Watermark Issue 22.27: Our Big Gay Year by Watermark Publishing Group

dayTOna beaCh • OrlandO • TamPa • sT. PeTersburg • sarasOTa • issue 22.27 • deC. 31, 2015 - jan. 13, 2016 • WaTermarKOnline.COm

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Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce presents the Second Annual

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I think there’s just a laid-back vibe here that resonates with the LGBT traveler,

departments 6 // mail 7 // editor’s desk 8 // orlando news 10 // tampa bay news 12 // state 15 // nation & world news 21 // in-deptH 33 // community calendar 35 // tampa bay out+about 37 // orlando out+about 39 // transitions/wedding bells 40 // tampa bay marketplace 42 // orlando marketplace 46 // uprisings

PAGE

in as much as it’s not like a circuit party headquarters— there’s not a huge volume of gay nightlife per se—but there’s a very strong LGbT presence throughout the destination. —DaviD DOwning, exeCutive DireCtOr OF visit st. Petersburg/Clearwater

on tHe cover

PAGE

PAGE OUR BIG GAY

YEAR: In which we look

back at what most have been arguably the most important year for civil rights for LGBT citizens, some of the people who made that happen and at many of the people that tried to knock that down.

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person oF tHe year!:

Just kidding. Kentucky clerk of courts Kim Davis came on strong this year, strong enough to fire up a base that we’re frankly scared of (because guns), but she couldn’t wreck the party. She couldn’t even really meet the pope. Year in review!

watermark i ssue 22.27 //december 3 1, 2015 - J anuary 13 , 2016

a long nigHtmare

all tHe travel

take a bow

a beautiFul liFe

PAGE Lake County searches

PAGE A major convention

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

for answers via DNA testing in the case of a transgender woman whose body was found in Clermont in 1988.

hopes to redefine St. Pete and Clearwater as LGBT destinations

Our beloved owner has a thing or two to say upon his dismount. Kleenex at the ready!

A couple of medical professionals tie the knot! Congrats, Brad and Zadin!

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

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On an anti-gay church not keeping up on its domain name and having it switched to gay porn:

“Smart marketing from the porn makers, because all the closeted so-called homophobes will be clicking like crazy I’m sure. Like the KKK leader

getting caught with the black male prostitute this week. So over all this transparent, ‘how can I hide my own gay curiosities? I know! I’ll yell about how disgusting and horrible they all are!’” —Kumari Anne Kelly

“Hardcore gay porn? Proving, to them, exactly what they’re preaching is correct. The activists couldn’t have found another site? Something with more education and awareness. This disappoints.” —Melanie Caputo

On six Republican candidates vowing to pass anti-gay bill if elected:

“I could care less if it’s legal for religious fundamentalists to discriminate against gays ‘cuz I don’t patronize them.” —Chris Murphy

“Rubio is such a slime – paid for since his days in the Florida legislature. The man has never had an original thought.” —Warren Rowley

“No matter who gets nominated, they will definitely get my vote. I no longer can live with voting for the Democratic Party. This

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

country is in shambles, and we are facing record debt. Sorry, I’m realistic and understand how fiscal responsibility is supposed to work.” —Brian Buck

On the FDA lifting ban on gay male blood donors:

“A year of abstinence = ban still firmly in place.” —Brian Cahill

“Could you define abstinence? And you’re going to verify this how? How about a year of abstinence for all heroin addicts? How about a year of abstinence for all alcoholics? You know what? You’ve discriminated against us for so long. Tell me why we should get excited about your new restricted donating guidelines.” —Bill Welch

“Nothing significant has changed; it’s still a discriminatory ban.” —Brian Feist

On a gay-themed Festivus Pole being posted at the Oklahoma Capitol by a Florida man:

“#Floridaman used in a positive sense? This is madness!” —Michael Davis

Photo by Robert Bartlett

editor’s

Billy Manes EDITOR

BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com

“A

Desk

nd you may find yourself

living in a shotgun shack. And you may find yourself in another part of the world. And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife. And you may ask yourself, “Well ... How did I get here?” the Talking Heads once rattled over a thumping bassline. “Once in a Lifetime,” indeed.

2015 was certainly a big year for the LGBT community, seemingly allowing decency to coast atop the terrible notions of people like Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi into a panacea of hopefulness. In our coverage area, so much change happened: new leadership, new businesses, a new outlook, and, gasp, a new editor (and other new things to be revealed in this issue).

watermark staff

For me, though, 2015 was a year of immense growth. There’s no need to dredge up the old wounds of the old story of my life – all of these lines upon my face tell you the story of who I am – but there is a need for some gratitude delivered by paper and internet to this community. When I started this job on June 22, things had already improved in my life. I spent a month in the mountains of California crafting a

Founder and Senior Contributor: Tom Dyer • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Publisher: Rick Claggett • Ext. 110 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Office Manager: 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

memoir, Yesterday is Dead, which will likely never be published, and that’s fine, because I DID IT. I left my position as senior staff writer at Orlando Weekly after 18 years of contributing to that institution. I married my best friend Tony in the wake of both the Jan. 6 marriage decision and the evolution of my own grief on losing my previous partner of 11 years, Alan Jordan. I found peace. Peace isn’t necessarily the twig that we’re finding in our current sociopolitical quilt, though, and that concerns me. With any luck, the conservative backlash against marriage equality will crawl right back up the leg from which it was delivered, we will move forward, we will be brave and strong. But hearing the news that six of the comers for the Republican title have already promised to roll back our rights in the first 100 days of their executive service should make all of us turn an ear, buck up and be loud. This issue is an intentional statement to a community that continues to hold its backbone straight and its weaknesses at bay. When I first started at Watermark as the gay editorin-chief this summer, I wasn’t certain of the transition, the activism, my ability to make a difference or my chance to get along with this incredible staff. I was accustomed to being the gay guy at the straight paper, the anomaly. But as the year progressed, I fell in love with my coworkers – you know them: Jake, Jeremy, Jamie, Rick, Sam, Danny, Deanndra, Kathleen, Rick, Rick and Rick, Tom and Ed – because love is what Watermark is all about. As you read through our year in review, I hope that you’ll consider your year, too. Yes, we’ve all had bad times, but there’s something about 2015 that sparkles with of hope, at

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least for me. You can keep your Kim Davis, your Mat Staver, your John Stemberger and Pam Bondi all to yourself. This was the year that good trumped (cough) bad, and I, for one, couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The Tampa Bay area has expanded its resources widely for our LGBT brothers and sisters. The Orlando area is shifting like plates in an

You can keep your Kim Davis, your Mat Staver, your John Stemberger and Pam Bondi all to yourself. This was the year that good trumped (cough) bad,

earthquake. We are going through changes, but we aren’t changing what’s at the core: love. Next year, expect expanded political coverage in a presidential year, a broader swath of the pop-cultural gems you know and love, new fonts, faces and names; next year expect Watermark to be exactly what it has always been: your go-to guide to LGBT life all the way across Central Florida. But for this year, I can only say thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for being there for us, thank you (and you know who you are) for being there for me, and thank you for your continued support. We’ve cut through some crap, but there is oh so much more crap for the cutting. Let’s make 2016 even better. Let’s make it our (other) year.

Orlando Office P. O. Box 533655 Orlando, FL 32853-3655 TEL: 407-481-2243 FAX: 407-481-2246

Tampa Bay Office TEL: 813-655-9890 FAX: 813-849-2986

announcement

#GayGoals2016

The fight for LGBT equality doesn’t end with marriage equality, and Watermark is committed to keeping the ball rolling in 2016. Announcing #GayGoals 2016, Watermark’s campaign to keep the LGBT community moving forward through individual goals that are measurable, accountable and FUN.

Join us!

Visit WatermarkOnline.com to learn more about #GayGoals2016 and find out how to help make equality a reality.

contributors Aaron Alper, Scottie Campbell, Susan Clary, Krista DiTucci, Kirk Hartlage, Joseph Kissel, Jason Leclerc, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, , Michael wanzie

photography Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Bruce Hardin, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift, Tinkerfluff

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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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

central ﬂorida news

orlando pride clears debt, awards grants Jamie Hyman

rlanDO | We can officially close the books on Come Out With Pride 2015. The treasury report was finalized last week and Michael Thomas, COWP’s finance director, says the event made $90,000 total, with $70,000 going to pay off debt created by the 2014 Orlando Pride event. Of the remaining $20,000, $15,000 will be used as seed money to pay deposits and other expenses ahead of COWP 2016. The final $5,000 will be distributed in grants via the Pride Gives Back program. “We’re going to give $2,000 to the [Metropolitan Business Association], $2,000 to The [GLBT] Center and $1,000 to the Barber Fund,” Thomas says. “Those are the only groups that actually applied for grants.” Thomas says the organizations will have checks in hand by the first week of January 2016. He says now that COWP’s debt is paid, they have high hopes for next year’s projected event profits. “We should be able to make $100,000 next year COWP finance director and give a very, very big Michael Thomas portion of that back to the community and we’re very, very excited about that,” Thomas says. He doesn’t have specifics yet as to how much that portion might be, because the grants are awarded after the event, based on how much the event makes. “A lot of it is based on day of and liquor sales,” Thomas says. “We see what we make, look at the grants applications we have, and determine how to divvy [the funds] up.” Groups interested in applying for grants next year should visit the COWP website - ComeOutWithPride. com - after Feb. 1, 2016, when Thomas says they should have the new grant application ready to go. Applications for vendor booths and food vendors will also be available at that time. “We’re good to go for next year. We’re starting the planning process,” Thomas says. “We’re just so happy and pleased with the outcome of last year. It’s amazing, beyond our expectations for sure.” He says for 2016, the board will remain mostly the same, except they have to replace two board members, Andrew Gilette and Scott Garstka. “It’s a process,” Thomas says. “There are multiple people interested. We have to select the right two.” He says they’re hoping to have the new board members in place by the end of January 2016.

have yOu seen this PersOn?

In November, police released a sketch of what the unidentified transgender woman may have looked like at the time of her death.

