Watermark Issue 24.19: Taking Action

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watermark Your LGBTQ Life.

Issue 24.19 • September 21 - October 5, 2017

WatermarkOnline.com

andy Cohen Talks about his AC2 tour through Tampa with

Anderson Cooper

Taking

Action

Come Out With Pride wants you to keep dancing, but also to keep involved

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take 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.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® 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. ® 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: ® 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. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® 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. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® 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.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® 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. ® 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, 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 for PrEP? ® 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. ® 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. ® 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. ® 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. ® 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.

TVDC0133_PrEP_B_9-25x10-1_Watermark_Bears_p1.indd 1-2

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

We’re adventurous, not reckless.

We know who we are. And we make choices that fit our lives.

TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together 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.

Learn more at truvada.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

9/6/17 3:19 PM

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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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 FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, 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. TVDC0133 07/17

TVDC0133_PrEP_B_9-25x10-1_Watermark_Bears_p1.indd 3

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

9/6/17 3:19 PM

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

departments 6 // Mail 7 // Publisher’s Desk 8 // Orlando News 13 // Tampa Bay News 18 // State News 21 // Nation & World News 29 // Talking Points 45 // Community Calendar 47 // Tampa Bay Out+About 49 // Orlando Out+About 50 // Tampa Bay Marketplace 51 // Wedding Bells/ Announcements 52 // Orlando Marketplace

page

33

When I think of Orlando I think of nothing but fun, and joy, and families. If anyone can do it, you can. Keep loving each other, keep respecting each other and keep on dancing.

—Jimmy Fallon’s closing line from his monologue on The Tonight Show the night after the Pulse shooting and the opening to the #KeepDancingOrlando music video.

On the cover

page

37

page Dance Party:

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Come Out With Pride wants Orlando to keep dancing while remembering to take action and get involved.

Photo by Brian Becnel

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WatermarkOnline.com

Watch What Happens!:

Bravo’s host of everything Andy Cohen and CNN’s tight t-shirt in the field Anderson Cooper bring their chatfest to the Straz Center in Tampa.

Watermark I ssue 24 .19 // Sept ember 21 - Oct ober 5, 2017

Community Project

Battered Bay

State of Pride

Book Club

page The onePULSE Foundation has launched a survey and scheduled a town hall meeting to get input on the Pulse memorial.

page Hurricane Irma beat the gulf coast but by the look of people helping people it could not break them.

page

page

Read It Online!

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

08

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From gulf coast to east coast, the month of October is all about coming out and showing your Pride.

35

Functionally Literate is holding its first LGBTQ-themed reading event in Central Florida. Reading is fundamental!

41

Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @WatermarkOnline and be sure to Like us on Facebook. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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top web comments “He’s saying he suspected his weight issues are from HIV yet he still had unprotected sex, and now he’s worried he put his partners at risk but he ‘didn’t have the courage to face the music’ and get tested so he’s going to do it on national television instead? Go. Away.”

—Noelle Bivens

Piñero Preventive Medical Care Serving our community for 10 years

Board Certified Family Medicine Physicians

Specializing in comprehensive medical services to our LGBT community since 2006.

WatermarkOnline.com On the Senate blocking the vote on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s amendment to protect trans troops:

“By not allowing a vote on her amendment, the Senate Majority Leader [Mitch McConnell] is telling Kirsten that she is not good enough. Not good enough for a vote.

Not good enough for the Senate. Not good enough to be a senator.”

— Arshad Sherif, M.A., M.Ed.

Watermark’s Facebook: On Kid Rock asking why “is everything so gay?” in a political rant:

“Kid Rock is an ass hat.

One good song his whole career... hmm, sounds like another washed up rocker we know. Both need to disappear and spare humanity.”

—Elizabeth Nicole

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“[He] always looks like he needs a flea dip.”

—Stephen Brooks

“I don’t know Kid Rock, why are you so crusty?”

—Bryan Hadley

On Aaron Carter taking an HIV test in emotional episode of The Doctors:

“What a dick. First, he’s all ‘I’m not on drugs, I have an eating disorder.’ Then he’s all ‘Oh btw, now that’s it trendy, I’m bi’ (like anyone cares). And now he’s saying he suspected his weight issues are from HIV yet he still had unprotected sex, and now he’s worried he put his partners at risk but he ‘didn’t have the courage to face the music’ and get tested so he’s going to do it on national television instead? Go. Away.

—Noelle Bivens

“Not sure why this is news.

This happens every day to ordinary, everyday people.

This has-been is trying to ride the LGBT wave to popularity. Not cool.”

— Melanie Caputo

On Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson brining One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel to Netflix:

“Oh my, oh my, oh my!”

—Queer Coffee

On Steve Yacovelli’s viewpoint column, “Homo Erectus,” about harnessing your “you-ness”:

“Sadly my ‘you-ness’ is apathy.”

—Bruce M. Lloyd

www.PineroMedical.com 6

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

On a character in the acclaimed U.K. production of Angels in America wearing the colors red and blue in a scene with Andrew Garfield:

“Is he wearing Spider-Man colors on purpose?”

—Jon Jimenez

On Hillsborough County’s Diversity Council chair and vice-chair resigning after a Confederacy activist was appointed to the council:

“The intolerant leftists.”

—Ed Carter

On Secretary of State Rex Tillerson raising anti-gay Chechnya crackdown with Russian counterpart:

“Right, as if Tillerson or the administration actually cared. A letter is so powerful, hahahaha.”

—James Ferguson

Watermark’s Twitter: On Secretary of Defense James Mattis saying transgender troops can re-enlist in the Armed Forces —for now:

“An utter DISGRACE! America doesn’t deserve LGBT soldiers.

Such disrespect after defending the USA from harm. SHAME!” —@Thepartyroyal

contributors

Publisher’s

Rick Claggett PUblisher

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

T

Desk

wo things I told myself

I would never write about: Aging and dating. Who wants to hear another middleaged gay man talk about the woes of getting older and being single? Does every homosexual writer think he’s Carrie Bradshaw? Well, it’s time to break my own rule. Getting old sucks!

It’s true. As a procrastinator, you’d think I would put that off for a few years. Although, as an overachiever I think I started getting old before my time. Sign #1: Since I was 10 years old my favorite band has been Air Supply.

The next signs came a little later in life.

When I was 33 years old I developed a skin irritation on my shoulders. At a kickball game—because I was cool and played kick ball at 33—I asked my brother to take a look at my

shoulder and see if he could tell what the irritation was. He told me it looked like herpes and then laughed hysterically, yelling about how I had managed to get herpes on my shoulder. This was in my rather frisky days, so I’ll admit it was a bit concerning.

Was that even a thing? Herpes on your shoulder? Turns out it is a thing and that thing is called shingles. When Jesus was 33 he was busy dying for our sins. Me, I got shingles. I thought that was a painful treat saved for old people,

but I was ahead of my time. On a side note, I don’t wish shingles on anyone. They are awful!

To continue my advanced aging sequence, I developed rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 35. Another malady I thought was reserved for my golden years. It got so bad I couldn’t button my own shirts or tie my own shoes.

Thanks to modern medicine those pains are distant memories.

All of this and I wasn’t even 40 yet. Then 40 came. I’m pretty sure I woke up with back pain on my 40th birthday. Yes, you get back pain at 40 when you sleep.

You get back pain at 40 when you walk, stand or sit on the couch and watch TV. I’m also 85% sure Grindr deleted itself when I turned 40, but I got a free month of Growlr and an email about a new app called Daddyhunt.

40 was a pivotal year for me.

I was a drunk, overweight guy in a toxic relationship. I’ll take responsibility for the toxicity of that, and previous relationships.

A drunk with a constant need for attention does not make a good boyfriend. My life definitely needed a change and change was coming. Thanks to an overnight stay at 33rd Street and an incredible new group of friends, I got sober. A new diet and exercise plan helped me drop six pant sizes and Max Dunley at Rock Hard Fitness—shameless plug—keeps me healthy.

Sadly, when I gave up drinking and smoking I inadvertently gave up dating and sex as well. For a while I was the guy who could legally give blood, a pro and a con if you are keeping score. However, being a recovering habitual dater and drinker has afforded me the opportunity to take care of some pretty important spiritual self-improvement.

I have one more change to go

before I’m ready to jump head first into the dating scene, and that is fixing the ever shifting tectonic plates in my mouth.

Seriously, my teeth are so crooked that my picture on this page looks like I am missing a tooth.

By the time this issue leaves the stands I will have been fitted for adult braces. I’m nervous that I am committing myself to two more years of being single, but maybe I’ll be the sexy guy with laugh lines and railroad tracks in his mouth?

Getting old does suck, but it is also pretty awesome. You get to reinvent yourself. You get to be the best you (thank you

When Jesus was 33 he was busy dying for our sins.

Me, I got shingles.

Oprah!). If the best me is an Air Supply-loving, arthritis patient with a good center of gravity and a mouth full of metal with two years of sobriety under his belt, then I guess I’m doing alright.

In this issue we take a look at the destruction Hurricane Irma brought and the overwhelming sense of community that followed, Jeremy Williams checks in with Andy Cohen on his tour with Anderson Cooper and Ryan Williams-Jent writes about a new LGBTQ author event. Our big story covers Orlando’s Come Out With Pride and how important it is to keep dancing and take action. We are in the midst of a new pride season, so go out and support your communities.

We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

divine Grace

is an Orlandobased trouble maker with a forked tongue and all the charm you can imagine. Page 25

Jason Leclerc

is a near lifelong resident of the I-4 corridor, currently in South Tampa. He publishes poetry online at PoetEconomist. blogspot.com. His first book, Momentitiousness, was published in 2014. His next book, Black Kettle, was published in 2016. Page 27

Ryan WilliamsJent is a

Contributing Editor with the New Civil Rights Movement. He lives in St. Petersburg with his husband and their two dogs. Page 13,15,41

Sabrina Ambra, Scottie Campbell, Krista DiTucci, Miguel Fuller, Divine Grace Kirk Hartlage, Samuel Johnson, Jason Leclerc, Stephen Miller, Maia Monet, David Moran, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Michael wanzie, Ryan Williams-Jent

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

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7

central florida news

Parliament House to sell off part of their land to pay debts Staff Report

O

RLANDO | Don Granatstein and Susan Unger, owners of the world famous Parliament House, will sell off five acres of land to settle unresolved debt that has hounded them for more than a decade, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Granatstein and Unger are selling the five acres to Lion Financial, a Miami firm co-owned by Ron Simkins and brother Michael Simkins.

According to the Sentinel, the sale will include a parking lot and vacant land near The Gardens timeshare building next to the main resort. Granatstein and Unger will maintain possession of the Parliament House and The Gardens.

Lion Financial holds a $3.9 million mortgage on the Parliament House, according to the Sentinel.

“The owner will keep The Gardens property and timeshare weeks there,” said Granatstein’s bankruptcy attorney, Scott Shuker, to the Sentinel. “It will allow both properties to operate with clean balance sheets, without crushing debt.”

MBA’s Pride in Business Awards Gala moves to November

The onePULSE Foundation launched an online survey and will hold town hall meetings to get community input on a future Pulse Memorial.

Photo by jake stevens

Community Project onePULSE Foundation launches Pulse memorial survey, schedules town hall Jeremy Williams

Jeremy Williams

O

RLANDO | The Annual Metropolitan Business Association’s Pride in Business Awards Gala, originally scheduled for Oct. 7, will be moved to Nov. 4 from 8:00-11:00 p.m., with a sponsor reception beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Rosen Shingle Creek.

“There were some limitations for the original date that would have prohibited us from putting on the kind of show that the MBA attendees have become accustomed to,” Gala Committee Co-Chair Deb Ofsowitz says. “On top of that, when Irma came though, it hindered some of the vendors.”

The awards gala, presented by Wells Fargo, will honor the best in Central Florida’s LGBTQ businesses.

Awards are handed out in six categories: Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Corporate Ally of the Year, New Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year and Business Leader of the Year.

“We are using a committee outside of Orlando to select the winners to remove any appearance of impropriety with board and committee members,” Ofsowitz says.

“There will be members from the Tampa Bay Diversity Continued on pg. 10 | uu |

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Surveying tragedy:

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RLANDO | The onePULSE Foundation launched the final phase of the Pulse Memorial Survey Sept. 13 asking for opinions on how the memorial should be constructed.

