daytOna beach • OrlandO • tampa • st. petersburg • sarasOta • issue 22.19 • september 10 - 23, 2015 • WatermarKOnline.cOm
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watermark Your lgbt life.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
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watermark Your lgbt life.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
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So [TIGLFF] allows someone to go watch an LGBT film, maybe they’re uncomfortable with it or maybe they’re ok with it, but they finally understand that, ‘hey these people are normal and they are a part of everyday life and they are no different than who I am’, and that is what has really allowed for the social change.
departments 6 // mail 7 // editor’s desk 13 // central Florida news 16 // tampa bay news 20 // state 23 // nation & world news 31 // in-depth 43 // arts & entertainment 49 // community calendar 51 // tampa bay out+about 53 // orlando out+about 55 // transitions/wedding bells 56 // tampa bay marketplace 58 // orlando marketplace 62 // uprisings
PAGE
31
I think it’s been a big part of why we have marriage equality finally in 2015. —tiGLff interiM exeCutive DireCtOr sCOtt sKyberG
on the cover
PAGE
43
PAGE TIGLFF
31
REINVENTED: The
legendary TampaBay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival branches out beyond the Tampa Theatre and into the entire Bay area. More for everyone!
scan Qr code For
watermarkonline.com
bright light, bright side:
Monty Python’s Spamalot hilariously distracts its audiences with slapstick humor while keeping a firm footing in compassion. Those sitting at the round table in metal-wear couldn’t be more amused as they sing along.
watermark i ssue 22.19 //sept ember 10 - sept ember 23 , 2015
tampa bay news
don’t laugh her oFF
you should watch
speak no evil
PAGE Metro Dr. David W. Lyter
PAGE Watermark staffer and ally
PAGE
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
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expands primary care for LGBT residents and looks to the future of improving the health of those living on the fringes of society and giving them a fair chance
25
Jamie Hyman discusses just why this whole Kentucky imbroglio of intolerance is an important step to broader LGBT understanding.
The meaning of the classic LGBT film festival is evolving, as are the messages in its films. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss at this year’s TIGLFF.
37
Our political column Uprisings kicks off with a xenophobic dose of Sarah Palin’s language school before trying to figure out how to avoid the political gamesmanship that awaits us all next year.
62
checK WatermarKOnline.cOm fOr the latest neWs On the cOmings and gOings in yOur lgbt life!
watermark Your lgbt life.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
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top web comments “This woman is a representative of the State and as such refuses to execute her responsibilities as County Clerk. The reason is inconsequential. She needs to either resign or be impeached. “ —Greg H.
Watermarkonline.com On donor list from Maine’s same-sex marriage fight being made public:
“Time to turn over that rock and flush out the slugs hiding under it.” —Davey
On President George A. Kalogridis and the quiet evolution of LGBT culture at Walt Disney World:
• Now booking events for Highland Manor • Award winning venue
“Great article, but I suggest some research into Gay Days at Disneyland in October. The PRIDE group in Anaheim hosts the Friday night welcome cocktail party at the Grand Californian. The Gay Days Expo is held in a conference room at the Grand Californian, as well. In addition, discounts are available at the Gay Days Anaheim website for Disney (and other) hotels and theme park tickets.”
• Accommodating groups from 30 – 300! • Customized menus & packages • Creating events in your home or ours
—Bob Hentschel
On the Kentucky antigay clerk being found in contempt:
(407) 650-9558 • Events@HistoricDubsdread.com www.HistoricDubsdread.com
6
watermark Your lgbt life.
“This woman is a representative of the State and as such refuses to execute her responsibilities as County Clerk. The reason is inconsequential. She
needs to either resign or be impeached. Anyone else would be terminated for refusing to perform his or her job duties. This country is still a democratic republic. It isn’t a fascist theocracy, yet.”
iron bar hotel.”
Watermark’s Facebook page:
—Thomas Ross
—Greg H.
ON ACLU filing contempt of court motion against Kentucky Clerk:
“Time for her to head to jail for contempt and to civil court. Sue this bigoted hypocrite.” —Elizabeth Nicole
“These guys need to let go of the fines only thing. The people who crowd funded the cake bakers and the pizza restaurant will simply pay her fines. SHE MUST GO TO JAIL! I’m not normally that kind of person, but to make this end, money is not the solution.” —Mylez Edward
On the Kentucky antigay clerk being found in contempt:
“Let’s see how quickly she changes her mind now that she is in the
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
—Eric Agostinelli On Kentucky clerk deputies agreeing to issue marriage licenses:
“The deputy said issuing a license is ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.’ Bless her heart.” On the debate over the ban on gay blood donations getting personal:
“Sadly I have not been able to donate blood since 1999 when I came out. I used to donate every year but no longer allowed. I hope this barrier too will come down.” —David Chudney
On Republican presidential candidates showing support for Kim Davis:
“Can’t they just stay there?”
—Warren Rowley “Anyone supporting Kim Davis is clearly not fit to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” —Chuck Strom
Photo by Robert Bartlett
editor’s
Billy Manes EDITOR
BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com
O
Desk
verture! Curtain! Lights! We
all love a good show, especially when it’s stretched to its hilts with bonhomie, gravitas and humor. We also like to cry sometimes, because somebody told us once that crying is a good thing, and therefore it was made so. However, we’re perpetually fascinated by the entangled minutiae that make our lives overlap and our feelings somehow universal.
That, in many ways, is what the entertainment industry— and especially the film industry, along with its theatrical forbears—brings to the stage and screen with every ounce of sweat generated from each creative brow. Creating timeless phenomena is no easy task; likewise, coordinating said phenomena into a veritable kiosk of choices meant to represent the sights, sounds and feelings
watermark staff
of the moment is as much an act of curating as it is one of understanding. This week, amid the public and political theater of Kentucky Clerk of Courts Kim Davis— she of the Crystal Gayle hair and the Misery ensemble—we celebrate LGBT theater and the whimsy of stagecraft, largely. It’s not that we’re ignoring the comings and goings of Donald Trump’s wig or Sarah Palin’s
Founder and Senior Contributor: Tom Dyer • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Publisher: Rick Claggett • Ext. 110 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Admin. Assistant: Kathleen Harper • Ext. 100 • Kathleen@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Billy Manes • Ext. 101 • Billy@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Asst. Media Director: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 • Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com
patented xenophobia—we obviously aren’t—more than it is an exercise in studying our own structures within the LGBT lexicon and how it is that we are evolving. It was the arts that brought us the hearts and minds that we’ve always yearned for to push the movement forward, and now those hearts, arts and minds are evolving at a renewed pace. The TampaBay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is upon us in early October, welcoming such (neither orange nor black) superstars as Lea DeLaria to St. Petersburg’s Palladium Theatre on Oct. 3 for a bit of prison kiss before total immersion into the festival’s handpicked international wares. Interestingly, the festival has grown almost too big for its britches and will take a step outside of its normal wardrobe and proliferate its films into the broader Tampa Bay/ St. Petersburg area. It’s a bold step for TIGLFF, but one that ought to be celebrated. After all, a proliferation of the arts and access to them should always be applauded. Change is good. We’ll give you all of the background on the historic move for the lauded festival, plus a taste of things to come within it. Our film guy, Stephen Miller, pulls just a few of the titles that you won’t want to miss, some of which you won’t be able to catch elsewhere. Likewise, writer Aaron Alper looks into the developments with the Fifth Annual Fabulous Film Festival happening in late September in Sarasota. Revolutionary trans film Tangerine will be there, a fact made only more sticky and sweet by the reality that Watermark is sponsoring its showing. We like fruit. Elsewhere in the issue, you can expect more bits of staged amusement, most notably the
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watermark Your lgbt life.
mystical appearance of Monty Python’s Spamalot as it drops its Holy Grail all over the intimate audience at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Artistic Director Jim Helsinger tells us that it’s going to be better than Les Miserables last year, which is no small feat. Hell, the mayor of Orlando has already filmed a sing-along to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” along with half of the city. And so we will. Sometimes. As we are wont to do, we’ll discuss some comings and
Creating timeless phenomena is no easy task; likewise, coordinating said phenomena into a veritable kiosk of choices meant to represent the sights, sounds and feelings of the moment is as much an act of curating as it is one of understanding.
goings, some politics and some famewhores (Hello, Kim Davis) in the tone that they deserve. We’ll discuss Pam Bondi’s whiteflagged surrender and Donald Trump’s hair and Hillary Clinton’s Windex where necessary. We’ll speculate on Jeb Bush and wink at potential congressional candidate (and Democratic honcho) Bob Poe. We’ll get our panties in a twist, and then we’ll try to just enjoy the show. On with the show, this is it.
Orlando Office P. O. Box 533655 Orlando, FL 32853-3655 TEL: 407-481-2243 FAX: 407-481-2246
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
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 16, 47
Krista DiTucci
is a freelance writer and family advocate for Manatee Children’s Services. She lives in Sarasota with her husband and children. Page 16
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 37, 38, 40 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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INDICATION INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [DF]) What is ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA is a prescription medication used alone as a complete regimen, or with other anti-HIV-1 medicines, to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 40 kg (88 lbs). ATRIPLA does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS and you may continue to experience illnesses associated with HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. See your healthcare provider regularly while taking ATRIPLA. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA can cause serious side effects: • Some people who have taken medicine like ATRIPLA (which contains nucleoside analogs) have developed lactic acidosis (build up of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of lactic acidosis: - feel very weak or tired - feel cold, especially in your arms and legs - have unusual (not normal) muscle pain - feel dizzy or lightheaded - have trouble breathing - have a fast or irregular heartbeat - have stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
Call your healthcare provider right away if you get the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: - skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice) - urine turns dark - bowel movements (stools) turn light in color - don’t feel like eating food for several days or longer - feel sick to your stomach (nausea) - have lower stomach area (abdominal) pain • You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or liver problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking nucleoside analogcontaining medicines, like ATRIPLA, for a long time. • If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” of your hepatitis. A “flare-up” is when the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA need close medical follow-up for several months to check for hepatitis that could be getting worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV, so you need to discuss your HBV therapy with your healthcare provider. Who should not take ATRIPLA? You and your healthcare provider should decide if ATRIPLA is right for you. Do not take ATRIPLA if you are allergic to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients.
*Undetectable was defined as a viral load of fewer than 400 copies/mL. † In this study, 511 adult patients new to therapy received either the meds in ATRIPLA each taken once daily or Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine) twice daily + SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) once daily. ‡ Symphony Health Solutions, Source® PHAST Prescription Monthly, equivalized counts, July 2006–July 4, 2014.
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W T •
•
• • •
• •
W w A a m
A
With over 8 years of prescribing experience, ATRIPLA is the #1 prescribed one pill, once-daily HIV treatment‡ SELECTED IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION • Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed build up of lactic acid in the blood, which can be a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. • Some people who have taken medicines like ATRIPLA have developed serious liver problems, with liver enlargement and fat in the liver, which can lead to death. • If you also have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and you stop taking ATRIPLA, your hepatitis may suddenly get worse. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. Please see below for more information about these warnings, including signs and symptoms, and other Important Safety Information. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your doctor about ATRIPLA today. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ATRIPLA? Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant: Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Serious birth defects have been seen in children of women treated during pregnancy with efavirenz, one of the medicines in ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control, while on ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping ATRIPLA. Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. • Are breastfeeding: Women with HIV should not breastfeed because they can pass HIV and some of the medicines in ATRIPLA through their milk to the baby. It is not known if ATRIPLA could harm your baby. • Have kidney problems or are undergoing kidney dialysis treatment. • Have bone problems. • Have liver problems, including hepatitis B or C virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your liver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine. • Have ever had mental illness or are using drugs or alcohol • Have ever had seizures or are taking medicine for seizures. Seizures have occurred in patients taking efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, generally in those with a history of seizures. If you have ever had seizures, or take medicine for seizures, your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or monitor you. What important information should I know about taking other medicines with ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may change the effect of other medicines, including the ones for HIV-1, and may cause serious side effects. Your healthcare provider may change your other medicines or change their doses.
MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA • ATRIPLA should not be taken with: Combivir® (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA® (emtricitabine/rilpivirine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine), Epivir® or Epivir-HBV® (lamivudine), Epzicom® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILD® (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), Trizivir® (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine), TRUVADA® (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF), or VIREAD® (tenofovir DF), because they contain the same or similar active ingredients as ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). ATRIPLA should not be used with SUSTIVA® (efavirenz) unless recommended by your healthcare provider. • Vfend® (voriconazole) should not be taken with ATRIPLA since it may lose its effect or may increase the chance of having side effects from ATRIPLA. • ATRIPLA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking or plan to take. Important Safety Information is continued on the following page. Please see Patient Information on the following pages.
POWER TO HELP YOU BE UNDETECTABLE
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
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ATRIPLA (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) Important Safety Information (continued) What are the possible side effects of ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA may cause the following additional serious side effects: • Serious psychiatric problems. Severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior have been reported by a small number of patients. Some patients have had thoughts of suicide, and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. • Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems, or take other medicines that may cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. • Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems, including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease. • Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Lab tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia), which could lead to fractures. Also, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may lead to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may want to do tests to check your bones or may prescribe medicines to help your bones. Common side effects: • Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach; they tend to go away after taking ATRIPLA for a few weeks. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. These symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol and/or mood-altering (street) drugs. • If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, and/or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery. • Rash is a common side effect with ATRIPLA that usually goes away without any change in treatment. Rash may be serious in a small number of patients. Rash occurs more commonly in children and may be a serious problem. If a rash develops, call your healthcare provider right away. • Other common side effects include: tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Other possible side effects: • Changes in body fat have been seen in some people taking anti-HIV-1 medicines. Increase of fat in the upper back and neck, breasts, and around the trunk may happen. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these changes in body fat are not known. • Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen. • In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. If you notice any symptoms of infection, contact your healthcare provider right away. • Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness, and indigestion. This is not a complete list of side effects. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA. You should take ATRIPLA once daily on an empty stomach. Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome. Please see Full Prescribing Information, including “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA” in the Patient Information section. Please see Patient Information on adjacent and following pages.
© 2015 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. ATRIPLA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. SUSTIVA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. 697US1500145-06-01 05/15
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Patient Information
ATRIPLA®
ATRIPLA (uh TRIP luh) Tablets ATRIPLA (uh TRIP luh) Tablets ®
(CD4+ cells), allowing HIV-1 in the blood low ALERT: Find out about medicines ALERT: that Find should out about NOT be medicines taken with that ATRIPLA. should NOT be taken with ATRIPLA. immune system is we Please also read the sectionPlease “MEDICINES also readYOU the SHOULD section “MEDICINES NOT TAKE WITH YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA.” ATRIPLA.” Does ATRIPLA cure H Generic name: efavirenz, emtricitabine Generic name:andefavirenz, tenofovir emtricitabine disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir disoproxil ATRIPLAfumarate does not c (eh FAH vih renz, em tri SIT uh bean (eh FAH andvih te NOE’ renz,fo emveer tri SIT dyeuh soe bean PROX andil FYOU te NOE’ mar fo veer ate) dye soe PROX il FYOU marillnesses ate) experience infections. You should Read the Patient Information that Readcomes the Patient with ATRIPLA Information before thatyou comes startwith taking ATRIPLA it before you start taking it and each time you get a refill since and each theretime mayyou be new get ainformation. refill since there This information may be new information.Who Thisshould information not take does not take the place of talking doestonot your take healthcare the placeprovider of talking about to your yourhealthcare medical provider about your medical condition or treatment. You should condition stay or under treatment. a healthcare You should provider’s stay under care when a healthcare provider’s care when Together with your he taking ATRIPLA. Do not changetaking or stop ATRIPLA. your medicine Do not change without or first stoptalking your medicine with without first right talking for you. with your healthcare provider. Talk your to healthcare your healthcare provider. provider Talkortopharmacist your healthcare if you provider or pharmacist if you Do not take ATRIPLA have any questions about ATRIPLA. have any questions about ATRIPLA. The active ingredients What is the most important information What is the Imost should important know about information ATRIPLA? I should know about See ATRIPLA? the end of this lea • Some people who have • taken Some medicine peoplelike whoATRIPLA have taken (which medicine contains like ATRIPLA What (whichshould contains I tell my nucleoside analogs) have developed nucleosidea analogs) serious condition have developed called lactic a serious condition called lactic acidosis (build up of an acid inacidosis the blood). (build Lactic up ofacidosis an acidcan in the be blood). a medical Lactic acidosis Tell can your be a healthcare medical p emergency and may need to beemergency treated in and the hospital. may need Call to be your treated healthcare in the hospital. Call your healthcare • Areofpregnant provider right away if you getprovider the following right away signsiforyou symptoms get the following of lactic signs or symptoms lactic o while taking ATR acidosis: acidosis: •
Are breastfeed
You have unusual (not normal) • muscle You havepain. unusual (not normal) muscle pain.