PHOTO COURTESY THE LAKE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Getting Warmer Lake County police hope further DNA testing reveals clues about transgender woman’s body found in 1988 Jamie Hyman

olice may soon know more about the transgender woman whose body was found along a Clermont road in 1988. The cold case was revived in November when DNA testing revealed the unidentified person’s body was transgender. Now, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has accepted a request by Lake County Detective Tammy Dale for further testing. Dale submitted evidence including the victim’s clothing. “Hopefully they will find foreign DNA (not belonging to the victim) on the items that will lead me to a person of interest,” Dale said in an email to Watermark, adding that it can take several weeks to get DNA results back. The body was found Sept. 25, 1988 and it’s estimated she died between two weeks to a month prior to that. They’re calling her “Julie Doe.” She’s about 5’10”, 150-180

watermark Your lgbt life.

pounds, and between 24 and 33 years old. Police say she has had rhinoplasty and healed fractures to her cheekbone, rib and toe. Dental work, well-manicured nails believed to be fake, and long, dyed strawberry blonde hair with brown roots. She was found wearing an acid washed denim skirt and blue/ green tank top. She is biologically a white male. She had breast implants, approximately 250cc size, that were at least 5 years old, according to police. They released a sketch of what the woman may have looked like. Anyone with information is asked to call Dale at 352-343-2101 or anonymous tipsters can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Dale has received a handful of tips from around the county. “I have checked each one of them out, unfortunately, none of them have proven to be our ‘Julie Doe,’” she said. “But I am very excited that I am receiving tips, it only takes ONE person to recognize [the victim]!” Police do not know what caused the woman’s death.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

gay organizations add groups Jamie Hyman OrlanDO | Two Central Florida LGBT organizations are offering new groups to benefit the community they serve. Older, Wiser, Learning (OWL), a program for older LGBTs run out of the GLBT Center, now offers a weekly “Lady Hoots,” a forum for women to discuss issues and topics they face in their daily lives. “This group will touch on GLBT topics and will provide a space to educate ourselves and others,” says Ken Terrell, Seniors Programs Director at the Center. Lady Hoots meets every Wednesday at 2 p.m. under the leadership of a facilitator. Zebra Coalition, which serves local LGBT youth, is rolling out four new meet-ups for 2016. I Am are social groups for youth ages 18-24 that meet 5 p.m. Mondays at Zebra House. Kaleidoscope is a meet-up for transgender youth ages 13-17 that meets Mondays at 4 p.m. Skillz, which meets Tuesdays at 3 p.m., focuses on workplace skills and targets youth ages 18-24 years old. And finally, Music That Moves meets Tuesdays at 5 p.m., is for youth ages 13-24, and focuses on learning about and discussing music. For a full calendar of Zebra Coalition meet-ups, visit ZebraYouth.org.

New Year’s Resolutions: We Can Help!

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Central Florida’s LGBT health clinic providing medical (family practice, primary care, GYN, psychiatry, hormone replacement therapy, and disease management), mental health, and permanent hair removal for transgender women. We are funded through Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration . No one is turned away based upon lack of insurance or inability to pay. 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Ste 220 Orlando FL 320803 | 407-487-9868 www.twospirithealth.org | info@twospirithealth.org

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Call Taylor Bianco at 407-836-7035 or email Taylor.Bianco@ocfl.net 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

tampa bay news

Project No Labels launches return of One Love Jeremy Williams

t. Petersburg | The Flamingo Resort will be the new home for Project No Labels’ One Love Party as they re-launch the Tampa Bay event Jan. 16. One Love Party, which began at Freaki Tiki in Clearwater Nov. 2014, was started by Project No Labels founder Claire Eli. “When I first moved out here from San Diego, I found there weren’t very many options to meet other positive individuals in the community without going out to night clubs. So we began She Runs with Scissors, my first non-profit, geared toward uniting the community through positive activities and events,” Eli says. “It was more for the lesbian community, but when my business partner at the time and I decided to go our separate ways with business, I decided to move forward and create Project No Labels, a nonprofit which would encompass the entire LGBT community, including our straight allies.” Eli continued the One Love Party at Freaki Tiki until November and began expanding into other cities, forming a One Love Party for St. Petersburg at Georgie’s Alibi before they closed their doors in September. “[With Georgie’s closed] we have decided to move the St. Pete party to the Flamingo and will also be present for One Love Tampa, possibly at Liquid in Ybor,” Eli says. The event will begin at 6:00 P.M. and organizers expect more than 200 attendees. Eli will use the event to announce details of other Project No Labels events coming up in 2016. “I am very optimistic about what’s in store for Project No Labels and our community in 2016,” Eli says. “We’ve had more support than ever from volunteers and local businesses.” Eli hopes One Love Parties will be the first step in getting Project No Labels recognized in the community as a leader among the non-profits. “Project No Labels is not about defining who people are by their orientation, skin color or beliefs, it’s about the person’s character and willingness to contribute to the greater community in a positive way,” Eli says. Along with the One Love Party, Project No Labels will lead volunteer events each month starting in January, as well as produce art shows, organize monthly community events and once a quarter, will host Products of Love Campaign. “Products of Love Campaign will be a Project No Labels signature event that will be for the entire LGBT family including kids,” Eli says. “It will give the families an opportunity to meet other individuals in similar situations.” For more information on the One Love Party and future No Label Project events visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/ProjectNoLabels.

hot in the city:

IGLTA ccmes to St. Pete.

The New ‘It’ Gay Destination St. Pete Set to Host Global LGBT Travel Convention Aaron Drake

t. Petersburg | St. Petersburg will be the first on Florida’s Gulf Coast to host the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s Annual Global Convention. Sunshine City will doubly welcome LGBT travelers and the LGBT travel industry as a whole when travel professionals convene at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Golf Club on May 3-6, 2017. “In recent years, this event has been held in Brazil, Madrid, Los Angeles— and this coming year to Cape Town, South Africa. Now St. Petersburg joins the list,” St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a statement to Watermark. Of course, being a top gay destination in Florida is nothing new to the city of St. Pete, which welcomed more than 250,000 people to St. Pete Pride this year as the largest Pride celebration in the state, according to a release. “We have one of the top Pride parades and one of the only nighttime parades now in the country, which is pretty awesome,” says David Downing, executive director of Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater. “I think

watermark Your lgbt life.

there’s just a laid-back vibe here that resonates with the LGBT traveler, in as much as it’s not like a circuit party headquarters—there’s not a huge volume of gay nightlife per se—but there’s a very strong LGBT presence throughout the destination. IGLTA, which was founded in 1983 by gay and lesbian travel agents, operates around the world to expand LGBT tourism by representing LGBTfriendly hotels, airlines, cruise lines, convention and visitor bureaus, tour operators and travel agents. The association alternates between U.S. and international destinations for its annual global convention. St. Pete was selected from a pool of four North American bids for 2017. When representatives of IGLTA visited the city in consideration of St. Pete’s bid to host the conference, they were eager to choose the destination. “I’m super excited because I love St. Petersburg,” IGLTA board president Tanzella says. “I think it’s a gem of a destination that a lot of people don’t know about. Although the tourism office has done a really good job of marketing the destination overseas and domestically, there are still a lot of people that haven’t actually been there. They’ve been to Ft. Lauderdale

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

and Miami, but they haven’t been to St. Pete, so I think there will be a lot of excitement of people wanting to come and see what St. Pete and Central Florida in general have to offer for tourism.” “Since Mayor Kriseman took office and appointed Robert Danielson as the city’s LGBT liaison, and Ed Cassidy joined Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, they have been more aggressive in searching out ways to market the city and bring more attention to the area,” says Brian Longstreth, owner of Gay St. Pete House and co-owner of newly opened Punky’s Bar and Grill in the Grand Central District. “Embracing the city’s diversity is one of the pillars of Mayor Rick Kriseman’s administration,” Danielson says. “Since he has been in office, St. Petersburg’s Municipal Equality Index grew from a disappointing score of 58 three years ago to a perfect 100 the last two years consecutively. “We are so honored that we were able to secure this bid and that IGLTA saw in St. Pete what I’ve seen in St. Pete the entire time,” Downing adds. “It’s not anything that’s immediately apparent; you have to get here, you have to experience and understand the allure and how the LGBT traveler really fits into this destination.” St. Pete Pride has some very exciting news of its own that the organization will be releasing in early 2016 that will further fuel St. Pete’s effort in becoming one of the most welcoming destinations for LGBTs the world over. Skains is keeping a tight lid on the news for now but shares, “I will say that LGBT Pride festivities over the next eight to 10 years will change significantly for St. Pete and Tampa Bay, and will be matched by few others.”

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

state news

soutH Florida water management protects transgender employees

Staff Report

est Palm beaCh | The South Florida Water Management System confirms that their 1,500 employees are protected from discrimination based on gender identity and expression, whether or not they live in an area that offers those protections. Executive Director Peter Antonacci made the announcement Dec. 21, after working with the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council to clarify the language, ensuring all employees are fully protected. Six of the sixteen counties covered by the SFWMD Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola and Palm Beach - have ordinances protecting LGBTs from discrimination, but the remaining ten counties - Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Polk and St. Lucie - provide no LGBT nondiscrimination protections. SFWMD is the only one of Florida’s five water management districts to prohibit harassment and discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender expression and identity.

miami to Host First-ever gay8 Festival Staff Report

miami | On Jan. 17, Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood will host the first annual Gay8 (pronounced “GayOcho”) Festival, a Latino LGBT event with art, music and food. The free, one-day street festival includes a cigar lounge, historic walking tours, a mini film festival and dance parties. The Gay8 main stage will feature Latin acts such as Lucy Grau, Suenalo, the Spam Allstars and Palo. For a full schedule and more information, visit Gay8Festival.com.

gay Hungarian sex-slave ring in miami leads to prison term Staff Report

miami | Though human trafficking is not foreign to the gay community, the recent disclosure of an extremely horrific case in Miami had LGBT activists up in arms in early December. According to a report by the Miami Herald, the unnamed victim (and two other men) were forced into sexual situations with “johns” around the clock after being imported from their homeland. One of the perpetrators, Andras Janos Vass, was sentenced to prison for more than 11 years. The sentence is the first in Florida for gay human trafficking, the Herald reports. Over a dozen LGBT supporters showed up for the sentencing, according to the paper. “All of them are survivors of different crimes for being gay or transgender. This is a huge deal,” Miami’s Survivor’s Pathway Organization representative Francesco Duberli told the Herald. “We’re honored to be here.”

st. pete and orlando earn perFect municipal equality scores From Hrc

ashingtOn | Orlando and St. Petersburg are among the record number 47 cities in the U.S. to score a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2015 Municipal Equality Index. The City Beautiful and St. Pete are joined by Wilton Manors as the three Florida cities who scored perfect marks on the HRC’s index that measures a city’s policies for LGBT inclusion and equality. Tampa was not far behind with a score of 95. The MEI rates each city based on five categories; non-discrimination laws, municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services,

law enforcement and municipal leadership. Perfect scores are earned by cities with exemplary LGBT policies, ranging from nondiscrimination laws and equal employee benefits, to cutting-edge city services and strong relationships with the LGBT community. Not all of Florida’s big cities fared so well on the MEI. Miami received a score of 52 and Jacksonville got a 26. Jacksonville’s score reflects what its environment has been like as LGBT rights activists are trying to get sexual orientation and gender identity added to the city’s HRO. A series of meetings to discuss the HRO have been met with anti-gay rhetoric, bomb threats and the appearance of KKK propaganda.