The survey launched over the summer for victims’ families and survivors, as well as first responders from law enforcement and healthcare. The final phase is currently open to anyone around the world who would like to provide input on the future memorial.

“The survey is now live for the general public to participate in and it will stay live until Oct. 31,” says Sara Brady, the foundation’s media representative.”After that the content from the survey will be analyzed. We will have an answer in terms of what the consensus is and where things are leaning toward as far as what the

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

memorial should look like, what should happen with the building, what people want the museum to look and feel like; those answers will come out of this survey.”

The survey taker is asked several questionson what the visitor’s experience should be— a gathering place to celebrate love and life; a place for reflection and contemplation; an educational place prompting discussion about tragedy and social issues; a place to mourn. Each question requests the survey taker rate the importance of each one.

Further questions inquire whether the memorial should focus on a variety of issues including terrorism, the LGBTQ community, a focus on specific cultural identities, addressing hate crimes and more.

The information gathered will be used to help determine a possible direction for the memorial.

Along with the online survey,

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

the onePULSE Foundation is holding a series of town hall meetings to begin public discussion on establishing the permanent memorial at Pulse.

“When Barbara Poma decided to move forward with a memorial her priority has always been that this be a community initiative and that there be community involvement and engagement,” Brady says. “So these town halls play a very critical role in keeping that conversation going and getting input, particularly from those who live here in Central Florida.”

The first of these meetings is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Orlando Repertory Theater. The original introductory town hall meeting scheduled for Sept. 13 had to be moved due to Hurricane Irma.

There is no charge to attend any of the town hall meetings but, due to limited seating, tickets are required in order to attend.

The forum will be moderated by journalist Indira Lakshmanan.

Lakshmanan, who is the Newmark chair in journalism ethics at the Poynter Institute, will moderate the discussion between an assembled panel of experts and the town hall’s attendees.

The panel includes Hilary Lewis, Ph.D., Chief Curator & Creative Director of the Glass House and onePULSE Foundation Trustee; Pamela Schwartz, Chief Curator Continued on pg. 10 | uu |

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central florida news | uu | MBA Pride Gala Moves Date from pg.8

| uu | Community Project

Chamber and members from the Atlanta Diversity Chamber that will review the nominees and choose the winners based on the MBA’s criteria.”

With outside Chamber members reviewing the nominees that levels the playing field but it also means that filling out your ballots completely and thoroughly is vital.

The nomination process has been extended to Sept. 29, and for the first time all categories are gender neutral.

“The idea to make the categories gender neutral was brought to our attention by Lu [Mueller-Kaul], the MBA president,” Ofsowitz says. “She has been working really hard over the last couple of years to make sure we are a more diverse chamber and that we are more gender neutral and gender inclusive.”

This is the MBA’s signature event. A black tie affair with an incredible full course dinner that will also feature a silent auction, live entertainment and an official after party.

“This is the MBA’s 25th Anniversary and they also won Chamber of the Year, so it will not only be a celebration of the business leaders but of the MBA itself,” Ofsowitz says.

Jorge Estevez and Miss Sammy are back to host and edgefactory has donated a significant amount of production value to this event, so you know the entertainment will be next level.

Tickets are $125 and are available to purchase at MBAOrlando.org.

of the Orange County Regional History Center; Ed Linenthal, Ph.D., Author, and Professor of History & American Studies at Indiana University Bloomington; Anthony Gardner, Senior Vice President Government & Community Affairs of The National September 11 Memorial & Museum; and Jan Ramirez, Executive Vice President of Collections and Chief Curator, National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

The discussion of the first town hall meeting will focus on the memorial process, as well as how the museum items are curated. The next forum will take place in early 2018. No official date or location has been announced.

“We are anticipating doing four of these town halls. We don’t have dates on the calendar for all of them just yet, but ideally we would like to do one per quarter,” Brady says.

Brady says that the entire

from pg.8

process is expected to be complete within three years. Poma has been visiting the sites of other memorials around the country to learn about the process of putting something of this magnitude together.

“She went to Oklahoma City, she did that very early on in this process, and met with them. They have been helpful in letting her know what needs to be done, how to engage the community and why that’s important, and what to expect,” Brady says. “She has a similar relationship with the groups from the 9/11 Memorial.

Those two groups primarily have helped to guide her so she can implement these steps without having to figure them out on her own.”

Ever since deciding to turn the space into a memorial, Poma has been adamant about getting the community’s input on the issue.

“The tragedy that occurred at Pulse Nightclub impacted this community and it’s important that the community be involved in determining what the memorial

ends up looking like,” said Poma in a statement released by the onePULSE Foundation. “So far, the response to the survey had been significant and we are looking forward to hearing from the rest of Central Florida and others from around the world.”

The onePULSE Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated by the owners of Pulse in July 2016. Funds raised through onePULSE Foundation are intended to support construction and maintenance of the memorial, community grants to care for the survivors and victims’ families, an educational program to promote amity among all segments of society, endowed scholarships for each of the 49 angels, and ultimately a museum showcasing historic artifacts and stories from the event, according to their website.

To take the survey or to find more information on the onePulse Foundation, visit onePULSEFoundation.org.

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

tampa bay news

University of Tampa alum premieres drag and LGBTQ-centric play in St. Petersburg Ryan Williams-Jent hurricane in the bay:

As it made landfall in Florida, Hurricane Irma beat up the gulf coast but it didn’t, and couldn’t, beat up the Tampa Bay spirit as neighbors came out to help neighbors.

Photo from wikipedia

Battered Bay Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community gives back in Hurricane Irma’s wake Ryan Williams-Jent

T

AMPA BAY | In preparation for Hurricane Irma, residents of Tampa Bay ransacked grocery stores, emptied gas pumps, boarded windows and exhausted the words “hunkered down.”

Bottled water became liquid gold before and after the storm passed through, carbs became a must-buy again, and following Irma’s destruction, residents found themselves tasked with extensive clean-up efforts and—in many cases—in the dark.

In a statement following Irma’s chaos, Duke Energy spokesperson Shawna Berger said that 1.2 million customers were left “without electricity since Hurricane Irma swept through the state.” She further noted that one of “the hardest hit areas [was] Pinellas County on the west coast, where 415,000 of the company’s 541,000 customers [were] without power.”

For many, even after power was restored, cable and wi-fi

were not, affecting not only a plethora of LGBTQ residents, but businesses and non-profits that support the community. Enigma in St. Petersburg, for example, closed well ahead of the storm “for the safety and ‘peace of mind’ of [their] staff,” citing that some wished to evacuate early and wishing the community well. It took over a week to reopen at full steam.

Bradley’s on 7th in Ybor, however, remained open later in “Irma Week” than most establishments, on a volunteer basis for staff and entertainers, “to give customers an outlet before the storm.” They did eventually close, for the first time since March 4, 2011.

But the LGBTQ community, businesses and non-profits soon re-emerged. Following the storm, services resumed at Metro Wellness and Community Centers.

“In the event you are in need of a place to cool off and charge your devices,” the center announced via Facebook on Sept. 13, “our community centers in St. Pete and Tampa are open to you as needed.

Please remember to take care

of yourselves and each other as best you can.”

Community members came together to support others, with LGBTQ hotspots Quench Lounge, Punky’s Bar and Grill and The Garage on Central Avenue announcing they would serve as drop-off locations to help those in less fortunate areas of Florida receive supplies and assistance.

“Disaster nearly struck, but didn’t—for us,” a Facebook event created for Irma relief read. “There are many Florida counties severely impacted. Pinellas is extremely fortunate [to have only] been brushed by Irma.”

“As creatures of habit we crave our normalcy,” it continued, noting that residents were hungry to have power restored but that some in Florida had lost their entire homes and livelihoods. “We have stockpiled resources that will likely go unused,” the event advised, urging residents “to donate them to those that are in dire need of them—right NOW.” It further called for the LGBTQ community to “extend our arms and care for our greater community—the human race,” citing “terrified children out there that haven’t had the opportunity to discover whether they fall within our spectrum or not.”

“Let’s help our helpless brothers and sisters,” the event concluded. “Please donate what Continued on pg. 15 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

S

T. PETERSBURG | STUN, a new play by Jordan K. Stovall centering on LGBTQ culture, held its first public reading at SubCentral at the Iberian Rooster in St. Petersburg on Sept. 20.

The play, which was presented to the public in its entirety for the first time since its development at the Hamilton Project at the Barn Arts Collective in Maine, follows the story of four drag personas. Matthew McGee, Zachary Hines, Ricky Cona and Siobhan Monique brought Charmaine, Honey Pot, Misty Tension and Chastity to life for attendees, navigating “the polarizing labyrinth of family, gender, approval and self-actualization.”

McGee is the Community Outreach Director at freeFall Theatre, Hines is the Audience Engagement Manager at American Stage, Cona is a singer and actor at Entertainment Central Productions and Monique is a lead vocalist, singer and songwriter.

“Deep down is a violet heart beating out, wrapped in a steely web of skepticism and humor built up to keep the pain out. A spreading epidemic,” the play’s synopsis teases, noting that it was “inspired by iconic works examining gay culture such as The Velvet Rage and Paris is Burning.”

Stovall noted on the reading’s Facebook event page that he was particularly excited about the reading’s venue of SubCentral at the Iberian Rooster, self-described as the “only underground venue in St. Pete.” He further noted that the reading was followed by a drag show and encouraged guests to make an evening of the event.

Stovall, a St. Petersburg native who graduated with a B.A. in Theatre (Performing Arts) from the University of Tampa, currently serves as the Manager of the Regional Rep Program at the Dramatists Guild of America, described as “the foremost organization of its kind advocating for the authors of new dramatic works across the nation.”

“As a playwright, he has had the opportunity of studying with Tina Howe, Deborah Zoe Laufer, Michele Lowe, Gary Garrison and Stefanie Zadravec at the Dramatists Guild Institute,” his website advises, “where he also serves as Executive Administrator.” Stovall will also be attending the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in London, in the fall of 2017 to pursue an M.F.A. in Writing for the Stage and Broadcast Media.

STUN’s reading also served as a fundraiser for the LGBTQ Homeless Youth Project, with donations accepted throughout the evening (but not mandatory for those in attendance.) SubCentral at the Iberian Rooster is located at 475 Central Avenue, Suite 100, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, and regularly features drag performances.

You can learn more about STUN and its playwright Jordan K. Stovall by visiting JordanStovall.com.

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tampa bay news | uu | Battered Bay from pg.13

you can, and maybe even a little more.”

The event collaborated with the Everyday Hero Project and Operation Float, and plans to deliver supplies to more heavily-impacted areas, collecting non-perishable foods, diapers, water, candles, flashlights, batteries, clothing and other products. Donations will be accepted from Sept. 15 until Sept. 24.

Sept. 24, the final day for donations, will also see several long-planned events benefitting other organizations in the area. (Event organizers in the LGBTQ community don’t waiver easily, Irma.)

Gay St. Pete House will hold its seventh annual Luau Party from 12-4pm, with a suggested entry donation of $15. The event benefits the Red Ribbon Cyclists of the Smart Ride, with 100 percent of every dollar raised through the event

Proven Leader: St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman rolls up his sleeves and gets out to help those in the ‘Burg impacted by Irma. Photo courtesy Kriseman’s Facebbok page

returned to HIV/AIDS charities, locally benefitting Metro Health and Wellness.

Flamingo will hold its Closet Ball, an event touting “live drag king and queen transformations” beginning at 6pm. Rockell Blu

will host the fundraiser, which benefits the King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church and the SPCA of Tampa Bay. Kori Stevens will host “An Evening Under the Chandelier” at Carne Chophouse in Ybor, a

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

drag show and fundraiser also benefitting Metro Health and Wellness. The event will feature PheYonce Montrese, Chanel Cartier and Anita Waistline, running from 8-11pm.

Finally, “A Benefit for AIDS

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Awareness,” with all proceeds benefitting Metro Health and Wellness will begin at 9pm at Enigma. The Broken Sluts are presenting the event, with host Jaeda Fuentes and performances

by Dixie Lynn Michaels, Teddy D., Viktoria Sommers, Cherry Poppins, Luci Liccadik, Crystal Reigns, Mya Valentine, Conundrum and more.

