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CeLebrate LGBTQ Pride Month wiTH the
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Patrick Martinez (b. 1980), American Memorial, 2016, Ceramic, acrylic, and stucco on panel, Collection of Dr. David Rosenberg and Dr. Jessica Lattman, Image courtesy of the artist and Charlie James Gallery
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departments 6 // mail
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7 // editors desk 8 // orlando news 11 // tampa bay news
I knew where every light switch was. every socket. The wallpaper color, the pictures. I knew everything in the whole building. What happened was someone came into my living room and shot my family.
—ron leGler on how he Felt when he heard about the shootinG at Pulse on June 12, 2016.
15 // state news 16 // nation & world news 25 // talking points 49 // community calendar 52 // tampa bay out+about 55 // orlando out+about 56 // tampa bay marketplace 57 // wedding bells announcements 58 // orlando marketplace
on tHe cover
PAGE
45 PAGE ONE YEAR LATER:
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One year after the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, we look back on the home that was Pulse.
scan Qr code For
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Fortunate soul:
Comedian Fortune Feimster looks to make em laugh at LkldLive in Lakeland for Polk Pride June 16.
watermark i ssue 24 .11 // J une 1 - J une 14 , 2017
aiming soutH
tHree’s company
tHe good FigHt
never Forget
PAGE Organizers want confederate statue removed from Lake Eola Park in time for June 12 Pulse events.
PAGE Polk Pride is going into its third year hoping to make this one the biggest yet in the town of Lakeland.
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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
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HRC president Chad Griffin looks beyond the memorials on the one year mark of the Pulse shooting.
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One year later, we must still remember to say their names and we must always remember their faces.
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give us a fOllOW On tWitter and instagram at @WatermarkOnline and Be sure tO like us On faceBOOk. watermark Your LGBTQ life.
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“Thank God someone’s doing it, but it’s a horrible shame that the only people willing to are those who have no other political morals. Using protections to get us to vote for them so that they can take our health, our money and our rights out the back door.” —Mylez Eward
ORLANDO UNITED DAY
Our thoughts and prayers remain strong for the families and friends of those who lost their lives on June 12, 2016 and for all who will be forever affected.
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
WatermarkOnline.com: Watermark’s On opponents of Facebook: former St. Pete mayor Rick Baker sounding off on his equality record:
“Rick Baker had real vision for the city. He improved business development, city parks, and relationships with the schools. He did much for Mid Town. He also started the pier process and brought us the new Dali museum. And yes, despite what has been said, he spent millions on the infrastructure (sewers included). We are the city we are now because of him. Kriseman isn’t a bad mayor, just not as good as Baker was, IMO. And yes, Rick Baker was the mayor during the development of the first PRIDE. No, he didn’t march or sign, but he also didn’t get in the way. That’s leadership. He didn’t work to stop something good and the people wanted, just because his religion doesn’t allow him to sign off on it. As Steve Kornell said, the LGBTQ community has come far and there are protections in place to make sure we invite and protect all in the city. I am not a single issue voter. Rick Baker was very good for St. Pete. He’s got my vote again.” —Bill Heyen
On Debbie Wasserman Schultz saying U.S. foreign policy must promote human rights:
“Thank God someone’s doing it, but it’s a horrible shame that the only people willing to are those who have no other political morals. Using protections to get us to vote for them so that they can take our health, our money and our rights out the back door. She is slimy trash, and where I am grateful for any assistance to having my rights acknowledged, I’m really frustrated, because I know it’s just to distract from all of the other dishonesty and BS!” —Mylez Edward
On the World OutGames sporting events abruptly being canceled:
“With less than 24 hours? This makes the USA, Florida and Miami look super bad and incompetent.” —Matt La Victoire
On Piers Morgan mocking a non-binary couple’s gender identity on air:
“Ignorance! Being ignorant isn’t itself a flaw or negative thing. It’s how you respond to your own
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ignorance that leaves you open to criticism and judgment. #FAIL” —Kevin Wood
On Central Florida blood bank turning to Pulse survivors in ad campaign:
“OneBlood treats their workers like shit and is mired in CEO pay scandals. It’s not a charity so much as it is con job.” — Hunter Lyon
On Fire Island star Patrick McDonald dishing on his housemates:
“More reality television showing human behavior at its worst.” —Scott A Kaufelds
On Jim Parsons marrying longtime partner Todd Spiewak:
“Bazinga!!! YAY!!!”
—Christine Fedouchik Portera
On two scholarships, one to a male student and one to a female student, being awarded at Edgewater High School to honor Pulse victim Cory Connell:
“How about just two students regardless of gender?” —Vanessa Brewster
editor’s
Billy Manes EDITOR
BIlly@WatermarkOnline.com
F
Desk
or most of us, it’s been the
year of our discontent: a slack-jawed reckoning with a grief that stretches city and countywide, a mourning that, for 12 months, confounded and consumed the entire world.
Even the uncomfortable cultural things that swarm in after the bomb drops – helicopters and newscasters and national media hovering around each tear we’ve been able to drop, each one of those drying our wells of stamina and breaking our private slouches – have served as difficult oil clouding our water. But never once have they cracked our resolve. Orlando strong? Yes. Orlando hurt? More than you can even imagine. Nobody likes anniversaries in the stages of grieving. It means, in part, that we’re just that one year further distanced from someone – or many – we loved. Likewise, few are happy to recount the terror that brought that grief into their lives, to feel it
watermark staff
all over again. (“Pretend you have a remote control in your hand every time it comes up,” my therapist has told me more than once. “Then press fast-forward.”) Wallowing would have gotten us nowhere in the wake of the Pulse massacre in the early hours of June 12, 2016. Friends, though – the same kinds of friends, or even acquaintances – that carried the injured out of the club and into the hospital down a crowded thoroughfare, they are indispensable mirrors, reflections reminding us who we are inside. We care about each other. Orlando has numerous friends, we came to know over the year – within and without. For
a city that seems to look down at sidewalks as it passes its fellow residents by, a city often distracted by the mundane machinations of commutes and financial concerns, Orlando has achieved the remarkable feat of pulling those seeming seams into a pastiche of kindness. In some ways, it reminds me of watching neighbors bringing out the chainsaws to help neighbors move trees after the hurricanes more than a decade ago. Who are these people? Why have we never even said hello before? We should talk more often. After June 12, thousands lined up to donate blood for the 49 dead and the 53 injured in that nightclub nightmare, not because standing in the sun on a hot summer day is an act to be applauded, but because they knew that, in times like these, the masses are needed. This was no time to hide behind your couch cushions and cry at the television broadcasts. This was a time of people connecting – arm and arm, blood to blood – in the manner that societies do when tragedy strikes. Also, our local society changed in a big way. Previously muted voices from the LatinX community – the shooting did, after all, happen on Latin Night at Pulse – have demanded and received their seats at the imaginary LGBTQ table of political and social direction. And together, we’ve adjusted our spines and our combined awareness to better serve those around us. Alliances have been formed, ideas exchanged, pressure exponentially increased and purpose – ah, purpose – it has never been stronger in our community. From each candle-lit memorial, to each survivor changing hearts and minds in government houses and television boxes, the response to Pulse has been impactful, beautiful and life changing. Yes, we may look over our shoulders more often, but we also know that, more than likely, that glance will show an ally who, upon personal re-examination, has become a quiet activist. It’s not
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
OK to hate the LGBTQ community anymore. It’s not OK to hate the LatinX community anymore. It’s not OK to hate. We present to you this issue as a memorial to these minutes, these moments, this year – all of which have brought us new understanding. In these pages, you’ll find the history of Pulse along with the historic preservation of items – some just stuffed animals left out in the rain, some stained by tears and the wax of candles – left to remind us, to remind them, of how we are all individuals who need to be recognized and remembered with dignity. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer,
Yes, we may look over our shoulders more often, but we also know that, more than likely, that glance will show an ally who, upon personal re-examination, has become a quiet activist.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and national Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin all chime in with their thoughts on moving forward herein. Our long emotional winter may take some of its discontent with its temperatures, but we’ll keep fighting for equality no matter what – not only for the 49, but for the rest of us who think we need better years and less violence. We hope you’ll enjoy our proverbial yearbook. And we hope you’ll reflect as we’re reflecting, and then advance into our next chapter along with us. We’re still here.
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
contributors teresa Jacobs Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, a Republican, was sworn into office in 2011. She has progressed on her LGBTQ stance since, eventually becoming an ally. Page19
Buddy Dyer Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has overseen some of the strongest changes in Orlando’s equality policies and has worked closely with the community to ensure safety Page 21
Alma Hill Alma J. Hill is a writer, an actress, a mother and a jack of all trades. Hill has recently started contributing to Watermark. Page 27,33
Aaron Alper, Scottie Campbell, Susan Clary, Krista DiTucci, Kirk Hartlage, Joseph Kissel, Jason Leclerc, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, , Michael wanzie
photography Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Bruce Hardin, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift, Tinkerfluff
distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Lisa Jordan, Jill Bates, Ken Carraway CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.
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central florida news
Police Chief John Mina
aFter pulse massacre, police training needs cHanges Wire Report
A
s a law enforcement foundation reviews how the Orlando Police Department responded to a 2016 mass shooting at a gay nightclub, the organization’s staffers say in a paper that police training and protocols may need to change. They suggest that regular patrol officers should be trained in how to respond to a terrorist attack or a hostage situation. The paper was published earlier this month by three staffers of the Police Foundation in the CTC Sentinel, a publication of the Combatting Terrorism Center at West Point. Both situations usually are handled by highly-trained SWAT team members, but the paper says patrol officers are usually the first to get to a scene. “Routine patrol work places officers in neighborhoods where terrorists hide, plan, and attack, giving them the opportunity to gather critical intelligence as well as to identify potential threats,” the paper says. The foundation is reviewing the Orlando police response, but it hasn’t yet issued a report. The paper is separate from the group’s review. The paper uses the nightclub massacre, as well as an attack in San Bernardino, California, as examples. The paper acknowledged some second-guessing in the media about why Orlando police officers didn’t take out gunman Omar Mateen sooner in the Pulse nightclub mass shooting on June 12, 2016. Forty-nine people were killed and dozens more were injured in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Mateen was killed in a shootout with officers after a three-hour standoff. “It should be stressed, however, that the police responding to the attack followed protocols and best practice for hostage situations,” said the paper, noting that people can debate about whether those protocols need to change. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Orlando Police Department said the agency’s policies and procedures are constantly being updated. The statement also said the agency would adjust its policies and training as needed once the foundation’s review was finished.
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rebel yell: Confederate statue to head toward cemetery.
PHOTO By BIlly MAnES
Aiming south Organizers want confederate statue removed from Lake Eola Park in time for June 12 Pulse events; will likely have to wait Billy Manes
h
e may go by the name “Johnny Reb,” but the statue that has become one of Orlando’s more recent persons of interest – and controversy – isn’t representative of one man or woman, but rather the Confederate soldiers of Orlando. The issue of the statue’s placement in the main thoroughfare around Lake Eola has raised hackles among progressives, the black community and the LGBTQ community in recent weeks due to a number of reasons, the least of which being its nomenclature. “After last year’s Pulse massacre, local officials stood up against hatred and saluted diversity,” activist David Porter says in a YouTube video. A May 15 spectacle both inside and outside of Orlando City Hall brought with it some heightened tensions and some traffic-waving of Confederate flags yelling at passersby. The intersection with the LGBTQ community may not be so immediate, says Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “I wasn’t terribly thrilled with David Porter making that connection
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and wanting it removed before June 12,” she says (Mayor Buddy Dyer has asked that the statue be relocated to Greenwood Cemetery). She does, however, admit that in its current location, the “Johnny Reb” statue is a problem. But the statue, commissioned in 1911 by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy – which is presently referred to as a “neo-Confederate” hate group – puts a pall on the celebration of Orlando’s Day of Unity meant to honor those killed at Pulse one year later. “I’m glad that we’re moving it,” Sheehan says. “But I’m distressed that there may be some violence.” After the May 15 meeting, she says that a man approached Dyer and that the police had to be brought in to prevent a dangerous situation for escalating. “I was in the room when they spoke, and there was no wondering what it was about,” she says. “I actually asked somebody to watch my house, because I was frightened. … The problem now for us who are planning the event on June 12 is that there has been lots of traffic on Facebook. Everybody’s been traumatized enough, we don’t need
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this slapping in the breeze.” Robin Harris, who is connected with local progressive group Organize Now and is a self-professed “intersectional activist,” says that the connections between oppressed groups are more important now than ever. “If our city is serious about being united and serious about being a safe place and a sanctuary, the removal of a statue that represents years and years of hate, years and years of bigotry, is good,” she says. “For me, as an African-American lesbian woman, the statue symbolizes that, “We don’t want you here, and ultimately we want you dead.’” As for the practicalities of relocating the statue on short enough notice to precede the Lake Eola Pulse memorial, Greenwood Cemetery sexton Don Price doesn’t see the time window as being feasible. Price says the statue will likely find its final resting place among the cemetery’s Confederate soldier section – which only has approximately 37 people buried within it. The cemetery wasn’t founded until 15 years after the war. “Cemeteries are a non-judgmental entity. We have doctors next to criminals, blacks next to whites, Jews next to Catholics, gays next to straights.” Still, expect extra sets of eyes – and wings – just in case something should occur on June 12. “We had planned on having the Angels there anyway. Maybe that ends up what we use the Angels for,” Sheehan says. “This is not a free speech issue; this is about people inciting violence. The Orlando Police Department will have a very vigorous detail.”
