Watermark Issue 24.10: Living On The Fringe by Watermark Publishing Group

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

If we are falling all over ourselves to think of 56 new gender terms that pop up on Facebook and have them be heard, then

deparTmenTs 6 // mail 7 // ediTOrs desk 11 // OrlandO news 13 // Tampa Bay news 17 // sTaTe news 19 // naTiOn & wOrld news 25 // Talking pOinTs 43 // cOmmuniTy calendar 45 // Tampa Bay OuT+aBOuT 47 // OrlandO OuT+aBOuT 48 // Tampa Bay markeTplace 49 // wedding Bells/ annOuncemenTs 50 // OrlandO markeTplace 54 // uprisings

PAGE

don’t take away the seat at the table of the loud-mouthed, raunchy drag queen who is here to put it to you straight. —lady Bunny

On THe cOver

PAGE Tampa geTs fringey:

PAGE FRINGE: The shows

run the gamut from hysterical to controversial to heartbreaking. Welcome to Orlando Fringe!

scan qr cOde fOr

waTermarkOnline.cOm

Ybor City hosts 87 performances over four days with the inaugural season of the Tampa International Fringe Festival.

waTermark i ssue 24 .09 //may 4 - may 17, 2017

cenTennial celeBraTiOn crOss TO Bear

marcO’s mOmenT

Bunny HOp

PAGE With the threat of having federal funds pulled still looming, Planned Parenthood celebrates a century of health.

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

PAGE Liberty Counsel accuses Hillsborough County math teacher of banning cross necklaces from classroom.

Sen. Marco Rubio denounces the arrest, torture and killing of gay men in Chechnya from the Senate floor.

Lady Bunny brings her one woman show, Trans-Jester, to the Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre.

GIvE us A fOllOW On TWITTER AnD InsTAGRAM AT @WATERMARkOnlInE AnD BE suRE TO lIkE us On fAcEBOOk. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

TOp weB cOmmenTs “Total lip service and sound bite material. Rubio has always been one of the biggest foes to LGBT rights.” —tiM eldridge

“Who cares as long as it’s with consenting adults. It’s none of anyone’s business his sexual preference!” —ALVINA KELLEY

“Bullshit. Let him rest in peace.” —MARYBELL ORTIZ

waTermarkOnline.cOm On MEDIA MATTERs fOR AMERIcA lOOkInG TO “ElIMInATE hATE” WITh nEW cAMPAIGn:

“Ironic. What they did to O’Reilly was most certainly the result of their hatred.” —BRIAN BAUMGARTNER

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“Just an insensitive and moronic statement.” —PJROWAN WINKLER

On An ExhIBIT AT ThE flORIDA hOlOcAusT MusEuM lOOkInG AT ThE PERsEcuTIOn Of GAy MEn In nAZI GERMAny:

“It’s happening again in Chechnya! Where is the Jewish and Christian outrage?” —HEN RY MAYS

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

On syPhIlIs RATEs BEInG hIGhER fOR GAy MEn In sOuTh:

“Put on a condom!” —JAMES VIER HALL

On RuBIO DEnOuncInG fROM ThE sEnATE flOOR ThE ARREsTs Of GAy MEn In chEchnyA:

“Total lip service and sound bite material. Rubio has always been one of the biggest foes to LGBT rights. Actions, people, speak louder than words. Rubio’s actions consistently show he cares for no one except corporate interests ( $$$$$$$$).” —TIM ELDRIDGE

“Amazing to see who steps up, and who steps out! Marco, you just gained a little respect from me. Thank you for doing the right thing.” —MYLEZ EDWARD

“The very first thing he’s done that I agree with.” —BILL BLACKLOCK

On nyc AcTIvIsTs PROTEsTInG GAy chEchnyA ARREsTs:

“Makes you wonder what they really think and whether (and when) they plan to implement anti-LGBTQ+ policies.” —TOM CLEARY

On AAROn hERnAnDEZ’s sEcRET BIsExuAl lIfE suRfAcInG AfTER hIs suIcIDE:

“It’s not cool to out someone, ever.” —DAVID ANGEVINE

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

“Fuck him. He’s a murderous asshole.” —ROBBIE COLLINS

“Irrespective of whether he is a murderer, no one deserves rumors or speculation when you can’t defend yourself, even in death. As if the media wasn’t fucked up enough, we sink to a new low.” —ADAM DAVIS

“There are no secrets in death.” —DEREK PERRON

On ThE AIDs WAlk In ORlAnDO, TAlkED ABOuT In uPRIsInGs:

“When I joined ACT-UP and ran in the streets of Chicago to advocate for healthcare for all, and helped organize the March on Washington in 1993 for gay rights, I thought we were done. We are not.” —VERONICA DRAKE

On AnTI-GAy PAsTOR GETTInG A REAlITy shOW On ThE OPRAh WInfREy nETWORk:

“Will the real Oprah please stand up? Wait, she did a long time ago, and it’s time for her to go.” —JUDI BUCHOLTZ

“Are people not allowed religious opinions? Should they be restricted in life and work because they don’t hold our same ideas?” —ALEJANDRO EMMANUEL LUCIANO

editor’s

Billy Manes EDITOR

BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

n the dirty-fingernail days of

the late ’90s, replete with cheap beer and cheaper ambitions, I came to learn about Orlando Fringe – which had much longer hair and some kind of backpack back then – by simply walking among the freaks that used to populate downtown’s major thoroughfare, Orange Avenue. Conditions at the time were Spartan, to say the least, but emotions were high.

Nobody wanted to be surrounded by some TRL conflagration of boybands and cropped tops; they wanted to be entertained in a sound manner, one that implied intention, grass roots and ambitious plans. Or they just wanted to be high and left alone. Back in those days, after the near-death of Church Street, that meant showing for small performances in small rooms, many without air conditioning, and, likely,

watermark staff

official permitting. It was punk theater dressed up in all of the lovers and lace that Edinburgh, the oldest International Fringe Festival, had afforded us. But it was likewise the swill of dreams, the glory of projection, the sound of the crowd applauding at the end. For me, as unnerving as I can sometimes be, it was also something to roll my eyes at, a hot place pushing me to a cool place and, most of all, a reminder that I should stay humble, because

someday my pre-paid haughtiness was going to come back and bite me in the ass. Fringe today isn’t what Fringe 20 years ago was, though, and, let’s face it: It consumes Orlando’s better minds more than just about anything else going on in the area. Why? Because in an era where any creative type can be refused by text or pushed into a cubicle or simply forgotten, Fringe gives people a reason to think on their feet and make important decisions about a show that premieres in a week. Fringe is, in short, no joke. In this issue, we opted for a different means of storytelling than normal – thanks, Fringe; we owe you – in part, because there are so many people who know the ins and outs of buttons and tickets and beer tents and food trucks; also, telling the “how to Fringe” story has become something of a distant drumbeat better left to those tending the background noise of Central Floridians who should get out more. David Lee, a longtime Fringe persona and one of the most generous souls we can call a friend in this town, allowed us into the background, backstage scene of bringing one of these show to life. In his case, it’s the story of the Pulse Massacre. O-Town: Voices from Orlando is effectively a series of monologues attached to the deaths of 49 people and the reverberations therein. We considered a number of shows to chronicle – and indeed we did speak with many stars and producers – but this one struck us as particularly noteworthy. The reasons there are transparent: We care about our community, and there is a lot to atone for at this point. We also reached out to Fringe to find out which shows might be most impactful on our LGBTQ readership, because when you are expected to provide a service, you abide.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

As a result, we have a wonderful Fringe Festival issue that explains both process and performance. The voices populating our main Fringe package may seem familiar to you, but not one of them takes their position in these challenging times for granted. I can attest to that. I spoke to many. We also have the birth of a new Fringe in Tampa’s Ybor City which is only tasting the first breezes of its growth, and doing so with aplomb. When they go low, we go art. So, though you will see many things within this issue concerning the chaos of our lives, our centerpiece at this Watermark festival is one of expression and excitement, one

We care about our community, and there is a lot to atone for at this point.

that comes with funnel cake and beer tickets. Throughout, you’ll find the bits that you’ve come to expect from this paper – news on our terrible president and his own casting department, a celebration of a century for Planned Parenthood, some interesting facts about artifacts relating to the Pulse incident that are being curated by the Orange County Regional History Center, some political whimsy on party division and Lady Bunny. Nobody doesn’t like Lady Bunny. We hope you’ll enjoy this issue and find it useful in following your mid-May bliss. There are still many bleak rivers to cross in the coming months, so it’s probably best that you allow yourself a good time with the freaks and the fabulous folks who are here to remind you why we are alive. Please enjoy. And set your cell phones to silent.

Orlando Office 414 N. Ferncreek Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 TEL: 407-481-2243 FAX: 407-481-2246

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

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

contributors Jason Leclerc

is a near lifelong resident of the I-4 corridor, currently in South Tampa. He publishes poetry online at PoetEconomist. blogspot.com. His first book, Momentitiousness, was published in 2014. His new book, Black Kettle, will be published in 2016. Page 21

Michael Wanzie is

an Orlando-based playwright, actor and ordained minister. He is most recognized for his direction of productions at the Footlight Theatre at the Parliament House. Page 23

Anna M. Johnson

is a student and activist at the University of Central Florida. She spent a semester languishing in the glory of Watermark internship. Page 29

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

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

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Lisa Jordan, Jill Bates, Ken Carraway CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

Watermark Publishing Group Inc.

What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?

u You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-negative. u Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: u You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. u You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. u If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: u Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.

problems if you are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time. In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. u Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they wil need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP?

Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: u Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. u Bone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. u Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP?

u All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you

have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. u If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. u If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. u All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. u If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI). You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

TVDC0083_A_9-25x10-1_Watermark_p2.indd 1-2

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEP™? The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices. • TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. • You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

visit start.truvada.com

3/21/17 1:34 PM

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

Have you heard about

visit start.truvada.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

3/21/17 1:34 PM

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are conﬁrmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. • Changes in body fat. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomacharea (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

• Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS)

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex. • Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not. To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health. Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior. • Have fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2016 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0083 03/17

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BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

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3/21/17 1:34 PM

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

central florida news

Orange County History Center prepares Pulse archives Billy Manes

O A century of care:

Rep. Carlos Smith at the Planned Parenthood Gala.

Photo by Billy Manes

One hundred years of giving Planned Parenthood celebrates a century Billy Manes

RLANDO | “Hey! I want to talk to you about life,” said a woman holding a picture of a fetus, a picture likely from the canon of propaganda offered by whatever anti-abortion group she clung to. When a black man left his car, the response was even worse: “You know, they’re killing black babies! Are you OK with that?” Just another day at a Planned Parenthood event, then. On Saturday, April 29, more than 200 people gathered for the Planned Parenthood Generations Gala off Sand Lake Road to celebrate 100 years of the organization’s work to provide healthcare to those in need; generally women, but men are invited as well. The facts are as clear as they’ve always been: Yes, Planned Parenthood provides abortions and one in three women have had one; yes, it’s an important facet to rural and urban regions for women and men in need; yes, they are a stopping point for prophylactics for either sex; yes, they do pap smears and other preventive measures for those without insurance, or even with. “Our mission right now is one of great passion, no matter who we love. … embracing the intersectionality of

all movements,” senior director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Anna V. Eskamani says. Nonetheless, conservative politicians and political groups seek to shut them down and repeal Roe v. Wade or allow states to make their own unrestricted decisions on wait times and age requirements for the termination of a pregnancy. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood is evolving to help the transgender community. The theme of this Saturday evening affair was, “We won’t go back.” Eskamani says that she still gets goosebumps when she remembers the time that she saw a transgender woman getting a breast exam at Planned Parenthood’s Sarasota clinic. “You’re going to be welcome at Planned Parenthood and experience judgment-free care,” she says. But the hits keep coming, most recently with the Florida House approving a bill which would fund so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers, religious fronts that often encourage women to carry their pregnancies to term by often questionable means. The Centennial Poem for Planned Parenthood, Evolve, was delivered by poet Sonya Renee Taylor. “Your mother was defiant in a bathrobe and slippers, in a

boardroom or a bedroom, where she said no or yes with, or more, with, a body like the one she taught you own your good name,” Taylor said. “The best of what can be made of this starshine and clay, an inheritance of love and grace, which is why we are here.” Other moving speeches were delivered by former Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie, who co-chaired the event; Dr. Boyd Lindsley, who also co-chaired the event; state Rep. Carlos Smith (D-Orlando); and Slate senior editor Dahlia Lithwick, who spoke specifically to concerns about future nominations to the Supreme Court and how they may be a diversion from state politics, effectively describing nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch as a Trojan horse for a much larger problem: conservative state legislatures and courts. Eskamani emphasizes that point to the degree that she can from her nonprofit position. “The biggest issue that I can speak to, as a 501(c)(3) is the state Constitution Review Commission,” she says. “This is Florida’s guiding document. We have [Florida Family Policy Council head] John Stemberger on this committee.” Even after a century of legislative and personal attacks, Eskamani says Planned Parenthood isn’t going anywhere and will continue to fight “We will not achieve equality until all of us are free,” she says. “We’re ready for a fight, but for the last 100 years we’ve always been fighting. The support we have seen has always been unprecedented.”

