Watermark Issue: 26.16: There's No Place Like Home by Watermark Publishing Group

August 8 - August 21, 2019 Issue 26.16

While setting the stage for its August 2019 outing, GayDayS paves way for June 2020 return

Petition Launched Demanding Orange County Ban Conversion Therapy

D AY T O N A B E A C H

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DEPARTMENTS 6 // BUREAU CHIEF’S DESK 8 // CENTRAL FLORIDA NEWS 10 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 12 // STATE NEWS 13 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 19 // TALKING POINTS 33 // COMMUNITY CALENDAR 35 // TAMPA BAY OUT + ABOUT 37 // CENTRAL FL OUT + ABOUT 38 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 40 // CENTRAL FL MARKETPLACE 45 // WEDDING BELLS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS 46 // YEAR IN REVIEW: 2017

PAGE

Hopefully everybody that went [to Red Shirt Pride Days] in June had a good time, but why only show your pride out at the parks once a year? … I think we should activate more days and diﬀerent parks throughout the year. Hopefully the local community will build on that.” –GAYDAYS, INC. CO-OWNER CHRIS ALEXANDER-MANLEY

ON THE COVER

PAGE

PAGE FREEDOM WARRIOR:

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Ahead of its Aug. 2019 outing, GayDayS plans June 2020 return.

COVER AND LANDING PAGE DESIGNS BY DIBENEDETTO/WIEDEMANN.

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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“Drag Race” muscle queen Kameron Michaels rocks GayDayS 2019.

WATERMARK ISSUE 26.16 // AUGUST 8 - AUGUST 21, 2019

CONVERT TO LOVE

OPEN FOR ALL

EQUALITY ENDORSEMENT WRITING GAY

PAGE Advocates seek Orange County conversion therapy ban.

PAGE Tampa hosts National LGBT Chamber of Commerce conference.

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

Equality Florida endorses Shevrin Jones in 2020.

PAGE

“Lavender Scare” author David K. Johnson releases “Buying Gay.”

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CENTRAL FLORIDA

BUREAU CHIEF’S

Jeremy Williams CFL BUREAU CHIEF

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

DESK

S WE WERE COMING INTO THIS

latest issue, I had a lot of things that I wanted to rant about on this page, and Lord knows there is plenty to rant about.

I wanted to talk about the most recent round of Democratic presidential debates, which had Twitter all abuzz in support of author and “self-help guru to the stars” Marianne Williamson. Williamson is someone who has a history of being an anti-vaxxer, saying that people should pray more instead of taking medications and is grossly under qualified to be president of the United States, but so is the current president so I guess political experience isn’t a big deal for some people anymore. I wanted to rant about my shock in finding that a 16-year-old kid won $3 million last month for playing “Fortnite,” a wildly popular online video game. I also wanted to rant about my disgust that, in honor of

National Mustard Day, French’s put out a mustard-flavored ice cream and described it on their website by writing “One scoop and you’ll realize the tangy flavor of French’s Classic Yellow Mustard was always meant for ice cream.” If you are a sadist who wishes to try tangy mustard ice cream but are not fortunate enough to live in New York or Los Angeles, where French’s was distributing its concoction, there is a no-churn recipe on the company’s website. Enjoy! I went into the weekend rolling my eyes about mustard-flavored Marianne Fortnite and by the time I came into work Monday morning, all of that crap didn’t seem to matter anymore as my television

screen and social media feeds were yet again filled with the news of multiple deaths from mass shootings. At least 22 people dead and more than two dozen wounded after a gunman walked into a Walmart in El Paso, Texas Saturday morning and opened fire. The gunman doing so because, according to his online manifesto, he wanted to stop the “Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Less than 24 hours later, a gunman in a mask and bulletproof vest started shooting in downtown Dayton, Ohio killing nine people, including his own sister, and injuring nearly 30 others. In both cases, semi-automatic rifles with high-capacity magazines were used. Situations like these are made even worse by the fact that we all know how to start fixing the problem, we just don’t do it. Restricting the types of guns someone can buy, background checks, getting the NRA out of legislating. Other countries have done it, we know how to do it and we just don’t. When we start to love our people more than we love our guns then change can happen. Until that happens we have to accept that this is the new normal. With nearly 250 U.S. mass shootings in 2019 so far, there isn’t much that can be said that hasn’t been said already, but I’ll repeat it here: vote! Vote out those who care more about the Second Amendment than they do about your safety. Vote out those who give a voice to the NRA and not to the people in their state. We seem to say this about every election nowadays, but the 2020 election is a matter of life and death and unfortunately it’s seeming highly likely that that death will be by a gun. While we try and regroup after this tragic weekend, we

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

CFL Bureau Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Bureau Chief: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative/Photographer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 102 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com

look forward and remember that there are reasons to celebrate. In this issue, we preview the upcoming GayDayS events. Not only looking at the mid-August celebration this year but also looking ahead as the organization makes its way back to June in 2020. In Arts & Entertainment, we chat with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Kameron Michaels ahead of her GayDayS performance at the Parliament House in Orlando. We also talk to “The Lavender Scare” author David Johnson about his new book, “Buying Gay.” In Central Florida news, we check in the Come Out With Pride as they announce the

When we start to love our people more than we love our guns then change can happen.

events for its 2019 celebration this October and we talk to local LGBTQ groups as they prepare to ask Orange County to ban conversion therapy. In Tampa Bay news, Tampa is hosting the 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference and we look at Metro Inclusive Health as they join forces with the Matthew Shepard Foundation and MillerCoors to host hate crime training. Be strong, be vigilant out there and remember, we will not let hate win.

Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando Account Manager: Brianna Rockmore • Ext. 105 Brianna@WatermarkOnline.com

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Senior Tampa Bay Account Manager: Russ Martin • Ext. 303 Russ@WatermarkOnline.com Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer Tom@WatermarkOnline.com National Ad Representative: Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863

MIGUEL FULLER is the out and proud co-host of the Miguel & Holly show on HOT 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything! Page 15

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

MARIANELLA FALBO

is a former journalist and layout editor turned event coordinator. She loves to cook, read and travel. She also volunteers at several Central Florida Charities. Page 45

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PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

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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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DESK

WAS YOUNG, PROBABLY AROUND 12

or 13, but I vividly remember the first death I helped cause. They say you never forget your first.

I was in middle school and likely clad in a pair of husky jeans, the free whale necklace that came with the “Free Willy 2” VHS and a “Batman and Robin” tee beneath my Starter Jacket. Clutched against my side was the thickest Trapper Keeper a family like mine could afford, something I rarely let out of my sight during school hours because it protected two of my dearest possessions. The first was my “Get Out of Sports Free” card, a letter I frequently convinced my mother to write my gym teachers exploiting my asthma. It ensured that I wouldn’t have to participate in “physical education” that week, where I would inevitably fail to kick a homerun, bat a touchdown or sink a goal. The second was my Tamagotchi.

If you’re not familiar with the term, a Tamagotchi is a digital pet first released by Bandai in 1997. It housed a tiny, egg-shaped computer dangling from a flimsy chain. Not unlike the majority of my college relationships, they were incapable of loving you as much as you loved them but were an absolute must have at the time. Perhaps in an effort to teach children that they should never bear the responsibility of another, the Tamagotchi pets showcased distinct stages of life. They could even die of old age—or more commonly, because you left them in your Trapper Keeper for the majority of the school day because they were outlawed at Glen Este Middle. As my first Tamagotchi taught me, you have to care for the things

you love in order for them to thrive. I was recently reminded of that fact July 28 during the Flamingo Resort’s final Sunday Tea Dance, surrounded by more people than I’d seen poolside in years. The resort closed shortly after, bringing its more than decade of service to Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community to an end. I was present for a similar phenomenon at Georgie’s Alibi, St. Petersburg’s former de facto LGBTQ hotspot where I met my husband, the best men in our wedding and most of my dearest friends in its heydey. In Sept. 2015, I watched as a community that had abandoned it showed up in droves to bid Alibi adieu. While there are certainly many factors that led to the closure of both establishments, those far beyond the control of any patron, it’s important to remember that establishments run by and for the LGBTQ community need the LGBTQ community’s support. The sentiment extends beyond the bar scene—which I’ll note frequently serves the LGBTQ community more than alcohol, offering a safe space for community charities and events. The same can be said for LGBTQ-owned and operated art galleries, hair salons, health care organizations, photography studios, restaurants and, while I have an even more personal stake in this one, newspapers. Our ever-expanding LGBTQ community, which includes our many wonderful allies, is a network of diversity and strength. We all need to do our parts to make sure it thrives, long before sharing any fond farewells. Opportunities to support our community abound at this year’s

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

GayDayS in Orlando, something we examine at length in this issue. As the organization prepares for its first and possibly only August outing, they pave the way for their June 2020 return. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist Kameron Michaels takes the Parliament House stage for GayDayS 2019 before they do, something she dishes about in Arts and Entertainment. We also pick up a copy of University of South Florida Professor and author David

Establishments run by and for the LGBTQ community need the LGBTQ community’s support.