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Have kidney pr
You have trouble breathing. •
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Have bone prob
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Have liver prob provider may w may switch you
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Have ever had
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You feel very weak or tired. •
You feel very weak or tired.
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You have stomach pain with • nausea You have andstomach vomiting.pain with nausea and vomiting.
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You feel cold, especially in • yourYou arms feel and cold, legs. especially in your arms and legs.
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You feel dizzy or lightheaded. • You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
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You have a fast or irregular • heartbeat. You have a fast or irregular heartbeat.
You have trouble breathing.
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• Have ever had Some people who have• taken Some medicines people like whoATRIPLA have taken havemedicines developedlike ATRIPLA have developed serious liver problems called serious hepatotoxicity, liver problems with called liver enlargement hepatotoxicity, with liver enlargement What important infor (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (hepatomegaly) (steatosis). Call andyour fat inhealthcare the liver (steatosis). providerCall your healthcare provider ATRIPLA? right away if you get the following right away signsiforyou symptoms get the following of liver problems: signs or symptoms of liver problems: ATRIPLA may chang Your skin or the white part • of your Youreyes skinturns or theyellow white(jaundice). part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice). HIV-1, and may ca change your other m Your urine turns dark. • Your urine turns dark. herbal products, may Your bowel movements (stools) • Your turnbowel light inmovements color. (stools) turn light in color. all your healthcare p You don’t feel like eating•food for Youseveral don’t feel dayslike or longer. eating food for several days or longer. supplements, or vitam MEDICINES YOU SHO You feel sick to your stomach • (nausea). You feel sick to your stomach (nausea).
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You have lower stomach•area (abdominal) You have lower pain.stomach area (abdominal) pain.
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• • • •
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• ATRIPLA also s COMPLERA®, E You may be more likely • toYou getmay lactic beacidosis more likely or liver to get problems lactic acidosis if or liver problems if sulfate/lamivud you are female, very overweight you (obese), are female, or have very been overweight taking (obese), nucleoside or have been taking zidovudine), nucleoside TR analog-containing medicines, like analog-containing ATRIPLA, for a long medicines, time. like ATRIPLA, for a long time. SUSTIVA unless
If you also have hepatitis • B Ifvirus you (HBV) also have infection hepatitis and Byou virus stop(HBV) taking infection and you stop taking Vfend (voricona ATRIPLA, you may get a “flare-up” ATRIPLA,ofyou your may hepatitis. get a “flare-up” A “flare-up” of your is hepatitis.•A “flare-up” is effect or may inc when the disease suddenly returns when the in adisease worse suddenly way than returns before. Patients in a worse way than before. Patients with HBV who stop taking ATRIPLA with HBV needwho closestop medical takingfollow-up ATRIPLA for need several close medical follow-up for several • ATRIPLA should months, including medical exams months, and blood including testsmedical to check exams for hepatitis and blood thattests to check for hepatitis that It is also important could be getting worse. ATRIPLA could is not beapproved getting worse. for theATRIPLA treatment is not of HBV, approved so for the treatment of HBV, so to following: you must discuss your HBV therapy you must with discuss your healthcare your HBVprovider. therapy with your healthcare provider.
What is ATRIPLA?
What is ATRIPLA? • Fortovase, Invira ® ® ® Sporanox (itraco ATRIPLA contains 3 medicines, ATRIPLA SUSTIVA contains 3 medicines, SUSTIVA (efavirenz), EMTRIVA (emtricitabine) (efavirenz), EMTRIVA® (emtricitabine) ® be replaced and VIREAD® (tenofovir disoproxil and VIREAD fumarate (tenofovir also called disoproxil tenofovirfumarate DF) combined also called tenofovir DF)tocombined in one pill. EMTRIVA and VIREAD in oneare pill.HIV-1 EMTRIVA (human andimmunodeficiency VIREAD are HIV-1virus) (human immunodeficiency virus) • Calcium channe nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase nucleosideinhibitors analog reverse (NRTIs)transcriptase and SUSTIVAinhibitors is an HIV-1 (NRTIs) and SUSTIVA or is an HIV-1(verap Isoptin non-nucleoside analog reversenon-nucleoside transcriptase inhibitor analog (NNRTI). reverse transcriptase VIREAD and EMTRIVA inhibitor (NNRTI). VIREAD and theEMTRIVA immunosu ® are the components of TRUVADA are ®the components of used TRUVADA . ATRIPLA can be alone . as ATRIPLA a complete can be used alone as aSandimmune, complete a regimen, or in combination withregimen, other anti-HIV-1 or in combination medicineswith to treat otherpeople anti-HIV-1 with HIV-1 medicines to treat peopleMethadone; with HIV-1 M infection. ATRIPLA is for adultsinfection. and children ATRIPLA 12 years is forofadults age and and older children who12weigh years of age and older medicines who weighsuch at least 40 kg (at least 88 lbs).atATRIPLA least 40iskgnot(atrecommended least 88 lbs). ATRIPLA for children is not younger recommended for children younger Zocor (simvasta than 12 years of age. ATRIPLA has thannot 12been yearsstudied of age.inATRIPLA adults over has 65 notyears been of studied age. in adults over 65 yearsWellbutrin of age. SR, W + + maysystem. be needed HIV infection destroys CD4 THIV infection CD4 toT the cells, which destroys are important cells,immune which are system. important to the immune The immune system helps fight The infection. immune system After a helps large number fight infection. of T cells Afterare a large number of T cells are • Videx, Videx EC destroyed, acquired immune deficiency destroyed,syndrome acquired (AIDS) immune develops. deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops. increase the am ATRIPLA helps block HIV-1 reverse ATRIPLA transcriptase, helps block aHIV-1 viral reverse chemicaltranscriptase, in your bodya viral chemical in side youreffects. body Yo taking ATRIPLA (enzyme) that is needed for HIV-1 (enzyme) to multiply. that isATRIPLA needed lowers for HIV-1 thetoamount multiply.ofATRIPLA HIV-1 lowers the amount of HIV-1 be chan in the blood (viral load). ATRIPLA in the mayblood also (viral help to load). increase ATRIPLA themay number also ofhelp T cells to increase the numberneed of Ttocells
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Patient Information
®
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) disoproxil fumarate)
(CD4+ cells), allowing your immune (CD4+ cells), systemallowing to improve. your Lowering immune system the amount to improve. of Lowering the amount of HIV-1 in the blood lowers the chance HIV-1 inofthe death blood or lowers infections thethat chance happen of death whenoryour infections that happen when your en with ATRIPLA. immune system is weak (opportunistic immune infections). system is weak (opportunistic infections). LD NOT TAKE WITH Does ATRIPLA cure HIV-1 or AIDS? Does ATRIPLA cure HIV-1 or AIDS? disoproxil ATRIPLAfumarate does not cure HIV-1 ATRIPLA infection doesornot AIDS cureandHIV-1 you infection may continue or AIDS to and you may continue to e PROX il FYOU marillnesses ate) experience associated experience with HIV-1 illnesses infection, associated including withopportunistic HIV-1 infection, including opportunistic infections. You should remain under infections. the care Youof should a doctor remain when under usingthe ATRIPLA. care of a doctor when using ATRIPLA. ore you start taking it ation.Who Thisshould information not take ATRIPLA? Who should not take ATRIPLA? er about your medical provider’s care when Together with your healthcareTogether provider,with you your needhealthcare to decide provider, whether ATRIPLA you needisto decide whether ATRIPLA is hout first right talking for you. with right for you. r or pharmacist if you Do not take ATRIPLA if you Do are not allergic take toATRIPLA ATRIPLAif you or any areofallergic its ingredients. to ATRIPLA or any of its ingredients. The active ingredients of ATRIPLA The active are efavirenz, ingredients emtricitabine, of ATRIPLAand are tenofovir efavirenz,DF. emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF. bout See ATRIPLA? the end of this leaflet for aSee complete the end listofofthis ingredients. leaflet for a complete list of ingredients. PLA What (whichshould contains I tell my healthcare Whatprovider should Ibefore tell mytaking healthcare ATRIPLA? provider before taking ATRIPLA? ondition called lactic osis Tell can your be a healthcare medical providerTell if you: your healthcare provider if you: Call your healthcare • Areofpregnant • to Are become pregnant pregnant or planning (see “What to become should I pregnant avoid (see “What should I avoid r symptoms lactic or planning while taking ATRIPLA?”). while taking ATRIPLA?”). •
Are breastfeeding (see •“WhatAre should breastfeeding I avoid while(see taking “What ATRIPLA?”). should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA?”).
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Have kidney problems •or areHave undergoing kidney kidney problems dialysis or aretreatment. undergoing kidney dialysis treatment.
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Have bone problems. •
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Have liver problems, including • Have hepatitis liver problems, B virus infection. including Your hepatitis healthcare B virus infection. Your healthcare provider may want to do tests provider to checkmay yourwant liver to while do tests you take to check ATRIPLA yourorliver while you take ATRIPLA or may switch you to another medicine. may switch you to another medicine.
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Have bone problems.
Have ever had mental illness • Have or areever using haddrugs mental or alcohol. illness or are using drugs or alcohol.
• Have ever had seizures•or areHave taking ever medicine had seizures for seizures. or are taking medicine for seizures. PLA have developed ith liver enlargement What important information What shouldimportant I know about information taking other should medicines I know about with taking other medicines with r healthcare provider ATRIPLA? ATRIPLA? ms of liver problems: ATRIPLA may change the effect ATRIPLA of other may medicines, change theincluding effect of the other ones medicines, for including the ones for undice). HIV-1, and may cause serious HIV-1,side andeffects. may cause Your healthcare serious side provider effects. mayYour healthcare provider may change your other medicines change or change yourtheir otherdoses. medicines Other or medicines, change their including doses. Other medicines, including herbal products, may affect ATRIPLA. herbal products, For this reason, may affect it isATRIPLA. very important For this to reason, let it is very important to let all your healthcare providers all andyour pharmacists healthcareknow providers what and medications, pharmacists herbal know what medications, herbal supplements, taking. or vitamins you are taking. . supplements, or vitamins you are MEDICINES YOU SHOULD NOTMEDICINES TAKE WITHYOU ATRIPLA SHOULD NOT TAKE WITH ATRIPLA
• ATRIPLA also should not • be ATRIPLA used withalso Combivir should (lamivudine/zidovudine), not be used with Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine), COMPLERA®, EMTRIVA, Epivir,COMPLERA Epivir-HBV®,(lamivudine), EMTRIVA, Epivir, Epzicom Epivir-HBV (abacavir (lamivudine), Epzicom (abacavir ® ® or liver problems if sulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILDsulfate/lamivudine), STRIBILD , Trizivir (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/ , Trizivir (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/ een taking zidovudine), nucleoside TRUVADA, or VIREAD. zidovudine), ATRIPLATRUVADA, also should or VIREAD. not be used ATRIPLA withalso should not be used with me. SUSTIVA unless recommendedSUSTIVA by your healthcare unless recommended provider. by your healthcare provider. and you stop taking Vfend (voriconazole) should • notVfend be taken (voriconazole) with ATRIPLA should since notitbemay taken losewith its ATRIPLA since it may lose its titis.•A “flare-up” is effect or may increase the chance effect of having or may side increase effects thefrom chance ATRIPLA. of having side effects from ATRIPLA. than before. Patients ® l follow-up for several • ATRIPLA should not be used • with ATRIPLA HEPSERA should not be used with HEPSERA® (adefovir dipivoxil). (adefovir dipivoxil). heck for hepatitis that It is alsoof important It ishealthcare also important provider to iftellyou your arehealthcare taking anyprovider of the if you are taking any of the e treatment HBV, so to tell your following: following: e provider.
• Fortovase, Invirase (saquinavir), • Fortovase, Biaxin (clarithromycin), Invirase (saquinavir), Noxafil (posaconazole), Biaxin (clarithromycin), Noxafil (posaconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), or Victrelis Sporanox (boceprevir); (itraconazole), these medicines or Victrelis (boceprevir); may need these medicines may need TRIVA® (emtricitabine) be replaced with another medicine to be replaced whenwith taken another with ATRIPLA. medicine when taken with ATRIPLA. nofovir DF)tocombined munodeficiency virus) • Calcium channel blockers • suchCalcium as Cardizem channel or Tiazac blockers (diltiazem), such as Cardizem Covera HSor Tiazac (diltiazem), Covera HS d SUSTIVA or is an HIV-1(verapamil) and others; Isoptin or Isoptin Crixivan (verapamil) (indinavir),and Selzentry others; (maraviroc); Crixivan (indinavir), Selzentry (maraviroc); . VIREAD and theEMTRIVA immunosuppressant medicines the immunosuppressant cyclosporine (Gengraf, medicinesNeoral, cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, alone as aSandimmune, complete and others), Prograf Sandimmune, (tacrolimus), and or others), Rapamune Prograf(sirolimus); (tacrolimus), or Rapamune (sirolimus); treat peopleMethadone; with HIV-1 Mycobutin (rifabutin); Methadone; Rifampin; Mycobutincholesterol-lowering (rifabutin); Rifampin; cholesterol-lowering and older medicines who weighsuch as Lipitor (atorvastatin), medicinesPravachol such as Lipitor (pravastatin (atorvastatin), sodium),Pravachol and (pravastatin sodium), and d for children younger Zocor (simvastatin); or the anti-depressant Zocor (simvastatin); medications or thebupropion anti-depressant (Wellbutrin, medications bupropion (Wellbutrin, ver 65 yearsWellbutrin of age. SR, Wellbutrin XL, and Wellbutrin Zyban) or SR,Zoloft Wellbutrin (sertraline); XL, and dose Zyban) changes or Zoloft (sertraline); dose changes maysystem. be needed when these drugs may be areneeded taken with whenATRIPLA. these drugs are taken with ATRIPLA. o the immune umber of T cells are • Videx, Videx EC (didanosine); • Videx, tenofovir Videx DF EC (a component (didanosine);oftenofovir ATRIPLA)DF may (a component of ATRIPLA) may elops. increase the amount of didanosine increase in your the blood, amount which of didanosine could result in your in more blood, which could result in more sidebeeffects. monitored You may moreneed carefully to beifmonitored you are more carefully if you are hemical in side youreffects. body You may need to taking ATRIPLA and didanosinetaking together. ATRIPLA Also,and the didanosine dose of didanosine together. may Also, the dose of didanosine may s the amount of HIV-1 be changed. need to be changed. the numberneed of Ttocells
ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) •
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Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate), Prezista (darunavir) with Norvir (ritonavir), or Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir); these medicines may increase the amount of tenofovir DF (a component of ATRIPLA) in your blood, which could result in more side effects. Reyataz is not recommended with ATRIPLA. You may need to be monitored more carefully if you are taking ATRIPLA, Prezista, and Norvir together, or if you are taking ATRIPLA and Kaletra together. The dose of Kaletra should be increased when taken with efavirenz. Medicine for seizures [for example, Dilantin (phenytoin), Tegretol (carbamazepine), or phenobarbital]; your healthcare provider may want to switch you to another medicine or check drug levels in your blood from time to time.
These are not all the medicines that may cause problems if you take ATRIPLA. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take. Keep a complete list of all the prescription and nonprescription medicines as well as any herbal remedies that you are taking, how much you take, and how often you take them. Make a new list when medicines or herbal remedies are added or stopped, or if the dose changes. Give copies of this list to all of your healthcare providers and pharmacists every time you visit your healthcare provider or fill a prescription. This will give your healthcare provider a complete picture of the medicines you use. Then he or she can decide the best approach for your situation. How should I take ATRIPLA? •
Take the exact amount of ATRIPLA your healthcare provider prescribes. Never change the dose on your own. Do not stop this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
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You should take ATRIPLA on an empty stomach.
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Swallow ATRIPLA with water.
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Taking ATRIPLA at bedtime may make some side effects less bothersome.
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Do not miss a dose of ATRIPLA. If you forget to take ATRIPLA, take the missed dose right away, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double the next dose. Carry on with your regular dosing schedule. If you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
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If you believe you took more than the prescribed amount of ATRIPLA, contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away.
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Tell your healthcare provider if you start any new medicine or change how you take old ones. Your doses may need adjustment.
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When your ATRIPLA supply starts to run low, get more from your healthcare provider or pharmacy. This is very important because the amount of virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may develop resistance to ATRIPLA and become harder to treat.
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Your healthcare provider may want to do blood tests to check for certain side effects while you take ATRIPLA.