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RLANDO | Representatives from the Orange County Regional History Center gathered at the downtown library April 29 to discuss – and indeed initiate – their cultivation of archives from the June 12 Pulse massacre. “This is a whole different level of preservation,” History Center curator of exhibitions and collections Pamela Schwartz said, specifically referring to the expected online component meant to engage the public in telling their stories. She mentioned a white IKEA couch, which has now become something of a shrine, a mass of signatures and tears. “If you know a story, please share it with us,” she said. Much of the discussion was technical, dealing with the preservation of materials hastily thrown together in moments of grief. “When temporary memorials happen, people have a need to grieve,” she said. “Some items were beyond saving. … Society learns from our past.” The public event was part of National Preservation Week, but, in this case, a little bit more personal. There was talk of removing images from makeshift frames, insect infestations, rain damage, wax from votive candles, preserving signatures and making certain to keep things in their “original state.” Thousands of items have been collected by the team and will be displayed in some manner at the June 12 memorial happening across town. The One Orlando Collection Narrative is expected to be available to the public on that day from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., though details are still being ironed out.

Jurors in Pulse case given questionnaire Wire Report

RLANDO | As many as 1,000 potential jurors in the trial of the Orlando nightclub gunman’s wife will have to answer an extensive questionnaire about how much they know about the case. That highlights how complicated it could be to find unbiased jurors in the prosecution of the only case related to the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Prosecutors have said Noor Salman accompanied her husband when he cased locations for potential terrorist attacks, knew ahead of time that he was planning the attack, and misled FBI agents about what she knew about her husband’s plans. Salman’s attorneys have denied the allegations behind the two charges and say she was abused by her husband. U.S. District Judge Paul Byron asked the attorneys to submit possible questions for a juror questionnaire that could be as long as two dozen pages and would be sent out with summons in September, more than six months before trial.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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NAZI PERSECUTION OF HOMOSEXUALS 1933-1945

Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi German regime promoted racial health policies that sought to eliminate all sources of biological corruption to its dominant “Aryan” race. Among the groups persecuted as threats to the national health were Germany’s homosexual men. Opening Reception Thursday, May 4 @ 6:30pm Exhibition On Display April 30 – July 2, 2017 Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945 was produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Image credit: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy Schwules Museum, Berlin.

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

tampa bay news Liberty Counsel accuses Hillsborough County math teacher of banning cross necklaces from classroom Staff Report

WATCHING ART: Irene

Garibay during a performance of “Covered in Insides,” a part of the “Hope Will Never Be Silent” exhibit.

Photo courtesy Harvey Milk Festival

Speaking out The Harvey Milk Festival brings art, dance and music together to remember those lost to hate crimes Krista Di Tucci

ARASOTA | The Harvey Milk Festival opens its eighth season in Sarasota May 11 with a transgender media art exhibit inspired by a quote from the slain LGBTQ civil rights icon for whom the festival is named. “Hope Will Never Be Silent,” Milk said after becoming the first openly gay person elected to public office when he was elected to the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors in 1978. That quote is the inspiration for an exhibit featuring artists and activists who support diversity, reject discrimination, and promote equality for the LGBTQ community through their work. “I had a specific vision this year to bring mostly queer artists,” Megan Swick, Harvey Milk Festival theatre and art director, says. “Having so many artists who are also activists really amplifies the intention of the festival, which is an activist intention.” The art exhibit is a collaboration

with Seattle-based artist Jono Vaughan’s “Project 42,” an ongoing project which raises awareness and honors 42 transgender individuals who were victims of hate crimes. The number 42 represents the life expectancy of transgender people in the U.S. Vaughan transforms Google Map locations of transgender hate crimes into colorful dresses, which performers will wear during the exhibit. “Vaughan has taken this horrifying event and transformed it into raising awareness and bringing hope to the transgender community. She is acting as a voice for these individuals who have been silent, circling back to Harvey’s quote, ‘Hope will never be silent,’” Swick says. Dance and aerial artists Jessica Pope, Mackenzie Pierson and Melissa Marshall will be interpreting the stories behind Project 42 through movement. Video documentation of previous collaborations and the stories behind the dresses will be on screen during the exhibit. The exhibit will also feature the

work of three local LGBTQ youth artists who were awarded arts scholarships by the Harvey Milk Festival with the support of Our Sarasota Fund, The McCauley-Brown Fund and The Community Foundation. The scholarship recipients will feature their artwork and performances during the first hour of the exhibit and will be on hand discussing their works. The festival continues May 12 with “Pioneer Winter: Alone Vignettes.” Pioneer Winter, Miami-based choreographer and director of the Pioneer Winter Collective, will be performing a series of vignettes in an evening of dance. Vignettes will include “PIE SOLO,” in which Winter examines faith in religion and culture through sexuality, age and queerness. “I’ve been following Winter for quite some time, and I’m excited to see him doing vignettes from different works and weaving them all together into this really intimate and immersive production,” Swick says. The music festival kicks off May 13 at Five Points Park and features a diverse group of both local and national indie bands including an opening ceremony by Fortner, who is debuting with her new band Astralis. Other performers include Tiger Fawn, Sarah and the Safe Word, Ess See, Vita and the Woolf, Ki: Theory, Magic Sword and more. The music festival will also feature keynote speaker Steven Romero and a viewing of the film I Am Harvey.

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RADENTON | Riverview High School math teacher Lora Jane Riedas is fending off attacks after the conservative advocacy group Liberty Counsel filed a complaint against Riedas with the Hillsborough County School District April 19. Liberty Counsel, which has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, sent a letter to Jeff Eakins, Hillsborough Schools superintendent, stating that Riedas “has prohibited at least three children from wearing Christian cross necklaces in her classroom, claiming on occasion that they are ‘gang symbols.’” Not true, according to Riedas who gave an interview to the Tampa Bay Times. “I’m confident I did nothing wrong,” she said in the interview. Riedas stated that she never advised any student that they could not wear a cross necklace in her classroom. “I’m a Christian myself. I would never do that because I would be hurt if someone would tell me not to wear my cross,” Riedas said. Riedas says she did tell students they could not wear rosary beads as they are against the school dress code because some consider them gang symbols. The letter also accuses Riedas of promoting political activism in the classroom, making mention that Riedas is the supervisor of Riverview High’s Gay Straight Alliance. Riedas is openly gay. Her wife also works at Riverview High School. Liberty Counsel stated in the letter that Riedas was promoting GLSEN’s Day of Silence, where students are asked to participate in a silent protest and raise awareness and support for the LGBTQ community. GLSEN— Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network— recognized the Day of Silence April 21. Liberty Counsel also took issue with the way Riedas keeps her classroom decorated, stating that she has “permanently decorated with LGBT political themes, including a large display on her wall stating ALLY, a Safe Space poster and door sticker, and assorted other LGBT promotional material, including buttons prominently displayed on her desk, facing students, stating ‘I Love My LGBT Students’ and ‘PROUD Public Employee.’” The letter continues, stating that the decorations “make other students feel marginalized and excluded, and not full members of the classroom community.” Liberty Counsel goes on to claim that Riedas has violated both district and state policies. “In banning cross necklaces from three different students in her classroom, Ms. Riedas has intentionally violate[d] or den[ied] a student’s legal rights.” Liberty Counsel requested that changes be made in order to prevent further action. Tanya Arja, a spokeswoman for the school district, said Eakins had received the letter and contacted Riverview High’s principal and an investigation has been opened. “However, the principal says she has not received a complaint from any student or parent regarding any claims made in the Liberty Counsel document regarding this teacher,” Arja said.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

state news

sen. marcO ruBiO denOunces gay cHecHnya arresTs On senaTe flOOr chris Johnson of The Washington Blade couRTeSy of The NaTioNaL Gay MeDia aSSociaTioN

ovaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, earlier this month reported Chechen authorities have arrested more than 100 gay men in the semi-autonomous Russian republic in the North Caucuses. The Washington Blade has confirmed additional reports that indicate these men have been sent to secret prisons. Chechnya is led by Ramzan Kadyrov, who has denied the atrocities are happnening by asserting gay people don’t exist there, but Rubio said Putin is also culpable because the semi-autonomous republic is

under the jurisdiction of Russia. A Putin spokesperson has also denied the atrocities on basis that the Kremlin has no basis to disbelieve Kadyrov. “Well, the actual complaints are all around us,” Rubio said. “They have been well documented in publications throughout the world, but instead, Vladimir Putin is choosing to prop up Kadyrov, the Chechen brutal dictator, and prop up his brutal regime instead of holding them accountable.” Rubio said the reports of anti-gay atrocities in Chechnya are “not a new reality for those living under the brutal tyranny of the Chechen leader,” citing Kadyrov’s alliance with Putin, who installed him as leader of the semi-autonomous republic. “There have been reports in the past of similar abuses, although these reports seem to

be the most brutal and should provoke anger in all of us,” Rubio said. “We should never, ever tolerate human rights violations against any person for their political views, their religious beliefs, or their sexual orientation.” Rubio isn’t the only Republican to have denounced the reported anti-gay arrests and detentions in Chechnya, which has proved to inspire bipartisan condemnation. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) have also spoken out against them via Twitter. But the Florida Republican condemns the alleged atrocities after a largely anti-LGBT record in Congress that includes a vote against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and criticism of LGBT advocates for seeking marriage equality in the courts, not the legislative process. The most recent Human Rights Campaign congressional scorecard allots Rubio a score “0” out of possible “100.”

russian wiTH Hiv seeking us asylum is deTained in flOrida Wire Report

iaMi | Immigration authorities detained a gay Russian man infected with HIV who was seeking U.S. asylum in California, his lawyer said on Wednesday. Denis Davydov has been held in an immigration detention facility in Miami since March 13 after a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Customs officers clearing passengers out of St. Thomas took the 30-year-old man into custody on suspicion he overstayed his visa, despite his pending asylum case. President Donald Trump has expanded immigration enforcement and broadened priorities for deportation. Davydov lives in San Jose, California, where he works at a coffee shop. His attorney Aaron Morris said Wednesday that he has no criminal record and poses no danger to the public. “For him to be subjected for weeks and weeks of never-ending detention is absurd,” said Morris, executive director of Immigration Equality, a New York-based group that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrants.

