Watermark Issue 26.06: Tampa Proud by Watermark Publishing Group

Celebrating 25 yearS of

Your LGBTQ Life.

INSIDE:

CENTRAL FLORIDA PERFORMER

WINS MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN 2019 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PINELLAS COUNTY ANNOUNCES PRIDE BUILD

Tampa

Proud

JANE CASTOR POISED TO BECOME TAMPA’S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ MAYOR

daytona beaCh • orlando • tampa • St. peterSburg • Clearwater • SaraSota

I S S U E 2 6 . 0 6 • M A R C H 2 1 - A P R I L 3 , 2 0 1 9 • WAT E R M A R KO N L I N E . CO M

To the LGBTQIA community, For the harm The United Methodist Church has done, we are sorry. You are beloved. You matter. We need you. We affirm who you love. You are a gift to the church. We will keep working to make it right. Gather with us any Sunday morning at 10:30 AM. Our wedding altar and pulpit are fully open to you. Love, The people of Allendale United Methodist Church St. Petersburg, Florida

www.allendaleumc.org

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Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

- Pride Apparel - Novelties - Jewelry - Art Love Has No Gender 348 N Alexander Street, Downtown Mount Dora, FL Toll Free: (844) 441-LHNG (5464) www.LoveHasNoGender.net 4

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

deparTmenTs 7 // Bureau Chief’s desk

PAGE

8 // CenTral florida neWs 10 // Tampa Bay neWs

in the case of Jane castor, for 30 years, she has dedicated her life to serving the people of this city … There is only one person in this race who is equipped, who is prepared, who is ready to be the mayor of this great city. —TAMPA MAyOR BOB BUcKhORN

12 // sTaTe neWs 15// naTion & World neWs 21// Talking poinTs 43// CommuniTy Calendar 45// Tampa Bay ouT + aBouT 47// CenTral fl ouT + aBouT 48// Tampa Bay markeTplaCe 50// CenTral fl markeTplaCe 53// Wedding Bells/ announCemenTs 54// lasT page on The Cover

PAGE made in evan

PAGE TAMPA PROUD:

Watermark speaks with Jane Castor, who is poised to become Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ mayor. Photo by Dylan Todd

sCan Qr Code for

WaTermarkonline.Com

“Dear Evan Hansen” star Ben Levi Ross talks about living authentically and launching a national tour.

WaTermark issue 26.06 // marCh 21 - april 3, 2019

on Board

living proud

BroadWay Queens

PAGE The LGBT+ Center of Central Florida announces its 2019 Board of Directors.

PAGE Tampa’s fifth annual Pride celebration announces new details.

PAGE

danCe WiTh me

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

Broadway Brunch Bunch takes their show from the dining room to the stage.

PAGE

Jonathan y Jorge salsa their way onto “World of Dance” and the national spotlight.

Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

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tampa bay

bureau Chief’S

ryan Williams-Jent TB BUREAU CHIEF Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

desk

AST MONTh, My hUSBAND AND I

were heading home from his birthday dinner with a dear friend when Avril Lavigne came on the radio. This was shocking for a number of reasons.

First, because my radio was on. I tend to default to my Spotify playlist “Pimpin’ Ry Style,” an ever-expanding and eclectic collection of my favorite hits now in its second volume. Volume one, may it R.I.P., was lost when my then-boyfriend and now-husband—who still groans whenever he sees the playlist’s name—deleted it after we briefly broke up. I’m certain that I’d done something to deserve it and it was his Spotify account, but I digress. He was clearly being selfish and short sighted. It also alarmed me because it’s 2019 and Avril Lavigne, of 2002’s “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” notoriety, had a new single and

sounded exactly the same. I was a big fan of hers “back in the day,” but where had she been? As she crooned “I ain’t no dumb blonde, I ain’t no stupid Barbie doll, I got my game on, watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong” in “Dumb Blonde” featuring Nicki Minaj, I couldn’t help but wonder how old this woman was. Why was she still singing about such trivial nonsense, and did she still wear the same eyeliner? Don’t get me wrong: I dig the eyeliner and I’m no musical purist. My performer of choice is Britney and the Holy Spear-It is no master lyricist. See “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” as an example and add

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in a solid “oh baby, baby” for a solid hit in my book. I also love a good throwback. I recently purchased “Batman: The Animated Series” on Blu-Ray, I’m wearing a “Lilo and Stich” hoodie as I write this and I still highlight my hair. I even enjoyed a few songs from Lavigne’s obscure 2013 album; I just had no idea she was still actively making music that the radio would pick up. As it turned out, it was a wonderful reminder that I’m no spring chicken. I had judged Lavigne by her age, assuming that because of the length of her career she was at least double my own. I changed my tune after a quick Google search, however, a humbling reminder that age is just a number. Avril Lavigne and I, as it turns out, are both 34. Time is a funny thing. As quickly as the years have gone, so too has 2019. March is nearly over and with it, Watermark’s Awards for Variety and Excellence, also known as our annual WAVEs. Tampa Bay had a lovely awards celebration at Metro Inclusive Health March 8, and I want to formally thank them for hosting, all of our fabulous performers for entertaining and all of our incredible guests for attending. It was a massive success because of each of you. I also want to thank all of this year’s voters, of which there were a record number, for participating and for voting me Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Writer/Journalist. I’m so very grateful that I get to do what I love every day and that wouldn’t be possible if you weren’t reading and supporting our fantastic advertisers. Should my career last as long and as vibrantly as the ever-so-youthful Avril Lavigne’s, I hope you’ll join me for the ride. In our in-depth feature this issue, we examine the race to secede another WAVE Award winner: the term-limited Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a staunch LGBTQ ally. Jane Castor, the city’s former and first openly LGBTQ chief of police, faces

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retired banker and philanthropist David Straz in Tampa’s runoff election April 23. Should she win, Castor will make history by becoming the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor. In Tampa Bay news, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County announces its inaugural Pride Build, inviting members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to build a home in St. Petersburg. Tampa Pride also holds its fifth annual celebration. In Central Florida news, Jazell Barbie Royale makes history as she

i also love a good throwback. i recently purchased ‘Batman: The animated series’ on Blu-ray, i’m wearing a ‘lilo and stich’ hoodie as i write this and i still highlight my hair.

wins the 2019 Miss International Queen in Thailand. In state news, HB 3 threatens every LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinance in Florida, prompting Equality Florida to speak out and ask supporters to do the same. In Arts and Entertainment, we chat with openly LGBTQ “Dear Evan Hansen” star Ben Levi Ross about launching the hit musical’s first national tour, coming soon to Tampa and Orlando. We also tune into Jonathan y Jorge as they salsa their way through J. Lo’s dance competition “World of Dance” on NBC. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Thank you again for voting and for reading—I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

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Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

ConTriBuTors JERIcK MEDIAvILLA

is a former journalist from Mexico City, an educator in Central Florida and an human rights activist for the LGBTQ community. Jerick is one half of an Orlando power couple with State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith. Page 17

GREG STEMM

lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 19

AARON DRAKE

is a contributor to Creative Loafing, South Florida Gay News and ManAboutWorld. He loves getting lost in other countries and his German Shepherd. Page 53 saBrina amBra, naThan Bruemmer, sCoTTie CampBell, miguel fuller, divine graCe, holly kapherr alejos, jason leClerC, melody maia moneT, jeriCk mediavilla, greg sTemm, dr. sTeve yaCovelli, miChael WanZie

phoTography Brian BeCnel, niCk Cardello, BruCe hardin, jamarQus mosley, Chris sTephenson, lee vandergrifT

disTriBuTion lvnlif2 disTriBuTing, ken CarraWay, vanessa maresCa-CruZ CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

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Central florida

bureau Chief’S

Jeremy Williams CFL BUREAU CHIEF

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

desk

ETTING OLDER SEEMS WORSE

when you are a kid. I don’t mean getting older as in turning 16 or 18 or 21. As a kid those ages are filled with cool milestones like getting able to drive or graduate or get completely shit-faced legally. I mean like really old. Like you have one foot in the grave, eat your dinner at 4 p.m. and record every CBS show airing on primetime old. You know, like 40.

When I was younger I remember attending a 40th birthday party. I can’t remember so well if it was the birthday of an uncle or family friend, but what I do remember is the party’s theme, “Over The Hill.” There were black balloons, a cake with a tombstone on it and I think Death may have made an appearance. Everyone laughed and poked fun at the birthday boy as they made what I would discover later in life were

erectile dysfunction jokes. “Ha ha ha, you’re old. You’ll never get it up again, now live the rest of your life miserable and sexless!” Ah, the 80s. My take away from that fun-filled celebration as a young child was that I was terrified of turning 40 because life was basically over by that point. As I reached my teens, I can recall coming into the house to see my mother moving the living room furniture around, something she

WaTermark sTaff Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer Tom@WatermarkOnline.com

CFL Bureau Chief: Jeremy Williams • ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

Owner & Publisher: Rick Claggett • ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Tampa Bay Bureau Chief: Ryan Williams-Jent • ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

Business Manager: Kathleen Sadler • ext. 101 Kathleen@WatermarkOnline.com

Multimedia Assistant: Meghan Sweeney • ext. 100 Meghan@WatermarkOnline.com

was fond of doing on a bi-weekly basis, and saying things like “Mama, what are you doing? Let me get that, you shouldn’t be moving that table in your elder state.” My mother would have been in her early 40s at this point and I had decided that at her age she was far too frail to lift a 10 pound table. She would respond with “I’m not ready for the retirement home yet.” I have been thinking about these past memories a lot lately because in less than 90 days I too will be an old, decrepit, worn-out 40 year old. Funny enough, not only am I not fearful of turning 40 but I don’t feel all that old either. I could totally rearrange my living room on a bi-weekly basis, and on a good weekend probably throw in rearranging a bedroom as well. One thing that I have noticed that gets harder as you approach 40 is making changes in your life. I made a deal with myself last year that I would take better care of me and start off my 40th year being healthier, both mentally and physically. I began by reading more “grown-up books” and less comic books—not that there is anything wrong with reading comic books, Bill Maher—but I wanted to branch out and read something other than my typical go to of fantasy fiction. One that I highly recommend is “War on Peace” by Ronan Farrow. Next one to pick up will be “Shortest Way Home” by openly gay 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. I also decided to get healthier by eating right (I learned what a proper portion size is) and by exercising (which is the hardest part because exercise sucks). I’ve learned a few interesting things so far in this process. The first being, losing weight is a lot harder to do when you are approaching 40 rather than approaching 25. The second thing is that while it is harder, it is not impossible. I started with a walk around the block at work. Then that grew into a walk around the block

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

at home and then a walk through my neighborhood and eventually it turned into walking three miles down to the Wawa to get a coffee and walking the three miles back. The final thing I learned is that you have to let yourself cheat every once and a while. So while most of the time it’s salads and political biographies, occasionally you have to do pizza and Spider-Man. So if you see me out and I have some carbs in my hand do not slap them away, it may just be my cheat day. Unless it is before April 29, because I’m trying to win $100 in a biggest loser competition and there is no room for carbs! Excelsior!! In this issue, we are looking at another type of change, the changing

My take away from that fun-filled celebration as a young child was that I was terrified of turning 40 because life was basically over by that point.

of the guard for Tampa’s mayoral race as we chat with candidate Jane Castor. In news, Parliament House Orlando’s Jazell Barbie Royale is crowned Miss International Queen and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County announces its new Pride Build. In Arts and Entertainment, we chat with the lead in the national tour of “Dear Evan Hansen,” as well as one half of the “World of Dance” breakout duo Jonathan y Jorge, and we preview Orlando’s Broadway Brunch Bunch as they make the move from the dining room to the stage.

orlando offiCe 414 N. Ferncreek Ave. Orlando, FL 32803 TEL: 407-481-2243

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Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

ConTriBuTors JERIcK MEDIAvILLA

GREG STEMM

lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 19

AARON DRAKE

phoTography Brian BeCnel, niCk Cardello, BruCe hardin, jamarQus mosley, Chris sTephenson, lee vandergrifT

watermark publishing group inc.

central florida news

The Center announces its 2019 Board of Directors Amanda Espinosa

RLANDO | The LGBT+ Center Orlando announced its 2019 Board of Directors via Facebook on March 12. Roxy Santiago, who has been a member of The Center’s Board of Directors for two years, was named board president. Santiago is also a member of the Human Rights Campaign in Orlando. “I wanted to give back to my community and bring more Hispanics and women to The Center,” Santiago says. “I’m really looking forward to having an amazing year with these awesome individuals.” Joanne Grant of Mills50 was chosen as board vice president, Jimmy Drew will be the new board treasurer and Nikole Parker will serve as board secretary. Former board president of The Center, Jeff Buak will serve as a general board member this year. Other general board members include Danny Garcia, Galen Hentzell, Jerry Warner, Michael Krug, Michael Ussery, Pat Michaels, Sarah Elbadri, Veronica Woodard and Willie Williams. “We have what we need to support our community,” Santiago says. “Our board is a reflection of that.”