K. Johnson’s latest deep dive into LGBTQ history with “Buying Gay.” LGBTQ commerce is a focal point in Tampa Bay news as well, as more than 1,400 LGBTQ and allied professionals prepare for the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 conference in Tampa. The Matthew Shepard Foundation, Metro Inclusive Health and MillerCoors also detail “Stay Loud, Be Proud,” designed to erase hate in Tampa and beyond. LGBTQ community leaders take a stand of their own in Central Florida news, petitioning Orange County to ban conversion therapy. Come Out with Pride also shares its 2019 theme and more. Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue— and for those of you joining us in Orlando, have a safe and wonderful GayDayS 2019!

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MIGUEL FULLER is the out and proud co-host of the Miguel & Holly show on HOT 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything! Page 15

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

MARIANELLA FALBO

is a former journalist and layout editor turned event coordinator. She loves to cook, read and travel. She also volunteers at several Central Florida Charities. Page 45

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

DISTRIBUTION LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, VANESSA MARESCA-CRUZ, MIKE MCCARTHY 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

COME OUT WITH PRIDE ANNOUNCES THEME, EVENTS FOR 2019 CELEBRATION Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | Come Out With Pride (COWP) announced its official theme, entertainers and list of events during a press conference at The Venue in Orlando July 31. “2018 was a spectacular year. The weather was perfect and we had a lot of changes; the layout changed, we added a new stage, we added a huge new Marketplace, the energy level was absolutely incredible and we want to keep that going,” said COWP Board President Jeff Prystajko during the press conference. COWP announced that the theme of this year’s parade and festival will be “Heroes.” “It’s the 15th year of Come Out With Pride as well as the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots,” said Prystajko. “There’s a lot of history that goes into this and a lot of things that make up that feeling of what Pride is all about, but what is it that we are really celebrating? We are celebrating the people in our community who helped us get there. They are heroes.” Prystajko was joined on stage by COWP Entertainment Director Blue Star to announce each of the COWP events that will take place from Oct. 6-13. The weeklong celebration will include the return of the Drag Race 5K at Baldwin Park, Pride Happy Hour at The Hammered Lamb, #Transformation Tuesday at Southern Craft and Southern Nights, “Gayme Night with Pepe: Truth or Dare Edition” at Savoy’s Starlite Room and COWP’s Launch Party at Stonewall Bar, just to name a few. The big day will be Oct. 12 with The Most Colorful Parade and the Pride Festival at Lake Eola which will include the Marketplace, a Kids and Family Zone sponsored by Kids Fringe, One Magical Weekend’s Club H20 and two entertainment stages. Each of COWP’s stages will feature a headliner. International popstar Pabllo Vittar will headline the Pride Stage and Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday will headline the Amphitheater Stage. COWP’s festival and parade will also be the first major event in Orlando after the city commission’s plastic straws, plastic bags and polystyrene single-use containers ban goes into effect on Oct. 1. “We got on board and said this is something we wanted to be committed to. We want to be a model, not just for other events here in the city, but for other Prides as well,” Prystajko said. “We are working with a lot of suppliers to find different ways to be more eco-friendly and really positive for the environment. We will be doing a big push to make sure people are recycling in the park and be encouraging a lot of positive behaviors.”

For more information on all of COWP’s events, visit ComeOutWithPride.com.

LEAD THE CHARGE:

(L-R) Heather Wilkie, Andrew Chang and Eric Rollings are among the community leaders helping to ban conversion therapy in Orange County. PHOTO BY

JEREMY WILLIAMS

Convert To Love Online petition calls for conversion therapy ban in Orange County Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | A petition calling for the ban of so-called gay conversion therapy for minors in Orange County has been launched on the website Change.org. The petition, which can be found at ConvertToLove.org, has the support of local, state and national LGBTQ organizations including Equality Florida, Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA), One Orlando Alliance, The Trevor Project and the Zebra Coalition. The petition—which as of press time has more than 2,500 signatures—was launched by Central Florida LGBTQ activist Andrew Chang. He says that he “angrily typed up the petition” after realizing that conversion therapy was still legal in Orange County. “I couldn’t believe that it’s still a thing here,” Chang says. “Thankfully the petition had the support of many local LGBTQ organizations.” Conversion therapy, also called “reparative therapy,” is the practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity

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through the use of psychological or spiritual interventions. The practice is widely discredited by every major medical organization in the U.S. “We keep calling it reparative therapy or conversion therapy but what it really is is child abuse,” says LGBTQ activist and community leader Eric Rollings, who is helping to lead the charge against conversion therapy in Orange County. Horror stories about LGBTQ youth being sent to camps and therapists that use sleep deprivation, starvation and electric shock therapy have come to light in recent years. They have led to suicide rates being eight times higher in those children forced to go through conversion therapy. “Rates skyrocket when a young person is told that they can’t be who they are or that society will not accept them for who they are,” says Zebra Coalition Executive Director Heather Wilkie. “There are higher rates of depression and anxiety in LGBTQ adults who received reparative therapy in their youth.” These higher rates of suicide and mental health issues have led 18 states to outright ban the practice of conversion therapy. While Florida has

no statewide ban, it currently has 21 bans in different cities, counties and municipalities; unfortunately none of those bans are in Central Florida. “We chose to go countywide instead of municipality by municipality so it all would be blanketed by the ban,” Rollings says, “and the support we have had on this is amazing. We have a list of faith-based groups, churches, elected officials and local groups behind this ban.” Supporters of the ban will hold a rally at Stonewall Bar in Orlando on Aug. 15 from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. to help build more local support for this issue. The event will feature a collection of guest speakers including survivors of conversion therapy, as well as former president and vice-president of Exodus International Alan Chambers and Randy Thomas, respectively. Chambers and Thomas have both publicly renounced conversion therapy, saying not only does it not work but it is actually dangerous and harmful to LGBTQ youth. “Having those two at the rally is huge,” says Wilkie. “There are still organizations that came out of that movement and are still practicing, so it is huge that people like that are now speaking out against it and saying ‘We were wrong’ and continue to speak out on our behalf.” The petition to ban conversion therapy will be presented to the Orange County Commission on Sept. 10. To add your signature, visit ConvertToLove.org.

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tampa bay news

MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION, MILLERCOORS, METRO PARTNER FOR TRAINING Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | The Matthew Shepard Foundation, MillerCoors and Metro Inclusive Health will hold a “Stay Proud, Be Loud Happy Hour” at American Social Tampa Aug. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., an educational gathering designed to detail the importance of reporting hate crimes. “Stay Proud, Be Loud” is a nationwide program that educates participants on ways to keep the LGBTQ community safe. It was launched in 2016 by the Matthew Shepard Foundation—dedicated to replacing hate with compassion—and brewery MillerCoors, longtime partners who connect with organizations like Metro Inclusive Health to provide local resources to area attendees. “We’re thrilled to be working with The Matthew Shepard Foundation and MillerCoors to bring ‘Stay Proud, Be Loud’ to Tampa Bay,” Metro LGBTQ Division Manager Cole Foust says. “As a healthcare organization centered on inclusivity, we are deeply invested in the wellbeing of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations in the Tampa Bay area. We look forward to an entire community that is actively engaged and aware of local resources.” According to The Matthew Shepard Foundation and MillerCoors, 12 hate crimes have been reported in Tampa since 2016. While only two were reported in 2018, they fear others were unreported, especially within the LGBTQ community. “Since we started the foundation, after we lost Matt, our whole goal has been to protect LGBTQ youth,” father of Matthew Shepard and foundation co-founder Dennis Shepard explains. “We want to do whatever we can to protect them and give them an equal chance, as well as the other marginalized communities that are out there that are pushed down, ignored or considered to be fair game for any kind of violence or discrimination.” “The program exists to build awareness, but also to grow the partnership between the LGBTQ community and law enforcement,” MillerCoors Community Affairs Senior Manager Michael Nordman adds. “The focus is on reducing the number of hate crimes but also increasing the reporting in cities that may have issues with underreporting.” Ahead of “Stay Loud, Be Proud,” the foundation will provide specialized training to local, state and federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors to address that and more. Officials will learn how to identify, investigate and prosecute hate crimes under the Florida statute and federal law. “This is so important because it gives us a chance to get back into the community and thank them for supporting us as a foundation and supporting what we believe in,” Shepard says. “We have to push to make change, while at the same time reminding people that violence still does exist.” “Stay Loud, Be Proud” is 21+ and will be held at American Social, located at 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Ste. 107 in Tampa. For more information, search “Stay Loud, Be Proud Happy Hour” on Facebook.

