Watermark Issue: 26.13 The Stonewall Inn: 50 Years Ago

Celebrating 25 years of

Your LGBTQ Life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 Issue 26.13

Orlando’s Bliss CARES New Event to Raise Funds for Transgender Housing

D AY T O N A B E A C H

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ORLANDO

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Pasco Pride Adopts Former KKK Road

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

departments 7 // Publisher’s desk

page

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8 // Central Florida News 10 // Tampa Bay News 12 // State news

“We would no longer be invisible … Not only would we be open about who we were, we’d also be in your face to fight for our rights, not merely plead for them.”

–Mark Segal, Philadelphia Gay News publisher and Gay Liberation Front member from 1969-1971, remembering Stonewall

13 // Nation & World News 21 // Talking points 41 // Community Calendar 43 // Tampa Bay Out & About 45 // Central FL out & About 46 // Tampa Bay Marketplace 48 // Orlando Marketplace 53 // Wedding bells / Announcements

54 // Year in Review: 2014 On the cover

page

50 YEARS AGO: LGBTQ activists share their experiences at The Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. Cover design by DiBenedetto/Wiedemann.

page

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ICONIC:

50 artists honor 50 years of Stonewall with MIZE Gallery’s “ICONS: LGBTQ+ Portraits.”

Watermark Issue 26.13 // June 27 - july 10, 2019

Truth Be told

RIDE WITH PRIDE

The Wonderful World Dancing with a Cause

page Florida House candidate Elizabeth McCarthy’s credibility questioned.

page Pasco Pride adopts a road formerly adopted by the KKK.

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

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Columnist Michael Wanzie talks penguins and making babies.

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Bliss CARES’ dancing competition raises money for transgender housing.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WatermarkOnline and Like us on Facebook. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

contributors

Publisher’s

Rick Claggett PUblisher

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

H

Desk

ere we are again, the

keystone of Pride around the world.

We’ve celebrated Pride in Kissimmee and Polk County, and are still reveling in the joy that St Pete Pride brings. Now we turn to the event that started it all, Stonewall. This year is special, though. Stonewall turns 50 and the world is set to celebrate and honor the brave people who began a movement that would change lives for half of a century, with no signs of slowing down.

Stonewall 50 is going to be a massive event. The parade itself is expected to last longer than the average workday with over 150,000 participants and millions of spectators. My, how far we have come!

I didn’t grow up in a world as accepting as today, nor did I grow up in a world where police raided LGBTQ establishments. I spent most of my teenage years isolated from anything LGBTQ that was positive. All I saw of the LGBTQ community was from a negative

watermark staff

Owner & Publisher: Rick Claggett • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Business Manager: Kathleen Sadler • Ext. 101 Kathleen@WatermarkOnline.com

perception. “Why would you want to do that? That’s what gay people do.” Gay characters on TV and movies were cheating on their spouses or a two-dimensional punch line. Naturally, I assumed this is what I would grow up to be—and this was 20 years after Stonewall.

In high school I remember hearing a rumor that two kids I played baseball with were gay.

Of course the rumors were not talked about in a good way. I so desperately wanted them to be gay

and I so badly wanted to tell them I could relate, but I was too afraid to do so. That’s what isolation does to you. That’s why visibility is so massively important. Harvey Milk, a genius, understood that.

I wish he was alive today to see the world come together in New York City.

As pride celebrations ramp up, though, controversy is never far away. The growing popularity of parades and festivals brings with it a greater sense of celebration, a larger price tag and more corporate involvement. So where is the controversy? Is it that celebrations negate the protest aspect of pride? Is corporate involvement a sell out?

I’ve never really embraced those arguments. Parades by nature are a political protest, even as a celebration. Why can’t they be both? The more visible we are, the better off we will be and the better off those who think they are isolated will be.

It takes all of us. It takes social justice warriors carrying signs and it takes shirtless guys in box shorts dancing. We are a vast community and we all need to support each other.

As for corporations, why would their involvement be a bad thing?

I would have been mesmerized had a supportive Fortune 500 company walked next to me in my first pride parade, footing the bill so that a group of gay kids could walk, be entertained and celebrate for free. Although, it’s not all about the money. Visibility is key.

The more support we have the better off we are.

My issue with some big corporations is that they slap a rainbow on their products for you to buy and wear for pride, but they don’t advertise that to you. They expect that local LGBTQ Senior Tampa Bay Account Manager: Russ Martin • Ext. 303 Russ@WatermarkOnline.com

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

Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com

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

Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Assistant/Photographer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 102 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.comSales Director:

Orlando Account Manager: Brianna Rockmore • Ext. 105 Brianna@WatermarkOnline.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Tampa Bay Account Manager: Daniel Lancaster • Ext. 301 Daniel@WatermarkOnline.com Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer Tom@WatermarkOnline.com National Ad Representative: Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863

publications will inform you because a rainbow-colored potato chip is cool, saving them money on advertising.

From a business that is fueled by advertising dollars, it would be smart to advertise and ensure publications are always around to write those stories. As for products that LGBTQ people enjoy year round: Disney, Amazon, Apple and Starbucks—it would be nice to see you reach out to the National LGBTQ Media Association and start some local campaigns.

Come into our homes and our lives and let’s work together. Thank you

I didn’t grow up in a world as accepting as today, nor did I grow up in a world where police raided LGBTQ establishments.

to businesses like Regions Bank, Target and Bud Light who see the importance and value in regional LGBTQ media.

In this issue of Watermark we hear from those who were at Stonewall the night of the riots in 1969.

In Orlando news, Hope and Help talks HIV prevention; while in Tampa Bay Pasco Pride adopts a highway previously secured by the KKK. In entertainment we look at Florida artists’ take on LGBTQ icons and Central Florida’s “Sweet Dreams” fundraiser.

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

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

Michael Wanzie is

an Orlando-based playwright, actor and ordained minister. He is most recognized for his direction of productions in the Orlando area. Page 17

Greg Stemm

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

Aaron Drake

is a contributor to Creative Loafing, South Florida Gay News and ManAboutWorld. He loves getting lost in other countries and his German Shepherd. Page 53 Sabrina Ambra, Nathan Bruemmer, Scottie Campbell, Miguel Fuller, Divine Grace, Holly Kapherr Alejos, Jason Leclerc, Melody Maia Monet, Jerick Mediavilla, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Michael wanzie

photography Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello, Bruce Hardin, Jamarqus Mosley, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway, Vanessa Maresca-Cruz CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher.

Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail).

The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

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central florida news

Hope & Help to increase HIV awareness as Orlando among top areas with new diagnoses Jeremy Williams ORLANDO | In the wake of the latest stats on HIV in the U.S., Hope & Help is looking to increase its visibility in the LGBTQ community. According to the latest numbers from AIDSVu, Central Florida ranks second in the U.S. for most new HIV diagnoses, only behind the Miami-Dade area.

The fact that the top two areas with the largest number of new cases are both in Florida is not surprising to Abby Silverman, operations director at Hope & Help.

“We don’t have comprehensive sex education. We currently don’t have clean needle exchange programs.

We didn’t expand on Medicaid, we’ve been behind the curve as a state in terms of our policies, our education and our practices,” Silverman says. “San Francisco, New York, D.C., Philadelphia; you go to these cities and the messaging is everywhere. And it’s fun, it’s positive and it’s sexy. You come to Florida, it’s crickets; you don’t see it.”

Lack of education and awareness are key factors why numbers of new transmissions have continued to climb in Central Florida over the last decade. According to Hope & Help, one in every seven people living with HIV don’t even know they have the virus.

Hope & Help’s offices, as well as The LGBT+ Center, offer free HIV testing. Getting tested and finding those who are HIV-positive early is the key to preventing the spread of the virus.

“The earlier we can get someone who has tested positive on treatment, we can get their viral load undetectable making them untransmittable,” says Scott Bowles, a peer specialist with Hope & Help.

Education on safer sexual habits is another key area to combating HIV, especially within the younger communities. Hope & Help is launching an ambassador program within local area schools, according to Lisa Barr, Hope & Help’s executive director.

“Talking with your peers is much different than having some old white lady come in,” says Barr. “Now you’ve got somebody who’s a friend of yours saying, ‘Hey, man, you need to put a raincoat on.’ Those are the kinds of things that we’re trying to foster in the messaging.”

Higher-risk groups have PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) as an option as well for HIV prevention.

The Florida Department of Health announced earlier this year it will begin offering PrEP at all locations statewide for free by the end of 2019.

Hope & Help also has a mail delivery condom program to promote healthier sexual behavior.

“You don’t even need to come in,” Barr says. “They are delivered free to your home. We want people to know that they need to protect themselves.”

For more information on programs, support groups and health services offered by Hope & Help, visit HopeAndHelp.org.

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STAYING IN IT:

Elizabeth McCarthy will continue her Florida House District 28 campaign despite the controversy.

Photo courtesy McCarthy’s campaign Facebook page

Truth Be Told Florida House candidate Elizabeth McCarthy’s creditability questioned Jeremy Williams

S

ANFORD, Fla. | Elizabeth McCarthy—the openly LGBTQ, Democratic candidate running for Florida House District 28, whose full legal name is Catherine Elizabeth McCarthy—has come under fire for inconsistencies about her past, most notably her claims of working as a cardiologist at Orlando Regional Medical Center on June 12, 2016 after the Pulse tragedy.

Florida Politics reported June 15, when confronted about the inconsistencies, McCarthy insisted that “Yes, I am a doctor” and “Yes, I did work the night of Pulse.”

“I was working that night.

I removed 77 bullets out of 32 people, and helped with the triage,” she said, according to Florida Politics.

Florida Politics reported that the Department of Health has no record of McCarthy being a licensed doctor and Orlando Health has no record of any doctor working there by that name.

Watermark has independently verified with Florida’s Department

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

of Health that no doctor under McCarthy’s name worked for Orlando Health.

After the story broke, McCarthy advised Florida Politics via text that she would be suspending her campaign, but reversed course the following day in a Facebook post titled “My Story.” In the post, McCarthy calls the reporting on her background a “campaign smearing” and writes “I did think about shutting down my campaign after this attack I was not ready for it. I am not going to do that.

I have a passion for legislation, apparently not up to snuff on campaigning but I am learning.

I am MOVING FORWARD.” McCarthy has been active in Central Florida’s LGBTQ community for years, including working as a sales account manager for this publication in 2012, and worked closely with Congressman Darren Soto during his run for Florida’s 9th District. Soto has frequently sung McCarthy’s praises as a champion for LGBTQ rights.

Watermark reached out to Soto’s office for comment but did not hear back as of press time.

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Many members of the community who have worked with McCarthy over the years have taken to social media to call on her to address the accusations directly, something she did not do in her “My Story” post.

“Elizabeth and I go back many years, she is someone I trusted, someone that I believed in on so many levels both professionally and civically,” wrote former Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Eric Rollings on Facebook. “I reached out to Elizabeth a week ago and asked her to please, take a picture of her diploma or license or anything so I can prove to the people you are who you say you are. She has not been able to produce anything at all.”

Watermark reached out to McCarthy to clear up the questions about her history with Orlando Health. McCarthy replied with an email, stating “No thank you, appreciate you asking.”

Several notable members of the LGBTQ community who have taken to social media to call for answers from McCarthy include Florida House Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, LGBT+ Center Orlando Executive Director George Wallace and prominent LGBTQ physician Dr. Rafael E. Pinero.

“It seems like we all have been deceived. She should be asked to step down from any political and leadership position at this point,” wrote Pinero.

cdc.gov/StartTalking /StartTalkingHIV /StartTalkingHIV

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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tampa bay news

St. Petersburg extends bullying protections to LGBTQ youth Ryan Williams-Jent

S

T. PETERSBURG | Mayor Rick Kriseman announced June 20 that he has extended the city’s anti-bullying policy in its youth programming to protect LGBTQ youth.

The city is committed to providing an environment for all youth that is safe, secure and free from harassment and bullying of any kind, officials shared June 21. The policy applies to any youth enrolled or participating in programs run or sponsored by the city. Youth who are not enrolled in the city’s programs but utilize any of their facilities or amenities are also subject to the guidelines.

