daytOna BeaCh • OrlandO • tampa • st. petersBurg • sarasOta • issue 22.12 • june 4 - june 17, 2015 • watermarKOnline.COm
Your lgbt life.
THE QUEEN OF MEAN IS BACK Comedian LISa LamPaNeLLI returns to shred Orlando’s biggest gay weekend
WEST COAST PLAYERS
taKe On the gay marriage plays
UNA VOCE
giVes BaCK with ‘i am harVey milK’
CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH
enters raCe fOr flOrida hOuse
JUNE 27 12-5PM
8PM
JUNE 26 4-
FROM GEORGIE’S ALIBI AND/OR THE FLAMINGO RESORT TO HAMPTON INN
CHECK WITH FRONT DESK FOR DETAILS
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watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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I AM HARVEY MILK Words and Music by ANDREW LIPPA
FRIDAY • JUNE 12th • 8:00 PM • THE PALLADIUM • 253 5th Avenue North, St Petersburg 33701 SATURDAY • JUNE 13th • 8:00 PM • USF CONCERT HALL • 3755 USF Holly Dr., Tampa 33620 Tickets: $25 & $40 available at
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With the Support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.
watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
I can’t think of a better person to take on those challenges than my friend, and former aide, Carlos Guillermo Smith.
departments
I hope you’ll join me 16 in supporting him.
6 // mail
PAGE
8 // orlando neWs 12 // tampa bay neWs
—JoE sAunDErs, formEr florIDA housE rEprEsEntAtIVE AnnouncIng hE wIll not run AgAIn for DIstrIct 49, rAthEr EnDorsE hIs formEr chIEf-of-stAff
16 // state 18 // nation & World neWs 43 // community calendar 45 // tampa bay overheard 47// orlando overheard 49 // transitions 48 // tampa bay marketplace 50 // orlando marketplace 54 // sports
on the cover
PAGE
PAGE
Though she’s performed in Central Florida numerous times before, Lisa Lampanelli’s last Gay Days Weekend appearance was in 2007. Now she is back to take on all the crazy, shocking topics that she is famous for ripping through.
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your day-our day!
With 25 years of magical weekends, everyone is feeling nostalgic and looking back at all the parties, pools and pride as Gay Days went from one day to a full blown movement.
Watermark i ssue 22.12 // J une 4 - J une 17, 2015
orlando neWs
tampa bay
West coast players
sports
PAGE Equality Florida’s Carlos
PAGE Una Voce celebrates the
PAGE
PAGE
Photo by Dan Dion
scan qr code For
Watermarkonline.com
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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Guillermo Smith is running for Florida House in 2016; the Orlando Gay Chorus celebrates 25 years with a new concert and artistic director.
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life of gay rights icon Harvey Milk with the concert I Am Harvey Milk; Equality Florida presented Dr. Rose Walton with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Greater St. Pete Gala in the Mahaffey Theatre.
West Coast Players tackle marriage equality in their show “Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays”, nine vignettes - ranging from comedy to drama - form the production.
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Michael Sam became the first openly gay football player to join the Canadian Football League, playing for the Montreal Alouettes, former Marshall University football player indicted on charges of a hate crime.
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one oF the biggest gay events in the World, gay days, is going on noW through June 7. visit Watermarkonline.com For the one-stop shop on all your gay day’s coverage watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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FORD MUSTANG THE ORIGINAL MUSCLE CAR
top web comments From WatermarkOnline.com On josh duggar’s resignation from antigay Christian group amid molestation reports:
YES,
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“Typical Christian Republican behavior. It’s wrong when someone else does something hideous, but all is forgiven when it is one of them and they fear it will hurt their political shenanigans. No better liar than a loud mouth Christian.” —Kenny
“So not only is he a child molester, he molested members of his own family? Wow. I don’t care how old he was, given this family’s political activities dedicated to discriminating against others, this is complete and utter hypocrisy.” —EV398E
From Facebook On gay hotelier who hosted Ted Cruz making a campaign donation:
“Why would you turn your back on your community like that? All I want to know is where are the pictures of you, your boyfriend, and Ted Cruz in the hot tub? LOL, no really. I want to see them.” —Joan E. Hepsworth
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watermark Your lgbt life.
“So not only is he a child molester, he molested members of his own family? Wow.” —EV398E
“No one could be that stupid and not know where Ted Cruz stands on gay rights. I’m calling bullshit! He’s a liar and he deserves to be parted from his money. He just thought no one would ever know.” —Curt Williams
“WTF! How do you NOT research a candidate before inviting him to your house? Do your research!” —Mercedes Gosnell
On the gay marriage challenge costing Indiana $1.4M in attorney fees:
“The problem with this is that it comes out of taxpayers’ money. They should make every legislator who voted for this have their pay garnished. I know they can’t but it sure sounds good.” —Sandy Rose Rotondo
On Rick Santorum announcing his run for president:
On Ireland legalizing same-sex marriage:
“The presidential campaign is usually so dry. It’s nice to have a comedian in the mix.”
—Chris Murphy
—Tim Stahl
On Billy Manes being named the new editorin-chief of Watermark:
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings, proud to know you. I’m impressed and filled with anticipation. Wow, just wow!” —Margot Haliday Knight
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
“BEST. NEWS. EVER.” On gay activist, Randy Ross, announcing his run for Orlando mayor:
“Wondering if Jackie Siegel from Westgate Resorts talked him into it. He is her new Gay BFF.” —Jeremy Thurston “You just can’t make this stuff up. Thanks for the laugh.” —Andrea Hays
editor’s
Rick Claggett
interim editor | publisher
Rick@WatermarkOnline.com
A
Desk
month ago I wrote a
Viewpoint column on the vast changes that were happening around our community and within the walls at Watermark. In that issue, we delivered the news that our longtime editor-in-chief, Steve Blanchard, had accepted a new position and would be leaving us. Although we love and miss Steve, his chapter closing here has opened the door for one of the most exciting advances in Watermark’s history. If you don’t know what announcement I am about to make, then you must not have hit “like” on Watermark’s Facebook page. The announcement that Billy Manes will be Watermark’s new editor-in-chief was made late May 27 and quickly became the talk of the town. For those not familiar, Billy
watermark staff
Manes is a journalistic icon in Central Florida with 18 years as a writer for the Orlando Weekly. I’ve known of Billy for 13 of those years, dating back to my first days at Watermark. I have always been impressed with his tenacity, edginess and, most importantly, his ability to draw me into the story he is telling. I look forward to seeing what his experience and vision bring to Watermark. Billy will begin working at Watermark after the next issue. Keep an eye out on this space
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watermark Your lgbt life.
and passersby went running. One person yelled, “What are you doing?” Nathan’s response, “I’m foraging for food!” As he continued to make a spectacle, a drag queen and her entourage walked up. She shook her head, looked at the young posse by her side and said, “Honey, that’s why I do drugs and don’t drink!” With that she exited. My other favorite memory comes from One Mighty Party. I was one week out of the seven year relationship described above. Watermark’s art director, Jake Stevens, and I were tasked with going to One Mighty Party at the Disney Studios to take pictures and report on anything
She shook her head, looked at the young posse by her side and said, ‘Honey, that’s why I do drugs and don’t drink!’
exciting that may happen. Jake was fairly new to the Gay Days process and neither of us were really feeling it when we got there. We stood in the center of the Studios and I walked up to a group to ask if we could take their picture for the newspaper. They agreed and Jake snapped their photo. With that flash everything changed. People lined up to have theior pictures taken For three hours and 700 pictures, Jake and I met some of the friendliest people from all over the world. That’s what Gay Days is all about to me. Have fun this Gay Days, and stay safe!
Orlando Office
Tampa Bay Sales: Bill Jeffries Ext. 301 • 813-454-9064 • Bill@WatermarkOnline.com
Publisher: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com
Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell
beginning with our July 2 issue to find out more about Billy Manes. Although Billy will be working out of our Orlando office, I don’t want our Tampa Bay readers to be nervous about how we will report news coming out of the area. As soon as Billy joins the team, he and I will begin our search for a full-time Tampa Bay writer. In fact, we already have strong candidates ready to take the reins and continue your story. In the meantime, we have Gay Days/One Magical Weekend and St. Pete Pride to tackle. In this issue of Watermark, you will find mini-interviews with local promoters and celebrities in which they share their fond memories of this huge gay weekend and its impact on our lives. In the spirit of the issue, I’d like to share two of my favorite stories from Gay Days past. Why two? Trying to pick one is like living in a Sophie’s Choice of the gay holy days. Of course, my fondest memories take place at Typhoon Lagoon. I stated this bias in my last Editor’s Desk. I’m not sure if it’s because of my loyalty to Watermark Media who started it, or because it has been and continues to be a great time no matter what. I can’t say for sure who owned the party at this particular moment, let’s just hope it wasn’t my employer. I do know, however, this is back during the seven years I spent with my ex, Nathan. If you know Nathan then you know he was fun. It is impossible not to have a good time when he is around you. We were unsuccessfully trying to walk as sexy and sober as possible across one of the beach areas when we passed a large puddle of water. In true Nathan fashion he jumped to his knees and started digging at the puddle. Water was splashing everywhere
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
contributors Aaron Alper is a
photographer and writer in St. Petersburg. He holds a masters in English Education from the University of South Florida. Page 12, 36
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
Dr. Steve Yacovelli
is owner & principal of TopDog Learning Group, LLC, a learning and development consulting firm based in Orlando that provides guidance and solutions in diversity and inclusion. Page 23 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 Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Tom Eckert, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift, Tinkerfluff, Lonnie Thompson
distribution RJ Publishing, Lisa Jordan, Ken Caraway, David Krauss CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.
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orlando news
The Orlando Gay Chorus celebrates 25 years with “One Voice” concert at the Plaza Live Jeremy WIlliams
O
rlando | The Orlando Gay Chorus is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a concert at The Plaza Live June 13-14. The concert, entitled “One Voice,” will be the first under the OGC’s new artistic director, James Rode. One Voice will be a celebration of the last 25 years acknowledging the events the chorus have gone through, as well as remembering members of the OGC who have passed. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” said Robb Noll, one of the original members of OGC and former chorus president. “When we started the chorus we weren’t always accepted. We were banned from singing in churches and by Central Florida Arts, but the more that people knew who we were, the more they were likely to accept us and our cause.” Noll was one of the “Founding Fathers” when the chorus began in 1990. Originally 30 members, the OGC now has more than 150 singers, eight of which have been there from the beginning. “The eight of us will be performing “Old Friend” which was sung at the very first concert,” Null said. “It’s a powerful and very meaningful song to us.” The concert will also feature “A Million Sparks of Light,” an original piece written by OGC member Linda Knutson which is dedicated to the LGBTQ youth as an anti-bullying message. Another member of the OGC family, Principal Accompanist Susan Glerum, arranged the choral setting that will make its debut in One Voice. “We are very eclectic on the music we select. Music comes from all backgrounds and our group comes from all backgrounds and that is reflected in this concert,” Noll said. The chorus also commissioned a special arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Travelin’ Thru” that was featured in the motion picture Transamerica. It will be premiered at the concert and will be dedicated to the transgender community. “It’s a celebration of our history,” Noll said. “We sang on the steps of city hall earlier this year after samesex marriage was legalized in Florida. We have people in our chorus now who have adopted children. This wasn’t something we thought we would see when we started the OGC.” One Voice, the 25th Anniversary Concert of the Orlando Gay Chorus, will be on Saturday, June 13, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 14, 4:30 p.m. at the Plaza Live Theatre in downtown Orlando. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. To order your advance tickets, go to orlandogaychorus.org.
