Watermark Issue 24.02: Living on the Edge by Watermark Publishing Group

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departments 6 // mail 7 // editors desk 13 // orlando news 15 // tampa bay news 17 // state news 19 // nation & world news 25 // talking points 41 // community calendar 43 // tampa bay out+about 45 // orlando out+about 47 // wedding bells 48 // tampa bay marketplace 50// orlando marketplace 54 // uprisings

PAGE

We are united here for bodily integrity. If you cannot control your body from the skin in, you cannot control it from the skin out, you cannot control your lives, our lives. —Gloria steineM

on the coVer

PAGE could’Ve been:

PAGE CHIPPING

AWAY: Conservative politicians and the lobbyists who love them are employing similar tactics to attack LGBTQ rights and women’s reproductive rights from the edges. illustration by Jake Stevens

scan Qr code For

watermarkonline.com

Mall-pop goddess Tiffany strips down her hits and shares the backstory of her rise to fame.

watermark i ssue 24 .02 // j anuary 26 - February 8 , 2017

a new Force

moVing along, then

Queer as cabaret

handling the truth

PAGE In the wake of the Pulse tragedy last summer, the LGBTQ Alliance forms to join organizations and speed up services for past tragedies and new threats.

PAGE St. Pete Pride is moving downtown, something that has many locals upset and threatens funding from the city.

PAGE

read it Online! In addition to a Web site with daily LGBTQ updates, a digital version of each issue of the publication is made available on WatermarkOnline.com

Television and stage star Randy Harrison brings a timely musical threat to the Straz.

The castles are falling as we all struggle to take in the fact that Donald Trump is indeed our president. But can he count?

WOndering What tO dO thiS Weekend? vieW Our cOmmunity calendar at WatermarkOnline.cOm watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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top web comments “We need to start to recognize when people are sick not just when they exhibit extremes like schizophrenia or severe depression.” — Michael Braun Vortex

WatermarkOnline.com On St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman pulling city funding from St. Pete Pride because of the move from the Grand Central District:

“Maybe if Eric [Skains] and others from St. Pete Pride would’ve listened to the public and NOT MOVED it out of the area where it’s been successful - maybe then the Mayor wouldn’t have made this decision to cut funding. Very disappointed in the Pride Organization. Will be a much different event now. Too bad.” —Quelle Kel Kelly

Watermark’s Facebook:

On the Texas Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case to limit same-sex marriage:

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“All they need are white caps and robes - Black isn’t working for the way they vote .” —Hen Ry Mays

On the White House removing LGBTQ rights, climate change and other civil rights issues from the official web page:

“I have said this before and I say it now, there is no need to fill the streets with protest... a national Pink Flu on targeted days to show these people what we contribute to the running of this world could be a very strong message. The planes could not fly, the theme parks could not function, emergency services would be crippled, commerce

would trickle and no one would be fed. If they want to make us second class citizens and allow denial of services to us, then let’s show them what that looks like in reverse.”

—David Edward

On St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman pulling city funding from St. Pete Pride because of the move from the Grand Central District:

“As we don’t know the details, I will refrain from making a judgment on this, although as a citizen of St. Petersburg, I certainly want to know more. It’s possible that this is not something against the community. The funds in previous years could have been tied to a neighborhood revitalization effort and by moving out of that area, the boost to the visibility of that neighborhood would be lost, which would warrant withdraw of the funds. Anything the city gives out has to have a community purpose, so it’s quite likely there is something we don’t know yet.” —Amy Wagoner

are sick not just when they exhibit extremes like schizophrenia or severe depression.”

— Michael Braun Vortex

On the wife of the Pulse shooter being charged with aiding and abetting:

“So she should be; she knew about what he was doing and did nothing to stop it. She should be charged with murder also.” —Lee Evans

“My only thought on why they did not arrest her sooner is because they were watching her for information. Other than that she should’ve been arrested sooner.” — Debi Corino

On Zebra Coalition grad and transgender champion Eli Sellers making us proud:

“Wow, good for him!” —Sarah Cisneros

“God does not make mistakes.”

—JoEllen Cheuvront Phillips

“Thank you, mayor. We need to keep the parade in Grand Central where it originated and has support of the community it occurs in.”

“Keep inspiring others, Eli.”

On a Brazilian mother stabbing her gay son and burning his body in a cane field:

“Congratulations in finding that new and amazing YOU! Life is much more than hanging out and drinking with so called ‘friends.’ Nothing better and more empowering than a sober mind.”

—Kevin Campbell

“People do shit like this because of conditioning; that’s a mental health term. We need to start to recognize when people

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—Mandy Kimmer

On Watermark publisher Rick Claggett talking about decisions in his “Words to Live By”:

— Sandra Wellmon

editor’s

billy manes editOr

BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com

desk

f there was any Great

takeaway – beyond awe and admiration – from the millions of women and the people who love them marching and rallying Jan. 21 in Washington D.C., Orlando, St. Petersburg – and the state, nation and world – it was that we’re more alike than we think.

Arm in arm with those marching for equal pay and for reproductive rights were people from the Black Lives Matter movement, the Latinx movement, various environmental causes and, of course, those of us draped in rainbows hoping that our LGBTQ victories will not be tossed aside by a president with only money (and unmentionables) on his mind. And yes, it’s easy from these far-flung stands on the left to resort to superficial mockery of

watermark staFF

our newly inaugurated president – his affectation for tacky décor, his revolving door of wives, his financial holdings and the scandals that go with them, his hair – but that’s not what Saturday was really about. “This is an outpouring of energy and true democracy like I have never seen in my very long life,” feminist hero Gloria Steinem said from the stage early in the morning. “It is wide in age. It is deep in diversity. And remember, the Constitution does not begin

with ‘I, the president.’ It begins with ‘We, the people.’ So don’t try to divide us. If you force Muslims to register, we will all register as Muslims. I know that there are women here from corporations and media and all kinds of places that make it risky for you to say what you care about, what you feel and what you support.” President Trump was not amused, bigly. He went on to defund Planned Parenthood International, thereby silencing that organization’s ability to spread family planning and health information globally. However, you may be able to take away the infrastructure, but you cannot dissolve the concern of people who, with genuine hearts and minds, aim to help people on a face-to-face basis. The reverberations of his cabinet appointments are a map to doomsday, but, alas, millions around the world aren’t going to be stopped from aiding the needs of individuals. A woman named Lindsay Fontana told Watermark, “We’re here today because I’m raising the next generation of women to be empowered,” she said. “And sitting in front of the television and crying is not going to change the future. We’ve got to get our boots on the pavement.” The boots of women and the boots of other minorities come in the same sizes, and they showed up by the millions on Saturday to press that point home. We will not be ignored. This week’s Watermark, as usual, comes with an underlying theme of empowerment and terror. Our cover feature covers the intersectionality of LGBTQ causes with those of women fighting for reproductive rights. It is the same governmental terror squad that’s being employed to damage the rights of both, after all – and we’re not just talking

The boots of women and the boots of other minorities come in the same sizes, and they showed up by the millions on saturday to press that point home. We will not be ignored. indeed, worshipping the crusty towels next to our beds. Oh, what a world. Elsewhere, you’ll find both of our Viewpoint columnists, Maia Monet and Miguel Fuller, take umbrage at the dissolutions of decency within conservative legislatures and the presidency, from bathrooms to education. That sound your hearing from the crowd is one of unrest. It’s also a hopeful sound, because at least when we look each other in the eyes, assembled in crowds of millions, we remember that this is our country more than it is that of Congress or that of one Donald J. Trump. Things are warming up. Let’s keep on moving.

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Trump. There’s a strategy coming from conservatives who are afraid of progressing (there, I said it) that is mirrored between both communities. Stick an amendment silently into a bill that makes, say, a new anti-trans bathroom law or diminishes the life of a woman in favor of the fetus she is medically carrying. None of this bluster has science to back it up, but once again, congress is filing a bill to make a life viable at the time of conception. We are,

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contributors MiGuel fuller is the out and proud co-host of the Miguel & Holly show on HOT 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything! Page 21

Maia Monet is a photographer at Southern Nights in Orlando and a singer with the band Mad Transit. Page 23

saMantha rosenthal

attended University of Central Florida and is a former Watermark editorial assistant. She is currently a freelance writer and regularly covers Wedding Bells. Page 47

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central ﬂorida news

let loVe rule Billy Manes

coMe toGether:

The LGBT Alliance joins forces from the community to pull together, Pulse and beyond. PhoTo By JaKe sTeVens

allied and ready Orlando’s LGBTQ Alliance brings collaboration in a post-Pulse world Billy Manes

rlanDo | “I called Carlos Carbonell on June 12,” Orlando LGBTQ Alliance co-founder and member of the Metropolitan Business Association (and founding chair of the area’s Human Rights Campaign group) Jennifer Foster says. “On June 13, he and I got together, and on that Thursday was our first meeting. Thirty people showed up!” Carbonell, CEO and founder of Echo: Tech & Strategy Apps in downtown Orlando, remembers the day well. “Part of it was the discussion of people that we knew that were each separately doing something for relief efforts, what community was doing what and how we could work better in concert with each other,” he recalls. “We felt there could be more communication.” And so the LGBTQ Alliance was born, as a sort of “triage,” Foster says. More than 20 LGBTQ-friendly organizations comprise the Alliance – Watermark Publishing Group among them – as a means of “shaping the future for our community through active listening, thoughtful dialogue and strategic action planning,” according to the group’s

press release. On Feb. 2, the Alliance will reach out to the public for the first time since the six-month event memorializing the tragedy. The group will host “Your Voice, Our Future,” a LGBTQ town hall event at the Acacia Banquet Hall in East Orlando from 5-8:30 p.m (5-6 p.m. there will be a job fair). The reasons for the location of the event have become ever more apparent in the days since 49 people were gunned down at Pulse on June 12. The massacre happened on a Latin night at Pulse; the Latinx community should be engaged implicitly, Carbonell says. “It’s extremely important,” he says. “I’ve been doing a lot of work with the leadership of the Hispanic Federation, which doesn’t have a lot of visibility in Orlando. We want to make it clear that we’re not only inclusive, but also show that even though it is, by its nature, a minority group, the Latinx community feels even more marginalized. You don’t tell people to come to my house. You go to somebody’s house.” The group also seeks to carry the torch of the Pulse of Orlando non-profit formed in the wake of the shooting by housing its 501(c)(3) status and continuing the mission of advocacy for those directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy. The

