your immune system is weak (opportunistic infections).
Read this Patient Information before you start taking COMPLERA and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA?
COMPLERA does not cure HIV infections or AIDS. • Always practice safer sex. • Use latex or polyurethane condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with any body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. • Never re-use or share needles.
Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to prevent passing COMPLERA can cause serious side effects, including: 1. Build-up of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis can happen in HIV to other people. some people who take COMPLERA or similar (nucleoside analogs) medicines. Lactic Who should not take COMPLERA? acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. • Do not take COMPLERA if your HIV infection has been previously treated with Lactic acidosis can be hard to identify early, because the symptoms could seem like HIV medicines. symptoms of other health problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you • Do not take COMPLERA if you are taking certain other medicines. For more get any of the following symptoms which could be signs of lactic acidosis: information about medicines that must not be taken with COMPLERA, see “What • feeling very weak or tired should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA?” • have unusual (not normal) muscle pain • have trouble breathing What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking COMPLERA? • have stomach pain with Before you take COMPLERA, tell your healthcare provider if you: - nausea (feel sick to your stomach) • have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection - vomiting • have kidney problems • feel cold, especially in your arms and legs • have ever had a mental health problem • feel dizzy or lightheaded • have bone problems • have a fast or irregular heartbeat • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COMPLERA can harm your unborn child Pregnancy Registry. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiviral medicines during pregnancy. Its purpose is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms • are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. The Centers for Disease Control and of liver problems: Prevention recommends that mothers with HIV not breastfeed because they can pass • your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). the HIV through their milk to the baby. It is not known if COMPLERA can pass through • dark “tea-colored” urine your breast milk and harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best • light-colored bowel movements (stools) way to feed your baby. • loss of appetite for several days or longer Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription • nausea and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. • stomach pain 2. Severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can happen in people who take COMPLERA or similar medicines. In some cases these liver problems can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis) when you take COMPLERA.
You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are COMPLERA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking COMPLERA or a similar affect how COMPLERA works, and may cause serious side effects. If you take certain medicines with COMPLERA, the amount of COMPLERA in your body may be too low and medicine containing nucleoside analogs for a long time. it may not work to help control your HIV infection. The HIV virus in your body may become 3. Worsening of Hepatitis B infection. If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection resistant to COMPLERA or other HIV medicines that are like it. and you stop taking COMPLERA, your HBV infection may become worse (flare-up). A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Do not take COMPLERA if you also take these medicines: COMPLERA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you must discuss your HBV • COMPLERA provides a complete treatment for HIV infection. Do not take other HIV medicines with COMPLERA. therapy with your healthcare provider. • the anti-seizure medicines carbamazepine (CARBATROL®, EQUETRO®, TEGRETOL®, • Do not let your COMPLERA run out. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare TEGRETOL-XR®, TERIL®, EPITOL®), oxcarbazepine (TRILEPTAL®), phenobarbital provider before your COMPLERA is all gone. (LUMINAL®), phenytoin (DILANTIN®, DILANTIN-125®, PHENYTEK®) • Do not stop taking COMPLERA without first talking to your healthcare provider. ® ® • If you stop taking COMPLERA, your healthcare provider will need to check your health • the anti-tuberculosis medicines rifabutin (MYCOBUTIN ), rifampin (RIFATER , ® ® ® ® RIFAMATE , RIMACTANE , RIFADIN ) and rifapentine (PRIFTIN ) often and do regular blood tests to check your HBV infection. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or unusual symptoms you may have after you stop taking • a proton pump inhibitor medicine for certain stomach or intestinal problems, including esomeprazole (NEXIUM®, VIMOVO®), lansoprazole (PREVACID®), omeprazole COMPLERA. (PRILOSEC®), pantoprazole sodium (PROTONIX®), rabeprazole (ACIPHEX®) • more than 1 dose of the steroid medicine dexamethasone or dexamethasone sodium What is COMPLERA? COMPLERA is a prescription HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) medicine that: phosphate • is used to treat HIV-1 in adults who have never taken HIV medicines before. HIV is the • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). If you are taking COMPLERA, you should not take: • contains 3 medicines, (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) • other medicines that contain tenofovir (VIREAD®, TRUVADA®, ATRIPLA®) combined in one tablet. EMTRIVA and VIREAD are HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency • other medicines that contain emtricitabine or lamivudine (EMTRIVA®, COMBIVIR®, virus) nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and EDURANT is an EPIVIR® or EPIVIR-HBV®, EPZICOM®, TRIZIVIR®) HIV-1 non-nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). • rilpivirine (EDURANT™) It is not known if COMPLERA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years. • adefovir (HEPSERA®)
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watermarkonline.com watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE. JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15 PALIO Date: 4.9.12 • Client: Gilead • Product: Complera • File Name: 21207_pgitvd_jrnl_copay_Watermark.indd BS page 1 • Trim: 9.875” x 10.375” • Bleed: N/A
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Also tell your healthcare provider if you take: The most common side effects of COMPLERA include: an antacid medicine that contains aluminum, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium • trouble sleeping (insomnia) carbonate. Take antacids at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take • abnormal dreams COMPLERA. • headache • a histamine-2 blocker medicine, including famotidine (PEPCID®), cimetidine • dizziness ® ® ® (TAGAMET ), nizatidine (AXID ), or ranitidine hydrochloride (ZANTAC ). Take these • diarrhea medicines at least 12 hours before or at least 4 hours after you take COMPLERA. • nausea ® ® ® • the antibiotic medicines clarithromycin (BIAXIN ), erythromycin (E-MYCIN , ERYC , • rash ® ® ® ® ® ERY-TAB , PCE , PEDIAZOLE , ILOSONE ), and troleandomycin (TAO ) • tiredness • an antifungal medicine by mouth, including fluconazole (DIFLUCAN®), itraconazole ® ® ® (SPORANOX ), ketoconazole (NIZORAL ), posaconazole (NOXAFIL ), voriconazole • depression (VFEND®) Additional common side effects include: • methadone (DOLOPHINE®) • vomiting Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is • stomach pain or discomfort one that is listed above. • skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your • pain •
healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Your healthcare provider and your pharmacist can tell you if you can take these medicines with COMPLERA. Do not start any new medicines while you are taking COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that can interact with COMPLERA. How should I take COMPLERA? • Stay under the care of your healthcare provider during treatment with COMPLERA. • Take COMPLERA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. • Always take COMPLERA with a meal. Taking COMPLERA with a meal is important to help get the right amount of medicine in your body. A protein drink does not replace a meal. • Do not change your dose or stop taking COMPLERA without first talking with your healthcare provider. See your healthcare provider regularly while taking COMPLERA. • If you miss a dose of COMPLERA within 12 hours of the time you usually take it, take your dose of COMPLERA with a meal as soon as possible. Then, take your next dose of COMPLERA at the regularly scheduled time. If you miss a dose of COMPLERA by more than 12 hours of the time you usually take it, wait and then take the next dose of COMPLERA at the regularly scheduled time. • Do not take more than your prescribed dose to make up for a missed dose. • When your COMPLERA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. It is very important not to run out of COMPLERA. The amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. • If you take too much COMPLERA, contact your local poison control center or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. What are the possible side effects of COMPLERA? COMPLERA may cause the following serious side effects, including: • See “What is the most important information I should know about COMPLERA?” • New or worse kidney problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider may need to do blood tests to check your kidneys during your treatment with COMPLERA. • Depression or mood changes. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: - feeling sad or hopeless - feeling anxious or restless - have thoughts of hurting yourself (suicide) or have tried to hurt yourself • Bone problems can happen in some people who take COMPLERA. Bone problems include bone pain, softening or thinning (which may lead to fractures). Your healthcare provider may need to do additional tests to check your bones. • Changes in body fat can happen in people taking HIV medicine. These changes may include increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), breast, and around the main part of your body (trunk). Loss of fat from the legs, arms and face may also happen. The cause and long term health effect of these conditions are not known. • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider if you start having new symptoms after starting your HIV medicine.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of COMPLERA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088). How do I store COMPLERA? • Store COMPLERA at room temperature 77 °F (25 °C). • Keep COMPLERA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed. • Do not use COMPLERA if the seal over the bottle opening is broken or missing. Keep COMPLERA and all other medicines out of reach of children. General information about COMPLERA: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use COMPLERA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give COMPLERA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. This leaflet summarizes the most important information about COMPLERA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about COMPLERA that is written for health professionals. For more information, call (1-800-445-3235) or go to www.COMPLERA.com. What are the ingredients of COMPLERA? Active ingredients: emtricitabine, rilpivirine hydrochloride, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive ingredients: pregelatinized starch, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, povidone, polysorbate 20. The tablet film coating contains polyethylene glycol, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, triacetin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide red, FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake, FD&C Yellow #6 aluminum lake. This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Manufactured and distributed by: Gilead Sciences, Inc. Foster City, CA 94404 Issued: August 2011 COMPLERA, the COMPLERA Logo, EMTRIVA, HEPSERA, TRUVADA, VIREAD, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. or its related companies. ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. 202123-GS-000 02AUG2011 CON12407 4/12
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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE. Watermark
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orlando NEWS
SLDN, OutServe merge Staff report
O
RLANDO | Two organizations that specialize in serving and advocating for LGBT veterans will �inalize their merge into a single organization during their board meetings in Orlando Oct. 26-28. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) works to advance the causes of LGBT veterans primarily through litigation and legal advice. Outserve was formed via grassroots and online efforts and works to support LGBT personnel through education, speaking engagements and lobbying efforts. “What began as a simple effort to tell our stories has grown into something we could never have imagined, and today’s announcement that OutServe and SLDN will combine represents the next step in that evolution,” said Josh Seefried, co-founder and co-director of OutServe. “Each organization brings its own strengths to the �ight for full LGBT military equality, and we are stronger together.” The October meeting where the merge will be �inalized is the Second Annual OutServe International Leadership Conference at the military’s Shades of Green Resort in Orlando. Until that time, the boards and staff of both organizations will focus on unifying the two administratively, �inancially, and organizationally, according to a joint press release from the two groups. | |
Parliament House marks 37 years Staff report
FINALLY PROTECTED: Phil Windsor, and Gary Ashland, both 49, became the first couple registered as domestic partners in Orange County on July 6. PHOTO BY ANDRES DUPUTEL
Deserved recognition Countywide domestic partner registry of�icially begins Jamie Hyman
JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
The Parliament House is blowing out 37 candles on its birthday cake. The resort and entertainment complex is celebrating its 37th year of operation during the last week of July. It kicks off with the annual Footlight Players Reunion Show at Footlight Theater 9 p.m. on July 23, with Darcel Stevens emceeing a cast of special guest stars who have been regular performers with the Footlight Players in the past. Admission is $10. Turn-a-Bout, when Parliament House’s employees take the stage in drag, is 9 p.m. July 25 and costs a $5 minimum donation, with all admission proceeds and tips earned by performers bene�itting the Joy MCC food pantry. The anniversary celebration concludes on July 28 with a Return to Oz party featuring Oz-themed décor, entertainment and a costume contest with a $300 cash prize. There is a $10 admission at the door. A full schedule of Parliament House’s anniversary week celebration events is available online at ParliamentHouse.com. | |
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RLANDO | More than a dozen same-sex couples stepped up to register as domestic partners in Orange County July 6, the �irst day a countywide domestic partner registry became available. According to assistant comptroller Carol Foglesong, 16 couples registered at the county of�ices on that �irst day. As of press time, about six more couples registered through the county. Orlando’s domestic partner registry went into effect Jan. 16, and couples who have registered via the city—538 as of press time—automatically will be expanded and covered under the county’s registry. Couples