“While this has been an historic year for equality, we are constantly reminded of just how far we still have to go,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a press release. “In too many communities, LGBT Americans continue to face barriers to equality, overt discrimination, and even violence. We believe those challenges make full equality and strong legal protections all the more important, and today’s report makes clear that hundreds of local communities throughout all 50 states wholeheartedly agree.” A little more than half of the Florida cities scored ranked above the national average of 56 points, the lowest total going to Port Saint Lucie with a score of 14. The MEI removed relationship recognition from the metrics this year due to the Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage last June.

Jacksonville councilman Files lgbt protections bill Jamie Hyman jaCKsOnville | Jacksonville council members have discussed adding LGBT protections to their existing Human Rights Ordinance, and now one of them is doing something about it. Councilman Tommy Hazouri filed an expanded HRO that adds sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to existing protections from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. The City of Jacksonville “seeks to build a reputation as a welcoming community for bright and talented members of a workforce” and “also seeks to be competitive in attracting new industries to this region,” reads the language of the ordinance. Hazouri’s filing comes after fellow councilman Bill Gulliford filed a bill

pushing to have the expanded HRO protections be voted on through a referendum. On Dec. 15, the city hosted the final of three “Community Conversations” to discuss the issue. The discussions were divided. After the first meeting, a man was arrested for a bomb threat and the Ku Klux Klan distributed anti-gay flyers in Jacksonville neighborhoods. The Dec. 15 meeting focused on impacts on businesses. According to Jimmy Midyette, a local attorney who is part of The Jacksonville Coalition for Equality, Mayor Curry put together solid representatives in favor of the HRO to sit on the panel. “The CEO of Baptist Health, the largest private employer in Jacksonville, Hugh Greene, made a compelling case for extending basic human rights protections for the LGBT community,” Midyette says. ” Amy

Ruth, the Chief HR Officer of Florida Blue, talked about how their company has a competitive advantage by hiring the top talent available, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” The third panelist on the pro side was Jack Webb, former president of the Jacksonville City Council and a labor and unemployment attorney. “It was fantastic to have another attorney on the panel to combat the misinformation being spread by the Liberty Counsel’s Roger Gannam,” Midyette says. Jacksonville is the only major Florida city without protections for sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations, despite being the Florida metro area with the highest percentage of LGBT residents, according to a report by the Jacksonville Office of General Counsel.

15 with a goal of finding a vaccine and cure for HIV and AIDS. Researchers at the new unit will attempt to reach that goal by recruiting patients diagnosed with HIV into clinical research funded by the state. The facility is located next door to Jackson Memorial’s HIV clinic. Mario Stevenson, chief of the

infectious diseases division at UM’s Miller School of Medicine, says the proximity of the unit to the clinic would have a dramatic impact on their efforts. Florida Sen. Rene Garcia noted that South Florida has more newly diagnosed AIDS cases than any other region in the nation.

new miami researcH unit aims to cure Hiv/aids Wire Report miami (aP) | A new research unit dedicated to fighting infectious disease has opened at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Miami Herald reports the University of Miami Infectious Disease Research Unit opened Dec.

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

nation+world news

Doctor credited for removing homosexuality as a mental disorder dies at 83 Wire Report

eattle | Dr. Robert Spitzer - a psychiatrist who played a leading role in establishing agreed-upon standards to describe mental disorders and eliminating homosexuality’s designation as a pathology - died Dec. 25 in Seattle. He was 83. Spitzer died of heart problems, said his wife, Columbia University Professor Emerita Janet Williams. Dr. Spitzer’s work on several editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the D.S.M., defined all of the major disorders “so all in the profession could agree on what they were seeing,” said Williams, who worked with him on D.S.M.-III, which was published in 1980 and became a best-selling book. “That was a major breakthrough in

the profession,” she said. Spitzer came up with agreed-upon definitions of mental disorders by convening meetings of experts in each diagnostic category and taking notes on their observations, the New York Times reported. “Rather than just appealing to authority, the authority of Freud, the appeal was: Are there studies? What evidence is there?” Spitzer told the New Yorker magazine in 2005. “The people I appointed had all made a commitment to be guided by data.” Gay-rights activists credit Dr. Spitzer with removing homosexuality from the list of mental disorders in the D.S.M. in 1973. He decided to push for the change after he met with gay activists and determined that homosexuality could not be a disorder if gay people were comfortable with their sexuality. At the time of the psychiatric profession’s debate over

homosexuality, Dr. Spitzer told the Washington Post: “A medical disorder either had to be associated with subjective distress - pain - or general impairment in social function.” Dr. Jack Drescher, a gay psychoanalyst in New York, told the Times that Spitzer’s successful push to remove homosexuality from the list of disorders was a major advance for gay rights. “The fact that gay marriage is allowed today is in part owed to Bob Spitzer,” he said. In 2012, Dr. Spitzer publicly apologized for a 2001 study that found so-called reparative therapy on gay people can turn them straight if they really want to do so. He told the Times in 2012 that he concluded the study was flawed because it simply asked people who had gone through reparative therapy if they had changed their sexual orientation. Dr. Spitzer and his wife moved to Seattle from New Jersey this year.

That changes the current guidance, which is that any man who have ever had sex with another man in his entire life should never be able to donate blood. It’s a policy that has enraged gay rights groups and that is virtually impossible to enforce. “No transmissions of HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus have been documented through U.S.licensed plasma derived products in the past two decades,” the FDA says

in its recommendation. The FDA also handed a victory to transgender people, saying donors may choose how to identify their sex. The reason for banning donations by men who have sex with other men is simple: they are at much higher risk of becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as other viruses such as hepatitis B and C.

March, but opponents pushed through a popular vote on the issue. The “Children Are At Stake” group has collected 40,000 signatures to challenge the changes before any gay couples were able to marry. “This result presents a victory for our children,” said Ales Primc, the group’s leader. Ljudmila Novak, from New Slovenia, described the outcome as a “clear defeat” of the leftist government, which backed the changes. Supporters of same-sex marriage have called for Slovenia to join Western European nations that

have allowed more gay rights. Conservatives and the right-wing opposition have campaigned on traditional family values, arguing that marriage equality paves the way for gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. Although Slovenia is considered to be among the most liberal of the ex-communist nations, gay rights remain a contentious topic in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation of 2 million. Voters in the former Yugoslav republic rejected granting more rights to gay couples in a referendum in 2012.

FDA lifts ban on gay male blood donors Wire Report Washington | FDA lifts formal ban on blood donations from gay men. New policy requires year of abstinence. The Food and Drug Administration has formally lifted the ban, allowing gay and bisexual men donate blood, so long as they’ve abstained from sex for a year.

Slovenian voters reject marriage equality Wire Report Ljubljana, Slovenia | Slovenians rejected same-sex marriage by a large margin in a referendum on Dec. 20, according to near-complete results, in a victory for the conservatives backed by the Catholic Church in the ex-communist EU nation. The results released by authorities show 63.5 percent voted against a bill that defines marriage as a union of two adults, while 36.5 percent were in favor. Slovenia’s left-leaning Parliament introduced marriage equality in

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in other news NYC reveals powerful genderidentity discrimination rules New York City’s Human Rights Commission is establishing what advocates called some of the most powerful guidelines nationwide on gender-identity discrimination, releasing specifics Dec. 21 to flesh out broad protections in a 2002 law. “Today’s guidance makes it abundantly clear what the city considers to be discrimination,” which can lead to fines of up to $250,000, Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis said in a statement. The guidelines apply to many businesses, landlords and employers. Public schools already have their own, somewhat similar rules. Some religious institutions and private clubs can be exempt.

Life in prison for Texas man accused of murdering transgender woman A 21-year-old East Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a transgender woman. Smith County prosecutor Jacob Putman said that the evidence implicating Carlton Champion Jr. included Champion’s DNA being found in a car belonging to Ty Underwood. Putnam says blood found on Champion’s jacket also linked him to the Jan. 26 shooting of the 24-year-old Underwood. An arrest affidavit indicates Champion may have killed Underwood after she confronted him about seeing someone else. Tyler police have disputed claims that he killed Underwood after discovering she was transgender.

Senegalese police arrest 11 accused of homosexual acts Residents in the Senegalese town of Kaolack say police have arrested 11 people accused of homosexual acts. Boukhari Ndiaye said the arrested were among 20 people attending a celebration of a gay marriage at a school in the town about 200 kilometers (125 miles) southeast of the capital, Dakar, Dec. 25. He said the 11 remain at the police station. Homosexual acts are criminalized in at least 34 African countries, including Senegal, where they are punishable by up to five years prison and fines of up to $2,500.

Malawi halts gay arrests and prosecution until anti-gay laws reviewed The Malawi government has reaffirmed its decision to halt the arrest and prosecution of gay citizens while lawmakers review existing anti-gay laws. Human Rights Watch and the Centre for the Development of the People praised the Malawian government for upholding its 2012 commitment, after prosecutors dropped charges against a same-sex couple. The rights groups said two men were detained by a neighborhood watch team, who turned them over to police. The men were forced to undergo medical tests and charged with sodomy. This was the first arrest since 2009, when a gay couple was jailed and pardoned a year later.

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viewpoint

Tom Dyer

Founder’s day Redefining my arc

decided to sell Watermark

to our talented publisher, Rick Claggett, some time ago. In fact, I considered timing the transition to coincide with our 20th anniversary celebration last fall. But I wasn’t ready.

Last week I finally shared my plans with Watermark’s staff, just before the lunch break at our year-end retreat. I’d been contemplating the details for months, so my emotional reaction was a surprise. The shocked look on their faces illuminated something I had avoided: that a remarkable chapter of my life was ending. Along with some staff members, I shed a few tears. As a publishing venture, Watermark has exceeded my most ambitious fantasy. Believe me—I never envisioned a full time staff of 11 churning out not just a newspaper and a half-dozen specialty publications, but also a website, e-blasts and social media posts that provide instantaneous information and ideas to people throughout the region and beyond. Personally, it has provided me with a richness of experience that I could never have anticipated. After Watermark’s emotional victory in city government, I watched as rainbow flags were hung throughout downtown Orlando, making national news. I stood at the gates as thousands of excited bathing-suitclad revelers streamed into Typhoon Lagoon for the first Beach Ball. And I met and talked with history-makers like Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda and Billie Jean King.

