watermark Your LGBT Life.
ISSUE 23.08 • APRIL 21 - MAY 4, 2016 WATERMARKONLINE.COM
A NEW GOAL tHe orlando pride brings women into tHe city’s soccer craze
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
departments 6 // mail 7 // editor’s desk 13 // orlando news 16 // tampa bay news 21 // state news 23 // nation & world news 34 // in-deptH 43 // arts & entertainment 51 // community calendar 53 // tampa bay out+about 55 // orlando out+about 56 // tampa bay marketplace 57 // transitions/wedding bells 58 // orlando marketplace 62 // uprisings
PAGE
16
There’s this archaic law on the Florida books that says that a biological male and a biological female cannot live in the same quarters together unless they are married, but the way that Florida law defines gender is by genitals, so trans people end up falling through the cracks. —new college student rAInA senAe
on tHe cover
PAGE
PAGE GOOOOAAAAL:
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Central Florida’s soccer craze is about to get even bigger as the City Beautiful introduces you to some Orlando Pride.
scan Qr code For
watermarkonline.com
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let’s talk about poems, baby: Orlando poet Derrick Austin likes to write about all the beautiful things that make you uncomfortable.
watermark i ssue 23 .08 //apri l 21 - may 4 , 2016
a walk around tHe lake pride announcement FreeFallin’
uprisings
PAGE The crowds gathered at Lake Eola for the 21st Annual Orlando AIDS Walk by Hope & Help.
PAGE
read it Online! In addition to a Web site with daily LGBT updates, a digital version of each issue of the publication is made available on WatermarkOnline.com
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PAGE St. Pete Pride announces their official grand marshals as voted by the Tampa Bay area.
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PAGE
freeFall Theatre’s Matthew McGee fills you in on what’s new for the upcoming season.
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North Carolina’s HB 2 ain’t nothin’ but a hate bill, and Donald Trump shows that numbers are hard to remember.
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the pOLLs are cLOsed. find Out whO is the uLtimate Lgbt icOn at watermarkOnLine.cOm! watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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top web comments “NC lawmakers have created a complicated backwards thinking mess.” —Alan Fraser
WatermarkOnline.com: On Lee Vandergrift’s popular homoerotic photography taking him from the beard to the rear without filters:
“Gee, it would have been nice it this “art work” had featured some “real” men... you know, older guys, some not so attractive, hairy bearish and chubby guys. This perpetuates the stereotype of what is beauty. No wonder the straight world thinks we’re obsessed with youth and perfection, and are self-absorbed.” —Buzz the Bear
On Mississippi religious exemption bill facing legal backlash amid muted business response:
“It is no surprise that Mississippi, one of the poorest Southern states, would make such a stupid decision to discriminate against LGBTs as they are not very well educated about the real world, only their churches. Perhaps this fiasco they have created will teach them more about humanity and why love and inclusiveness trumps hate and exclusion.” —GayEGO
On Tampa and St. Pete mayors inviting North Carolina businesses to bring jobs to Tampa Bay:
“I am SO PROUD to be a Tampa and Bay Area resident. Life is good here. My husband and I just had the grand opening of our newest business last night-Expedia CruiseShipCenters,
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South Tampa. Gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic... we were all there together having a great time. Great job Bucky and Krieseman. Bring on the business. It makes all of our lives better and showcases the true fabric of our community.” —Dean
Watermark’s Facebook page: On North Carolina boycotts meaning major money loss for state:
“Good. Just what this redneck state deserves.” —Joe Bunting
On Duran Duran coming out for LGBT rights in North Carolina:
“Thanks Duran Duran, you guys rock!” —Sid Boyette III
On North Carolina governor issuing executive order on LGBT protections:
“N.C. lawmakers have created a complicated backwards thinking mess. It need not be so complicated. Equal protection for ALL under the law should be clear and simple.” —Alan Fraser
“Not enough for me. N.C. is broken and protection for all people at all times needs to be established as law.” —Chuck Strom
“Too little, too late. Sad attempt at saving face! Not good enough.” —Barbara Sheridan
Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
“This is all just so backwards!” —Jennifer Shinose
“Repeal or forget it.” —Jim Steinle
On Bryan Adams cancelling Mississippi concert in response to anti-LGBT law:
“But like, seriously, would anyone actually attend a Bryan Adams concert anyway?”
—Garrett L. Grainger
“Um, yes.”
—Carlos Guillermo Smith
On Bruce Springsteen cancelling his North Carolina concert in response to anti-LGBT law:
“Probably won’t go to Mississippi either. The South is one big epic fail.” —Veronica Drake
On Spanish League denouncing antigay insults at Cristiano Ronaldo:
“Not sure why but soccer seems to attract trashy hooligan types.” —Pam Hardin
On Orlando attorney finding an alternative to same-sex parents having to adopt their own children:
“I’m so happy that they will not have to go through half the pain, time and cost again.” —Jaime Bohlen
“I am so proud of you and thankful that you are leading the fight.”
—Debbie Knuth Therrien
editor’s
Billy Manes EDITOR
BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com
I
Desk
think I played soccer on a team
once. I can vaguely remember wearing the shin guards and avoiding my hands and the fast approaching balls and whether they would ever touch or I would fall in love, weaving and winding my way into looking like I was doing something when I really wasn’t (it’s easy). My mother, likely, sat in the stands, doing her best ‘70s mom boosterism, rolling her eyes while I flailed then failed at my last known athletic endeavor. Still, it’s a fond memory. As sports go, soccer is friendlier than its jacked-up cousins like football, basketball and hockey. The score is always low, but I like to think that the game is about more than succeeding numerically. That’s not true, of course. Scores are numbers that make stars and endorsement deals. We’re a society of quantities. We want to be the best.
watermark staff
When Orlando City Soccer founders Phil Rawlins and Flávio Augusto da Silva introduced the seemingly absurd notion of a professional soccer league in Orlando a few years ago, there were a lot of rolling eyes. Could the team get it together enough to join the major leagues? Would the team be able to get the city on board in order to carve out a regulation-sized
stadium when the city was already taking heat for building venues throughout downtown? Would anyone even show up? Yep. Well, despite the obstacles and their related controversies, the Orlando City Soccer Club turned out to be just the shot in the arm – or the shin – that a cynical city needed. Orlando City fans are a loyal bunch; there are even competing fan franchises. It’s both amazing and bonkers. Last year we learned that the Orlando City folks were branching out into the female sports arena, launching the Orlando Pride, which played (and lost) its inaugural game in Portland on April 17. The ladies who kick will reconfigure and try again on April 23 at their first home game at the Citrus Bowl. Why am I talking about a sport I couldn’t even bother to clearly remember playing? Because our cover star this week is Lianne Sanderson, who, among other feats on her feet, is a proud lesbian who happens to be kicking for the Pride. Interestingly enough, our story doesn’t focus too much on Sanderson’s sexuality, just as the sport won’t allow you to stop and contextualize yourself. She’s clearly open about it – even on social media – but it’s not her entire existence. In a way, she’s a new kind of LGBT hero, one who exists outside of the assimilationist norms but is clearly tried and tested for a major sports league. So she’s assimilating on her own terms. Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find other outsiders working the inside with aplomb. Poet Derrick Austin, who will be in Orlando for the Functionally Literate series on April 23, goes to the dark spaces of visceral reality, smiling through the sexual corners often unexplored. Similarly, St. Petersburg’s freeFall Theatre Company pushes the boundaries and breaks the mold on theatrical classics and lives to tell
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watermark Your LGBT life.
another day. We have updates on Sarasota’s New College making trans-inclusive moves in the right direction, a wrap-up of this year’s Orlando AIDS Walk (along with some news from Hope and Help about its evolution), a deep look into how the state’s Department of Children and Families is now intentionally failing LGBT foster children and much, much more. And if you thought our score couldn’t get any higher, we have dueling Republican viewpoints: one satire, one real. Does that make it a tie? Math is hard. All sports metaphors aside, we’re obviously engaged in what is
The score is always low, but I like to think that the game is about more than succeeding numerically. That’s not true, of course.
going on with the religious freedom bills plaguing our country – it’s called bigotry – so we’re raising our hackles in the only way we know how: a cacophony of words in a columnar fashion. Mostly, though, we’re being good sports in what can be considered bad times (unless you’re married). If it sounds like we’re beating the same drum every other week, it’s because we are. Loyalty to the rights of our brothers and sisters in the LGBT movement is paramount, whether there’s a team name or not. The scoreboard is set. Our shoes are spit-shined. We’re aiming for the goal. Now if only these bruises would leave my shins.
Orlando Office 414 N. Ferncreek Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 TEL: 407-481-2243 FAX: 407-481-2246
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
contributors Krista DiTucci
is a freelance writer and family advocate for Manatee Children’s Services. She lives in Sarasota with her husband and children. Page 18
Jason Leclerc
is a near lifelong resident of the I-4 corridor, currently in South Tampa. He publishes poetry online at PoetEconomist. blogspot.com. His first book, Momentitiousness, was published in 2014. His new book, Black Kettle, will be published in 2016. Page 25
pOOR rICH wHITE lADY
is a personal imaginary friend of Orlando comedian Jeff Jones. She drinks a bit. Page 27
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 LVNLIF2 Distributing, Lisa Jordan, Jill Bates, Ken Carraway 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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APR IL 21 - M AY 4 , 2016 // ISSUE 2 3.0 8
central florida news
bears in tHe city launcHes we bears care, a non-proFit subsidiary Jamie Hyman
B
bIg strIdes:
The team from Hope & Help walk with pride during AIDS Walk Orlando April 16.
PHOTO By BRIAn BECnEl
stepping forward AIDS Walk 2016 raises $92,000 as Hope and Help leaders announce big changes Jamie Hyman
m
ore than 1,000 walkers braved gray skies to follow the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - the walk’s traditional leader - on a stroll around Lake Eola for the 21st annual AIDS Walk Orlando, Hope and Help’s second largest annual fundraiser. Hope and Help’s mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action against HIV/AIDS. On April 16, walkers supported this mission through fundraising and supported their friends by donning shirts where they’d written the names of loved ones for whom they walked. As of April 18, the AIDS Walk raised $92,000 and money was still coming in, according to
Russell Walker, Hope and Help’s community development director. Last year’s event raised $121,000. Walker says not only are they still collecting donations, but the corporate matching grants will take five or six weeks to come in. “The weather stayed good, which was nice, and there were no hassles,” Walker says. “It was maybe a little quieter at the start, but when the walk started, it didn’t seem any quieter than previous years. I was happy with the turnout.” In addition to the walk itself, Hope and Help leveraged the event to make several major announcements. They unveiled a new logo, designed by graphic designer Drew Sizemore, and as part of the rebranding, announced
they would be streamlining the name of the organization. What was previously Hope and Help of Central Florida Inc. will now be known simply as Hope & Help. Walker says since the organization’s birth in 1988, they’ve only had two logos. He says the new logo carries over the old logo’s colors, nods to the iconic red AIDS ribbon with the ampersand and emphasizes the word “Help,” to highlight the organization’s growing and diversifying services. The reaction to the new look has been “very positive so far, which is nice,” Walker says. Bob Adams, president of Hope and Help’s board of directors, announced at the AIDS Walk that the organization is looking for new headquarters. They’re working with realtor Eric Rollings to secure a 10,000 - 15,000 square foot facility to house all of Hope and Help’s services under one roof. Hope and Help’s new home would have to be close to public transportation and located in an area that complies with the city’s zoning laws. The organization is currently
cOntinued On pg. 14 | uu |
watermark Your LGBT life.