What should I avoid while taking ATRIPLA? •
Women should not become pregnant while taking ATRIPLA and for 12 weeks after stopping it. Serious birth defects have been seen in the babies of animals and women treated with efavirenz (a component of ATRIPLA) during pregnancy. It is not known whether efavirenz caused these defects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are pregnant. Also talk with your healthcare provider if you want to become pregnant.
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Women should not rely only on hormone-based birth control, such as pills, injections, or implants, because ATRIPLA may make these contraceptives ineffective. Women must use a reliable form of barrier contraception, such as a condom or diaphragm, even if they also use other methods of birth control. Efavirenz, a component of ATRIPLA, may remain in your blood for a time after therapy is stopped. Therefore, you should continue to use contraceptive measures for 12 weeks after you stop taking ATRIPLA.
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Do not breastfeed if you are taking ATRIPLA. Some of the medicines in ATRIPLA can be passed to your baby in your breast milk. We do not know whether it could harm your baby. Also, mothers with HIV-1 should not breastfeed because HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in the breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. You should stop breastfeeding or may need to use a different medicine.
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Taking ATRIPLA with alcohol or other medicines causing similar side effects as ATRIPLA, such as drowsiness, may increase those side effects.
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Do not take any other medicines, including prescription and nonprescription medicines and herbal products, without checking with your healthcare provider.
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
ATRIPLA® •
Avoid doing thin •
Do not sh
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Do not sh them, lik
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Do not h safe sex b of sexual
What are the possibl ATRIPLA may cause •
Lactic acidosis medical emerge healthcare pro “What is the mo
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Serious liver (hepatomegaly) right away if yo important inform
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“Flare-ups” of suddenly return you stop taking for several mon infection and m approved for the liver disease an may cause your
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Serious psychi severe depressi Some patients h suicide. These mental illness. C are having thes decide if you sho
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Kidney problem had kidney pro kidney problem to check your k include a high vo
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Other serious l problems includ these serious s such as hepatiti without any exis
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Changes in bon changes in the ATRIPLA. Some the bones (oste problems in the your bone mine mineral density. contribute to fra
Common side effects
Patients may have d concentrating, and/or effects may be reduce also tend to go away a these common side e have serious psychiatr angry behavior. Tell yo continue or if they bo severe if ATRIPLA is us
If you are dizzy, have t be dangerous, such as
Rash may be common In a small number of your healthcare provid children. Tell your chi other side effects whil Other common side and diarrhea.
5/19/15 11:27 AM
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umarate)
ATRIPLA® (efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate)
h Norvir (ritonavir), or rease the amount of which could result in RIPLA. You may need TRIPLA, Prezista, and together. The dose of
lantin (phenytoin), lthcare provider may g levels in your blood
if you take ATRIPLA. es that you take.
on medicines as well take, and how often remedies are added all of your healthcare care provider or fill a mplete picture of the ach for your situation.
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check for certain side
ng ATRIPLA and for ave been seen in the nz (a component of avirenz caused these ou are pregnant. Also e pregnant.
control, such as pills, these contraceptives ontraception, such as ethods of birth control. blood for a time after to use contraceptive
e of the medicines in milk. We do not know ith HIV-1 should not y in the breast milk. ding. You should stop
causing similar side hose side effects.
g prescription and ut checking with your
Do not share needles or other injection equipment.
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Do not share personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades.
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Do not have any kind of sex without protection. Always practice safe sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
Changes in body fat. Changes in body fat develop in some patients taking anti HIV-1 medicine. These changes may include an increased amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), in the breasts, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms, and face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these fat changes are not known.
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Skin discoloration (small spots or freckles) may also happen with ATRIPLA.
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In some patients with advanced HIV infection (AIDS), signs and symptoms of inflammation from previous infections may occur soon after anti-HIV treatment is started. It is believed that these symptoms are due to an improvement in the body’s immune response, enabling the body to fight infections that may have been present with no obvious symptoms. If you notice any symptoms of infection, please inform your doctor immediately. Additional side effects are inflammation of the pancreas, allergic reaction (including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), shortness of breath, pain, stomach pain, weakness and indigestion.
Lactic acidosis (buildup of an acid in the blood). Lactic acidosis can be a medical emergency and may need to be treated in the hospital. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get signs of lactic acidosis. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”)
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Serious liver problems (hepatotoxicity), with liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) and fat in the liver (steatosis). Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any signs of liver problems. (See “What is the most important information I should know about ATRIPLA?”)
Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice any side effects while taking ATRIPLA.
“Flare-ups” of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in which the disease suddenly returns in a worse way than before, can occur if you have HBV and you stop taking ATRIPLA. Your healthcare provider will monitor your condition for several months after stopping ATRIPLA if you have both HIV-1 and HBV infection and may recommend treatment for your HBV. ATRIPLA is not approved for the treatment of hepatitis B virus infection. If you have advanced liver disease and stop treatment with ATRIPLA, the “flare-up” of hepatitis B may cause your liver function to decline.
Contact your healthcare provider before stopping ATRIPLA because of side effects or for any other reason.
Serious psychiatric problems. A small number of patients may experience severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior while taking ATRIPLA. Some patients have thoughts of suicide and a few have actually committed suicide. These problems may occur more often in patients who have had mental illness. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you think you are having these psychiatric symptoms, so your healthcare provider can decide if you should continue to take ATRIPLA.
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Keep ATRIPLA and all other medicines out of reach of children.
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Store ATRIPLA at room temperature 77°F (25°C).
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Keep ATRIPLA in its original container and keep the container tightly closed.
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Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. If you throw any medicines away make sure that children will not find them.
Kidney problems (including decline or failure of kidney function). If you have had kidney problems in the past or take other medicines that can cause kidney problems, your healthcare provider should do regular blood tests to check your kidneys. Symptoms that may be related to kidney problems include a high volume of urine, thirst, muscle pain, and muscle weakness.
General information about ATRIPLA:
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Other serious liver problems. Some patients have experienced serious liver problems including liver failure resulting in transplantation or death. Most of these serious side effects occurred in patients with a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis infection, but there have also been a few reports in patients without any existing liver disease.
This leaflet summarizes the most important information about ATRIPLA. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about ATRIPLA that is written for health professionals.
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Changes in bone mineral density (thinning bones). Laboratory tests show changes in the bones of patients treated with tenofovir DF, a component of ATRIPLA. Some HIV patients treated with tenofovir DF developed thinning of the bones (osteopenia) which could lead to fractures. If you have had bone problems in the past, your healthcare provider may need to do tests to check your bone mineral density or may prescribe medicines to help your bone mineral density. Additionally, bone pain and softening of the bone (which may contribute to fractures) may occur as a consequence of kidney problems.
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Common side effects: Patients may have dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, drowsiness, trouble concentrating, and/or unusual dreams during treatment with ATRIPLA. These side effects may be reduced if you take ATRIPLA at bedtime on an empty stomach. They also tend to go away after you have taken the medicine for a few weeks. If you have these common side effects, such as dizziness, it does not mean that you will also have serious psychiatric problems, such as severe depression, strange thoughts, or angry behavior. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects continue or if they bother you. It is possible that these symptoms may be more severe if ATRIPLA is used with alcohol or mood altering (street) drugs. If you are dizzy, have trouble concentrating, or are drowsy, avoid activities that may be dangerous, such as driving or operating machinery.
This is not a complete list of side effects possible with ATRIPLA. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a more complete list of side effects of ATRIPLA and all the medicines you will take. How do I store ATRIPLA?
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use ATRIPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ATRIPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
Do not use ATRIPLA if the seal over bottle opening is broken or missing. What are the ingredients of ATRIPLA? Active Ingredients: efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate. The film coating contains black iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, red iron oxide, talc, and titanium dioxide. Revised: January 2015 ATRIPLA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead Sciences, LLC. COMPLERA, EMTRIVA, HEPSERA, STRIBILD, TRUVADA, and VIREAD are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. SUSTIVA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Reyataz and Videx are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Pravachol is a trademark of ER Squibb & Sons, LLC. Other brands listed are the trademarks of their respective owners. 21-937-GS-014 ATRC0079
697US1500055-03-01
Rash may be common. Rashes usually go away without any change in treatment. In a small number of patients, rash may be serious. If you develop a rash, call your healthcare provider right away. Rash may be a serious problem in some children. Tell your child’s healthcare provider right away if you notice rash or any other side effects while your child is taking ATRIPLA. Other common side effects include tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
5/19/15 11:27 AM
central florida news
meet Zebra coalition’s new executive director Jamie Hyman
O
My HOW yOu’ve GrOWn:
Stonewall Orlando is looking a little taller these days, thanks to a renovation project that includes a new second floor. Photo by STEvEn WaTKInS
Open by Pride? A finish line is in sight for Stonewall Orlando’s extensive renovations Jamie Hyman
O
rLanDO | Stonewall Orlando is known for its fiercely loyal regulars, but even they might not recognize the nightclub once the current, extensive renovation project is complete. Steven Watkins, Stonewall’s owner, says he’s wanted to renovate the bar since it opened its doors eight years ago. The project has been ongoing since 2013, and there is an end in sight – Watkins says the project is “85 percent complete,” and his contractor is telling him that a renovated Stonewall will be open for business by Orlando Pride in October. “I have no control over that,” Watkins says. “If I did, it would have been done last year.” The project has several major components, including a second floor topped by a rooftop bar with a 1,400 gallon water feature, along with panoramic, skyline views of downtown Orlando. Watkins is adding
an outdoor “Leather Levi” club in the back called “The Meat Market,” featuring a “huge and masculinelooking” gazebo “that’s really beefed up; it can hold up the Empire State Building.” Arguably, the most unique feature will be what Watkins calls a “motional nightclub.” “The weather’s going to change inside the bar,” he says. “It’s going to snow and rain and fire; you can feel the different elements of weather while you’re dancing.” There’s a new logo, but the name of the bar will stay the same, as will the clientele. “We’re [still] still going to be a gay bar but open to everybody, of course,” Watkins says. And what do those loyal regulars think of all the changes? “They like it,” Watkins says. “They get a little frustrated, but they know in the long term it’s going to be worth it.” He says it helps that the bar has remained open throughout, allowing the regulars to see “where
their money’s going, so they can see progress.” Walter G. Hawkins, the director of urban development for the city of Orlando, said the city is “excited” about the new Stonewall. “They have been a tremendous partner in the downtown Parramore area,” Hawkins says, adding that the city supported the bar’s opening through some small business assistance program funding and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Steven should be applauded for staying focused on this operation, and we, as a city, wish him well,” he said. “We’re quite sure he’ll continue to be as successful as he has been.” Especially now that Stonewall is set to reap the benefits of the development boom currently underway downtown. “They’re in a prime location with the MLS soccer stadium next door and Amway Center two blocks away,” Hawkins says. Watkins says that is only somewhat strategic on his part. “We didn’t know the arena was coming, but I knew something would be here eventually, and I just wanted to be prepared for it,” he says. Hawkins says whenever he drives by Stonewall, their parking lot is full and the bar appears busy. He says the business “provides diversity” and adds value to the neighborhood.
cOntinued On pg. 14 | uu |
watermark Your lgbt life.
rLanDO | Zebra Coalition, a network of organizations which provides services to LGBT youth, has a new head honcho. Heather Wilkie will start her new job as Zebra Coalition’s executive director Sept. 8. She comes to Zebra from Harbor House, where she’s worked Heather Wilkie for 12 years and has served as chief operating officer for the past four years. During that time, she was chair of the LGBT+ Caucus with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, where she led a statewide initiative to enhance services for LGBT+ survivors of abuse. Wilkie is not entirely new to Zebra Coalition. She has been volunteering as a youth counselor for about two years. “I was looking for placement to get some counseling hours, and I was interested in working with the LGBT + population,” Wilkie says. “I reached out and ended up taking a few cases a week.” Wilkie replaces Dexter Foxworth, Zebra Coalition’s former executive director who announced his resignation in July after holding the position for more than three years. “Dexter leaving is a significant loss to the Zebra Coalition, as we lose a family member who led the great work we are doing,” said Brett Burlone, Zebra’s clinical manager who acted as interim director during the hiring process, in an email to Watermark. “But he left Zebra in a position where we able to continue our work and accomplish our goals.” Wilkie agrees, and says she’s “excited” to build on what Foxworth accomplished during his tenure. “I know Dexter is so well loved in the community, and [I want to] take what he’s been able to accomplish and take it to the next level,” Wilkie says. Specifically, Wilkie says she wants to raise awareness about Zebra’s services, expand programming and connect with more schools. “Zebra is such an excellent organization. The staff is so committed and dedicated and really works hard to raise awareness and provide services to the youth we’re working with,” she says. “I would love to grow a training program to be offered to not only students but the community on LGBT+ issues and providing education to the community to help raise awareness.” In the longer term, Wilkie says she would like to see Zebra expand its beds to be able to shelter more homeless youth, which would require some construction. “I really see us expanding beyond Orange County and offering services across the state,” Wilkie says. This year is Zebra Coaltion’s fifth anniversary. The organization is marking the occasion with “A Walk in Barcelona,” a Spanish-themed evening of food and entertainment Sept. 12 at Rosen Shingle Creek. Visit ZebraWildNight.com for event and ticket information.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
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central florida news | uu | Stonewall
from pg.13
“I think it provides another economic development opportunity for the area,” Hawkins says. “It also provides attention to the Parramore area, with the diversity of housing, entertainment, sports.” He says Watkins hasn’t yet requested a ribbon cutting to launch the renovated Stonewall, but if he asks for one, the city will likely provide it. “It just lets people know that the leadership values the partners that are coming into the area,” Hawkins says. “It is one business at a time, it is one block at a time, it is one house at a time, but we are putting together a community that everyone in Orlando can be proud to be a part of.” Right now, Watkins says he’s waiting for some electrical work to be completed and to pass a key inspection. “Once we get this inspection and that passes, then the elevator goes in, and all the rest of the drywall goes in and we’ll start doing finishes,” he says. “Right now, the upstairs is roofed in, all the structure is in, all the electrical and plumbing are put in place.”
Zebra Coalition awards six scholarships Kimberly Slichter
O
rlando | Hope emanated from the group gathered at The Abbey on Aug. 27. as attendees celebrated the six recipients of the Jefferson R. Voss Education Fund. The scholarship, which is organized by Zebra Coalition, is offered to local LGBT youth who plan to attend UCF, community college, a career and technical center or to get their GED. “I would say the short term [goal] would be to offer an education to a youth that probably never thought they could do it, either because they didn’t have the money or because they didn’t have the support from their family,” said Karen Castelloes, the cofounder of the fund.“Long term
is that I’m hoping through the skills of the Zebra staff, they will be able to support and encourage the students to finish their education.” 3 of these year’s participants are working towards getting their GEDs, one will be attending a local community college and the remaining two will study at UCF. Haley Zilberberg, 19, is one of the UCF recipients and is majoring in social work, with a creative writing minor. “It was one of the scholarships I was really looking forward to hearing back about,” said Zilberberg. “Since LGBT students are oftentimes marginalized and don’t have the same opportunities because of how they identify, I believe that the scholarship is going to give a great deal of support to Central
Florida students.” Nicole Richardson, 22, is planning to get her GED with her scholarship money and will then pursue cosmetology and business management. “I was very happy I was able to make that goal and get to a point where I could actually complete something,” said Richardson. “[The fund] has a very big impact on the LGBT community because it lets them know that they don’t have to settle, that they actually have a chance to go back to school and do the things that they need to do.” Despite only being around for a little over a year, the Fund has collected a significant amount of money. “In a year’s time, we have been able to pay all of the endowment, which is $25,000, for the UCF scholarship, which means it is a legacy,”
said Castelloes. “It will be in existence from now until the end of UCF.” This means that at least $1,000 will be given to a UCF recipient of the scholarship every year. So far, $30,000 has been donated for the part of the fund that covers community college, career and technical centers and GED programs. In addition to raising more money, Castelloes hopes to see the scholarship spread to locations beyond Orange County. The biggest challenge Zebra Coalition is currently facing with the Jefferson R. Voss Education Fund is getting students to apply. At their next meeting, Zebra Coalitionwill brainstorm what social media methods would attract applicants.
