Watermark Issue 26.09: Leap of Faith by Watermark Publishing Group

Celebrating 25 years of

Your LGBTQ Life.

Leap of Faith LGBTQ Christians preach their gospel Tampa elects 1st openly LGBTQ mayor

Orlando Fringe to celebrate 28th season

D A Y T O N A B E A C H • O R L A N D O • T A M P A • S T . P E T E R S B U R G • clear w ater • S A R A S O T A

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departments 7 // Publisher’s Desk

page

8 // Central Florida News 10 // Tampa Bay News

I thought I was broken. I believed that God could not possibly love someone like me. I believed this because cultural messages in the country incorrectly taught me that some people are more loved by God than others. —Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw

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

31 page LEAP OF FAITH:

LGBTQ Christians preach their gospel.

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WatermarkOnline.com

FRINGE BINGE The 28th Orlando International Fringe Festival showcases over 30 LGBTQ shows.

Watermark Issue 26.09 // May 2 - May 15, 2019

BREAKFAST BEST

MAYORAL MILESTONE EQUALITY EXAMPLE

RAY OF LIGHT

page The LGBT+ Center honors community leaders at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast.

page Jane Castor becomes the first openly LGBTQ mayor of Tampa.

page

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

page

Equality Florida urges lawmakers to pass Competitive Workforce Act.

Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray talks touring and performing.

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contributors

Publisher’s

Rick Claggett PUblisher

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

obody likes to be called

ignorant, but we all are. I certainly am. I’m ignorant when it comes to Venezuelan politics, cooking Indian cuisine and the quantum mechanics of time travel. I just saw an article this morning that suggested the present and the future exist simultaneously and now I have a headache. I can’t even discern how there is still only one Marty McFly and how he always finds the DeLorean.

It’s okay to be ignorant, but somewhere along the way people decided being called ignorant meant that you were stupid or dumb—instead of just simply lacking knowledge of something. Some years ago I was hanging out with my brothers, drinking beer around a fire pit and listening to old country music; a favorite pastime for the Claggett boys. One of my brothers, a genuinely

watermark staff

nice person who tends to lean to the right with his political views, started talking about the Affordable Healthcare Act. Yes, family + holidays+ alcohol + politics = disaster. His arguments against the healthcare policy seemed to stem from the views of his employer. It was more the repetition of scare tactic talking points and less a debate on the merits of

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: Kirsten Krieger • Ext. 101 Meghan@WatermarkOnline.com

the actual policy. I pointed out his ignorance on the legislation and it didn’t go well. He felt I was attacking his intelligence instead of simply stating he lacked knowledge on how the program was intended to work. I still feel a sense of awkwardness with him today. That’s what happens when feelings replace facts, when ignorance is allowed the space to thrive. My mantra lately has been that the more I know, the more I know I don’t know. I don’t imagine that will change the older I get. Perhaps this is why comment threads bother me so much. They are filled with so many feelings, absolute truths without a factual foundation. The argument du jour is that Joe Biden is too old and out of touch to be president. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that anyone who is not a senior citizen may be ignorant to what it is like to be a senior citizen, whether that be physically or mentally. So, aggregately we use feelings to describe that which we are ignorant to, often coming across as discrimination. Are we to assume that a septuagenarian can’t run a country simply because of their age? Isn’t that ageism? Why is it okay to discriminate against people based on age? I would expect more from my party, the party of inclusion. It is not okay to say Pete Buttigieg is too gay to be president. It is not okay to say Elizabeth Warren is female and shouldn’t be president. Why is it okay to use age as a discriminating factor? It isn’t. Joe Biden may not be my first choice right now, but his age has nothing to do with it. He played a valuable role in marriage equality. Let’s show him some respect.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

maia Monet As I type this editorial, past deadline and on press day, I got a surprising bit of news that I would like to say a few words about. Our Art Director of 12 years, Jake Stevens, has accepted a position elsewhere and the next publication of Watermark will be his last. It is an understatement to say Jake has been a valuable employee to Watermark. He has been key to our success, not only in making each issue look professional but in making us a

Joe Biden may not be my first choice right now, but his age has nothing to do with it.

stronger community resource. Personally, Jake set an example that in part inspired my sobriety. For that, I will forever be grateful. Best of luck, Jake! In this issue of Watermark, we tackle a subject you’re warned not to talk about in public: religion. Michael Wanzie speaks with local LGBTQ Christians about why and how they’ve kept their faith. Our arts sections give you the scoop on Orlando Fringe and the Indigo Girls’ regional shows. In Tampa Bay news we cover the milestone victory of Jane Castor as Tampa Mayor and in Orlando we introduce you to those being honored by the LGBT+ Center of Orlando at the 2019 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

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

Tampa Bay Office 2529 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 TEL: 813-655-9890

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

is a photographer at Southern Nights in Orlando and a singer with the band Mad Transit. Page 17

SYLVIE GRIFFITHS

is a proud, minivan-driving mother of four with a degree in behavioral health and Master’s in Business Administration with a nonprofit concentration. She loves art and horror movies. 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 news

AIDS Walk Orlando raises over $52K for Hope & Help Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | More than 400 walkers gathered at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park in Orlando April 27, helping raise over $52,000 for Hope & Help’s 29th annual AIDS Walk. AIDS Walk Orlando was moved back to the morning hours after two years as an evening walk around Lake Eola, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. with registration and guest speakers at the amphitheater. Speakers included City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Hope & Help’s community developmental director Joshua Myers, also the AIDS Walk Orlando event director. “It is wonderful to see all these people come out to walk and show support,” Myers says. “We raised $52,462 and still have donations coming in. By the end of the fiscal year we should be at $70,000 for the AIDS Walk, so we’re excited.” Before the walk started, Hope & Help recognized the top three individual and top three team fundraisers. Scott Rich came in first for individual fundraisers bringing in $2,963, followed by John Abbott in second with $2,241 and James Palmisano with $1,642. The top team was MAC Cosmetics who raised a total of $9,245, followed by Hope & Help’s team with $3,244 and Olde Town Brokers with $2,241. “We do this to raise funds, but also to raise awareness,” Myers says. “The fact that so many of our young people don’t understand how important an HIV test is or don’t understand the potency of the illness once you have it, that’s a bit of a tragedy. We are trying to reach them through whatever avenue we can to educate them on this preventable illness.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health report that Orlando has the second highest HIV/AIDS transmission rate in the nation. Florida is also ranked first in new HIV and AIDS cases, something that frustrates Sheehan who watched many of her friends die due to the disease at the height of the AIDS crisis. “I’m very passionate about this because I know what it’s like to lose half your friends. I don’t want to see that happen again,” she says. “People say that it isn’t a big deal, it’s a chronic illness with the medications now, and that frustrates me because the medications are very expensive and if we don’t have federal support funding a lot of people won’t be able to afford those medications ... We have to get tested, we have to have PrEP.” Myers, who echoes Sheehan’s concerns, says that while HIV is a manageable disease now that is no reason not to still be accountable for your sexual health. “We want to encourage our youth not to take a lazy attitude towards HIV or any STD,” Myers says. “We just want everyone to be proactive, use condoms, talk to the folks you’re having sex with and get on the same page.”

BREAKFAST BUDDIES: OPD

LGBTQ Liaison Grace Peck (L) and WFTV’s Jorge Estevez at The Center’s Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast at Dubsdread last year.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

Breakfast Champs The LGBT+ Center to honor community leaders at Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | The LGBT+ Center of Orlando (The Center) will honor local LGBTQ leaders and businesses during the 2019 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast at Dubsdread in Orlando May 22. The seventh annual event— named for the first openly gay elected official in California and LGBTQ icon Harvey Milk—will be hosted by the Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell, and will take place on what would have been the slain civil rights leader’s 89th birthday. The day is designated as “Harvey Milk Day” in the U.S. The Center will recognize five individuals and one business in five categories at this year’s breakfast. The LGBT Ally Award, an honor given to an individual or business that has gone above and beyond in their support of the LGBT+ community in Central Florida, will go to Lynn Dictor—better known as Moira from RealRadio.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

“She walks the walk,” says The Center Executive Director George Wallace. “She has immersed herself in the LGBTQ community and she is someone that people trust. She is a great ally.” The Harvey Milk Diversity in Business Award, a newly-added award which recognizes a local business that celebrates and promotes diversity and inclusion in their business team, will go to Addition Financial. Addition Financial is headquartered in Lake Mary and employs 500 Central Floridians. The company has supported many LGBTQ events throughout Orlando including Come Out With Pride. The LGBT Trailblazer Award is a recognition that has been given out in years past but this is the first year that it will be given to two community members. “We opened the LGBT+ Center Kissimmee last year so since we now have two locations, one in Orlando and one in Kissimmee, we wanted to honor a trailblazer in each area,” Wallace says.

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The LGBT Trailblazer for Orlando will be Watermark owner and publisher Rick Claggett. “Part of why his name came up this year is because of the documentary he is doing,” Wallace says. Claggett is working on “Greeting From Queertown: Orlando,” a documentary on Central Florida’s LGBTQ community. Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb will receive the LGBT Trailblazer for Kissimmee. “She is the first openly gay elected official in Osceola County,” Wallace says. “She is very visible in the community and has been wonderful to work with.” The Champion of Equality this year will go to last year’s keynote speaker, WFTV’s Jorge Estevez. “Local newscasters are celebrities in their markets, with audiences in the hundreds of thousands, and Jorge is out,” Wallace says. “He isn’t afraid to publicly say that.” The Harvey Milk Lifetime Achievement Award will go to former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. “He was very outspoken and an early supporter of gay rights,” Wallace says.” This is our way of honoring him for his years of service.” The 2019 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast will be at Dubsdread in Orlando on May 22. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., breakfast served at 8 a.m. Tickets are $50 and available at TheCenterOrlando.org.

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May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

tampa bay news

Harvey Milk festival holds 10th annual celebration Ryan Williams-Jent

ARASOTA | The Harvey Milk Festival (HMF) will hold its 10th annual celebration May 9-11, honoring the life and legacy of activist Harvey Milk by fostering the arts as a catalyst for change. “It feels comforting,” founder and HMF Executive Director Shannon Fortner says of entering the festival’s 10th year. “I feel proud of our community that we’re able to sustain festivities.” Those festivities begin ahead of this year’s festival with a literary gathering co-presented by Wordier Than Thou. On May 3, LGBTQ authors will present their work at Bookstore1. HMF will subsequently hold their inaugural “Fun-K” Run4Love at JD Hamel Park May 4, where participants will cross the Ringling Bridge to illuminate it in rainbow colors. “The 50th anniversary of Stonewall is coming up,” Fortner explains. “That’s a lot of the focus this year. We wanted to be able to light up the bridge in honor of our LGBTQ pioneers, getting the community to come and celebrate diversity.” On May 8, Moxie Productions will present an original queer showcase at The Gator Club, and HMF will kick off its first historical exhibit, “Before Harvey: An Exploration of National LGBTQ+ History,” at The Art Center Sarasota May 9-11. “As the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots quickly approaches, we are reminded of those who actively fought for our humanity and the right to live as our authentic selves,” the showcase is described. “Let our history serve as a constant reminder of the hardships we have overcome and the progress we have yet to make as a community.” “It goes back to the late 1800s and puts in perspective just how things have progressed with the movement,” Fortner elaborates. “It gives us a platform to educate the community.” Opening night will include a panel discussion featuring academic figures in Florida. On May 10, HMF will present The BASSment, a night of performance art, dance, film and music moderated by Lisa L. Boogie Bauford. “This is definitely not to be missed,” Fortner says. “She blew our minds last year … she’s created a network of really amazing and talented artists.” A champagne brunch will follow May 11 at Sage SRQ before Fortner kicks off HMF’s music festival at 2:20 p.m. at JD Hamel Park. Fan favorite musicians from across the U.S. will perform, including headliners GGOOLLDD, Pinc Louds, LANNDS, MeteorEYES, Linqua Franqa, MONTERREY, Divine AF, The Pretty Dirties, Kristopher James and Lemon Royale. The lineup, with returning emcees Beneva Fruitville and Jason Lee, concludes at 11:30 p.m. HMF will welcome keynote speaker and ALSO Youth Executive Director Nathan Bruemmer at 7 p.m. and hold a vigil honoring Milk and more at 8:50 p.m. “The Harvey Milk Festival is community focused and community driven,” Fortner says. “I want to thank everyone that’s helped get that footing for the festival to be so successful. It really takes a community to pull it off.” For more information about the 10th annual HMF, including volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, its venues or events, visit HarveyMilkFestival.org.

