dayTona bEacH • orLando • Tampa • ST. pETErSburg • SaraSoTa • ISSuE 22.03 • jan. 29 - fEb. 11, 2015 • waTErmarKonLInE.com
Your lgbt life.
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10 // OrlandO news 12 // Tampa Bay news
I’d like to be an equal citizen in my own country—the country in which I happen to be a member of government. —Leo Varadkar, ireLand’s heaLth minister
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On The cOver
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Orlando performer Ginger Minj will represent the Sunshine State on Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, scheduled to debut sometime in February. Minj, a well-known, local actor, brings southern charm— and sass—to the hit LOGO reality competition show.
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cOme TO The caBareT: Blue Star, front and photographed with co-stars Tymisha Harris and Daniel
Longacre, not only stars in the production of Cabaret running at The Abbey through Feb. 8. She is also the choreographer.
waTermark i ssue 22.03 //J anuary 29 - feBruary 11, 2015
OrlandO news
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sTaTe news
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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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Association is asking creditors related to COWP for their patience as it continues to reorganize; Orlando community activist and talk show host Randy Ross is arrested for insurance fraud; more.
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Lesbian Chamber of Commerce recognized LGBT business leaders, businesses and organizations with a Diamond Award dinner; Equality Florida and the Sarasota Film Festival have teamed up to honor marriage equality.
A couple who was part of the Equality Florida lawsuit that helped overturn Florida’s ban on marriage equality attended the State of the Union; Jacksonville attorneys want to resume marriages in county courthouses; more.
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The sport of curling has arrived in Orlando, and locals hope athletes of all skill sets will join the sport that typically only gets attention at the Winter Olympics; Tampa and Orlando teams both fared extremely well at the recent Orlando Meltdown Softball Tournament Jan. 17.
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THE fInaLISTS HavE bEEn cHoSEn In THE wavE awardS! vISIT waTErmarKonLInE.com and voTE for your favorITES now!
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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hank you to WATERMARK for the fabuLous issue showcasing so many happy same-sex couples on their wedding day [Issue 22.02]. It was so refreshing to see the fruits of our years of labor finally come to the printed page in a way so many of us never thought could happen. The diverse crosssection of same-gender love you showcased in the middle of the newspaper really proves that love knows no boundaries, no gender and no race. This issue is a keepsake, and one I’ve sent to many of my friends around the country. Thank you for recognizing how momentous Jan. 6, 2015, is for the community. jamES KEmp Tampa
TOp weB cOmmenTs on jacKSonvILLE courTHouSE wEddIngS:
At WatermarkOnline.com
“How about firing the bigot and hiring a clerk who doesn’t think it’s his job to shove his religion down everyone’s throats?” —uHHuHH
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“Or.... just a thought... Duval County clerks could do the job they were hired to do.” —phiLLip ament-burroughs
On Watermark’s Facebook page
“I have a really easy fix for this. Fire those who choose to discriminate against the citizens of Florida and hire people who do not. Then order the Clerk of the Court to perform the job of civil marriage to anyone who meets the requirements. Those who didn’t want to do perform their job duties and were fired for it can go and work at the church of their choice.” —KaTE daugHTEr
“Or.... just a thought... Duval County clerks could do the job they were hired to do.” —pHILLIp amEnT-burrougHS on baKEr rEfuSIng To puT anTI-gay mESSagE on caKE:
On Watermark’s Facebook page
“How is this a religious issue exactly? Where in the Bible or in any Catechism class does it read: In order to belong to this Church
Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
and to be in line with its teachings you must eat cake reading ‘I hate Gays’ on it? How is that religious? In the case where someone claimed ‘religion’ as a reason for not offering the basic services she offers to every customer, she is in violation. In this case, the so-called religious person asked the baker to go beyond her normal duties and to create something out of the ordinary to accommodate his religion. You cannot just walk into any business and order them to do something based on your religion. The difference is clear. That would be like someone walking into your restaurant and demanding religiously specific ingredients to accommodate their wishes. In both cases, the so called religious have it backwards.” —davE naTaLE
editor’s
Steve Blanchard EDITOR
SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com
L
Desk
et’s be honest. Wedding cake
isn’t all that different than a regular cake—at least in flavor. It just looks fancier. But lately it seems that’s the only thing major media outlets want to talk about.
In what is quite possibly the dumbest argument to come out of the same-sex marriage debate—and there have been a lot of asinine arguments—we’re suddenly a country that cares about not only weddings, but the food at the reception. The basic discussion is simple: Can a business refuse services to someone because of their sexuality? No. There’s that annoying “all men are created equal” part of the Constitution that, no matter how hard some try, never incorporates the word “some” in front of “men.” But it also begs the question as
to why in the world anyone would want to utilize the services of someone who is so anti-them? Would any gay or lesbian person approach Chik-Fil-A and ask them to cater their wedding reception? Of course not. It’s not only extremely tacky, but they would be throwing money—a lot of money—at a business with a track record of actively fighting against LGBT equality. The corporation would probably refuse to cater such a wedding anyway, but who would be surprised by their response? It would be like clutching your pearls because you found out
watermark staff Founder and Senior Contributor: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Publisher: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Admin. Assistant: Kathleen Harper • Ext. 100 • Kathleen@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Steve Blanchard • 813-470-0899 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Editorial Assistant: Samantha Rosenthal • 104 • Samantha@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell Art Director: Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Assistant: Patrick O’Connor • Ext. 109 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com Sales Manager: Mark Cady • Ext. 102 • Mark@WatermarkOnline.com
Mike Huckabee, the ministerturned-FOX-News-talking-headturned-Presidential-candidate, doesn’t want to be the lucky guy standing before two men or two women as he joins them in holy matrimony. Huckabee has every right to refuse to marry two people whose relationship he doesn’t support. Just like a Rabbi can refuse to officiate the wedding of a protestant male and a Jewish female, or a Catholic priest can refuse to officiate the wedding of two divorcees. But now it’s all about the cake. Who can bake them? Who has to bake them? Ever since it was decided that businesses cannot discriminate against same-sex couples for basic services—all of which developed from a case where a Colorado baker refused to bake the celebratory cake—there’s a new obsession with the three-tiered monstrosities. And in all fairness, it’s not the media that’s obsessed—it’s the religious right. The newest chapter of this insanity again comes out of Colorado, a state that has become a serious threat to taking Florida’s coveted “Weird News Capitol” crown and sash. This time, a baker is sued because she won’t bake a cake with “God Hates Gays,” complete with a giant “X” over a depiction of two men holding hands. The “Christian” customer complained that he was discriminated against based on his “creed” and “religion.” How would he have reacted if the person in line before him ordered a cake with an image of Jesus on the Cross with the word “Myth” stamped across it? Outraged, is my guess. For what occasion, exactly, does one order a God Hates Gays cake anyway?
And just days ago, Ben Carson, a Republican presidential hopeful, warned that gay couples who “force” bakers to make their wedding cakes run the risk of being poisoned by said baker. Thanks for planting that idea out there, Carson. What’s scarier is the comment drew laughs from his crowd at the Iowa Freedom Summit. Take a moment and step back from the ridiculousness of this ongoing “story.” We’ve become a country with talking heads more concerned about who makes who’s cakes than, say, education initiatives for our schools or the terrorist acts of ISIS.
For what occasion, exactly, does one order a God Hates Gays cake anyway?
Eventually, I hope, this chapter of insanity will close and those who have nothing else to say will fade into history. As long as there is hatred for LGBT people, these crazy incidents will continue to trickle into the headlines. And as long as LGBT people keep trying to unexplainably throw their hardearned money to businesses that vehemently dislike us, we’ll keep seeing this argument tie up our courts and waste newsprint and air time. Anti-LGBT businesses will disappear in time. Hatred and inequality doesn’t survive in the corporate world. When word spreads about the mistreatment of any group, people just stop using that business’s services, and they’ll close their doors. That will be the true icing on the cake.
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
contributors Krista DiTucci
is a freelance writer and family advocate for Manatee Children’s Services. She lives in Sarasota with her husband and children. Page 12,25
Ken Kundis
is a Florida native and a longtime contributor to Watermark. He lives in New York City. Page 21
Dylan Drobet
is originally from Long Island but has called Orlando home for five years. Drobet recently graduated from UCF with a degree in Journalism and lives in Kissimmee with her fiancé and their pup. Page 28, 46 Greg Burton, Scottie Campbell, Zach Caruso, Susan Clary, Kirk Hartlage, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Jim Walker, Michael wanzie
photography Lee Vandergrift
is a Central Florida native and professional photographer who reflects the fun-loving Florida lifestyle through art. He is a graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota. Cover, Page 25 Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Tom Eckert, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift, Tinkerfluff, Lonnie Thompson
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orlando news
lOcal persOnaliTy arresTed fOr insurance fraud Jamie Hyman
o
rLando | Gay community activist and talk show host Randy Ross was arrested and put in jail Jan. 23 on insurance fraud charges, according to the Orange County Jail website. Ross, 49, made bail the same night he was booked. The specifics of his charges are unclear, but according to court documents, Ross is accused of four felonies and a misdemeanor. His attorney, Roger Scott, said he doesn’t “have any details” about the charges but that “Randy maintains that he is not guilty of any crimes.” “The state attorney should be reviewing the reports and deciding whether or not they will charge the case,” Scott said. Angela Starke, a spokesperson for the state attorney’s office, said, “We have received the case package in our office; however, we do not have a filing decision yet.” Ross would not comment on the arrest and instead directed Watermark to his attorney. This isn’t the first time Ross has made headlines. In 2014, he said Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, who was an Orange County Commissioner at the time, didn’t do much in office except make babies and go on maternity leave. Ross has previously run unsuccessful campaigns for Orlando City Commission and the Orange County School Board. Most recently, he was slated to host a political TV show called Front Porch Chat with Randy Ross & Friends.