During lunch at the retreat, I shared laughs with Watermark’s close staff. But I was still shaken. More accurately, I felt hollowed out. Why would I disengage from these wonderful people and the important mission I had first defined for them? Why had I chosen to reduce my footprint in the world? I had planned to duck out after lunch, but I decided stay for the afternoon session and explore this unexpected melancholy. And as Watermark’s talented team brainstormed ambitious plans for 2016—enhanced election year coverage with video blogging, enlarged wedding guide, expanded Twitter account, mobile app—I recalled why I had made the decision to sell in the first place. When I started Watermark back in 1994, I was fueled by a clear vision of what I wanted the newspaper to be and an uncharacteristic confidence that I would do whatever it took to make it succeed. And I did. I worked 36 straight hours meeting our first deadline. When I couldn’t pay an early printing bill, I borrowed money from a loan shark. And when a new distribution person bailed on me, I bought a map and spent a day and night hunting down more than a hundred locations throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. There were investors to pay off, and an ego to stroke. But the stakes were higher. In my original business plan I described Watermark as a publication that would “cast a spotlight on the richness of the gay and lesbian experience.” What I didn’t say—and what I certainly didn’t understand back then—was that I was also trying to convince myself of the richness of that experience. I come from a generation

watermark Your lgbt life.

that grew up believing that a gay ‘lifestyle’ involved shadowy bars, camp humor, transient relationships and guilty sex. I wanted it to be more. Watermark would be my proof. In a June 2000 profile in the Orlando Sentinel, I said that “The denial of

future, and I think someone who does should be in charge, including holding the purse strings. I’m fortunate that I can transfer ownership to the person most responsible for its recent success. Rick has been with Watermark for 14 years. Trust me—he

creative assistant Deanndra Meno and office manager Kathleen Harper—all talented, experienced innovators—I can’t wait to see what’s in store. Who knows … Billy may let me chime in with a contribution from time to time?

my sexual orientation, and then the reclaiming of that, is the defining arc of my life.” Largely because of Watermark, that arc has played out happily. It’s time for redefining. I have enormous pride in Watermark’s past. I don’t have a clear or defining vision for its

loves the newspaper and the company every bit as much as I do. With the assistance of editor-in-chief Billy Manes, online media director Jamie Hyman, art director Jake Stevens, sales director Danny Garcia, senior account manager Sam Rennels, Tampa Bay staff writer Jeremy Williams,

Either way, I’ll continue as Watermark’s landlord, practicing law in the building next door and stealing office supplies. And part of my deal with Rick is that—now and forevermore—I be listed on the masthead as “Founder and Guiding Light.”

I come from a generation that grew up believing that a gay ‘lifestyle’ involved shadowy bars and guilty sex. I wanted it to be more. Watermark would be my proof.

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47 U.S. CITIES SCORED A

PERFECT

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EQuALiTY

inDEX.

The average CiTy sCOre Was 56. —Human Rights Campaign

talking points

In 2015, #Caitlynjenner was the Grinch who stole (and sold out) the trans movement. all I want for Xmas is universal Trans Lib. #Christmaseve2015 —Chelsea manning, a transgenDer sOlDier whO is Currently serving a 35-year sentenCe in FOrt leavenOrth FOr leaKing ClassiFieD DOCuments, tweeteD.

MILK direCTOr and sCreenWriTer CreaTing lgbT miniseries fOr abC

he team behinD the CritiCally aCClaimeD Film Milk is getting back together to create a miniseries for ABC chronicling the rise of the gay rights movement entitled When We Rise. Milk director Gus Van Sant and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black will both play executive producers on an eight-hour miniseries that looks at the personal and political struggles, victories and celebrations that the LGBT community had in the final decades of the 20th century and into the new millennium. Black has written the miniseries and Van Sant will direct the first two-hour episode. The project has been in development for more than two years and will be produced through ABC Studios. ABC has not released an airdate.

sTar Wars geTs a POrn ParOdy frOm men.COm

he biggest Film OF 2015, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, has been everywhere peddling everything from toys to cereal to make-up. Now you can have Star Wars gay porn. Brought to you by the guys at Men. com, the first of what will eventually be a four-part series was released Christmas Day and featured franchise favorites such as Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi and Han Solo facing off against Darth Vader and many Stormtroopers. There is action, drama and lots of lightsaber play… we assume. “I have spoken to many gay men who love Star Wars and fantasize over the characters and the stories,” director Christian Boushey told The Huffington Post. May the Force be with you?

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Pride TaPe lOOKs TO helP lgbT hOCKey Players feel aCCePTed

maTT dallas and blue hamilTOn inTrOduCe fans TO Their neW sOn

he natiOnal hOCKey league is shOwing suPPOrt tO the lgbt COmmunity, well at least one of their players is. Edmonton Oilers defenseman, and heartthrob, Andrew Ference is helping to launch Pride Tape to help support young LGBT hockey players. The Pride Tape is rainbow-colored tape that hockey players can decorate their sticks with. “Some kids just stop playing the game they love, just because they’re gay,” Ference said in a promotional video for Pride Tape. “Let’s show EVERY player they’re welcome on the ice.” The Pride Tape campaign currently has a Kickstarter page and is attempting to raise $40,000 by February 4 in order to manufacture and distribute 10,000 rolls of tape.

CtOr matt Dallas anD singer-sOngwriter husbanD blue hamiltOn adopted a two-year old son just before Christmas and made the announcement to the world through their YouTube channel in a Christmas-themed video which they titled “Welcome to Our Pride.” Dallas, who is best known from his starring role on the hit ABC Family series Kyle XY, and Hamilton have been together for almost six years and announced that they were married in July via Instagram. “We just happen to fall in love with this certain little boy who came to stay with us,” Hamilton said in the video. “We decided that he was gonna be ours and we weren’t gonna give him up.” The video concludes with a song by Hamilton played over home movies of the family.

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we are not a nightclub Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

year in revieW

watermark looks back on making tHe impossible possible. pHew! Jamie Hyman, Billy Manes and Jeremy Williams

e’re nOt sure abOut yOu,

but we’ve had a hell of a year! In the forthcoming leaflets of literature and reflection, you’ll see some of our highs and our lows as a community, but we’d be lying if we didn’t scream “we made it!” to the tune of ABBA’s “Happy New Year” at this point. watermark Your lgbt life.

There’s a lot in here, and, sadly, some that is not (comments on the internet version, please!) Marriage equality happened at both the state and federal levels, which is amazing. Transawareness grew through media and grassroots. Ginger Minj! At home, we got a new editor Billy Manes (who got married!) and bid farewell to the amazing Steve Blanchard

after his longtime tenure. Oh, and just as it was ending, we got another surprise. You can read more about that inside. So, come along with us as we turn the pages of our memory file and bask in the glory of all we, as the LGBT community, have accomplished. Can’t even believe it, really. Our big gay year was the best year ever. COnTinued On Pg. 21 |  |

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january A (not so) long time ago in a galaxy far, far too close to us, same-sex marriage was just a dream. Then, after a hard fought battle from the rebels, the empire lead by Darth Bondi was defeated and same-sex marriage becomes legal in the state of Florida and on Jan. 6 LGBT couples begin exchanging vows. Florida also begins to recognize out-of-state marriages. There will be blood donations, maybe. Federal health officials recommend an end to the U.S. ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, a policy put in place more than 30 years ago during the beginning of the AIDS crisis. The recommendation, which became effective Dec. 2015, was that

gay and bisexual men who abstained from sex for a year would be allowed to donate. I want to thank the community, Part 1. The Hollywood Foreign Press awarded Amazon’s Transparent with a pair of Golden Globes for best TV series, musical or comedy, and star Jeffrey Tambor as Best Lead Actor – TV Comedy at their annual award show. Tambor, who stars as a transgender woman experiencing life during her transition with her wife and children, dedicated his award to the transgender community. I want to thank the community, Part 2. Jan. 17 was like Watermark’s own Golden Globes when the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce held its first-

ever Diamond Awards and honored Watermark with two awards. Watermark was named the 2014 Business of the Year and our editor-in-chief at the time, Steve Blanchard, was named Business Person of the Year. The Justices are back in town. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Jan. 16 to decide on whether samesex couples have a right to marry everywhere in the United States under the Constitution. The decision to hear the case stemmed from the Supreme Court striking down part of the federal anti-gay marriage law in 2013 but stopping short of legalizing samesex marriage across the board. The announcement led to debate, protest and a feeling of unease as we had to wait until June 2015 for the Court’s final decision.

watermark Your lgbt life.

february Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner got every chair to turn when he was awarded the 2015 Voice for Equality Award at the Ninth Annual Tampa Gala by Equality Florida. The first openly gay person to hold office in Hillsborough County, Beckner introduced a domestic partner registry for the county just a couple of months after taking office in 2008, which was shut down, then gained the momentum to get it passed unanimously in 2014. In a legislative year that would be filled with crappy bills, Republican State Representative Frank Artiles of Miami filed the “Single-sex Public Facilities” bill Feb. 7. The bill looked to bar people from using restrooms that align with their gender identities. The controversial bill was an obvious transphobic piece of legislation yet Atiles defended it saying it was not about discriminating against

transgender people, but rather attempting to stop criminal acts that were not actually occurring in public restrooms. Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day serves as the day (future) Watermark editor-in-chief Billy Manes weds Tony Mauss at the Acre. The marriage of Olrando’s dynamic duo was the event of the season in a year filled with marriage celebrations by same-sex couples across the country. This would turn out to be a huge year of change for both Manes and Watermark. Wow, what a difference MC Film Fest made for Tampa. After 26 years of bringing film, fest and friendships to the Ybor strip, Mark Bias and Carrie West announce they are closing up the MC Film Fest shop. They fell in love in a hopeless place. After five seasons of AMC’s The Walking Dead, a post-zombie

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apocalyptic TV drama, we finally come across a loving, caring couple of men and discover not all LGBT relationships were destroyed by the flesh-eating walkers. Left of Center. Former Orlando GLBT Center interim executive director Russell Walker leaft to become the events manager for the Hope and Help Center Feb. 16. Russell became involved with Hope and Help among changing times with HIV/ AIDS in a year that has seen new advances in developing a vaccine and a push to get the sexually active to become educated on PrEP. Una Voce, the Florida Men’s Chorale, brought a Mid-West voice on board as they welcomed native Iowan Joseph Caulkins as their new director February 2015. Caulkins introduced himself to the Tampa Bay area later in the year with a tribute concert to Harvey Milk.

! S R A E Y

marCh As they celebrated their 25th year, the Orlando Gay Chorus also named James Rode as their new artistic director and conductor. Rode showed what he was capable of with his inaugural OGC concert One Voice at the Plaza Live which celebrated a quarter century of music in the LGBT community. The Hope and Help Center raised funds and awareness of HIV/AIDS for the 20th year with the Orlando AIDS Walk March 28. The two-mile march around Lake Eola brought more than 1,400 walkers and raised over $120,000. Finally, Pride has come back to Tampa. After more than a decade away, Tampa Pride came back stronger and bigger than ever March 28. With more than a hundred vendors and a huge parade, the streets of historic Ybor

City were filled with 40,000 fans of pride and pageantry and had a front seat to history as the first major Pride celebration of the year in the country kicked off welcoming diversity in Tampa. We gotta take a stand, and stand TIGLFF did. During a time in Florida where which bathroom transgender people use seems to be the government’s business, the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) stood up against the anti-trans bill by mandating that any theater wishing to show films during the film festival and at TIGLFF events must offer gender neutral restrooms. The policy began immediately with TIGLFF’s screening of “Boy Meets Girl” March 18 at freeFall Theatre.

aPril

The SunCoast Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church suffered a loss when Reverend Sherry Lee Kennedy unexpectedly passed away March 11. Rev. Sherry founded the SunCoast MCC church in 1995 and passed just after the church celebrated their 20th anniversary.