The mayor announced he would sign the expanded policy during St Pete Pride’s Stonewall Reception at the Museum of Fine Arts, days ahead of the organization’s 17th annual Pride weekend. “I get to travel a lot and meet with a lot of different mayors from cities all over the country, and people are hearing about St. Petersburg and about what’s happening in this town right now—all of the energy, the Pride, the growth,” he began.

“St. Petersburg is a community that is welcoming, that is inclusive and we celebrate diversity. The example that I give them for all of those things is Pride,” he continued, “and I tell them if you want to see the best of a community, come to St. Petersburg during Pride weekend and experience everything that this city has to offer.

“So I’m going to break some news here tonight,” the mayor added. “I’m going to sign an executive order that changes St. Petersburg’s policy on bullying.”

The amended, LGBTQ-inclusive language reads as follows. “Bullying may be based on a youth’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intellectual ability, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income or any other distinguishing characteristic, or on a youth’s association with a person or group with any of the actual or perceived foregoing characteristics.”

The city notes in its policy that any act of bullying, harassment, cyberstalking or cyberbullying—whether by youth, city volunteers or city staff—is prohibited. It defines harassment as any gesture that causes a youth to fear they will be harmed or interferes in their ability to benefit from the city’s services.

Cyberstalking and cyberbullying are defined as engaging in conduct to cause distress or to incite harm through technology. Retaliation against those who report any type of infraction is also prohibited.

The protections note that any youth found to have committed bullying will “be subject to consequences and appropriate remedial action,” ranging from interventions to program expulsion. Employees and volunteers will be subject to disciplinary action.

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PASCO PROUD: Pasco Pride President

Nina Borders (4th from L) and the Pride board attend a New Port Richey City Council meeting June 18. PHOTO COURTESY NINA BORDERS

Ride with Pride Pasco Pride adopts road formerly claimed by KKK, seeks volunteers Ryan Williams-Jent

N

EW PORT RICHEY, Fla. |

Pasco Pride has adopted a one-mile stretch of Moon Lake Road via Pasco County’s Adopt-a-Road program, a section previously claimed by the white supremacist hate group the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in 1993.

Pasco Pride exists to connect, build and strengthen the LGBTQ community in and around Pasco County. Now in its second year, the organization was seeking community outreach projects to raise awareness for its mission when it discovered Keep Pasco Beautiful. The not-for-profit organization promotes the county’s Adopt-a-Road program to “encourage beautification.”

It requires a two-year commitment and a minimum of four roadside clean-ups per year.

The county provides signage at the beginning and end of the adopted roadway sections bearing the adoptive organization’s name in exchange for their efforts.

Pasco Pride President Nina Borders says the program was a

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

perfect fit. “We were looking at how we could make an impact with our limited resources, because we don’t necessarily have the resources that larger Prides do,” she says. “A lot of our members live around Moon Lake Road and there’s a large trash problem. The roads there have been neglected and we can have a large impact.”

Borders, who moved to the area from Orlando four years ago, wasn’t aware the KKK had claimed the road until announcing the venture. “We knew they had been present in the area, along with a lot of white nationalist groups, but we didn’t know they had legally adopted the road,” she says.

“I didn’t think a hate group could do that, but apparently in the 90s it was a thing.”

According to news archives, then-Pasco Utility Projects Director Bob Sigmond said in 1993 that the group was entitled to program participation despite the objection of some locals. Signs read “Adopt-aRoad, Pasco County: Knights of the Ku Klux Klan” for years.

“Eventually the county got too much pushback,” Borders says, “and now here we are.

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The community has been very supportive of our efforts. We didn’t know what to expect when we announced this … we’re going to push forward because it’s the right thing to do.”

In addition to cleaning up the roadside, Borders says Pasco Pride plans to help the area’s homeless.

“There’s a large population of people who live in the woods or off the road in the area,” she says.

“We’ll have water and we’ll have food—we’re going to try and help out in a lot of different ways.”

Pasco Pride is currently seeking volunteers to assist them in their cleanup efforts. In conjunction with Keep Pasco Beautiful, the group will hold safety training at ZenfiniTea in New Port Richey on July 10. Eager environmentalists are required to attend the meeting or receive the training to participate.

“As we’ve moved into year two, we have been focused on building a strong foundation so that we can continue to serve the community,” Borders says. “Pasco Pride is taking over a road in the area that has a long history of white nationalism and hate. This goes to the heart of that—we’re here to show people that we’re all about love. Join us.”

Pasco Pride’s Safety Training will be held July 10 from 5-6 p.m. at ZenfiniTea, located at 3501 Universal Plaza in New Port Richey.

For more information about the meeting or Pasco Pride, visit PascoPrideFestival.org.

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11

state news

First Wynwood looked to mix fun, art and nonprofit awareness Damon Scott of South Florida Gay News

M

IAMI, Fla. | The organizers of the first Wynwood Pride Music Festival said attendees could expect to be treated with a mix of performers, talented artists and more than 20 nonprofit groups.

The event took place June 21-23 at the Wynwood Marketplace in Miami.

General admission to the event was free, although there were other access levels ranging from $25 to $75.

The event coincided with LGBTQ Pride Month in June—chosen to commemorate the Stonewall riots of June 1969.

While South Florida hosts many other Pride events throughout the year; including in Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, Key West and Hialeah, organizers said Wynwood Pride is the first for the city of Miami.

The three-day festival hosted panels on gay issues, film screenings and mural installations.

The “community village” is where the nonprofits were located—representing groups focused on LGBTQ, youth justice and health issues. The village offered HIV testing, counseling information, clothing donations and more.

“The overall goal of Wynwood Pride is to serve as a catalyst for communication, education, empowerment and unification of the LGBTQ community through many different mediums,” organizers said in a statement.

Wynwood Pride organizers said three nonprofits will benefit from money raised at the event. The nonprofits are Pridelines, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and Survivors’ Pathway.

Pridelines provides services and support to South Florida LGBTQ youth, such as emergency housing, transportation/relocations assistance, and other help for queer youth experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

Astraea raises and distributes funds to programs and initiatives led by lesbians and queer women, transgender, non-conforming people, intersex people and people of color. It has granted more than $40 million to 1,700 partners since 1980.

Survivors’ Pathway provides services that focus on mental health. It runs a center in Miami-Dade County that serves Latino and LGBTQI victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and hate crimes.

Expect local and international LGBTQ talent during the three-day run, organizers said ahead of time.

Scheduled to appear were entertainers Pabllo Vittar, Aja, Dorian Electra, DJ Citizen Jane and Carmen Carrera.

The event featured drag shows, lip-synching battles, late-night DJs, large-scale art installations, voguing competitions and more. And since it’s Wynwood, of course there was art.

In conjunction with event organizers, the AXS Art’s Pride LGBTQ exhibit, an initiative of the AXS Law Group, will be on display by appointment from now until Aug. 31.

An opening art reception took place June 6 from 4-9 p.m. The exhibit is located in Wynwood.

The installation featured seven award-winning LGBTQ artists who “have been influenced by their cultural roots and whose craft uniquely illustrates South Florida’s diverse community,” AXS Law Group said in a statement.

Artists in the exhibit included Lazaro Amaral, Rolando Barrero, Marco Caridad, Paul Cormack, Jennifer Maria, Gigi Motley and Marcel Saleta. To see the exhibit, contact AXS Law Group by phone at 305-297-1878 or via email at info@axslawgroup.com.

Wynwood Pride was produced by event agency SWARM, in partnership with the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID).

For more information, go to WynwoodPride.com.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

nation+world news

Supreme Court vacates $135K fine against Oregon couple who refused to serve gays Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

T

he U.S. Supreme Court vacated on June 17 a $135,000 fine against an Oregon-based family business that refused based on religious objections to make a wedding cake in 2013 for a same-sex couple.

In an order list, the Supreme Court indicated it had issued summary disposition in response to the petition for certiorari filed by Aaron and Melissa Kline, vacating the decision against the couple and remanding it back to the Oregon Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court’s action falls short of recognizing the First Amendment right sought by the couple to refuse service to same-sex couples.

The Oregon Court of Appeals is instructed to reconsider the case in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.

The ruling found the Colorado Civil Rights Commission held anti-religious bias when concluding Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop violated Colorado civil rights law. Based on those narrow facts of the case, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the decision against Phillips.

The Klein petition was filed by the Texas-based law firm First Liberty in October and has been pending before the Supreme Court for nearly a year.

In 2013, a female same-sex couple, Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, came to Sweetcakes and, after an initial tasting, requested a wedding cake for a commitment ceremony. (Oregon hadn’t yet legalized same-sex marriage.) Melissa Kline refused them the service on the basis that baking a wedding cake

would be inconsistent with her religious beliefs.

The couple filed a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries asserting Sweetcakes had violated Oregon’s human rights law, which bars anti-gay discrimination in public accommodations and fined the couple $135,000. The administrative court also issued a cease and desist order, which the couple interpreted as a gag order preventing them from talking about their beliefs.

Melissa Klein and her spouse Aaron asserted the penalty put their company Sweetcakes out of business.

The Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the decision from the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries. Last year, the Oregon Supreme Court declined to review the petition, which prompted First Liberty to file the petition for certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senate confirms anti-LGBTQ judicial nominee who stood up for Kim Davis Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

F

louting the recognition of June as Pride Month, the U.S. Senate approved a Trump judicial nominee on June 19 who has a long anti-LGBTQ record, including defense of Kim Davis for refusing to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Senate confirmed Matthew Kacsmaryk to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas by a vote of 52-46.

Joining the united Democratic caucus in opposition to Kacsmaryk was Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who cited in a statement his “alarming bias against the rights of

LGBTQ Americans and disregard for Supreme Court precedents.”

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the first out lesbian elected to the Senate, said she heard from dozens of parents of transgender children who have voiced concern about the prospect of Kacsmaryk on the bench.

“I urge my colleagues to send the message to those children, their parents, and the broader LGBTQ community, and the country, that they do count, that they count, that they matter, that we hear their voices, and please, reject this nominee,” Baldwin said.

Before his confirmation, Kacsmaryk served as deputy general counsel of the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, an organization that seeks to advance religious freedom even at the expense of LGBTQ rights.

Kacsmaryk has a long record of anti-LGBTQ positions and writings, defining the LGBTQ rights struggle at one time as a “clash of absolutes” between “religious liberty and sexual liberty.”

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage nationwide, Kacsmaryk said the ruling found an “unwritten” right under the Fourteenth Amendment that was “a secret knowledge so cleverly concealed in the nineteenth century amendment that it took almost 150 years to find.”

When Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refused to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Kacsmaryk defended her, comparing her to Quakers who refuse fight in war and Jewish butchers who follow kosher dietary laws.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

in other news Utah High School football players burn Pride flag Two high school football players from Kearns, Utah have been suspended from the team for posting and sharing a video showing a Pride flag burning and using homophobic language. A player posted a video on Snapchat of someone lighting a Pride flag on fire. In the video, someone can be heard saying “All gays die.”

The suspended students were the player who initially posted the video and another student who reposted the video. A spokesman for the Granite School District says they are investigating the incident and considering proper punishment for the students.

Mastercard to allow trans people to use chosen name Mastercard will allow transgender people to use their chosen names on credit and debit cards in an effort to combat discrimination at the cash register. That means that the name on the credit card owned by a transgender person could be different than that found on their birth certificate or driver’s license. It is up to the banks that issue the cards to actually implement the change and on June 17, Mastercard called on those banks to do so. Three states—Tennessee, Kansas and Ohio—legally bar a transgender person from changing the sex listed on their birth certificate. A transgender person will no longer have to wait to get a legal name change or make changes to their birth certificate.

Trans woman alleges former Chicago cop of sex crime Chicago police are investigating allegations that a now-retired sergeant forced a transgender woman to perform a sex act inside a marked police vehicle while he was on duty. Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says that after an internal investigation the sergeant was stripped of his police powers in early April and that he has since retired. The police reports indicate that the woman reported to doctors at Rush University Medical Center shortly after the alleged incident with DNA evidence. Police have not identified the now-retired sergeant.