Alliance will form its own non-profit within the year. “Ensuring that services, programs and resources are in place to support and empower the extremely diverse LGBTQ population – and supportive allies – requires diverse and inclusive representation from all aspects of our community,” the Alliance says in its press release. “From our standpoint, having been visible leaders in the gay community, and me knowing how nonprofits work, people work in silos,” Carbonell says. “But to have some sort of cohesive, collaborative effort probably wasn’t going to be a difficult undertaking. Everybody is on board with it as far as I know. ” The Alliance has taken on a consultant to help guide the processes from now on; to, effectively, comb through the numbers and maintain transparency. The group also remains apolitical, according to Carbonell. The Alliance has a formation task force that meets weekly along with member calls that range from 15-30 people. The Feb. 2 town hall will likely be its biggest outreach yet, though the Alliance is making certain that press will not be invited in. The privacy of participants is important to an honest discussion. As for the future, Carbonell predicts that the Alliance will be a great hub for the community moving forward. “Our second mission is being prepared for another crisis,” he says. “Not necessarily the same kind, but what if we have another 1980s AIDS crisis? We are going to be able to act quickly enough this time.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

rlanDo | Up in the loft-like heights of Jim Hobart’s Macbeth Studios downtown, a wall is splashed in a cloud of rainbow colors. Interrupting the dizzying mélange is a large bit of white text. “Orlando Loves,” it reads. Local luminaries from consultant Kelly Cohen – who can flip her hair like Mariah Carey when goaded – to Ted Maines and Jeffrey Miller have been here to show their pride in the little city that could while Hobart skirts around the edges of focus to find just the right shot. The reason? Hobart is, at heart, a philanthropic photographer. And on Feb. 2, Macbeth Studios will host a “Local Love NIght” event to benefit the Zebra Coalition at CityArts Factory from 5-10 p.m. The networking and social party seeks to bring like-minded Orlandoans together with the organizations that need their support. Future events are set to include Rebuild Locally (an effort to help Haitian workers find employment), the Boys and Girls Club and the Pet Alliance, among others. Given recent events in Orlando, though, Hobart wanted to launch this particular campaign with donations for the Zebra Coalition, the local group which helps LGBTQ youth. Hobart’s goal is to raise $5,000. Macbeth donated $20,000 to the OneOrlando fund, he says. Suggested donations for the event are $10-$20, from which participants will get a professional photo in front of the “Orlando Loves” sign. “Immediately when I learned about it, I thought, ‘It’s perfect. It combines LGBTQ and homelessness,’” he says. “The original goal was to see if we could invite people in and then see if we could donate it all to Zebra. But because of Kay Rawlins [wife of Orlando City Soccer head Phil Rawlins], Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan and [Zebra director Heather Wilkie], we kind of created a monster, which I love.” Zebra Coalition director Wilkie says that Hobart has been a supporter in the past, and she appreciates the support. The Coalition has just started its Rapid Rehousing program (via a HUD grant through the Homeless Services Network) with five applicants already in the running. She says the Coalition is also expanding its reach into the Latinx community. “I hope to support all of the organizations that will benefit from this,” she says.

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tampa bay news

tampa bay diVersity chamber’s diamond awards were the night’s best Friend Jeremy Williams the District:

St. Pete Pride looks to move the parade from Grand Central to downtown St. Petersburg.

PhoTo By nIchoLas carDeLLo

Downtown, down funds St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman pulls city funding from St. Pete Pride after relocation announcement Jeremy Williams

t. PetersBurG | The St. Pete Pride board officially voted to relocate the Pride parade and festival from the Grand Central District to Vinoy Park downtown Jan. 17. The board vote, which was unanimous with one abstention, was met with a wave of resistance on social media from Grand Central business owners and members of the community; however, one criticism is leaving a deeper sting, that of St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman. Kriseman took to Facebook Jan. 18 with an announcement that if St. Pete Pride pulled out of the Grand Central District then city funding for Pride’s parade and festival would be pulled. The pulling of the $45,000 of city funding was a surprise to St. Pete Pride executive director Eric Skains. Skains says that Pride and the mayor’s office emailed about the funding that morning. “Before we even had a chance to create a dialogue, that’s when the mayor’s Facebook post went out,”

Skains says. “So we were aware that they wanted to do this but we thought it was ‘let’s circle back and talk about this’ and in fact it was an absolute no from the city.” In prior years, St. Pete Pride and the City of St. Petersburg had a contract that stipulated the parade and festival must remain in the Grand Central District, but that contract ended in 2016. The board and mayor’s office have been in negotiations for a new contract. The draft from the mayor’s office had no location requirements. “The mayor has known for a while about St. Pete Pride’s interest to move downtown,” says Kevin King, Kriseman’s chief of staff. King says that the mayor’s office agreed to the move because the parade’s staging area, which has been the empty lot next to Metro Wellness and across from where Georgie’s Alibi was located, would not be available to use for Pride. King says that the city verified that the lot would be usable this year. “In addition to that there was an outpouring of support and protest in

the community of businesses up and down the Kenwood, Grand Central areas really wanting them to stay put,” King says. Skains says that the staging of the parade is not the only concern with keeping Pride in Grand Central. Two of the biggest concerns are cost and safety. Skains says when Pride moved to a nighttime parade a few years back, the city stated that additional safety measures needed to be met including adding barricades and a larger police presence. “That’s what [the city] funding was earmarked for originally, so it has nothing to do with whether the event is in Grand Central or downtown, it went specifically for those barricade costs and additional policing costs. So without that Pride will have to pick up those costs, and one of the reasons for wanting to move downtown was to eliminate some of those production costs.” Skains says another safety concern the board has is the width of the parade route. “It’s very narrow,” Skains says. “It’s only 20 feet from barricade to barricade. That doesn’t leave a lot of room if any kind of incidents should happen along the parade route, or if one of the trucks breaks down where does it go. We want to be able to widen that all out.” A meeting is set between St. Pete Pride and the mayor’s office to discuss the funding. Both sides are confident they can reach a compromise that will benefit both sides. “This is what happens in a growing city,” King says. “But we are confident that we will find some common ground.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

t. PetersBurG | The Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce’s Diamonds in Diversity continues to shine brighter each year as the annual awards gala took over the Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg Jan. 21. Hosts Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor of HOT 101.5’s “Miguel & Holly Show” kept the show on pace, and the powerhouse vocals of Jennifer Real kept the show in tune, along with musicians Nathan L. Mitchell and Jonathan Thomas, as the elite of Tampa Bay was dressed to the nines. Last year’s winners took the stage to present the Diamond Award to the recipients this year, for the most part. St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, a 2015 winner, presented the Community Champion of the Year award to Sonny Hotchkiss of The Hotchkiss Group. Last year’s Community Champion winner Kevin Beckner stepped aside to let Kriseman say a few words to the crowd and present the award since he was unable to attend last year. Other winners included Julian Sanchez M.D. of the Moffitt Cancer Center as Business Person of the Year, who graciously received his award from last year’s winner Sharon Herman. Hamburger Mary’s won Business of the Year and Equality Florida won the Non-Profit of the Year. Equality Florida’s Mark Puskarich accepted the award on behalf of the leading LGBTQ rights organization, accepting it for the 49 lives lost at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. The evening also saw not one, but three scholarships awarded to the three student finalists from the Chamber and Balance Tampa Bay’s Mentorship Program. Danielle Crawford was awarded the Diamond Scholarship Award, a $2,500 scholarship for being the top student in the mentorship program. Runner-ups Anthony Ruiz Wilson and Kyle Toler both received scholarships for $1,500. Wilson’s scholarship was from a donation from Diversity Chamber friends George W. Kubat and Maureen A. Walsh. Toler’s scholarship came from a donation from Metro Tampa Bay CEO Lorraine Langlois. While Beckner did not get a chance to present an award, he did get his chance in the spotlight. Showing off his auctioneer talents, the former Hillsborough County Commissioner led the live auction. The live auction and silent auction, along with a generous gift of $1,000 from Largo Commissioner Michael Smith and husband, Eric Hutton, helped the event raise nearly $10,000 for the Diamond Scholarship fund. Once the desserts and wine were finished off, the crowd gathered at Enigma St. Pete for the official after party.

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

State Certified CAC056308

state news

Florida dispensaries aim to ‘normalize’ medical marijuana Wire Report

AMPA | Vials of cannabis-laced sprays, lotions and tinctures line display shelves a few steps from handbags specially designed to tote marijuana products. A stylish kitchenette and table is on the opposite side of this Surterra Wellness Center medical marijuana showroom, space used to host educational sessions on the merits of the drug — something legal only under very strict circumstances in Florida until Amendment 2 took effect last week. This 2,000-square-foot storefront, one of a handful of Florida dispensaries that have opened in recent months, looks more like a day spa lobby or high-end salon. Nothing about it evokes images of the seedy, bong-filled pot shops of

popular imagination. “The idea is to make patients feel comfortable, to make a mother with a sick child or a sick parent – or herself, who is dealing with an ailment – make her feel comfortable to bring her child in with her or bring her elderly parent in here and not feel like she is doing something wrong,” a Surterra spokeswoman said. “We’re not going to hide what we’re doing.” The Surterra dispensary announces its presence, and the fact that it offers medical marijuana, with a prominent sign along the main roadway to its host shopping center. The neighborhood itself is a commercial district less than a mile west of the University of South Florida. Its neighbors include an insurance office, property managers, a Pizza Hut and a Chipotle Mexican Grill. Costs for the typical 45-day

supply of cannabis products range from $50 and $350, depending on the dosage and type of product. Insurance does not cover any of the cost. It’s worth noting that, despite its increasing popularity with the public, marijuana’s actual benefits as a medical therapy are a matter of some scientific controversy. One recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that analyzed 79 randomized trials found only “moderate-quality evidence” supporting marijuana’s supposed pain relief. Surterra opened its Wellness Center in Tampa, its first, in October. It is one of five brick-and-mortar dispensaries state regulators have so far approved and, along with another in Tampa and one in Miami, are the nearest to

Southwest Florida. Qualifying patients in Southwest Florida may obtain the drug by courier. But it may be some time before this region sees its own dispensary. There are the moratoriums in south Lee County communities, though the county government itself has not yet taken an official position. Naples signaled its skepticism with its own ban on dispensaries in 2014. The city of Fort Myers is also preparing its own ordinance that would ban such establishments for at least six months, said Fort Myers spokeswoman Kirsten O’Donnell. The city has not yet been approached by any state-approved marijuana producers, O’Donnell added. For now, there are nearly 1,800 people in Florida who have jumped through all the procedural hurdles needed to

get access to medical marijuana, according to the Florida Department of Health. And, as of this week, 388 doctors are allowed to help them procure it. Prior to the passage of Amendment 2, only two kinds patients could access medical marijuana: Those with certain medical conditions, such as chronic seizures, who benefit from non-euphoric strains of cannabis; and patients with terminal illnesses wanting to use full-strength marijuana to ease their pain and other symptoms. The constitutional amendment passed in November expands eligibility to patients with “debilitating illnesses,” such as cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. One Florida analysis concluded that Amendment 2 might qualify 450,000 Florida patients for marijuana.