OPEN TO ALL: NGLCC Senior Vice President Jonathan D. Lovitz (Center) is joined by business and community leaders at 2018 conference. PHOTO COURTESY NGLCC

Open for Business Tampa hosts 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | The Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce (TBDCC) will welcome the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to Tampa Aug. 13-16 for the largest gathering of LGBTQ business leaders and allies in the world. The 2019 International Business & Leadership Conference is an annual conference presented by the NGLCC, the nation’s only organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for the LGBTQ business community. The TBDCC, one of the NGLCC’s 15 affiliate chambers, has served Tampa Bay for more than 35 years. The 2018 NGLCC conference brought more than 1,200 business leaders to Philadelphia. According to the chamber, it created an economic impact on the region’s hospitality and tourism industry of roughly $3.6 million. NGLCC expects more participants this year and can foresee an even larger impact on Tampa Bay. “We’re going to have folks from nearly 20 countries attending, representing almost 250 corporations, government agencies and nonprofits who are all seeking

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to do business with and for the LGBT community,” NGLCC Senior Vice President Jonathan D. Lovitz says. “There is no greater concentration of business development and networking for our community anywhere in the world. If you’re an LGBT business owner or work for a company that believes in the power of diversity for business, you have to be at this conference.” Attendees will partake in three days of meetings, seminars and events designed to generate business opportunities and build relationships. The 2019 conference will offer more than 50 innovative workshops led by leaders from around the world, from procurement and diversity leaders at some of the nation’s largest corporations to social media experts sharing the best practices to reach a crowded marketplace. Keynote speakers include Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, entertainer Todrick Hall, New York Times bestselling author Sally Hogshead and Grammy Award nominee Deborah Cox. “The caliber of experts that you’ll hear from at the conference really can’t be beat,” Lovitz explains. “Our host chamber, the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, is doing a fantastic job

in helping us roll out the red carpet for the entire world’s LGBT business leaders to descend on Tampa.” “This is the largest LGBT business conference event in the world,” TBDCC President Justice Gennari says. “That the NGLCC chose to come here because of Tampa’s economic empowerment and growth speaks volumes of Florida and we should all be proud.” The 2019 conference will officially begin with an opening reception at the Italian Club of Tampa, hosted by the TBDCC on Aug. 13 from 7-9 p.m. Gennari says the venue, which will highlight Tampa’s Cuban and Italian heritage, was chosen to present Tampa’s rich and diverse history to attendees. The evening will showcase the best in Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ and ally-owned businesses and resources. “We hope to demonstrate the importance of a city being open to the LGBT community, for our businesses, our conferences and our travel dollars,” Lovitz adds, “by demonstrating that they have our back for business and nondiscrimination policies that welcome and celebrate our community. Diversity is good for business—that’s the bottom line of everything we do with the NGLCC and we’re thrilled to see Tampa celebrating that alongside us.” Registration for the 2019 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference, held Aug. 13-16 at the Tampa Convention Center, is $249-1,599. For more information or to register, visit NGLCC.org/NGLCC19. For more information about the TBDCC and its opening reception, visit DiversityTampaBay.org.

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state news

FLORIDA REP. SHEVRIN JONES ENDORSED BY EQUALITY FLORIDA ACTION PAC FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 35

FLORIDA DECLARES EMERGENCY OVER HEPATITIS A

Jeremy Williams

Wire Report

quality Florida Action PAC announced July 25 that it would be endorsing Florida Rep. Shevrin Jones for the state’s District 35 Senate seat in the 2020 election. Jones, who is openly gay, would become Florida’s first openly-LGBTQ state senator if elected. “Rep. Shevrin Jones’ campaign for Senate District 35 is unequivocally the top state legislative priority of Equality Florida Action PAC in the 2020 election,” said Joe Saunders, Senior Political Director for Equality Florida, in a press release. “We know that when our community has a seat at the table, the lives of all LGBTQ Floridians improve. We’re going to use every tool, engage every donor, and rally every troop we have to help Shevrin Jones make history. It’s time for an authentic and passionate

IAMI | Officials have declared a public health emergency over the rising number of hepatitis A cases in Florida, the latest part of the country dealing with outbreaks of the liver disease. Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees declared an emergency Aug. 1 to allow the state to spend more on testing and treatment, saying Florida has had more than 2,000 cases since the beginning of the year compared with 548 all of last year. Most have been in central Florida, and health officials are still investigating the sources. “We urge vaccination and stress the importance of washing your hands regularly,” Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said in a tweet. Dr. Eugene Schiff, director for liver diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and former epidemic intelligence service officer for CDC, told The Associated Press that the disease is likely spreading in Florida among homeless and unvaccinated people. Schiff said men who have sex with men are among the groups at a higher risk for the illness.

champion for our families in the Florida Senate. This is the year we’re going to make history and change the Florida Senate forever.” Jones is Equality Florida Action PAC’s first endorsement for the 2020 election. In the past, Equality Florida Action PAC endorsed Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and State Rep. Jennifer Webb—all of whom won historic races in the state as openly LGBTQ candidates. Jones has represented District 101 in the Florida House of Representatives since 2012. Prior to taking public office, Jones was a teacher in the Broward County Public School system, served as executive director of Florida Reading Corps and founded LEAD Nation, one of South Florida’s top youth organizations for leadership development training.

“I am so proud to receive the endorsement of Equality Florida Action PAC,” said Jones in a press release. “I have spent my career fighting against discrimination and standing up for Floridians who have been pushed to the margins. As a member of the Florida House, I’ve worked every day to stand up for our state’s most vulnerable. As a Senator, I’ll fight even harder to make sure every family has a pathway to opportunity – regardless of who you are, what your zip code is, what language you speak or who you love.” During his time as a state lawmaker, Jones co-sponsored the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, was vocal in his opposition to arming teachers and was “an unflinching advocate” for the civil rights of all marginalized people in his district. Jones officially announced his candidacy for District 35 in January.

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nation+world news

MICROSOFT TO REASSESS PAC MONEY FOR ANTI-LGBTQ LAWMAKERS Lou Chibbaro Jr. of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association Microsoft recently became the first of 49 LGBTQ supportive corporations identified by a new LGBTQ group as collectively contributing millions of dollars through their Political Action Committees to members of Congress with the “worst of the worst” anti-LGBTQ records, to consider halting those contributions. The new group, Zero for Zeros, identifies itself as a campaign aimed at persuading the nation’s most prominent and well-known pro-LGBTQ corporations to stop a seemingly contradictory practice of giving PAC money to the re-election campaigns of members of Congress who oppose and undermine the LGBTQ supportive policies that corporations like Microsoft say they support. Microsoft’s action was first disclosed in a July 23 internal memo leaked to outside advocacy

groups. The memo was written by Fred Humphries Jr., Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for U.S. Government Affairs. It announces that the tech giant has temporarily suspended contributions to politicians from its employee Political Action Committee called MSPAC while it conducts a “realigning” of the PACs “giving criteria and how decisions are made in terms of the candidates we support.” The memo surfaced less than two weeks after Zero for Zeros announced a first-of-its-kind campaign to persuade pro-LGBTQ U.S. corporations to stop giving money to 19 U.S. senators and 10 U.S. House members who have received a zero rating on LGBTQ related issues in the Human Rights Campaign’s Congressional Scorecard for the past two sessions of Congress. In an announcement launching its campaign, Zero for Zeros said it would be targeting 49 corporations, including Microsoft, that have received a perfect 100 percent rating in HRC’s annual Corporate Equality Index, which assesses corporations’

internal personnel policies for protecting the rights of LGBTQ employees and other LGBTQ-related corporate actions. “These companies have contributed a total of $5,837,331 from their corporate PACs to the worst of the worst members of Congress,” the campaign said in a recent statement. “Zero for Zeros is asking that these companies’ corporate PACs cease giving to these members of Congress.” In addition to Microsoft, among the other pro-LGBTQ corporations Zero for Zeros has identified as giving PAC money to anti-LGBTQ members of Congress are Facebook, AT&T, Amazon, American Airlines, Google and Intel. Among the 29 lawmakers Zero for Zero identifies as the “worst of the worst” on LGBTQ issues and who have received a zero rating from the HRC Congressional Scorecard are Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and U.S. Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.), Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Steve King (R-Iowa).

The governor’s order defines conversion therapy as practices meant to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to stifle certain behaviors or reduce romantic feelings toward the same sex. Eighteen states have enacted laws banning or restricting the practice that’s opposed by the American Psychological Association, though none are in the South, according to advocacy groups that track the issue. Similar legislation was introduced in both of North Carolina’s legislative chambers this year, but it hasn’t advanced since being referred to legislative committees in April. Equality NC and the Campaign for Southern Equality, which have advocated for the North Carolina legislation, praised Cooper’s action as a significant step forward in the South.

“No child should be told that they must change their sexual orientation or gender identity; we’re grateful that Gov. Cooper agrees,” Kendra Johnson, executive director of Equality NC, said in a statement. “We are committed to ending this debunked practice and will work for statewide protections.” Cooper’s order comes less than two weeks after a federal judge approved a legal settlement affirming transgender people’s right to use restrooms matching their gender identity in many North Carolina public buildings. The consent decree between Cooper and transgender plaintiffs, who sued over the state’s “bathroom bill” and its replacement, covers state-owned buildings run by executive branch agencies.