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registered in Orlando should call 407-836-5115 to receive updated wallet cards. Orange County’s registry provides the same protections as Orlando’s: hospital visitation, jail visitation, emergency noti�ications, guardian decisions, healthcare decisions, funeral/burial decisions and participation in a child’s public education. The Orange County ordinance approving the domestic partner registry also created the HELP program, which allows individuals to select one other person to perform any or all of those functions for them. As of press time, no one had registered under the HELP program. Additionally, couples who live outside of Orange County can register with the county and
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will receive all of the registry’s bene�its while they are in the vicinity of Orange County. Phil Windsor, 49, and Gary Ashland, 49, were the �irst couple registered in Orange County. They didn’t plan on being the �irst, but were pleasantly surprised to �ind out they were. They’ve been together for 21 years and were married 20 years ago at Joy MCC. “Hopefully it doesn’t take another 20 years before we’re legally married,” said Ashland. “We consider this the �irst step down a long road,” Windsor added. He said during a recent hospital visit, they were concerned that they would have to lie and claim to be brothers to get visitation. It wasn’t necessary, but Windsor said the domestic partner registry alleviates those worries. “We can actually have some
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orlando NEWS 14
LULAC supports marriage equality Staff Report
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RLANDO | At its 2012 annual National Convention and Exposition, drawing more than 20,000 community leaders and activists, the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC) passed a resolution in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples earlier this month. Julio Alva, a LULAC district director in Florida, said that the organization took its decision based on a number of aspects, but particularly on the legalities of the matter, so that couples can one day be recognized as such and receive mutual bene�its. “It’s not fair that after spending their whole lives together, these couples cannot hope to receive certain bene�its and that when one of them dies, the other cannot gain possession of the corresponding assets,” he said. The vote, taken in Orlando, was applauded by Evan Wolfson, founder of Freedom to Marry. “The vote by the League of United Latino American Citizens in favor of the freedom to marry re�lects LULAC’s longstanding support for inclusion and equality, and mirrors the values of a growing majority of Latinos in this country who know that every gay or lesbian person is part of someone’s family—a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a loved one—and no family members should face discrimination when they hope to marry the person they love,” Wolfson said. “Latino gay couples seek the freedom to marry to af�irm and strengthen their love and commitment and their ability to take care of each other and their families; government should not be putting barriers in their way. Freedom to Marry applauds LULAC’s strong stand for justice and looks forward to working together to secure the freedom to marry for all gay and lesbian Latinos, and all Americans.” LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States and advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political in�luence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs. In 2006, LULAC launched its “Rainbow Council,” the �irst LULAC council made up of LGBT Latinos and allies, which works to create dialogue between the Hispanic and LGBT communities, both sharing one common goal: “full equality.” In 2008 and 2009, the LULAC National Membership passed resolutions to support repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy (DADT) and passage of the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA). An April 2011 report by the National Council of La Raza found that 54 percent of Latinos support marriage. Surveys such as the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released in April 2012 con�irmed a Latino majority for marriage, reporting that 55% of Hispanics favor the freedom to marry (an increase of 10% since October 2009), while just 30% are opposed. | |
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
OFFICIALLY REGISTERED: Ellen Hone, 76, w and Sharon Durrant, 67, lives in unincorporated Orange County and has been together for 33 years. They registered as domestic partners in Orange County on July 6. PHOTO BY ANDRES DUPUTEL
| | Orange County DPR from pg.12
legal rights and that’s important to us,” Ashland said. At 10:30 a.m., county comptroller Martha Haynie addressed the crowd in what she said was her �irst-ever press conference. “This morning, we can acknowledge and celebrate that now anywhere in Orange County, more families can be protected and respected when they face illnesses, accidents or end of life decisions,” she said. “I am proud and honored to have had a role in this achievement.” Haynie did mention that the registry is “a new process for us,” adding that there were a few glitches in having the wallet-size cards ready “but we’re working on it.” Neither Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs nor any of the county commissioners were present at the press conference or celebration. After Haynie spoke, Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance committee (OADO) members attorney Mary Meeks attorney and The Center executive director Randy Stephens, set up a table. Stephens acted as witness and Meeks volunteered her service as notary. The county registry does not generally provide witnesses or the notary, so registering couples will have to make those arrangements on their own in the future. As couples got registered,
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the mood in the room was jubilant, with anyone gathering nearby applauding every time a partnership became of�icial, and one couple shouting, “We are legal!” as they walked off with their certi�icate. “Another great day on the road to equality,” said Gina Duncan, MBA president. “It’s an exciting time, just to be a part of it,” said Ellen Hone, 76, who was being registered with her partner Sharon Durrant, 67. The couple lives in
of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando. As couples mingled, waited and celebrated, Glenda Velez, 38, sat in the corner with her 9-yearold son, cradling the 3-weeks old daughter she has with Kristen Reigle, 37, who stood in line waiting for their turn. Velez also has an 18-year-old from a previous relationship. They share a home in Sanford. Reigle gave birth to their two children and Velez is their primary caretaker. “Were were concerned about the hospital issues and we want to be there for each other’s kids, so we need the protection,” Velez said. “Just because you didn’t give birth to them doesn’t mean they’re not yours,” Velez 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—$18.50 compared to Orlando’s $30. It was previously reported that the county’s would cost $10 but fees were increased because it became a two-page document. | |
“I am proud and honored to have had a role in this achievement.” —MARTHA HAYNIE
unincorporated Orange County and has been together for 33 years. Hone has a daughter, and said they are looking into also using the HELP ordinance to legally link her daughter to Durrant, should anything happen to Hone. In addition to registering couples and large number of media, straight allies showed up to celebrate. Sandra Cawthern and Joan Erwin sported bright yellow t-shirts that read, “Standing on the side of love,” which is a public advocacy campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association. “Our next quest is full marriage equality,” said Erwin. The women are members
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tampa bay NEWS
FFA targets Marvel Staff Report
T
AMPA | The Tampa-based Florida Family Association has its targets set on a new sight: Marvel Comics. The conservative organization that says its “defending American Values” is upset with Marvel Comics and its parent company, Disney, for featuring the same-sex wedding of two of its heroes in “Astonishing X-Men” #51. “It is shameful that two companies like Marvel and Disney would deliberately create a superhero homosexual wedding for our children to embrace,” the FFA wrote on its website. The comic features the marriage of Jean-Paul Beaubier, also known as Northstar, to his longtime boyfriend, Kyle. The issue was released in June. The group’s anti-gay rhetoric isn’t anything new. Recently, the FFA �lew a plane over central Florida to “warn” tourists about Gay Days. It has asked its supporters to print a form letter from its site that urges retailers to stop selling the comic book. “The issue has crossed the line by attempting to legitimize same-sex marriage and asking kids to fantasize about their own homosexual wedding,” the letter reads. One retailer, based in Arlington, Tex., told the Associated Press that the threats from the FFA will not impact his decision on selling the comic. “Any emails we get are not going to have any impact on what we’re doing,” said Buddy Saunders, 65, who owns Lone Star Comics. “I’m not going to stop selling it. It’s just another comic book. People have a right to protest anything they want to.” Saunders said he has received about 300 e-mails from members of the group, many which seem to be coming from the same person. | |
IN OTHER NEWS FETISH PRIDE BEGINS FUNDRAISING If you enjoy Tampa Bay Leather-n-Fetish Pride, you don’t have to wait until November. A special Leather TurnAbout Show is scheduled at the Flamingo Resort on July 21 as a way to raise funds for the big event in November. Raffles and drink specials will be on hand throughout the weekend. For details visit FlamingoFla.com.
FILM SERIES OFFERS SOCIAL FOR T-COMMUNITY Trans*Action Florida will screen the film Taken at the L-Train in downtown St. Petersburg as part of it’s 3rd Friday Film Series on July 20. Admission is free and those attending are invited to stay afterward for games and a social. For more information, search for “Trans*Action Florida Third Friday Film” on Facebook.
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PRIDE MARCH: Largo Commissioner Michael Smith, in blue, asked the city staff to draft a domestic partnership ordinance just two weeks after he marched in St. Pete Pride. PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL SMITH
Progress for Largo? The ‘City of Progress’ could be next for domestic partner protections Staff Report
L
ARGO | The Largo City Commission is about to see if its constituency has progressed at all over the past 5-7 years. The commission has asked the city staff to work on a domestic partnership registry that would be similar to those already active in Tampa, Gulfport and soon to be active in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. “It’s not a gay or straight issue,” said Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith. “It’s a human issue. Smith, who is gay, pitched the idea on July 10 to the commission as a way for unmarried partners—both gay and straight—to have access to each other in hospitals, jails
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and to be noti�ied in cases of emergency. Throughout the state, similar ordinances have been passed with very little to no opposition. It’s unclear if the process will move as smoothly in Largo, which has had a very public and dramatic battle with LGBT equality issues in the past. In 2003, the city �irst considered a human rights ordinance that would have barred discrimination based on sexual orientation. The move sparked a controversy and packed City Hall with hundreds of people on both sides of the issue. In the end, four commissioners, including the one who pitched it, voted the human rights ordinance down. In 2007, Largo made national headlines when it became embroiled over a decision to �ire
watermarkonline.com
City Manager Steve Stanton, who announced plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery to become Susan Stanton. Like in 2003, hundreds of people on both sides of the issue �looded City Hall physically and with e-mails and letters to voice their support or opposition to Stanton. So many people attended a commission meeting that extra rooms with live television feeds had to be set up to accommodate the over�low. After hours of public commentary, the commission eventually voted to �ire Stanton, who had worked for the city for more than 15 years. In an interview with Watermark earlier this year, Smith was hopeful that Largo had matured and that such controversies could be avoided. “Largo is seeing progress,” Smith said. “There’s a focus on arts, culture and becoming a
Continued on page 18 | |
Live Music Series At Hyde Park Village Upcoming Concert Dates: August 22, September 26 and October 31
Wednesday, July 25, 7-10 pm Benefiting: The Spring of Tampa Bay Featured Band: Category Three Rain Date: July 27
Celebrating 25 Years of Live Music in the Village! Complimentary Parking & Admission | Swann and Dakota Avenues, Tampa | hydeparkvillage.net
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tampa bay
from pg.16
NEWS
PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO OP: Tampa resident and The AIDS Institute Communications Coordinator Ted Howard attended a 20-person roundtable Q&A with the President in late June. Howard said that he thanked President Obama for his support of same-sex marriage and for signing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, among other proLGBT stances. Howard added that he was able to sit next to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz throughout the meeting. PHOTO COURTESY TED HOWARD
destination for tourism. Times are changing and it feels like a new era.” But whether those who have combatted LGBT measures in the past will remain silent while the city ponders a domestic partnership ordinance remains to be seen. The fee to register as domestic partners is $30 in Tampa and Clearwater, $25 in Gulfport, and will probably be similar in St. Petersburg, where the staff has not �inalized a cost but has proposed a $30 fee. If the Largo ordinance moves forward, Smith wants it to honor domestic partnerships from other cities, as the ordinances in St. Petersburg and Tampa do. By adding Largo onto the growing list of cities in the county with such ordinances, Smith is hopeful that the Pinellas County Commission will make a countywide DPR, much like what Orange County implemented last month near Orlando. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Largo Commissioners
Gigi Arntzen and Harriet Crozier and Mayor Pat Gerard all expressed interest in a city registry. The staff will bring a proposal to the commission at an undetermined work session in a few months, and collect feedback before any of�icial vote. Commissioner Curtis Holmes said he needs more details. “I don’t care what your
local domestic partnerships. However, hospital of�icials also urge unmarried couples that want the right to make medical decisions for each other in cases of emergency to take extra steps, like giving each other power of attorney or naming each other health care surrogates. The timing seems right for Largo to create a DPR, Smith told Watermark. “It’s a tough balance because the gay community expects you to push for things and those on the other side are watching everything —LARGO COMMISSIONER CURTIS HOLMES you do to make sure you’re not pushing lifestyle is. As long as it’s legal through some agenda,” said and it doesn’t cost the taxpayer Smith, who wears a rainbow any, it doesn’t bother me,” Pride bracelet on his left wrist. he said. “All I can do is be myself. I can Holmes said that he is bring things up—like the fact skeptical that a city can force I don’t have the same bene�its hospitals to recognize domestic as the straight commissioners partners as family members. because my relationship isn’t Of�icials at Largo Medical Center legally recognized. I can show and BayCare Health System, them that I’m a gay man and which includes several area that doesn’t mean I’m some hospitals, said they’d honor scary monster.” | |
“I don’t care what your lifestyle is; as long as it’s legal and it doesn’t cost the taxpayer any, it doesn’t bother me.”
