Watermark Issue 2215: Gay History by Watermark Publishing Group

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watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

departments 6 // mail 8 // orlando news 12 // tampa bay news 17 // state 21 // nation & world news 29 // arts & entertainment 39 // community calendar 41 // tampa bay overheard 43 // orlando overheard 45 // transitions 46 // tampa bay marketplace 47 // sports 48 // orlando marketplace 53 // looking back

PAGE

It’s very hard to wrap my head around how the CDC came to that decision, not to fund anyone in Central Florida. —terry deCarlo, exeCutive direCtor of tHe Center

on the cover

PAGE

PAGE a QuestioN oF

History: There were numerous events leading up to the recent Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality. How much do you know about them? Take the quiz!

Photo illustration by Jake Stevens

scan Qr code For

watermarkonline.com

liZZie grows up: Hilary Duff comes back swinging, also speaking

rather bluntly about her appreciation for online hookups.

watermark i ssue 22.15 //J uly 16 - J uly 29, 2015

orlando news

tampa bay

wedding bells

uprisings

PAGE Local HIV organizations

PAGE Homeless and troubled

PAGE

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

feel the burn of potential funding cuts as the Center for Disease Control snubs the region.

LGBT youth find solace in the charitable arms of Family Resources in Pinellas.

Huge Democratic legend Bob Poe and the love of his life Kenneth Brown tie the knot in a lavish Los Angeles ceremony. There were lasers.

Introducing our new column following the tidal shifts in the local political sea. There will be blood.

gO take Our lgBt histOry Quiz at watermarkOnline.cOm and see if yOu are as ill-infOrmed as we are. it’ll Be fun!

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

FORD CELEBRATES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER FOR 112 YEARS!

top web comments WatermarkOnline.com: On Ohio judge taking over weddings after gay couple turned away:

“Thank you Judge Michelle Wagner for your loving, inclusiveness decision. Those judges who discriminate against taxpaying American citizens that pay their salaries should resign or be fired.” —GayEGO

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On the push for a ‘Pastor Protection Act’:

“This makes me SO crazy. They pulled the same BS out in California in the lead up to the Prop 8 vote, scaring the public by claiming that their churches would be required to marry gay people, and if they preached anti-gay rhetoric, they would go to jail. Churches have enjoyed ‘special rights’ since this country’s founding, and among them is they are autonomous. They can pretty much do whatever they wish. They are not required to marry anybody. Marriage is a contract between two people and the state. The license comes from the state, not any church.” —Greg H.

On Pam Bondi dropping gay marriage appeal:

“She should be held liable for tax dollars used, that

watermark Your lgbt life.

“Churches have enjoyed ‘special rights’ since this country’s founding, and among them is they are autonomous.” —Greg H.

money should be paid back by Pam Bondi.”

On Kentucky county clerk refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses:

Watermark’s Facebook page:

“I’m embarrassed to say I am from Kentucky. Good thing I got out, my memory of Kentucky was my so-called pastor saying “homosexuals would burn in hell.” That also helped me understand our religious differences at an early age.”

—cscf

On gay wedding cakes being at the center of a Colorado court Appeal:

“One question that I have never heard voiced: Why is it that Jehovah’s witnesses working in bakeries have been making birthday, Easter and Christmas cakes for years without incident?” —Mylez Edward

On Pam Bondi dropping gay marriage appeal:

“Best wishes Pam Bondi on your upcoming THIRD traditional marriage (I’ll just hang on to the receipt for the toaster, just in case).” —Briana Goodbro

“Maybe she will FINALLY start working on her “REAL” agenda, HUMAN TRAFFICKING! At least that is the stance she took to get re-elected.” —Rita Jennifer

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

—Shannon M. Fortner

On Marco Rubio opposing a traditional marriage amendment:

“Why doesn’t this headline just read: ‘Rubio would pander to independent voters even though he is still unabashedly anti-gay.’” —Simon Yorinks

On Oklahoma fun run with guns uses rainbow targets as promo:

“Let ‘em run. Let ‘em shoot. Self-identification of antisocial personality disorder is very valuable.” —Kate Daughter

contributors

Photo by Robert Bartlett

editor’s

Billy Manes EDITOR

BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com

“H

Desk

istory never repeats,

I tell myself before I go to sleep,” Split Enz once (or a million times) warned via the medium of a seemingly benign pop chorus. If only. History, including the mistakes in judgment that we frequently make, runs more like a pendulum than a direct line (see the Dark Ages, the Enlightenment and back again); in today’s direct-hotline-to-everything internet world, history doesn’t even require a context in order to regenerate itself in another, strikingly similar form when you least expect it. Does that sound heavy? It is.

Following last issue’s verbal and visual parade around the historic marriage equality ruling from the Supreme Court—“We won!”—most of us around Watermark and in the community could feel the weight of what happens next and how we confront

watermark staff

our continuing challenges in housing, the workforce, bullying, trans rights and the upcoming national elections. God, we’re downers sometimes. But it’s not all Sturm und Drang (see, history!). The last couple of weeks have brought along some amazing changes,

including the Boy Scouts of America deciding to (gasp!) allow gay leaders in its ranks and the federal government ceasing discrimination against transgendered soldiers. We’re moving, people! This week, we’ve gone a bit pedantic for our cover feature, not because we mean to be jerks or school marms, but because there are a lot of moments that have fed the drive of the LGBT movement and pushed us into the realm of general, respected humanity (or closer to it). We thought we might take a minute to go back to school, cram for a test and flunk it. It wasn’t that long ago that pageant queen and orangejuice peddler Anita Bryant stomped a heel on the rights of gays in Florida and across the country, all with a fake smile, one that eventually held a pie atop it. Or when the Mattachine Society gathered in quiet corners to subvert society via pamphleteering. Or when men were covering their faces while being pushed into police vans outside of a bar called Stonewall. It wasn’t that long ago that the “gay cancer” turned into AIDS and killed a significant portion of our population, something that took treacherous years for then-President Ronald Reagan to even recognize. Or when LGBT citizens of Florida couldn’t adopt children; or, for that matter, get married. But all of that is fixed, right? We can move on, take our PrEP pills and party, because life is all sunshine and roses. Except—cue Debbie Downer noise here—in Orange County alone, HIV cases

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have increased 47 percent in just one year, income disparity between LGBT workers and their straight peers is still a thing and there are people holding rallies to support the Confederate flag. We’ve got some distance left to run. Fortunately, there are people who are willing to run that distance in Washington, D.C., the Florida Legislature and in our local municipal governments. This week, we introduce our new political column Uprisings, which will monitor, with some humor (it makes for a nice accessory), the political landscape that is

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

Stephen Miller

is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 23

Chris Azzopardi

We thought we might take a minute to go back to school, cram for a test and flunk it.

is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service and has interviewed a wide range of celebrities, including Cher and Lady Gaga. He lives in Canton, Mich., and can be reached via his website at Chris-Azzopardi.com. Page 29

certain to affect our lives over the next 16 months and beyond. We also cover some good news and bad news about services for the LGBT community in both the Tampa Bay area and Orlando. Oh, and for fun, we catch up with Hilary Duff, who has just recently caught up with herself (and Grindr). Our cover quiz should be online by the time you read this, so grill yourself over at watermarkonline.com before reading the answers. No, you’re not allowed to cheat. Yes, we are watching. WE ARE WATCHING. We made history. We are living in historic times. Don’t go to sleep.

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

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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

Mount Dora Pride debuts in conservative Lake County Jeremy Williams

ust a month after Lakeland brought Polk County Pride to Central Florida, another LGBT organization has set up shop in a traditionally conservative town. Mount Dora Pride made their first appearance in Lake County, marching in the Fourth of July parade. “I think what is significant about this was that it is of course not a gay pride parade or gay event,” said Bill Sievert, President of Mount Dora Pride. “I think that this is the first time that I know of in Central Florida that any gay organization has had a float in a city’s municipal parade and the fact that that is happening in Lake County, which is traditionally considered a conservative area, I think it was a rather bold step.” The gay community has been growing in Lake County over the last several years. Mount Dora in particular, known for its art culture and antique shops, has seen an increase in LGBT population. “A lot of gay people have moved here from South Florida and from up north,” Sievert said. “The area just became a magnet and we got the sense that there was enough interest that we could [create an LGBT group].” Lake County has had an active LGBT group for the last nine years called The Triangle Connection. “The Triangle Connection hosts monthly meet-andgreets and serves as a networking group,” Sievert said. Last year, members of The Triangle Connection put together a fundraiser for Equality Florida in Mount Dora that raised $13,000 for marriage equality. “Equality Florida was blown away by what we could do in Lake County,” Sievert said. “We started thinking, ‘What else can we get involved in?’ and we have wanted to do something with Pride for years.” The members of The Triangle Connection that had organized the Equality Florida event decided to create a non-profit, Mount Dora Pride, Inc. “We came together and we are going to do a Pride celebration,” Sievert said. “We didn’t want to just rush into it as these things take time, so we decided to introduce ourselves with a float in the Lake County Fourth of July parade.” Mount Dora Pride marched with 50 people, both from The Triangle Connection and from the local high school’s GSA. Mount Dora Pride handed out more than 2,500 rainbow colored beads with anti-bullying messages attached to them to a cheering and accepting crowd and plan to do the same thing at the 55th Annual Mount Dora Holiday Parade on December 5. “It was spectacular. We were all teary-eyed from all the cheers we were getting, they were shouting encouragement and applauding,” Sievert said. Mount Dora Pride will hold their first ever LGBT Street Fair April 9, 2016, taking over Alexander Street in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