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nation+world news

in other news Dance party takes to D.C. streets to protest Mike Pence With glow sticks, hula hoops and rainbow flags, protesters took a dance party to the streets near the vice president’s temporary home Jan. 18 to oppose his positions on LGBTQ issues. News outlets report that more than 100 people accompanied by a truck blasting music danced through the usually quiet Chevy Chase area of northwest Washington, where Mike Pence has been renting a home. Disrupt J20, a collection of activist groups, and WERK For Peace, which formed after the Orlando nightclub shooting, organized what they called a “Queer Dance Party.” Activists have criticized Pence for signing a law as Indiana governor that they say could sanction discrimination against LGBTQ customers. It wasn’t clear if Pence was home.

Georgia appeals court tells judge to allow transgender name changes Two transgender men may legally change their names, a Georgia appeals court ruled Friday, overturning a judge’s orders that said the name changes could be confusing and considered a type of fraud. Columbia County Superior Court Judge J. David Roper abused his discretion when he denied the name change petitions, the Georgia Court of Appeals decision said. The appeals court sent the two cases back to Roper and directed him to enter an order changing the names. LGBTQ rights group Lambda Legal last year filed appeals on behalf of Rowan Elizabeth Feldhaus, whose birth name was Rebeccah Elizabeth Feldhaus, and Andrew Norman Baumert, whose given name was Delphine Renee Baumert.

Gay teacher sues over firing from North Carolina high school A gay teacher sued a Roman Catholic school Jan. 11 for firing him after he announced his wedding to a man, the latest in a series of legal fights over antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. The lawsuit argues Charlotte Catholic High School violated federal employment law by firing Lonnie Billard from a substitute teaching role in 2014 after a Facebook post about his wedding. Billard taught English and drama full time at the school for more than a decade, earning its Teacher of the Year award in 2012. He then transitioned to a role as a regular substitute teacher, typically working more than a dozen weeks per year, according to the lawsuit.

Brazilian mother stabs gay son, burns him in a cane field A Brazilian mother took the life of her 17-year-old child just outside of Sao Paolo Dec. 29. The child, Itaberli Lozano, sent out signals that this was coming via social media. His mother, Tatiana Lozano Pereira, 32, hired two boys, Miller da Silva Barissa, 18, and Victor Roberto da Silva, 19, to attack her son, but when they failed to kill him Pereira fatally stabbed her son. According to police reports, Pereira and the boy’s stepfather took the body to a cane field and burned him. The two teenage assailants were arrested Jan. 20 and confessed to helping the victim’s mother. Pereira and the victim’s stepfather are both in jail awaiting trial.

Chelsea Manning: a potent symbol for transgender Americans Wire Report

EW YORK | For most Americans, Chelsea Manning has been a hero or villain based on how they view her decision to leak classified material. For transgender people, she has another dimension-—serving as a potent symbol of their struggles for acceptance. With Tuesday’s commutation of her prison sentence by President Barack Obama, she’s now due for release in May, when she will re-enter a society bitterly divided over many aspects of transgender rights. Known as Bradley Manning at the time of her 2010 arrest, Manning came out as transgender after being sentenced to 35 years in an all-male military prison. Under Army rules, she was barred from growing her hair long while incarcerated, and only after litigation by her legal team was she approved for hormone therapy. She spent long stints in solitary confinement, and twice tried to kill herself. Chase Strangio, the American Civil Liberties Union attorney who filed the medical-care lawsuit, said Manning has viewed herself as a transgender-rights activist even in the isolation of her confinement at Fort Leavenworth. “She’s always been a hero to me,” said Strangio, a transgender man. “Her story really does reflect so much of the systemic discrimination that transgender people face-struggles growing up, suppression of her gender that prompted her to join the military... and facing particularly egregious conditions in prison.” “She’s an incredibly thoughtful and devoted person,” Strangio added. “She’s felt a sense of responsibility to the transgender community and wanted to be someone who contributed to the fight for transgender justice.” Jennifer Finney Boylan, a transgender author who teaches at Barnard College in New York, expressed hope that Manning

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would remain an activist and share her experiences. In an email, Boylan depicted Manning as “a woman who’s been trapped both physically and metaphorically, finding herself smack in the middle of national disagreements about both the meaning of our war in Iraq as well as the ongoing national conversation about gender.” “She is seen as a very public face for the complexity of gender, particularly the injustice facing anyone doing time in a facility for men who is surely, by the measure of her own heart, a woman,” Boylan wrote. Dean Spade, a transgender law professor at Seattle University School of Law, hailed Manning as “an immensely important figure for the trans movement and for the broader LGBT movement.” Manning faced conditions in prison that denied her gender, Spade said, and “the world has watched her go through this.” A cautionary note was sounded by Dana Beyer, executive director of Gender Rights Maryland, who said there was no consensus about Manning among transgender Americans. “The community is divided on her actions, and parading her around as a hero will not only negatively impact her,” and exacerbate the split among transgender people, Beyer wrote in an email. “Manning as the face of the trans community would be very dangerous.” Manning was convicted of leaking many thousands of classified government and military documents to WikiLeaks while serving as an intelligence analyst in Iraq. There was testimony at her trial about her erratic behavior and emotional stress during her Army service. Among those denouncing the commutation of her sentence was Jerry Boykin, a retired Army general who is now executive vice president of the conservative Family Research Council. “President Obama chose political correctness over our national security,” Boykin said in a statement that referred to Manning with male pronouns and decried the legal

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efforts to compel the Army to pay for gender-transition procedures. The Pentagon recently adopted a policy of allowing transgender people to serve openly in the military. Some conservatives are suggesting a reversal of the policy after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, although Trump’s pick for defense secretary, James Mattis, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he has no such plans. However, many transgender activists fear that Trump’s administration will abandon the Obama administration’s efforts to enable transgender students to use the bathrooms of their choice at public schools. And in Texas, Republican legislators are pushing a bill that would limit transgender people’s bathroom access. Among the many problems faced by transgender Americans, their treatment in the criminal justice system is of particular concern to activists. Many juvenile detention centers are ill-equipped to handle transgender teens, and corrections officials in many jurisdictions have sought to avoid paying for sex-reassignment surgeries for adult inmates. After Manning’s release, the Army will be off the hook for the costs of any further gender-transition medical care that she receives. However, Strangio says the matter of cost was not paramount. “She can finally navigate her medical care on her own terms,” he said. Shannon Minter, a transgender man who serves as legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said activists rallied behind Manning partly because her experience epitomized many of their community’s problems. Her case “has shed a light on the serious abuses that transgender people-and in particular, transgender women-suffer daily in our nation’s prisons and jails,” Minter said. “While Chelsea’s experience is extraordinary in many respects, the abuses she has experienced as a result of being transgender are commonplace and deserve far more attention.”

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

viewpoint

Miguel Fuller

high Fidelity Silent no more

k. i’M GoinG to Be

honest with you. I had a road map for what I was going to write about for this column. I literally finished the first draft. For the past two weeks I’ve been watching people rip into each other on social media about all sorts of issues: The election and President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks: the battle for St. Pete Pride and where the parade will be held; and, of course, friends’ relationship drama. My heart was hurting for everyone.

I was going to write about having empathy for those around you. Listen. Understand. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, then decide how you want to proceed. You know what? I’m done. Here’s why. Right now I’m sitting in my apartment watching CNN. I’ve been watching the inauguration of our 45th president, Donald J. Trump. It’s been hard to sit back and watch all day. I should have turned the TV off, got an extra-large bucket of popcorn and bought a ticket to see Hidden Figures again (by the way, see that movie – so good). I’m a glutton for punishment. I guess that’s why I go to CrossFit

every day and kill myself with insane workouts. I like to torture myself. That’s coming to an end. I will not be silent. Here’s what I mean: I’m not one to engage in crazy social media back and forth. For one, I don’t have the patience to go toe-to-toe with people on Facebook or Twitter. That can be so tiring when you have those trolls that will go into the middle of the night fighting you on something trivial. I’m going to have to change that. Watching Donald Trump walk into the White House this afternoon literally sent a cold chill down my spine. During the election process, he was that wrecking ball Miley Cyrus use to talk about. He tore down ALL the walls of what we know of being presidential. I’m sure by the time this goes to print we will have witnessed a Trump twitter meltdown… or two. I don’t want to sit here and go down the list of everything he has said and done. We all know. I feel like it’s my duty to speak up now. There was a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that caught my eye as we celebrated him on his holiday: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” So what does that mean? Every time I see someone post “Make America Great Again,” do I respond with, “Who are we making it great for again because as a gay black man I sure don’t feel it!” No. I’ll let those slide. What I will do is call out BS when I see it. For example, if someone is sharing a video or meme of Trump’s new cabinet picks while praising them, I’ll simply state facts about the people he is picking. Like his tap to lead the Department of Education, Betsy DeVos. She is a billionaire. She’s not even an Oprah size billionaire. According to Forbes, her family is worth

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$5.1 billion. That’s a lot of zeros. She has never been to a public school, never had to borrow money for student loans. (Anyone still paying off student loans 10 years after college? This guy!) During her confirmation hearings

Here’s why it’s so important to do that to your friends that support Trump: Our 45th President does not deserve a blank check to do whatever he wants. No president deserves that. We held Obama’s feet to the fire

hope and pray that in four years Trump has proven us all wrong. Maybe he will be an unlikely ally and end up being super inclusive. Sadly, all the hoping in the world will probably prove that’s not true. So until the next election, be

she dodged questions on whether she would defund public schools. Scary stuff. These are the type of facts I want my friends who support Trump to know. I’m not trying to sway them, I just want them to be armed with all the facts. Isn’t that what they did with Obama during his entire presidency?

when it felt like he wasn’t moving fast enough on LGBTQ rights, so Mr. Trump should not be able to enact laws that will send us years back into the closet. As I’m coming to the end of this, I’m wondering if I’m being petty. Shouldn’t I just respect the office of the president? Of course. I

vigilant. You don’t have to argue with your Trump supporter friends, simply point to the facts. NOW it’s time for me to turn off the TV, pop some popcorn and put in a movie! Here’s to the next four years!

Maybe he will be an unlikely ally and end up being super inclusive. sadly, all the hoping in the world will probably prove that’s not true. so until the next election, be vigilant.

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viewpoint

Maia Monet

trans oF thought

Bathroom Issues n early aPril 2011, a few

months after I arrived in Florida, I was able to legally change my name and landed a job at a local theme park with my new identity. For the first time in my life, I was also assigned the female locker room.