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

nation+world news

U.S. Holocaust Museum ‘deeply concerned’ by gay Chechnya arrests Michael K. Lavers of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National Gay Media Association

he U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum said it is “deeply concerned” over the arrests of more than 100 gay men in Chechnya. “The Holocaust teaches us what can happen when state-sponsored, group-targeted violence is allowed to go unchecked,” said Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield in a statement. “The reports about the targeting of LGBT persons in Chechnya combined with statements from Chechen officials seemingly endorsing violence are cause for great concern. Both the Chechen and Russian governments need to investigate these allegations and ensure the safety of LGBT populations within the Russian Federation.” Novaya Gazeta, an independent

Russian newspaper, earlier this month reported authorities in the semi-autonomous Russian republic in the North Caucuses have arrested more than 100 gay men since February. Its reporting also indicates they have been sent to secret prisons that have been described as “concentration camps.” The museum’s press release notes the Nazis arrested an estimated 100,000 men between 1933-1945 for violating Germany’s anti-homosexuality law. It indicates up to 15,000 of them were sent to concentration camps. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the Kremlin continue to deny reports that gay men have been arrested. A Novaya Gazeta reporter who broke the story has gone into hiding after receiving death threats. The U.S. and 22 other countries that are members of the Equal Rights Coalition, which formed in 2016 at the end of a global LGBT and intersex

rights conference in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, in a statement urged Russian authorities “to conduct an independent and credible investigation into reports of arbitrary detention, torture and killing of gay men by” Chechen authorities. “If these reports prove credible, we call on the Russian government to take steps to ensure the release of anyone wrongfully detained and hold accountable anyone found responsible,” reads the statement. “These steps are in line with international human rights obligations and commitments made by the Russian government to respect the human rights of all individuals.” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley earlier this month said the U.S. remains “disturbed” by the arrests. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), former Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the State Department have also publicly condemned the arrests and urged Chechen and Russian authorities to investigate them. President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson – who met with Putin in Moscow on April 12 – have yet to publicly comment.

Dems challenge Pence to support proposal to ban ‘ex-gay’ therapy Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National Gay Media Association

emocrats in Congress have reintroduced legislation seeking to ban “ex-gay” conversion therapy nationwide, challenging Vice President Mike Pence to support the bill given his past comments suggesting support for the widely discredited practice. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) in the U.S. House and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in the U.S. Senate reintroduced the “Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act,” legislation that would ban “ex-gay” therapy by declaring it fraudulent practice. First introduced in the previous Congress, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would clarify that “conversion therapy” in exchange for monetary compensation, as well as advertising of such services, is fraud and illegal under the authority of Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, the bill

would empower state attorneys general with the authority to enforce the ban in federal court. Major institutions, including the American Psychological Association, have come out against therapy aimed at converting sexual orientation and gender identity on the basis that it doesn’t work and can harm the patient. The reintroduction of the bill comes under a new administration with the vice president who has an anti-LGBT history. As Indiana governor, Mike Pence infamously signed into law a “religious freedom” bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT people. Under pressure from LGBT rights supporters and the business community, Pence was forced to sign a “fix” to the law. During his campaign for a U.S. House seat in 2000, Pence’s campaign platform expressed support for federal funding to combat HIV/AIDS, but on the condition that resources go to institutions that “provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.”

Although the statement doesn’t explicitly mention conversion therapy, it has been interpreted as an endorsement of the widely discredited practice. A Pence spokesperson told The New York Times late last year that Pence has never supported conversion therapy and his past positions were misinterpreted. Lieu told the Washington Blade the vice president can demonstrate his lack of support of “ex-gay” conversion therapy by endorsing the legislation introduced by Democrats. “Vice President Pence claims that he never supported conversion therapy, but his anti-LGBT record raises serious doubts about that assertion,” Lieu said. “I truly hope Mr. Pence opposes this dangerous practice and urge him to support my legislation to set the record straight.” The Blade has placed a request in with the office of the vice president seeking comment on whether he would support the legislation.

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in other news Kentucky judge won’t hear adoption cases if adults are gay Kentucky family court judge Mitchell Nance says he won’t hear any more adoption cases that involve gay adults. Nance issued an order saying he believes that “under no circumstance” would “the best interest of the child be promoted by the adoption by a practicing homosexual.” Nance cited an ethical rule that says judges must disqualify themselves when they have a personal bias or prejudice. Nance’s order said lawyers representing gay people in adoptions in Barren and Metcalfe counties would have to request a special judge. Circuit Judge John T. Alexander told the Glasgow newspaper he would hear any adoption cases affected by Nance’s recusal.

nebraska University investigating profane note targeting gay people Officials with Creighton University in Omaha say they are investigating to try to learn who taped a profane, threatening letter targeting gays on a student’s dorm room door. The hand-scrawled note found last week opens with an expletive and a gay slur, then urges the targeted student to kill himself. It goes on to say “gays are not welcome in Nebraska or Creighton!” Creighton University’s president, the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, said in a statement that the note violated Creighton’s policy on student, staff and faculty conduct and, “more crucially, is not at all representative of the environment we desire as a university.” Creighton’s Office of Equity and Inclusion is investigating.

South Korea accused of targeting gay soldiers The Military Human Rights Center for Korea says South Korea’s army is hunting down and prosecuting gay servicemen after a video of two male soldiers having sex was posted on the internet earlier this year, stoking fear in an already persecuted minority group. According to the watchdog group, military investigators looking into the case have threatened soldiers, confiscated cell phones and used dating apps to dupe soldiers into revealing their sexual identity. South Korea’s army says it’s conducting a proper criminal investigation and has denied allegations that investigators are using the case to embark on a broader mission to weed out gay soldiers.

Iranian police arrest more than 30 men for ‘sodomy’ The Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees, a Toronto-based organization that helps Iranians who have fled their homeland because of anti-LGBT persecution seek asylum in Canada and other countries, reports that more than 30 men in the Iranian province of Isfahan have been arrested because of their sexual orientation. The group says officers fired “several gunshots” before they arrested the men, between 16- and 30-years-old, “for being homosexual.” The Iranian Railroad says it has confirmed reports that the officers who arrested the partygoers attacked and beat them. The officers transferred them to a prison in the city of Isfahan, where a prosecutor has charged them with sodomy, drinking alcohol and “using psychedelic drugs.”

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

viewpoint

Jason Leclerc

The other side

of life ARC of the Covenant

emember when, in

Raiders of the Lost Ark, the NAZIs found the Ark of the Covenant and thought it would make them invincible? Remember that scary scene when they opened it and out came a host of spirits that eviscerated the evil warmongers, stripping them of their skin down to bare bones? I was seven when that movie came out and that scene was so frightening that I was escorted from the theater in a trail of horrified tears. I was a sensitive child. I’ve been obsessed with that scene ever since, and the power of covenants has haunted me for decades. I encountered covenants again in high school, learning of the Puritans and John Winthrop and the founding of America as, “We are entered into covenant with Him for this work…” and on the principle of (ironically enough) religious freedom – we should all have the freedom to be Puritans, he argued. It was a revolutionary theory in the 17th century, and though it seems absurd by today’s standards, it set the ideological stage for Jefferson’s First Amendment and the freedom of today’s atheists – Crucible-infused – to proclaim their disdain for the frustrations of religion. But, let’s be honest with our collective self. The idea of covenants endures. It is, in fact, the centerpiece of modern liberalism. We can stand behind our tax dollars and our federal budgets to proclaim our interest in our neighbors. We have invested in safety nets and welfare to justify our disengagement with the real

needs of our most needy. As a “body politic,” to use Winthrop’s phrase, especially since FDR, we have hidden behind New Deal-ism – and its heir, Great Society – to prove that we are a caring nation, that we reward the accidents of citizenship with compassion and generosity. The Ark of the Covenant, the shrouded chest around which beat the heart of the Israelites – and America’s city-on-a-hill – gilded and holy though it was, contained within it a pot of Manna, the Ten Commandments, and Aaron’s rod. If we, in America’s 2017, want to talk about covenants, this should still be our starting point. Let that starting point be a “Radical Center” that eschews the partisan fringe-mongers who seek to undermine our covenants. If we, from our Christian history or our free-to-be-anti-parochial present, want to walk our village-walk, we should recognize our village – call it a church if you please – and the contents of its covenants: the right to live (Manna); the right to be whole (Ten Commandments); the right to love (Aaron’s rod, *wink*) We are not dishonest landslides from a crumbling Zion. We are a good and honest people – not NAZIs for whom the attempted misappropriation of the covenants led to tomb-Raiders’ defeat. If we are going to be honest, we need to understand that in a world where science and medicine converge in a nation of hope, every member of our body politic deserves a chance to live. In the year 2017, in the nation where capitalism has underwritten scientific advances, where rich Canadians can afford to visit American doctors, we are responsible for the the protection and preservation of American lives – regardless of the poorest Americans’ means. If this means healthcare underwritten by an overwritten insurance industry, so be it. If we value life, we value

all life and its quality: Life and Choice needn’t be exclusive. If we are going to be honest, aside from Number Three, those Commandments’ rules apply whether we are ragingly God-fearing or otherwise. We, as an American people, rightfully dwell upon our ideologies. The rule of

inexcusable. We owe them our apologies and our riches. If we are going to be honest, we must acknowledge that the institutions around love have failed us. Not without note, the laws around the dissolution of marriage have emerged as powerfully as the creation of marriage.

and covenants matter, if our promises to our neighbors matter, if the freedoms of Winthrop and Jefferson and Tubman and Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt and MLK matter, we are commanded to respect life, wholeness, and love with equal vicissitude. If we expect to march

law and the streams of justice converge in a gold-covered chest where we are required to acknowledge the slights upon human kind from which we’ve benefitted. Human dignity and American pride require us to repair the atrocities that our forebears perpetrated against humanity. The displacements of the indigenous and the African-rooted – AND, AND! – upon this continent are

Love, the rock upon which marriage should stand, cowers in the shadow of its absence. Marriage is a farce meant to perpetuate other institutions whose values should stand on their own. Love is more than licenses and ceremony: Love is a human right. If America has the capacity to survive, it will be upon the mantle of its future. If honesty

through the universe with the moral obligations of an Ark of the Covenant before us, we must recognize its contents. To the extent that we favor one over the other, we fail in our honesty; we invite the horrific ghouls of an under-appreciated God’s vengeance: Otherwise, we fail in our American – parochial and otherwise – covenants.

If we are going to be honest, we need to understand that in a world where science and medicine converge in a nation of hope, every member of our body politic deserves a chance to live.

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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WANZIE

Merry Fringemas! hristmas used to be

my favorite time of the year. That’s until the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival got into my blood. Now Christmas has dropped to distant second as Orlando Fringe ranks number one among the things for which I am most grateful and for providing the most fun ever to be crammed into 12 days or so.

Seasoned Fringe-goers might think there is no need for a Fringe tutorial of sorts because to us Fringing is second nature. But as I share my passion for Orlando Fringe to strangers I encounter as part of my duties acting in the capacity of non-official, self-appointed Fringe Ambassador to the Uninitiated Masses, I never fail to encounter persons on a daily basis who somehow have never heard of Fringe and have no idea what it is. I’m not going to bore my regular readers here with a Fringe 101 lesson in how to Fringe – first-timers can read the Official Fringe Program for that – but allow me a few sentences to simply say what Fringe is, and why I anticipate the festival each year like a child counting down the days till Christmas. Orlando Fringe is over 150 productions being presented simultaneously in 15 different venues and a half dozen other odd locations by troupes and artists who sojourn to Orlando from literally across the country and

around the globe, performing side by the side with hundreds upon hundreds of local artists. Fringe is tried and true works, but mostly new and unusual shows created specifically for Fringe. There’s theater, theater of the absurd, mime, dance, musicians, comedians, story tellers and magicians. The festival isn’t juried nor is it censored, so the artists are free to do and say whatever they please. As such, there’s plenty of nudity, strong language, adult situations, LGBTQ content and a great deal of over-the-top, out-of-the-box, provocative thought-provoking (if not head scratch-inducing) material. There’s good stuff and there is shit. And very likely you and the person standing next to you in line for a beer will not agree on which is which. And then there is Fringe gold performances so outstanding you almost can’t believe you were able to experience them for $12 (top ticket price) or less. It’s well over 800 individual performances being presented over the course of the festival with shows starting at various times between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on the weekends. It’s also THE social event of the season. It’s just plain fun to be on the festival grounds enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded people who are indulging their spirit of chance and adventure each and every time they take a seat for another show, risking 40-90 minutes of their life to experience something new. Will it be shit or might you strike Fringe gold? And between shit and gold there’s something to stroke everyone’s fancy to varying degrees of success. But no matter the shows, there is something downright infectious about being in the Orlando Fringe atmosphere. It’s like Disneyland or the Vegas Strip but for theater geeks and non-theatrical types who just want to drink and have fun opening themselves up to various new adventures in entertainment. Out on the great lawn of

green fabulousness there are vendors hawking crafts and crap as well as really cool jewelry and clothing. There are food trucks galore serving up everything from deep-fried heart attack grub to fresh salads, brick-oven pizza; foods from various ethnic regions as well as vegetarian and vegan crud. All of that is complimented by a full

culture of Fringe and it can result in some very robust conversation. Allow me to end by saying that many people who live here in Central Florida literally take their vacation time from work to stay in town and Fringe non-stop day in and day out, because that’s how much fun Orlando Fringe truly is. Others travel here from all

enjoyed last year. To reside in the Greater Orlando area and not take advantage of all the Orlando Fringe has to offer is to me akin to living in the United States and not exercising your right to vote. It’s like locking yourself in your house for the month of December and turning your back on Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas. If you have

liquor bar and German- style Biergarten tent with draught on tap and a selection of wines. Half the fun of Fringing is meeting new people from all over the world out on the lawn or in the beer tent. Everyone has an opinion to share and they are certain their opinion matters more than that of the official critics of the press. Swapping notes about shows you have seen is part of the

over the South and take up lodging in hotels to attend this festival. And, as I said before, the performers are here from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Chicago, Seattle, New York City, Winter Garden, Kissimmee and Mt. Dora! If you don’t come to the festival, you are missing out on something quite special that over 40,000 people

not been before I urge you come out and enjoy this, the 26th Annual Orlando Fringe: the longest-running and largest Fringe festival in all of America. If you are already a Fringe advocate I urge you to commit to exposing two newbies to Orlando Fringe this year. Happy Fringe, y’all!