VICTORY:

Mayor Jane Castor (third from left) and family celebrate her historic win April 23.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

Mayoral milestone Jane Castor elected first openly LGBTQ mayor of Tampa Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | Former chief of police Jane Castor made history April 23 when she was elected the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor. Mayor Castor faced retired banker David Straz in the city’s runoff election. According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, 23.2% of Tampa’s 230,193 registered voters cast 53,400 ballots. Of the 53,159 votes cast for mayor, Castor received 38,859, or 73.10% of the vote—Straz received 14,300, or 26.90%. During her 31 years of service with the police department, Castor became the city’s first LGBTQ liaison. She strengthened ties between the LGBTQ community and department in that position until 2009, when she became Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ officer and woman to serve as chief of police. “How exciting is this?” Castor addressed a roaring crowd of supporters from The Vault in Tampa following the results. “The next mayor of Tampa!” She quickly praised her two sons, her “constant joy,” and “the invincible Ana Cruz,” her longtime partner. “I would not be standing here today if it was not for her,” Castor shared. “Thank you for your direction …

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

everything that you have done has brought me to this point here. Mostly I thank you for your friendship and I thank you for your love.” The mayor subsequently thanked her extended family, campaign team and supporters, including the many equality-focused organizations which supported her throughout the race. Among them were Equality Florida Action PAC, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and LGBTQ Victory Fund. Equality Florida Action PAC celebrated the win following the news. “Jane Castor’s victory is a historic milestone for our LGBTQ community,” Senior Political Director Joe Saunders said. “Equality Florida Action PAC members, supporters and donors showed up in force in this election. “Tampa has a long history of leading the South in policies of inclusion,” he continued, “and we look forward to working with [Mayor] Castor as she continues the work to keep Tampa a beacon of diversity in the South.” “Tampa voters made history by electing Jane Castor as the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor,” HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof released. “HRC was proud to endorse Castor and help turn out the vote in her historic election. We congratulate Jane Castor

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

on her victory and look forward to working closely with her to ensure the city continues to move forward as an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.” “A lavender ceiling was shattered in Florida Tuesday night—with voters overwhelmingly electing Jane Castor the first openly lesbian big city mayor in the Southeastern United States,” LGBTQ Victory Fund President Annise Parker added. “Both LGBTQ people and women face tremendous obstacles in running for public office, but Jane’s victory shows lesbian candidates can win citywide office with a strong record of public service and policy priorities that align with their constituents. “While voters chose Jane because of her vision for Tampa, her willingness to be open and honest about her life lent her an authenticity that voters are drawn to not just in Tampa, but across the nation,” she continued. “That is why an unprecedented number of lesbian candidates are plowing through crowded primaries and winning big city mayoral races this cycle—putting us on-track to make 2019 the Year of the Lesbian Mayor.” “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,” Castor shared with Watermark ahead of her Oath of Office ceremony May 1. “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, the significance of being the first openly LGBTQ mayor is not lost on me.”

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May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

state news

Equality Florida urges lawmakers to pass FCWA ahead of SCOTUS decision on LGBTQ rights Ryan Williams-Jent

ALLAHASSEE, Fla. | With the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) poised to determine if federal law bars anti-LGBTQ discrimination, Equality Florida is urging lawmakers to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (FCWA) to protect LGBTQ Floridians. Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community, has long supported the FCWA. It would amend the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 to add sexual orientation and gender identity, extending statewide housing, employment and public

accommodation protections to the LGBTQ community. SCOTUS announced it will review three cases regarding whether federal nondiscrimination law applies to the LGBTQ community April 22. Decisions are expected in the summer of 2020. “Numerous cases have held that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity is sex discrimination and violates federal law,” Equality Florida shared following SCOTUS’ announcement. “With these cases, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC & Aimee Stephens, Bostock v. Clayton County, and Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, the Court

will now decide whether to uphold non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people,” they continued, “or take them away.” The organization added that because the three cases can still be argued in the courts, passage of the FCWA is more critical than ever. “This country’s values are rooted in the belief that all people are created—and should be treated—equally,” Equality Florida Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer says. “No one should fear being fired or face discrimination because of who they love or who they are. Federal courts have affirmed time and again that discrimination against the LGBTQ community is against the law.

“The Supreme Court now has the opportunity to solidify those protections and reaffirm that all people should be free to work and live without fear of discrimination,” he continued. “That there is still a gray area for these civil rights to be challenged is further evidence that Florida lawmakers must pass the FCWA to make clear that Florida is open to all and will not allow discrimination.” The FCWA currently has a record level of support in the Florida legislature. Equality Florida shared in early April that the bill had made history with the bipartisan co-sponsorship of 73 legislators, the highest level of support for LGBTQ protections in state history. “Floridians across party lines and across the state strongly

support equal rights, and we are confident that this legislation would pass if leadership allowed a floor vote,” Harris Maurer said in another statement April 5. “Governor DeSantis, Speaker Oliva and President Galvano must let the state follow the will of Floridians and join the twenty other states that have these LGBTQ protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations.” Equality Florida noted April 22 that the Florida legislature must immediately act to resolve uncertainty in LGBTQ protections. “The FCWA is now co-sponsored by a record 73 lawmakers, signaling loudly that there is broad bipartisan support for ensuring all Floridians have the same protections,” the organization concluded. “The Florida legislature must make passing the Florida Competitive Workforce Act a top priority and set a national tone of equality for all.”

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nation+world news

Plan with LGBTQ bans OK’d by United Methodist judicial panel Wire Report

EW YORK | The United Methodist Church’s judicial council on April 26 upheld major portions of a new plan that strengthens bans on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ pastors. Conservatives welcomed the decision and said key elements of the policy, called the Traditional Plan, could begin taking effect in January. Among liberal and centrist opponents of the plan, there was dismay; one group, Reconciling Ministries Network, called for an upsurge of resistance.

The Traditional Plan was adopted in February with a 438-384 vote by delegates at a special UMC conference in St. Louis. Most U.S.based delegates opposed that plan and preferred LGBTQ-inclusive options, but they were outvoted by U.S. conservatives who teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines. The nine-member judicial council, at the close of a four-day meeting in Evanston, Illinois, ruled that some aspects of the Traditional Plan—mostly related to enforcement of its rules—were unconstitutional under church law. But the council upheld the bulk of

the plan, clearing the way for its implementation in January. The Rev. Tom Lambrecht, general manager of the conservative Methodist magazine Good News, hailed the council’s ruling as “strong affirmation” of the Traditional Plan’s core elements. Opponents of the Traditional Plan will have a chance to overturn it at the UMC’s next general conference in May 2020. But Lambrecht said he agreed with other analysts who predict the UMC’s conservative bloc will be even stronger then. An alliance of Traditional Plan opponents, calling themselves UMC-Next, has been holding meetings to discuss the best path forward for those who share their views.

Zeta Phi Beta bans transgender women from membership James Wellemeyer of The Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

eta Phi Beta, a historically black sorority founded at Howard University, says transgender women are not eligible for membership. A “diversity statement” adopted by the Zeta Phi Beta International Executive Board on Jan. 12 states “an individual must be a cisgender woman” to join the organization.

The statement at the same time says the sorority “values all people, regardless of race, age, gender, gender expression, ability, disability, creed, religion or walk of life.” Zeta Phi Beta has not responded to multiple requests for comment. The organization says it prioritizes social work and has “given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change.”

It has more than 100,000 members and more than 800 chapters in the U.S., Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. Zeta Phi Beta has drawn media attention before, but largely for hazing issues rather than gender discrimination. Discrimination based on gender identity in Greek life is common. Few sororities have policies that are explicitly inclusive of trans women. And nationally trans women of color face higher levels of discrimination than other LGBTQ people.

UK and Irish leaders attend funeral of journalist Lyra McKee Wire Report

ONDON | Mourners wearing colorful Harry Potter scarves and Marvel superhero shirts were joined by the leaders of Britain and Ireland April 24 at the funeral of Lyra McKee, the journalist shot dead during rioting in Northern Ireland on April 18. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Ireland’s President, Michael D. Higgins, were among hundreds of people celebrating the life of a young woman whose death in paramilitary gunfire has shocked a region usually inured to violence.

U.K. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and the leaders of Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant political parties also attended the service at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. Some of McKee’s family and friends wore Harry Potter and Marvel items in tribute to her love of those fictional worlds. McKee, 29, was killed as she reported on rioting in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry. Police arrested two teenagers and a 57-year-old woman but released all three without charge. McKee had written about growing up gay in Northern Ireland and the struggles of the “cease-fire babies,” the generation

raised after the 1998 Good Friday accord that ended three decades of sectarian conflict. “We were the Good Friday Agreement generation, destined to never witness the horrors of war but to reap the spoils of peace. The spoils just never seemed to reach us,” McKee wrote in 2016. In a statement, McKee’s family remembered her as “a smart, strong-minded woman who believed passionately in inclusivity, justice and truth.” “Lyra’s answer would have been simple: the only way to overcome hatred and intolerance is with love, understanding and kindness,” the family said.

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in other news Franklin Graham tells Pete Buttigieg to repent for being gay Evangelical pastor Franklin Graham is calling on Pete Buttigieg to repent for being gay. Graham tweeted on April 24 the Bible “defines homosexuality as a sin.” “It’s something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized,” Graham wrote. “The Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman.” Graham’s comments come after Buttigieg declared himself a “gay Christian” and claimed “God doesn’t have a political party” at a CNN town hall April 22. Graham has a long history of anti-LGBTQ comments, including his claim that Satan is behind today’s push for LGBTQ equality.

Wyoming school principal replaced after flyers incident A Wyoming school district says it has replaced the principal of a Cheyenne junior high school where racist and anti-gay flyers were posted a month ago. Laramie County District 1 Superintendent Boyd Brown declined to comment on the details of the principal’s departure, citing personnel matters. The Cheyenne school has been the focus of community attention since March 26, when homophobic and racist flyers were handed out and put up in the hallway by students. The principal was criticized for his response to the incident and what some said was a longtime culture of bullying at the school. An investigation is being conducted to determine whether a pattern of harassment exists at the school, and if administrators failed to follow policy when addressing incidents.

Oklahoma man convicted of killing transgender woman An Oklahoma judge told a man to pray for salvation before sentencing him to life in prison without parole for killing a transgender woman at an Oklahoma City motel in 2017. 32-year-old Brandon Michael Tyson was sentenced April 24 after pleading guilty in February to fatally shooting 31-year-old Brooklyn Stevenson. Authorities did not say Tyson killed Stevenson because of her gender identity, but the slaying alarmed Oklahoma City’s LGBTQ community. Tyson’s record includes convictions of burglary and illegal possession of guns. Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo told Tyson to “pray for your salvation.”

Nevada becomes 10th state to offer gender-neutral licenses Nevada is joining a handful of states by offering gender-neutral driver’s licenses and ID cards. The state Department of Motor Vehicles announced that it will allow residents to choose gender “X” on their license or ID instead of an “M” for male or “F” for female. DMV Director Julie Butler says the agency is committed to being inclusive and understands some people don’t identify as either male or female. The National Center for Transgender Equality says Nevada joins nine other states and the District of Columbia in offering the gender-neutral licenses and cards. State officials say a gender change to a license or ID must be made in-person at a DMV office.

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viewpoint

Maia Monet

Trans of thought

Cisgender Fatigue n the early 90s, I came

home from college during a break and went to a party with some of my former high school classmates. One of them told me of his experience as a cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy that had severely soured him on Jane Fonda. Apparently, it had become the practice of the academy to blast audio of Ms. Fonda over loudspeakers as the cadets were put through their paces during physical training. In short order, every cadet began to associate physical stress with the sound of her voice, and not surprisingly, also grew to hate her.