anTi-gay grOup sues Orange cOunTy clerk Jamie Hyman
o
rLando | Florida Family Action, a group notorious for its opposition to marriage equality, is suing the Orange County Clerk to try to make her stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. FFA filed their emergency alternative writ of mandamus Jan. 15 in the 9th Circuit Court of Orange County. The plaintiffs want a judge to command Orange County Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell “to perform her ministerial duty not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.” The filing argues that the August ruling by a federal judge in Washington County that overturned Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage only applies to the Washington County couple named in that case. This argument is in spite of the fact that the judge clarified his ruling on New Year’s Day 2015 and stated that it applies statewide. The lawsuit was filed by the Liberty Counsel, the anti-
conTInuEd on pg. 10 | uu |
8
shoWing off pride: Come Out With Pride celebrated its 10th year running in 2014, bringing out 150,000 people to Lake Eola for the parade. COWP is scheduled for Oct.5-11, 2015. PHOTO By JAKE STEVEnS
Patience, please COWP asks creditors for patience as MBA continues to investigate alleged fraud Jamie Hyman
o
rLando | Come Out With Pride organizers are asking creditors for some time and patience when it comes to repayment. In a letter sent Jan. 20, COWP’s finance director, Michael Thomas, acknowledges that while Orlando’s pride event gets bigger every year, last year was its “least profitable year.” “This was solely due to the gross mismanagement of funds by the Executive Director at the time, whom has since been terminated and this paid position will not be replaced until the organization fully recovers,” the letter reads. Thomas and Nayte Carrick, the president of the Metropolitan Business Association, have not yet answered inquiries as to how many creditors received the letter and who they are. The MBA is COWP’s parent organization. “As the current finance director, I want to be upfront and honest with you,” Thomas writes in the letter. “I have no intention of ignoring you and will keep you updated throughout our process. I am more than happy to discuss this further with you via
watermark Your lgbt life.
phone or in person by appointment. We fully intend on paying any debts owed.” The letter explains that COWP makes most of its money on Pride day. Therefore, creditors will not be repaid until Oct. 19, one week after COWP 2015. “Before then, any extra monies not needed for event deposits, permits, etc. will be divvied up equitably between the debtors [sic] owed,” the letter reads. “We can’t promise any specific dollar amounts as you never know what amount of proceeds can be made from any fundraising activities.” Thomas also states that if there is no Pride event, no one will be repaid. “If COWP is forced into a bankruptcy situation, there are no assets to the organization and no one will get any debts paid,” the letter reads. Thomas also outlines ways creditors can assist, including refraining “from any legal actions that will prevent the event from happening,” and forgiving debts in trade for sponsorships or booths. “We have one vendor that has already agreed to forgive their debt by giving them exclusive vendor rights
Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
for the next 3 years,” the letter reads. Regarding the reference to COWP’s former executive director, Thomas is citing the firing of Mikael Audebert, who was let go late 2014 from his role as COWP executive director. The MBA has investigated allegations of alleged fraud since Audebert’s termination. Watermark recently received an update from Carrick regarding those allegations, and Carrick said there is still a $1,300 transaction to Audebert “that was both unauthorized and for personal gain.” The transaction is reimbursement for use of Audebert’s airline miles for airline tickets, which Audebert’s attorney has stated was approved by the MBA treasurer at the time. Carrick mentioned that there is a small list of Pride transactions that were Audebert’s personal expenses and outside of his salary and commission agreement. However, “It is noteworthy that PRIDE was at the same time behind in base salary payments in an amount larger than the personal expenses that were paid for using PRIDE’s credit cards,” he said in an email to Watermark. Carrick said it’s more of the same for Converge, which was another organization under the MBA Audebert had overseen—personal expenses paid, but Converge was also behind on salary and “those purchases totaled less than the amount of salary outstanding due [Audebert].” “It is nice to see MBA finally own up to the thousands of dollars that are owed to Mr. Audebert,” said Patrick Howell, Audebert’s attorney. conTInuEd on pg. 10 | uu |
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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orlando news | uu | FFA Sues Orange County Clerk from pg.8 gay legal arm of FFA, and John Stemberger, FFA president and notorious anti-gay activist. “The Clerk will continue to both issue licenses and provide marriage ceremony services to all of Orange County’s citizens regardless of orientation until and unless directed otherwise by the courts,” said Nicholas Shannin, general counsel to Tiffany Moore Russell. “The filing of this lawsuit, again, by this organization does not alter the determination by the Clerk to continue to provide these services unabated.” The Orange County Clerk’s office released a statement pointing out that the FFA has already filed a complaint against the Orange County Clerk regarding marriage licenses, and the new lawsuit contains many verbatim, duplicate arguments, despite the fact that on Jan. 8, Circuit Court Judge Hofstad shot down the originally filed complaint as “moot.” “My obligation is to follow the law under the United States and Florida Constitutions,” Russell said in the statement from her office. “Judge Hinkle specifically certified his ruling and, based on that clarification, all 67 County Clerks throughout the State of Florida have followed his interpretation of the United States Constitution and provided marriage licenses to all applicants.” Visit WatermarkOnline.com to read the lawsuit.
sOcial securiTy adminisTraTiOn: allOw same-seX married cOuples TO change names Jamie Hyman
o
rLando | The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an update stating that in states where same-sex marriage is legal, SSA offices must allow same-sex married couples to change their names. Some Orange County couples hit this roadblock in early January, right after same-sex marriage became legal in Florida.
| uu | Patience, Please from pg.8
“Those past due commissions, plus the defamatory comments made previously, will be the subject matter of a very comprehensive lawsuit against MBA and some of its Board members and advisors.” Carrick said the next step is to finish the internal review then report on their findings to the MBA board.
Congressman Alan Grayson (DFL) sent a letter to Carolyn Colvin, the commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration, stating that several couples who went to an Orlando social security office with name change requests after Jan. 6 were told their request was on hold. “While the local SSA office that processes name changes is accepting applications, several people have been told that their application cannot be processed until the SSA updates its policies and reviews the
legal standing of their marriage under Florida law,” Grayson’s letter reads. “If this review is in fact, needed, I urge you to complete it today. Too many Floridians have waited too long to become a family recognized by their own government.” The new update released by the SSA tells its employees to accept same-sex marriage documents where same-sex marriage is legal, whether or not the couple actually lives in a state where same-sex marriage is recognized.
“There is not an official indication at this time of what actions the review committee will recommend to the board, but we will be working with the board, community partners, and appropriate authorities to take appropriate action,” he said. In the meantime, Carrick pointed out that since Audebert’s firing in November, the MBA has made a number of changes to improve
the organizations’ financial and community standing. Those changes include a new office at a savings of $30,000 over 12 months, new memberships which provide a financial boost, a streamlined COWP budget that cuts expenses by more than $100,000 and partnership with an accounting firm to improve financial practices.
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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tampa bay news
TwO weddings will BenefiT sarasOTa film fesTival Krista DiTucci
s
arasota | Just in time for Valentine’s Day, locals can show support for both independent film and recent marriage equality wins by attending “The Perfect Wedding.” The themed fundraiser is a partnership between the Sarasota Film Festival and Equality Florida and features two weddings—one on screen and one in person. Guests at The Perfect Wedding will catch a screening of The Perfect Wedding film after witnessing former Sarasota Commissioner and Equality Florida state board member Ken Shelin marry his longtime partner, Steve. The Perfect Wedding was produced by Sarasota residents Suzanne Brockmann and Ed Gaffney, a perfect night: along with their son, Jason The film, The Perfect Gaffney of Los Angeles. Wedding, was produced by Wolfe Distribution, the a Sarasota couple. PHOTO leading LGBT movie COuRTESy SuzAnnE BROCKMAnn distributor in the nation, was the film’s distributor. The Sarasota Film Festival screened The Perfect Wedding in 2012 and, according to development director Charlie Syprett, it was so popular that the festival sold out three screenings. Syprett described the film as “a story about getting everything right.” The story takes place over Christmas weekend at the Fowler’s home where Alana Fowler is planning her wedding. Alana’s wedding planner, Roy, once dated her brother, Paul. Not wanting Paul to know he is still single, Roy brings his friend Gavin as his “boyfriend” and the two inadvertently fall in love. Shelin said the theme “translates a dream and hope to reality.” A special bonus: guests will have the chance to meet a live cast member at the event. “Speaking as a representative of the festival, I’m most excited about the fact that we showed this film in 2012 and we are now seeing how film can plant a seed, an idea, for discussion and dialogue that ultimately leads to a change in views and history,” Syprett said. “I see it as a part of history.” Shelin’s wedding is evidence of this change. He and his partner of 38 years met through mutual friends in Detroit. The couple bought a house in Sarasota in 1990 and moved to the area full-time in 1996. “Sarasota matched the vision I had in my head of where I wanted to retire someday,” Shelin said. However, he said he never thought he would see the day where he was able to get married in Sarasota. Shelin said he always
conTInuEd on pg. 14 | uu |
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dinner and entertainment: TBGLCC president Ashley Brundage, left, and vice president Austin Dyess, right, react to a joke by board member George Algozzina, center, during the first ever Diamond Awards dinner on Jan. 17. PHOTO By JAKE STEVEnS
Mining diamonds The TBLGCC honors community leaders with first Diamond Awards Greg Stemm
c
LearWater | On Jan. 17, the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to the local LGBT community in the past year. The inaugural event, dubbed the Diamond Awards, was held at the Holiday Inn on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater and is the first of what organizers hope will become a yearly signature event for the organization. “We wanted to create a successful and sophisticated high-end event that we could run each year to honor businesses, organizations and individuals and help educate our community about the many wonderful things they do,” said Ashley Brundage, TBGLCC president. Brundage was chair of the event and served with selection committee members David Capece , Austin Dyess, Laurie
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Chism and Cindy Sullivan. Nominations came directly from the membership of the Chamber and were confidential. Most chamber members—including board member—didn’t know the winners of the awards until they were announced from the stage. Each winner walked away with a glass, diamond-shaped trophy with their name and/or business etched into it. One winner was selected in each of four categories. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay won in the Non-Profit Business of the Year category. Watermark Media, Inc., was awarded Business of the Year. Stave Blanchard, Watermark editor-in-chief, was named the LGBT Business Person of the Year, and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman was selected as Community Champion of the Year. Other nominees in the NonProfit Business of the Year category were CASA, Love the Golden Rule Inc., Metro Wellness and the Suncoast Softball League.
Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
Business of the Year nominees included Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, Georgie’s Alibi, PNC Bank and The Hotchkiss Group of Keller Williams. Other than Kriseman, nominees for Community Champion of the Year included Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Mark Bias and Carrie West of Tampa Pride and the GaYbor Coalition, and Joy Winheim, the executive director of the Francis House. Joining Blanchard in the Business Person of the Year category were nominees Kim Cason of HI Development, Brandon Family Law managing attorney Mary Greenwood, Annie Hoitis of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt and PNC Bank senior VP Dianne Jacob. Brundage said that there were over 200 submissions received from the membership. Of these the committee narrowed the field to the final nominations. The committee then contacted the nominees and asked them to accept the nomination by writing and submitting a short, 200word paragraph stating why they thought they should be considered for the award. Brundage said about 75 percent of those nominated responded. No one declined the nomination. “The thing I was most conTInuEd on pg. 14 | uu |
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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tampa bay news | uu | Sarasota Film Festival from pg.12 hoped and worked for it, and figured it would happen eventually, but not quite this soon. “Gay marriage has been an issue regarding the traditional definition of marriage, but I don’t think people understand how marriages have worked over the years,” Shelin said. “There are all sorts of marriages—marrying for political alliance and marrying multiple partners, for example. But really, it’s an intimate commitment of one person to another.” Syprett attributed the event’s success to Sarasota Film Festival President Mark Famiglio and the festival’s board. “I think it starts at the top, and it’s our leadership that allows and encourages us to screen films that are politically what some may consider provocative,” he said. The gala event will take place Thursday, Feb. 12, on the rooftop of 1289 N. Palm Ave. The night will kick off at 6 p.m. with the ceremony to follow at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 per person and include a complimentary champagne toast, light bites, wedding cake, film, cash bar, silent auction and a seat at the wedding. Patron tickets are $100 and include all the general admission benefits plus VIP seating and a name or logo on all event signage. Guests may purchase tickets at SarasotaFilmFestival.com. The proceeds will be divided between Sarasota Film Festival and Equality Florida.
| uu | Diamond Awards from pg.12
impressed by was the large number of nominations we received for non-profit organizations,” said Brundage. “We had 20 submissions and—like all the categories— narrowing it down to those nominated was pretty difficult. I think it speaks volumes about our community that we have so many deserving organizations that are serving our community.” The night was a chance for the community as a whole to learn about itself, and Brundage was no exception. “I learned a lot about various groups myself,” said Brundage. “I do volunteer work at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and yet I didn’t really realize how many programs they had that benefit the LGBT community. I hope this award will make even more people aware of what they do.” Brundage said she was also impressed by those nominated for
Champion of the Year, which made narrowing the list a difficult task. “We are very fortunate in our area to have such strong allies that do so much for us,” she said. Kriseman was at the event to accept his award for Community Champion of the Year. In 2014, Kriseman raised the rainbow
Brundage noted that Kriseman has been a member of the Chamber himself for over 20 years. Brundage said plans are already underway for next year’s event. She said the organization hopes to include this year’s winners in the nomination and
flag over city hall during Pride, promoted an LGBT police officer to serve as a direct liaison to our community and has dramatically increased advertising promoting the city as gay-friendly. He also was instrumental in St. Petersburg receiving a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign, became the first St. Petersburg mayor to march in the St. Pete Pride parade and, most recently, officiated a samesex marriages inside City Hall on the first day of marriage equality in the Sunshine State.
selection process next year. The open submission period is scheduled to begin in October 2015. Nominations are then scheduled for November and the review and selection process is slated for December. Brundage said that in following with the Chamber’s tradition of alternating meetings on each side of the bay that next year’s event will most likely be in Tampa. For more details, visit TBGLCC.org.
“Narrowing it down to those nominated was pretty difficult.” —Ashley Brundage
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
Tampa Gala
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We hope you will join us for our biggest fundraiser of the year, at our new beautiful and spacious venue, TPepin’s Hospitality Centre. There will be cocktails, delicious hors d’oeuvres by Puff ‘n Stuff, live music by Jurika and harpist, Anthony Hamilton, DjCK spinning dance tracks, a large art-only silent auction, and an exciting program including Chief Executive Officer, Nadine Smith’s “State-of-the-State” address.
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state news
lifTing gay marriage Ban allOws lesBian cOuple TO Be parenTs Wire Report
W
est paLm beach, fLa. | The lifting of a gay marriage ban in Florida is giving a Palm Beach County infant the right to call both women in a lesbian couple her parents. A Palm Beach County judge on Wednesday ruled that both Lisa Maxwell and Christine Stephens-Maxwell are the parents of 7-week-old Satori. Satori was born last month after Christine became pregnant through in-vitro fertilization. The couple had married in New York in 2012. Florida law recognizes that a baby born to a married couple from in-vitro fertilization is the child of both husband and wife. But Circuit Judge Lisa Small extended that recognition to the spouse of the child-bearing wife, now that Florida recognizes same-sex marriages. Before the ban was lifted earlier this month, Lisa would have had to adopt Satori. Miami Beach Gay Pride will be held on April 11 and 12, and will feature a Saturday beach party, a community stage for local artists and a fireworks show.
marriage eQualiTy plainTiff cOuple aTTend sTaTe Of The uniOn Staff Report One of the couples who fought in court for marriage equality attended the State of the Union address in Washington D.C. Jan. 20. Todd and Jeff Delmay of Hollywood were among six South Florida plaintiff couples, who along with Equality Florida Institute, sued for the right to obtain marriage licenses. Florida’s
ban on same-sex marriage ended Jan. 6, but some Miami-area couples married earlier, including the Delmays, who tied the knot Jan. 5. The Delmays were the first same-sex couple legally married in Broward County. They’ve been together for 14 years and are raising a son. The couple attended President Obama’s State of the Union speech as guests of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
nationaL stage: Todd and Jeff Delmay, a plaintiff couple in South Florida’s marriage equality lawsuit, sit alongside Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz as they prepare to meet with members of the media Jan. 20 while in Washington D.C. to attend the State of the Union. PHOTO COuRTESy WASSERMAn SCHuLTz
JacksOnville aTTOrneys wanT TO Take Over cOurThOuse weddings Wire report
J
acksonViLLe | A group of Jacksonville attorneys want to take over the job of performing courthouse weddings now that the Duval County court clerk has stopped offering the ceremonies after same-
sex marriage became legal in Florida. Jacksonville Bar President Troy Smith said the group’s attorneys are working on a formal plan to present to the court. The Florida Times-Union reports that the court’s chief judge, Mark Mahon, and another judge have been performing gay marriage ceremonies, but do not have the
resources to continue it full-time. Mahon told the attorneys to come up with a plan that would not require much judicial involvement. All marriage ceremonies in the courthouse were halted when Ronnie Fussell, the clerk, said some staff wasn’t comfortable uniting same-sex couples after Florida’s ban on gay marriage was lifted.
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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nation+world news
in other news
California bars judges from Boy Scouts membership
Obama addresses LGBT issues in 2015 State of the union President Barak Obama mentioned LGBT and marriage equality several times in the 2015 State of the Union address, mostly in the context of applauding recent gains. President Obama placed LGBT rights in the context of human dignity and safety, and then later in the Jan. 20 speech, he talked about progress made toward marriage equality.
Federal judge stays Alabama gay marriage ruling A federal judge on Jan. 25 issued a two-week hold on her decision that overturned Alabama’s same-sex marriage ban. U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade refused the Alabama attorney general’s request to put her ruling on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the decision of same-sex marriage later this year. But she did issue a 14-day stay to give the state time to appeal her decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
S
an Francisco | California’s Supreme Court voted Jan. 23 to prohibit state judges from belonging to the Boy Scouts on grounds that the group discriminates against gays. The court said its seven justices unanimously voted to heed a recommendation by its ethics advisory committee barring judges’ affiliation with the organization. In 1996 the state Supreme Court banned judges from belonging to
The justices agreed Jan. 16 to decide a major civil rights question: whether same-sex couples have a right to marry everywhere in America under the Constitution. The court will take up gay-rights cases that ask it to overturn bans in four states and declare for the entire nation that people can marry the partners of their choice, regardless of gender. The cases will be argued in April, and a decision is expected by late June.