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
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tampa bay news
Community Panel Sparks Transgender Awareness and Candid Conversation Krista DiTucci
S
t. Petersburg | On August 31, 2015, Tampa Bay locals gathered at Metro Wellness for a community panel designed to provide an open discussion about transgender and gender queer issues. The panel consisted of four members and moderator Tristan Byrnes, licensed mental health counselor. After panelists shared their individual stories, the floor was opened for questions and community information sharing. Claire Elisan, panel attendee and founder of nonprofit Project No Labels, says out of all the transgender community meetings she has attended, Metro’s panel had the highest attendance she has ever encountered. “I think the original plan for the panel was to bring the LGB allies out to learn more about the transgender community and find out what issues they’re having,” Elisan says. “A lot of people want to support the transgender community but don’t have a platform to do that.” Andrew Citino, FTM (Female to Male) panelist, says the high turnout was the most rewarding outcome of the evening. However, Citino says he would like to reach even more audiences in the future. One attendee asked what the most positive and most challenging issues are currently for the transgender community. The most positive issue identified was that the transgender community is gaining more visibility. The most challenging issue identified was that transgender people often feel pressure to subscribe to a binary gender identity not only in everyday life but also from fellow transgender people. “I think there was only one surgery question asked which was really cool,” Citino says. “It’s a huge change from panels in the past. It seems people now want to know more about the real issues.” Byrnes says he considered incorporating more terminology education, but felt the audience would find personal stories more rewarding. “From what I heard afterward, people learned more about the community,” Byrnes says. “They learned from the panelists’ personal stories and that’s what I wanted, for people to say they heard stories from four transgender people and know they’re human and that all stories are different.” In the future, Elisan says having transgender allies as panelists would be helpful in getting community members engaged. “It’s great to break people out of their comfort zones and put people up there with different perspectives,” Elisan says. “It might not be exactly what we want to hear, but they will be the ones to make the most impact.”
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Primary Concerns:
Dr. David W. Lyter and crew push Metro forward. Photo courtesy Metro Wellness
The doctor will see you now Metro’s new medical director talks PrEP, primary care and trans health Jeremy Williams
M
etro Health, Wellness and Community is expanding its umbrella of services by opening the doors on primary care and LGBT health services in its Tampa and St. Petersburg locations. Metro Health hired Dr. David W. Lyter M.D. as its new medical director in July, because it felt there were services specific to the LGBT community in Tampa and St. Petersburg that the general medical community was ignoring. “I moved here in 1999 and I was personally looking for a physician that was gay friendly and there just aren’t big practices in town that are marketing to the gay community,” Dr. Lyter says. “There are some that are gay friendly but they’re hard to find, as opposed to Chicago or Wilton Manors, where I lived before, where you can go through a whole list of gayoriented practices.” Metro started more than two decades ago to fill a need in the
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community by providing HIV/AIDS related care and services at a time when many medical professionals in the area weren’t willing or able to provide them. “Metro got started addressing the health and wellness of those with HIV in the community, and as it has expanded through the LGBT community center and behavior health services, it has always been the goal of addressing the health and wellness of the LGBT community as a whole,” Chris Rudisill, Metro’s director of LGBT community center services, says. “How do we make healthcare more accessible to the community? We know that people feel like they can’t access adequate healthcare; we know that LGBT people, more specifically older adults, may not access healthcare because they may not have a gay-friendly doctor. So how do we address those needs?” Extending Metro’s services outside of HIV care for the same concerns they had 22 years ago just seemed like a logical step, so starting back in July, Metro
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
expanded service to include LGBT specific primary care, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-exposure Prophylaxis, Non-occupational (nPEP), trans health, STD screening/ treatment, and psychiatric care and medication management. “Gay primary care has some unique aspects to it, specific screenings, tests and vaccinations that are more needed in the gay community,” Dr. Lyter says. One of the services that Metro will be offering, PrEP, has been controversial since coming on the market a few years ago. “There is some resistance in some physician communities to PrEP,” Dr. Lyter says. “But we have gotten numerous calls, and in the few weeks I have been here, we have had six or seven patients sign up for it, and we are expecting a lot more as we do more marketing and talk to the press about it.” PrEP is the process of taking the medication Truvada once daily as a preventative measure from getting HIV. The controversy that surrounds PrEP has led my doctors not to prescribe it to high risk patients. “I think there have been one or two practitioners who have been offering [PrEP] to their already existing patients, but in general, here, and in certain places around the country, PrEP has not really taken hold,” Dr. Lyter says. Moreover, nPep is another service offered by Metro that many medical professionals in the area are either Continued on pg. 18 | uu |
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
17
tampa bay news
TransAction Florida brings attention to the ‘T’ with a successful white party Aaron Alper
S
t. Petersburg | TransAction Florida brought their A-game for this year’s White Party at Georgie’s Alibi. Hosted by Kori Stevens, the event brought both awareness and much needed funds in support for the trans community who, as we know, are fighting as hard as they can for the basic civil rights afforded to other citizens. “TransAction would like to thank Georgie’s Alibi management, staff and performers for choosing TransAction for this year’s recipient of donations,” says Gina Leigh Duncan, the trans inclusion director for Equality Florida. “Funds raised will go to fund TransAction’s efforts in working for safe schools, conducting media and law enforcement training, pushing for fully inclusive Human Rights Ordinances and transgender health and wellness issues. These initiatives will support LGBT
Floridians across the state.” Nathan Bruemmer, who is currently studying his Juris Doctor at Stetson University, says the event was hands-down a success. “We raised over $1,200 for transgender initiatives in Florida by raffling off about 40 donated items from local businesses,” he says. “We could not have made the event a success without the support of Georgie’s, Project No Labels, the local business community and everyone who showed their support at the party decked out in their best white outfits. “This year has been one of increased visibility in the media and increased violence for the transgender community,” Bruemmer continues. “With over 20 reported murders of trans women of color so far, this year has been the most violent in recent years. The increased media coverage sheds light on not only the safety concerns of
the trans community, but also the discrimination faced and the need to educate and advocate for our trans brothers and sisters. “Transgender men and women face discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. TransAction Florida, the statewide transgender initiative of Equality Florida, is taking the lead to end this discrimination through advocacy and education across the state. Last year, TransAction was pivotal in the call to action to defeat House Bill 583, Rep. Frank Artiles’, R-Miami, discriminatory ‘bathroom bill.’” Gina Duncan, chair of the TransAction board, and a national corporate trainer, who conducts trainings for employers on effective transgender policies and practices, says. Although most attendees wore white, there were a few exceptions, according to Bruemmer. “During the event, T-shirts with the well-known hashtag,
‘#TransLivesMatters,’ and a list of the twenty trans women of color who have been victims of murder this year were printed ‘live’ by 808 Shirts. India Clarke, a woman murdered in Tampa on July 21, is listed on the memorial T-shirt. India’s case was an example of the education needed about the trans community, as she was originally misgendered by local police and media. T-shirts will be available online at 808shirts.com if you missed your chance with a portion of the proceeds benefiting TransAction Florida.” So despite a rainy night and a lure of other pre-Labor Day parties to attend, The White Party was an unmitigated success. Raffle tickets included a variety of prizes, including local artwork, gift cards for local retail and massage packages. It was an ebullient evening in the face of adversity, and the energy was clear from both the crowd and the organizers alike.
| uu | New Medical Director from pg.16
unaware of or uncertain of in terms of how to address the issue with the patient. “We’ve had one or two people actually go to a local emergency room and report that they just had a very high risk sexual exposure, and the ER’s in this area didn’t seem equipped to handle that, and they actually came here instead,” Dr. Lyter says. “It’s another addition that we are doing that isn’t readily available with most general practitioners.” If the pool for gay- and lesbianfriendly doctors is not very big in the Tampa Bay area, the pool of doctors that understand and provide transgender care is even smaller. Metro has specialists trained in transgender issues and will provide care respective of personal journeys, gender identity and hormone therapy assessments. “We are going to be doing hormone replacement therapy for our transgender clients, which is very difficult to find in town,” says Dr. Lyter. “Most physicians just do not offer that.”
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19
state news
bondi Files motion stating marriage Fight is moot
resource guide links transgender individuals to healthcare
Staff report
Jamie Hyman
T
E
he parties involved are tying up some loose ends in Florida’s fight for marriage equality. Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a document in U.S. District Court stating that the marriage ban is moot and no longer needs a judge’s attention: “There is no need for anything further from this court. The United States Supreme Court has held that states must recognize same-sex marriage, and state officials will comply with the Supreme Court’s decision.” The filing is in response to a request from the plaintiffs that the federal judge issue a summary judgment ruling Florida’s ban unconstitutional and permanently prohibiting enforcement of the ban. In this case, the appeal was still pending when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2015 that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide. Additionally, a District judge ruled Florida’s ban unconstitutional in August of 2014 and Florida gay couples began marrying in January of 2015.
quality Florida is offering a new Transgender Resource Guide that is a directory of transgender-friendly healthcare and service providers across the state. Gina Duncan, EQFL’s transgender inclusion director, says they’re contacted daily by transgender individuals and parents of transgender Floridians who are trying to find quality healthcare and transgender support. Duncan transitioned in 2007, and says that when she first started searching for hormone replacement therapy, she was turned away by several service providers once they found out she was transgender.
EQFL transgender inclusion director Gina Duncan
“When I had my gender reassignment surgery, there were only four recognized surgeons doing this procedure in the United States in 2007,” she says. “I had a year-long wait before I could have the GRS done due to the heavy backlog by GRS surgeons.” That wasn’t the end of her difficulties. Duncan says several Orlando plastic surgeons turned
her down for breast augmentation, saying they weren’t comfortable “doing the surgery on a man.” She ended up having to travel to Tampa to have her procedures done. The guide is 32 pages long, and breaks down resources by geographical area, with a section at the end on how to update legal documents should an individual change his or her name. “TransAction Board members submitted their resources and the entire TA board reviewed, discussed with their local organizations and vetted all entries,” Duncan says, adding that they’ve been working on the guide since July 2014. The plan is to update the guide quarterly, starting Oct. 1, 2015, and Duncan says they expect the volume of resources to increase with each update.
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
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nation+world news
Kim Davis is no martyr, say gay rights advocates Wire Report
M
OREHEAD, Ky. | As a defiant Kentucky clerk sat in jail Sept. 4, choosing indefinite imprisonment over licensing gay marriages, her lawyers approached the microphones outside and compared her to Dr. Martin Luther King. Around the country, other supporters reached for Biblical heroes, comparing her to Silas and Daniel, imprisoned for their faith and rescued by God. Since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in June, Davis and a handful of other clerks and judges, advised by the Christian law firm Liberty Counsel, have refused to comply. They
stopped issuing marriage licenses to any couple, gay or straight. Davis was merely the first to be challenged in court. The American Civil Liberties Union, representing couples she turned away, asked that she be fined rather than imprisoned, in part to avoid “a false persecution story,” said Dan Canon, one of the attorneys. But U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning ordered her to jail anyway, reasoning that she would be unmoved by monetary penalties. Her insistence on keeping her elected position while ignoring federal court orders has been sharply criticized in the National Review and The American Conservative, and Russell Moore and Andrew T. Walker, who serve
on the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote that “religious liberty itself will be imperiled” if people “cannot differentiate between the freedom to exercise one’s religion and the responsibility of agents of the state to carry out the law.” Meanwhile, several of the couples who Davis had turned away “under God’s authority” finally were able to pay their fees and get their licenses, holding hands and smiling for the cameras. All they wanted to do is get married after 11 years as a couple, April Miller and Karen Roberts said. On Sept. 8, Davis was released from jail with orders not to interfere with the issuance of marriage licenses by other clerks.
Rentboy.com had listed disclaimers saying its purpose was companionship, and set guidelines banning offers of sex in exchange for money. But a criminal complaint cited several ads that referred to various sex acts, offered reviews of sexual performance and listed rates ranging from $150 an hour to $3,500 for a weekend. “As alleged, Rentboy.com attempted to present a veneer of legality, when in fact this internet brothel made millions of dollars from promotion of illegal prostitution,” acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie said in a statement. Rentboy.com also hosted an annual awards show for escorts
called the Hookies, the complaint says. Promotional material billed the show as “recognizing 17 categories covering all aspects of the oldest profession as presented in the newest media.” Asked by an undercover investigator who went to the 2015 Hookies how the show started, Hurant responded, “Have you ever had sex with anyone and it was so good you had to tell someone? That’s what this is about,” the complaint says. Each defendant faces up to five years in prison if convicted of conspiring to commit crimes involving interstate or foreign travel.
The three-month restriction is apparently aimed at preventing long-term residence by foreigners, such as those looking to work in the island-nation or looking to accompany a child studying here. “The policy on the repatriation and permanent blacklisting of HIV-positive foreigners was recommended in the late 1980s when the disease was new, fatal and no effective treatment was available,” a ministry spokesman said in an email reply to The
Associated Press. The spokesman cannot be identified under Singapore government rules. While a short-term visit “poses very low additional risk of HIV transmission to the local population,” the ban on a long-term one remains as “the public health risk posed by long-stayers is not insignificant,” the spokesman said. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have similar restrictions on long-term visitors with HIV.
Rentboy.com shut down by Feds, arrests made Wire Report NEW YORK | The chief executive of a Manhattan-based online male escort service and six of his employees at Rentboy.com are under arrest on charges of promoting prostitution. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn accused Jeffrey Hurant of selling advertisements to high-priced male prostitutes for several hundred dollars, then charging Rentboy.com customers up to $299 a month to access the ads. The operation took in more than $10 million since 2010, prosecutors said.
Singapore softens ban on HIV-positive visitors Wire Report SINGAPORE | Singapore said Aug. 31 that it has lifted a two-decade ban on HIV-infected people from entering the country, but will limit their stay to a maximum of three months. The Health Ministry said the ban was lifted on April 1, “given the current context, with more than 5,000 Singapore residents living with HIV and the availability of effective treatment for the disease.”
watermark Your lgbt life.
in other news Debate over ban on gay blood donations gets personal Senators voted Sept. 3 to ask President Obama and the Department of Health to repeal the FDA policies prohibiting men who have had sex with men from donating blood completely. The resolution, AJR16, initially passed on a 30-6 vote. In an unusual second roll call, it again passed, 31-4, as several senators changed their votes. Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who is gay, recalled how years ago he was prepared to give blood but was blocked by rules that grew out of the AIDS crisis, when the virus. He noted that the rules allow donations by heterosexual men who may engage in risky sex, but they block donations by men like himself who are HIV-free.
Missouri school divided over transgender student’s bathroom use An effort by a transgender student to use the girls bathroom has split a Missouri high school, with some of her peers walking out in protest and others holding a counter demonstration to show their support. Lila Perry said she wants to be treated like other female students and told school administrators that she wasn’t content in continuing to use a unisex faculty bathroom this year. The 17-year-old’s decision prompted some students to leave the campus Aug. 31, following a school board meeting in which parents expressed concern that Perry was receiving special rights at the expense of other students. The school’s gay-straight alliance and other supporters held their own protest. Perry said the school administration has been supportive and made her feel welcome. She said they have allowed her to use the facilities used by girls and women.
Senegal activists call for release of men convicted of gay acts A Senegalese gay rights group called for the release of seven men arrested in July for homosexual acts Aug. 28. Police arrested the seven men without a warrant at a house in a suburb of Dakar after the mother of one of the men called authorities. The men were sentenced on Aug. 21 to six months in prison, neither the police officers nor the mother testified at the trial. The organization called for the abolishment of the anti-gay law and for the release of the men.
Nepal’s LGBT community parade to demand rights Hundreds of the LGBT community paraded through Nepal’s capital Aug. 30 to demand that rights for sexual minorities be included in the country’s new constitution that is being finalized. The colorful rally in downtown Kathmandu, an annual affair, drew about 500 participants. They are also demanding same-sex marriage be guaranteed in the new constitution, permitting gay and lesbian couples the right to adopt, buy joint property, open joint bank accounts and inherit from one another. The parade has been held annually for the past few years on Gaijatra, a Hindu festival to remember the dead.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
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407.893.6222 • www.MyVHI.com Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
viewpoint
mediA Jamie Hyman online director
ally agenda Why the Kim Davis story needs to be told
A
s a dedicated LGBT
ally, the most powerful tool I have at my disposal is what you are reading right now—my access to the readership as a writer for Watermark. Last week, like many other members of the media, I used this access to illuminate some reprehensible discrimination unfolding in Kentucky, where Kim Davis, a county clerk of courts, refused to issue legally entitled marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her (nonexistent) religious freedom to do so.