No doubt this was intentional, as before she rehabilitated her image during the 80s as a fitness queen and today as one half of “Grace and Frankie,” she was known as “Hanoi Jane.” She was so derisively named for her infamous trip to North Vietnam, in the midst of the Vietnam War, to tour the dike system allegedly bombed by American forces. The U.S. military has a long memory for people they consider to be traitors, and yes, I saw the obvious lesbian joke possibilities in my previous sentence. I’ll pass. Too easy. Neither have transgender people forgotten how we are fundamentally misunderstood by cisgender people. To be fair though, that’s often because the most recent example was the last time we logged into our social media. I am very tired of looking through my newsfeeds only to see justifications for doing nothing the slightest bit inconvenient to support transgender people or just garden variety transphobia. In the last week, I have been told that I shouldn’t speak up to defend transgender people when it makes people uncomfortable; I must accept a member of a

lesbian group who posted that trans women are not women or lesbians; It is ok to treat gender identity and sex as equivalent and that I lack the ability to discern transphobic behavior. What was most disturbing to me was that all of these comments came from members of the gay community. Now I love being both gay and trans—and I hate being confrontational—but it is obvious to me we have a transphobia problem within our community. Even worse, it is generally unacknowledged and is emotionally stressful to transgender people like me who dare to point it out. I had a good friend visit me recently, who herself is a very well known national transgender advocate, and she spoke of the emotional labor involved in simply being us. I nearly burst into tears as she crystallized so succinctly what I had been feeling lately. Emotionally overworked by a community that constantly insists, in ways large and small, that maybe it might be better off if I didn’t exist. I am fatigued and fed-up. I am past the point of being polite and patient as the LGB community gets its collective act together. What I find most frustrating is how intractable a problem it is to convince my fellow gays that everything isn’t just fine and hunky dory. That it isn’t just about transgender people being too sensitive or looking for reasons to be insulted. Rather than accepting that inconvenient truth, I see a lot of time and effort being spent explaining away LGB transphobia in face-saving arguments instead of being honest with the underlying insecurities and ignorance. In practical terms this has meant a recasting of victimhood, much as we see with the religious community in its opposition to gay people. The focus is moved from root bigotry and lands on illusory discrimination against “choice” and

“freedom.” Just as a baker can claim it is prejudice against his religious beliefs to ask him to make a cake for gay couples, gay people sometimes claim it is a violation of their “natural” preference when queried on why they often aren’t attracted to trans people. I’ve even seen some gay

gay that cisgender people like to believe it is, any more than it is for my U.S. Naval Academy friend’s learned dislike of Jane Fonda. I must admit that I am not very optimistic at this point that things will get better soon, no matter how many videos I make on YouTube, arguments I get into on Twitter

state, with seemingly few supporters, is isolating. The temptation is to not speak up and cause waves. Who wants to be disliked? Why rock the boat if it won’t get me anywhere? I suppose discouragement is the point of behavior based on denial, but I just can’t “drop it” as I was advised to do recently.

people go as far as to say it is homophobic to question that lack of attraction. When portrayed in such charged terms, it leaves very little room to maneuver or suggest that perhaps more is at play in a world where large amounts of media attention is dedicated to portraying transgender people as undesirable. Preference is not the get-out-of-jail free card

or opinion pieces I write for Watermark. If we can’t even acknowledge a problem exists, there is no chance that it can be effectively addressed. It can feel very much like banging my head against a rainbow wall. There are days I am frozen by the anxiety induced from telling friends that their views of transgender people are problematic. Constantly living in a besieged emotional

If anybody has an idea on how I can be an effective transgender advocate and not upset people, please drop me a line. In the meantime, I’m going to visit my therapist. A lot.

I love being both gay and trans—and I hate being confrontational—but it is obvious to me we have a transphobia problem within our community.

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Melody Maia Monet is the co-founder of madskillsconsulting.com and owns a YouTube channel on lesbian and transgender topics. You can view her videos at YouTube.com/MelodyMaia.

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viewpoint

Sylvie Griffiths

mama bearings Leap of Faith?

’ve had an “it’s

complicated” relationship status with organized religion since I was a child. My mother converted to Judaism, the religion my father’s family raised him within, and on Friday nights and many holidays, took us to synagogue.

We were far from orthodox and we celebrated Christmas with my maternal grandparents annually. I also frequently attended Catholic church when spending Saturday nights at my best friend’s home growing up. Overall, I would say I’ve flirted with religion but never fully committed. Nowadays, I am becoming aware that my kids want to know what my religious and spiritual belief systems are aligned with. Purchasing “Judaism for Dummies” several Hanukkah’s ago helped with the nightly prayers and quick responses to these inquiries. My circle of friends and chosen family are diverse; I know deeply religious individuals and I also know several proud atheists. As I navigate several large life changes this year, including the death of a parent and my second divorce, I have definitely had to swallow some of my pride and fear and reach out for help and support. I have pondered checking out the local synagogue some days. Religion is something that connects many people to deep feelings and beliefs. Even the lack of belief can be passionately supported. I feel that religious freedom is important and that respect of one’s personal beliefs is even more important. So, what if your religious beliefs are not aligned with your life? I have many LGBTQ

friends who are spiritual and religious; how could it feel to love a god or higher power that many say is not supposed to love you back? As the proud mother of a transgender child, I find myself looking at the world through my little dude’s eyes. All my children impact my world daily, but Jake does in a very different way. I fully understand that the world might not love my child because he identifies as a transgender male. It is sad, enraging and a terrible truth. I have personally experienced more love and support regarding Jake than negativity in the last three years since he came out to us. I am fiercely protective of my sweet nine-year-old boy, and so are his three siblings. Of all my kids, Jake seems to be the one most interested in religion. The last two holiday seasons, he has asked thoughtful questions about both Christmas and Hanukkah. He has also asked about worshipping and is intrigued by the notion of going to a “Jewish church” as he calls it. To be completely honest, I have been dodging his requests to go to synagogue. There are many different reasons for my hesitation. When my parents divorced when I was 12, and my mom desperately needed support, we stopped going to the synagogue I grew up attending. I thought, for years, it was because we moved from Palm Harbor to Tarpon Springs, but I was mistaken. A new rabbi had taken over our synagogue I attended from the age of six, and we had not been able to afford the membership dues after my dad left. I still feel angry that in her time of great need, the community we had been a part of for over five years was not there for my mom exclusively due to funds. She found a synagogue in our new area but never felt the kinship of our former synagogue. Religion also impacted me in a negative way when I lost a friend at the age of

19. You always remember the first loss you experience outside of family, and my friend who died drunk driving was only 18 herself. Her family were practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the ceremony was not what I was used to after her wake. The idea of heaven or hell or an afterlife was scratched early on in the ceremony. I had never contemplated

are aligned with Christian beliefs; I want them to make up their own mind. Feeling comfortable and supported within a community; a strength of religion, is something we all deserve. I do not believe that anyone is loved more or less by a higher power based on their gender identity or sexual preference. I want my kids to treat people well

The Judaism I grew up with was ancient, literally old school, and it amazed me that my town has a liberal synagogue. There was a small bit of controversy, but the members stood proudly with the rabbi at a naming ceremony. When I told Jake, he became even more excited to “go to temple.” I have finally decided to check out the synagogue

that when you die you just are gone; this deeply affected me and still does to this day. I am 41 years old and do not have a lot of set ideas regarding a higher power. I encourage my children to research religions and make up their own mind. A bulk of their grandparents

and find love, gratitude and kindness throughout their lives. If a religious belief or organization adds those gifts to their life I will naturally support their choice 100%. The local synagogue I was referred to recently held a unique event. A few months ago, the new rabbi came out as transgender.

in the near future. My memories of organized religion are based on experiences from 20 to 30 years ago. If Brandon, Florida has a rabbi comfortable enough to come out to her congregation as transgender, I can take my little guy to synagogue.

I fully understand that the world might not love my child because he identifies as a transgender male. It is sad, enraging and a terrible truth.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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talking points It wasn’t until I was 13 when I met other trans people for the first time and I was like, ‘Wait, you’re allowed to do that? You’re allowed to change your pronouns and your name?’ That really gave me the courage to come out and accept who I was.

LGBTQ

households in the U.S.

own their own home,

—Transgender actor Ian Alexander explaining how he first began to understand he was transgender on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”

‘Paris is Burning’ returning to theaters for Pride month

“P

aris is Burning” will be re-released in theaters in time for Pride month. The 1990 cult documentary followed the Latinx and African American underground ballroom scene in New York City during the 1980s. It brought ball stars Willi Ninja, Pepper, LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent and Venus Xtravaganza into the spotlight, chronicling their joys and hardships. It became the foundation for shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and FX’s “Pose,” which is heavily inspired by the documentary. The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2016 for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Director Jennie Livingston has given the film a digital restoration to be released for a two-week run in New York City starting June 14 followed by a nationwide theatrical release.

compared to

64.3

American

homes overall. Only 23% of LGBTQ Millennials are homeowners. —Freddie Mac study

‘Pretty Little Liars’ star Tyler Blackburn comes out as queer

“P

retty Little Liars” and “Roswell” star Tyler Blackburn has come out as queer in an interview with The Advocate. “I’m queer,” Blackburn said. “I’ve identified as bisexual since a teenager. I just want to feel powerful in my own skin, and my own mind, and in my own heart.” Blackburn explains while he had relationships with women in his life he always had an “underlying curiosity” about men. However, the stigma about bisexuality in both the straight and gay communities prevented him from fully being himself. “I’m so tired of caring so much. I just want to live my truth and feel OK with experiencing love and experiencing self-love,” he said.

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Charlize Theron says her oldest child is ‘not a boy’

harlize Theron revealed that her oldest child Jackson, 7, is “not a boy.” The Oscar-winning actress adopted Jackson as a baby in 2012 and her second daughter August, who is now 3, in 2016. Theron says she believed Jackson was a boy until Jackson told Theron she didn’t feel like a boy at a young age. “Yes, I thought she was a boy, too,” Theron told the Daily Mail. “Until she looked at me when she was 3 years old and said: ‘I am not a boy!’” Since then, Jackson has been photographed wearing skirts and dresses and donning long hair. “I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive,” she said.

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‘Love, Simon’ TV series coming to Disney’s streaming service

“L

ove, Simon” is headed to the small screen. Disney+, the company’s new streaming platform, has picked up a straight-to-series order of Greg Berlanti’s 2018 coming-of-age film “Love, Simon.” The film’s screenwriters Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker are on board to write the show. Berlanti is not attached to the project due to his exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Television. The show will also use a different cast from the film. The film, based on the book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli, follows a closeted teenager struggling to hide his sexual orientation from his family and friends while falling for an anonymous stranger online. Disney+ launches on Nov. 12.

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Leap of

Faith LGBTQ Christians preach their gospel

Michael Wanzie

GBTQ Christian.

For many that’s a combination of terms which illustrates the ultimate oxymoron. Those non-LGBTQ Christians, as well as nonChristian members of the LGBTQ community, who believe the two states are incompatible—if not incomprehensible— usually point to scripture to validate their arguments.

“Much of the arguments against homosexuality come from a complete misunderstanding of the cultural milieu in which these texts were written,” says Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Tampa in Seminole Heights. “When we attempt to apply biblical ideas to our lives today, we are wholly unable to do so without taking into account the

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cultural context of the text and our own current social location.” One example of misunderstanding the text Hero-Shaw points to is the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. “In this story, angels of God come to town and are seen as strangers,” Hero-Shaw explains. “In order to show dominance over them, in a culture that was

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Continued on pg. 25 | uu |

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| uu | Leap of Faith from pg.23

shaped by honor and shame, the men of the town decide to violently attack and rape these strangers. This is not a sexual act, this is act of dominance and violence. The whole story is about lack of hospitality to the stranger. Sodom was destroyed because of corruption and violence. Loving same-sex relationships had nothing to do with it.” To help all of us better understand what many in the community see as an anomaly, I ventured out into the land of Christendom and asked some local members of the LGBTQ community to tell us about their walk with Christ. There is likely no more ultraconservative, Christian education to be had than at the Jerry Falwell-founded Liberty University where Orlando actor and playwright Scott Browning attended from 1995 to 1998. Browning was raised by his fundamentalist Baptist parents in their Loxahatchee, Florida household. “The white noise in the background of my childhood home was always Moody Radio with ‘Focus on the Family’ playing all the time,” Browning says. Moody Radio is a “Christian radio network that helps you take the next step in your journey with Jesus Christ,” the station’s website reads. “Focus on the Family” is a ministry with a half-hour Christian radio program that has been running for 40 years. Browning, who has self-identified as gay since the age of 10, says that the constant condemnation of gays booming from the family radio did not leave him keen to come out of the closet. After graduating from Liberty University, Browning toured the U.S. with the school’s Christian Drama Team before moving to Orlando in 2000. It was there that he began attending Northland Church—more specifically, the church’s support group for people “struggling with homosexuality.” “The gay men were so miserable with who they were that I decided I wanted nothing to do with all that,” Browning, who left the church in 2002, recalls. “I started to come out to my friends and I haven’t been a consistent church goer since.” But Browning says he did not, and could not, abandon Christianity. He now works fulltime as an actor and resident historian at what he describes, for the purposes of this