ears in the City, an Orlando-based social and entertainment company, is expanding its charitable reach. They officially launched We Bears Care, a 501(c)3 organization, April 13. “Bears in the City has done a decent amount of fundraising in the four years we’ve been a company and now we’re diving into more social activities. I thought this was the perfect way to blend everything together and have a way to be able to give back to the community that would also allow us to work with companies to have a bigger impact,” says Bears in the City founder Pat O’Rourke. This way we can get donations and monetary support to be able to put on bigger events that will in turn allow us to raise more money to give back.” He says right now their events mostly benefit The GLBT Center of Central Florida and the Orlando chapter of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, but they’re open to any and all organizations that support the local LGBT community. For more information, visit We Bears Care on Facebook. O’Rourke says WeBearsCare.org will be launching soon.
lgbt advocates once again Fill tHe room at brevard scHool board meeting Jamie Hyman
I
t was another packed house at the April 12 Brevard School Board meeting, where supporters wearing red filled the room, pushing the Board to adopt district-wide LGBT protections. The effort has had quite a journey so far. In December 2015, activists began to rally support for the Brevard School District to add LGBT protections to their existing non-discrimination policy. The proposal hit a wall in March 2016, after an organized effort by antigay speakers flooded a meeting and derailed the effort. After the LGBT protections were moved to workshop, many thought they were dead. A second meeting in March breathed new life into the effort, and the proposal was placed on the workshop agenda for April 26. In the meantime, supporters have organized to have a strong presence at regular school board meetings, as there is no allotment for public comments at workshops. The April 12 meeting was the second strong showing. Although there is no public comment on April 26, supporters may send statements to Pres@ SpaceCoastPride.org, to Space Coast Pride’s Facebook page or via SpaceCoastPride.org. Those statements will be presented to the board as part of their research during the workshop. Deadline for submissions is April 22.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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central florida news | uu | Hope and Help frOm pg.13
tHe deatH oF greg:
orlando resident Gina Duncan, who is the transgender inclusion director at Equality Florida, delivers a TEDxBoca Raton talk titled “How I died to live an authentic life.” The talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Visit Watermarkonline.com to view Duncan’s entire talk.
housed in Winter Park. A downtown Orlando office is now closed. Walker says they have staff members working out of a few remote locations and the staff members in the main office are crowded, with eight case managers sharing a conference room and former offices converted into intake rooms. “We’re all sitting on top of each other right now,” Walker says. “[Hope and Help has] grown a lot and very quickly, which is a great thing.” He says the food pantry - in partnership with Publix and Fresh Market - is especially popular, and in the past six to eight weeks, tripled in number of clients using it, but it “takes a lot of space.” “We are expanding our food pantry, added hepatitis C and syphilis testing as part of our rapid testing program, we’ve added and expanded our support
new brAnd: The new Hope & Help logo, designed by Drew Sizemore,
emphasizes the word “HELP” to highlight the organization’s expanded serives.
and counseling groups, and have successfully partnered with our community allies at Two Spirit to launch the first and only low cost PrEP Clinic in Central Florida,” Adams says in a media release. Walker says the crowded quarters are manageable for
now, but on a short term basis, as their ultimate goal is to make it “comfortable and inviting” for the clients they serve. There are also privacy concerns, he says, so the extra space is much needed.
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tampa bay news
St. Pete Pride announces the grand marshals for the 2016 Pride parade Jeremy Williams
S
t. Petersburg | St. Pete Pride announced the 2016 grand marshals for the 14th annual St. Pete Pride Parade at a kick-off event at Enigma Bar & Lounge April 19. After holding an open selection process during the month of March in which the community voted for their grand marshals, three individuals and one organization were selected. The individual grand marshals are Anastasia “Annie” Hiotis, Lucas Aiden Wehle and Miguel Fuller. Hiotis is the chief operating officer of the law firm of Carlton Fields and has been involved with Equality Florida since 2009. Along with Connie Lancaster, her partner of 24 years, Hoitis has supported the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, sponsoring its annual launch party since 2011. Wehle is the trans and youth Coordinator for Metro Wellness & Community Centers. Since his own transition, Wehle has helped to raise awareness to trans issues, developed and led workshops and mentored other trans students in the Tampa Bay area. Fuller is the host of “The Miguel Show,” a weekday morning radio broadcast on Cox Media Group’s HOT 101.5 FM, making him the first openly gay, African American radio host in Tampa Bay. Fuller began the show with cohost Holly O’Connor a year ago and since has won several readers’ choice awards for Best Radio Personality, including Watermark’s 2016 WAVE Award. Fuller has worked with AIDS Walk Tampa Bay and recorded PSA’s on HIV testing for AIDS Services Association of Pinellas (ASAP). Friends of the Festival Inc. (FOF) was the organization selected as a community grand marshal. FOF produces the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which began in 1990. Since its inception, the festival has showcased thousands of features, documentaries and short films made by and for the LGBTQ+ community. “The 2016 Grand Marshal class is our most diverse yet and truly showcases the best of our community,” said St Pete Pride Board President Scion Provenzano in a press release. “They represent everything we are and can be, and are true role models for future generations.” Along with the community grand marshals, St. Pete Pride chooses an honorary grand marshal each year. This year they have selected U.S. Representative Kathy Castor who is the voice of Florida’s 14th District. Castor has represented the district since 2006 and is the first woman to represent Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in the U.S. Congress. Castor was the lone supporter in recognizing Pride celebrations in Hillsborough County in 2005 when she was a County Commissioner. St. Pete Pride will be celebrated the last weekend of June, with a nighttime parade June 25 and the Pride festival June 26. With an estimated 250,000 combined attendance over Pride weekend, St. Pete Pride is the largest diversity event in the state of Florida each year. The parade averages over 4,000 walkers and more than 150 groups annually.
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SCHOOL iS IN SESSION:
Raina Senae (pictured) and the Student Alliance work to bring common sense, trans-inclusive policy to New College. Photo by Jeremy Williams
New ideas Conservative Sarasota County is home to New College, one of the most progressive, trans-inclusive schools in the nation Jeremy Williams
S
ARASOTA | State and local governments prying into the personal lives of LGBTs is front page news, with a focus on where transgender people should be allowed to go to the bathroom. This is an issue that baffles Raina Senae, a senior at New College in Sarasota and vice president of diversity and inclusion in their Student Alliance. “I think as you get older, you just get set in these ways that overcomplicate things,” Senae says. “For most young people, it is just common sense stuff for us. People have to go to the bathroom, they can’t help that, and they want to feel comfortable when doing it. Older generations get this all wrapped up in religion and their background and family relationships.” New College is a small school with a little more than 800 students, located in a traditionally conservative area of Florida, but it is known throughout the country as one of the
watermark Your LGBT life.
most progressive and trans-inclusive schools out there. “We have a school that is 10 percent trans students,” Senae says. “We figured if that’s how many people at New College are trans, then there is no reason that they should be ignored.” Most of the bathrooms on New College’s campus are gender-neutral, and while many of them are singlestall, there is at least one open, all-gender bathroom on campus. Everyone uses the same bathroom, and life seems to continue just fine. “We never had any push back on making these changes, like converting the signage on the bathrooms. We have bathrooms and they should be for everybody. To us it was a nobrainer,” Senae says. New College’s trans-inclusiveness expands past bathroom policy. While many schools argue over the acceptance of Gay/Straight Alliances, New College has campus clubs called the T-party and Queery, which deal with transgender and nonbinary issues. “Something that New College really tries to do is, instead of pointing out
Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
the differences, we try to normalize those identities because they have been ‘othered’ in the past, which is what made it easy for people to discriminate,” Senae says. It is a pretty common practice for students to put identifying pronouns in their email signature blocks, especially among the student officials. “Everyone uses email, so I don’t have to go through a whole process of explaining what pronouns to use and why I use them. They are just right there in front of you, easy and accessible,” Senae says. According to Senae, one of the key reasons New College is able to be an open and inclusive school is because the students not only have an open dialogue with each other but with the faculty and staff. “We have this place on campus called the Forum where we are always talking about issues involving gender, race and more. We get together to make sure as students we are all on the same page about getting the most we can out of being here,” Sanae says. “We just recently had a ‘day of dialogue’ where we were talking about diversity issues and how to talk about them in a way that is sensitive and genuine and with integrity. Several members of the faculty and staff came to that. It shows their dedication.” While New College is on the forefront of LGBT inclusiveness, Senae says there are still issues that need addressing and the Student Alliance is working on. Continued on pg. 18 | uu |
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| uu | New College from pg.16
“One of the biggest things we are trying to do now is have trans-inclusive housing for people coming in, straight out the gate,” Senae says. “There’s this archaic law on the Florida books that says that a biological male and a biological female cannot live in the same quarters together unless they are married, but the way that Florida law defines gender is by genitals, so trans people end up falling through the cracks.” “We have students who are trying to create what they call a lavender dorm, a housing area of just queer-identifying students which would be voluntary,” Senae says. “Incoming queer-identifying students could go into those dorms if they choose to. We want to open up options and give choices to all the students here.” Another project that they hope to have completed soon is the expansion of their network of allgender bathrooms and converting the signage to reflect all-gender. “We realized the signage for
gender-neutral bathrooms can be a little problematic because there are people who identify as genderneutral so we are in the process of changing all of our signage and in that it is in compliance with ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] guidelines,” Senae says. Just outside of the progressive New College campus, the Sarasota County School Board continues to debate the bathroom policies within their K-12 public schools. Senae says that as grown adults debating this issue, they seem to have forgotten the key element in understanding the concerns of trans students. “I think the key thing is education,” Senae says. “I recently had a conversation with my grandmother about me coming out. She is 71 years old. I talked to her for a bit and I was like, ‘OK grandma, this is why gender and sex are different, this is my identity,’ and she was like, ‘It’s something for me to mull over, but I think I get it.’ And if a 71-year-old Southern woman can understand that, I think there is hope for everyone, but maybe I’m just an optimist.”
tampa bay news
Charlotte County Pride Fest 2016 will be a Day of Fun in the Park Krista DiTucci
P
unta Gorda | Punta Gorda will celebrate its fourth annual Charlotte County Pride Fest on April 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at Laishley Park. “The park is beautiful and it’s right on the water,” Pride president Carrie Mallia-James says. “You overlook Charlotte Harbor, and feeling the breeze coming off the water is just awesome.” The 2016 festival will include live music by Wicked Karma, Savanna Galloway, The Cheaters, Delaran Withers and Zombie University. Drag performers Alyssa Lemay, Mya Valentine, Drag Clyo and Fairyanna Belle will entertain guests throughout the day. Activities like Stealth Mobile Laser Tag games, bull riding, Gravity bungee jumping and various skill games will be available. MalliaJames says the festival promotes a family-friendly atmosphere to accommodate the many families in
the community and ensure everyone is included. “We saw a lot of people going to Pride and just watching what’s going on,” Mallia-James says. “The board agreed to make it fun—not just for adults, but for kids too. We decided we wanted to keep people there as long as we can, so let’s do some other things besides have vendors and music.” A painting by John Dedo Cristina will be auctioned off at the festival. Cristina painted the piece after hearing about a transgender teen’s experience with bullying; the piece represents Cristina’s interpretation of the pain. The day will end with a raffle at 6 p.m. Some of the prizes include a weekend getaway to Key West provided by the Key West Express and Alexander’s Guest House, Disney World tickets, jewelry by Kay Jewelers, tattoos by Tom Cat Tattoo, karaoke party by American Honey and a perfume basket from Dillard’s. Those who want to continue dancing and celebrating are
encouraged to attend the Pride after party in the park. The party last until 10 p.m. and will include go-go dancers, music, beer and wine. Mallia-James says Punta Gorda has been very receptive to the Pride festival and the LGBT community. She says the mayor has spoken at Pride opening ceremonies, and she has collaborated in writing LGBT laws into city regulations. “Charlotte County is basically a conservative area, but Punta Gorda is a little more progressive,” MalliaJames says. “Hopefully the rest of the county will follow suit after seeing the support Punta Gorda has given us. I really encourage the county commissioners to join us at the festival and I hope to see some of them there.” Festival admission is free, but monetary donations and nonperishable food and hygiene items for CHAPS pantry are accepted upon entry. CAN will offer free HIV testing throughout the day. Guests will enjoy shaded tents at the event, but are encouraged to bring chairs.