Many times the equality black holes go beyond the story itself, although Davis can certainly use all the enlightenment we can throw at her. No, many times it’s only after the story is released, when the LGBT community members react, do we find that, while we attempt to educate America about equality, internally, we still have a lot of work to do. The Davis story was a great illustration of that, because her story sparked two themes that commonly emerge in the reaction to stories about LGBT discrimination. The first theme is: WHY DON’T YOU JUST GO SOMEWHERE ELSE? Why don’t gay people who encounter bakers who don’t want to bake them a wedding cake just go to another baker? If a photographer doesn’t want to take engagement photos of a gay couple, why not just hire another photographer? This theme is usually expanded to suggest defiance through economy, as in, why would a gay person WANT to give their business and hard-earned money to a business owner who doesn’t like gays and doesn’t want to work with them? The first reason is the myth of access. I, like many of Watermark’s readers, live in Orlando, a major
metropolitan area with dozens, if not hundreds, of vendor options. It is very easy for us big-city folk to forget that in countless communities across the United States, it is very realistic to encounter just one wedding photographer, just one baker. Even in Orlando, the perfect venue is the perfect venue, and if a gay couple finds it, the venue owner should not be allowed to turn that couple away while allowing straight couples to marry there. The theme of “go somewhere else” is even more disturbing when applied to government entities. Some readers actually suggested that gay couples turned away by Davis should simply go to another county to get their marriage licenses. Not only is that an appalling suggestion in the face of discrimination, but once again, we run into the myth of access. Government offices are generally only open during business hours, so many people have to take time off of work to go. Many other people don’t have access to reliable transportation. And it doesn’t matter, because the county clerk’s office is a freaking government office and gay people, as American citizens with equal rights, shouldn’t have to go to another county, because it’s their hardearned, deserved, LEGAL right to walk into their hometown county clerk’s office and get a marriage license, just like hetero couples do. Which brings us to our second reason why “go somewhere else” isn’t a good argument—it’s not always about that particular baker’s delicious cupcakes, that specific photographer’s beautiful photos or even that particular county clerk’s name appearing on a marriage license. It’s the principle of the thing. Gay people shouldn’t have to go somewhere else because this is America, the 14th Amendment of the constitution exists, and, “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive
watermark Your lgbt life.
If we ignore [Kentucky clerk of courts Kim Davis], she’ll continue not to give gay couples marriage licenses, just without scrutiny. Ignoring works for a tantrum-throwing 4-year-old because the 4-year-old is powerless. Davis, as an agent of the court, has power. any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” That is really and truly enough of a reason to insist that paid government employees don’t discriminate. Some readers seemed willing to put the principles aside, however, to suggest that avoiding Davis is a strategy—just go to another county and you rob her of her ability to discriminate. That’s a nice segue into our second theme, which is: BY GIVING ATTENTION, YOU ARE GIVING THE BIGOTS WHAT THEY WANT. There were a number of
exasperated sighs that we were offering Davis any media coverage at all, with people suggesting that such attention gives Davis the attention she craves while providing an avenue for her to become a Christian hero, a martyr for her bigoted cause. Much like a 4-year-old throwing a tantrum, maybe if we ignore Davis, she will fade into the shadows. The problem is, she won’t. If we ignore her, she’ll continue not to give gay couples marriage licenses, just without scrutiny. Ignoring works for a tantrum-throwing 4-year-old because the 4-yearold is powerless. Davis, as an agent of the court, has power.
Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
And right now, she’s using that power to illegally, immorally discriminate. I hope the whole world knows what she is. As a journalist, when I cover bigots, I am not “giving them attention.” It is false to say if we ignore them, they will go away. I am doing my duty, using the power of the press to shine light on discrimination. Bigotry thrives in the shadows. Discrimination feeds on fear and silence and intimidation. If we don’t tell these stories, hate will fester and multiply. Exposing bigots and their unfair acts is a key tool in the fight against discrimination, and it would be irresponsible to muffle the stories of bigots and their victims.
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and Vegeterian Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean, viewpoint do her job put her in hot water with the LGBT community and its allies. Davis continues to disobey a federal court ruling to issue marriage licenses to LGBT couples in Rowan County, Kentucky. Her argument that she is working under “God’s authority” has me hoping her 15 minutes are flushed away very soon. If she has to stay in the news, can we at least get her a stylist?.
Rick Claggett, Publisher
wo r d s
to live by Tops and Bottoms
T
he release of this
issue of Watermark is a milestone for me. It marks the one-year anniversary since I officially became publisher of Watermark Media. The past 12 months have been an interesting ride – and, although I’ve been here more than a decade, I’ve recently learned a great deal about our staff, our readers and the big picture of LGBT news.
We were not without amazing stories this past year. It’s been a downpour of fantastic triumphs and outlandish setbacks. Here, on this special occasion, I will commemorate some moments that were tops in my book, as well as those populating the bottom of the barrel.
A tongue-in-cheek look at our Bottoms:
1. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is at the rim of the bottoms category. Bondi spent a great deal of time and money fighting against marriage equality. Her actions landed her at the forefront of some of the most vile posts by angry readers in our history. Bondi’s claims that she was just doing her job made her public enemy number one, until recently, when she was replaced by a Kentucky clerk of the courts. 2. Kim Davis makes the list at number two, for obvious reasons. Unlike Bondi, Davis’ refusal to
3. Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, makes my list of bottoms as the most quotable of the losers. His most outrageous statements centered around his bizarre obsession with being a transgender teenager so he can watch female teens shower, and his comments stating the President’s call to Michael Sam is the signal for the end of America. I enjoy a good quote and am sure we will be inundated with many more from this evangelical extremist this election season.
4. The Food and Drug Administration makes the bottom list as the biggest tease. The FDA’s announcement that it would recommend an end to the life-long ban on gay blood donations sounded like a promising step forward. Unfortunately, the plan wasn’t what we hoped for. In lieu of a lifelong ban, the FDA suggested an acceptance of gay blood from individuals who have been celibate for at least one year. Thanks, but no thanks! 5. Dishonorable mentions: Continued oppression in Russia, the London bus driver who removed two gay patrons from his bus, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office and its insensitive reaction to another murder of a transgender woman, Justin Bieber’s enhanced Calvin Klein ad and the sweater made 100 percent from gay human hair.
watermark Your lgbt life.
Good Tops Who were not hard to find: 1. Arguably, the biggest story of the year has been the fight for marriage equality, putting the Supreme Court on top of the tops. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. It was a surreal day in the Watermark offices. Once the story was posted, we had a chance to sit together and realize the impact this decision has in the progress of LGBT rights.
2. At the end of 2014, Watermark profiled the most remarkable people in our coverage areas, a list which included Joan Rodriguez. Rodriguez deserves mentioning again on my list of tops. Rodriguez was in the final stages of pregnancy, and in the final stages of her partner’s life, when she became a local advocate in the fight for marriage equality. Joan stood before the Orange
County Board of County Commissioners to tell her story in the hopes they would then sign an amicus brief showing support of same-sex marriage. Her strength and courage is inspiring. 3. The Boy Scouts of America made a policy change, giving them top honors. In 2013, the Boy Scouts lifted the ban on gay scouts, but not the ban on gay leadership within the organization. Earlier this year, the Scouts did away with its discriminatory policy and opened the door to gay leaders, noting that the ban could not be sustained. 4. Local pride makes my list as the biggest growing of all the tops. Polk County Pride, Volusia County Pride, Manatee County Pride and Space Coast Pride saw increased numbers. Tampa Pride made a long awaited comeback in 2015. Come Out With Pride has overcome allegations of mismanagement and has a clear vision to put unity back
in Orlando’s community. Finally, the success of St. Pete Pride is unquestionable. The introduction of a nighttime parade has revolutionized St. Pete Pride, and it is obvious by the sea of glow sticks and glow necklaces at the parade that it is working. 5. Honorable mentions: Patty Sheehan received the Stuart Milk Lifetime Achievement Award, Laverne Cox, Cut the Cake Bakery, Ginger Minj, Florida’s bathroom bill dies, Florida’s gay adoption ban is officially ousted, Kate Brown becomes first bisexual US Governor, Caitlyn Jenner and President Barack Obama.
It’s impossible to mention all successes and failures on this page, but I hope you have enjoyed this stroll down memory lane of what stuck out in my mind during this inaugural year as publisher. I look forward to many more stories of the good and the bad, the tops and the bottoms. I look forward to the future.
Thomas
Rhodes, Esq.
Practice Limited to Family Law Greek, Mediterranean, and Vegeterian Cuisine
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Dr. David Rice working with EOLA EYES
31
talking points
No one’s being jailed for practicing her religion. Someone’s being jailed for using the government to force others to practice her religion.
%
Of american millennials identify as sOmething
OTHER THAN EXCLUSIVELY HETEROSEXUAL.
54%
Of british millennials identify as sOmething Other than exclusively gay Or straight. —YouGov Survey
—raCHeL HeLD evans, an aMeriCan CHristian COLuMnist anD neW yOrK tiMes’s bestseLLinG autHOr, tWeets after KentuCKy CLerK Of COurts KiM Davis Was arresteD after refusinG tO fOLLOW a COurt OrDer tO issue saMe-sex MarriaGe LiCenses.
glaad grades the netWOrKs
G
LaaD reLeaseD tHe nintH annuaL netWOrK respOnsibiLity inDex, which grades both network and cable channels on the quality, quantity and diversity of LGBT characters on TV. For the first time a major network has received an “Excellent” rating. FOX, along with the cable channel ABC Family, were the only networks to receive the top rank. This is an even bigger accomplishment for FOX since in GLAAD’s inaugural year of the NRI, FOX received a “Failing” grade. ABC, CW, FX, HBO, MTV and Showtime all received a grade of “Good.” The bottom tier indicates networks that have some work to do including CBS, NBC, TLC, TNT and USA, which received “Adequate” rankings. The “Failing” grades go to the cable channels A&E and History Channel.
steve grand is gOing tO the marine cOrps ball
y
Outube viDeOs Of u.s. serviCe MeMbers asKinG a faMOus persOn Out to military functions are nothing new. Back in 2011, Cpl. Kelsey DeSantis used a video to ask music superstar Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corps Ball. Timberlake said yes, and since then, celebrities from actress Mila Kunis to MMA fighter Ronda Rousey have accepted invitations to the annual fancy Marine fest. U.S. Marine Tanner White took to YouTube to ask “All American Boy” country singer Steve Grand to the Ball. Grand responded within days saying, “As soon as I saw the video, I checked my calendar, and when I saw I had the day free, I was like, ‘OK, let’s do this’. I think me and Tanner are going to have a great time.”
watermark Your lgbt life.
china getting first film With gay main characters
D
ireCtOr WanG CHaO annOunCeD On WeibO (the Chinese version of Twitter) that the government has given his film Seek McCartney the greenlight to be released in Chinese cinemas. This will be the first time the Chinese government, will allow a movie that features gay lead characters to be seen by the Chinese people. “This is a small step for the film department, and a big step for the members of the film industry,” Wang wrote. The film is a Chinese and French co-production centering on the relationship between two men, one Chinese and the other French. Several films have been released in China over the years that had gay characters in small, supporting roles.
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A+ A+
eddie redmayne stars as transgender WOman IN tHe DaNiSH Girl
E
DDie reDMayne LOOKs LiKe He May be tryinG fOr baCKtO-baCK OsCars with his next role. Redmayne stars in the true life story of transgender artist Lili Elbe, who was born Einar Wegener, and is believed to be the first person to undergo sexual reassignment surgery. The film, which is directed by Tom Hooper who directed Redmayne in 2012’s Les Miserables explores the relationship between Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The official trailer was released Sept. 1, and the film is already generating Oscar buzz. Redmayne won a Best Actor Oscar last year for portraying Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. The Danish Girl opens Nov. 27.
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // ISSue 2 2.19
in-depth: tiglff
THE MOTHER OF NECESSITY As more people turn to streaming movies online, what’s the answer to saving film festivals?
R
Jeremy Williams
einventiOn Can sOMetiMes be
seen as an ugly word, especially when it is applied to something that has a rich history full of tradition, but in the world of cinema, reinvention is the very thing that breathes life and keeps film fresh and relevant. After 25 years of following the same formula, the TampaBay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, or TIGLFF, is at a point where they are reinventing the way they present the festival to the community.
watermark Your lgbt life.
For the first time in TIGLFF’s 26 year history, the festival will not center around the wellknown Tampa Theatre. In May 2015, TIGLFF announced that they would be moving the main events – the opening, closing and several high profile films – to The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. “That was really a mutual decision between the Tampa Theatre and TIGLFF,” TIGLFF’s interim executive director Scott Skyberg says. “You know, they
cOntinued On pg. 33 | uu |
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| uu | tiGlFF frOm pg.31 have been with us since day one, and they’ve cut us a lot of breaks. We are very thankful and they are very thankful to have had us be a part of the theater, but at this time we just do not have the ability to host the festival at the Tampa Theatre.” Much of the decision to move the host venue revolved around cost and the size of the Tampa Theatre. “They are one of the larger venues in the area for a theater that we can use for an independent film festival,” says Skyberg. “They are a 1,400-seat theater, and for us to put 1,400 people in the seats has not been the trend over the last couple of years.” Instead of the four or five larger venues, they opted for nearly a dozen smaller ones, more than any year before. The venues are across Tampa, St. Petersburg and Gulfport. “All festivals across the nation are having a similar situation as our festival here in Tampa. They are making sure they are not vendor specific,” Skyberg says. TIGLFF had a unique filmfestival situation in having a fixed home for the last 25 years at the Tampa Theatre. “There are festivals across the country that don’t, and they are spread across the community quite regularly, but each festival is going through a bit of redefining themselves to make sure that they stay relevant, and that they are a strong component in the community. “There will be Tampa venues; in fact we are spread out across the Tampa Bay area,” Skyberg says. “We are in 11 different venues this year, so we really have just taken the festival and brought it back out to the community. We are making sure we are evenly spread through the area, but there won’t be any films at the Tampa Theatre this year.” Even with the Tampa Theatre
Gays On fiLM: Opening night 2014 to watch Blackbird at the old location, Tampa Theatre. PHOTO By nICK CaRDELLO
on the sidelines for TIGLFF’s 26th season, that doesn’t mean the relationship between the theater and the festival is done. “Will we be at the Tampa Theatre again in the future? We think so,” Skyberg says. “We have a real strong relationship with the Tampa Theatre, and we hope that in the future we can both come together and maybe have an opening night or maybe do our closing night. Maybe we open in St. Pete and close in Tampa, or vice-versa, that is definitely doable. So it is very likely we see TIGLFF at the Tampa Theatre in the future.” Another change coming to TIGLFF was announced back in March of this year. TIGLFF will require all venues to have gender-neutral bathrooms. This announcement came to light during a heated Florida Legislature argument over transgender people using restrooms based on their birth genders. “We want everyone to feel equal and accepted at these TIGLFF venues and events,” Skyberg says. These changes to the festival come at a time when TIGLFF is in a transition within their leadership. Previous executive director Margaret Murray took a position outside of TIGLFF and Skyberg stepped in as interim
executive director at the end of June. Don’t expect a surprise announcement at the festival as to who the permanent executive director will be. “The board will look at appointing a permanent executive director after the festival in December,” Skyberg says.
relevancy Of film festivals
In a time where movies are readily accessible, with Netflix and Amazon Prime (among other outlets), and easily obtained – a simple Google search of “free movies” brings up more than 500 million returns –many question what the point of going to an LGBT film festival is. “Originally [film festivals] were started to show independent films, but I think from an LGBT genre standpoint, it was about social change,” Skyberg says. LGBT film festivals were not just about seeing movies with characters we could identify with, but it was also a way to get our stories out to the public and have our concerns heard. “So it allows someone to go watch an LGBT film, maybe they’re uncomfortable with it or maybe they’re ok with it, but they
watermark Your lgbt life.
finally understand that, ‘hey these people are normal and they are a part of everyday life and they are no different than who I am’, and that is what has really allowed for the social change. I think it’s been a big part of why we have marriage equality finally in 2015,” Skyberg says. If the films are becoming more available and equality is moving forward then why still have them? “There is a lot more access to get films today, but that doesn’t necessarily increase the quality of the films being made,” says KJ Mohr, TIGLFF’s program director. While you still have plenty of LGBT choices on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus or any of the other dozens of movie streaming services available online, there is still no guarantee as to how good those films are going to be, and you never know how long you’ll have to wait until it’s added to your service and you can actually see them. “These are all great films that you can’t just see anywhere,” says Mohr. “They may eventually come to Netflix but this will be your first chance to see them.” In some cases, the films shown at LGBT film festivals are the only chance you’ll ever get to see them. “A lot of films do the circuit of LGBT film festivals and that’s the
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only place these movies get seen,” says Mohr. “I think these festivals are still a needed venue because independent filmmakers whose work may not even be seen in the arthouses can be shown, and people who wouldn’t think to go looking for these films can know about them.” The most important reason for having LGBT film festivals may not even be the films themselves. “The main thing with festivals like ours is they are about community,” says Mohr. “It’s not just the art aspect of it; it’s about coming together, and queer film festivals are one of the few venues left, like Pride, that we know we are going to come together each year and see people and meet people in the community.” One thing you get from a festival like TIGLFF that you won’t get from watching at home is the social interaction. “I’ve heard stories of people meeting their significant other or strong friends at these kinds of festivals,” Skyberg says. “That’s one of the ties to the event; it’s all about the experience. It’s a good mix of both a social engagement and experiencing a new film.” “It’s a completely different experience watching something in a theater rather than watching on your computer or your phone,” Mohr says. “There’s just something about watching with an audience and getting the reaction from the audience; it’s just totally different.”