Orlando photographer, artist and ambassador of beards Lee Vandergrift announces that his Beard Envy project will be coming to an end. As of April 1 (please say it’s an April Fool’s joke) Vandergrift had brushed out and photographed his last beard for the project.

Suzanne Noe, the founder of ProSuzy.com, officially retired March 27 with a big White Party at the Gulfport Casino. Noe began ProSuzy.com more than 14 years ago.

After nine months of rolling, patting and marking with a D, Watermark’s digital director Jamie Hyman and her husband Matt Huertas welcomed a beautiful bouncing baby boy, Dexter, April 10. Since his birth Dexter has successfully maintained his supremacy of all of Watermark’s most adorable moments (sorry Billy).

How can you teach my child, you’re a lesbian?!?! Jaclyn Pfeiffer, a teacher at Aloma Methodist Early Childhood Learning Center, said she was let go from the school March 19 after her girlfriend, Kelly Bardier, began working as a substitute at the same school and rumors of their relationship began.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Third times the charmer. Liquid Tampa celebrated their third anniversary with a blowout party featuring a performance by out and proud ex-NSYNCer

Lance Bass April 11. Bass continued his love of all things Florida by joining forces with Visit Orlando to promote Central Florida as an LGBT tourist destination in May.

and non-profits, and if you have not tasted those bacon wrapped meatballs then you are first not attending enough charity events and second missing out on a piece of heaven.

Diane Sawyer sits down with Olympic champion Bruce Jenner for a oneon-one interview on ABC’s 20/20 April 24 where he announced “for all intents and purposes, I am a woman.” The two-hour interview where Jenner talked about his transition, his family and his fame was watched by 17.1 million people and expanded the spotlight on transgender issues in America.

They do it for the kids. The Orlando Youth Alliance celebrated 25 years as a safe space for LGBT youth in April. Since their inception more than 1,300 young people have been a part of the program (including Watermark publisher Rick Claggett).

Oh, it’s sooo good. John Michael Catering celebrated 20 years in business April 19, not only as a catering company but as a charitable juggernaut. With donations to more than 50 events, mostly fundraisers

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Flush it down, at least as a part of the 2015 legislative year. The notorious “bathroom bill” was killed in committee as the Florida House adjourned three days early due to a budget impasse with the Senate over Medicaid expansion April 28.

may What? No way! Longtime editor and continuing bestie Steve Blanchard leaves Watermark in a panic! (Not really). Blanchard is now the media relations coordinator for the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. He also puts glitter in his beard. He also looks good without a shirt (and with one). Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor retires after 30 years, but doesn’t really retire at all, because she’s amazing. Following decades of fighting the good fight, Castor walked into the nonprofit world, leading Rise Tampa – Our Police Foundation, because public dollars are hard to come by these days, and people need help.

In the name of love! Pride goes big time in Ireland in May with marriage equality pulling green into the rainbow. Ireland was the first country to achieve marriage via popular vote in history. Oregon, the Beaver State, becomes only the third state in the country to ban conversion therapy, because it doesn’t work and it makes people feel terribly; also President Barack Obama called for the ban in an April speech. Free to be, you and me. A national bill to achieve the same reasonable end follows.

june its artistic director. His production of “I Am Harvey Milk” in the spring may have sealed the deal, but his historied innovation in the field throughout the U.S. made that deal possible. In an impressive splash of honor, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan receives a lifetime achievement award from the Stuart Milk at the Orlando Museum of Art during the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. Stuart, the nephew of murdered LGBT activist Harvey Milk, “What amazing history,” Milk said. Amazing, indeed.

Overture! Formerly from Sarasota’s fabulous Key Chorale, Joseph Caulkins joins Una Voce, the men’s chorale, as

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Glamorous Orlando superstar Ginger Minj (OK, Joshua Eads Brown) took the world by storm this year, placing second on Season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The drama of all the drama, though (and there was lots of drama), was Brown’s reconciliation with his father. Oh, also, there’s a completely accurate Adele interpretation to contend with. Well done. Following the departure of editor-in-chief Steve Blanchard, two-decade bottle of Orlando Weekly hair products Billy Manes started at Watermark on June 22 in that position. Have you ever heard of him? HAVE YOU? This writer is he, and is very happy about his decision. Surprising nearly no one, the U.S. Supreme Court decided, via a certain case called Obgerfell v. Hodges, ruled that states must recognize marriage equality. WAIT, DID WE SAY THAT LOUD ENOUGH?

GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL. Sure it was a 5-4 vote, but winning is winning. It was the summer of love. In late June, St. Petersburg Pride threw on its glad rags and pushed proudly through all conceivable records with its Pride parade. We were there; we have the blisters; there were more than 200,000 others, though, so don’t mind us. But congratulations to the organizers – wink, Erik Skains – on a fantastic event. Great year so far, right? Except not really! Bundle of beautiful joy Dexter Foxworth, a longtime advocate for anti-bullying measures and humanity in general, announced that he would be leaving the Zebra Coalition. We wept. But Heather Wilkie, his replacement as Zebra’s executive director, is a fantastic human being who will push the organization forward. Changes!

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Hey, no big deal, but the Orlando Gay Chorus celebrated its 25-year anniversary! Actually, it’s a really big deal, especially considering what a “men’s chorus” was a quarter century ago. It truly does get better. Maybe it used to be all about donning red shirts and being a little defiant in front of mice, but Gay Days officially turned 25 this year, and we couldn’t be more proud. It’s no secret that the LGBT community loves its Walt Disney World, but seeing this particular celebration grow into itself has made Orlando all the better for it. It took a little while – ok, four years – but following judicial pressure of the obvious sort (this battle has already been won, folks) Gov. Rick Scott removed gay adoption laws from the books. Thanks for playing, Rick.

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july Out Walt Disney World president George Kalogridis, who spoke with Watermark this year (gasp!), played a huge role in making Disney’s stance clear: Gays are welcome here. The Out and Equal Institiute, which advocates for equality in the workplace, historically showed up at WDW’s Coronado Springs Resort. Next year, Out and Equal’s annual summit comes to Disney’s Swan and Dolphin resorts for four days. It pays to like gays. It was a rough year for HIV/AIDS advocates in Central Florida. In July, news came down that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would not be funding any Orlandoarea HIV/AIDS-care organizations. Though Metro Wellness in St. Pete did make the cut, Orlando orgs were pushed into a scramble, which is sad

when you consider that Orange County’s new HIV cases were up 47 percent. Transgender woman India Clarke is discovered murdered at a Tampa Community Center, bringing trans murders into the headlines and adding her to the list of 22 (as of October) killed this year. This upward trend in trans violence is, notably, terrifying. Caitlyn Jenner gives an emotional and certainly historic speech at ESPN’s ESPY Awards. “If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions,” she says, “go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it.” Matt Bomer gives us a boner. No, seriously. If it weren’t for the magnificent scene-chews from Channing Tatum, Magic Mike XXL (that’s

augusT a big shirt!) would have been Bomer’s blue-eyed launch into the pop-culture stratosphere. As it stands, his work in the Normal Heart and American Horror Story speaks, breaths and gives you a hug for itself. Watermark’s Movies Out Loud Returns to the Abbey in Orlando with a partnership with the Orlando International Fringe Festival. There were certainly younger and prettier people coming down the stairs behind us, but we remained, and will forever remain, Showgirls. All-time leading scorer at both the Women’s World Cup and the Olympics Abby Wambach ran to her wife after winning the World Cup in July. Soon after, she announced her retirement. “It’s been an amazing wonderful ride,” she said.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Twelve-year-old boy shot at transgender woman Cheyenne West, allegedly, in Orlando near the Citrus Bowl and was charged with attempted murder and theft of a firearm. West was not harmed, thankfully, but this is 2015’s most disturbing trend. The shooter shouted homophobic slurs before unloading his bullets. In a complex bit of back-and-forth, a longfought lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in order to establish a Gay Straight Alliance at Carver Middle School in Lake County – it had one for a minute thanks to the tenacity of then-14-year-old Bayli Silberstein – was dismissed. In October, the ACLU appealed.

Osceola County became the 11th Florida county to pass a human rights ordinance forbidding discrimination in the workplace, housing and public venues. A statewide HRO is (once again) in the works, and in November, President Obama expressed support for altering the Civil Rights Act to include LGBT people. Someday we’ll all be people!

Metro Health, Wellness and Community branched out into LGBT primary care services for the Tampa and St. Petersburg region. Dr. David W. Lyter was hired on in July, and the centers are now monitoring 28 people taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) while also catering to the unique screening needs of the LGBT world on the west side.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a conversion-therapy ban, known as the Youth Mental Protection Act, into law, making Illinois the 11th state to take such action. In March, mental health professionals pushed the issue, calling the practice unethical. Shaming is unethical. Shock therapy is unethical. “Conversion” is unethical. Well done, Illinois!

She’s a brick, right? Roland Emmerich’s dramatization of the Stonewall riots, called Stonewall (natch), raised hackles when its trailer debuted. The problem was, according to activists, that the film “whitewashed” the riots by having a hot white guy throw the first brick in the historic riots. The director balked, saying everybody was represented. The whole thing was a mess and, well, it disappeared rather quickly.

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sePTember Finally, finally, Kentucky Clerk of Courts Kim Davis ended her 15 minutes of fame. She went out by apparently exaggerating her “meeting” with Pope Francis. Davis’ anti-gay attorney said it was a cozy one-on-one, the Pope’s camp said, nuh-uh! Just a meet-and-greet. Former Exodus International pariah Alan Chambers released his autobiography My Exodus, a curiously self-congratulatory collection of memories of not really being honest. Atonement is cute. Time to find a new alibi! All of St. Pete’s gays gasped in sadness when Georgie’s Alibi announced its shutting down. The Facebook post making the announcement said the famed watering hole would be replaced with affordable housing units, and it made us wonder about the state of gay bars in

Central Florida and beyond. (Consensus: We still need gay bars, but maybe not as much as we used to.) The Zebra Coalition looks out for Central Florida’s LGBT youth, and after the departure of former executive director Dexter Foxworth, the community needed someone to look out for The Zebra Coalition. Heather Wilkie stepped up to the plate, bringing with her loads of experience working with survivors of abuse. 400-plus transgender activists and allies converged upon Weston for the 25th anniversary of the Transgender Southern Comfort Conference. Speakers included Broward’s trans teen celebrity Jazz Jennings and Orlando’s Gina Duncan, Equality Florida’s transgender inclusion director.