Ecuador’s highest court approves same-sex marriage Ecuador’s highest court authorized same-sex marriage June 12 in a landmark case seeking to expand LGBTQ rights in the small South American nation. The decision by the Constitutional Court came after a lengthy legal battle waged by several couples and gay rights advocates. With the 5-to-4 ruling, Ecuador joins a handful of Latin American nations—Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia and Uruguay—that have legalized same-sex marriage either through judicial rulings, or less frequently, legislative action. Same-sex unions have been legal in Ecuador for a decade but civil partners enjoy fewer rights than married couples when it comes to inheritance and estate laws.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP CREATING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Michael Wanzie

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WANZIE Penguins, same-sex couples and making babies

D

o gay penguins

provide the example same-sex human couples should emulate when it comes to their desire to raise a child?

It’s just a question to pose for which I have no clue as to the answer. I am not being critical or taking a particular stance on the subject, I am but musing. In this column I’m going to ask an indelicate question that is likely to raise the ire of same-sex couples who have enlisted the assistance of a surrogate to bring a child into the world or who have borrowed a little sperm to get the job done.

I have a question that I simply wish to put out into the ether to see what comes of it. But first, a little background on the real-life penguins and the play they inspired which got me to thinking about this question in the first place.

Apparently, as is sometimes the case with humans, heterosexual penguin pairs who mate and bring forth an egg sometimes abandon their offspring—or that is to say, their egg—and show no interest in incubating and caring for that which they have produced. And also apparently, as is very often the case with humans, a loving homosexual pairing of penguins can step in to care for and nurture the unwanted life and help it to realize its full potential as part of a loving family unit.

I barely recall the real-life incident that occurred at the Central Park Zoo in 1998 when keepers there began to document the mating rituals of two male penguins named Roy and Silo and their subsequent, shared, successful incubation of an abandoned egg resulting in the birth of baby chick Tango in 1999. I vaguely remember that this seemingly lovely occurrence sparked enormous controversy at the time as the religious right came out in their typical full nutty-mode force to demand that the zoo separate the male couple and restrain them from incubating the egg because they believed this unholy alliance, which would help preserve life, was not as their God intended it.

The incident inspired the book “And Tango Makes Three,” which went on to the become one of the 10 most

banned books by public schools and libraries for five years, but also went on to became a national bestseller.

Roy, Silo, baby Tango and the absurdly abhorrent protests by the Christian-right inspired a play for young audiences penned by Emily Freeman called “And Then Came Tango,” which premiered during the 2011 Cohen New Works Festival at The University of Texas in Austin.

But being Texas, the reception for the play was not exactly warm. The Austin Independent School District said the play—which they had not seen or read—dealt with a subject matter that should be discussed by parents with their children at a time they deem appropriate.

The play fared no better in California, where same-sex marriage was very much legal at the time, when the Mariposa County School Board voted overwhelmingly to cancel a planned run of “And Then Came Tango” by one of its charter schools.

Rob Watson—a writer for “The Next Family”—sent a letter to the school board in which he wrote, “The family depicted in ‘And Then Came Tango’ is mine. We are not penguins, and my sons were not hatched, but aside from those set-decorating changes, it is us … My sons, like other kids from differing family structures, fully grasp the concept of mutual respect between families. It is the principle where we listen to each other and find common ground, not a focus on our differences. It is a concept that you have just voted down. It is a lesson you have yet to learn.”

All over this country, planned performances of “And Then Came Tango” have been repeatedly thwarted by the influence wielded over school boards by the homophobic.

Happily, for me and the many others who got to see a stellar production of the play at Orlando Fringe, this was not the case. Windermere High School Thespian Troupe 8483 not only was allowed to present the play, but it won honors in competition and

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

was selected to be presented at Orlando Fringe as part of its “Fingers of the Future” initiative where it won multiple awards and was a Patron’s Pick.

I cried buckets of tears watching this production,

sheepish to pose. That being, should gay persons really be bringing children into the world by whatever means possible rather than adopting?

It occurs to me that if we insist, and medical science substantiates, that

those children who already exist and need our love?

If nature intended us to be gay might it then actually be going against nature to utilize science to achieve the offspring we cannot naturally conceive with the

partially due to the content of the play but more so because I was so very proud of these outstanding students and I was feeling fiercely proud and fortunate to reside in a community where these students can and did present “And Then Came Tango,” and were deservedly rewarded for doing so.

As a result of all of this, I am left with the aforementioned question of which I am admittedly

homosexuality is a naturally occurring state of being then might it not be by design that we are not intended to sire children? Is there any possibility that homosexuality is nature’s population control?

Perhaps instead of manipulating science to achieve a desired end through surrogates and/or sperm donors for the purpose of manufacturing a biological offspring we should instead welcome into our families

person we love?

I’m just asking.

Write to me with your thoughts if you are inclined to.

In the meantime, if you have the opportunity to see “And Then Came Tango” do yourself a favor and make it happen.

If nature intended us to be gay might it then actually be going against nature to utilize science to achieve the offspring we cannot naturally conceive with the person we love?

Michael Wanzie is a playwright and theatrical producer residing in Orlando. You may subscribe to his weekly WANZeGRAM performing arts & cultural e-newsletter by logging onto WANZIE.com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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IfyouSex.org IfyouSex.org June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Greg Stemm

positive livinG Ruby slippers, Raising a Flag and Serious Questions

I

recently had the

wonderful experience of participating in the inaugural Gulfport Friends of Dorothy march, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It began a month-long whirlwind of events sponsored by the award-winning LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library, of which I am privileged to serve on the board of directors, to celebrate Pride season.

As I was marching up Beach Blvd. in a rainbow wig, ruby slippers and with several hundred members of my Gulfport “family,” I couldn’t help but reflect on the significance of what Stonewall started and what it has meant to the LGBTQ community in the past 50 years. I was most moved by the fact that the carriers of the lead banner were an openly gay vice mayor and an openly gay state representative.

That would have been unthinkable in June of 1969.

In fact, life for gay people in 1969 was mostly about what we couldn’t do. We couldn’t openly teach school, practice law or a doctor. We couldn’t openly serve in the military, adopt children or work for the federal government—and marriage was something we never thought we’d see in our lifetimes. Remember, at the time homosexuality was still illegal virtually everywhere in the country. It wouldn’t be until 1973 that the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. We might have been Americans, but in many respects we certainly weren’t free.

The pace of change and acceptance for the LGBTQ community has been nothing less than remarkable.

Can you imagine telling one of the drag queens

rioting at Stonewall that there is a very real chance that when we swear in a new president in January 2021, he may turn and kiss his husband?

At the end of the march we raised the rainbow flag over the library, which houses the LGBTQ Resource Center. It’s prominently located at the entrance to our community’s historic waterfront district. You would think in a town like Gulfport, which prides itself on its inclusivity, that such a flag raising would be without controversy—but it has prompted a discussion about our community’s commitment to diversity at all levels.

Some Gulfport residents who expressed support for us raising the rainbow flag over the library have also expressed sentiments that Black History month, Hispanic Heritage month, Native American History month flags and more should also be presented.

We are finding that any conversation about this inevitably leads to feeling like we are marginalizing other people.

Dear reader, I got in trouble with the editors of Watermark because I didn’t have that conversation very effectively in my first draft of this perspective.

It’s a hard one to have and you may make mistakes like I have. I know the easy way is for us to try and ignore this, but it is an issue that is coming up in various locations around the country—and we as a community need to be prepared to address it. My concern is that there will be some elected officials who refuse to raise the rainbow flag at all because it’s just too complicated to include other groups.

As the only man to serve on the steering committee of the St. Pete Women’s March, I have some experience in putting my Quaker values to work for equality even if it doesn’t directly

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

impact me. Honestly, my activist gut says I don’t think there should be a problem with raising other flags representing other groups. The more inclusion the better.

For example, a black

Nazi group request we raise the swastika for a self-proclaimed “white power” month? Clearly the answers to these questions are not easy ones.

As we celebrate Pride and as we march in huge

What I can do is speak out about local LGBTQ issues and lead by example, building what a truly inclusive community looks like here in Gulfport and in St. Petersburg. If we all do what we can, where we can,

history flag hoisted above the library would make as much of a statement of our community’s commitment to diversity as the rainbow flag does for us. My only remaining concern is that what kind of policy do you put in place to say who gets recognized and who doesn’t? If we just have a blanket policy of inclusion, couldn’t the KKK or a Neo

parades like St Pete Pride, let us remember there are other groups who are being marginalized in Donald Trump’s America.

We can’t always address discrimination and hate at a huge national level, but we can understand and appreciate where our own communities are and what we can do no matter who we are.

we can make the underlying theme of acceptance for all that we demonstrate in Pride a reality.

As we celebrate Pride and as we march in huge parades like St Pete Pride, let us remember there are other groups who are being marginalized in Donald Trump’s America.

Greg Stemm is a 37 year resident of Pinellas County. He is a founder of St Pete Pride and currently sits on the board of the LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library. He is an outspoken activist on many issues including HIV/ AIDS education.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

39 % LGBTQ of

youth

talking points The administration should really be ashamed ...There are some countries where you can be executed for being gay.

Imagine how consoling it is if you are a gay person in one of those countries and you see the rainbow flag on a U.S. embassy so you know you are accepted somewhere in the world and are safe somewhere in the world.

–Sunny Hostin, co-host of “The View,” on the U.S. State Dept.’s Pride flag ban

Taylor Swift calls for Equality Act’s passage in cameo-filled video

P

op star Taylor Swift released the music video for her Pride anthem “You Need to Calm Down” June 17, the second single from her upcoming seventh studio album “Lover.” It featured a plethora of LGBTQ icons and allies and is directed by Drew Kirsch along with Swift, who also executive produced with Todrick Hall. As she sings about GLAAD, Pride parades and how throwing “shade never made anybody less gay,” the video welcomes Hall, the “Queer Eye” Fab Five, Ellen DeGeneres, Ryan Reynolds, Billy Porter, RuPaul, a number of “Drag Race” queens, Laverne Cox, Jessie Tyler Ferguson and more. Most importantly, the music ends with a message. “Let’s show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally,” Swift shares. “Please sign my petition for Senate support of the Equality Act on Change.org.”

ages 13-24

seriously considered

suicide in the past 12 months.

1 in 5 LGBTQ youth and 1 in 3 transgender and non-binary youth attempted it.

–National Trevor Project Survey

‘My Little Pony’ introduces lesbian couple

T

he Discovery Family Channel’s “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” introduced a lesbian couple on June 15 in “The Last Crusade,” the 12th episode of the popular cartoon’s final season. The pony characters Aunt Holiday and Aunt Loft had appeared in the franchise’s book series but had yet to appear in animated form. Writer Michael Vogel confirmed they were a same-sex couple on Twitter when a fan posted a photo of the characters.

He also noted that he and fellow writers Nicole Dubuc and Josh Haber were attempting to make the show more LGBTQ inclusive, bringing equality to the animated town of Equestria. “I get more and more proud of season nine with every episode,” Haber added.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Neil Patrick Harris says he’s no gay icon

W

hile serving as an international ambassador to Tel Aviv’s Pride parade June 12, television star Neil Patrick Harris said June 12 that he has no interest in being a gay icon. Known for his titular “Doogie Howser, M.D.” role and Emmy-nominated run on “How I Met Your Mother,” the married father of two was joined in Israel by his husband, fellow actor David Burkta. “I’m just a guy who is married to another guy and we have kids and we live our lives I would say as ‘normally’ as one would,” Harris said. “But I think normal is a very subjective term, especially in the gay community. I legitimately have no interest in being a representative or an ambassador for anything except my kids.”

Try Guys’ Eugene Lee Yang comes out in dance video

E

ugene Lee Yang, one-fourth of the YouTube collective The Try Guys, came out as gay in a powerful dance video June 15.

While the 33-year-old never says the words “I’m gay,” he shares his story through a self-choreographed dance featuring music by Odesza.