What’s cOming tO tiglff
This is by far one of the largest schedules in TIGLFF’s 26 year history. Along with expanding to 11 venues, the festival will have 88 films all together; 35 features and 53 shorts. The films will be from 25 different countries and is a “strong program with an equal mix of films about both women and men,” Skyberg says. “We are opening with Casper Andreas’ Kiss Me, Kill Me,” Mohr says. “We have shown his past three films and our audience really
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| uu | tiGlFF frOm pg.33 loves him. His new one is kind of a film noir and features Gale Harold from Queer As Folk and Van Hansis Turns), ((As The World Turns ), who will be in attendance at the showing. It’s a really suspenseful and fun film for opening night.” The opening night of Kiss Me, Kill Me will be Oct. 2 at The Palladium and is free to the public. Along with star Hansis, director Andreas and writer/producer David Michael Barrett will also be in attendance. “Then we will be closing with Fourth Man Out,” Mohr says. “This is a new film and we are going to be one of the first places showing it.” Fourth Man Out plays at The Palladium as well Oct. 10. The film’s producer, Lauren Avinoam, is scheduled to attend. TIGLFF also has four shorts programs scheduled throughout the festival including a rooftop viewing at the Hotel Zamora overlooking St. Pete Beach and screenings that will feature two shorts from local filmmakers out of Sarasota; Lucas Omar’s Three and KT Curran’s When the Party Ends. A few familiar films will be shown as well. The 1998 film 54 starring Ryan Phillippe, Selma Hayek, Neve Campbell and Mike Myers will have a special director’s cut shown at the Carmike Oct. 9 and the 1978 classic, The Wiz, will be shown at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African History Museum Oct. 8. One of the main events is the showing of Reel in the Closet, a documentary of never before seen home movies made by queer people dating back to the 1930s. The documentary is followed by a panel discussion with the film’s director Stu Maddux, cofounder of the LGBT initiative at the University of South Florida Dr. David Johnson and curator of the university’s LGBT collections Matt Knight. “One that I’m personally looking
“We are in 11 different venues this year, so we really have just taken the festival and brought it back out to the community. We are making sure we are evenly spread through the area.” –TIGLFF’S INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT SKYBERG forward to is Nasty Baby, which was a hit at Sundance starring Kristin Wiig,” Mohr says. The full schedule of films will be available at TIGLFF’s website at www.tiglff.com.
mOre than Just film
For TIGLFF, and all film festivals, to stay relevant and in people’s line of sight, they need to become more than just the films they present. They have to have that “added value” for the attendee. “A way we are moving forward and staying relative is moving from being a ‘film festival’ and becoming more a rounded ‘art festival’ promoting equality and the community through multiartistic expression, and I think you are going to see other film festivals work toward that,” says Skyberg. One way TIGLFF is expanding
its scope is by bringing in multitalented stars, both world known and local. “We have the local talent of Tampa Bay favorite Matthew McGee and entertainer Scott Daniel doing The Scott and Patti Show,” says Skyberg. “We have Lea DeLaria coming of course, and she isn’t just film, she’s talent.” DeLaria, best known for her role as Big Boo in Orange is the New Black, has been entertaining audiences for three decades as a stand-up comedian, actress and jazz musician. She was the first openly gay comic on late-night television in 1993 when she appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and most recently released her album House of David, a compilation of David Bowie songs sung in the style of jazz. “Lea [DeLaria] is not only doing comedy, she will also be doing
watermark Your lgbt life.
some vocal and instrumental,” says Skyberg. “She is very good. I don’t think people realize just how talented she is.” Another event outside of movie watching is the Reel Gay art exhibit. “Reel Gay is an exhibit where several local artists are doing pieces of still art in reference to a classic LGBT film,” Skyberg says. There will be artistic expressions of such films as The Birdcage, Wizard of Oz, Pink Flamingos and many more. “Those will be on display on the opening night of the festival and available for purchase and proceeds will go to TIGLFF,” Skyberg says.
What dOes the future hOld
With technology moving at such a fast pace and so many things from
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the past feeling obsolete, what does the future hold for LGBT film festivals? “I think it is going to be more about the communities,” says Skyberg. “For example, the venue we have out in Gulfport. The businesses, the bars and restaurants, have all come together and gotten involved. They have all gotten together to make sure the festival is exciting and relevant to them and their community.” Skyberg also thinks that in order for film festivals to survive the future of the viewing environment, they need to get the youth out and involved. “We will have a youth program in the morning Oct. 3. They will be hosting a film and a lunch for the youth,” Skyberg says. “We are also working with Metro Wellness and other local community centers to get the word out about the festival.” TIGLFF is also offering anyone under the age of 18 to see any film (age appropriate of course) absolutely free. “One of the things we have looked into doing is a competition with independent films where young filmmakers will be able to create their own films and submit them for competition and that will probably be later this year or a part of next year’s festival,” Skyberg says. “They are so creative with the ability to make amazing films just using their phones. The talent is there.” When it comes down to it, maybe looking at streaming video as the enemy to film festivals isn’t the answer; perhaps incorporating it is the future. “We have looked at this as an idea, streaming to those who prefer to stay at home,” Skyberg says. “I think you lose part of the experience of the festival, but at the same time those who would stream at home probably weren’t looking at coming out to the festival anyways and this would allow them to partake in those films that are pushing the social agenda but at the home. Maybe they could have a big house party and view the films.”
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Connect with us:
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TIGLFF:
26 YEARS AND
SET UP: Comic and singer lea delaria from Orange is the New Black will be featured entertainment at the festival. Photo by SOPHy HOLLanD
GROWING!
Some of this year’s highlights from the TampaBay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
C
Stephen J. Miller
aLL it spreaDinG tHe LOve! after
25 years with the Tampa Theatre, the dynamic TampaBay Gay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) now will offer events at different venues throughout Florida’s west coast. The launch party is this Saturday, Sept. 12, hosted at the Dali Museum. Most of the big events from Oct. 2 through Oct. 10 will be at The Palladium—including a show with lesbian comic and chanteuse Lea DeLaria on Saturday, Oct. 3. Movies will play in theaters in Tampa, St. Pete, and Gulfport throughout the nine-day festival. Tickets and information are available at TIGLFF.com
TIGLFF is still working the details of their impressive festival; they currently have 33 LBGT films from the last three years. They gave us an early peek, so fans could start flagging must-see films. Here are four flicks they feature that we thought you might like. More movies will be highlighted on WatermarkOnline.com on a regular basis as the festival approaches. cOntinued On pg. 37 | uu |
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KISS ME, KILL ME
OPENING NIGHT FILM
G
aLe HarOLD’s first Gay rOLe
since Queer as Folk is a noir-ish, twisted murder mystery. When Dusty (Van Hansis of As the World Turns) confronts boyfriend Stephen (Harold) about his infidelity, the couple fights. Dusty blacks out and wakes up later to find Stephen murdered. Of course, Dusty is a prime suspect, along with the rest of gay West Hollywood.
Director Casper Andreas usually makes light gay comedies (Slutty Summer). Writer David Michael Barrett scribes light, B-movie scripts (Bad Actress). Murder mysteries are a new game for them. KMKM shoots for a Hitchcock vibe, but it’s got the rich neon sheen of an 80s flick and the twistedness of Pedro Almodóvar. Using actors known for soap opera (let’s face it, QAF was a soap) gives this film a broad dramatic feel, even with the comic bits. Other LGBT icons have cameos—Jai Rodriguez of Queer Eye and Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race seasons two and three.
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FROM THIS DAY FORWARD
DOCUMENTARY CENTERPIECE
W
Hen DOCuMentary
director Sharon Shattuck was in junior high in the mid-1990s, her dad decided to start transitioning from man to woman. The poor man had been hiding gender struggles from the kids and everyone else for years; Trisha and wife Marcia had kept it in the bedroom. Slowly, Michael became Trisha Shattuck, who now is a well-known painter living in rural Michigan. FTMO is less and less shocking today (which is wonderful, really). This documentary is imminently watchable because of its honesty, its purity, and its coziness. Surprising aspects emerge of Trisha, her wife Marcia and their marriage. Their daughters—the filmmaker and her sister—talk about Trish’s transformation and its effect on the family unit, as well as their social lives.
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THE SUMMER OF SANGAILE NARRATIVE CENTERPIECE
s
ANGAILE is a beautifuL anD
charming Lithuanian film, which delivers more alluring mood than plot. Sangaile (Julija Steponaityte) is a dreamy, distant teenager fascinated with planes and awakening into her own sexuality. Auste (Aiste Dirziute) is a slightly older teen obsessed with Sangaile, rigging contests and making clothes to capture the girl’s attention away from the boys who Sangaile attracts. Sangaile is waiting to soar— literally and figuratively—away from her family. Auste already lives a pretty Bohemian lifestyle, and her freedom also attracts Sangaile.
Even with the Lithuanian lesbian angle, it’s still a film about the summer teenagers falling in love. In that sense, Sangaile is flying into familiar, comfortable territory. The sunlit movie has the lush look of memory-stirring photos, and the actresses are very believable in their sweetness and awkwardness.
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MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW
T
His inDian fiLM abOut a
bisexual woman with disabilities is refreshingly matter-of-fact. Laila (Kalki Koechlin) is a gregarious Delhi college student who happens to have cerebral palsy. Though it affects her speech and motor skills, and she has to live with her parents, her indomitable spirit attracts admirers. Laila, though, only wants rock singer Nima (Tenzin Dalha). When she meets romantic frustration, Laila decides to study abroad in Manhattan, where she attracts both an English student (William Moseley of The Chronicles of Narnia) and another Indian woman, a blind activist played by Sayani Gupta. Laila’s relationship with her parents—especially her mother, whom she depends upon—is intriguing. Mom (Revathi) is so committed to her daughter—and yet naïve enough—that she moves with her daughter to New York City. Laila’s closeted bisexuality adds realistic complexity to both her family relationships and her romantic endeavors. Small moments of melodrama cannot rob international Margarita of its flavor.
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arts and entertainment
monty python’s spamalot brings the humor, the compassion and the geeks together at orlando shakes
“L
Billy Manes
EAVE HIM ALONE!” SIR LANCELOT
says. “This poor little chap is your son, sir. All he ever wanted was a little love and affection, but did you ever give it to him? No, no. I’ll wager you denied him. You try to kill him, and worse, far worse, you try to marry him off to some girl, some female that he obviously has no feelings for whatsoever. Yes, yes, I know a little bit about bullying fathers you bastard. Have you no heart? Have you no human tenderness? Can’t you see that all he’s asking for is a little love and understanding? Is that too much to ask? Is it? Too Much! To Ask!”
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“My god! You’re gay.” Such was but one of the sharpedged pieces that make up the hilarious diaspora of the Holly Grail, at least as it pertains to King Arthur and his, er, compassionate son Sir Lancelot, but the grail runs far deeper than that, and sillier. This month, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater revives the Broadway roundtable made famous by its original writer Eric Idle—Spamalot is a musical reworking of the cult film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail— just one year after asking all of Orlando to be miserable (in that Les Miserables kind of way). After last year’s flashmob promotions for Les Miz, you wouldn’t think the
Shakes could top itself. Well, throw in a video of the mayor engaging in a community-wide sing-along of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” with hundreds of others across Orlando, and you might be inclined to think otherwise. Also, the play sees the return of two of last year’s stars, Davis Gaines and Michael Hunsaker, along with a host of other luminaries willing to don various costumes to keep up with the show’s hyperactive pacing. Orlando Shakespeare Theater artistic director Jim Helsinger, a Monty Python fan, explains to Watermark how all of this came about and, well, how sometimes
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Also on view through January 3, 2016 Fashionable Portraits in Europe Enduring Documents Selected Photographs from the Permanent Collection Conversations Selections from the Permanent Collection
Jess T. Dugan Every breath we drew
Free Admission Courtesy of Dale Montgomery ‘60 Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday–Sunday noon–5 p.m.
JESS T. DUGAN Jillian, 2014, Pigment print, Courtesy of the artist, Gallery Kayafas and Catherine Edelman Gallery ©Jess T. Dugan
Closed Mondays
rollins.edu/cfam
Sept 25 - Oct 25 Presenting Sponsor
Watermark Night Media Sponsor
Tickets $25 -33 44
gardentheatre.org • 407.877.4736 160 West Plant Street • Historic Downtown Winter Garden
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Produced by
that into the intimacy of the Shakes?
| uu | Spamalot
The actors that we have are tremendous, and the material was tremendous from Les Miserables, but I think the shape of the theater helps create an intimate experience that people rarely ever have with Les Miserables and I think they will have that again with Spamalot. I mean, there are people dancing on the sides. There is somebody dancing right at you—literally 3 feet away from you, and you know that is really special. So there are little jokes and moments that will be just for you. Now people do have to also understand the thrust environment puts you, no matter where you are in the theater, close to the action at certain times, so it will mimic the reality of life. I mean it is just like, you know, for the sing-along we did, a lot of people dressed up. They came dressed up as the monks that slap themselves with the Bible. People came dressed as knights. People came as coconuts. It was fun.
from pg.43
dry humor is inclined to linger longer than a pratfall.
Watermark: Spamalot seems a lot to dive headfirst into the giggles given the typical heft of Orlando Shakespeare Theater productions. Jim Helsinger: Well, as you may know, we did Les Miserables last year, which was the first musical we’d done in a long time, and it was a huge success, and we really wanted to follow that up with something else that people would like. And one of the keys I think that made people want to come see Les Miz is it had previously never been released regionally in Central Florida. You either saw the Broadway tour, or you never saw it at all. So there were a lot of people that either saw that and loved that or had never seen the show before… so we were looking for a play that was similar. And Spamalot is in the same boat. If you’ve seen Spamalot in Central Florida, you saw the Broadway tour or you’d never seen it. So, some kind of staged, bombastic whiplash, then? Les Miserables isn’t exactly funny.
We actually did a survey while Les Miserables was running—just as Les Miserables was closing I think … to ask people what they really wanted to see, and the number one was West Side Story, but we could not get the rights to West Side Story. And in the top five was Spamalot. And we thought, oh, that’s a great idea. And, actually, those rights have become available to regional theaters. That fits everything we want to do and it’s at the top five of what our audience wants to see, and I personally am a massive Monty Python fan. Ha! I figured. How far back do your Python leanings go?
When I was a kid back in the Stone Age, we only had three television stations, and none of them got BBC programming, so actually the way I learned all the Monty Python skits and Monty Python and the Holy Grail was my best friend had bought them on record and we listened to the albums of all of the Monty Python skits, and the album—actually the album is called The Soundtrack
So, basically a Monty Python free-for-all, then?
There’s nothing you can do about it. And you’re gonna die. We’re all gonna die. So why don’t we spend some of this time that we have on the planet looking for fun and laughter and the brighter side, because the darkness can overwhelm you. —Orlando Shakespeare Theater Artistic director Jim Helsinger of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. So I had memorized the whole movie at like, I don’t know, 13, before I ever saw it in any way. And I think it very much informed me personally. It was the type of humor that I’ve always liked.
You have some pretty big names involved, including some from your production of Les Miserables. That sounds convenient.
While the play was running we were brainstorming what we want to do next year and somehow Davis Gaines heard that
we were talking about Spamalot and said, I’d love to play King Arthur, and I was like, well that sounds great, you know. Davis Gaines is nationally known and a fantastic actor and singer, and his family literally lives right across the lake from the Shakespeare Theater, so it was really nice for him too, you know, getting to spend time where he was born and to really bring national status to a Central Florida stage.
Spamalot is a pretty large production with lots of set pieces and costumes. How were you able to translate
watermark Your lgbt life.
It turned out really well. I mean of course, we’ve never done that before, so we didn’t really know. We thought, well, we think this is a great idea. Let’s try it. Let’s see if the mayor wants to do it. Mayor Buddy Dyer was fantastic. He was happy to donate his time and, as it turned out, I think it’s not only an advertisement for our production going forward, it’s an advertisement for Central Florida in general. That came about when we did the flash mob last year for Les Miserables. It was a huge success, and there have been over a million hits on YouTube, and you’re like, well, how can we try to touch that again? Are there limitations to putting a show this size on at the Shakes? Is it a strippeddown affair?