Head on:

Local performer Darcel Williams emcees the 2014 Headdress Ball. Hope and Help events director Russell Walker says the 2015 event will be crucial in making up for the lack of CDC funding. Photo by Jake Stevens

“The grave error” No Central Florida HIV organizations receive CDC grants for 2015 Jamie Hyman

he same week it was announced that Orange County’s new HIV cases are up 47 percent from last year, the Centers for Disease Control announced no Central Florida HIV organizations will receive CDC grants this year. The CDC announced their grant recipients June 30 and just three Florida organizations received funds: Empower “U”, Inc. Community Health Center in Miami; Latinos Salud, Inc. in Miami Beach and Metropolitan Charities, Inc. in St. Petersburg. Of the greater Orlando organizations, Hope and Help of Central Florida, Inc. was hit hard by the lack of grant funding. For the past five years, the CDC awarded Hope and Help grants ranging from $240,127 to $335,748. Miracle of Love, an Orlando-based multicultural HIV/ AIDS care, education and prevention organization, is also reeling from the lack of funding. On average, Miracle of Love had received $300,000 a year from the CDC. Lisa Barr, Hope and Help’s executive director, speculates the CDC is changing their focus, noting that all of the funded organizations are clinics.

watermark Your lgbt life.

“They said we qualified but we’re not the top qualifier,” Barr says. “If there’s additional funding we may be eligible for it at a later time.” The CDC’s selections are also confusing to local organizations because it was indicated that organizations shown to collaborate would have the best chance. Russell Walker, currently Hope and Help’s events manager, was acting director of the LGBT Center of Central Florida when the grant application was submitted. He says Hope and Help, The Center, and Orange Blossom Family Health submitted a collaborative application. Now, looking at the awardees, Walker wants to know why the grants were distributed to only three standalone organizations. “We’re confused,” Walker says. “If collaboration was [the CDC’s] main goal, how is it [the grants went to] one agency in one area?” Barr says it was one of the first times Hope and Help teamed up with other organizations this way. “We really thought we had a strong chance of winning [the grant],” she says. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to us.” Nicola Norton is executive director of Miracle of Love.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

“My hope is that the CDC will recognize the grave error [in not funding Central Florida organizations],” Norton says, noting that the grant distribution seemed to be geographically skewed. “When you look at the matrix as to who the CDC funded, only 25 percent of the Southern states got funded,” she says. “The other 75 percent were northern areas. With Florida being number one in the nation [for new HIV cases], you would have thought there would be more funding in this area but it just didn’t happen. I don’t know what’s going on.” Terry DeCarlo, current executive director of The Center, is also bewildered as to how the CDC made this year’s funding decisions. “It’s very hard to wrap my head around how the CDC came to that decision, not to fund anyone in Central Florida,” DeCarlo says, citing new data from the Florida Department of Health that shows the number of new HIV cases in Orange County for the first part of 2015 are up 47 percent, compared to the same time period from 2014. That’s a total of 231 people diagnosed HIV positive from January through April of 2015. Same time period last year, 157 people were diagnosed HIV positive. Orange County has the fourth largest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the state, with 8,195. The CDC would not comment on why any individual organization wasn’t funded, saying they don’t address confidential details of any application. In an email to Watermark, CDC spokeswoman Donni Smalls Continued on pg. 10 | uu |

THE M is for Moving Forward

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

orlando news

in other news Push for ‘Pastor Protection Act’ not necessary A Clermont pastor is pushing Gov. Rick Scott to back a bill that would “protect” clergy from having to conduct same-sex weddings, despite the fact that religious leaders are already protected from being forced to lead gay wedding ceremonies. As of July 8, more than 14,000 people have signed Rev. Chris Walker’s Change.org petition backing a “Pastor Protection Act.” Walker leads the Cathedral of Power International Church. “In light of the recent Supreme Court Decision on Marriage. [sic] We would like to see our rights protected as Clergy,” the petition reads. However, the landmark June 26 Supreme Court ruling making marriage equality legal across the United States not only doesn’t require clergy to perform same-sex marriages, as it specifically recognizes religious leaders’ First Amendment protections. Local attorney Mary Meeks that Clerks of Court can be sued for refusing to provide marriage licenses to same sex couples, because that is part of their government job. For clergy, performing marriage ceremonies is “completely ceremonial and voluntary” and therefore, they cannot be forced to do so. Florida Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, is drafting a version of the “Pastor Protection Act,” as confirmed by his secretary who said it is still in the drafting phase, and nothing has been filed yet.

| uu | CDC Grants from pg.8

listed two “types of things that may have influenced an applicant’s score”: If a grantee didn’t meet the program requirements outlined in the announcement or didn’t demonstrate the necessary capacity to accomplish what they proposed in their proposal, they would not have scored as well as someone who did. Alternatively, it’s possible that a grantee did not score well on the recipient capability assessment, which is an assessment by CDC’s Procurement and Grants Office to ensure that an organization has the financial capacity to manage the funding they would receive. “We had to make a number of tough choices because CDC’s funding is limited, and we received many outstanding applications,” Smalls says. “We are excited to work with the 90 organizations [nationwide] that were funded over the next five years as they deliver effective HIV prevention strategies to those in greatest need.” The Center isn’t directly affected by

the lack of funding because they had not received the CDC grant in the past. They were going to use the funds to place an HIV case manager in-house, using an existing case manager from Hope and Help or from Miracle of Love, another local HIV organization that has received CDC funding in the past but not this year. “It would be so much easier to do [testing and case management] as a one stop shop,” DeCarlo says. “[Not being funded] doesn’t affect our bottom line, our budget at all. [The inhouse case manager] would have been an extra and something new offered here at The Center.” That’s not the case for Hope and Help and Miracle of Love. Norton says Miracle of Love has had to lay off a testing/educator, and other employees will be taking pay cuts. They had planned to expand testing into Seminole County. Barr says Hope and Help is currently regrouping and trying to figure out their next move. “[Not being funded] impacts employees and their ability to serve our clients,” Barr says. “Hardest hit is our prevention team and

support groups.” She says they’re “seeking other funding opportunities as quickly as we can,” noting that grant applications are a slow process and they’re hoping to find some community support in the form of volunteers to make up for staffing hits and money donations. Specifically, Hope and Help’s mobile unit is no longer functional and they need a new one donated or “at a reasonable price.” Walker says they’re seeking out alternate grants and meeting with corporate clients to “see about that kind of funding.” He says in the meantime they’re focusing on their fundraising events such as Headdress Ball, which is set for October. Barr says they are also attempting to move their outreach office from downtown on Colonial Drive to the more affordable Orange Blossom Trail. If they’re able to successfully relocate - Barr says there’s a city ordinance blocking them they’re trying to work around - the new office would be located across from Parliament House.

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

tampa bay news

condensed milk Billy Manes

“t

his year was like a $40,000 cesspool,” Sarasota’s Harvey Milk Festival President Shannon Fortner says, nearly two months after the festivities meant to honor the San Francisco (and global) legend of gay rights activism. This year’s party, featuring electro-pop emotion-driver Bright Light Bright Light (Rod Thomas), who recently opened for Elton John out west, was practically ruined by Florida’s fantastic flirtations with precipitation deluges. Though raw estimates of attendance were somewhere in the 2,000 to 5,000 range in its sixth year (a wide berth), inclement weather hindered the nonprofit from making up its financial losses, Fortner says. “This is our sixth year and we’ve never had a rain problem,” she says. “And we already had our first protesters this year. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing … That, and the rain was a distraction.” To remedy the perils of a Florida summer in a year of LGBT celebration — clearly, the marriage decision and Milk’s May 22 birthday were in mind for the May 16 celebration at Five Points Park — Fortner pulled together a July 11 fundraiser at Throb Nightclub in Sarasota in order to keep the popular celebration free to audiences. “This is a festival to keep the festival going,” she said before the event. Also, however, it was “an excuse to get together and celebrate.” We reached out to Fortner after the event to get a read on how things went, and, well, it wasn’t as good as it could have been, she said via text message (she lost her voice), even though it “went great.” The event raised an estimated $500, which is enormously shy of the $5,000 the group was hoping to raise. The fundraising will continue through gofundme.com and PayPal. Also, there is a 2016 festival on the horizon, so all is not lost. “We look forward to some supporters to step up and help us move forward,” Fortner writes. “We are uniting the community and bringing everyone together in honor of Harvey Milk. This is an important event and we’re growing each year. Join our family and be a part of HMF. Sponsorships are available for May 12, 13, and 14, 2016 contact shai@harveymilkfestival.com”