Between shit and gold there’s something to stroke everyone’s fancy to varying degrees of success.

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GAY AND BISEXUAL

MEN AccOunT fOR MORE ThAn

% 60 Of EARly sTAGE

SYPHILIS cAsEs In ThE u.s. ThAT RATE Is

106 TIMES HIGHER ThAn ThE RATE AMOnG

HETEROSEXUAL MEN AnD

168 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE RATE AMONG WOMEN. — Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

I think it’s all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be, or what you want them to become.

It’s all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do. and when my son came out, I was so happy for him, and happy for us as parents. — Magic Johnson, giving advice to parents With lgBtQ children, on THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW april 19.

RuPAul, sARAh PAulsOn, mOONLIGHT DIREcTOR, TRAns TEEn AcTIvIsT MAkE TIME 100 lIsT

ctress sarah paulson, MOONLIGHT director Barry JenKins, trans teen-activist Gavin Grimm and drag superstar RuPaul are among the 100 Most Influential People, according to TIME magazine’s annual list. The magazine breaks the list down into five categories; Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, Titans and Icons. Grimm appears on the list of Pioneers, Paulson and Jenkins are included under Artists. RuPaul made the list – along with the likes of actress Viola Davis and civil rights leader John Lewis – as an Icon. President Donald Trump, Pope Francis, Senator Elizabeth Warren, political comedian Samantha Bee, late-night host James Corden and Russian president Vladimir Putin are some of the names to make the list as well.

RIcky MARTIn GETs vh1 REAlITy sERIEs

icKy Martin is getting his oWn reality shoW. According to Deadline.com, Martin’s docu-series will follow the singer as he prepares for his Las Vegas residency. “A revealing, never-been-seen account of one of the most private and guarded global superstars of our time,” reads a description of the show. “The project will draw on his Vegas residence to illustrate his broader, fascinating and inspiring journey from every pivotal era in his career to the most defining roles of his life.” Martin has also been cast as Gianni Versace’s lover Antonio D’Amico in FX’s Versace: American Crime Story. The still untitled docu-series project is set to premiere in June.

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GOOGlE hOME AD fEATuREs Busy GAy DADs

oogle hoMe’s latest coMMercial features gay dads preparing for a busy day. Ross and Alex are getting their children and themselves ready for the day. Alex prompts the personal assistant device, “OK Google, tell me about my day.” The device informs Alex his commute will be 45 minutes due to heavy traffic. Ross asks Google Home to tell him about his day before the couple decides Ross will take their son and daughter to school. The company has incorporated gay characters in its other commercials. For its “Goals” commercial, a man used the Goals feature to get over his ex-boyfriend which leads him to a new love interest.

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AnTI-lGBTq PAsTOR GETs hIs OWn Tv shOW On OPRAh WInfREy nETWORk

prah Winfrey has added THE BOOK OF JOHN GRAY, a docu-series featuring pastor James Gray who has shared his anti-LGBTQ views on social media, to her network OWN. Gray’s tweets from 2012-2014 have questioned same-sex marriage and called homosexuality a sin. “Homosexuality is no different from fornication, adultery, lying or any other sin God was clear about. It’s all the same-4those who believe,” reads one tweet. In another, Gray denounced Target for its decision to be gender neutral in its stores. “I won’t shop @ Target again. My son is a boy. Boys like certain toys. That’s not a gender or sexuality issue. You’ve overstepped & u will see,” Gray tweeted.

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

What is DESCOVY ?

What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 infection or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body ﬂuids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body ﬂuids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •

•

Buildup of an acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include: •

•

Changes in body fat, which can happen in people taking HIV-1 medicines. Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems. Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •

•

Serious liver problems. The liver may become large and fatty. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; lightcolored bowel movements (stools); loss of appetite; nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area.

All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection. All the medicines you take, including prescription and overthe-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY for a long time. In some cases, lactic acidosis and serious liver problems have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions.

•

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

•

If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

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IMPORTANT FACTS This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

(des-KOH-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side eﬀects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: feeling very weak or tired, unusual muscle pain, trouble breathing, stomach pain with nausea or vomiting, feeling cold (especially in your arms and legs), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark “tea-colored” urine; loss of appetite; light-colored bowel movements (stools); nausea; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months. You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking DESCOVY or a similar medicine for a long time.

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section. • Changes in body fat. • Changes in your immune system. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Bone problems. The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. These are not all the possible side effects of DESCOVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking DESCOVY. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with DESCOVY.

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

BEFORE TAKING DESCOVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. • Have any other medical condition. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with DESCOVY.

GET MORE INFORMATION

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines. • Take DESCOVY with or without food.

• This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. • Go to DESCOVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit DESCOVY.com for program information.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0019 11/16

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In-DEPTh: ORlAnDO fRInGE

Living Fringe on the

Festival veteran David lee rises to the challenge of making a dark reality into an Orlando Fringe show

anna M. Johnson

he lights Went out at the orlando

Fringe Theatre Festival 2017 local teaser show. A hush dawned over the audience that filled the sold-out theatre.

Twelve groups had performed two-minute excerpts from their shows in the festival that starts May 16. The 13th performance started completely dark. A light went on from center stage, illuminating the face of a woman. She stood in the dark for a moment before beginning to speak. “We don’t have space here for

everything at the History Center,” actor Jenn Gannon said. She continued on, performing a monologue about what it was like to memorialize the deadliest act of violence against LGBT people in United States history. Her monologue is an excerpt from a show in the theatre festival that honors the lives lost during the Pulse

nightclub shooting and the community surrounding it. Long-time Fringe participant David Lee’s new show, O-Town: Voices from Orlando, is premiering at the Orlando Fringe in May. The play is a collection of 18 monologues written by Lee and performed by six local actors and actresses. Last year’s Fringe featured Lee’s one-man show Rocket Man and Kaleidoscope, which won the critics’ choice award for best solo drama. That festival also saw Lee given the Fringe’s lifetime achievement award. Orlando Fringe, which has seen shifts in leadership over the past year with the

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exit of George Wallace in November and the ascent of Alauna Friskics following earlier this year. Friskics comes from the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden and has roots with Orlando Fringe dating back to 1999, when she was volunteer coordinator. “I love Fringe because it fosters accessibility to a wide range of artistic experiences in a low-risk environment for the artist, producer and the audience. This is the perfect recipe for creativity to flourish,” Friskics said in a press release. “I am committed to using my nonprofit management experience to take Fringe to

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fringe 2017 gallery Jeffrey Moll Presents

Living Room, The Sitcom

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fringe 2017 gallery “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country.” – Good Day Atlanta

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the next level,” she added. It’s also a sometimes cultish theater arm-wrestling exercise. First there’s the lottery to see if your show will make the cut for the nearly two weeks of performances. Then there’s the social media bonfire of vanities attempting to make sure that tickets fly out of the box office, or printer, or wherever. It’s no small task, pulling a Fringe show together, but it’s generally a chaotic and rewarding one. It’s been Orlando’s theatrical mainstay for 26 years for a reason.

David Lee, a Fringe veteran, did not expect to know what show he was going to stage for 2017’s Fringe until at least a few months after 2016’s wrapped. He was planning to move back to New York City to start a new chapter of his life after the passing of his mother, who he had returned to Orlando to spend time with. His plans changed on June 12, 2016. Lee started writing in June and finished near the end of November. He thought of it as his way to cope and heal, not as a show he hoped to eventually direct. He is a homegrown Orlandoan. Before earning his degrees in acting and directing from the University of Miami and the Yale School of Drama, respectively, he was a student at Boone High School. After graduating from college as an undergraduate, Lee came back home in 1990 to start his own theatre troupe named the Per4mants. In a 1994 review for the Orlando Sentinel, Elizabeth Maupin refers to the troupe as “Orlando’s longest-lasting proponents of what might be called alternative alternative theater.” Lee’s current production company, Ant Farm Productions, has performed at the festival many times. He worked at Shakespeare Theatre and the University of Central Florida for nine years in between stints of living in New York City. He didn’t come home for his current stay until 2014. O-Town is written in an alternative style. Lee’s show emulates verbatim theatre, works that take actual interviews, speeches or conversations and stage their transcriptions. Lee was inspired by verbatim playwright and actor Anna Deavere Smith and her production of Notes from the Field that he saw in December.

“Her show really packed a wallop on me,” Lee says. “Her show made me feel even more empowered and inspired to present mine.” The first monologue Lee wrote is presented by a character playing on the stage manager from Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play Our Town. He leads the audience through Orlando the day before the attack and introduces people who are about to become very influential in the next 24 hours and coming weeks. “I wanted to write something about Orlando the day before the attack,” Lee says. “To kind of celebrate not only the town but the calm that was here before.” Margaret Nolan of Kangagirl Productions coordinated the Orlando play submissions for the After Orlando Project, an

Once Lee decided that the show needed to be staged, he thought immediately of this year’s Fringe festival.

The process of applying for the Fringe Festival is lengthy. Prospective companies must apply by mid-November to have their name in a lottery drawing for venues and spots. The 2016 drawing (for the 2017 festival) happened in early December. Another Fringe veteran, James Brendlinger is the theatre teacher at Lake Howell High School and is producing Dog Sees God for Teen Fringe. He also applied with his own show, which did not get drawn for a guaranteed spot for the first time this year. “Your number comes up or it doesn’t,” Brendlinger says. “If anyone ever says to me that

performed in the “B” shows. The six actors in the show memorized three monologues each. The cast of the show was solidified mid-March. Lee brought on assistant director Tara Kromer to take his place while he travels and help guide the actors through the process. Lee cast people that he knew would be able to work independently. The first time the entire cast was together was for a photoshoot was in early April. At the end of month, some members of the cast were meeting with Kromer for only the second time, both at her home and her work. Brendlinger says that his shows tend to rehearse for about six weeks prior to the festival, similarly to Lee’s. No shows get to work in the space until their tech rehearsal less than a week before Fringe begins.