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
state news
FIghtIng the good FIght: Currey Cook from Lambda Legal, back right, is a member of the LGBT Child Welfare Work Group and recently conducted a training in St. Pete for people who work with LGBT youth, such as social workers, school employees and LGBTQ youth group leaders. Cook and the other work group members are asking Florida’s DCF to keep LGBTQ protections in the rules governing foster group homes. PHOTO COuRTESy ROBERT lATHAM
What’s the matter here? State backtracks on LGBT foster youth protections despite wide support Jamie Hyman
r
eligious organizations are playing politics with the Florida Department of Children and Families and if they are successful, LGBTQ foster children lose. The LGBT Child Welfare Work Group asked DCF to add LGBT protections to the rules governing group homes in the summer of 2015, which started a discussion around updating policies. The work group is made up of child welfare professionals around the state who want better futures for LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care systems such as schools, foster
care and homeless assistance. Robert Latham is the workgroup chair and is also the supervising attorney for the Children & Youth Law Clinic at the University of Miami School of Law. He says the updates are intended to clarify the responsibilities of group home owners when it comes to LGBTQ youth and cover three main areas: how to place transgender youth; forbidding harassment, discrimination and conversion therapy and training requirements for staff and other youth with the goal of making these homes safer for LGBTQ children. “These kids need specific protections,” Latham says. “You
can’t just expect providers to know how.” The workgroup received a draft of the group home rules updated with LGBTQ protections in November. “That was a huge development at the forefront of child welfare policies,” Latham says. “That was implementing modern best practices. We were so proud of our state and our [DCF].” In January, two religious organizations that run group homes – Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Florida Baptist Children’s Home – testified at a public hearing on the updates and presented letters for consideration. The Baptist letter argues that LGBTQ children do not need special considerations and objects to the ban on conversion therapy. “Faith-based milieus allow for spiritual guidance that respect the differences among God’s creations and can do so in a safe, nonjudgmental manner. Therefore, a special designation for sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is unwarranted,” that letter reads. The Catholic letter argues that “sexual orientation” for youth could refer to sexual conduct outside of wedlock and therefore
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should not be affirmed or protected, and that transgender youth are actually suffering from gender dysphoria. “[The term ‘transgender’] is commonly used, but perpetuates the mistaken belief that sex is subject to change. No male can become a female; no female can become a male,” that letter reads. Four days after the hearing, Latham says the DCF crossed out all rules addressing LGBTQ foster children and their needs. “The DCF immediately turned course, and it doesn’t make any sense at all,” he says. “There is a big mystery right now: What happened in those four days that made DCF, which put itself out there for LGBTQ youth, then backtrack.” Hannah Willard, policy and outreach coordinator for Equality Florida, says the removal of the conversion therapy language is especially troubling and implies that DCF endorses the practice. “The fact that this language was removed at the request of faith-based providers is particularly disturbing, given that many children are subjected to these practices by unlicensed pastors in churches or other faith institutions,” Willard says. Activists didn’t find out the protections were removed until the new rules were published in March, and DCF has not responded to requests as to why the changes were made, Latham says. On April 8, DCF held another public hearing where child welfare professionals around the state spoke in support of the protections, as did religious leaders and former foster kids. “The public hearing response was 100 percent positive [in favor of the protections],” Latham says. “There was not a single dissenting voice on the call. If DCF does not change course on this it is 100 percent political and that’s all there is to it.” DCF Secretary Mike Carroll told the media that the issue shouldn’t be politicized and that “DCF absolutely does not and will not tolerate any discrimination against any vulnerable child for any reason.” “It is not enough to issue a blanket commitment to fairness without backing that commitment up. There’s no proposal in front of us to remove the already enumerated protections for
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
race, religion, disability, and other characteristics, and the Department should not be considering removing protections for sexual orientation and gender identity either,” Willard says. Latham adds that because the updates focus on “education, training and moving to becoming a more affirming place,” the burden on group homes would be minimal. “What [the objectors] are saying is not only do we not want to do this, we refuse to try,” he says. Willard says EQFL believes DCF wants to do the right thing. “We know they originally consulted child-welfare advocates for guidance on how to protect LGBTQ youth and only recently wavered under pressure from the far right,” she says. “We urge them to reinstate protections for LGBTQ youth and ensure that these vulnerable children are safe while
“There is a big mystery right now: What happened in those four days that made DCF, which put itself out there for lGBTQ youth, then backtrack.” —robert lAthAm, chAIr oF lgbt chIld welFAre work group
under the state’s care.” There are no statistics on how many of Florida’s foster children identify as LGBTQ. “DCF keeps very detailed statistics on the child welfare system, but none regarding sexual orientation or gender identity,” Latham says. According to DCF, more than 22,000 children are in foster homes in Florida. Most studies find that about 10-15 percent of the general population is LGBTQ, and a 2014 study of foster children in Los Angeles County found that nearly 20 percent identify as LGBTQ. That means anywhere from 2,200 to 4,400 foster children in Florida would remain unprotected by the state if DCF does not change course.
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
nation+world news
Governor wants to change, but not scrap, North Carolina law Wire Report
R
ALEIGH, N.C. | North Carolina’s governor is asking lawmakers to change part of a state law criticized for its anti-discrimination policies, but he sees no need for a wholesale repeal or reversal of its provisions on transgender bathroom access. Gov. Pat McCrory issued an executive order April 12 expanding protections for many state workers based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He also said he will ask the General Assembly in the coming weeks to restore the ability of all workers to sue over employment discrimination on the basis of issues like race, age and gender in state court. That ability had been removed by the law. “This was my conclusion after hearing from many, many different sides of the issue,” McCrory told the Associated Press shortly after he signed the order. But aside from the change on workplace discrimination lawsuits, McCrory supports preserving the
rest of the law that has brought nationwide fallout to North Carolina since he signed it last month. LGBT rights groups and political opponents have blasted him, while criticism from business executives includes several who have scaled back planned expansions in the state. North Carolina’s measure is among several advanced across the country that opponents say are discriminatory toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. McCrory’s order also affirmed parts of the law directing people at government buildings and schools to use the multistall bathrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificate. And the law still prevents local governments and the state from mandating businesses extend protections to LGBT people who work for them or who visit their stores and restaurants. The state law still excludes gender identity and sexual orientation as classes explicitly protected from employment and public accommodation. That means
people still would not be able to sue in state court over employment discrimination based on those factors, even if lawmakers make the change McCrory is seeking, said ACLU lawyer Chris Brook. Although some critics of the law called the order a positive first step, the most vocal opponents said nothing short of repeal will be enough. A Charlotte ordinance approved in February that would have allowed transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity in public accommodations caused the Republican-controlled General Assembly to hold a special session March 23. Legislators overturned the ordinance and blocked all other cities and counties from passing similar rules against discrimination. In statements, Republican legislative leaders didn’t address McCrory’s request to restore the right to sue in state court for employment discrimination. But they praised him for reaffirming bathroom provisions in the law.
diplomatic posting. Vigano had invited Davis to be among those greeting Francis in the Vatican embassy in Washington last September during his visit to the country. Her lawyer caused an uproar when he announced the meeting shortly after Francis returned to Rome, describing it as papal affirmation of Davis’ approach to conscientious objection. The Vatican insisted the meeting was no such thing and that Davis was merely one of many people who were at the embassy that day. An incensed Vatican ultimately said Francis had only one private audience during his visit to Washington: With his openly gay former student and his partner. Even before the Davis affair,
Vigano stirred controversy and was best known for his role in the first Vatileaks scandal. The scandal, which helped bring about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, began in 2012 when an Italian journalist broadcast letters from Vigano, then the No. 2 Vatican administrator, to Benedict. In the letters, Vigano begged not to be transferred to Washington for having exposed alleged corruption in the Vatican administration that cost the Holy See millions of euros. Pierre, 70, has been nuncio to Mexico since 2007 and helped organize Francis’ recent trip to the country. Previously he was ambassador to Haiti and Uganda.
Vatican envoy who arranged meeting between Pope Francis and Kim Davis retires Wire Report VATICAN CITY | Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of his ambassador to the United States who was behind Francis’ controversial meeting with Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who went to jail rather than comply with a court order to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 75, had submitted his resignation in January after he reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops. Francis accepted it April 12 and named his ambassador to Mexico, the French Monsignor Christophe Pierre, to replace Vigano in the Holy See’s highest-profile
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in other news Arkansas fights court order that lets same-sex parents appear on birth certificates Arkansas is asking its state Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that cleared the way for married same-sex couples to get the name of both spouses on their child’s birth certificate without a court order. The Arkansas Attorney General’s office filed its appeal April 15 on behalf of the state Health Department, saying the law is based on biology. The state also requested oral arguments in the case. Pulaski County Judge Tim Fox ruled in December that part of the state’s birth certificate law was unconstitutional following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
LGBT leader Chris Sgro appointed to North Carolina House Gov. Pat McCrory appointed Chris Sgro, leader of gay-rights group Equality North Carolina, to the North Carolina House April 14. State law obligated the governor to appoint Sgro, the choice of Guilford County Democrats to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. Ralph Johnson. Sgro has said his top priority will be repealing the law signed by McCrory that limits antidiscrimination protections for LGBTs. The new General Assembly begins April 25. Sgro’s term will end at the end of the year.
Gay conversion therapy ban dies in Colorado Senate Colorado will not ban or limit psychotherapy which seeks to change the sexual orientation of minors, also known as “conversion therapy.” The Republican majority on a state Senate panel voted against a bill April 11. The bill would have banned its use on people under 18. Research shows conversion therapy can increase the risk of suicide, drug abuse and depression for teenagers. Supporters testified that many medical groups oppose the therapy and that being gay isn’t an illness to be fixed. Republican opponents said a ban could limit free speech rights.
Kenyan rights group seeks to decriminalize gay sexual relations between consenting adults The Kenyan National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said in a statement April 15 that it is going to court to challenge current law and decriminalize gay sexual relations between consenting adults. The group’s statement said the law “stands in stark contrast to the Kenyan constitutional values of democracy, equality and the rule of law.” That group last year won a case in which a panel of judges, rejecting religious and moral arguments, ordered a government agency to register the group. The law prescribes a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment for consensual gay sex among adults.
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
viewpoint
Jason Leclerc
The other side
of life
A
Elect Oral
s I canvas America,
meeting those friends and colleagues with whom – just a couple years ago – I could engage in raucous political debates, I find that the “Establishment” is strong and coalescing. The Clinton-Bush conglomerate that has delivered America to its current, unprecedented level of economic, social, and technological greatness (wealth disparity, esoteric-last-stand-antitrans-HBs, and ISIL notwithstanding), is fighting to reclaim its rightful place as the unifier of the world’s splintering resolve against entropy.