N. CAROLINA GOVERNOR MOVES TO BLOCK CONVERSION THERAPY FUNDS Wire Report

RALEIGH, N.C. | North Carolina’s state health department is barred from allowing public funds to pay for conversion therapy for minors, a controversial practice aimed at changing young LGBTQ people’s sexual orientations, under an order signed Aug. 2 by Gov. Roy Cooper. Advocacy groups praised the Democratic governor’s executive order as a pioneering step to restrict the therapy in the U.S. South. Cooper’s order forbids funds controlled by executive branch agencies from paying for such therapy for minors. That includes state and federal money for the state’s Medicaid program and NC Health Choice insurance for children in low- and middle-income families.

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IN OTHER NEWS WASHINGTON STATE ELECTS LESBIAN AS NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Democrats elected the first female speaker of the House in the state of Washington July 31. With the selection of state Rep. Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma, Washington becomes the eighth state to have a woman in the top spot in the House and is now the second state to have a gay speaker of the House, joining Oregon. Democratic Rep. John Lovick has been serving as acting speaker since May, and will remain in that role until the speaker-designate is approved by the full House at the start of the 2020 legislative session in January. Democrats hold a 57-41 majority in the House, and women—with 31 seats—hold a majority within the caucus.

BLACK TRANS WOMAN KILLED IN S. CAROLINA IS THE 12TH IN 2019 The 12th known transgender person to violently die this year was found fatally shot in South Carolina. 29-year-old Denali Berries Stuckey was found dead July 20 on the shoulder of a North Charleston road. Deputy Chief Scott Deckard said the investigation is ongoing. The Human Rights Campaign says all the victims in 2019 have been black transgender women. Chase Glenn, the executive director of the Alliance For Full Acceptance in North Charleston, says Stuckey is the third known black trans woman murdered in South Carolina since 2018. The state is one of five without hate crime laws.

CYPRUS POLICE TO PROBE BISHOP’S REMARKS AS POSSIBLE HATE SPEECH Cyprus’ attorney general said on Aug. 1 that he instructed police to launch an investigation into whether an Orthodox Christian bishop has committed a criminal offense over his remarks on homosexuals. Police spokesman Christos Andreou said the force’s chief has ordered investigators to start the probe immediately. Bishop Neophytos of Morphou stirred up controversy after saying during a June lecture that homosexuality could be transferred to unborn children if a pregnant woman has anal sex, a claim with no scientific basis. The Cyprus government had earlier criticized Bishop Neophytos for his “insulting” and “injurious” remarks and called for their retraction. The country’s human rights commissioner considers the remarks discriminatory.

2 TRANSGENDER WOMEN TORTURED, KILLED IN PAKISTAN Police in Pakistan say they have found the bodies of two transgender women who were tortured and beaten to death. Senior officer Mohammad Ali Zia says the bodies were recovered late July 27 from a locked house in the Sahiwal district of the eastern Punjab province. He says it’s unclear that this time what motivated the killings, which appear to have taken place four days ago. Transgender people are often subjected to abuse in conservative, Muslim-majority Pakistan. They are also among the victims of so-called honor killings carried out by relatives to punish perceived sexual transgressions.

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viewpoint

Miguel Fuller

HIGH FIDELITY

Talking the talk OT LONG BEFORE THE

beginning of Pride season I was asked to be the keynote speaker at the 36th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in Pinellas Park. I was nervous because I didn’t want to speak on a subject I wasn’t very versed in. After having conversations with friends living with HIV and doing a lot of research, I sat down and wrote the speech that I shared from the heart.

I shared the story about the first time I went for an HIV test. I was 17, a senior in high school and I had just had my heart broken by my first boyfriend. It was high school love so clearly I thought after one week of being together we would spend the rest of our lives together. After two weeks, he broke up with me outside of the show choir room. As my friends consoled me over chicken nuggets and cookies in the lunch room, one of my friends asked me if we wore protection. I told her no. It was my first time and I asked why I would need that since we were gay. I’ll never forget that look in her eyes as she said, “You don’t know his sexual past. You didn’t protect yourself. I’m taking you to get tested.” So here I was, 17 years old, and my straight best friend Caitlin was taking me for my first HIV test. I was scared out of my mind because I had no clue about

what being positive meant and what was involved in an HIV test. We drove to the heart of Atlanta to an LGBTQ youth clinic. Everyone was so nice and supportive. I walked into a little room, had my finger pricked and the nice lady said they would call me in a week with results. This was in 2002, so results weren’t as fast as they are now and it was the longest week of my then-young life. I was afraid to tell my mom and my grandmother. Then I thought, “what if I am positive? How do I have that conversation?” A week later, I got the call that I was negative. Relief washed over me. I said from that day forward I would be responsible for my health and not take chances. Fast forward to college and my early 20’s—I was reckless. It wasn’t until I was 26 or 27 and in Atlanta for Pride. My friends and I decided to get tested so we waited outside of these white tents as people went in for rapid testing. As we stood in line there was a young guy that came out of the tent in tears. His friends were talking about what they were going to have for dinner and when they saw him walking over to them their faces dropped. They all huddled around him with love and support. It was a sad but inspiring moment. This guy had lots of support from his friends that would hopefully lift him up and be a network of love for him as he traveled that road. That got me thinking about how many people don’t have that support. The people who are young and afraid to come out to anyone and end up living with this secret. Even though it’s 2019, the stigma is still here with people living with HIV. That’s why memorials are so important and why our fight for education and access to health is still needed in 2019. The Florida Department of Health published startling statistics just last year. The

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number of HIV diagnoses increased 8% statewide among people of all ages from 2014 to 2016. The number of diagnoses shot up 20% from 2007 to 2016 for people in their 20s across the state. The increase was 28% in Pinellas County. Nationally, people ages 13 to 24 accounted for 21%

several friends who are living with HIV. As I was preparing to speak at the AIDS Candlelight Memorial, I sat down with them to ask about their experiences in the workplace and in life. I’ve known these people for years and not once had I asked them about their experiences.

because they caught the “gay” disease. We aren’t in those times anymore. We understand what this is and how to fight it. We can’t be comfortable. We can’t sit still. We have to continue the education and advocacy of helping those living with HIV and make sure our younger generation is brought

of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2016, with most of those occurring among those who are 20 to 24. So, what’s next? What do we do? How do we help millennials and Generation Z understand the effects of HIV and continue to work on the stigma? We have to talk. We have to be open. I’m putting this on myself as well. I have

They are my family. We go on vacations together, spend holidays together and never once had I talked to them about their experiences. We have to have these conversations. When this epidemic started, no one knew anything. Groups of friends would be ravaged by this disease. Families would disown their own

up to speed on what this disease can do. We have to make sure complacency doesn’t settle in.

As my friends consoled me over chicken nuggets and cookies in the lunch room, one of my friends asked me if we wore protection. I told her no.

Miguel Fuller is the out and proud co-host of “The Miguel & Holly Show” on Hot 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything.

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viewpoint

Maia Monet

TRANS OF THOUGHT

GayDayS and Inclusivity

HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE

had a chance to recover from the marches and celebrations that marked Pride month. My feet and liver barely survived intact and may yet give out because, for those of us in Central Florida, the party isn’t quite over yet. Even as corporate-backed, rainbow merchandise-palooza 2019 has faded into the rearview mirror of June, we now have upon us the queer calendar outlier that is GayDayS after its move to mid-August.

Full disclosure: as a transgender woman and lesbian, I have never considered going to GayDayS because it has the reputation of being heavily gay male focused. In most other years, during the first weekend in June, I can be found around the pool at Girls in Wonderland. However, since there are no competing LGBTQ+ events on the social calendar, I have found myself wondering if I should attend. In order to determine how comfortable I might be, I did what most transgender people do when faced with a similar dilemma. I scoured the website for examples of their inclusivity. This might seem unnecessary, but the trans community has learned through awkward experience to look for more than just a statement. We know how it feels to come to an LGBTQ+ event only to be treated like the party guest that was not expected to show. What I found on GayDayS.com was a little discouraging. I was struck by how old-fashioned the language appeared to be. The overwhelming preponderance

referred almost exclusively to gay men and lesbian women and the fun to be had for each. A deeper dive found the familiar LGBTQ acronym with an explanation of each letter and the boast that GayDayS was the “#1 premier inclusive vacation for the entire community,” but little to back that up for those of us who fall under the BTQ+. A failing that was underscored by the omission of the presence of transgender people at Stonewall as outlined by the included handy synopsis of the riots. In its place was the dreaded descriptor of “men dressed as women.” To suggest that includes transgender pioneers who were present at Stonewall like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera would be an insult to their memory. I’m not saying that GayDayS does not support transgender people. Indeed, Two Spirit Health is sponsoring a transgender lounge at the event hotel during the weekend. That being said, there are no references to gender non-binary and non-conforming people at all. Frankly, the website reads like sections were written long ago and years apart and simply haven’t all been updated to reflect how we understand the community to exist today. I just think they can do better because other events are already doing it. I had the good fortune this year to have attended St Pete Pride, the largest in Florida. For the third year in a row, it featured a TransPride March and I made a point of participating. I had first heard about the trans march via a marketing email, and followed up on the St Pete Pride website, where I found details and pictures featured prominently on their front page. The message was quite clear. I would be among my community and allies with a concrete example of what that would look like. I wasn’t disappointed as we