Oh, no, we’re not playing it down. We’re using the costumes from London’s West End production. Although the wardrobe from the original West End production, it’s had a lot of use, so we have to repair or redesign the black knight’s costume, because [in the play] his arms and legs have to get chopped off. I mean, there’s a lot of tech in this. But no, I think if anything, I think the audience will think it’s bigger than Les Miz. They’ll see so much more. I mean, Les Miz is a huge production,
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but it is essentially somewhat of a unit set to an extent. And this environment changes in every single scene. And the actor changes clothes in every single scene.
Do you think it’s misleading to dismiss the Monty Python phenomenon as slapstick without any salient meaning?
No, I do think there’s social commentary there. Now I think a really great choice that Eric Idle made was taking the song “Look on the Bright Side of Life,” which was originally written for Life of Brian, and moving it into Spamalot. I think that that’s a good summary of Monty Python’s work. Life is tragic; events happen in life. There’s nothing you can do about it. And you’re gonna die. We’re all gonna die. So why don’t we spend some of this time that we have on the planet looking for fun and laughter and the brighter side, because the darkness can overwhelm you. You know another great thing about Monty Python is you don’t go out tonight, and then it’s over. You’ll laugh about something four days from now and go, “Oh God, when his head gets chopped off, it’s so funny.” It’s like Steve Martin and Saturday Night Live. That was really a new style of humor, because before that, it was very much constructed: Here is my setup, there’s the punch line, here’s where you laugh. Now we’ll move on. I know people have said to me before that the very first time [they] saw Monty Python, [they] laughed, but then [they] really started laughing a couple days later. Woody Allen does the same thing. “And then I saw it again and then it was funnier, and then I saw it again and it was even funnier than the second time I saw it, so, you know, I was hoping that buying a ticket to Spamalot is giving me a laugh today, a laugh tomorrow, a laugh two weeks from now,” and if art can be providing some relief from the difficulties of life, it’s serving a pretty good purpose.
more information
WHAT: Monty Python’s Spamalot WHEN: Sept. 11-Sept. 27, various times WHERE: Orlando Shakespeare Theater TICKETS: OrlandoShakes.org, 407-447-1700
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Davis Gaines, Musical Theatre West
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SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 11, 2015 RESERVE SEATS TODAY!
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film
Fabulously Thoughtful
Sarasota’s Fifth Annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival challenges gay stereotypes
(ABOVE)
Sex Shooter: Low budget comedy Tangerine breaks trans lines. Photo courtesy Sarasota Independant Film Festival
T
Aaron Alper
he Fifth Annual Fabulous
Independent Film Festival in Sarasota at the Sarasota/Manatee University of South Florida campus is quickly approaching. From Friday Sept. 18 through Sunday Sept. 20, the event is being held at the Burns Court Cinema. The festival, which is a Broken Rules/Harvey Milk Festival co-production (with all proceeds going to the HMF) is an exemplary event that showcases LGBTQ art through cinema. There are six feature films and this year, the centerpiece film will be a free outdoor presentation on the Sarasota/Manatee campus in the courtyard with donation suggested.
Last year’s IFF went surprisingly well according to the IFF brainchild Magida Diori, who says there was steady attendance throughout the entire festival (rare, according to those who are familiar with the film-festival circuit). “Typically you have one or two films that outdo everything else,” Diori said. “And last year it was very even and pretty remarkable.” Which brings us to this year: Does Diori have a favorite of all the films
she is showing? At first she is playfully coy (“I know you asked me last year which one of them was my favorite. I love all of them,” she says). However, Diori eventually admits that Tangerine touched her on a personal level. “I am very happy to have Tangerine,” Diori says. “It’s a comedy and was shot completely with an iPhone with a tiny budget. You know how some films have such a spirit that
watermark Your lgbt life.
they take you with them? The plot involves a transgender sex worker who is after her pimp because he is cheating on her and they go across Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. The energy, the rhythm, the lighting – it is just out there. It says, ‘I am taking you with me, and you’re going to love it – and you do.’” Tangerine also has the benefit of two leading black transgender characters, a minority which is often ignored in gay Hollywood. “It isn’t didactic,” Diori continues. “It makes you smile. I look at the strength of these people and can only say ‘Thank you for doing this.’” The films discuss deeper subjects ingrained in the LGBTQ world. “There is also great discussion of the grayscale of sexuality and fluidity. Men with children who decide they’re into men and his [boyfriend] wants him to identify as gay and he can’t do that,” Diori says. Diori is also keen to point out that the IFF isn’t completely about whitewashing the LGBTQ community; Drown actually features a gay villain, which you could argue is a step forward for equal rights; if we are going to be wholly represented, it is important we recognize both the good and the bad. “I want to point out the [Drown] character isn’t evil for evil’s sake. He is evil because he depressed and that evil rises from his homophobia and his repressed emotions. I thought I might not get it, but then I thought, ‘You know what? I have to bring things that are going to shock people.’ Drown is an extremely powerful film, but I would not recommend for sensitive souls.” For the festival in the broader strokes, Diori feels she ran the gamut. “I went experimental (Tangerine, Drown), as well as the documentary Out to Win [a documentary about gay athletes that was well received at this spring’s South By South Festival]. People believe just because gay marriage is legal that coming out is not a difficult process. It is when you can lose your family or lose your job.” Then, for a light-hearted romp, there is Fourth Man Out. “It’s a comedy about a group of men, and one of them isn’t out. He comes out, and the guys have a hard time, but eventually they learn to deal. It is a very sweet film.”
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Schedule Friday, September 18, 2015 8:15 p.m.: Watermark Media presents
TANGERINE (USA, 88 min.)
Saturday, September 19, 2015 3:30 p.m.:
LIZ IN SEPTEMBER
(Venezuela, in Spanish with English subtitles, 100 min.) 5:45 p.m.:
DROWN
(Australia, 96 min.) 8:15 p.m.: USF Sarasota/Manatee and Stew Carrier from the Box Office Bulls present
FOURTH MAN OUT
(USA, 86 min.) in the courtyard. Sunday, September 20, 2015 5:00 p.m.:
IN THE GRAYSCALE
(Chile, in Spanish with English subtitles, 101 min.) 7:45 p.m.:
OUT TO WIN (USA, 99 min.)
Ain’t No Thang Food Truck will be serving tasty bites. A percentage of their proceeds will go to the Harvey Milk Festival. more information WHAT: Opening Night Party - $3 beer and light bites WHERE: M.A.D.E., 1990 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236 WHen: Friday, September 18, 2015, 10 PM Tickets: $8.50-$10 , FabulousIFF.com
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If you are HIV-1 positive, you may qualify to participate in the DRIVE SHIFT clinical research study. You may be eligible if you:
• Are at least 18 years old • Are HIV-1 positive
• Have been on certain antiretroviral therapy (ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor [PI] and two nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs])
• Have maintained undetectable viral levels for at least 6 months
All investigational study medications and study-related care will be provided to you at no cost. To learn more about the DRIVE SHIFT study and the potential benefits and risks of participating, contact:
DRIVE SHIFT STUDY T O P A R TPrint I C I P Ad-Color A T E I N T v1 H I S2015.07.01 STUDY CONTACT: USA_ENG MK1439A-PN024
Omar Marquez, LPN, CCRC • 407-647-3960 ext. 2114 OICResearch@OICOrlando.com
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
event planner
arts+entertainment
community Calendar
ORLANDO
Olrando
The Marvelous Wonderettes, Preview: Sept. 10, Sept. 11–Oct. 10, 2015, Winter Park Playhouse, Winter Park. 407-645-0145; WinterParkPlayhouse.org
Couture Culture Opening Night Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. Snap! Space, Orlando
Totally Electric: Your Musical Hall Pass to the 80s, Sept. 10–28, The Abbey, Orlando..407-704-626; AbbeyOrlando.com
Snap! Space presents Couture Culture, an exhibit “which at once idealizes and deconstructs the notion of fashion and beauty.” Couture Culture will present diverse viewpoints of beauty and fashion through the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibit will feature works of fashion, fine art and photography from New York, Los Angeles and Warsaw. Come out to see the works of Dina Litovsky, Cheyco Leidmann, Douglas Kirkland and many more. Event and ticket information can be found at www.SnapOrlando.com.
Art Happening, Sept. 10, Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park. 407-647-6294; Polasek.org Winter Park Sip, Shop & Stroll, Sept. 10, Park Avenue, Winter Park. 407-644-8281; ExperienceParkAvenue.com Popcorn Flicks in the Park featuring “Strangers on a Train”, Sept. 10, Park Avenue and Garfield Avenue, Winter Park. 407-629-0054; Enzian.org The Fall of Troy, Sept. 10, The Social, Orlando. 407-246-1419; TheSocial.org Art for Education, Sept. 11, University Club of Orlando, Orlando. 407-425-2514; UClubOrlando.com Trivium & Tremonti: The HardDrive Live Tour, Sept. 11, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com Katya vs. Trixie, Sept. 12, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Purity Ring, Sept. 12, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com Central Florida Jazz Society Monthly Concert, Sept. 13, The Abbey, Orlando..407-704-626; AbbeyOrlando.com Juan Luis Guerra, Sept. 13, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com Taste of Downtown, Sept. 17, Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando. 407-228-3891; DOPOrlando.com Fashion Week, Sept. 17-26, Mall at Millenia, Orlando. 407-363-3555; MallAtMillenia.com Ricardo Arjona, Sept. 20, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com
Pride United Pool Party
BREATHLESS Photographer Jess T. Dugan presents an array of explorations of sexuality and gender—including this one, “Alex”—in her “Every breath we drew” exhibit, running through January 3, 2016, at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College. Photo by Jess T. Dugan
Monday Night Cabaret Series: Doris Dear Direct from NYC, Sept. 21, The Abbey, Orlando..407-704-626; AbbeyOrlando.com The NBHD (The Neighbourhood), Sept. 23, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com Janet Jackson, Sept. 23, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com
TAMPA BAY Wine Fest, Sept. 10—17, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8286; TampaTheatre.org Lillette-Jenkins Wisner, Sept. 10, Murray Theatre, Clearwater. 727-441-2863; RuthEckerdHall.com Vic DiBitetto, Sept. 11, The Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590; MyPalladium.org Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sept. 11, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater. 727-441-2863; RuthEckerdHall.com
Christopher Titus, Sept. 12, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
Once, Sept 22 – 27, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
Martin Lawrence, Sept. 12, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org
Best of the Bay, Sept. 23, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com
Shut Up and Laugh, Sept. 12, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com Hot Gatherings Cool Conversations, Sept. 13, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727- 896-2667; Fine-Arts.org One Man Breaking Bad – The Unauthorized Parody, Sept. 17 – 19, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Latin Nights, Sept. 17, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Tango Lovers, Sept. 18, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com Beetlejuice, American Ghost Adventures, Sept. 19, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater. 727-441-2863; RuthEckerdHall.com
SARASOTA The Boys Next Door, Sept. 10—27, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com The Secret Garden, Sept. 17— Oct. 4, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com Reverend Barry & Funktastic Soul Featuring The Hellacious Horns, Sept. 18, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org A Taste of Downtown Sarasota, Sept. 19, Sarasota Opera House, Sarasota. 941-366-8450; SarasotaOpera.org
Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown, Orlando Pride Orlando is having another amazing pool party to sponsor Come Out With Pride at the beautiful DoubleTree in downtown Orlando. The tunes will be spun by DJ Edil Hernandez. The cost is only $10 at the door and a cash bar pool side. Be entered for a chance to win two tickets to Riptide 2016, courtesy of One Magical Weekend, just for attending. Free parking at the hotel to the first 70 guests.
St. Petersburg
26th Annual TIGLFF Launch Party Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:00 p.m. Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will be kicking off its 26th season with a launch party at the Salvador Dali Mueseum. The evening will consist of access to the amazing Dali Museum collection, trailers of the upcoming festival films and announcements of visiting VIP’s and talent. Tapas and the first drink will be provided complimentary; a cash bar is available after the first drink. Tickets are available at www. tiglff.com and are $40 in advance or $45 at the door.
clearwater
10th Anniversary Gala – You Should Be Dancing! Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater Put on your Boogie Shoes and join Ruth Eckerd Hall chairs Sandra Nebit and Greg Willsy as they transform the main stage into a Disco Inferno for the Saturday Night Fever inspired night. Guests will enjoy cocktails and a silent auction before a seated dinner and a night of dancing. Black tie or your best disco attire is encouraged. Seating is limited to make sure to get your tickets fast. Call the ticket office for more information.
To submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.
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A Proud Sponsor of Come Out With Pride 2015
Our downtown hotel is TAG Approved, gay-friendly, a supporter of the gay community and known for hospitality and welcoming ambiance... right down to a warm cookie at check-in. We’ d love to have you as our guest. Enjoy all the weekend Pride Festivities and enjoy the best of downtown Orlando. Please contact the hotel directly at 407-425-4455 and ask for the Come Out With Pride group rate. Rates range from $119 for Standard Rooms to $149 for Upgraded Corner King Rooms.
&
60 South Ivanhoe Boulevard, Orlando FL 3280 407-425-4455 | DoubleTreeOrlandoDowntown.com 50
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overheard
tampa bay Out+abOut
freefall is Overrun by zOmbies
W
itH tHe faLL apprOaCHinG, we can expect a few things to be seen everywhere we turn: pumpkin-spice everything, theater and zombies! Not sure if there will be any pumpkin flavoring added in, but freeFall Theatre is combining two of those fall staples when they open there 2015 season with The Importance of Being Earnest With Zombies. “Oscar Wilde’s classic satire on societal conventions is even more biting when played against the backdrop of the zombie apocalypse,” freeFall said in a press release. This will be a world premiere of the dramatic horror hybrid play, and it is written by freeFall Artisitc Director Eric Davis. It should be quite the scartastic event, just in time for Halloween. Previews begin Oct. 2 and run through Nov. 1. Tickets can be obtained by contacting the freeFall box office. There are discounts for seniors, teachers, students and members of the military, but unfortunately not for the undead.
trans sensitivity training a part Of st. pete pOlice department
I
t Has been MOre tHan six WeeKs sinCe tHe bODy Of 25-year-OLD inDia CLarKe was found in a Tampa park, and her alleged killer is currently behind bars awaiting trial, but one thing that came up during the police investigation was the insensitive way Clarke was addressed in the media and by officers. Well, the St. Petersburg Police Department is launching a new training program to educate officers on transgender issues. The two-hour training class, led by Metro Health and Wellness’ director Chris Rudisill, was given to about 50 of the department’s supervisors and field training officers who in turn will train the rest of the department. “Your identity is the most important thing to everyone in this room,” Rudisill said during the training. “We have to realize it’s the most important thing to a transgender person, too.”
tampa pride is cOming
T
aMpa priDe HeLD its GeneraL MeetinG auG. 25, and they have come up with a list of events leading up to the big parade and festival that will be back around Ybor City March 26, 2016. The official kickoff will be at City Side Sept. 17, with the launch party themed “Walk the Plank!” The bar will be closed until 10 P.M. just for the attendees of the event where food and entertainment is being provided. Tampa Pride is also debuting its new website, and, to keep you focused on Pride, there will be events galore including Drag Queen Bingo every month at Hamburger Mary’s Tampa, Miss Tampa Pride pageant on Jan. 17, the Grand Marshal Gala Feb. 22 and the VIP sponsor party and both men’s and women’s circuit parties all March 25. You can also expect to see the Tampa Pride folks across Central Florida as they will also be attending Orlando’s Come Out With Pride, Sarasota Pride and Space Coast Pride.