I still vividly remember the anxiety I felt upon entering this inner sanctum of femininity. Back then I had not yet had gender confirmation surgery (GCS) and was frightened at what could happen if I was inadvertently found out. I took care to be as discreet as possible by changing into my uniform bottoms in toilet stalls and choosing individual showers in remote corners to avoid any prying eyes. I mention this to highlight the fact that many trans people feel fear when using the facilities in alignment with their gender identity. I’ve sat in transgender support group meetings where trans women express paranoia over whether someone in a neighboring bathroom stall might detect a difference in the sound of their stream. Trans men obsess over being conspicuous by their inability to use a urinal. To mitigate possible violence at the hands of cisgender people, we will go to extremes to increase our safety. This includes subjecting ourselves to painful surgical procedures or avoiding gendered facilities entirely. Despite our desire to fit in and be left in peace, if one were to scrutinize the rationale advanced in defense of the so-called bathroom bills across the country, it’s clear that we are considered dangerous. However, it is indisputable that evidence we pose a threat to fellow non-trans potty patrons is nonexistent. In contrast, according to a study at the Williams Institute at UCLA, 70 percent of trans people report being verbally harassed or

physically assaulted in the bathroom. Any fictitious fear cisgender people have of assault by trans people pales in comparison to the terrifying realities of the violence we face. Of course, until recently the publicly stated reasoning by social conservatives has been that bathroom bills are only meant to keep males with ill intentions out of female-only spaces. Trans people are collateral damage sacrificed at the altar of the greater good. But there is little doubt that this is a smokescreen that hides bigotry behind an unassailable ideal because, in fact, bathroom bills don’t increase safety since safety isn’t a problem. In the hundreds of municipalities that have ordinances protecting gender identity, there is no discernable increase in crime in female-only facilities. As I implied earlier, recent bathroom bills introduced by Republicans show their true intent. It seems the election of our new commander-in-chief, with his unabashed sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, plus every other “ism” and phobia I can think of, has emboldened those with regressive views and these new bills are certainly retrograde. In Virginia, HB 1612 makes it illegal to use facilities restricted to the opposite sex, but it defines sex as what is listed on a person’s original birth certificate. Birth certificates with an amended sex marker, typically issued after GCS, are not valid. The bill also requires schools to inform parents within 24 hours if their child tells a school official that they are transgender. Minnesota’s HB 41, although limited to public schools, even more narrowly defines sex as chromosomes and genitals at birth. Not to be left behind, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick introduced HB 6, which he acknowledges would do nothing to keep

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predators out of the ladies room, but would likely keep out most trans women. Patrick also stated that the restrictions did not extend to trans men using the men’s room, “because men can defend themselves.” These new proposed laws, and several more due in the coming weeks, have changed the focus of the

incremental wave in the battle to roll back LGBTQ+ civil rights advances and you may not have noticed. The transgender community is a small subgroup that receives little attention from the members of the larger community and conservatives know it. Yes, the different equality organizations locally and

thing, but for me it always calls to mind the famous quote by Martin Niemöller, which ends with, “Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.” Well, they are coming for the transgender community right now from

threat from supposed male predators to transgender people. Now the question is, why should you care? Odds are that those of you reading this are not transgender. Maybe you don’t know any trans people and are worried about possible threats to marriage equality from the Trump administration. The answer is, because this is the first

nationwide do represent trans interests, but active advocacy of transgender causes by the average cisgender gay, lesbian, and bisexual is not nearly as robust. In my corner of the world, I can often count on one hand the number of LGB friends who respond to, let alone share, my posts on transgender topics. This may seem like a small

all sides and I am sounding the warning alarm. If the LGBTQ+ community does not stand together to speak out in protest in one voice, eventually they will come for all of us.

Any ﬁctitious fear cisgender people have of assault by trans people pales in comparison to the terrifying realities of the violence we face.

Melody Maia Monet operates her own YouTube channel on transgender issues at YouTube.com/MelodyMaia and she can be reached at Monet@Alumni.Princeton.edu.

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you know what – as somebody who has a past – I think it’s really wrong and mean-spirited of women to be so abusive. —Boy GeorGe to the associateD Press at Paris fashion week aBout the treatMent of first laDy Melania truMP froM other woMen online DurinG the inauGuration.

nasHviLLe returnS With

tranSgender actreSS

ancelleD By aBc after four seasons, the new season of Nashville on CMT began Jan. 5 and aims to reflect more diversity the cast. Writer-actress-producer Jen Richards has a recurring role in the new season and will be the first out transgender actor on a CMT series. Richards, who earned an Emmy nomination for her web series, Her Story, said word spread quickly within the transgender acting community that Nashville was casting because there are so few television roles available. “I only get called in for trans roles and then I lose those parts to men because they think I look too much like a regular girl to play a trans part,” Richards said. Marshall Herskovitz, one of the new showrunners, said the show will address Richards’ gender later in the season. Richards said being the first open transgender actor on CMT is hugely significant to changing perceptions about the transgender community.

luSh includeS Same-Sex cOuPleS in valentine’S day adS

alentine’s Day is riGht arounD the corner and Lush, the cosmetic company dedicated to bringing you the freshest and most natural beauty products, introduced new ads to get you in the romantic mood. Lush Tweeted a picture Jan. 19 of a happy gay couple in the bath together. “Our Valentine’s Day goodies are even better when you’ve got someone to share them with,” the Tweet read. The company also Tweeted a photo of a lesbian couple in the bath the day of the women’s march. “To everyone marching today, time for some well-deserved bubbles!” Both ads are up on Lush’s website.

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andy cOhen rebOOtS Love ConneCtion, PrOmiSeS Same-Sex cOuPleS

nDerson cooPer Bff anD kinG of BraVo anDy cohen is reviving one of the most beloved game shows of the 1980s and it will air this summer on FOX. Love Connection, which ran in syndication from 1983-1994, featured single men and women going on three blind dates then dishing about it with host Chuck Woolery. Cohen’s revival keeps the same premise as the original but will feature all versions of couples, including same-sex match-ups. “I was a huge fan of the original Love Connection, and hosting the new version allows me to do one of the things I love most: meddling in people’s personal lives,” Cohen said.

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WiLL & GraCe 10-ePiSOde revival Set fOr 2017-18 SeaSOn

ILL & GRACE is officially MakinG a coMeBack. NBC said Jan. 18 that 10 new episodes are set to air during the 2017-18 season. The series will feature original stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally. Series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan are aboard as executive producers, and series director James Burrows also will be back, NBC said. In a statement, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt called the series groundbreaking for its witty approach to social issues including gay rights. Will & Grace aired from 1998 to 2006 and won Emmy Awards as best comedy series and for its stars.

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in-dePth: attack againSt lgbt rightS

political attacks on both reproductive rights and lgbtQ equality are often indirect. more importantly, they work.

Jamie Hyman

inninG a war By attackinG

the edges is an ancient idea. As early as 5th century B.C., in his military treatise The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote, “In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.” Anti-choice activists have read the playbook, and they’re deploying indirect methods in their fight against abortion.

In early 2016, Bloomberg Business reported a quarter of the United States’ abortion clinics had shut down since

2011, the fastest annual pace on record. Anti-choice crusaders are finding success not by directly taking on Roe v. Wade, but by attacking the edges, pushing through legislation that requires unnecessary waiting periods, restrictive building codes, hospital admitting requirements and other superfluous regulations that make it too expensive or logistically burdensome to remain open. Anna Vishkaee Eskamani, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and

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Central Florida, says they’re called Targeted Restriction of Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws. “These are laws that are not designed to ban abortion, because they can’t with Roe v. Wade standing, but they try to find roundabout ways to make it more difficult to provide abortion access, or to access it yourself, as individuals,” Eskamani says. Bloomberg estimates 30.5 million women are affected by clinic closures, and while the fight for reproductive justice is far from over, one thing about

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the anti-choice, indirect strategy is clear: It works. It is vital that LGBTQs pay attention to these anti-choice wins, as anti-gay activists are already attacking LGBTQ equality using similar, sneaky tactics. If the indirect strategies have made it harder for women to exercise their reproductive freedoms, it’s not a stretch to say similar tactics could remove hard-won rights from the LGBTQ community. cOntinued On Pg. 29 | uu |

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| uu | Living on the Edge from pg.27

What’s the LGBTQ version of a TRAP law? There’s no telling what fresh strategies are standing by in the anti-LGBTQ playbook, waiting to be deployed, but so far, indirect attacks primarily have fallen under three categories: religious freedom, dismantling local protections and transgender rights. Aubrey Jewett, associate political science professor at University of Central Florida, says there are “definite similarities” to attacks on reproductive and LGBTQ rights. “In both cases, instead of the conservative lawmakers going directly after the policy that they want – in the case of abortion, to make abortion illegal, in the case of gay rights to repeal gay rights across the board – they pursue a strategy to go after what they can get in a more limited basis and to do it in a way that to some degree masks their actual intent,” Jewett says. For example, Jewett cites the transgender bathroom bills, which have popped up in several states and attempt to police who uses restroom facilities, by gender. “Almost all research and data suggests that there have been no incidents of transgender people going into the restroom of their choice for any other reason than the use of the facilities,” he says, so lawmakers attempting to pass bathroom bills claim they’re really about protecting women and girls from pedophiles who might take advantage to access women’s restrooms. “The opponents of LGBT rights go at the edges and look for types of legislation that they can pass, that they feel will at least to some degree make them feel a little more comfortable about [progress] in American society,” Jewett says. He adds that religious freedom bills, which state businesses shouldn’t have to serve LGBTQs if it’s against their religious beliefs, are rarely about a legitimate religious issue and usually a way to try to get around current law. “A lot of the legislation is trying to accommodate people who don’t believe in gay marriage and don’t believe in gay rights and protect them and their religious freedom,” Jewett says. “It’s just a way that they can justify trying to chip away at civil rights protections for gays.” Anti-choice activists have been attacking the edges of abortion rights for around 60 years, and Jewett says it’s too early to tell whether anti-gay activists’ drive and dedication will be equally intense.

“[Anti-choice activists] just do not agree with Roe v. Wade, they do not agree with abortion under any circumstances and they are not going to stop trying to fight it,” he says. “I think with gay rights, it’s hard to know for sure if there will be that level of commitment and depth of passion... I know from the pro-life crowd, they look at it as these are innocent lives that are being taken, and this is something they have to morally fight against. Not that they agree with gay rights, but I’m not sure there’s the level of passion in the long run.” Regardless of the level of commitment, Hannah Willard, Equality Florida’s public policy director, says the similarities between the two battlegrounds are undeniable. “The more I learn about the fight for progressive causes and the fight for full lived equality for all people, the more I realize that our opponents are all overlapping and they all have very similar strategies to undermine our ability to live our lives the way we see fit, to live our lives free from government intrusion, to be able to do with our bodies what we want, to have control over who we marry, who we love,” Willard says. “I think there are a lot of similarities in what our opponents are doing to try to undermine those rights.” Eskamani adds that anti-gay and anti-choice lawmakers may simply be politically motivated. “It is less about the needs of the constituents and more about the politician’s next election,” she says. Willard points out that legal same-sex marriage doesn’t necessarily mean those rights are bullet proof, citing evidence not found just in abortion battles but in civil rights battles, as well. “Abortion is a perfect example of the fact that [LGBTQs] don’t necessarily have full protection just because there’s a law in place,” Willard says. “Roe v. Wade is constantly chipped away at. We have marriage equality but we’ve got to remain vigilant. The Black Lives Matter movement is all about defending the legal rights that people of color have fought for and won and are still under threat for every single day.”