I don’t know why God made me the way I am, but I am profoundly grateful for the journey. I am not a mistake of God, I am a person who lives his calling the best way he knows how. —Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw

article, as “a Jesus-centered theme park here in Orlando.” It’s there that he gives daily lectures on life in Bethlehem during biblical times. Browning uses a laser pointer to indicate on a room-sized model of the ancient city exactly what area or building he is referencing. He not only has scholar-like expertise on Bethlehem, and biblical text in general, but appears to have an earnest interest in sharing his passion with those who visit the park. This long-time employee also has refused to remain in the closet with his employer. “For the most part I feel totally accepted and affirmed at my work

place,” he says, “and for those that ‘disagree’ with me, I have made it perfectly clear I don’t have time for that nonsense.” While no longer a fundamentalist, Browning says he remains in his faith because “there’s comfort and tradition in my Christianity.” Tradition seems to be a recurring theme among those who identify as a part of the LGBTQ community and hold fast to their church affiliation. 24-year-old, lifelong Seventh Day Adventist, Christopher Gonzalez Milliron—who experienced a very real crisis of faith in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting— is still a member of the church

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from his youth partly because of his grandmother. “As a small child she would take me to church,” Milliron explains, “and I saw how everyone responded to her. She was very active in the church and well respected in it.” More than mere tradition, Milliron seems to have an agenda attached to maintaining his affiliation to a Christian denomination whose official stance on homosexuality is “non-affirming.” “The reason that I stay active in the church is that I feel organizations can only change from the inside,” he says, with a palpable air of hopefulness. “As the core membership of my church

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

continues to gear younger, it is those young members that are shaping the church in a way that is much more affirmative of people, from all walks of life, bringing them together and blending them into one unified body.” Milliron’s faith led him to attend Advent Health University when he felt a calling to work in the medical field. Browning and Milliron followed their paths of education and wellness with hopes of reshaping the attitudes of Christians from within their respective fields, but Hero-Shaw followed his calling directly into the church. “I was not raised with a strong faith tradition,” he says. “I periodically attended the Unitarian Universalist Church as child, but I started to feel called to Christianity when I was in high school and attended a number of churches before joining MCC when I was a college student.” Hero-Shaw—who is an openly gay, transgender man— didn’t grow up going to a church that taught anything negative about sexual orientation or gender identity, but he certainly was impacted by the general cultural teachings that it was wrong. “I recall as a queer teenager being very concerned that there was something profoundly wrong with me. I thought I was broken,” Hero-Shaw says. “I believed that God could not possibly love someone like me. I believed this because cultural messages in the country incorrectly taught me that some people are more loved by God than others.” Hero-Shaw says that because of the culture around him he felt being different meant that he deserved any suffering he experienced— including being bullied at school. “I was incredibly depressed as a young person because I thought I was unlovable,” he recalls. “The way I was treated by homophobic and transphobic people in my life seemed to be evidence that God could not possibly love someone like me.” It was while in high school, seeing this culture around him, that Hero-Shaw became a Christian due to “the loving experience of friendship with someone who taught me about Jesus.” “A fellow student reached out to me with love and provided me with emotional and spiritual support when I needed it,” he says.”She showed me the face of God by expressing her care for me. To this

Continued on pg. 27 | uu |

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12:43 PM

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| uu | Leap of Faith from pg.25

day, I continue to believe what she taught me: God wants us to show each other compassion and love. This is the primary call of followers of Christ; this is how we are to do God’s work in this world.” The friend who taught Hero-Shaw those lessons came out as a lesbian to her conservative church and was rejected by them. After struggling with the church for some time, she took her life in 1998. She was only 19 years old. “The injustice of her death forced me to open my heart to receive the call to ministry,” Hero-Shaw says. “I continually strive to live in my spiritual calling in a way that is worthy of my friend’s memory. She would be 40 years old now, and I continue to grieve that the world missed out on an amazing opportunity, as she did not get to live into adulthood and the calling that God had for her.” Rev. Shirley Strader is another member of the LGBTQ community who was led to join the MCC ministry after tragedy. Strader left the Catholic Church of her upbringing to specifically minister to LGBTQ persons of faith at Orlando’s Joy MCC. Strader is an ordained minister on staff as a volunteer clergy and is concurrently a fulltime hospice chaplain with VITAS Healthcare. Strader’s change from Catholicism to the MCC denomination was far from immediate. “[The Catholic church] is a religion deeply steeped in guilt, shame and sin,” Strader says of her time as a Catholic. “It wasn’t until I went to college, understood I was gay and came out that I turned my back on Catholicism and God. If the God of that understanding was going to damn me to hell for just being me, who I was born to be, then that was a God I wanted nothing to do with.” Strader shunned organized religion through her 20s and 30s, during which time she freely admits that she “spent those decades in a haze of alcohol, drugs and promiscuity.” Like with Hero-Shaw, it was the love and encouragement from a friend that finally got Strader back into church. “Church of the Assemblies of God is a Pentecostal tradition which shocked and awed this Catholic girl,” she says. “The minister was a long time missionary with a passion for serving and helping the poor around the world and

For the most part I feel totally accepted and affirmed at my work place and for those that ‘disagree’ with me, I have made it perfectly clear I don’t have time for that nonsense. —Scott Browning sharing the love of God and Christ— and he actually did it, he didn’t just talk about it. I was moved by his powerful messages and how he wove it with the teachings in the Bible like I had never heard in a Catholic mass.” While she only attended the church for a short time, Strader says the experience opened her mind and softened her heart to God. Years later, Strader attended Northland Church where she was impressed by the powerfully moving sermons of the charismatic Pastor Joel Hunter. She thoroughly enjoyed the praise and worship aspects of the church, she says, but once again came the unsettling teachings on the “sin of homosexuality” which seemed to Strader to be at complete odds with the same church’s teaching of Christ’s love. “I stopped attending,” she recalls. “I could not and would not continue to attend a church or faith which

didn’t honor me or my relationship and family.” At the time, Strader was attending church with her partner and her young son. Once again, she gave up on church. Driven to have a connection with God, Strader began to grieve over the lack of having a church that would foster that connection without condemning who and what she is. She started to drink more. In October 1999, Strader found herself drunk-driving in Orlando while sobbing and crying aloud to God. She says she hated her life and hated that she couldn’t stop drinking. “One minute I’m driving, blackout drunk, and the next thing I knew, I was sitting in a parking lot of a church I had never been to,” Strader says. “I knew no one who went there and didn’t even know how I got there. All I heard was a still, small voice telling me to get up and go inside ... I finally did, and the church was Joy MCC. It was a church started by and for the LGBTQ community. A Christian church which not only accepted me for who I am and who I love but affirmed and celebrated it. To this day, I believe that God was behind the wheel of my car and drove me to Joy MCC.” This year Strader celebrates 20 years of sobriety, and she has been intimately involved in Joy MCC—its activities, community involvement, social justice and equality—since she found herself inexplicably parked at the church. She also attended LGBTQ-accepting seminary and received a Master of Divinity, becoming an ordained MCC clergy in 2012. She is now a chaplain providing spiritual support for people of all faith traditions, or no faith, at the end of their lives. The list of reasons why LGBTQ Christians carry on with this balancing act can vary. Some do it for the tradition, some for the passion; while others do it because of a higher calling. Some still do it because of love. Roland “Dale” Irvin of St. Cloud, Florida grew up in a devout Mormon household in Farmington, New Mexico. As most practicing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints (LDS) are expected to do, Irvin served a two-year mission for his church, married a woman and sired multiple children. Once those biblical obligations where fulfilled, Irvin made the decision to come out. He divorced his wife and has long since “lived in sin” with his ex-Catholic partner, whom he “loves dearly.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Christ’s teachings center on love and respect and those are the aspects on which I choose to place my focus. —Christopher Gonzalez Milliron

Despite his sexuality being considered at one time by his church to be “among the gravest of sins, second only to murder,” Irvin says he has not been able to divorce himself from that institution. Just as with each person who shared their spiritual quest for this story, Irvin had no real desire to distance himself from the Mormon church. “I was always challenged with the complexity of homosexuality and worked with many church counselors on finding my own

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place in the big picture of things,” Irvin says. “There have always been varying degrees of understanding with church leaders and others as they are only human and this goes beyond most levels of human comprehension.” Irvin explains that he remains moderately active in the church but does not “hold a calling” at the moment. Continued on pg. 29 | uu |

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4.5x10.1 Watermark Rainbow Run Ad edit 4.2.pdf

4/2/19

5:24 PM

| uu | Leap of Faith from pg.27

“There was a great man called Jesus that was probably only part human and walked the Earth and taught humans that the only true sense of happiness is found in our own divine spiritual creation,” he says of his own beliefs. While he may not be fully able to reconcile his sexuality with church doctrine, Irvin says he has no intention of trying to alter who he is and does not ever intend to abandon the man he loves. Irvin is also equally reticent to abandon his church. “I truly feel the love of God when I participate in church activities,” he says. It seems that Irvin—much like Milliron—is willing to wait patiently for the church he loves to catch up with the times. Irvin brings his ex-Catholic lover with him when he attends LDS services and says his bishop is fully aware of the status of their relationship. He hopes that in some small way their presence as a gay couple will have a positive influence over how other church members view LGBTQ people. “I have always stayed true to my fundamental belief in the LDS church but continue to believe there is much to be learned and loved from many other great spiritual truths out there,” Irvin says. “The LDS church holds, yet to be revealed, many great and wondrous things.” The one common denominator among these LGBTQ Christians? They each felt an innate need to at least endeavor to reconcile their sexuality with their deep-seeded desire to stay connected to Christ. Browning evolved to become an out and proud gay man who purposely spends his days entertaining conservative Christian tourists. While they may hold the belief that as a gay man he is headed for hell, he doesn’t care. Browning is happy doing his part in keeping the faith alive, for himself, and for those who listen to his lectures and enjoy his shows.

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The church was Joy MCC. It was a church started by and for the LGBTQ community. A Christian church which not only accepted me for who I am and who I love but affirmed and celebrated it.

Join us for the Third Annual 4.9k CommUNITY Rainbow Run benefiting the onePULSE Foundation. Celebrate diversity while honoring those whose lives were taken in the Pulse Tragedy. C

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—Rev. Shirley Strader

Hero-Shaw believes that God put him on this path. “I don’t know why God made me the way I am, but I am profoundly grateful for the journey. I am not a mistake of God, I am a person who lives his calling the best way he knows how,” he says. “The journey I took to become the man I am has shaped me as a husband, as a father and as a pastor.” Strader provides us with no better illustration of “Jesus take the wheel” than as described toward the end of her journey, resulting in a happily sober woman dedicated to helping others die with dignity. She does this whether or not they believe the woman offering them

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comfort in their final hours is doomed for being a lesbian. Irvin seems to be quite content loving his same-sex partner and escorting him on his arm to the very church which caused him to live a huge portion of his life as a lie. He does so now with the hope of possibly changing a few minds. Milliron sums it all up. “I remain a Christian because Christ has laid a framework of kindness and respect for personhood that I can subscribe to regardless of what any church might say about the specifics. Christ’s teachings center on love and respect and those are the aspects on which I choose to place my focus.

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arts and Entertainment

“Spare the Rod”

Fringe Binge The 28th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival showcases 30+ LGBTQ shows

Jeremy Williams

he Orlando International

Fringe Theatre Festival returns to Loch Haven Park and surrounding venues for its 28th season May 14-27. The folks at Orlando Fringe reviewed the applications of more than 350 shows and whittled them down to 140, including 33 LGBTQ-themed

shows. They will play at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando Repertory Theatre and the Orlando Museum of Art, as well as a handful of venues

throughout the area including the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park and Savoy Orlando. It will also be the final year for The Venue Orlando’s “Black Venue” and the first year for The LGBT+ Center Orlando, which will be home to the newly-named “Rainbow Venue.” “I think we’ve kind of reached a point where we can’t grow too much more inside the park,” says Festival Producer Michael Marinaccio. “The

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

independent venue program has increased for us and artists realize that they can sell tickets now if they go to Breakthrough or The Venue or Savoy, and now The Center. So the quality of those shows has gone up and there’s really phenomenal work being presented outside of Loch Haven Park.” If the thought of organizing 140 shows among a dozen theaters seems daunting, don’t you worry because Orlando

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Fringe has you covered. After a hugely popular debut last year, the Fringe-O-Matic is back. “People last year loved it, they went nuts for it,” Marinaccio says. “It doesn’t matter if you are someone who wants to see 20 shows, or if you are one of those people who come out and see 60 to 100 shows, the Fringe-O-Matic

Continued on pg. 35 | uu |

Orlando fringe 2019 gallery Hombre

A CONTEMPORANY DANCE PRODUCTION UNDER THE ARTISTIC DIRECTION OF ANA CUELLAR. THE 2018 ORLANDO FRINGE PATRONÂ´S PICK WINNER.