Every year as an artist you’re concerned whether your show is going to be successful, whether it’s going to make any money or not, if anyone will like the show. For the first time for any of us at the Fringe, none of us are worried about any of that stuff. It just feels like a way to give back. —David Lee

“International Theatre Action” organized by two production companies in New York. Lee’s piece was included along with eight others by local playwrights. The After Orlando Project has been performed all over the United States and in some international theatres. The producers of each individual show chose which pieces from the licensed anthology to include in their production. Many used Lee’s original O-Town monologue as part of their lineup. Other monologues came from various community members. Among others, Lee adapted an interview with Pamela Schwartz from the Orange County Regional History Center; Barbara Poma’s speech to New York Pride less than two weeks after the shooting; news stories; and a post from Joe Jervis’ blog, Joe.My.God.

the lottery is rigged I say ‘No, definitely not.’” Fringe may not be an easy contest, even with the cults of personality it has developed, but it’s certainly important. Even if it seems like everyone is rushing toward the beer tent to grab their sustenance just in time to rush to another show, even if it’s often a bit audacious, and smells of funnel cake on a carnival midway, a lot of blood sweat and tears go into making a show happen. And this year, at least for Lee, it had extra purpose. “It’s so close to the one year anniversary and there’s absolutely nothing else that I’m working on that is more important,” Lee says. With only an hour time slot, Lee made the decision to split the show up and alternate monologues every night. Nine will be performed in the “A” shows and the other nine will be

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O-Town’s tech rehearsal is on Sunday, May 14. After that, they are not allowed back in the venue until their first show the following Wednesday. Lee is anything but worried. He trusts his actors and his assistant director immensely. He feels calmer about the coming festival than any other he’s ever participated in. “Every year as an artist you’re concerned whether your show is going to be successful, whether it’s going to make any money or not, if anyone will like the show” Lee said. “For the first time for any of us at the Fringe, none of us are worried about any of that stuff. It just feels like a way to give back.”

The show is tangibly giving back, as well. All profits will be donated to The 49 Fund, an Orlando-based scholarship fund specifically for

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LGBT youth. The show is set to continue giving back to Orlando’s LGBT community even after its Fringe run. Twelve more actors will be joining the production after Fringe with the help of Kromer and local director Beth Marshall for a one-night performance of the whole show. All 18 monologues in their entirety will be performed on June 11, 2017, in the Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s Margeson theater. The six Fringe actors in the cast will be directed by Lee while Kromer and Marshall will choose six additional actors each to join the show. All proceeds from that performance will benefit the OnePulse Foundation. The original O-Town monologue will also be featured in “Orlando Love: Remembering Our Angels,” an event founded by City of Orlando District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan. Lee sent the monologue to Karen Brown, the producer of the event, and his friend, who immediately saw the need to include it. “I began to read as if it was in David’s own voice and cried,” Brown said in an email. “In the middle of my ugly crying, I picked up the phone and called David. I said, ‘If Commissioner Sheehan agrees, it is in.’” She and the event’s director, Douglas White, more than agreed. The monologue will open the ceremony, which takes place at the Lake Eola Amphitheater on the one-year anniversary of the shooting. O-Town does not originate from any kind of selfish intent. Lee wrote the show first to help himself cope and then continued to tell the stories of the people involved in a tragedy and the town that grew together after it. “All of these stories were coming out and all of these people were doing things,” Lee says. “I thought, ‘Maybe this could be my contribution, to record some of this stuff.’” His contribution went through a long process to get where it is today and still has a bit to go before its presentation on stage. Lee, the cast and the crew of this production have woven pieces of history together to play their own parts in telling a new history of Orlando – one that empowers its artists and its citizens to create and to remember, all together, part of O-town. That’s what Fringe is for, after all.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

Now see this! Orlando Fringe runs the gamut from hysterical to controversial to heartbreaking.

Here are some of our favorite picks for this year!

I JUDY GARLAND’S STUCK IN A BEAR TRAP WITH NOTHING TO WEAR

Presented by TheDailyCity.com/Judy Garland

Billy Manes

n year 26 of everyBody losing

their minds in the Orlando theater scene for over a week, the Orlando Fringe once again brings the surprises and the guffaws – all the hurry-up-and-wait of queuing for your next aesthetic indulgence, along with the gratification of seeing some of your best friends, old and new, make theater an organic experience.

In many ways, this is Orlando’s centrifugal core for spinning and buttoning and ticketing your way toward bliss. As usual, there’s something for everybody: kids, teens, grown-ups, grown-ups

who should know better. After a fantastic teaser show on April 17, appetites have been duly whetted, Excel charts and maps have been printed, the fiercest of the fierce are readying their Fringe game. There

are hundreds of shiny things to see! Bring on May 16-29! Things to remember: You’ll need a button which is easily procured at the point of entrance (or online at orlandofringe.org), you’ll need to purchase a ticket for each show (you can do this online, too), you’ll need a little patience, and, most of all, a sense of humor. These actors, writers, directors and producers are schlepping their wares in their spare time, often for little profit. This is performance for the sake of performance, art for the sake of art. And, well, if you’ve been, you know: It’s fabulous, messy, sometimes drunk and often poignant (and even gay!). Does this sound like you? Swipe right, then!

n which the baby is thrown out with the bathwater and all hilarity ensues, really. The Daily City’s Mark Baratelli has made a martini splash on several occasions with his endearing and ridiculously over the top Judy Garland ramblings. We all know that when Judy was reaching the end of her rainbow, she would speak in stuff and nonsense. Baratelli in a Garland wig – which frees him of his often shy presence in the background – is a sight to behold and a story to be told, though. For years, he’s won hearts and, well, hair with his seemingly improvised ramblings as the aging songstress prior to her passing. Pills, thrills and bellyaches are likely to abound as Judy wanders her way through an evening, this time with clothing problems and bears and the like. He makes it up as he goes along, and audiences lap it up because they should. There’s no doubt that this year’s Judy should be a hoot and a rainbow and a mess you would love to pick up. ORAnGE vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

Presented by Chrickey Productions

BITCH, PERFECT

Presented by Orlando Gay Chorus

t may seem odd for such an esteemed organization as the Orlando Gay Chorus to be dipping its toes in the craziness of Orlando Fringe – though, apparently it has happened before, decades ago, but not as a theatrical show – but it’s a growing step, says the chorus’ artistic director James Rode. Stage director Donald Rupe brought on former Florida state Rep. Joe Saunders, who has a fantastic voice, which makes this show an even bigger draw. Saunders joins 14 others in the cast. “It’s very different than what I’m used to,” Rode says. “My point when I came to the Orlando Gay Chorus was to promote performing arts. There’s no reason OGC shouldn’t do these kinds of things!” ORAnGE vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM… ETHEL MERMAN

GAY JEOPARDY

Presented by Unseen Images Theatre

he notion here is that everybody is in on some other level existence where Jack McFarland, Cher and Paul Lynde reign supreme in a naughty version of your favorite guilty obsession from dinner time or happy hour that you never talk about. Actually, it’s a little deeper than that, but therein lies the tone. Unseen Images is pushing a Fringe envelope in a “raucous, decadent, no-holds-barred romp through gay pop culture categories where nothing is too taboo and no topic is off the table.” What you do on the table is your own business. “It’s ALL tea and ALL shade led by a boozed-up game show host, two kitschy queens and one Southern televangelist’s wife,” Unseen Images promises. sIlvER vEnuE, ORlAnDO REP

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

verything’s coming up Merman! This show promises to bring the renowned Gypsy back into the spotlight as a means of helping viewers figure out just how it is that we get through this life, even when shunned by Bing Crosby. Ethel Merman’s trill makes up the backbone of many a gay theater or film enthusiast, so she does, as the sprinkling of divas populating our cultural history do, deserve to be heard – especially by a gay man channeling Ethel Merman. It’s a musical, but it’s more than that. It’s a big old gay good time. “Come along on a showtune-filled, laughter inducing ‘one-man show’ about growing up gay in a Pentecostal household in the Bible Belt where his only saviors were community theater, an old record player and the vinyl recordings of Broadway’s greatest diva,” reads the release. Ooh, do tell! “We feel this show will resound with anyone who understands the power of music, finding a personal anthem and just singing your heart out to get you through life’s trials,” they say. That’s a tall order we’re willing to take a risk on. BluE vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD

T WANZIE WITH A Z

JOAN CRAWFORD’S HOUSE PARTY Presented by Doug Ba’aser

h, dear. Somebody let Doug Ba’aser out of his house again and apparently Joan Crawford left her door unlocked. Hilarity is bound to ensue. Ba’aser notably was noticed in note for having the “Best Fringe Show” for his desperate-but-not-serious Crawford crawl in the past. He’s set to be joined by Christina (Darling), probably some wire hangers, and an updated cast of uninvited people like Liza Minnelli, Adele and Kellyanne Conway (or reasonable facsimiles thereof). Oh, and there will be dancing gay boys, because there are always dancing gay boys. “People kept asking me when we were going to bring it back, so we said ‘What the hell? It’s been five years!’ It’s fluffy and it’s funny and it’s camp. The Feud [television series about Crawford and Bette Davis] was just good timing,” Ba’aser says. “We lucked out with that. The show is definitely fresh, though, with some new guest stars and some fun new stuff. We have an amazing team!” Ba’aser will also be resuscitating Wanzie’s Two Men Trapped in Women’s Bodies with Fringe legend Tommy Wooten. “Michael Wanzie and I did this two-person show way back in 1998,” he says. “We literally put in for the Fringe having no idea what we were going to do. A month before opening Michael came up with a script about two old hippie women, and it turned out to be a hit! One of my favorite people to work with, Tommy Wooten, was looking for a project for he and I to do this year and we decided on this old gem. So it’s back at Fringe 19 years later! It is a wild ride. These old broads hold nothing back!”

BROWn vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

Presented by Wanzie Presents and D Squared Productions

irst of all, it’s not a one-man show, even if it is about one man with a “Z” in his name. Wanzie with a Z is clearly a nod to gay icon and sparkling rambler Liza Minnelli, but most of that comes from its title. It’s three men, really. “A lot of people think it’s a one man show,” he says. “But it’s all three of us on stage at the same time. The three of us speak together as one voice.” Those three – John Lefkowitz, Joshua Roth and Wanzie himself – portray three stages of Wanzie’s life, ages six to 60. There are bits about performing for hot dogs in Connecticut, playing the Skipper at Jungle Cruise at the

Magic Kingdom, and it goes even deeper. Wanzie, who has never been afraid to put it all out there, grew from a self-proclaimed closet case into one of Orlando’s legendary gay activists. Now he’s mouthing off on Real Radio 104.1 in cinematic review flourishes. A Fringe legend, Wanzie always brings the laughs in his bawdy stage productions. This one, he says, isn’t necessarily going to be different, even if it traverses the territory of his speech impediment. “It’s two-thirds funny,” he says. “Expect the unexpected.”