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were placed front and center to lead the overall Pride Parade. We were celebrated and showered with love as we proudly waved our blue, pink and white Trans Pride flags while winding our way down Bayshore Drive. I didn’t think it could get better than that, but

rally, speaker after speaker mentioned how critical it was to support the transgender community. Monica Helms, the creator of the Trans Pride flag, was invited on stage. The trend continued the next day at the Dyke March. Descriptions of the event

transgender person, I would be welcome to attend by the event organizers. I just don’t know if I would be comfortable. It’s one thing to make a brief and hard-to-find inclusivity statement, but another thing entirely to make it part of the culture of the event.

then I went to NYC Pride the next weekend. This was my first NYC Pride, and it was made extra special because, as the site of Stonewall, NYC was also playing host to WorldPride. Despite it being my hometown, I felt like the transgender country bumpkin visiting the big city. What I didn’t know was that I would find radical inclusivity. During the Stonewall 50

were very careful to state that any gender identity was welcome as long as the person identified as a dyke, so I had high hopes. Turns out they were well founded as I saw numerous trans supportive signs, many of which appeared to be held by cisgender allies. I left NYC feeling, not just included in their Pride, but integrated into the very fabric of it. Which brings us back to GayDayS. I’m sure that as a

Maybe I’ll show up and walk around in my “Trans AF” T-shirt, as I did at St Pete Pride and NYC Pride, to see for myself. If anything, it will make for a great story for a YouTube video. Happy GayDayS and see you around the pool!

I’m sure that as a transgender person, I would be welcome to attend by the [GayDayS] organizers. I just don’t know if I would be comfortable.

Melody Maia Monet has her own YouTube channel where she answers lesbian and transgender life questions you are afraid to ask. You can ﬁnd it at YouTube.com/MelodyMaia.

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‘WILL & GRACE’ REVIVAL TO END WITH THIRD SEASON

HE “WILL & GRACE” REVIVAL WILL END WITH A THIRD SEASON IN 2020, its eleventh overall. The series returned to NBC in 2017 and has earned 91 Emmy nominations with 18 wins, including one for each cast member. “When NBC had the opportunity to reconnect this amazing cast and creative team, we jumped at the chance,” NBC said. “The impact and legacy of ‘Will & Grace’ simply can’t be overstated, both as a true game-changer in the portrayal of the LGBTQ community and as one of the finest comedies in television history.” Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the show’s co-creators, added that “we think of the ‘Will & Grace’ reboot episodes the way Karen Walker thinks of martinis—51 is not enough, 53 is too many. That is why, after consulting with the cast, we all have decided this will be the final season of ‘Will & Grace.’” .

LANCE BASS CAME OUT TO BRITNEY SPEARS IN VEGAS

ORMER NSYNC MEMBER LANCE BASS REVEALED on “Watch What Happens Live” that he came out as gay to Britney Spears after her 2004 wedding. “It was the night she got married, the first time,” he shared of the pop icon’s 55-hour marriage. “I went up to Vegas to see the craziness that was happening and she was a little upset, once she realized what she had done.” He explained that the situation was “a funny thing, and she started really crying, she was really upset. So I took her to her room and we were sitting on the bed and she wouldn’t stop crying, so I was like, ‘I’m gay!’ It made her stop crying.” Spears “chuckled” at the news.

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DISNEY’S ‘ANDI MACK’ INCLUDES FIRST GAY ROMANCE

“A

NDI MACK” ENDED ITS THREE-SEASON DISNEY CHANNEL run with a finale introducing the network’s first gay romance. The series previously made history with its character Cyrus, played by Joshua Rush, who became the first character to come out as gay on the channel. The finale includes a scene in which Cyrus and his friend TJ, played by Luke Mullen, embark on a romantic relationship. While subtle, both actors confirmed the scene’s intention via social media. “Honored to be a part of such a groundbreaking show,” Mullen shared. “I hope my character can inspire people to be proud of who they are and love who they love.” The series concluded with its cast singing “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

HEATH LEDGER DIDN’T TOLERATE ‘BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN’ JOKES

CTOR JAKE GYLLENHAAL SHARED IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TODAY SHOW that his late “Brokeback Mountain” co-star Heath Ledger didn’t tolerate homophobic jokes about the groundbreaking film. “I see people who have joked with me or criticized me about lines I say in that movie—and that’s the thing I loved about Heath,” he said. “He would never joke. Someone wanted to make a joke about the story or whatever, he was like, ‘No. This is about love. Like, that’s it, man. Like, no.’” The actor added that the 2005 award-winning film defined his career. “It opened tons of doors. It was crazy,” Gyllenhaal noted, adding that “it has become not ours anymore. It’s the world’s.”

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Jeremy Williams

N THE STORY “THE WIZARD OF OZ,” a young girl

named Dorothy—with dog Toto in hand—is taken over the rainbow by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. While there, she encounters a cast of characters that help her on her journey to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz who she says can get her back to her home in Kansas because, as she realizes by the end of the story, “there’s no place like home.” Some similarities between that classic story and the events of GayDayS makes it even more fitting that next year’s theme for GayDayS, which will also be the 30th Anniversary of

the original Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom, will be “Emerald City” as the organization returns its events back to its traditional dates in June.

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Chris Alexander-Manley, co-owner of GayDayS, Inc., announced the organization’s 2019 move to August in April 2018. At the time, saying “A majority of people are not coming in for that Saturday at the Magic Kingdom. There are some that do come every year for that, which is great, but Magic Kingdom will be open for the Saturday of our event. I always say it’s not a national holiday like Christmas or New Year’s Day that [falls] on the same day every year. Change is good sometimes. Some won’t be happy but a majority will be very, very happy.” Many people took to social media after GayDayS’ 2018 announcement to argue that for them it was a national holiday and that the first weekend of

June would always be the time that they celebrate. One Magical Weekend, Girls In Wonderland and Tidal Wave—three organizations that also hold events during the traditional first weekend in June—banded together and renamed the weekend Red Shirt Pride Days this year, continuing their events under that moniker. “Hopefully everybody that went in June had a good time,” Alexander-Manley says, “but why only show your pride out at the parks once a year. Even though we’ll go back to June, we should always do that. I think we should activate more days and different parks throughout

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TWO SPIRIT TO HOST GAYDAYS EVENTS WITH FOCUS ON FAMILIES, TRANS COMMUNITY Jeremy Williams

T SUMMER PARTY: Queens from GayDayS 2017 pose with fans at the event’s kick-off party at Sleuth’s Mystery Dinner Shows in Orlando. This year’s kick-off will be held at the Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

| uu | There’s No Place

Like Home FROM PG.21

the year. Hopefully the local community will build on that.” Alexander-Manley says originally GayDayS 2018 was intended to be on the first weekend of June but that a deal with the organization’s former host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton at Sea World, could not be reached. “The DoubleTree chose to go into a different direction,” he says. “I guess I do have to blame myself in that I waited too long to secure something. I kept trying to find a hotel of the same size as the DoubleTree.” With no deal reached, Alexander-Manley says GayDayS had to either move the dates or not hold their events in 2018. “We didn’t want to skip a year, because we definitely enjoy the GayDayS parties,” he says. “We were very happy that we were able to find dates once again on the traditional weekend which should make the locals happy.” The dates for GayDayS 2020 will be June 2-8 with a new host hotel, the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center off Hwy 192 in Osceola County. The newly-remodeled property is “right in the heart of the tourist area and right at the back door of [Walt Disney World],” states GayDayS’ official guide.

“Kissimmee has been very receptive and very supportive of us participating in the Osceola area,” Alexander-Manley says. Few details have been released about what we can expect to see at GayDayS 2020. Alexander-Manley says that along with the usual expo, pool parties and Taste of GayDayS, he hopes to open it up more to groups who have traditionally felt ignored at the events. “Some of the new events we have, working with Two Spirit, we hoped to include more events focused on the transgender community and we hope to bring back the family component that we have this year,” he says. Another component Alexander-Manley would like to see return is something GayDayS used to do in the past. “One thing that we did for years was we had recovery groups as part of GayDayS, which I think is very important because of it being a party atmosphere,” he says. “We partnered with local recovery groups and provided meeting spaces, so I hope that component comes back.” While GayDayS has one eye on its 2020 planning, there is still a lot to do at this year’s events, says Alexander-Manley. GayDayS 2019 will be Aug. 13-19 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive, located next door to the ICON Orlando entertainment complex.