The DK Effect Overconfident and Underqualified

VENUE:

The Starlite Room @ Savoy - 1913 N. Orange Ave.

The Complete History of Drag

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Sizzling!

Hot!

Comedy!

511 VIRGINIA DR. ORLANDO FL 32803

945 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803 Photo ©Monica Mulder Photography

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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| uu | Fringe Binge from pg.31 makes it so much easier for everyone to maximize their time.” Lewis Johnston, a festival uber-fan and Fringe’s de facto IT guy, created the Fringe-O-Matic to aide him in making the perfect schedule. He contacted Orlando Fringe last year to tell them what he created and offered it to all festival goers free of charge. Go to FringeOMatic.com and enter your availability. Then, go through the schedule and rate each show based on your interest level. The Fringe-O-Matic will turn out the perfect Fringe schedule for you. “For those people who want to really see a lot of Fringe shows, it has made it a lot easier for them to navigate the festival. It’s really kind of an ingenious thing,” Marinaccio says. Something else is different this year at the festival: there is a brand new bar and there will be a new system for getting your drinks in the park. “A couple of us here, we actually built a new bar,” Marinaccio says. “We found out we have a lot more carpentry skills than we thought we did.” The new bar will place all beer, wine and liquor in the same location in the park. It will also allow you to purchase drinks directly from the bar instead of having to obtain drink tickets. The new bar will also have the ability to take debit and credit cards as well as cash. “That includes merchandise as well. There’s no more cash only here at the Fringe. So yeah, we’ve finally come to the late 20th century,” Marinaccio laughs. We know that it can be overwhelming—even with the Fringe-O-Matic—deciding what shows to see and which artists to support, so we have gathered together information on as many LGBTQ-themed shows as we could find and put it together in the following pages as a handy dandy guide. Whether you use Watermark, the Fringe-O-Matic or just walk up to the counter and purchase a ticket blindly; make sure you go out to the festival, see some shows, support performers and enjoy being with the community. To purchase tickets and to see a full list of shows for the 28th annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, visit OrlandoFringe.org.

“6 of VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VIII”

“Flame and Fortune” “Meatball Seance”

By: Opera Orlando (Orlando) Venue: Silver Length: 45 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 6 p.m.; May 18, 6:45 p.m.; May 21, 9:45 p.m.; May 25, 9 p.m.; May 26, 2 p.m.

The most outrageous electronic game show in town. Hosted by Wanzie and Miss Sammy.

The six ill-fated queens of the second Tudor king share their experiences.

“A Briefs History of Time”

“From Here” By: Donald Rupe Productions (Orlando) Venue: Orange Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 15, 9 p.m.; May 18, 2:15 p.m.; May 19, 8:45 p.m.; May 21, 10:30 p.m.; May 25, 8:15 p.m.; May 26, 6:45 p.m.

By: Boylesque T.O. (Toronto, Canada) Venue: Orange Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 18, 9:45 p.m.; May 19, 7 p.m.; May 20, 9:15 p.m.; May 22, 7:45 p.m.; May 24, 9:30 p.m.; May 25, 10 p.m.; May 26, 8:30 p.m.

An Orlando native trys his best to balance love, his difficult mother and all the things life throws at him.

The all-male burlesque troupe is back with an adventure of ass-tronomical proportions.

“Geography and Plays”

“And Then Came Tango” By: Windermere High School Troupe 8483 (Windermere, FL) Venue: Silver Length: 45 Minutes Showtimes: May 19, 6:30 p.m.; May 25, 11:30 a.m.

By: miR theater (Rockledge, FL) Venue: Brown Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 18, 1:30 p.m.; May 20, 8 p.m.; May 23, 5:30 p.m.; May 25, 4:45 p.m.

Inspired by the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins living at the Central Park Zoo.

A new assemblage of plays and portraits by the mother of modernist literature, Gertrude Stein.

“Animatronicans: Under New Management” By: Mo Laughs Comedy (Orlando) Venue: Gold Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 9:15 p.m.; May 19, 10:45 p.m.; May 20, 7:45 p.m.; May 23, 6:45 p.m.; May 25, 10:45 p.m.; May 26, 3:15 p.m.

Join the mechanical family as their peaceful life is turned upside down when a certain redhead from the Caribbean moves in.

“Are You Smarter Than A Bartender?” By: Jell-Shot Hershey Tequila/Llewellyn Productions (Orlando) Venue: Savoy Length: 45 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 12:30 a.m.; May 18, 10:45 p.m.; May 25, 5:40 p.m.

Divine Grace hosts as audience members compete with the help or hindrance of actual Savoy bartenders in varying states of sobriety.

By: Wanzie Presents (Orlando) Venue: SAVOY Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7:25 p.m.; May 18, 5:55 p.m.; May 19, 3:20 p.m.; May 22, 9:20 p.m.; May 24, 9:20 p.m.; May 25, 4 p.m.

“Goodbye”

“Animatronicans: Under New Management”

By: JMJ Productions (Orlando) Venue: Green Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 7:45 p.m.; May 18, 3:30 p.m.; May 20, 7:15 p.m.; May 22, 5:30 p.m.; May 23, 10 p.m.; May 25, 3:30 p.m.; May 26, 1 p.m.

From the creative team behind last year’s “HELLO.” A new play, based on a true story.

“Ingenue” “Clown Bar” By: Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park (Winter Park, FL) Venue: Breakthrough Theatre Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 6:50 p.m.; May 18, 11:35 p.m.; May 19, 3 p.m.; May 21, 6:50 p.m.; May 24, 6:50 p.m.; May 25, 10 p.m.; May 26, 7:45 p.m.

A noir play about a former clown who has returned to the seedy underground crime world to find his brother’s killer.

“Blue and Tod: Back in Black Cabaret”

“Corsets and Cuties: Celebrate”

By: Blue LaLa Entertainment (Orlando) Venue: Black Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7:30 p.m.; May 18, 4:30 p.m.; May 19, 6 p.m.; May 22, 7:30 p.m.; May 24, 7:30 p.m.; May 25, 7:30 p.m.

By: Corsets and Cuties, LLC (Casselberry, FL) Venue: Black Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 11:59 p.m.; May 18, 10:30 p.m.; May 23, 10:30 p.m.; May 25, 11:59 p.m.

After 6 years, Blue Star and Tod Kimbro are Back in Black at The Venue for the last time.

Corsets & Cuties perform with a different guest star each night so you never know what will happen.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

“Dandy Darkly’s All Aboard” By: Dandy Darkly (Brooklyn, NY) Venue: Green Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 8:45 p.m.; May 18, 10:45 p.m.; May 19, 2:15 p.m.; May 22, 9 p.m.; May 25, 9 p.m.; May 26, 2:45 p.m.

Dandy Darkly serves up another audacious hour of hypnotic Southern Gothic grotesquery.

“Daphne and Me: A Boy Meets Girl Story” By: That One Guy Productions (Orlando) Venue: The Center Orlando Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 9:30 p.m.; May 18, 8:30 p.m.; May 19, 6:30 p.m.; May 23, 6:45 p.m.; May 24, 10:45 p.m.; May 25, 6:30 p.m.; May 26, 3 p.m.

A one (wo)man show about who you love, who you are and who you long to be.

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By: Melanie Gall Presents (New York, NY) Venue: Blue Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7:30 p.m.; May 18, 7 p.m.; May 19, 1 p.m.; May 21, 7 p.m.; May 22, 7:30 p.m.; May 25, 5:45 p.m.; May 26, 2 p.m.

“Ingenue” tells the true tale of the lifelong friendship and rivalry of Deanna Durbin and Judy Garland.

“Lady/Ladyboys of The Peek-a-boo Lounge” By: Blue LaLa Entertainment (Orlando) Venue: Black Length: 55 Minutes Showtimes: May 22, 10:30 p.m.; May 24, 10:30 p.m.

Orlando’s favorite burlesque groups, the Ladies and Lady Boys of The Peek-a-boo Lounge, together in one show.

Continued on pg. 37 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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| uu | Fringe Binge from pg.35

“Pepe’s Playhouse”

“Leviticus” By: JC Theatre Company (Orlando) Venue: Yellow Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 18, 12 p.m.; May 19, 4:30 p.m.; May 25, 11:45 a.m.; May 26, 1:30 p.m.

Levi is supported by family and church after coming out, but that support is tested.

“Mean Gays” By: DanaMakes (Winter Garden, FL) Venue: Pink Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 15, 9 p.m.; May 17, 11 p.m.; May 18, 7:15 p.m.; May 19, 11 p.m.; May 20, 5:30 p.m.; May 24, 9 p.m.; May 25, 10:45 p.m.

From the twisted minds of “The Spielers” and last year’s hit, “Oh Hi, Johnny!” comes a new parody that’s definitely too gay to function.

“Meatball Seance” By: John Michael (Chicago, IL) Venue: Green Length: 55 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7 p.m.; May 18, 7:15 p.m.; May 20, 10:45 p.m.; May 22, 7:15 p.m.; May 24, 5:45 p.m.; May 25, 1:45 p.m.; May 26, 4:30 p.m.

John Michael needs your help cooking his mom’s meatballs onstage to summon her from the dead to meet/approve his new boyfriend, played by the audience.

“Pack Animals” By: Scantily Glad Theatre (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) Venue: Orange Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 8:15 p.m.; May 19, 4:45 p.m.; May 22, 6 p.m.; May 24, 7:45 p.m.; May 25, 4:20 p.m.; May 26, 1 p.m.

After getting lost in the woods, a multibadged Woodpecker and a wildernesslyinept Beaver must set aside their differences to find their way home.

“PeeVira’s SCAREavan SingAlong: 80s Baby” By: The Fringy Mime Queen of DulceArt (Orlando) Venue: A van in the Fringe parking lot Length: 35 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 17, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 18, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 19, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 23, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 24, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 25, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.; May 26, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.

Hop in Madame PeeVira’s spooky SCAREavan for a fun, absurd and sensational 30-minute 80’s sing-along satire.

“PeeVira’s SCAREavan SingAlong: 80s Baby”

“Pepe’s Playhouse”

“Static”

By: SAK Comedy Lab (Orlando) Venue: Silver Length: 18 & Up Showtimes: May 15, 9:15 p.m.; May 18, 10:45 p.m.; May 21, 11:30 p.m.; May 24, 8:45 p.m.; May 25, 10:45 p.m.

By: New Vintage Ensemble (New Orleans, LA) Venue: Purple Length: 50 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 8:45 p.m.; May 18, 5 p.m.; May 19, 6:30 p.m.; May 21, 10 p.m.; May 25, 9 p.m.; May 26, 4:30 p.m.

What happens when Pepe and SAK Comedy Lab team up to take over America’s favorite Playhouse (Yes, that Playhouse)? It’s a wild party full of sketch comedy, Improv, music and probably a few scandals.

“She Kills Monsters” By: Dr. Phillips High School Theatre Magnet (Orlando) Venue: Orange Length: 90 Minutes Showtimes: May 15, 6:45 p.m.; May 17, 6 p.m.; May 18, 12 p.m.; May 20, 7 p.m.; May 21, 6:30 p.m.; May 23, 6 p.m.; May 25, 2 p.m.

Agnes Evans’ mundane existence comes to a halt when she embarks on a game of Dungeons & Dragons to learn more about her dead sister, Tilly.

“Show of Force” By: Skinned Knee Productions (New York, NY) Venue: Red Length: 55 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 7:30 p.m.; May 19, 7 p.m.; May 22, 5:30 p.m.; May 25, 3 p.m.

A powerful dramatization of young military women coming home.

“Spare the Rod” By: Paris Crayton III (New York, NY) Venue: The Center Orlando Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 6:45 p.m.; May 18, 7 p.m.; May 19, 8 p.m.; May 23, 10:15 p.m.; May 24, 9:15 p.m.; May 25, 5 p.m.; May 26, 4:30 p.m.

Told through music and monologue, “Spare the Rod” sheds light on what happens after dealing with years of physical abuse, neglect and coming to terms with one’s sexuality.

Tells the story of a father and son taking a long delayed road trip. Dementia, music and family are at the core of this new play.