ORAnGE vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

VARIETEASE HAUNTED

Presented By Penguin Point Productions/ Lake Howell High School

his legendary show tells the darker side of the old Peanuts story, and as such, was rooted in some odd licensing controversy with the estate of Charlie Brown creator Charles Schulz. That baseball game has been won in the ensuing years, leaving the plates dirty and the bats hard. Writer Bert V. Royal’s Dog Sees God: Confessions of Teenage Blockhead, tracks life after the death of “CB”’s beagle (see what they did there), and rips the already generally depressed tales known to many from their comic-strip corners and throws them into the maelstrom of adulthood. Except it’s performed by teens—high-school teens! LGBTQ themes are naturally included. Lake Howell High School has been represented in Fringe since 2006, producing shows not typically made for younger audiences. “We feel so lucky to be part of the third year of Teen Fringe,” producer James Brendlinger tells us, “which allows the one-act play competition winners form local Florida Thespian Festivals to bring their plays to the Orlando Fringe each year.” TEEn ThEsPIAn shOWcAsE, ORlAnDO REP

COMMENCEMENT

Presented by Beth Marshall Presents

othing light to be said about this one. Clay McLeod Chapman’s Commencement is ostensibly a reflection on the April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech shooting massacre that left 32 dead and 17 wounded. And while that shooting led to another shooting and then many more shootings, this is a personal way of telling the story from all sides, producer Beth Marshall says. “It doesn’t even say Virginia Tech in the script,” she says. “It’s not a documentary play like [Marshall’s previous production on] Trayvon Martin. It could be any school, anywhere.” Or the Pulse Massacre which helped inspire Marshall’s production. And it could be anyone. Cast with three women, including Marshall, representing three sides of the violence equation, Commencement, she says, is in many ways a poetic metaphor. “It’s told from the perspective of the mother of the shooter, the mother of the victim and one of the women who was a senior who was due to give a commencement speech,” Marshall says. “She, of course, never had the chance.” “It’s about, ‘Who is the victim?’ Which then gets into who the victims really are, and it turns out that everyone is the victim,” she says. GOlD vEnuE, ORlAnDO MusEuM Of ART

UNBELIEVABLE

Presented by BlueLaLa Entertainment at FatSTAR Productions

f you know Blue Star, then you know that she – like her performances – is a theme park unto herself. Over here is Small World Blue, Over there is water flume Blue, and if you venture into the outskirts, there’s Blue’s magical, rural kingdom of surprises. She’s a funhouse waiting to bend its mirrors and a Tinkerbell about to set flight. She is, in short, a Fringe staple. Well, like most dreams that often veer into the dark corners, Blue’s Fringe entrée this year is going to be a bit of choreographed madness about lost love and the hauntings that come with it. In her collaboration with local

artist Patrick Fatica, Haunted, Blue plays “the mother, of course,” she says, “It’s set in the 1920s. Jazz is blossoming, New York is starting to live in that art deco world,” she says. “Most importantly, women have gained the right to vote.” Costumed by her favorite vintage clothier Retromended in the Ivanhoe Village, Blue and company take viewers through the story of being haunted by a lost love, as one man tries to pick up the pieces and move on. It’s some heavy territory – “It’s a full, dark Varietease,” Blue says – but it’s timely as well. BlAck vEnuE, 511 vIRGInIA DR.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Presented by Logan Donahoo

veryone in Orlando loves Logan Donahoo, as brash as he may be to those viewers who are light on the tolerance level and heavy on the starch. His latest veers away from the field-guide theme that has made him a Fringe celebrity and veers, he says, into more of an activist frame of mind. Unbelievable is dealing topically with what the LGBTQ community faces in a political and social world that has somehow spackled itself into the form of a red wall, or a pink bucket of water. You choose your Wonder Twin. But it’s also a field guide in Logan’s own way, just not in title. “I wrote the show to give people a little hope, and a tool kit on how to fight back over the next few years,” he says.“I can’t tell people, ‘It will be OK,’ but what I CAN tell people is that there are ways that we can try to make it OK.” PInk vEnuE, lOWnDEs shAkEsPEARE cEnTER

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

Raymond James Pops Finale

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

Cast of Beatsville. Photo by Cliff Roles.

ARTs AnD EnTERTAInMEnT

FUNNY LADY laDy BUnny brings her one-woman show,

Trans-Jester, to the Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre

Jeremy Williams

ady Bunny is one of only a

few pre-Drag Race queens whose talent has become so large that her name transcends the LGBTQ community. She is not only a world famous drag queen, but also a DJ, actress, singer/songwriter and comedienne extraordinaire. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Bunny’s latest comedy show, Trans-Jester, which she launched last year at New York’s historic Stonewall Inn, is coming to the Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre May 19 and 20. Bunny chatted with Watermark ahead of her Sunshine State visit about what we can expect to see from her

cOnTInuED On PG. 39 | uu |

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

that’s interesting because his show has put drag out there in such a mainstream way that it has reached a lot of women. I was sitting with Alaska and William at this Christmas show this past year and I looked out into the audience and everyone in the front row was a girl, and honey, a fan is a fan. Alaska and William said the girls are the biggest fans and the first to buy the merchandise. But I will say we do lose some of our gay subculture with that, but I don’t think the people who own these bars and clubs and restaurants that feature drag performers mind their money one bit. Also, as some gays are leaving the clubs and choose rather to find and meet guys on Grindr, straight people coming to the clubs are filling the gap.

| uu | Lady Bunny from pg.37

show, what she thinks about the current state of drag and why she can’t stand the damn “word police.”

Watermark: Are you excited to be heading to Orlando and the Parliament House? Lady Bunny: I cannot wait. I’ve been a guest of the Parliament House many times but I haven’t had the chance to do my one-woman show Trans-Jester yet, so I am excited to be coming. Tell us about the show.

It’s a dirty, raunchy, comedy show but it also asks a question that a lot of us are thinking right now: “What are we still allowed to laugh at?” When you see comedians like Bill Maher, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld refusing to play at colleges because the kids are uptight, I have to ask myself what is going on here. We are worried about micro-aggressions like what words we are speaking, but half of our tax dollars are going to macro-aggressions like killing people in other countries. We have really gotten out of whack with the political correctness, so much so that we’re about to make Dick Van Dyke change is named to Penis Van Lesbian.

Where is that line where people can find it offensive and people take the policing of jokes and language too far?

Unlike Donald Trump, I don’t say that I’m politically incorrect to make women or immigrants or Muslims feel bad. I’m coming from the far left, probably farther left than Bernie Sanders even, but I need to laugh and I like to laugh at dirty stuff and laugh at twisted stuff. So if we are falling all over ourselves to think of 56 new gender terms that pop up on Facebook and have them be heard, then don’t take away the seat at the table of the loud-mouthed, raunchy drag queen who is here to put it to you straight. Is there a line in comedy where it goes too far?

Comedy is meant to show you a different viewpoint, palatable, with jokes. I feel like we are just dancing on eggshells with all these new words: non-binary, gender queer, gender fluid – I think that last one is when I am in drag and have diarrhea. Everyone is confused and no one seems to know how to

How has drag changed from when you first started doing it to now with it being as mainstream as it is?

bad bunny: Lady Bunny gets down and dirty for her one woman show Trans-Jester. Photo courtesy Moniker MGMT. start very real conversations that we need to start. At the same time, our own gay think-tanks like GLAAD are propping up Caitlyn Jenner and suggesting that she needs to be a role model. You’re not a fan of Caitlyn Jenner I take it?

I take Caitlyn to task in this show. I respect anyone’s right to transition into anything, but I think she needs

Back in the day on Saturday Night Live, there was a skit with the character Pat. The gag was that no one knew what gender she was. Was that skit transphobic? Or the “Men of Film” from In Living Color who gave the snaps up movie reviews. Did they use every homosexual stereotype in the book? Of course they did, and it wasn’t homophobic in the slightest. In fact, it was embraced by gays because

You have a long history with another famous drag queen, RuPaul. In fact, you were roommates back in Atlanta. Do you tell any scathing stories about her in the show?

I make some cracks about Ru in my show about when we met and the people in my audience get all “woooooo” like I’m attacking Mama Ru, and I’m like bitch please. Which one of his three homes do you think

I’m more concerned with the art of drag, and I would much rather watch someone tear the shit out of a performance even if they don’t have their contour or padding perfect. — Lady Bunny to focus on transitioning out of the Republican Party which has been destroying the rights of the community that her simple ass has been trying to join. If I make fun of that, I’m not being transphobic at all; I revere my trans friends and they are as mystified by Caitlyn as I am. If our gay think-tanks aren’t thinking – pardon the expression – ‘straight,’ then maybe it’s left to the comedians. Do you think people are just too sensitive today?

they got us so well and we loved it. Today, everyone is so afraid to laugh because they are afraid that someone is going to point a finger at them and shame them. The man who works the door at my show in New York said, “Hey guys,” to a group of people walking by and was yelled at by a girl in the group as being sexist. We can’t be demonizing greetings now. Moms have been saying “hey you guys” along with “y’all” for years for all genders. I mean, really, we are attacking greetings.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

he is sitting in caring about what jokes I make. Ru and I share a love of all things humor from silly to twisted and dark. RuPaul caught a bit of flack last month after saying on a podcast that bachelorette parties should stay out of gay clubs. Do you agree with that statement?

I haven’t heard the podcast, but I got the Cliff’s Notes version of it. I heard that Ru didn’t like bachelorette parties at gay clubs, and I thought

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Drag Race doesn’t emphasize talent, they just lip sync to a song, one they may not even have picked to do in their real act. This isn’t the way to showcase talent. You can say, “Oh, make me a dress out of newspaper in 10 minutes,” and that’s a great challenge on TV, but as a working female impersonator I’ve never once had to do that. That makes for good, fun and silly TV, but with the focus on these challenges we are getting some queens who are brilliant at makeup and have a catchphrase. But if you book them to perform, they are lacking – any working drag queen can tell that you. We have all sat puzzled at how someone who packs a club because they have been on TV can barely perform. So you’re more interested in the talent and not the look?

I’m more concerned with the art of drag, and I would much rather watch someone tear the shit out of a performance even if they don’t have their contour or padding perfect. I’d rather a great performer with an unpolished look than a celestial beauty who cannot walk. I mean Kim Chi can barely walk in heels. She is exquisite and her hair and makeup are imaginative, but I mean really, you can’t walk. I’m older. I grew up on Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball, so I don’t gravitate to the train wrecks; I’m about the talent. That’s why I’m happy that I got to work with some of these girls and got to see their acts, because I don’t want to see them in tears, I want to see them shine.

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ThEATER

a new Fringe!

Tampa launches its inaugural festival of freaks and fun with the Tampa International Fringe Festival

(ABOvE lEfT)

MocKstar: Killy Kelly Dwyer takes songwriting to the bridge. PHOTOS COuRTESy TAMPA FRInGE

(ABOvE RIGhT)

Musical thrones:

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Billy Manes

t didn’t coMe out of noWhere.

Trish Parry and William Glenn – both of the revered 2014 Orlando Fringe show A History of Beer – knew the ropes, the challenges and the fun of a Fringe Festival without even having to think or drink too much. While Orlando’s Fringe is touted as the oldest in the country at 26 years now, Tampa has never had one before. That changes on May 11.

“Three years ago, we brought our show to Tampa, because my show partner William Glenn, he was from there, and I went to college there,” Parry says. “We brought our show there and we were produced by this company called Jobsite Theater. We sat down with the artistic director of that and told him all about Fringe and we told him all about how we had been touring with that after college on the Fringe circuit.” A polite promise to respond after the completion of said artistic director’s Ph.D studies, the duo came at Jobsite Theater

with the premise again. Thus began the roots of Florida’s newest Fringe Festival, set in Ybor City. “People are very responsive, but they’re also genuinely confused. I struggle not to sound like a school teacher when I say, ‘Well, Fringe, that began in the 1940s in Edinburgh.’ Some people think it’s a theater festival, and, yes, obviously there’s theater involved,” Parry says. “Until the Tampa people come to the festival, I don’t think they’ll fully wrap their minds around the kind of cross-genre, eclectic, unique and

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

intellectual kinds of work that come out of Fringe and Fringe artists. Parry’s past experiences with Fringe festivals the world over has taught her a thing or two about how to manage the inaugural event. She says that she prefers Orlando’s approach – in lottery and participant pay – over others she has engaged in. “I’ve traveled to Edinburgh [the world’s oldest Fringe festival] and Adelaide, and I feel like that’s sort of like the capitalistic version, where it’s open access but the chances of anybody making any money are slim to none, even the famous people that go there,” she says. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy to build this Fringe up from the ground. She’s been in contact with Orlando Fringe and other Fringe leaders to keep things in proper line and dealing with the “various situations” that may present themselves. “I normally just produce my shows, or maybe shows here and there in New York, but this is a way bigger thing and it’s been a big learning curve about just diving in and saying, ‘Oh, I don’t know