8
Odds in his favor:
Carlos Guillermo Smith announced that he will run for District 49’s House seat being vacated by Rep. Rene Plasencia.
Mr. Smith goes to Tallahassee? Equality Florida’s Carlos Smith announces candidacy for District 49 House seat, Joe Saunders not running Jeremy Williams
E
quality Florida’s Carlos Guillermo Smith has announced he will run for Florida House Representative of District 49 in the upcoming election year. The current chair for the Orange County Democrats decided to run after former State Representative Joe Saunders made the decision to not seek the seat for the Florida House in 2016. “Thank you all who have reached out to share encouragement and for your
watermark Your lgbt life.
patience,” Saunders said. “My time in public life, serving the people of District 49, will always have a very special place in my heart and none of it would have been possible without your support. After careful thought and consideration, I’ve made the decision not to seek re-election in House District 49 this year.” Saunders is currently the Southern Regional Field Director at the Human Rights Campaign and is supporting Smith’s decision to run in his old district. “I’m confident that this year there is a candidate for District 49 who can pick up the torch and
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
help to finish so much of the work we started together. District 49 needs someone who represents the diversity of the district, has the capacity to bring people together and has the experience and skill to make change in a process that is ripe with challenges. I can’t think of a better person to take on those challenges than my friend, and former aide, Carlos Guillermo Smith. I hope you’ll join me in supporting him.” Smith, who has been friends with Saunders since meeting in college at UCF in 2002, worked with him on his 2012 campaign and, after winning that race, joined Saunders as his chief-ofstaff in Tallahassee. Smith will be a first time candidate, but brings much experience working from behind the scenes on several political campaigns since 2010. “I got my first gig in politics knocking on doors for Congressman [Alan]Grayson’s campaign,” Smith said. “That’s when I knew I wanted in, being involved in policy and making Continued on pg. 10 | uu |
A TIP ABOUT SECONDHAND
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
www.cdc.gov/tips
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orlando news | uu | Carlos Smith from pg.8
people’s lives better.” Smith was the legislative assistant for former Florida Representative Scott Randolph in 2011 before joining Saunders campaign in 2012. “I’ve seen people run for office and I’ve been close enough to the process and involved in enough campaigns to know what to expect,” Smith said. “I’m not green. Even though I’m a first time candidate I know what it’s going to take and how much hard work it’s going to be, but I think at the end of the day, regardless of the result, it’s going to be worth it because the people need to know what’s happening up there.” Smith spent this past legislative session in Tallahassee as the public policy specialist for Equality Florida and was instrumental in getting antiLGBT bills shutdown before they
had a chance to become law. “This legislative session everything was thrown at the LGBT community,” Smith Said. “We ended up killing every bad bill that came our way. Somehow in the environment where we have a Republicancontrolled governor’s mansion and a Republican-run House and Senate we were able to kill
and attitudes are changing, and they are not going to be able to get away with these rollback tactics on our rights anymore,” said Smith. Smith will be running in a young, diverse district that has an average voter age of 28. District 49 is home to the main campuses of the University of Central Florida
Smith, along with his two sisters, are first generation Americans. His mother is French Canadian and his father, a small business owner, is from Peru. “We need more diverse voices that reflect the changing electorate in this state that we currently don’t have and in this past session, which is what really motivated me cause I
“We need more diverse voices that reflect the changing electorate in this state that we currently don’t have.” —Carlos Smith all those bills and repeal the 1977 ban on gay adoption that was imposed on us thanks to Anita Bryant. “This past session demonstrates the power that the LGBT community has as an electorate, and how Florida is changing to where the conservative majorities that are in power are now having to meet Democrats at the middle. The electorate has changed
and Valencia College, as well as Full Sail University and Orlando Polytechnic University. It is also a district which is nearly 40% black and Hispanic. “There’s 800,000 uninsured people in this state, many of whom are in my district, District 49, who are disproportionately minority, who right now don’t have enough voices representing them in the process in Tallahassee,” Smith said.
was there. We had 60 days of drama and we didn’t have any results,” Smith said. District 49’s seat is up for grabs with no incumbent running for re-election since the current representative, Rene Plasencia (R-Orlando), announced in April that he would run for the District 50 seat in 2016. Plasencia decided to run for District 50 after State
Representative Tom Goodson (R-Titusville) announced he would be vacating his seat to run for District 51, which is empty because the current House Speaker, Rep. Steve Crisafulli (R-Merritt Island), has reached his term limit. While Saunders is not running for any office in 2016, a future in politics might not be off the table. “I think Joe [Saunders] is destined for public service. So maybe not in 2016, but in the near future I think an opportunity will come up that he should consider,” Smith said. “He was a very effective legislator. He worked with Republicans and Democrats and there was so much he got done and that we got done together. There’s a lot of business that both he and I started during our time in Tallahassee that needs to get finished.”
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tampa bay news
equality Florida’s mike reedy enters race For Florida house Aaron Alper
m
ike Reedy is a Democrat and is running for State House 63, but he doesn’t consider himself a de rigueur style politician. He is unabashedly grass roots and, while politically liberal, isn’t afraid to be aggressive in pursuit of what he considers to be right. Speaking with him, he presents himself as somewhat of a liberal alpha dog. He is also intensely friendly and almost immediately divulges information about his life with his partner. “One of the funny things about my partner,” Reedy says, “is that he is a breath of fresh air whenever we go to political functions. When you talk to me it’s all about politics and he would like to talk about anything but politics.” Reedy held his kick off fundraising on May 26 at the home of Alen Clendenin, first vice-chair of the Florida Democratic party. When asked to give a brief history of himself as a politician, Reedy starts off by pointing out his roots in Florida. “I was born and raised in Hillsborough County. I am product of our public school system, specifically the magnet program, where I was a musician and an orchestral conductor. I ended up going to USF for conducting.” Reedy worked as a production coordinator/assistant to conductor Anton Coppola, but when Coppola retired Reedy had a “beautiful transition” into the world of politics. “I had always been involved in politics. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and the only way I was going to it was via Bright Futures through music education. It was when Reedy got his real estate licenses he became aware of the inequalities that were present for LGBT citizens. “We were one of 29 states in which it’s perfectly legal—and still is—to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. They can deny housing. A mortgage company may see a couple with a hyphenated last name and could deny them a mortgage that is not based on credit or credentials, but rather based on that they don’t want to provide that service.” “We are not,” Reedy stresses, “a protected class.” In order to rectify that, Reedy began working with Equality Florida as a consultant and they retained him full time as their state wide business organizer. “The work that I do is to educate and work with senior level executives for large businesses, like Fortune 500 companies, as well as small business to update their policies so that they’re fully inclusive. We then take those pro-equality business and we let them tell their stories to the local elected officials. We have been successful in passing more than 36 local ordinances, and now we are shooting for the statewide non-discrimination bill, a.k.a. the Florida Competitive Workforce Act.”
COntinued On pg. 14 | uu |
12
stAnD bY mE: Una
Voce entertains audience at May 2014 concert.
stand and deliver Una Voce Celebrates Harvey Milk Krista DiTucci
u
na Voce: A Florida Men’s Chorale will make history June 12-13 with the Florida premiere of “I Am Harvey Milk,” words and music by Andrew Lippa. Tom Barker, Una Voce managing director, describes the performance as “a dramatic musical composition that truly celebrates making political change by being who you are.” Not only is the performance important because it is the Florida premiere, but also because Una Voce is one of the first groups allowed to perform it outside of the five largest gay men’s choruses Lippa designated to perform the piece. Additionally, the chorale will be performing with an 18-piece orchestra, their largest collaboration to date. “When you combine 35 voices with three incredible soloists and an 18-piece orchestra, it will be something Tampa Bay hasn’t seen before,” said Barker. These three soloists include Chris Romeo in the role of Harvey Milk; Ruthie Nelson as various female roles; and HariKrishna Koipallil as young Harvey. “Chris has the dramatic skills to bring a role like this to life,” said Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins. “I
watermark Your lgbt life.
don’t know anyone else who could do it like he can.” “I’ve never been part of a gay men’s chorus before,” said Romeo. “There is a diverse age range of gentlemen. It’s amazing to see there are older men who are so comfortable with themselves, especially considering some were alive during Harvey Milk’s lifetime and may have gone through some of the same struggles. They are good role models for the younger generations.” The feeling is mutual; Caulkins says the level of trust and respect between Romeo and the group has led to a lot of free flowing music. However, securing the performance was not an easy task. Barker said the board had to go through a lot of negotiation in convincing Lippa to let them perform it. “This is Andrew Lippa’s baby,” explained Barker. “He wants to protect it just like any piece of art and make sure it’s done in a first-class way.” According to Barker, Una Voce’s biggest motivating factor in bringing “I Am Harvey Milk” to the area was to give back to the community. “We really are following our mission and vision of changing lives one song at a time,” Barker saiod. “We have the first opportunity to tell this story with this music to our
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
community,” Caulkins said. “I’m of a generation that didn’t really know Harvey Milk’s story. The closest connection was that I saw Sean Penn in a movie. A lot of people—even gay people who you would assume know a lot about him—don’t know the story, especially those 40 and younger. It’s a powerful one that needs to be told.” The performance combines Harvey Milk’s life story with the richness of San Francisco culture, running the gamut from Harvey listening to opera and disco as a boy, to his work as the first elected gay man and his pursuit to pass LGBT protections in San Francisco. Romeo says it is important to highlight how fun his life was and not focus on just the tragedy. “There is a piece called ‘San Francisco’ that really talks about being lost and trying to find home,” Caulkins said. “It’s not just about going to San Francisco, but being comfortable with your own sexuality and who you are as a person. A number of guys in the chorus who were in San Francisco at the same time Harvey Milk was there have been to the places we’re singing about, so it’s a very personal story for them.” “I Am Harvey Milk” will honor both LGBT and human rights heroes. Some featured heroes include Nelson Mandela, Gloria Steinem, Larry Kramer, and Keith Herring. The chorale will also perform “Wanting Memories,” a song to honor everyday heroes such as firemen and teachers who help change society as well as protect and serve. Caulkins hopes COntinued On pg. 14 | uu |
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tampa bay news | uu | Mike Reedy from pg.12 Reedy stresses that his work, which also includes an endorsement from the National Organization of Women, is not invocation of special interest, but of civil rights. “The thing about civil rights is that you’re not supposed to be able to vote on them; they’re supposed to be rights. Protecting equal rights for women, for LGBT individuals, is something that we need to be doing. You should not be able to be fired for who love. These issues are what I believe to be American values in general. I don’t know why they are polarizing. If work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to get ahead, no matter who you are or who you love.” For those on the opposite side of the spectrum, Reedy openly invites them to contest him. “Senator Tammy Baldwin said ‘If you’re not in the room the conversation is about you, but when you’re in the room the conversation is with you.’ I think openly LGBT candidates need to be in the chamber along with 119 other legislators to be able to say ‘I want you to say to my face that I am less of Floridian than you are,’ or that ‘My taxes are as good as yours but my rights aren’t.’ That approach is how we’ve able to successfully change the narrative throughout the country and I think that it’s very important that we have LGBT representation in the house.”