Irma may have come and gone, but the LGBTQ community of Tampa Bay made it clear in her wake that they—and their charity—were here to stay.

For more information about the Help Florida Victims of Irma public event and its drop-off locations, search “Help Florida Victims of Irma” on Facebook.

You can visit any aforementioned venue’s Facebook page for additional information, or visit gaystpetehouse.com to learn more about its Luau Party, flamingooffla.com for the Closet Ball, carnechophouse.com for information about “An Evening Under the Chandelier” and EnigmaStPete.com for information about its “Benefit for AIDS Awareness.”

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17

state news

Conservative religious group calls for the repeal of Jacksonville’s HRO protections for LGBTQ people Staff Report

E

mpower Jacksonville, a newly formed anti-LGBTQ group in North Florida, is attempting to get two initiatives put onto the 2018 ballot that would strip away protections from the city’s Human Rights Ordinance based on people’s sexual orientation and gender identity, according to The Florida Times-Union.

The group, which introduced itself at a news conference last month at Jacksonville’s First Baptist Church, announced they would begin attempts to collect signatures for the two initiatives immediately with the hope to have both on the ballot in August 2018.

The first initiative would be a non-binding straw poll on whether Jacksonville voters agree with the city council’s vote in Feb. 2017 that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the HRO. The second would amend the city charter and allow citizens to vote to repeal any law passed by the city council.

The group will need signatures from at least five percent of the county’s registered voters, or roughly 29,000 signatures, to get the two referendums on the ballot.

According to the Times-Union, Empower Jacksonville is registered with the state under the fictitious name Florida Family Action. Florida Family Action has associated with anti-LGBTQ activist and attorney John Stemberger. Stemberger is the president of Central Florida’s Florida Family Policy Council, part of Focus on the Family’s national network.

“I was asked by a group of folks in Jacksonville to help them set up some of the legal structures like a fictitious name and the accounts necessary to comply with Florida election law, which I did,” Stemberger said to the Times-Union via email.

Stemberger stated in the email that he is not heading up the Empower Jacksonville campaign.

Bennett Brown, co-chairman of Empower Jacksonville, said during a press conference that this was just a matter of giving rights back to the people of Jacksonville.

“In order to keep Jacksonville great, we need to give the citizens of Jacksonville the right to repeal any law that is unfair or unjust that is passed by our city council,” Brown said.

Empower Jacksonville committee co-chairman Harry Lewis echoed Brown’s sentiment.

“Our government has no business telling us what we can say or what we must do, nor should they have the authority to punish us merely for our ideas or our beliefs,” Lewis said.

Jacksonville’s city council voted 12-6 last Valentine’s Day to expand the city’s HRO to include people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of employment, public accommodations and housing.

18

Hurricane Irma Shuts Down Miami LGBT Businesses for Days Jose Cassola courtesy of South Florida Gay News

W

hile Hurricane Irma uprooted trees, flooded Brickell and left millions of South Floridians without power, cabin fever started to sink in for members of the Miami LGBT community.

Gay establishments on South Beach—including Twist, Score, Hotel Gaythering and Molto—were closed for days, leaving their loyal patrons jonesing for a drink and a good time.

Twist on Washington Avenue, which recently celebrated its 24th anniversary, was the first and only LGBT venue to open the Tuesday after the storm passed.

“We had to close for five days.

Loss of business was significant,” said Joel Stedman, a partner at Twist. “Of course, to be closed this many days is always a financial hit to any business.

It’s the longest we’ve been closed during any hurricane. But we’re back.

We’re open. We’re gonna be just fine.

“Thankfully, it was safe for us to open,” Stedman continued. “We had electricity. And fortunately, we had staff who lived locally, who wanted to come back to work. We’re so grateful the community came out to support us

when we reopened. This is proof we have a supportive community and we can get through anything together.”

Other LGBT businesses on the beach remained closed as of Tuesday, including Score.

“Score would’ve opened Tuesday but they implemented the 11 o’clock curfew, which I think is kind of ridiculous,” said Charlie Dominguez, a bartender at Score. “I know our safety is a top priority, but these curfews are affecting the small businesses.

“The last time we were open was last Wednesday,” Dominguez continued. “It was our straight techno night. And it was so busy. Really busy.

I guess people were thinking ‘let’s dance until everything goes to pieces, basically,” he laughs.

Dominguez said Score was supposed to open on Thursday before the hurricane hit, but the city closed everything down.

“We’ve been closed ever since then,” he said. “For Wilma, Katrina, all of those storms, we were open right away. This is the longest time Score has been closed. It’s unprecedented.

The sad part is that it’s affecting our community. We need to support our local bars.”

Among the local gay bars, Molto, like Score, was also still closed through

Tuesday. The new drag bar, which officially opened last month, didn’t have electricity until Wednesday and was scheduled to reopen at 4:00 p.m. that day.

“Not everything is just about business, but I would’ve definitely loved to be open during this time for the locals that needed a place to go,” said Molto co-owner Raymond Ortega.

“I feel as long as everyone is safe and alive, I’m happy. The city of Miami Beach is working hard to open South Beach again the fastest way they can, and that’s good enough for me.”

Patricia Noorzai, a Miami Beach resident who has been frequenting Twist for almost five years, said she was glad Twist was the first place to open after the hurricane passed.

“It’s important for all the locals in the community to come together and be sure everyone is safe,” Noorzai said.

“We’re thankful to owner Joel Stedman and Peter Morales to have Twist open in the aftermath of Irma to make it a safe haven for everyone.”

Troy C. Kurtz, a resident and small business owner on Miami Beach, said Twist is “family” and he’s happy they were able to open as soon as they could, given the curfew Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine implemented on the city and its residents.

“We don’t like the curfew.

Businesses need to open as soon as possible,” Kurtz said. “They have employees, payroll. We live here. We’re not looters or prisoners.”

Kurtz said he practically lives at Twist. “It’s my second home.”

Florida taking a nasty hit from this monstrous storm . . . Please give us some time to get your registration refunds done as we are dealing with a lot of issues at the moment, as you might imagine. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in the path of Irma. Please take every precaution to protect yourself and your loved ones,” reads the website.

“We are in discussions [with the Riverside Hotel] for next year.

I think I can say, with a 100 percent certainty, it will be 2018 [before we have another conference],” said Stefanie Schumacher, treasurer for the conference.

Schumacher said it’s been suggested that future conferences be held before or after hurricane season. But financial concerns, in the form of cheaper hotel rates, dictate the scheduling. Organizers could charge more but that might

mean fewer people attend, she said.

“We’ve always tried to do the most economical conference for our attendees. The transgender community is famously not wealthy.

We could raise the rates but are people going to be willing to pay for it?”

Those practical concerns are a part of the goal of the conference, this year and in years past.

Everything from legal name changes to information for crossdressers to information on surgery is discussed during the conference, said Schumacher. “We really try to cover every aspect of the transgender community.

We really try and have something for everyone which is not easy to do because the transgender community is so vast.”

Visit sccfla.org to check for updates on the next conference.

Transgender Conference in Fort Lauderdale Cancelled Because of Irma Michael d’Oliveira courtesy of South Florida Gay News

H

urricane Irma has claimed at least one non-living victim— the 2017 Southern Comfort Transgender Conference. Scheduled for Sept. 14-16 at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, the conference most likely won’t occur again until next year.

Organizers announced the cancellation on their website and social media with promises of refunds for those who registered before Irma.

“We are sorry to announce that, due to Hurricane Irma, SCTC 2017 is cancelled. The safety of our attendees is of the utmost concern to us and everything points to

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

In adults with HIV on ART who have diarrhea not caused by an infection IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION This is only a summary. See complete Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or by calling 1-844-722-8256. This does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What Is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine used to improve symptoms of noninfectious diarrhea (diarrhea not caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on ART. Do Not Take Mytesi if you have diarrhea caused by an infection. Before you start Mytesi, your doctor and you should make sure your diarrhea is not caused by an infection (such as bacteria, virus, or parasite).

Possible Side Effects of Mytesi Include:

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• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinus, nose, and throat infection) • Bronchitis (swelling in the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs) • Cough • Flatulence (gas) • Increased bilirubin (a waste product when red blood cells break down) For a full list of side effects, please talk to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

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.

Should I Take Mytesi If I Am: Pregnant or Planning to Become Pregnant?

• Studies in animals show that Mytesi could harm an unborn baby or affect the ability to become pregnant • There are no studies in pregnant women taking Mytesi • This drug should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed A Nursing Mother?

• It is not known whether Mytesi is passed through human breast milk • If you are nursing, you should tell your doctor before starting Mytesi • Your doctor will help you to decide whether to stop nursing or to stop taking Mytesi Under 18 or Over 65 Years of Age? • Mytesi has not been studied in children under 18 years of age • Mytesi studies did not include many people over the age of 65. So it is not clear if this age group will respond differently. Talk to your doctor to find out if Mytesi is right for you

What is Mytesi?

Mytesi is a prescription medicine that helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea not caused by an infection (noninfectious) in adults living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

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Important Safety Information Mytesi is not approved to treat infectious diarrhea (diarrhea caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite). Before starting you on Mytesi, your healthcare provider will first be sure that you do not have infectious diarrhea. Otherwise, there is a risk you would not receive the right medicine and your infection could get worse. In clinical studies, the most common side effects that occurred more often than with placebo were upper respiratory tract (sinus, nose, and throat) infection (5.7%), bronchitis (3.9%), cough (3.5%), flatulence (3.1%), and increased bilirubin (3.1%).

What If I Have More Questions About Mytesi?

For Copay Savings Card and Patient Assistance, see Mytesi.com

If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine, herbal supplements, or vitamins, tell your doctor before starting Mytesi.

For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at Mytesi.com or speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

To report side effects or make a product complaint or for additional information, call 1-844-722-8256.

Rx Only Manufactured by Patheon, Inc. for Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94105 Copyright © Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mytesi comes from the Croton lechleri tree harvested in South America.

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nation+world news

Edith Windsor, lesbian activist who took down DOMA, dead at 88 Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

E

dith Windsor, a lesbian activist who was a pioneer for LGBT rights and brought down the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act, died Sept. 12 at age 88.

Judith Kasen-Windsor issued a statement confirming Windsor’s death but didn’t disclose a cause. The two were married in 2016.

“I lost my beloved spouse Edie, and the world lost a tiny but tough as nails fighter for freedom, justice and equality,” Kasen-Windsor said.

“Edie was the light of my life. She will always be the light for the LGBTQ community which she loved so much and which loved her right back.”

The New York lesbian, who obtained a master’s degree in Mathematics from New York University in 1957, was out as a member of the LGBT community at a time when being gay was criminal

under state law in many parts of the country. Her longtime partner, Thea Spyer, first proposed marriage in 1967, but the two never wed until 2007. They held a ceremony in Canada, one of the first countries where same-sex marriage was legal.

But Windsor is best known for being the plaintiff in the lawsuit that led to U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2013 striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited federal recognition of same-sex marriage. That ruling was the precursor for the 2015 Obergefell decision extending marriage equality nationwide.

Represented by New York lesbian attorney Roberta Kaplan and the American Civil Liberties Union, Windsor sued the United States for enforcing DOMA after the U.S. government forced her to pay $363,000 in estate taxes upon the death of Spyer, who died in 2009 of a heart condition after the two were together 44 years.

On the day of oral arguments of her case in 2013, Windsor famously appeared before the media on the

steps of the Supreme Court with an iconic pink scarf that flew in the wind. At the time, Windsor said she was humbled by the role the LGBT movement bestowed upon her in pursuit of marriage equality.

“I am today an out lesbian who just sued the United States of America, which is kind of overwhelming for me,” Windsor said.

Kaplan, who took Windsor’s case to the Supreme Court and successfully argued the 1996 law was unconstitutional, said in a statement being Windsor’s lawyer “was and will always be the greatest honor of my life.”

Windsor’s story was inspirational far beyond the LGBT community.

Last year in an interview with the Washington Blade, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton identified Windsor as an LGBT person she sees as a role model. Windsor, an enthusiastic supporter of Clinton in her bid for the White House, said she was “so honored” the candidate chose her as a role model.