Reasonable Republicans and daring Democrats, having fought like spoiled siblings over manufactured and overwrought issues for three decades since the Reagan coalition collapsed, are looking more like a ‘90s-era Parliament House “heads and tails” foam party. We’re quietly groping each other, agreeing that oral is acceptable. Given our choices, namely (yet, unnamed) the populist insurgent anger-mongers who’ve hijacked our respective parties, we accept Hillary for what she is: good enough to swallow. The GOP with its arcane convention party rules and the Big Ds, with their more openly “rigged” superdelegate system, have circled their jerks around their brands and around the preservation of America’s warts-and-all, au naturale greatness. In 2016, one does not merely decide to run for president. Rather, a thoughtful and introspective leader
is called years before to begin a campaign. They build a resume and ideological superstructure. Politics is ugly and success requires doing questionable things in bathroom stalls and parking lots: compromise, deal-making, posturing, overlooking indiscretions of others whose bellies burn with the correct ideologies even as their loins burn when they pee. Recently, I was invited to explain the concept of the Electoral College to a millenial, Berning, comrade. “Elect Oral?” “Yes!” America is not a democracy. We have always had gapstoppers – checks, balances – to protect the mob from itself. The two great American parties, following in this same tradition, have evolved with a set of rules similar to those that the Electoral College protects. When outsiders decry an “undemocratic” system, we would like to remind them that nothing in the party’s rules claim to be democratic. Ultimately, the party’s job is to choose the candidate most likely to deliver success – a slate of policy results – in both the top-ticket elections as well as those down-ticket. I wonder if the party crashers in the two parties – those who seem unaware of the rules – are equally obtuse about the Constitution. One has clearly never read the Constitution, the other, it seems, wants to throw it away. The Republican and Democratic parties are not democracies. They are responsible, policy-centered NGOs that are maintained by a web of interdependencies to myriad constituencies and members. America is not a democracy. It’s a constitutional, federal republic protected by the rule of law and sustained by measured, sometimes imperfect progress. For candidates who’ve never been elected to a position of state or national executive leadership, how
they conduct a campaign is a telling test of their skills. This was a poignant argument for Obama’s election in 2008, when questions were proffered regarding his ability to manage America. A campaign is a metaphor for how one can govern and administer the office they seek. Structure and details matter. If a leader is outmaneuvered by a more organized campaign and
Democrats and Republicans have been the protectors of our union. They have been the forcers of continuity; the strength of that continuity – measured, sustained, constrained progress – has propelled America to its greatness. With respect to the impending contested convention in Cleveland and the piling on of uncommitted superdelegates on the
pitchfork-wielding scorchedearthers could easily enough become guillotiners or concentrators. In either doomsday scenario, the progress and continuity of American economic, technological, cultural and human rights leadership in the world will be set back. In one case, by ill-meaning ignorance. In the other, by well-meaning ineptitude.
then claims (erroneously) that the “system is rigged” or “undemocratic,” I wonder how they will react to an Ayatollah or neo-Czarist or legitimate financier whose values and senses of “fairness” may not align with his or her own. Pathetically, I bet. For 240 years since Philadelphia, or for 150 years since Appomattox (wherever your timeline may start),
Democratic side, understand that superdelgates are politicians, and politicians generally try to agree with voters and follow the will of the voters. Whining to the contrary is, at best, disingenuous. Superdelegates, much like “pledged” delegates, know that they have elections of their own they have to win. The faux-libertines with their entourages of unruly
To save our nation from the insurgents and as frustrating as incremental political evolution may be, we must get behind the establishment. To save our nation and our Constitution, we must think like our forebears did in order to prevent us from being screwed. “Yes, Elect Oral.”
America is not a democracy. We have always had gapstoppers – checks, balances – to protect the mob from itself.
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
viewpoint
Though, she is better than that crazy old man. I just found out the other day that he’s not even a Christian! If that isn’t bad enough, he wants to take all of my money and give it to poor kids. Not sure how that is even fair
boring affairs you’ve had. Ted is also stealing delegates from my dear Donald. That is directly against one of the Ten Commandments that Jesus wrote in the Bible! In all fairness, those delegates were from Colorado, so most of them were probably high. I hear it’s legal in Colorado. Speaking of things being legal, kudos to the great state of Carolina (I can’t remember if this was in the North or the South one). They made it legal for Christians to stop transgender people from using the bathroom. I, for one, don’t think this law goes far enough. There are many other people I’d like banned from bathrooms. First off, ugly people. I don’t want to go into the ladies’ room and see and ugly person. Next, ban poor people. They might be doing more than just using the bathroom. I think some of them might even be living in those public restrooms. Disgusting. Also, they should have banned all Muslims from using the bathrooms. How do we not know they are going in there to cause terrorism? Plus, with those robes they wear covering their faces, how do we not know they are male or female? That should be a double strike in (North or South) Carolina! I would say they should also ban Mexicans from the bathrooms, but then who would clean them? My biggest hope is that under President Trump, we see the Carolina bathroom law go nationwide. I want to be able to do in to a Nordstrom or a Saks Fifth Avenue without seeing someone in the bathroom other than myself. My tax dollars should not be
because that would make my kids poor. This is America, you can’t do that. I am voting for the true American Christian. I know, you’re thinking Ted Cruz. I will never vote for “Lyin’ Ted.” The man might claim to be Christian, but he has NO morals at all. If you’re going to have multiple affairs and cheat on your wife, Ted, at least be proud and honest about them like Donald Trump. He has boasted about the hundreds and hundreds of women he has had sex with. Ted, you won’t even admit to the
spent on allowing poor ugly transgender Mexicans to sleep or pee wherever they feel like it. If this sounds harsh to you, well then you’re just way too politically correct, and I’m way too drunk. Wake up, America. This isn’t our
poor rich White lady
get Out Of
my kitcHen
I
Wake up, America F I’ve sAId It once, I’ve
said it a thousand times: Donald J. Trump is the only honest man running in this campaign. I’m not even going to lower my substantial dignity and mention the Democrats. First there is THAT woman who is running. She sent emails on her personal server to Nigerian princes that caused hundreds of people in Benghazi to get killed just before the world ended. Who in their right mind would even vote for this woman?
country anymore. Things are different. I remember the days when valet parking was only something the wealthy would do at an expensive restaurant or shop. Now valet parking is free, and everyone can do it outside of a Red Lobster. That is socialism my friends. I don’t want my Mercedes parked next to your Kia. You know who is going to fix that? Donald Trump.
He will Make America Great Again! Do I think I will make a difference by writing this in a homosexual newspaper? No, of course not; not many gays can read from what I hear. You’re way too busy with your gyms, your show tunes, your RuPaul shows to even know what is happening in the world. And that’s another thing. Drag racing used to be a masculine sport where real
men got behind the wheel of a fast car. It was sexy and it was American. Donald Trump will take that back as well. You can bet your size-14 rhinestone pumps on that one. Please, don’t show this to my hairdresser Raoul.
Poor Rich White Lady is a personal imaginary friend of Orlando comedian and satirist Jeff Jones. She drinks a bit.
That is socialism my friends. i don’t want my Mercedes parked next to your Kia.
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10-15 MINUTE in-persOn
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talking points When people say to me that I turned them gay, I just laugh, … as if i crept into their brain and pushed the gay button, then did an evil laugh and left them to fend for themselves—newly gay and alone in the world. —ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK BLACK’s ruby rose, when strAIght FemAle FAns explAIn theIr crush to her.
ceLebrities stand against anti-Lgbt Laws
A
Fter north cArolInA And mIssIssIppI both pAssed AntI-lgbt lAws, celebrities decided to take a stand against the hate. Music legend Bruce Springsteen cancelled an April 10 show in Greensboro, North Carolina, taking to his website writing, “Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry ... is one of them.” Springsteen was joined by Canadian rocker Bryan Adams who cancelled an April 14 concert in Biloxi, Mississippi, with a statement saying that he can’t, “in good conscience,” perform where “certain people are being denied their civil rights.” The list continues to grow with Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Melissa McCarthy and Ruby Rose taking to social media to condemn the laws and support Springsteen’s and Adams’ decisions to cancel their shows.
THE POWERPUFF GIRLS takes On transgender issues
t
andrew garfieLd hits the LOndOn stage fOr ANGELS IN AMERICA
he All-gIrl superhero group the powerpuFF gIrls are using their powers to educate kids on transgender issues. In the new episode “Horn, Sweet Horn,” the cartoon heroes meet a pony named Donny who wants nothing more than to be a unicorn. “He has to go through a transformation to become a unicorn,” Executive Producer Nick Jennings said. “So it’s a whole [episode that asks], ‘What are you on the inside? What are you on the outside? How do you identify yourself? How do people see you?’ There’s a lot of subtext in that.” The episode ends with Donny realizing he has always been a unicorn, the final image being a heart on the screen in the transgender flag’s pink, white and light blue.
watermark Your LGBT life.
t
he tony kushner plAy ANGELS IN AMERICA Is set to hIt the london stage in May 2017, and ex-Spider-Man himself Andrew Garfield will be joining the cast. The play, which won multiple awards including several Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, examines the AIDS epidemic and what it meant to be a gay man in the 1980s. Garfield will play Prior Walter, a gay man diagnosed with AIDS who believes he is a prophet. He joins Looking’s Russell Tovey and Robin Hood’s Denise Gough in the London production. Angels in America debuted on Broadway in 1993 and was adapted into an Emmy Award winning HBO miniseries starring Al Pacino and Meryl Streep.
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dc cOmics canceLs series featuring gay Lead
n
eIther oF the two mAIn comIc book dIstrIbuters – Marvel and DC – had ever featured a comic series that starred an LGBT lead, until DC released Midnighter last year. Now, after 12 issues, Midnighter is coming to an end. The gay vigilante made a splash on his arrival, enjoying crossover success with other DC heroes including former Robin, Dick Grayson, and The Suicide Squad. “People were given a queer icon that they deserved, and they connected with him,” Midnighter creator Steve Orlando said. “This is a book I needed when I was younger, and for people to have it now, in the next generation, is my greatest accomplishment of all.”
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in-depth: wOmen’s sOccer
A NEW
GOAL tHe orlando pride brings women into tHe city’s soccer craze
“e
Samantha Lena Rosenthal
verybody knows our teAm.
You see magnets of our teams on people’s cars, and it’s great to see people embracing our team. People come up to me on the street and say they’re coming to the home opener and they know us. It’s great to always feel that vibe from the city,” says Orlando Pride attacking midfielder Lianne Sanderson.
Deemed as the “Soccer Capital of the South”, Orlando’s soccer community has been present and growing since October 2010, when Phil Rawlins first announced that he had acquired the Orlando City Soccer Club with his hopes of
expanding it into the MLS within three to five years. Six years later, not only has that happened, but Orlando is adding women’s soccer to its list of growing professional sports teams: the Orlando Pride, Florida’s first National Women’s
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Soccer League (NWSL) team. The response so far has been predictably effusive. “As a season ticket holder, I could not be more excited about the Orlando Pride,” says Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the city’s first LGBT commissioner (currently serving her fifth term), in a statement to Watermark. “Women’s sports helped me gain confidence and taught me the meaning of teamwork. And now we have these amazing World Cup players in our home stadium. What an absolute thrill it will be there on opening day. Go Pride! And, well, I love the logo, too.” The logo includes the historic Lake Eola fountain, an icon in Sheehan’s downtown district.
Its inclusion reflects the fact that downtown Orlando is stretching its infrastructural cleats to house the growing soccer boom among other “live, work, play” boosterism concerns. Through some complex financing, approximately $155 million is being spent to build a 26,000-seat home for the sport just south of downtown. Orlando City will join the Citrus Bowl, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Amway Center (plus its proposed, adjacent sports-andentertainment complex) in the downtown leisure boom. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says recent controversies surrounding public
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dollars are unlikely to hinder the progress of soccer in Orlando – or the stadium that will house it in the future. As he understands it, the $20 million that was supposed to play into a public-private partnership deal is likely being redirected by the county to the Dr. Phillips Center. “It has nothing to do with the soccer stadium, anymore,” Dyer says, confidently, adding, “It’s pretty cool that Orlando has become the soccer capital of the U.S.” The City Beautiful is stepping out and ready to get dirty.