There is a light Family Resources Gives LGBT Teens a Safe Place to Be Krista DiTucci

ince 2013, Family Resources, Inc. has provided a safe haven for LGBT runaway and homeless youth through the “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” transitional living program. “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” houses six beds in Pinellas Park, but teens from all counties are welcome. According to Dr. Lisa Davis, chief executive officer of Family Resources, the ultimate goal is to help LGBT youth learn the necessary skills to become self-sufficient in early adulthood. “We give these kids so much emotional support and acceptance that they haven’t experienced before,” Davis says. “We hope this support will help build the foundation for them to seek out more permanent relationships and to trust that there are people out there who don’t have bias and will treat them just like everyone else. They’ve been put down and have gotten derogatory remarks and comments for so many years.” “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” is available to teens ages 16-17 for

watermark Your lgbt life.

up to 18 months. The program’s goal is a six-month minimum stay. Through the duration of the program, youth are provided with life skills, financial education, education assistance, and lessons on personal responsibility and character building. Teens also receive LGBT-focused counseling through a certified sex therapist, otherwise known as a transitional specialist. Additionally, they participate in weekly groups at Metro Wellness. Davis says the rules are similar to what teens would encounter at home. They can earn outings to visit family and friends or go to work. To earn these privileges, they must keep their rooms clean and abide by curfew and bedtime. “We’re looking for motivated youth with a willingness to do what’s necessary to be self-sufficient and successful,” Davis says. “They mostly just need additional help to get them over the hump.” When the teens age out, Davis says the program will continue to work with them to make sure they have access to all community resources and are able to get to necessary appointments. She says getting youth into apartments

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

is a tiered process in which the program will provide more help in the beginning and gradually ease them into contributing more of their earned income over time. Eventually, they will be able to sustain themselves. Assistance with scattered housing sites and independent living is available for ages 18-22. Davis says the organization has not yet received a referral for these services, but she is hoping to identify candidates within the community. Davis says one of the program’s challenges has been parental consent. If teens are kicked out of their home due to sexual orientation, the family member who has kicked them out still must consent to the transitional living program because they are minors. She says frequently a teen will run away, but the family is angry that the teen is leaving home and, instead, wants the teen to stay while continuing to try to change them. “We have to ask parents, ‘Do you want them on the street or do you want them somewhere safe?’” Davis says she once encountered a grandmother who gave consent for a transgender teen to enter “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT.” The teen began transitioning while in the facility, but the grandmother later removed her because she didn’t agree with the transitioning process. “That was one of the sad cases because she was a young person who finally had the safety and freedom to be who she was,” Davis says. cOntinued On pg. 14 | uu |

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

tampa bay news

in other news Metro Wellness awarded $1.75 million for HIV prevention The Centers for Disease Control has awarded Metro Wellness and Community Centers $1.75 million in grant money to be used for HIV prevention. The grant is allocated over 5 years, $350,000 annually. Chris Rudisill, Metro’s Director of LGBT Community Center Services, says it’s new funding is part of a $216 million project to reduce the rates of HIV infection in the hardest-hit areas of the United States. “Metro has received CDC funds before but not directly,” he said in an email to Watermark. “Typically, most of these funds are directed through the Florida Department of Health, which directly receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Rudisill says Metro will use the funds to add services including access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for people at high risk of infection. “PrEP is a powerful HIV prevention tool that when taken consistently, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by up to 92 percent,” he says. Lorraine Langlois, Metro’s CEO, says the epidemic in the Tampa Bay area is “alarming,” especially for people younger than 29 years old. “Through Metro’s HIV testing along in the month of June there were 10 new positive persons identified,” Langlois said in an email to Watermark.

| uu | Family Resources from pg.12

However, Davis says most family members are realistic that they can’t force the child to change and will give consent to enter the program. Another challenge has been getting teens to stay for at least six months. The youth are sometimes not appropriate for transitional living due to mental health issues or substance abuse. Davis says the facility has never been full since opening almost two years ago, and she is hoping that spreading the word in the community will help bring in more teens. “I’m hoping that we can spark an interest so that someone who knows someone in need will reach out,” Davis says. “It’s free of charge, so these kids could stay with us 18 months and it doesn’t cost them anything.” Many “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” teens enter by way of other Family Resources programs such as the “SafePlace2BToo: Teen Shelters” and Street Outreach, a program designed to seek out youth in the community who are homeless or are at risk of

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becoming homeless. Family Resources, Inc. is a nonprofit organization initially founded in 1970 as a hotline to help troubled teens. According to tax documents, it’s grown substantially, reporting more than $6 million in revenue annually. Other programs in Pinellas include individual and family counseling, “SafePlace2BToo: Young Moms,” Safe Place Education, Teen Outreach Program, Youth Enrichment Program, and Truancy Prevention. “We serve some foster care kids, but they are not our primary focus,” Davis says. “There is a big misconception out there that Family Resources only serves foster care youth.” Davis recalls one of her first memories with “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” of a gay teen who came from out of county: “His case manager picked him, and the boy told the case manager he was his hero. When the case manager asked him why, the boy said, ‘Because I didn’t know there were people like you who cared about kids like me.’” Davis also shared a story of a lesbian teen who was with Family Resources before the transitional

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

program launched: “We opened this program right when we were closing another one, and she was able to transition and stay with us until her 18th birthday. She was with us for four years and she said we were her home. She would take a bus an hour and a half away so she could continue her education. She just graduated this past May and is doing great.” “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” is funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) under Health and Human Services. The program has also received support from St. Pete Pride and guidance from the True Colors Fund. “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” is always looking for mentors and volunteers, especially those who can teach new skills such as cooking, yoga, art, or music. “These kids have experienced so much trauma,” Davis says. “It’s nice that they have a place where we can alleviate concerns of where they’re going to sleep at night or whether they’re going to have a hot meal. And to come to a place with no judgment.” For more information, to make a referral, or to volunteer, contact “SafePlace2BToo: LGBT” at (727) 552-1015.

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

state news

report: Jacksonville lacking in lgbt protections

pam bondi drops same-seX marriage appeal

Jamie Hyman

acksonville has a larger percentage of LGBT residents than any other metro area in Florida, but zero local laws in place to protect them from discrimination. That’s according to a Jacksonville Office of General Counsel report prepared at the request of outgoing Mayor Alvin Brown. The report cites a 2015 Gallup poll reporting that 4.3 percent of Jacksonville’s residents identify as LGBT. It provides an overview of protections provided at the federal and state level, plus the findings of a 2007-2008 survey where 86% of residents think LGBTs should receive equal treatment at work, but there it still a “thread of fear” among Jacksonville’s LGBT population, with the majority of LGBTs concerned they could lose their jobs, housing or face violence because of their sexual orientation.

lorida’s fight for marriage equality is officially over. State attorney general Pam Bondi dropped her appeal that fought same-sex marriage July 7. She submitted a single sentence to Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals: “Pursuant to Rule 9.350(b) of the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, Appellant State of Florida hereby voluntarily dismisses these appeals.” In 2014, Florida judges ruled the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Bondi appealed all of the cases and fought to extend stays placed on the rulings in favor of marriage equality. She eventually was denied all requests for extension and same-sex marriage became legal in Florida Jan. 6, 2015. On June 26, the Supreme Court ruled that samesex couples may legally marry throughout the United States. “Pam Bondi has finally acknowledged the inevitable marriage equality is the law of the land and there is nothing she can do about it,” Mary Meeks, Orlando attorney says. “Now, can we expect an apology and reimbursement to Florida citizens for the substantial costs she incurred on their behalf to fight a losing battle in support of institutionalized bigotry?”

Jax in baCk: Northeast Florida has a lot to answer for. That report “found substantive LGBT discrimination exists in employment, housing and public accommodations, but that Jacksonville lacked any laws to protect LGBT residents from discrimination.” The Jacksonville City Council rejected LGBT discrimination bills twice in 2012. The new report summarizes some issues that council members should consider, “because a bill similar to

the one introduced in 2012 may once again be considered by the City Council.” The issues include how discrimination complaints would be investigated and the costs of investigations, the symbolic support of LGBTs that would occur should a protections ordinance be approved, and how an LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance would balance with existing religious freedom legislation.