A public memorial was held Sept.

15. Aisha Moodie-Mills, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute, said in a statement Windsor was “our fierce heroine” and “will be remembered as a seminal figure in our inevitable march toward equality.”

Mattis: Trans troops can re-enlist in armed forces—for now Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade

courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

F

aced with President Trump’s task of implementing a ban on their service, Defense Secretary James Mattis has issued a memo allowing transgender troops currently in the military to re-enlist — at least during the six-month period when Pentagon studies the issue.

The interim guidance, obtained Sept. 15 by the Washington Blade and other media outlets, lays out the implementation plan for Trump’s directive last month to ban transgender military service.

Mattis says in the memo he “want[s] to emphasize that the current policy and procedures remain in place,” which means the transgender service members currently in service will be able to

re-enlist as the study moves forward.

“Transgender service members whose term of service expires while the interim guidance is in effect, may, at the service member’s request, re-enlist under existing procedures,” Mattis writes.

But that could change. Mattis writes his memo takes effect immediately, but only remains in effect until the Pentagon’s “final policy concerning the military service by transgender individuals.”

As Mattis said before, the Defense Department, the memo notes, will convene a panel of experts to examine transgender service submit an implementation plan to Trump no later than Feb. 21.

But the new memo also lays out additional details about the membership of the panel, which will consist of military department under secretaries, service vice chiefs and service senior enlisted advisers.

The deputy secretary of defense and the vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will also

“designate personnel to support the panel’s work to ensure their recommendations reflect civilian experience, as well as combat experience and expertise in military operational effectiveness.” The panel may seek advice from outside experts on an individual basis, the memo says.

The memo became public on the same day Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate seeking to undermine Trump’s transgender military ban.

Sarah McBride, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement the memo and new legislation demonstrate the Pentagon and lawmakers, unlike Trump, are willing to support transgender troops.

“It is clear that there is broad opposition within Congress and military leadership to Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s discriminatory attacks on transgender troops,” McBride said.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

in other news Seattle mayor to resign amid another molestation allegation Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced he will resign after a fifth man accused him of sexual molestation. Murray in a statement Sept. 12 said he would step down Sept.

13. Seattle City Council President Bruce Harrell will become acting mayor. Seattle voters elected Murray as their city’s mayor in 2013. The openly gay Democrat announced in May he would not seek re-election after a fourth man came forward to allege he paid him for sex when he was a teenager in the 1980s. Reports indicate Murray’s cousin accused him of molesting him.

Michigan apple farmer barred from market over same-sex marriage goes to court A judge has heard arguments challenging a Michigan city’s decision to keep an apple grower away from its seasonal market because of his views on same-sex marriage. Stephen Tennes has been a popular apple dealer at the city-run market. But that was before East Lansing learned that he doesn’t allow same-sex couples to get married at his Eaton County farm, which is a popular place for weddings. The city didn’t invite Tennes to sell fruit this year. East Lansing says vendors must follow its civil rights ordinance, which bars discrimination. Federal judge Paul Maloney heard arguments Sept. 13 on Tennes’ request for an injunction that would allow him to return.

First-ever UN LGBTI rights watchdog resigns The U.N.’s first-ever LGBT and intersex rights watchdog has resigned. Vitit Muntarbhorn in a letter he sent U.N. Human Rights Council President Joaquín Alexander Maza Martelli Sept. 8 cited his health. Muntarbhorn — an international law professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok — has been in the position since last fall. The U.N. Human Rights Council in June 2016 approved a resolution that created the position. A U.N. committee last November rejected a proposal that would have suspended Muntarbhorn’s position.

Serbia’s leader attends gay pride march for first time Serbia’s first-ever openly gay prime minister joined several hundred gay activists Sept. 17 at a gay Pride march that was held amid tight security in the conservative Balkan country. Holding rainbow flags, balloons and a banner reading “For change,” Pride participants gathered in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, before setting off on a march through the city. Many approached Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, greeting her and taking selfies. Brnabic was elected earlier this year amid Serbia’s efforts to improve its image as it moves toward European Union membership. Gay activists in Serbia have hailed Brnabic’s appointment as an important step in their struggle for gay rights.

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viewpoint

Divine Grace

Sweet

Divinity How to hunker in a hurricane

H

ere’s something you

might not know about me: I have often been referred to as “a force of nature.”

For instance, this afternoon a very passionate young lady handling the phones over at the electric company referred to me as an “irrational shit-storm” when I asked her why my home was not considered a “priority” the same as the hospital up the street. WE ALL KNOW THAT MY ELECTRIC RAZOR IS A MEDICAL NECESSITY. I even offered to fax over the photographs my proctologist took as proof, but she would have none of it. (By the way, did you know you can find a reasonably priced proctologist on Craigslist?)

But I digress. I am a force of nature. I’ve been labeled as “a tsunami of bad taste.” One time I took off my foundation garments, when a suitor I had brought home for a little slap-and-tickle screamed “avalanche!” before dropping his poppers and bolting for the door. There was also that time I was taking a lot of fiber supplements to correct the wonky cholesterol levels that are a result of my treating gravy as a beverage. About halfway through my visit, a co-worker walked into the restroom, gagged, and started throwing around dramatic terms like, “extinction level event.” Anyway, so, ding-ding-ding! I am a force of nature.

As such, I wasn’t at all surprised that Irma was every bit as nasty as we have learned anything named “Irma” always is. (Erma Bombeck is the only Irma that actually comes to mind, but I think we can all agree that she was probably just awful.) The largest and most powerful hurricane to grace the Atlantic, Irma took the long scenic route, effectively destroying every beautiful azure blue memory I had someday hoped to re-live in the Caribbean.

Like clockwork, Pat Robertson’s withered carcass

was rolled out along with that old chestnut of blaming the gays for overheating the Atlantic waters with our Gay Pride marches and YouTube make-up tutorials. A bearded Jim Bakker once had Tammy Faye tearfully begging us for money to support his ministry.

Nowadays he’s hawking delicious Doomsday supply kits that you can munch on in your Christian bomb shelters while judging gays and Democrats as God sorts all of us heathens out.

But, come ON! It’s Florida!

After quite a hiatus from the horrors that were the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, God has been pretty kind to us. Since then He has chosen to punish the citizens of New Orleans and Houston with the wrath He always seems to spare Las Vegas when smiting sinners and pansies.

Because if God was really sending hurricanes to punish and eradicate gay people, I’m pretty sure that Cher’s backup dancers would be in a flooded Caesar’s Palace basement screaming, “IF ONLY I COULD TURN BACK TIME, HUNTY!” As Irma crept her way towards Florida, so erratically it seemed she was being fueled by gay bar Long Island Ice Teas, the panic started to set in for Orlando. Almost five days prior to making landfall, bottled water had flown off the shelves and ice was already in short supply. It’s amazing what people will eat during a Hurricane. Sardines, Spam, and potted Spaghetti-O’s became acceptable hurricane suppers paired with boxes of hot wine. The canned vegetable aisle seemed to remain fully-stocked, but people were already fighting over white bread and a box of Twinkies like they were the last post-apocalyptic insulin pump. The only two people in the produce department were me and an over-dressed in beige woman wearing a “Make America Great Again” button.

The produce section was so empty that I would’ve thought the rest of the supermarket had been called to Glory during “The Rapture” had it

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

not been for the shrieking of several children that had turned the store into an impromtu playground.

Some friends and I had visited an International grocery store early in the week in hopes that we could sniff out some bottled water from a less-conspicuous provider, and

pate’, a jar of Spanish olives, four varieties of diced Italian tomatoes, a can of Old El Paso re-fried beans, some couscous, and half of a box of barley.

When Irma finally hit and the power went off, I was still waiting for the LED batteries for my flameless candles to arrive from Amazon. But I was

my kitchen sink runs directly from my bathroom toilet. The second thing I noticed is that neighbors were out helping neighbors. There were people giving lifts, clearing branches, and donating the water they had been so desperate to hoard days before. Not since the Pulse tragedy have I seen

I walked out instead with two bags of pita bread and a 16oz bottle of Fanta. I’m a grocer’s child, so our idea of stability is to keep a loaded pantry.

I opened the doors, proud that I had a packed cabinet. But my smile faded when I started considering what I was going to make out of the Epcot center.

I had added pita and Fanta to the two cans of French

able to fire up several Glade “Crisp Linen” scented votive candles that no doubt made my apartment smell as if someone was hanging out clean laundry in a swamp.

When it was all over, I discovered two important things: The first is that, after a week of delicious bottled water, I have come to the conclusion that the line from

so many random acts of divineness and charity from people who hardly knew each other. It reminded me of the resolve our city has in the face of all kinds of storms. And while the trees may be down and the utilities out, Orlando will never be down and out in spirit.

Amen, The Divine Grace.

One time I took off my foundation garments, when a suitor I had brought home for a little slap-and-tickle screamed “avalanche!” before dropping his poppers and bolting for the door.

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viewpoint

Jason Leclerc

The other side

of life

T

Cosmos his season marks the

fortieth anniversary of the launch of Voyager toward the edge of the universe. American spacecrafts Voyager 1, currently in interstellar space, and Voyager 2, currently in the Heliosheath, set upon different trajectories in 1977.

They will re-converge, the first man-made objects to leave our solar system, sometime in the mid- 2020s.

1977 is also the year that a thoroughly unsexy Carl Sagan made cosmology sexy as he speculated upon the vastness of the universe and the unlimited, promising expanse of humanity’s role within it. His 1980 publication and PBS series, Cosmos, have informed every generation since, tracing time space from Eden along dandelions’ windswept seeds to the farthest reaches of the universe, billions upon billions of miles into the not-yet-known.

Anybody who’s spent more than an hour in Ybor City in the presence of a local knows all about the two dollar martinis at Bernini’s. Patrons order, sometimes two at a discounted time, their favorite Ruso-derived cocktails. Olive-averse, and otherwise a gin drinker, I’m all in for the bargain: the fruitiest—and pinkest--of all concoctions, the Cosmo. I drink them until the price goes up and then coast into the rest of the night with a healthy, sugar-induced inebriation. That journey into the unknown, into the insular potential of 12th Ave, carries the same danger and exhilaration as a trip into interstellar space.

Truth is we can get Cosmopolitans at just about any bar, in just about any city in America. When faced with the option of taste over economy, drinkers will vote for

the one that will get them drunker cheaper.

So, recently, when the concept of cosmopolitanism re-surged in the context of culture wars, we took note, perhaps putting more stock in the mixology with counter-cutters like ginger ale, lime juice, or all-American Diet Coke—or as we were reminded—racism, sexism, and anti-semitism.

Cosmopolitanism finds its loose allegiances amongst progressivism, intellectualism, and metropolitanism. Then there are those of us, who, when cost doesn’t matter, choose to remain closer to our churches, breadbaskets and VFW halls.

And so it is with Bernini’s cheapish martinis as it was with my parents’ free-to-me bourbon, and with the pinkos and the confederates: we find what we like and seek comfort in the saccharin bluntedness of those with whom we share similar tastes. Witness the ponds of blue within the otherwise red electoral map in the United States. The citizens of cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago share more in common with each other than they do with their neighbors in counties just outside their metropolitan areas. They probably have more in common with Paris and Berlin thousands of miles away than they do with adjacent like Suffolk, Shasta, or McHenry. Cosmopolitans exert their influence over the rest of the country on such issues as minimum wage, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, and sanctuary status for illegal immigrants. Further, many cities also collectively endorse stances that don’t directly affect them such as fracking and international climate accords where the symbolism carries real costs outside of their overreached borders.

Witness the countless galaxies within the voids of the expanding universe.

Thus, the pink drinks of cosmopolitanism

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sweeten their consumers’ silver-tongued rhetoric, creating a new confederacy that undermines the principles of Federalism even as it falls back upon it when it’s convenient.

When it’s inconvenient, the Cosmo-confederacy builds

confederacy falls into the fallacy of correlation to place blame on cosmopolitanism for its own stagnation.

True, they bear some of the burdens of cosmopolitanism without the benefits, but also recoup the transfer of wealth from metro areas

The cosmos is vast and intellectually burdensome: it also enriches theory that lives in a void of speculation: both scientific and hypothetical concurrently.