WORLD’S FINEST:

Jazell Barbie Royale is announced the 2019 Miss International Queen. Photo courtesy Miss International Queen Pageant

Queen of the World

Drag Queen Cruise ‘Werks’ the Caribbean

Parliament House’s Jazell Barbie Royale crowned Miss International Queen

Abigail Brashear

Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | On Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas cruise ship, vacationers will sail across the Western Caribbean in fabulous fashion—drag fashion, to be exact. The Big Gay Spring Break Cruise—in partnership with Central Florida travel agency Go Travel and Drag Queen Network— is setting sail for a five-night, drag-filled cruise vacation April 21-26. The cruise departs from Miami and travels to Nassau, Bahamas and then to Labadee, Haiti. The fabuolus ship will feature nightly drag shows with queens Tora Himan, Cara Cavalli and Mr. Ms. Adrien. Actor and comedian Stephen Guarino will also make an appearance on the ship as a celebrity guest. According to Go Travel’s website, the ship highlights include eight bars, an adults-only solarium, ice skating shows, spa and fitness center, outdoor movie nights, live bands, dance classes, a Flowrider surfing simulator, rock climbing wall, padi scuba certification, culinary classes, mystery dinner theater and more. Tickets purchased through Go Travel for the cruise range in price-per-person from $599 to $874 depending on the type of room. Vacationers can choose an interior stateroom, ocean-view stateroom or balcony stateroom. Each ticket comes with access to the cruise’s private shows. For more information and to book your spot, visit GoTravel.com/Drag.

RLANDO | Jazell Barbie Royale—a performer at Parliament House in Orlando— was crowned Miss International Queen. Kanwara Kaewjin from Thailand and Yaya from China were named first and second runner-up, respectively. The Miss International Queen Pageant is a worldwide beauty pageant for transgender women held every year in Pattaya City, Thailand.The finals, which featured 20 contestants from around the world, were held March 8. “We stand here, from all different parts of the world, all different faiths, all different beauties, all different body types and yet are all beautiful trans women,” Royale said to AFP News after winning the crown. Royale is the first black trans woman to take the crown as Miss International Queen and the first contestant from the U.S. to win the top prize since Mimi Marks in 2005. “It is such an accomplishment, not only for Orlando but for the United States,” says Darcel Stevens, Parliament

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

House’s entertainment director. “The gravity of what this win means to the country and internationally, especially in the trans community, is huge.” Social media—both locally and internationally—exploded to the news of Royale’s historic win. “Ladies and Gentleman...your newly crowned MISS INTERNATIONAL QUEEN. Representing the United States of America, Florida, Orlando and the Parliament House....Jazell Barbie Royale!!!!!!,” Parliament House announced on Facebook. World of Wonder, the production company behind the hit series “RuPaul’s Drag Race” tweeted: “Herstory just got made, kitty girls. Miss International Queen 2019 has just crowned its first African-American transgender winner, the stunning @BarbieRoyale! Condragulations to this glamazon for her groundbreaking win.” “She came, she saw, she slayed. She made history,” wrote PinkNews, an LGBTQ news site from the U.K. Royale also works locally with Bliss CARES, a nonprofit organization in Orlando whose mission is to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other STDs in the Central Florida area.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

“Jazell took that work and made it her platform at the pageant, speaking on the importance of PrEP,” Stevens says. “She spoke about the facts with such ease and I think that’s what took her over the top to win.” Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily medication used to help lower the chance of people getting infected with HIV. PrEP is approved by the FDA and has been shown to be safe and effective at preventing HIV infection. “Now she has an international platform to speak about PrEP and all the things important to her, and that is a really big deal for someone in our community,” Stevens says. The Miss International Queen pageant is the largest transgender beauty pageant in the world, seen by millions of people globally, and it has been an annual event in Thailand since 2004. The pageant was previously known as Miss Tiffany’s Universe and began running in Thailand in 1998. The 2019 finals were streamed live on the official YouTube channels for Miss International Queen and for the Thailand television network GMM 25. From just the two YouTube channels, the pageant was watched by more than 1.5 million people. Other U.S. performers who have placed at Miss International Queen include Shantell D’Marco—who was first runner-up in 2013—and Stasha Sanchez—who was second runner-up in 2010. The Miss International Queen pageant made headlines in 2017 when it was featured in the CNN docu-series “This Is Life with Lisa Ling.”

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

tampa bay news

Tampa Pride holds fifth annual celebration, announces new details Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | Tampa Pride has announced new event details ahead of its fifth annual celebration March 30. “We are so proud as a community that Tampa Pride is celebrating our fifth year,” Tampa Pride President Carrie West shared with Watermark. “There have been many changes in our community and many changes in our lives. That’s part of why the board and directors of Tampa Pride 2019 chose ‘Milestones’ as this year’s theme.” Events will officially begin March 25 with Tampa Pride’s Interfaith Service, held from 7-8 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa. The service will draw from multiple faith traditions and the writings of civil rights leaders, celebrating the inherent worth and dignity of all persons. The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, in conjunction with Tampa Pride, will host the free LGBTea Party March 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Programming will include live body painting featuring “Skin Wars” artist Nicole Hays and a pop up show by photographer Michael Sheehan. A portion of the University of South Florida’s LGBTQ collection will also be on view and the Tampa Bay Pride Band, who will be honored as this year’s Outstanding Community Organization, will also perform. Tampa Pride’s VIP Sponsors Party will be held March 28 from 7-10:30 p.m. at the Florida Aquarium. The evening will feature a full tour experience of the aquarium and will be hosted by FOX 13 “Good Day Tampa Bay” anchor and former Tampa Pride grand marshal Russell Rhodes. Tickets are $45 and available now. The organization encourages Pride goers to support sponsors March 29. “From City Side Lounge to Hamburger Mary’s Brandon,” Tampa Pride says, “from Sparkman Wharf to the heart of Ybor City’s LGBTQ+ bars and restaurants: enjoy your favorite ones and start celebrating your Pride in the Big Guava!” Tampa Pride’s annual festival will follow, beginning March 30 at 9:45 a.m. The festival expo, featuring vendors, a community health fair and wide array of local entertainment, will welcome attendees until 5:30 p.m. The diversity parade will begin at 1 p.m. on 7th Ave. in Ybor following Tampa Pride’s community tribute at 12:30 p.m., and Tampa Pride After Dark—a celebration of Tampa’s LGBTQ nightlife—will close out the day from 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Festivities will conclude March 31 with Tampa Pride’s inaugural Tea Dance, a post-parade celebration held at Sparkman Wharf from 1-6 p.m. Live entertainment will be highlighted throughout the day, including “a special guest appearance, a sendoff to The Melissa Etheridge Cruise and much more,” the organizations tease.

The fifth annual Tampa Pride will be held March 30, 2019. For more information about event locations, tickets or times, visit TampaPride.org and pick up Watermark’s 2019 Tampa Pride guide.

PINELLAS PROUD: (L-R) Mike Sutton, Val Brinkley and Rick Vail discuss Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County’s Pride Build with Watermark at their St. Petersburg headquarters March 1.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

Reaching Out Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County announces Pride Build Ryan Williams-Jent

T. PETERSBURG | Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has announced its inaugural Pride Build, inviting members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to build a home in St. Petersburg. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the global nonprofit housing organization that builds and sells homes to qualified buyers at zero percent interest and no profit. Since 1985, the local chapter has served over 600 families, built over 500 homes and funded over 450 homes overseas. On March 1, it merged with Habitat for Humanity of West Pasco County. The organization announced its Pride Build following a diversity and inclusion program it launched after substantial growth. “We went from 20 staff members about five years ago to over 70 after the merger,” CEO Mike Sutton says. “One of the things we’ve realized

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

as we’ve grown is that we’re no longer the ‘mom and pop’ shop. We wanted to make sure we were reflecting the community we serve and that we are also investing in that community.” The organization currently offers a number of specialty builds, including a Men’s Build, Women’s Build and Veterans’ Build. The Pride Build aims to raise awareness that Habitat Pinellas can be a resource for those in the LGBTQ community. “We have such a strong LGBTQ community here,” Sutton says. “We’ve served families in the past where someone in the household identifies as being LGBTQ—and given how strong the community has gotten in St. Petersburg, we want to figure out how we can show people that Habitat can help them achieve their dreams of owning their own home.” To strengthen the organization’s efforts, Sutton and three employees, Development Associate Val Brinkley, Site & Warehouse Operations Manager Kristi Thum and Director of Construction Rick Vail, formed a Pride committee.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

“Affordable housing is a concern for everybody,” Vail says. “I think there’s a big need in the LGBTQ community, but there’s something holding the community back from asking for help. We want to put it out there that we have affordable homes—and if you qualify, we can build you one.” The build is also a way for those in the LGBTQ community who aren’t struggling with affordable housing to give back to the community at large, Brinkley adds. “We are very lucky to live in a place like St. Pete that is so welcoming to us, and where we have such a big Pride,” she says. “It’s just a way to give back to the community that has supported us—because one more person in affordable, safe housing is a benefit to the community as a whole.” Sutton says that the homeowner candidate benefiting from the Pride Build will either identify as a member of the LGBTQ community will have a family member that does so. “There will be some sort of connection,” he says. “The purpose of this build is to engage the LGBTQ community.” Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County’s Pride Build isn’t currently scheduled, though the organization intends to launch the initiative in 2019. Sponsorship opportunities are now available. To learn more, visit HabitatPinellas.org or contact Val Brinkley at VBrinkley@HabitatPinellas.org or (727) 536-4755, ext. 236.

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

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state news

Bill ThreaTens every lgBTQ nondisCriminaTion ordinanCe in florida

surgeon denies posTing homophoBiC CommenTs on soCial media

Ryan Williams-Jent

Wire Report

ORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. | A prominent gender-reassignment surgeon resigned from a University of Miami clinic after he was accused of posting photos of patients’ genitalia with racist and homophobic comments on Instagram, but he denied making the comments and said March 14 that the account was hacked. Dr. Christopher Salgado also told The Associated Press that he planned to continue his efforts to support transgender people and provide surgery for them. “I apologize to any person for hurting their feelings as this began as educational,” Salgado wrote in an email. “I have dedicated the past nine years to the care of this patient population.” University of Miami hospital spokeswoman Lisa Worley said in a statement that Salgado is no longer employed there. She declined to offer further details. The Florida Department of Health said in an email March 14 that it cannot comment publicly on whether it has opened an investigation.