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Kentucky county clerks call for special session after clerk sued for not issuing marriage licenses Wire Report

RANKFORT, Ky. | A county clerk says nearly half of the county clerks in Kentucky have asked Gov. Steve Beshear to call a special session of the legislature to address the issue of same-sex marriage licenses. Lawrence County Clerk Chris Jobe says a letter signed by 57 clerks and sent to Beshear July 8 explains that they face a conflict between their religious beliefs and job duties following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling. House Speaker Greg Stumbo asked Beshear to call lawmakers back into session over the issue, but Beshear said there was no need for lawmakers to consider an issue the Supreme Court has settled. This comes after a gay couple seeking a marriage license in Morehead, Ky., was denied by Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis because of

her religious convictions. The couple filmed the incident and uploaded it to YouTube. The video has been viewed more than a million times to date. “We feel it’s our right as citizens, according to the Supreme Court and according to the governor of Kentucky, that we should be able to get married,” the couple said in the video. They have been together for 17 years and have lived in Rowan County for the last 10 years. Davis said that her Christian beliefs prevent her from abiding by the Supreme Court ruling. The clerk told The Associated Press that she will no longer be issuing marriage licenses to couples—gay or straight. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Davis after she refused marriage licenses to a total of two gay couples and two straight couples. “Ms. Davis has the absolute right to believe whatever she wants about God, faith, and religion, but as a

government official who swore an oath to uphold the law, she cannot pick and choose who she is going to serve, or which duties her office will perform based on her religious beliefs,” attorney Laura Landenwich said in an ACLU press release. Davis is among a small number of clerks and judges across the South who have refused to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling. “Officials have warned that the defiant clerks could be risking criminal charges,” the AP writes. “Warren County Attorney Ann Milliken, president of the Kentucky County Attorneys Association, said clerks could be charged with official misconduct, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.” Davis is one of a handful of county clerks and local officials across the country who have refused to comply with the court’s order. A federal judge was scheduled to hear arguments about Davis’ refusal to issue marriage licenses on July 13 in Ashland, Ky.

surrogate mother is also the genetic mother of the child. The procedures are used by heterosexual couples unable to conceive, gay couples, as well as single parents. Until now, surrogate children were deprived of any legal connection to their parents, or any civil status in France. They were considered as children born from unknown legal parents, since their foreign birth certificates weren’t recognized. One lawyer has described them as “ghosts of the republic.” Unlike other children born abroad to a French parent, these children couldn’t get automatic ID cards or passports, or register for state health care or other services. This exposed them to frequent problems, because many basic tasks are impossible in France without an ID or authorization from a legal parent. In addition to potential psychological troubles due to their incomplete identities, the children were also deprived of eventual inheritance, and faced major imbroglios in case of a divorce or the death of one parent.

Many hope that Friday’s ruling will increase the options for infertile and same-sex couples in France. Forprofit sperm banks are forbidden, as is surrogate parenthood, seen by many as turning the womb into a commodity. Europe’s top human rights court last year ordered the country to change the law on surrogate children, saying France’s refusal to recognize them was “an attack on the child’s identity, for which descent is an essential component.” The new ruling came in response to Boren’s case and a separate case involving a single man who had gone to Russia to have babies through surrogate mothers. The Cour de cassation said that the French birth certificates will have to mention as parents those who are named in the original foreign birth certificate, even if they are not the biological parents. The only condition set by the judges is to check that the original certificate is not “falsified” and “is corresponding to reality.” The overwhelming majority of the French parents using surrogacy abroad are heterosexual couples.

Surrogate children granted legal recognition in France Wire Report PARIS | France’s highest court has granted legal recognition to surrogate children, in a major turnaround that will make their daily lives easier and could lead to greater acceptance of new forms of families. The Cour de cassation ruled July 3 that, while surrogacy will remain banned in France, children born abroad through this practice will now be legally tied to their parents and will be granted birth certificates and immediate means to prove their French citizenship. “This means no less than the recognition of our child, of these children’s French citizenship and of the rights that go with it,” said Dominique Boren, 51, father of a 4-year-old boy born in Russia from a surrogate mother, with his husband beside him. Surrogacy can involve a woman carrying an embryo created by in vitro fertilization using another woman’s egg. In some cases the

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in other news military ban on transgender individuals may soon be lifted Pentagon leaders are finalizing plans to lift the ban on out transgender individuals serving in the military, the Associated Press reported. Senior U.S. officials say that while they transition, transgender individuals would still not be able to join the military. Decisions to force out those already serving would have to be referred to a top Defense Department leader. Officials say an announcement is expected this week. The military would have six months to determine the impact and work out details, and this would end one of the last gender- or sexuality-based barriers to military service.

Utah governor to look at more religious protections Utah lawmakers may need to look at whether more religious protections are needed after the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, Republican Gov. Gary Hebert said July 8. Religious protections were not part of the court decision because it came through a court ruling instead of by voters or lawmakers, Herbert said. He said any effort to shore up religious rights should also include considerations about protecting LGBT people from discrimination. Some critics of Utah’s law say it focuses too heavily on religious freedoms and is tailor-made for a state where more than 60 percent of the population is Mormon.

Scrapping of anti-gay law in Mozambique gets mixed reactions Mozambicans reacted cautiously to the scrapping of a colonial-era anti-gay law on July 3. Even though no one has been prosecuted under the law in the 40 years since Mozambique’s independence, Mozambicans still face prejudice, according to LAMBDA, a Mozambican LGBT rights group. The LGBT rights group said it has been waiting eight years to be recognized as a legal association by the country’s justice ministry. Scrapping the law is seen as part of the more liberal social stance of recently elected President Filipe Nyusi. Some Mozambicans said it’s important to recognize human rights, while other said homosexuality goes against African culture.

Biden to LGBT Americans: “We owe you” Vice President Joe Biden said July 9 that more still needs to be done to protect LGBT Americans. Speaking at an event in Manhattan hosted by Freedom to Marry, a New York-based organization, he praised the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage and said federal officials will continue to fight for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. He told elected officials, community leaders, advocates and celebrities who were in attendance that more needs to be done to inform Americans that LGBT people can still be fired from their jobs in 32 states because of their sexual orientation.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

viewpoint

Dexter Foxworth

guest column Saying Goodbye Zebra Coalition

aM drivinG in traffiC on

my way to our Zebra Coalition Youth Center. It’s summer in Florida and I can see the rain behind me, following me, laughing at me as I try to beat it and get thru traffic. I pull up to our youth center and the rain falls.

Of course, my umbrella is sitting inside the office. The unforeseen benefit of this is that with nothing to do but wait for the rain to let up, you have some time to reflect, to look back, to take stock. And what better time to do that than when you are just days from ending your time with a job that has changed your life. Three-and-a-half years ago, I stepped into my new office to begin my journey as director for the Zebra Coalition, a nonprofit with a mission to provide support, services and programming to Central Florida’s LGBT+ youth. I spent my first two days meeting youth in our residential program and learning. Fast forward two weeks later; I was on the side of the road, in my car ready to walk, no run, away from it all. My first week on the job was filled with late night calls from youths contemplating suicide, including a 2 a.m. call from a young person whose family kicked him out of their house because he was gay, and trying to assist the high needs of youths in our residential program. There was no easing into this work. It was a swift shove into the deep end of a bottomless pool of critical needs—needs from youths in our community who reached out to Zebra Coalition because their community had failed them.

At the end of my second week, I started to truly wonder if the mission we had set out to accomplish, providing support to young LGBT+ persons in need, just wasn’t meant to be. I had just gone through an almost 24-hour workday trying to manage calls from our crisis hotline and assist a now homeless youth on his 18th birthday transition into our residential program. My usual chipper self was fried and I must have looked like hell as I pulled over on the side of the road. These kids needed support but it was too much for me, for one person. “I’m done. I’m putting in my notice tomorrow”, I said to myself. At that moment my cell phone rang. It was the just turned 18 year-old I had spent half the day with transitioning into our residential program. “Mr. Dexter, thank you for my birthday cake and for your help,” he said. There was a long pause and I could hear him crying. He was scared. His family had just kicked him out of the gated community and the home he had known his entire life. Just because he was gay. Then he asked, “Will you be here tomorrow for breakfast?” Now I was in tears, which isn’t uncommon, as I confirmed, “Yes, I will see you tomorrow morning”. It is still pouring rain. There is almost zero visibility but I can still make out our youth center. All I can think about are the hundreds of young people who have come thru those doors the last few years and the support our team and community have provided. We have come so far and grown immensely, becoming the national model for programming and services for LGBT+ youth. If that kid hadn’t called that night and I would have walked away from it all, would Zebra Coalition have accomplished everything it

had? Maybe. But I know for sure, I would have missed out on so much. The rain is letting up. Of course my first thought is deciding if I can get to the building without getting my hair and shoes soaked. I can’t walk into the youth center looking like hell. Those kids will call me out. My boyfriend sends a text message, “Can we talk

It’s been a very emotional journey for me: tremendously satisfying, but also challenging and bittersweet. I am forever grateful for the gift to lead the work of the Zebra Coalition. I am so lucky. On one hand, I feel a sense of incompleteness, walking away when so much more remains to be done—more housing,

leaving, however, because of the people who will remain: our staff, board members, volunteers and community of coalition partners. But I don’t know how to say goodbye. There’s too much overlap now. Too many of our staff, board members, partners and youth are like family. Too much of my own autobiography and my

about the house?” There is only one thing that would take me away from Central Florida and the work at Zebra Coalition. After a long distance relationship for some time, we are moving across the country together. It’s time; time to make “us” a bigger priority.

resources for trans* persons and additional support to assist with the continued growing rates of substance use and bullying. Most of all, making our community a more safe, supportive and welcoming place. I feel comfortable in

heart is embedded in the story of Zebra Coalition. Maybe the answer is, “Don’t say goodbye.” So, let’s not say goodbye just yet. Let’s just say, “until the next time.”