Georgia asks to halt samesex marriage lawsuit Lawyers for the state of Georgia have asked a federal judge to stop any action on a challenge to the state’s ban on same-sex marriage until the U.S. Supreme Court has a chance to rule on the issue. In a court filing Jan. 20, lawyers for the state noted that the Supreme Court’s decision will certainly guide the future path of the Georgia case. A challenge to Georgia’s constitutional ban on samesex marriage was filed last April on behalf of seven people and is one of many such lawsuits nationwide.
mexicali allows first same-sex wedding The first same-sex marriage was held Jan. 17 in this city on the border with California, after officials ended an 18-month fight that led to a Mexican Supreme Court order to permit the wedding. Attorney Jose Luis Marquez Saavedra had filed a complaint Jan. 16 against Mexicali officials after authorities again blocked the marriage despite the high court ruling. The lawyer said the city let Victor Fernando Urias Amparo and Victor Manuel Aguirre Espinoza wed Jan. 17.
groups that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, but made an exception for nonprofit youth organizations. The Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics recommended eliminating the exception to enhance public confidence in the judiciary. The Boy Scouts allows the participation of openly gay boys but prohibits gay and lesbian adults from serving as leaders. “The only remaining exception to the general rule is membership in a religious organization,” said Fourth District Court of Appeal
Justice Richard D. Fybel, chair of the Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics. “One other exception—belonging to a military organization—was eliminated as well, because the U.S. armed forces no longer restrict military service based on sexual orientation,” Fybel added. Of 47 states that ban judges from joining discriminatory groups, 22 states include a bar on groups that show bias on the basis of sexual orientation. Judges will have until Jan. 21, 2016 to comply with the new rule.
gays in surrogate-pregnancy cases. He said May’s constitutional referendum on gay marriage, in particular, got him thinking about going public. “I was thinking about the arguments that I might make. That’s what politicians do. You rehearse your arguments, you write them down, you run them by a few people. All the arguments that I was going to make were kind of detached ... and that wouldn’t have been entirely honest,” he told RTE. “Because what I really want to say is that I’d like the referendum to pass because I’d like to be an equal citizen in my own country—the country in which I happen to be a member of government—and at the moment I’m not,” he said. Varadkar is highly regarded in Irish political circles as one of the government’s hardest working members and a potential future
prime minister. Speculation about his sexuality had grown in recent months, reflecting Varadkar’s decision to tell an increasing circle of his family, friends and political colleagues in private. Varadkar said he told his parents in advance of his plans to come out publicly, in part because he didn’t want them to get the news from fellow parishioners at Catholic Mass. He said he also telephoned Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Saturday to tell him he was gay and planned to tell the nation the following day. He said his own initial feeling of awkwardness was quickly alleviated by Kenny, who reassured him that nothing in their working relationship would change. Two other lawmakers in Ireland’s 166-seat legislature are openly gay. Ireland legalized civil partnerships in 2011.
Howell, a Fairfax County Democrat, said children in such circumstances deserve the security and protection of two legal parents. Adoption opens the door to additional health care options and other financial benefits, she said, and ensures that a child will still have a parent in the event of the biological parent’s death. Virginia doesn’t require oppositesex parents to marry in order for both to have legal rights to their children, but that’s not true for same-sex
parents, Howell said. “We need to level the playing field,” she said. “The world has shifted, but some children have been left behind.” Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s administration supported Howell’s bill. But conservative groups opposed it, saying unmarried couples are unstable. The Republican-controlled Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee defeated the measure on a party-line 8-7 vote.
Irish Cabinet minister announces he’s gay Wire Report
Supreme Court sets stage for historic marriage equality ruling
18
Wire Report
Dublin | A senior Cabinet minister in Ireland says he’s gay, becoming the first openly gay government figure in the history of the traditionally conservative Catholic country. The announcement on state radio by Health Minister Leo Varadkar received widespread praise for its straightforward honesty. Analysts said his decision was likely to be viewed with hindsight as a landmark of social change in a country that, until 1993, outlawed gay acts. Varadkar said he decided to declare his sexuality in advance of government moves this year to advance gay rights. These include plans to legalize same-sex marriage, permit gay men to donate blood, and create greater parenthood rights for
Virginia Senate panel rejects adoption by unmarried gay couples Wire Report Richmond, Va. | A proposal to allow adoption by the partners of unmarried gay parents was rejected by a Virginia Senate committee. Same-sex couples now have the right to marry in Virginia. But some choose not to do so, and Sen. Janet Howell’s measure would have accommodated such couples by allowing someone other than the spouse of a parent to adopt a child.
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
In Memory of John “Tweeka” Barber 1972 - 2011
viewpoint
Ken Kundis
preaching TO The convErTEd
i
From Kundis to Kelly
n the moVie DANGEROUS
Liaisons, the John Malkovich character tells the story of a man who had an affair with an inappropriate woman. When the man would be questioned about it, he would simply reply “It’s beyond my control.” He said this so often, in fact, that he began to be comically and derisively linked to the phrase. It turned the man into a caricature.
I have a similarly odd imprimatur. Specifically, that of a Kelly-holic. The “Kelly” being the original American Idol, one Kelly Brianne Clarkson of Burleson, Texas. On one level, it’s bang on and I can’t deny it (although this column is devoted to doing that very thing). I’m a huge fan of her voice. I sincerely believe that she possesses the finest, most versatile pop instrument of our generation. Yes, I do think she’s a better, more complete singer than Mariah or Adele or Sam Smith. But upon the occasion of Kelly releasing a new single, a number of friends have said things to me that made me wonder if I should dial back on the public worship, one even asking if I felt like a proud father. People regularly tell me that when they hear Kelly Clarkson on the radio, they automatically think of me. Is it wrong that that makes me cringe? As a middle-aged man, such fan-girling—or at least the perception of it—seems distinctly
undignified and arrested in its development, not to mention decidedly unmanly. I’m a seriousminded, professional man, for Christ’s sake. Respect my authoriTA! Most of my friends would be surprised, I think, to discover that there are big swaths of all of KC’s studio albums that I don’t particularly like and never listen to. There have been times she’s come through town and I have not bought a ticket to go see her. I wish she would write less of her own music. I know that sounds counterintuitive. But with the exception of the quite brilliant “Because of You,” she is not a great lyricist. And to the snarkiest of you out there, yes, I agree she should lose some weight and take her stylist out behind her barn (of course Kelly has a barn) and shoot her. I swear I’m not as obsessed as I appear on social media. I used to know people who spent thousands and thousands of dollars flying to London to see Kylie Minogue three nights in a row (which might be the gayest sentence I’ve ever written, despite a 20-year career in gay journalism). I have spent no more than $300 on all things Clarkson across her 12-year career (6 studio albums at 15 bucks + 3 concert tickets at 70 bucks). For the record, I don’t really care much about her personal life, though of course I’m glad that someone I find talented seems to be happy. As it is for me with all celebrities, I have no real interest in meeting her. Probably roughly the same she would have in meeting me. I don’t identify with her life too much as it comes through in themes in her music, like I do with Joni Mitchell, for example. I just really, really love her voice, in the way I love the way Gore Vidal writes or
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Roger Federer hits a slice backhand. I’ve always been a fan of talent, that and underdog stories. In elementary and middle school, I was obsessed with John F. Kennedy, to the degree that kids would make fun of me for it. As a kid growing up
of all time. She’s the Effie Melody White of tennis, reclaiming her birthright long after all of us had filed her away as a cautionary tale. (Okay, that’s the gayest sentence I’ve ever written.) But with the advent of social media, all of our
a part of that very weird American tradition of being absolutely obsessed with a sports team in a sport I don’t play for a city I don’t live in or college I didn’t attend. (Huh?) So maybe the fact that I’m too old to be fan-girlfor-Clarkson should be
and playing junior tennis in Florida, I was similarly preoccupied with Chris Evert. I loved the story of this little girl from my state defying odds and becoming an all-time great. Later it was Jennifer Capriati, whose redemption from despair and dissolution is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest sports comeback stories
tastes are right out there for everyone to see. I also think it’s human nature to want to narrow someone down to an easily digestible caricature. So as a result, I’m the Kelly guy. Oy. I suppose it could be worse. I could be known for something really onerous or silly, like Hello Kitty, or collecting Christmas trees, or Nickelback. I could be
the very reason I don’t care what anyone thinks and just soak in the dulcet tones. Yeah, that’s my hearbeat song. And I’m gonna sing it.
People regularly tell me that when they hear Kelly Clarkson on the radio, they automatically think of me; is it wrong that that makes me cringe?