ALLAhASSEE, Fla. | The Florida House State Affairs Committee debated HB 3 on March 14, a bill threatening to repeal every local LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinance and conversion therapy ban across Florida. Equality Florida, the state’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, along with the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group, condemned the bill at the state capitol March 12. The groups noted 13 million LGBTQ Floridians are protected by the ordinances being targeted. “Florida cities and counties have led the way in protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination by passing local protections that now

cover 60 percent of the state,” said Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith. “HB 3 is sweeping legislation that threatens to repeal vital protections, endanger tourism, impact our economy and hurt our state’s reputation for decades. Florida lawmakers should reject HB 3 and instead pass the bipartisan Competitive Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation that currently has 61 cosponsors—more than any other bill filed in Florida this year.” “Florida’s political leaders should learn the lessons from other states that took this reckless path that hurt their state’s economy and reputation,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Now is the time for Florida to lead the south in protecting Floridians and visitors from discrimination, not introduce dangerous anti-LGBTQ legislation that would roll back needed

protections here in The Sunshine State. HRC is proud to stand with Equality Florida and others to fight against any attempt to discriminate.” Equality Florida announced March 15 that the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Michael Grant (R-Port Charlotte), has committed to working with the organization to address their concerns, days after nearly 100 activists visited Tallahassee for Equality Florida Lobby Days. They also stressed that the bill is moving forward with an amendment that falls short of eliminating the threat. Equality Florida is asking supporters to contact Florida lawmakers to urge them not to repeal equality. “In the coming weeks, it’s essential that we continue educating about the harm HB 3 could cause to our families and how it, as written, rolls back progress,” the organization shared. “There is one committee left before this bill hits the floor. We have one more chance to protect what we’ve won.” For more information and to contact your lawmaker via Equality Florida, visit EQFL.org.

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nation+world news

Equality Act returns—with House Democrats in majority Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

ASHINGTON | Optimistic about the prospects of enshrining a prohibition on anti-LGBTQ discrimination into federal law with a new Democratic majority in the U.S. House, Democrats introduced legislation March 13 known as the Equality Act to make that long-sought goal a reality. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), chief sponsors of the Equality Act in their

respective chambers of Congress, trumpeted the introduction of the legislation with great fanfare during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol. The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, education, federal programs and credit. The bill also seeks to update federal law to include sex in the list of protected classes in public accommodation in addition to expanding the definition of public accommodations to include retail stores, banks, transportation services and health care services.

Further, the Equality Act would establish that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act — a 1994 law aimed at protecting religious liberty — can’t be used to enable anti-LGBTQ discrimination. For the first time, the Equality Act is introduced with Democrats in control of at least one chamber of Congress, giving the bill room for early movement. The legislation has more than 239 co-sponsors in the House and 47 co-sponsors in the Senate. Those numbers represent the strongest level of support the bill has ever enjoyed in Congress. In the House, the number of co-sponsors is well above the 218 needed for majority passage of the bill. The only Republicans to co-sponsor the bill are Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. John Kapko (N.Y.) in the House and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in the Senate.

Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to lying about attack Wire Report

HICAGO | “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty March 14 to charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago. Lawyer Tina Glandian entered the plea on behalf of the 36-year-old actor during a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court after Judge Steven

Watkins was assigned to oversee the case, including the trial. Watkins granted Smollett’s request to be allowed to meet with lawyers in New York and California, but said the actor must give the court at least 48 hours’ prior notice. He scheduled the next hearing for April 17. Smollett, who left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, is charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors allege that Smollett hired two friends to help him stage the attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of Jan. 29. They say Smollett was unhappy about his salary and wanted to drum up publicity to help his career. Smollett has denied that he staged the attack and maintains he is innocent. His attorneys have called the charges against him “prosecutorial overkill.”

openly LGBTQ students to enroll and refuses to hire out faculty members, was not in attendance. “We are greatly honored for our third time as a family in this historic residence to welcome the taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar,” said Mike Pence as he introduced Varadkar at the breakfast. “We are also really honored to be joined by your partner, Dr. Matthew Barrett.” Pence and President Trump continue to face criticism over their administration’s anti-LGBTQ policies that include efforts to ban openly transgender service members. The breakfast took place less than a month after the White House announced openly gay U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell will lead a

campaign that encourages countries to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations if they haven’t done so already. Varadkar in his remarks referenced the fact that Ireland criminalized homosexuality until 1993. “I knew at the time that I lived in a country where if I tried to be myself at the time, it would have ended up breaking laws, but today that has all changed,” he said. “I stand here as leader as my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender or religious beliefs.” Varadkar is Ireland’s first prime minister who is openly gay and of Indian descent.

Irish prime minister attends Pence St. Patrick’s Day breakfast with partner Michael K. Lavers of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

ASHINGTON | Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and his partner attended a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at Vice President Pence’s official residence March 14. Pictures that Varadkar posted to his Twitter page show him and his partner, Dr. Matthew Barrett, with Pence and his sister, Anne Pence Poynter, at the breakfast. Mike Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, who teaches at a Virginia school that does not allow

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

in other news Massachusetts House approves conversion therapy ban Massachusetts House lawmakers have approved legislation that would ban conversion therapy for minors. The House passed the bill March 13 by a 147-8 vote. It now heads to the Senate. A similar bill was approved by lawmakers last summer but stalled in the session’s final hours. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has said he’s inclined to sign the measure. The bill would make Massachusetts the 16th state to adopt a ban.

Kansas Catholic school denies enrollment to gay couple’s child A decision by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to deny enrollment to the kindergarten child of gay parents has prompted thousands of people to sign dueling petitions. A recent online petition supporting the archdiocese’s decision has received more 7,000 signatures. An earlier petition signed by almost 2,000 members of Kansas City-area Catholic parishes asks officials to change their minds. Local parishioners learned of the decision when the Rev. Craig J. Maxim of St. Ann Catholic Church wrote a letter to parents last month telling families the archdiocese said the child’s parents cannot “model behaviors and attitudes consistent with the Church’s teachings.”

Germany to compensate gay men investigated after WWII German authorities on March 13 extended compensation payments to more gay men who were investigated under aragraph 175, a law criminalizing homosexuality that was enforced in West Germany after World War II. The Justice Ministry’s new directive extends compensation to people who were put under investigation or taken into investigative custody but not convicted. The compensation also applies to men convicted in communist East Germany. In all, some 68,300 people were convicted under various forms of Paragraph 175 in both German states. The Justice Ministry said 133 people have applied for compensation so far under the 2017 legislation, and that payments totaling $490,000 have been approved.

Poland’s ruling chief speaks strongly against LGBTQ rights Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s right-wing ruling party, used hostile language March 16 while speaking against rights for LGBTQ persons, a subject that has risen to prominence in his political campaign ahead of crucial elections in Poland this year. “This is not about tolerance. This is about the affirmation of same-sex unions, about their marriage, and their right to adopt children,” Kaczynski said. “We want to say it clearly. We are saying ‘No!,’ especially when it concerns children. Stay away from our children!” Polish law does not allow same-sex marriages.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

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viewpoint

Jerick Mediavilla

#LoveHandlin’

Together here is a sort of

divine spark within each of us that constantly follows us through life wherever we go. Some people call it a vibe, an energy, a wisdom that keeps pulling us towards what some say is our true calling.

I started writing at age 10, right around the same time I first saw the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie “Bloodsport.” My dad loved his movies for the kicking, the punching and the blood. I loved them for... well, obvious reasons. His splits, stretching between two chairs, helped me realize I was gay—Van DAMN! I wrote my first poem for a fourth-grade Spanish class back in my hometown of Corozal, Puerto Rico. It was supposed to be a simple writing exercise, but my teacher submitted the poems for a district competition. I unexpectedly won first place. Was it a sign? Inspired by the validation from teachers and my parents, I kept on writing. After a failed attempt at a career in architecture right after graduating high school, I ended up enrolling in one of the several Catholic colleges in San Juan, hoping to become a journalist. Maybe the Latino Anderson Cooper, amirite?! Fun fact: As an aspiring on-screen reporter during my late teens, and throughout most of my younger life, I knew I wasn’t going to get ahead based on looks. I lost most of my hair when I was 21. Being brought up in a rural and mountainous region in central Puerto Rico, I indulged

myself at the altar of carbs and cholesterol. Imagine rice, beans, tostones and fried everything. I was bald with stretch marks, paunchy and insecure. I wasn’t exactly a perfect match for radio either, much less TV, since I was mocked at a very early age for having too sharp of a voice for a boy. I was bullied at school for my feminine voice and mannerisms. But like the duality that many eastern spiritual traditions say exist in everything around us, I learned that with every adversity comes a hidden lesson. Fortunately, contrary to most of my bullies at school, I’ve always relied heavily on my large vocabulary. Large enough that it afforded me the opportunity in 2003 to intern in Washington, D.C. for a semester where I worked for a congresswoman from California, whose name I only learned during the first day on the job. I was given the task of maintaining Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s website, as well as proofreading and translating her statements, speeches and documents into Spanish for the Democratic Leadership Office. Coming from a U.S. territory with very different political parties and ideologies than those here on the mainland, I didn’t fully understand the difference between red and blue. All I knew was that Nancy was always flawless and on point with her words. Being bald, paunchy, insecure and four-eyed didn’t matter. I was being appreciated for my talents. Not for my pretty smile … though honestly, I’ve always relied on my pearly whites a little (wink, wink!). My aspirations to be on TV did not stop there. I eventually moved to Mexico City where I became a news writer for a couple of nationally renowned TV giants, hoping for some airtime. The problem was ... well, Mexican food. This beautiful country I used to call home gave me life, and tacos, chistorra, gaoneras and tortas ahogadas, as well as an

insatiable appetite. My love handles were safe and secure. But that divine spark from within, pulling me to write and be on TV, slowly diminished over time. Here we are now, years later, and Watermark has given me this incredible opportunity to write a Viewpoint column

take care of themselves from the inside out. I have shared the experience of my travels, adventures and lessons in the classroom as a teacher, workplace and social scene; so why not use this new platform to continue helping the people in Orlando I have come to love so much?

powerful validation of our own worth comes from within. This column stems from that divine spark that’s rekindling within me to give you my two cents on what it takes to love, accept, respect and free yourself completely, blissfully and unapologetically. The relationship you have

and asked me to come up with a cute name for it. As I recently put on my running shoes for an afternoon jog, I started reminiscing about what my journey has been and how I was able to shed my weight almost a decade ago. My journey of becoming more aware of my nutrition and health and of helping others

As sweat ran down my forehead, I saw a shirtless man jogging in front of me, swiftly parading his pair of love handles with pride and joy. It reminded me of a familiar reflection, where I still see my stretch marks and the remnants of another pair of love handles which serve as a reminder that the most

with your own world begins with how crystal clear that reflection of yourself is in your heart. So let’s look ourselves in the mirror and start #LoveHandlin’ together.

This column stems from that divine spark that’s rekindling within me to give you my two cents on what it takes to love, accept, respect and free yourself completely, blissfully and unapologetically.

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Greg stemm

posiTive living A former Methodist laments: it’s Homophobia

S MOST PEOPLE ARE

aware, the United Methodist Church’s board of directors recently voted to uphold that body’s ban on performing gay marriages and ordaining gay pastors. For a church that once touted a slogan of “open hearts, open doors, open minds,” it seems to me that they have proven they espouse none of those things.