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tampa bay news
TransPride March joins St. Pete Pride Staff Report POLK PRIDE YOUTH: A
Lakeland girl writes a message of love on a stone at Polk Pride’s 2016 festival in Munn Park. Photo by Jeremy Williams
Three’s Company Polk Pride looks to make its third year the biggest one yet Jeremy Williams
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AKELAND | Nestled on the I-4 corridor between Orlando and Tampa, many visitors don’t realize that Lakeland has quite an LGBTQ presence in Polk County. “That was never more evident than that first year we held Polk Pride in 2015,” Dustin Shay, a Polk Pride executive committee member, says. “We were thinking we would have like 200 people and it ended up being 3,000. It was great. The following year Pride in 2016 we ended up having around 5,000, so this year we are really hoping to blow it out since we have gotten a little bit more exposure.” Lakeland isn’t the largest city in the Tampa Bay or Central Florida area but, like many towns in and around these areas that hold annual Pride celebrations—like Bradenton, Sarasota and Kissimmee (who held their first Pride this year)—that is all the more reason why Pride should be celebrated there. “It helps to build and show a sense of community,” Shay says. “I think our goal in putting this together initially back in 2015 was to give the local community a Pride event for everyone— all ages, all backgrounds—and an opportunity to be entertained. Also, just to be able to
bring everyone together, we wanted to stop people from thinking they had to go to Tampa and Orlando to find their Pride and community.” Polk Pride is an event of the Lakeland Youth Alliance (LYA). The whole idea rose from the partnership between LYA and PFLAG of Polk County who wanted to encourage the LGBTQ youth to find a home amongst their local LGBTQ population. Polk Pride grew, and continues to grow, from that idea. It’s this idea that has caused Polk Pride to kick off each Pride year with an event geared toward the youth, and this year is no exception. “Polk Pride starts with our Pride for Youth event and it’s for ages 13-20,” Shay says. “It’s a safe space where the youth of the LGBTQ community can celebrate Pride week. That night we are having a local artist come in, who will be donating his time to the youth, and the kids will be able to create their own artwork which will then be displayed and sold at Pride in the Park to raise money which will go directly back to the LYA. They can paint anything they want to— rainbow flags, themselves, unicorns; it doesn’t matter.” Pride for Youth is June 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Lakeland’s St. David’s Episcopal Church. Polk Pride continues the following night with
a faith-based event from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Beacon Hill Fellowship in Lakeland. “Pride in Faith is all the LGBTQ and LGBTQ-affirming faith organizations in Polk County and they will be having an inter-faith worship service. The event is open to any and everyone who wants to come out and celebrate regardless of religious affiliation or belief. The service will be overseen by representatives from five separate faith organizations June 15,” Shay says. Standup comedian Fortune Feimster (you can read Watermark’s one-on-one interview with Feimster on page 45) takes the stage June 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the LkldLive in Lakeland. Saturday is the big day. Pride in the Park will be June 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Munn Park in Lakeland. “We don’t have a parade but we have a terrific festival which is going to be a lot of fun,” Shay says. The festival will feature 55 vendors, four food trucks and an entertainment stage with various forms of performances including a Pride-themed drag show hosted by drag queen Kathryn Nevets, local singers and performers, interactive performances and maybe even a few surprises. “The evening concludes with Pride After Dark later that night from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at LkldLive,” Shay says. “That is Polk Pride’s official closing party and it is essentially a club night. We will have cocktails, drag, dancing—all kinds of fun stuff going on that night.” For more information on Polk Pride events and organizations, visit PolkPrideFL.com.
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S
T. PETERSBURG | St. Pete Pride is making history again. Not only is it the largest LGBTQ Pride celebration in the state of Florida, but it is about to become the first Pride in the state to hold a TransPride March in conjunction with their annual parade. The TransPride March will kick off St. Pete Pride’s parade and will consist of members of the transgender, gender-non-conforming, queer communities, their families, friends, allies and supporters. “Somewhere along the way, in the fight for acceptance and equality, our movement allowed the rights of trans individuals to be pushed to be back of the line. Pride celebrations all over the nation accepted, and often embraced, the term ‘Gay Pride,’ even though it was those within the trans community who helped begin the Pride movement. We could very well not be celebrating Pride today if it weren’t for the Trans community,” executive director of St. Pete Pride Eric Skains said in a press release. “Pride month began with trans people, and the issues facing the trans community and the progress made, need to be recognized at every Pride.” St. Pete Pride’s TransPride March is sponsored by Equality Florida, the state’s the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community, and its transgender inclusion initiative, TransAction Florida. “TransAction Florida is so proud to sponsor this historic march recognizing the entire spectrum of the transgender community. It is time that all identities feel safe to step forward out of the shadows and demand that the world see us as we see ourselves. We call on all Floridians to join us at this historic event,” Gina Duncan, director of Transgender Equality, Equality Florida said in the press release. The TransPride March takes place June 24 ahead of the St. Pete Pride parade in downtown St. Petersburg. Participants in the TransPride March will walk starting from Albert Whitted Park, the location where the St. Pete Pride parade will end, to Vinoy Park, the parade’s starting point, so that marchers for TransPride can still participate in the St. Pete Pride parade. There is no cost to march in TransPride but walkers are asked to register at Tickets.StPetePride.com/e/5/ 2017-st-pete-pride-trans-march?ref=StPetePride. The first 500 people to register will be given a TransPride t-shirt and transgender pride flag. Nathan Bruemmer is a board member for both St. Pete Pride and Equlaity Florida’s TransAction. “I am thrilled to be part of a Pride festival that recognizes the importance of intentionally celebrating the transgender community,” Bruemmer said in the statement. “Elevating the voices of the trans community and celebrating pride in all our unique identities and stories within the LGBT is an amazing and beautiful thing.”
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What is TRUVADA for PrEP? TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. 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 TRUVADA for PrEP?
Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: u You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA 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 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: u You must continue to use 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: • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. u To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. 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.
|Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: u 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. u Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection. |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. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. u Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. u Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: 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, or stomach-area pain. u Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (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 can cause serious side effects: u Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved
to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.
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.
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. u If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV 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, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. 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.
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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
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IMPORTANT FACTS
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (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.
(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. 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: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. • You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • 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: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get 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.
ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider 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 certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.
HOW TO TAKE 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. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices. • Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP 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. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. • Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: 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, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (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.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • 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-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk. 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.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. • Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection. • Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo 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 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0093 05/17
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state news
outgames cancelled, Fraud probe launcHed Wire Report
M
iaMi beach | Prosecutors in Florida have opened up a fraud investigation into a gay-themed sporting and cultural event after it was cancelled amid financial problems. Most of the World OutGames’ sporting events, as well as opening and closing ceremonies, were canceled on Friday, just 24 hours before they were scheduled to start. Later that day, the Miami Beach Police and the State Attorney’s Office announced they were opening a fraud investigation “due to potential misappropriation of funds.” The Miami Herald reported Saturday that officials in Miami Beach, Florida were alarmed by the financial statements submitted by the OutGames. The documents showed a low amount of cash on hand despite fundraising commitments, according to officials. Miami Beach had waived municipal fees and provided
$200,000 in cash to sponsor the event. The city is now demanding an audit of OutGames’ books. OutGames organizers announced the cancellation on Friday as competitors from around the world were arriving in the Miami area for the games. “It is with deep regret that due to financial burdens, World OutGames must cancel its sports programming and Opening and Closing Ceremony with the exception of soccer, aquatics and country western dance,” reads a statement from the event’s board of directors. Organizers had estimated more than 2,000 athletes would be coming. Social events planned around the games were still scheduled to go on. Miami Beach officials on Saturday said they were doing their best to salvage some of the games. They arranged for a field hockey to be played at a municipal park and made arrangements for a basketball tournament to be held at a youth center. They also said they intended
to welcome athletes and their families at a reception at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. But some international competitors were upset with the last-minute cancellation notice by OutGames organizers. “This just displays bad management that has a serious financial impact on many people,” said Peter Clancy, a businessman from Belgium who going to compete in track and field and whose partner was due to run in the half-marathon. “Last-minute notice also shows a complete lack of respect for the participants and especially those of us traveling from other continents.” Rowen D’Souza said he spent about $3,000 traveling from Australia to play tennis in the games. “The communication has been poor from the start,’’ D’Souza said. “I suspect they knew there were problems but did nothing.” Ivan Cano, CEO of the OutGames, declined to comment beyond the statement from the board.
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
same-seX naples couple alleges discrimination by soutHwest Staff Report
M
arried couple Grant Morse and Sam Ballachino are publicly accusing Southwest Airlines of discrimination against their family on a flight bound from Buffalo, N.Y., to Ft. Lauderdale. On May 23, USA Today reported that the couple – along with their three young children and their grandmother – were forbidden “family” seating on the flight. “We are a family and we’re married, and these are our three kids,” Morse told the Southwest agent, according to the newspaper. “And that’s our 83-year-old mother that is helping us.” Regardless, the Southwest agent wouldn’t budge on the issue, though Southwest has stood firm in its stance on its policies on family boarding. In the end, the family was given four seats together at the back of the plane, according to reports, just one shy of seating the 83-year-old grandmother. “(The) gate agent clearly refuse(d) one of the parents the right to board,” Morse said in an email to the Naples Daily News. “All they’re trying to do is covering their rear for discrimination. It’s just infuriating me more.”
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nation+world news
in other news Republican Nevada governor signs ‘ex-gay’ therapy ban Republican governor of Nevada Brian Sandoval signed into law Senate Bill 201, making it illegal for any licensed medical or mental health care provider to provide conversion therapy to anyone under 18 years old May 17. The measure was approved in the Nevada Assembly earlier this month and in the Nevada Senate in April. Nevada joined D.C. and 10 states to ban conversion therapy for youth. The other states are California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, New York, New Mexico and Connecticut.
Denver man arrested after castrating transgender woman in her apartment Police say a Colorado man without a medical license has been arrested after he allegedly used an Army surgical kit to castrate a transgender woman at her Denver apartment. James Lowell Pennington, 57, removed the testicles and sutured the opening while the woman’s wife witnessed the 90-minute procedure. The wife called 911 about three hours later when blood poured from the incision. Pennington was arrested May 18 on suspicion of first degree assault causing serious bodily injury and is jailed without bond.
House committee unanimously approves Chechnya resolution The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a resolution May 25 that condemns the crackdown against gay Chechens. The resolution — which has 52 co-sponsors — passed in a unanimous voice vote. U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Eliot Engel, Ed Royce, David Cicilline, Chris Smith, Alan Lowenthal and Darrell Issa introduced it. Ros-Lehtinen said she is “pleased that the Foreign Affairs Committee has once again stood up to defend the freedom and human rights of those living under the shadow of oppression and tyranny in a broad bipartisan manner.” Chechnya is a semi-autonomous Russian republic in the North Caucuses. An independent Russian newspaper last month reported Chechen authorities had arrested more than 100 gay men since February.
Romanians celebrate LGBTQ Pride amid moves to limit rights One thousand people joined an LGBTQ Pride march in the Romanian capital of Bucharest May 20, demanding greater rights amid government moves they say will curtail their rights. Some 30 ambassadors expressed support for the march and for protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community and U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm was among those taking part. The LGBTQ Pride march, now in its 13th year in Romania, comes after lawmakers approved an initiative that could amend Romania’s constitution to explicitly state that marriage is a union between a man and woman. The wording now is a union between “spouses.” In a carnival atmosphere, participants carried rainbow flags and umbrellas and brought dogs and children as they walked down a tree-lined avenue.
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1 step forward, 2 steps back for LGBTQ rights in Asia first-ever ruling in favor of same-sex marriage in Asia. A public caning in Indonesia. A soldier convicted in South Korea. For LGBTQ rights, it was one step forward, two steps back in Asia, where traditional values often clash with modern views on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. The developments followed the arrest in Bangladesh of 27 men on suspicion of being gay, though police said they would be charged with drug possession since they were detained before they engaged in sex.
INDONESIA
Outside of Aceh, homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, but the country’s LGBTQ community has come under siege in the past year. Strident anti-gay comments from high-profile politicians and Islamic hard-liners have fanned prejudice. A case before the country’s top court seeks to criminalize gay sex, as well as sex outside marriage. The pressure looks set to increase. Police in West Java, the country’s most populous province, announced May 24 the creation of a task force to search for and monitor gyms and other locations that hold LGBTQ parties. The police chief urged communities to report such activity.
First came a police raid on a gay sauna and gym in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Then the public caning of a gay couple for consensual sex in Aceh, a remote Indonesian province that practices Shariah law. Police detained 141 men May 21 at a sauna in Jakarta and charged 10 with violating pornography laws. The raid followed the arrest last month of 14 men in Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya, at what police say was a sex party. Two days later, more than a thousand people packed a mosque courtyard May 23 to witness the caning. The crowd shouted insults and cheered as the men, aged 20 and 23, winced in pain while they were whipped 83 times across the back.
A Taiwan court ruling May 24 affirmed the right of same-sex couples to register their marriages, a first in Asia and one that will likely give encouragement to China’s burgeoning gay rights movement, given the cultural ties between the two countries. The Constitutional Court ruling also underscores the stark differences between self-governing Taiwan and China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway territory. Taiwan has evolved into a freewheeling democracy over the past three decades with a vibrant civil society, a high proportion of women in politics — including the current president — and broad acceptance of international cultural values.
Loud Chibbaro Jr. of The Washington Blade
David Bruinooge, the founder and one of 13 co-chairs of the march, said that a rally at the end of the march on the National Mall is being considered but remains uncertain because sufficient funds have yet to be raised to pay for the logistics of such a rally. The statement released by march organizers doesn’t say how much money has been raised so far or how much will be needed to carry out the march and a possible rally. Both D.C. police and the National Park Service were expected to approve permits for the march, which will involve street closings. The march is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 11, at the intersection of 17th and I streets., N.W., with participants assembling on I Street between 14th Street and
Wire Report
A
TAIWAN
China, in contrast, remains an authoritarian society where the Communist Party brooks no challenge to its strict control over political and social life.