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
talking points
51-69
What I meant was that
%
whenever sex or graphic nudity of any kind
(GAY Or STRAIGHT) is gratuitous to the plot or story it
of mIXEd-orIEnTaTIon
MorMon
MArrIAGES
END In dIvorcE
% 70 m o r E
T H a n
OF LGBT MorMonS LEavE THE cHurcH
85%
OF GAY MORMONS ATTEMPT TO cHangE THEIr orIEnTaTIon —Utah State University
becomes a little too much for my taste. —biLLy crystaL, cLarifying a statement about same-sex LoVe scenes on teLeVision
IN TOUCH WEEKLY
IS ouT of ToucH
i
t Looks Like eVerything journaLism professors teach future Writers and editors not to do was done on the cover of the latest In Touch Weekly cover. The issue features a photoshopped version of Bruce Jenner’s face placed over a lovely photo of British actress Stephanie Beacham with the words, “Bruce’s Story: My Life as a Woman.” Not only is the photo a fake, the headline is misleading since Jenner isn’t interviewed for the story and has never come out as transgender. Trans activists are furious, and rightly so, and say the cover makes light of gender identity and fuels transphobia.
ELLEn rEvEaLS HEr agEnda
f
irst off, eLLen degeneres is married, not “married” as some anti-gay religious leaders claim. She said so on a recent episode of her hit show when she shared a column by pastor Larry Tomczak, who expressed concern about gay programming on television. He said Ellen celebrates homosexuality, to which Ellen responded with, “I don’t even know how to celebrate my lesbianism. I mean, well, I guess I do,” before setting off a popper and saying, “Yay! I’m gay!” She also added that “Larry is watching a lot of gay TV.”
watermark Your lgbt life.
porn SITE offErS bIEbEr $2 mILLIon To SHooT a ScEnE
m
en.com reLayed a Very pubLic message to troubLed pop star justin bieber. Film a gay porn scene with Johnny Rapid and walk away $2 million richer. The offer comes on the tails of Bieber’s newly released Calvin Klein photo, which was obviously photoshopped. But what wasn’t photoshopped is the star’s recent selfie in a towel, which shows a bulge. Bieber hasn’t responded to the offer yet and, but with a value of $200 million, the financial lure of the porn offer will probably have little effect.
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LIEuTEnanT dan bacKS ouT of anTIgay caTHoLIc gIg
g
ary sinise has said thanks, but no thanks, to Legatus, a Catholic group with a mission to spread the faith in personal and business lives of its members. When Sinese, a Catholic convert, learned about the group’s anti-gay ideology— which calls same-sex attraction a disorder while promoting “gay cure” therapies—he backed out of an upcoming speaking gig in Naples, Fla. Sinese said, “I don’t want my mission, which is designed to be unifying, to be disrupted by these, or any controversies.”
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F e b r u a r y 7 t h ro u g h M ay 3 1 , 2 0 1 5 Claude Monet, The Customs House at Varengeville, 1897, Oil on canvas, Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection Henri Matisse, Girl by a Window, 1921, Oil on canvas, Gift of Alice Albright Arlen, in honor of her mother, Josephine Patterson Albright, 1994, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Italy. Lake Garda. 1999. from Life’s A Beach (Aperture, 2013) © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos
February 7 through April 26, 2015
Exhibition organized by Aperture Foundation, New York.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Founder’s Day Celebration
FREE admission to the MFA Music * Activities * Entertainment – 10am-3pm
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
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Photo by Lee Vandergrift
arTS and EnTErTaInmEnT
N R E H T U SO LE BEL
y t i l i b si
en
rupaul’s drag race cOnTesTanT ginger minJ Talks drag Queen sisTerhOOd, sOuThern manners and emBOdying female perfOrmance rOles.
g
Krista DiTucci
inger minj may be knoWn
as the gospel-loving “Cross Dresser for Christ” on LOGO TV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 7, but this Florida native considers herself more of a performance chameleon and a Broadway girl. “Give me a microphone and let me work,” says Ginger during our interview. “Rest assured it will be funny and inappropriate.”
Born in Leesville, Ginger grew up in the Lake County theater scene and cites performance and entertainment as being the only life she’s ever known. When she turned 18, she sold everything she owned, moved to New York and performed on Broadway. Ginger left New York in 2006 and moved to Orlando, where she became a regular drag performer for the Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Theater.
conTInuEd on pg. 32 | uu |
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
Grey
Fairvilla Presents
red is the new
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Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
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theater
The Abbey transformed A re-imagined Cabaret stars the acting and choreography talents of Blue Star and turns space into the Kit Kat Klub
(LEFT)
Your guide:
Griffeth Whitehurst guides the audience through The Abbey’s production of Cabaret as the Emcee. (RIGHT)
Starring Role:
Blue Star, front, stars as Sally Bowles but also lent her vision to the show’s re-imagined choreography. She is pictured with cast mates Tymisha Harris and Daniel Longacre.
Photos courtesy the abbey orlando
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O
Dylan Drobet
rlando | The Abbey is saying
‘Willkommen’ to Cabaret on Jan. 29. Director Kenny Howard is thrilled to bring his unique rendition of the smash-hit musical to The Abbey and has handpicked a local and star-studded cast that he is sure will leave audiences singing “It Couldn’t Please Me More.” The musical is based on the Christopher Isherwood novella Goodbye to Berlin and the John Van Druten play I am a Camera. Featuring a score by the legendary John Kander and Fred Ebb, Cabaret is set in 1930s Berlin as the Nazis begin their rise to power, and tells the story of English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with the young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. Howard has been working the Orlando theater scene for more than two decades and, as artistic director at The Abbey, has had the chance to
witness many fantastic performances. However, Howard promises Cabaret will be unlike any other show that has hit The Abbey. The venue will be transformed into The Kit Kat Klub and will immerse audiences into the show. “It is going to be an experience that has certainly not been offered at The Abbey and I venture to say that there hasn’t been an experience like this in Orlando before,” Howard says. The audience inclusion isn’t the only factor that makes this production a huge accomplishment. The size of the cast is also the largest The Abbey has
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ever seen with a total of 15 performers. “It is by far the largest cast that has ever been on The Abbey stage,” Howard says. “We know it works because we have it all blocked out. The only problem is we’re not sure where everyone is going to get dressed!” It isn’t just the size of the cast that is impressive, according to Howard. It’s their talent. Among those talents is Blue Star, a resident and performer in Orlando for 15 years. Star is the choreographer and portrays Sally Bowles. But her version of the popular character is expected to be different than any other version that came before. So audiences are in for a surprise, she says. “Kenny Howard inspired me for this role,” she says. “I don’t really have a reference to this character or anyone portraying this character. I’ve just gone into it really blind. I’ve seen a YouTube video of Liza Minelli from around 1992 of her singing ‘Cabaret’ but that is really the only reference point I have.” Star has gotten to know the role of Sally pretty well since rehearsals began. “I was so excited when Kenny asked me to be Sally. I absolutely love that role and I love her,” Star said. Howard loves Star as Sally as well. “There was no person I could picture playing this role other than Blue,” the director says. “Sally certainly has her own demands, but as far as the drive and the showmanship, those qualities of Sally are exactly the same qualities that exist in Blue. I’ve worked with a lot of people in this city and we have a lot in common. It is amazing to watch what this woman does. “She leaves here at 10 p.m. and then has two more gigs. Myself, on the other hand, I hit IHOP and then bed.” Howard’s Cabaret will also feature original choreography. That’s because Star created the stage movement without influence from other productions. “Choreographing the whole thing was so different because I really have no idea what the movement on stage or in the movies has been,” Star says. “I think it will be interesting once we are done to go back and watch to see if there are any similarities.”
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Howard believes that the choreography will be a stimulating treat for long-time fans of the show and new audiences as well. “One of the things that has been incredibly refreshing is that Blue doesn’t have much of a touchstone to Cabaret. So her choreography, I would definitely say, is one the things that sets our production apart from others,” Howard explains. “She broke through boundaries without even knowing it. She didn’t have a huge knowledge of the show and, in this case, it has been a huge blessing because it has provided excitement among the cast. I thought ‘Oh! I’ve never seen it done that way!’” Griffeth Whitehurst, a native of the Pinellas County city of Tarpon Springs, is playing the iconic role of the Emcee. “Before Kenny contacted me about doing this role and submitting for it,
“It’s hot. We have an incredibly hot cast doing extremely hot and naughty things.” —Kenny Howard
I had seen the Liza Minelli version of Cabaret,” Whitehurst says. “I didn’t remember much about the movie except that I was pretty disturbed by it, especially the role of the Emcee.” Howard’s Cabaret is the darker revival—and that prompted Whitehurst to do a bit more research. “I saw one production of Cabaret that was the Alan Cummings’ revival,” Whitehurst explains. “Since that was kind of the idea for Kenny’s revival I thought I should revisit it because it is such an abstract role. I watched it once and let Kenny take care of the rest so as to not dilute my performance with someone else’s vision.” Howard insists that this is a show everyone should check out—and for good reason. “It’s hot. We have an incredibly hot cast doing extremely hot and naughty things,” Howard says. For tickets and more information visit AbbeyOrlando.com.
more information
WHAT: Cabaret WHERE: The Abbey WHEN: Jan. 29-Feb. 8 TICKETS: AbbeyOrlando.com
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film
Diversity on the silverscreen New year, new venues for TIGLFF screenings
committed to showing entertaining titles all year long. “For my first year, I didn’t know the audience well,” she says. “People want to laugh and be entertained. I don’t take it lightly that people are spending their time and effort coming to us. I know how much effort it takes to get my butt in that seat.” For those looking for laughs in unlikely places, the final screening March 18 of Boy Meets Girl once again shows how far queer cinema has come. In the film, Ricky is a gorgeous transgender girl in Kentucky who’s finding it difficult to meet the right guy and may consider dating a girl,
“I don’t take it lightly that people are spending their time and effort coming to us. I know how much effort it takes to get my butt in that seat.”