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

anything about food truck licensing.’ Or ‘1099 tax paperwork, what?’” she says. Likewise, the scale of the initial Tampa Fringe shouldn’t be expected to match the scope of Orlando’s event, which begins on May 16, though some of the shows at Tampa Fringe will cross I-4 to perform in Orlando as well. In its early years, Orlando Fringe was largely presented in abandoned downtown venues, many without air conditioning. It was a much more spartan affair than the celebration that now occupies Loch Haven Park, including the Orlando Shakespeare Center and the Orlando Museum of Art. But that could change, Parry says. “In the future, there could be the possibility of having something more central, like having a bigger centralized area like Loch Haven Park in Orlando, because there are some big community areas in Ybor like the Cuban Club. But because we’re trying to start small – we started with two venues and ended up with four somehow – we want to maintain the walkability of it. Having experienced how centralized Orlando is, I’m aware that people don’t necessarily want to drive. The venues are HCC Ybor, the Silver Meteor Gallery, Crowbar and Urban Phoenix, and ticket prices will range from $5-$13. And, being a Fringe festival, it has to have distractions built in to buy time in between performances. “We’re cultivating some other events around the festival to try to draw in different parts of the community so that more people understand and have a chance to perform. So we’re doing an opening night open-mic at our Fringe central bar, New World Brewery,” she says. “So we’re going to reach out to all different types of people and say, ‘Come on! You need to understand what the hell is going on here!’” The whole point of launching a new Fringe is to make theater more inclusive, Parry says. The theme of this first Fringe is “Making the Past into the Future.” “It’s kind of convoluted, but it has to do with the idea with how, in a lot of places, the performing arts are dying. I feel that,” she says. “In Tampa, there’s theater that’s happening for theater people. I like using black box theaters for alternative audiences that normally wouldn’t go to the theater.” “We do have three-to-five year plans that are more ambitious, like kids’ Fringe. We have a thought that it could be kind of cool to have dual Fringe in different areas: one in Ybor, one in downtown St. Pete. But that’s a very far off plan to kind of bridge the gap of that bridge.” For information on show times and tickets, go to tampafringe.org

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

community calendar

EvEnT PlAnnER

arTs+enTerTainmenT

ORlAnDO

ORlAnDO The Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl, May 5, Sideshow, Orlando. 407-420-1515; OrlandoPubCrawl.com

Orlando’s 2017 Diversity awards Gala friday, May 12, 7:00- 11:00 p.M. orchid garden at church st., orlando

Fantasy land w/ Sassy Devine and DETOX, May 5, Southern Nights Orlando, Orlando. (407) 412-5039; SouthernNights.com Suicide Girls’ Blackheart Burlesque, May 5, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.org Orlando Ballet: A Cinderella Story, May 5-7, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Winter Springs Food & Wine Festival, May 6, Winter Springs Town Center, Winter Springs. 407-402-2988; XL1067. iHeart.com Kentucky Derby Day Party, May 6, Ember Orlando, Orlando. 407-849-5200; EmberOrlando.com Food Business Start-up Workshop, May 6, East End Market, Orlando. 321-236-3316; EastEndMKT.com GROWlr RoughHouse, May 6-7, Full Moon Saloon, Orlando. 407-648-8725; FullMoonSaloon.com Bastille: Wild, Wild World Tour, May 9, Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando. 407-295-3247; CentralFloridaFair.com Matilda, May 9- 14, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Wish upon a Star: A Disney Review, May 11-12, Central Florida Community Arts at Northland Church, Orlando. 407-937-1800; cfcarts.com Taste of Soul - Soul Food Festival, May 13, Orlando Festival Park, Orlando. 407-907-8162; GoPartyLive.com The 3rd Annual Orlando Whiskey Festival, May 13, MercedesBenz of Orlando, Orlando. 407-680-0784; WhiskeyNBizz.com

RIDIn’ fEncEs Kristofer Geddie brings August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play Fences to life at the Venice Theatre in Venice, Fla. May 4-21. PHOTO COuRTESy OF vEnICE THEATRE

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, May 13, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com

Rock Painting Party, May 6, Punky’s Bar & Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com

John legend, May 13, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Mother’s Day at leu, May 14, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando. 407-246-2620; LeuGardens.org

Pinkalicious, May 6- 7, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com

The Casket Girls, May 16, Will’s Pub, Orlando. 407-748-8256; WillsPub.org

Open Arms Homeless Ministry, May 7, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Tampa. 727-512-1304; BalanceTampaBay.org

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, May 17, Metro Wellness, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

TAMPA BAy End of the Rainbow, April 28-June 4, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com The King and I, May 2- 7, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Cinco de Mayo Mexican-Themed Show with a Burlesque Twist, May 5, Flamingo Resort, St. Pete. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com Cinco de Mayo w/ DJ MSC, May 5, Honey Pot, Tampa. 813-247-4663; Facebook.com/ Honey-Pot Dirty Dancing, May 5-7, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

PFlAG May Meeting, May 8, St. David’s Episcopal Church, Lakeland. 202-467-8180; PFLAG.org Get To Know Metro, May 11, The Tampa Club, Tampa. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org Diversity Chamber Dinner, May 11, BellaBrava, St. Pete. 727-755-8390; DiversityTampaBay.org The Weekend, May 12, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com

sARAsOTA Fences, May 4-21, Venice Theatre, Venice. 941-488-1115, VeniceStage.com Beatsville, May 5-28, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Sarasota. 941-351-8000; AsoloRep.org Beneva Fruitville’s Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza, May 7, McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, Sarasota. 941-925-3869, McCurdysComedy.com The 8th Annual Harvey Milk Festival, May 11-13, Five Points Park, Sarasota. HarveyMilkFestival.org

Julianne and Derek Hough Move-Beyond-live, May 13, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Join the GLBT Center of Central Florida and the Harvey Milk Foundation as they present the Orlando 2017 Diversity Honors. These awards recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the pursuit of LGBTQ equality. Special guest Stuart Milk will be in attendance. For more information call 407-970-3277 or visit TheCenterOrlando.org.

Orlando Gay Chorus: “Happy Gays are Here again” saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.M. and sunday, May 14, 4:30 p.M. the plaza live, orlando The Orlando Gay Chorus is back with their spring concert, “Happy Gays Are Here Again.” The OGC wants to express their springtime joy through song, and since every style of music does that, they have decided to include them all. Expect to hear hits at The Plaza Live in spirituals, jazz, pop, classical, Broadway and more. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $10 for kids and students.

TAMPA BAy

Lake Maggiore Clean-up saturday, May 13, 9:00- 11:00 a.M. laKe Maggiore, st. petersBurg Every month Balance Tampa Bay gets together to perform a service for the community, and this month they are going to take out the trash. Join BTB at Lake Maggiore on Saturday morning to clean up trash and litter from the lake and park area. The more volunteers that join, the more trash that gets picked up, and the healthier and happier the environment will be. For more information on how you can help visit BalanceTampaBay.org.

saGe Table thursday, May 18, 6:00- 8:00 p.M. Metro health, Wellness & coMMunity, st. petersBurg SAGE Table is a special, one-day event that lets you share a meal with LGBTQ people and allies of different generations. Come build connections amongst LGBTQ people of all ages. Visit MetroTampaBay.org.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

celebrate the power and beauty of diversity

june 23 -25, 2017

www.stpetepride.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

#stpetepride

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

overheard

TAMPA BAy OuT+ABOuT

PRIvATE BEcknER REPORTInG fOR DuTy

any have Been curious as to the neXt Move of former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner since he termed out of his seat last year. Hillsborough’s first openly gay commissioner ran unsuccessfully to be the next Clerk of Courts and since then has remained silent on whether he would pursue another run at an elected position or head back into the private sector. Well, wonder no more. Beckner posted to his Facebook page April 20 that he has not one but two positions he will be filling: Executive Director of Hillsborough County’s Civil Service Agency and a position with human resource advisory and talent acquisition firm HR Trust. “While I know this announcement will disappoint many of you who expected and encouraged me to return to elected public office, my new roles will enable me to continue to serve and provide transformational leadership to both the public and private sectors of our community,” Beckner wrote. Congratulations and good luck in your new roles.

WhAT A WOnDERful nIGhT fOR A PRIDE nIGhT

he teMperature’s rising, the beach bodies are at the ready, there is no better way to spend an evening in the Bay area then outside celebrating your Pride. Watermark, along with American Stage, Equality Florida and Metro Wellness, headed out to Demen’s Landing April 30 for LGBTQ+ Pride Night in the Park. Hundreds brought blankets, coolers and a special someone to cuddle up to as American Stage put on the Broadway smash Hairspray, starring Tampa Bay’s own Scott & Patti duo of Matthew McGee and Scott Daniel, along with some of the nicest kids in town. They sung their crazy little hearts out under the stars and by the end you couldn’t stop the beat of everyone tapping their feet along. If you missed out, don’t you worry, Hairspray is playing through May 14. If you’re upset with yourself because you missed out on Pride Night, have no fear. The Tampa Bay Rays announced their next Pride Night at Tropicana Field and you have got plenty of time to get your tickets and swing on in; you know we’ll be there. The Rays host the 11th annual Pride Night June 9 against the Oakland Athletics. A $30 ticket gets you a seat in the lower box plus a TB Rays Pride tumbler. Last year’s Pride Night, which took place five days after the shooting at Pulse, was the team’s largest regular season crowd in a decade. Get out there and show your Pride!

2 3

farM fresh: Chef Jeffrey Jew (Center) joined the ladies of WLFA’s Daytime April 19 to whip up some farm-to-plate dishes with vegetables from Brick Street Farms in St. Petersburg. PHOTO

COuRTESy OF JEFFREy JEW

rocKstar: Transgender musician Jaimie Wilson performs at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg April 22.

PHOTO COuRTESy OF JAIMIE WIlSOn

douBle your pleasure: nikko Pabon (L) and nikko Panagos lean back at Hamburger Mary’s in Brandon April 30. PHOTO

COuRTESy OF nIKKO PABOn

hair hoppers: (L to R) Carla Douglass, Carla Corley and nicki urchin with Social Women in Motion (SWIM) can’t stop the beat as American Stage in the Park presents Hairspray at Demen’s Landing Park April 30. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA

rainBoW connection: (L-R) nadine Smith, Mark Puskarich, Karla Hartley, Kelly Flannery and Robby Allender are front and center for the Tampa Equality Connection at Stageworks Theatre in Tampa April 28. PHOTO COuRTESy OF MARK PuSKARICH

passionate people: (L-R) Channing Floyd, Don Kiceina Jr., Marc Retzlaff, Alvin Providence, Aron Alves-Tomko, Gabe Alves-Tomko and Jason Fields mask up for Pride & Passion at the Tampa Museum of Art April 29. PHOTO

COuRTESy OF JASOn FIElDS

all rapped up: (L-R) Okie Tilo, Debbie J Santoro, Big Sean and Carla vaughan get cozy at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa where Big Sean performed April 19. PHOTO COuRTESy OF OKIE TIlO

surprise selfie: Dolores lowe (L) and Jennifer Real making face-time at Karma Juice Bar & Eatery in St. Petersburg April 23. PHOTO COuRTESy

OF DOlORES lOWE

7 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

overheard

ORlAnDO OuT+ABOuT

sA-WOEs fOR sAvOy

n March 17, a laWsuit Was filed against Sister Wives Inc. (the new Savoy) which also named Savoy owners Patrick Razo, Brandon Lllewellyn and Chris Hannay. The complaint for breach of promissory note was filed by George Butler and Randall Lambright, original owners of Savoy for a breach of contract. In April of 2013, the three had an agreement to purchase Savoy for the sum of $210,700. According to the complaint, there is an unpaid and owed amount of $73,986.32 plus added late fees to the amount of $2,500 for late payments that weren’t received within the five-day period provided to submit a late payment. What makes the situation even stickier: In the fall of 2014 Chris Hannay very publicly parted ways with Patrick Razo and Brandon Llewellyn. According to Chris, he was no longer listed as an owner, but initially the contracts were signed as individuals and Sister Wives Inc. which explains why all three were named in the complaint. Since the new ownership and the parting of Chris Hannay, several changes came to the Ivanhoe watering hole. The liquor store closed, where Mojo Man’s second location moved in. What was the Tattoo Lounge, was later rebranded as the Locker room, now is the Ivanhoe Craft bar which also houses remnants of the liquor store. Savoy added a dance floor and stage, removed the carpeting and made the interior non-smoking; they renamed the outdoor patio after Paradise Patio. But in the recent months, there have been rumors of trouble, especially with the fundraiser held on Jan. 16 raised a lot of eyebrows. The “Savoy under construction” fundraiser was listed as a fundraiser for our (Savoy’s) future. Savoy had just celebrated their fourth anniversary on April 7. Since the complaint was filed, the party involved had 20 days from March 17 to file a written response.