Equality Florida released a much-needed transgender resource guide, listing transgender-friendly healthcare and service providers across the state. How do we know it’s muchneeded? Because Watermark is contacted on a near-daily basis for doctors or lawyers or others who can provide services while taking into account the unique needs of transgender individuals, that’s how. Thank you, EQFL! Shadi Petosky, a transgender woman, live-tweeted her harrowing experience after being held at the Orlando International Airport. TSA officials informed Petosky her penis was an “anomaly,” as it didn’t match up with her presented gender of female. TSA initially dug in and said they followed policy, then later realized their policy sucked and updated it to make the friendly skies more transgender-friendly.

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OCTOber Cindy Barnes is a woman who knows how to leave on a high note. After six years as chairwoman of Sarasota Pride, in 2015 Barnes announced she’s stepping down as the successful event’s big cheese.

history, Rev. Dr. Sherry Kennedy, passed away suddenly. In October, Suncoast MCC brought Gina Durbin on board, to lead the church, guide its members through their grief and help them to heal.

Come Out With Pride capped a comeback year with a vibrant, crowded, but well-organized event. After the firing of COWP’s executive director in late 2014, the Pride committee worked overtime in overdrive to ensure that 2015 Orlando Pride would do Orlando proud. Mission accomplished.

Following in the footsteps of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando City debuted its first-ever Pride night, complete with adorable new rainbowthemed merchandise. We were unable to resist and bought a scarf. Go, Lions!

Apple CEO Tim Cook acted on his “tremendous responsibility” to come out publicly on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. SunCoast MCC experienced a devastating loss in March 2015 when the only pastor in its

That crinkling sound we heard in October was people across the nation - and in Watermark’s offices - ripping open their bags of special edition Rainbow Doritos. For a $10 donation to the It Gets Better campaign, the colorful crunchers could be procured. They tasted like Cool Ranch and glitter.

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Florida’s longest-running bear event, Bear Bust, marked 25 years. Bear Bust survived the shuttering of their initial home, Full Moon Saloon, and the dissolution of their founding organization, Bears of Central Florida. Bear Bust’s new organizers - Parliament House and Bears in the City - assure us they plan to stick around for at least another 25 years. The Central Florida Softball League, as an Amateur Sports Alliance of North America, brought the Women’s Softball World Series to Orlando for a long weekend of October. In its 26th year, Headdress Ball still has it. The signature fundraiser for Hope and Help of Central Florida raised a respectable $325,000 in 2015, and featured high-profile names like Mary Murphy, Johnny Damon and Jorge Estevez. We’re already shopping for our formal attire for 2016.

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nOvember Following a long, long negotiation, Parliament House solidified its future by finalizing a deal for a $3.9 million refinancing loan. The loan was announced before Halloween, finalized the first week of November and freed the resort to remain an Orlando LGBT icon. Orlando’s mayor and Orlando’s first openly gay commissioner will both remain in office another term. Buddy Dyer and Patty Sheehan both won their re-election campaigns in November, emerging victorious from races that both involved their fair share of mud-slinging. Against all odds and without the endorsement of the Tampa Bay Times, Steve Kornell motivated the voters in St. Petersburg’s District 5 and won his election with 56 percent of the vote.

Not once, not twice, but THREE times anti-gay vandals attacked Irene’s Lounge, which isn’t even a gay bar but happens to be owned by a gay guy. Local LGBT supporters had enough, gathered the donations necessary to make things right, then showed up and fixed up the Mount Dora establishment as good as new. Who says there isn’t an LGBT community in Lake County? Transgender Pride is A Thing now. We’re on board, and so it seems is Tampa Bay, after the second annual Tampa Bay Trans Pride exceeded expectations and opened minds. Gidget gives it a shot. Actress Sally Field jumped into Proposition 1 argument, with an aim to secure equal rights in Houston. The ordinance failed.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry put his meetings where his mouth is, scheduling three “Community Conversations” to talk about an LGBTinclusive Human Rights Ordinance for the city. The discussions were divided, with one man arrested for a bomb threat and somehow, the Ku Klux Klan, got involved, tossing anti-gay flyers into front yards. President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to be featured on the cover of an LGBT magazine. OUT named the president “Ally of the Year,” saying, “President Obama’s evolution on marriage equality has been something to behold.” The magazine also praised Obama’s advancement of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, among numerous other LGBT nods.

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deCember Orlando Philharmonic executive director David Schillhammer took a bow, exiting after 15 years. He made some big moves during his tenure, moving operations to the Plaza Live (they’re in the middle of renovating as we write this) and securing impressive new music director Eric Jacobson. We can’t wait to hear Schillhammer’s next release. High five, Orlando and St. Petersburg! Both cities earned perfect scores in the Human Rights Campaign annual Municipal Equality Index, which scores cities on LGBT inclusion and equality. Tampa did well, too, earning a solid 95 percent. New president, new board members and new executive directors, Orlando’s Metropolitan Business Association is starting fresh in 2016 after electing and hiring some new

leaders. Lu Mueller-Kaul is officially installed to the presidential post after filling the role as a temporary appointment for several weeks and former president Nayte Carrick shifts over to executive director. The Internal Revenue Service believes being gay is a choice, according to a lawsuit filed by a St. Petersburg gay couple who claim that is the reason they were denied tax deductions for in-vitro fertilization and surrogacy. We’re eagerly awaiting the results to find out whether the courts believe gay couples are entitled to infertility coverage. St. Pete’s loss is Fort Lauderdale’s gain after more than five years as a visible face of the LGBT community, Chris Rudisill leaft METRO for a plum new role as executive director

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of Stonewall National Museum and Archives. After three intense community chats about an LGBT-inclusive HRO, a Jacksonville councilman wimped out and suggests the whole issue be put to a referendum. Oh hell no, said Councilman Tommy Hazouri, who filed an expanded HRO ahead of the expected 2016 schedule. We will be watching this one closely in the coming year. Open Door Baptist Church (one of those hateful antigay picketing gangs) learned the hard way that groups who deal in hate should not let their domain names lapse. They forgot to renew and a gay rights activist seized the opportunity to buy the domain and redirect the website to a hardcore gay porn site. Visit WarningsOfWrath at your own risk... or for fun, if you’re into that type of thing.

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evenT Planner

arts+entertainment

community calendar

OrlandO

New Year’s Eve Celebration with Kristin Chenoweth, Dec. 31, Walt Disney Theater, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

mba LGbT networking weDnesDay, jan. 6, 6:00 P.m. FielDs bmw, OrlanDO

New Year’s Eve at The Abbey, Dec. 31, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com

The Metropolitan Business Association monthly mixer is the first Wednesday of every month and starts 2016 off at Fields BMW. Come meet new members and check in with old to see what the MBA has in store for the coming year. Cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and the always popular Speed Networking. The networking event is free to members and $20 for non-members. Tickets available at Business.MBAOrlando.org.

New Year’s Eve & The Winner’s Circle, Dec. 31, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Rock ‘Til the Drop New Year’s Eve Party, Dec. 31, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com JJ Grey & Mofro, Dec. 31, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com Peter and the Starcatcher, Dec. 31- Jan. 3, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando. 407-447-1700; OrlandoShakes.org Detox, Jan. 2, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Yara Sofia, Jan. 2, Pulse, Orlando. 407-649-3888; PulseOrlandoClub.com Escape, Jan. 4, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com Snarky Puppy, Jan. 5, Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.

WiCKedly fun

neW year Kristin Chenoweth headlines the Dr. Phillips Center’s celebration in one of dozens of New Year’s Eve events across Central Florida and Tampa Bay.

Silversun Pickups, Jan. 9, Plaza LIVE, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com

Cocktails for a Cause, Jan. 5, Citrus Club, Orlando. 407-843-1080; ClubCorp.com

Michelle Knight in ROLLERCOASTER: A Cabaret Scream Fest, Jan. 9- 16, Footlight Theatre, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando presents The Sound of Music, Jan. 5- 10, Walt Disney Theater, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Spotlight Cabaret Series presents Todd Allen Long, Jan. 13- 14, Winter Park Playhouse, Orlando. 407-645-0145; WinterParkPlayhouse.org

DORM: Matryx Mercy & Homely Pop, Jan. 6, Pulse, Orlando. 407-649-3888; PulseOrlandoClub.com

TamPa bay

El Dia De Los Reyes “Three Kings Day”, Jan. 6, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com Dreams of Steam, Jan. 7, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando. 407-896-4231; OMArt.org Flesh Fridays, Jan. 8, Parliament House, Orlando. Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

Fabulous Flamingo Presents New Years Las Vegas, Dec. 31, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com New Years Eve w/ A.Y.C.D., Dec. 31, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com New Year’s Eve Gala, Dec. 31, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com

5th Annual Spectacular New Year’s Eve Party, Dec. 31, Honey Pot, Tampa. 813-247-4663; Facebook.com/ Honey-Pot

JAWS 40th Anniversary Screening w/ Richard Dreyfuss, Jan. 9, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

A Tribute to Las Vegas, Dec. 31, Bradley’s on 7th, Tampa. 813-241-2723; BradleyOn7th.com

Ragtime, Jan. 9, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Outback Bowl, Jan. 1, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. 813-874-2695; RaymondJamesStadium.com Lebensraum, Jan. 6- 31, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org G2H2 and St. Pete Boys, Jan. 8, The Hollander Hotel, St. Petersburg. 727-873-7900; TheNewG2H2StPete.com Ron White Live, Jan. 8, The Lakeland Center, Lakeland. 863-834-8100; TheLakelandCenter.com The Florida Orchestra- New Year’s Waltz, Jan. 8, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

Bernie Sanders Fundraiser, Jan. 10, New World Brewery, Tampa. 813-248-4969; NewWorldBrewery.net

sarasOTa The Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays, Dec. 31, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 1-800-826-9303; VanWezel.org All The Way, Jan. 6- April 9, Asolo Rep Theatre, Sarasota. 941-351-8000; AsoloRep.org Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Jan. 13- Feb. 20, West Coast Black Theatre, Sarasota. 941-366-1505; WestCoastBlackTheatre.org

Henry Lim campaign event tuesDay, jan. 12, 6:00- 8:00 P.m. the vue, OrlanDO Come meet Henry Lim, Democratic candidate for Florida House of Representatives in District 47, and share your experiences, and hear how Henry plans to win the race and serve our district in Tallahassee. Hosted by Aaron Hill, you can support Henry Lim as you watch the sunset from The Vue at Lake Eola. Guests are asked to donate $100, but contributions of any amount are welcome and appreciated.