“Strange Bedfellows” By: John Ryan and His DIVAS (Orlando) Venue: Pink Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 11 p.m.; May 18, 5:15 p.m.; May 20, 10:45 p.m.; May 23, 9:15 p.m.; May 25, 9 p.m.; May 26, 10:15 p.m.

The story of husbands (Eddie Cooper and John Ryan) and their heartfelt and hilarious journey from Queens to Orlando via the lights of Broadway, the Blues of the South and the roar of popular radio.

“Super Variety Match Bonus Round” By: Jouska Productions (Orlando) Venue: Green Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 11 p.m.; May 18, 5:30 p.m.; May 21, 7:45 p.m.; May 24, 10:45 p.m.; May 26, 6:45 p.m.

This rollicking comedy explores the difficulty of moving on and the psychedelic side effects of fear your doctor may not have warned you about.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

“The Agony and Ivories” By: Grown Man Productions (Chicago, IL) Venue: Brown Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7:15 p.m.; May 18, 3:15 p.m.; May 20, 6:15 p.m.; May 21, 8:15 p.m.; May 23, 10:45 p.m.; May 24, 5:30 p.m.; May 25, 7 p.m.

Actor, musician and SAK Comedy Lab alum Bill Larkin stands behind a keyboard to perform his original comedy songs tackling aging, homosexuality, self-esteem and social media.

“The Complete History of Drag in a Few Mo-mo” By: Apt 3F (Los Angeles, CA) Venue: The Center Orlando Length: 90 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 7:30 p.m.; May 18, 3:45 p.m.; May 19, 3 p.m.; May 23, 8:15 p.m.; May 24, 6 p.m.; May 25, 8 p.m.; May 26, 7:15 p.m.

Auntie, an aging drag queen, sits backstage with a newbiequeen and bequeaths to her the legacy of a people.

“The Happiest Place on Earth” By: The Impulse Project (Winter Garden, FL) Venue: Green Length: 85 Minutes Showtimes: May 15, 10:15 p.m.; May 18, 11:45 a.m.; May 19, 7:45 p.m.; May 23, 5:45 p.m.; May 26, 10:15 p.m.

Left reeling from the loss of their patriarch, a family ventures on a quest for solace to a magical kingdom in a California orange grove.

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“The War: An Immersive Audio Drama” By: Phoenix Tears Productions (Orlando) Venue: The Orlando REP Length: 60 Minutes Showtimes: May 17, 8 p.m.; May 18, 8 p.m.; May 19, 6 p.m.; May 22, 7 p.m.; May 24, 8 p.m.; May 25, 8 p.m.; May 26, 6 p.m.; May 27, 2 p.m.

Pop in a pair of headphones and join time traveling research company SCROLL as they attempt to discover what truly happened during The War in this immersive audio drama.

“VarieTEASE: Lilly Loses Everything” By: Blue LaLa Entertainment (Orlando) Venue: Black Length: 50 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 7:30 p.m.; May 18, 9 p.m.; May 19, 9 p.m.; May 21, 7:30 p.m.; May 23, 9 p.m.; May 25, 4:30 p.m.

The uncontrollable Lilly (Blue Star) wreaks havoc on anything and everyone that stands in the way of her journey through madness.

“Viper’s Brood” By: Misfit Arts (Winter Park, FL) Venue: Green Length: 75 Minutes Showtimes: May 16, 5:45 p.m.; May 19, 10 p.m.; May 21, 9:30 p.m.; May 22, 10:45 p.m.; May 25, 10:45 p.m.

Follow the Fool, The Queen of Wands, The High Priestess and The Devil through their musical journey of the Tarot deck, and learn to see the world without your eyes.

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music

Ray of Light

Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray talks tours, country music and performing live with a symphony Amy Ray: Mostly because we’ve been touring with symphonies for about four or five years now. We felt like we’d gotten to a place where we knew the material well enough and wanted to document it. When we came upon a symphony that fit all the parameters that we needed to make a live record with a symphony, that was the University of Colorado Symphony. So, it worked out. It was kind of a long process. We had been hoping to get it done for a couple of years. What parameters did the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra meet?

(above)

country crew:

Amy Ray (third from R) and her band have evolved into a tight unit over their years on the road together. Photo by COTOWNCHAD

Gregg Shapiro

ears in the making, “Indigo Girls

Live with the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra” is a breathtaking experience. Even if you don’t like live albums—you weren’t there, were you?—this one is an exception.

Comprised of 22 songs, representing nine of the Indigo Girls’ (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) baker’s dozen studio albums, the Indigo Girls do an excellent job of representing the expected hits like “Power of Two,” “Galileo,” and “Kid Fears.” They also showcase popular deep cuts and a generous supply of more recent numbers like “Sugar Tongue,” “Able To Sing,” and “Happy In the Sorrow Key.” The stunning symphonic set closes with a rousing rendition of “Closer To Fine,” complete with sing-along. As familiar as your oldest friends, you’ll never hear these songs the same way again.

Never one to sit idle, Ray released a new solo record in 2018, her sixth. “Holler” continues in a similar countrified vein as 2014’s “Goodnight Tender,”another powerful musical statement from Ray. Watermark caught up with the singer-songwriter to weigh in on music and more ahead of the Indigo Girls’ stops in Clearwater May 3 and Orlando May 5. WATERMARK: Indigo Girls are no strangers to live albums, with previous releases like 1995’s “1200 Curfews” and 2010’s “Staring Down the Brilliant Dream.” Why was now the right time for a new live album?

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Number one, they’re just really good. The conductor was someone we felt like we could work with on a project like this. Where we could say, “We’re going to need to come in and have an extra-long rehearsal, record rehearsal and then record the show, and may have to do a song over.” They’re grad students and community members. They’re at a university, so it’s not under the guidance of a union, which gives us a lot more leeway on how many times we can do a song and how long it takes. With a union symphony, they kind of changed the rules around. It used to be where you paid one set cost to record with the whole symphony. Now you pay each member individually. For us, we wouldn’t sell enough records to cover that. We had to find a way to record it where we could pay the symphony what they deserve, but it would be a smaller symphony and more student-oriented. In the end, it was probably a better move. They symphony was made up of grad students, community members and professional players, running the gamut of different styles and approaches. The dynamics end up being a little more engaged in a way. How so?

The players are fresher to what we’re doing. Some of them are younger. Every orchestra we played with was amazing! It was already on another echelon from what we were doing. But the thing that makes it special with this particular symphony, and we had played with them before … as soon as we played with them, to Emily I was like, “This is the one!” Their dynamics are incredible. They’re

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totally engaged. They’re excited about playing. Their conductor is super-easy to work with. The conductor is the key to everything. They build that bridge. We’ve had quite a few conductors that we really love and Gary is one of them. For me, it was a no-brainer [laughs]. We talked about it, made the arrangements, and a year later they had the time in their schedule for us to go back and have the time to do rehearsal, a show and record and work it all out.

Of the songs chosen for the album, were there any for which the transition to an orchestral setting or arrangement proved to be more challenging than expected?

Yes. I would say that it depended on the symphony, too. There are songs where some symphonies would nail a song and some symphonies wouldn’t. It’s all about people’s preferences and the way they play and the way we’re playing that day. There are certain ones that are inherently more difficult, like “Happy in the Sorrow Key.” “Come On Home” is a pretty hard song. One of the measures of who we wanted to record with was a symphony that landed the difficult songs, too. It’s not a judgment on who’s better, symphony-wise. Some symphonies get some songs and others don’t. Or that particular night, maybe we weren’t in the right vibe, so we couldn’t get it; and that doesn’t reflect on the symphony at all. Some symphonies are just easier to play with and it’s not because they’re better [laughs]. Is the conductor in the space that you’re in? Every symphony has their own symphony hall and that had a lot to do with things. The way the symphony is in that space and how you can work together as a team. Your new solo album continues a country-oriented style. Is this a direction you see yourself going in for the future?

I don’t know. This was just what I was writing. I have a band that I’ve been touring with for four or five years. This is really a strong suit for them and for us together. As we tour, and get more and more in the groove with them, we’ve been working on old songs from the rock and punkier stuff. It’s adaptable to that. When I was writing “Stag” and “Prom,” I was playing a lot with the Butchies and I was writing to their style. My collaborators typically have a lot of influence over what I’m writing. They’re who I’m creating with, touring with, playing with from day to day. I like a lot of different kinds of music. I don’t prefer this to that, it’s where I’m at. This

Continued on pg. 41 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

where I live and the dynamics of people like me that are coming from a different place than other folks. How do we rectify that? How do we understand each other? It’s easy to dismiss people because they don’t agree with you about things because you dogmatically think they’re going to feel a certain way. Or it’s not possible for them to come around to a place of tolerance or understanding. That’s not where I exist. I exist in a place where you get to know your neighbors and you help each other out, regardless of where you come from. Eventually those barriers start to fall away and you begin to understand each other. Hopefully, things change. Racism is the hardest thing to change in the South, but I’ve found that there are still people who do change. I’ve also found that there are people who have a knee-jerk reaction because of the way we’re put into niches and demographics who aren’t being their best selves all the time, and I say, “I know you’re a better person than this. I’ve seen you in my community. I’ve seen the things you do to help other people. I’ve seen you at church. I know you have it in you to be better than this.” We all can be better than this.

| uu | Ray of Light from pg.39

record has a little more of the earlier, punky, eclectic style mixed in with traditional country. I think I was crossing over into that line in my writing a little bit. You have a stellar line-up of guest musicians on the album, including Brandi Carlile, Vince Gill, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Lucy Wainwright Roche and Rutha Mae Harris of The Freedom Singers. When you’re writing a song like “Last Taxi Fare,” do you hear the guest artist’s voice as part of the process?

Sometimes. On that particular song, as I was finishing it, I actually did hear Brandi and I did hear Vince. I wrote that song over a very long period of time. I think I had watched a CMT award show or something and Vince was singing with Taylor Swift and Allison Krauss and a few other people. I’ve always loved him, but in that moment, I was like, “That guy can really sing harmony!” I was working on that song and it was in my fantasy head that Brandi and Vince would form a trio with me. It’s the weirdest thing, but Alison Brown, who plays banjo on the record, happens to be friends with Vince. It was like one of those moments where it was like, “I can’t believe this is going to work out.” In that case, I was definitely hearing them. Vince was an “if you could have anything in the world” kind of thing. I did hear Justin and Phil Cook when I wrote “Didn’t Know A Damn Thing.” I had played with them, so it was an easier thing to hear. That really informed that song. When I first wrote it, that version was harmony the whole way through, because I was thinking of them. Then I decided to change it up to make it more effective when they came in. Lucy Wainwright Roche tends to be a muse—with Indigo Girls as well. I’ll be working on a song and, in my head, I’ll use her as a harmony singer for inspiration as to where to go musically. I love the duality of “Oh City Man,” which features the builders of skyscrapers juxtaposed with moonshine makers, and the image of you walking down Broadway during a Manhattan blackout in “Fine with The Dark.” You’ve long lived outside of a city but would it be fair to say that you feel the pull of urban living?

Every year there seems to be more queer female country artists releasing albums, including performers such as H.C. McEntire and Sarah Shook. Because “Holler” is so steeped in that tradition, what do you think that says about country music and its listeners?

singing solo: Amy Ray’s ninth solo album “Holler” was released Sept. 28, 2018 on Daemon Records through Compass Records Group. Photo by brian fisher I think that I’m mostly a country person. But I feel the pull of the dynamics of urban living and the poetry of it. I’ve spent so much time in New York City, and cities like London and Berlin, places where I feel the darkness and light, the pull of that, the Patti Smith of it. Jim Carroll and “The Basketball Diaries” and all my great punk rock icons. I feel their personalities and art in those spaces. I often have to have those spaces in my life and get down and walk the streets and spend all night long out on the town with myself and the city. It informs what I do. But I find it interesting that, even in the city, and the country, too, you have to think about what came before you; how things got built. What was sacrificed so that you can

have what you have; all those things. That’s the tie between the land I live on in Georgia, which was Cherokee land, and then you go to New York and you’re walking among these incredible buildings built by people that were, in essence, slave labor. Proud artisans working for rich people that were brilliant at their craft but none of it was for them. Do you ever think about this when you’re here? People in New York will say, “They just don’t build buildings like they used to” when they are around historic areas. I’m like, “That’s because they don’t have a hundred people working for ten cents an hour, slave labor.” It’s like saying, “Why don’t they build castles anymore?” Or pyramids.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Exactly!

In the four years between the release of “Holler” and “Goodnight Tender,” Donald Trump was elected. Do you somewhat address that in the songs “Sure Feels Good” and “Didn’t Know A Damn Thing”?