Equality Florida honors HIV/AIDS pioneer at St. Pete Gala Jeremy Williams
E
quality Florida honored Dr. Rose Walton with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in the HIV/AIDS arena at the Greater St. Pete Gala at the Mahaffy Theater May 29. “Rose played a major role in Long Island, getting HIV care established. She is a pioneer in HIV education and advocacy,” said gala organizer Todd Richardson. “The work she did stretched far and wide. She did some amazing work and helps out Equality Florida even today.” The gala—one of 14 Equality Florida holds across the state each year—is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers. In 2014, the gala welcomed Edie Windsor, who helped overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. Walton used her time with the
crowd to thank her wife, Marge, and Windsor, and others who have helped her along the way, and to say that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over. “The epidemic has certainly changed since those education programs in the ‘80s but it has not gone away,” Walton said. “We still have 45,000 to 50,000 new cases of HIV in the U.S. every year, and 50 percent of those are over 50.” Equality Florida also honored Larry Biddle and Syvlia Rusche with Voice of Equality awards. Biddle has worked with the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and Metro Wellness and Community Centers. Rusche was honored for her contributions to Equality Florida and her efforts in supporting marriage equality. Equality Florida also honored Tech Data with the Equality Means Business Award during the gala.
| uu | Una Voce from pg.12
audiences can see monumental changes in both gay and human rights since Harvey Milk was in office. Caulkins says he is most excited about the finale, which will begin with Harvey Milk’s speech “Pirate of the Silence” encouraging people to come out and escape the silence. “It’s like a snowball rolling down the hill, gaining momentum and intensity,” Caulkins said. “I can’t think of a more dramatic conclusion to an event. If you’re going to come to one Una Voce concert in your lifetime, it’s this one.” The event will also feature a special guest appearance: Harvey Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk. Stuart, a world renowned LGBT and human rights activist, will attend Friday night’s performance to kick off the event. The show will be presented on June 12 at The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg and June 13 at the USF Concert Hall in Tampa. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit Una-Voce.org.
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state news
Leesburg, Greenacres leaders pass anti-discrimination laws within their cities Staff Report
F
lorida cities Leesburg and Greenacres have passed LGBT civil rights ordinances for their communities expanding the number of towns with laws protecting sexual orientation to eleven. Leesburg City Commissioners passed a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity along with race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age and sex. The law, which passed May 26 by a 3-2 vote, is the first in Lake County and will prevent discrimination in the workplace and makes it illegal for a business to refuse service because a customer is gay. Commissioner Dan Robuck III proposed the ordinance to the council hoping to send the message
that Leesburg welcomes everyone to their city. “We have been elected to the position of power,” said Robuck during the commissioners meeting. “With the authority comes the responsibility to do the right thing for our constituents.” Robuck was joined by Commissioner Bob Bone and Leesburg Mayor Elise Dennison in voting yes on the law. “We are doing this because we are proactive. Leesburg is a welcoming place,” Dennison said. “All persons are created equal and this is in our Constitution.” Commissioners Jay Hurley and John Christian voted against the ordinance. Hurley expressed confusion as to why they were even voting on this as he did not think Leesburg had a discrimination problem. Leesburg residents turned out
to voice their opinions on whether the city commissioners should pass the law. “[Discrimination] is here, it has happened and I have been a victim of it,” said J. Scott Berry, a Leesburg business owner. “This is about what’s good for the city. You as elected representatives have to make the bold statement to the rest of the county that we will not tolerate discrimination.” Joseph Poorman of Faith World Church in Leesburg said there is no reason for this law at all. “People will be mean regardless of what an ordinance or law says,” said Poorman. Further south, the Greenacres City Council on May 19 voted 6-0 to establish a civil rights ordinance opposing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information,
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sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy, familial status or age. Greenacres City Councilwoman Paula Bousquet has been working on diversity issues for several years. “In this ever-changing political climate, it was important for Greenacres to demonstrate our continuing commitment to our residents and employees by codifying and expanding our laws and policies,” said Bousquet. Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Board Member Meredith Ockman spoke to the Rainbow Times rejoicing in the council’s decision. “The Greenacres City Council made the city a safer and more welcoming place for LGBT people to open businesses, buy homes and simply be ourselves,” Ockman said. “The city’s leaders made it clear that everyone is valued for the diversity they bring to Greenacres.” County and municipal leaders continue to push for local ordinances since the Florida Competitive Workforce Act has yet to find any traction in the Florida House or Senate.
The Workforce Act, originally introduced by then State Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) in 2013, would be a statewide law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity providing protection in employment, housing and public accommodations. “While the nation is rapidly moving forward on recognizing lesbian and gay relationships, Florida still lacks any statewide laws providing equal protection to LGBT Floridians,” Rand Hoch, President and Founder of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, said in an interview with the Rainbow Times. “Until the Florida Legislature take action, local LGBT advocacy rights organizations must continue to work with local leaders to protect our community from discrimination.” Leesburg and Greenacres join Orlando, Tampa, Gulfport, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Gainesville, Key West and Miami Beach as Florida cities with civil rights protections that include sexual orientation.
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nation+world news
in other news Israel Day Parade faces Jewish anti-gay, anti-Israel protesters Marchers in the Israel Day Parade in New York City faced some dissonant spectators: Orthodox Jews who don’t believe Israel should exist. Standing near them at the celebration May 31 were Orthodox men heckling gay marchers while hoisting signs that read: “Judaism considers male homosexuality a sin worse than murder.” But mostly, New York’s annual celebration of Israel was greeted by tens of thousands of spectators devoted to the Jewish state.
Colorado school blocks ‘coming out’ speech by valedictorian A Colorado charter school is being criticized for blocking a class valedictorian from delivering a graduation speech in which he planned to come out as gay. Eighteen-yearold Evan Young told the Daily Camera that he agreed to make some suggested changes to his speech but wouldn’t remove the disclosure about his sexuality. Young says he wasn’t notified until just a few minutes before the May 16 ceremony that he wouldn’t be allowed to speak or be recognized as valedictorian.
NYC considers making Stonewall Inn a city landmark The New York Times says the Landmarks Preservation Commission is set to vote on taking a first step towards adding the Stonewall Inn property to its registry. The Greenwich Village tavern would be the first landmark honored specifically for its role in the city’s gay history. Stonewall is often called the cradle of the gay rights movement since patrons in 1969 fought back against police raids targeting the bar based on the sexual orientation of its customers.
India appoints 1st transgender woman as head of college Manabi Banerjee, a transgender woman, will head the Krishnagar Women’s College in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, said Dipak K. Kar, chairman of an education panel that selects college principals in the state. India’s transgender activists hailed the appointment as a proud day for a community that usually faces discrimination. Last year, India’s Supreme Court declared the transgender community as a legal third gender, granting them minority rights and privileges to education, employment and health benefits.
Kazakhstan’s proposed ‘gay propaganda’ law found to be unconstitutional A proposed law in Kazakhstan that would criminalize dissemination to minors of information supporting homosexual relationships has been struck down as unconstitutional. The measure had been passed by both houses of parliament, but it was rejected by the country’s Constitutional Council, Kazakh news agencies said May 27. It would have banned pornography and information seen as promoting violence and “non-traditional relationships.”
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Ireland citizens legalize same-sex marriage in landslide Wire Report
I
reland | Ireland’s gay citizens woke up May 24 in what felt like a nation reborn, some with dreams of wedding plans dancing in their heads. Many weren’t rising too early. The Irish gay community’s biggest party in history came late May 23, after the announcement that the nation’s voters had passed a gay marriage referendum by a landslide. Ireland’s unexpectedly strong 62 percent “yes” to adding same-sex marriage to its conservative 1937 constitution is expected to lead to a wave of gay weddings this summer. The Justice Department confirmed it plans to publish a marriage bill this week that will be signed into law by June. With the move, Ireland became the first country in the world to approve gay marriage in a popular national vote. Nineteen other countries, including most U.S. states, have legalized the practice through their legislatures and courts. The unexpectedly strong percentage of approval surprised both sides. More than 1.2 million Irish voters backed the “yes” side to less than 750,000 voting “no.” “With today’s vote, we have disclosed who we are: a generous,
compassionate, bold and joyful people,” Prime Minister Enda Kenny proclaimed. Analysts credited the “yes” side with adeptly employing social media to mobilize young, first-time voters, tens of thousands of whom voted for the first time. The “yes” campaign also featured moving personal stories from prominent Irish people—either coming out as gays or describing their hopes for gay children—that helped convince wavering voters to back equal marriage rights. Both Catholic Church leaders and gay rights advocates said the result signaled a social revolution in Ireland, where only a few decades ago the authority of Catholic teaching was reinforced by voters who massively backed bans on abortion and divorce in the 1980s. Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said the “overwhelming vote” against church teaching on gay marriage meant that Catholic leaders needed urgently to find a new message for reaching Ireland’s young. “It’s a social revolution. … The church needs to do a reality check right across the board,” said Martin, who suggested that some church figures who argued for gay marriage’s rejection came across as harsh, damning and unloving. After the result was announced, thousands of celebrants flooded into
the Irish capital’s pubs and clubs. At the George, Ireland’s oldest gay pub, drag queens danced and lip-synced to Queen and the founding father of Ireland’s gay rights campaign, Sen. David Norris, basked in the greatest accomplishment of the movement’s 40-year history. “The people in this small island off the western coast of Europe have said to the rest of the world: This is what it is to be decent, to be civilized, and to be tolerant! And let the rest of the world catch up!” Norris, 70, shouted with jubilant zeal to the hundreds packing the disco ball-lit hall. In the 1970s and 1980s, Norris waged an often lonely two-decade legal fight to force Ireland to quash its Victorian-era laws outlawing homosexual acts. Ireland finally complied in 1993, becoming the last European Union country to do so. This time, the gay community in Ireland managed to build a decisive base of support. “People from the LGBT community in Ireland are a minority. But with our parents, our families, or friends and co-workers and colleagues, we’re a majority,” said Leo Varadkar, a 36-year-old Irish Cabinet minister who in January announced on national radio that he was gay. “For me it wasn’t just a referendum. It was more like a social revolution.”
But the proposal has raised concerns about the atmosphere at the school and the need for increased awareness of the LGBT community. Greg Chaffin, a guidance counselor at North and the faculty sponsor of the school’s Gay Straight Alliance, said he was happy that plans for club had fallen through but noted that there are still students motivated to start a group, which he called a smokescreen for bullying. “Whether or not they find sponsorship, I think we need to have discussions around why these students felt compelled to have this group and what that means for our schools, our community and our Gay Straight Alliance,” Chaffin said. He noted that tension has been bubbling up at the school since the Gay Straight Alliance demonstrated at North on the National Day of Silence
in April. Alliance members wore tape over their mouths to represent the silencing of LGBT students through bullying and harassment. He said some students were called derogatory names and had the tape torn from their mouths. At least one teacher wouldn’t allow students to wear the tape in the classroom, he said. Amy Makice, who has a child attending Bloomington High School South, said she was saddened by the proposal to create the club and thinks more discussion and training for faculty are needed. “I think it was a missed opportunity to sit down and talk with these kids about, ‘What is it you really want from this group? How can we meet those needs without making a group that instills fear in other people?’” Makice said.