—KJ Mohr, TIGLFF programmer
New location: TIGLFF premieres its 2015 showings at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg and Studio Movie Grill in Tampa. The next free screening is Through A Lens Darkly on Feb. 25.
T
Joseph Kissel
ampa Bay | Aside from
entertaining and engaging films, community is at the heart of TIGLFF.
The film festival is coming into its 25th year of bringing “queer” folks together in a dark room to laugh, cry and think about our stories. That’s even as Hollywood streams high-quality depictions of LGBT life right into our homes or even pocketable devices. “You don’t see as much queer cinema as you did in the ‘70s,” says Margaret Murray, executive director of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF). “A lot of the new queer cinema has been assimilated into the Hollywood system. You see many more gay and lesbian people having careers in mainstream filmmaking. Todd Haynes is a perfect example.” The Jan. 28 screening of
Helicopter Mom, which kicked off the new year, as well as acclaimed documentary Through a Lens Darkly and Boy Meets Girl show how far queer culture and LGBT independent filmmaking has come since 1977, when the first festival of its kind premiered in San Francisco. The concept of community comes into particular focus with Through a Lens Darkly, an examination of how African Americans represented their families in photography throughout the years. “There are things kept quiet in those photos,” says Program Director KJ Mohr. “The stories of an uncle who dressed in drag and his gay brother are really illuminating. “Nobody has looked at
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photography this way before.” Following the free screening Feb. 25 at the new Studio Movie Grill in Tampa, Bob Devin Jones will lead a discussion regarding the film’s themes of representation and of what is depicted in the photography and what is hidden. “It’s going to be an incredibly important part of the screening,” Murray says. And it will be a historic night as well. “It’s the last chance to see these films with an audience,” Mohr adds. Helicopter Mom led the trio of first quarter films with a comedy starring Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. She’s a mom so cool with her son being gay—setting up dates, applying for LGBT college scholarships—that she might be making the decision for him in true helicopter mom fashion. “It’s a funny, romantic coming-ofage story,” Murray says of the film. Mohr said the festival is
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forcing those in her life to come to terms with their feelings toward her. “I also like this film because it’s set in the South,” says Mohr. While many films depicting LBGT issues in the south tend to focus on being in the closet and homophobia, Mohr said, “This film isn’t necessarily in that vein.” Boy Meets Girl will screen at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg. “We love working with them,” says Murray.“ They really understand what the film festival is all about. This festival is solidly built on community. This is our 25th year, and it’s so important to have a place for people to come together and see films they aren’t going to see anywhere else.” For more information about the festival and the films, visit TIGLFF.com.
more information
WHAT: TIGLFF Monthly Screenings WHEN: Feb. 25 at Studio Movie Grill in Tampa, March 18 at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg Tickets: TIGLFF.com
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Violet Chachki
| uu | Ginger Minj from pg.25
Ginger—whose given name is Josh Eads-Brown—shares her experiences as a Season 7 contestant, the birth of Ginger Minj and her determination to succeed at any female role she wants. WATERMARK: wHaT fIrST aTTracTEd you To drag pErformancE?
ginger minj: I fell into drag accidentally. It was never at the top of my radar, but I’ve always loved women’s roles [in theater] more than men’s roles. After I was cast as a female role in the Orlando Film Festival, I realized I can do any role regardless of whether it’s male or female. you mET your HuSband wHILE you wErE LIvIng In nEw yorK. wHaT dId HE InITIaLLy THInK wHEn you EXprESSEd InTErEST In pErformIng drag?
We’re at a very good place with
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Miss Fame
Katya
Ginger Minj
Tempest DuJour
Jasmine Masters
Pearl
‘Ginger Minj’ fits my persona very well. It’s crass and it’s trashy, but it sounds classy—at least until you know what it really means. —ginger minj
it. There was never a question about whether he was going to be supportive. There was some concern on his part in the beginning because in two previous relationships, the men he dated made the decision to become female after doing drag. It took a lot to make him see I have no desire to become a woman. To me, it’s an acting exercise, a chance to knock down walls and barriers in the acting world. I was the first man cast to play the role of Mrs. Lovett in
Sweeney Todd. When he came to see me in that role, he saw I immersed myself in the world of this woman and became that character, and he said, “I get it now.”
WAS HE THE ONE WHO ENCOURAGED YOU TO AUDITION FOR RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE?
Actually, this past year I worked with one of the queens in New York who I had never met before, and she said, “You need to be on this show; it’s a perfect fit.” I had been a fan of
watermark Your lgbt life.
the show since Season 1—a casual fan, not a hardcore one. I love the drama and the costumes. I kind of had an idea of what RuPaul’s Drag Race really was and what it took to get on, and I always told myself I would audition as soon as I felt my personal life was in order. That way, no matter what happens on the show, I’ll have money in the bank, a roof over my head and a husband to support me. It finally gave me that kick in the ass to say, “Maybe it’s time to audition.”
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I looked up the application and realized I had about a week to turn it in. I worked for three days around the clock to get the video and 50page application finished. One day, I got an email invitation to join a Skype interview for the following day, the same day I had a Sleuth’s matinee for 300 elementary school kids. The interview was at 1 p.m. and the performance ended at 12:50. I was in complete drag for all these kids and had 10 minutes to scrub all the makeup off my face,
Jaidynn Diore Fierce
Trixie Mattel
take my hair down, and figure out how to work Skype. When they told me I was chosen as a contestant for Season 7, I literally fell out of my chair and said, “Shut! Up! Really?!” dId you go STraIgHT InTo fILmIng from THaT poInT?
I got the news at the beginning of July and left a couple weeks later to start filming. You’re not allowed to tell anyone you’ve been cast on the show during filming. Part of it is the big secret about who’s on the season. I HEard you ToLd THE pubLIc you wErE SIcK wITH mrSa So you couLd KEEp IT a SEcrET. IS THaT corrEcT?
Well, I actually did have MRSA the December prior. I had finally gotten it under control, but it seemed to be the most perfect cover story to say my treatment was taking longer than expected. And it wasn’t a lie because I had been dealing with it and people knew I was sick. People who had a feeling I was a contestant would stalk every
Sasha Belle
Facebook post, take screen shots on Reddit, and send spies to the club to see if I was there. I got back from filming and the world had exploded with rumors of me being on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
How dId your fanS rEacT wHEn THEy found ouT THEy wErE rIgHT?
Some of them said, “I knew it! I knew she didn’t have MRSA!” Some said, “She’s terrible and I wish she had gotten MRSA and died.” But at least they’re passionate about it. I’ve probably gotten hate for every single thing I’ve done. I’m at the point in my life where it doesn’t bother me for the most part because I sit and think about where it comes from. With every bad comment, there are 100 good ones. How abouT on-SET drama? HavE you Had any confLIcTS wITH THE oTHEr gIrLS?
It is chock full of drama! I can’t share it with you; you’ll just have to watch it. I will tell you they pull us from all over the country and
Mrs. Kasha Davis
us good ol’ Southern gals here in Florida have a different way of dealing with everyday life than someone from Chicago or Kentucky or New York. When you put 14 people together who have never met each other, it’s a fun social experiment to see how they’ll react to each other. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not. I’ve got that very Southern belle sensibility—I’ll tell them they’re pissing me off but end it with “bless your heart,” which any girl from the South knows is a polite way of saying “Fuck you.” But me and the girls are very close. We’re a sorority of drag sisters. We text every day, talk on the phone, and have coffee together every morning. We go through adventures together and have each other’s backs despite any drama on the show.
In your “mEET THE QuEEnS” vIdEo from THE SHow’S wEbSITE, you SaId gIngEr mInj IS brITISH SLang for “rEd vagIna.” I’m dyIng To Know How you camE
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Kandy Ho’
Kennedy Davenport
up wITH your namE!
I was still going by my real name until I took Ginger Minj. I was just an actor, not a character yet. Ten years ago, the film director at Sleuth’s found me at a performance. He offered to give me a job as a drag performer and pay for everything I needed for my character under one condition: that I take the name Ginger Minj. When Sleuth’s first opened in 1986, Simon, an old Scottish character from the Sleuth’s show Squires Inn, went out to mingle before the show. He looked at a redheaded woman and yelled across the room, “Hey Nigel, do you think this one’s got a ginger minj?” The woman, who was British, knew exactly what it meant and punched him in the jaw. The story became a huge legend for Sleuth’s. Everyone knew about it but no one was allowed to talk about it. I think Ginger Minj fits my persona very well. It’s crass and it’s trashy, but it sounds classy. At least until you know what it really means.
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Max
wHaT waS IT LIKE worKIng on SET wITH rupauL?
RuPaul is one of the nicest, most nurturing people I’ve ever met in my life. His heart is totally in it and you can tell he wants the best for each and every contestant. When it comes time for elimination, he doesn’t want anyone to go home because he saw something in us. This is exactly what he wanted and is committed to making sure it’s good. Going on RuPaul’s Drag Race helped me break down the same barriers that RuPaul did. After watching people like RuPaul knock down walls, play any role they wanted to play and be successful, there is no reason I can’t play whatever female role I want.
mOre infOrmaTiOn
What: RuPaul’s Drag Race Where: LOGO TV When: Monday, March 2 at 9 p.m.