It begins with Yang spending time with family, continues in church with a preacher and features a mob and more. “I created this music video as my personal way of coming out as a proud gay man who has many unheard, specific stories to tell. I withheld because of fear and shame shaped by my background but I promise to give my full truth in the rest of my life’s work,” he explained via social media.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

T

Mark Segal, Gay Liberation Front 1969-71

hat night, standing in Stonewall,

I could not have imagined what the next few hours would do to change the gay and lesbian community around the world. I doubt anyone else could have known. How could we have known, on June 28th, 1969, that we’d be participating in history?

It started when the lights flickered on and off, alerting the patrons to something imminent, though I had no idea what. It was my second month in New York, my second month walking Christopher Street, my second month

being an out and proud gay. Looking over at my friend, I asked what was happening and he said, nonchalantly: “Oh, it’s just a raid.” As an 18-year-old new to everything, his words were frightening.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

The police barged in, pushing around anyone who was in drag or stereotypical-looking. They hurled insults and hurled people around. Anyone who looked like they were successful, anyone who had a few bucks, were forced to take out their wallets and, in the bright light, give their money to the cops, who slid the bills in their pockets. Welcome to Extortion 101. They robbed us in plain sight, and we had no possible recompense. That is how they felt about us. That’s how they felt they could treat us: any way they wished.

As this was happening, they began to clear the bar by carding people. To this day I don’t know why they were carding, since it was an illegal bar

and drinking age didn’t matter, but that was the procedure. At 18 and fresh from Philadelphia, I looked like the boy next door. They had little use for me and I was one of the first to be carded and let out, and I was glad about that.

But as I came out, I saw an obvious difference in what certain clientele were doing. Those with family ties, those with a good job, those on the fast track to a professional career, all ran for the subway as soon as they could get out that door. People like me, a street kid living at Sloane House YMCA on 34th Street, and others, who

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

Continued on pg. 25 | uu |

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

| uu | The Stonewall Inn:

50 Years Ago from pg. 23

today you’d call trans, just stuck around. We had nowhere safe to go. Our safety was with each other, right there, watching what was transpiring.

Eventually there were more of us outside, and inside the bar remained only the police and employees. Those of us who stayed formed a semicircle around the double doors into the street. My memory tells me that there were between 50 and 100 of us. The doors opened and the police shouted out a few insults and told us to disperse. We didn’t. They opened the door a second time and again spewed insults and demanding we disperse.

We didn’t, and this time we yelled insults back at them.

They closed the door, and at that point people picked up whatever there was around them. Stones, discarded soda cans, and bottles. For the first time in history our community wasn’t just fighting back. We had imprisoned our oppressors, the police. They were now our prisoners.

This continued for some time, and it was awhile before police re-enforcement came to their rescue. It is my belief that the reason for the slow re-enforcements was the police inside that gay bar were so embarrassed to call their station house and have to tell their fellow officers: We’re trapped and surrounded by angry fags and dykes.

Please save us.

The fact that we had them trapped created a certain joy on the street. People began to run to other bars in the area, passersby turned their heads as they came around the corner.

While this riot was happening, Marty Robinson, who had created a group called The Action Group, came up to me with chalk and said: “Write on the walls and street ‘Tomorrow Night, Stonewall.’”

I have no idea where he got the chalk, but I’m thankful he got it. That chalk was a catalyst for much more than one night of rebelling.

From the river to Greenwich, all along Christopher Street, I wrote. “Tomorrow Night, Stonewall.”

March for equal rights: The Gay Liberation Front lead the first mass rally for LGBTQ rights in the streets of New York in July 1969, a month after the Stonewall Inn riots. Photo courtesy Mark Segal People ran and screamed and laughed. It was a joyous evening. We were fighting off 2,000 years of oppression, though we didn’t realize it in that moment.

Amid the joy and the excitement, I had a light bulb moment. Standing across the street from Stonewall, watching everything around me, I thought to myself: Black people are fighting for their lives. Women are fighting for their lives. Latinos are fighting for their lives. What about us? What about me? It was at that point that I finally knew what I’d do for the rest of my life. I would be something that didn’t exist yet, something that didn’t have a title, something that had no salary: a gay activist. I didn’t know, and I didn’t care, how difficult it would be. All I knew in that moment was that I found what I was meant to do.

I was at a riot that started a revolution, and I would be a part of it.

In the commotion, I saw a window broken. I didn’t see any Molotov cocktails. I saw a feather boa being put on the statue of General Sheridan in Sheridan Square. I wasn’t there when anyone was arrested, but I was there each and every night that followed, along

with all of us who would later call ourselves Gay Liberation Front (GLF).

It was the members of GLF who wrote on the street that night, members of GLF who stood proudly at the front doors of Stonewall the second night to hear Marty Robinson and Martha Shelley speak, members who understood the changes we were demanding, not asking for.

The third and fourth nights were filled with organizing and a circus atmosphere that continued the entire week.

We were joyous, since from the ashes of Stonewall came GLF, a group that would turn our community and the world upside down. Also, from the third night on, leafleting began on Christopher Street. For the first time we were united, and for the first time we were a diversified community.

Let’s make this clear, before GLF, you didn’t see anyone but white men in suits and ties and white women in dresses representing the LGBT community. Those earlier organizations wouldn’t have anyone else as spokespeople.

That is why I was in the Action Group. The Mattachine Society didn’t want me—a youth of 18—in their office since they felt they could be raided

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

for corrupting the morals of minors. And drag queens, people of color? They were ignored by those groups. But we in GLF welcomed all. From lesbian separatists to radical fairy collectives, youths, street kids and, yes, drag queens.

They were all GLF. You may have heard about a couple of our members: Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, they were welcomed.

GLF is the most important LGBT Organization to have ever existed. We made more change in one year for this community than any other organization since and we also were certainly the most dysfunctional, and we are all proud of that! That first year, from Stonewall to the first Gay Pride in 1970, was pure magic and it made our community what it is today. It changed our lives in so many ways that no organization had.

We would no longer be invisible. We were out, loud and proud of who we were and we would no longer accept society’s labels. We would tell them who we were. We were not “homosexuals.” We were gay men, gay women, lesbians, dykes, drag queens. Not only would we be open about who we were, we’d also be in your face to fight for our rights, not

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

merely plead for them. This was all revolutionary, since 99.9% of our community was in the closet and in 1969, before GLF, there were only four types of places to go: Illegal gay bars, cruising areas, private parties and secret meetings of organizations, which were hidden so the police would not raid them.

GLF advertised our meetings.

We advertised that we were going to have a dance, women dancing with women, men dancing with men and not in an illegal bar, but in public. We dared the police to raid us and they were afraid to. That was rebellious! We also publicly took back our Christopher Street by leafleting every night and facing off against the police.

We did legal alerts, medical alerts, notices to gather for our next demonstration, handouts for Gay Youth meetings, a hotline, the nation’s first trans organization and the nation’s first LGBT Community Center.

And if all that were not enough, we were the organizers and marshals for that very first Gay Pride in 1970, which was called Christopher Street Liberation Day March originally dreamed up by Craig Rodwell and Ellen Broidy.

Stonewall was not one night, it was a year, and GLF was its spirit. That spirit of rebellion transformed our world. Before Stonewall, less than 100 out people represented us, all white men and white women, no diversity allowed.

One year later at Gay Pride, people of color, trans people and youth gathered under a grassroots movement that welcomed all segments of our community, we were not 100 picketing once a year. We were now thousands.

I wasn’t just at Stonewall, more importantly, I was with GLF. Stonewall and GLF are synonymous. One night led to one magical year. A year that changed the world.

Mark Segal is publisher of The Philadelphia Gay News and last year his personal papers and artifacts, including some from this article, were inducted into The Smithsonian Institute’s American History Museum in Washington, D.C. His Memoir “And Then I Danced, Traveling The Road To LGBT Equality” was named book of the year by the National Lesbian Gay Journalist Association.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

| uu | The Stonewall Inn:

50 Years Ago

from pg. 25

LGBTQ news coverage still evolving 50 years after Stonewall Wire Report

D

uring the 1969 series of riots that followed a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, the New York Daily News headlined a story that quickly became infamous: “Homo Nest Raided, Queen Bees are Stinging Mad.” Some of the coverage of rioting outside the gay bar — unimaginable today in mainstream publications for its mocking tone — was itself a source of the fury that led Stonewall to become a synonym for the fight for gay rights.

Fifty years later, media treatment of the LGBTQ community has changed and is still changing.

Before Stonewall, mainstream media coverage of gays was generally nonexistent or consisted of negative, police blotter items.

When a small group demonstrated against government treatment outside the White House in 1965, a newspaper headline said, “Protesters Call Government Unfair to Deviants,” noted Josh Howard, whose film “The Lavender Scare” looks at an Eisenhower-era campaign against gays and lesbians in government.

A 1966 Time magazine article called homosexuality “a pathetic little second-rate substitute for reality, a pitiable flight from life. As such it deserves fairness, compassion, understanding and, when possible, treatment. But it deserves no encouragement, no glamorization, no rationalization, no fake status as minority martyrdom, no sophistry about simple differences in taste and above all, no pretense that it is anything but a pernicious sickness.”

This is the sort of thing that Howard, who was 14 at the time of Stonewall, read about people like himself when he was young.

“It’s a hard way to grow up,” said the longtime CBS News producer.

“I sort of realized that it was safe for me to be in the closet.”

Stonewall got some straightforward coverage at the

time, although stories in The New York Times and the New York Post were buried well inside the newspapers. An Associated Press story from June 30, 1969, said “police cleared the streets in the Sheridan Square area of Greenwich Village early Sunday as crowds of young men complained of police harassment of homosexuals.”

New York television ignored it, so the visual record amounts to a handful of still pictures.

The Daily News story was filled with slurs, and it began: “She sat there with her legs crossed, the lashes of her mascara-coated eyes beating like the wings of a hummingbird. She was angry.

She was so upset she hadn’t bothered to shave.”

At the time, many demonstrators were more upset with riot coverage by the now-defunct alternative newsweekly The Village Voice, said Edward Alwood, author of “Straight News: Gays, Lesbians and the News Media.”

One Voice writer holed up with police inside Stonewall and said he wished he was armed. “The sound filtering in doesn’t suggest dancing faggots anymore,” Howard Smith wrote. “It sounds like a powerful rage bent on vendetta.”

Another Voice writer, Lucian Truscott IV, repeatedly referred to “faggot” and “faggotry” and said of the rioters at one point, “limp wrists were forgotten.”

The immediate impact was growth and a heightened profile for news outlets specifically oriented to gays and lesbians, said Eric Marcus, author of the book “Making Gay History” and host of a podcast of the same name.

Marcus wrote in an essay about how Time magazine’s 1966 story “just about burned the skin off my face as I read it.”

Time didn’t cover Stonewall, but in October 1969 published a cover story about the emerging civil rights movement. While more straightforward in its reporting than the essay three years earlier, the story “was still dripping with sarcasm and contempt,” he said.

Time published Marcus’ piece as part of its Stonewall anniversary coverage, although it didn’t apologize for its past work.

While outright hate within the mainstream media subsided through the years, discomfort and stereotyping persisted. The go-to gay image for most publications was a silhouette of two men holding hands.

Coverage of gays in the military, for example, focused on “showers

and submarines,” said Cathy Renna, a former executive for the media watchdog GLAAD, who runs her own media consulting firm.

At GLAAD, Renna saw how Ellen DeGeneres’ revelation that she was a lesbian, both the ABC sitcom character she played at the time and the comedian in real life, was pivotal to promoting understanding.

Renna has urged journalists to pay attention to their language.

Being gay is not a lifestyle, she notes; “Having a dog is a lifestyle.”

She also urges the use of “sexual orientation” as opposed to “sexual preference,” a recognition that being gay isn’t a choice.

“The vast majority of journalists are not homophobic,” she said.

“They’re homo-ignorant.”

A handbook of terminology for news organizations that is put out

by LGBTQ journalists has helped increase awareness.