The Trump Effect

Of course, things may change now that Donald Trump is president. Trump’s America creates two snags in the usual political assumptions: a climate where anti-gay and anti-choice activists feel emboldened to launch direct attacks, and the possibility of Trump nominating one or more justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jewett says it’s not clear how Trump

Continued on pg. 31 | uu |

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| uu | Living on the Edge from pg.29

feels about LGBTQ rights, “but if a lot of his supporters feel that this is their best chance… then we absolutely will see more legislation pass at the state and local levels that tries to chip away at gay rights.” Willard adds that extremists, especially, are “encouraged and emboldened” by Trump’s election victory. “I think that Donald Trump tapped into a very angry segment of the society that is seeing the world change in front of them and is, quite frankly, afraid of what that will mean for them, their families and their livelihood,” she says. And of course, there is trepidation that the ever-unpredictable Trump may have the opportunity to appoint Supreme Court justices who want to dismantle both LGBTQ and reproductive rights. “It’s almost certain the justice that will replace [Antonin] Scalia [who died in February of 2016] will be equally conservative,” Jewett says. “We have several other justices who are pretty old; they could pass away or retire.” He says it depends on state challenges to existing laws, and how lower courts rule on those cases. “It could take years, but if these cases get up to the Supreme Court, then there’s the potential for the Supreme Court to reverse themselves, as they have done on occasion throughout history, and do away with Roe v. Wade or do away with the decision to legalize gay marriage.” Although it’s possible, Jewett says a new majority on the Supreme Court is “almost impossible,” and even if a new majority was in place, they’d be reluctant to overturn previous decisions. But almost impossible isn’t the same thing as impossible. “The Cubs did win the World Series; Donald Trump won the presidency. It’s certainly more probable with a more conservative set of justices,” he says. “If you’re on the front lines of the battles for women’s right to choose or for LGBTQ rights, you best be on your toes, because the opposition is not going away. The stakes are high.” Eskamani cites a “huge victory” for reproductive rights this past summer as reassurance

A lot of the legislation is trying to accommodate people who don’t believe in gay marriage and don’t believe in gay rights and protect them and their religious freedom.

It’s just a way that they can justify trying to chip away at civil rights protections for gays. —Aubrey Jewett, associate political science professor at University of Central Florida

that the Supreme Court is not in a place to roll back progress. The justices ruled 5-3 to overturn HB2 [in 2013], a major TRAP law in Texas that would have shuttered all but ten of the Lone Star state’s abortion clinics. “So even if Scalia was still sitting, that would have been a win for reproductive rights,” Eskamani says. “People should take some solace in that, at this moment in time, the Supreme Court of the U.S. is in a strong place to continue to protect access to reproductive care, but we have to be vigilant. We have to hold our elected officials accountable to stop these bills from even being sponsored, let alone passing and getting to the Governor’s desk.”

LGBT counter-attack playbook Of course, LGBT activists have some strategies up their sleeves, too. Vigilance is a persistent

theme. Eskamani recommends people who want to protect LGBT equality follow the legislature closely and start discussions with their state house representatives and state senators. “These are the folks who work for us and we really have to do our best to build a relationship with them, so that when they do file legislation we don’t like, or legislation that we do like, we can then contact them and let that be known and really exercise our power as stewards of the community,” she says. Offensive maneuvers bring to mind aggressive, head-on strategies but Willard’s top recommendation in countering attacks on LGBTQ rights is so gentle it’s an artform: storytelling. “What we saw with the marriage equality victory was the power of individual people’s stories,” she says. “We’ve actually got to start talking to each other about how we feel about reproductive justice. We have to start talking to each other

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about our perspective on LGBTQ equality. I think there’s a whole lot more of us who are able to find common ground than we would think.” And of course, pro-choice and pro-equality camps facing similar, indirect attacks could find strength in banding together. “A lot of those sponsors of these bills are also ones that sponsor and or support restrictions that are politically motivated toward abortion and reproductive rights,” Eskamani says. “Our movements really are intrinsically tied.” Eskamani says LGBTQs have had a lot of success breaking stigma by telling stories and being visible, but pro-choice activists “have not seen that type of movement with reproductive health yet. We’re on the cusp of that becoming a reality.” Willard says it’s important to remember that anti-gay and anti-choice strategies aren’t new, and these battles have been going on for decades.

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“I think we have to look beyond just legal rights and think about how we create a culture of lived equality and create a culture that affirms the basic human dignity of all people,” she says, adding that while LGBTQs celebrate recent, monumental victories, it’s important to realize that working with the pro-choice movement is key to continued progress. “I would argue that it’s up to LGBTQ people, too, to speak up for reproductive justice, to know upon whose shoulders we stand and remember that the HIV/ AIDS epidemic was absolutely linked to reproductive justice and access to contraception,” she says. “We’ve got to speak up and remember that there are LGBTQ people who need to have access to reproductive healthcare, who are bisexual or transgender, and need their right to access a safe and legal abortion affirmed and protected.”

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ALONE

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Pop survivor tiffany brings the stories behind the mall tours to the Parliament House

Billy Manes

t’s a Bit unnerVinG

speaking with Tiffany (Darwish) on the phone. She represents that peculiar space in the FM lexicon that some might not relate to anymore, though this writer certainly does as he wears his jean jacket and tasseled boots.

Her eponymous record spawned huge hits like “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been” and the odd Beatles cover, “I Saw Him Standing There.” (Go ahead; do the hand motions now.) She notoriously played to screaming girls in mall food courts while fending off the “authenticity” of Debbie Gibson, her media rival. She made red hair happen. She deserves her due. These days, Tiffany, who has branched out into scripted and reality television in addition to continuing her music career to its natural maturity (think singer-songwriter), has a great sense of humor, a great voice and a quite the curriculum vitae in the world of entertainment. She’ll be performing her hits and new songs for a

cOntinued On Pg. 35 | uu |

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| uu | Tiffany from pg.33 special storyteller-themed appearance at Parliament House in Orlando in promotion of her 2016 A Million Miles release on Feb. 1-2. She doesn’t like to fly, see, so she’s put that many miles on her car, legend has it. Probably not quite a million, though, but she’s allowed the exaggeration. She did sell millions of records.

Watermark: I’ve been researching you for an imaginary thesis. You’ve had a pretty broad career, as one would expect after the number of years since you were introduced to the public, but I wasn’t aware as to how much you had done. But let’s start at the beginning. When the “I Think We’re Alone Now” song and video sensation first started and you were in malls, in malls, every day. How difficult was it to adjust to that? Tiffany: It was great. I was living my dream and doing what I love to do – the music industry and learning the music industry. You know, learning about my fans. I mean, it was different than I’d imagined it to be, which was awesome. I had a blast touring the world in the early years and having my fans and just showing people that I’m was not a manufactured talent, because as successful as everything was, the critics wanted to make it, “Well, it’s the producer and she’s not really singing.” That was kind of my first inside of the music industry, of the praise and the rejection. As I toured and stuff, and left the mall tours and went out on the road; that was my biggest thing. Sometimes I look back and I wish I would’ve been more in the moment and had fun with it, but I was so concerned about whether people knew I could sing live and that the notes were right- so opposite of what I do today. Thank goodness I really can just go out there and sing; it’s usually not an effort for me, which I’m very thankful for. I definitely enjoy my time on stage now and that’s probably the only thing I would really change about the earlier experiences in my career. Hold An Old Friend’s Hand, which had “All This Time” on it – when that happened and then New Inside thereafter … what was the record label reaction to all of what you were doing at that point? Sales were falling.

I guess another thing is that I learned early on in the music industry about the business side of things. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. I left my manager George Tobin at

age18 for various reasons. I loved the work that we were doing, but we’d just kind of grown apart and he was a very dominant figure who, at that time, really wouldn’t listen. But I think that you’ve got a young teenage girl going, “Look, if my fans don’t really want all these ballads, although I’m a ballad singer and I love ballads, I need to try different things.” And he was just really reluctant with that, and I was touring with the New Kids on the Block and I met [New Kids on the Block manager] Dick Scott, so I took him on as my manager, and I think that was a different experience.

A lot of women, especially women who started as early as you did, they’re kind of forced into this maturity thing, or they put themselves in this maturity thing and then everyone is quick to point and laugh, as opposed to accepting that this is somebody who is maturing, and I don’t see the same thing with male performers.

That’s the thing; you kind of have to do it. I think we’ve gotten better at the transition. Some people still go for shock factor. It just depends on every artist. I think there’s room for all. I was working with stylists and hair schools and I was just like, yeah! Today, I love all of that. I have some projects coming out now as well as the new album that launched last year. I’m doing a lot of dance projects this year just because it makes me feel young. I love dance music; I love being in clubs. I’m really inspired by a lot of people that are out now and people that I’ve worked with before that I’ve reconnected with. It’s just like, why not? As long as there’s stuff that I can sing over a great groove and it’s still good lyrics and words and something that still shows my chops, I’m all for it.

I was most surprised to find out about the Hoyt Axton connection from when you were super young.

That was my start, you know. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if he hadn’t encouraged us. And my dad getting everybody’s attention, paying them whatever he had to, saying, “Please let my daughter sing!” My parents in the beginning thought I would chicken out eventually because it’s strangers. I never did. I was just kind of meant to be on stage and I still love it. Was there an honesty that you missed that brought you back to the country or singer-songwriter ethos?

I’m still fighting through being known as a musician – I’m a producer; I’m a

Continued on pg. 37 | uu |

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| uu | Tiffany from pg.35 writer. This is a lifelong career for me. I don’t have a Plan B. I’m really inspired by a lot of different things: Stevie Nicks to Teena Marie to Emmylou Harris. I’m constantly listening to records and being around people and watching live bands. I think when people come to my live acoustic show they’re shocked. We do some of the retro stuff. We always sing “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been.” I’m never not going to sing those songs. I love them, they’re my start and I’m grateful, but I’d like to show off my chops now, which I think the new album does, getting back to some ballads. We started the show last year, and this is a growing show. Every show has been different, even some of the set lists have been different. The evening takes on its own life; we might get requests, I might change some things. My poor band has to be on their toes, but we have a great time. As I’m talking I think the people are shocked that I’m so open and so off-the-cuff a little bit. I think what they come to see is Tiffany from the ‘80s and they connect with Tiffany now, the 40-year-old. They’re like, “Wow, she is more in depth and she really is a musician and a deep soul and funny.” There’s this wicked humor that I have and we have a blast. We connect with a lot of the ladies out there; some of my songs are about failure and starting over and people doing you wrong – the heartbreak. I write a lot about real stuff even if it put it in a ballad or a dance song. You’re playing gay bars and it seems country bars too on this tour, so you’re kind of straddling there. is that cross-pollination intentional?