GROWING PAINS
Rawlins announced at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando on October 20, 2015, that the club would be acquiring a NWSL expansion team, making it the 10th team in the league. The team’s name, logo and colors were announced at that press conference, along with the head coach: former head coach of the Australia and U.S. national teams, Tom Sermanni. “Even though it’s the same sport, men and women’s soccer have kind of different audiences, so all it’s going to do is bring in another section of soccer fans,” Orlando journalist, soccer fan and correspondent for the Women’s World Football Show podcast Michelle Stile says. Not even a week after announcing the creation of the Orlando Pride team, the first player acquisitions were announced: Sarah Hagen, Kaylyn Kyle and U.S. women’s national team superstar forward Alex Morgan. “Alex Morgan is such a role model for younger women and younger soccer players in America that just having Alex Morgan there brings a level of credibility to the team, because people are willing to travel just to see [her],” Stile says. Morgan, it should be noted, joined four other professional soccer players in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint in late March regarding the inequality of pay between male and female World Cup champion soccer players. “I think we’ve proven our worth over the years,” complainant Carli Lloyd, who was the 2015 FIFA women’s player of the year, told NBC’s Today show in March. “Just coming off a World Cup win, the
I’m lucky that I come from a family who embraces me for who I am and has accepted me for who I am. I don’t necessarily think it’s a matter of ‘Oh, I’m gay and everybody needs to know.’ I think it’s about being proud of who you are. —Orlando Pride midfielder Lianne Sanderson
pay disparity between the men and women is just too large.” According to ESPN, although the women’s league often exceeds the men’s in revenue, the female players, on average, are paid “four times less.” Negotiations are in process. The Orlando Pride has its full roster, a star-studded lineup that features other national soccer stars, including U.S. women’s national team player and Central Florida native Ashlyn Harris. Harris, who is Orlando Pride’s goalkeeper, was vocal about playing in Orlando when she heard of the official announcement of an NWSL expansion team, and Orlando Pride ended up drafting her as their second pick through the NWSL Expansion Draft. Orlando Pride defender Toni Pressley is also another Central
Florida native recruited to the team, hailing from Melbourne, Fla. “We’re still a very new group, but today there was a better understanding among the players and a lot more cohesion,” Sermanni said after the team’s final preseason game April 2. The Orlando Pride roster welcomes six international players, including Australian national team players Steph Catley and Laura Alleway, who joined the Orlando Pride for training on April 1. Sermanni says the preseason has been difficult. It’s understandable, considering many of the players had to assume their international duties, but it remains something the team has to work through as a whole. He says that the Orlando Pride will need to overcome that and realize the team will not be its
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“finished product” for some time. Orlando Pride held its first training session March 14, but the team hasn’t had a training session yet where all the team’s players have been present as of press time. “We knew that from day one it was going to be a challenge for us, not just being a new team, but the fact that the preseason is really short, and the fact that our international players have been coming and going. In reality, we won’t have our full squad of players together until we actually get to Portland,” Sermanni says. During the team’s final preseason game and first time playing on their home turf, Sanderson scored the only goal in the 24th minute before the game was called after only 32 minutes due to lightning. Sermanni
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says Sanderson will be a very critical player for the team for the upcoming inaugural season. And while, like Sermanni, many admire Sanderson for her skills and dedication to the sport, other fans admire Sanderson because of her openness about her sexuality and for being her truest form of herself.
PUTTING THE PROUD IN THE PRIDE
“I knew from the age of 5 that I wanted to be a professional soccer player, and there wasn’t even a league at that time,” says the 28-year-old Sanderson. “It was unheard of for a female to play professional soccer. I just knew at the age of 5 years old, that’s what I wanted to be and there was nothing that was going to stop me from doing it.” Sanderson played for Arsenal in England for 12 years, starting at age 9. She made her professional debut for Arsenal at 14, and then at 21 moved to Chelsea and joined the Chelsea Ladies team to play there for a year. By the time she was 18 years old, Sanderson had been a part of a team that had won the Quadruple (FA Women’s Premier League, FA Women’s Cup, FA Women’s League Cup and UEFA Women’s Cup), a crowning achievement for such a young player. “Soccer is our religion in my family, and in England, it is certainly our only sport that we really have. There [are] other sports, but soccer is No. 1,” Sanderson says. Sanderson originally came to the U.S. to play in 2010 when she was acquired in the WPS international Draft by the Philadelphia Independence. She’s been playing in America for the almost six years now, only going back to Arsenal briefly last year for the World Cup to play for England’s National Team. Sanderson describes her decision to play in the U.S. (initially in Philadelphia) as a defining moment in her career and the best decision she ever made. “I think the way the mentality is here, the winning mentality, and how kind and pleasant people are – I feel like there’s a lot of people that want you to succeed and embrace my individuality,” Sanderson says. “I feel that’s why I love it here so much.” Sanderson is also openly gay, she says, and has never been one to hide her sexuality, her personal life and her concurrent job of being a role
Continued on pg. 39 | uu |
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model for LGBT soccer fans across the globe. Though these attributes may not define her athletic performance, they’re certainly embedded in her drive to succeed. “It’s something I don’t really think about that much,” Sanderson says about being an LGBT role model and advocate within the international soccer community. “A lot of people Tweet me and send me messages, and I get letters and stuff like that from people saying how much they appreciate the fact I am who I am, and I’m always open to people. I think for me, it’s always important to always be who you are and be you.” “I’m lucky that I come from a family who embraces me for who I am and has accepted me for who I am. I don’t necessarily think it’s a matter of ‘Oh, I’m gay and everybody needs to know.’ I think it’s about being proud of who you are,” she says. Sanderson says she gets messages daily via fan interactions online and otherwise about how much people look up to her and appreciate her being her true authentic version of herself. She always responds to people, because she believes it’s important. She’s open about her romantic life online for just this reason. “I’ll help anyone that I can,” Sanderson says. “If me being who I am helps people, then I’ll do as much as I can with that. Because for me, the way that I am comes naturally.” As the opening game draws near, Orlando Pride hopes to pull in many different demographics to the games, including the LGBT community. The Orlando City men’s team held an LGBT night last year on October 3, 2015, against the Montreal Impact. Likewise, the Orlando City Soccer Club hosted an Orlando City Zone at the Come Out With Pride 2015 festival as a silver-level sponsor. Stile hopes that the Orlando Pride will host a similar LGBT night for their inaugural season. “Female members of the LGBT community seem to really like women’s soccer, so it’s kind of like they’re a huge segment of the demographic and audience the Orlando Pride will aim to come to their game,” Stile says. “They’re just massive supporters, members of the LGBT community.”
WEARING THE CROWN Orlando Pride officially
Ladies first: The Orlando Pride let loose. Photo Courtesy of Lianne Sanderson’s twitter account
announced Orlando Pride’s first supporter club The Crown on Feb. 3. The club will fall under the Orlando City Soccer Club’s “The Wall” and will join the ranks of the other three supporter clubs that Orlando City has: Ruckus, Iron Lion Firm and Harbor City Hooligans. “Our focus, mainly, is to bring together everybody to support the women’s team in a family friendly environment, on the field and off the field,” Crown founder and president Lisa Raymond says. “We want to be there to support them while they’re on the field by cheering, chanting and singing.” The plans for a Pride supporters’ club started in November 2015, and membership launched in December 2015. Raymond gathered 50 people, who are the founding members, and they invested money and time to get the supporter club going. She pulled together the governing documents and worked with the founding members on defining what they wanted to group to be about. The Crown currently has 297 members, and that doesn’t include honorary members like Phil and Kay Rawlins, Orlando Pride members and coach Sermanni. “I know that Lianne Sanderson and a couple of other players came around to the tailgating we
had going on for the MLS game,” Raymond says. “We gave her a scarf, and she’s been very receptive on social media.” For the upcoming inaugural season, Raymond hopes to expand the supporter club to celebrate soccer and the Orlando community off the field by getting involved with local charities. The group will hold festivities for game days that will be geared toward all ages. For Orlando Pride’s first game of the season April 17, The Crown will host a watch party at Graffiti Junktion in downtown Orlando. For the April 23 opening home game, The Crown will be tailgating in Lot 11 of the Citrus Bowl. “I have six kids, and the only thing we can all agree on is Orlando City and soccer,” Raymond says. “All of us have different things – my husband likes the Detroit Tigers and I like the Yankees; we like Syracuse basketball and he likes something else. So we’ve never been able to come together except Orlando City.”
KICKING TOWARD THE GOAL
As the inaugural season and opening game steadily approach, Orlando Pride aims to make its mark prior to the regular season with a 4-0-0 preseason record. The team prepares to
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make its national debut on April 17 in Portland against the Portland Thorns FC followed by its home debut April 23 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl against the Houston Dash. “It is always difficult for an expansion team in any league to make a big impact in their first year; however, we believe we have a very good group of players and our goal will be to make the playoffs,” Rawlins says. The Orlando Pride announced on April 5 its plan to set the national women’s league attendance record for their April 23 season home opener at the Orlando Citrus Bowl when it hosts the Houston Dash. The current attendance record is 21,144 fans. The organization is promoting the campaign through social media using the hashtag “#FilledWithPride,” similar to how the men’s team used “#FillTheBowl”. “I think the women’s team will have a huge impact on our community, albeit in a slightly different way to the men’s team,” Rawlins says. “The Pride probably won’t draw as large crowds as the men do, but from the interest we have seen so far, we believe they will draw significant crowds. The
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women’s additional contribution will be in their engagement within our community. The Pride players are committed to being closely involved with our community and foundation programs and will be great role models for young female athletes to look up to.” Since the announcement in October 2015, the hype that has surrounded the NWSL’s newest expansion team has only grown, and it doesn’t seem like its dying anytime soon as Orlando Pride aims to win fan’s hearts and dollars. “I’ve lived in Orlando for almost 11 years now, and Orlando kind of struggles to have an identity outside of the tourism industry as a tourism attraction,” Stile says. “Soccer in Orlando has really helped galvanize the community, and it’s given everyone something to cheer for.” “I love the name that plays off the pride of lions,” Mayor Dyer says. “Also, a sense of pride jn your city, and then, of course, gay pride.”
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arts and entertainment
PHOTO By CHAD JACOBS
FREE FALLIN’ mattHew mcgee and tHe FreeFall tHeatre company are risk takers and proud oF it
w
Jeremy Williams
Ith All the theAters
in the state of Florida, few have been able to set themselves apart with a unique and definitive voice like freeFall Theatre Company in St. Petersburg. The people at freeFall follow a specific set of guiding values that they apply to each show, which include risk taking, a sense of daring and authenticity – all of which is what makes performer and community outreach director to freeFall Matthew McGee such a perfect fit for them. watermark Your LGBT life.
Whether he is performing as half of the dynamic act known as The Scott & Patti Show or rubbing elbows with stars like Deborah Cox at the Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, McGee entertains with the same bizarre, unconventional and extraordinary talent that we get at freeFall Theatre Company. Watermark sat down with McGee at freeFall to talk about why Tampa Bay can’t get enough of him and the theater. when did yOu get started with perfOrming?