There are still missteps. The AP decreed in 2013 that its journalists would not use the word “husband” or “wife” in reference to a legally married gay or lesbian couple. After a protest, the AP reversed its call a week later.

Two 2017 entries in the AP Stylebook , considered the authoritative reference for journalists on the use of language, illustrate how far things have come since the “queen bees” days 50 years ago. The AP endorses the use of “they, them or theirs” as singular pronouns if the story subject requests it.

The stylebook also reminds readers that not all people fit under one of two categories for gender, “so avoid references to both, either or opposite sexes.”

With the Stonewall anniversary, Marcus, of “Making Gay History,” has been busy working with news organizations doing stories about the event.

One publication he finds particularly interested and responsible in marking the occasion is the New York Daily News. The News on June 7 wrote an editorial recognizing its unseemly moment in history.

“We here at the Daily News played an unhelpful role in helping create a climate that treated the victims as the punchline of jokes, not as dignified individuals with legitimate complaints about mistreatment,” the newspaper wrote. “For that, we apologize.”

It was the newspaper’s second apology for its 1969 story in four years.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Stonewall Bar Orlando honors the legacy of The Stonewall Inn in NYC Jeremy Williams

T

he history of The Stonewall Inn in New York City is easy to find these days. A quick Google search of the legendary gay bar turns up more than 31 million search results.

For Steven Watkins, who grew up in a small town, learning the history of LGBTQ people in general—let alone that of The Stonewall Inn—was nonexistent in his early years.

“For someone like myself, growing up where I didn’t even know gay people existed and I thought I was the only one, knowing our history would have been so helpful,” he says. “Because of where I lived and who I was, I was a recluse growing up. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I realized there were other people like me.”

Watkins is owner of the Stonewall Bar in Orlando, a popular LGBTQ club in Central Florida. It serves as home to Come Out With Pride’s annual block party, opened its doors to Neema Bahrami’s Latin Night after the Pulse tragedy and even hosted the “Win With Love Rally,” the counter-event held during President Donald Trump’s re-election announcement on June 18.

In opening its doors to the community and standing against oppression, it isn’t just the name that Stonewall Bar shares with its NYC namesake.

“Because of what we wanted the bar to represent, Stonewall just seemed like the only name choice,” Watkins says. “The history and power of the name, of those people fighting back, what it represents, that’s why we did. it” Watkins—who also conveniently shares the same initials as both bars—opened Stonewall Bar on Oct. 23, 2007, fulfilling a dream he’d had ever since he found out that LGBTQ establishments like this existed.

“Since the first time I went to one I have always wanted a gay bar,” Watkins says. “Even with changing times, gay bars are still safe havens for our community. I think it’s great that ‘regular’ bars and clubs are now more accepting and we can feel comfortable in them, but I think it’s necessary to have a gay bar. A place where you can come in, let your hair down and relax.”

One thing that came with naming his bar Stonewall, which Watkins didn’t realize he would have to do, was explaining what the name means.

“When we decided to go with the name Stonewall, I thought that everyone would just know that this Stonewall was named to carry on that legacy,” Watkins says. “But a lot of people I told the name to, not just young people, even older people in the community, didn’t know what Stonewall was.”

Now Stonewall Bar not only is a place for the community but it is also a place to learn about the community’s history. Watkins says that when he opened the bar in 2007 he even had a regular who was at the original Stonewall riot.

“Michael was there during the riot. He doesn’t come in as often anymore since he retired but he knew what it meant to name this place Stonewall and he would tell people. He understood the history because he was there,” Watkins says. “They fought back for all of us, so that we could continue to have these places. Gay bars are these safe havens in the community today because of what happened at Stonewall in 1969.”

As New York celebrates the 50-year mark of The Stonewall Inn riots and World Pride, Watkins will be back here in Orlando, but he hopes that no matter where people celebrate that they keep the history of the event in mind.

“With the way things are today,” Watkins says, “knowing what Stonewall was and knowing what they did helps to reminds us why we still need to keep fighting.”

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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| uu | Stonewall: 50 Years

Ago

from pg. 27

A Pacifist’s Protest

Ryan Williams-Jent

5

0 years after her funeral, the death of icon Judy Garland still brings tears to St. Petersburg resident Jay Chetney’s eyes. A true “Friend of Dorothy,” a decades-old euphemism utilized by gay men to safely share their sexual orientation, he attended her public funeral in June of 1969.

He wasn’t alone. The New York Times estimated that 20,000 fans gathered at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home to peer into Garland’s glass-enclosed coffin and say goodbye. “There were few tears and seats to spare,” they noted, something Garland’s film co-star James Mason shared.

“Judy’s great gift was that she could wring tears out of hearts of Left: Jay Chetney discusses Stonewall with Watermark June 14. Photo by ryan williams jent Top Right: Chetney marches with LGBTQ activist Frank Kameny and The rock,” he said. “She gave so richly Washington DC Mattachine Society in the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day Parade in June 1970. Bottom Right: The Stonewall Riots. Photos courtesy jay chetney and so generously that there was no currency in which to repay her.” even the guys that were arresting replace them. “They came ‘off the Chetney concurred. Her Stonewall—even himself, a from his commune. “They alerted me were shocked because they back of a truck,’” he muses. funeral is what brought the trained pacifist—thought “well, me about Stonewall,” he says. dropped me and were pushing To reward their hard work, New York native back to the city. it’s about time.”

“I remember my friend saying ‘the me away. I thought it was going to Stonewall’s staff gave Chetney He was living in a Connecticut “I was talking with the guys Village faggots have gone crazy kill me—and that’s when all the and his friends free drinks that commune at the time, which who were milling around and and are rioting. They’re refusing people on the street just came in evening, which became the served as the resource center for immediately got swamped by to be arrested during a police raid and took me away.” second night of the riots. “We The New England Committee for tales of what they had done,” he on one of their bars.’ That had Members of his community knew the police were going to Non-Violent Action. He and his says. “My non-violent resistance never happened.” saved him, Chetney recalls with come back since Stonewall had friends, “non-violent marshals,” never meant that I didn’t have The commune knew Chetney tears in his eyes. “I was rescued. been reopened against the law,” orchestrated civil disobedience anger. I knew exactly what they was staying near Christopher So I never actually got arrested. he says. “Everyone was on edge.” protests against the war were feeling at the time.”

Street. “I was asked to get I was glad to be alive, even if His group had planned a in Vietnam.

As an act of civil disobedience, down there right away,” he I couldn’t walk.” “nonviolent resistance” in which “The first few nights I had slept Chetney connected with other recalls. “I wasn’t really sure While his injury prevented him they would “slump, so that to on the sidewalk so I’d be in line peace activists to “develop a more how my experience from from further participation that arrest us they had to lift us up when the funeral home opened,” constructive plan for dealing with peaceful anti-war rallies was fateful weekend, Chetney knew and carry us out.” Undercover Chetney says. “My persistence all the chaos.” They worked to going to translate, but I knew change had come for the LGBTQ cops, stationed inside of paid off and I was able to pay reopen Stonewall, which Chetney I had to help.” community. “It was obvious right Stonewall, soon did. my respects.” remembers as “physically a Once he arrived in the Village, away,” he says. “Stonewall finally As he was being dragged out His love for Garland stemmed disaster,” for the next evening. he says it was easy to figure became that galvanizing moment by the plain clothes policemen, from “The Wizard of Oz” star’s “Stonewall wasn’t a bar like you out the riot had occurred at in history when we started Chetney says he was targeted by public support for her gay fans, see today,” Chetney says. “It was Stonewall. “I was stunned by having public discussions about another officer, this one wearing something nearly unheard of primitive. We spent all afternoon the amount of rubble on the our equality.” full riot gear. “He turned and at the time. Members of the the next day working with staff sidewalks,” he says.

He returned to New York swung his Billy club against my community also empathized with to get things in order, gathering It was also clear to him frequently in the year after, knee, yelling at the top of his her troubled time in the spotlight. up bits and pieces of broken that people had been attacked. marching in what would become lungs that I was ‘nothing but a “She was set upon by industry furniture, sweeping up debris and “I didn’t know at the time it was the first Pride parade in 1970. It hippie faggot,’” he says with a moguls and so many men who hauling out a trashed cigarette the police,” he says. “That was was there that he adopted his pause. “He did it for no reason took advantage of her,” Chetney machine and jukebox.” totally against the way that hero and friend Frank Kameny’s except to hurt me, because I was says. “A lot of us could identify Chetney adds that the I wanted to live and I didn’t think chant of the day—a mantra he being arrested. with all of the tragedy.” mafia, which controlled the it was an effective thing.” carries with him still: “In those days, men had a lot of Exhausted from the funeral money-making machines Even so, Chetey says that “Say it clear, say it loud—gay is anger towards us,” he continues. and finally indoors with friends, throughout New York, his perception was that good, gay is proud!”

“A lot of cops beat us up because Chetney was resting that evening immediately showed up to every member of the LGBTQ it was the thing to do, but I think until he received an early a.m. call community who heard about

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

Arts and Entertainment Ryan Williams-Jent

S

t. Petersburg-

based artist Chad Mize is kind of a big deal. When he isn’t printing his popular “World Tour” T-Shirts which group Paris, London and Tokyo with St. Pete—sold throughout Tampa Bay and worn worldwide—he’s designing licensed, limited-edition snapback hats for the Tampa Bay Rays.

That’s in addition to painting intricate murals, which are found all across Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa, and curating monthly exhibits featuring established and emerging artists at MIZE Gallery. Opened last year, the gallery is bringing art Continued on pg. 33

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

| uu | ICONS: LGBTQ+

Portraits from pg. 31

enthusiasts to St. Petersburg’s Historic Uptown neighborhood in droves.

Mize estimates 300 supporters attended the opening of his latest show on June 14, a celebratory exhibit commemorating the 50-year mark of Stonewall. “ICONS: LGBTQ+ Portraits,” which showcases 50 iconic community members and allies by 50 participating artists, runs now through July 6.

After co-hosting a multi-venue Pride exhibit last year in partnership with fellow fan favorite artist John Gascot, Mize knew he wanted to celebrate his community for Pride Month 2019.

Drawing inspiration from the anniversary of Stonewall, he decided to showcase 50 diverse pieces by 50 LGBTQ or ally artists, most of whom call Tampa Bay home.

Mize began by researching LGBTQ community icons, hailing from pop culture to politics, and compiling a list of potential portraits. “There were so many,” he says. “I came up with 120.”

He chose a personal hero for his own contribution to the series, the late Keith Haring.

The openly LGBTQ artist’s graffiti-like pop art, which drew inspiration from political and personal experiences, grew out of New York City’s street culture in the 1980s.

“I went to his Pop Shop in Manhattan when I was a kid and it inspired me to do what I do,” Mize explains. “He sold T-shirts, small prints, buttons … I was like, ‘I want that someday!’ and I now do that with my art and gallery.

Accessible art.”

The curator subsequently found 49 participants to join him in the exhibit. “Doing monthly shows, I have probably 600 artists in my database that I can select from,” Mize says.

“I chose certain artists that I knew could do portraits and I wanted to tap into people who did figurative work. This was about community, but it was also about finding those I knew could really deliver—the best of the best.”

Top L: Chad Mize and his Keith Haring portrait, mixed media on wood. Top to Bottom R: Harvey Milk by Cole Foust, watercolor on paper; Cher by James McCracken, acrylic on wood; Divine by Ashley Cantero, mixed media on wood; Ellen by Melanie Posner, oil on wood; Miley Cyrus by Carrie Kilgore, oil on wood; Carol Channing by Spencer Meyers, acrylic on wood; RuPaul by John Gascot, mixed media on wood. Photos via mize gallery

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

33

Reach local LGBT communities across the nation.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

That included his partner during last year’s Pride exhibit.

“We have a rich LGBTQ artist community in Tampa Bay,” Gascot says.

“Whenever there’s an opportunity to band together and shine as a family I take it.”

The artist opted to paint supermodel of the world and drag superstar RuPaul for his portrait. “I chose RuPaul because of his tenacity,” Gascot says of the piece, completed in his trademark “Latin Pop” style.