Yeah, I mean I’m not going to be singing country stuff. They want to come and watch a show and that’s what we deliver. I pull out shakers and tambourines and make people play music and have fun, really. And again, it’s not something that people usually see, so you know that was kind of the purpose of the show, that the album kind of followed that idea. And you know for me now, it’s just that I love doing the stripped down stuff just because I really can show and talk about my thoughts on music or what I wrote a song about and it›s really great.

Children behave: Tiffany in her mall-tour heyday. Do you have any feelings about your gay fan base because a lot of them linger. We aren’t alone now.

Well, of course! They’re my people. I think sometimes they get me more than maybe the reconnection of a lot of people who were fans originally and are now reconnecting. They’ve stayed with me throughout the

And I do think like that my gay fans want me to be at my best. I definitely listened to them throughout the years. I’ve kind of lived my life. I didn’t want to just be...as much as I love music, I want to be a mom or wife or a good sister and and a aunt, all that kind of stuff. And I really just wanted a full life and I think it has made a big difference

get emails from my fans who are like, “Girl, what is going on? You are a red-headed Barbie doll, that’s what you need to be. You’re fabulous when you’re like that,” and they put a lot of fire under me. And I don’t think sometimes you want to hear that you’re missing the mark, but you know, again, I’m very loyal to them and I think that’s the thing, is that

Sometimes I look back and I wish I would’ve been more in the moment and had fun with it, but I was so concerned about whether people knew I could sing live and that the notes —Tiffany were right – so opposite of what I do today. years, and I think the biggest compliment that I’ve gotten from a lot of my gay fan base has been about my music and about my songs and just the realness and the heartbreak and the starting over or rejection, and that just came from my life but there’s some connection there.

in my attitude, that I’m not bitter and that I love what I’m doing and I rejuvenate and go back out and then I come back and I show it off but looking back at a lot of times. there’s been a lot of things that you know maybe fashion-wise or hair-wise or weight wise that I’ve kind of fallen short. I definitely

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they really push me to be the best Tiffany. I’m very grateful.

You were on a sci-fi channel for Mega Python vs. Gatoroid where you were pitted against your mall rival of the ‘80s, Debbie Gibson. how were you approached

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to do that and what was your initial reaction?

Well, I definitely wanted to do it. I am a SyFy fan, so that was a no brainer for me. I was like “Yeah! Okay!” And for then Deb and I to do something together – you would think it would be music, but we did some live shows together which was awesome but to find material that really showcases her voice and mine, because we’re so different – was kind of hard. So it’s been hard over the years to do music together, which would seem the simpler thing, but I loved that we did SyFy together. I loved that we were able to be on set, just to be girls and have fun. We really didn’t have a friendship, and everybody said that we were rivals. We really didn’t ever know each other, so this was our first chance to kind of hang out and talk and just become girlfriends. It was an amazing experience. So would you say that you won the mall wars or that she won the mall wars?

Well I did, because I’m the only one that had the mall tour!

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theater size cities in different political climates, and it’s been a really extraordinary experience.

Feeling Randy

Queer As Folk’s Randy Harrison takes on the role of the sexualized Emcee in Cabaret

How did you get involved with Cabaret and the role of the emcee?

I auditioned. I knew the production pretty well. It was a big hit in New York right about when I moved there from theater school in the early 90s. I saw it on Broadway with the original cast, with Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson, and it really affected me. It’s an extraordinary production and I’m really lucky to be a part of it. You are joining an illustrious and exclusive club playing the emcee. Did you have any reservations about taking on such an iconic role?

(above)

in here, life is beautiful: Randy Harrison leads the cabaret. Photo courtesy straz center

Not at all. I’m honored to be a part of the crew that has taken on this role. It’s just such an amazing group of actors, but the role itself lends to a huge amount of individuality to the performer who plays the role. I watched every rendition of the emcee I could find. I watched them on Kimmel, on Ellen, I watched all the clips I could find on YouTube of all the amazing actors who have done it on Broadway, just to get ideas and understand how free you can be with the role, how specific and how human. Then I kind of dropped it all and made it my own. I wasn’t intimidated so much as I was excited.

Jeremy Williams

n the uncertain social climate we

are living in these days, theater can serve as a wonderful escape from those political bumps in the night, but it can also serve as a mirror to reflect the dangers that await us if we sit idly by and do nothing. One show that has a reflection that is all too relevant is Broadway classic Cabaret, playing the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa Jan. 24-29.

Cabaret takes place in 1931 Berlin at the Kit Kat Club, just as the Nazi Party is starting to gain power in Germany. We are escorted through the show by the Master of Ceremonies. The emcee is a role that has been played on stage by some of the community’s greatest actors, including Joel Grey, Alan Cumming and Neil Patrick Harris. In this production the role is played by Randy Harrison, best known as the doe-eyed boy Justin from Showtime’s

landmark series Queer As Folk. Harrison took a few moments to speak with us by phone before we willkommen him to the Bay Area. How’s the tour going for you so far?

It’s going wonderfully. I am just about a year in. We opened in January of 2016, and I’ve gotten to see the people all across the country. We have been doing a lot of shows in lots of different

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How difficult is it to play this role, because a fair amount of it is improvised isn’t it?

It completely depends on how I’m feeling that day. Usually it’s a huge joy and a huge relief to know that I have that freedom that I can improvise. I like that if the audience reacts a certain way, I can respond to it specifically. It’s often a joy going out into the audience knowing that I get to interact with them and respond to them completely organically, but there are times, if I’m exhausted, it is harder to do because it requires more energy and focus. Sometimes when you’re drained and it’s later on in the week you much prefer to do a track that’s always the same that you can just phone it in, but the emcee does not allow any of that lack of focus. It’s really a gift though, because it prevents you, and the performance, from becoming stale. The way that this role is structured is the exact reason that I have been able to continue doing it for as long as I have.

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Given today’s political climate, how has it been to perform this show which takes place in the 1930s but still seem so relevant today?

The show addresses the rise of a demigod and sort of the consequences of political disengagement. There is so much relevance between that and what is happening right now in America. In the show there are lines about social democrats, and there was a social democrat party in Nazi Germany, but there have been some audiences that thought we rewrote those lines to reflect American politics, which isn’t the case. But there is a big response now to the violence that occurs toward the end of the show due to the oppression and the hate speech. People see that in the show and can definitely relate to that because they can feel it happening in our culture now. You’re best known for playing Justin in Queer As Folk. What was the experience of auditioning for that show like?

It was exciting. I knew of the British version of the series, and I read the script for the American version of Queer As Folk. I was a gay kid who grew up in the ‘90s so I knew how important representation was and I knew how significant the show would be socially. I was just really excited for the opportunity to be a part of something like that. The show was a raw look at gay life. was there any hesitation in taking on that role given the nature of the show and the climate of that time?

I didn’t have any hesitation at all. I had done some sexual content on stage … so the sexual content or the nudity didn’t faze me at all. The show came out in 2000, but it is still very popular. What resonated with people in that show that has made it timeless?

I don’t really know honestly. The Brian/Justin romance is very typical; it’s very old fashion fairy tale in a way, even though it is taking place in the gay community and is extremely sexually graphic. We hadn’t had a series with a handful of openly gay characters all in one TV show with this varying of storylines and romantic arcs, and I don’t think we have really had anything like that since then. Queer As Folk occupies this position that it does because we haven’t had anything come along to take the crown.

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#TAMPAPRIDE2017 40

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arts+entertainment OrlandO Wicked, Jan. 11- 29, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org a celebration of harry Potter year IV, Jan. 27- 29, Universal Resort, Orlando. 407-0363-8000; UniversalOrlando.com

community calendar

event Planner

OrlandO

land, hO!

Billy Joel, Jan. 27, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com a Get your Jazz on, Jan. 27, The Alfond Inn, Winter Park. 407-998-8090; TheAlfondInn.com Performers with a Purpose, Jan. 28, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Latin night at The abbey, Jan. 28, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com Dino Day at Leu Gardens, Jan. 28, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando. 407-246-2620; LeuGardens.org orlando Love Fest, Jan. 29, Sublime Events, Orlando. 407-929-9035; SublimeEvents AndServices.com Tiffany: a Million Miles, The storyteller Tour, Feb. 1, Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com spend the night with Billy crystal, Feb. 1, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org

thursDay, feB. 2, 5:00- 8:30 P.M. acacia BanQuet halls, orlanDo The LGBTQ Alliance would like you to join them for a town hall at the Acacia Banquet Halls to learn who they are, what they have done so far and how you can get involved. Come out and share your feedback and insights with a group made up of more than 20 of Central Florida’s LGBTQ-focused organizations, all with a variety of programs that serve our diverse community. The town hall is focused solely on community conversation and is not intended to be a platform for politicians. The event will be closed to the media. For more information visit HealOrlando.org.

The Foley awards

The ships invade Tampa’s Bayshore Blvd for Gasparilla 2017 Jan. 28. PhoTo courTesy oF GasParILLaPIraTeFesT.coM

an evening of classic Lily Tomlin, Feb. 4, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org

The social, Jan. 27, Metro Wellness Ybor, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Jan. 28, Bayshore Blvd, Tampa. 813-251-8844; GasparillaPiratefest.com

Trash 2 Trends Fundraiser - a recycled runway show, Feb. 4, Ports of Call, Orlando. 407-363-2209; SeaWorldParks.com/SeaWorldOrlando

LGBTQ+ Writers series, Jan. 28, Metro Wellness, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Feb. 7- 12, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org

3rd annual Grandiversary Block Party, Jan. 28, 2400 block of Central Ave, St. Petersburg. 727-222-6979, CommunityCafeStPete.com

tamPa bay

44th annual art Festival Beth-el, Jan. 28- 30, Art Festival Beth-El, St. Petersburg. 727-347-6136; ArtFestivalBethEl.com

Local Love night: for zebra coalition, Feb. 2, CityArts Factory, Orlando. 407-648-7060; CityArtsFactory.com

Cabaret, Jan. 24- 29, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

submit to seduction: a Valentine’s Party, Feb. 2, Fairvilla, Orlando. 407-425-6005; Fairvilla.com

Gasparilla Weekend honey Pot parties, Jan. 27- 28, Honey Pot, Tampa. 813-247-4663; Facebook.com/Honey-Pot

sam Flax Wall Project, Feb. 4, Sam Flax, Orlando. 407-898-9785; SamFlaxOrlando.com

Florida Leather & Fetish Pride sawmill Weekend, Jan. 27- 29, Sawmill, Dade City. 352-583-0664; FLSawmill.com

arts for aLL Day, Feb. 4, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-628-0333; UnitedArts.cc