For a season of my life (mostly because it’s where my parents belonged) I was a card-carrying member of the United Methodist Church. In fact, my senior year of high school I was president of my Methodist Youth Fellowship. I was a closeted kid in a corn field in Ohio and just beginning my spiritual journey. I even went to a United Methodist liberal arts college, Otterbein University in a suburb of Columbus. Today I hardly recognize that earlier version of myself. As I matured and got “outer and outer” I became aware of the church’s official position on gay people, a lifestyle they said was incompatible with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in their Social Principles document. It didn’t take long to find out that Jesus never taught anything about homosexuality. He never even mentioned it. I realized that the church was rejecting me and lying about the reason why, which is homophobia plain and simple. It was the beginning of my long journey to find a spiritual home unencumbered by that kind of bias. For several years after graduating college I actually traded Christmas cards with some of the adults who had been friends of my parents and advisors to my youth

group. Unfortunately, when they found out that I was gay, the cards started including rambling letters designed to save me from this demonic life I was choosing. I sent a few return notes telling them I had never been happier and that I wasn’t going to let any church or its well-meaning but misled members stand in the way of me becoming what God had intended for me to be. The cards stopped coming after that. The church itself spent the next five years sending me letters, trying to get me to become a member again. My response, which was probably too-strongly worded, was a letter stating that I was a flaming queer that would start coming to services in full drag unless they backed off. They did. Over the course of the next 35 years I finally found the Quakers, a spiritual fellowship which believes that there is God in everyone, including gay people. My Quaker Meeting in St. Pete is so outspoken about LGBTQ rights that they started offering to marry same-sex couples in the 1970s. A few years ago we went through a similar experience that the United Methodists are going through right now. There are two major branches of Quakerism: a liberal branch that is very universalist in their beliefs and another branch that is more conservative. St. Pete and most of the meetings in the Southeastern U.S. are part of the former. There are also two global Quaker organizations, one dominated by the liberals and the other by the conservatives. For many years St. Pete and the Southeastern meetings were actually a part of both organizations, until the conservative branch decided to start putting into place regulations designed to preclude LGBTQ members from service in leadership roles and finding other ways to exclude us. We objected. We objected A LOT. After nearly 10 years of discussions between us and them, all of the meetings in the

Southeastern U.S. withdrew from that organization. I fear a similar schism is coming between the more progressive Methodists and those holding the church back from entering the 21st century. The two experiences— both Methodist and Quaker— were also similar in that the

My heart mostly breaks for those progressive United Methodists like the amazing congregation at Allendale UMC here in St. Petersburg. They are performing same-sex weddings and are generally acting in open defiance of the stance of their church. They risk excommunication and

denomination had alienated so many members of the LGBTQ community. Many United Methodists are stepping forward to speak truth to power. I was delighted for example to see a full page ad from the First United Methodist Church in Orlando in this publication

force driving the homophobia was coming from African congregations. I said when we were going through our challenges that we can’t expect to put 21st century values on a 16th century culture. Perhaps the United Methodists need to learn the reverse lesson, that you can’t put 16th century values on modern 21st century America.

their delightful minister could be defrocked. After the most recent vote by their leaders, Allendale took out a full page ad in a local newspaper apologizing to our community for the actions of their church, a smart move in overwhelming gay friendly St. Pete. Their minister also gave the eulogy for the victims of Pulse that we had here in Gulfport, where he also apologized that his

with a simple yet apparently provocative message for their church leadership: “God Loves All People. So Do We.” Open hearts. Open doors. Open minds. Perhaps one day the slogan will truly live up to reality of the United Methodist Church. I know God hasn’t given up on them and neither should we.

Open hearts. Open doors. Open minds. perhaps one day the slogan will truly live up to reality of the united Methodist church.

Live. Really live.

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

talking points

161 MAJOR BUSINESSES FORMED A COALITION

URGING CONGRESS TO

PASS

THE EQUALITY ACT.

i thought he at least believes in our institutions and he’s not personally corrupt, but then how could he get on board with this presidency? ... how can he allow himself to be the cheerleader of the porn star presidency? —OPENLy-GAy, 2020 PRESIDENTIAL cANDIDATE PETE BUTTIGIEG, SPEAKING ABOUT vIcE PRESIDENT MIKE PENcE, DURING A cNN TOWN hALL EvENT

Country Singer Cameron hawthorn

ComeS out in new muSiC video

OUNTRy SINGER cAMERON hAWThORN hAS cOME OUT AS GAy in his new music video “Dancing in the Living Room.” In the video, various couples share intimate moments with each other as they slow dance in the living room while Hawthorn croons in the background. The couples include a lesbian couple and an older couple. At the end, Hawthorn goes home to his partner and slow dances with him in the living room too. “I remember always thinking how special it was to dance freely with my boyfriend in the living room of our apartment — being gay, it’s not as easy to dance as a couple in public together as it is for a straight couple. I wanted to express how special that moment is for a couple, when it’s just the two of you in the privacy of your own four walls,” Hawthorn said in an interview with The Advocate.

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beyonCe and Jay-Z will be honored at 2019 glaad media awardS

EyONcE AND JAy-Z WILL BE PRESENTED WITh ThE vANGUARD AWARD at the 2019 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. The Vanguard Award honors “allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people.” Other honorees include Janet Jackson, Cher and Jennifer Lopez, among others. “Beyonce and Jay- Z are global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. In 2018, Jay-Z and his mother Gloria Carter were honored with the GLAAD Special Recognition Award for his song “Smile,” where his mother came out as a lesbian. The 2019 GLAAD Media Awards take place on March 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

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walmart CritiCiZed for uSing gay Couple in promo

ALMART IS UNDER FIRE FOR INcLUDING A GAy cOUPLE IN ITS NEW PROMOTIONAL vIDEO SERIES ON FAcEBOOK. “Love Is In The Aisle: A dating show at Walmart” shows couples going on blind dates shopping in Walmart. Episode two features Andy and Pat who get to know each other by sharing “pan” puns. The American Family Association wasn’t pleased with Walmart’s attempt at LGBTQ inclusion. AFA President Tim Wildmon urged people to sign a petition asking Walmart to remove the video. “We have no choice but to ask our supporters to let the company know how they, the customers, feel about Walmart’s shift away from neutrality on this controversial issue to full support for same-sex relationships,” the petition reads.

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youtuber CaSt aS gendernonConforming lead on Cw SerieS

OUTUBER BEN. J PIERcE hAS BEEN cAST AS ThE LEAD IN ThE cW PILOT FOR “GLAMOROUS.” The series, executed produced by Daman Wayans Jr., also stars Brooke Shields and Pierson Fode. Pierce will star as Marco, “an ambitious and creative gender-nonconforming teenager who uses makeup and fashion to let his queer self bloom,” according to Deadline. After trashing a cosmetics company on YouTube, Marco lands an internship at the same company, headed by founder and CEO Madolyn (Shields). Fode will portray Chad, an openly gay “ambitious alpha male” who is also Madolyn’s son. Pierce’s other acting credits include “Fuller House,” as the sitcom’s first openly gay character, and on the series “Reverie.” Pierce also performs music under the moniker Miss Benny.

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Photo By Dylan toDD

Tampa Proud

JANE CASTOR POISED TO BECOME TAMPA’S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ MAYOR

Ryan Williams-Jent

S TAMPA hIGhLIGhTS ITS

diversity with the fifth annual Tampa Pride March 30, Jane Castor—the celebration’s two-time grand marshal and arguably one of the city’s most stalwart servants—will continue her journey to become Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ mayor. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Castor, who will face retired banker and philanthropist David Straz in Tampa’s runoff election April 23, is familiar with firsts. Ahead of her 31 years of service with the Tampa Police Department, which she began as a beat cop patrolling the city in 1983, she was elected the first

Continued on pg. 25 | uu |

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

FOR THE CAUSE: (L-R) Marc Retzlaff, Jason Fields, Jane Castor, Ana Cruz and Ashley Brundage come together at Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre Feb. 23, 2019. Photo BY DYLAN TODD | uu | Tampa Proud from pg.23

female president of a Tampa Police Academy class. She subsequently became the city’s first LGBTQ liaison, working to strengthen the relationship between the LGBTQ community and the police department. Castor fostered that connection until 2009, when she became the first openly LGBTQ officer and woman to serve as Tampa’s chief of police. “There are times I wish the media would just focus on me being the police chief and not the ‘first female’ police chief,” Castor mused at the time. “It’s not that I don’t recognize the historic significance of the position,” she stressed to Watermark, “but the bottom line is that I’m a police chief, just as my predecessors have been.” It’s that mentality and dedication to the city that she carried into her campaign to secede the term-limited Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a staunch LGBTQ community ally. Speculation that she would run for Tampa’s highest municipal office began in 2015 after her retirement from the police

department, continuing until Castor officially announced her candidacy April 19, 2018. “Many of you know me as your chief of police, where I led an agency of 1,300 public servants who worked each day to keep our city safe. Others know me as their neighbor and community leader

the opportunity and innovation boom we see shining every day.” Castor noted that she was running for mayor because the city needed a proven leader who would maintain Tampa’s progress while also building a new foundation of shared prosperity. “A foundation created

Tampa citizens did exactly that. Of the city’s 237,752 registered voters, 48,863 cast their vote in a seven-candidate race for a turnout of just over 20 percent. Castor won 101 of Tampa’s 103 precincts and 48 percent of the vote, just under the 50 percent threshold to win the

As I said when I was appointed as the chief of police, I didn’t want to be remembered as the first female or the first LGBTQ chief. The same thing holds true … I want to be remembered as a good mayor for all citizens. With that being said, the significance of being the first openly LGBTQ mayor is not lost on me. —Tampa mayoral candidate Jane Castor who has stood beside them for the betterment of the city we love so much,” Castor shared. “Tampa truly is the city where America shines bright and strong and our city’s greatest natural resource is our citizens who call it home,” she continued. “Our hard work, hopes and dreams are what make us Tampa Strong, powering

with participation from all neighborhoods,” she concluded, “so that every one of us has a voice in building Tampa’s future. These are the most exciting times in Tampa’s history—and we are just getting started. Join me and let’s make Tampa even better!” As of Tampa’s March 5 municipal election, 23,318

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

majority and avoid the April 23 runoff election. In second place was Straz, who received 7,518 votes or just over 15 percent. “I am so grateful for the hard work and ceaseless energy that all of our supporters and volunteers have given to our campaign along the way,” Castor addressed supporters from her election

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results watch party at The Vault in Tampa. “With their selfless hours of volunteering—knocking on doors, making phone calls or sign waving—they’ve been right by my side helping me to ensure the continued growth of our great city. These next six weeks will be an exciting sprint, and we aren’t taking anything for granted.” “It’s incredible,” she adds to Watermark. Castor says the strong results started trickling in while she, her partner of over a decade Ana Cruz and their two sons were en route to the party. “I’m excited that we were able to have such a strong showing.” Since her “Tampa Strong” kickoff nearly one year ago, Castor says she’s learned a great deal—specifically from her citywide “Conversations with Castor” listening tour. It allowed the candidate to “go out into the neighborhoods and talk about the issues that matter to those neighborhoods,” she says. “Those issues are different from neighborhood to neighborhood.” Connecting with the community led the campaign to focus on neighborhood empowerment, the city’s transportation, affordable housing and Tampa’s sustainability and resiliency. She says her potential administration will focus on neighborhood leadership development, modernizing and navigating Tampa’s services, building a better, brighter future in Tampa by molding the leaders of tomorrow, spending public funds on resources that provide services to Tampa’s residents and more. It’s led to a number of enthusiasts across the city, but also to statewide and national equality-focused organizations working diligently to ensure Castor’s strong showing ahead of the election. The candidate was endorsed and supported by Equality Florida Action PAC, Florida’s largest political committee dedicated to electing pro-equality candidates; LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization focused on increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government and LPAC, dedicated to building the political power of LGBTQ women. “Jane Castor represents a breakthrough moment in the movement for LGBTQ representation in Florida and