SOUTH KOREA
A South Korean military court sentenced an army captain May 24 to a suspended prison term for having sex with a fellow male soldier. The case was one of several that came to light last month, triggering allegations by a watchdog that South Korea’s military was hunting down and prosecuting gay servicemen. South Korea’s army has denied that, saying it was conducting a criminal investigation of soldiers who posted a video on the internet of two male soldiers having sex earlier this year. LGBTQ people are harshly stigmatized and struggle to be politically visible in South Korea. A powerful Christian lobby immobilizes politicians seeking to pass anti-discrimination laws. The stigma is amplified in the military, where most able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve about two years as the country maintains a large force in the face of potential conflict with North Korea. Gay men are not exempt from conscription but are banned from engaging in homosexual activity while serving, leading them to keep their identity secret for fear of discrimination and reprisals.
Equality March to kick off near White House courtesy of the National Gay Media Association
T
he LGBT march on Washington scheduled for June 11, officially called the Equality March for Unity and Pride, will travel in front of the White House before heading south and ending on the National Mall. Organizers for the first time disclosed the route of the march and made an appeal for donations to help pay for what they say will be an historic demonstration for LGBT equality and diversity in a statement released to the Washington Blade.
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17th Street. The statement and map shows that the marchers will walk south on 17th Street and turn left on Pennsylvania Avenue, where they will walk past the White House before turning right on 15th Street and travel to Constitution Avenue. The map shows the march proceeding east on Constitution Avenue to 7th Street, N.W., where it will turn right and proceed onto the National Mall. At the time most march participants reach the Mall at 7th Street, D.C.’s annual Capital Pride Festival, which takes place a few blocks away on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd and 7th streets, will likely have begun. The festival is scheduled to begin at noon on June 11.
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Orange County Mayor
Teresa Jacobs
f i n d i n g
our pulse Words matter, actions matter more
U
ntil June 12, 2016,
although I knew of Pulse, I had not realized its significance within our community, the sense of home and family that it provided for so many in the LGBTQ community, or how it served as an anchor for others – especially our LGBTQ young people.
Pulse – a place of love and acceptance, where once our LGBTQ brothers and sisters gathered with laughter and joy. Pulse – a place named to honor the enduring spirit of one woman’s beloved brother, and Pulse – a place that was to become an instant shrine for 49 innocent victims who will forever live within our hearts. But in the early morning hours of June 12, I knew none of that. I knew only the shattering pain and the surreal disbelief we all felt. I knew from the start – literally on that morning – that this was a hate crime, occurring during Pride Month and aimed squarely at the LGBTQ community, as well as the Latinx and Hispanic communities. And above all, I knew that people would need help. I immediately joined the governor in declaring a state of emergency that allowed for expedited access to public safety resources, and deployed every Orange County emergency response capability we had to assist with Pulse. Just as quickly we focused on caring for each other, and with genuine unity – and as the world watched in awe – the Central Florida community came together. With stunning speed, volunteers overwhelmed the Pulse responders. From donating blood to providing comfort, everyone wanted to help. Without pause, faith
leaders of all denominations gathered to pray and mourn, from vigils in their houses of worship to their presence at an Orange County interfaith gathering and offering solace to individual families and survivors. Just as astonishing was the outpouring of tribute items, as mourners spontaneously transformed spaces at Pulse, Orlando Health, the Dr. Phillips Center Seneff Lawn, Lake Eola and beyond with heartfelt memorial items. From the 49 crosses to an American flag embroidered with 49 names, there was no distinction between color, creed, gender identity or age. As a community we mourned in solidarity with the LGBTQ community, with our Latinx and Hispanic brothers and sisters, and with people of all colors and faiths. No barriers to separate us – only the bond of humanity that united us all. By the end of that very long week we gathered at Lake Eola for a rally that will forever live in Central Florida history as the moment in time when we showed the world what it means to love unconditionally. When we declared that “enough is enough is enough,” and that no more would we tolerate judgment or discrimination. As we prepare to mark one year since the Pulse attack, I am buoyed by that unity – particularly when remembering days past. On June 12, 2017, we will remember the victims, embrace the families, and comfort the survivors. Through our actions and by publicly memorializing the catastrophic loss suffered by all those who loved the 49 innocent victims, as well as the broader LGBTQ, Latinx, Hispanic and Central Florida communities, we demonstrate how times have changed, how we have changed, and how we have grown as a community. When we again fly the historic Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag at the Orange County Administration Building, I will remember that one year ago, when I decided to fly Section 93 of “The Sacred Cloth” –
hand-sewn by the late, beloved Gilbert Baker – I fully expected some level of public outcry. In fact, just the opposite occurred. But for one citizen critic, the county stood in full support of this extremely public display of solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. In utter honesty, when
ground zero, in accepting and embracing the beautiful diversity of this special community we call home. I’ve done a fair share of reflecting on my past. My upbringing and the cultural and religious guideposts that formed my belief system. And here’s my takeaway:
Yet, as dark and devastating as June 12 was, my spirit continues to be lifted and inspired by the strength, the unity, the compassion and the love that poured forth from all parts of our community in the wake of this nightmare. Forever in my heart I will remember the 49 lost souls,
I look back, even 10 years ago I would never have imagined that we would fly a rainbow flag from the County Administration Building. But it’s in looking back that I feel such profound hope for the future – hope that we will forever mark the summer of 2016 as a turning point, our
Our words matter and our actions matter even more. We are each responsible for setting an example for future generations, and on a daily basis, for carrying forward the message of love and acceptance of all people. Nothing can ever erase the harm of the Pulse massacre.
and every year I will observe June 12 as Orlando United Day – an annual commemoration of unity with our LGBTQ, Latinx and Hispanic communities, as well as a reminder of our broader purpose on this earth and our mission as a community united in love and support.
It’s in looking back that I feel such profound hope for the future – hope that we will forever mark the summer of 2016 as a turning point, our ground zero, in accepting and embracing the beautiful diversity of this special community we call home.
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viewpoint
ORLANDO MAYOR
Buddy Dyer
f i n d i n g
our pulse We Are One Orlando
O
ne year aGo,
a deranged killer walked into the Pulse nightclub and targeted members of our LGBTQ community on Latin Night. When the horror was over, 49 of our friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, had been taken from us.
As our community reflects back on the past year, much is going to be made of reliving the tragedy, and retelling the stories of the victims and their families as we honor them. As I considered what to write for Watermark’s audience, I wanted to do something different. You don’t need to be reminded of the names of the victims and their stories; you carry them with you every day, along with the burden of being a member of a community that is the target of hate. It’s my sincere hope that our LGBTQ community is able to look back at the 12 months since the shootings, and find solace in the many acts of love, unity and kindness that were born out of the tragedy and the role our LGBTQ brothers and sisters have had in showing the world what it means to
truly love one another. In the days after Pulse, there were dozens of times where I was stopped in my tracks, witnessing the power of that kind of love. One instance in particular took place at the large-scale prayer service where pastors from different churches and denominations gathered with members of our LGBTQ community and members of the public who simply wanted to cry, to pray and to be together. In times of tragedy, we often turn to spiritual leaders for comfort and to better understand the events we’re dealing with. That night I witnessed something extraordinary. One of Orlando’s most highly-regarded pastors said he wasn’t sure how to handle that task because he had never been a part of a persecuted community, never felt the vulnerability that goes along with being an openly gay person in our society. He went further, telling the audience that he was searching his heart and asking himself if anything that he had done made him complicit in any way with what had happened. The pastor then asked a young LGBTQ leader to help him find that voice and that perspective. Over the course of the next few minutes, this young woman told the audience about the persistence of death in the gay community; from suicide, to AIDS to hate crimes. She talked about her own personal experience of looking into the faces of people who had been kicked out of their churches and their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. She finished her remarks with these powerful words: “Far too many in our community have never witnessed a sight like this, a church where they can come, be prayed over and not be forced to change
who they are or who they love. For some people this image that I’m staring at right now exists only in their dreams.” This graceful conversation between a religious leader who admittedly struggled with questions around
diversity, inclusion and equality, we still have work to do. More than anything, this conversation embodied what it means to be One Orlando… to be a city where the work of overcoming the challenges that confront us begins from a place of love, unity
equality and embrace diversity. We don’t just have the opportunity to do this. We now have the responsibility. We owe it to the victims of Pulse and their families. We owe it to ourselves. As the work continues in fulfilling this mission,
homosexuality and a young LGBTQ leader who had the courage to speak honestly to men and women of faith was both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It showed that even in a place like Orlando where we embrace
and respect. Over the last 12 months when I’ve spoken publicly about Pulse, I often borrow a line from another local pastor; that Orlando has been anointed to show the world how to combat hatred and evil, to promote
I know we will do so arm-in-arm with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.
Over the last 12 months when I’ve spoken publicly about Pulse, I often borrow a line from another local pastor; that Orlando has been anointed to show the world how to combat hatred and evil, to promote equality and embrace diversity.
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HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN PRESIDENT
Chad Griffin
tHe good FigHt Looking beyond the memorials
A
t the stroKe oF
noon on June 12, churches from Ecuador to Michigan will ring their bells 49 times in memory of the lives lost at Pulse Nightclub one year ago. This moment will honor the remarkable people taken that night – and mourn the lives that were tragically cut short.
Luis S. Vielma, 22, worked at Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter ride and was set to start Emergency Medical Technician training just weeks after the massacre. Brenda McCool, 49, beat cancer twice before losing her life as she danced with her son. Akyra Murphy, 18, a standout student athlete from West Catholic Preparatory High School, had just graduated high school the week before and planned to attend Mercyhurst College on a basketball scholarship. Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22, had recently begun attending the University of Central Florida and was killed alongside his boyfriend, Christopher Leinonen, 32. The couple had planned to marry. And there were 44 others -- each with a promising but unfulfilled story, and countless people who loved them left behind. For those of you who were close to the victims, it must feel like just yesterday that you were talking and laughing with the friends, neighbors and family members who were taken that night. And undoubtedly, you will see numerous ceremonies and events marking this anniversary. There will be news reports and memorials that will reopen the psychological wounds you have continued to endure long after the violence of that evening subsided. But much like a year ago, the world’s attention will soon dissipate, as it always does once the bright lights of media and mayhem dim. And while others more removed from this horrific act will have the luxury of mourning and moving on with their lives, I know that for many of you,
this pain will never go away. That’s why on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, my message to this community is that we are here for you each and every day – not just on this day. We will never forget them and we will never forget you. And we will keep fighting every single day to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The attack at Pulse demonstrated the deadly cost of hate. This was a massacre of LGBTQ people, most of them Latinx, who would likely be alive today if not for the hatred and bigotry that too many still hold toward our community. For many years now, LGBTQ people have been the most common victims of hate crimes in the United States – a trend that has, tragically, continued to grow over the past year. Recently, a same-sex couple was denied entrance to a Cincinnati pizzeria simply because they were holding hands. In New York, a gay couple was hit with a brick and called slurs, solely because of their sexuality. In the first six months of this year, at least 11 transgender people – many of them trans women of color – have been killed. And shockingly, in 2017, in 31 states it is still legal to refuse to serve a customer on the basis on who they are. After years of progress, our nation is being dragged backward. From rescinding critical guidance to schools regarding their obligation to transgender students to stopping progress on adding LGBTQ people to important data collection surveys, Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have cruelly and consistently targeted LGBTQ Americans. States are turning back the clock as well. In 2016 alone, we saw more than 200 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across 34 states. And now, with a clear green light to discriminate from the Trump Administration, anti-LGBTQ activists have proposed a wide range of legislation targeting transgender adults and youth, blocking their access
to appropriate restrooms and other public facilities, creating broad religious exemptions that permit individuals and businesses to discriminate, and overriding local LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections offered by municipal governments. The onslaught of these bills, combined
deadly weapons. The safety of LGBTQ people in the United States requires the adoption of common-sense gun safety measures, including limiting access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks, and limiting the ability for suspected terrorists, and those with a history of domestic
leaders to account. But we have a long fight ahead of us. We cannot only come together in the wake of tragedy. Every day, we have to muster the strength to fight with the same pride, courage and unity we saw after the tragedy at Pulse. So as church bells ring
with the dangerous rhetoric that lawmakers employ in soliciting support for them, has created a toxic environment for LGBTQ Americans, and given tacit license to the view that we are second-class citizens deserving of harassment, intimidation, and violence. As Pulse showed us, hateful rhetoric and laws can turn dangerous when coupled with unfettered access to
abuse to access guns. The LGBTQ community must be consistent and steadfast in our support of these reforms. That’s why it’s so important that as we approach one year after the tragedy at Pulse, we all commit to #HonorThemWithAction. HRC’s millions of grassroots advocates in cities coast to coast will keep fighting discriminatory laws, bridging divides, and holding elected
across the nation and the world, we must join hands, mourn the lives we lost that tragic night, and honor them by creating a future where no American will ever be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love.
We will never forget them and we will never forget you. And we will keep fighting every single day to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
Chad Griffin is president of the Human Rights Campaign
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talking points
AMSTERDAM
Graduates around the country deserve commencement speakers who inspire them to propel our diverse country forward, and these notre Dame students bravely told the world that Vice President Pence’s anti-LGBTQ actions fly in the face of unity and inspiration.
Was named
THE MOST FRIENDLY CITY IN THE WORLD
LGBTQ fOr
MILLENNIALS fOllOWed By
,
BUENOS AIRES and
SAN FRANCISCO. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST WERE BEIJING, MILAN AND LIMA. — NestPick.com
— south bend’s oPenly Gay Mayor Pete buttiGieG on More than 100 notre daMe Graduates walKinG out on v.P. MiKe Pence while he Gave his coMMenceMent sPeech.
aBc: MOdern FaMilY in, THe real O’neals OUt
A
bc recently Made the announceMent that the network of two of the most visible LGBTQ shows on TV— Modern Family and The Real O’Neal’s— would only be home to one of them come September. ABC renewed Modern Family for a ninth and 10th season. The series, which premiered in 2009, is ABC’s top-rated comedy and the second biggest comedy behind CBS’ sitcom phenomenon, The Big Bang Theory. Over its eight-season run, the show has won 22 Emmy awards and received 75 Emmy nominations. ABC canceled The Real O’Neals, a show that followed the seemingly perfect O’Neal family as they handled the aftermath of revealing secrets to each other including the middle child coming out as gay, after a two-season run. The show, which was loosely based on the life of LGBTQ activist Dan Savage, was ABC’s least-watched comedy.
french aids drama Wins grand prize at cannes film festival
1
20 BEATS PER MINUTE, a French aids draMa, won the Grand Prize from the jury at The Cannes Film Festival May 28. Directed by Robin Campillo, the movie centers on the activist group ACT UP in Paris in the 1990s during the AIDS crisis. The film’s docu-drama retelling of that painful period, combined with a burgeoning spirit of unity for the gay community, earned it some of the best reviews of the festival. The film is fictional but is based on real events. It tracks the activists through strategy meetings, protests meant to spur action by the government or drug companies, and their evening reveries on the dance floor.