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ARASOTA | Like in so many other cities across the state of Florida, very little controversy has surrounded Sarasota’s drafting of a domestic partnership registry. The registry would grant partners—regardless of gender—certain rights, like making health care decisions for each other, planning funerals, and hospital and jail visits. On July 1, the city commission voted unanimously to draft the ordinance. Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell told the commission she had only received one email against the idea of a registry. “I think this is exactly what the city should be doing,”
Atwell said following the vote. “It’s the right thing to do. Our demographics show this is something we bneed to contend with and embrace.” Atwell has been a long-time supporter of LGBT rights. Last October she not only spoke at Sarasota Pride, but she also volunteered for a dunk booth, which raised money for local LGBT charities. While the State of Florida does not allow civil unions or gay marriage, nine cities and �ive counties have adopted registries similar to the one Sarasota is drafting. Half o those new ordinances happened in the last six months, including one in Orange County and in the cities of Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Gulfport.
Like in other cities, the domestic partnership ordinance would have to get public input before the adoption. The city’s attorney saw no signi�icant legal issues involved with the passage of the ordinance. Former City Commissioner Ken Shelin, who is an out gay man, lobbied in favor of the registry in May. There he told commissioners that despite federal regulations, it can still be dif�icult or domestic partners of any gender to enforce their rights when at a hospital. He told them that power of attorney contracts are also insuf�icient. “If experience is any guide, this is a city service which results in happy customers,” Shelin said. It is unclear whether the
UNANIMOUS: The Sarasota City Commission moved forward on a DPR. proposed ordinance would allow residents living outside of the city limits to register, like they do in Tampa and Orlando, for example. That provision usually comes later when the public is invited to discuss such ordinances. Currently, Sarasota County does not have a domestic partnership ordinance, which could prove problematic since most of the area’s hospitals are outside of the Sarasota City limits. Shelin also cited U.S. Census data showing that
90% of domestic partners are heterosexual. Their numbers are growing, too, he said: 12% of U.S. households are domestic partnerships. In other Florida municipalities, those seeking the expanded rights must follow certain rules. For example, they cannot be married to anyone else and must sign a declaration. The city commission could see the drafted ordinance as early as the beginning of August. | |
sarasota
Staff Report
NEWS
Little controversy follows Sarasota’s domestic partnership ordinance
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Florida A&M president resigns
Staff Report
T
ALLAHASSEE | For the �irst time, Florida’s Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll defended herself publicly about being accused of being involved in a sex scandal. She made comments July 14 in Orange Park at the opening of a campaign of�ice for Mitt Romney. Carletha Cole claims she walked in on a sexual encounter between Carroll and Carroll’s travel aide, Beatriz Ramos. Cole worked as an administrative assistant to Carroll. Cole is a grandmother and a minister. “The problem is that when you have these accusations that come out, it’s not just one person you’re attacking. It’s an entire family,” Carroll said. “My husband doesn’t want to hear that. He knows the type of woman I am. I mean, my kids know the type of woman I am. For 29 years—I’m the one that’s married for 29 years. The accuser is the one that’s been single for a long time. So usually black women that look like me don’t engage in relationships like that.” Cole’s attorney Stephen Webster says her relationship with the Lt. Governor changed dramatically after the alleged incident. “She suffered retaliation I believe as a result over what she observed,” Webster said. Cole was arrested last October on charges that she gave an illegally taped conversation with another Carroll aide to a newspaper reporter. In the �iling, Cole contends that she walked in on Carroll and a top aide in a “compromising position” in Carroll’s of�ice; that Carroll’s chief of staff secretly recorded conversations routinely at the direction of those working for Gov. Rick Scott; and that the trash can at Cole’s desk might have been deliberately set ablaze following
an argument between her and the aide. Webster says the accusations against Cole are completely false. “Her observations rendered her a liability to the Lt. Governor and that the Lt. Governor had a motive to do everything within her power to discredit my client,” he said. In the meantime, Cole took a polygraph and when it came to whether or not she answered truthfully about “observing a sexually compromising position in the Capital”, a retired FDLE agent said “she passed”. Cole also said at one point she was ordered by the aide, Beatriz Ramos, to �ind adjoining hotel rooms for Carroll and Ramos when they traveled but was later “scolded” by an agent with Carroll’s security team when she placed Ramos next door to Carroll when the lieutenant governor and her husband traveled last summer to Puerto Rico. The agent told her to not do it again, Cole says, although he did not explain why. She says Ramos was also living in Carroll’s home. Carroll said the allegations are an attempt by Cole and her attorney to get the criminal charges against Cole dropped. Cole is charged with a thirddegree felony and could get up to �ive years in prison. “They are trying to pull at straws,” Carroll said. “All this stuff you mentioned doesn’t excuse what happened.” Webster stood by the allegations, saying “That’s the truth. It is what it is.” Webster added that Cole is a grandmother and minister who had never been in previous legal trouble. He said the �iling was made to show that Carroll, Ramos and Carroll’s chief of staff, John Konkus, have reasons to make Cole look bad because
Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll
they could be witnesses at Cole’s trial. Webster works for the law �irm of Steven Andrews, who has clashed with Gov. Scott in the past. He �iled a lawsuit during the 2010 campaign attempting to obtain a video deposition Scott had given in a case against a chain of health clinics he helped start. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation that resulted in Cole’s arrest began last September after the agency received a complaint that a secret audio recording had been made in Carroll’s of�ice. The agency reported its �indings to prosecutor Willie Meggs, the state attorney for the Tallahassee area. It is against Florida law to record someone without consent, but there have been legal questions about recordings made in public buildings. The Florida Times-Union obtained a copy of the conversation between Konkus, Carroll’s chief of staff, and Cole, a senior program analyst who also acted as a spokeswoman for Carroll. The Times-Union placed the recording on its website. Konkus can be heard saying that the governor’s then-chief of staff, Steve MacNamara, is afraid of Carroll. Konkus also complained that Scott “is not leading.” Konkus worked for U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, before joining the Scott administration in May. Cole’s trial was scheduled to begin July 16 but has been delayed. | |
They are trying to pull at straws.
T
ALLAHASSEE The president of Florida A&M University submitted his resignation on July 11, the same day the university was sued by parents of a gay drum major who died during a hazing. It was unclear if the two events were related. James Ammons announced the resignation, which takes effect Oct. 11, in a letter to the chairman of the university’s governing board. He said his decision came after “considerable thought, introspection and conversations with my family.” The school’s trustees gave Ammons a vote of nocon�idence in June, after questioning his leadership in several areas, including what some saw as his lax attitude toward hazing and management of the band prior to Robert Champion’s death in November. At the time, Ammons said he would stay on the job, and he immediately recommended stringent new eligibility requirements for membership in The Marching 100 band. Champion died in November after being beaten by fellow band members during a hazing ritual aboard a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel following a football game against the school’s archrival. Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges, while two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in the hazing. The lawsuit brought by Champion’s parents claims Florida A&M University of�icials did not take action to stop hazing even though a school dean proposed suspending the band because of hazing concerns three days before their son died. | |
state
Wire Report
NEWS
Lt. Gov. Carrol addresses sex scandal allegations
Florida Democrats no-show for DOMA fight Staff report
When the House Democrats went to court July 10 to defeat the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), nearly one third of the party—including a number of Florida representatives—kept their names off of the legal �iling. The brief urged a federal appeals court to strike down DOMA and 130 Democrats joined House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s argument that DOMA disadvantages gays and lesbians and should be found unconstitutional. 60 Democrats did not sign onto the brief, including Florida’s Corrine Brown, Kathy Castor and Frederica S. Wilson. However, all three of them have signed on as cosponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill pending in Congress to repeal DOMA. No Republicans signed onto the legal brief. DOMA limits federal recognition of marriages to those between one man and one woman. | |
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nation+world
High-powered lesbians form Super PAC
IN OTHER NEWS FDA APPROVES FIRST PILL TO HELP PREVENT HIV The Food and Drug Administration on July 16 approved the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection. The agency approved Truvada as a preventive measure for healthy people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity, such as those who have HIVinfected partners. A three-year study found that daily doses cut the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42% when accompanied by condoms and counseling.
ATLANTA BEATING GETS MEN GET 5-YEAR SENTENCES Three men were sentenced July 13 to five years in prison for the videotaped beating of a gay man on an Atlanta street corner. The three men punched and kicked 20-yearold Brandon White as he walked out of a grocery store on Feb. 4 in the city’s Pittsburgh neighborhood, south of downtown. Gay slurs were heard on the video.
NEWS
THOMSON REUTERS OPPOSES MINNESOTA GAY MARRIAGE BAN The legal, business information and media company Thomson Reuters said July 13 that an amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota would be bad for business. In a statement, Thomson Reuters said it doesn’t believe the amendment “would be good for Thomson Reuters or the business community in the state.’’
NYC TEENS CHARGED WITH HATE CRIME IN SCHOOL ATTACK Two teenagers accused of attacking a Brooklyn eighthgrader in a school cafeteria have been charged with assault as a hate crime. The boys were arraigned July 13 in the June 5 assault on a 14-year-old, who was punched in the face until his glasses broke and is now blind in his right eye. The attackers shouted anti-gay epithets during the attack, although Ulysse is not gay.