Continued on pg. 27 | uu |

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is leading the wave of LGBTQ women stepping up to serve,” Equality Florida Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said in a statement. “Electing a strong, seasoned and tested leader like Jane to one of Florida’s most influential local posts is a game changer for LGBTQ Floridians. Jane’s race is a top priority for Equality Florida Action PAC. We’re going to use every tool we have to support her historic campaign.” “As a former big-city mayor, I understand well the qualifications and temperament necessary to successfully run a city like Tampa, and Jane Castor has what it takes,” former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, now president and CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released. “When you are chief of police, there is no papering over your job performance because you are constantly held accountable— as are mayors—and Jane has proven herself an extraordinary public servant,” she continued. “Her invaluable experience running a large agency, working with diverse communities on tough issues and ensuring the interests of the public are central to all her work makes her best positioned to be a great mayor. That she will be the first openly LGBTQ woman big-city mayor in the Southeast is both historic and equally invaluable—as the experiences of LGBTQ people make them more empathetic, values-driven leaders.” LPAC Executive Director Stephanie Sandberg agreed, calling Castor exactly the type of leader the organization champions. “She’s a fearless advocate for equal rights and social justice, leading from a place of deep experience,” she shared. “I have no doubt that Jane will lead Tampa with the same tenacity, vision and fortitude that she is known for while running the police department. LPAC is excited to have such a strong woman candidate who will ensure our values are protected.” Following the March 5 results, the organizations doubled down. The LGBTQ Victory Fund’s Parker celebrated the news, noting that “a lavender ceiling was shattered in Florida … with voters overwhelmingly sending Jane Castor to the runoff and putting

marshal moment: Ana Cruz (L) and grand marshal Jane Castor share their pride during the fourth annual Tampa Pride Diversity Parade March 24, 2018. Photo by Jamarqus Mosley

networking: Claire Eli (L) and Jane Castor at Watermark Weds. Nov. 14, 2018. Photo by ryan williams-jent

ON THE GROUND: Equality Florida Action PAC meets with Jane Castor (center) before canvassing for her campaign ahead of the March 5 vote. Photo COURTESY EQUALITY FLORIDA ACTION PAC

her on-track to become the first openly LGBTQ big city mayor in the Southeastern United States.” Parker added that Castor’s performance “in such a crowded field demonstrates the value voters place in her public service: running a large agency, working with diverse communities on tough issues and ensuring constituent priorities are her priorities.” The organization further highlighted the candidate’s “experiences and perspectives as a woman and a lesbian that appeal to voters,” stressing that “LGBTQ elected officials are empathetic, principled and values-driven leaders, and our nation’s

electorate is hungry for that leadership right now.” According to Equality Florida’s Saunders, the results proved Castor is the indisputable frontrunner in the race. “Electing a strong, seasoned and tested leader like Jane to one of Florida’s most influential local posts is a game changer for LGBTQ Floridians,” he reiterated. “Equality Florida Action PAC’s members, supporters and donors showed up to support Jane and in April we’ll do it again.” Castor says she is proud to accept the endorsements and support. “It’s very nice whenever you get positive recognition,” she says, “but especially so

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

when it’s your community;the LGBTQ community that really has fought and struggled for so many decades. I have been a part of that struggle, helping to win rights and ensure that everyone is treated fairly. To be able to get the support of each of those organizations in return really is humbling.” Castor, who is also endorsed by the Hillsborough LGBTA Democratic Caucus, vows to continue her fight for equality as mayor. She says she will do “everything that I can legislatively” to protect the rights of Tampa’s LGBTQ community, acknowledging in particular the

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city’s transgender citizens and LGBTQ youth. In January, a federal magistrate judge recommended that the city be barred from enforcing parts of its ban on the discredited practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth. In a report dated Jan. 30, U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone argued that the ordinance violates the free-speech rights of conversion therapists. The report advised that Tampa “may not enforce the ordinance against mental health professionals who provide noncoercive, nonaversive [Sexual Orientation Change Effort] counseling—which consists entirely of speech, or ‘talk therapy’—to minors within the city limits.” It does allow the ban to be applied to techniques like electroshock therapy. The federal Ninth and Third Circuit courts have previously upheld conversion therapy bans in California and New Jersey and the magistrate judge’s report was sent to a federal district judge to issue a ruling. Castor says she knows the judge, adding that she is fair and open-minded. “If portions of any of these ordinances or laws are struck down, then I will champion the equal treatment as a community. You shouldn’t have to have an ordinance that tells you do to the right thing, so that would be my mantra to the community—we’ve always been inclusive. Continued on pg. 29 | uu |

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| uu | Tampa Proud from pg.27

“Tampa’s rich history, wonderful neighborhoods and our diversity defines us as a great city,” Castor continues. “We can’t lose any of those aspects. That’s something we can do as individuals and collectively as a city, lift up each and every one of our citizens.” It’s something her potential predecessor understands well. In Oct. 2018, Tampa received a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign’s seventh annual Municipal Equality Index. The report examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are for LGBTQ people who live and work in each city rated by the organization. It’s based on nondiscrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and the city leadership’s public position on equality. Mayor Buckhorn celebrated Tampa’s diversity as a key part of its strength. “Tampa is stronger and more competitive when we all pull together and I am proud that our commitment to human rights for all our citizens is being recognized,” he shared. Castor says she will continue the city’s perfect scoring as mayor. “Nobody is asking for special treatment,” she says. “Everyone is just asking to be on an equal playing field and that I believe is what the city of Tampa stands for. “I will not only maintain what Mayor Buckhorn has put in place,” she stresses, “I will continue to grow it— not only with the inclusion, rights and workforce development, [but in] whatever I can do to ensure that all of our citizens are treated equally.” Mayor Buckhorn gave Castor a glowing endorsement March 6, noting she had been his choice to succeed him since the race began. “In the case of Jane Castor, for 30 years, she has dedicated her life

E M P LOY M E N T O P P O RT U N I T Y:

TAMPA BAY EQUALITy FOcUSED: Then Tampa City Council Dist. 5

candidate ella coffee (L) and Jane Castor at Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre Feb. 23, 2019. Photo By Dylan toDD

to serving the people of this city. She’s patrolled these streets. She knows every neighborhood in this community. She’s been a part of this transformation,” Buckhorn shared from Tampa’s Water Works Park. “There is only one person in this race who is equipped, who is prepared, who is ready to be the mayor of this great city,” he concluded. “Today, I’m endorsing Jane Castor to be the next mayor of this community. It was a big win last night. We have six weeks to go. She is going to make us proud and she is going to make me proud.” “His faith in me is something I don’t take lightly,” Castor says. “I don’t take it for granted. I will work hard every day to ensure that I don’t disappoint him or any of the other citizens in our community.” Her win would be historical, Castor acknowledges, but that isn’t her focal point. “As I said when I was appointed as the chief of police, I didn’t want to be remembered as the first female or the first LGBTQ chief. The same

thing holds true as the mayor. I don’t necessarily want to be remembered as the first; I want to be remembered as a good mayor for all citizens. “With that being said,” she continues, “the significance of being the first openly LGBTQ mayor is not lost on me. It’s the same as being the first woman in any position, because if another individual fails they’ll say ‘well they failed as an individual.’ If I fail, there’s going to be the thought that a woman or someone from the LGBTQ community couldn’t do it. The significance of that isn’t lost on me.” Castor doesn’t say that negatively, she adds. “I understand that challenge and I accept it wholeheartedly. I want to be that individual that is the example that others can follow.” The city of Tampa’s runoff election will be held April 23, with early voting April 14-20. For more information about the election, visit VoteHillsborough.org. For more information about Jane Castor, visit JaneForMayor.com.

ADVERTISING SALES For more than 24 years Watermark has been the premiere source of LGBTQ news across Central Florida and Tampa Bay and we are expanding our team. Now you can be a part of the team that brings the news to the LGBTQ community.

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artS and entertainment

SO BIG, SO SMALL: Ben levi

Ross (L) and Jessica Phillips play son and mother in the First North American Tour of “Dear Evan Hansen.” Photo By MattheW MurPhy

MATCH MADE

EVAN

‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN’ STAR BEN LEVI ROSS TALKS LIVING AUTHENTICALLY AND LAUNCHING A NATIONAL TOUR

Ryan Williams-Jent

INcE ITS WORLD PREMIERE IN

2015 and its Broadway debut the following year, “Dear Evan Hansen” has captivated audiences with its contemporary and cautionary tale of a high school student waving through a window and yearning to be found.

The megahit musical—which features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, direction by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (“Rent”) and a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award

winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman”)—quickly became a household name. In 2017, it was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won six, including Best

Musical. The following year, its original Broadway cast recording won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The show’s success lies in the fact that it’s a story for everyone, 21-year-old performer Ben Levi Ross says, and it’s a story he knows well. Prior to launching the first “Dear Evan Hansen” national tour as its titular lead, the openly LGBTQ performer understudied Evan Hansen and two other roles on Broadway. He’s also dating Taylor Trensch, who wrapped his year-long Broadway run as the same character in January, and with

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

whom he co-starred in a viral video rendition of the show’s “Only Us” as the charming Evan Hansens. The duo also led a cross-company version of “You Will Be Found,” introducing the internet to their respective companies last December. The celebrated hit makes its way to Florida next month, stopping first at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa April 9-14 and then at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando April 16-21. Watermark caught up with Levi Ross ahead of the tour’s local stops to talk about living authentically

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and leaving Broadway to launch the first “Dear Evan Hansen” tour.

WATERMARK: how do you ConneCt with the CharaCter of evan?

ben levi roSS: “Dear Evan Hansen” follows the story of a young boy who feels that he isn’t seen in the world and doesn’t have anyone to connect with. He has the opportunity to get everything he’s ever wanted but it comes at a cost; it asks those big questions about how much is worth it when Continued on pg. 33 | uu |

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

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| uu | Match Made in Evan from pg.31

it comes to wanting everything you’ve never had. I think everyone to some degree has felt lonely in their lives, whether it’s on a daily basis or it just comes in little spurts. For me, one of the biggest things that I’ve connected with on this show is the way that social media plays a role in it, and how people are perceived very differently across social media platforms. We’re only seeing the best side of our peers and the people that we connect with on a daily basis, when really everyone is going through the same thing and everyone is feeling very disconnected. I think those big themes are the things that I really connect with and that I love about the show. Social media has been a huge part of the show’s marketing strategy. What was it like filming “You Will Be Found” with the Broadway cast?

That was really fun and a great idea that our producer Stacey Mindich had. I think the world became so familiar with that first Broadway company and now with the fact that they have launched the national tour and they are opening the Toronto and London companies in the fall, it was a really great way of introducing that this family’s going to keep growing and there are going to be new faces. The story’s going to remain one of the most important musical theater stories of the 21st century, I think. How did it feel to film “Only Us” with your boyfriend?

That was super special. The response to that video was truly overwhelming, for not only the show but for me and Taylor specifically. The comments and the messages that we received from young, queer kids across the country who just felt like they were represented in the video was amazing. I’m only 21, but even when I was in middle school and I was fawning over people on Broadway and was a little theater fan, I don’t think I ever would have seen a video like this being created. So it really goes to show what a special company this is and how they can recognize the power they have in representing their actors in that way. Evan Hansen is a demanding and emotional role. What’s it been like as a couple to experience playing it together?

waving through a window: Ben Levi Ross (center) and the company of the first North American tour of “Dear Evan Hansen.” Photo by Matthew Murphy We try and honestly keep it as separate as possible. He’s finished his run in the show but I was his understudy for a little bit, which was fun. (Laughs.) I respect his take on this role so immensely, and I think vice versa, so it’s been the most interesting start to a relationship. Having mutual respect for each other’s work is one of the most important things. How did starting on Broadway prepare you to launch and lead the tour?

I think it gave me an intimacy with the script in a way that a lot of people would never get, just because I was covering three roles on Broadway. There are only eight roles in the show, so having to know three of those tracks in the first place gives you an intimacy with the script and with the text. So when I came into the rehearsal room on the first day of the national tour rehearsals, obviously I was already off book, but I already had thought about the show from three

very different perspectives. I think that gave me a really interesting way of seeing how Evan handles those relationships, because it gave mean empathy for the other two roles I was no longer covering that I don’t think I would have had if I had never performed those roles in the first place. Obviously now the perspective is very much from Evan’s in my head because that’s the role that I’m doing every night, but I can sit back and say, “Oh, I definitely see where Jared is coming from here” or “I see how Connor fits into this.” I definitely see how the audience may empathize or relate with those other two roles as well.