I was so painfully shy when I when I was a kid. When I was a small child, I used to like to be in plays, but then I hit puberty and at the time you
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would get made fun of if you were in theater, especially if you were in any way effeminate growing up in Georgia like me. Then I got tapped to be in a show choir, sort of like Glee, and it pulled me back in to performing. I went to college, got into theater, and that’s where I did my first appearance in drag. hOw did that happen?
It was an old Hollywood-style dance showcase and they needed a Carmen Miranda. They had asked all the girls to audition for the part, and none of them seemed to get it, many of them didn’t know who it was. So I said, “You know, I can do Carmen Miranda.
cOntinued On pg. 45 | uu |
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
it work and makes it brilliant. We are finishing the current season this summer with The Pirates of Penzance set in space. So you have this classic operetta all about sending up imperialism at the time and we add in a sci-fi element.
freefaLL just annOunced its next seasOn Of shOws which begins this faLL. what risks can the audience expect tO see?
A boy’s best FrIend: Scott Daniel (L) and Matthew McGee
transform into the dynamic mother/son comedy duo Scott & Patti. PHOTO By nICHOlAS CARDEllO
| uu | freeFall Theatre frOm pg.43
I know exactly who that is,” and they put me in the hat and all. I got a huge response to it, people loved it. I realized that I was getting laughs and people were enjoying it. There was a certain amount of escape, and it became something that followed me throughout my career. is that when patti was bOrn?
No, Patti came along much later on in my life. Patti was kind of a creation born out of necessity. When I lost my job back in 2012 at the Show Palace, I had to find other ways to make ends meet. I went from a salaried position to the world of non-profit, so I had to find a way to supplement some income, and my good friend Scott Daniel and I came up with the idea for Scott & Patti as a joke. We said, ‘Let’s do a show where we play a gay son and his mother, and we do a cabaret act and we throw wise cracks at each other.’ I mean, we made sure the costumes were outrageous and that we had a good time and hoped people would dig it. We started it as a joke, and honestly thought people would hate it, and it just became huge. what was the first shOw Of SCOTT & PATTI Like?
Our first show was supposed to be one night here at freeFall to try it out, and it was so packed we ended up holding it over for a few more nights. The original show explained who these characters were. It was more like a play, like Meet
Scott and Patti, this is their story. The idea was Scott and Patti were going to split at the end so he could go work on cruise ships, and this was their final show together, just like Cher and her final tour. People just ate it up; they could not get enough, so Scott and Patti were born. We have opened for several acts that have come through the area, including Debbie Reynolds, Del Shore and Lea DeLaria.
what is it that has made the freefaLL theatre cOmpany sO pOpuLar with the Lgbt cOmmunity?
We like to put our own spin on shows that get people talking. We did a different take on Cabaret; we did Mame with me in the lead. Also, don’t get me wrong, I think all the theaters in this area are gayfriendly, but for here I think it is the staff. There is a certain passion that our artistic director Eric Davis has. He brings so much talent and a sensibility to each production, and I’m not saying it’s because he’s gay, but it probably doesn’t hurt [laughs]. The only reason freeFall works and is as popular as it is is because of Eric Davis. He takes risks. is that what sets freefaLL apart frOm Other theaters, the risks?
Absolutely. They come from all over to see a freeFall show, because they know they are going to get to see things they would not see at other places. Things like Into the Woods set in a psychiatrist office, or The Importance of Being Earnest with zombies. Just crazy things you think wouldn’t work; he just makes
We are opening the season with Steven Sondheim’s Assassins. Sondheim has always said that Assassins is his finest musical. It’s an evening where you get to hear from the likes of Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth, that doesn’t glorify them but it gives you a look inside their heads. Another thing we will be doing next season is performing two shows within the same run. We are doing Peter Pan, as well as the origin story of Pan, Peter and the Starcatcher. We are running both shows simultaneously with the same sets and casts in both shows We also have Red Velvet, a show about the very first black actor to play Othello on the London stage, and After the Rainbow, which is the story of Judy Garland’s last days. The season will close out with a production of Marie Antoinette, but this version will take place on a fashion runway. It takes a look at pop culture and our celebrityobsessed society. Imagine mixing selfies, social media and the Kardashians with the French Revolution. with aLL this yOu stiLL haVe time tO be in a musicaL in sarasOta at the asOLO repertOry theatre in sarasOta?
Yeah, it only works because I have no social life. I am performing in the Broadway tryout and world premiere of Josephine. It’s a musical on the life of Josephine Baker who is played by Deborah Cox, and I play her make-up artist, assistant and best friend Zhu Zhu. So I spend my days working at freeFall and my nights in Sarasota for rehearsals for Josephine and playing Deborah Cox’s best friend. I’m the luckiest guy alive.
watermark Your LGBT life.
Diaz is a multidisciplinary artist adept at reworking interior domestic spaces and distorting the most habitual of settings. Working in the Museum’s decorative arts galleries and period rooms, Diaz will create site-specific installations that disrupt notions of customs and home décor.
APRIL 20–JULY 10, 2016 Vanessa Diaz, Possibility of an Exit (installation detail), 2016. Photography by Lauren Lightbody.
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on the Arts and Culture and the City of St. Petersburg.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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TUESDAY JULY 5 Tickets available by calling the Hard Rock Live Box Office at +1-407-351-5483
at 8PM
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
pOetry
Black, not like me Acclaimed poet Derrick Austin brings sexuality, race and bluntness to Orlando reading
(abOVe)
breAkIng boundArIes:
Derrick Austin and the art of laughing at the pieces.
PHOTO COuRTESy BOA EDITIOnS
I
“… It’s a question of bones: his musclecar-wide-receiver hands knead your spine, your narrow back, exposed bone no amount of �lesh can cover. It’s a question of overindulgence. He doesn’t let you kiss him. It is law.”
Brendan O’Connor
t Isn’t the stuFF thAt “lAuded
poetry” brings to mind, necessarily – the dusty bristle of Caucasian blues set to rhyming schemes and meters – but Florida native Derrick Austin is breaking barriers and furrowing brows with his visceral and poetic take on otherness. And the praise has been plentiful. He certainly isn’t shy. “Slowly eat out my asshole, slowly while bees lave daffodils on our balcony and remember each bloom with dance. You growl. I lick your armpits. Come, come for me, you say, our moans made �luid on our canvas of a bed.” —6., Trouble the Water, BOA Editions 2016
That erotic bit of verbal scandal came from the fruitful mind of Austin, a self-identified black, queer poet who grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Austin is making his first professional visit to Orlando (read: one that doesn’t involve him sitting in a teacup and spinning) on April 23 for a live reading from his first poetry collection, Trouble the Water (BOA Editions, 2016) with local book pushers Functionally Literate. Austin is a Cave Canem (pronounced kah-vay caw-nem),
watermark Your LGBT life.
Pushcart Prize and four-time Best New Poets nominee. He earned his MFA at the University of Michigan, a veritable sea of cis-whiteness. He stands out. Austin writes about what he knows: sexuality, religion, blackness. And as such, his work is rooted in the body. The result is a collection of works that are familiar and intimate. “I try, in my poetry, to stay as rooted in the physical world as I possibly can,” Austin says. “Because, honestly, when I write my poems, I want them to be like little worlds that my readers can enter into. So I try to make it as specific as I can. I feel like the specificity, the experience of being black and gay in the South, I feel like the more explicit I am about those particular experiences, the easier it is for people to enter into them. And for them to see what they can of themselves in the poems. People may not have necessarily gone through the same types of things or seen the same types of things that I have, but I want my poems to be as welcoming as possible. I want them to be understood, and communicate to other people.” The result is a marathon of blushinducing, yet meditative essays on contemporary queerness. The first piece of his that I read was called “Cruising,” which on the surface could simply be seen as porn-etry, but succeeds in transporting the reader to a questionable tryst of yesteryear, like in this tasty passage.
The seeming lewdness is really just frankness. Austin has nothing to lose by letting it all just hang out there. There’s a universality in his pieces that appeals, one that can shake you into dropping pretense in favor of listening, and lets you chew on what he’s serving up. One of his most infamous poems, “Blaxploitation,” which is included in the new book, serves a little shade with the meat: “Another night of ‘I’m not usually into black guys but...’ and I’m alone with Johnny Walker black and too many movies. I’m not offended. No black moods at all. I’ll watch The Seventh Seal. Black chess pieces slaying white, live or die, Bergman’s blackest phase. See I’m not mad.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
But if I were Black Death right now, I’d slaughter love. Fade to black. Brides-to-be would roll around in ash, blacken their dresses and veils in rivers black as ink: Gather your roses, dye them red to black. Then they’d hear the gallop. Metal no blacksmith could forge, �laming, sparking, on the black hooves of four horses—red, green, black, and white. Who’s that? Hallelu! A miracle! Black skies part and resurrected Love blacks my eyes and rubs me out beneath his black sole. No more pain. I’m better. Fade to black. Bergman’s done. I need magic. Call a trick. It’s black and white—he’s red all over. I love my black boys sore. He can’t grab my hair, black brillo pad, curlicues snatched by my black hand all over the bed and his back like black script. Give me that nigger dick. His bootblack, I gave all of him a shining.” The piece wasn’t 100 percent autobiographical. “It’s not rooted in something specific that’s happened to me. But it’s kind of the norm for black guys to get that kind of shit,” Austin says. “The fetishizing of black bodies is such an old thing. It goes back hundreds of years – people fetishizing black men, black women – so I just decided to tackle that subject in a way that’s just closest to me.” Although reducing skin color to a fetish may not be new, tackling the contemporary issue of online dating and skin-color-preference in poetry is. Austin is part of a cohort of young poets making poetry relevant again. His work is something you wouldn’t mind reading aloud to your friends or a lover. To hear these poems in their entirety, Austin will be reading his work alongside local poet Vidhu Aggarwal at the 1300 Brookhaven warehouse, just behind Santiago’s Bodega in Ivanhoe Village on April 23 for Orlando reading series Functionally Literate. The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are free, but be classy and leave a donation. Austin’s favorite drink is a gin and tonic with fruit (lime) if you want to make his first reading in Orlando a memorable one.