Indiana students propose ‘Straight Pride’ club at high school Wire Report BLOOMINGTON, Ind. | Educators and parents in southern Indiana are calling for more training and awareness of the needs of LGBT students after a high school’s failed attempt to establish a “Straight Pride” club. A group of students at Bloomington High School North had proposed starting the faith-based club in the 2015-16 school year. Principal Jeff Henderson said federal law required the school to allow the club, which students had said would offer “specific supports for heterosexual students.” The idea died when the teacher who had agreed to sponsor the club withdrew following a community outcry, the Herald-Times reported.
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
viewpoint
steve Yacovelli
hOmO e r eC tus:
the evolution oF us Showing Your Pride—Online
A
s wE VEnturE Into JunE
and LGBTQ Pride Month, I suspect a lot of us will be snapping pics of people in red shirts, writing blogs about the various Pride parades we’ve watched, Instagramming parties and festivities celebrating our LGBTQ-ness and basically letting everyone know what we’re doing to celebrate the time of year when our community makes sure people know “we’re here, we’re queer,” (and, “where’s the beer?”). I remember my first few Pride celebrations in the days before MyFace. We snapped pictures on our fancy cameras-that-were-only-cameras, saved our pennies to do as many parties as possible at Disney and PH, invited friends from all over to come and play in O-town for the weekend. Afterwards, we enjoyed the memories and the paper photos we made each June in Orlando, and shared those memories and pics only with those we wanted to share. Now we have instant documentation of all that we do. It lives on (seemingly) forever. It’s pretty safe to say that the vast majority of Pride celebrators are connected to social media, and most likely in multiple fashions. What you are doing is somewhere being digitally archived for the world to see. The proliferation of social media is (as my Boston friends say) “wicked awesome.” In a few clicks I can find out what my friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances are up to at any given moment. It also leads to some very different ways in which we as an LGBTQ community are documented—especially while the focus of our community this June tends to be about pride and what we as a group do to celebrate our LGBTQ-ness. Like it or not, each one of us is a brand, and our online
presence supports that brand, or the perception that people make about us from that data. Each individual “brand” feeds into the collective LBGTQ community brand (assuming you are out). We each are ambassadors for the LGBTQ brand. We’re constantly representing our awesome community and those around us. Every piece of data we share—from LinkedIn to Facebook to Instagram to Grindr—all contribute to our digital presence, and the perception people have of us as individuals and as a group. And yes, while you might have separate accounts that are for—ahem—separate purposes (LinkedIn for job stuff; Facebook for personal stuff), in 2015 this separation isn’t as clear and distinct as many of us would like to think. Anyone who’s seen Facebook’s “people you may know” has potentially seen this first hand: you look through the list only to realize one suggestion evokes your “how the HELL does Facebook know I know her?!?” response. The behindthe-scenes algorithms are keeping tabs on you and connecting your data across multiple platforms already. If our individual online presence is potentially linked, and we as members of the LBGTQ community are part of the collective brand, it’s a good idea for each of us to watch out for one another to put ourselves and our community in the best digital light possible. So with this in mind (and in a small tribute to the recently retired David Letterman), here’s my Top 10 List of Things NOT To Do Online During Pride Month (or really any other month): 10. Make sure every picture of you posted is either when you are drunk or high or have a drink in your hand. Nothing says “celebrate!” like 30 pics of you shirtless and crossed-eyed. 9. Tag your friends in every pic, especially if they look bad, are in an embarrassing position, or not in their “right mind.” Nothing says “friendship” like showing your friends in a bad or
unflattering light. 8. Make sure—when you and your boyfriend/girlfriend/ significant other/husband/ wife have a spat during that GayDays party—that you share every detail on Facebook. Everyone wants to know the intimate details of your personal relationship … especially this month.
Facebook or LinkedIn for the world to see. 5. Post or blog about your Pride experiences so they make your grandmother blush with embarrassment. It’s important for everyone to see exactly what you do or did during the festivities to truly understand who you are. 4. Please Instagram as much
world should be one. 1. Absolutely do not have fun, don’t celebrate your pride in our community and how far we’ve come. Never document it in the most positive way possible for you and our community. No one likes to see positive images of LGBTQ people being human. Go have an amazing time
7. Engage in the awesome game of “woe is me” and post cryptic things like “I can’t believe that happened!” or “I’m so sad this Pride: I need a hug”. Watch everyone come to your rescue for your own personal Pride pity party. 6. Freely and without thought interchange what’s appropriate content for one social media platform for another. Post your Grindr-appropriate pics on
skin as you can. Flesh is the new black. 3. Set your privacy settings to “Viewable to the World” for the month of June. Why limit your shenanigans to just one select group of trusted friends and confidants? 2. Double-check that you are linked to your boss, co-workers, and all family members before you post your Pride celebratory actions. Your work world and personal
celebrating with friends and family this Pride season. Also, watch out for each other’s digital legacy and how it reflects on our community. Unlike that Pride party that ends at midnight, your digital Pride actions will live on for much, much longer.
nothing says “celebrate!” like 30 pics of you shirtless and crossed-eyed.
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There ain’t no way to pray the gay away y’all.
%
surVeyed said that they wOuld Be COmfOrtaBle with
A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THAT IDENTIFIES AS GAY OR LESBIAN.
52
%
said they wOuld Be COmfOrtaBle with an
EVANGELICAL PRESIDENT. —NBC News/WSJ Survey
—twEEt bY RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON 7 fInAlIst gIngEr mInJ DurIng thE fInAlE.
Key west paints a COlOrful interseCtiOn
s
omEwhErE oVEr thE rAInbow Isn’t In oz, it actually lies at the corner of Duval and Petronia streets in Key West, Fla., where they have installed four permanent rainbow crosswalks. Completed May 28 in the heart of the island’s LGBT district, the crosswalks feature all six colors of the rainbow flag, an internationally recognized gay and lesbian symbol. City workers laid pre-formed thermoplastic color blocks on the pavement, alternating with white stripes, and heat-treated them to permanently affix the colors to the street. While already opened to traffic, their official debut is scheduled June 10 kicking off Key West Pride festivities.
president OBama tO CeleBrate pride mOnth at white hOuse
p
rEsIDEnt obAmA wIll host A rEcEptIon At thE whItE housE to commemorate his declaration of June 2015 as LGBT Pride month, in which he calls for more support for LGBT youth and Congressional action to protect LGBT people within the workplace. Since the start of his administration, Obama has hosted a pride event each June. Activists have used the event to pressure the president to act on issues concerning the LGBT community. This year’s event will happen around the time of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.
watermark Your lgbt life.
all-male tallywaCKers OffiCially Opens in dallas
t
AllYwAcKErs, An AllmAlE hootErs-stYlE rEstAurAnt, officially opened in Dallas, Texas May 30. The bar and restaurant serves up food and drinks by men in tight, red tank tops and boxer briefs. Don’t expect a striptease though. Health officials insist shirts must stay on as food service and bare chests don’t mix. Will Tallywackers get a lot of gay traffic? Most likely, The restaurant opened on Lemmon Avenue in the traditional “gayborhood” area of Dallas. Tallywackers says they’re headed for Houston to set up shop next.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
PHOTO BY ROB O’NEAL
Caitlyn jenner pOses On COVer Of Vanity fair
B
rucE JEnnEr, 65, hAs pIcKED A nAmE AnD lAnDED on thE coVEr of VANITY FAIR mAgAzInE. “Call me Caitlyn,” Jenner says in the issue that is due out in July. This is Jenner’s first print photo shoot and interview since revealing that she is transitioning from male to female. The cover was shot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. Since going public with her plans in April, Jenner has received widespread support for speaking out about her transition. Jenner will chronicle her new life in an eight-part docu-series premiering July 26 on the E! network.
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
in-depth: OrlandO’s Big gay weeKend
g
DAY of gAY: Watermark archive photo of a couple enjoying Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom circa 1999.
Kirk Hartlage
AY DAY: whAt wAs oncE A
simple afternoon gathering in a local theme park during Pride month is now one of our largest annual destination event weeks in the world. These days there’s no shortage of ancillary parties, many of which are in a pool, and nearly all with the requisite DJ-supplied soundtrack. Business expos have flourished, offering products and information from head to toe, especially in the swimsuit areas and pleasure zones of the human body. Concerts have also taken hold of the weekend, often featuring a glamazon diva with powerhouse vocals, a lesbian with a guitar, or someone adept at cracking insults about us while still making us laugh hysterically. Still, Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom remains the centerpiece. One day a year we unite at the world’s busiest theme park: a place built for families, including ours. It’s always on the first Saturday of June, most of us wear red and here we make family vacation memories. It’s a good time, which is important because at its core, that’s what Gay Day has always been about. But it’s also important to know that Gay Day is much more than that. While there was never any intention to make it a political event, Gay Day became one nonetheless. Gay Day—Our Day—is a gravitas moment in our LGBT history. Whether they want it or not, anytime a capacity crowd unites in one place
they’re bound to grab attention. If they’re dressed alike there’s probably a common message they’re attempting to deliver. Think of a group of sports fans encouraging their team to victory, a charity walk raising funds for a worthy cause or a political march attempting to bring about change in the status quo. Repeat on a regular basis and that collective voice is bound to be heard. And if another group, no matter how big or small, isn’t in agreement with the first, the volume gets turned up even louder. That’s what happened with Gay Day. A group of Orlando gays got every other gay person they knew to show up at an amusement park on the same day, all wearing the same color with nothing but fun as the agenda . Since we gathered at the home of Mickey Mouse, it sent an underlying message to anti-gay conservatives that we were here, and we were queer so we must have been up to something. We never entered the Magic Kingdom with picket signs demanding our rights, yet that didn’t stop protestors from bringing theirs, sometimes going to great lengths such as flying them from planes overhead.
GAY DAY:
Our day A day of fun evolves into one of the largest LGBT destination events
COntinued On pg. 31 | uu |
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Gay Day:
CHRIS ALEXANDER-MANLEY President Gay Days Inc.
I
see Gay Days as a big family reunion. We see so many of the same smiling faces and friends each year. The letters we receive afterwards sharing how much fun they had always makes the effort worthwhile. With the visibility and spending that happens for the LGBT community across at the parks, restaurants, rental cars, bars and shopping malls throughout the week across Central Florida, the full community has seen the truth about this event. It is one of the top financial events for the area, one of the best behaved, and one of the most loyal communities that any tourist destination could ask for.
Promoter Girls in Wonderland
M
y biggest memory was being on stage at House of Blues (at Girls in Wonderland) three years ago, when I got down on my knee and asked my wife to marry me. We were hoping then that one day we’d have equality in our state, and that day occurred this year, in January! That day we went to the courthouse in Miami and got married, knowing that the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which has been our beneficiary for the last 15 years, had a hand in securing those rights for me and my wife. I think Gay Days is a very Southern event. A majority of the people there are from the Southeastern part of the United States, and Southern people are people of hospitality and charm; they smile and say hello. You don’t find that everywhere in the country.