It’s been a very emotional journey for me: tremendously satisfying, but also challenging and bittersweet.

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clintOn Offers reassurance tO gay yOuth in weB pOsting

illary Clinton offered reassuranCe to a Gay youtH in a July 3 faCebook CoMMent. “Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing,” Clinton wrote on the Humans of New York page. “You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in you—there will be lots of them.” The Democratic presidential candidate made the comment on a picture of an unnamed boy with a tearful expression and a caption that reads, “I’m homosexual and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people won’t like me.” The Clinton campaign confirmed July 5 that the posting, which is signed with an “H,” came personally from Hilary.

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fOx tO develOp film On supreme cOurt gay marriage ruling

0tH Century fox is developinG a filM about tHe u.s. supreMe Court Case that made same-sex marriage a nationwide right. A Fox representative confirmed July 7 the studio has acquired the life rights to Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that last month became a landmark in the gay rights movement. Fox also obtained the life rights to Obergefell’s lawyer, Al Gerhardstein, and those to a book proposal by Obergefell and journalist Debbie Cenziper. Fox has not revealed a release date for the film yet.

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aBBy wamBach plants a Big kiss On her wife after winning wOrld cup

He u.s. WoMen’s soCCer teaM Celebrated a speCtaCular 5-2 Win over Japan in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship on July 5. As soon as the final whistle blew, U.S. striker Abby Wambach ran toward her wife, Sarah Huffman, who was sitting front row in the stands, and gave her a celebratory smooch. Wambach failed to score in the victory, but is the top U.S. international scorer for both men’s and women’s soccer, with 183 goals in 247 games.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

carter Believes jesus wOuld apprOve Of gay marriage

orMer u.s. president JiMMy Carter told Huffpostlive intervieWer MarC laMont Hill July 7 that he believes Jesus would approve of gay marriage. “I believe Jesus would approve of gay marriage. I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else, and I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else,” he said. Carter, a self-identified “born-again Christian,” was on the Huffington Post program to discuss his new book, A Full Life: Re�lections at Ninety.

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

in-depth: gay histOry test

Stephen J. Miller

e’ve CoMe a lonG Way, baby!

After the Supreme Court’s momentous June 26 decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, it’s a good time to claim all of our historic victories. In the name of love, we tested LGBT youth and their leaders on their knowledge of the past. Of the 58 people who participated—young and old—the average was 9 of 20 questions correct. Our 13 Watermark employees did about the same. The best score overall was 17 correct; the lowest was 4 correct. See how you do, and, while you’re at it, see what we’ve done.

cOntinued On pg. 26 | uu |

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

| uu | Gay Quiz from pg.23

1) The word “homosexual” first appeared in print in:

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a. 1749 b. 1869 c. 1921 d. 1946 The answer is “b,” 1869, about a hundred years before riots erupted in New York City. About one in three quiz participants got this one right. There was no difference between people under 30 and people over 30. Joel Strack, vicepresident of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender History Museum of Central Florida, says, “Oh, yeah, it’s fun to whip this little fact out at parties, but knowing it doesn’t really move us forward.” The GLBT History Museum he works with includes some national and international moments, but it focuses on Central Florida LGBT history. The organization always has a big display at October’s Come Out with Pride and setups at The Center, local municipalities and other places. (GLBTHistoryMuseum.com) 2) What year did organized gay rights protests start?

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a. 1969, with the Stonewall Riots b. 1951, with prison riots in Baltimore c. 1968, with USC Berkley students organizing a sit-in d. 1965 with July 4 marches in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The answer is “d.” Only one in every five people knew this. Most everyone else incorrectly guessed it was the Stonewall Riots. Before Philadelphia and D.C., people resisted arrest, and they organized in secret groups like L.A.’s Mattachine Society. They never publicly protested until Independence Day, 1965. By best estimate, Philadelphia had 150 people. Washington, D.C. had about 40 people from that city and New York City. “From the very

watermark Your lgbt life.

beginning—the moments we started digging in and stand up for ourselves— organizing has been vital,” says Frank H. Roder, president of Tampa Bay’s chapter of the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. GLSEN is based out of New York City; there are 40 chapters throughout the United States, including ones in Orlando and Tampa. They involve teachers, administrators, students and others; they help anyone wanting safer, more inclusive schools. (GLSEN.org) 3) What is the date of the Stonewall Riots?

a. June 27 and 28, 1969 b. June 6, 1969 c. June 26 and 27, 1968 d. June 1, 1970 The answer is “a.” About 60 percent got this right, with the youth—between the ages of 13 and 30—only getting it right 40 percent of the time. “No one teaches them this stuff,” says Michael Slaymaker, president of Orlando Youth Alliance. “You won’t find it in any school textbooks. It’s up to us.” Orlando Youth Alliance has been providing a safe space for GLBTQ youth since 1990. They have chapters in Orlando, Lakeland and Seminole County. (OrlandoYouthAlliance. org). In the past, OYA has had city grant money to help teach youth, but Slaymaker admits it hasn’t happened for a couple years; he says he should “get on it.” 4) The first gay pride parade was:

a. June 27, 1971, New York City b. June 4, 1970, San Francisco c. October 12, 1981, Washington, DC d. June 28, 1970, several cities starting with New York City It happened exactly a year after the Stonewall Riots, so the answer is “d.” Just over a third of the 58 people quizzed answered correctly. “People can memorize facts like this, but its not what they retain long-term after a class,” admits Lisa Tillmann, a professor in Critical Media and Cultural Studies at

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

Rollins College. “I’m more interested in them getting to know the arc of history, how civil rights struggles of today are connected to struggles that have been going on for decades.” Tillmann teaches many classes, including an LGBTQ+ class starting again this fall. (She was one of our top three participants, getting all but four correct on this quiz,).

5) The first college with a gay advocacy office was:

a. New York University, 1970 b. University of Michigan, 1971 c. University of Southern California, 1969 d. Northwestern, 1972 Ready to get one wrong that almost everyone missed? The answer is “b.” “Everyone wants to think that the important events in gay history happened in San Francisco or New York,” beams Slaymaker, an Iowa native. “Well, guess what, New York and San Fran? You don’t have a corner on gay history!” He also mentions that Iowa was one of the first states with gay marriage. 6) In 1972, this popular singer told Rolling Stone he was bisexual only to rescind it in 1983, telling the same magazine saying that “was the worst mistake” of his life:

a. Mick Jagger b. David Bowie c. Freddie Mercury d. Bruce Springsteen Of course, for most anyone over 40, the answer is “b.” The youth don’t know this, though, getting it right only one out of every four times—the same as guessing. “Pop culture never interested me as much as the political aspects,” Strack admits. “But it’s important. In fact, pop culture may change more hearts than anything else,” he says, citing Will and Grace as a big cultural influence. 7 )This singer and antigay activist was hit in the face with a pie in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1977:

a. Anita Bryant

b. Donna Fargo c. Dolly Parton d. Mary O’Reilly About 75 percent of people over 30 got this right; the younger participants did not. They also didn’t know about Bryant’s work with Florida’s orange juice industry. “The guy [who did this] was from Minneapolis,” states Iowa boy Slaymaker. Since it happened in his home state, he knows.

a quarter of the time. It was 1997. “To kids, this was 18 years ago, ancient history,” Slaymaker exclaims. “And I remember sitting in my living room, watching it happen.”

14) which president signed BOth dOn’t ask dOn’t tell and the defense Of marriage act?

a. Ronald Reagan b. George HW Bush (Sr.) c. Bill Clinton d. George W. Bush (Jr.) As much as Clinton speaks up for us now, he was put into difficult positions in his term as President. He tried to force military change only to be met with opposition within and outside of the armed forces. As for DOMA, at the time, less than 20 percent of Americans approved of same-sex marriage. Now it’s about 60 percent. “We actually study this in history class,” Rossine says. He knows a lot of gay history isn’t discussed in public schools, but Rossine and GLSEN try to fill in the gap for LGBT youth.