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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ORLANDO GAY CHORUS
presents
WE ARE FAMILY Saturday, May 14, 2016 - 7:30 pm Sunday, May 15, 2016 - 4:30 pm 425 N. Bumby Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 Advance tickets available online or from Chorus members - $25 Tickets at the door - $30
orlandogaychorus.org sponsored by
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
arts+entertainment OrLandO Zanna, Don’t!, April 15- 30, Footlight Theatre at Parliament House, Orlando. 407-4257571; ParliamentHouse.com Watermark’s Third Thursday, April 21, The Hammered Lamb, Orlando. 407-704-3200; HammeredLamb.com HEAVEn vs HEll, feeling Tempted?, April 21, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com
eVent pLanner
BEAUTIFUL
MUSICAL
Creative Diversity, April 21, CityArts Factory, Orlando. 407-6487060; TheOrlandoArtCollective.com A Boisterous Rebirth for Opera in Orlando - Mozart’s The Impresarioand Poulenc’s les Mamelles de Tirésias, April 22- 24, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; OperaOrlando.org Carmella Marcella Garcia: The Grand Ol’ Gal of the South, April 22, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com florida Blue presents the Orlando Gay Chorus, April 23, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Steve Martin & Martin Short, April 23, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org neema’a 35th Birthday Charity fundraiser, April 23, Pulse, Orlando. 407-649-3888; PulseOrlandoClub.com Orlando Cringe: A Public Diary Reading, April 27, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-7046261; AbbeyOrlando.com Sing-Out! A Karaoke Cabaret, April 28, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com MoviEola: Inside Out, April 29, Lake Eola Park, Orlando. 407-2462182; Facebook.com/CityOfOrlando Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, May 3- 8, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org
community calendar OrLandO
A Barber Fund Benefit with David lee & Friends mondAy, mAy 2 the Abbey, orlAndo Come out to The Abbey to see David Lee, along with friends Rebecca Fisher, Eddie Cooper, Janine Klein, Tanner Kaiser, Tom O’Hearn and Sam Singhaus for an intimate cabaret evening as they journey through Hedwig’s “Wicked Little Town.” Special guest Nate Taters from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center will join the group on stage. The evening will feature select songs from Hedwig to benefit The Barber Fund which assists those who are battling cancer. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets or more information call 407-704-6261 or visit AbbeyOrlando.com.
tampa bay The Tony Award winning musical based on the life of music legend Carole King comes to the Straz Center in Tampa April 26- May 1 at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando May 3- 8.
tampa bay The new G2H2- St. Pete, April 21, Red Mesa Cantina, St. Petersburg. 727-896-8226; TheNewG2H2StPete.com The Social, April 22, Metro Wellness & Community Center Ybor, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org David Sedaris, April 22, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-2297827; StrazCenter.org The Tampa Bay White Party, April 22, Honey Pot, Tampa. 813-2474663; Facebook.com/Honey-Pot Tampa Carnival 2016, April 23, Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa. 813-445-9010; CarnivalTampa.com Pride & Passion, April 23, Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa. 813274-8130; TampaMuseum.org Tampa Bloody Mary festival 2016, April 24, Channelside, Tampa. 813-685-0731; TampaBloodyMaryFest.com
Tampa Grilled Cheese festival, April 24, Centro Asturiano de Tampa, Tampa. 813-229-2214; CentroAsturianoTampa.org
Balance Tampa Bay’s April Activity, April 30, Ten Pin Lanes, St. Petersburg. 727-381-1010; BalanceTampaBay.org
Project no labels Co-Ed Basketball, April 24, Al Lopez Park, Tampa. 813-438-3537; ProjectNoLabels.org
Open Arms Homeless Ministry, May 1, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Tampa. 813253-5388; HydeParkUMC.org
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, April 26- May 1, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-2297827; StrazCenter.org
Evanescence, May 2, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com
Tampa Equality Connection, April 28, O’Biens Irish Pub & Grill, Brandon. 813-870-3735; EQFL.org Beyonce, April 29, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. 813350-6500; ConcertBoom.com Alabama Shakes, April 29, The Cuban Club, Tampa. 813-248-2954; AXS.com Tampa Riverfest, April 30May 1, The Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa. 813-221-1539; TheTampaRiverwalk.com
sarasOta A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, April 5- 24, Veniuce Theatre, Venice. 941-488-1115; VeniceStage.com Josephine starring Deborah Cox, April 27- May 29, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota. 941-351-8000; AsoloRep.org To Kill a Mockingbird, April 14May 1, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com
pro shop pub 40th Anniversary Celebration FrIdAy, AprIl 22- sundAy, AprIl 24 pro shop pub, cleArwAter Join the Pro Shop Pub in Clearwater as celebrate history as the longest, continuously owned LGBT pub in the state of Florida and the longest running in the nation. Since 1976 they have been slinging drinks for the community and now, 40 years later, they are still going strong. The festivities begin Friday, April 22, with live music from St. Pete natives DoubleMBand. Saturday, April 23, is the big anniversary celebration with drag shows, male dancers, drink specials and giveaways. Sunday concludes the party with a free cookout. Never a cover. For more information visit ProShopPub.us.
Women’s speed Dating sAturdAy, AprIl 23 metro wellness & communIty center ybor, tAmpA All the single ladies, all the single ladies. Are you looking for your future wife or are you new to the area and want to meet some local, fun gals? Come out to Metro’s LGBT Community Center in Ybor on Saturday, April 23 for a women’s only speed dating night. $10 cover to get in plus a cash bar. Planned ice-breakers and plenty of socializing and fun to be had. Call 813-232-3808 for more information or contact Toli at ToliG@MetroTampaBay.org.
to submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.
watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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2016
Art by: Michael Vollbracht
SATURDAY, MAY 7 7PM - 10PM THE MAHAFFEY THEATER 400 1st Street South, St. Petersburg
Please join us for a wonderful evening, for a great cause. There will be delicious cuisine by Locale Market/FarmTable Restaurant, open bar, Kahwa Coffee, dancing, a special performance by Paul Wilborn & Blue Roses featuring Eugenie Bondurant, a fantastic live and silent auction, and an exciting program including a State of the State Address by our CEO Nadine Smith.
Tickets $125 • RSVP and purchase tickets at EQFL.ORG/GreaterStPeteGala or call 727-822-2122 Tickets held at the door | Cocktail attire please | Complimentary valet
Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500. Please contact Todd at todd@eqfl.org or 727-822-2122 for details. Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBT community. All net proceeds direc tly benefit Equalit y Flor ida I nstitute, a tax exempt 501c3 non-profit organization. PO BOX 20786, TAMPA, FL 33622-0786
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE EQUALIT Y FLORIDA INSTITUTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN FLORIDA (1.800.435.7352). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH7992.
watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
overheard
tampa bay Out+abOut
happy birthday mr. suLu
A
s pArt oF theIr FrontIer Forum lecture serIes, the University of South Florida’s College of Arts and Sciences beamed over the one and only George Takei, a.k.a. Star Trek’s Mr. Sulu. Mr. Takei played the usual crowd favorites of “Oh, myyyy!” and “Live long and prosper”, but he also spoke about the strength of diversity and acceptance in the U.S. He spoke to the crowd of his time behind physical fences in the Japanese Internment Camps during World War II and of the political and social fences he lived behind as a closeted gay man. The lecture continued with a Q&A where it was revealed that Mr. Takei would be turning 79 years old April 20. The dean led the audience in a round of “Happy Birthday” as they carted out a six-layer, rainbow inspired cake with the good Mr. Takei sprawled across the top in frosting. Mr. Takei later invited the student volunteers—and one lucky Watermark staffer—backstage to enjoy an impromptu birthday party. OHHHH MYYYYYY.
cOngratuLatiOns mr. drake
O
ut And proud usF student hunter p. drAke has been giving his time to ASAP/Empath Health as a volunteer for the last couple of years. The people of ASAP/ Empath have not only benefited in the respect and compassion he has for each and every person that comes through their doors, but he also is pretty handy around a computer being a huge support with IT. Well, that support hasn’t gone unnoticed as Hunter was recently the recipient of not one, but two separate scholarships. The first is the Theodore R. and Vivian M. Johnson Scholarship, a need-based scholarship program for undergraduate, degree-seeking students with disabilities attending state universities in Florida, awarded to Hunter April 4. The other is a scholarship from the USF Alumni Association. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a USF student that has made a significant contribution to the LGBT community. Hunter was honored from the USF Alumni Association at the 12th Annual LGBT Community Gala April 20. Thanks for all the work you do Hunter.
dig in mrs. fLamingO
t
he FlAmIngo resort hAs expAnded Its menu at The Flamingo Grille and are now serving breakfast on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Now you early risers can cop a squat in the courtyard and chow down on some eggs, bacon and toast while enjoying your sunrise cocktails, all while still checking out the delightful eye candy the Flamingo is known for. It all gets started at 9 a.m., so not too early, but if even that time of day makes you groan instead of rise and shine, then have no fear. The Flamingo Grille will be serving breakfast all day long. So even if you are dining in for dinner, make sure to have yourself a breakfast quesadilla with a few of your favorite side queens.
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the gAy-tor club: (L-R) Brian Craft, Berry Ayers and Matt yauslin entertain as they Support Love/ Support Fun at The Gator Club in Sarasota April 17. PHOTO COuRTESy Of MATT yAuSlIn
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breAkFAst At venIce: Watermark freelancer Aaron Drake takes in his morning meal among the gondolas in Venice as he tours Italy for Insight magazine April 18. PHOTO COuRTESy Of AAROn DRAKE
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pInk FlAmIngos: Richard frank takes a seat to watch the beauties at Punky’s get wet at the charity carwash at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg April 16. PHOTO COuRTESy Of RICHARD fRAnK
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gIrl on FIlm: (L-R) Emily fairchild, Shannon fortner, David Hunter and Jason Benjamin discuss the film First Girl I Loved at the “Making LGBTQ Films” event at the Sarasota Film Festival April 9. PHOTO By KRISTA DITuCCI
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oh myyy: LGBT icon George Takei celebrates his birthday with a rainbow cake after his show at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. PHOTO By JEREMy WIllIAMS
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beAch bros: (L-R) Jeremy Wade neiman, Jason fields and Paul Mcnair enjoy some fun in the sun at the beach in St. Petersburg April 17. PHOTO COuRTESy
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Of JEREMy WADE nEIMAn
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cAmpAIgn trAIl: Kevin Beckner (center) works to become the next Clerk of the Courts as he mingles at the Tiger Bay Club in Tampa April 15. PHOTO By nICK JAnOVSKy
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I’m goIng to dIsney: Metro’s Youth and Trans Program Coordinator, and newly named St. Pete Pride grand marshal lucas Aiden Wehle enjoys the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot in Orlando April 17. PHOTO
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COuRTESy Of luCAS AIDEn WEHlE
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
overheard
s
OrLandO Out+abOut
swan take
omeone certAInly ruFFled some FeAthers recently when six cygnets (baby swans) went missing from Lake Eola. Initially, in a post made by City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the post mentioned that a predator or natural activity would not have resulted in such a large number of swans going missing. The post snowballed with over a thousand shares. Billboards are now reading “RETURN OUR SWANS,” and PETA has even offered a $5,000 reward for the safe return of the little guys. Many walking around Lake Eola for the 2016 AIDS Walk took notice of the one single swan on her empty nest, head cradled under her wing. It’s been noted that the security cameras around the park had not been working, which has resulted in no leads to the animal theft. If anyone has any information to the whereabouts of these six little swans, please contact Crime Line at 800-423-TIPS.
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reaL taLk
tuFF Just got For reAl For guest columnIst And locAl rAdIo personAlIty Sabrina Umbra from Real Radio’s 104.1 FM’s News Junkie, who happily announced she’s not going anywhere. Sabrina’s contract was up for renewal and, from what we’ve heard on 104.1, she was able to negotiate a pretty good deal extending her run in Orlando for another three years. Talking about “talking,” local activist and transgender Inclusion director for Equality Florida Gina Duncan hosted a TEDx Talk in Boca Raton on March 28. Titled, “How I died to live an authentic life,” Gina talks about her journey into transitioning from Greg to Gina in 2006. Visit TEDx Talks on YouTube to catch the 17-minute speech.
fringe teases the LOcaLs
O
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n mondAy, AprIl 18, The Orlando Fringe held its annual Fringe Preview show. The fundraiser show was split into two acts: a general audience preview and a mature audience preview. Both shows were hosted by the talented Eric Pinder and co-hosted by Rob Ward as Pepe in the mature audience act. The two-minute time limit is provided to the various acts to sell the audience on their show. Some were winners, and some just needed a couple of more weeks of rehearsal time. Some highlights from the night included Fringe veterans like VarieTEASE:Carnivale, Logan Donahoo’s Slut Like Me and new acts like the well-muscled and oiled down Rock Hard Revue. Fringe organizers George Wallace and Michael Marinaccio were also proud to launch the all new Fringe app available on both IOS and Android operating devices. The app will allow patrons to buy their tickets in advance and even plan driving routes to the external Bring Your Fringe venues. No word if the app will control a 3D printer to print the Fringe buttons. Perhaps for the 26th anniversary?