A full list of the events can be found on the next page. “The ICON Orlando is such a great location, there is so much to do right there around the hotel with restaurants, shopping and entertainment,” Alexander-Manley says. One of the biggest changes this year that Alexander-Manley thinks will make guests extremely happy is the hotel’s parking situation. “Parking at the DoubleTree was an issue with having to pay to park,” he says. “The Wyndham has a massive parking lot right in the middle of the ICON Orlando complex and it is all free parking.” The stage is set for the first, and possibly only, GayDayS in August as they move back into June in 2020. Alexander-Manley says he recognizes that a new name and set of events were established and he is willing to work with them to make sure that all the events on that weekend are successful. “GayDayS is always going to be the name of our event,” he says, “but they bonded together and created another theme, which is great, and if they’re interested we’re more than welcome to cross promote. We’ve worked with them in the past and we’re always open to working with them if it’s a win-win for everybody.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

WO SPIRIT HEALTH SERVICES—a nonprofit that provides mental health, behavioral, substance abuse, primary care, transgender health and related services to Central Florida’s LGBTQ community—is stepping up its involvement with GayDayS by hosting a series of events focused on the transgender and LGBTQ family communities at the host hotel. “I think a lot of times the LGBTQ community can be pigeon-holed into we are all single and here for the pool parties, and I think that people know nowadays that’s not the case,” says Brittani Acuff, Two Spirit Community Relations and Events Manager. “This year [Two Spirit co-founder and COO] Robert Baker-Hargrove was really the one behind wanting to get involved because GayDayS has such a vast variety of great people, and that’s what Two Spirit is about.” Two recurring events the nonprofit is hosting during GayDayS are the Two Spirit Wellness Series and the Two Spirit Trans Lounge. “GayDayS offers so many different things throughout the weekend and a lot of people don’t get that chance to work out,” Acuff says. “Even those who do work out may not want to do it alone in the hotel gym, so we are offering something a little different.” Two Spirit Wellness Series will offer exercise classes Thursday through Sunday, alternating various types of exercises including yoga, circuit training and mindful meditation. “We switch them out so one day will be fast paced and the next will be more relaxed and chill,” Acuff says. “All classes are completely free.” Two Spirit Trans Lounge will be on the same days as the Wellness series but will be held in the Jasmine Ballroom and be open all day. “GayDayS’ theme this year is Stonewall 50, so we decided to model the Trans Lounge to look like Central Park in New York,” Acuff says. “There will be a water feature, plants, benches and we are bringing in these green velvet couches that I just love. It’s just a place for the trans community to be able to relax and talk to people who are just like them.” The Trans Lounge will feature a few events of its own, including a happy hour each day from 5-6 p.m. On Friday night from 5-9 p.m., the lounge will host Dr. Dave’s Karaoke Therapy. Last year during GayDayS, Two Spirit hosted a Family Pride event at Fun Spot and looks to return with that family atmosphere this year, this time at the actual host hotel. “Two Spirit has lots of Two Spirit families, we are on our way to becoming a full adoption agency, so family is a huge thing for us,” Acuff says. “We have created another free event for everyone to come out and enjoy. We are literally having a carnival inside the ballroom.” Two Spirit Family Fun Carnival will run from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and will include Skee-Ball, giant Battleship, giant Jenga, basketball games and more. “We will have games, a kids’ DJ, it’s going to be a true carnival,” Acuff says. For more information, visit GayDayS.com.

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GUIDING LIGHT

SUNDAY, AUG. 18 SUGGESTED THEME PARKS: WDW’S EPCOT AND SEAWORLD’S DISCOVERY COVE

Outdoor Vendor Expo

AYDAYS IS KEEPING YOU BUSY WITH

nearly a full week of pool parties, expos and events Aug. 13-18, and with so much going on it can be easy to miss out on an event—but have no fear, Watermark is here!

We have gathered all of the official GayDayS events—single day, recurring and pool-related—on this page. As well, we listed the suggested theme parks each day so you can be sure that you do not miss a single moment of fun in and out of the sun. Times, locations and prices are subject to change.

SINGLE DAY EVENTS

TUESDAY, AUG. 13

GayDayS Official Kick-Off Party 6:30-10 P.M. PARLIAMENT HOUSE ORLANDO

Start your GayDayS week off in style with the Official Kick-Off Party at the world famous Parliament House. Kick off starts in the Footlight Theater with drink specials, vivacious vibes and live entertainment. Take the VIP experience and get open bar and light bites provided. All tickets get you free entrance into the Parliament House club after the Kick-Off Party ends. $10 in advance, $20 at the door; VIP is $50 in advance, $75 at the door

THURSDAY, AUG. 15 SUGGESTED THEME PARKS: WDW’S ANIMAL KINGDOM AND SEAWORLD

Taste of GayDayS

6-10 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Come out to mix, mingle and sample some of Central Florida’s tastiest offerings at this annual favorite. Food and beverage samplings will be on display, ready for the tasting from local restaurants as well as try some of your favorite drinks. Hosted by Miss GayDayS 2018 Chantel Reshae, the event will feature live performances and music from DJ LU-S. $40 in advance, $50 at the door

FRIDAY, AUG. 16 SUGGESTED THEME PARKS: WDW’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AND UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

Boot & Beers Social 1-3 P.M. WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Take a break from the heat and come meet your 2019 Mr. GayDayS Leather competitors and this year’s panel of judges while you enjoy free beer and an array of tailgate games. This event is free but donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the Leather Archives and Museum. FREE

Drag Bingo with Chantel Reshae 5:30-7 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Miss GayDayS 2018 Chantel Reshae hosts a bingo event that is fun for the whole family. GayDayS Drag Bingo mixes the fun of a drag show with the excitement of winning prizes after screaming “BINGO!” $15 in advance, $25 at the door

XXX Porn Bingo with ChiChi LaRue

7:30-9 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Leave the kids at home for this one. ChiChi LaRue gets down and dirty with XXX Porn Bingo. LaRue will be joined by hot and hunky adult film stars Wesley Woods and Colby Tucker. Here is your chance to win lots of adult toys and sexy prizes. $20 in advance, $30 at the door

While partying poolside, you can peruse a variety of vendors that will be surrounding the main pool and gardens area. FREE

Leather Vendor Fair

12-6 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM LOBBY, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Mingle with leather vendors and social groups in the lobby of the Palms Ballroom and pick up some of your favorite leather items. FREE

GayDayS Puppy Mosh

12-1:15 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Romp, wrestle and play under the disco lights with human pups at the GayDayS Puppy Mosh, sponsored by Florida Puppy Contest and Crew Health. Your tails will be wagging whether you want to run around the yard or jump in the ball pit. Crew Health will be supplying treat bags for the attendees. $10

Mr. GayDayS Leather Competition

2-4 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

2018 Mr. GayDayS Leather Boy Denny Morelock is ready to pass his sash and patch to the next leather man, but who will it be? The event is hosted by Nitro, and will award $2,500 in cash and prizes. $20 in advance, $30 at the door

RECURRING EVENTS

SATURDAY, AUG. 17 SUGGESTED THEME PARKS: WDW’S MAGIC KINGDOM AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Two Spirits Family Fun Carnival

11 A.M.-3 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Get the kids and come out to the inaugural Family Fun Carnival, presented by Two Spirit Health Services, at the GayDayS host hotel’s Palms Ballroom. Fun and games for all ages, identities and members of the family in a safe, LGBTQ-friendly environment. FREE

Miss GayDayS Pageant

6:30-10 P.M. PALMS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Who will Miss GayDayS 2018 Chantel Reshae hand off the crown to? Find out at the sixth annual Miss GayDayS pageant. Hosted by Coco Montrese and ChiChi LaRue, watch as queens battle it out in an array of categories including talent, swimwear and evening gown. $20 in advance, $30 at the door; VIP Tables available for $175 (seat 7)

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12-10 P.M. OUTSIDE MAIN POOL AND GARDENS, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

GayDayS Expo

AUG. 15, 11 A.M.-7 P.M. AUG. 16, 10 A.M.-7 P.M. AUG. 17, 10 A.M.-7 P.M. AUG. 18, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. KEY & CITRUS BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Experience one of the largest LGBTQ expos in the world. Showcasing over 100 booths. Featuring giveaways, raffles and more all weekend long. Emceed by Miss GayDayS 2014 Harmony Breeze. FREE

GayDayS Adult 18+ Expo

AUG. 15, 11 A.M.-9 P.M. AUG. 16, 10 A.M.-9 P.M. AUG. 17, 10 A.M.-9 P.M. AUG. 18, 10 A.M.-4 P.M. LEMON & ORANGE BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

It’s just like the main expo, except filled with all your favorites in adult-themed fun and fashion. This is for adults only so you must be 18 and up to enter. FREE

Two Spirit Wellness Series AUG. 15, 10:30-11:30 A.M. AUG. 16, 10:30-11:30 A.M. AUG. 17, 10:30-11:30 A.M. AUG. 18, 10:30-11:30 A.M. MAGNOLIA BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Take a break from partying to get your fitness on. FREE

Two Spirit Trans Lounge AUG. 15, 11 A.M.-6 P.M. AUG. 16, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. AUG. 17, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. AUG. 18, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. JASMINE BALLROOM, WYNDHAM ORLANDO RESORT

Come and relax at an indoor “Central Park.” FREE

POOL PARTIES THURSDAY, AUG. 15 Daytime Pool Party

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Scott Roberts 4-5 p.m.: DJ Aracely Manterola $25 in advance, $35 at the door Evening Pool Party

5-10 p.m.: DJ Aracely Manterola 10 p.m.-3 a.m.: DJ Chris Adams $35 in advance, $45 at the door

FRIDAY, AUG. 16 Daytime Pool Party

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Sushiman 4-5 p.m.: DJ Chomper $25 in advance, $35 at the door Evening Pool Party

5-10 p.m.: DJ Chomper 10 p.m.-3 a.m.: DJ ChiChi LaRue $35 in advance, $45 at the door

SATURDAY, AUG. 17 Daytime Pool Party

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Chomper 4-5 p.m.: DJ Sushiman $25 in advance, $35 at the door Evening Pool Party

5-10 p.m.: DJ Sushiman 10 p.m.-3 a.m.: DJ Aracely Manterola $35 in advance, $45 at the door

SUNDAY, AUG. 18 Daytime Pool Party

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Chris Adams 4-5 p.m.: DJ Aracely Manterola $25 in advance, $35 at the door Evening Pool Party

5-10 p.m.: DJ Aracely Manterola 10 p.m.-3 a.m.: DJ Chomper $35 in advance, $45 at the door

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Jeremy Williams

VEN WITHIN A PROFESSION BUILT ON MARCHING to the beat of your

own drum, Kameron Michaels isn’t your typical drag performer. Michaels has many tattoos and puts a lot of focus on weight training and physical fitness, earning the nickname “muscle queen,” which has helped her develop a unique drag appearance.