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eventplanner
arTs+enTerTainmenT
cOmmuniTy calendar
orLando
SaraSoTa
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience, Feb. 3- Feb. 15, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org
a Perfect Wedding event feb. 12, 6 p.m. paLm aVe. parking garage 1289 n. paLm aVe., sarasota Join the Sarasota Film Festival and Equality Florida as it celebrates marriage equality in the Sunshine State with a screening of The Perfect Wedding. The film will also help celebrate the union of partners Ken Shelin and Steve Stockwell, who are now legally married in the state. Proceeds benefit both non-profit organizations and tickets are available at SarasotaFilmFestival.com.
Bill Maher, Feb. 8, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Diana Ross, Feb. 11, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org The Merry Wives of Windsor, Feb. 6- March 7, Margeson Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org To Kill A Mockingbird, through March 8, Margeson Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org The Explorers Club, through Feb. 22, The Harriett Theater, Mad Cow Theater, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheater.com Luv Sux 6 – The Devil Made us Do It, Feb. 7, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com 3 nights with nInA fLOWERS, Feb. 6Feb. 8, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Celtic Thunder, Feb. 8, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; Hardrock.com/live/locations/ Orlando Michael Ray, Feb. 7, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com/Orlando Ceschi Ramos with Crunk Witch, SKIP, Acey & Divinci, Feb. 2, The Social, Orlando. 407-246-1419; TheSocial.org Glen Hansard Winter Tour 2015, Feb. 6, The Beacham, Orlando. 407-246-1419; Thebeacham.com
SuprEmE
EnTErTaInEr
orLando
Mba Orlando’s Monthly networking Mixer feb. 4, 6-8 p.m. the Wyndham grand orLando resort bonnet creek 14651 cheLonia parkWay, orLando. MBA Orlando will host their monthly mixer on Feb.4. The meetings allow for members to socialize and connect with other members of the Orlando business community.
The legendary Diana Ross returns to Florida in February and brings her hits to stages across Central Florida. The diva brings her “In the Name of Love” tour to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando on Feb. 11, the Van Wezel in Sarasota on Feb. 13 and the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg on Feb. 18. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.com.
Tampa
Wine Weekend, Feb. 6Feb. 8, Museum of Fine Arts, St Petersburg. 727-894-4638; Fine-Arts.org
Les Ballets Tockadero, Feb. 4, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 1-800-826-9303; Vanwezel.org
The Piano Guys, Feb. 4, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; Strazcenter.org
Travis Tritt, Feb. 8, Mahaffey Theater, St Petersburg. 727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Feb. 6, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 1-800-826-9303; Vanwezel.org
Opera Tampa’s 20th Anniversary Gala, Feb. 7, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
first Annual Chili Cook Off, Feb. 1, Flamingo, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; Flamingofla.com
Harry Connick Jr., Feb. 10, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 1-800-826-9303; Vanwezel.org
Seth Glier, Feb. 9, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
The Buffalo Kings, through Feb. 8, FreeFall Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; FreeFallTheater.com
106 Years of Broadway, Feb. 5, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 1-800-826-9303; Vanwezel.org
First Date, Feb. 3-Apr. 19, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; Strazcenter.org
The Hit Men, Feb. 11, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Through A Lens Darkly, Jan. 29, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727-894-4638; Fine-Arts.org
SaraSoTa Ballroom with a Twist, Jan. 29, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 1-800-826-9303; Vanwezel.org
Ring of Fire, Feb. 6March 1, Venice Theater, Venice. 941-488-1115; VeniceStage.com
ST. pETErSburg
bartender auction feb. 5, 9 p.m. fLamingo resort 4601 34th street s, st. petersburg The Flamingo Resort has a fun way to raise money for the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas. On Feb. 5, patrons can bid on their favorite Flamingo bartender—who will be modeling underwear—for a chance to take them on a two-hour date.
gaInESvILLE
GLbT Democratic Caucus biennial Membership Meeting feb. 7, 1 p.m. pride Lgbt community center of north centraL fLorida The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus will hold its Winter (Biennial) Membership Meeting and Board Elections, on Feb. 7 at The Pride LGBT Community Center of North Central Florida. Advance registration is suggested at FloridaGLBTDemocrats.org.
To submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.
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Announcing the Second Annual
This Valentine’s Day Unity Campus in St. Petersburg is celebrating Florida legislators’ recent lifting of the ban on same-sex marriages by hosting a non-denominational group wedding ceremony open to all couples, as well as family members and guests - free of charge!
Saturday March 21st, 2015
from 12-5 at the beautiful Bradenton Riverwalk Featuring live entertainment, great music, local vendors, fine food and craft beer.
460 46th Ave North St Petersburg, FL
Please
RSVP
www.firstunity.org
or email pamela@firstunity.org
Admission is free and all proceeds will benefit Prism Youth Initiative, which provides services to the LGBTQ youth of Manatee County
For more info please visit www.manateepride.com or call 941-357-0111
SPONSORED BY:
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ShotonSite 4
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Tampa Bay 1- aWard Lineup: (L-R) Adam Rhodes, Jay Aller, Eric Skains, Chris Rudisill, Jacob Hamm and Margaret Murray enjoy the VIP cocktail hour before the TBGLCC Diamond Awards dinner at the Clearwater/Largo Holiday Inn on Ulmerton Jan. 17. PHOTO By JAKE STEVEnS 2- preparation is key: The staff of G Bar gets ready for guests the weekend of Jan. 18. PHOTO COuRTESy CARRIE WEST
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3- day on, not off: Priya Rajkumar, Vice President of Metro Wellness & Community Centers holds a sign recognizing MLK Day as a day to volunteer at the new LGBT Welcome Center. PHOTO COuRTESy CHRIS RuDISILL 4- Wedding music: New grooms Rich Hughes, left, and Doug nederveld flank singer Chris Romeo during their wedding reception on Jan. 17 at Harbours Edge in St. Petersburg. PHOTO COuRTESy DOuG nEDERVELD 5- guest of honor: Acting legend Ben Vereen stands with actor Kristofer Geddie at Venice Theatre’s season announcement party on Jan. 22. Vereen will direct Hair this season at Venice Theater. PHOTO By RICK CLAGGETT 6- hoLiday heLp: (L-R) David Quinlan, Floss Marino, Jacob Hamm, Chris Rudisill, James Keane, and Glenn Morrison work on the LGBT Welcome Center’s new kitchen on Dr. Martin Luther King Day. PHOTO COuRTESy PRIyA RAJKuMAR 7- parade ready: The Stonewall Democrats of St. Petersburg stand by their parade float prior to the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Parade on Central Avenue. PHOTO COuRTESy JERRy zOPPO
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8- dressed to the nines: (L-R) Kevin Beckner, Gil Sainz and nick Janovsky dress to impress at the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Awards gala on Jan. 17. PHOTO By JAKE STEVEnS
Overheard new Band fOrming fOr Tampa pride
i
f you pLay an instrument or haVe eVer tWirLed a fLag or a rifLe, you have a chance to be part of the brand new Tampa Bay Pride Band. The new organization, led by John Davis, David Rosa and Nancy Corporon, is looking for charter members to join Tampa Bay Pride Band. The new group rehearses every Monday at 7:15 p.m. in Ybor City. The group plans to debut at Tampa Bay Pride on Saturday, March 28. If you can’t play an instrument and don’t want to twirl, your services could also be utilized in the form of a social
media leader. For details and more information on rehearsals, email TampaBayPrideBand1@ gmail.com.
flamingO’s new head Bird
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he fLamingo resort has undergone some renoVations to its rooms, and now it has shaken up its hotel staff. The hotel welcomed new manager Robert Bowden at the beginning of January, and the new man in charge has some plans for the popular resort. Expect some new headlining, out-of-town entertainers in the coming months and more themed
weekends, he told GSHRadio.com during a recent show. You can also expect a few other improvements, like a larger dinner menu at the resort’s restaurant and expanded hours to feed those after-hours crowds. For more information, visit FlamingoFla.com.
skyline fifTh seT TO eXpand
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xpect some major construction to inVade the parking Lot across from Georgie’s Alibi this summer. It looks like Atlis Cardinal, a Miami real estate company, is about to renovate the large, white towers across
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the street from the popular bar and Metro Wellness. According to an article in the Tampa Bay Times, the large, vacant towers will soon be part of an expanded Skyline Fifth complex, offering 76 one- and two-bedroom apartment units. Altis paid $19.5 million for Skyline Fifth in 2012 and spent another $16.5 million last January for the six-story building that will be part of Phase One. Details on when construction will actually begin are not yet available.
new year, new miXers
a
mid the hoopLa surrounding the recent diamond aWards dinner, presented
Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
by the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, was an announcement of the organization’s new monthly mixer. Beginning Feb. 10, the TBGLCC will hold cocktail mixers that will incorporate short programs. The Feb. 10 event is at Edge of 9 at 900 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, and will feature a presentation on social media marketing by TapSnap 1018. The free mixer will feature light bites and will also give attendees a chance to pose for Valentine’s Day photos with their partners. For details, visit TBGLCC.org.