TAkE IT Ash IT Is

n a recent BUNGALOWER post, it was noted that FMI’s ASH restaurant space was available for rent. According to owner Eddie Nickell, the sandwich joint will be moving to a new location soon which will hopefully be bigger. Eddie said he was looking to add a full-liquor lounge and have access to more parking. The space is available for rent for $3900 per month with a leasing term of 48 months. In a previous Overheard, we wrote how Ashley Nickell (of Hell’s Kitchen fame) was no longer affiliated with ASH, despite the restaurant being named for her. She will be at the Parliament House’s Rainbow Café through the fall before moving to NYC. A few sources in the restaurant field have dished the tea, saying that not only is the space for rent, but FMI was also offering the equipment and furniture. We called ASH to speak to Eddie Nickell for a statement but did not get a response.

THEBEARSInTHECITy.COM

PHOTO COuRTESy OF BRIAn BECnEl

Queens court: (L-R), Alexis Michelle, Cynthia lee Fontaine, Peppermint and valentina hold court at Parliament House for the annual White Party April 22. PHOTO By

PHOTO COuRTESy OF JEFF BRAnCH

DARCEl STEvEnS

endor-ance: Denna Beena is all Ewok’d up for the Star Wars: The Dark Side 5K at Disney’s Epcot April 21. PHOTO COuRTESy OF DEnnA BEEnA

hanging out: Mitchell Mcnelly got hung up for Spooky Empire Retro at the Wyndham Orlando Resort April 23. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA

feel the Bern-adette: Brian Becnel (L) and Kevin Kriegel settle in for Broadway legend Bernadette Peters at the Dr. Phillips Center April 21.

century of care: (L-R) Anna vishkaee Eskamani, Jeff Branch and Ida vishkaee Eskaman bathe in pink at Planned Parenthood’s Generations Gala at the Heaven Event Venue in Orlando April 29.

good cause eating: Manager Rick Ortega (L) and Darcel Stevens welcome guests eating for Dining Out For Life at the Outback Steakhouse in the Lee Vista Promenade April 27. PHOTO By

MiMosa Men: (L-R) luciano voltolini, Brandon Bracale-llewellyn, Giovanni Monte Cunha, Ed Jose Jr. and David Mondragon mingle at SAVOY’s Brunch with the Boys April 30. PHOTO COuRTESy OF luCIAnO vOlTOlInI

faMily fun: Family Equality Council’s Tatiana Quiroga (L) and wife Jen West celebrate Jen’s birthday and Dapper Day at the Magic Kingdom with their two boys lukas and Gabriel April 29. PHOTO COuRTESy OF TATIAnA QuIROGA

8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

announcements

WEDDInG BElls

eddie Cooper and John Ryan from Orlando, FL

years TOgeTHer:

More than 10 years

engagemenT daTe:

December 8, 2011

wedding daTe:

April 15, 2017

wedding venue:

The Abbey

wedding caTerer:

Cocktails Catering

wedding planner:

The couple

wedding cOlOrs:

Purple, gold, silver and black

Our sOng:

“Make You Feel My Love” originally by Bob Dylan and recently covered by Adele

inTeresTing facT:

The couple decided to make their wedding a performance piece full of songs. They had some of Orlando’s top singers and musicians perform. Local leading lady Peg O’Keef was their officiant.

“i

PHOTOS COuRTESy COOPER AnD RyAn

t Was the Most perfect

night ever,” Eddie says about their wedding. “Everybody had so much fun, and they laughed and they cried. Literally, every single person came up and said it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to.”

Eddie Cooper, who is a realtor for Mainframe Real Estate and the general manager of The Eo Inn, and John Ryan, who is a stage manager at Universal Orlando and a playwright, have been together for more than 10 years. They met during Christmastime at the then-Peacock Room during a monthly local performance night. John was performing at the event a spoof from Cabaret where he was dressed as one of Santa’s elves. Eddie was at the event to support the host Miss Sammy, who he is good friends with. They ended up talking that evening, and the rest was history. “I think we progressed a lot faster than any one of us anticipated. It just seemed like the right thing, even though neither one of us was looking

for a serious relationship at that moment. We ended up moving in together within six months, which seemed like a crazy idea at the time,” John says. John says that their relationship grew slowly and organically to the point where they basically felt married already after being together for so many years, despite being able to be legally married not being an option just yet. “We literally both laughed when I got on one knee because we both already knew we were going to get married, so it wasn’t necessarily a surprise,” Eddie says about his proposal in December 2011. When they finally decided to start planning their wedding, which was after same-sex marriage became legal in all 50 states, they made sure they were going to do it right and

make it the big production and memorable evening they both wanted. “I wrote the ceremony as if it was a musical telling the story of our lives together,” John says. “Our officiant was a local actress, so she was able to deliver that with the flair we were expecting. Our friends sang songs and sort of commented on our own story and relationship.” Eddie was in charge of the other elements of the wedding that brought everything together, but, overall, the couple planned their entire wedding out together. When the day came, neither was nervous but very excited to share the special day with their loved ones. They closed the wedding ceremony with a sing-a-long, where they passed out sheet music to “The Best of Times” by Jerry Herman from the musical La Cage Aux Folles. John says it was one of his favorite moments of the wedding where there was just “love and happiness bouncing all around the walls of The Abbey.”

lOcal BirTHdays

Tampa Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumbtree (May 4); senior campaign representative for Beyond Coal with the Sierra Club Susannah Randolph (May 5); Orange County officer lance Colford, Flamingo Resort entertainment director Jon Jusino (May 6); Trinity Charities program coordinator Bruce Fournier, OneOrlando Alliance’s Sherri Absher, Wet Nurse drummer vanessa Brewster (May 7); DJ extraordinaire Scott Robert (May 9); St. Petersburg gender therapist and trans hero Tristan Byrnes, Woodstock at Full Moon owner Darryl Sheppard, former USF executive administrative assistant Eric Anderson, former Tampa Bay bear John Burchett (May 10); Tampa softball player and massage therapist Alexis Acevedo, Pasco County Democratic chairwoman, techy and straight ally Alison Berke Morano, Tampa political hob-nobber Scott J. Allen, former-Tampa personal trainer Jeff Giles (May 11); Lutz real estate agent Kenny Braverman (May 12); Pulse Orlando legend Cindy Barbalock, Tampa Bay super volunteer Jeremy Wade neiman, Sarasota personal trainer, coach and medical specialist Dr. Sporty Damon Paul Harper (May 13); Suncoast Softball League player and school teacher Bob Tencza, genius Orlando artist Christie Miga, Largo media publisher Jeff youngblood (May 14); Hillsborough Kids advocate Malachi Ortiz, Stylist and Q Salon owner Sameer nurani, Orlando entertainer Craig Raymo, straight ally and Friday night host Alex Copeland (May 15); St. Pete ROTC leader Frank Hay, adorable Tampa cub and artist Ric Moreir, Bradenton-based Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project honcho Garry Breul (May 16); Orlando muscle bear and trainer Migael Schieder, Sarasota photographer and artist Ming “Troy” Ming, Orlando Ballet d ancer Alberto Blanco Perez, Orlando husband to the stars, or just the great man married to the editor of Watermark, Tony Mauss (May 17).

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.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

uPRIsInGs

hARDER ThAn hE ThOuGhT

you sold people on huge expectations and lies, but all you’ve managed to do in 100 days is invite a bunch of rich wankers to town and deliver a dangerous, poorly executed shit sandwich. you’re basically the presidential Fyre Festival. —saMantha Bee at the “not the White house correspondents’ dinner.”

TRuMP lOsEs On hEAlTh cuTs

roving once again that aMerica is not (Quite) a dictatorship, the president lost his battle against a bipartisan attempt to keep the government from shutting down (oh, no; this again). According to The Hill, Trump was seeking to cut funding for the National Institutes for Health by 1.2 billion, which would make a severe dent in research presently being conducted to cure serious diseases. In true form, Trump is the only one who wants to rip the Band-Aid off a system that’s been working. In odd form, Congress is bucking back against him, raising the budget by $2 billion to a total $34.1 billion over the next five months. “We got rid of most of the draconian budget cuts proposed by President Trump, like the NIH, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., told Huffington Post. “You can’t turn scientific research on health care on and off. You either continue it or you don’t.”

ThE DEvIl yOu knOW

peaKing of health and the lacK thereof, the president has nabbed yet another miscreant for his cabinet of horrors hidden in plain view. This time, it’s Charmaine Yoest, who is slated to become the assistant secretary of public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House announced last week. This is bad news for women, even if Yoest is of that gender. Yoest is a noted pro-lifer, the former head of anti-abortion group Americans United for Life – which brought you the blanket of hate-filled, anti-woman bills clogging your legislatures’ pipelines – and, as if we needed more reasons to be frightened, she worked the communications for the Family Research Council. She’s also a friend of Huckabee. Expect attacks on STI testing, abortion, Planned Parenthood and everything helping the sometimes helpless. She falls right in line with Trump’s current plan to allow states to deny Planned Parenthood funding, Mother Jones reports.

Guns In cOuRT

f there’s Been any standout for “least likely to be liked” in the current Florida Legislature, it’s state Sen. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, a man who has put forth such brilliant ideas as sealing criminal records and, well, if there’s a gun in it, Steube is in it. This session Steube has been pushing a bill that would allow people to bring guns to courthouses, because most people in courthouses – let’s be honest – are there because of guns or drugs, so it makes perfect sense. SB 616 would require that said firearms be protected in a “safe place,” but political erosion is funny like that. The safe place will likely be your pocket, soon. America! What’s most peculiar about SB616, however, isn’t it’s illogical posturing, but the process by which it has been allowed to skip committee hearings in the House – there was no companion bill in the House – and escorted straight to the House floor. As of press time, we don’t know the outcome of that vote, but are we even pretending to have a governmental infrastructure anymore?

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Billy Manes

e’ve all Been in over our heads Before. All the vocational training you can crack two credit cards at will still never ensure that somebody at your new job is not going to roll their eyes at you, call you stupid behind your back and talk to management about your mistakes, even – if not especially – in your first 100 days. There’s acclimation to be had, names to be remembered, systems and files, the whole rhythm of the gossip train as it runs to the water cooler. That, in part, is why most U.S. Presidents dip their toes in the water in the field – you start as an organizer, you become a state representative, you rise to a governorship or a U.S. Senate seat, you learn the ropes by actually walking across them. And so it is that we heard this statement from our commander in chief in an interview with Reuters reporters; this little bit of humility that is, perhaps in the larger scheme of a public relations nightmare, supposed to make the idiot base that elected a television narcissist to the highest office in the nation and the world feel empathy. This bit of poetry was brought to you by President Donald J. Trump, he of the gold faucets and the fake tan. “I loved my previous life. I had so many things going. This is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier,” Trump reportedly said. Was the Civil War easy – don’t even get us started on Trump’s misunderstanding of that “negotiable” conflict? Was the New Deal easy? Is war easy? Was the Cuban Missile Crisis easy? Was the boom and burst and crash of the economic bubble easy? Was reviving confidence and, dare we say “hope,” easy? No, but buying a building with your name emblazoned across it apparently is. Going to Mar-a-Lago for some mom-pants golf is kind of nice. Running a television show with yesterday’s celebrities scripted into acrimony all in the name of capitalism, well that’s a piece of cake. But being president? Not so much. Trump dug his hole even deeper during his interview with John Dickerson on CBS’ Face the Nation on Day 100 of his slow governmental torture. “Well, I think the big difference is, for what we’re doing here, Washington, you really need heart, because you’re talking about a lot of people. Whereas business, you don’t need so much heart. You want to make a good deal,” he said. “One of the worries about a presidency is that everybody tells you yes. Nobody helps you figure out where your blind spots are.” Trump’s blind spots have been numerous – from the appointment of a rag-tag cabinet beholden to corporate and religious interests to, well, just not being there because the golf course was calling. He’s also, through his glazed over eyes now on tour for the 2020 election while the world crumbles, turned political cynicism into an epidemic. They’re all the same, your parents say? Well, this one’s worse. It’s hard being an American citizen – harder than we thought.

May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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May 4 - M ay 17, 2017 // Issue 24 .0 9

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