Along with muscle queen and drag superstar, Michaels is adding the title of recording artist to the mix with the release of “Freedom,” her new single. Michaels is bringing the muscles, the tats and the new single to the Parliament House Aug. 16 for Orlando’s GayDayS weekend. Michaels chatted with Watermark ahead of her GayDayS performance about what we can expect to see when the muscle queen takes over the Parliament House. Continued on pg. 29

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www.NationsLandscaping.com

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| uu | Freedom Warrior FROM PG.27

WATERMARK: HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO PERFORMING DRAG?

KAMERON MICHAELS: I started doing drag when I was 18 years old when I was still a senior in high school. I was at a very religious Christian School in the suburb of Nashville, and I would drive up to Nashville on the weekend to perform. I started as a go-go boy, but didn’t we all [laughs]. Then I just fell in love with drag queens. I thought they were just these beautiful creatures. They’re so cool, so amazing. So I, of course, started doing it. WERE YOU A FAN OF “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” LEADING UP TO SEASON 10 WHEN YOU WERE ON IT?

A lot of the girls like to give me shit because I am not a super fan of the show. I haven’t seen every episode of every season. I like to joke that sometimes in the group I would poke Eureka and be like, “What are we doing? What is this one?” Because I didn’t know what was going on a lot of the time. I think my reasoning for that is that I was very scared that I would walk into that work room and use someone else’s tagline or say something that was someone else’s shtick. So for a long time, I knew that I was meant to be on the show and I kind of refused to watch it because I didn’t want to pick up anybody else’s mannerisms. HOW HAS BEING ON “DRAG RACE” CHANGED THE WAY YOU PERFORM DRAG?

I think it has changed it in all aspects. Going into the competition I was not a fulltime drag queen. I was doing drag once or twice a month, if even that. I was a hairstylist, so I wasn’t accustomed to the nightlife and hosting shows and performing. I think my drag has astronomically gotten better since the show just because I have been doing it, and practice makes perfect and it keeps getting better. I wasn’t used to hosting shows and now I’m holding a microphone in my hand in front of 8,000 people in Wembley Arena. So my confidence has become much greater than it ever was.

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING THAT SURPRISED YOU FROM BEING ON THE SHOW AS OPPOSED TO JUST WATCHING IT?

I think if you asked any of the girls, you just don’t know what to expect or what it’s like until you’re living in it and doing it. It’s different watching it and experiencing it for sure. You can tell some of the girls struggle, like me, with their competence with being on a TV show. There’s nothing that compares to that if you’ve never done it before. You have eight cameras, camera crews everywhere, celebrities walking around; I mean, it’s a lot to take in all at once. I don’t think I really had any expectations but it was just very overwhelming. HAS THE SUCCESS OF “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” AND DRAG GOING MAINSTREAM SURPRISED YOU?

Yeah, seeing drag queens on TV was never something that I expected to see when I was little. I think it’s really cool that kids now, and we have so many kid fans, look up to us as role models which is really cool because I didn’t have that when I was younger. WHAT DOES BEING A MUSCLE QUEEN MEAN TO YOU AND WHY IS FITNESS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

I found fitness at a time in my life when I needed it the most. I think that’s the story for a lot of people that don’t grasp it in their youth and hold onto it. I didn’t start working out until I was 27 or 28. It was after a breakup so it was just very important for me to find something to give all of my energy to. I came back to drag after having been in the gym for a while and aesthetically you want to look, at least in the south where I’m from, you want to look as feminine as possible. So me having broader shoulders and bigger arms made it difficult for wardrobe and costumes to try to disguise that. Then me being on the show made me realize I don’t have to disguise it because I’m giving a voice to females in general that all come up to me at Drag Con and let me know that I’ve given them confidence in their bodies because some girls tend to be very weird about girls with muscles. They think it’s not attractive so I like that it is my aesthetic.

YOU HAVE A LOVE FOR TATTOOS, BUT WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THAT YOU HAVE?

My favorite tattoo is my whole left arm because it’s my favorite thing from my childhood. It is the alien from the “Alien” movie and I have raptors from “Jurassic Park.” YOU JUST RELEASED YOUR DEBUT SINGLE, “FREEDOM.” WHAT WAS IT LIKE RECORDING THAT SONG AND MAKING THE VIDEO?

The song is interesting because the song and the mix of the beats were written simultaneously in studio while I was writing the song. The song I think piggybacked off of my “American” verse, which was my favorite verse. I’m sure I’m being biased [laughs], but I think it was a lot of other people’s favorite too because of the words that I wrote meant something to people. So “Freedom” developed into an extension of the story. I wanted to do something where the words mean something. That was important to me from my first song. The video is really cool. I wanted to tell these three separate stories: the trans boy, the little gay kid not understanding why he’s different and then the couple holding hands. I wanted those specific stories because I think a lot of people in the LGBTQ community can relate and have seen them. I think it was really important watching those stories while listening to the words of “Freedom.” So shooting music video was very fun for me, because I had a lot of my friends there. The gay couple at the end of the video holding hands was actually fans of mine that came to see me at Drag Con and I reached out to them for them to be in my video. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU WHEN YOU ARE AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE FOR GAY DAYS?

I love working Parliament House because the energy is always so great. Usually, if I am doing two performances, I try to do something kind of campy and fun, and then just something full out dance with a lot of fun energy. I think what the crowd can expect from me is a good show that I’m having fun with, because if I’m up there having fun I think that pours out to the audience and helps them have fun too.

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CLUB QUEENS

ayDayS weekend will not only be popping at the host hotel. Orlando’s clubs and bars are having parties of their own and they are certain to be lit! Below we have gathered information on some of the hottest queens taking Orlando’s GayDayS weekend by storm.

Parliament House Orlando AUG. 16, 8 P.M.-3 A.M.; AUG. 17, 8 P.M.-3 A.M.; AUG. 18, 6 P.M.-3 A.M.

The world famous Parliament House will welcome some of the biggest queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” On Friday, Aug. 16, see season 10 muscle queen Kameron Michaels on stage live. Music will be provided by DJ Kidd Madonny in the disco and DJ Scott Roberts in the courtyard. Footlight Players on stage at 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. On Saturday, Aug. 17, season nine runner-up and Broadway star Peppermint will be live on stage. Music will be provided by DJ Kidd Madonny in the disco and DJ Brianna in the courtyard. Footlight Players on stage at 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. On Sunday, Aug. 18, season 11’s sweet queen Shuga Cain will take the stage as the evening’s eye candy. Music will be provided by DJ Kidd Madonny in the disco and DJ Brianna in the courtyard. Footlight Players on stage at 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. Tickets for each night are $10 in advance, $15 at the door on Friday and Saturday, $20 at the door on Sunday; VIP, which includes a Meet & Greet, is $25 each night. Each night is 18 and up. For more information, visit ParliamentHouse.com.

Southern Nights Orlando AUG. 16, 9 P.M.-2:30 A.M.; AUG. 17, 9 P.M.-2:30 A.M. Southern Nights in Orlando is celebrating the Days of Gays with two nights hosted by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season five alum and recording artist Detox. Show off those muscles at Southern’s #FlexFriday on Aug.16 and get ready to party with Girl The Party, the east coast’s largest lesbian club night, on Aug. 17. Detox will lead the charge with a weekend full of music, drag and drink specials. #FlexFriday and Girl The Party are both 18 and up nights. For more information, visit Facebook.com/SouthernNightsOrlando.