8) this u.s. president first invited a gay delegatiOn tO the white hOuse:

a. Gerald Ford b. Jimmy Carter c. Ronald Reagan d. George HW Bush (Sr.) e. Bill Clinton f. George W. Bush (Jr.) g. Barack Obama Almost everyone was shocked to find it was in the late ‘70s. The few who got it right already knew this. Jimmy Carter has always had a progressive streak. “As a straight ally, there’s no way to officially learn about this history,” says Brett Burone, clinical manager at Zebra Coalition. “Unless we have that relationship or friendship or acquaintance to a gay person, we may never know this.” Zebra Coalition is a network of services for LGBT+ youth, assisting youth facing homelessness, drug abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, or isolation from their families. (ZebraYouth.org)

9) this wOrld-famOus tennis star was “Outed” and had tO admit her Bisexuality in 1981, making her the first majOr spOrts figure tO dO sO:

a. Steffi Graf b. Martina Navratilova c. Billie Jean King d. Monica Seles This is a bit of a tricky question. King was forced out first, and then a few months later, Navratilova came out as gay. King was retired at the time; Navratilova was not, being only 18 and having recently defected from communist Czechoslovakia. 10) as Of 2014, the numBer Of peOple whO have died Of aids in the us:

a. 658,507 b. 445,661 c. 2,331,312 d. 812,108 Roder says this is one of those

15) whO was murdered in 1998 in wyOming, causing a natiOnal Outcry fOr hate crime legislatiOn:

you outta KNoW: The protests started before you did. numbers—658,507—that may not register with most people. “I think it has more of an impact to tell people I personally was going to a funeral a week,” the 65-yearold Roder remembers. He and his other half have a book with 125 names of the departed they knew. “If you compare it to American losses in WWI (116,708) or WWII (407,300), it hits home,” Slaymaker agrees. When asked how he immediately knew this, 17-year-old Trevor Rossine replied. “Because I’m big with statistics. I need to know these when I speak.” Rossine is a spokesperson for Tampa’s GLSEN. He’s currently helping plan a youth summit called Empower St. Pete, planned for Nov. 21. “I think young people today think, ‘I’ll just take a pill and be fine,’” Rossine says of others ignoring AIDS’ health problems and medicine complications. “It’s a common misconception.” 11) Queen lead singer freddie mercury died Of aids. he was:

a. Gay b. An intravenous drug user c. Bisexual, he left most of his fortune to longtime lover Mary Austin d. Bisexual, he left half a million

pounds to longtime lover Jim Hutton e. c and d Though the gay male community has wholeheartedly claimed Mercury, he was actually bisexual, leaving most of his estate to Austin, with a bit to Hutton. “This is just like us,” Strack says. “We forget the details—we erase the bisexual part because the idea [of bisexuality] still challenges us.” 12) as Of 2014, the numBer Of hiv+ peOple in the wOrld:

a. Just under 4 million b. Over 60 million c. About 12 million d. More than 35 million The U.S only has about 1.2 million of the over 35 million worldwide. Over 30 million cases are in Africa.

13) what year did ellen cOme Out On tv?

a. 1994 b. 1997 c. 1995 d. 1991 There was a clear divide, with people who watched the show getting this right three quarters of the time, and people who didn’t only

watermark Your lgbt life.

a. James Byrd, Jr. b. Kevin Aviance c. Matthew Shepard d. Ryan Keith Skipper All of these men were killed, but five-foot-two-inch Shepard was the victim lured into a truck in Laramie, Wyoming, driven into the country, beaten by two men, and then draped on a fence. He died from these injuries.

16) what was the OutcOme Of the Outcry against the death discussed in QuestiOn #15?

a. The Senate and House first passed legislation in 1999 b. George W. Bush vetoed it three times c. Obama and Congress passed the Shepard/Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act in 2009 by attaching it to the Department of Defense 2010 budget d. All of the above The answer (“d”) is sort of fed to participants. Most got this right. Roder reminds us that there is still more to fight for: “The Employee Nondiscrimination Act has still not been passed; LGBT people can still get fired. Youth are still bullied; trans people are still blocked from certain bathrooms; adoption laws… And to top it

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

all, religious freedom bills [in many states] want to take back the rights we’ve fought for.” 17) the first state tO have gay marriage:

a. Massachusetts (2004) b. Connecticut (2008) c. California (2008, later rescinded) d. Iowa (2009) e. Vermont (2009) About 80 percent immediately said Massachusetts. In general, both young people and gay leaders know their recent facts.

18) what year did flOrida start issuing marriage licenses tO same-sex cOuples:

a. 2014 b. 2015 c. 2011 d. 2013 Again, this is a bit of a trick question. The Florida Supreme Court decided in November 2014, but marriage licenses weren’t issued until January 2015. Still, over 75 percent got this one right, because everyone remembers the celebrations. 19) first cOuntry with legal gay marriage:

a. Denmark, 2000 b. Sweden, 2003 c. Belgium, 2002 d. Netherlands, 2001 About 60 percent got this one right, too—thank you, Netherlands. 20) whO was the first trans persOn tO win an emmy and what year:

a. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, 1991 b. Laverne Cox, Orange is the New Black, 2014 c. Chaz Bono, The GLAAD Awards, 2012 d. Laverne Cox, The T Word, 2015 This is a trick question. Everyone knows Cox from Orange is the New Black. Although she was nominated there, she won a daytime Emmy for her documentary, The T Word. Only 20 percent got this one correct. Overall, everyone interviewed felt the Supreme Court’s June 26 decision would be a non-issue in the future. “We might even forget the date,” Roder says. “In ten or twenty years, I think we’ll think, ‘How primitive that [at one time] people wouldn’t allow others who love each other to marry,’” affirms Rossine.

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watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

arts and entertainment

THE OTHER HILARY Hilary Duff on marriage equality, her fascination with Grindr and why she took a break from showbiz

“i

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’M like tHe dorky kid on tHe bus who’s like, ‘Hiiii.’” Wait a minute. Is that you, Lizzie McGuire? Maybe? No.

It’s Hilary Duff, razzing on her cold-ridden, congested-sounding self as she does a nasally nerd impression. And though Duff is known to millennials (and their moms) for originating the dorky Disney icon in 2001—which, she admits during our interview, has been “torturous”—the 27-yearold is ready to move on. Actually, she’s been ready. It’s the rest of the world that just can’t seem to let Lizzie go. During an insightful and surprisingly candid conversation, Duff spoke about her career as a whole just hours after the landmark June 26 Supreme Court ruling that granted full marriage rights to gay and lesbian Americans. The child star-turned-music maker also talked about her latest album, Breathe In, Breathe Out, eight years in the making; the long break she took to find her true self; and not knowing how to be a “totally normal girl who doesn’t give a fuck.”

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

WATERMARK: yOu’re a lOngtime ally Of the lgBt cOmmunity and yOu alsO have many gay friends, sO yOu must have Been thrilled aBOut the supreme cOurt ruling On marriage eQuality. what dOes that mOmentOus mOment mean tO yOu? hillary duff: Oh my gosh. I’m so excited. What a big day. It’s a huge step toward equality. Everyone should be able to be who they are, love who they want and marry who they want. It’s 2015; for us to still have judgment about people being gay is ridiculous, so I can’t believe it’s taken this long. It’s definitely a big day in history, and I’m just so excited. lately yOu’ve Been a tinder enthusiast; have yOu experienced grindr?

Well, I haven’t physically actually experienced it, like I don’t have it on my phone or anything, but it’s basically the same thing as Tinder, right? I know because my makeup

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

| uu | Hilary Duff frOm pg.29

artist, who’s one of my best friends, has used Grindr a lot and he’s told me all about it. I get to hear all the stories.

will yOu Be tOuring fOr this recOrd? it’s Been tOO lOng.

Yes, I will tour. It took me so long to make my record because it wasn’t where it needed to be. When I started making the record, I wasn’t like, “I have to get it out at this time”; I was like, “It’s gotta be right—after seven years, why be in a rush now?” Halfway through the process of making my record I signed onto the show Younger (on TV Land) and that was really good for me because I think it helped get me out of—you know when you just need to shake it up? I was terrified. My son had just started school and obviously I was going through a separation and

Just breatH: Hilary Duff’s latest album Breath In, Breathe Out. don’t know what I would’ve been like if I had all those outlets to pay attention to and all that babble shit. It’s kind of scary. It scares me raising my kid. The industry is very fickle, and you just do what you can and know that all this stuff doesn’t mean anything. I mean, obviously, appreciate the opportunities and work hard, but there’s so much more to life. This industry is a tough one to crack, but then I look at someone like Miley, and as crazy as people might think the whole thing

I was, I didn’t feel like I was playing a part. The writers all knew me so well and were writing things that were happening in my life and things that I would say, and I was dressing exactly like I wanted. It was so me. For whatever reason, that show grabbed people at a time in their life when they really needed her or related to her, so obviously I think I got a lot of fans from that who followed me into my music career. I’ve always been a very open and reachable person for them to relate to, but that’s one thing that has really tied us together and why I’ve kept fans for such a long time who have really followed my career and stuck by me and grown up with me.

what advice dO yOu have fOr yOuth whO want tO pursue shOwBiz?

Honestly, I don’t know. It’s a really hard road, to be honest. To make a transition from, that is… I feel like even more so now than it was, your youth is totally taken away. You see these girls dressing like they’re 20 when they’re 14. With Instagram and all this—it’s a youth-sucker. Being 14 in 2015 is intense. I

is, I commend her. She’s so wholeheartedly being herself and is unapologetic about that and she’s doing a great job.

yOur shOw, YOUNGER, revOlves arOund a single mOm whO realizes the effect age has On starting a new career. But hOw aBOut maintaining a career, Because yOu started yOung. yOu’ve Been in this Business fOr mOre than half yOur life. frOm yOur Own experience, what is it like tO maintain relevancy in an ever-changing Business like shOw Business?