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orlando 1- ONE BIG CHECK: Staff members and volunteers from Miracle of Love, Inc., hold a check for $131,098.88 that they received from SMART Ride 11 on Jan. 10. This year’s ride raised more than $1.1 million. Photo courtesy of Angus Bradshaw
2- FOLLOW THE CLUES: Jessa Hartzell (left) stops by Watermark to pick up a scavenger hunt clue from Watermark Director of Online Media Jamie Hyman. Hartzell’s hunt ended with a proposal from her fiancée. Photo by Ed Blaisdell 3- SCOTTISH SERVICE: (L to R) Orlando Psycho City Derby girls Manda Fernandez, Shana Moshen, Nadine Karimeand Missy Corson volunteer at the Highland Games on Jan. 18. Photo courtesy OPCD
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4- SING IT OUT LOUD: The Orlando Gay Chorus provide Watermark’s January Third Thursday Social at Artegon Marketplace with great entertainment. Photo by Danny Garcia 5- ‘SUPER’ COOL: Superheroes from all walks of life attend Otronicon at the Orlando Science Center on Jan. 17. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez Photography 6- GETTING WILD: Zebra Coalition Director Dexter Foxworth takes a ride on the motorized zebra scooter at Artegon Marketplace at Watermark’s January Third Thursday Social benefitting the Zebra Coalition. Photo by Danny Garcia 7- ALTERNATE UNIVERSE: Carlos Carbonell (right), president of the Orlando Tech Association, tries out the Oculus Virtual Reality headset at the B.I.G. Summit in Miami. Photo by Carlos Carbonell, Sr.
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8- FULL HOUSE: Winter Garden martini bar Pillars was packed on the night of Jan. 15, where coincidentally singers David Dorman, Andrea Canny, David Kelley and accompanist Kelly Richards all appeared. Photo by Scott Penyak
Overheard When Justice wins
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ecently OutLoud Orlando’s Justice has sported a new sleek look. Instead of his usual, dark curly head of hair, the DJ decided to shave his head. On a recent broadcast he shared that the decision came after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins high grade B cell lymphoma. That diagnosis came in November and in mid-December he began an aggressive chemo treatment. Justice tells us he’s happy that it’s a treatable form of lymphoma and he’s keeping a very positive outlook. The shock-jock will continue his work on 91.5 and webcast.
Love handles
W
hen XL 106.7’s Johnny’s House challenges different businesses to get fit, the staff at the Parliament House accepts! The staff of the P-House—including Anthony Gray, Drew Sizemore, Darcel Stevens, Bryan Granatstein and Randy Justice—are finalists in the eight-week fitness challenge presented by Planet Fitness. They jokingly say they have joined together to fight the battle of the bulge as Team Love Handle! This is the type of challenge where you hope to be the biggest loser. And really it’s not a matter of winning or losing
this time around, but by how good you look by Gay Days.
Bacon plans to Hambush the Big Apple
L
ocal artist and jeweler Rob Bacon has been accepted to show his wares at New York’s Fashion Week. Such exposure can be huge for an artist, but so can the expense. So the out artist created a GoFundMe to assist in his journey. Previously working with big name celebrities like Kelly Osborne and Demi Lovato, Rob is known for his unique style and has donated some of his work to raise money for local charities. If you wish to donate check out his Instagram: RobBaconJewelry
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n Feb. 22, the Venue and The Center will team up to present what both promise to be one of the zaniest and fun events of the year. The new game show, hosted by the newly resurrected Eureka Fish, will feature local celebrity judges. The idea of the show is really quite simple: different acts perform and if you survive the gong, you’ll make it to the next round. Those with the talent to compete should contact Ken at the Center (407228-8272). Those who do will could win prizes and achieve fame! Hurry before the slots are all “Gong!” See what we
Ja nua ry 29 - F eb rua ry 11, 2015 // Issue 2 2.03
did there? Ticket sales for the show will benefit the Center’s Senior Program.
GILT-y Pleasure
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eginning Feb. 5, Thursdays at GILT Nightclub will be known as “Thrive.” Thanks to the promotional talents of Chris Pittman, the inaugural night will feature DJ/Producer Twisted Dee, no cover and an open bar until midnight. We were told that details on the second installment are still under wraps but that there is a big surprise in store for the Valentine’s Day week.
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Community Announcements cOngraTulaTiOns Facebook lit up on Jan. 14 when Carlos Smith announced that he would begin working with the public policy team at Equality Florida. Smith will work in Tallahassee during the 2015 legislative session on securing equality and rights for LGBTs all across Florida. The Hammered Lamb will celebrate two years in business on Jan. 29. The Orlando bar and restaurant regularly hosts fundraisers for Central Florida non-profit groups. Andrea Hays of Orlando has been appointed by the Orange County Soil & Water Board to fill the vacant seat of District 5 Supervisor. Previously, Hays has served for eight months as a County Soil & Water Conservation Associate.
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lOcal BirThdays Lightning fast jammer Haley Perry; FSU grad, adorable cub and Ocala muse Bill Bondank (Jan. 30); marketing pro and Watermark writing wit Ken Kundis (Jan. 31); St. Petersburg massage therapist Emily Stone, Tampa Softball player and Verizon rep Thomas Hale, Orlando softball hunk Jason Hamm, barber and former Tampa resident James Bowman Harris (Feb. 1); Pinellas Park graduate and new south Florida resident Miguel Rivera, Orlando AIDS advocate and The Center board member Lee Kirkpatrick (Feb. 2); Tampa entertainer Daphne Ferraro, Gulfport theater addict Rob McCabe (Feb. 3); TIGLFF executive director Margaret Murray, Tampa Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Monica MuffDiver, aka Scott Ryan (Feb. 4); super photographer James “Canonball” Bennett (Feb. 6); Orlando fitness God Tony Edge (Feb. 7); Brandon sales rep and beach bum Jim Beaton, 1st Dance Studio owner and St. Petersburg dance instructor Julia Meyerovich-neighbors (Feb. 8); co-owner of Orlando’s Hamburger Mary’s Mike Rogier (Feb. 9); Creative Tile Design of St. Petersburg owner Tom O’Keefe, St. Petersburg hair stylist and cyclist Ric Castro (Feb. 10); Xia Adonis from the House of Adonis, LaToya Little, Tampa schools media specialist and activist Bart Birdsall, Florida Council on Economic Education Executive Director Mike Bell (Feb. 11).
neWLy appointed:
Tampa attorney David Hoffman, of Hoffman Law Firm and a board member of the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, was recently appointed as this year’s consulting attorney for the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. His duties will be to provide the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, President and staff with legal interpretations and advice regarding matters related to the Chamber.
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proud american: Watermark’s former creative assistant Andres Duputel recently passed his citizen test and is now an American citizen. Duputel is originally from Colombia.
Are you making a Transition? Having a birthday or anniversary? Did you get a new job or promotion? See your news in Watermark! Send your Transition to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com or go to WatermarkOnline.com/Submit-a-Transition - it’s that easy!
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sports
Orlando, Tampa teams sweep Meltdown Staff Report
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rlando | Teams from Orlando and Tampa Bay fared extremely well at the 15th annual Orlando Meltdown Softball Tournament held the weekend of Jan. 17. Teams representing each area took first in all four divisions. More than 700 players from across the country participated in the annual tournament. In the C-Division, City Side of Tampa took the first place trophy after beating the second place Orlando Fury. Third place went to Felicias of Fort Lauderdale. The Dog Pound of Tampa won first in the D-Division and Orlando’s Flower Power came in second. Muff n Stuff of Orlando placed third in that division. Orlando dominated the Women’s Competitive division by placing two teams in the top three. Cleats & Cleavage of Orlando took first while Kryptonite of Orlando finished third. The second place trophy went to the Fort Lauderdale Sol Rebels. And in the Women’s Recreational Division, Catch This of Orlando took first when they beat Last Call of Fort Lauderdale in the finals. The third place team in that division was the Orlando Geckos.
THE CURLING CREW: Orlando Curling’s leader Bryan Pittard, standing in back left, and the members of Orlando Curling hope to expand their group and raise the funds needed to make curling the next big sport in Orlando. Photo by Jacob May
Curling is coming to Orlando Dylan Drobet
O
rlando | Unless the Winter Olympics are happening live, curling is likely not the first sport to which most Central Floridians relate. Bryan Pittard hopes that is all about to change as he tries to warm up the local community to the icy sport.
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Inspired by watching curling in the 2014 Winter Olympics, Pittard decided to do some research. He found Curling Orlando already existed on Facebook and had members. After the original creator moved to Texas, Pittard took over the group. “In Florida, we don’t have a lot of ice rinks but we do have some. It looks like fun and I like obscure
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weird things and I wanted to find out more,” Pittard said. There is only one curling club in Florida currently: The Panthers Curling Club in Coral Springs. “I went to a ‘learn to curl’ with the Panthers and a few rounds with the Potomac Curling Club in Washington D.C.,” Pittard said. Orlando Curling is recognized as a nonprofit corporation in the state of Florida and is considered an official curling club by the Grand National Curling Club and U.S. Curling Association. Unlike the more popular winter sport of hockey, Pittard compares curling to low impact sports like darts and shuffleboard that everyone could enjoy. “There are curlers in their eighties and all the way down to children,” Pittard said. “They have curling for disabled people even if they are wheelchair-bound. It’s a special sport.” The club has found a home at the RDV Ice Den in Maitland. For more information, visit CurlingOrlando.com. Donations to the campaign can be made at GoFundMe.com/CurlingOrlando.
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