REP. BARNEY FRANK MARRIES LONGTIME PARTNER U.S. Rep. Barney Frank married his longtime partner in a ceremony officiated by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. The 72-year-old congressman married 42-year-old Jim Ready in a July 7 wedding at the Boston Marriott hotel in Newton. Frank, a Democrat, will spend the rest of his time in office as the nation’s first congressman in a same-sex marriage.
CHILEAN HATE-CRIME LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW Chile’s president signed an anti-discrimination law July 12 following the killing of a gay man beaten by attackers who carved swastikas into his body. The law was approved in May after being stuck in Congress for seven years.
SINGER FRANK OCEAN REVEALS FIRST LOVE WAS A MAN Acclaimed R&B singer Frank Ocean revealed on his website July 4 that his first love was a man. He wrote on his Tumblr page that he fell in love at 19 with a friend whom he spent two summers with. Ocean’s self-released ``nostalgia, ULTRA’’ was named as one of the best albums of 2011 by some critics; he also was prominently featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ``Watch the Throne’’ album last year.
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AN FRANCISCO, CALIF. | As a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, Laura Ricketts is comfortable being the odd woman out. But it has not escaped her notice that lesbians such as her are in the minority at political events for gay donors. So Ricketts immediately embraced an idea by a fellow Chicago businesswoman who approached her a few months ago about creating a �irst-of-its kind political action committee to champion candidates and causes that appeal to lesbian voters. LPAC, as the independent super PAC was christened, was launched July 11 with the freedom to spend
unrestricted amounts of money for or against candidates. “Being a woman and being gay is really a unique position in our society,’’ said Ricketts, a co-chair of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Leadership Council. “I know in my experience of activism, oftentimes it makes a difference if something is women-focused. It’s likely to get the attention of women much more easily.’’ LPAC’s fundraising goal for the 2012 election cycle is $1 million, a modest amount by the standards of many super PACS, including the conservative Ending Spending Action Fund founded by Ricketts’ father, TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts. Not surprisingly, LPAC raised $200,000 in its �irst day alone. LPAC bene�iciaries have not been
�inalized, although LGBT candidates and campaigns to defeat ballot measures that would ban samesex marriages or restrict access to abortions and birth control are likely to be recipients of donations. However, the group’s aim to give lesbians an in�luential voice in mainstream politics is groundbreaking, said chairwoman Sarah Schmidt. “In my mind, there really was no downside here,’’ said Schmidt, a management consultant and philanthropist. Along with Schmidt and Ricketts, the committee is led by veteran gay rights activist Urvashi Vaid and Alix Ritchie, former publisher of the Provincetown Banner. Jane Lynch and Billie Jean King also have pledged support. | |
three abstentions during the church meeting in Indianapolis. Supporters of the same-sex blessings insisted it was not a marriage ceremony despite any similarities. Called ``The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant,’’ the ceremony includes prayers and an exchange of vows and rings. Same-sex couples must complete counseling before having their unions or civil marriages blessed by the church. Other mainline Protestant churches have struck down barriers to gay ordination in recent years or allowed individual congregations to celebrate gay or lesbian unions.
However, only one major U.S. Protestant group, the United Church of Christ, has endorsed same-sex marriage outright. In a separate vote on July 9, the full Episcopal convention approved new anti-discrimination language for transgendered people that cleared the way for transgendered clergy. ``I believe the Episcopal Church will continue to evolve on the issue of marriage equality and look forward to joining our UCC brothers and sisters in being a headlight instead of taillight on marriage equality,’’ said the Rev. Susan Russell, an Episcopal priest and longtime gay advocate in the denomination. | |
she needs to obtain residency here because the U.S. government doesn’t recognize her three-year marriage to her American spouse. The case is one of a number of challenges brought by same-sex couples—some of them facing immigration troubles—over the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 law that prohibits the U.S. government from recognizing samesex marriages. “It’s clearly the kind of case where typically the waiver would
have been granted, but it was simply denied based on DOMA,’’ said Peter Schey, president of the Los Angelesbased Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, which �iled the suit on behalf of the couple and DeLeon’s 26-year-old son. In addition to solving DeLeon’s immigration problems, the couple is seeking an injunction to halt the deportation of immigrants in samesex marriages who would qualify for legal status, were it not for the Act. | |
Episcopal Church approves same-sex blessing rite Wire Report INDIANAPOLIS, IND. | Episcopalians approved a church wide ceremony July 10 to bless same-sex couples, the latest decisive step toward accepting homosexuality by a denomination that nine years ago elected the �irst openly gay bishop. At the Episcopal General Convention, which is divided into two voting bodies, about 80% of the House of Deputies voted to authorize a provisional rite for samesex unions for the next three years. A day earlier, the House of Bishops approved the rites 111-41 with
Lesbian couple sues over immigration plight Wire Report SANTA ANA, CALIF. | A lesbian couple �iled a federal lawsuit in California on July 12 seeking to solve their immigration woes and put a stop to the deportation of same-sex spouses. The suit—which seeks classaction status—was �iled on behalf of Philippines citizen Jane DeLeon, who was sponsored for a green card by her employer but can’t get a waiver
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THINKING
A Lesson in Fairness
L
Abby Dees ABBY@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
AST WEEK I HAD THE
privilege of interviewing Mitch and Devynn Stein, father and daughter, on L.A.’s IMRU radio. Devynn is 15 years old and has a new baby sister, Tuolomne, who Mitch and his partner, Hugo, adopted this year.
They are the very reason why same-sex marriage and equal rights matter. Several months ago, Mitch was �ired from his position as assistant water polo coach at Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif., for being gay. The principal would disagree with that assertion—she’d say that he was �ired for inappropriate conduct for a teacher. It just so happens that the only thing notable about the conduct in question is that it looks kinda gay. Not kinky, not obscene, merely gay. By all accounts, even the principal’s (who �ired him), Mitch is a great coach. He raised more money
for the school than anyone. He led the junior varsity boys’ team in an undefeated season. He got the pool deck renovated through volunteer support and in-kind donations. He says that it was all to give back to the same team that taught him to believe in himself as a teen and never give up. Despite his �iring, he still raises money for the water polo boosters. Devynn is even on the girls’ team. In a state that guarantees equal rights to LGBT people in the workplace, you might wonder how �lamboyantly, outrageously gay must Mitch have been to get himself �ired. He posted a picture of himself on Facebook, dressed but wearing a bit of eyeliner, with a group of lovely drag queens. Oh, and there was also a picture of him eating a hot dog on a stick. The press said it was a corn dog, but Mitch was quick to defend himself: “I don’t eat carbs.” Charter Oak has no policy on teachers’ use of social media, and the pictures were actually posted several years ago. They came to light when a disgruntled parent, likely upset about disciplinary action taken against his son, delivered them anonymously. Mitch was �ired almost immediately, after no investigation. He was told that coaches are held to a higher standard of behavior, and that was reason enough. It was about the kids; it had nothing to do with sexual orientation. Mitch sees it differently. “The only thing that these pictures truly show is that I’m gay,” he told me, a point he expressed repeatedly to the principal and school board. But their conversations went nowhere, and the school has restated its position since: the pictures were inappropriate and Mitch wasn’t �ired for being gay. A court will soon determine who is right, but I’m betting on Mitch, who’d rather have his lowpaying job back than a fat check. There’s a lot more to this story, of course, most of it pointing to the school’s blatant double standard for gay teachers. But what really caught my attention was how much homophobes use the excuse of protecting the family and children to justify behavior that is actually harmful to families and children. At the moment Mitch
was �ired, all he could think about was his daughter, Devynn, who was two days away from starting ninth grade at Charter Oak: “I just needed to get out of there and get to my daughter.” He considered only the repercussions this could have on her and was prepared to walk away from the whole thing and send her to a new school. But Devynn insisted that they both stay and �ight. She stands by her choice today, as their �ight has become publicized, and even after she endured bullying from some kids—though not the girls’ water polo team, who have been totally
supportive, she says. Mitch is standing up for the kids, as he has always done, and Mitch, Hugo, Devynn and Tuolomne all demonstrate that equality and respect are core family values. Meanwhile, Charter Oak is teaching that hypocrisy and fear are okay, and that parents can get their way through bullying too. So who’s looking out for the kids again? (For more on Mitch check out “Bring Back Coach Stein” on Facebook.) | |
Homophobes use the excuse of protecting the family and children to justify behavior that is actually harmful to families and children.
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July: A gay month in social media
Jamie Hyman ONLINE MEDIA DIR. JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
E
VEN THOUGH WE ARE
mostly adults, long past the scheduling patterns of a fallto-early-summer school year (unless you’re a teacher, of course), the traf�ic patterns at WatermarkOnline.com follow a distinctly student-like schedule. Visitor counts for autumn, winter and spring are all strong and steady, with a dip during the holidays as most people �ind it dif�icult to �it web sur�ing in between opening presents, arguing with relatives and stuf�ing themselves with various roast beasts. The other major lull is during the summer. It’s not as intense a drop as we see during the holidays, but from June to August, the pace of visits de�initely slows with a slight, gradual dip in traf�ic all summer long. Given that July is smack dab in the middle of the traditional summertime lull, it’s been a pretty interesting month in terms of social media.
unions and in domestic partnerships. Now, there’s a visual to go along with the status. At the beginning of the month, Facebook updated its marriage icons to include man+man and woman+woman. That means gay couples who update their marital status will have an accurate visual representation—previously, the only icon was man+woman. Of course, every pro-gay action has an anti-gay reaction. Some religious activists in Russia called for Facebook to be blocked in their country after the icons were rolled out. Let’s all hold our breath and wait for the impending collapse of the social media giant as a result of this boycott. As of press time, Facebook’s status: still gay, still going strong. It’s one of those small changes that packs a big punch—another indication that same-sex relationships are part of the everyday landscape of social media. The more sites like Facebook quietly unroll these changes, it chips away at the bigotry, casually normalizing LGBTs and their lives. A tiny icon can pack a big punch when overnight, it’s visible to more than 900-million Facebook users.
Cam Janssen, who plays right wing for the New Jersey Devils (jeez, what is it with New Jersey and the bigotry lately?) used an internet radio show to embarrass himself. He appeared on The Thom and Jeff Show and when joking about locker room smack talk, declared, ““If he’s sucking cock, he’s getting his ass kicked.” Indeed. He apologized and didn’t face any punishment from the league. New York Knicks star player Amar’e Stoudemire wasn’t so lucky when he decided to air his bigotry on Twitter. After calling a fan the oh-sofresh-and-original standby “faggot,” the NBA �ined Stoudemire 50 grand for the slur. The fan took a screen
shot and made it public, which I fully support. Stoudemire also apologized, both to the fan and in a statement to the public. So good for the NBA, but what is with these pro athletes and their bigotry online? It must absolutely kill the teams, which pay people millions to craft and maintain their images online, when a jock picks up his iPhone and smears the goodwill. The good news is that while the internet makes it simple to air the hate, it also makes it incredibly easy to call out the bigots and hold them accountable. It’s a slow month, after all. Let’s keep it up. | |
RAPHSODIC BAKERY U R B A N PA S T R Y A R T H O U S E
STEALING IS BAD: PART 2
Recently, I railed against stealing artistic property—including the ohso-shareable Facebook art—online. A New Jersey gay couple lived the dangers of people playing fast and loose with internet images after the hate group Public Advocate sent their engagement photo to an undisclosed number of people accompanied by an anti-gay message. The mailer was a political tactic in an election, using the couple’s image with the phrase “State Sen. Jean White’s Idea of ‘Family Values?” emblazoned across it. White lost the election and the couple told the media they were “heartbroken” to �ind out their photo was used to further the ant-gay cause. That brings up yet another reason not to steal that I didn’t mention last time—if we play fast and loose with copyright and respect to intellectual property, it’s a lot harder to be indignant and take the high road when the bigots do it in the name of justifying their hate.