LGbTQ Community Town Hall

Tampa Bay home show, Jan. 2729, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg. 727-893-8111; TampaBay.com

string noise at usF, Jan. 31, USF School of Music, Tampa. 813-974-2311; Music.Arts.USF.edu Wicked, Feb. 1- 14, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org neiBearhood Takeover: rocco steele underwear Party, Feb. 3, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com

Localtopia 2017, Feb. 4, Williams Park, St. Petersburg. 813-500-7708; KeepSaintPetersburgLocal.org/ Localtopia saved by the Ball: Tampa’s #1 90s Party, Feb. 4, The Ritz Ybor, Tampa. 813-248-4050; TheRitzYbor.com open arms homeless Ministry, Feb. 5, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Tampa. 727-512-1304; BalanceTampaBay.org

MonDay, feB. 6, 7:30- 9:30 P.M. footliGht theatre at the ParliaMent house, orlanDo The Parliament House Footlight Theatre will host the first-ever Foley Awards, celebrating talent in the Footlight Theatre. Charles “Chuckles” Foley, after whom the award is named, was the voice of the Footlight for more than 30 years. The awards show will be a formal affair held in the Parliament House Disco, with performances by some of the nominees, as well as special celebrity guests. The evening will wrap up with a cocktail party reception after the show with all of the winners. Visit PHouse.TicketLeap.com for tickets and to see a list of the nominees.

tamPa bay

SaraSOta Drafts for Disaster relief, Feb. 2, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Sarasota. 941-355-7685; GCEagle.com ringling underground, Feb. 2, The Ringling, Sarasota. 941-359-5700; Ringling.org LGBT Valentine’s Prom: Willy Wonka & The chocolate Factory, Feb. 9, South Gate Community Center, Sarasota. 941-955-4597; G2H2Sarasota.com

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

bingo Fundraiser for Pinellas youth Pride MonDay, jan. 30, 7:00- 9:00 P.M. haMBurGer Mary’s, st. PetersBurG Come on out for a fun night of bingo at the new Hamburger Mary’s on Tyrone Blvd. in St. Pete. while supporting Pinellas Youth Pride – the non-profit support of Gay/Straight Alliances in the Pinellas County Schools. $10 cash donation includes all of the night’s bingo games. There will also be raffle tickets to purchase to possibly win fabulous prizes! Enjoy the full Hamburger Mary’s dinner and bar menus. Be sure to call to reserve a table at 727-851-9386 as they will go fast. For more information on this and other Hamburger Mary events visit HamburgerMarys.com/StPete.

eVent planner and community calendar is brought to you by curtis protectiVe serVices • 1-800-551-8368 • curtissecurity.com watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

Got Mustard? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got more weiner than we can handle.

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Join the Premier Chamber in the Bay Area where our diverse membership puts the Diversity in Tampa Bay.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

overheard

tamPa bay Out+abOut

Queer bay

t. PetersBurG anD taMPa were naMeD among the “Queerest Cities in America 2017” by The Advocate. What makes them so queer you may ask? Well lucky for you The Advocate gave the criteria they looked at to decide; everything from how many lesbian bars and Trans Pride parades the town has to how many theaters were showing Moonlight and hosting the music group Pwr Bttm. Tampa came in at number 19, called Florida’s more “cosmopolitan” city (The Advocate hasn’t decided if Tampa is a Carrie or Samantha yet). According to The Advocate, this is where the young people flock to getting their education vibe on at the University of South Florida and Tampa University. They also mentioned the non-stop party of the GaYBOR district. St. Petersburg came in much higher than Tampa (and most other cities) at number three. The city so hip the kids call it “The ‘Burg,” The Advocate says this under-the-radar town is a jewel on Florida’s west coast with its laidback style. The cities that edged out St. Pete? Orlando at number two and Jersey City at number one. OK, we’ll agree Orlando is pretty queertastic but Jersey? Do they even lift, bro?

Queen Of the ball

s thinGs start to Get GoinG to the first Major PriDe of the I-4 corridor, a key element was selected for Tampa Pride 2017. Plucked right from the Honey Pot, the sweet taste of victory as Kenya M. Black was crowned this year’s Miss Tampa Pride. The beautiful Kenya was joined in competition by a handful of gorgeous bombshells; Jasmine Jimenez, Antwanette Roberts, Jelitza Fearce and Nivana Mateo. After a hard-fought pageant judged by some of the keenest minds Tampa Bay has to offer, including the always charming Kori Stevens, the ever beautiful Esme Russell and the sexy Mike Mangus among them, Miss Tampa Pride 2016 Alexis Mateo passed the crown on to her successor. Now the stage is set and we are off on the whirlwind adventure to Tampa Pride. Rumor has it that the Holiday Fun Run and High Heel Trot won’t be happening thanks to a lack of city funding, but in the coming weeks we will all be finding out the identity of the Grand Marshals, celebrity attendees and grade A performers all ready to take the streets of Ybor for Tampa Pride March 25. It’s going to be quite the party so make sure to get yourself set up with the Tampa Pride cruise to Mexico afterwards.

2 3

lookinG faBulous: ashley Brundage (L) showing off her new do with stylist Marc retzlaff at Enso Hair Studio in Tampa Jan. 20. PhoTo courTesy oF Marc reTzLaFF

hot niGhts: chris hannay looking cool for Fuego Friday at Southern Nights in Tampa Jan. 20. PhoTo courTesy oF chhoy suTIMeK

DiVa anD leGenD: The amazing Iman Travieaso performs at the Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg Jan. 22. PhoTo courTesy oF

J. Marc PhoTo

BoilinG hot: The bartenders are hot enough to melt ice at Liquid in Ybor City Jan. 19. PhoTo By

MarK WesT BIas

shininG BriGht: (L-R) Watermark’s Jason Leclerc, Billy Manes, Kathleen harper and Keith sadler all dressed up for the Diamonds in Diversity Awards at the Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg Jan. 21. PhoTo By Danny GarcIa

carinG shoPPers: Balance Tampa Bay takes a seat after volunteering at the Empath Resale Shoppe in Clearwater Jan. 21 for their January Service. PhoTo

courTesy oF BaLance TaMPa Bay

school funDs: (L-R) Danielle crawford, anthony ruiz Wilson and Kyle Toler awarded scholarships by the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber’s eric Mathis (R) at the Diamonds in Diversity Awards at the Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg Jan. 21. PhoTo By Danny GarcIa

PuB Pals: (L-R) Jeffrey Italiano, carrie West, Tim Murphy, Dane ryzner, herbie Baun, cliff smith and Mitch stansell get together at Hamburger Mary’s Pub House in Ybor City Jan. 14. PhoTo

courTesy oF Dane ryzner

7 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

ORLANDO JUNE 2ND - 5TH 2017 onemagicalweekend.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

overheard

OrlandO Out+abOut

SOuthern nightS gOeS dOWn

outh that is. On January 24, co-owners to Southern Nights Orlando announced they would be opening a Southern Nights Fort Lauderdale. Originally opening up as RBarr in May 2014 in Orlando, the location on Bumby Avenue has gone from Southern Nights, the NEW Southern Nights then Revolution, eventually re-opening as RBarr, but didn’t sit too well with locals. After three months the RBarr shut its doors and rebranded itself as Southern Nights, although not much to the bar had changed with the exception of some staff shuffling. In early 2015, Watermark reported rumblings of GBar in Tampa’s Ybor City possibly closing and selling to Southern Nights; this was confirmed by Rick Kowalczyk, one of the owners of Southern Nights, but later retracted by the Orlando staff. Although, Southern Nights Tampa became a reality soon after in June 2015. Several months ago, our staff reached out to the management of Southern Nights Orlando regarding the Boutique Bar, which was scheduled to open a few doors down from SN Orlando. At the time we were told the ownership was busy scouting for new locations for Southern Nights; looks like Fort Lauderdale will be getting a taste of Orlando’s first LGBT chain bar! We reached out to Rick regarding the exact location of the third bar and opening date, as this issue went to press we didn’t hear back, but it’s safe to say after sharing it on Facebook we doubt they will retract the announcement. So will this be Southern-er Nights?

SO, mardi-gay!

niVersal orlanDo resorts releaseD its full list of entertainment for its annual Mardi Gras celebration, which includes Mardi Gras floats, beads, Zydeco bands, Cajun food vendors and the concert series. Two acts stand out, Fifth Harmony (Feb. 25) and then there’s Olivia Newton John (March 5) who has us wondering what to wear: our Bad-girl Sandy look from Grease or our sparkle rollerskates from Xanadu? Although, Universal security may say the latter is a Xana-don’t.

Why We tell the StOry

he faMily eQuality council, storycorPs, wMfe anD the center have teamed up planning a story collection project in March to record the stories of LGBTQ families that were affected by the Pulse tragedy. For more information contact Tatiana Quiroga with the Family Equality Council, tquiroga@ familyequality.org.

PhoTo courTesy oF XL106.7

anThony Mauss

sunDay funDay: Johnny’s House’s rae (center) and friends bring to weekend to a close at Ember in Orlando Jan. 22.

crossinG jorDan: (L-R) Will & Grace actor Leslie Jordan with Danny Garcia and James Benton at the Straight Outta Chattanooga show at the Clermont Performing Arts Center Jan. 22. PhoTo courTesy oF Danny GarcIa

laiD Back: Pamela sehnert (L) and rose Gamba relax at The Capen House in Winter Park during Watermark’s Third Thursday Jan. 18. PhoTo By Danny GarcIa

striPtease: addison Taylor (L) gets the dance started by ripping the shirt of adult film star aspen at Parliament House’s Flesh Friday Jan. 13. PhoTo courTesy oF

ParLIaMenT house

siGns of chanGe: Marchers took to Lake Eola in Orlando with signs of equality and change Jan. 21. PhoTo By

all DresseD uP: Ben Johansen (L) and Timothy Vargas take a trip to New Orleans for the Halloween & Party Expo Jan. 15. PhoTo courTesy oF

Ben Johansen

friDay fellas: (L-R) Jazz robinson, emiliano Davenigo, clifford Gaillard, James Foster and Junior hernandez at Flex Fridays at Southern Nights in Orlando Jan. 20. PhoTo courTesy oF

souThern nIGhTs orLanDo

Music GrouP: (L-R) Linette sifre, Jen Kunsch, andrea sifre, steve yacovelli, scott Dunkle and Dave Fake hit up The Abbey Orlando for a concert from Well Strung Jan. 21. PhoTo By rIcK cLaGGeTT

8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

announcements

Wedding bellS

eduardo Montiel and eric Mathis from St. Petersburg, Florida

congratulations!

Stonewall bartender and musician Taylor Bulloch got engaged to his New York City fabulous boy rafael Torres Beauchamp on January 11.

years together:

4 years

local birthdays

engagement date:

December 31, 2015

wedding date:

March 25, 2017

wedding Venue: Their home

wedding planner:

The couple

wedding caterer:

Delectables Fine Catering

our song:

The song that Eduardo dedicates to Eric that means something to him is “I Want You” by CeeLo Green, and the song that Eric dedicates to Eduardo that means something to him is “Crazy Love” by Hunter Hayes.

interesting Fact:

Just a couple weeks after they started dating, Eduardo invited Eric on a trip to Vancouver.