TamPa bay

GaybOr 2016 membership Drive Kickoﬀ Launch Party sunDay, jan. 10, 2:00 P.m. mary’s Pub hOuse, tamPa The GaYbor Coalition invites you to join them Sunday afternoon at Mary’s Pub House as they host the 2016 GaYbor Membership Drive Kickoff Party. Come out to mingle, network and see the launch of “GaYBOR Rewards,” a card that will allow members to receive discounts throughout the Ybor City Historic District member businesses. Bring lots of business cards.

balance Tampa bay’s January social sunDay, jan. 10, 5:30- 8:00 P.m. hamburger mary’s, tamPa They are changing things up a bit to start the New Year, so come join Balance Tampa Bay for a Sunday Funday at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor for Drag Queen Bingo. Grab a friend and head out for complimentary appetizers, 50/50 raffle and your first drink is free; $10 for 10 games, BINGO!

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

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

A Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Experience

Jane Lynch

Sat, Jan 16 • 8pm 2015-16 Season Sponsor

Luxury Boxes Available. Call 727.712.2717 for more information Tickets: 727.791.7400 • www.AtTheCap.com Groups: 727.712.2717 • Memberships: 727.712.2720 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

The Venerable Lama Losang Samten, renowned Tibetan scholar and former Buddhist monk, served as the attendant to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1988, Losang was instructed to demonstrate the art of sand painting as the first to be offered in the West. Since then he has created sand mandalas in many museums and universities across the country. Losang served as religious technical advisor and sand mandala supervisor for and appeared in Martin Scorsese’s film about the Dalai Lama, Kundun, which he will introduce at the MFA on Thursday, January 7, at 6:30 p.m.

Mandalas have been referred to as “visual scripture,” which can be seen as dwellings for enlightened beings. Sand Mandalas are created with great care and detailed accuracy, bringing the sacred symbols to life in order to share an uplifting message.

Raymond James Pops

The Fabulous Forties Jeff Tyzik, conductor Helen Welch, vocalist Stephen Edward Sayer & Chandrae Roettig, dancers Swing dancers join this salute to music from one of the greatest eras, including Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, I’ll Be Seeing You and Casablanca.

Jan 15 - 17 Sponsored by:

THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Listen Local • Concerts in Tampa • St. Pete • Clearwater 727.892.3337 or 1.800.662.7286 | www.FloridaOrchestra.org

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

overheard

TamPa bay OuT+abOuT

all hands On deCK

ith 2015 all but in the histOry bOOKs, 2016 is set to continue the tidal wave of politicians and political pundits grazing across America trying to get the cattle to follow whatever party lines they represent until the ultimate climax in November. Over the last few months the Tampa Bay area has been visited by Hilary Clinton, Ben Carson and Donald Trump just to name a few but with the election less than a year away the campaigns are starting to send out all who are supporting and tied to the candidates. In the next few weeks we are getting visits from a couple of “hey, we know that Democrat very well” faces who are sure to help bolster the newsfeeds of their respected candidates. The first to visit will be Jonathan Tasini who penned “The Essential Bernie Sanders and his Vision for America.” Tasini will stop by the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota for a part book tour, part motivational rally cry to get the voters to “Feel the Bern.” The next visitor to the bay area will be the very respected (and newly pregnant) Chelsea Clinton. Clinton will attend a reception in support of Hillary for America. For those who were in doubt she will be casting her vote for her mother come November 6th and she wants to wine and dine with you (at $250 a head) to let you know why you should too. The reception is hosted by Ed Lally and Phil Dinkins and will be at the home of Kathy and Joe Saunders. For those who can spare a bit more green, $1,000 makes you a co-host and $5,000 makes you a host. Both upgrades come with a photo op with Chelsea and a good old meet & greet. We can’t think of a better wayt to spend a Friday night. Not sure if that beautiful man of hers will be available for photo ops. As far as we know, we are safe from the Republican circus… for now.

sTamP Of aPPrOval

Or the First time ever, the United Nations is going to issue a stamp on LGBT issues and that stamp is going to be issued in Sarasota. Wow, that’s enough issues for a full subscription, and you can use the new stamp when mailing it to your friends and family. The stamp is titled “Free and Equal – UN for LGBT Equality,” it just rolls off your tongue doesn’t it? And it will be officially issued at a ceremony held at the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition. The Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition is part of the American Philatelic Society’s World Series of Philately program (or at least that’s what their website says) which will hold their annual exhibition Feb. 5-7 at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium in, you guessed it, Sarasota. More on this event as we uncover the details. Don’t you worry, this investigation isn’t gonna lick us!

2 3

hOt times in a hOt tOwn: (L-R) Hector Rodriguez, Miguel Fuller and Jacob Horn heat up 101.5’s Hot Holidays in St. Petersburg Dec. 20. PHOTO COURTESY

OF HECTOR RODRIGUEZ

Christmas balls: (L) Bingo host Alexis De La Mer takes a break away from number pulling to catch a selfie with dancer Peter at Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg Dec. 25. Photo

COURTESY OF FLAMINGO RESORT

a suessiCal sawmill: The performers came in all shapes and sizes for the Dr. Suess’ Whoville celebration of Christmas at Sawmill Resort Dec. 19. Photo

COURTESY OF SAWMILL RESORT

rainbOw COnneCtiOn: (L) Todd Richardson and Mike Reedy addressed the crowd for the Pinellas County Equality Connection at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg Dec. 17. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

the bearD striKes again: This time for his company holiday party, Steve Blanchard dons the glitter beard at Painting with a Twist in Tampa Dec. 18. Photo

COURTESY OF STEVE BLANCHARD

OPening Day: John Burt (L) and Brian Longstreth, a couple of Punky’s owners, welcome everyone on their first day open for business in St. Petersburg Dec. 16. Photo

COURTESY OF MARK AND CARRIE

beauty Queens: (L-R) Amy DeMilo, Angelique Young, Chasity Starkey, Chanel P. Cartier and Alisa Summers dressed to the nines and looking fierce for the holiday season in Tampa Dec. 19. Photo COURTESY OF AMY DEMILO

Key tO the City: Ashley Brundage speaks to the Tampa City Council after being honored with a commendation for her work with the LGBT community at City Hall in Tampa Dec. 17. Photo

COURTESY OF LISA MONTELIONE

7 watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

wave

watermark’s

THANK YOU WATERMARK READERS A W A R D FOR VOTING ME YOUR 2015 WINNER FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR SINCE 2007!

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

overheard

OrlandO OuT+abOuT

gay TrumP suPPOrTer geTs TrumPed On yOuTube

n OPenly gay CaliFOrnia man with an Orlando connections YouTube video has gone viral after nearly two months of being out there on the web. Kyle Kittleson was an animal trainer at SeaWorld Orlando and runs a website where he discusses animal training. In a recent YouTube video called “I have a confession,” Kyle, an openly gay man, posted his support for Donald Trump. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has gone on the record stating he does not support gay people. Based on inquiries to local acquaintances of Kyle, they have said his aspirations of being famous have led to this attention seeking video, which seems to have backfired with more “dislikes” than likes to his video and it taking two months to go viral.

biTing inTO The OrlandO eaTeries

rina OF seven bites was reCently FeatureD On wOFl FOx 35 news over the holidays to discuss simple but delicious morning breakfast. Most of the yummy treats featured can also be served at her restaurant. On Christmas weekend, Pom Pom’s Teahouse Orlando celebrated its 10th anniversary with little fanfare. In honor of the milestone, the locally owned business offered to donate 10 percent of all sales done on Dec. 26 to the Barber Fund. Now that’s a delicious gesture!

blaCK and blue, beCause They lOve yOu!

hiPs anD Chains will exCite the OrlanDO sisters OF PerPetual inDulgenCe as they host Leather Indulgence on the weekend of January 22nd. This full flogged, we mean fledged, leather weekend will include a leather and fetish vendor fair, Fetish 101 classes and even Puppy Training 101 (Not the type offered at PetSmart). Saturday night will end with the Sisters present the Central Florida Leatherman Competition. So the question is, who will be Mister Central Florida Leather? Our prediction is Miss Columbia!

CreaTing arT Can be QuiTe draining, nO liTerally

the OrlanDO mills 50 DistriCt has annOunCeD their new beautifying project. Previously, there was a project featuring colorful art boxes throughout the neighborhood upon which local artists were given the task of expressing in their style. There’s even a Harvey Milk one on the corner of Mills and Amelia. Next came the dumpster project, where you can see Patty Sheehan’s popular Cat painting outside of the Center. Now, the next project will include the painting of local storm drains. According to the Bungalower, locations are currently being scouted as are the artists, which will most likely be announced by February. The project is meant to draw attention to local storm drains and how they connect to Orlando’s lakes and waterway.

O hOly night: The cast of Michael Wanzie’s Orange Blossom Trail ‘Living Nativity’ Christmas Spectacular strikes their signature pose Dec. 21 at Footlight Theatre at Parliament House. PHOTO BY BILLY MANES

namesaKe: Hillary Randolph, with father Scott Randolph, meets presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, for whom the younger Hillary is named, at Clinton fundraiser Dec. 2 at the Woods Community Center. Photo

BY THE HILLARY CLINTON CAMPAIGN

COURTESY GREGORY-PROPST

VIA LAGINESS’ FACEBOOK PAGE

FOOD netwOrK: Se7en Bites owner Trina GregoryPropst demonstrates how to prepare a simple and delicious Christmas morning breakfast on Good Day Orlando Dec. 23. Photo

FOOD anD FrienDs: Watermark photographer Brian Becnel and Kevin Kriegel - aka Mitzi Morris - celebrate the holidays by hosting a Christmas Eve dinner at their home. Photo

VIA BECNEL’S FACEBOOK PAGE

regiFt reCeive: Orlando comedian Jeff Jones explains the rules and regulations for his annual Crap Christmas gift exchange, held Dec. 27 at his home.

PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT

birthDay buDDies: Sue-Bee Laginess (center) celebrates her birthday with Sharlie Reynolds (left) and Rada Kleyman over lunch at Dexter’s Thornton Park Dec. 29. Photo

gOOD times rOll: Maria Asencio, Amanda Marie, Missy Corson, Kristina Miller and Jill Powers celebrate the end of Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls’ 2015 season with the league’s annual Shenanigans Awards, held Dec. 19 at The Venue. PHOTO BY JAMES BENNETT

give a hOOt: The Center’s Senior Programs Director Ken Terrell (left) drops off toys gathered by OWL at Howard Middle School. School principal Michael Martucci was on hand to receive the donation Dec. 16. PHOTO BY ONTARIO PATRICK

8 watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

announcements

Wedding bells

brad Lawson, 43, and Zadin Lawson, 47 from Clermont, FL

condolences

Popular local attorney C. Chad Cronon passed on Dec. 20 at the age of 41. Cronon’s family is asking, in lieu flowers, for donations to be delivered to the Coalition for the Homeless and/or Harbor House. A service will be held on Jan. 5 at the Winter Park Civic Center.

years togetHer: 5 years

congratulations

engagement date:

Hammered Lamb owner and the other Mr. Orlando Jason Lambert got engaged to his longtime partner J Colón Acevedo over the holidays. There goes another two.