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chelsea manning shares first phOtO pOst-prisOn release
c
helsea ManninG shared her First Photo since being released from prison on social media May 18. Manning, who was released from prison after serving nearly seven years of her 35-year sentence for leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, posted the photo on Instagram and Twitter. The 29-year-old captioned the photo, “Okay, so here I am everyone!!” The photo shows Manning wearing red lipstick and a black top. Documentary filmmaker Tim Travers Hawkins snapped the photo. Hawkins is shooting Manning for XY Chelsea, a documentary chronicling Manning’s adjustment to life after prison. The ACLU has said the photo is “the preferred image to use in stories about Chelsea moving forward for the time being.”
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renT annOunced as fOX’s neXt live musical
F
ox’s next live Production event will be the Tony-winning musical, Rent, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The rock musical, loosely based on the Italian opera La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, will be adapted for the small screen by executive producer Marc Platt (La La Land, Wicked) and the estate of the late Rent creator Jonathan Larson. Rent tells the story of a group of bohemian artists struggling to survive in New York City’s East Village during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Larson died right before the show premiered off-Broadway. The original production won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when it premiered on Broadway in 1996. Fox said the broadcast won’t be overly censored but will be appropriate for network television.
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in-depth: pulse One year later
WE’RE STiLL HERE
Looking back on a gay nightclub that almost wasn’t; looking forward after a massacre
cOntinued On pg. 29 | uu |
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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| uu | Pulse One Year later frOm pg.27
remembering what it was,” Maini says. “When I think of Pulse, I think of what it was, what it meant for me and for all the people who went there.” In the nearly thirteen years that Pulse was operational, thousands of people visited. It was the kind of space that left an impression on every visitor— gay, straight or otherwise. There are none who were so touched by the legacy of Pulse more than owners Barbara Poma and Ron Legler. The pair met through Poma’s husband, Rosario, and quickly became inseparable. “I was her ‘gusband’ for years,” Legler says of their friendship. He became a frequent presence in their home as a result. Eventually, after many Sunday dinners and impromptu movie nights, the idea of opening up a new gay bar became a regular topic of discussion among the couple and their newfound friend. The original concept for Pulse was the brainchild of Legler. A New York transplant, he was acutely aware of the lack of upscale gay bars in Orlando. “That was the time of Martini Bars and UltraLounges. I had lived in Manhattan and I got to Orlando and thought ‘Gosh, this place needs a bit of a fresher-upper,’” he says. Legler approached the Pomas with the concept, and they agreed to offer their assistance in any way possible. Prior to Pulse, the couple had never considered opening a gay bar. After hearing Legler’s vision of the kind of space he wanted to create, they bought into the idea. “It was a bunch of conversations with really great friends,” Barbara Poma says. “It was a dream that was born of great collaboration.” The Pomas provided a large portion of the financial backing. (The family had long since established themselves as successful entrepreneurs with Wildside’s Bar and Grill and Panino’s Italian Restaurant.) The friends-turned-partners purchased not one but two separate buildings, right next to each other. They built a third space from the ground up to connect the two existing houses on South Orange Avenue. When Pulse opened in the summer of 2004, it was unlike anything the city of Orlando had ever seen. The bar and nightclub featured three themed rooms, each more intriguing than the last. Guests entered through a main room
which color, thouGh: ridinG the wave: Timothy Vargas and friends at the 2012
try the coco: Celebrants at Platinum Friday on
WAVE Awards Party. PHOTO By HAZEl JAnDICK
Gay Days Weekend 2013. PHOTO By STEPHAnIE SAylOR
tiMe oF your liFe: Converge/VisitOrlando.com promotional photo. PHOTO By CHRIS STEPHEnSOn
called the Jewel Box, named for its opulent decor. An ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, gaining a second life after being relocated from the famed Moulin Rouge. Inside was a framed glass wall that was accentuated by running water designed to create the illusion of an indoor waterfall. A second room to the left was called the Adonis Room. The most sensual of the three, the Adonis Room exuded velveteen sexiness. Dimly lit, it incorporated exotic features which dancers used to enhance their very sensual choreography. Then there was the famous white room. Constructed before LED lighting hit mainstream popularity, the White Room contributed in large part to the initial popularity of Pulse. Every inch of the space was stark white. The bar, the furniture and even the walls were a pristine pale. The ceiling was made of stretched latex which vibrated with the pulse of the music. Drink specials were advertised by changing the color of the lights, and thus the room.
The pride in their creation was evident. Rosario Poma was very hands on, especially during construction, and often referred to Pulse as their “baby.” Barbara Poma served as both accountant and mediator. Her passion led to the decision that was made to dedicate the space to her brother John, a gay man who had passed away years before from AIDS. Legler fretted over aesthetics, down to the logo he had scribbled on a napkin. “Before, gay bars were in little dark quiet corners. Here we were, out in the open in a beautiful place that was jaw dropping when you walked in,” Legler says.
Despite their excitement, not everyone was so accepting of the new club on the block. Before long, a church on South Orange Avenue caught wind of the new gay bar slated to open near their place of worship. Their reaction was nothing short of hostile. Construction on Pulse was completed at the beginning of summer 2004. The opening
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Blue strikes a cheeky pose in the Ultra Lounge 2008. PHOTO By nATHAn SCHIFFlET
sPin that wheel: Miss Sammy and Carol lee host Watermark’s 2008
Love Sex Marriage Party 2008 at Pulse’s Jewel Box room. PHOTO By nATHAn SCHIFFlET
weekend was supposed to be the official kick-off for the 2004 Gay Days. Boy George had already been booked and was being advertised widely as the headliner. The party was highly anticipated, and several news publications advertised the festivities, ramping up the collective sense of excitement. Suddenly, the Pomas and Legler received word from the city to halt operation. Offended by the establishment, the neighboring church filed a last minute petition with the city, intent on stopping the club from opening. The municipal courts ruled that until all complaints were heard, Pulse did not have the legal right to be operational. The blow was devastating. The pending Gay Days festivities were left in disarray. The reputation of the club was tarnished before they had even had a chance to open their doors. The frustration and abject discrimination brought forth a few very surprising advocates. Legler relayed the story of Rosario Poma who stormed into the
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courts and blatantly accused the city of LGBTQ discrimination. It was the Poma’s first business venture aimed specifically at the LGBTQ community of Orlando, and, consequently, their first time dealing with the challenges that came with that connotation. “I was so proud of them. A straight Italian family that didn’t really have too much experience with the gay lifestyle. They put everything on the line,” Legler says. He noted that watching Rosario Poma become an advocate for gay rights before his very eyes was one of the most memorable moments in the entire process. “It was probably one of my favorite things that happened. Watching and knowing that Rosario understood that just because you’re gay, things aren’t as easy, and there’s no reason for it.” The then-newly elected mayor, Buddy Dyer, also caught wind of the plight of the club and offered a helping hand. On the surface, the reputation of the club was indeed in jeopardy but there were deeper
cOntinued On pg. 31 | uu |
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MON – FRI 8am - 5pm SAT 9am -1pm
‘Where have you been?’ and he said, ‘Where have YOU been?’ It’s just hard. People don’t know.”
| uu | Pulse One Year later frOm pg.29
underlying consequences of the church’s discriminatory petition. With their opening date being pushed back indefinitely, their opening weekend for Gay Days, the largest, longest LGBTQ celebration in Central Florida, was suddenly very unstable. Dyer swiftly headed off the potential catastrophe and gave the club permission to relocate the party to a very unexpected venue. “They opened the rotunda to City Hall and let this gay event happen,” Legler says. “Mayor Dyer came and spoke. They allowed us to serve liquor. Rosario got food from Wildside’s, and we threw this amazing kick-off party at City Hall. It was a beautiful thing. You could probably never do that in any other city. It showed that our city not only cared, they understood.” The church was relentless in their efforts, even pulling local politicians into the conflict. The petition caused Pulse to miss their originally scheduled opening date of June 4, 2004, by nearly a month. Finally, on July 2, 2004, Pulse officially opened for business.
“It was very popular, from the very beginning,” Mills says. The community response was overwhelming. Mills recalls the line wrapping around the building the first night. He remembers well the unique atmosphere of Pulse. The space itself was breathtaking. It was a very polished and clean club that served all interests, no matter who you were. On Tuesdays, the bar served two-dollar martinis, a steal in Orlando. Mills would often embellish the glasses of his chocolate martinis with some X-rated artistry. Their costume parties were unrivaled. Barbara Poma, who was motivated in large part to open the club to honor the memory of her gay brother, helped Pulse collaborate with hundreds of charity events over the years. Many people agree that the thing that stood out the most about Pulse was the range of diversity in their customer base. Neema Bahrami, a promoter who joined the staff in 2013, talks about how rare it was to for a gay club to foster an environment that was not only extremely diverse, but equally as accepting. From the day he walked in, he notes that he had never been in a club like Pulse before, nor had he ever felt so at home inside one.
in the beGinninG: Ads from Pulse’s inagural year promoting their unique rooms. PHOTOS COuRTESy WATERMARK ARCHIVES
“Any gay club can make you feel like it’s a sanctuary,” he says. “When I walked into Pulse I got that, but I also got a sense of love, as if they were my own family.” From day one, Barbara Poma and Legler made a deliberate decision to create a safe space with their bar. They wanted Pulse to be an open and inclusive space for all of their guests. “It found its way to include everyone, which is what it set out to do,” Barbara Poma says. “No matter where you stood in the LGBTQ community, whether you were young and questioning, or you were trans or if you had been out for years – It didn’t matter. You had a night that you fit there.” Mills and Maini who were hired at ages 21 and 23 remember how Pulse was more than a bar for them. “We grew up there,” Maini says. Mills agrees. “We were a family. It was home,” he says. Regular patrons remember how Pulse created the safe space they needed in order to be comfortable enough to truly express themselves. Nikole Parker was a frequent visitor to Pulse and is a transgender woman. “Without Pulse, I don’t think I would have been able to transition as quickly,” Parker says. “I didn’t really have a safe space out in public or at home. Pulse provided that for me.”
Legler laughs as he remembers the performers who used Pulse as a place to help them develop their craft. A shy, young Michael Feliciano got his start in drag at Pulse. “This young boy came in, and I could see the evolution,” Legler recalls. “He would watch the drag queens and try to see what they were doing. Then he started coming in with makeup on. Then slowly he would come in with more makeup on. It was like a slow metamorphosis. One day I asked ‘Do you want to go up and do a soft spot?’ She was like ‘Really?’ Eventually, we ended up giving her a regular spot, and she was so excited.” Today, Michael is known as Roxxxy Andrews. Her talents in drag earned her a top spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race not once but twice. Mills remembers a deeply personal connection with the everyday patrons, who would come to him for advice in addition to their regular drinks. “I knew a bunch of people that became so comfortable with me that they would tell me when they became positive. Or when they came out to their parents.” he says. He would follow up with all of them, not because he was required to do so, but because he cared. All of these stories support the point that Pulse was more than just a nightclub. It delved deeper
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
than your average safe space. For dozens of people, Pulse was a second home. This feeling of acceptance, of community, of family was vital to everyone who found life within those four walls. When the deranged gunman invaded the space, his hatred affected more than 49 lives. His bullets ripped through the air, dismantling an essential institution. He fractured the bond of a community forever. “I knew where every light switch was. Every socket,” Legler says, fighting back tears. “The wallpaper color, the pictures. I knew everything in the whole building. What happened was someone came into my living room and shot my family.” Today, those who considered themselves members of the Pulse family are scattered throughout Orlando. Mills and Maini have both moved on to other professions to survive. They still bartend occasionally but agree that it’s not the same. “Every time I drive by, I still get chill bumps,” Mills said. Bahrami, who hosted Latin Nights at Pulse for four years, has since relocated the event to The Abbey. Even though he has rebranded the event to pay homage to the legacy of Pulse, he struggles to recreate the energy that Latin Nights at Pulse had perfected. “I ran into one of my regulars the other day,” he says “I asked him,
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As the one-year mark of June 12 approaches, it’s evident that in order to properly heal and progress, we cannot continue reviving the sorrow. It’s been a year, and the time has come to remember all of the good that came out of Pulse. It’s time to honor the cherished memories that were made in the 12 years the club was operational, and celebrate the healing that has already begun, former members of the staff agree. “I don’t want people to forget that we’re still pushing forward,” Bahrami says. He finds comfort in watching those directly affected by the shooting making significant strides towards healing. “To see some of them standing up again, dancing, walking. That’s my biggest joy right now.” Mills and Maini echo these sentiments. They are determined to help the community heal, and would like to return to Pulse one day. They’re eager to help Barbara Poma with her plans to recreate the space at a separate location. “We were matchmakers, we were therapists, we were friends,” Maini says. “We still are. We’re still here.” Although Barbara Poma has talked about opening up a second Pulse at some point in the future, the details haven’t been fleshed out publicly yet. She’s still processing, and dealing with the media frenzy surrounding the events, even a year later. Still, she has very high hopes for the second rendition of Pulse. “I think what we built worked,” she says. “Many people loved it and grew up in there. I would want to replicate it as closely to the old building as possible. The format, and the days of the week, and what we stood for. That worked. That’s who we were.” She’s optimistic about the future. Legler, who lives in Baltimore and runs a performing arts center, hopes that the community he still considers home can take the right lessons from the tragedy and learn to embrace the growth that comes with the healing process. “The hard part is going to be making people remember that those people’s lives mattered,” he says.“We have to strive to do better. It’s going to be in our lives every day for the rest of our lives. We have to remind people that we can’t let that kind of hate happen.Love has to come first.”