PATTY SHEHAN
O
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The stars of Gay Days Weekend relive some of their favorite moments
M
Kirk Hartlage
ore than any other
large-scale Pride-type event, Gay Days Weekend attracts every shade of the LGBT rainbow. It also brings an equally vast range of scenic views, not just from taking part in the numerous events associated with the weekend, but also from behind-the-scenes if you’re making it all happen.
TOM DYER
Orlando City Commissioner
ne of the first times I went was in the early years; our pride parade was still pretty small, people were afraid to come out. But, for some reason, at Disney, everyone felt safe to wear red and be seen. I remember walking down Main Street and being in awe of the sea of red shirts. It made me feel not so alone as a young gay person. The most important thing I have seen the organizers of Gay Days do—and I have to applaud Chris Alexander Manley and Tommy Manley for this—is that they never shied away from talking about HIV/AIDS, and were always open to allowing organizations to encourage safe sex and testing at their events. We lost a lot of friends, and they honor those memories by encouraging young people to know their status.
Your Day
ALISON BURGOS
Founder of Watermark and Original Producer of Beach Ball (now Riptide)
SCOTT MAXWELL “Taking Names” columnist, The Orlando Sentinel
I
remember two touchstone events. One came in 2007 when Disney used Gay Days to announce that it was finally going to publicly welcome “commitment ceremonies”— long before Florida allowed same-sex marriages. The other was in 2003 when a couple of authors used Gay Days to release their gay theme-park guide: “Queens in the Kingdom.” Both events had the same underlying message: Gay business is big business. As for what I think of: red shirts, big parties, Cyndi Lauper and sweaty bears that dance better than the ones at the Country Bear Jamboree.
M
y standout memories are all of Beach Ball. That first year we were nervous that the ticket price—$25—was too high and no one would show up, so it was a relief and a thrill when more than 2,000 did and had the time of their lives. It was more crowded the next year, and as I was standing at the top of the hill overlooking the wave pool I overheard one young partier say, “This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my whole life.” And I’ll never forget the third year, when the event sold out and Disney agreed to release an additional 500 tickets so that everyone in line could get into Typhoon Lagoon.
We asked a variety of folks, with a variety of backgrounds connected to the weekend, to share their favorite mental snapshots. We also asked: What does Gay Days Weekend mean to you, why has it lasted so long, and what impact do you think it’s had in all that time? While some of their answers are here, the extended remix of responses can be found online at WatermarkOnline.com. And while you’re there we’d like to hear from you—tell us how Gay Day is Your Day!
SCOTTIE CAMPBELL Watermark Contributor, Senior Manager of Guest Services and Member Relations Orlando Science Center
I
t was either ‘98 or ‘99 when my friend Josh and I asked our moms to go to the Magic Kingdom for Gay Day and they agreed. Moms throwing on red shirts and accompanying their gay sons to this day was a big deal at the time—to us and the other gays attending. My mom wouldn’t participate in the rides, so she would sit and smoke and meet gay people from all over the country. I’ve always felt there was power in the economic factor of this event. From the beginning, it couldn’t be denied that a person in a red shirt was handing you that cold hard cash. Then the event grew every year and has become a tourism force to be reckoned with.
watermark Your lgbt life.
networking began. Within a year we had hoteliers and attraction reps, previously uninterested and adversarial, now clamoring to become involved in Gay Days, anxious to reap the financial gains that those who were playing ball with us were already enjoying.
TOM CHRIST
Promoter One Magical Weekend
I
can remember watching the news in California, living a closeted lifestyle and thinking how amazing it was that the individuals who started 25 years ago were so bold. When the opportunity arose in 2009 for us to come in and take over, Billy almost felt like it was our responsibility or a challenge to keep those parties alive. What have we learned along the way? You can’t start early enough planning for next year. We’ve already worked on the logos for 2016, getting them ready to launch on Sunday before we leave.
MICHAEL WANZIE
Writer/Director/Producer Wanzie Presents
W
hen I worked at GayDays.com in 1999, I applied to have the company become a member of the Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. I was told they would be happy to accept the hefty multihundred dollar membership fee I had sent in with the application, and that I would be welcome to attend the networking events. But they regretted they would not be able to list GayDays. com in the Membership Directory or in their Visitor Directory because the word “gay” might be deemed offensive to potential convention groups. I was able to convince them, under threat of law suit, to list GayDays.com in their directories and the
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
TERRY DeCARLO
Executive Director The Center
M
y husband Bill and I have been to every Gay Days for the past twenty years. We go back far with this event, when there were sandwich boards in front of the Magic Kingdom warning of gays in the park, the protesters at the main gates and the planes flying warning banners overhead; sometimes it was really ugly. For five years I worked with the One Magical Weekend promoters; we really brought the Typhoon Lagoon party to another level. I left last year so I could actually enjoy a few of the events, because when you are working them, you are forever running—there was
one year we got about five hours sleep in three days— and don’t get to be part of the festivities.
JEFF JONES
Marketing and Promotions Director Hard Rock Live and Comedian
I
have had the chance to have some great performances tied to Gay Days. The best was when I shared the stage and opened for the great Joan Rivers. It was amazing to spend time with her and get words of encouragement. To perform for over 1000 people was just icing on top of it.
event. Our employees accept the challenge every year and I really enjoy watching them shine.
JOHN PAONESSA Owner Hamburger Mary’s Orlando
I
remember attending Gay Days events back in the mid-1990s. There was such a backlash from the religious right. It was such a different time than today. Dancing outside at MGM Studios was so liberating, and I recall feeling like that was possibly the beginning of a change in our society and acceptance of people like me.
DON GRANaTSTEIN
BLUE
W
T
Owner Parliament House Resort
hen someone mentions Gay Days to me, I immediately think “How can we outdo last year?” It seems impossible because every year, I think, is our best year. We’ve transitioned from a nightclub and hotel to a state-of-theart venue with big name concerts. We realize the importance of the event not just to our community, but worldwide. It gives us a chance to really up our game for the weekend and put on an amazing
Owner The Venue, performer at multiple weekend events
here is something so wonderful about being at Disney with people of your own kind. We often are the minority in these cases and don’t have the freedom to be as “out” as we are during this weekend. It’s evolved to quite the family event, too. We can now get married, have and adopt children, and then bring those children to something that is part of our history.
MORE ONLINE!
Check out WatermarkOnline.com for even MORE great memories and insight, including: Current, former, and future Watermark staffers share their thoughts–both good and bad–of Gay Day A former Disney Cast Member’s behind-the-scenes tales of working Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom Girls in Wonderland’s Alison Burgos talks about the proposed switch-over to Universal in 2005 Michael Wanzie’s harrowing circuit party tale Kristin W’s bear education and pool party performance that parted the heavens More insight from the weekend’s various event planners Your story! Go online and tell us how Gay Day is Your Day
| uu | Gay Day/Our Day from pg.27
We did, however, bring open wallets, which was fine by Mickey. When his caretakers, the Walt Disney Company, didn’t chase us away and gave partner benefits to our brothers and sisters who worked there, religious conservatives were driven to boycott. Disney called their bluff and asked why the people who preached family values would turn their back on the world’s largest producer of family entertainment. Plus, our mass gathering was but one day a year; anyone in opposition was welcomed to create their own group outing on any of the remaining 364 days on the calendar. In essence, Disney said they would accept our LGBT family, our money and they would accept everyone else’s too. It is just business after all, which is likely why Disney is reluctant to discuss Gay Day on record even to this day. The protests have died down considerably while our pink dollars keep flowing in, as do the green ones, the red, the blue, the yellow, the white, the black, the brown and every other color of diversity that’s willing to spend $105 to visit the Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday of June in 2015. It’s also why Disney’s gay and lesbian employee group has been utilized as volunteer staff for some of the outsidepromoter-sponsored parties held on Disney property. The group has also reportedly served as consultants to their employer’s merchandising and food and beverage departments to develop rainbow-festooned tchotchkes, nibbly bits and adult beverages. But that’s ok, Mickey. When we see a collection of red WDW T-shirts on display at the entrance to the Emporium gift shop on Main Street this weekend, it’s just your subtle way of saying you’re happy we’re there. We know that you know that we know… you know? We’ll show our appreciation right back, as well as our economic strength and power when we hand over our credit cards and cash to buy a takehome souvenir or two from Our very magical family vacation.
watermark Your lgbt life.
ORLANDO’S ULTIMATE RIDES
And they’re not in the theme parks!
W
Kirk Hartlage
elcome to the debut of a
brand-new column we anticipate running annually for at least the next six years. It’s the launch of important information you’ll need to know about driving around Orlando during Gay Days Weekend while navigating Central Florida’s I-4 Ultimate Project: perhaps the most heartpounding and adrenaline-pumping ride in town! For the unfamiliar, I-4 Ultimate is a 21-mile reconstruction and widening of Central Florida’s main transportation artery which will add four new express lanes—complete with tolls—in the center of the highway. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project covers the area of I-4 from west of Kirkman Road to east of SR 434. Of the 142 bridges along the corridor, 13 will be widened, 74 will be replaced, 53 will be new and 4 will be temporary. In addition, 15 major interchanges will undergo complete reconstruction. The new express lanes will feature dynamic pricing based on congestion. Tolls are higher during rush hour when demand is greater and lower during non-peak times when demand is less. Sorry, no heavy trucks allowed. The general use lanes will continue to be free as they are today. Included in the project’s budget is the addition of signature design elements, including green spaces, lighting accents, water fountains, art sculptures and dynamic illuminated pylons. I-4 is getting a true makeover. The project’s southern end is at Kirkman Road. You’ll only have to deal with attractions area construction near Universal Studios and not near SeaWorld or Walt Disney World for now. However, studies are about to be completed for “I-4: Beyond The Ultimate” (that’s FDOT’s description) which will continue the improvements of I-4 another 21 miles from Kirkman Road to U.S. 27 in Polk County. By the time it’s all done, there won’t be a single bit of asphalt in the corridor that isn’t overturned and replaced. Completion is expected in early 2020. I-4 Ultimate Public Information
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
Officer Dave Parks encourages drivers to sign up for personalized alerts containing advanced warnings about planned lane closures and detours at I4Ultimate.com. Parks said he doesn’t anticipate much major road work that could disrupt Gay Days Weekend travelers this year. “However, next June…” Parks said. Nonetheless, here’s what you’ll need to know for Gay Days Weekend 2015, from the official I-4 Ultimate Construction Update Alerts: * The ramp from I-4 eastbound to Princeton Street will be closed each night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. between June 1 and June 4 for widening. Say what you will about new roller coasters and high-tech moviebased attractions: the biggest longest newest ride in town is SunRail, Central Florida’s passenger rail service! SunRail covers 32 miles from the City of Debary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County, just east of the attractions area. Launched with commuters in mind, trains currently operate Monday through Friday only. The train is economical: a roundtrip ticket from the Sand Lake Road Station to the Church Street Station in Downtown Orlando runs just $3.75 for adults. Expansion plans will take the train further south, reaching Poinciana in Osceola County and extend north to DeLand in Volusia. This second phase for SunRail will nearly double the track’s current length, while adding five stations to the 12 already in operation. For further information on schedules and fares, visit SunRail.com.