The show tackles anxiety, depression and suicide. How do you mentally prepare before your performances and how do you detox afterwards?

Especially on the road, since I don’t get to go to my own home after the shows and I’m usually going to a place I have to make my home

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

for one to six weeks, it’s really about staying in contact with my friends and family. I also FaceTime Taylor after the show or just watch something funny to keep my spirits lightened. Taylor and I sometimes used to talk about how he didn’t realize how much the show was necessarily weighing down on him until he was done with his year-long run. He realized “Oh wow, maybe I was carrying around a little bit of that at the end,” just because you never leave the stage. So for three hours every night you’re just sort of locked into this material that’s very heavy and very difficult. It’s a hard thing for Evan and that sort of heaviness can end up weighing on someone. It’s important to take care of yourself in every capacity of that sentiment—spiritually, emotionally, physically—and also the cast is so wonderful that I’m traveling with. We really have each other’s backs, so whenever someone is feeling like they need to have a little bit more

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fun on our time off I’ll go down the hall and knock on Maggie’s door who plays Zoe or call Jessica Phillips who plays my mom and we’ll just hang out for a little bit. I’m really lucky to have them.

What’s it been like introducing the show to audiences nationwide?

It’s really an incredible experience, because there are so many people who have been listening to this score for years and they have yet to see it. We’re the ones who are introducing it to them in their hometowns and that’s just so exciting. The fans are so passionate about the show and I’m very proud of the show that we’re traveling with. I think it’s a really great representation and fans are really in for a treat when they come and see it. Why do you feel the show’s so timely and important?

Continued on pg. 35 | uu |

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hE WILL BE FOUND: (L-R) Ben levi ross, aaron lazar, Christiane Noll and Maggie McKenna in “Dear Evan Hansen.” Photo By MattheW MurPhy | uu | Match Made in Evan from pg.33

I think the importance lies in that it really is for everyone. I think that the first thing that draws people to this show is the score because it’s such an incredible score. People know the songs, they know “Waving Through a Window,” they know “You Will Be Found,” they know these big songs, but I think there are also a lot of parents who know that their kids love the music but don’t realize how much the show is going to resonate with them when they bring them to see it. It really is a show for everyone and it so truthfully portrays everyone’s struggles. how So?

There are no caricatures on the stage. I think that’s why it’s such an important show. There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to talking about the struggles of mental health, there’s no beating around the bush when it comes to talking about suicide or talking about loneliness or anxiety. There’s no beating around the bush when it comes to being honest about the struggles of being a single mother, or feeling like you need to achieve all the time to be seen. I think all of these characters are such poignant figures that we all resonate with directly or know someone who is so similar to. It does all of that with verve, humor and passion. you’ve Shared your perSonal paSSionS during the tour on

SoCial media, Speaking out about eQuality and more—but you reCently deleted your own aCCountS, right?

That’s just a moment for me. Actually, it’s honestly important to talk about because for me, at this point the show has had me garner a lot of followers and definitely much more attention toward my social media than before I was in the show. I needed to take a second and detox from it. For me it isn’t enough to delete the apps off of my phone. (Laughs.) I really need to stick to it if I’m going to do it and so Instagram you can deactivate your account and bring it back later. I’m realizing that sometimes it just feels a little bit overwhelming, literally for no reason in particular, but I think it’s important. It’s also interesting that I’m doing this show right now, and in this show it talks about the negative and positives of social media. I think we are taking it into our hands and our power to say, “you know what? I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now, I think I’m going to take a second and deactivate. But I’ll be back, I’m in control.” (Laughs.) These apps and these interfaces don’t control my life, but yes, definitely before and probably also after this, I will continue to be pretty bold, loud and unapologetic on my social media. why iS that?

As an artist, that’s the type of art that I want to create. It’s also the type of people

that I want to be surrounded by in the world of theater and art, people who are standing up for what they believe in and are not taking ignorance to heart. I’ve been out and open since I was 14 years old, I think it gives me the opportunity and responsibility to be myself and be present. From the messages that I’ve received, I recognize that there are a lot of kids out there who appreciate and definitely gain something from just seeing me or seeing Taylor out there, being successful in the world and in the world of theater. If I can continue to do that it’s a very important thing for me. Hopefully I will continue to be that person for someone, or for many kids out there, but I’ll do it on my own terms and come back to social media when I’m not feeling a little crazy. (Laughs.) until then, what are you looking forward to about bringing the Show to florida?

SEPTEMBER 29 | 8PM

I’m so excited to come to Florida. I just hope that everyone is excited to experience this show … even if you know nothing about it you’re going to leave feeling very fulfilled, like you got a real good dose of a special musical theater experience. I can’t wait.

“Dear Evan Hansen” plays at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa April 9-14 and at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando April 16-21. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit StrazCenter.org or DrPhillipsCenter.org.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE HARD ROCK LIVE BOX OFFICE AT 407.351.LIVE OR HARDROCKLIVE.COM

Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

music

Broadway Queens

Orlando’s Broadway Brunch Bunch takes their hit show from the dining room to the main stage

(above)

Pardon me boys:

Queens of Broadway includes a show-stopping USO number in their stage show. Photo courtesy Justin Shakeri

Jeremy Williams

f you have been to Hamburger

Mary’s Orlando on a Sunday for its Broadway Brunch then you already know that no one does Broadway like drag queens do Broadway.

Each week for nearly the last seven years a team of drag queens, singers, dancers, actors and comedians— collectively known as the Broadway Brunch Bunch—put on one of Central Florida’s best shows all while their audiences “eat, drink and be Mary.” The Brunch Bunch are now taking their show from the Hamburger Mary’s dining room to the stage at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford March 30 with “Queens of Broadway: A Drag Queen Broadway Cabaret.” “It is an expanded version of what we do every week at Hamburger Mary’s, but with a lot more room,” says Broadway Brunch creator Jimmi Rossi. Rossi, along with local drag superstars Ginger Minj and The Minx, went to the owners of Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando with this idea of doing a show

mixing drag, family-friendly comedy and big Broadway numbers. “They didn’t know us, didn’t know anything about us, but told us ‘you can try on Sundays if you want, we have things going on other nights,’” Rossi recalls. That first Sunday, Rossi showed up with the queens and a dozen dancers and put on a crowd-pleasing show that included numbers from “Hairspray” and “Mary Poppins.” “The people went crazy for us,” Rossi says. “Then word of mouth started and now seven years later we are virtually sold out every week.” From week-to-week, Rossi and his Broadway Brunch Bunch cast would razzle and dazzle audiences with big Broadway numbers in small confined spaces in between patrons brunching. “It’s surprising, even to us, what we have done some weeks,” Rossi says.

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Some things worked, like an entire “Wicked” show that required pullies in the ceiling and fans to extend the massive black costume of Elphaba during the song “Defying Gravity.” Some things didn’t work as well. Don’t expect to see “Phantom of the Opera” preformed over your bottomless mimosas anytime soon. Even with the not-so-successful numbers, the show is always a big hit with the audience, especially with one particular audience member. “A little more than a year ago, this gentleman came up to us after brunch,” Rossi says. “You could tell he was very conservative and heterosexual. He shook my hand and said ‘Hi, my name’s Stan [Allen] from Allengang. Now I don’t know anything about drag queens, but this show is amazing and you need to be doing this on a big stage.’ So I said, ‘Ok, then put us on one.’” Allen heads Allengang Entertainment, a family-owned and operated business that deals mostly with tribute bands. Allen saw something that day at brunch that he wanted to showcase on stages across Florida. “About a month later, I get a call from Stan and he tells me that he has booked

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the Wayne Dentch Theatre in Sanford and he needs our dancers and drag queens,” Rossi says. “He tells me ‘I need you to come do what you do.’” The Queens of Broadway, presented by Allengang Entertainment, was about to take the main stage for the first time. “We got 12 dancers and three queens and went not knowing what to expect,” Rossi says. “I mean we put together a great show that we were really proud of but we definitely thought that there is a chance that this could bomb.” The very first number of the first show was “9 to 5” from the musical of the same name. The Brunch Bunch did something that first number that they would never have been able to do at Hamburger Mary’s, they built seven large skyscraper cut-outs on wheels to move back-and-forth across the stage. “So first show, first number the curtain opens up and dancers take their places, and it was like crickets” Rossi remembers. “Nothing from the audience, and I thought, ‘Oh, shit, we have to do two hours of this.’ Their first move was just bouncing in place and the crowd went crazy, they just started screaming. Then they start to move the buildings and the queens are hiding behind them and as they cross the queens are revealed and as every queen came out the crowd just got more and more excited.” Just as with the first brunch show seven years ago, the Broadway Brunch Bunch’s theater show was an instant hit. “We have done eight of these stage shows now, and this upcoming show in Sanford will be our third this year,” says Justin Shakeri, co-producer and a performer in the show. “Each show is different depending on the size theater we are in but we always feature three queens and as many dancers that we can get up there.” Each show is about two hours long and contains 10-12 numbers, with big opening and closing numbers that feature the entire cast. The numbers in between are divided up among the performers. “We have live vocalists, there’s a tap number. There’s a little bit of everything and we are so proud of the show,” Rossi says. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we are the only family-friendly drag show in America. You can bring your five-year-old kids and your grandmother who is 80 and you won’t be embarrassed.” “Queens of Broadway: A Drag Queen Broadway Cabaret” takes the stage at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford March 30. Tickets start at $23 and are available at Allengang.com.

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television

Dance With Me

Jonathan y Jorge salsa their way to the national spotlight

(above)

Power Moves:

Jonathan Troncosco and Jorge Valcarcel, the duo known as Jonathan y Jorge, show the judges they are living their best lives. Photo courtesy NBC/Universal

Jeremy Williams

BC’s dance competition series

“World of Dance” premiered with a new season on Feb. 26. The hit series—led by the trio of dance superstar judges Jennifer Lopez (who also serves as an executive producer), Derek Hough and NE-YO—gives dancers the platform to showcase their talents and the opportunity to receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million.

On the show’s third season premiere, the world witnessed the amazing dance talents of Orlando native Jonathan Troncosco and Peruvian dancer Jorge Valcarcel— collectively known as Jonathan y Jorge. Troncosco, who turned 31 on March 3, says as far as most dancers go he got into the game rather late. “I started dancing around 20 years old,” he says, “while attending the University of Central Florida with a hip hop group. After about four years

of that I started dancing Latin and I knew at that point I didn’t want to do anything else.” Troncosco met Valcarcel in late 2017 during a dance event in Orlando. Troncosco was there with his dance company and Valcarcel, who was a dance soloist, was “at the event doing his own thing.” “Jorge wanted to get a picture of himself in the air during a lift but there was no one else around who could lift him,” Troncosco says. “As I walked

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by he asked me if I would lift him, so I said of course.” The first dance move Troncosco and Valcarcel did together is a lift called The Bird. “We did The Bird and it worked out the very first time we tried it,” Troncosco says. “We finished and just looked at each other like, ‘Oh yeah, we definitely have to work together.’ So we’ve been working together since.” Troncosco and Valcarcel were both fans of the first two seasons of “World of Dance” and decided they wanted to be a part of the next season. The first step was getting producers to invite them to officially audition. “For the show, they are very selective. You have to send in a video first and then be chosen to audition,” Troncosco says. “They don’t really do open auditions because the whole selection process is quite long.” Once they were selected to audition for the judges, Troncosco and Valcarcel knew they had to put together a routine that would wow the judges and the audience. “We always create it together,” Troncosco says. “I choreograph all of the parts that have to do with partnering and Jorge choreographs all the parts that have to do with shines and side-by-sides. We also have a coach who helps us with our tricks and spins. He is amazing.” Jonathan y Jorge took the “World of Dance” stage during the season premiere and instantly had the attention of each judge as the show’s first same-sex dance couple (Troncosco and Valcarcel are a couple in dance only, they are both openly gay but not romantically involved). The next thing Lopez noticed were the costumes, commenting to the other judges that “now these are J. Lo backup dancers.” “I actually designed and made the outfits myself,” Troncosco says. “Jorge really wanted something that was see-through and I wanted something that was really sparkly. I love sparkles, so that was where we kind of met with it.” Jonathan y Jorge danced a salsa routine to one of Lopez’s own songs, “El Anillo.”