“He could have easily been a one-hit wonder and faded away back in the 90s, but he had a clear vision and stuck to it,” he continues.

“RuPaul is a voice for many—a pioneer in bringing our culture into the mainstream and an inspiration.”

Artist James McCracken painted Cher, an ally he describes as “always progressive and always fierce!” His icon, completed in acrylic, was chosen because he saw her perform on television in the early 70s when he was a child.

“I thought she was remarkably gay,” he recalls. “Later I learned when she was 12 that she met two of her mother’s gay friends and was so taken by them that she decided to emulate them. She was a fierce fighter for women’s rights, played a lesbian in ‘Silkwood’ and has also helped draw attention to the transgender community with her son Chaz Bono.”

Artist and activist Cole Foust chose politician Harvey Milk. “I chose to paint a portrait of Harvey Milk because I feel his spirit is kept alive through my commitment to advocacy and education,” he says. “Harvey Milk was a leader that inspired courage in others. He invited LGBTQ+ people to be open about their identities so the nation

When I was curating I didn’t want only painters.

You want to mix it up and get some people that do different things.

It’s very visual.

— chad mize would be forced to acknowledge how integral LGBTQ+ people are in our society.

“As a community, we continue the fight for equity and we hope for a better tomorrow,” Foust continues. “In the words of Harvey Milk, ‘Hope will never be silent.’”

The additional portraits rounding out the show are extensive, with subjects spanning the five decades since Stonewall.

Included are the likes of Liza Minelli by Alli Arnold, Freddie Mercury

by Jimmy Breen, Divine

by Ashley Cantero, David Bowie by Carrie Jadus, Marsha P. Johnson by Cat Lim, Donna Summer

by Karen Schremmer, Barack Obama by Mega Supremo, Carol Channing

by Spencer Meyers and many more.

Mize gave each artist three months to complete their piece and instructions to begin their work on 12’x16’ wood panels, though mediums varied.

“When I was curating I didn’t want only painters,” he explains.

“You want to mix it up and get some people that do different things.”

Some worked on paper, subsequently mounting their portraits, while others provided

digital files to have printed on the wood.

“ICONS” also features photography and even made from LEGOs. To symbolize equality, the pieces were installed side by side and run the gallery’s length. “It’s very visual,” Mize says, “I think it’s powerful.”

Mize says he’s proud of “ICONS” and of his community, adding that curating shows gives him purpose. “I’ve been working for myself since 2001,” he says. “I’m 45.

I had a vision of what I wanted to do and St. Pete has been good to me.

“I want to find fresh new talent and help them in their careers,” he continues. “I don’t have any children, so these shows are like my babies.

Signifying 50 years since Stonewall, this show has meant a lot.”

“ICONS: LGBTQ+ Portraits” runs now through July 6 at MIZE Gallery, located at 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., Unit C in St. Petersburg. Portraits vary in price. Gallery hours are Saturdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment. Call (727) 251-8529 or visit ChadMize.com for more information.

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Stage

Dancing with a Cause

Bliss CARES partners community leaders with professional dancers to raise money for transgender housing with profiles on the professionals, which you can read below. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Commissioner Regina Hill, a staunch advocate and supporter for the residents of District 5 and City of Orlando, is committed to the advancement and creation of community enriching projects, policies and proactive solutions.

Hill approaches her public service with the mindset best stated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”

Since taking office in 2013, Hill has advocated for more jobs, educational opportunities, business development and affordable housing in District 5.

(above)

Dancers Ready:

(L-R) Juan Rodriguez, Luis Martinez, Brianna Rockmore, Regina Hill, Patty Sheehan, Luis Bolden and Jamie McFadden at Sweet Dreams press conference on June 7.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

B

Jeremy Williams

liss CARES, a nonprofit

healthcare organization in Central Florida, has created a new dance competition to help raise money for transgender emergency housing.

“Sweet Dreams: Dancing for TRANSitional Housing” will partner 11 amateur dancers, all LGBTQ community leaders in Central Florida, with professional dancers for a night of fast-paced, fancy footwork at the DoubleTree

by Hilton in downtown Orlando on July 13.

“Bliss CARES’ goal is to create semi-permanent housing for the transgender and gender nonconforming communities where they can have access to health services, life skills and career counseling to prepare them to live on their own in their own safe space,” the organization announced

at a press conference held at the Bliss CARES office on June 7.

The event will be hosted by the Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell and former “Philips Phile” co-host Lynn Dictor, aka Moira, with a celebrity panel of judges: District 4 Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Parliament House Entertainment Director Darcel Stevens and local theatre legend Michael Wanzie. Orlando drag icon Miss Sammy will also make a special appearance.

So who are these 11 brave community leaders who will put their bodies on the line for this amazing cause? We have gathered profiles on these brave souls, along

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

With more than 15 years as a professional ballroom instructor and choreographer, Eddie Rivera has brought a unique passion and excitement to the dance floor. Rivera is the owner of Dance It Studio. The native of Puerto Rico classifies his style and technique as a mix of Latin and ballroom, even though he was formally trained in ballet and jazz. Prior to moving to the U.S., Rivera was the “go-to” performer for shows, videos and concerts for celebrities—including renowned tenor, Andrea Bocelli.

Brianna Rockmore is a sales account manager for Watermark Publishing Group, an active member of the transgender community and volunteered with Come Out with Pride last year. Watermark is a

multi-faceted media company using opportunities and innovations to communicate and advance LGBTQ interests. Rockmore is also a member of the Board of Directors of the recently renamed Pride Chamber, formerly known as MBA Orlando.

Hannah Pickard has been a ballroom teacher and professional competitor since 2012. Two years later, Pickard moved to Orlando to focus on her dance career.

With her new home at Dance It Studio, Hannah also teaches at workshops and schools around Orlando. She holds Dance Vision International Dancers Association (DVIDA) certifications in both smooth and rhythm and is member of the National Dance Council Of America (NDCA).

Martha Are serves as the executive director of the Homeless Services Network (HSN) of Central Florida, the lead agency for the Central Florida Continuum of Care (CoC). Are has 30 years of experience in homeless services ranging from frontline work to program management, statewide advocacy and staffing the governor’s council on homelessness in North Carolina. The vision of the HSN is to break the cycle of homelessness in Central Florida— making homelessness for neighbors rare, brief and a one-time event.

Hailing from Mount Morris, Michigan, Glenn Iverson moved to Florida’s west coast shortly after graduating high school. His first career endeavor was in the ballroom dance sector where he spent 10 years as a dance instructor, choreographer and studio manager and was the recipient of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios coveted Freddy Award. For more than 20 years, Iverson has been involved in the automobile industry holding positions in sales and finance management, marketing and call center management and general manager.

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Continued on pg. 39 | uu |

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Luis Bolden is an Emmy Award-winning reporter who joined the News 6 team in Sept. 2001. Before Orlando, Bolden reported and anchored in Jackson, Mississippi, where he won three Associated Press Awards for Best General News Story.

He also worked in television in Memphis, Tennessee. He is a thrill-seeker who has enjoyed skydiving, hang gliding and parasailing. In another life, Louis was a three-time national champion cheerleading coach, a distance runner and an aerobics instructor.

Karen Elmore graduated from the University of Memphis with her undergraduate degree in clinical psychology, but she was destined to dance. While in college, she was a member of the nine-time national champion Memphis State Dance Squad.

Elmore has danced with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Walt Disney World.

She also took her talents on the road touring with artists like Earth, Wind and Fire and Baby Face. During her career she has also garnered movie credits with roles in “Cinderella Story,” “Like Mike” and “Orange County.”

Shelby Norwich has been in real estate for over 17 years and is currently one of the top five producers at Olde Town Brokers for the last six years. She is a huge supporter of local artists and the local art scene, serving on the Downtown Arts District Board for six years. She is also a Circle Member for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and has been on the Runway to Hope committee where she assists local children and their families who have been impacted by pediatric cancer.

Norwich will be solo dancing for the event.

Juan Rodriguez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and graduated from the University of Sagrado Corazon with a degree in communications. In 2016, under the guidance and direction of Dr. Roberto Ortiz, Rodriguez started Bliss CARES. The mission of Bliss CARES is to save lives by treating and preventing the spread of HIV, Hepatitis and STDs. Rodriguez has dedicated his life to treatment, prevention and eradicating the AIDS epidemic. He works tirelessly, helping those in need receive the care and treatment they deserve.

David Hunter is an entertainer and dancer who is based in Orlando and has been featured throughout Central Florida, including at the world-famous Parliament House. Some of Hunter’s numerous accomplishments include being named Mr. Sapphire 2015, National Mr. Entertainer of the Year 2013, Mr. Gay USofA 2010, Mr. Continental 2009 and Mr. Stonewall 2009 from the Stonewall Club in Huntington, West Virginia.

Jennifer Foster is the founding executive director of the One Orlando Alliance, a coalition of over 30 LGBTQ organizations in Central Florida formed in the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy to help with the survivors and victims’ families. Under Foster’s leadership, the One Orlando Alliance continues to offer guidance, help and support to the local community. In June 2016, Foster was appointed

by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to serve on the One Orlando Fund. She is the co-founder of the Human Rights Campaign in Central Florida, serving on the local board for 10 years and national board for eight. She also served on the statewide

board of the Florida Red and Blue campaign in 2004 to oppose Florida’s marriage amendment. Foster is the owner and president of Foster Productions, Inc. Foster will be solo dancing for the event.

Marco Quiroga serves as program director for The Contigo Fund, which launched in response to the horrific massacre that occurred on Latin Night at Pulse nightclub in Orlando targeting LGBTQ people of color. The Contigo Fund is an effort focused on medium- to long-term solutions to disparities impacting Pulse-affected and historically marginalized LGBTQ communities in Orlando, seeking to strengthen and network existing agencies and to identify and support grassroots efforts that focus on healing, education and empowerment. Quiroga has a long history as an advocate for the LGBTQ, immigrant and racial justice movements, driven as a result of his own life experience as an undocumented and queer person of color.

Colby Kopf began his professional dance career in 2012, teaching in Vero Beach, Florida. After moving to Orlando in 2013, Dance It Studio quickly became his home. Kopf has performed for several events around Orlando, and has even performed for Gloria Estefan at her restaurant, Bongos, in Disney Springs.

Jamie McFadden is the founder and executive chef of Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events and Snowbirds Vintners. McFadden’s “fresh approach” cooking style and attention to detail has proven to be the perfect ingredients in creating an exciting and successful career path. His over 30 years working in the hospitality industry has allowed him opportunities to wear many hats including as

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

restaurateur, caterer, teacher and vintner. Career highlights for McFadden include preparing two sold-out dinners at The James Beard House, appearing on “The Today Show” for their Dinner in the Sky segment, launching The PEAS Foundation, his Snowbirds Vintners brand and the 2018 opening of Sandy Ridge Vineyards.

Roberto Sanchez has been dancing, instructing and choreographing for the past decade. He has worked with local artists including J Randall and Nine Diva and performed at an XL 106.7 fundraiser hosted

by Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC. Sanchez also choreographed two numbers for the Orlando Predators Prowlers. Currently, Sanchez teaches at Vixen Talent Productions and is the creative director and owner of the youth performance dance team Roberto’s Performance Dolls that perform in Central Florida.

In January 2012, Luis Martinez was appointed

by Dyer as the director of multicultural affairs to enhance the engagement of the Hispanic and multicultural communities with the city. Martinez assists and makes recommendations to Dyer in the implementation of city policies and initiatives that foster inclusion, acceptance and diversity. In addition, he serves as Dyer’s spokesperson to local Hispanic/multicultural media, LGBTQ liaison and supports the Economic Development Department by providing bilingual orientation to Latin American entrepreneurs.

Daniel Martinez has performed all over Central Florida and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon. A Rollins graduate, Martinez has appeared in productions of “Guys and Dolls” as Rusty Charlie and “Reefer Madness” as Ralph. He decided after graduating at Rollins that he was going to make Orlando his home. Since his professional

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Orlando debut in “Sing-along Cabaret a Go-Go,” he has been in Pepe in “West Side Story,” the Ethnic Dude in “The Toxic Avenger Musical,” Henry in “South Pacific” and Mogs in “Wasteland.” Currently, Martinez works at Universal Studios as a performer, running with raptors and wreaking havoc (and sometimes crooning) over at 30 Rock.