Yeah, gosh. There is no secret code that works, as lovely as that would be. I think I have a few things working in my favor. As torturous as it has been at some points in my life to be Lizzie McGuire, I think that when that show came out, it was such a part of who

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I was like, “I can’t just up and continue work,” and then I was like, “Actually, I can and I’m going to.” This is a great project, and I love New York and it was really good for me. I put a pause on the record and then came back to it after Christmas; it was a great thing for me. It helped turn the record into a proper direction, so now Younger got picked up for a second season. I’ll shoot from September until December and then I’ll tour after Christmas.

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Aida, July 15-16, Walt Disney Theatre, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org The Frog & the Princess, June 18- July 26, Goldman Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando. 407.447.1700; OrlandoShakes.org Dinner with Friends, June 19July 19, Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com Wanzie’s Court Ordered Therapy: Ladies of Eola Heights, July 15-17, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com Camila, July 17, House of Blues, Orlando. 407- 934-2583; HouseofBlues.com The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, July 18, Walt Disney Theatre, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Tyler Oakley’s Slumber Party, July 18, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com Popnation Tour 2015, July 19, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com Footlight Players Reunion Show, July 20, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com 3 Doors Down & Seether, July 21, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com Dames at Sea, July 24- August 22 Winter Park Playhouse, Winter Park. 407-645-0145; WinterParkPlayhouse.com Idina Menzel, July 25, Walt Disney Theatre, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Departure Tribute to Journey, July 25, House of Blues, Orlando. 407- 934-2583; HouseofBlues.com The Babys, July 25, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com

The Daily City Cardboard Art Festival tHursday, July 23, 6:00 p.M. sunday, July 26, 4:00 p.M. sodo sHoppinG Center, orlando

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Did you know cardboard is one of the most-loved mediums to work in for artists all over the world? The Daily City will celebrate cardboard art for the third year in a row with the Cardboard Art Festival. Crystal Lake Street, Orlando, FL 32806. For more information check out their Facebook page by searching The Daily City Cardboard Art Festival.

Orlando Pride Pool Party sunday, July 26, 1:00 - 6:00 p.M. doubletree doWntoWn, orlando Come Out With Pride is continuing to “Make it a Double” with their next fundraising event being presented by MojoMan Swimwear and Here to Help Orlando. Join them at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Orlando on July 26 for some fun in the sun poolside. DJ Edil Hernandez will be spinning, so come out for the hot bodies and cold drinks. Tickets are $10 at the door, and all proceeds go to Come Out With Pride.

tampa

Photo by MikeWoodLD.com

Matthew McGee kicks up his heels as the title character in the FreeFall Theatre Company’s production of Mame, playing through Aug. 9 in St. Petersburg.

Don’t Scare The Dog & Friends Benefit Concert, July 25, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com Little Miss Parliament House, June 25, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Orlando Comedy Show, July 25, The MEZZ Room, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com 311, July 26, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com

tampa Bay Mame, July 11- Aug. 9, FreeFall Theatre Company, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; FreeFallTheatre.com

Rascal Flatts, July 12, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. 813-740-2446; MidFloridaCreditUnion Amphitheatre.org Shrek the Musical, July 16-26, TECO Theatre, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Annual Sunrise Sale, July 16, Beach Drive, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727-896-2667; Fine-Arts.org Ariana Grande, July 16, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com Latin nights, July 16, Maestro’s Restaurant, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Marly Music: La Catrina Quartet, July 16, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727-896-2667; Fine-Arts.org

Wet n’ Wild Giant Waterslide, July 16, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com Kid Rock, July 18, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. 813-740-2446; MidFloridaCreditUnion Amphitheatre.org Sam Smith, July 21, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com Drew Thomas Magic Show, July 23, The Mahaffey Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com next Generation Ballet: Summer Fantasy, July 24, Ferguson Hall, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

to submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

Christmas in July with a Taste of Tequila tHursday, July 23, 5:30 – 9:00 p.M. tpepin’s Hospitality Centre, taMpa Tampa Bay Business Owners has partnered with Bay Area Businesses to throw the Fifth Annual Christmas in July with a Taste of Tequila on July 23. TBBO believes it’s time to cool down with a hot party, its Fifth Annual Christmas In July with a Taste of Tequila held at the TPepin Hospitality Center. Tickets are $25 each and include admission for one, a mixed tequila or vodka drink and appetizers. Check out TampaBayBusinessOwners.org for more information and to get tickets.

BradentOn

suncoast equality Connection friday, July 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.M. Manatee perforMinG arts Center, bradenton Equality Connections are free events open to the public that are designed for Equality Florida members, LGBT equality supporters and those new to the organization to gather, mingle and learn more about how to support the work of bringing full equality in Florida. Join Equality Florida and the local Suncoast leadership team for an update on what’s next in the fight for full equality, including a recap on Florida’s legislative session.

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

overheard

tampa Bay Out+aBOut

yOu’re simply the Best

ut traveler’s MaGazine CaMe out WitH a list of tHe top 200 Gay bars in the world and only one if the Tampa Bay area was on the list, Georgie’s Alilbi. Georgie’s in St. Petersburg was described as “a low key place to play pool, have a beer, and just chill,” and Out Traveler praised the bar’s daily drink specials and weekly drag show. News of Georgie’s being named a top gay bar in the world may surprise other towns, but our readers have known what a hot spot gem this place is, naming Georgie’s Alibi favorite LGBT bar, favorite LGBT happy hour and favorite LGBT business in the 2015 WAVES. They also have been THE celebration destination hosting both Watermark’s WAVE Awards and the official St. Pete Pride parade party.

i’m ready fOr my clOse-up

oM Woodard May be knoWn in st. petersburG for creating some of the tastiest food in Central Florida at Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria St. Pete, but starting back more than 30 years ago he was a part of the Orange County Sheriff’s office in Orlando. In 1997, Woodard was a part of the investigation into the abduction and murder of Carla Larson and this case was the topic of an episode of Nightmare Next Door on Investigation Discovery. Entitled “Daylight Abduction,” the episode describes the events of a professional woman vanishing in broad daylight only to have her naked body found dumped in the woods days later leaving detectives to jumpstart a manhunt for her depraved killer. The episode aired July 9 and is available for download on Amazon.

shake it like a pOlarOid picture

WoMan Was CHarGed WitH doMestiC battery after a fight with her girlfriend prompted a dildo attack, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. Annette Kielhurn, 57, was arguing with her girlfriend over who owned a dress on July 14 as her girlfriend attempted to move out of their shared home. Law enforcement says they arrived at their home because of a call from Kielhurn’s girlfriend, asking for police to stand by while she moved out her belongings. According to police, Kielhurn grabbed her girlfriend’s arm and pulled the dress out of her hand, saying it belonged to her. An officer asked Kielhurn not to touch her girlfriend again, and to explain to her what she wanted to keep. Shortly after Kielhurn returned to the girlfriend and shoved a dildo in her face right in front of the standing officer, police said. Kielhurn grabbed her girlfriends arm once more, leading to her arrest.

2 3

laW & order: Central florida: Tom Woodward prepares to talk on camera with the television series Investigation Discovery about the 1997 abduction and murder of Carla Larson. PHOTO

PROvIDED By TOM WOODWARD

tHe roCk Has CoMe baCk to taMpa: Leugim Quintanagets back to business at Southern Nights Tampa, after his O-Town visit, mixing some of the best drinks in town July 11.

PHOTO By CHARLES MACHADO

let freedoM rinG: Miguel Fuller of The Miguel Show on Hot 101.5 does his best Statue of Liberty impersonation for Independence Day at the Al Lang Stadium July 4.

PHOTO PROvIDED By MIGUEL FULLER

iN tHe arMs oF aN anGel: Harry Correa (L) and Jeremy Wade neiman help to get nearly 50 dogs and puppies adopted for Balance Tampa Bay’s July Public Service event at Suncoast Animal League July 11. PHOTO PROvIDED By BALAnCE TAMPA BAy

Have you seen My blue steel: Mr. Gay USofA 2014Jeffrey Kelly poses for his fans as he attends the 2015 Miss Gay Florida USofA Newcomer pageant at Hamburger Mary’s July 8. PHOTO

PROvIDED By MARK & CARRIE

CuttinG CreW: (L-R) St. Pete Beach Mayor Maria Lowe, SPP Grand Marshal Ashley Brundage and Vice Mayor Terri Finnerly participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hotel Zamore July 9 . PHOTO

PROvIDED By ASHLEy BRUnDAGE

tHey lit up tHe sky tHat 4tH of July: Tampa Tyler (L) and Jay Dilley keep them drinks coming over the Independence Day weekend at the Flamingo Resort St. Pete July 5.