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
arts and entertainment
Photo by Dan Dion
LEAN MEAN QUEEN And no, she’s not in drag— she’s LISa LamPaNeLLI
l
Kirk Hartlage
Et’s fAcE It—wE’rE lIsA
Lampanelli’s bitch. We’ve interviewed her just about as many times we’ve run stories on gay-hate-spewing conservative politicians getting caught having some clandestine man-on-man lovin’ in an inappropriate place, and at least as many times as the phrase “anal leakage” appears in small type in one of those pill-of-the-week ads printed in these very pages.
Shocking, yes. But that’s just how Lampanelli likes it. Though she’s performed in Central Florida numerous times before, her last Gay Days Weekend appearance was in 2007. Kathy Griffin was also here that year, so we pitted the two comic divas against each other in an epic showdown both on the cover and inside that year’s Gay Day issue. When Lampanelli learned a ticket to Griffin’s show included DJs and theme park rides while hers did not, the Queen of Mean suggested letting audience members ride
COntinued On pg. 39 | uu |
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TM
34
lgbt pride celebration
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6.26-6.28
www.stpetepride.com
watermark Your lgbt life.
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theater
Center stage ceremonies Nine stories of love and marriage
(aBOVe)
cAstIng couch:
The Cast of Standing on Ceremony.
PHOTO COURTESY WEST COAST PLAYERS
36
E
Aaron Alper
DgY. AccEssIblE. gAY. thosE thrEE
words are what drew director Donna Donnelly to the West Coast Players Production of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. “I was looking through new plays,” Donnelly says. “Since the play would be in June, I wanted something that had a gay theme to coincide with Pride month. I wanted something interesting and unique.” For Donnelly, Standing on Ceremony stood out. “I had never heard of this piece before; it’s a series of nine vignettes, all written by contemporary, living authors. People like Paul Rudnick who has written several gay themed plays, or Moises Kaufman, who created The Laramie Project, and Mo Gaffney (perhaps best known as
Bo from Absolutely Fabulous), who is a lesbian and an activist. They’re all alive, they’re all writing, and they all have a pulse on homosexuality and the challenges.” However, Standing on Ceremony doesn’t pander to the gay stereotype that we’re all familiar with, either as the kooky sidekick or tragic figure, which was a major selling point for Donnelly. “What’s interesting about this piece is that it’s about the joy of homosexuality. It celebrates same sex unions. That’s what appealed to me
watermark Your lgbt life.
because it’s like, ‘Yeah! We progressed!’ Sure, there are still challenges and the fight for equality will go on, but there’s been amazing strides and victories and Standing on Ceremony addresses that. It addresses the excitement of getting married as well as the challenges of a lifelong commitment.” Since the play is based around vignettes, the themes can shift in tone, which spoke to Donelly as well. “A couple of the pieces are hysterically funny. There are a couple pieces that are poignant. In fact, the piece by Moises Kaufman is set at a cemetery and an older man who was partnered for 43 years and his partner died before they had a chance to get married. It’s very bittersweet and it also poses the question if gay people get married after being together for 20, 30, 40 years, does that mean the years beforehand didn’t count? The philosophical questions continued for Donnelly who, despite identifying as heterosexual, saw a lot of herself and relationships in the storylines. “It also asks, ‘Is marriage important?’” says Donnelly. “Is it important because it’s not possible? As people we seem to covet what we don’t have. My boyfriend always jokes that the only people who will benefit from gay marriage are the attorneys. I can’t predict the future, but I think that when you get something that you could never have, you treasure it. Maybe this first round of same sex marriages will get it right. But, we are so flawed as human beings, of course there will be divorces, but this first round will pass something on. That’s the hope.” Standing on Ceremony also addresses the anxieties involved with marriage. “It addresses the fear that everyone has when they’re getting married, wondering ‘Is this the right thing?’” she says. Standing on Ceremony even takes the risk of including technology (one vignette is centered around a heated Facebook debate) as well as a voice of opposition. “There is one piece where a woman speaks out against gay marriage,” says Donnelly. “She is a right wing Christian and, of course, she is portrayed as an ass because she is a huge ass, but she talks about having
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
many gay friends. This is a woman who won’t let anyone touch her hair except for her gay hairdresser, but she doesn’t believe her hairdresser should be able to get married. She’s this huge bigot and throughout the piece she manages to insult gays, Muslims, and Chinese. It’s funny, but it also takes the risk of being from another point of a view, instead of nine vignettes saying ‘Gay marriage is great!’ It brings in the controversy. It’s not just a puff piece.” For Donnelly, the controversy and edge is what makes West Coast Players a theater she had to work with. “We will do traditional plays to bring in the money so that we can do plays that are colorful, wild or maybe even a little raunchy,” she explains. We want to take risk. We may fail, but we want
“What’s interesting about this piece is that it’s about the joy of homosexuality.” —DonnA DonnEllY
to try. That is what really drew me to the company.” The upcoming season will have some mainstream pieces (Donnelly is not shy about the admitting money is crucial to the theatre), but those pieces are there primarily so the theater can maintain artistic integrity. There is also a level of devotion that Donnelly sees in the West Coast Players that isn’t always present. “In community theatre, most people are involved because it doesn’t cost them any money,” she says. “In another company I had an actor say to me ‘Oh, I do this because golf is too expensive’. But here we’ve made personal sacrifices so we can do the things we want to do and not what the general population might want.” For Donnelly, that makes West Coast Players unique. “To be honest, I have never worked with a group of people like this before.”
more inFormation
whAt: Standing on Ceremony whEn: June 5 – 21, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sunday matinees at 2 pm. tIcKEts: $19, Groups 10+: $17. Purchase at wp.WCPlayers.Org/ Standing-On-Ceremony-The-GayMarriage-Plays
INSPIRED. HAND-CRAFTED. LIQUID ART. Acquaint yourself with the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg in a unique and “tasteful” way. Local libation artists craft beers inspired by works in the Museum’s collection in a two-day event.
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015, 7-10 P.M.
BEER + ART LOUNGE Five local brewing companies craft beers inspired by selected works in the Museum’s collection. Taste their “liquid” works of art in a themed lounge. An evening of food, music and art! PARTICIPATING BREWING COMPANIES
ART INSPIRED VIGNETTES BY
Being-The Art of Living | Central Oddities | Tampa Bay Furnishings | Tree House Gallery | ZaZoo’d Featuring music by THE SUPER STARS BAND WITH RONNIE DEE
Tickets are $60. Limited availability. Includes beer, glassware, food, music and galleries.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2015, NOON – 3 P.M. PUBLIC HOME BREW TASTING & AWARDS
Savor the liquid works of 15+ home brewers with over 20 beers on exhibit. Tickets are $35. Includes beer, tasting glass and galleries.
TM
© LITTLESTAR
For more details or to purchase tickets, visit, fine-arts.org/beer-project Follow the event updates at facebook.com/MFAStPete
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watermark Your lgbt life.
HOME BREWER SPONSOR
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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Free Slice Slice Saturday Free Saturday With the purchase of any Pepsi-cola Product ®
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
You tell that bitch at work to get her head out of her ass and into some therapy.
morAl combAt:
Watermark’s ’s 2009 cover of dueling divas.
— lIsA lAmpAnEllI
| uu | Lisa Lampanelli
Well, I cut down watching those shows a little bit since Celebrity Apprentice Apprentice, because once you’re on one of those shows you see how they really are, especially after you’ve watched yourself be menopausal on a full season of The Apprentice. Now I’ve cut down to only The Real Housewives of New York and The Real Housewives of New Jersey Jersey, because I love a mob aspect, and a jail aspect. I have to keep up on my Teresa and see how that jailbird’s doing. And I also watch, of course, my Dancing With The Stars Stars, because some little dancer, even if they don’t say they’re gay, I think they’re all gay. That’s the only way I can reconcile the fact that Derek Hough will never ask me on a date. They must be gay or they’d all be asking me for dates.
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her instead. She also offered up rides on her then-opening act Gay Wendall, calling him the teacup ride of gays: “You’ll get in if you’re desperate, but you won’t really tell your friends about it.” Since then, Lampanelli has developed a softer side. Though her current tour is called “Leaner and Meaner,” she’s far more the former, and just a little bit more of the latter. As before she still skewers anyone and everyone, but in this outing she also turns the tables on herself, sharing far more personal stories than ever before. Lampanelli gives audiences an insight into her life after marriage and divorce, gastric bypass surgery and the loss of 107 pounds. Lampanelli appears Saturday, June 6, at Hard Rock Live at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40-$55 and are available at HardRock.com. Her new standup special “Back to the Drawing Board” will premiere on EPIX on Fri., June 26th.
Watermark: lisa! we’re sO exCited tO see yOu BaCK here fOr gay day! lisa lampanelli: Ah yes, Gay Day. Also known as the day Jesus wept.
last time yOu were here fOr gay days weeKend we put yOu and Kathy griffin tOgether in a COmedy diVa smaCKdOwn.
I remember seeing the cover of Watermark with me and Kathy and opening it up hoping Kathy didn’t think I hated her, because
Photo by Dan Dion
it’s just business. Thank God we didn’t make enemies! She and I have since become friends so you homos not only didn’t do damage to our relationship you brought us closer together. So, thank you gays for giving me one of my few celebrity acquaintances in the business. yOu are welCOme! fOr what it’s wOrth we’Ve interViewed yOu far mOre times than we haVe Kathy.
Awww, but you’ll catch up. You’ll jump on her bandwagon as soon as she gets another TV show, you bitchy queens.
dO yOu still hang Out with yOur gays, watChing reality tV?
haVing Been thrOugh the reality shOw experienCe, Can yOu see yOurself dOing DaNCING WItH tHe StarS?
I can, but I don’t think the (ABC) network can. I think they’re probably afraid to put me on TV. But I would do Dancing With The Stars in a second. But I think everybody else is too. That’s the problem, they have enough stars. It’s the hottest ticket because it looks like so much fun. You can lose weight from it. You can be around a sweaty Russian, who’s angry. I mean, that’s my dream: to be around a sweaty, angry Russian. i hear yOu’re gOing tO Be On tHe VIeW.
Can you believe it? Because I have made fun of that show for years! I
watermark Your lgbt life.
used to hate a lot of the hosts. But now that it’s Whoopi—and that’s my girl—she gets comedy. She understands that you’re allowed to make fun of everybody, and she’s done it in her act and defended me. I can’t wait! Part of it is that I just want to thank Whoopi for always being a supporter of comedy. i nOtiCed they put yOu On a friday.
That’s probably because they can tape it on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, edit out any time I say the “C” word so it doesn’t get out live. Trust me, I know their little games.
But sinCe its aBC, mayBe if yOu’re a gOOd girl they’ll deCide yOu Can Be On DaNCING WItH tHe StarS and they wOn’t haVe tO Keep their trigger finger On the “edit” ButtOn.
makes a bitch funny and angry, it’s not eating.
as a Bear i COmpletely, COmpletely understand.