Luis Mercado began his career in Puerto Rico as the public relations director for a private university system. In 2000, he accepted a position in Central Florida as a news reporter for Univision Orlando, later becoming a news anchor for Telemundo Orlando.

In 2010, Mercado became the host for “Despierta Tampa Bay” where he covers news and conducts interviews related to the Hispanic community. In 2016, he returned to TV news as a morning news anchor for “Noticias Univision Orlando.”

He is the 98.1 Salsa y Más news announcer for its morning show, “El y Ella.” Mercado has also created his own advertising agency, Image Builders Consulting Group.

From a very early age, Jose Perez knew he was born to perform. This Puerto Rican native started dancing at the age of 12 and has never looked back.

Folkloric, jazz, hip hop and salsa first brought him to the dance floor, but four years of formal ballet training brought all his dancing skills together. In 2008, Perez fell in love with ballroom dancing and began training intensely as a professional instructor at Dance It Studio.

“Sweet Dreams: Dancing for TRANSitional Housing” will take place Saturday, July 13 from 6-11 p.m. at the DoubleTree

by Hilton in Downtown Orlando. You can show your support for your favorite dancer(s) by donating in their name at SweetDreamsEvent.eventbrite.com. For more information on this and other events, and to learn more about the amazing work Bliss CARES does, visit BlissCARES.org.

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

community calendar

event planner arts+entertainment

Central Florida

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Trinity the Tuck

TLC Live, June 28, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com/Live/Locations/ Orlando

Saturday, July 6, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.

Parliament House, Orlando Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor, a reigning queen from last season’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” comes home to the Parliament House as Independence weekend fireworks light up the sky! Taylor will perform with the Footlight Players at 10 p.m. in the theatre and on the pool stage at midnight. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door and VIP tickets are $30. Visit ParliamentHouse.com for more information.

Adult Film Star Arad Winwin, June 28, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Orlando Oddities and Curiosities Market Summer 2019, June 29,Hourglass Brewing, Longwood. 407-262-0056; HourGlassBrewing.com Institute on Inclusion, June 29, Hilton Hotel, Orlando.

407-313-4300; MCCChurch.org ARCADE @ Parliament House, June 29, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com MCC’s 50th Anniversary Gayla, June 30, Hilton Hotel, Orlando.

407-313-4300; MCCChurch.org Savage Sundays, June 30, Savoy, Orlando.

SavoyOrlando.com Black Haus Creature Feature, July 2, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com Word by Word, July 2, LGBT+ Center, Orlando.407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org World AIDS Day Workgroup, July 3, Heart of Florida United Way, Orlando. 407-835-0900; RyanWhiteCFAP.org OWL Social, July 4, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org “Flashdance: The Musical,” July 5,Garden Theatre, Winter Garden. 407-877-4736; GardenTheatre.org

Broadway, Bub Singing superhero Hugh Jackman showcases “The Man. The Music. The Show.” as “The Wolverine” and “Les Mis” actor’s tour stops at Tampa’s Amalie Arena July 5. Photo via HughJackmanTheShow.com

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, July 5, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

Parents of LGBTQ+ Youth, July 2, Metro Inclusive Health, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org

Sensitivity Workshop ft.

The Sanctuary Center, July 10, Tribe Seminole Heights, Tampa. 813-598-9421; TribeSeminoleHeights.com

Pride of Osceola Happy Hour Social, July 10, Matador Tacos & Tapas Bar, Kissimmee.

407-777-9767; Facebook.com/ MatadoorKissimmee

Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, July 6, Southern Nights, Tampa.

813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa

Youth Advisory Council, July 12, Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

LGBT+ Orlando Summer Beach Volleyball, July 12, Volleyball Center at Festival Park, Orlando. 407-246-2121; VarsityGayLeague.com

TAMPA BAY SAGE Social, June 28, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg.

727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org Showtune Sing-Along, June 30, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com

Drag Queen Story Hour St. Pete, July 6, Community Cafe, St. Petersburg. 727-222-6979; CommunityCafeStPete.com Drunken Disney, July 6, Iberian Rooster, St. Petersburg. 727-258-8753; IberianRooster.com Victoria Works Central, July 6, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com SSL Summer Learning, July 7, Gadsden Park, Tampa. 813-274-7733; SuncoastSoftball.org Adopt a Road Safety Training, July 10, ZenfiniTea, New Port Richey. 727-312-5776; PascoPrideFestival.org

Roxxxy Andrews, July 12, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; HamburgerMarys.com/ Clearwater

SARASOTA Pride Night with the Bradenton Maurauders, July 6, LECOM Park, Bradenton. 941-747-3031; MILB.com/Bradenton The Modern LiberTea Dance, July 7,The Sarasota Modern, Sarasota. 941-906-1290; TheSarasotaModern.com G2H2 Sarasota, July 11, Sage SRQ, Sarasota. 941-445-5660; G2H2Sarasota.com

SMART Ride Info Session Mixer Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-8 p.m.

The Hammered Lamb, Orlando Join Miracle of Love at The Hammered Lamb to learn more about the SMART Ride 16, its riders and crew.

The two-day, 165-mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West—which pedals to paradise November 15-16, 2019—locally benefits the Central Florida agency in its mission to provide comprehensive, multicultural HIV/AIDS care, education and prevention services.

Visit MiracleOfLove.org for more information.

Tampa Bay Rowdies Pride Night Saturday, June 29, 7-10 p.m.

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg Pride Month continues as the Tampa Bay Rowdies take on the Ottawa Fury FC for their 2019 Pride Night!

Al Lang Stadium opens at 7 p.m. for the celebratory evening, which begins with a pregame tailgate party and continues with an 8 p.m. kickoff. Multiple Tampa Bay LGBTQ organizations benefit from ticket sales, which if purchased by June 19 included a Rowdies Pride scarf. For more information, visit RowdiesSoccer.com/Pride.

Silent Party EPIC Summer Fundraiser Friday, July 12, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Salty’s, Gulfport Quiet down and head to Salty’s for this silent summer fundraiser. Midnight Music DJ & Entertainment returns to Gulfport for another Silent Disco, this time benefiting Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) in their fight against HIV/AIDS. For $10, music lovers receive headsets to choose from three DJs playing the hits. For a quiet break, adjust the volume or slip the headsets off. Head to MyEpic.org for more information.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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overheard

tampa bay out+about

PROUD PLAYERS

T

he Tampa Bay Rays triumphed over the Los Angeles Angels during the team’s annual Pride Night at Tropicana Field June 14.

A total of 21,598 Pride and sports enthusiasts attended the game, which began after Tampa Mayor Jane Castor threw the first pitch and fan favorite entertainer Jennifer Real sang the National Anthem.

The Rays spent five innings behind at 4-0 before scoring five times in the sixth and adding four runs in the seventh, winning 9-4.

“We have Pride,” the Rays shared via social media June 15, “and are proud to celebrate our community.” Check out a full gallery of photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

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FLYING HIGH

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ommunity members gathered June 18 at Largo City Hall to raise the Pride flag in recognition of Pride Month, a historical first for the city of over 82,000.

“Happy Pride Month, Largo! The City of Largo is committed to building an inclusive community that is diverse, and respects and values the perspectives of all individuals,” officials shared. They subsequently welcomed supporters to join them for the ceremony to “create an inclusive, equitable and compassionate community.”

Largo’s City Commission voted unanimously for the initiative June 11. It was spearheaded by Commissioner Michael Smith, Largo’s first openly gay elected official who assumed office in 2011. He was re-elected in 2014 and 2018, serving as Vice Mayor from 2017-2018.

“Today is a first for the city of Largo,” Smith shared. “I’m so proud of our City Commission for stepping up and making Largo truly Your Community of Choice in Tampa Bay. Largo has turned a page and will continue progress. I look forward to seeing what we become.”

City officials echoed the commissioner via social media. “Building the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay means creating a welcoming, equitable and compassionate Largo,” they added.

PRIDE WINNER

T

he Tampa Bay Business Journal presented the 2019 Business of Pride awards at The Italian Club of Tampa June 20.

The annual awards, presented in partnership with the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, recognize individuals and companies who work to advance LGBTQ equality in the workplace. Watermark Publishing Group was honored as an LGBTQ-owned company.

“I am so proud of the team at Watermark for being named an honoree,” Watermark owner, publisher and editor Rick Claggett shared ahead of the gathering. “For 25 years we have worked very hard to represent and inform our community and it is an honor to share this recognition with the amazing community of Tampa Bay.” View the entire list of 2019 honorees and check out a full gallery of photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

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IN REMEMBRANCE: Father Victor Ray (L) and Pastor Andy Oliver ring Allendale UMC’s bells 49 times on the 3-year mark of Pulse June 12. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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TALENTED TWO: Talent night winner Brianna Summers (L) and co-host Jaeda Fuentes enjoy Enigma’s weekly showcase on July 13. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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RAYS UP: Kurt Klaver (L) and Jimmy Biascan show their Rays Pride during Pride Night at Tropicana Field June 14.

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PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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POLK PROUD: Polk Pride’s Scott Guira (L) and Dustin Shay rise up for the fifth annual event June 15.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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BEACH BUDS: (L-R) Kori Stevens, Jon Jusino and Miss St Pete Pride 2019 Kenya M. Black kick back at the Sirata Beach Resort for St Pete Pride’s Kickoff Party June 19.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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FLYING HIGH: Community leaders and advocates raise the Pride flag for the first time at Largo City Hall June 18.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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ST. PETE PROUD: (L-R) St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, St Pete Pride President Chrys Bundy and St. Petersburg LGBTQ Liaison Jim Nixon celebrate St Pete Pride’s Stonewall Reception at the MFA June 20. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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GAYBORHOOD: (L-R) Kerissa Hickey, Kayleigh Inzinna, Stephanie Rice and Jay Davis stroll through St Pete Pride’s street festival in the Grand Central District June 23.

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PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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overheard

central florida out+about

Trump Baby loves Orlando

T

he stage was set on Church Street in Orlando June 18 with Donald Trump announcing his re-election campaign at the Amway Center while a large crowd of resisters gathered for the “Win With Love Rally” at Stonewall Orlando down the street.

Watermark did not attend the rally at the Amway Center as our request for media access was denied. The counter event at Stonewall had many resisters show up with anti-Trump signs, colorful costumes and smaller versions of the famous Trump Baby balloon—which also made an appearance at the rally.

The 20-feet tall, helium-filled balloon—which first flew in the United Kingdom in 2018 —is a bright orange Trump Baby with yellow hair, an agitated face and small hands. It holds a smartphone and wears a diaper.

The crowd gathered around as the balloon was blown up, at times chanting “pump that Trump” and singing “Baby Trump” to the tune of the popular children song “Baby Shark.”

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The Venue’s Closing Act

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fter seven years, The Venue in Orlando will be closing its doors on Sept.

12. To close it down properly, Blue Star, owner and operator of said venue, has announced The 12 Days of Doom. The 12 Days of Doom, which runs Sept. 1-12, will be a dozen days filled with shows.

“It will be show after delightful show including the Redux of the FatSTAR VarieTEASE HAMMERS and LAMBS!!!,” Star wrote on her Facebook post.

A full line-up of shows coming to The Venue for The 12 Days of Doom will be announced in the next few weeks.

To keep up on what shows you can see, visit TheVenueOrlando.com.

Proud Congressman

U

.S. Rep Darren Soto held a ceremony at the LGBT+ Center Kissimmee June 17 to recognize eight members of the Central Florida LGBTQ community for their amazing accomplishments in honor of LGBTQ Pride month.

“During Pride month, we celebrate and honor the progress we’ve made when it comes to LGBTQ equality,” said Soto.