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PHOTO COuRTESy ORAnGE COunTy REGIOnAl HISTORy CEnTER
A fROZEn
PULSE
How the Orange County Regional History Center is helping preserve the memories from the Pulse Shooting
i
alma J. hill
t’s hard to wraP your Mind
around the Pulse Massacre if you’ve lived in Orlando for any amount of time, but especially over the past year. On April 29, representatives from the Orange County Regional History Center – including executive director Michael Perkins and curator of exhibitions and collections Pamela Schwartz, among others – spoke to the difficulties of preserving the integrity and the heart of the tributes left outside of Pulse Orlando: the flowers, the candles, the messages and photographs. watermark Your LGBTQ life.
If candles melted onto fabric, electric irons were employed to remove the wax. Dilapidated flowers, washed words, stuffed animals, so many pictures and flags and feelings had to be gathered to commemorate those who were killed in plain view, killed in a nightclub, killed for being LGBTQ or at least being friendly with those who were. It would be a delicate task of peeling photos from frames, flowers from vases and quilts from fences. History doesn’t come easily, but the Pulse massacre – which took
cOntinued On pg. 35 | uu |
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June 12, 2017 Events The Orange County History Center Public Gallery Display The Expanded One Orlando Collection and Digital Gallery 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Orange County Administration Center Community-wide Observance: Unveiling of the Sea-to-Sea Flag 10 a.m. Pulse Nightclub Public Community Gathering Reflections and Remembrance 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lake Eola Park Amphitheater Orlando Love: Remembering Our Angels 7 p.m. Pulse Nightclub Public Community Gathering Moments of Hope and Healing 10 p.m. – midnight
orlandounitedday.com
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
| uu | LGBT History Project from pg.33
49 people from our lives and resigned them to the annals of history – was never going to be an easy task. On any given day, people still line the borders of Pulse on South Orange Avenue, many clasping at rosaries, some grasping at straws. This is now part of our history. What is history? Is it old men in powdered wigs, banging gavels, debating the rights of marginalized people? Is it dry readings of wars fought and lost long ago? Is it Black and White dreams on a podium, a motel room in Memphis? Or could history be more part of the present? A Facebook post, chilling and concise? The battered wall of a safe space, exposing a community to the very real dangers of the world? In Central Florida terms, it teeters on the precipice of the two. Not an old city by most accounts – this former citrus town only lit the international stage when Walt Disney swooped in during America’s optimisticic mid-century to capitalize on its environmental comforts (and cheap land). All of that has changed, of course, and the event that unfolded on June 12 at a gay bar near the city’s downtown only amplify that shift. As we rapidly approach the one year mark of the Pulse shooting, the community of Orlando is coming to terms with the fact that this tragic event is now a permanent part of our local history and our own devastating contribution to the historical narrative of LGBTQ discrimination and persecution. As we take the time to remember what happened that fateful night, we acknowledge the small community of people who are charged with preserving the memory of the events, and the lessons learned that night. The staff at the Orlando County Regional History Center has quietly and methodically been taking steps to ensure that the legacy of Pulse is honored and well preserved for future generations. In the weeks following the tragedy, as the significance of the events settled in, the offices of Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Mayor Buddy Dyer, and the History Center, came together to discuss
Restoring a peace: Weathered items get museum treatment. Photo Courtesy Orange county regional history center
Taking Care: Warehoused archives. Photo Courtesy Orange county regional history center
All the Love: Fragile items carefully preserved Photo Courtesy Orange county regional history center preservation efforts. Hundreds of people have flocked to the site and left memorabilia to honor those who had perished. Thousands of American flags, pinwheels and stuffed animals were left at the site, but the elements of Floridian climate quickly began taking their toll. The History Center had to decide
Performing Arts and Orlando Regional Medical Center. Many of the items were handcrafted, or custom made. They were all one-of-a-kind, trapped in the pages of history. Perkins stands over a table in the History Center’s private archives and explains what little is known about some of the items
fragile items weren’t available to view, but curious minds may catch a glimpse of them at the temporary exhibit the History Center has planned for June 12, in their personal homage to Orlando United Day. “There was a lady that left some prayer beads from the Vatican. This was at the Dr.
very quickly to begin taking items into their archives for preservation. “We started collecting a few weeks after to give the memorials a chance to live, but then we started to collect the items that were going to be decimated by the weather more quickly,” Perkins says. Keepsakes were collected from three memorial sites: Pulse, The Dr. Phillips Center for the
that had been collected. He details the careful cataloging efforts, using a rainbow sock monkey with the number 49 stitched upon it as an example. Next to it lay a pair of customized nylon angel wings. Elsewhere, other effluvia from families, friends and those traumatized from outside of the physical circumstances of the massacre wait for their historical treatment. Some of the larger or more
Phillips Center. She was in hard economic times, but she wanted to leave something. So, she took something of meaning, from her home to the memorial site.” Perkins says. Moving forward, the collection efforts will continue, as the mayors’ offices and the History Center decide exactly how and when to display the items. For the time being, there is a small digital gallery
On any given day, people still line the borders of Pulse on South Orange Avenue, many clasping at rosaries, some grasping at straws. This is now part of our history.
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
available for public viewing at TheHistoryCenter.org which is constantly updated as the history center staff receives more information about the items that were left to honor our fallen friends and neighbors. As we look back on the events of last June – as we mourn, and process our collective grief – it is a small but significant comfort to know that because of the efforts of the History Center, among others, the 49 will never truly be forgotten. Their legacy and their memories will live on in the pages of history, and these items will forever reflect the community that came together to show the world that love will always win. “When we say history we think about 100 years ago, 50 years ago, things that helped shaped the lives we live today.” Perkins says. “Sometimes history is not that cut and dry. Sometimes it’s more current and we have to think about the fact that part of our job is to collect the part of this history that’s happening now.”
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
one orlando alliance
to adopt our program. We are also offering scholarships to students who truly exemplify Drew’s spirit for inclusion and unity. The initial scholarship will be awarded this summer.
OneOrlandOalliance.Org
In the wake of the June 12 tragedy, numerous organizations sought means of cooperation in moving toward the greater good. Starting as the LGBTQ+ Alliance – later shortened to just “The Alliance” – the group bridged service organizations in a manner the local LGBTQ community had yet to see. “The One Orlando Alliance was created, over a nine-plus month process-driven strategy, out of a fundamental need to strengthen our community and those organizations who serve the LGBTQ+ population here in Central Florida. The formation process has been deliberate, inclusive, and mindful of the strengths and weaknesses in our community, with an emphasis on capacity building and bridging gaps to those not yet represented or served,” the group – to which Watermark is a member – says on its website. “The beauty of this collaboration is that our LGBTQ+ community service organizations are communicating and collaborating at unprecedented levels,” it continues. “All the while, each individual organization continues to provide their respective programs/services while ‘staying in their lanes’ with the assurance that they could call upon fellow Alliance members, as needed. We’re also, collectively, addressing and bridging gaps in other aspects of the Central Florida community that are necessary if we are to truly thrive as a community.”
QlatinX
qlatinX.Org
Born of a necessity none of us were predicting, but likewise out of necessity considering that Central Florida is clearly the melting pot that much of the nation purports to be, the group QLatinX speaks bluntly toward the issues of the LGBTQ community and the strong presence of Latino and Latina individuals living within it. “We honor the memory of the 49, nearly half were of Puerto Rican descent; while many more were Cuban, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Mexican, Salvadoran, Venezuelan, Afro-Latinx, and from other Latinx communities,“ the group’s website reads. “Some were Black. Some were undocumented. Over half were under the age of 30, the youngest victims having just turned 18 years old.” Proyecto Somos Orlando (facebook.com/ proyectosomosorlando) has regularly partnered with the group in order
pride Fund to end gun violence
MAKE iT BETTER Groups form in the wake of the Pulse tragedy to better explain – then correct – our problems with mass violence
T
Billy Manes
here have been nuMerous eFForts to
make sense – and sociological advancement – following the attack at Pulse Orlando on June 12.
Look around you. There are murals everywhere, scenes of righteous indignations, ribbon-makers delivering rainbows to celebrities, candlelight tributes, attempts to curb the seeming necessity to take those out with whom you do not agree. Orlando is America’s tipping point on both the LGBTQ and
to raise the impact of the Hispanic community – and its visual presence – via the Hispanic Federation. Given that the incident at Pulse was at a Latin Night, Somos and QLatinX were equally quick to push for recognition of generally ignored population: LGBTQ people of color.
tHe contigo Fund
Our-fund.Org/cOntigO
The Contigo Fund – “contigo” is interpreted as “with you” in English – is another outgrowth of the Pulse massacre, one that, according to its founder is quintessential to moving forward. “We believe supporting efforts of those working to uplift the most marginalized and oppressed brings our full community closer to justice and liberation,” said Marco Antonio Quiroga, program director for the Contigo Fund, which focuses on the LGBT and Latino communities most impacted by the massacre, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “We are creating a sanctuary where all are
gun-violence fronts, and many of those who are most affected are seeking change to make things better. You can say “intersectionality” in terms of protest all you want, but here, now, it is manifest. These are but a few of the bright spots to come from that dark night. Orlando is coming together; you can help.
safe, welcomed and affirmed. These organizations demonstrate resilience and a relentless drive for justice.” Among those receiving assistance from a $1.4 million savings, according to a Sentinel story in March, are: the Equality Florida Institute; Freedom Ride; the Holocaust Museum Resource & Education Center of Florida; the CommUnity Hope Center in Apopka; the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity; Proyecto Somos Orlando; QLatinx; Two Spirit Health Services; and the Zebra Coalition. “No matter the color of their skin, the language they speak, the faith they practice, or the person they love,” founder Marco Antonio Quiroga told Watermark last year. “The Contigo Fund is committed to supporting the resilience of those living at the intersection of these marginalized identities and building on their power. And I believe we will win because we are on the right side of history,”
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
tHe dru proJect
thedruprOJect.Org
Christopher Andrew Leinonen and his partner Juan Lemon Guerrero were among the 49 who lost their lives on June 12. Mother Christine Leinonen became the face of the tragedy in many ways – from the moment we saw her hope on television that her son was alive to that in which her composure was deflated for the world to watch as news of her son’s death became public. But Christine Leionen has been no shrinking violet in this process, vowing instead to fight for the dignity of her son and for the rights of people to be protected from gun violence. “The Dru Project is an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization on a mission to spread love across the nation and promote gay straight alliances,” the Dru Project website reads. Christopher was only 32. “We are doing this by creating a curriculum for high school [Gay-Straight Alliances] to use, should they wish
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
pridefund.Org
D.C. resident Jason Lindsay was repulsed enough by what happened on June 12 to launch a political action committee to take on the gun lobby that allows free use of weapons in many public places and continues to fight to allow guns in more locales. Pride Fund’s focus is on governmental change – unlike those of more organizer-driven groups like Gays Against Guns – endorsing and donating to candidates who make who intend to alter the nation’s bloodlust. “The LGBTQ community suffers more hate crimes than any other protected group, which makes our voice critical in the fight to disarm hate,” the Pride Fund website reads. “When a hate-filled individual can easily purchase a weapon of war without a background check, we are not safe. In order to disarm hate, Pride Fund is building on our community’s battle-after-battle wins for equality and turning our focus on the gun lobby by supporting candidates who are not afraid to reform our gun laws. Pride Fund is turning the frustration and anger of our community into action by focusing on achieving sensible gun reforms to make America safer for all.”
pulse oF orlando
pulseOfOrlandO.Org
In the immediate aftermath of the Pulse tragedy, concerned citizens grappled with concerns about where money would make the most difference – there were people dying – and how they could change the culture that produced the worst gun massacre on American soil in modern times. Pulse of Orlando – which now distributes its donations from oneorlandoalliance.org and onePULSEfoundation.org (after giving out $325,000 in its infancy) was the first to the scene, the first to make it known that Orlando would not suffer hate lightly. Though the organization has now moved its duties to ancillary orgs, Pulse of Orlando was there when the city needed it most. Its mission was “to recover” and “to rebuild.” Both of which seem to be on track as we move past the one-year anniversary.
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
resilience: remembering pulse
ucf art gallery thursday, June 8-June 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The UCF Art Gallery will display photographs, paintings, quilts, and stories honoring the victims of Pulse and the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to the work of the Citizen Curator Project and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Opening reception is from 4-6 p.m.
pulse memorial service OrlandO va medical center, lake nOna thursday, June 8, 1-2 p.m.
The Orlando VA Pulse Memorial Service envisions to promote healing and hope through art, music, prayer and connection. Guest spekaers include Orlando City Commisioner Patty Sheehan, Orlando VA LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator Keri Griffin and Orlando VA Chaplain Marvin Luckie.
ucF remembering pulse ucf student uniOn: pegasus BallrOOm thursday, June 8, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
UCF students and faculty will come together to honor the 49 lives taken at the Pulse nightclub shooting. The event will include performances by the Orlando Gay chorus, reading of the 49 names, and campus and community speakers.
special blood drive at pulse anniversary event the Big red Bus: veterans cOmmemOrative site at memOry mall, ucf thursday, June 8, 2–8 p.m.
In remembrance of the Pulse tragedy and the 10 blood drives hosted at the Bright House Stadium after the incident, UCF will be holding another large blood drive in tribute to the 49 lives that were taken. The public is welcome to donate and free parking is available in garages H and I.
o-town voices From orlando
OrlandO shakespeare center sunday, June 11, 7 p.m.