You tell that bitch at work to get her head out of her ass and into some therapy. Because clearly she’s not doing it right if she’s still a “C” word.
speaKing Of Big girls, hOw dO yOu feel aBOut meghan trainOr? when i first saw her i thOught, “lisa has a daughter she didn’t KnOw aBOut and meghan’s tOtally stOlen lisa’s lOOK!”
The thing about her… it’s so hard. I was never able to embrace my size the way she’s able to. So part of me really admires that she’s confident despite weight issues or looks issues or anything. But the other part of me goes, “Just lose the weight, you fat whore,” and that’s probably the bad side of Lisa that does that. Probably. So, I don’t know! I’m kind of torn between it. I love women who let themselves go there, but I could never get my head around it. I think I’m kind of jealous that I never had that self-love. But hey, God bless her! I have a feeling what’s gonna happen is she going to get really famous and then lose weight. They all do. There are all these girls who embrace their weight, and suddenly they go to Hollywood and they’re tiny—like America Ferrara, Jennifer Hudson. I think she’s going to come out a blond skinny bitch. I think in two years we can judge her more. But isn’t sOme Of that the pOt Calling the Kettle BlaCK?
thinKing Of the title Of yOur tOur, i COuldn’t understand hOw yOu COuld Be meaner nOw that yOu’re leaner. But then there’s this girl i wOrK with whO had that gastrO surgery tOO. i didn’t thinK she COuld BeCOme mOre Of a Cunty BitCh, But she has.
Nope. Because I never embraced it, I never said I liked the way I look. I never put out a song or a bit that said I was comfortable with my weight, or I think I’m beautiful. I don’t think I’m beautiful now! So I would never have had that confidence. That whole idea that women should have curves was never part of my vernacular, it’s so hypocritical. So if she loses weight, I’ll resent her; if she stays fat, I’ll support her. I think that’s pretty nice of me, don’t you?
I bet I’m worse than her, because I’ve made a complete effort to not be that way offstage. Five days a week I don’t curse offstage, I don’t yell at people anymore, so I save it all up for the weekend. So Friday and Saturday all bets are off. I hold it all in all week and then go insane on stage. Plus I’m hungry, for God’s sake! I can’t eat! You know if there’s one thing that
In my experience, always marry somebody who probably is a little dumber than you, and won’t read the pre-nup you put in front of them. Get yourself somebody who’s a little simple, a little blue-collar. If he won’t sign it, get him drunk first, cornhole him, and then do it.
That’s true, although I do like saying the “C” word a lot. I don’t know, I will have to weigh it out.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
we nOw haVe gay marriage in flOrida, But we alsO haVe diVOrCe. any adViCe, sinCe yOu’Ve experienCed BOth?
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
eVent planner
community calendar OrlandO
naked sushi 2015 tuEsDAY, JunE 16, 7 p.m. southErn nIghts
still
hangin’
tOugh
The GLBT Center and John Michael Catering invite you to come enjoy a night of eating an “all you can eat sushi buffet” at Southern Nights. This isn’t your regular sushi bar as you eat directly off the hot bodies of delectable models. This is a Pride month event and a 100% of the proceeds go to The Center. Tickets are only $40 for all the sushi you can eat!
5th Annual LGBT Veterans Celebration frIDAY, JunE 12, 11 A.m. orlAnDo V.A. mEDIcAl cEntEr The Orlando V.A. Medical Center is honoring the LGBT veterans and supporters with fun and food. Sponsored by the V.A. and Out & Proud Veterans of America. The keynote speaker for the event will be Rick Singh, Orange County Property Appraiser.
tampa / st. petersBurg New Kids on the Block will be appearing at the Amway Arena with special guests TLC and Nelly on June 5 . For tickets visit AmwayCenter.com. th
OrlandO Fito Paez, June 4, House of Blues, Orlando. 407- 934-2583; HouseofBlues.com LGBT Business, Marketing & Technology Conference, June 4, B Resort & Spa, Orlando. 323-963-3653; MbaOrlando.org Ain’t Misbehavin’, June 5- July 5, Harriet Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional, June 5, House of Blues, Orlando. 407- 934-2583; HouseofBlues.com New Kids on the Block featuring TLC and Nelly, June 5, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-4400-7000; AmwayCenter.com Hyperglow: America’s Largest Touring EDM Glow Experience, June 5, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com
PJs & a Movie: The Breakfast Club, June 6, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com Lisa Lampanelli, June 6, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com An Evening with Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October with Ashleigh Stone, June 13, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theatre, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org
tampa Bay The Great American Trailer Park Musical, June 4-21, Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Menopause the Musical, June 1-7, Ferguson Hall, Straz Center, Tamps. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
Orlando Gay Chorus Presents: One Voice, June 13-14, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com Naked Sushi, June 16, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsorl.com Buddy Dyer Official Campaign Kick-Off and Fundraiser, June 16, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com
The Flick, June 17- July 12, Alexis & Jim Pugh Theatre, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org
Paint Night, June 8, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com Brucie Klay’s Dance Recital, June 11, The Mahaffey Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com Chris Tucker, June 12, Carol Morsani Hall, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
Alan Darcy Poolside, June 13, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com The Beer Project, June 13, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727-896-2667; Fine-Arts.org The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo, June 14, , The Mahaffey Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com
sarasta Woody Sez: Hootenanny!, June 7 and 14, Asolo Reparatory Theatre, Sarasota. 941-351-8000; ASoloRep.org Three Blondes. Three Perspectives, thru June 25, Women’s Resource Center, Sarasota. 941-366-1700; TheWomensResourceCenter.org
una Voce: I Am Harvey Milk frIDAY, JunE 12, 8 p.m. thE pAllADIum thEAtEr, st. pEtE sAturDAY, JunE 13, 8 p.m. usf concErt hAll, tAmpA Una Voce, the Florida Men’s Chorale, present the state premiere of an original song cycle with orchestra and guest soloists celebrating the life of American Hero, Harvey Milk. General admission is $25.
tampa Bay
TBGLCC Pride in Business spotlight Mixer wEDnEsDAY, JunE 10, 6:30 p.m. QuEnch loungE Join the Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for a fun night at Quench Lounge. They’ll be spotlighting their new members: the National Association of Professional Women’s St. Petersburg Local Chapter, Dharma Hookah Lounge, and St. Pete Pride. This will be a joint mixer with the NAPW. The event will have drink specials, light bites and raffle prizes.
To submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.
watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
overheard
tampa Bay Out+aBOut
VeniCe theatre’s HaIr, direCted By Ben Vereen, is setting reCOrd tiCKet sales
t
hE rocK musIcAl HAIR Is sEttIng rEcorD tIcKEts sAlEs for thE VEnIcE thEAtrE. Could this be because of a new found love of the theatre in the Venice area? Well, maybe, but it may have more to do with the Tony Award winning Broadway, film, and television legend Ben Vereen who is directing the show. Venice Theatre’s Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase reports that a total of 1,018 tickets were sold in one day. Vereen held auditions earlier this month and has selected a large cast of local singers, actors and dancers. He said he was looking for “creative performers with heart and passion of all ethnicities and ages.” Make sure to get your tickets while you still can. Tickets are available at www. VeniceStage.com or by calling the box office at 941-488-1115.
tampa Bay rays are shOwing their pride
t
hE tAmpA bAY rAYs InVItE You to AttEnD prIDE nIght At tropIcAnA fIElD when the Rays take field against the Chicago White Sox June 12. The Rays are kicking up their cleats and oiling up their gloves as they celebrate Pride month with all the members of the LGBT community, as well as family, friends and organizations. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit LGBT non-profits in the Tampa Bay community. The night will feature special LGBT pregame recognition and performances. Groups of 10 or more will receive an additional discount and preferred seating. For more information or to place your group order call 727-825-3293 or email GroupSales@RaysBaseball.com. Use the password 1PRIDE.
tampa pride annOunCes date fOr 2016
t
AmpA prIDE hAs AnnouncED thE DAtE for thEIr nEXt prIDE. They will have events all through the winter into spring when Tampa Pride will culminate on Saturday March 26th. They will have a parade, of course, along with a festival, auto show, family fun area, food trucks, a beer garden, and celebrate all that is being GLBTA or an ally in the Tampa area! Ybor City should be the home to the parade and festival. The GLBTA history of Tampa couldn’t be told without Ybor City. We can hope to have events throughout the city including bar fund raisers, restaurant tastings and a host of GLBTA-related activities that will make it the top notch event it was this year. Get out there and use #TampaPride2016 to let everyone know where you’ll be March 26.
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I hopE You hAD thE tImE of Your lIfE: (L-R) Luke Lindley, Raina Hamann and Thomas Blong enjoy one last drink before GBar shuts their doors to usher in Southern Nights Tampa May 30. PHOTO
COURTESY OF RAINA HAMANN
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thE Doctor wIll bE AwArDED now: Dr. Rose Walton, with wife Marge (L), is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Equality Florida’s Greater St. Pete Gala at the Mahaffy Theater May 29. PHOTO BY LAURIE ROSS
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slIDE Into ActIon: (Top-Bottom) Tina Stavros, Russell Wallace, Steve Watson and Carl Sancoucy join in on a two-hour scavenger hunt put on by Balance Tampa Bay after making donations of clothes and other supplies for The Spring on May 30. Photo courtesy of Balance Tampa Bay.
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AnD thE AwArD goEs to... Sylvia Rusche and Larry Biddle accept their Voice of Equality awards at Equality Florida’s Greater St. Pete Gala at the Mahaffy Theater May 29. PHOTO BY LAURIE ROSS
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pInK flAmIngo: Drag queen Alexis De La Mer gets the crowd going at the Flamingo Resort in St. Pete May 30. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLAMINGO
RESORT
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EVErYboDY scrEEEEEAAAAm! The crowd gets their neon ready for the Glow Party for Steam Friday’s at Honey Pot in Ybor City May 21. PHOTO COURTESY OF
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JIMMY HONEY-POT
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Into thE wooDs: (L-R) Daniel Shultz, Drew Sizemore and Michael Vacirca take it back to nature at the Sawmill Resort in Dade City May 31. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAWMILL RESORT
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pour mE AnothEr DrInK: Bartender Jimmy Honey-Pot is mixing up drinks and fun at Hamburger Mary’s in Tampa may 28. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK & CARRIE
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
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June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
overheard
OrlandO Out+aBOut
daVid lee-ding the way tO new shOws:
D
AVID lEE hAs bEEn nAmED thE nEw mAnAgEr in charge of Show Procurement for the Footlight Theater. This will allow PH to bring in some popular shows from this year’s Fringe Festival, starting with Bubble Gum Party (running Gay Days Weekend). The line-up will also include Field Guide to the Gays (both part 1 and 2!), 1969 Stonewall and Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll. David promises more entertainment to be announced. Always an added bonus, ticket admission usually counts for your cover to the club as well, not to mention the cocktail table service you can get during the performance.
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a BrOKen BrinK
I
t sEEms brInK closED Its Doors (AgAIn), as it will no longer be host to the LGBT community. Just as their numbers were starting to pick up with Chris Pittman promoting & DJ’s like Nick Comis becoming the resident DJ for Fridays, the plug was pulled and Brink flat lined. We’re told Brink will reopen, but catering to the straight crowds in Downtown, we presume due to the lack of straight bars and clubs.