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anD binGO Was Her naMe-O: alexis De La Mer (L) shuffled the balls and called the numbers with bartender Charlie during Bingo at the Flamingo Resort in St. Pete Sept. 4. PHOTO COuRTESy OF THE
FLaMInGO RESORT
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LiGHt ‘eM up: Scott Downen (L) and Juan Camilo Saavedra don the lit up accessories for the Glow Party at Honey Pot in Tampa Sept. 7. PHOTO COuRTESy OF SCOTT DOWnEn
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JustiCe LeaGue Of rOLLer rinK: Damita Binkley (L) and Gabe alves-Tomko, aka Wonder Woman and Superman, roll around United Skates Tampa in pursuit of truth and justice during Pride Skate Aug. 27. Photo
COuRTESy OF GaBE aLvES-TOMKO
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aLL DresseD in WHite: (L-R) PJ nowlan, Kristen Overstreet, Francisco Lopez and Gina Leigh Duncan organized the White Party at Georgie’s Alibi Sept. 6. The event supported TransAction Florida. PHOTO By aaROn aLPER
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pretty faCes: (L-R) anthony Citrola, Jeremy Wade neiman, Chris Lichfoldt, John vandermolen and Jason Fields at freeFall Theatre Company for TIGLFF’s showing of Funny Face Aug. 26. Photo
COuRTESy OF JEREMy WaDE nEIMan
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OranGe vs. Green: Teams were picked and sides were taken at Balance Tampa Bay’s August Activity at Q-Zar Tampa for a day of friendship, fellowship and laser tag Aug. 29. PHOTO COuRTESy OF
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JEREMy WaDE nEIMan
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i sCreaM, yOu sCreaM: (L-R) Mark Puskarich, ashley T Brundage, Fred Macoukji and Scott Kligmann at the LGBT & Ally Ice Cream Social at USF Aug. 27. PHOTO COuRTESy OF MaRK
PuSKaRICH
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raise yOur GLass: Leugim Quintana (L) and Eric Reeves kickoff the Labor Day weekend at City Side in Tampa Sept. 5. PHOTO COuRTESy OF LEuGIM QuInTana
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overheard
OrlandO Out+abOut
tOtally exOdus
F
OrMer exODus internatiOnaL presiDent aLan CHaMbers Has Written a bOOK WitH His Wife, and they’re inviting you to a release party at the Writer’s Block Bookstore in Winter Park on October 2. After 12 years of serving as the president of Exodus, Alan Chambers and the board closed the nonprofit that was geared to Ex-Gaying the Gays. Since then, his bio claims he’s made great strides towards building relationships with the LGBTQIA (your acronym is growing!) community and has encouraged the global church to do the same. The book is supposed to tell his story: a committed believer who has samesex attractions, an author, a husband and a father. Despite Alan Chambers’ prior history and views, My Exodus: From Fear to Grace encourages everyone to look for and to affirm the image of God in everyone. Guess you can’t judge all books by their covers.
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sOnique bOOm
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iKe it Or Leave it, tHe 2015 viDeO MusiC aWarDs aireD On Mtv reCentLy, as they do, this time hosted by Miley Cyrus. Despite the tense Real Housewives moment between Miley and Niki Minaj, the apparent animus sadly did not include one cartoon pop star throwing a drink in the other’s face. The night was about the music, fashion and, wait a minute, it was basically an altar for Taylor Swift and a soapbox for Kanye West. The nightcap to the evening, though, was a special performance of “Dooo it” by Miley Cyrus which included a colorful romp of 30 twerking, death-dropping RuPaul’s Drag Race alums. Best of all, one of the dancing divas was local Parliament House Footlight Player showgirl, Sonique. PH was very proud of their girl and gleefully praised her VMA appearance. And that’s what’s good!
mO’ mOJO fOr yOu
L
ane bLaCKWeLL, OWner Of MOJOMan sWiMWear, recently announced that he will be opening a second location of the popular swimsuit and underwear store. Much like Fairvilla expanding to the tourist district with their boutique, the gay-owned Mojoman will be venturing out and catering to the adventure-seeking tourists who like to wear itty-bitty bathing suits. With most stores in the area only carrying non-flattering board-shorts, Mojoman will feature designer swimwear, underwear and other clothing apparel. The new Mojoman location will be located at the Artegon Marketplace and will be scheduled to open on October 15, the same day and location for Watermark’s Third Thursday Networking social. We predict numerous sexy Brazilian tourists packing themselves into Mojoman and Artegon. We better shave!
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Mix it up: (L to R) amelia Dixon, Deb O, Cathy Keene and Pamela Hampton rub elbows at the MBA Monthly Networking Mixer, Sept. 2 at Gilson’s Brazilian Restaurant.
a GOOD Cause: Karen Castelloes, the co-founder of the Jefferson R. Voss Education Fund, delivers the opening remarks at the scholarship’s awards ceremony Aug. 27 at The Abbey. Photo by
PHOTO By Danny GaRCIa
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KIMBERLy SLICHTER
DOLLars anD Cents: Dawn Kallio, owner of Bowled Over Promotions, talks money with Suze Orman at the NGLCC conference in Ft. Lauderdale. PHOTO By LISa BROWn
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fair pay: (L to R) Campaign volunteer coordinator Sarah Wissig, Florida House candidate Carlos Guillermo Smith and Juan Lopez, the new chairman of Orange County Democrats, gather supporters for a living wage at the AFL-CIO picnic Sept. 7 at Lake Eola. PHOTO COuRTESy CaRLOS
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sO LOnG, sCOtLanD! Russell Walker, events manager with Hope and Helps of Central Florida, Inc., is officially an American citizen as of Aug. 27.
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PHOTO By DOuG Ba’aSER
arty party: CFCArts Founder and Executive Director Joshua vickery (center) hosts A Night Out for the Arts, A Central Florida Community Arts fundraiser, Sept. 1 at Fogo de Chao. Vickery is flanked by (L to R) Watermark’s own Justin Ragsdale, Rallia Westrick, Kaileigh anne Buckley, Katherine Gray and Matthew Hughes. Photo
GuILLERMO FOR FLORIDa
biG LaunCH: Singer Carla Delvillaggio channels The Incomparable Barbra Streisand Aug. 27 at Orlando Shakes for Watermark’s 2015 Fall Arts Guide Premiere Party. PHOTO By Danny GaRCIa
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steps tO eQuaLity: Orange County Library staffers join artist Dale Wayne to show off a rainbow-errific art installation on display at the Library’s main branch downtown. PHOTO COuRTESy BEn JOHanSEn
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announcements
Wedding bells
Dean Dover, 65, and Les Chittenden, 84 from New Port Richey, Florida
years together:
The Venue celebrates 3 years Sept. 12. Sarasota RV enthusiasts alice D’Souza and Irene Mirkovic celebrate 19 years together and five years of Canadian marriage bliss on Sept. 20.
14 years
engagement date:
Executive Director of the Center terry DeCarlo celebrated 18 years with husband William Huelsman on Sept. 2
January 9, 2015
wedding date:
Former Center Board President Jay Lovell and his partner Scott Stowell celebrate 15 years together on Sept. 16.
February 7, 2015
wedding venue:
The clubhouse at Sunnybrook condo where the couple lives
wedding planner:
Dean and their friend Debbie Palmer
wedding caterers:
Dean, seeing that he was a chef for many years
wedding theme/colors:
The theme was “At Last,” and the colors they used were red and white.
interesting Fact:
Dean used to be Les’ paperboy in 1962 and 1963.
congratulations
Russell Walker, Hope & Help Center’s Event Manager, became a US citizen Aug. 27.
Watermark Director of Online Media Jamie Hyman and her husband, Matt Huertas, celebrate six years of marriage Sept. 19.
Photo courtesy Dean Dover and Les Chittenden
“W
e Were WatCHinG
something on TV, and we both have recliners. He slid down off his recliner, got down on his knee and said ‘Will you marry me?’ And I went, ‘If you can get back up, I will,’” Dean jokes.
With a 19 year age difference, Dean Dover, a 65-year-old retired chef and dietary manager, and Les Chittenden, a 84-year-old retired businessman, say that is something that never phases them—even their doctor says that Les is as healthy as an 18-year-old man. The couple met in 2001 through Dean’s need for a roommate back when the two lived in Maryland, but their history goes back before that year—all the way to the 1960s, without the two even knowing it. “I was looking for a person to have as a roommate in Colombia, Maryland,” Dean says. “Les was No. 97 that answered my ad, which [seven] is my lucky number. I went out to meet him, and he lived in a senior home apartment. He said he wanted to get a nicer apartment, like a two-bedroom apartment in the same area. As we were speaking, he then told me his full name; he
said ‘My name is Les Chittenden.’ I went, ‘Why do I know his name, Chittenden?’” Turns out Dean remembered Les because of his wife Mary. When he and his friend used to deliver their papers, she was very kind and sweet to them all the time. Previous to his relationship with Dean, Les was married for 36 years to Mary, who happened to pass away three years before his reuniting with Dean. And while Les was married to a woman for 36 years, he explains how he had thought about his sexuality and being with men but never did anything about it, because he was married to his wife, and he loved Mary very much. Dean eventually agreed to have Les as his roommate in 2001, and throughout the years, they slowly became closer and developed affection toward each other, which developed into the
budding relationship and love they hold today. After same-sex marriage became legal in Florida on January 6, Les proposed to Dean on January 9, and the two started to plan their wedding, which would happen only a couple of weeks later. Because they are both creative individuals, they both contributed greatly to putting together their wedding. They picked the theme “At Last,” because it represented how at last people across the country could legally get married in all 50 states. The couple kept the wedding small with only 26 guests in attendance. Using his years of experience as a chef, Dean prepared the meals and cake. And while both men were excited to vow to each other to spend the rest of their lives together, Dean admits he was nervous the day of the ceremony. “I thought to myself, this is my dream I’ve always wanted,” Dean says. “My favorite thing about Les is his wisdom, and that he’s so angelic,” Dean says. “He’s an angel.”
local birthdays
President of Falk Research Associates Thor Falk and Owner of Lee Forrest Designs lee Forrest (Sept. 10); Orlando drag performer and international fame queen Joshua Eads-Brown (Ginger Minj), political activist Wes Hodge, Tampa account manager Jim Steinle, Tampa animal lover Greg Burton, and Tampa Gallery curator albert Burruezo (Sept. 11); owner of A Comic Shop aaron Haaland (Sept. 12); Straight ally and mama bear Dee Richter (Sept. 14); Orlando Derby girl and diehard Green Bay Packers fan Jill Powers (Sept. 15); Hamburger Mary’s performer Jimmi Rossi and St. Pete artist Barry Rothstein (Sept. 17); St. Pete filmmaker and bartender Jeff Klein, Orlando DoGooder Bob Kodzis (Sept. 19), Gabe Medina, also known as “DJ Trypsin” (Sept. 20); Artegon Marketplace general manager Thearon Scurlock, Hogwarts student Heather Murphy and Walt Disney Port Orleans Resort lobby concierge Gerry D. Evans (Sept. 21); co-owner of Balance Orlando Lu Mueller-Kaul, Orlando entertainer nazhoni T. Foxx and former Watermark art director Charlie Carballo (Sept. 23)
do you have an announcement? having a birthday or anniversary? did you get a new Job or promotion? See your news in Watermark! Send your announcement 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.
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tampa
ba y
M ark e tpla c e
business guild
accountant
photography
Join us and volunteer with our future mentorship program and committees admin@tbglcc.org counselor
antiques
90 Dealers 16,000 square feet 450 34th Street N.
St. Pete, on US 19 N. AntiqueGalleriesofStPetersburg.com
DESIGN YOUR OWN LIFE Anthony Quaglieri, Ph.D
attorney
Licensed Psychotherapist MH 486
BRANDON FAMILY LAW CENTER, LLC.
web site
1006 West Platt Street ■ Tampa, FL 33606
813-258-4252
aqphd@tampabay.rr.com 35 years experience
Mary L. Greenwood, Attorney at Law Founder: LGBT Bar Association of Tampa Bay
Supporting LGBT • Relationship Contracts Families from Birth • Divorce Law to Legacy Since 1989 • Adoptions & Surrogacy 619 E. Lumsden Rd • Probate & Guardianship Brandon, FL 33511 • Wills, Trusts, 813-653-1744 Powers of Attorney
hotels+resorts
www.BrandonFamilyLaw.com business guild
Join us and grow your business as a member of the Chamber
Call for Rates
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TAMPA BAY INTERNATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2-10 PRESENTED BY
E E R F ONE
K N I R D TICKET
LAUNCH
PERUDES ADMISSION TO
PARTY
INCL VADOR DALI MUSEUM THE SAL
2 1 T SEP
PRESENTED BY
THE SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM
POST DIEM MERI
7:00 45 / 0 4
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$
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ADVANCE
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Sep t emb er 10 - Sep t emb er 2 3, 2015 // Issue 2 2.19
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uprisings
driven to distraction
E
tough language:
Our sister of compassion, former Alaska Governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, is not into this whole so-called bilingualism of the new Republican normal (evidenced by Jeb Bush in his commercials). “It’s a benefit of Jeb Bush to be able to be so fluent in Spanish, because we have a large and wonderful Hispanic population that is helping to build America,” Palin said on CNN’s State of the Union, according to the Guardian.“On the other hand, you know, I think we can send a message and say: ‘You want to be in America? A, you better be here legally, or you’re out of here. B, when you’re here, let’s speak American.’ I mean, that’s just, that’s—let’s speak English.”
scOtt never leaves
I
n aLarMinG neWs tHat reCaLLs tHe terrOr of surviving a screaming-at-yourself free fall of infinite doom just in time to have your thinly knit shirt snagged on a rock aside a cliff, a cliff that leads to a much more devastating descent into the bowels of hell, it appears that everyone’s favorite bobblehead Gov. Rick Scott may be running for the U.S. Senate in 2018. Scott, who is perhaps the most difficult man ever to speak with, has been making the fundraising rounds throughout August even though he cannot run for a third term as the least popular governor in the world. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Scott has been squeamish about mentioning his potential bid for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s seat in public appearances, all while piling up $3.6 million this year for his Let’s Get to Work political action committee. Scott is always squeamish on issues, so that’s no surprise. But will Florida make the same mistake a third time?
62
pOe On the gO?
b
eCause pOLitiCaL seasOn is OffiCiaLLy upOn us, we shouldn’t feel surprised when politicos we know start popping up in news feeds as newborn contenders. Bob Poe, former chairman of the Florida Democratic Party and (more recently) fundraising friend of former Gov. Charlie Crist, is the latest to stick his wet finger in the wind to see if he’s going to throw his hat in the 10th Congressional District ring, according to Politico. We reached out to Poe, and he said that the notion of his candidacy is “premature,” though we all know that’s code for “independent polling.” A longtime champion of LGBT rights (along with husband Kenneth), Poe would clearly make some noise in a crowding field. Politico reports the obvious in that Poe would potentially be battling with minority candidates like Val Demings, Geraldine Thompson and Gary Siplin. This could get interesting.
the sacrament Of bush
W
Hat’s tHat yOu say? Candidates positioning themselves in high-volume, high-visibility circumstances out of the generosity and integrity of their own hearts? Well, Jeb Bush—who is totally a moderate if you don’t look at his record—is reportedly attending Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (or a Madonna listening party) in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23. Naturally, he doesn’t want anyone to know about it, so somebody told the Washington Post to report on it, and, boom, here we are drawing doodles in our heads about how this will actually play out. Pope Francis, we should note, is coming to America to talk about poverty, immigration and climate change. Bush, meanwhile, will likely just be mugging for a photo and trying to scrub himself clean of terrestrial concerns. It’s the politics of dancing.
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Billy Manes
ven tHOuGH tHe 2016 presiDentiaL eLeCtiOns—and their requisite accessories of electoral nodding heads from the trenches of politics—are more than a year away, we’re already feeling a slight graying climbing up our sideburns, a little bit of hubris clogging our synapses, an almost instinctive desire to climb into the darkest and coolest rooms we can find and curate our own personal exhibition, titled, simply, “Isolation.” It’s not that we don’t believe in the process, but it’s just that, in some ways, we already know there is going to be a heightening of kitchentable rhetoric and, with that, blood pressure. Looking back to the last time we went through this sort of itchy suffrage molting, it’s hard to get entirely thrilled about the voices gurgling up from the backside of our population. We’re supposed to “Feel the Bern” for Bernie Sanders, who, we might add, makes some pretty salient points, even if all of his policies would have to be enacted by executive order against the tantrums of a bought congress. We’re supposed to Windex the glass ceiling for its inevitable shattering by Hillary Clinton, who, we might add, makes some amazing points, especially in the face of the starched shirts who fear her so (clue: she’s a woman, and Benghazi isn’t really a thing). And then we’re supposed to follow the yellow-bricking of a Republican road that doesn’t read so much as a primary competition as it does a manipulative game of Koch Bros. chess. But there is joy to be found here somewhere, right? Sanders has been turning out huge crowds of anxious folks who are concerned about this country’s sociopolitical narrative. There’s even talk that he may be able to remove the term “socialist” from the bright red book of words we never use when discussing politics. And Clinton, beneath the spotlight of scrutiny that comes with national security leaks and investigations, brings a certain benevolence alongside her legendary iron-glazed glances. Sanders is likely moving Clinton to the left, while Sanders keeps his eye on moving to the center and potentially winning. But one thing Democrats don’t seem to be doing is bickering. They’re not fighting over personalities so much as they are policies and associations. And that’s the one thing that makes the Republican field seem so unpredictable and dangerous. To hear Newt Gingrich, he of the impeccable Republican record and cheerful smiles, argue on Sunday morning television that Republicans don’t care about policies at all, they care about winning, is more than an indictment of the Republican Party (which now boasts nearly 20 potential candidates); it’s a mystifying study in mob rule and narcissism. While trying to dredge up the most extreme leaves of the Tea Party (anti-gay, anti-abortion, antigovernment), they’re shining a light on the worst of who we are. It’s going to be a long road to next November. Try not to get distracted by the sideshows… or their hairpieces.
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