May 5, 2015

wedding date:

local birtHdays

July 1, 2015

wedding venue:

The couple was married on July 1, 2015 at their home, and the wedding ceremony was october 24, 2015 at The Magnolia House at Trilogy orlando.

wedding planner:

Erica Jaze from the Magnolia House at Trilogy orlando

wedding caterer:

The Magnolia House at Trilogy Orlando, and the cake was by Sprinkles Custom Cakes.

wedding colors:

Fall colors – brown, green and orange

First song:

“Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne

interesting Fact:

They were married on July 1, 2015, which would have been Brad’s grandparents’ 65th wedding anniversary.

Photo courtesy Brad Lawson and Zadin Lawson

“Z

aDin is genuine,” braD says. “He sees the best in everybody; he sees the best in every situation.”

Brad Lawson, who is a nurse at South Lake Hospital in Clermont, and Zadin Lawson, who is a clinical IT at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, met online. They texted and emailed back and forth for a while, but Brad had to go out of town to take care of some family business in a place that had no cellphone reception and no access to a computer for three weeks. He was nervous at first that Zadin thought he was just flacking out on him because he really liked him. “When I came back after those three weeks, I sent him a text message again, and then we started talking from there,” Brad says. “For our first meeting, we wanted to meet in a public location, so we met at Disney.” The two met for the first time in the lobby at the Polynesian Resort, which would later become an even more special location for the couple. “I was very excited,” Zadin says. “We met at the Polynesian Resort at Disney and that way we figured

if either one of us were weird or an axe murderer, we’d have a way out. But then I saw him, and I was endeared to him. “For me, I had been in a longterm relationship prior to meeting Brad, so I was kind of cautious to a point. But Brad just made me feel so comfortable in my own skin and being in a relationship that it just became natural—it was a natural progression in our lives to be with each other.” Zadin says part of the secret to their relationship is that Brad makes him laugh, and it’s like medicine and a wonderful feeling. Brad says he never had that big “aha moment” when it came to knowing that he wanted to marry and spend the rest of his life with Zadin, but he says he’s always felt that Zadin was the yin to his yang. Before Brad proposed to Zadin, he called Zadin’s mom to ask for her blessing, and the day of the proposal, he was very nervous. Brad asked Zadin to marry him in the lobby of the Polynesian Resort—coincidentally, the same

spot where they first met. They were married on July 1—the same date as Brad’s grandparents wedding anniversary, who were very integral in his upbringing and he was very close with them—in their backyard with only 15 people present, but they knew they wanted to celebrate with their families from out of town. As soon as they got married, they started planning a reception celebration for their entire families that happened October 24. Their service was performed by Orlando drag star Gidget Galore, and their wedding was the first ceremony where Gidget Galore performed the ceremony as his secular boy self—Rich Kuntz—and not in drag. “There are two things that I love about Brad,” Zadin says. “One is that he makes me laugh no matter what kind of day, if it’s a bad day, he makes me laugh. He has that character where he can put me at ease. And the other is the security. He makes me feel comfortable and secure in any and every situation.”

Mr. Ybor Eagle 2010 Carlos “Wolfy” Diaz, Tampa massage therapist Russell Fox, St. Pete Pride volunteer and Tarpon Springs native Paul LeCouris, Fringe ED George Wallace, Orlando bear Justin Homer and Teacher and activist Clinton McCracken, Former Orange County Democratic Executive Committee Chair and current candidate for the Florida House of Representatives Carlos Guillermo Smith (Dec. 31); St Pete business analyst Jason Bracewell, University of Central Florida lecturer and associate director for the Nicholson School of Communications boyd Lindsley (Jan. 2); Sarasota graphic designer and friend of many non-profits Tim Cameresi and Tampa photographer Charles Allen, departing Watermark Tampa Bay advertising star Bill Jeffries (Jan. 3); veteran and die-hard Pittsburgh fan Bill Stiller, St. Pete realtor and St. Pete Pride co-founder Brian Longstreth (Jan. 4); Orlando psychologist and athlete Guillermo Navarro (Jan. 5); Tampa activist, mortgage broker and phlebotomist Bill Polley and former Partners Bar and Grill co-owner and St. Pete resident Emmi Grainger (Jan. 6); St. Petersburg performer Madisyn Michaels (Jan. 8); former Watermark Orlando reporter and St. Pete native Susan Clary, founder of women’s web site ProSuzy. com Suzanne Noe, Meagan “Mistress Mayhem” Miles, Orlando Fringe performer Logan Donahoo, St. Petersburg florist and local “Cher” Bobby York (Jan. 10); St. Petersburg instructor and massage therapist Jeremy Couture and Lakeland massage therapist David Lesnett, Gay Internet Radio Live (GIRL) promoter Donnie Mullin, and Gulfport retired Birkenstock USA specialist Danny Hughes turns 50 (Jan. 11); Sarasota real-life cowboy Bill Flynn and Sarasota actress and improv genius Christine Alexander (Jan. 12); Watermark publisher and society maven Rick Claggett and former St. Pete Pride board member and marketing guru Nick Capezza (Jan 13)

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.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

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aCCOunTanT

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Read It Online!

Head to Watermarkonline.com and click on the Digital Publications link to a read a digital version of the printed newspaper!

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

TBGLCC

TAMPA BAY GAY & LESBIAN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Join the Tampa Bay Gay &

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

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chiropractor

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for your peace of mind

South Park Chiropractic Welcomes Dr. Michelle Medina to our office! Please come meet her.

WWW.FCWONLINE.COM South Park Chiropractic

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8865 Commodity Circle Suite 3 Orlando, FL 32819 407-354-0009 Fax: 407-354-4882

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coee Health Care Center provides short-term, postacute medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term skilled nursing care. We offer: • Skilled nursing, RN/LPN care • Physical therapy • Occupational therapy • Speech and respiratory therapy • Orthopaedic programs • Stroke recovery programs • Wound and amputation care • IV and pain management • Hospice and respite care • Restorative nursing program • Cardiac programs • Strengthening and gait training • Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance accepted!

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

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Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

Changing the lives of LGBTQ teens and young adults for over 25 years Social support groups Make friends Scholarships for college Weekly groups in Orange, Seminole & Polk counties

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

uPrisings

six as a WeaPOn

I am winning. I am beating everybody and, in my opinion, beating Hillary is easier than beating these people. —PresiDential CanDiDate DOnalD trumP sPeaKing abOut his rePubliCan COmPetitOrs On abC news

all The gay!

nD yOu thOught nObODy Knew! According to the Associated Press, Florida’s biggest news story this year was the legalization of same-sex marriage just at the tip: Jan. 6. Of course, we all know the backstory on this: the Pam Bondi, the Rick Scott, the John Stemberger (in a Boy Scout uniform), the blood, the sweat, the tears. But what a phenomenal accomplishment to have in 2015! There’s a lot about our “Big Gay Year” in this paper, so we don’t want to repeat ourselves, but, yes, in the words of Harvey Milk, we are “here to recruit you.” Not to our bedrooms, but to the right side of history. Well done, everyone.

graysOn’s PrOgress

verybODy’s FavOrite giant PersOn (anD COngressman) alan graysOn, he of the “die quickly” and Alan Turing reminders about why life matters, won quite an honor on Dec. 28. Grayson is running for the U.S. Senate in a heavily contested race against establishment Democrat Patrick Murphy, who maybe isn’t a Democrat after all? The Progressive Democrats of America have officially endorsed Grayson in the race, saying, “We polled all of our membership statewide, and Alan won an astounding 90 percent of the vote.” Grayson responded by assuring Democrats that he would promote “peace, health care for all” among other things. He also applauded the group. “They not only fight to protect Florida’s workers, children and seniors, but they do the vital organizing work that provides the only path to delivering a Democrat into the Senate and White House. I’m proud to have them at my side.”

rOss geTs TrumPed

e were hOPing tO get away withOut talKing abOut this, but because everyone is, you should know that former fake reality television star, city council candidate, clerk of courts hopeful and all-around underachiever Randy Ross has been named as presidential candidate Donald Trump’s Orange County campaign chairman. You may recall that Ross found some trouble by saying a former opponent only made babies while in office; you may recall that Ross allegedly stole some patio furniture. You may also note that Trump doesn’t like gay people, or at least gay people having rights. So if this makes no sense to anyone, then your senses are in the correct place. Watermark columnist Michael Wanzie took to Facebook to speak of this bizarre behavior, but we’re actually too worried about Ross, and his front porch, to talk about it. Trump apparently has no vetting apparatus. Orange County is losing its patience with Ross.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Billy Manes

s iF the hOliDays weren’t alreaDy FilleD with all the COmFOrt anD jOy and everything else that could potentially cause side-eyes or horror, just before Christmas, your favorite hoard of aberrant Republican reindeer decided – well at least six of them did – that they would sign on to enact the First Amendment Defense Act (SB 1598, HB 2802) within their first 100 days in office. We would laugh, but this isn’t funny. The bill, which was excreted by Republican Rep. Raul Labrador, R-ID, and his sidekick Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT, seemed a bit like a lark when introduced over the summer. Who does that? But now, with Republicans desperate to distinguish themselves from the Trump or the kindness, we have a situation. What the First Amendment Defense Act does, effectively, is allow businesses (and lobbying groups, as we’ve seen) to discriminate against gay people. You know the words: “Marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman,” “sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.” Oh, fuck off. In the year that we celebrate in this issue, a year wherein state and federal forces combined to legalize marriage equality, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but not necessarily an unexpected downer. Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum (gross) and Mike Huckabee have decided to hate the majority of our readers and a minority in this country. In the words of the Human Rights Campaign: “If passed, this legislation would create a breakdown of government services and runaway litigation. It would permit a federal employee, for example, to refuse to process tax returns, visa applications or Social Security checks whenever a same-sex couple’s paperwork appears on his or her desk. This legislation would also permit recipients of federal grants and contracts, including those for social services programs like homeless shelters and substance abuse treatment programs, to turn away LGBT people. This from a corps of hopefuls who seek smaller government? It’s really tough not to go overboard criticizing this nonsense, but we will say this: What’s happening here, beyond the expected backlash and Klan rally noise from the right that knows no right (allegedly), is some fairly pathetic teambuilding from the Republican National Committee – actually some dangerous work to secure a voting base that is confused on everything except hate. The backing of (alleged) hate groups like the Family Research Council and the National Organization for Marriage aside, this is just cruel. “It has become clear that the First Amendment Defense Act is rapidly becoming a signature issue that unifies the GOP,” American Principles Project senior fellow Maggie Gallagher said in the group’s statement supporting FADA. And with all the joy in her tiny heart, she added, “Real concrete protections for gay marriage dissenters appear to be just one election victory away.” Keep your eyes and your heart open. It’s going to be a bumpy year.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27

watermark Your lgbt life.

Decemb er 31, 2015 - J a nua ry 13, 2016 // Issue 2 2. 27