Yes, for sure! I don’t know if it was so much affected specifically by the presidential election as more of the whole vibe of the country and my own community. The polarization and thinking about issues around being a Southerner. Trying to take on some accountability myself, and to try to understand where people are coming from as well. “Sure Feels Good” is my song of

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

I think country music is opening up. Sarah Shook and [H.C. McEntire], I’m a big fan of both of them. Both of those artists have found that they have a place in Americana, which is the progressive side of “country.” It’s the place where people who play country but don’t fit into a more conservative demographic feel comfortable. Pop country musicians like Sugarland and Dixie Chicks and others probably also feel like they don’t want to be restricted by being expected to have a certain political perspective. I don’t think music categories need to be restricted by political perspectives in any way on any side. It’s great to me that all these artists are getting some play and that they have some place where they can sit comfortably and be honored in a way that makes sense to everybody. The Indigo Girls play at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater May 3 and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts May 5. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit RuthEckerdHall.com or DrPhillipsCenter.org.

ST PETE GALA Saturday, May 11, 2019 • 7 - 10:30pm

The Mahaffey Theater • 400 1st Street South Tickets are $125

R.S.V.P. and purchase tickets at equalityflorida.org/stpetegala or call 810-599-3643.

PRESENTED BY

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500. Please contact Todd Richardson at todd@equalityflorida.org Please join us for a wonderful evening for a great cause! This year we are delighted to be honoring two very special recipients with our first ever Edie Windsor Lifetime Achievement Award, Georgetown Professor Nan Hunter, and activist/author David Mixner. Retired school board member Linda Lerner will be receiving our Voice for Equality Award, and Equality Florida Steering Committee member John L. Gascot will be awarded with the Amy S. Mandel Service and Leadership award. There will be delicious cuisine from Catering by the Family, London entertainer Wanda Cookie will be performing. We will have an open bar, Kahwa Espresso Bar, dancing with DJ Fresh, a fantastic silent auction, and a State of the State address by Equality Florida’s Deputy Director, Stratton Pollitzer.

Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. All net proceeds directly benefit Equality Florida Institute, a tax exempt 501c3 non-profit organization. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR EQUALITY FLORIDA INSTITUTE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM O R B Y C A L L I N G T O L L- F R E E W I T H I N F L O R I D A ( 1 . 8 0 0 . 4 3 5 . 7 3 5 2 ) . R E G I S T R AT I O N D O E S N O T I M P LY E N D O R S E M E N T, A P P R O VA L , O R R E C O M M E N D AT I O N B Y T H E S TAT E . R E G I S T R AT I O N # C H 7 9 9 2 .

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May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

community calendar

event planner arts+entertainment

Central Florida

Community Sweat Benefiting Equality Florida

“West Side Story,” May 3-19, The Heneger Center, Melbourne. 321-723-8698; Henegar.org

Sunday, May 12, 9:30-11 a.m. Rock Hard Fitness, Orlando Rock Hard Fitness hosts Community Sweat, a free onehour boot camp benefiting Equality Florida. Live music from DJ Nigel John during the workout. Raffle prizes on hand to raise funds for EQFL including an EQFL Swag Bag, 30- and 60-minute massages, gift cards, gift baskets and more. For more information, visit RockHardFitnessOrlando.com.

National Theatre Live: “Macbeth,” May 4, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org White Party, May 4, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Indigo Girls, May 5, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org 15th Year Anniversary Breakfast, May 8, Citrus Club, Orlando. 407-843-1080; ClubCorp.com/Clubs/CitrusClub Bob Saget, May 8, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-770-0071; PlazaLiveOrlando.com Popcorn Flicks in the Park: “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm,” May 9, Winter Park Central Park, Winter Park. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org LGBT+ Monthly Business Mixer, May 10, The LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Spektrum Health presents White Party 2019, May 10, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Double Dare Live!, May 10, Bob Carr Theater, Orlando. 407-246-4262; DrPhillipsCenter.org AMOR presents Amalara Sofia Mother’s Day Weekend, May 11, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com April Fresh’s Comedy Brunch, May 12, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com David Sedaris, May 14, Linda Chapin Theater, Orlando. 407-273-2300; WMFE.org

Pretty Talker Spend an evening with humorist and author David Sedaris when he visits the Linda Chapin Theater in Orlando May 14 and the Straz Center in Tampa May 15. Photo by Ingrid Christie, courtesy DavidSedarisBooks.com

“Kinky Boots,” May 14, Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach. 386-671-3462; Peabody Auditorium.org

The Arts and the News, May 6, Poynter Institute for Media Studies, St. Petersburg. 727-821-9494; Poynter.org

Drag Queen Bingo, May 14, Pinellas Ale Works, St. Petersburg. 727-235-0970; PawBeer.com

“Anastasia,” May 14-19, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

“Anastasia,” May 7-12, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

David Sedaris, May 15, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

Happy Anniversary Mad Hatters, May 8, Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Kava Bar, St. Petersburg. 727-800-5030; MadHattersTeaBar.com

Chelsea Handler’s SitDown Comedy Tour, May 16, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

2019 Equality Florida St. Pete Gala, May 11, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 813-870-3735; EQFL.org

Cocktails & Collections at the MFA, May 16, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. 727-896-2667; MFAStPete.org

Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, May 14-27, Loch Haven Park, Orlando. 407-648-0077; OrlandoFringe.org

Tampa Bay Indigo Girls, May 3, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com NeiBEARhood Takeover Teddy Bear Picnic, May 3, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa A Decade of Daring, May 4, freeFall Theatre Company, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com

“Buyer & Cellar,” May 11-June 9, freeFall Theatre Company, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com Pride Skate, May 13, United Skates, Tampa. 813-876-5826; UnitedSkates.com

Sarasota Before Harvey, May 9, Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota. 941-228-4872; HarveyMilkFestival.org 10th Annual Harvey Milk Festival, May 11, JD Hamel Park, Sarasota. 941-228-4872; HarveyMilkFestival.org

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

“Greeting from Queertown: Orlando” Fundraising Event Monday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. The Abbey, Orlando Watermark Film Company invites you to the premiere fundraising event for “Greetings from Queertown: Orlando,” a documentary on the LGBTQ history of Central Florida. The event will be hosted by Moira and Jorge Estevez, feature lite bites provided by John Michael Exquisite Weddings and Catering and a cash bar will be available. For more information, visit GreetingsFromQueertown.com or Greetings From Queertown’s Facebook page.

Tampa Bay

Quiet No More—GMCTB Spring Concert Friday, May 10, 8-9 p.m. at King of Peace MCC, St. Petersburg Saturday, May 11, 8-9 p.m. at The Portico, Tampa The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay celebrates the 50th anniversary of Stonewall with its spring concert in both Tampa and St. Pete. Over two dozen GALA Choruses have co-commissioned a new choral work titled “Quiet No More,” marking Stonewall’s historical impact. GMCTB is one of 25 LGBTQ choruses premiering this show. For more information, visit GMCTB.org.

Sarasota

Run4Love Fun-K Harvey Milk Festival Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m. JD Hamel Park, Sarasota Harvey Milk Festival kicks off the weekend before its 10th anniversary with its first ever Fun-K 5K run/ walk. Wear costumes that light up and/or glow to illuminate Ringling Bridge during the run. Prizes awarded for best costumes. Registration is $35. Visit HarveyMilkFestival.org for more information.

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(727) 344-1000 May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

overheard

tampa bay out+about

TAMPA’S GREAT EIGHT

ob Buckhorn thanked Tampa for his eight years as mayor in a video released April 18, days ahead of Mayor Jane Castor’s historical election as his endorsed successor. “Thank you, Tampa, for allowing me the amazing honor to be your Mayor,” Buckhorn shared via social media. “There may be other mayors that are better than me, but I know that there will never be a mayor that loves this job as much as I do. I hope I made you proud.” The video details the WAVE Award-winning former mayor’s eight years, dubbed “The Great Eight.” It highlights the completion of the Tampa Riverwalk, the grand opening of new parks and the city’s embrace of community celebrations like Tampa Pride. “For us, our diversity is a strength, not a weakness,” Buckhorn says. “It is what makes us successful and it’s what makes us more competitive. All I care about, and all that we as a community celebrate, is your willingness to believe in this place called Tampa and to put your shoulder to the wheel and work for the common good,” he continues. “That’s what we represent as a city.” You can watch Buckhorn’s goodbye at WatermarkOnline.com.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY

t Pete Pride announced April 24 that entertainers Lisa Loeb and Rita Ora will headline concerts for the organization’s 17th annual celebration in June. Loeb is a singer-songwriter who began her career with the platinum-selling hit “Stay (I Missed You)” from “Reality Bites.” Other singles include“Do You Sleep,” “I Do” and “Let’s Forget about It,” which she’s sure to perform as she headlines the organization’s SP2 Concert June 21 from 7-10 p.m. Ora will headline St Pete Pride’s first After-Parade Concert June 22 the subsequent night, beginning at 9:30 p.m. The entertainer is known for hits like “Your Song” and “For You,” her Liam Payne collaboration from “Fifty Shades Freed.” Ora also released “Girls” with Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha. “After two increasingly successful years of being downtown for the Saturday night parade, the board wanted to really focus on enhancing participant experience and decided the entertainment aspect would deliver the most impact,” St Pete Pride Secretary and Entertainment Chair Richard Brandt said in the statement. “With the goal of securing a headliner for Friday night’s concert, it was also critical that we continue to showcase the exceptional talent that calls St. Pete and the Tampa Bay area home. In doing so, the largest pride celebration in Florida would be able to maintain the quaint and welcoming feeling that makes St Pete Pride so unique.” The 17th annual St Pete Pride will be held June 21-23. For more information about its upcoming concerts and events, visit StPetePride.com.

2 3

PASCO PROUD: Pasco Pride President Nina Borders (R) and wife Yarelis Rios visit Watermark’s office at Clear Labs April 24. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

FILM FANS: Eric Casaccio (L) and Don Barr Jr. attend a screening at the Sunscreen Film Festival April 27. PHOTO COURTESY ERIC CASACCIO

THE FORCE IS STRONG: Largo Vice Mayor Michael Smith (R) and “Kylo Ren” navigate the ways of the force at the Playcon Gaming and Comic Con April 20. PHOTO

COURTESY MICHAEL SMITH

FOR THE CHILDREN: Balance Tampa Bay holds the 9th annual Kickball 4 Kids benefiting the Academy Prep Center of Tampa April 27. PHOTO

COURTESY BALANCE TAMPA BAY

MILESTONE: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (center) and family celebrate her historical victory at The Vault April 23. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

HERE THEY GO AGAIN: (L-R) Gabe Alvez, Jason Fields, Paul Winters, Marc Retzlaff, Mark Warden, Jesse Devine and Tom Yarranton pose at American Stage in the Park’s “Mamma Mia!” for Pride Plus Night April 28. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

STORY TIME: Beyja King reads to eager listeners at Community Cafe for Drag Queen Story Hour Tampa Bay (DQSHTB) April 27. PHOTO COURTESY DQSHTB

ALL HEART: Miss Heart of Florida Alexis Mateo (L) welcomes the newly-crowned Miss Heart of Florida Newcomer Olivia Rae Taylor to the pageant family at Honey Pot April 28. PHOTO COURTESY

MISS HEART OF FLORIDA

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May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

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overheard

central florida out+about

Ms. Darcel Stevens wins Miss Continental Plus 2019

arliament House Entertainment Director Ms. Darcel Stevens was crowned Miss Continental Plus 2019. Miss Continental Plus is a part of Continental Pageantry Systems, described as the ultimate female impersonation pageantry system throughout the world. The system began in 1980 and expanded to include Miss Continental Plus in 1990. The 2019 pageant featured 23 contestants, including Stevens, who was crowned in Chicago on April 23. Stevens’ many supporters congratulated the entertainer on social media following the news, including Parliament House. “She did it!! Congratulations to Darcel Stevens,” the Orlando hotspot shared, “your new Miss Continental Plus!” Parliament House welcomed Stevens home April 27 with a victory party. “She went to Chicago with one goal – to bring the title of Miss Continental Plus home with her,” they shared. “AND SHE DID IT!”