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she’s telling us, she’s nOt gOing:
s
poIlEr AlErt to thosE thAt Don’t frEQuEnt socIAl mEDIA, Orlando’s Ginger Minj did not take the crown as Season 7’s Drag Superstar. Not to fret, already booked for multiple shows (including overseas), Ginger is basically the Drag Race version of American Idol’s Academy and Grammy award winning Jennifer Hudson who also did not win her respected reality show. Both equally talented and full figured. Friends of Watermark let us know that Ginger was a true lady & was happy that she lost to a talent like Violet. Despite her on-air/stage persona, Violet was a true sweet heart and was giving Ginger a pep talk about the emotional onair reconnection with her estranged father during the finale. On the lighter side of things, Ginger has just released the music video to her new single, Ooh La La. The video, currently on YouTube features a lot of Orlando faces and is quite the catchy tune!
gays lOVe tO Cruise:
o
n sunDAY, JunE 22 , thE st. Johns rIVEr co. Is hostIng A rAInbow cruIsE down the St. John’s river departing from historic downtown Sanford. The cruise will feature some incredible entertainment like Miss Sammy, comedian Jeff Jones and music by DJ Cap’n Kirk. nD
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COURTESY OF JEFF JONES
OF PATTY SHEEHAN
mAstErs of thE housE: (L-R) Jessica Lynn, Ginger Minj (with baby), The Minx, Mike Van Dyke and Janine Klein take it all in after Broadway Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s on May 31. This will be Ginger Minj’s final appearance for brunch for the next few months. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE VAN DYKE I sAID ActIon! Jeff Jones admonishes wax figure Steven Spielberg (L) for making a forth Indiana Jones film at the newly opened Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum on International Drive May 30. PHOTO
ArE You rEADY for A mIrAclE: (L-R) Lester J. Burgos Rosario, Jesus Roman and Andres Simonetti helped open the Miracle of Love’s Stafford House with a full on art exhibit, fashion show and live performances at the Project Red event May 28. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS thosE ArE somE cErEus blooms: After 5 years of waiting, Patty Sheehan finally got a night blooming from her Cereus Blossom on June 1. It sure is a beauty. It’s a cutting from a friend’s garden. PHOTO COURTESY
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WILLIAMS
I’ll bE thErE for You: (L-R) Marty Rose, Lindsey Clark, Edmund Armstrong and Joe Saunders rally the Human Rights Campaign for Jacksonville elections. Saunders and the HRC were there to support Joyce Morgan for City Council on May 19. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTY ROSE
too mAnY shows cAn lEAVE You flushED: The cast of “Sissy”, (L-R, clockwise) Stevie King, George DeSalva, Graham Mortier, Asdrubal Quintero and Michael Hogan, were awarded the “Fringiest Show” during the Orlando International Fringe Festival on May 25. The entire show took place inside a men’s room. PHOTO COURTESY OF
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somEtImEs You wAnnA go... (L-R) Jeff Horn, Randy Stephens and Terry DeCarlo gather around the bar at Stonewall where everybody knows your name. They were there for Watermark’s Third Thursday which raised money for Horn’s Genesis Community Programs May 21. PHOTO BY JEREMY
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ASDRUBAL QUINTERO
It’s gonnA bE mE: (L-R) Janette Zitioli, Maggie Jewell and NSYNC’s Joey Fatone celebrate Fringe at the closing ceremonies at Loch Haven Park on May 25. Fringe sold 45,000 show tickets and raised $317,000 which all went back to the artists. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA
8 watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
47
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watermark Your lgbt life.
June 4 - June 17, 2015 // Issue 22.12
web site
PROMO CODE: WEDDING.
announcements
wedding Bells
our mAnE mAn: Billy Manes,
Mike Hollis, 44, and David Lee, 47 from St. Petersburg, Fla.
years together
PHOTO BY ROBERT BARTLETT
7.5 years
engagement date
passings
December 11, 2014
Scott Lenker, 49, formerly of Tampa passed away on Friday, May 15. He is survived by his mother, Sally Albright Lenker, and father, Robert K. Lenker. Services will be held at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Home at the convenience of the family.
Wedding date
Thomas Brignolo, 32, formerly of Orlando passed away on Thursday, May 21. Besides his parents, Thomas is survived by his brother, Jeremy Brignolo, and his dog, Cricket. A memorial service was held May 26 at Phalen Funeral in Torrington, CT.
June 20, 2015
Wedding venue
King of Peace MCC, St. Petersburg, FL
Wedding planner
They are planning their wedding.
Wedding caterer
Mindy Conlin
Wedding theme/colors
Tropical themed, with tropical colors.
interesting Fact
In their seven and half years together, they’ve never had a fight.
celebrity senior staff writer for the Orlando Weekly, has recently accepted the position of editor-in-chief at Watermark Media. He will begin his new venture in late June.
congratulations
Photo by Erin Konely Garcia
Y
ou Know thAt mArrIED
couple that has been with each other so long they finish each other’s… sentences? Well, that is exactly what Mike Hollis and David Lee will be after their wedding this month. The St. Petersburg couple has been together for seven and half years. They feel like they’re already united as one even before they say “I do”.
“We don’t yell at each other, we don’t call each other names,” Hollis says. “We agreed not to do that when we met.” Mike, who works for Humana Healthcare, and David, who works for St. Petersburg College, met at one of David’s Christian concerts. “He shows up and we didn’t know it, but we were both sort of seeing the same guy,” David says. “So he shows up with this guy that I also invited.” Mike and David got drinks after David’s band finshed playing. From that point, their friendship started to grow. And while Mike was new to town and just looking for friends, it didn’t stay like that for long. “David knew everybody in town, and I knew nobody,” Mike laughs. “All I was looking for was some friends. But he pursued me.”
Seven and half years later, they say they couldn’t be happier. “Besides being extremely good looking, his ability to make people feel comfortable and make them feel valued is one of his best gifts,” David says. “And everyone you meet will say how nice he is.” Both Mike and David have deeply rooted faith, and they plan to marry at their church to acknowledge the importance of their spirituality. “I grew up a Pentecostal preacher’s son in Oklahoma,” David says. “I figured out growing up that there’s a big difference between religion and spirituality, and while I still hold the values that I was taught, I believe that it’s a spiritual thing and not just a set of rules to live by.” The wedding, which will be held at King of Peace MCC, will
feature spiritual songs and a tropical theme. The reception will also be at the church. “It’s going to be pretty traditional, except we are going to walk down the aisle holding hands together and we’re going to have people doing a few different things,” Mike says. In October, they are going on a cruise for their honeymoon to the Dominican Republic and then Turks and Caicos. They’ve never been on a cruise, so they are excited. They have invited family and friends to join tham. David recounted the story of how he proposed to Mike, saying he would never forget that day: “It came about in the spur of the moment,” David says. “We were sitting here on our lanai having lunch with a friend of ours. I just decided that it was time for us to get married, so I went out to the yard, picked out a bamboo leaf, made a ring out of it and came back in. They’re looking at me like ‘what are you doing?’ I got on one knee and proposed to him, and he said ‘Yes.’” And in their fashion, Mike finished David’s sentence with: “I still have that ring, and I’ll have that forever.”
Eric Rollins has been elected as Deputy Vice President of Area 3-B, covering all of Brevard, Seminole, Orange, Polk and Osceola Counties Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando has introduced Gustavo Rico as their newly appointed Operations Manager. Kevin Clifford and Tom Hlinko of Seminole celebrate their anniversary on June 7.
local birthdays
Handsome Tampa Coldwell Banker realtor Steve Wessels (June 5); KangaGirl Productions diva and longtime Orlando scenester Margaret Nolan, Tampa Francis House Executive Director Joy Winheim (June 9); Hillsborough Community College teacher David Usrey, Centro Ybor Wear Me Out! store owner Sharon Rose, Tampa friend-of-the-Geico-lizard David Usrey, Tampa Bay cowboy Roger Bell, Orlando Psycho City Derby girls league owner Tiffany “Vegas” Maitland (June 10); Tampa Bay real estate agent and former TIGLFF president Ken Hodges, Tampa marketing whiz La’Trice “Lady LaLa” Sharpe, St. Pete SoyBright Candle Company co-owner Tim Huff (June 11); Tampa native bear Ryan Morris, former St. Pete Twirling Project member and current Orlando resident Anthony Jenners, St. Petersburg city councilwoman and Pride grand marshal Darden Rice, schoolteacher and Orlando activist Wendy Elkes (June 12); Department of Transportation employee and big sweet bear John Stimis (June 13); former Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival prez Chris Constantinou, Tampa volunteer everyman Bill Kanouff (June 14); Tampa Walgreens diva, photographer and LGBT ally Poly Costas (June 15); Bodywork Massage and Day Spa owner Roger Medrano, Town ‘n Country banker Travis Hilborne, Sarasota filmmaker and writer Anthony Paull (June 16); Metropolitan Business Association history chair Ken Kazmerski, former GaYbor Coalition board member John Gorman, St. Petersburg karaoke singer and artistic photographer J.J. Respondek, former St. Petersburg resident and current New York actor Michael Silas (June 17).
—Samantha Rosenthal
Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com for consideration as a future feature on this page.
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sports
michael sam becaomes the 1st openly gay player in the canadian Football league
Former marshall university Football player indicted on charges he assaulted gay couple
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untIngton, w.VA. | A former Marshall University football player has been accused of two felony civil rights violations stemming from his alleged April assault on a gay couple. The accusations against 23-year-old Steward Butler were contained in indictments unsealed May 29 by a Cabell County grand jury, according to media reports. He was also indicted on two counts of misdemeanor battery. Butler is accused of striking two men who were returning to their hotel after an evening out in Huntington. West Virginia’s civil rights law does not include protection for sexual orientation. Butler originally claimed he acted in self-defense. It is not clear if he has an attorney. A running back, he was dismissed from the team and is no longer a student. If convicted of violating the state’s civil rights law, Butler faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on each charge.
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ontrEAl | Michael Sam says his priority is helping the Montreal Alouettes win, not making history as the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League. Sam signed a two-year deal with the Alouettes. “I’m not trying to really do anything historic here by being with Montreal, I’m just trying to help the team win some games so we can bring the Grey Cup back home,” Sam said at packed news conference May 26. The 25-year-old Sam came out publicly before last year’s NFL draft. He was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams to become the first openly gay player chosen by an NFL team. The Rams cut him in training
camp. The Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad but released him in October. Sam starred at the University of Missouri, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. Alouettes general manager Jim Popp, who called Sam a “trailblazing athlete,” said he believes the 6-foot-2, 260-pound player can excel as a pass rusher in the CFL. Sam agreed. “My size fits as a pass rusher,” Sam said. “I led my team in preseason in sacks and that was in the NFL, so I’m a pass rusher. Doesn’t matter where I’m at.” Sam was considered by NFL teams to be a “tweener,” not quite the right body type to be a defensive end or an outside linebacker for that league. But Popp believes Sam can follow a path similar to Cam Wake, who was converted from linebacker to end when he joined the B.C. Lions in 2007. Wake was the CFL Defensive
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