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“Oh, we were feeling a bit intimidated for sure,” Troncosco says, laughing. “You have to remember that she knows that song like the back of her hand, clearly, because it’s her song. She knows, not only the little nuances and the beats that go on in the music, but she knows it better than anyone. So if you’re not going to portray what she’s talking about in your routine, then that is definitely going to work against you. On top of that, we were dancing a style that is not typically danced to that type of music. So we had to make sure that the dancing not only portrayed what the song was saying but it also still kept some of the authenticity of the dance itself.” Jonathan y Jorge’s routine blew up on social media. Their dance clip from the show has nearly 800,000 views on the “World of Dance” YouTube channel and Out Magazine’s posting of the video on Facebook has been viewed more than 2.5 million times. Jonathan y Jorge equally impressed the judges. “Damn! That was really, really good,” NE-YO said. “The energy, the costumes; great job!” “It was so fun to watch and so entertaining,” Hough said. The “Dancing with the Stars” performer also drew attention to the show’s milestone of featuring a same-sex couple. “You know in dance now we don’t refer to the partners as male and female anymore, we refer to them as the leader and the follower for this very reason. Because it doesn’t matter.” Hough then got up and danced on stage with Valcarcel. “The tricks were really, really good. Your spins were amazing,” Lopez said, but she also offered some constructive criticism. “The transitions between were not as strong. The actual salsa flavor and moves for me weren’t there. I need that to be worked on.” Lopez gave Jonathan y Jorge a score of 87, Hough gave a score of 89 and NE-YO gave a score of 90; giving the duo a final average of 88.7, more than the 85 needed to advance to the next round known as Duels. Regardless of what happens in the Duels, Troncosco is proud of what they have done being the first same-sex couple on “World of Dance.” “I love my sexuality. Being a proud gay man is very important for me because I built myself up to be the person that I am and dancing helped me to get there,” Troncosco says. “It’s an unconditional love and passion for something that will always be there for me.”

“World of Dance” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

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community calendar

event planner arTs+enTerTainmenT Central florida Deepak Chopra, March 22, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Brooke lynn hytes of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” March 23, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Miss Orlando Universo latina usa Welcome Party, March 23, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com the lawless & the Damned: a Western gothic cabaret, March 23, The Venue, Orlando. 407-412-6895; TheVenueOrlando.com Tony Bennett, March 23, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org child gender identity and caregiver group, March 24, The LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Air Supply, March 25-27, Epcot, Walt Disney World. 407-824-4321; Disney.Go.com your network is your net Worth, March 27, Residence Inn by Marriott at Millenia, Orlando. 407-352-2700; Facebook.com/ OrlandoProfessional LatinoAlliance Burlesque after Dark: slow Burn, March 29, The Venue, Orlando. 407-412-6895; TheVenueOrlando.com Carson Kressley, March 29, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Queens of Broadway: a Drag Queen Broadway cabaret, March 30, Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, Sanford. 407-321-8111; WDPAC.com

Central florida

off the Cuff

Zebra coalition Benefit Show FRIDAy, MARch 22, 9 P.M.-2 A.M. STONEWALL BAR, ORLANDO Join Stonewall Orlando as they host a benefit concert to raise funds for the Zebra Coalition. The musical line-up includes local LGBTQ musicians Boftware, Eidolon, Gay Z, L.H. Belle, Rabbit Crime, Sleepless and Sugarplum. The event will feature raffle prizes with 100 percent of proceeds going to Zebra. This event is $5 at the door and is 21 and up only. For more information, visit StonewallOrlando.com.

erotica: 10 Years of Orlando’s sexiest party SATURDAy, MARch 30, 8 P.M.-3 A.M. PARLIAMENT hOUSE, ORLANDO

Original “Queer Eye” guy and current “Drag Race” judge Carson Kressley heads to Southern Nights Orlando March 29 and Southern Nights Tampa March 30. Photo courtesy carsonkressley.coM

“Friends! The Musical Parody,” March 30, King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne. 321-242-2219; KingCneter.com april Fools with the ladyBoys, April 1, The Venue, Orlando. 407-412-6895; TheVenueOrlando.com Miss Citrus State Comedy Queen, April 2, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Boy harsher w/ special Interest, April 4, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com

tampa bay Drag Queen Story Hour, March 23, Community Cafe, St. Petersburg. 727-222-6979; CommunityCafeStPete.com “Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” March 23-April 14, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com

Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser, March 24, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; PascoPrideFestival.org

The World of Musicals, March 31, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Beautiful TRANSformations, March 25, Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4925; MetroTampaBay.org

transition series: living your truth, April 1, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

lgBtea Party, March 26, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa. 813-221-2222; FMoPA.org

storm large, April 4, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“NARCISSIST” screening, March 26, The Studio @ 620, St. Petersburg. 727-895-6620; Studio620.org Whiffenpoofs, March 27, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

SaraSota “Buyer & cellar,” March 20-April 14, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota. 941-366-9000; FloridaStudioTheatre.org

Tampa Pride, March 30, Ybor City, Tampa. 727-755-8390; TampaPride.org

“Disenchanted!,” March 22-April 14, Venice Theater, Venice. 941-488-1115; VeniceStage.com

Carson Kressley, March 30, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa

g2h2 sarasota’s april Mixer, April 4, Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota. 941-316-0808; G2H2Sarasota.com

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

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Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

Parliament House celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Erotica, Orlando’s sexiest party, featuring adult film stars Shane Jackson, Devin Franco and Dillon Diaz. The event will include erotic vendors and food, meet and greets, hot spots, male and female dancers, a foam party and much more. For more information, visit ParliamentHouse.com.

tampa bay

Wig Out Tampa Bay SUNDAy, MARch 24, 6-8:30 P.M. TRIBEcA cOLOR SALON, TAMPA Metro Inclusive Health and Tribeca Color Salon partner up for a hair-raising event benefiting the life sustaining and empowering healthcare and wellness programs at METRO. Come create a fabulous wig of any shape, size or color and enter it to win fabulous prizes. Hosted by Matthew McGee. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit MetroTampaBay.org.

Transgender Day of Visibility SUNDAy, MARch 31, NOON-5 P.M. WRIGhT’S NATURAL MARKET, NEW PORT RIchEy Transgender Day of Visibility, or TDOV, is a day to show your support for the trans community. It aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting transphobia and discrimination by spreading knowledge of the trans community. TDOV is a day of empowerment and recognition. The TDOV Walk starts at Wright’s Natural Market at 3 p.m. For more information, visit Florida Trans Proud’s Facebook page.

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Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

overheard

tampa bay out+about

take you to ChurCh

AMPA BAy’S WAvE AWARD WINNING ARTIST JOhN GAScOT has announced “Sunday School,” a new exhibit opening April 5 that explores his views on religion. The exhibit utilizes religious imagery and the Bible to explore the current social climate, the artist shared in a press release March 8. While the subjects may be controversial, Gascot “approaches each topic with tongue-in-cheek humor and whimsy,” it reads, adding that his “bright color palette and cartoonish style lighten the mood and opens a door for discussion.” “As a gay Latino man, I don’t have much positive to say about organized religion or the current administration,” Gascot says. “Creating these pieces has been a fun productive way to let out some of that steam.” The collection features biblical events and characters, including “#metoo Mary” and “The Last Brunch.” It will run through the month of April at The Bends in St. Petersburg, located at 919 1st Ave. N. For more information, visit Gascot.com.

a whole new SeaSon

hE STRAZ cENTER FOR ThE PERFORMING ARTS ANNOUNcED its nine-show, 2019-2020 Broadway season March 17. Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Charlie Factory” leads the season Oct. 8-13, 2019. It features songs from the original film and a “toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score.” “Fiddler on the Roof” will follow Nov. 5-10, featuring Broadway classics like “Sunrise, Sunset.” The classic aims to “introduce a new generation to this uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!” “Once on This Island,” winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival, will play Nov. 19-24— described as “a timeless testament to theater’s unlimited possibilities.” Closing out the year with a whole new world is “Disney’s Aladdin,” running Dec. 19-Jan. 5, 2020. “Mean Girls” will subsequently take the stage Feb. 18-23. Based on the film of the same name and direct from Broadway, the hit musical is sure to fetch a crowd. The revival of “Miss Saigon” will copter in from March 24-29, “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” will love to love you May 5-10 and “My Fair Lady” will dance all night from June 2-7. The series also features Spymonkey’s “Hysteria” in the Jaeb Theater Sept. 17-Nov. 3 later this year, the organizations shared, as well as two additional fan favorite productions. “Jesus Christ Superstar” will play May 26-31, 2020 and “The SpongeBob Musical” will enjoy a colorful run under the sea July 21-26, 2020. “I am thrilled that we able to bring such well-loved and much-anticipated shows to the Tampa Bay area this season,” Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi shared. “We have a truly exciting mix of new shows and stunning revivals of Tony-winning shows. Whether you love the spectacle and romance of the heavy-hitters from the 20th century or are inspired by the next generation of Broadway musicals, we’ll have something for everyone. We can’t wait to share the season with you.” For more information, visit StrazCenter.org.

2 3

MARShAL MADNESS: Former Tampa Pride Grand Marshal Rev. Jakob hero-shaw (R) and husband Allan attend the celebration’s Grand Marshal Gala March 7. PHOTO courtesy allan hero-shaW

BIG BOWLING: Ashley Brundage (L) and Kori Stevens split a lane at the Pride Bowl benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay (BBBSTB) at Pin Chasers Midtown March 9. Photo courtesy BBBstB

LUcKy LADS: Daniel Harris (L) and Rich Hilliard celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Flamingo Resort March 17.