And eventually, bourbon drinkers visit cities and order pink martinis. And

its own structure around well-funded international organizations and NGOs that happily push its agenda.

Meanwhile, the less dense sections of America, clinging to their old fashioned bourbons, watch as the values and industries that informed their parents’ generation crumble under the weight of social and technological progress.

With demagogues leading in the absence of informed visionaries, the traditional

through state and national safety-net programs.

Truly, cosmopolitanism reflects the forefront of social and cultural thought.

It infuses academic theory and a sense of ever-changing justice—always pushing the comfortable limits of what we know. It is untested, and boldly-goes.

To conservatives, this universalist’s worldview can seem dizzying, seemingly 38610 miles per hour in an untethered zero-gravity.

eventually, Cosmo drinkers will belly up to bars and order brown snifters. And eventually, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 will meet again in deep space. And eventually, they may all converge.

As we hurtle through the universe, we form loose, non-binding confederacies.

If we need to round the sharp edges of our currently known boundaries, so be it.

When faced with the option of taste over economy, drinkers will vote for the one that will get them drunker cheaper.

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

www.diversitytampabay.org

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www.NationsLandscaping.com

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talking points The 2017

America’s long journey towards equality has been guided by countless small acts of persistence, and fueled by the stubborn willingness of quiet heroes to speak out for what’s right. Few were as small in stature as Edie Windsor—and few made as big a difference to America.

Shame List, a national list of the

“absolute worst” college campuses for

LGBT students,

139 includes

colleges and

universities

that do not foster a safe environment

for LGBT students, faculty and staff.

That is up from 102 campuses from the 2016 list.

—Campus Pride

—Former President Barack Obama on Edith Windsor, the lesbian activist who took down DOMA

Armie Hammer drags James Woods

for age-gap dating history

A

rmie Hammer went toe-to-toe with James Woods in defense of his upcoming gay drama, Call Me By Your Name. The film, which is receiving Oscar buzz ahead of its Nov. 24 release, tells the story of a teenage boy who falls in love with his father’s 24-year-old teaching assistant, played by Hammer. Conservative out author Chad Felix Greene tweeted about the film, “24-year-old man. 17-year-old boy. Stop,” to which Woods responded by tweeting, “As they quietly chip away the last barriers of decency. #NAMBLA.” Hammer spotted the tweet and clapped back by responding, “Didn’t you date a 19-year-old when you were 60?” Woods reportedly started dating Ashley Madison when she was 19 and he was 60 years old. Actress Amber Tamblyn chimed in claiming that Woods attempted to hit on her and a friend when she was just 16 years old. Woods responded to the onslaught of criticism he was receiving on Twitter by saying he doesn’t care what liberals think on the matter.

RuPaul wins second consecutive Emmy award

R

uPaul is an Emmy winner for the second year in a row. Ru won for Outstanding Host of a Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program at the Creative Arts Emmys, an award he earned for the first time last year.

He accepted the award at RuPaul’s DragCon in New York City over the weekend. “Thank you Television Academy, so much, you make this queen so proud,” RuPaul says in his speech. RuPaul’s Drag Race also won awards for Outstanding Costumes and Picture Editing. The reality competition has had a big year since switching from LOGO to VH1.

Season Nine was its highest rated season yet. Season 10 is scheduled to air in spring 2018. All Stars will return for a third installment in January 2018.

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Jill Soloway steps down as Transparent showrunner

J

ill Soloway has stepped down as the showrunner for Amazon’s hit series, Transparent. Deadline reports that Jill Gordon will now serve as executive producer/showrunner. Soloway will still be on board as writer, director and executive producer of the series.

However, Soloway has become busy co-creating/executive producing another Amazon series, I Love Dick, and creating a limited series about the first all-girl rodeo. Gordon has worked on other shows including The Wonder Years, My So-Called Life, 90210, Doogie Howser, M.D. and NBC’s Heartbeat. The fourth season of Transparent, which will be Soloway’s last season as showrunner, streams on Sept. 22. Gordon will make her debut as showrunner for the series’ fifth season.

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Ryan Murphy, Sarah Paulson to bring Cuckoo’s Nest prequel to Netflix

R

yan Murphy and Sarah Paulson have teamed up again to bring a One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest prequel to Netflix. The series will be an origin story for the character Nurse Ratched, who will be played by Paulson. Set in 1947, the story will examine how Ratched transformed into the evil authoritative nurse that terrorizes Randle McMurphy in the mental hospital. Variety reports Netflix has already ordered two seasons for a total of 18 episodes.

Murphy is on board as executive producer along with the film’s producer Michael Douglas and Evan Romansky, who also will pen the script. Paulson is currently starring in the politically-themed American Horror Story: Cult.

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14

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

in-Depth: Come Out With Pride

Photo by Brian Becnel

Taking

Action Come Out With Pride wants you to keep dancing, but also to keep involved

P

Jeremy Williams

ride is a word that once

carried a negative connotation. One of the original seven deadly sins, it was seen as something shameful and immoral. In the years after the 1969 riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, the word Pride was taken up as sign of honor, respect and loyalty by the LGBTQ community.

Pride became how we stood up for ourselves and celebrated who we are. Nearly 20 years later we celebrated the first National Coming Out Day Oct. 11, 1988.

Pride was applied to something everyone in the community had to do no matter which letter you identified with in the LGBTQ spectrum. The significance of that day was to mark the one year anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

We find Pride events across the U.S. centered on these two key moments in our history.

Orlando’s Pride celebration is one of those as we celebrate around National Coming Out Day; Come Out With Pride Oct. 14.

Last year’s COWP celebration was focused on a community in mourning. The event took place only a few months after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S.

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history when an attack on Pulse left 49 dead, 53 injured and a city shaken.

This year, COWP wanted a theme that did not ignore what happened in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, but one that showed the amazing resilience, compassion and love that the community—and the city—showed in the tragedy’s aftermath. The theme is

Continued on pg. 33 | uu |

31

Pride Fest 2017 Oct 21st SAVE THE DATE J.D.Hamel Park Gulfstream & Main

12-6 p.m.

www.sarasotapride.org

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We love a parade: Come Out With Pride parade attendees will gather around Lake Eola Oct. 14 as they remember to #KeepDancing. Photo

| uu | Taking Action from pg.31

#KeepDancingOrlando.

The hashtag was created several weeks after the Pulse shooting when a Central Florida agency watched host Jimmy Fallon speak about the people of Orlando on The Tonight Show.

“When I think of Orlando I think of nothing but fun, and joy, and families. If anyone can do it, you can. Keep loving each other, keep respecting each other and keep on dancing,” Fallon said.

With those final words, this agency, which has chosen to remain unnamed, created a video that showed the resilience of our city.

Opening with The Tonight Show host’s words, a picture familiar to the people of Orlando appears: the fountain at Lake Eola. A woman walks by holding a boombox (kids go ask your parents what that is) and onto the stage of the famous bandshell. She puts a cassette in the tape deck (again kids, ask your parents) and, to the beat of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Sombody,” she dances.

The two minute video cuts to people around Orlando as they dance. From Lake Eola, Disney and Universal to the Parliament

House and UCF, the people of Orlando showed that they would keep dancing.

The video was a viral sensation reaching nearly two million views on Facebook. The group that created the video launched a website and a hashtag, #KeepDancingOrlando.

“Forty-nine beautiful souls were taken at Pulse, but their spirit dances on in all of us,” the website reads. ”Let’s cherish their memory and

COWP started putting all their best moves into place.

“This isn’t just a hashtag we are putting out there. It’s a movement and it is going to permeate everything,” says Jeff Prystajko, COWP’s director of marketing and communications.

Come Out With Pride will kick off with the official Pride Launch Party at The Veranda Oct. 12 and the Pride on Church Street block party at

Brian Becnel

Prystajko says. “There will also be dancing in the parade and we are letting groups and organizations marching in the parade know to make it fun. Put together a dance move, bring some music. We are definitely going to have music on [the COWP] float. We want to get the crowd excited and what better way to do that than to set the mood and get the crowd pumped.”

One group in the parade

[#KeepDancingOrlando] isn’t just a hashtag we are putting out there. It’s a movement and it is going to permeate everything.

—Jeff Prystajko

celebrate their lives by dancing in their honor. Let’s show the world that love conquers all–that joy and happiness can’t be stopped. Now more than ever before, Orlando is The City Beautiful. We will recover.

We will grow stronger. We will keep dancing.”

As COWP 2017 approached, there was no one theme that embodied the spirit of Orlando more than #KeepDancingOrlando.

With the blessing and full support of KeepDancingOrlando.com,

Hamburger Mary’s Oct. 13.

COWP’s big day starts with the Big Gay Brunch, presented by the Orlando Immunology Center and sponsored by Orlando Weekly, at The Abbey Oct. 14.

Expect huge crowds (last year was nearly 150,000 people) to surround Lake Eola for COWP’s parade and festival.

“There is going to be a section of the park carved out specifically for an all day dance party called the #KeepDancingOrlando Zone,”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

sure to bring their own music is the Talent Grand Marshal, the Orlando Gay Chorus.

“I think having the Orlando Gay Chorus as one of the Grand Marshals is going to be such a great presence in the parade,” Prystajko says.

The OGC will be joined in dance and celebration by the parades other Grand Marshals: Orange County’s first transgender deputy, Rebecca Storozuk, is the parade’s Community Grand Marshal. Tony Mauss will be representing his late husband, Billy

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Manes, who was named the parade’s Honorary Grand Marshal.

“We also have a couple of entertainers lined up for the main stage,” Prystajko says. “So it is literally going to be dancing all day, everywhere around the festival.”

The day will not only be focusing on dancing, but on the importance of getting involved in LGBTQ causes.

“There are so many different things affecting the LGBTQ community that, as a Pride organization, we don’t have the resources or the manpower to be able to attack each one,” Prystajko says. “But we can guide you to the resources and organizations where people can actually get informed and help to make an impact.”

The initiative is called Pride Takes Action and COWP is hoping that you not only remember to dance Oct. 14, but also that you remember to get involved and make a difference in the community. Throughout the festival, COWP will be pointing people to organizations and businesses that are committed to making the world a better place.

“I think in the past maybe we haven’t given the people enough opportunities, but we want to turn that around,” Prystajko says. “We want to make sure people know that if you want to get involved with the political process, if you want to sign petitions, if you want to fight for gun control, if you want to help stem HIV and other diseases impacting the gay community, if you want to fight for equal rights, there are organizations and there are places to go at our festival where you can talk to the people who are in the trenches and get involved.”

COWP will have nearly three dozen organizations, groups and businesses taking part in Pride Takes Action at the Pride festival this year. The list includes Equality Florida, Hope & Help, The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign, FCKH8, Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America, the Zebra Coalition, The Dru Project, the Orlando Youth Alliance and PFLAG Orlando & Central Florida, just to name a few.

“Pride is a day when you have thousands of people coming together, and a lot of those people are there to party and have a good time, but a lot of people also realize that this is a day where we can take some action and make a difference,” Prystajko says.

For more information on the events of COWP or to find out how to get involved with a cause you are passionate about, visit ComeOutWithPride.com.

33

6th Annual

Volusia Pride

Festival

Saturday Oct. 21 1-5pm

Old Fort Park • New Smyrna Beach

Homegrown Entertainers

PEACE Arts

Community art project led by Shy Morris

Face Painting

Rainbows, unicorns, whatever you want to express yourself!

MC Neema Bahrami OnePulse Foundation

DJ Joanie Central Florida’s Favorite DJ

Drag Queens & Kings

Robotics

Spruce Creek HS demonstrations

Drawings

hotel stays, and a variety of gift certificates

Angelica Sanchez OnePulse Foundation’s Florida Ambassador

Donation

For every non-perishable, non-expired food item you bring for Gifts of love Food Pantry, we’ll give you a FREE drawing ticket for our Basket of Cheer!

Produced by Adams Apple & Enrique Envy Volusia County’s Favorite Kings United Church of Christ New Smyrna Beach

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

The State

Space Coast Pride

of Pride

Saturday, Sept. 30, 3:00- 10:00 p.m.