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It’s been a pretty interesting month in terms of social media.
LITTLE PICTURE, BIG PUNCH
Naturally, the biggest news comes from the social media monster: Facebook. Founder Mark Zuckerberg rarely comments on any sort of unilateral political stance taken by his company, but so far, their actions are LGBT-friendly. The company already approved statuses indicating that same-sex couples are married, in civil
GET THAT JOCK AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD!
I’m not sure why, but the internet is a playground for pro athletes who use it to show off their homophobia. So far in July alone, a hockey player and basketball player got busted for spewing their anti-gay views online.
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TALKING POINTS
Be brave, be poetic, be open, be free, be yourself, be in love, be happy, be inspiration.
3.5% I OF AMERICANS identify as gay
% OF AMERICANS 11 report a same-sex attraction —National Survey of Sexual Attitudes, UCLA, March 2012
RUSSIA L TICKED AT FACEBOOK
“October 29, 2011, I was legally bound by marriage to a woman whom I have loved for nearly 10 years. That was in New York. We have since moved to Orlando and our marriage means nothing here but there is a registry that gives [us] the right to call the shots in an emergency. So,
AST MONTH, FACEBOOK QUIETLY INTRODUCED NEW ICONS SYMBOLIZING SAME-SEX MARRIAGES for its members. But it didn’t slip quietly past Russian religious activists, who have demanded the social networking site be banned in the country for its “gay propaganda.” That same group has launched a campaign to criminalize homosexuality and demanded—via fax to Facebook—that it stop “�lirting with sodomites.” | |
is there any fight going on to actually legalize marriage or has the fighting stopped with being registered? When I think of this registry, it makes me feel like a pet that needs to be registered for his license.”
ON THE ASTEROID NAMED FOR GAY RIGHTS PIONEER FRANK KAMENY:
—KAT LONGWORTHY
—CINDY SCOTT
“It’s a big day. I never thought I’d see the day in Tampa.” —DAVE SIGLER
KIRK CAMERON VS. GLAAD, ROUND 2
N A NEW VIDEO RELEASED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE, Kirk Cameron is back �ighting same-sex unions as “one of America’s most important champions of marriage.” In the video, Cameron says, “When a man and a woman come together and say ‘I do,’ they are committing for a lifetime to love each other and to model
PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM ON ORANGE COUNTY’S DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRY:
—BEYONCE, IN A POEM TO R&B SINGER FRANK OCEAN, WHO SHARED THAT HIS FIRST LOVE WAS ANOTHER MAN
“And I’ll bet it’s fabulous too ;-)”
what love is and what forgiveness is and what joy is to their kids.” The implication is that same-sex couples can’t create such commitment. “This rhetoric won’t work anymore,” said GLAAD president Herndon Graddick. “The implication that LGBT couples can’t create loving and stable homes is not only outdated and irrelevant, it’s designed speci�ically to hurt those families.” | |
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
W
HEN BRIAN EDWARD AND TOM PRIVETERE POSED FOR THEIR ENGAGEMENT PHOTO, they thought they’d have a great way to share their love. Instead, the hate group Public Advocate of the United States swiped the picture and re-released the image as a piece of anti-gay propaganda to take on former Senator Jean White, a Colorado Republican in support of civil unions. The men were shocked by the use of their image and insist neither them nor their photographer gave permission for the photo to be used by any group, much less one spreading anti-LGBT messages. A lawsuit has been threatened, of course. | |
TARGET TARGETS SAME-GENDER NUPTUALS
I
N A POSSIBLE EFFORT TO RECOUP SOME OF THAT LGBT FUNDAGE THAT EVAPORATED after it decided to support antigay marriage candidates in 2010, Target stores have started offering greeting cards celebrating same-sex marriages. Cards that read “For two special men,” or “Two very special women, one very special love,” hit Target shelves nationwide in mid-June. More cards celebrating same-sex marriages are reportedly on the way. No word yet on how well the cards have sold or if the cards will remain on shelves year-round. | |
WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL IN THE WAKE OF A BLOOD DONATION SHORTAGE, THERE’S A PUSH TO REEVALUATE THE BAN ON GAY MALE BLOOD DONORS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
It’s about time! The ban is simple discrimination - every donor should be treated as an individual, not a member of a population.
It’s the right move.
The ban used to make sense but increased testing and prevention have lowered the risk to where gay men should be allowed to donate blood.
It might be the right thing to do - more study
is needed to determine the true risk of allowing gay men to donate blood.
5% Bad idea
- gay men are still the largest group affected by HIV and account for the most new infections each year. Still too much risk to allow any and all to donate blood.
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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The Many Dimensions of
Pop star talks new 3D film, kissing gay boys and fighting hate with ‘love bullets’
N
Chris Azzopardi CHRISAZZOPARDI@PRIDESOURCE.COM
OT EXACTLY LAST FRIDAY NIGHT,
but it still happened: Katy Perry called us from London, where it was nearly 1 a.m. If life really does imitate art, she smelled like a mini-bar on a night that’s soon to be a blacked-out blur, right? “Not tonight,” she insists. “I have to play and be professional tomorrow, but maybe after the show I’ll be having a couple of Shirley Temples with some adult juice in them.” We spoke with Perry just after she made a surprise appearance in London for a screening of her
new �ilm, Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D, a docu-concert chronicling the California girl’s evolution from gospel-singing daughter of two pastors to international pop phenom … with the most lethal boobs in the world. During our interview, Perry told us what else they shoot
besides whipped cream, how the gay community can relate to her movie and why Madonna doesn’t scare her. WATERMARK: YOU GO FROM
PRETENDING TO KISS GIRLS TO WANTING TO HAVE SEX WITH GIRLS, RECENTLY JOKING DURING A RADIO INTERVIEW THAT YOU’D LIKE TO DO RIHANNA. WHAT’S UP WITH ALL THIS FAUX LESBIANISM?
KATY PERRY: You know, everybody’s been asking me about the duet with Rihanna and when it’s going to happen. I get that question every time I get interviewed. Obviously, we really want to do it and we want to do it in a big way, naturally. I do not
discriminate against any beauty no matter what form it comes in, and Rihanna is gorgeous. I think that everybody would tap it if they could.
HAVE YOU EVER KISSED A GAY BOY AND LIKED IT?
Yes, I have. It’s so funny. This boy I pseudo-dated in high school, a fantastic �lamenco dancer, was in Fiddler on the Roof with me and we were dating during the production, and I had just a tiny part but I was his �irst kiss. Cut to 10 years later, and we’re out at this incredible gay club in Hollywood, and he’s making out with my stylist.
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WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE GAY NIGHT OUT?
I don’t really decipher it as gay night or straight night; it’s the same night continually. I came from a really interesting perspective—interesting being the key word, because it was obviously very suppressing and sheltering. I was set to think that gay people were an abomination, so I was not allowed to speak to anyone who was obviously fabulous and I was never allowed to associate with that type of people. Really, generally, I was never allowed to associate with anybody that wasn’t
Continued on page 34 | |
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Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
YOU’RE WELCOME: Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer in Magic Mike.
Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS
Summer Doldrums Set In Magic Mike Starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer
M
AGIC MIKE (TATUM) LIVES IN
Tampa. He has several jobs: construction worker, car detailer, furniture builder— but mostly he’s a stripper. His life contains almost all the things you would assume a high-end male dancer would be exposed to: aimlessness, promiscuity, drugs and cheesy dance costumes.
Stephen Miller
STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
The one thing it doesn’t have, apparently, is any gay clientele. Tatum has teamed up with director Steven Soderberg (Traf�ic, Erin Brokovich, the Oceans �ilm) to uncover a little of Tatum’s own past life as a Tampa stripper. In this �ictional version, Tatum helps down-and-out young man (Pettyfer) into the biz. What Tatum doesn’t know is that Pettyfer is going to quickly shoot his load and self-destruct in a way that the lifestyle seems to inspire—a way that, magically, Tatum’s character
mostly avoids (like that gay clientele). Magic Mike’s strip routines will please the ladies and gays, but it’s the same song and dance about strippers’ sinning ways. There’s a skimpy, unnecessary tacked-on romance. Also, this congenial �lick cannot seem to decide if it’s about Tatum or Pettyfer, so the story sometimes lacks thrust. Two things save it—besides the stripping (and, honestly, Tatum can bust a move). Soderberg is a great director, even with the bare-bones plot. Also, the dialogue and setting are just fun enough that the actors are have the time of their lives. For a few sweaty bucks and a couple hours of pleasure, maybe you will, too. | |
The cute, cuddly and filthy title character of Ted.
Ted Starring Mark Wahlberg, Seth McFarlane, Mila Kunis, Joel McHale
As a child Mark Wahlberg made a wish, and ended up with a miracle: a Even after seeing this version— real, live teddy bear. That stuffed animal with more character depth and (voiced by McFarlane) grew older with emotion than the Tobey Maguire Marky Mark; they just never grew up— �ilm 10 years ago—you’ll still be remaining �ilth-mouthed adolescents, hard-pressed to understand why it threatening Wahlberg’s adult life. was absolutely necessary. There are It’s no surprise McFarlane’s plot holes galore. The �ilm can’t quite directorial debut—which he also disguise that it’s the same basic tale, wrote—is about a man stuck in despite its desperate attempts not to childhood. McFarlane parlayed just be. It’s as if Hollywood is completely such immaturity into Family Guy, which bereft of new ideas. started his comedy empire. Gar�ield (The Social McFarlane can bring the laughs, Network) is the new Peter RATINGS GUIDE but he cannot quite seem to Parker, orphaned by his tell an original story about the parents, and raised by sweet difference between child-like Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt wonder and irresponsibility. Overflowing May (Field). This time he’s not Wahlberg has been with with glittery in love with poor Mary Jane girlfriend Kunis for four years fabulousness but rich Gwen Stacy (Stone). with nary an engagement in The same spider still bites sight. That’s perhaps because Pretty damn Peter, and our hero still has to Ted the talking teddy still good, but it’s no battle a crazed scientist from lives with them, smoking pot Oscorp. The new, duller villain Sunset Boulevard and hiring hookers. It’s funny is one-armed Ifans who turns stuff, and obviously Kunis’s himself into a velociraptor An entertaining character fell in love because of in order to grow back enough flick Walhberg’s crazy youthfulness. with perhaps his missing limb. However, Ted starts out very a few holes Even as a comic book plot, funny and mystical, full of the very little of this makes sense. pop references and off-color Apparently, there are colorful Ever so slightly jokes for which McFarlane is little chameleons all over the watchable, just legendary. Instead of following for that hot actor city. No one, not even Parker, through—and digging thinks of letting others get deeper—the plot falls into a bit by a radioactive spider pretty standard buddy pic with Two hours of in order to get superhuman your life you’ll a boring kidnapping subplot strength. Once The Lizard never get back thrown in. knocks Spidey out, the villain That’s not to say I didn’t just leaves. Then Spidey sends his laugh. McFarlane is hilarious and girlfriend to where he knows the brilliant at one-liners. The special effects monster is going to be, only later that make Ted walk and talk are also apparently regretting the move and cute. I still believe, however, there is a trying to stop her. way to keep your miraculous childhood The effects are cool, the acting alive while maintaining a responsible is top-notch, but this is the same adulthood; McFarlane just doesn’t show dusty, spider-webbed story, only told us how this could happen with Ted. | | with less logic. | |
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| | Katy Perry from pg.31
Christian. Now I think that 90% of everyone I work with, from my assistant to two out of three of my managers, is either gay or lesbian. It’s been an incredible journey of acceptance and tolerance. WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS NOW ON GAY PEOPLE?