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strAIght to heAven: The cast of Zanna Don’t soak up the applause April 14 at Footlight Theater at Parliament House. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA
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the pole rush: What’s an Orlando Fringe Festival without a pole-dancing Charlie Chaplin? Fortunately, as theater fans learned at the April 18 Fringe Teaser Show, we won’t have to find out. Amy Rosvally is the Pole Comedian. PHOTO By DEAnnDRA MEnO
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orlAndo proud: Regina O’Hara (left) and Diana nelson mingle at the Metropolitan Business Association’s monthly mixer April 6 at The Mezz. PHOTO By
CASTORIGInAl PHOTOGRAPHy
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wouldn’t wAnnA bIA: Roxxy Andrews channels Sia at Divas of Drag, April 10 at House of Blues. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA
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supportIve strIdes: The Center executive director Terry DeCarlo (right) and his husband, William Huelsman, are all smiles at AIDS Walk Orlando April 16.
PHOTO By BRIAn BECnEl
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home run: Central Florida Softball League member Eric Hans, as Charity Case, ties for runner-up in the 7th Annual Mr. & Ms. CFSL, April 7 at Parliament House. PHOTO By RICK ClAGGETT
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hope And help: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan joins the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in their traditional, annual role of leading the Orlando AIDS Walk around Lake Eola.
PHOTO By BRIAn BECnEl
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Fore! Event organizer Tammy Humphrey and volunteer Brandi King aim for a fundraising hole-in-one at the first-ever Barber Fund Golf Tournament April 16 at MetroWest Golf Club. PHOTO By TAMMI JOnES
8 watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
-Est. 20
announcements
wedding beLLs
Jen McCoy, 49, and pauline Lopez, 56 from Winter Park, Florida
Sawmill Resort celebrated 18 years of outdoor fun and sun April 16.
years togetHer:
MBA Orlando’s category-exclusive Referral Exchange Development Group—RED Group Winter Park celebrates one year April 23.
8 years
Watermark’s media partner the Philadelphia Gay News celebrated 40 years in print April 7.
engagement date:
local birtHdays
May 2008
wedding date:
August 22, 2015
wedding venue:
Their home
wedding planner:
The couple planned their own wedding.
wedding caterer:
Local barbecue was brought in from Kansas, and Smokey Bones in Winter Park
wedding colors:
Pink and maroon
First song:
“Grow old with Me” by Tom odell
interesting Fact:
Both women have six siblings.
congratulations
“I
thInk the turnIng poInt
was when we started meeting sometimes at lunch, because we both worked so close, so we would go sit in a park or walk in a park,” Jen says. “I don’t remember at what point it was, but I was just like, ‘I think I’m falling in love.’” Jen McCoy, a senior analyst at Nemours Children’s Hospital, and Pauline Lopez, a financial coordinator at Orlando Periodontist Office, were married on August 22, 2015, which was just over six years after they had their commitment ceremony in May 2009. But their love story goes back to a chance encounter when they both lived in Kansas. “We were living in Kansas, and I worked at a dental office. Jennifer walked in and blew me away,” Pauline says. Needing a new dentist after moving to town, Jen ended up finding an office only five minutes from her job – which ended up being the dental office where Pauline worked. “It was just weird,” Jen says. “We kind of clicked, and I’m just sitting there in a dental chair, just waiting for the dentist, and she’s just talking to me. She’s all bubbly
and has a beautiful smile.” Pauline made sure that when Jennifer was scheduled to come back in for a follow-up that it was when she was working in the back, so she could be able to talk to her again. After coming in for her followup, the two became friends. At the beginning, Pauline was in a relationship, and not the greatest one. Jennifer was there to listen to her and gave her support. They started going out to eat every Friday night, which turned into getting lunch together, and eventually a relationship. They moved in together and have been happy ever since. In 2009, the couple had a commitment ceremony after Jen asked Pauline to marry her. They were at a popular outdoor mall in town and went into a jewelry store. Pauline loves jewelry and diamonds, and she found this
unique ring and ended up buying it. They walked outside where there were park benches for sitting, and Jen pulled out the ring, got down on one knee and asked Pauline to marry her. Six years later, Jen and Pauline made the decision to legally marry. “We’ve always known that our love is the same as anybody else’s, and that’s all it’s about – it’s about love,” Jen says. “But to be able to have your government and your state, even though it’s not everybody, recognize and say, ‘Yes, you have the right to do this,’ it was huge.” They had a small wedding ceremony at their house, and a lot of the same people from when they had their commitment ceremony came. They had barbecue brought in and music playing, so it was very similar to how their commitment ceremony went. “It’s the one thing that immediately attracted me to her, and the one thing that brightens up any day that I have is that she’s just bubbly and has this energy about her that’s fun,” Jen says.
—Samantha Rosenthal
Director of marketing for David Dorman Inc. Scott Penyak, local LGBT advocate Randy Stephens, handsome, former St. Pete DJ Chad Pitt (April 21); young bear and Tampa business owner Michael DiCamillo, Rollins College director of dance Bob Sherry, former Watermark intern Steven Jones (April 22); Watermark sales rep Tammi Jones, TIGLFF’s Scott Skyberg, Tampa Leather Club member and Brandon Office Depot manager Joseph Mastrapasqua, artist Amanda Vickers, former Tampa-based actor now residing in New York Christian Maier (April 23); St. Petersburg actor and theologian Tom Campbell, artist and set designer Paul Horan, former Tampa resident and current Fort Lauderdale actor larry Buzzeo, O-Town textbook editor and mom Sara lyna, former St. Pete Pride president Scott Turner, handsome Tampa daddy bear Bill Vincent (April 24); Watermark contributor and radio news junkie Sabrina Ambra, Florida Democratic Progressive Caucus president Susan Smith, gay Florida House Representative David Richardson (April 25); Parliament House owner Don Granatstein; app whiz Randy Shepard (April 28); St. Pete hotel manager Tom Ziri (April 29); Tampa licensed mental health counselor Anthony Quaglieri, UCF’s former GLBSU president and activist Jessica Osborn (April 30); fabulous Orlando DJ Brianna lee from Parliament House (May 1); owner of Luckeyboi Photography Josh Evans, vegan and speed demon Jamie Shaffer (May 2); lovely and talented Jamie lee (aka Sassy Divine), GaYbor District Coalition founder and Tampa Pride president Carrie West (May 3); Tampa Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumbtree (May 4); Florida Congresswoman hopeful Susannah Randolph (May 5).
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!
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.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
57
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watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
59
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watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M ay 4 , 2016 // Issue 2 3.0 8
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watermark Your LGBT life.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
61
uprisings
putting Out fire with gasOLine
it’s very close to my heart because I was down there and I watched our police and our firemen down on 7/11, down at the World Trade Center, right after it came down, and i saw the greatest people i’ve ever seen in action. i saw the bravest people i’ve ever seen, including the construction workers, including every person down there. —donAld trump
graysOn and jOLLy
e
verybody’s lovAble exclAmAtIon poInt Congressman Alan Grayson of Orlando announced on April 19 that he and Republican Congressman David Jolly of Indian Shores would have a debate-style duel for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat on April 25 in Orlando. What makes this battle interesting – beyond the fact that anything Grayson says is interesting – is that Democratic Party loverboy Patrick Murphy is not going to be present for the debate. We did reach out to the Murphy campaign, but got an odd phone transference noise. However, from what we’re hearing, he doesn’t want to be involved in all of the noise of a Grayson bloviation from the genius station. That kind of sucks, because Grayson and Murphy are the Clinton and Sanders of the zeitgeist, or whatever. And though the moderation of said debate – which will be broadcast on opendebate.com at 7 p.m. on April 25 – involves Young Turks and the Independent Journal Review – it still feels strange not having Murphy there. At any rate, new media platforms!
62
justice is serVed
h
ey, do remember when severAl couples were kind enough to explain their lives in front of the public in order to achieve same-sex marriage in Florida? So do we. Also, so do the federal courts. On April 15, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle turned Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s smile upside down when he ordered that the ACLU, private attorneys and their clients in the case were due the more than $500,000 that was spent on the case, according to the News Service of Florida. “We are grateful for Judge Hinkle’s order recognizing the work our legal team did in arguing that Floridians have a right to marry the person they love and that denying them that right was unconstitutional,” ACLU of Florida spokesman Baylor Johnson said in an email, according to the News Service of Florida. Bondi’s office had been using workarounds to try to avoid the fees, but eventually conceded.
redistrict this
t
here Aren’t mAny less engAgIng topIcs than redistricting congressional districts, but some topics – or arguments – never seem to go away. You may recall that Congresswoman Corrine Brown made quite the fuss over the redrawing of her insanely drawn serpentine district that stretched from Jacksonville to Orlando. Papers flew, lawsuits grew and life would never be the same again. Well, last week, the courts struck down Brown’s final appeal, leaving a mixed bag for Democrats in the congressional field. The more things change, the more they stay the same. U.S. Rep Gwen Graham, D-Tallahassee, seems to have been handed the short straw, with her district cut in half to make room for Brown’s new map. “I’m disappointed the second congressional District will be transformed from a fair, moderate district into two extreme partisan districts. Dividing Tallahassee hurts north Florida and our community,” Graham said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
watermark Your LGBT life.
F
Billy Manes
or those oF us FlorIdIAns wIth thInkIng cAps At the reAdy (not made of tin foil), the whole legislative preemption fracas brought on by backroom dealings over mahogany tables a few years back makes for an interesting echo in regard to the North Carolina hate bill called HB2. By now, you’re aware that Bruce Springsteen, Cirque de Soleil and Bryan Adams among others have canceled their shows in that state, and others, like Duran Duran and Against Me! have chosen to fulfill their civic duties more vocally by openly and proudly asking ticketholders to sign petitions against North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s law during their performances. It’s bigotry at its worst, and the governor, at least on Meet the Press, has yet to realize the needling damage he’s done. “I do believe in our high schools, in our middle schools, in our universities, we should continue to have the tradition that we’ve been having in this country for years,” McCrory told NBC’s Chuck Todd on his weekend parade. When further grilled about his position on the law – said position has involved a lot of backpedalling in the last week – McCrory took what he might describe as the high road when he refused to politically address discrimination in the private sector, calling the attempt at a trans-specific bathroom ordinance in Charlotte a “government overreach.” “As we have learned in Florida, as soon as corporations feel threatened by people-powered politics, they do everything possible to take that power away from the people and local communities,” Organize Now director Stephanie Porta says. “Preemption laws are spearheaded by Republicans [who are] controlled by corporations. Corporations can control many state legislators and legislatures, but it’s hard to control the will of the people in every single city.” She should know. Florida – and Orange County, specifically – threw that notorious preemption tantrum over Organize Now’s earned sick-time campaign into overdrive in 2013 when the legislature forbade local governments from dictating employment necessities to private businesses. What we’re talking about here is bullying. When local control is lost in our municipalities, it’s typically because corporate or socially conservative interests are involved. What’s most disheartening about this whole fiasco is that, in areas where individuals are threatened enough to take their issues to the various halls of government, they are now muted by a series of laws put in place by our corporate or socially pernicious overlords (looking at you, John Stemberger) and hung out to dry. Charlotte made a move toward fairness; North Carolina’s legislature and governor fought back with an “overreach” that extends beyond trans issues and into LGBT welfare full stop. Worse, they did it in a special session under the deepest of shade. If marriage was our victory, then the aftermath is our anthill. This is life now.
Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
Thanks Orlando Watermark readers, for choosing me as your ‘Favorite Local Attorney.’ Check out the first installment of my ‘Same Sex Marriage Guide’ video series at WatermarkOnline.com
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Apr il 21 - M Ay 4 , 2016 // issue 2 3.0 8
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