Eau Gallie Square, Melbourne

T

he space coast will commemorate a decade worth of LGBTQ Pride festivals and parades with the biggest celebration Space Coast Pride have ever undertaken.

“We are going bigger and badder this year for our 10th anniversary,” says Scott Wall-DeSousa, Space Coast Pride’s events coordinator. “We will have amazing floats in the parade, and this is an event for the entire family. It really is going to be incredible.”

Space Coast Pride will kick off the night before, on Sept. 29, with the VIP Reception and Miss Space Coast Pride Pageant.

“The pageant will be hosted

by KISS 95.1’s Wingnut and Gidget Galore and is one of our most anticipated events,” Wall-DeSousa says. “It should be a lot of fun and we are expecting a big crowd, so get your tickets early for that one.”

The VIP Reception begins at 7:00 p.m. with the SCP Pageant starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $30 for VIP. Space Coast Pride’s festival starts at 3:00 p.m. with the parade kicking off at 5:00 p.m.

The festival will feature more than 100 vendor booths, a Kids Fun Zone featuring face painting and packed entertainment lineup.

“Along with all of our fantastic drag queens,” Wall-DeSousa says, “we have music by Sam Tolson, comedian Sandra Valls and our big headliner is Debby Holiday.”

Celebrating 10 years for any Pride organization is quite a feat, but to do so in a more traditionally conservative area is a huge accomplishment.

“This is a very Republican county, but they are very socially liberal here and everyone in Melbourne is very supportive of our Pride celebration,” Wall-DeSousa says. “Things have changed in Brevard County and Pride really shows that.”

For more information visit SpaceCoastPride.org.

From coast-to-coast, Central Florida and Tampa Bay celebrate Pride in the fall

M

Jeremy Williams

any people think of the month of

June when someone says Pride, but thanks to National Coming Out Day and the state’s cooler temperatures, October is fast becoming Florida’s big Pride month. Whether you are looking to march through the streets or spend a few hours in the park with your friends, October has got a Pride for you.

Come OUT St. Pete

Saturday, Oct. 14, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Grand Central District, St. Petersburg

C

ome OUT St. Pete has an ambitious schedule of events for their inaugural year (for a more in depth look at Come OUT St. Pete check out Watermark’s previous issue or visit WatermarkOnline.com to read up on it). Along with a week full of events that coincide with the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, COSP’s main event is the same day as Orlando’s Come Out With Pride festival and parade, as well as Tampa Bay’s All Hallows Masquerade Ball. A lot to attend but you can never have too much gay.

COSP’s biggest day will be Saturday, Oct. 14, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. with Bridging the Bay LGBTQ+ Community March, organized by COSP and Project No Labels. The march will follow more or less the old St. Pete Pride parade route down 31st Street, turning onto Central Ave. and marching through the Grand Central District.

The Grand Central Proud Festival starts at noon, right after

the march, with local businesses, merchants and restaurants lining the sidewalks on Central Ave. “St. Pete Pride evolved over the years to attract more out-of-towners,” Grand Central District board member and COSP committee member said to Watermark last month. “We wanted to do something more community based, a little more local.”

COSP will definitely try and maintain that local feel as most of their events will be partnering with local businesses and organizations including the LGBT Welcome Center, Punky’s Bar and Grill, Metro Charities, Empath Partners in Care and Enigma St. Pete to name a few.

For more information on all COSP’s events, check out the last issue of Watermark or visit ComeOutStPete.org.

Volusia Pride

Saturday, Oct. 21, 1:00- 5:00 p.m.

Old Fort Park, New Smyrna Beach

T

he little Pride that could, Volusia Pride, which was born out of the fading Daytona Pridefest, is celebrating their sixth Pride festival in New

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

of vendors and a couple of people show up. We had 900 people that first year, so we had to move away from the church after that because we didn’t have the space,” Casey says. “Now we are at Old Fort Park and we love it out there.

There is a lot of shade from the trees and we are so excited to have it there again this year.”

For more information visit VolusiaPride.com.

Sarasota Pride Saturday, Oct. 21, Noon- 6:00 p.m.

J.D. Hamel Park, Sarasota

I

f you can’t make it to the east coast of Florida on Oct. 21, head to the Gulf Coast as the one and only Cindy Barnes brings Sarasota Pride back to J.D. Hamel Park.

“I love those big Prides we have. I love St. Pete Pride, but it’s nice to be in your own town celebrating among your community,” Barnes says. Barnes has been the Sarasota Pride chairperson for several years and Smyrna Beach Oct. 21. has got the event running like a “We were a bit worried because finely oiled machine now. of Hurricane Irma,” says Cindy “The beautiful thing is Sarasota Casey, Volusia Pride’s chairperson.

Pride, after a certain point, takes “Last year when Matthew came on a life of its own and things all through, it downed a big tree out fall into place. Vendors come on at the park and worried us that board every day and sponsors we might be dealing with issues are calling and saying they are in,” like that. But we just had some Barnes says. fallen tree limbs and no issues Sarasota Pride will have with the power out there. We nearly 40 vendors in the shaded have everything cleaned up and J.D. Hamel Park at the corner of ready to go.”

Gulfstream and Main St. They will Volusia Pride is set for a fun also have entertainment killing it afternoon in Old Fort Park in on the stage the entire afternoon.

New Smyrna Beach, with nearly “The Cheaters are going 70 vendors expected. They to kick us off at noon. Local will also have entertainment musician Jamie Gee will be there throughout the day, with to perform, as well as Blue Star the event being emceed by Sound. They are local talent and Pulse’s former entertainment they draw a good crowd. The manager NeemaBahrami. entertainment is locked down “He is also bringing along and amazing,” Barnes says.

Angelica Sanchez, the Pulse Sarasota Pride takes over ambassador for Equality and J.D. Hamel Park with the tag line Diversity,” Casey says. “She will “#Resist & Rise Up” and they are be the main performer and we bringing that message along with will also have a couple Kings a day of fun and pride. performing as well.”

“We aren’t going to let the Volusia Pride is sponsored by weather stop us,” Barnes says.

Volusia County’s PFLAG chapter “The community here loves their and the open and affirming Pride and loves this event. I can’t United Church of Christ in New wait to see everyone out there.”

Smyrna Beach.

For more information visit “The first year we held Volusia SarasotaPride.org.

Pride in the church’s side yard thinking we would have a handful

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35

DAT NOW E CH SEP ANGE T. 3 D: 0 TH

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arts and Entertainment

Host Most with the

Andy Cohen joins best bud Anderson Cooper on stage at the Straz Center for a night of conversation

A

Jeremy Williams

ndy Cohen is the wide-eyed,

energetic host of everything. He executive produces the wildly popular Real Housewives reality television franchise on Bravo, and moderates the explosive reunions of the show’s housewives. He also hosts Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and is the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show.

This past summer, Cohen rebooted the ‘80s classic show Love Connection, which he also hosted, and hosts his own SiriusXM radio show called Radio Andy. As if that wasn’t enough to fill the schedules of a dozen people, Cohen also joins his best buddy Anderson Cooper on the road as they tour the U.S. with their show AC2: An Intimate Evening With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, coming to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 7.

Cohen broke away from his busy day to chat with Watermark for a few moments about his upcoming trip to Tampa. The interview took place the morning President Donald Trump tweeted that he would be pursuing a ban of all transgender troops from the U.S. military. Cohen responded to the president’s tweets with a tweet of his own. That’s where the interview began.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

Watermark: I have a lot

I want to chat with you about, but I have to start off with the Trump tweets on banning transgender troops from the military. It is terrifying trying to do your job, especially in the military, and know that your boss doesn’t want you there. You tweeted back to Trump “Are you trying to be an asshole?” which sums up how a lot of people felt when they read that, but I wanted to see if you would elaborate on your feelings when you read those this morning.

Andy Cohen: I think it’s disgusting. I don’t know that the president has the power to make this happen, I could be wrong, but I think he’s just trying to divert from all of the other bullshit

Continued on pg. 39 | uu |

37

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

| uu | Andy Cohen from pg.37 that’s going on with him. I think actually people should stay focused on Russia and Mueller and Jeff Sessions.

Clearly he’s trying to divert attention, and he’s done it. He’s rallying his own base and getting everybody else fired up. I don’t know what will come of this but I think the truth is there’s a reason he did this today, and that is to wind up the people who hate him and wind up the people who are really upset about Jeff Sessions and all the other stuff.

So I just think it’s a trap.

You’ve gone at him before on Twitter. In a few tweets you say that Trump seems to be stealing ideas from the Real Housewives. Have you ever gotten a response from him?

No, not yet. I’m waiting to be blocked.

Twitter has become this political and social battlefield where no one pulls punches and it seems like anything goes.

Yeah, it’s awful. I hate it. People are always shouting at each other and I’m muting a lot of people.

It’s very negative and not fun anymore, and it’s led by Trump’s negativity. It’s terrible. We are all falling into his awful trap.

Kathy Griffin caught hell on Twitter because of that Trump photo. I wanted to ask you if you thought that the reaction to her and the photo was an overreaction from most or do you think it was justified?

I mean everyone is so quick to jump on everything and get offended and it drives people out to boycott. This is the culture we live in now, the culture of being offended and boycotting.

You and your friend Anderson Cooper are heading to Tampa for a show in October, AC2 An Intimate Evening With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. How did you two meet?

We were set up on a blind date many years ago but we never ended up going. We never really got past the phone call but we became great friends, going on 20-something years now.

Friendly chats: Andy Cohen (L) and pal Anderson Cooper take questions from the audience during their stage show AC2. Photo courtesy the Bohlsen Group Whose idea was it for the two of you to take a show on the road?

He interviewed me about a book, two books ago, and we just have great rapport. We have a lot of shared experiences, a lot of great stories, and we just bring out the best in each other. His agent represents Bill O’Reilly who’s been on tour with Dennis Miller

What I tell people is it’s like hanging out with friends at a bar hearing their stories, but a little more crafted than that. It’s a night of conversation and we kind of interview each other.

It’s really very free flowing. We bring video clips and it’s really funny. In the last half hour or so we open it up to the audience for questions. It’s really just kind of

of the show stays scripted and much of it is you two telling stories off the cuff?

I mean it’s kind of set at this point.

We know the stories we’re going to tell, but if anything recent has happened we’ll get in there and talk about it. If he’s interviewed someone recently, or he’s been at the White House or done the debate, or I’ve done something

[Twitter’s] not fun anymore, and it’s led by Trump’s negativity.

—andy cohen

doing a kind of conversation series as well, and his agent was like, “you guys should go on the road.” We thought it would be fun so [Anderson] and I got together a few times and worked it out.

We did a test show in Boston that went really, really well and we were off and running.

How would you describe the show, for those who haven’t seen it? Because it’s not really a concert and it isn’t really standup.

a night of really fun stories and conversation, and a lot of laughs and a great night out.

You both juggle such busy schedules, how often are you able to get together to do these shows?

We’ve got six more left this year.

We took the summer off, but we probably do 12 dates a year.

There is a bit of drinking that goes on up on the stage. after a few drinks how much

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

interesting. We will definitely talk about it. It is definitely a topical show.

Has either of you divulged more information on stage than you intended to?

I think sometimes we leave the stage saying “wow, I can’t believe we talked about that.”

You host Watch What Happens Live on Bravo, and you had the original

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

Evita herself, Patti LuPone, on. She talked about Madonna’s performance in the film version of Evita, calling it “a piece of shit” and calling Madonna a “movie killer.” You looked surprised when she said it.

Are there any moments on the show where a celebrity has said something that was so unexpected that you were in shock?

Oh, I’ve got so many; I mean constantly. That’s what I love about the show. I mean you just never know who’s going to say what. You know that Patti LuPone moment was great. Charlize Theron surprised me, she was just going there. So did Jada Pinkett. I asked her what her least favorite movie of Will Smith’s was. She told me. I mean she was really outspoken which I was surprised by. I thought she was kind of going to be closed up.

Is there anybody you have had on that was just too closed off that you wouldn’t have back on?

Yeah, maybe one or two, but I wouldn’t tell you.