My parents have actually become more accepting and tolerant now. We’ve all grown up and evolved and broadened our mindset. Sometimes people have a really picky way of eating, right? And they don’t like certain foods, but a lot of times they haven’t even tried those foods. Once they try or know or get educated and have the facts, they’re more comfortable and there’s no judgment on your shrimp cocktail. A lot of people just aren’t educated; they still have this 1950s mindset, unfortunately. ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU’VE TRIED THE SHRIMP COCKTAIL AND GONE LESBIAN?
I don’t know if it would be appropriate for me to tell you what my straight or gay (experiences)
34
I was not allowed to speak to anyone who was obviously fabulous. —KATY PERRY
that choice and I think that equality is very important. People ask me questions about the whole Obama thing and him coming out and saying it publicly, and I’m like, “I hope soon enough we’ll look back and say to ourselves how ridiculous it was to think this way, just like it was during the civil rights movement.” YOU’VE SHOT WHIPPED CREAM AND FIREWORKS OUT OF YOUR BOOBS…
have been in the past. (Laughs)
AFTER WHAT HAPPENED WITH GAGA—WHERE MADONNA MASHED UP “BORN THIS WAY” WITH “EXPRESS YOURSELF” FOR HER UPCOMING TOUR AND CALLED GAGA “REDUCTIVE”—ARE YOU SCARED OF BEING TOO INSPIRED BY MADONNA?
Yes, and still continues to.
No. I’m inspired by everyone. And you know, I think that the queens love a little cat�ight every once in a while. It’s good for the cocktails and the conversation, I’ll tell you that.
YOU’VE SAID MADONNA HAD A LOT OF INFLUENCE ON THIS FILM, AND HER 1991 DOCUMENTARY TRUTH OR DARE REALLY RESONATED WITH THE GAY COMMUNITY.
DO YOU THINK KATY PERRY: PART OF ME 3D WILL HAVE A SIMILAR EFFECT ON THE GAY COMMUNITY?
I hope that people see that they don’t have to change themselves in order to achieve their goals or dreams, and they can accept the skin that they live in and overcome obstacles or judgments. The theme of this movie is me overcoming obstacles: where I came from, problems with my record label and my personal struggles.
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
“UR SO GAY” AND “I KISSED A GIRL” DIDN’T SIT WELL WITH SOME OF THE GAY COMMUNITY WHEN THEY CAME OUT. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A HUGE GAY FOLLOWING NOW, BUT DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEEDED TO PROVE YOUR AUTHENTICITY AFTER ALL THE UPROAR OVER THOSE SONGS?
I never really try and try hard. I like things to roll out naturally. People like to put me in a box. From the
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�irst of�icial single, “I Kissed a Girl,” they always said I was a one-trick pony, and I’ve always known what I was gonna do next in my playby-play and how I was gonna roll out the moments—and “I Kissed a Girl” was the strongest song for me at the time. NOW THAT MORE GAY COUPLES ARE ABLE TO LEGALLY MARRY, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM ABOUT MARRIAGE FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE?
It’s everybody’s individual experience. I think you can be in love without walking down the aisle, or you can walk down the aisle and be in love, but everybody deserves
Actually, if you look at the placement of those �ireworks, they come from my spirit. (Laughs) But I know people love going straight to the tits. They’re a big target on me. IF YOU COULD SHOT ANYTHING ELSE OUT OF YOUR BOOBS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’m gonna shoot down hate. I’m gonna shoot down all the people that hate, that sip on our haterade, that hate just to hate. I’m gonna shoot them down. But I’m gonna shoot them down with love bullets. And they’re non-violent. They don’t even hurt you. Like a Cupid’s arrow, they just turn you into a more tolerant, loving person. | |
For the full interview with Katy Perry, visit watermarkonline.com.
watermarkonline.com
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Sugarland continues to ride their growing popularity with another nationwide tour, with which stops at the 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre on Friday, July 27. The country music powerhouse— with plenty of crossover appeal, thanks to Jennifer Nettles’ recent stint on ABC’s Duets—will unveil new and classic hits as part of their “In Your Hands Tour.”
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The group has a dedicated LGBT following, thanks in large part to their humble roots as performers at LGBT Pride celebrations across the Southeast. Now Sugarland is selling millions of albums each year and consistently places on Billboard’s country charts. Their collaborations with other artists—especially on the pop side— have helped them become a household name. Show time is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.com. | |
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After months of auditions and reality drama, the top 10 �inalists of “American Idol” �inally get a chance to show their stuff—live! The 11th incarnation of the “American Idol Live!” tour arrives at Orlando’s Amway Center on Friday, Aug. 2, when fan favorites Colton Dixon, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erica Van Pelt, Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanaugh, Joshua Ledet and Skylar Laine join “Idol” winner Phillip Phillips at the massive
downtown Orlando venue. Despite falling ratings during its 11th season, “American Idol” remains the nation’s number-one rated reality series and its tours have showcased past winners and fan favorites like David Cook and Carrie Underwood. The “Idol” stop at the Amway Center is the only central Florida show, so tickets are expected to move fast. Visit AmericanIdol.com for more information and to purchase tickets. | |
What better way to spend a hot, summer afternoon than poolside with a hot DJ and some hotter dancers? AQUA Poolside plans to be the event of the summer thanks to Come Out With Pride and N’Vasion Orlando, who will claim the Rooftop Pool Deck of the Doubletree by Hilton in Downtown Orlando at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 22. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door and proceeds
JULY 21, 28, 30 Footlight Theater ParliamentHouse.com
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bene�it Come Out With Pride. Drink specials, plenty of surprises and fantastic music spun by DJ Edil Hernandez are planned well into the evening. If you don’t get enough partying in before the sun sets, there’s an AQUA AfterParty hosted by The Brink For details on all of the fun, visit ComeOutWithPride.com or NvasionOrlando.com. | |
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THROUGH SEPT. 1 Florida Studio Theatre 941-366-9000 FloridaStudioTheatre.org
MORE INFORMATION For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit WatermarkOnline.com.
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
35
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IN DEPTH
Juggling
LIFE ONLINE
ONLINE PROFESSIONAL
&
Your online presence can threaten a professional image
T
Stephen Miller STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
HERE ARE THE HORROR STORIES. ONE GAY
man cringed when he relayed how a co-worker spotted his casual hookup ad on Craigslist. “I’m guessing that she spotted this in my photo,” said the man, who asked to remain anonymous. He then presented something—something like a scar or a tattoo—that, if it were in a photo, would make anonymity impossible. “What was she doing on Craigslist— especially in the Men Seeking Men section—I don’t know!” he says, exasperated. “At �irst, she asked me how my love life was going. I thought that was an inappropriate question for work, but I didn’t think much about it. Then later that morning, she asked me if I’d ever used Craigslist. Then I knew she knew. “It isn’t as if my ad was as tasteless as others, but there was no denying
what I was there for,” he says, blushing even now, months later. “I didn’t know what to do. I thought I might mention to her that her questioning might be considered sexual harassment, but I didn’t know the laws.” In fact, it may or may not be considered at least creating a hostile work environment. Proving that—or sexual harassment—based on this
Lives
Continued on page 38 | |
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TEN RULES TO MANAGE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
1. 2. 3. 4.
Control your privacy.
Get to know your online settings and set them accordingly. If you’re worried about what others may post on your page or tag you in, use the setting that requires you to approve everything �irst.
Represent yourself well.
A good rule is to only post on Facebook information you’d feel comfortable sharing at a mixed party—with your mom, her pastor, your boss, your niece—in fact, everyone you know.
—AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE, WHO SAYS A CO-WORKER FOUND HIS PERSONAL AD ON CRAIGSLIST
Control your emotion.
If something gets you upset or mad, think—give yourself time—before you post about it online. Giving others the bene�it of the doubt helps.
Watch that your personal beliefs, political, social, and religious, don’t come off as rants.
The best presence online is one that asks questions and listens to others.
5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Use the right forum.
Don’t give yourself multiple personalities. If you manage
your content well, nothing you post in one site will contradict what you post in another.
Know when to go private. That’s why the Private Message function is there.
Never complain about work.
Companies are sticklers about their online presence; some even have policies stating what employees can and cannot post on your personal page.
Prove that having fun and being professional are not mutually exclusive.
Accept the consequences.
You cannot control everything, but if you’ve followed the other nine guideless here and someone draws an incorrect conclusion, learn from it and move on.
When he’s not reviewing films for us, Stephen Miller is a consultant in business interpersonal: Facebook.com/InsightEmployeeDevelopmentLLC
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
| | Online and
Professional from pg.37
single incident, without him speaking up beforehand, would be dif�icult. “Then, if it blew up, all of the sudden, I might have to admit to others at work about the ad. Instead, I panicked: I faked being sick, went home and immediately took down the ad,” said the man.
ONLINE ACCESS
Facebook is social; LinkedIn is professional, but…
38
I faked being sick, went home and immediately took down the ad.