Photo By ryan WilliaMs-Jent

BIG WINNERS: (L-R) WAVE winners Chris Hannay, Jeremy Fetters and Daphne Ferraro share Enigma’s wins with the fan favorite bar’s crowd after the WAVE Award celebration March 8. Photo By

ryan WilliaMs-Jent

EQUALITy chAMPS: (L-R) Equality Florida’s gina Duncan, St Pete Pride’s Nathan Bruemmer and Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith enjoy their wins at the Tampa Bay WAVE Award celebration at Metro Inclusive Health March 8. PHOTO By ryan WilliaMs-Jent

MANATEE MEN: (L-R) Duvan and John romero-churio enjoy the sixth annual Manatee Pride with Johnny Sanders and Neo Negrette March 16. Photo By

ryan WilliaMs-Jent

ShOWTIME: (L-R) Sasha citino, andrew citino, Mikey Bessette and Sofia Banda take in the Ms. Broken Slut Pageant at Metro Inclusive Health March 10. Photo By ryan WilliaMs-Jent

DyNAMIc DUO: Gayest Store on Earth CEO Diane O’Dell (L) and TIGLFF Vice President Rob Akins network at Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar during Watermark Wednesday March 13. Photo By ryan

WilliaMs-Jent

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overheard

Central florida out+about

hard roCk partnerS with onepulSe

ARD ROcK hOTEL AT UNIvERSAL ORLANDO’S vELvET SESSIONS LOBBy cONcERT will not only feature Grammy-nominated singer Taylor Dayne—who is responsible for 80s hits “Tell It to My Heart,” “Love Will Lead You Back” and “Prove Your Love”—on March 29, but will also benefit onePULSE Foundation. A dollar from every ticket sold, along with all proceeds raised by the event’s silent auction, will go to onePULSE Foundation as they work towards building a Pulse museum and memorial honoring the 49 angels lost at the Pulse tragedy. “Every donation helps and we have a long and important project ahead of us to build a national memorial and museum so really every dollar counts,” says Barbara Poma, CEO and Executive Director of onePULSE Foundation. Velvet Sessions, Hard Rock Hotel’s award-winning lobby concert series, allows you to check out an up-close and personal rock concert while enjoying some finger foods and fun cocktails. Past performers have included Bret Michaels, Joan Jett, Foreigner, Eddie Money and En Vogue. Love all, serve all, and take time to be kind are some of Hard Rock’s pillars, which Carlton Hudson, managing director of Hard Rock Orlando, says made the partnership with onePULSE Foundation a natural long-term fit. “It’s an ongoing commitment to the victims, and it’s important that we continue to support onePULSE,” says Hudson. “I think it’s so important to never forget that day and this [museum and memorial] is a way to remember and honor what happened in a very uplifting way.” Hard Rock International will also be donating $10,000 to onePULSE Foundation the night of the event. Tickets for Velvet Sessions with Taylor Dayne are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. A meet and greet ticket is available for an additional $50. Tickets can be purchased at HardRockHotelOrlando.com.

orlando pride SoCCer StarS announCe engagement

RLANDO PRIDE SOccER TEAMMATES ALI KRIEGER AND AShLyN hARRIS ARE ENGAGED, the couple announced with People on March 13, and have been since September. Krieger, 34, and Harris, 33, first met in 2010 when they became teammates for the U.S. National Team. “We became really close friends, and we just hung out, we clicked, and we had so much in common,” Harris told People. On Sept. 15 at a picnic on Clearwater Beach, Fla., Harris proposed to Krieger. They decided to keep their engagement a secret to be professional at work. However, now the couple is ready to be open about their relationship status. Krieger and Harris both play for Orlando Pride with Krieger serving as a defender and Harris as the goalkeeper. They plan to wed towards the end of the year in Florida.

courtesy onePulse FounDation

By Dylan toDD

TEAM GOALS: Millersville University men’s & women’s tennis teams take time during their spring break to visit and clean up the Pulse interim memorial in Orlando March 12. PHOTO

cOMEDy QUEENS: (L-R) carol lee, trixie Deluxxe, Addison Taylor and Jeff Jones take the Pink Collar Comedy Tour on the road to St. Augustine March 16. Photo courtesy eD DoBski

RUNNING PARTNERS: Carlos Carbonell (L) gets a selfie in with Ariz. Sen. Krysten Sinema right before they start the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico in San Juan March 17. Photo courtesy carlos carBonell

GREEN W/ ENvy: Orlando VA’s keri griffin edenfield (L) celebrates St. Patty’s Day weekend and talks LGBTQ veterans services with Mix 105.1’s alex Diaz at Raglan Road in Orlando March 15. Photo courtesy keri

griFFin eDenFielD

WAvE QUEENS: (L-R) lacie Browning, April Fresh, Tora Himan and Miss Sammy are best dressed at the 2019 Central Florida WAVE Awards party at Ember in Orlando March 7. PHOTO

LGBTQ LEADERS: (L-R) Rep. Jennifer Webb, Rep. carlos guillermo smith and Orl. Commissioner Patty Sheehan are front and center in and room full of supporters at the LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Summit in Orlando March 16. Photo courtesy

carlos guillerMo sMith

ThE BITch IS BAcK: Sir elton John returns to the Amway Center in Orlando March 18 after having to cancel his previous show in late 2018. Photo By Danny garcia

LOBBy LADIES: (L-R) Ashley Figueroa, gina Duncan and Jennifer Foster represent Orlando at the 2019 Lobby Days in Tallahassee March 11. PHOTO courtesy gina Duncan

8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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• Join • Volunteer • Donate

announcements

wedding bellS

CondolenCes

aaron Bailey and Vincent Santamarina

Early Pasco Pride supporter Bridget Cochran passed away March 9. She will be dearly missed.

from Clearwater, Florida

engagemenT daTe:

Aug. 15, 2017

Wedding daTe:

March 3, 2019

venue:

Crystal Ballroom Clearwater

Colors:

Purple and silver sequins

Wedding song/ arTisT:

“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper

dj serviCe:

dJ L Mo

CaTerer:

Maggiano’s Little Italy

offiCianT:

Rev. Brad Rice

Cake Bakery:

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Cake/CupCake flavors:

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Theme:

Glitz and glam

phoTographer:

Claudia duque Photography

Photo By clauDia DuQue PhotograPhy

“W

E hAD BUMPED INTO

each other once out and about, then we reconnected online,” Vincent Santamarina says about how he and his now-husband Aaron Bailey first met. “We made plans to meet up for a formal introduction. Our first date was at Busch Gardens on a perfect summer day! It was July 22, 2013.” “During our first date I wanted the day to go on forever,” Santamarina continues. “Just talking and having fun gives you the gut feeling that you really know someone. I wanted the

connection we made that day to be around forever.” Santamarina is general manager of Sonny’s BBQ. He moved from Long Island, N.Y. Bailey, who is currently studio manager of Atomic Tattoos,

is a native of Clearwater, Fla. That’s where the couple now lives together. For Bailey, he had another moment in mind when he knew he had met the man he would marry. “I would have to say it was in 2015 when we purchased our first home together and I could see myself making a forever life with Vincent,” he shares. It was Santamarina who popped the question during the 2017 National Miss Comedy Queen pageant at Parliament House in Orlando. They were called onto the stage to accept the Prelim of the Year Award. While they were on stage, that’s when Santamarina surprised Bailey with the ring. The couple got hitched in March 2019. The pair had a unique tradition they incorporated into their wedding ceremony, surrounded by their families and friends. “As part of our vows, we did a wine box ceremony. In this ceremony the wine box contained a bottle of wine and a love letter from each of us,” Bailey shares. “The letters described the good qualities we find in each other and the reasons we chose to get married. The letters were sealed in individual envelopes and have not been seen by each other. We placed the bottle of wine and the letters in the wine box, creating a time capsule to open on our first wedding anniversary.” For Santamarina, he remembers one very special moment in particular from the day. “After the ceremony we were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mr. to all of our family and friends,” he says. “It was amazing to see how much love and support was in the room. One of my favorite moments of the wedding was our first dance ‘on the clouds.’ It was a special fog effect the ballroom did for us. It felt magical!”

CongraTulaTions

sue-Bee laginess’ company Bee-Dazzled— which handles pressure washing, lawn care, painting, drywall and handyman services— celebrates its two-year anniversary this month.

loCal BirThdays

Orlando performer chris e. Mistery (March 21); Metro Inclusive Health’s Christian Klimas, Orlando dancer Tia Kadena (March 22); Channel 13 News IT Director Ian Michael, T Network leader Jennifer kurzawa (March 23); Southern Nights Orlando showgirl Chevelle Brooks, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt COO Annie Hiotis, Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps board member eric Peak, Mad Hatters’ David Baptista, Orlando nurse Christopher Milliron (March 24); Come Out With Pride’s Nate West, plant whisperer Jennifer Parrish, Aquarium aficionado Brian gallaher (March 25); Tampa photographer John Kantor, former St Pete Pride board member Delores Ringgold, Former Gazette publisher Brian Feist, VarieTEASE dancer Megan Boetto, Sarasota Allstate CFO Richard Plummer, St. Pete social media sensation chris gibson, Bowled Over Promotions’ lisa Brown, WellCare Health Plans’ Ryan Menke (March 26); Olde Town Brokers realtor Jay Wood, St. Petersburg chef Domenica Macchia, Orlando dancer Brittainy A. Derden, Career counselor chad Brown, Naked Eye Studio’s John Caroll, Tampa karaoke extraordinaire Normie Dunn (March 27); Tampa softballer Randal Spiller, Sarasota equality advocate Jen Drake, Tampa entrepreneur Art Smith, New Church Family Inc. of Daytona Beach’s Jerry Corlis (March 28); OPD LGBT Liaison grace Peek-harris; Orlando actor Jon Jiminez, Moffitt Cancer Center media relations coordinator Steve Blanchard (March 29); Florida Consumer Action Network Executive Director Susan Mcgrath, Sarasota-based guitarist Jamie gee (March 30); XL106.7 radio personality Sondra Rae, Orlando performer Doug Ba’aser (March 31); DJ lindsey leigh, DJ twisted Dee, Big Bang BOOM! cabaret boss lady gams D’vyne, Central Florida musician Melissa Crispo, Sarasota paralegal richard Furlow, Equality Florida supporter elizabeth albelo (April 1); Former cover model Aaron Sanford, Orlando-based flight attendant James Sparkman, Tampa Bay-based Concept Bait’s Frank Clemente, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council president Rand Hoch, St. Pete social media marketer Philip gustin-helms (April 2); Darren Charles aka Bridgette Galore, Bowled Over Promotions’ Karyn Bell, St. Pete airman Kevin Joe, Orlando’s Didi Panache (April 3).

do you have an announCemenT? send your announcement to editor@Watermarkonline.com

—Aaron Drake

iT’s ThaT easy!

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

Photo by Dylan Todd

Age: 60

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Identifies As: Gay

Out Year:

1987

Hire Date: 6/4/2018

the last page

Russ Martin

Professional Role Model: President Barack Obama

S eni o r A cc o u nt M anager

Autobiography Title:

“I

“The Wandering Soul”

Hobbies:

Traveling, being in the sun, meeting new people, collecting matchbooks and corks from around the world.

have newspaper in my blood

and have worked in the industry for nearly 20 years,” says Russ Martin.

Russ began working for Watermark as a part time account manager in March of 2018. Within a few months Russ, and Watermark, realized the demands of managing marketing accounts were not conducive with a part-time schedule. Russ informed Watermark that his then current schedule would not allow him the time he needed to perform his tasks to the best of his ability, and he tendered his resignation. Realizing Russ’ value, Watermark asked him if he could arrange his schedule and join the team in a full-time capacity. The rest, as they say, is money in the bank. Russ is a publisher’s dream—not only for his decades of experience, but for his specialized experience in the LGBTQ market. He has far exceeded expectations in helping Watermark realize the full potential of the Tampa Bay market. “I work with clients in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota markets to help them market to the LGBTQ+ community through a multi-media campaign approach which increases their bottom line and grows their business,” Russ says. “Working with people and seeing the successes their advertising brings is my favorite thing about what I do at Watermark. It’s exciting to help businesses grow their business. I wanted to work with Watermark specifically because it is for the

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - A pr il 3, 2019 // Issue 26 .0 6

LGBTQ community that is so dear to my heart.” Russ is the father to two wonderful children who are now grown adults. He also serves on a board that conducts missions to Honduras. “I am big into helping communities in other countries who need medical support and I often travel on missions to these communities,” Russ tells us. “Traveling to different countries helps to broaden your perspective.” “If I could talk to my younger self I would say, ‘Live your truth. It will set you free.’ I lived in the closet for so long,” Russ continues, “and didn’t come out until middle age. I wish I had the courage to do it earlier. I envy the younger ones who are able to do so at their age.” Russ is currently Watermark’s sole full-time account manager in the Tampa Bay region. As you can imagine, that is a tall order for such an expansive, growing area. Although he is a master at it, Russ eagerly awaits the fulfillment of the open Tampa Bay account manager position. Watermark is the collective product of a team of incredibly hardworking individuals. Over the next series of issues, we’re using this space to introduce each member of our staff and contributors to you. When you see us out and about in the community, stop and say, “Hello.” We’d love to meet you.

Affirming, compassionate care for everyone. Avita Pharmacy is passionately committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity in our company and our community. You’re more than just a prescription, and that’s why we’re more than just a pharmacy.

A Proud Partner of

avitapharmacy.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 21 - a pr il 3, 2019 // issue 26 .0 6

twospirithealth.org