PHOTO PROvIDED By JAy DILLEy

i’M tHe sax Man: Alan Darcy (front) gets a selfie in with bartender Raven as he played the Hollander Hotel Downtown St. Pete over the Independence Day weekend July 5. PHOTO PROvIDED By ALAn DARCy

watermark Your lgbt life.

8 7

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

overheard

OrlandO Out+aBOut

phenOmenal at phOrty

n tHe eve of its 40tH anniversary, the Parliament House Resort was recently named one of OUT Travel’s 200 Best Gay Bars in the World! That’s a lot of PHreakin’ Gay Bars out there! The Parliament House in Orlando was described as “less of a bar and more of an entertainment complex. With Seven bars on ten acres provide visitors to, the Parliament House has almost any experience they want, be it sporty, campy, grimy or glam”. To prove why they made the list, PH will be starting their week long 40th Anniversary Bash with events like an employee turnabout, a reunion show featuring over thirty previous PH entertainers, a special presentation by the LGBT History Center and capping off the week with a special Saturday performance of Little Miss Parliament House & later that night, Deborah Cox in concert! With 40 years of experience comes additional changes to PH, as they will soon be a non-smoking establishment in their main bar and disco; the Bear Den and outdoor areas will still remain OK for the smokers, so smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!

paradise cOmes tO Orange

s tHe ivanHoe neiGHborHood prepares for soMe MaJor CHanGes, so will some of the already established watering holes. A newly themed patio is coming to Savoy! Do we predict palm trees and sand? Who knows, but we’ve got our sunblock ready just to be safe. Anyone up for frozen margaritas?

center Of attentiOn

fter MontHs of antiCipation, the 30 years of paint is finally being sandblasted off of the Center. With the final blessing from the city, the work has officially started, and as you drive by you will plainly see it! Executive Director Terry DeCarlo says their goal is to be open by September (fingers crossed), and the crew on board will be working day and night, inside and out! As far as the Center’s temporary home next door at the old Funky Monkey Vault? We’re told, the goal will be to still utilize the space for LGBT related businesses. Keeping it in the “family,” then.

an Officiant Buddy

n January 6tH, Mayor buddy dyer proudly partiCipated in a monumental ceremony called “Vowed and Proud” where 50 Central Florida couples on the steps were legally issued marriage licenses on the steps of City Hall. Other notable guests included Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell and LGBT activist and Orlando attorney Mary Meeks. Sadly, due to scheduling issues, local couple Eric Wilson and John Roselle were not able to participate in the mass wedding.On July 9th, the longtime Orlando resident s were married by none other than Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer himself at City Hall legalizing their twelve year union!

We believe tHat We Will Win: (L-R) Kristen Warren, Drew Sizemore, Michael vacirca and Brandon Williams cheer on Orlando City Soccer during the game against FC Dallas at the Orlando Citrus Bowl July 11. PHOTO PROvIDED By MICHAEL vACIRCA

tHat Girl is on Fire: The Full Moon at Woodstock broke out the fire eaters, along with tug-o-war and lube wrestling, for Ronnie Long’s birthday bash over the Independence Day weekend July 3. PHOTO By JEREMy WILLIAMS

i’M blue, da bo de da do di: Blue Starr performs before a packed house in the Peekaboo Lounge at The Venue July 3. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA

sHe taKes tHe Cake: District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan celebrates her birthday with delicious chocolate at Cask & Larder July 11. PHOTO PROvIDED

By PATTy SHEEHAn

Her naMe Was noMi, sHe Was a sHoWGirl: Miss Sammy (L) and Jeff Jones warm up the crowd as they prepare to see Showgirls for Movies Out Loud at The Abbey July 8. PHOTO By JAKE STEvEnS

tiCkets, Get your tiCkets: Debo Ofsowitz, Board Officer Secretary for Orlando Pride, sells raffle prize tickets for the inaugural “Make it a Double” event at The Hammered Lamb July 8. PHOTO By JEREMy

WILLIAMS

yes you Can: Carlos Guillermo Smith, with former State Representative Linda Stewart (L), officially kicked off his 2016 run for Florida House of Representatives’ District 49 at The Abbey July 9. PHOTO By

JEREMy WILLIAMS

baCk in His Hood: Tampa residents Chris “Tadpole” Hanney (L) and Leugim Quintana spent Sunday Funday back in Orlando, along with the pounding rain, at Ember July 5. PHOTO By JEREMy WILLIAMS

8 watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

tampa

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DESIGN YOUR OWN LIFE Anthony Quaglieri, Ph.D

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Join us and volunteer with our future mentorship program and committees admin@tbglcc.org watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

web site

PROMO CODE: WEDDING.

announcements

wedding Bells

Bob Poe, 60, and Kenneth Brown, 59 from Orlando, Fla. and Beverly Hills, Calif.

years together: 7 years

wedding date: July 4, 2015

engagement date:

October 31, 2011 in Paris

suddenly saMMy:

wedding venue:

Sam Singhaus, known around town as legendary drag performer Miss Sammy, celebrates his birthday July 20. Sam, an intuitive and sentimental Cancer, will be 57 this year.

The Historic Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in Los Angeles

wedding planner:

Marc Friedland, creative director, and Dusty Church, event coordinator

wedding theme/colors:

The theme was “Summer of Love” with the colors turquoise and copper.

interesting Fact:

The couple met at a Fourth of July party in Los Angeles, and their wedding date was the seventh anniversary of the day they met.

Photo by 2 Brides 2 Grooms Photography

“a

s i said to HiM in a text a

few days after we met, the thing about him that I was really drawn to was his spirit,” says Bob Poe about his husband, Ken Brown. Bob has been involved for years in Florida politics, helped start local radio station 98.9 WMMO and brought the Magic basketball team to Orlando. He met Ken while he was away one summer for business out in California. “I have family in Los Angeles, so I have spent a lot of time there,” says Ken, who worked in the steel industry for 25 years and also in education. “At that time, I was working in the charter school system, so I would spend my summers [in L.A.] helping take care of my nephew who is a quadriplegic. That particular summer, I had become his caregiver. I decided to attend this Fourth of July celebration that I had been invited to. I saw Bob across the room, and I thought we were making eye contact.” Bob jokes and says Ken was cruising him, but when Ken finally approached them they noticed a

connection. They went out on a date and ended up spending a lot of their time with each other for the rest of the summer. The two grew closer over the years, and while they were in Europe for a trip Bob decided he was going to ask Ken the big question. “One of the other things about me is I’m an artist,” Bob says. “I have a photography exhibition in Germany and on the way back from my art show in Germany we stopped over in Paris. I knew since we were going to Paris, and Paris is such a romantic city, that I would ask Ken to marry me—and so I did right there on the bridge over the River Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower.” As for when the wedding would be, the couple had to find a place where same-sex marriage was legal and that all their family and friends could travel to, and they wanted to do it on the

anniversary of when they met. They started planning the wedding a year prior to the actual ceremony and ended up with a ceremony date in Los Angeles on the seventh anniversary of their first meeting. “People for a long time were just content with committed relationships, but now we have the ability to have our relationships recognized and it’s a wonderful thing,” Bob says. As the big day approached, the two were overjoyed to share the special celebration with the ones they loved the most. Because of all the people who helped them over the past year to create their special day, Bob and Ken were able to just enjoy the entire experience and not fret over as much. “To be surrounded by so many people who seem to embrace or did embrace what we share and to be happy about that and celebrate that, it brought a peace to what people thought were jitters or nervousness,” Ken says. “I think on that day we were probably two of the coolest and calmest people out of the whole group that was there.”

local birthdays

Hope and Help events manager Russell Walker (July 16); St. Petersburg artist James Michael McCracken, St. Petersburg IT wiz Frank Meekins (July 17); Seminole business owner David verdi, St. Petersburg LGBT liaison Robert Danielson (July 18); St. Pete Pride board member Robert Shaffer, Tampa Bay bear Mike Tobias (July 19); Orlando entertainer, comedian, actor and representative of all things fabulous Sam Singhaus, Orlando physician Dr. Jerry Horton, Footlight Theater dancer Steven Johnson, Karmic Tattoo guitarist and vocalist Pam Green (July 20); Tampa Bay performer and singer Jennifer Real (July 21); St. Pete bear and Air Canada employee Bob Thayer (July 23); teacher and Orlando Gay Chorus member and no.1 concert ticket seller Bill yahner, performer and choreographer William Merchante (July 24); graphic designer Andres Duputel, Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel Associate Executive Director Sammy Goldstein, Orlando lawyer Michael Sheridan (July 26); Watermark office manager Kathleen Harper, regional manager for Grey Goose vodka David Chase Harding III (July 28); House of Adonis’ Josh Walker, St. Pete Bears’ Buddy Chapman, MBA president nayte Carrick (July 29)

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

—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.

watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

O R L A N D O

M A R k E T P L A C E

cOunselOr

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health+fitness

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July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

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watermark Your lgbt life.

July 16 - July 29, 2015 // Issue 22.15

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 AT THE ABBEY

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