Fringe favorite David Lee brings the full version of his award-winning O-Town: Voices from Orlando, this time with 18 members of the local theater community. The play is a series of monologues describing the events of June 12 and the months after.
tHe rainbow in all oF us: a pulse tribute (one-year anniversary) pulse OrlandO mOnday, June 12, 7-10 p.m.
OnE YEAR Of SURViVAL Orlando remains united on the one-year mark of its most difficult time
i
Billy Manes and Sophia Mackrives
n accordance with GrieF and tradition,
Central Florida will be honoring the 49 lost at Pulse on June 12, 2016, with numerous events spanning more than a week.
This is by no means a complete guide to the memorials that will be going on – new ones appear daily – but this is a fairly broad guide for what it is you might want to do to reflect on that
horrific day nearly one year ago. Likewise, we’re looking forward while looking back. If you visit actlovegive.org – Orlando United’s Day of Acts of Love and Kindness, a combined initiative between
tHe 49 Fund scHolarsHip announcement
tHe dru proJect pulse anniversary Fundraiser
The Closing Agent’s Barry Miller will be announcing the first of his scholarship awards for his The 49 Fund program. Miller is expected to provide free legal clinics in June as well.
The official launch of the Dru project will kick off at 6 p.m. to honor the far too-short life of Drew Leinonen. A $1,000 scholarship will be given away to those who entered in The Spirit of Drew essay contest. Donations will be accepted at the door in hopes of raising $25K.
OrlandO city hall saturday, June 10, 3-5 p.m.
community rainbow run
WadevieW park saturday, June 10, 8-11 a.m.
The UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program will put on a commUNITY 5k Rainbow Run to honor the lives lost in the Pulse tragedy. Proceeds will benefit the Zebra Coalition and the onePulse Foundation.
the aBBey sunday, June 11, 6-9 p.m.
Human rainbow For pulse the Other Bar, 18 Wall st. sunday, June 11, 7 p.m.
Body Art Showcase and Exhibit (BASE) is creating another Human Rainbow by painting 49 bodies to represent the lives lost at Pulse Nightclub.
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
the county, the city, Pulse and other organizations – you will find plenty of ways to help in the ongoing cycle of trauma: volunteering, storytelling and donating. This is the part where you come in.
we. are. americans. – celebrating our culture, diversity and History oF our nation
OrlandO repertOry theater, 1001 e. princetOn st., sunday, June 11, 3 p.m.
Central Florida Sounds of Freedom band will celebrate the lives of the victims lost in the June 12 massacre.
pulse remembrance tHrougH music and poetry OrlandO puBlic liBrary, 101 e. central Blvd. sunday, June 11, 2 p.m.
Orlando locals Kevin Meehan, John Carpenter, Will Llarch, and Joey Noble in the band Sugar City will perform their song “World of Love” inspired by the Pulse tragedy accompanied by local poets reading their poems dedicated to Pulse at the Orlando Public Library.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
Members of the Orlando community will hold their own tribute outside of Pulse Nightclub.
orlando united: letters to strangers OrlandO puBlic liBrary, 101 e. central Blvd. mOnday, June 12, 5-7 p.m.
Orlando United encourages the Orlando community to leave hand-written notes of encouragement for those who need the extra boost in their life.
love rocks
Winter garden Orange cOunty liBrary Branch, 805 e. plant st., Winter garden. mOnday, June 12, 3:30 p.m.
In honor of Orlando United Day, people are encouraged to connect with others in the community by painting river rocks with messages and symbols of love and kindness.
drag Queen story time
OrlandO puBlic liBrary, 101 e. central Blvd. mOnday, June 12, 5:30 p.m.-7p.m.
Impulse Group Orlando urges friends and family to join them at the Orlando Public Library for Orlando’s first ever Drag Queen Story time.
pulse remembrance
seminOle state cOllege Of flOrida mOnday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. tO tuesday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m.
The Student Government Association at Seminole State College of Florida will align with UNITY Gay-Straight Alliance club to remember the 49 victims killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting, including Seminole State student Luis Vielma.
tHe eXpanded one orlando collection and digital gallery
the Orange cOunty regiOnal histOry center mOnday, June 12, 2017, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
The expanded One Orlando Collection and Digital Gallery includes images of items collected from the Pulse site in their current cOntinued On pg. 43 | uu |
41
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
first congregational church of winter park OPEN & AFFIRMING Our doors and our hearts are always open to all.
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
moments oF Hope and Healing | uu | One Year of survival frOm pg.41
state. Community artwork and international support will be featured. Admission to the History Center will be free.
unveiling oF tHe sea-to-sea Flag the Orange cOunty administratiOn center mOnday, June 12, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
The Sea-to-Sea-Flag, also known as “The Sacred Cloth,” has become globally recognized as a symbol of acceptance, support, understanding, education, and inclusion of the LGBTQ community. The flag was originally displayed June 17, 2016, at the Orange County Administration Building in tribute to the lives taken at Pulse.
reFlections and remembrance pulse OrlandO mOnday, June 12, 2017, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Members of the community are welcome to visit Pulse nightclub to remember the 49 victims including their families and survivors. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a ceremony with a variety of different speakers, prayers, reading of the 49 names, display of 29 wreaths, and music by Vioectric. The Inspiration Orlando mural, our Angel Force, Hang-a-Heart, Stars of Hope and comfort dogs will be present.
orlando love: remembering our angels
lake eOla park amphitheater mOnday, June 12, 2017, 7 p.m.
Remembering Our Angels will include remarks from community leaders including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan, alongside musical performances by Olga Tañón and Sisaundra Lewis and a memorial reading of the 49 names of those who were taken during Pulse tragedy.
tHe orlando ribbon proJect mOnday, June 12, all day
Ben Johansen, Founder of the Orlando Ribbon Project urges people worldwide to wear a rainbow ribbon on June 12 each year to honor the 49 lives taken in the Pulse tragedy. Over 300,000 Ribbons have been delivered since the project began. Many are pledging their support including Orlando Police Chief John Mina who announced that the Orlando Police Department will wear the ribbons to show their solidarity.
pulse OrlandO mOnday, June 12, 2017, 10 p.m.-midnight
To wrap up a day full of Pulse related events, the community is welcome to conclude the evening with live music, prayers, dance, and reflection.
paint For pulse
Orange cOunty liBrary system, alafaya Branch, 12000 e. cOlOnial dr. tuesday, June 13, 7 p.m.
Patrons ages 16 and up are invited to commemorate the Pulse tragedy by painting their own piece of art to signify what the last year has meant to them and their community. The finished artwork is to be put on display at the Alafaya Branch.
love ya! : a celebration oF diverse young adult literature OrlandO puBlic liBrary, 101 e. central Blvd. tuesday, June 13, 6 p.m.
A panel discussion including Alex Sanchez, Shaun David Hutchinson and Jenny Torres Sanchez, moderated by Lauren Gibaldi will be held at the Orlando Public Library to reflect on the Pulse tragedy and how it has shaped the Orlando community. Ages 13 and up.
l.o.v.e.: lessons on vulnerability and empatHy OrlandO puBlic liBrary, alBertsOn rOOm, 101 e. central Blvd. Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m.
Anyone ages 18 and up is welcome to discuss and create crafts about L.O.V.E: Lessons On Vulnerability and Empathy.
wHat Has cHanged?
OrlandO puBlic liBrary, 101 e. central Blvd. thursday, June 15, 6–7:45 p.m.
What has changed since June 12, 2016? Local art-supply store Sam Flax asked this question as a call to artists encouraging them to show how they feel Orlando has transformed since the Pulse nightclub shooting. The artwork will be on display in the library throughout July. The Orlando Gay Chorus and Latin guitar/percussionists AntoneAffronti and Adalberto Bravo will perfrom.
one aim – saFety For everyone
first cOngregatiOnal church Of Winter park, 225 s. interlachen ave. saturday, June 17, 1 p.m.
The Central Florida chapter of Pink Pistols and Operation Blazing Sword come together for a seminar to benefit first responders, specifically those among the LGBTQ community. The focus will be on first aid and CPR classes, followed by keynote speakers Rommel Scalf and Steve Burnette who will give a presentation based on “Active Shooter Survival Techniques.”
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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Proud Participant of the 2017
St. Pete Pride Festival
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
arts and entertainment
F•I•N•D•I•N•G
FORTUNE
Comedian Fortune Feimster brings her Southern charm to Polk Pride
F
Jeremy Williams
ortune FeiMster has been a
comical force of nature since first appearing on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2010. The North Carolina native has been a member of the legendary comedy troupe The Groundlings; a writer and performer on Chelsea Handler’s groundbreaking late night talk show, Chelsea Lately; and has guest-starred on hit TV shows like 2 Broke Girls, Glee and Life in Pieces.
In Mindy Kaling’s hit Hulu series The Mindy Project, Feimster guest starred as the loveable nurse Colette, and was so loveable that Kaling turned Colette into a permanent character on the show. Now Feimster is coming to Florida to perform in Lakeland for Polk Pride June 16. Feimster spoke with Watermark about her good fortune in Hollywood ahead of her Pride show. WaTerMarK: yOu greW up in nOrth carOlina. What Was
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
yOur eXperience like grOWing up gay and in the sOuth?
fOrtune fiemster: I had a pretty positive experience. I come from a really nice hometown with nice, good people. I actually didn’t come out of the closet until I had moved to Los Angeles, so I don’t know what it would have been like growing up out of the closet in the South; I know growing up in the South I didn’t have a lot of gay influences. I didn’t know
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
cOntinued On pg. 47 | uu |
45
46
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
| uu | Fortune Fiemster frOm pg.45
anybody who was out so I didn’t get that chance to see people living normal lives out. Since I’ve come out, even though I don’t live there, people from my hometown are very supportive of me. did yOu alWays Want tO dO standup?
No, I didn’t really follow standup as a kid. I watched Saturday Night Live, and I watched reruns of The Carol Burnett Show, so most of my knowledge of comedy came from improv and sketch comedy, things like that. I didn’t really get into standup until I was already an adult. I thought it was just such a cool way to express yourself. Where did yOu develOp yOur sense Of humOr frOm?
My family was all pretty funny. We, as a collective group, laughed a lot. We went through hard times and we didn’t have a lot of money but we seemed to make the best out of everything and find the lighter side of life, even in the harder times. We
always managed to laugh, so I think I got that lightheartedness and positivity from my family. And there’s just a lot of “funny characters” in the South. People who aren’t necessarily trying to be funny, but they are very colorful and full of life and I think I just observed my surroundings and learned how to find the humor in that.
yOu have dOne a lOt Of guest appearances On tv shOWs, and yOur guest spOt as cOlette in THe MindY PrOJeCT Was Bumped up tO a series regular in the fOurth seasOn. Were yOu nervOus at all aBOut BecOming a permanent fiXture in a cast that had Been WOrking tOgether fOr sOme time already?
I was actually more nervous to do the guest spot. At the time I didn’t have a lot of acting experience, so I just really wanted to do a good job and make Mindy proud. When I got the part, Mindy called me personally and went over her ideas for the character, and I thought that was just really cool and it showed me that this was a show that she really cared about.
So, yeah, I was more nervous for that guest spot because I wanted to make sure she knew she made the right decision in hiring me. Then once they asked me to be a series regular I was honestly just shocked. Finding a steady acting job is not easy so I was just happy to get to lay down some roots for a minute. And by that time I had already worked with everyone and they were just lovely to me and each other so I was just so happy to be there.
yOu are prOBaBly Best knOWn fOr yOur WOrk With chelsea handler as a Writer and perfOrmer On her shOW, CHelsea laTelY. hOW did yOu and chelsea meet?
I applied to be a writer on her show. They were doing a open call for writers and I submitted a package. I had been a journalist for seven years while I pursued comedy at night, so I knew how to write but I had never written for a television show. But I was an entertainment journalist so I was very familiar with pop culture and that whole world. I was active with the Groundlings at the time so I had done a ton of sketch comedy. I mean they took
a chance on me knowing I would have to learn a lot along the way, but they knew I could bring it with sketches and such, so I was really excited to not just have a job but have one on such a cool show. I mean nobody was giving me a chance. I had a lot of people saying that they liked me but they didn’t know what to do with me so I will always be grateful for Chelsea taking that chance.
yOu Were On chelsea’s netfliX shOW a feW Weeks agO playing ivanka trump. dO yOu WOrry at all aBOut a late night tWeet frOm the president?
I think that is the least of things I think about. I can’t imagine I am even on his radar; he has a lot of other things to worry about. But again, you never know. He is very unpredictable so something could come out of nowhere. You know Chelsea asks me to do these sketches sometimes, kind of like an homage to old Chelsea Lately where we used to do a lot of impressions and characters, she doesn’t really have that as much on her show now, so it’s kind of like me just coming back and being silly. Obviously I’m not
impersonating Ivanka Trump because I look nothing like her, and that’s all part of the joke, too. Here I am, this big woman from the South who is also a lesbian, putting on a blond wig and pretending to be Ivanka Trump, I also did it once pretending to be Ann Coulter, and I was pretty much the same person, so it was all just meant to be silly.
yOu are gOing tO Be here in flOrida fOr pOlk pride in lakeland, Which is a lOt like rural nOrth carOlina With its small tOWn feel. What are yOu mOst lOOking fOrWard tO Being here fOr pride?
I’ve never been to Lakeland or Polk County. I was just in Tampa last summer so not too far, but I’m always excited to go to a new town or a new city and meet people. Thanks to standup I get this great opportunity to visit all these new places, and there’s just something nice about getting to meet people in person who enjoy what you do. So I’m excited and Prides are always fun.