Soto’s 2019 Pride honorees were HRC CFL founder John Ruffier, The Center’s George Wallace, local environmentalist Eric Rollings, attorney and Pulse survivor Ricardo Negron-Almodovar, EQFL’s Karen Castelloes, LGBTA Democratic Caucus’ David Arthur Jones, HRC’s Anthony H. Sandonato and onePULSE Foundation’s Nikole Parker.

“In Central Florida, we’re blessed to have leaders of the LGBTQ community that have forged incredible progress and continue fighting every day to advance equality. We honor their accomplishments and contributions to our district,” Soto said.

To learn more about each of the honorees, visit Soto.House.gov.

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Pride to Serve: Orlando VA’s LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator Keri Griffin (L) and psychologist Jack Bartel celebrate with the veterans at the 9th annual LGBT+ Pride month celebration in Lake Nona June 14. Photo by Jeremy Williams

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The Bow Tie Boys: Central Florida pianist Eric Hall (L) meets former Vice President Joe Biden while attending The Tony Awards in New York June 9.

Photo courtesy Eric Hall

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Orlando Treasure: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan (L) presents Central Florida LGBTQ activist and legend Joel Strack with a City Proclamation naming June 23, 2019 as Joel Strack Day. Photo by J.D. Casto

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On the Red Carpet: Miss International Queen Jazell Barbie Royale attends a special screening of “Paris Is Burning” at the Enzian Theater in Maitland June 24. Photo by Danny Garcia

Grace Peek-Harris

Dump Trump: Sam Singhaus shows off his sign at the Win With Love Rally at Stonewall Bar in Orlando June 18. Photo by Jeremy Williams

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Meeting Boot Edge Edge: Former Watermark cover model Rizwan Zaman (L) says hi to South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg while visiting Fort Lauderdale June 24. Photo courtesy Rizwan Zaman

7

Prom Chaperones: Elie Peek-Harris (L) and OPD LGBT liaison Grace Peek-Harris attend the Zebra Coalition’s Youth Pride Prom at the Orlando Museum of Art June 22. Photo courtesy

8

A Winning Education: Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (L) and Sen. Perry Thurston are each honored with a 2019 Leadership Award from the Florida Alliance for Arts Education held at the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale June 21.

Photo courtesy Carlos Guillermo Smith

8 June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

announcements

wedding bells

Dawn & Christye Greene from Sarasota, Florida

Engagement date:

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Jan. 11, 2019

Wedding date:

June 9, 2019

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Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg

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Photo by Lisa Otto

“W

e met like most,” Dawn

Greene says about meeting her wife Christye Greene. “Online.

She messaged me. She had a 10-mile radius search on her profile and thankfully I had used a different city in my profile, because at the time we met we were 30 miles apart. She says I was the only girl she messaged.”

Dawn, formerly Koch, is from Boise, Idaho, and Christye is from Lexington, Ky. “I decided to take her name and am now officially Mrs. Dawn Greene,” she says. “For me that was an easy decision, as a way to close the book on my previous life and move forward with my wife.”

Dawn is an RN at LHC Group. Christye spent 10 years as active duty coast guard in search and rescue, stationed in Cape May New Jersey, Miami and St. Petersburg, Fla. She is currently a reservist in The Coast Guard and manager of nutrition at Blake Hospital. The couple lives in Sarasota.

“We met about two weeks later for a quick drink,” Dawn continues. “After that it was walks on the beach and we fell in love.

We have a 13-year age difference, but it doesn’t matter a bit.”

Christye remembers the duo’s dating days on the beach very fondly. “She paid attention to me like no one ever had,” she says. “I knew she was genuinely interested in what I was saying, what I was doing. It felt so natural to just walk slowly together and talk for hours, like we had been doing it our whole lives.”

“I asked her on the beach in St. Pete where we had our first real date at sunset,” Dawn says about the proposal.

The pair was married at Sunken Gardens in June of this year. “We had family fly from Idaho, Colorado and Kentucky.

The weather was perfect. She was the most beautiful bride ever,” Dawn gushes.

Dawn’s best friend Jude served as the wedding officiant. The two wrote their own vows.

“Christye makes me laugh more than any human ever has, and I feel loved for all my parts. Even the ones that are hard sometimes,” Dawn shares.

“I knew I wanted to marry her right after Halloween. She had set up a pumpkin carving for my 12-year-old daughter and I watched as she interacted with her and made Riley feel welcome and comfortable. I knew then that she was the one.”

Christye remembers another special moment from the day.

“Planning our ceremony, there was only one image in my head that I played over and over again—walking down the aisle towards her,” Christye says. “It was my motivation for everything moving forward. I wanted nothing more than the world to stand still during the few moments we would first see each other.”

“I think the best kind of spouses are the ones who allow you to grow,” Dawn adds. “Who support your dreams and nurture your spirit. Christye is all of that for me.”

—Aaron Drake

Metro Inclusive Health VP Brian Bailey, Alaska farming intern Christine Rubino, Tampa Stageworks Theatre Artistic Director Anna Brennan, Hudson’s Furniture manager Aaron Horcha (June 27); St. Pete whisperer Thompson Davis Kellett, Family woman Arleen Batronie (June 28); O-Town DJ and aspiring MD Chris “Cub” Mendez, edgefactory visual designer Adam McCabe, Practice manager at Pinero Preventive Mike Ames, Tampa Bay photographer Morgan Le Shade, Musician Todd Wathen (June 29); Tampa Bay bartender Jerry Watson, Tampa Bay realtor Steve Blinder (June 30); St. Petersburg leather man Matt Wolf, Mad Theatre of Tampa’s DJ Holt, Photographer Dixie Lee Todd (July 1); Tampa philanthropist Matt Bachman, Metro Inclusive Health CEO Lorraine Langlois, Sawmill performer Sofonda Cox, St. Pete graphic guru Michael O’Connell, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Coco Montrese, Tim Vargas of Embellish FX, Former Putnam County Courier Journal editor B.J. Laurie, actor extraordinaire Tommy Wooten, Assistant General Manager at JJ’s Fusion Grille Sandra Nasrallah (July 2); Tampa Pro Massage owner Cory Jeffries (July 3); Central Florida performer and Mr. Comedy Queen Rob Ward, Accuracy Painting’s Abe Gadikian, Career coach Tim Durling (July 4); Tampa Bay performer Kori Stevens, Orlando drag performer Ed Dobski aka Trixie Deluxe, co-owner of Shelbie Press Debbie Simmons, St. Pete swarmer Christopher Nason, owner of PomPom Teahouse Pom Moongauklang (July 5); Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Balance Tampa Bay’s Steve Watson, owner of John Michael Exquisite Weddings and Catering Michael Thomas, Educator Brad Rice, Tampa Bay entertainer Georgia Moore, Tampa Bay entertainer Mya Valentine (July 6); USF IT guru Angel Arcelay, comedian Ronni Radner, Montessori teacher Natasha Kay, Capital man Keith Williams (July 7); co-owner of Hamburger Mary’s Daytona and Jacksonville Brittany Moore, Darden attorney and board member Carole Conroy, Tampa Bay DJ Greg Anderson, Tampa Bay horror master Scott Swenson (July 8); Darden ally Carole Conroy, The Venue’s Jaime Bridges, Graphic designer Clo Labelle, Tampa Bay photographer Tony Folwer, co-owner of Shelbie Press Michelle Murray (July 9); The Contigo Fund’s program director Marco Antonio Quiroga, Sarasota actor Kenneth Rapczynski, MCC Senior Pastor Jakob Hero-Shaw (July 10).

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

53

1 Hillsborough County Commissioners approved domestic partnership registry Oct. 15.

2 Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses to deny service to LGBTQ customers.

2014

3 Laverne Cox became the first transgender person nominated for an Emmy as well asappear on the cover of TIME. 4 Charlie Crist talks exclusively with Watermark about LGBTQ issues.

6 1

2

5 Brian Longstreth at Metro Wellness and Community Center’s new LGBT Welcome Center.

6 Sean Hayes became engaged to his longtime partner, Scott Icenogle.

7

8

7 Pam Bondi continued her fight against marriage equality in 2014.

8. Senator Bill Nelson appears at the opening of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 6.

9 Raven-Symone confirms her relationship with a female partner.

10 Terry DeCarlo (L), his husband Bill Huelsman. DeCarlo started as executive director of The Center Oct. 6.

5 YEARS AGO Most popular song

“Happy” by Farrell Williams

Best Selling Album

On The Cover Watermark turns 25 this coming Labor Day. In the issues between now and then, owner and publisher Rick Claggett carries on the tradition of Founder and Guiding Light, Tom Dyer, by reviewing the past remarkable years. On this page, he returns to 2014.

“The Big Bang Theory”

Highest Grossing Film

“American Sniper”

Best Picture Oscar Released 2014

“Birdman”

Out Celebrities

Sam Smith (pop singer), Ellen Page (actress), Tim Cook (Apple CEO), Ty Herndon (country singer)

States with Marriage Equality 35

54

daytOna beaCH • OrlandO • tamPa • st. Petersburg • sarasOta • issue 21.19 • sePt. 11 - sePt. 24, 2014 • watermarkOnline.COm

“1989” by Taylor Swift

Highest Rated TV Show

4

3

Your lgbt life.

20

interviews witH Patty sHeeHan AND nadine smitH refleCtiOns frOm ken kundis AND tOdd simmOns ...and 20 years in 20 Pages!

Amazing YearS

On Watermark’s anniversary, founder Tom Dyer reflects on two transforming decades.

In 2014, Watermark founder and publisher Tom Dyer celebrated the 20th anniversary of his legacy publication by remembering each year, talking to those involved from the beginning and reflecting on the growth of Central Florida’s largest LGBTQ newspaper over the past two decades. Photo by MK Photography Studios

5

Looking Back

Rick Claggett, Publisher In 2014, Watermark started the year with a bang. Founder and Publisher Tom Dyer had an exclusive one-on-one interview with gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, the first time the politician sat down with LGBTQ media. The story went viral, making headlines with MSNBC and Huffington Post.

Following the death of the Defense of Marriage Act, the world turned its focus to the constitutionality of individual state laws banning marriage equality.

Some states’ Attorneys General decided not to pursue their state’s ban on same-sex marriages, as was the case with Virginia and Nevada. In other states, such as Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, lawsuits were filed.

Citing Amendment 2 of the Florida State Constitution, Attorney General Pam Bondi fought against marriage equality for nearly the entire year and refused to allow the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Six couples who were

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

denied access to a marriage license filed a lawsuit claiming the law unconstitutional. Joining the fight as a plaintiff was statewide LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida.

While LGBTQs were experiencing unprecedented support and media coverage in the states, Uganda enacted a law that would sentence those participating in certain gay acts to life in prison.

Nigeria banned same-sex marriage and criminalized homosexuality while India refused to review its law banning sodomy.

Our allies in the UK finally issued a pardon to WWII hero Alan Touring. Following the war, Touring was arrested and convicted under the anti-LGBTQ laws of the time.

The Boy Scouts of America made a major announcement to allow gay youth in the organization, but continued its ban on LGBTQ adults. This continued discrimination of adults led the Walt Disney Company to pull its support of the organization.

9

10

Orlando held its Youth Empowerment Summit, the first event of its kind targeted at supporting LGBTQ Youth.

The Prism Youth Initiative also celebrated a first with Manatee Pride. Mayor Rick Kriseman won his run to head the City of St. Petersburg where he was joined by newly-elected out council members Darden Rice and Amy Foster.

The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival celebrated 25 years. In other birthdays, Come Out With Pride turned 10 and Watermark hit two decades when it celebrated 20 years in business.

The world said goodbye to Westboro Baptist Church leader, Fred Phelps. Michael Sam became the first out player ever drafted to an NFL team and Lily Tomlin married her longtime partner Jane Wagner.

Transgender rights began to take the national stage in 2014.

Local transgender leaders Gina Duncan, Michael Keeffe and Ashley Brundage prepared to bring this civil rights movement to the forefront. The City of Orlando issued a proclamation of support on International Transgender Day of Visibility.

June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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June 27 - July 10, 2019 // Issue 26 .13 wat e r m a r konline .com

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