Thank you for your hope and help

ope & Help had a successful event with the AIDS Walk Orlando thanks to all of the people who opened their pockets and donated what they could, and for that they want to say thank you with a celebration. Hope & Help’s community developmental director Joshua Myers says that the nonprofit will be pushing its annual gala, typically held in September, to next year and instead this October will hold an invite only event called Hope & Help Society. “This is an inaugural moment to recognize all of our top supporters,” Myers says. “At this event we aren’t really asking for anything, it’s just our opportunity to say thank you for 31 years of support and donorship.” Hope & Help Society will be at The Abbey in downtown Orlando on Oct. 17 for all of Hope & Help’s top supporters, whether with an in-kind or cash contribution, and will be by invitation only.

In the driver’s seat

he Zebra Coalition has been helping out LGBTQ youth in Central Florida since 2011 with an array of concerns including housing, schooling and more, and last month they were able help out a member of the community with the gift of a car. Thanks to the generosity of a local hero who reached out to the youth organization, Zebra member Gaby was given the gift of a 2013 Fiat Convertible. “[Gaby] has experienced homelessness for many years and spent hours each day on the bus commuting to and from work,” says Zebra Coalition Executive Director Heather Wilkie. “After much consideration and surveying the youth members, we were honored to give Gaby her first car.” More photos of a very excited Gaby can be seen on the Zebra Coalition’s Facebook page. “Congratulations Gaby! We are so proud of all of your accomplishments and know that this car will be a game changer for you,” the post reads.

NICE WHEELS: Zebra youth member Gaby shows off her new Fiat, gifted by a local hero, at the Zebra Coalition house April 18. Photo courtesy Zebra Coalition

QUEERLIGIOUS: (L-R) TJ Swilla, Danny Garcia and Sister Mary Masculine celebrate Easter/ Passover at the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s Hunky Jesus Costume Contest at Stonewall Orlando April 21.

Photo courtesy Danny Garcia

THREE QUEENS: (L-R) Jazell Barbie Royale, Ms. Darcel Stevens and Aubrey Elle Gibaldi strike a pose at Darcel’s Miss Continental Plus 2019 victory party at Parliament House Orlando April 27. Photo courtesy Aubrey Elle Gibaldi

UNDERWEAR MODEL: Andrew Christian brand ambassador Bruno Bernel shows some skin for Flesh Fridays at Parliament House Orlando April 26. Photo

courtesy Bears in the City

FROM THE STREET: Lifelong partners Bert (L) and Ernie celebrate Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando April 24. Photo by

Jeremy Williams

SETTE DOWN AND ENJOY: Trina Gregory-Propst (L) and Blue Star enjoy the ambiance of Sette, Gregory-Propst’s newest restaurant, in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village April 26. Photo

courtesy Pride Radio

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan remembers the fall of Saigon during the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day at the Lake Baldwin VA Clinic in Orlando April 27. Photo courtesy

Patty Sheehan

LET YOUR FLAG FLY: Nancy Rosado (L) and Carlitos Xavier Díaz Rodriguez celebrate equality at the 3rd annual Florida Puerto Rican Parade in downtown Orlando April 27. Photo

courtesy Carlitos Xavier Díaz Rodriguez

8 watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

tampa

attorney

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framing Attorney Alison M. Foley-Rothrock se habla Español!

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church

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

tampa

ba y

M a r k etplace

salon

watermark publishing group

e mp loy m e n t opport u n it y:

travel

creative designer The creative designer creates the editorial layouts of all Watermark’s products and manages Watermark’s company brand. This is the perfect position for motivated, multi-faceted designers who thrive in a challenging, fast paced environment.

Applicant Requirements: veterinarian

Deadline-oriented, creative and enthusiastic.

A strong inter-personal communicator

Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite programs including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, etc.

A passion for the LGBTQ community

Able to work on a PC platform.

Able to present physical examples of design work relevant to the needs of the position.

Knowledgeable of print design principles and editorial layouts.

Basic knowledge of Central Florida and Tampa Bay.

Detail-oriented (Excellent spelling and proofing skills)

youth services

Major Pluses: Photography skills Illustration skills Comfortable with HTML/CSS, and web design concepts. Wordpress development skills Javascript knowledge

Absolutely no phone calls please. Only the most promising applicants will be contacted.

Watermark Publishing Group is the premier media outlet for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community in Central and West Florida. Up to 20,000 copies of our biweekly newspaper are distributed every other Thursday throughout Central Florida, Tampa Bay and surrounding communities. Watermark also produces a collection of high-gloss specialty publications, and a web site with a rapidly growing online community.

Please send a cover letter, resume and portfolio hyperlink to Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Incoming mailbox size limit is 10MB per email. Emails larger than 10MB will not be received. Please optimize attachments accordingly.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

C ent r al

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Read It Online!

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

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May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

C ent r al

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non-profit organization

veterinarian

paint contractor

Proudly Caring for the Pets and People of the LGBT Community since 1955

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personal training www.rockhardfitnessorlando.com

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

announcements

wedding bells

Amber Kuzma and Shelby Kucharski from Tampa, Florida

Local Birthdays

Feb. 23, 2018

Wedding date:

Sept. 9, 2018

Venue:

Mac Ray Harbor

Colors:

Lavender and coral

Wedding Song/ Artist:

Officiant:

Allie Lyttle

Cake Bakery:

Becky Kuzma

Cake/Cupcake Flavors:

Chocolate, vanilla and banana

Theme:

Steampunk

Photographer:

Madeline Theede

Mayor Jane Castor was elected Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ mayor April 23 and sworn in May 1. Parliament House Entertainment Director Darcel Stevens won Miss Continental Plus 2019 April 23.

Engagement date:

“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

Congratulations

Photo by Madeline Theede

“I

met her on Facebook in a

group for lesbians,” Amber Kuzma says about how she met her wife, Shelby Kucharski. “I wasn’t looking for anything as I had recently gotten out of a pretty nasty divorce. However, I had moved from Florida— where there were tons of out people—to Michigan, where I was the token lesbian again.”

The two struck up a conversation about Kucharski’s work as an off-leash dog trainer and that was the beginning. “We spent a lot of time talking about dogs and she didn’t really catch the fact I was trying to talk less about dog training and more about her,” Kucharski shares. “I hadn’t met her yet, but after a few minutes of checking out her profile I figured she was pretty cute.” “I gave her my number and we planned to see a movie together a few days later. We went for drinks before the movie and never made it to the movie because we blabbed all night until 2 a.m. and both had to work the next day. We’ve

really kind of been inseparable since,” Kuzma says. Kucharski was the one to pop the question. Though Kuzma had known it was going to happen, she didn’t quite know when. “Shelby made me think she was going to propose to me during the Demi Lovato concert we were planning to go to. I had known she had the ring for a while,” Kuzma says. “We got friends together at 526 Main Piano Bar in Royal Oak, Mich., for what I thought was my birthday. I got pulled on stage for a super-long, drawn out birthday song, and then the piano player introduced Shelby who got down on one knee. The whole place erupted with

applause and I’m pretty sure everyone there bought us a drink. It was really sweet.” Kuzma and Kucharski married in Michigan surrounded by friends and family. “One of my many favorite memories of this day was during our vows,” Kucharski says. “[My close friend] Allie had us repeat our vows after her and although we chose them beforehand, Amber had changed the vows with some silly adds, such as ‘You vow to love me even when I’m crabby, I vow to love you even if you have an obsession with narwhals.’” And at last, there was cake. “We had an epic cake fight. For those that know me, it wasn’t ‘if’ I would smash the cake in her face, only a question of how hard,” Kuzma says. “Shelby looked really nervous when it came time to cut the cake and it was all caught on video. She lovingly showed me the next day that she was still blowing chocolate cake out of her nose.”

Central Florida entertainer BeeJay Aubertin Clinton, St. Petersburg communication pro Josh Cruz, St. Petersburg city and coffee lover Corey Malyszka (May 2); Central Florida entertainer Jamie Lee (aka Sassy Divine), Southern Nights bartender Autumn Michelle, Tampa Pride president Carrie West (May 3); Tampa Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumbtree, St. Petersburg author Richard Randall, MBA Orlando leadership committee’s Katherine Bardelon (May 4); Project manager Robert Brennan, St. Petersburg Officer Chris Bragg, Sierra Club senior campaign representative Susannah Randolph, Fantastic parent and man about town Clay Emerson (May 5); Orange County officer Lance Colford, Enigma bartender Justin Palmer, Flamingo Resort manager Jon Jusino (May 6); Trinity Charities Program Coordinator Bruce Fournier, MBA Orlando’s VP of Operations Sherri Absher, Wet Nurse drummer Vanessa Brewster, Tampa Bay performer Tim Cain (May 7); Marvel man Jason Grawey, Watermark cover model Al Pfeiffer (May 8); DJ extraordinaire Scott Robert, Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Kava Bar manager Sarah Wilson, Webtivity president Terry Thompson (May 9); St. Petersburg gender therapist Tristan Byrnes, former USF executive admin assistant Eric Anderson, Southern Nights bartender Gabrielle Juliana, former Tampa Bay Bear John Burchett, Metro program specialist Hannah Powell (May 10); Tampa Bay massage therapist Alexis Acevedo, Pasco County Democratic Chairwoman Alison Berke Morano, Tampa political hob-nobber Scott J. Allen, former-Tampa personal trainer Jeff Giles, CitySide Lounge owner James Encke, Ybor City Barbering Co. co-owner Lauren Harmon, Florida Trans Proud and Pasco Pride founder Denise Johnson (May 11); Lutz real estate agent Kenny Braverman, Tampa activist Stephanie Leaf (May 12); Pulse Orlando legend Cindy Barbalock, Tampa Bay super volunteer Jeremy Wade Neiman, Sarasota medical specialist Dr. Sporty Damon Paul Harper (May 13); St. Petersburg school teacher Bob Tencza, Orlando artist Christie Miga, Southern Nights bartender Sara Barone, former Doggie Door co-owner Brian Wettstein, Largo media publisher Jeff Youngblood, Central Florida ally and artist Christie Miga, Server Seth Bradshaw (May 14); Hillsborough Kids advocate Malachi Ortiz, Q Salon owner Sameer Nurani, Orlando entertainer Craig Raymo, Tampa Bay entertainer Amanda D’Rhod, Central Florida straight ally Alex Copeland (May 15).

Do you have an announcement?

Send your announcement to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com

—Aaron Drake

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

the last page

Photo by Jake Stevens

Age: 41

Hometown:

Pensacola, FL

Identifies As:

Transgender

Out Year:

2015

Brianna Rockmore

Autobiography Title:

“The Closet Can Be A Funny Place”

A cco u nt M anage r

Hobbies:

Stand-up comedy, volunteering, football, relaxing with friends and spending quality time with family.

o run a regional, niche

newspaper you need to have a passion for the community you serve and a passion for how your newspaper is connected to that community.

Hire Date:

You can only hope that those who work with you share your enthusiasm. With Brianna Rockmore, Watermark won the employee lottery. I usually write a narrative on this page after submitting questions to each employee, but I was so impressed with what Brianna had to say that I decided to use her words to show you who she is. As a self-described goofy class clown, Brianna sees things in a positive and funny way, using comedy to bring people out of despair and into a “full of life kind of way.” This is Brianna Rockmore!

8/27/18

Professional Role Model: Gina Duncan

What are your responsibilities at Watermark?

My job is to connect local businesses and leaders to the local LGBTQ community through our print and digital media outlets. It is my responsibility to paint a picture for potential advertisers to understand why they should market to this community. What is your favorite thing about working at Watermark?

The people and the pride! The people are amazing; the Watermark staff is truly like family! Everyone is so kind and helpful! The pride has to do with the Pride events. As an employee of Watermark, we work all Pride events throughout Central Florida. Working the parade is a lot of fun, plus it is rewarding. The reaction you get from passing out beads is amazing and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces is rewarding.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

What is your favorite LGBTQ Event?

Before I started working at Watermark, it was the monthly socials with the Transgender Network. This will always be a favorite because T-Network was my first LGBTQ event. Since my time at Watermark, Third Thursdays have become another favorite event of mine. Third Thursday is an event hosted by Watermark. Sharing the story of Watermark is a passion of mine. What is your favorite thing about the local LGBTQ community?

The hugs!! Everyone I meet, whether it be clients, peers or friends, everyone greets you with their hands out and are passionate and sweet! What would you like to see improved in the LGBTQ community?

I do not mean this in a negative way but more understanding within the spectrum alphabet. As nice as everyone is, not everyone understands one another, and I am not excluded from those confused. I say “more understanding.” What advice would you give your younger self?

As a believer in “things happen for a reason,” I would tell myself to buckle up and enjoy the ride! 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.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

May 2 - M ay 15 , 2019 // Issue 26 .0 9

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