Though it may seem like an invasion of privacy, the truth is co-workers and companies have access to much of your online presence. “For the most part, we have to understand that we create that, we put it out there, and we control it,” says Steve Yacovelli, co-owner of Top Dog Learning Group, a company that specializes in employee development and often manages company policies on their employees’ online presence. Some people may say that America as a whole is too prudish. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that an online presence may directly affect professional relationships and career options. “You can argue that it’s unethical for a company to check, but the truth is, it’s happening,” says Yacovelli. “Being aware helps you make the right decisions about what you want out there.” Controlling that content isn’t always as obvious as that ad for a hookup. On Facebook, some man may post shirtless photos of his latest workout success or that last fabulous circuit party. Maybe a
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
woman might think nothing of that bar photo where she seemingly hangs drunkenly off the arm of another woman at a favorite club. Even the most innocuousseeming photo might have others drawing conclusions. “Because I own a business—and it’s about helping people learn how to live their best lives—I’m always very conscious of my online presence,” says Dr. David BakerHargrove of BHC Assessment & Consulting. “So my views could be considered rather conservative.” “It’s not just about being gay— because honestly, if someone’s not going to hire you because you’re gay, then likely, you didn’t want to work with them anyway,” says Baker-Hargrove. “It’s about all the other conclusions people may feel free to draw from what they see online.” One problem is that you may not have complete control of your online presence. If you haven’t set up your Facebook privacy settings properly, friends who tag you can connect you with drunken debauchery. They can share a tasteless video on your page, and you won’t know who’s been able to see it before you were able to un-tag yourself. More importantly, without you changing your privacy settings, people can see your friend. They may judge you by the company you keep. That can also work in your favor. “I’ve had people tell me that they went out on Facebook and to my website before they hired me,” Yacovelli says. “We have to understand that this is the way of the world now.”
watermarkonline.com
NO PLACE FOR THE CLOSETED
Of course, some people are still in the closet, and their only outlet is online. As dangerous as that may be—imagine a co-worker spotting a closeted person’s Craigslist or Grindr information—that isn’t the only way people complicate their online life. Yacovelli says, “There can be a dangerous situation where you have one persona in real life, another for LinkedIn [a businesscentric social site], and yet another for Facebook. “I’d be careful about making too many different personalities you have to keep track of,” agrees Baker-Hargrove. Some people, though, have to worry less. “If you’re a female impersonator, or a bartender, say, at Parliament House—your Facebook may, logically, look a little different than mine,” says Baker-Hargrove. Meaning: it also depends on the career you’re in, where you hope to go, and what helps your customers and clients feel most comfortable. Making others comfortable is the last thing with which some Facebook people concern themselves. Often, people see Facebook as a place to vent and to get validation for their anger or sadness. Unfortunately, this emotional ranting can also re�lect on your professionalism, losing you business. “Oh great,” deadpans our anonymous interviewee, “that’s another thing I’ll have to run home and delete.” | |
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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. 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.
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TIGLFF presents
Electile Dysfunction: Kinsey Sicks for President! Friday, August 24 • 8:00 pm Tampa Theatre • 711 Franklin Street FMI & Tickets: tampatheatre.org/kinsey-sicks
“Don’t miss The Kinsey Sicks ... one of the best acts ever created by gay culture.” San Francisco Independent
$75, $35 & $25 plus applicable services fees $75-VIP ticket includes premium seating. Retain your VIP-Ticket stub for admission to private reception with Kinsey Sicks sponsored by The Metro Restaurant and Lounge, 511 N Franklin Street immediately following the show. One free drink and light hors d’oeuvres included.
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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Tampa Bay
1- WINNING SMILES: The largest-ever Talent Quest Florida finals at the Marriott Westshore Hotel July 5-8 produced winners from throughout the state of Florida, who will now compete at nationals in Nevada this September. PHOTO COURTESY DANIEL
SOLOMON
2- A TOAST: This group of women toast the 2nd Wednesday Grrrls Mingle in Bradenton on July 11. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.
COM
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3- HEY EVERYBODY: Performer Stephanie Shippae works the crowd at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City during her performance July 8. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 4- COUNTESS OF NUMBERS: Cindy Barnes of Sarasota Pride reads the numbers of a raffle ticket during a July 5 Grrrls Mingle at the Flamingo Resort. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.COM 5- SHOWTIME: Arica Love, right, bonds with a fan before a Drag Revue at Bayou Bleu in New Port Richey July 15. PHOTO COURTESY ARICA LOVE
6- AMERICAN PRIDE: The St. Petersburg Twirlers showed their patriotic colors while preparing for their performance at the City of Philadelphia July 4 Parade. PHOTO COURTESY TOM YOUNG 7- COMMUNITY PILLARS: Nancy and Joe Desmond man the PFLAG Tampa booth at the first ever Pride event at the Tampa VA Hospital last month. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 8- DIVA INVASION: The Divas were out with Toby Rox at G. Bar on July 7. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST
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OVERHEARD A TWO-FER For the �irst time in its eight year history, a Talent Quest Florida performer won his respective category two years in a row. Tampa resident Jeremiah Pagan took the top Men’s Pop spot at Talent Quest Florida July 8. He won the same category in 2011. Pagan, who placed in the Top 20 on the FOX show X Factor last year, also performs throughout the state as “Mia,” a live vocalist. The competition, owned by Watermark editor Steve Blanchard and his partner, Phil Garris, brought more than 300 singers from throughout the state of Florida to the Tampa Westshore Marriot July 5-8. There contestants sang in three categories—Pop, Country and Masters—divided by gender. The
�irst and second place �inishers will now move onto the national competition in Laughlin, Nev., this September, where they will compete for cash prizes and a chance to record their own album. For more information visit TalentQuestFlorida.com.
you ask, but it was no secret that the club struggled �inancially and was embroiled in lawsuits. The club closed with little fanfare, but regulars did show up before it was locked for good for a �inal goodbye—which included draining what was left of the full liquor bar.
There was one obvious tradition missing at St. Pete Pride this year—the incredibly long lines and packed groups of sweaty, shirtless men that congregate inside Detour, a club on Central Avenue. That’s because the club closed its doors the night before St. Pete Pride took over the Grand Central District. The reasons surrounding the closure vary, depending on who
Speaking of clubs in St. Petersburg, a new one has sprouted up just a block away from the old Detour location in the Grand Central District. The Grand Central Garage had a very quiet soft opening shortly after St. Pete Pride and promises to offer a new happy hour for the area’s LGBTs. Details are still vague, but the bar is open at 2729 Central Avenue
DETOUR NO MORE
PARTY IN A GARAGE?
from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. seven nights a week, according to its website at GrandCentralGarage.com.
PATRIOTIC HONOR
The men of the St. Petersburg Twirlers were invited to participate in the City of Philadelphia’s July 4 Parade—and the guys were quick to jump at the opportunity. The group �lew to Philadelphia to celebrate the nation’s birthday in one of the country’s largest parades. The group performed its ri�le-twirling, �lag-waving routine as it marched down the streets of Philadelphia while thousands upon thousands of fans clapped and waved along with the music.
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LOVE-LY DOCUMENTARY! It looks like popular, charitable performer Arica Love has another title to add to her list of credentials—that of documentary producer. Love, who hosts bingo in Lakeland, Cream Thursdays in Sarasota and performs in Ybor City and New Port Richey (among many, many other places) announced on Facebook that she and director “Jamal” have started working on a documentary together. She hasn’t released too many details yet, but we do know that it will be �ilmed in Sarasota and that production is already underway. We hope the lovely Miss Love will give us details very soon! | |
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ORLANDO
1- JOYFUL NOISE: The Orlando Gay Chorus joined thousands of other singers from several hundred choruses at the GALA Choruses Festival 2012, July 7-11 in Denver, CO. PHOTO
COURTESY JOEL STRACK
2- CELEBRITY SIGHTING: Local realtor David Dorman partied with Varla Jean Merman during a recent vacation to Provincetown, Mass. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID DORMAN 3- HOSTING DUTIES: Ted Maines (right) and his partner, Jeff Miller, (not pictured) host a fundraiser for Florida House District 49 candidate Joe Saunders (left) on Friday, June 29. PHOTO BY
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TOM DYER
4- ITS OFFICIAL: Ang Blas (left) and Tanya Blasingame, with daughter Noelle, sign their Volusia County domestic partner registry on July 2. PHOTO BY FIOJO PHOTOGRAPHY 5- SHOW OF SUPPORT: Jeff Miller, Eric Hogan and Skip Kirst attend a June 29 fundraiser for Florida House District 49 candidate Joe Saunders. PHOTO BY TOM DYER 6- WYLDE NIGHT: Wylde’s bartender Bruce Duckworth celebrates his birthday July 14 with an “80s Prom Night” party. PHOTO COURTESY GREG BELSCHNER
7- BAM!: Miss Sammy and Doug Ba’aser were the hilarious hosts of Watermark’s Movies Out Loud presentation of Batman: The Movie, July 12 at Parliament House. PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT 8- PAINT PROJECT: Commissioners Patty Sheehan and Robert Stuart paint a wall along the new Orlando Urban Trail that officially opened July 12. PHOTO COURTESY THE CITY OF ORLANDO
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OVERHEARD I WANT MY DRAG TV Marty Fugate, aka Leigh Shannon, may be coming to small screens near you. The legendary female impersonator posted on his Facebook page last week, that he is in pre-negotiations for a reality show based on his life. “I want to do it, but [it’s] kind of scary,” he posted. “I think [reality shows] are the way to go anymore.” Shannon says he is set to record three episodes with a production company abroad alongside executive producer Sandi Bell. “It will be about my upbringing in a redneck rural environment and family up to today with my shows, new acting venture, my store, cancer patients and the everyday struggles of a
business man/show girl/drag queen and �inding out I have a black sister,” Shannon laughs. He recently made his big-screen debut in My Fair Lidy, which was �ilmed in Orlando, in February.
THIS TRACK IS LADYGUY’S
Former Orlando party starter, LadyGuy Disco Diva, is taking his larger than life persona to the recording studio. Earlier this month, he released his very �irst dance/music track. The track “My Moment to Shine,” by Oren Nizri, features LadyGuy’s oh-so recognizable vocals. “[I’m working] to have the video done for the track,” says the Disco Diva. In June, LadyGuy
represented Orlando by riding in a vehicle during the St. Pete Pride parade. The paparazzi clearly couldn’t get enough as LadyGuy’s multi-colored mane appeared on numerous news channels, publications, and even radio interviews. Up next, LadyGuy is set to be featured on the August cover of South Florida’s Ambiente Magazine. Need a �ierce �ix? You can catch Ms. Guy every Friday and Saturday night at The Manor Nightclub in Fort Lauderdale.
SING OUT!
Winter Park Playhouse is uniting out vocalist Tim Evanicki and Priscilla Bagley for their Spotlight Cabaret Series July 25 and 26. Those Who Can… Duet,
with Chris Leavy at the piano, will feature a wide range of musical styles, from classical pieces to jazz standards to Broadway favorites. Evanicki is a Julliard graduate, a wellknown voice teacher, and owner and founder of Starving Artist Studios. This will be the �irst time Evanicki has been on The Playhouse stage since appearing in Grand Night for Singing and Celebrate Me Home in 2010. “Tim and Priscilla are two of the �inest singers in Central Florida and we are honored to showcase their incredible talent at the Playhouse!” states Heather Alexander, Winter Park Playhouse Executive Director in a statement. For tickets visit WinterParkPlayhouse.org.
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
MISS SAMMY IN MAN-DRAG? Beginning Thursday, July 19, catch Miss Sammy like never before—as a man! Hamburger Mary’s presents Miss Sammy and Liz Langley as “Dick” and “Constance Swinger” as they host “Karaoke for Swingers.” Every Thursday, catch Miss Sammy in her man-pants and moustache playing the funkiest tunes of the 70’s for you karaoke singers out there. “Your hosts Dick and Constance Swinger never left the decade of sex, drugs and variety shows; that’s what you needed the drugs for,” says Sammy, aka Richard “Dick” Swinger. Swing in and get your groove on for games, prizes, cocktails and even back-up dancers!