39

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

books

Reading is fundamental Functionally Literate to hold first LGBTQ-themed reading event

(above)

Book CLubbing:

Kristen Arnett (L) and SJ Sindu come to talk books at the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park. left Photo Courtesy Burrow Press Right Photo by Jessie Cohen

I

Ryan Williams-Jent

n the great tradition of “Paris is

Burning,” reading is fundamental—and the library is open. Well, in the great tradition of quality LGBTQ literature, at least, the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts in Winter Park is open for an exciting, first-of-its-kind event.

Functionally Literate, Burrow Press’ quarterly reading series that’s been pairing what it describes as “the best writers in Central Florida with visiting writers from all over the world” since 2012, will hold its first LGBTQ-themed event in the Orlando area on September 23. The event, free to the public, will feature authors S.J. Sindu and Kristen Arnett.

The two writers previously met as fellows for Lambda Literary,

the world’s premier LGBT literary organization. Their mission statement proudly proclaims that “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer literature is fundamental to the preservation of our culture, and that LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published and read.”

The pair will each discuss their respective works—Sindu, her debut novel A Marriage of a Thousand

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Lies and Arnett, her series of short stories, Felt in the Jaw. They’ll each give a reading, participate in a question and answer session with the audience, sign copies of their books for fans and discuss LGBTQ issues in publishing.

S.J. Sindu, who was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Massachusetts, currently teaches and writes in Tampa. Her first novel follows her hybrid fiction and nonfiction chapbook, I Once Met You But You Were Dead, which won the 2016 Turnbuckle Chapbook Contest and was published by Split Lip Press.

She was a 2013 Lambda Literary Fellow, holds an M.A. in Creative Writing for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a PhD in Creative Writing from Florida State University. She’s also been published in Brevity, the Los Angeles Review of Books, The Normal School, Fifth

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

Wednesday Journal, as well as other journals and anthologies.

Kristen Arnett is a queer fiction and essay writer who has held fellowships at Tin House, Kenyon Review, and the Lambda Literary Foundation. She was awarded Ninth Letter›s 2015 Literary Award in Fiction, was named the runner-up for the 2016 Robert Watson Literary Prize at The Greensboro Review, and was a finalist for Indiana Review›s 2016 Fiction Prize. She has been, or will be, featured in the North American Review, The Normal School, Electric Literature, Volume 1 Brooklyn, OSU’s The Journal, Catapult, Bennington Review, Portland Review, Grist Journal, Tin House Flash Fridays/The Guardian, Salon, and The Rumpus.

With Functionally Literate,

Continued on pg. 43 | uu |

41

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Read It Online!

| uu | Burrow Press from pg.41

the duo joins a long list of previously-featured celebrated literature icons.

The Burrow Press reading series has hosted the Director of the National Book Foundation, Lisa Lucas, the National Book Award-finalist Lauren Groff, the award-winning novelist Jacinto Lucas Pires, as well as writer Padgett Powell.

Sundu’s novel “tells the story of an arranged marriage between a Sri-Lankan couple who are actually gay, dating on the side, and hiding their true identities from their conservative families,” the event’s press release reads.

“Arnett’s short stories cover a range of topics but are bound by ‘dark humor [that] explores the lives of queer women and their families in the light of the bleak Florida sun.’”

Watermark spoke with both Sindu and Arnett about their work. For Sindu, the author noted that “marriages of convenience” are quite common in the South Asian community.

They’re “a way to negotiate and deal with the homophobia that can exist in both South Asia and in the diaspora,” she told us.

“My novel is an exploration of that negotiation, and all the different forms that it can take. Each character makes their own different decision about how, if, and when they are going to be true to their queerness, and it’s important to portray that diversity,” Sindu continued.

“There’s no one way to be South Asian and queer.

There are many journeys and many choices, and this book tackles a few of them.”

For Arnett, her collection of short stories is one she’s been working on for years.

“It’s about what I’m calling the ‘lesbian domestic,’ but also about Florida-which is my home and what I’m often most interested in talking about,” she told us.

“I’ve lived in Central Florida my whole life and it’s really embedded in my

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

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“Marriage of a Thousnad Lies” looks at the meaning of love in both family and one’s self. Photo courtesy Burrow pRESS

work. The stories in the collection aren’t connected, but they are thematically similar,” Arnett continued.

“I wanted there to be a touchstone as you went along, a way for readers to navigate the spaces I’ve created.”

Sundu noted that the publishing world, “though it tends to be a little more liberal than mainstream culture, still reproduces the power structures of the wider world. This means that queer and [transgender] narratives and queer and [transgender] writers tend to be either exoticized or ignored.”

“It can sometimes be an uphill battle,” she said. “But there are many people who are trying to get more queer and [transgender] voices out there, and so you shouldn’t give up. Keep going. Queer and [transgender] writers, sadly, have to have more persistence and tenacity than [heterosexual and cisgender] writers, so keep going. Your voice is important. Your story is important, and somewhere, someone is waiting to read it.”

It’s a sentiment that

Arnett shared. “There’s something so wonderful about seeing yourself represented in work. It happens infrequently, especially for queer audiences,” she said. “So many times I’ve read books or watched movies or television shows and wished to see myself represented that way-not as a token or as a cliché, but as a fully fleshed, fully realized queer person.”

“Writing like that for queer readers lets us know that we aren’t alone out there. Art is ours, it represents us, it is art worth reading. Art worth making.

It lets other queer artists know that there’s a space for them too; that their work is vital and necessary.”

Watermark has paired with Burrow Press to present S.J. Sindu and Kristen Arnett on September 23. The event will be held at the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts 1905 Kentucky Ave, Winter Park, FL. Doors open at 7:00 pm EST with readings scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm EST. You can RSVP for the free event and learn more at http://burrowpress.com/fl.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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22, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; SouthernNightsORL.com One Voice Orlando: A Year in Reflection, Sept. 22, Timucua Arts Foundation, Orlando. 407-270-0597; ProyectoSomosOrlando.org World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment, Sept. 23, Lake Eola, Orlando. 518-328-4773; ElarInstitute.org Mix & Mingle w/Anna V. Eskamani, Sept. 25, The Venue, Orlando. 407-412-6895; TheVenueOrlando.com Winnie & Billy: A SpellCrossed Lovers Cabaret, Sept. 25, The Venue, Orlando. 407-412-6895; TheVenueOrlando.com Equality Florida Mixer, Sept.

26, The New American Home, Orlando. 813-870-3735; EQFL.org No Foam Zone Launch Party, Sept. 26, The Hammered Lamb, Orlando. 407-704-3200; HammeredLamb.com Project Red an Art Experience, Sept. 27, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Art Night Out, Sept. 27, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando.

407-896-4231; OMArt.org Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull, Sept. 29, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com The Billy Manes Foundation presents: Five Eight, Sept.

29, Will’s Pub, Orlando.

407-709-9644; WillsPub.org 10th Annual Space Coast Pride, Sept. 30, Eau Gallie Art District, Melbourne. 321-574-2737; SpaceCoastPride.org Orlando Brunch Festival, Sept. 30, Festival Park, Orlando. 407-246-2283; OrlandoBrunch.com

Saturday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m.—midnight World Center Marriott, Orlando

Aaron’s

Party Aaron Carter makes it a Southern-style weekend with a stop at Southern Nights in Orlando Friday, Sept.

22 and at Southern Nights in Tampa Saturday, Sept. 23. Photo courtesy Aaron Carter’s Facebook page

Tatianna from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sept. 30, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com 1st Thursdays “Ghosts and Ghouls!,” Oct. 5, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando.

407-896-4231; OMArt.org

TAMPA BAY Kat Deluna, Sept. 22, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com Jennifer Real, Sept. 22, The Queens Head, St. Petersburg. 727-498-8584; TheQueensHeadBar.com LGBT Kickball Tampa Pick Up Game, Sept. 23, Gadsden Park, Tampa. 813-274-8615; GayKickball.com Aaron Carter, Sept.

23, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com One Love—Prom in Wonderland, Sept. 23, Kimpton Hotel Zamora, St. Pete Beach. 813-438-3537; ProjectNoLabels.org

St. Petersburg Jazz Experience, Sept. 2324, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg. 727-481-9280; JazzExperience.org The Great Gay 5K Run/Walk, Sept. 24, Pass-A-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach. 727-403-6136; VisitPassAGrille.com 7th Annual SMART Ride Luau Party, Sept. 24, Gay St. Pete House, St. Petersburg. 727-365-0544; GayStPeteHouse.com Health, Wellness & Community Fair, Sept. 24, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com AIDS Awareness Fundraiser, Sept. 24, Enigma Bar and Lounge, St. Petersburg. 727-235-0867; EnigmaStPete.com Peppermint from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sept. 26, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; SouthernNightsTPA.com

Hope & Help are back with their most anticipated annual event, Headdress Ball. This year’s theme is the Steampunk-inspired “Imaginarium.” Come out for this strolling affair with delicious food, dancing, silent and live auctions, and live entertainment. Tickets start at $250. For more information, visit HopeAndHelp.org.

Health, Wellness & Community Resource Fair Sunday, Oct. 1, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Henao Contemporary Center, Orlando QLantix hosts a health, wellness and resource fair at the Henao Contemporary Center to provide information and education on HIV and AIDS. Free HIV testing and PrEP resources will be available. Kids Zone and Spanish language interpretation will be available; as well as food, prizes and fun for the whole family. This is a free event.

Come Out St Pete Organizational Meeting, Sept.

27, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; ComeOutStPete.org Drag Queen Bingo benefiting EPIC, Sept. 27, Hamburger Mary’s, St. Petersburg. 727-851-9386; HamburgerMarys.com/StPete MegaCon Tampa Bay, Sept.

29-Oct. 1, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa. 813-274-8511; MegaConTampaBay.com Miss Shave My Face Pageant, Oct. 1, City Side Lounge, Tampa. 813-350-0600; CitySideLoungeTampa.com

Tampa Bay

POZ Art Exhibit Sunday, Sept. 24, 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Enigma Bar and Lounge, St. Petersburg As a part of Metro Wellness & Community Center’s AIDS Awareness Fundraiser, Enigma St. Pete is hosting an empowering exhibit examining the deep cultural history of the AIDS crisis within the community. The exhibit will feature works by local Tampa Bay artists and is in observance of National Gay Men’s HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. If you are interested in having your art displayed contact 727-321-3854, ext. 258.

PFLAG Inaugural WC Meeting

SARASOTA Mame, Sept. 14Oct. 1, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton. 941-748-5875; ManateePerforming ArtsCenter.com How To Adult: College Counseling, Sept. 29, ALSO Youth, Sarasota. 941-951-2576; ALSOYouth.org

Monday, Sept. 25, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Lexington Oaks Clubhouse, Wesley Chapel The Wesley Chapel/Pasco County chapter of PFLAG is holding its first official meeting on Monday, Sept.

25 at Lexington Oak’s Clubhouse. Baked goods and drinks will be provided. PFLAG meetings will take place on the fourth Monday of every month.

Donations will be accepted at the meeting to establish funds to pay for future meeting spaces. For more information, visit Facebook.com/PFLAGWesleyChapel.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

45

profitable custom picture frame and mirror shop

for sale

Located in the same St. Petersburg, FL., location for 10 years at Tyrone Blvd N and 66th St N. More than 2,000 cars a day park in this shopping center.

All equipment necessary to operate this business is included in the sale: Computerized Lifesaver point of sale system, computerized Wizard mat cutter, Universal double miter saw, Miter Mite VN144 joiner, VacuSeal 4468H drymounter, two work stations, Silent air compressor, 2000 GMC Savana delivery van, all existing stock.

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Call Dan at 727-542-2000

46

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

overheard

tampa bay out+about

SARASOTA STAYS FABULOUS

F

ans of film and fans of the fabulous can rejoice, because the Fabulous Independent Film Festival (FIFF) is about to shante its way back to Sarasota.

The festival is a part of the annual Harvey Milk Festival, and as always, aims to connect the community through independent film.

Now in its seventh year, the festival is currently scheduled to take over Burns Court Cinemas from October 6-8. Films are TBA, but you can stay up to date at fabulousiff.com.

SLEIGH, QUEENS

C

ast members from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 may have just wrapped up their 36-city “War on the Catwalk” tour in Florida, but a little birdie (probably with fabulous ‘brows) spilled all the tea about when Tampa Bay would see the queens again.