Sip, Shop & Stroll
A uniquely Winter Park food and wine walk
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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PORTRAITS TERRACE GALLERY AT ORLANDO CITY HALL MAY 1 - JUNE 14
PLEASE JOIN ORLANDO MAYOR BUDDY DYER AND COMMISSIONER PATTY SHEEHAN FOR THE OPENING RECEPTION AT ORLANDO CITY HALL ON JUNE 3, 4:30 – 6:30 P.M. FREE EVENT
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
community calendar
event planner
arts+entertainment
OrlandO
OrlandO
MBA Monthly networking Mixer
GayDayS, May 30-June 4, DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World, Orlando. 407-896-8431; GayDayS.com
wednesday, June 7, 6-9 P.M. ManGo’s troPical caFe, orlando
One Magical Weekend, June 2- 4, B Resort, Orlando. OneMagicalWeekend.com Debbie Gibson, June 2, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com The Cheaters!, June 2, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com Sgt. Pepper’s lIVE: 50th Anniversary Tribute Show, June 2, Will’s Pub, Orlando. 407-748-8256; WillsPub.org Science night live: Craft Beer Edition, June 3, Orlando Science Center, Orlando. 407-514-2000; OSC.org 49 Portraits Project Reception, June 3, Terrace Gallery, Orlando. 407-246-4279; CityOfOrlando.net Macy Gray, June 3, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com
prOud rays The Tampa Bay Rays take on the Oakland Athletics during Pride Night with the Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg June 9. PHOTO By JEREMy WIllIAMS
Open Arms Homeless Ministry, June 4, Hyde Park United Methodist Church, Tampa. 813-253-5388; BalanceTampaBay.org
Cult Classics: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, June 13, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org
Sideshow with the Starlettes, June 3, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallBarOrlando.com
Jamie Wilson, June 14, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com
Royal-Tea, June 4, EVE, Orlando. 407-602-7462; EveOrlando.com
tampa Bay
Keri Hilson, June 4, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com
nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, April 30- July 2, The Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg. 727-820-0100; TheFHM.org
Finding Neverland, June 6- 11, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org PAWS on the Plaza, June 9- 10, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Hall & Oates and Tears For Fears, June 9, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com CommunITy Rainbow Run, June 10, Wadeview Park, Orlando. 407-823-4887; CommunityRainbowRun.com June Art Walk, June 10, SNAP! Downtown, Orlando. 407-286-2185; SnapOrlando.com
End of the Rainbow, April 28-June 4, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com The naked Magicians, June 2- 3, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org David Rule presents “The Second Coming” art exhibit, June 2, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com Trevor noah, June 2, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com
Sara Sings Streisand, June 4, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; FreeFallTheatre.com Bingo4Charity benefiting Metro Health and Wellness, June 7, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com Pride night with the Rays, June 9, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg. 727-825-3137; TampaBay.Rays. MLB.com neiBEARhood Takeover, June 9, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com Walk Tampa: The ybor City Story, June 10, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa. 813-228-0097; TampaBayHistoryCenter.org Metro Big Gay Brunch, June 11, The Queens Head, St. Petersburg. 727-498-8584; TheQueensHeadBar.com
Wet n’ Wild Pool Party, June 11, Flamingo Resort, St. Petersburg. 727-321-5000; FlamingoFla.com The Equality March for unity and Pride, June 11, Seminole Park, St. Petersburg. 727-893-1842; PinellasCounty.org u2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017, June 14, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa. 813-350-6500; RaymondJamesStadium.com Pride in Faith, June 15, Beacon Hill Fellowship, Lakeland. 863-712-2416; BeaconHillFellowship.org
sarasOta Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, June 4, Sarasota Opera, Sarasota. 941-328-1300; SarasotaOpera.org Auditions: The Producers, Mame and The Father, June 4- 5, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com Venus in Fur, June 8, The Starlite Room, Sarasota. 941-702-5613; StarliteSRQ.com
The Metropolitan Business Association’s monthly networking mixer for June will be at Mango’s Tropical Cafe on I-Drive. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and individualized networking opportunities with Speed Networking. The event is free to members and $20 for guests. Register to attend at MBAOrlando.org.
PrideFest Kissimmee saturday, June 10, noon- 5:00 P.M. KissiMMee laKeFront, KissiMMee The city of Kissimmee is kicking down the closet door and publicly celebrating its Pride with the first ever PrideFest at the Kissimmee Lakefront June 10. This free and open event will feature an opening ceremony, vendors, LGBTQ advocacy organizations, live music, food trucks, an activity zone for the kids and more. For more information visit Kissimmee.org.
tampa Bay
Over the Rainbow! saturday, June 3, 11:00 a.M.- 4:00 P.M. Grand central district, st. PetersburG Kick off LGBTQ Pride Month by teaming up with a few of your friends of Dorothy and slip on a pair of your ruby-red running shoes for the Grand Central District’s Over the Rainbow challenge. Start at Punky’s Bar and Grill and compete with other groups trying to complete challenges all over Grand Central. Good luck and Happy Pride Month!
Pride for Youth wednesday, June 14, 7:00- 9:00 P.M. st. david’s ePiscoPal church, laKeland The Lakeland Youth Alliance looks to kick off Polk Pride with a youth celebration for LGBTQ community members, ages 13-20, at the St. David’s Episcopal Church in Lakeland. Come out and hang with friends and celebrate who you are in a fun and safe environment. Members of the LYA will be holding a painting session and auctioning off some of that art to raise funds for the organization. For more information on Pride for Youth, or any of the Polk Pride events, visit StDavidLakeland.com.
to submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.
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ST. PETERSBURG BAYFRONT
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www.BAYIDA.com | 813-681-6474 214 Morrison Road, Suite 104 Brandon, Florida 33511 June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
overheard
tampa Bay Out+aBOut
duncan in the ‘Burg
Y
ou May see a FaMiliar Face More oFten as you run your errands around downtown or grab a latte at your favorite coffee shop in St. Petersburg. Equality Florida’s Director of Transgender Equality Gina Duncan announced May 25 on her Facebook page that as of the end of June she will call St. Pete her new home after living in Orlando for 37 years. “While I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the City Beautiful and its amazing people, I am excited about this next adventure. Fortunately my position with Equality Florida lets me live anywhere in the state,” Duncan wrote. Along with those heartfelt words Duncan, posted a photo of herself on St. Pete’s amazing beach at sundown calling it “heaven.” Indeed it is Gina, and welcome.
Which rick tO pick?
T
he PeoPle oF Pinellas county have beGun PicKinG sides for the upcoming St. Petersburg mayoral race against incumbent Rick Kriseman, seeking his second term, and former St. Pete mayor Rick Baker, who held the position of mayor from 2001 to 2010. While the race is non-partisan, all sides have wasted no time in pointing out that Kriseman is a Democrat and Baker is a Republican. This made it all the more surprising when Florida’s District 70 Representative Wengay Newton, a well-known Democrat, announced that he was endorsing Baker and not Kriseman. Newton endorsed Kriseman when he ran for mayor the first time in 2013 against Bill Foster while Newton was still serving on the City Council, so what’s changed since then? Well, since then Newton ran for the State House and, in the primary last year against openly gay businessman Dan Fiorini and attorney Christopher “C.J.” Czaia, Kriseman endorsed Fiorini. “I went to Kriseman for support in my House race. He told me to pound sand,” Newton said to the SaintPetersBlog, but he insists his endorsement of Baker has nothing to do with that. Sounds a bit like the makings of a Taylor Swift song to us.
queer eye fOr the rOck guy
A
ward-winninG Musician, activist and Founder of the rock band Boys’ Entrance, Tim Cain has turned his 2016 album Tunnelvision into a new queer rock opera called Tunnelvision: The Musical. The album took 10 years to make and features 17 songs that explore Cain’s sexual obsession. It was released last May for the band’s 25th anniversary. Cain has said that about halfway through making the album he realized a dialogue going on in the songs and started on the track to turning it into an opera. Set in the late 80s during the AIDS epidemic, the opera tells the story of Tim, who is gay, and Troy, who is straight, and their tumultuous relationship. Tunnelvision: The Musical is making its world premiere at The Studio @ 620 in St. Petersburg with an opening night June 9, and playing through June 11 and again June 15-18.
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2 3
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clean Mouth: Jennifer Real is doing some serious teeth cleaning as she pays a visit to her dentist in St. Petersburg May 24. PHOTO COuRTESy JEnnIFER REAl
2
bbQ blowout: Samantha Blowers (L) and Miguel Fuller all shaded up for the 97X BBQ in Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg May 27. PHOTO COuRTESy MIGuEl FullER
3
bacKyard bash: Jason Fields (L) and Channing Floyd wrap up the long Memorial Day Weekend with a house party in Tampa May 29. PHOTO By
4
5
GABE AlVES-TOMKO
4
hair hoPPer: Kevin Thornton (L) joins Aaron McBeth as he shows off his new do at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg May 24. PHOTO COuRTESy
KEVIn THORnTOn
5
at the car wash: Claire Eli(L) and Commissioner Michael Smith watch the cars get clean at Project No Label’s car wash benefiting Friends of Strays at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg May 21. PHOTO
COuRTESy MICHAEl SMITH
6
suicidal sarasota: The cast of the upcoming production of Heathers gather for the first time at The Starlite Room in Sarasota May 29. PHOTO COuRTESy
6
TylER yuRCKOnIS
7
Galaxy Guardians: (L-R) Jeremy Wade neiman and Anthony Citrola join Star Lord and Groot for interstellar adventures at Hollywood Studios in Orlando May 29. PHOTO COuRTESy
JEREMy WADE nEIMAn
8
sweet tooth: Kanylah Ebanks (L) and Amy DeMilo are on point for Steam Fridays at Honey Pot in Tampa May 19. PHOTO By
8
MARK WEST BIAS
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overheard
OrlandO Out+aBOut
making a splash at fringe!
F
or the First tiMe in orlando FrinGe history, Watermark chose to acknowledge LGBTQ shows and performers with an award, the Watermark Splash Award! During the run of the 26th annual Orlando International Fringe Festival, patrons were asked to vote for their favorites online. The categories included favorite LGBTQ performer in a leading role, favorite LGBTQ performer in a supporting role, favorite director in an LGBTQ show, Favorite LGBTQ writer & Favorite LGBTQ show. The winners were announced at the closing ceremonies on Monday May 29. Congratulations to Best Director: Kenny Howard, Wanzie with a Z; Best Writer: Michael Wanzie (with a Z, natch); Best Supporting Performer: Johnnie Mair III, ThanksKilling; Best Lead Performer: Fredy Ruiz, ThanksKilling; Best Show: ThanksKilling! With the overwhelming response we got this year, staffers at Watermark are excited and are looking for forward to bring the “Splashy” back to Orlando Fringe next year!
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equality flOrida helps
i
n a recent eMail FroM eQuality Florida’s nadine sMith to Watermark, she mentioned a small fund is available to assist Pulse survivors and victims of the families to travel to Orlando or D.C. to participate in the events marking the Pulse one year. To request assistance, we’ve been asked to direct all emails to Nadine@ equalityflorida.org and for those interested to include “Pulse” in the subject line. See you in D.C.! And Orlando!
silence is Orange
i
t’s been ruMored that walt disney world has been put in an odd predicament regarding how to include President Donald Trump to the Hall of Presidents located in the Liberty Square section of the Magic Kingdom. Several online petitions have made the rounds asking – no, begging – Disney, not to include him. Although nothing has been confirmed, the rumor mill in the theme park industry is whispering that Trump will be featured, but remain silent to the relief of many. Still listed under refurbishment through June 29, do not expect to see the orange-hued one in the sea of red shirts.
4
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PriMetiMe Players: Emmy award-winning actor leslie Jordan (second from right) greets (L-R) Jerry Danese, Ron Bush and norm Blanchette of Prime Timers of Central Florida after his sold-out show Leslie Jordan Exposed at Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre May 27 in Orlando. PHOTO COuRTESy PRIME TIMERS OF CEnTRAl FlORIDA
2
KinG oF the world: Cameron Rust leaps into The World of Avatar as he visits Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom In Orlando May 29. PHOTO By CAMEROn RuST
3
best in show: The cast and crew of ThanksKilling: The Musical accept their Watermark Splashy for Favorite LGBTQ Show at Orlando Fringe May 29. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA
4
Fashionistas: Patty Sheehan (L) and Maxine Earhart show off their personal style at the Orlando Fringe Festival May 28 in Loch Haven Park. PHOTO COuRTESy
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insta niGhts: Instagram celeb Matt Crawford is all about the Biebs at Southern Nights’ Flex Friday in Orlando May 26. PHOTO COuRTESy
SOuTHERn nIGHTS
6
oh, canada: Sam Singhaus (L) gets close with Mo Manada dancer El Toro on the last day of Fringe in Orlando May 29. PHOTO By DAnny GARCIA
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Good bodies, Good hearts: Rock Hard Fitness’ Max Dunley (center) with more than 30 attendees for the “Sweat for a Cause” boot camp benefiting the Zebra Coalition in Orlando May 21. PHOTO By BRIAn BECnEl
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cosPlayers: Kevin Kriegel (L) and Brian Becnel work their magic as they cosplay for MegaCon at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando May 27. PHOTO
COuRTESy KEVIn KRIEGEl
MAXInE EARHART
8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
announcements
Wedding Bells
Chelsea Davis and Kaycee Davis from Celebration, Florida
years togetHer: 6 years
engagement date:
local birtHdays
December 13, 2015
wedding date:
May 6, 2017
wedding venue:
Falcon’s Fire Golf Course
wedding planner:
Lani Lyons
wedding caterer:
Falcon’s Fire Golf Course
wedding colors:
A vintage/rustic theme with shades of emerald green, charcoal gray, ivory and gold glitter
First song:
“Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” by Elton John
interesting Fact:
The couple’s wedding day was their six-year anniversary of being together.
congratulations
The Orange County Democratic Executive Committee recognized Eric Rolllings as an Orlando Environmental All-Star and awarded Vivian Rodriguez with the Chase Smith Award during the Second Annual Grassroots Awards at Celebration Gardens May 25.
Photo by Emily Crenca
“c
helsea’s sMile was really
beautiful, and that’s what got me to talk to her, period,” Kaycee says. “Just the way her face glowed, her smile – I could tell from the first impression that she had a beautiful soul.”