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WEDDED BLISS: (L-R) David Warner and Larry Biddle of St. Petersburg were married on a rooftop in Provincetown, Mass., on July 12. In 2003, the two held a civil union in Vermont.
Transitions
CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations Tami Bartels and Laine Clements, owners of Daytona Beach’s All Things Pride, celebrate the business’s sixth anniversary on July 31. Marlyn and Melissa Moir of Joy MCC celebrate 30 years together on July 31.
Passings Linda Martha Bisset, 47, of Orlando passed away July 7 after an eight-year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her partner of 17 years, Cathy Ciullo. Beau Cotner, 48, of Bradenton Florida passed away on July 4. Cotner had recently opened the Bayou Bleu Bar in New Port Richey. A celebration of his life was held at the bar on July 8.
Local Birthdays Logo reality star and former St. Pete actor Jonathan Lovitz and straight ally extraordinaire Deborah Simpson (July 19); St. Petersburg’s Karmic Tattoo guitarist and vocalist Pam Green, St. Pete DCF rep Jim Rood, MBA membership director Brian Gilvin, entertainment pro Tom Zaizar and Orlando entertainer and creator of drag legend Miss Sammy Sam Singhaus (July 20); St. Pete comedy actor and Show Palace Dinner
Theater artistic director Matthew McGee, St. Pete’s Earnest Mortgage Realty miracle worker Bob Barnum, Largo nurse and Human Heart Love-In leader Rachel Gardiner and powerhouse vocalist Jenny Jones (July 21); St. Pete bear and architect Michael Dailey (July 22); MBA Membership Director Charlene Bell, Orlando tri-athlete Carlos Carbonell and former St. Petebased senator Charlie Justice (July 23); Teacher and Orlando Gay Chorus member Bill Yahner, St. Petersburg Crescendo singer Kathie Michael, Tampa Bay performer and RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 finalist Alexis Mateo, Zebra Coalition director Dexter Foxworth and Tainted Slayer Eryn Batsell (July 24); Orlando’s Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel’s Sammy Goldstein, Orlando singer Elektra Heavenly, Watermark production assistant Andres Duputel, derby girl and burlesque bombshell Ashley Horvath and Tampa convenience store manager Rick Patterson (July 26); Orlando attorney Michael T. Sheridan, Tampa WMNF radio host Scott Elliott and Grey Goose Vodka regional manager David Chase Harding III (July 28); St. Pete Bears’ Buddy Chapman, House of Adonis god Josh Walker, artist and straight ally Ryan Wollard and St. Petersburg Network professional Steve Stearns (July 29); House of Adonis’ Joey Clupper, appropriately moniker-ed artist Parker Sketch, attorney and Watermark founder/publisher, Tom Dyer (July 30); God-like actress Elizabeth Murff, Orlando Realtor Danny Veal, Tampa homeless advocate Rayme Nuckles and Ireland native and Tampa vocalist and performer Donal Noonan (July 31).
Special Offers From Our Advertisers Direct To You.
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!
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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Do This! SAGE ADVICE FROM ‘THE TRUTH’
Sexual curiosity is normal at 18 DEAR TRUTH,
I
have an odd personal hygiene question: How do I tell somebody she has bad breath? I met Doreen three years ago when she showed up at our company Christmas party with her thengirlfriend. Doreen and I chatted for a while and we have been friendly acquaintances since. I see her at work almost every day and we play on the same softball team, but we’re not super close. About six months ago, Doreen leaned over to kiss me and her breath stunk so bad I thought I was going to vomit. Since then I’ve noticed that I can smell her bad breath even when we’re just talking. Doreen is shy and still fragile from her break-up, so I don’t want to hurt her, but I feel like someone needs to point out the problem. What’s the best way to handle this? —Halitosis Horror in Heathrow Triple H, It’s a slippery slope. You say that you’re not super close, although you play on the same softball team and see her at work almost every day. Since you’re not one of her besties, I’d hesitate saying anything at all. However, given your proximity to her life, you probably do also have access to people who are closer to her. I think the road to resolution is to have a con�idential, thoughtful and sensitive conversation with someone who is closer to her than you are. I doubt it will come as a surprise, and the fact that no one has told her (that you know of) is telling. But given your respective place in Doreen’s life, it’s not your place and could look like you’re being critical or catty. Keep your distance from the situation, and from direct contact with her mouth.
found myself thinking about a couple of the guys (and one of the teachers) at my school. I’m too scared to say anything because I know my family would kill me, since my family is very Christian and my parents would not tolerate me doing anything “gay.” The problem is I can’t stop thinking about whether I’m really attracted to these guys or if it’s just curiosity. How do you know if you’re bi without doing something you might regret? —Brevard County Boy BCB, At 18 years old, I would submit that, particularly given the fact you’re male, your sexual orientation is an accessible thing. You should be getting a clearer picture about what you �ind exciting sexually and that’s normal. It’s also perfectly normal at your age to be curious about sex in all its forms. Thinking about something doesn’t mean you’re going to do it. And doing it doesn’t necessary make a decision about what the rest of your life is going to be, from a sexual orientation perspective. On the surface, it sounds like you might be bisexual, but that’s not something I can judge from this distance, or in this format. Here comes the good news, and the Truth: you don’t have to decide today. If you �ind that your attraction to men is persistent, then you will act on it accordingly at a time that works for you. You say you are secure in the knowledge that your parents may not like it, but you wouldn’t be the �irst person in that boat, and something as essential as your sexual orientation will not be swayed by simply being afraid of someone else’s reaction. As you learn more about your sexuality, life and the world at large, your tree of experience will continue to �ill out. There is no need to rush it, and no reason to create a negative home life (assuming you’re still living at home). Soon enough, that won’t be the case, and you will have the freedom and space to explore exactly who you will be. All in good time, my son. | |
On the surface, it sounds like you might be bisexual, but that’s not something I can judge from this distance.
DEAR TRUTH,
I
’m an 18-year-old guy and I just graduated high school. I’ve dated since I was 14 and I know that I’m de�initely attracted to girls, but I think that I might also be attracted to boys. I’ve never done anything with another guy but there have been a couple of instances where I’ve
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Staff Report
OFFICIAL HOME: The official Pride House Logo will be w elcome site to LGBT Olympians and their friends, family and fans at the Olympic Games this summer.
Pride House to welcome LGBTs at London Olympics after all Staff Report
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ONDON, ENGLAND | It looks like LGBT athletes and their families will have an area designated speci�ically for them during this year’s Olympic Games. According to the Pride House Foundation, a Pride House celebrating LGBT athletes and fans will open Aug. 3-7 in the Limestone Basin. The European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation also plans to present an exhibit called “Against the Rules,” which honors 37 gay and lesbian athletes of note. A Pride Festival will continue at various venues throughout
the Olympic Games, which run July 27-Aug. 12. “Pride House 2012 will provide a welcoming space for all, from Olympic athletes to recreational sports enthusiasts and spectators,” said Lou Engle�ield, Pride Sports UK executive director. “Our aim is to welcome everyone to learn more about the vibrant LGBT sport movement while celebrating the London Games.” The news of the Pride House’s return is welcome to many athletes, who were told plans for a Pride House were scrapped in April because of a lack of sponsorship. The 2010 Pride House during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver was a huge
success, and emerged as a popular hospitality center for LGBT athletes and fans. “With the opening of Pride House 2012, we continue to build on the legacy of 1968 Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell, the founder of the Gay Games, the largest international sporting event open to all,” said Emy Ritt, Federation of Gay Games co-president. “We are pleased that Pride House 2012 will showcase LGBT sport and culture at the many clubs and organizations that have been created as a result of the �irst Gay Games in 1982.” This year marks the 30th Olympiad, which is also referred to the “Triple-X Games.” | |
organization during Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade in June. The partnership continued into July with soccer ally Jay Nolly and teammate Gonzalo Segares appearing at the Equality Illinois PAC’s First Friday social. The partnership is more than just a historic gesture, according to the club’s president, Julian Posada. Fire players are getting involved
with Equality Illinois’ efforts to bring LGBT equality to fruition. “It’s just the right thing to do,” Posada said. The Fire’s efforts are attracting more LGBT fans. In April, during a rainy game, fans unfurled a huge rainbow �lag in the stands. On that day it not only showed support for LGBT equality, it kept a large portion of the fans dry. | |
Chicago’s Fire is latest soccer team to back equality Staff Report CHICAGO | The movement toward LGBT equality in major league soccer continues to grow with the help of teams like the Chicago Fire, which joined forces with Equality Illinois to help combat homophobia last month. Members of the team marched with the equality
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OS ANGELES, CALIF. | New Jersey Devil Cam Janssen has apologized for remarks he made on an internet radio program earlier this month, in which he made homophobic remarks, disrespected women and called Los Angeles residents “weirdos.” He made the remarks on the Thom and Jeff Show, which is known for its unapologetic take on interviews and news stories. Janssen was quick to issue an apology after his appearance. “I used some poor judgment which I now regret,” he said in a statement. “The New Jersey Devils were unaware of this interview, which I arranged myself. I would like to apologize for my poor choice of language. The tone of the interview was very casual and off-color, and I lost focus on what is and is not acceptable and professional. I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by my language. “Moving forward, I hope to eliminate that type of language from my vocabulary. I would also like to take this chance to express my support for the work the You Can Play project is doing, and for the gay community in general. I apologize for the embarrassment my comments have caused to the New Jersey Devils management, as well as my teammates.” The You Can Play Project started earlier this year to build an environment of inclusion within the NHL. | |
sports
N.J. Devil Cam Janssen apologizes for anti-gay remarks on radio show
IN OTHER NEWS CHRISTIES GET MARRIED AT GAY CLUB Former NBA player Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, renewed their vows on their 17th wedding anniversary in a popular gay club in West Hollywood in early July. The couple said they wanted to show their support for samesex marriage rights, so they and their friends packed Eleven with an entire wedding. “We want you to be able to get married, too,” Jackie told the crowds at the bar. The couple have also posed for the NOH8 Campaign.
LESBIAN SWIMMER TRIES CUBA-FLORIDA SWIM AGAIN Swimmer Diana Nyad has embarked on her fourth attempt to cross the expanse between Cuba and Florida, which she talks about in the current issue of Out magazine. Nyad’s previous attempts ended early because of rough tides and leg cramps. The 63-year-old plans to swim the 103-mile expanse later this summer surrounded by a flotilla of staff and supporters.
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Hyrulian Hero by Jeffrey Pfaff
Cloud Daddy by Mikey Bear McGrath
SweetHEART by Cake Marques
Moby Dick by Brian Demeter Old King Cole by Cake Marques
You Only Live Twice by Cake Marques
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ARTWORK
A
RT COMES IN FORMS OTHER THAN WITHIN A FRAME, and that’s the idea behind “Cut It Out,” an exhibition presented by …and the Three Bears. More than 10 artists present wood, glass, metal and paper creations displayed at The Milk Bar in downtown Orlando.
JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
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JULY 19 - AUGUST 1, 2012 // ISSUE 19.15
watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.
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