“I

loVe that he sees Me to My

very core. He understands me as a person, and it’s really the first time I’ve ever felt someone truly get me,” Eric says. “I can be so vulnerable and authentic with someone — that’s true love.”

Eric Mathis, who is in the insurance sales industry and is the current president of the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, and Eduardo Montiel, who is in the pharmaceutical sales industry, met four years ago at a birthday party. Eric wasn’t even originally going to attend. Toward the end of the evening, Eduardo arrived and caught his eye. He had his friend who knew Eduardo introduce them. “I liked him, but as I got to know him more throughout the evening, I just really enjoyed talking to him. It was really easy to talk to him,” Eduardo says. When they originally met Eric lived in Sarasota and Eduardo lived in Tampa, so they started off doing a long distance relationship. Only a few weeks after dating, Eduardo invited Eric on a trip to Vancouver he had planned. Even though it had only been a couple of weeks, Eric

accepted and figured it would help him figure out pretty quickly if the two were compatible. As their relationship blossomed over the years, they realized that they were not only compatible but helped each other be and love their true, authentic selves. “We had very similar paths, and I think that’s what created a very strong connection with us,” Eduardo says. “We helped each other grow in the last four years as two men who kind of came out late in life and always kind of wondered if we’re going to be able to find the right person – find true love.” Eric says one of the things Eduardo has helped him with was encouraging him to “walk to that personal acceptance” of realizing he was “worthy of love and respect.” It was because of this that Eric felt he wanted to take the next step with Eduardo, especially since same-sex marriage eventually

became legal in all 50 states. He planned on proposing on New Year’s Eve and throwing a party with their friends to share in the moment. Eric had his son helped him create a video that had a song playing that mattered to him and had him think of Eduardo. In addition, the video showed a timeline of their time together, from their first trip to Vancouver to pictures of them from recently taken. At the end of the video, it said “Will you marry me?” It wasn’t until then did Eduardo realize what was going on and said yes. They both agreed that for their wedding, they wanted something that was very intimate with closer friends, and they wanted to make it feel like an outdoor lounge, because that was something they both liked for the feel of their wedding. They decided to hold the wedding at their home that they remodeled together. Eduardo says they want the wedding to be simple but still incorporate something personal into it. The couple have written love letters over the years to each other that “tell each other what we feel and what’s special and what we love about each other.”

Sarasota photographer Kaje housman, St. Pete resident and Double M Band’s Mario Jooste, Ybor City special events promoter chucky ruckus (Jan. 26); Full Moon at Woodstock co-owner Kevin naylor (Jan 27). Orlando performer, beauty expert and straight ally ellen Jewell, St. Matthew’s Tavern co-owner Matthew Fassl, Faith Arts Village executive director Will Benton (Jan. 28); Lightning fast jammer haley Perry, FSU grad, adorable cub and Ocala muse Bill Bondank (Jan. 30); marketing pro Ken Kundis, WFTV News 9 anchor Jorge estevez (Jan. 31); former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, St. Petersburg massage therapist emily stone, Tampa Softball player and Verizon rep Thomas hale, Orlando softball hunk Jason hamm, Southern Nights owner rick Kowalczyk, former Tampa resident James Bowman harris (Feb. 1); superstar carrie West of Mark & Carrie fame, Pinellas Park graduate and new south Florida resident Miguel rivera, Orlando AIDS advocate and The Center board member Lee Kirkpatrick (Feb. 2); Tampa entertainer Daphne Ferraro, Gulfport theater addict rob Mccabe (Feb. 3); former TIGLFF executive director Margaret Murray, Tampa Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Monica MuffDiver, AKA scott ryan (Feb. 4);Tampa art enthusiast and Orlando Fringe board member Daniel Blumberg (Feb. 5); super photographer James “canonball” Bennett (Feb. 6); Orlando fitness guru Tony edge, Mango’s Tropical Café’s sexiest dancer Jan echevarria, real estate agent eric Puzone (Feb. 7); 1st Dance Studio owner and St. Petersburg dance instructor Julia Meyerovich-neighbors (Feb. 8).

do you haVe an announcement? haVing a birthday or anniVersary? did you get a new job or promotion? see your news in Watermark! send your announcement to editor@Watermarkonline.com or go to Watermarkonline.com/submit-a-Transition.

it’s that easy!

—Samantha Rosenthal

Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to editor@Watermarkonline.com for consideration as a future feature on this page.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

profitable custom picture frame and mirror shop for sale Located in the same St Petersburg, FL., location for 10 years at Tyrone Blvd N and 66th St N. More than 2,000 cars a day park in this shopping center. All equipment necessary to operate this business is included in the sale: Computerized Lifesaver point of sale system, computerized Wizard mat cutter, Universal double miter saw, Miter Mite VN144 joiner, VacuSeal 4468H drymounter, two work stations, Silent air compressor, 2000 GMC Savana delivery van, all existing stock. Training and some owner financing may be available to purchaser with good credit. SBA eligible. Sale price: $129,900, Net $80,000+. Books and records available to qualified buyer. SERIOUS, QUALIFIED INQUIRIES ONLY. Call Dan at 727-542-2000.

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

INCLUDES

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uPriSingS

you’re saying it’s a falsehood. and sean spicer, our press secretary, gave alternative facts to that. I don’t think you can prove those numbers one way or another. There’s no way to quantify crowd numbers. —kellyanne conway, counselor to DonalD truMP, on MEET THE PRESS

jOlly findS a criSt-like figure

ooks like Pinellas county just Got a brand new, old bag. Following former-everything Charlie Crist’s victory as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, his own personal loser, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly has tapped a Crist lackey to be a “senior advisor for the 2018 political cycle,” the Tampa Bay Times reports. It should be noted the said staffer, Vito Sheeley, was previously primed to work for St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman’s re-election campaign. Clearly there’s no conflict here. “I’m extremely excited to begin my new role with Congressman Jolly,” Shelley told the Times. “Helping the citizens of Pinellas County has been and will remain the most important priority of my life.” Yeah, that and jumping parties. Not to worry: Crist, a party hopper himself, praised Shelley and his “bright future.” That future remains unknown, though, as Jolly hasn’t officially announced his candidacy.

ladieS firSt

an. 21 was arGuaBly a More historic Day than that of the inauguration of Donald Trump the day before, with an estimated 10,000 people marching in Orlando, more than 20,000 in St. Petersburg and millions around the world. The goal, of course, is to maintain engagement from marginalized populations – even if there are more women than men in America; even if Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by more than three million votes – and to send a message to President Trump that women, Black people, LGBTQ people and all the rest will not be stepped upon in a legitimized Twitter tantrum. Naturally, Trump went on to sign an executive order defunding Planned Parenthood organization internationally and awkwardly dancing with his perpetually unhappy, sometimes naked-for-the-media wife. St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman declared Saturday, Jan. 21 as Women’s Right’s Day in St. Petersburg. Because he should.

linda SteWart’S big mOve

PeakinG of woMen anD the thinGs that they are forbidden from obtaining in an equal manner, newly elected state Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, has joined with Democratic House leader Janet Cruz and state Rep. Lori Berman to right the strange myopia that accompanies men paying women a fair amount for the work that they do. Titled “The Helen Gordon Fair Pay Act,” the bill hopes to even the playing field, a field that includes gender identity. It also counters the notion that employers should be able to eyeball those likely to procreate and therefore require maternity leave. Hey, look! Society! “I’m honored to be a part of this fight,” Stewart said, according to floridapolitics.com. “Reducing an entire group of Floridian’s take-home pay not only hurts their families, but it hurts Florida’s economy.”

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yOu can’t handle the truth

“A

Billy Manes

lternatiVe facts are not facts. they’re falsehooDs,” a smirking Chuck Todd said to the empty face that belongs to (now) President Donald J. Trump’s counsel, press face and provocateur on Sunday’s Meet the Press. The argument was over the white space that seemed to occupy Trump’s inaugural aerial photos when placed side by side with those of President Barack Obama, who packed the entire Washington Mall upon his inauguration. No, not the white space of White people – though that would certainly be a fair assessment – but actual tarps that were white. In this case, they may be one in the same. Sure, you can blame slogans like “hope” for inspiring people to stand strong in an historical moment; you can even invoke race, seeing as our demography is altering at a swift pace, and it isn’t in the Republicans’ favor. Call up your cousin Gerrymandering and talk it out, if necessary. Trump’s inauguration was an abysmal affair peppered with cowboy hats, pulled faces and critically deplored musicians. It was embarrassing, to be short, and that is only the nicest way of putting it. Conway didn’t help while toeing her party line. She drifted into some nonsense about reevaluating the Trump administration’s relationship with the press, as if to suggest that, unless you play nice, you don’t get to play. Somebody get Deep Throat on the phone; there are clearly some stories to tell. There are also truths. I’d like to call a moratorium on the “They’re all the same” argument as politicians go. Most understand some kind of decorum – something above grabbing private parts like bowling balls before basking in the delicate glory of prostituted golden showers in Russia. Some actually knock on doors, listen to people, work for rights instead of against them. Some show up at community meetings with two-ton chips on their shoulders and give all the damns they can. Some are working for the greater good. Don’t try to tell me that I should give Trump a chance, because his chances have been bought, sold and given tax-free for decades. This is not your ordinarily awkward president finding his feet as leader of the free world. This is a despot with hints of danger wrapped all around him like a shame burrito: Putin, put out. And no, this won’t change any minds, but please, please, please do not speak to the advocacy end of the LGBTQ community down your noses just because we can smell a rat. Please go on with your blasé attitudes about your gay friends who do your hair and cheer you up when you’re down, because it’s really working. Guess who’s down now. All of us. The fight begins, the mourning ends. That is the truth.

Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

PHOTO BY CHRIS STEPHENSON

THE LGBTQ ALLIANCE INVITES YOU TO

Your Voice.

Our Future.

LGBTQ Community Town Hall • Thursday, February 2 Acacia Banquet Hall • 1865 Econlockhatchee Trail • Orlando, FL 32817

5:00 - 6:00pm Job Fair • 6:30 - 8:30pm Town Hall

We’d love for you to contribute to Orlando’s LGBTQ community by sharing your feedback, insights and dreams. Please join The LGBTQ Alliance for a town hall, freely discussing immediate needs and long term desires. You will learn who we are, what we have done so far, and how you can get involved.

The LGBTQ Alliance is made up of more than 20 of Central Florida’s LGBTQ-focused organizations, all with a variety of programs that serve our diverse community. We are committed to shaping the future of our community through active listening, thoughtful dialogue, and strategic action planning.

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Ja nua ry 26 - F eb rua ry 8 , 2017 // Issue 24 .02

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