(There was also some speculation about All Stars Season 3, but we’ll leave that alone. As we understand it, Mother Ru has some pretty attentive lawyers.)

Following the girls’ performances, and the question and answer session that touched on All Stars, Murray and Peter Presents dropped an exciting bombshell: the queens would be returning to that very theatre (the Straz Center for the Performing Arts) to spread their holiday cheer in early December.

Now we’re all dreaming of a Queen’s Christmas.

EXCELSIOR!

S

tan Lee, the co-creator of the LGBTQ (and other minority) allegory The Uncanny X-Men as well as The Avengers, Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and arguably every superhero that matters – sorry, Superman—announced early this year that after Orlando’s MegaCon event, he wouldn’t be returning to Florida in 2017.

Well, he lied, so if you’re a fan—you’ve got another chance to meet him in the area September 29 through October 1 at the Tampa Convention Center. “I’m like a bad penny,” Lee, 94, joked. “I keep coming back.”

Being the true superhero that he is, Lee announced that he’ll be heading to the event to help with Hurricane Irma relief. He’ll be holding an auction to directly benefit victims, and $5 from 2,000 MegaCon tickets sold after Irma will be donated to Feeding Florida, a network of food banks.

“I just want to say if there is anything I can do to help, that’s the main thing; I want to be there,” Lee told the Tampa Bay Times.

Fans will have the opportunity to schedule autographs and photos with the former publisher of Marvel Comics, as well as nerd out in a variety of other ways. More information is available at megacontampabay.com.

1

2 3

1

SLAY: Ashlee T. Bangkx performed (and stepped down) with grace at the Mr. and Miss Gulf Coast Wessland Pageant at Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg Sept. 17. Photo

courtesy Of Jeff Beadle

2

GETTING PAMPERED: Arturo Ramirez takes a moment to himself at Nouvelle Beauty Bar in St. Petersburg Sept. 19. Photo

courtesy Arturo Ramirez

3

TUCK AND ROLL: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 Finalist Trinity ‘The Tuck’ Taylor got up close and personal with audience members at the Straz Center in Tampa Sept. 17. Photo by Ryan

4

5

Williams-Jent

4

NOW POSE: PheYonce Montrese (Front) and Kathryn Nevets struck a pose from the dressing room of Bradley’s on 7th in Tampa Sept. 16. Photo courtesy

Pheyonce Montrese

5

MAY THE BEST WOMAN WIN: Chris Goodnow and Matthew Pacheco (Center) enjoyed the Meet and Greet with cast members of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 at the Straz Center in Tampa Sept. 17. Photo

courtesy Matthew Pacheco

6

STEPPING UP AND STEEPING OUT: Jeffrey Jew and the crew from Bella Brava provide food for displaced families after Hurricane Irma in St. Petersburg Sept. 13.

6

Photo by Susan McGrath

7

STAYCATION, ALL I EVER WANTED: Sans last names, not unlike Cher, Ethan (L) and Jekeyma took a road trip from Sarasota to St. Petersburg to enjoy Enigma Sept. 16. Photo by Ryan

Williams-Jent

8

ROCK OUT: Bartender Kyle Hill celebrated the reopening of Iberian Rooster in St. Petersburg Sept.

14 following Hurricane Irma.

8

Photo courtesy Kyle Hill

7 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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FORMS

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overheard

orlando out+about

Disney’s newest Princess

A

t the New York 2017 RuPaul’s Drag-Con, fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race were treated to an unexpected surprise.

Soon after a make-up panel—where Central Florida’s Ginger Minj (Josh Eads) gave 8-year old internet drag sensation Lactatia a make-over—Ginger asked Lactatia “I’ve done your make up and your wig, can you do something for me? Do you want to be my flower girl?” Then Ginger announced she was getting married today.

Dressed in an original Disney’s Snow White inspired gown, created by designer David McCarthy, Ginger’s fiancé, CeeJay, walked up to the stage in a complimenting Prince Charming inspired outfit.

Ginger fumbled for a bouquet for her and Lactatia. Once positioned, further stunning the unsuspecting audience, in walked Michelle Visage. She was there to officiate the wedding.

Watermark caught up with Ginger after Drag-Con and in between a very busy travel and movie filming schedule. “He proposed to me a year ago at Disneyland during the fireworks, so we wanted a Disney themed wedding”—Appropriate considering Disneyworld is literally in Ginger’s backyard.

Ginger went on to say that it was important to have Michelle Visage officiate the wedding.

A month into their relationship, Michelle told Ginger you’d be a fool not to marry him. From theme park friends two years ago to sharing a kiss in Epcot’s France pavilion in the rain, this had a storybook feel from the get go.

2

4

1

3

5

6

Stupid, ugly, Irma!

H

urricane Irma was a beast.

She caused devastating damage to several small islands in the Caribbean as well as the Florida Keys. Her uncertain path caused great concern for Central Florida and Tampa Bay and, to show the seriousness of the situation, the online memes were rampant!

Central Florida non-profit organizations braced for the worst. Locations like Hope and Help and Bliss Cares urged patients to get extra medication should accessibility be limited.

A tarp was placed over the now iconic Pulse sign to protect it from the potential of flying debris. Memorial items left by mourners were moved in.

Orlando’s LGBTQ nightlife was quick to get on their feet. Parliament House, like many, lost power on late Sunday night and regained power Tuesday. They also made an exception to the rules of pets, as they allowed guest with small dogs to check into the hotel during the storm. Southern Nights lost power through Wednesday and reopened that night. Savoy was one of the first locations to open, having access to power that Monday and opening their doors at 6pm when the curfew was lifted.

1

HAIR BAND: (L-R) Josh Van Tassel, Joe Saunders, Danielle Marie Irigoyen, Adam Ledo, Donald Rupe, Blake Aburn, Brenno De Mota and Landon St. Gordon hunker down for Hurricane Irma in Orlando Sept. 10. Photo courtesy

of Blake Aburn

2

IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: (L-R) Lani Davis, Eric Ostalaza and Jack Mountford celebrate Eric’s birthday at Ember in Orlando Sept. 17. Photo

courtesy Lani Davis

3

IN LIVING COLOR: Roxy Ramirez (L) and Dillian Ramirez are VIPing it up at the Life in Color concert at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando Sept. 3.

Photo by The Plurtographist

4

WHEN IN ORLANDO: The King and I’s Kavin Panmeechao (Center), along with Season Joy Saulet (L) and Steven Young (R) check out Disney World in Orlando Sept. 9. Photo courtesy

5

GETTIN’ READY: Sam Graper takes a break from plywood and Irma prep in Orlando Sept. 9.

Photo courtesy Sam Graper

6

LAUGH OUT LOUD: Sabrina Ambra on stage with jokes in the Starlite Room at Savoy in Orlando for Jeff Jones’ Comedy Showcase Sept. 12.

Photo by Jeff Jones

7

7

LEGENDARY QUEENS: Darcel Stevens (L) and Erica Roberts enjoy the Parliament House in Orlando Sept. 16. Photo courtesy

Erica Roberts

8

KITTY PRIDE: (L-R) Patty Sheehan, Yuly Herrera and Mendi Cowles hang out at the newly renovated GLBT Center of Central Florida Sept. 10. Photo by Shannon Graves Rosser

Steven Young

8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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49

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

announcements

wedding bells

Nicole and Adrian Costa

Reunited childhood friends Nicole and Adrian married in a sunflower-strewn August lakeside wedding.

CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE:

Sorrento, Florida

ENGAGEMENT DATE:

January 29, 2017

WEDDING DATE:

August 13, 2017

VENUE:

Paradise Cove

FLOWERS:

Lee Forrest

COLORS:

Cobalt and yellow

WEDDING SONG and ARTIST:

“I Need You”

by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

DJ or BAND NAME:

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CATERER:

John Michael Catering

CAKE BAKERY:

Cakes by Design

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Art Faulkner Photography

VIDEOGRAPHER:

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Photo by Art Faulkner

T

he way Nicole and Adrian

first met might be a little unconventional for a lesbian couple. They were friends as kids while Nicole played the drums and Adrian sang in their church’s youth choir. Their families went to the same church when they were children, but eventually they both stopped attending.

After several years, they saw each other again at a different church and have been together ever since. “From that first Sunday since we reunited, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her,” says Nicole.

As they got to know each other as adults, they quickly realized how interested they were in spending the rest of their lives together. Nicole loves country music and being on the lake fishing, or just relaxing on a boat.

She had a blue truck she called “Old Blue” that Adrian found so endearing. “We would drive around and whenever we went under a bridge of some sort, she would hit the gas and the noise would echo,” says Adrian.

After five months of inside jokes and dreaming about their lives together, Nicole said yes when Adrian offered her a promise ring. “I knew very quickly she was the one,” says Nicole.

There was never any resistance to

marriage on either side. “We were both ready to start a new chapter in our lives together,” says Nicole.

Nicole hired a photographer to take a family photo session at a park in downtown Orlando with Adrian’s family. Adrian had previously expressed that she’d like her family to be there when Nicole popped the question. After the family photos, Nicole asked the photographer if she could take some snaps with Adrian alone.

The family held up signs that said “Marry Her?” as Nicole dropped to one knee and asked Adrian to be her wife. “It was perfect!” says Adrian.

Wedding planning was stressful for both women, but the end result was a gorgeous August ceremony and reception at the lakeside venue Paradise Cove.

They had the venue picked out long before they were engaged.

The most important vendors to them were the photographer and the DJ. “The photos are forever,” says Adrian. They researched many photographers, but Art Faulkner suited them best.

On August 13, Adrian walked down the aisle to join Nicole in matrimony. “What I will remember most is when I finally got to see Adrian that day,” says Nicole. “I thought arriving to the venue by speedboat and stepping off the dock into our wedding was amazing, but then there she came.” Adrian agrees, “It didn’t feel real until that moment.”

The couple, whose first date was to go fishing, incorporated it into the ceremony. Instead of a sand unity ceremony, they decided to tie a “fisherman’s knot” together. After the ceremony, Nicole’s brother wrote “Just Hooked” on Nicole’s truck.

“It is awesome looking at her while she cooks dinner and thinking to myself, ‘Wow! This is my wife!” says Nicole. “It feels great.”

Congratulations The GaYbor District Coalition celebrates another year of uniting LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses in Tampa’s historic district on Sept. 29.

Local Birthdays JLL general manager ThearonScurlock, Hogwarts student Heather Murphy, Walt Disney Port Orleans Resort lobby concierge Gerry D. Evans, Orlando artist and comedian Angela Ramos (Sept. 21); Orlando sister “Isadora Knocking” Morris Beverly (Sept. 22); MBA president and owner of Balance Orlando Lu Mueller-Kaul, former Watermark art director Charlie Carballo (Sept. 23); Tampa Bay fashion designer Ivanka Ska, Pulse co-owner Ron Legler, Orlando photographer Angie Folks (Sept. 24); Southern Nights’ Christopher Bishop, Orlando chef Nathan Shifflett, The Dashing Man Brian Smith, former Watermark sales rep Kevin Thornton (Sept. 25); EO Inn general manager Eddie Cooper, Orlando performer Janine Klein, Keep Orlando Beautiful coordinator Jody Goostree, graphic artist Jarrod Pope, former Watermark media director Jamie Hyman (Sept. 26); Gulf Coast photographer Deanna McKinney (Sept. 27); Tampa realtor Cody Limberger, Dardin Restaurants’ social media strategist Jeff Alexander Giordano, Dapper Ducks owner Chuck Zell (Sept. 28); Tampa decorator extraordinaire Matthieu Stanoch, City of Orlando’s CFO Chris McCullion, Ybor City event planner Tony LaColla (Sept. 29); HIV/AIDS activist Rob Domenico (Sept. 30); Parliament House’s Niki Ames (Oct. 2); Orlando bartender Taylor Bulloch, “The Money Coach” Tammy Lally (Oct. 3); Bay News 9 traffic expert Chuck Henson, Orange County Trump Campaign Chair Randy Ross (Oct. 4).

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!

—Holly V. Kapherr

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.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

HEALTH

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HEALTHYSEXUAL, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc. © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. UNBC3907 01/17

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Sep t emb er 21 - Oc tob er 5 , 2017 // Issue 24 .19

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