Kaycee Davis, who is a veterinary technician, and Chelsea Davis, who is a registered nurse, met in 2011 at bowling center that Chelsea’s parents owned in their hometown of Sebring, Fla. “I thought Kaycee was absolutely gorgeous from the very moment [I met her],” Chelsea says. “Her green eyes just stood out. I don’t know. There was just something about her.” The couple says that they hit it off from there. They started meeting up more, and the rest is history. “Kaycee has taught me a lot, especially about how to love and giving my all to her,” Chelsea says. “She’s opened my heart even more to make sure I’m loving her whole person instead of just saying her eyes — I’m loving her whole being.” Starting in May 2015, Chelsea started secretly taking pictures with Kaycee that spelled out “Will you be my Minnie?” in an all
Disney theme. She put together a scrapbook with the photos and other photos of them and gave it to her in front of the castle, where she asked Kaycee to marry her. “As I was flipping through, it was just bringing back a bunch of memories from over the past couple years,” Kaycee says. “I got to when she started spelling things out and my heart dropped. I was like ‘Oh my God, this is about to happen.’” They planned their wedding within a year, but Kaycee says they could’ve accomplished many of the tasks way before needed. She jokes and says she believes that they had too much time to plan their wedding. In addition to their wedding, the couple were moving right before the wedding and both women were in college and finals the week before their wedding. Despite the stress, it all came together in the end. Kaycee says that the entire ceremony was her favorite part of
their wedding day. “My dad was actually not going to walk me down the aisle, originally, but the night before at the rehearsal dinner, he leaned over and asked me if he could walk me down the aisle,” Kaycee says. “That was amazing because that was not supposed to happen. I think because nobody knew, so when the doors opened and they saw me with my dad they knew how special that was to me.” Chelsea says that she was nervous the day of the event because she didn’t want anything to go wrong. “My most memorable part was watching Kaycee walk toward me down the aisle because she was so happy and so beautiful,” Chelsea says. The couple went to Disneyland in California for their honeymoon. “She’s always happy and ready to go on the next adventure,” Kaycee says. “Her overall being – her soul – is just perfect and it’s beautiful. I would be so jealous if somebody else had married her, because I don’t want anyone else to. I want to be there with her forever.”
Ranger’s Pet Outpost founder Rick Merrifield, Lakeland tri-athlete Andy Orrell, straight ally and owner of JJ’s Grille J.J. Paredes, City of Gulfport employee and furniture specialist Jon K. Ziegler (June 1); Orlando realtor Bobby Mills, physical therapist Rob Ryan, St. Pete Twirling Project’s Harry Correa (June 2); Southern Nights Tampa general manager Chris “Tadpole” Hannay, Equality Florida public policy director Mallory Garner-Wells, Mojo Man’s lane Blackwell, Parliament House Orlando bartender Joel Gran, Brandon Pride founder Mark Ferguson-nokham, marketing director Timothy Evans (June 3); Watermark freelancer and derby icon Krista DiTucci, Tampa Coldwell Banker realtor Steve Wessels (June 5); Ember Orlando wonder and former Watermark office assistant nicholas “Scooby” Smith; Orlando drag performer Addison Taylor (June 8); Kanga Girl Productions diva Margaret nolan, Tampa Bay EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim (June 9); Hillsborough Community College teacher David usrey, Centro Ybor Wear Me Out! store owner Sharon Rose, Tampa Bay cowboy Roger Bell (June 10); Tampa Bay real estate agent and former TIGLFF president Ken Hodges, Tampa marketing whiz la’Trice “lady lala” Sharpe, St. Pete Soy Bright Candle Company co-owner Tim Huff (June 11); Watermark digital media editor and staff writer Jeremy Williams, Tampa native bear Ryan Morris, former St. Pete Twirling Project member and current Orlando resident Anthony Jenners, St. Petersburg city councilwoman Darden Rice, schoolteacher and Orlando activist Wendy Elkes (June 12); former Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber president Ashley T. Brundage, Department of Transportation employee John Stimis (June 13); Tampa-based Les Vixens performer, fashion designer/stylist and all-around goth-flavored Amazonian goddess Raven lunatique, former TIGLFF prez Chris Constantinou, Tampa volunteer everyman Bill Kanouff (June 14).
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.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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watermark Your LGBTQ life.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
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Stanley Almodovar III, 23 Stanley was a pharmacy technician originally from Massachusetts living in Clermont. A friend of his said, “He made me feel like it was perfectly fine being who I was.”
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25
Amanda Alvear, 25
Amanda was a nursing student who worked as a pharmacy tech. Amanda was into fitness, as she would often upload pictures at the gym to her Instagram account.
Luis Daniel Conde, 39
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33
Antonio Davon Brown, 29
Antonio, a fraternity brother of Kappa Alpha Psi and a criminal justice major, graduated from FAMU in 2008. He was a captain in the U.S. Army and from Cocoa Beach.
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28
Oscar, who was proud of his Dominican heritage, had recently celebrated his birthday with his boyfriend, Simon. A friend said that the two were an amazing, hard working couple.
Rodolfo studied Human Resources at InterAmerican in his hometown of San German, Puerto Rico. He worked as a biologics assistant at OneBlood and lived in Kissimmee.
Cory James Connell, 21
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25
Deonka Deidra “Dee”/ “Dee Dee” Drayton, 32
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31
Leroy “Roy” Valentin Fernandez, 25
Juan lived in Davenport and was from Huichapan, Mexico. Friends describe him as a great boss and friend who will be greatly missed.
Luis was at Pulse with his partner of 16 years, Juan Velazquez, celebrating a friend’s birthday. The couple owned Alta Peluqueria D’Magazine salon in Kissimmee.
Cory lived in Ocoee and worked as a stocker at Publix. He studied sports journalism at Valencia and loved football. Cory was described as an amazing person, who always tried to do the right thing.
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22
Mercedez was from Queens and lived in Davenport. She worked at Target since 2008 and was a student at Valencia since 2009. She also had a great love for music.
Peter “Ommy,” as friends knew him, worked at UPS and went to Colonial High School. His aunt said: “He was a happy person. If Peter is not at the party, no one wants to go.”
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30
After recently completing a business office specialist program at Southern Technical Institute, Jason was enrolled in classes at Valencia. He had interests in technology, fitness and photography.
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Eddie was an accountant who lived in downtown Orlando and enjoyed working out. During the attack he texted his mother “Mommy I love you.”
Tevin played basketball in high school and studied business administration at Strayer University South in his home state of North Carolina. He had interests in both marketing and management.
Paul Terrell Henry, 41
Darryl, from Kentucky, was a member of Jacksonville Jaycees, a business development community-service organization. Darryl had recently graduated with a Masters degree.
Dee was working as a bartender at Pulse at the time. She left behind a 3-year-old boy she was helping to raise. Dee was from South Carolina.
Simon, from Venezuela, was a fan of Cardenales de Lara and worked at McDonalds. He had just returned from a vacation in Canada and New York with his boyfriend, Oscar.
Frank Hernandez, 27
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30
Juan was at the club with his boyfriend, Christopher “Drew” Leinonen. He was recently enrolled at UCF and deeply in love. His sister described him as “so much love and light.”
Paul is described as a private man from Chicago who made his children a priority and loved to dance. He is survived by two children.
Frank attended high school in Weslaco, Texas, but moved to Orlando to make a life for himself. “Frankie we love you, we will always love you and we will never forget you,” says his sister Julissa.
Miguel worked at FajitaMex Mexican Catering in Apopka and was a father of three. He was a big soccer fan and loved the Selección Nacional de México team.
Anthony Luis Laureano disla, 25
Christopher Andrew “Drew” Leinonen, 32
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49
Anthony was from San Juan and studied at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. He loved to perform and was known in the local drag community as Alanis Laurell.
Detroit native and UCF alumnus. Drew contributed to Flame On!, a gay geek podcast. He was at the club with his boyfriend, Juan Guerrero.
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
Alejandro was a friendly Cuban native. Sarai Torres told the Orlando Sentinel that he was a outgoing person who always had a smile on and was working to learn English.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
Brenda, from Brooklyn, was a fighter in many ways. She was a mother of 11, cancer survivor and LGBT advocate. She loved salsa dancing and is remembered as a passionate and hilarious woman.
Angel, originally from Puerto Rico, graduated magna cum laude from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto Metropolitano. He went on to become an Ophtalmic Technician at Florida Retina Institute.
Roy worked as an apartment leasing agent at Auvers Village Apartments. He was known as an energetic person who loved dancing, fashion and singing. He also enjoyed styling hair.
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40
Javier was from Guayama, Puerto Rico, and studied tourism at ASAG. He worked as a supervisor at Gucci. A friend said Javier’s energy and love for life were infectious.
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25
Gilberto worked as a sales associate at Speedway. He was from Manati, Puerto Rico, and studied Health care management at Ana G. Méndez University System at the Metro Orlando Campus.
kimberly “kJ” morris, 37
akyra murray, 18
KJ, born in Connecticut, recently moved to Orlando and was excited to start her job as a bouncer at Pulse. She was a fan of both boxing and MMA.
Akyra was visiting Orlando to celebrate graduating high school in Philadelphia last week. She was a superstar student and athlete, third in her class and had a signed letter of intent to Mercyhurst college.
enriQue l. rios Jr., 25
Jean c. nives rodriguez, 27
Enrique studied Social Work at St. Francis College in his home borough of Brooklyn and worked as a coordinator at True Care Home Health Care Agency. He was visiting Orlando on vacation at the time.
Jean was the general manager of a local store and had just bought his first house. His best friend remembers him as “a big caring, loving guy.”
luis omar ocasio-capo, 20 Luis was a dancer. A former Target coworker of Luis’ said “He lit up any area he worked in, especially Starbucks.” A former teacher remembers him as “a ray of sunshine every day.”
Xavier emmanuel “eman” serrano rosado, 35
Xavier worked at Disney Live! and left behind a young son. He often expressed his creativity through dance. “You were a great man and even greater father,” said Clarence Bryant via Facebook.
LOOKing fORWARd,
THinKing BACK One year later, and the names still resonate. The drive to honor them only grows.
w
Billy Manes
hen we scurried to the
office to try to pull together an entire issue in just the two days following the horrific massacre of 49 QLatinx, LGBTQ individuals and allies of the community at Pulse in Orlando, we were still picking up the pieces.
What we knew was that there were 49 stories to be told of the dead and the hundreds of those who narrowly survived – plus those of their families. As time has come to bear, we’ve been immersed in processing the impact the actions of one man have had on one city, one county,
one nation and one world. The entire world has watched, and all of Orlando has grieved. What was once seen as the place where magic happened fell under a pall, some dark pit where terror took the night and the lives of far too many. And as we spend this issue looking back on all that has
geraldo “drake” a. ortiz-Jimenez, 25
eric ivan ortiz-rivera, 36
cHristopHer JosepH sanFeliz, 24
yilmary rodriguez solivan, 24
Drake was from the Dominican Republic and studied law at Universidad del Esten in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He loved working out and performing through acting and dance.
Eric grew up in and went to college in Puerto Rico and moved to Florida for a chance at a better life. His relatives described him as artistic, fun-loving and always willing to help.
Christopher, a Cuban native, worked at JPMorgan Chase and Youfit Health Clubs. He studied at Hillsborough Community College and lived in Tampa. “He was the light of my family,” said his brother Junior.
Yilmary worked at a Wendy’s in Puerto Rico before moving to Florida. Yilmary, her husband and their two children lived in Kissimmee. She loved her children and would do anything for them, said family members.
martin benitez torres, 33
JonatHan antonio camuy vega, 24
Martin was visiting family on break from his studies at Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez in San Juan. His Instagram bio read: “If God takes away my gift to see, it’s because he has already shown me everything beautiful in the world.”
transpired in the following 12 months – the evolution of local governance to a unanimity of purpose, the rainbow flags, the funds, the generosity, the groups and alliances, the murals, the memorials – we can’t help but look back on all of those who brought us closer together in tears and in healing. This is about them. This is for them. These are the stories of the 49. Gone, but never forgotten.
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
Joel rayon paniagua, 32 Joel was born in Mexico and lived in Tampa. Friends described him as a loyal, happy person who enjoyed dancing.
edward sotomayor Jr., 34
Edward was from Sarasota. He was the national brand coordinator for gay travel site AlandChuck.travel. His friends say he was known as “top-hat Eddie” because of the top hat he always wore to events.
Juan p. rivera velazQuez, 37
Jonathan worked as a producer for La Voz Kids. “Always a smile, always so energetic, always just happy and lending a helping hand before being asked to do so,” said a coworker.
Juan owned Alta Peluqueria D’Magazine salon and spa in Kissimmee with his partner of 16 years, Luis Conde. The couple were celebrating a friend’s birthday at Pulse.
Franky Jimmy deJesus velazQuez, 50
luis daniel “lestat” wilson-leon, 37
Jimmy worked as a visual merchandiser at Forever 21. He was from San Juan and studied at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Metro Campus.
June 1 - June 14 , 2017 // Issue 24 .11
Luis, from Puerto Rico, was with his long-time partner, Jean Perez, at the time of his death. A friend said, “His strength and character was always an inspiration to all of us.”
Jean carlos mendez perez, 35
Jean, a Puerto Rican native, lived in Kissimmee. He worked as a salesperson at Perfumania, where he met his partner, Luis Wilson, and had an excellent rapport with customers.
sHane evan tomlinson, 33 Shane studied at East Carolina University. Since 2012, he acted as the manager and lead singer of Frequency, a local high energy band that covered music from the ‘70s to current hits.
luis s. vielma, 22
Luis was a production assistant at Universal Studio for the Harry Potter attractions in the park. He was studying to be a physical therapist assistant at State College of Florida.
Jerald “Jerry” wrigHt, 31
Jerry attened Northeastern University about 10 years ago and worked at Walt Disney World as a seasonal employee. “Jerry had the biggest heart and most generous spirit,” said Laura Murtha.
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