Stonewall Bar Orlando AUG. 17, 9 P.M.- 2:30 A.M. Stonewall Bar is bringing the Days of the Gays weekend party with its Latin Saturday “Amor” on Aug. 17 with Yaire and Lissy Estrella live in concert. Show starts at midnight with performances by Yeisa Jovovich, Rochelle Mon Chéri, Jasmine Jimenez and Lisa Lane. Yaire and Lissy Estrella take the stage starting at 12:30 a.m. The night’s DJs will be Kraig Matthews, Franklin Cruel and Sergio Corderor. Doors open at 9 p.m., with hookah by Norma Fis-Vernaza and amazing Latin food by La Parada Criolla. Cover is $10 from 9-10 p.m., $15 from 10-11 p.m.; $20 from 11 p.m.2 a.m. For more information, visit Facebook.com/LatinSaturday and StonewallOrlando.com.

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Suites I-DRIVE ORLANDO

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BOOKS

Writing Gay

Historian David K. Johnson follows ‘The Lavender Scare’ with ‘Buying Gay’

(ABOVE)

WRITING GAY:

Historian David K. Johnson follows “The Lavendar Scare” with ‘Buying Gay.’ PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

Ryan Williams-Jent

HE HISTORY OF THE LGBTQ

COMMUNITY HAS LARGELY BEEN ERASED from our educational institutions, historian David K. Johnson says. It’s one of the many byproducts of decades of stigma and intolerance that he attempts to remedy as a professor at the University of South Florida (USF).

His courses explore politics, culture, gender and sexuality in the U.S., mostly post-World War II. “Even in my standard history classes, whenever the topic of homosexuality comes up, students are riveted because they aren’t familiar with it from other history classes,” he explains. “I like to show how the issues of gender and sexuality have been central to American history for quite some time.” Johnson’s desire to elevate LGBTQ history led to the publication of his first book in 2004, “The Lavender Scare.” The work details the mass firing of gay and lesbian federal workers in the early 1950s during Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare, which claimed that communists had infiltrated the U.S. federal government during The Cold War.

The award-winning account, which is now taught in California’s 11th grade curriculum, inspired a documentary of the same name. “When I wrote ‘The Lavender Scare’ very few gay and lesbian scholars were talking about this,” Johnson says. “I had hoped that it would become impossible to teach or write about the Red Scare and the McCarthy era’s witch hunts without also talking about how gay men and lesbians were affected. Remarkably, that has now come to be true. It’s really gratifying.” In a sense, he sees his follow-up “Buying Gay”—published this year by Columbia University Press—as a natural continuation of “The Lavender Scare.” Just as the latter detailed the persecution of gays and lesbians from the federal government, his new

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

book explores its oppression of early gay entrepreneurs within the same time period. “Buying Gay” details the emergence of a new type of publication appearing on 1951’s newsstands: physique magazines produced by and for gay men. The magazines and the images within them, which featured nearly naked men, articles, letters from readers and advertisements, served as an introduction to gay culture for many individuals growing up in the 1950s and 60s. The publishers behind these homoerotic magazines were a part of a wider world of “physique entrepreneurs,” men and women who ran photography studios or mail-order catalogs, organized pen-pal services or book clubs and specialized in niche advertising for gay audiences. “Buying Gay” argues that while these types of businesses were often seen as peripheral to the LGBTQ community’s fight for civil rights, LGBTQ commerce was actually an important catalyst for the entire movement. “Offering a vivid look into the lives of physique entrepreneurs and their customers, and presenting a wealth of illustrations, ‘Buying Gay’ explores the connections—and tensions—between the market and the movement,” its official synopsis reads. “With circulation rates many times higher than the openly political ‘homophile’ magazines, physique magazines were the largest gay media outlets of their time. “This network of producers and consumers helped foster a gay community and upend censorship laws, paving the way for open expression,” it continues. “Physique entrepreneurs were at the center of legal struggles, especially against the U.S. Post Office, including the court victory that allowed full-frontal male nudity and open homoeroticism. ‘Buying Gay’ reconceives the history of the gay rights movement and shows how consumer culture helped create community and a site for resistance.” Johnson’s extensive research for “Buying Gay” took him across the country in his efforts to locate remaining copies of magazines like “Physique Pictorial” and “Grecian

Guild.” He also sought to find a record of those who had produced or read them. Over the course of a decade, he traveled to the Kinsey Institute in Indiana, which fosters a greater understanding of sexuality through historical preservation, and leaned heavily on LGBTQ archives in California and New York. “It took a lot of sleuthing,” he says, “because libraries didn’t generally keep these kinds of materials. They were considered pornographic.” The historian was able to conduct a number of interviews with magazine readers. “Almost any gay man you talk to that is around 65 can vividly remember seeing these magazines on the newsstands in whatever small town or neighborhood they grew up in,” Johnson says. Johnson muses that the magazines and the pen pal services that developed from them were precursors to modern dating apps like Grindr or Scruff. “It provided a way for gay men to connect in an analog world. It’s really kind of the first time that gay men could conceive of themselves as a national or even international community,” he elaborates. “The mail was the internet of the 1960s.” With their success came struggle, and physique entrepreneurs were often at the center of legal battles— particularly against the U.S. Post Office. Johnson says that while he was aware ahead of his initial research that the federal government was monitoring magazine distribution, even he was surprised by their level of vitriol for their producers and audience, private U.S. citizens. “They were actually going after customers,” he explains. “They were confiscating mailing lists for these magazines and looking through them— finding and targeting people and going to their places of employment, saying, ‘We found these letters or these images that you sent in the mail.’” Johnson calls it astounding. “As late as the early 1960s, in the United States, the U.S. Post Office was trying to prosecute people for the letters they sent in the mail,” he says. “‘Buying Gay’ is ultimately the story of these courageous men and women who tried to connect their community through magazines and books, services and pen pal clubs.” He sees physique entrepreneurs not only as business owners, but also activists. “They helped create community and places for resistance. We forget about that,” Johnson says. “Buying Gay” makes sure we don’t. “Buying Gay” is available now wherever books are sold.

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community calendar

EVENT PLANNER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Watermark’s Third Thursday

“After Orlando,” Aug. 9, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com Nina West Birthday Celebration, Aug. 9, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Jonas Brothers, Aug. 9, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7900; AmwayCenter.com Dragayasa Monique, Aug. 10, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com GayDayS 29th Kick-Off, Aug. 13, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Cult Classics: “The Spongebob Squarepants Movie,” Aug. 13, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-0054; Enzian.org PeeVira’s Cinema Carnage: “Indiana Jones,” Aug. 16, Vault 5421, Orlando. 407-270-6273; GodsMonsters.com/ Vault-5421 Detox, Aug. 16-17, Southern Nights, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Kameron Michaels, Aug. 16, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Peppermint, Aug. 17, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Shuga Cain, Aug. 18, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 15, 6-8 P.M. FAIRVILLA MEGASTORE, ORLANDO Join Watermark at Fairvilla Megastore for Third Thursday, our monthly networking social! Bring cash for raffle sales because this free, 18+ gathering benefits the Pug Rescue of Florida. The animal organization is dedicated to helping pugs and pugs mixes in need. Light bites will be provided and your first drink is free with your business card. For more information, visit Facebook.com/WatermarkFL.

RHAPSODY REMIX

8th Annual Celebrity Bartender Night

RHAPSODY REMIX: Queen and “American Idol” alum Adam Lambert’s worldwide tour inspired by “Bohemian Rhapsody” carries on at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Aug. 18.

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LGBT+ Legal Clinic, Aug. 21, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org

Strike Out for AIDS, Aug. 10, Pin Chasers Midtown, Tampa. 813-877-7418; MyEpic.org

Orlando Bisexual Alliance Meeting, Aug. 22, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-2872; Facebook.com/ OrlandoBiAlliance

Drag Queen Story Time with Momma, Aug. 11, Venue Salon, Lakeland. 863-644-0102;

Brooke Lynn Hytes Hosts 5-Year Anniversary, Aug. 23, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Orlando Drag Race Live: Season 6, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

TAMPA BAY Smile: The Art of the Smiley Face Opening, Aug. 9, MIZE Gallery, 727-251-8529; ChadMize.com Drag Queen Story Hour, Aug. 10, Community Cafe, St. Petersburg. 727-222-6979; CommunityCafeStPete.com

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2019 NGLCC Conference, Aug. 13-16, Convention Center, Tampa. 202-234-9181; NGLCC.org Metro Groundbreaking & Restoration Ceremony, Aug. 15, German American Club, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org “KINK: An Art Affair,” Aug. 17, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MatreoTampaBay.org Victoria Works Central, Aug. 17, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com Drag Queen Story Hour, Aug. 18, Peace Hall, New Port Richey. 407-666-3492; PascoPrideFestival.org

Jobsite’s 19-20 Season Kickoff, Aug. 18, Jobsite Theater, Tampa. 813-229-7827; JobsiteTheater.org Beneﬁt for Star Montrese Love, Aug. 18, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com Drag Queen Trivia, Aug. 21, The HONU, Dunedin. 727-333-7777; TheHonuRestauraunt.com ‘POSE’ Potluck, Aug. 23, VFW Post 39, St. Petersburg. 727-485-8802; BambuTheEcoSalon.com

SARASOTA Venice Youth Meetup: Sew Crafty, Aug. 13, William H. Jervey Public Library, Venice. 941-951-2576; ALSOYouth.org Moxie Productions Showcase, Aug. 14, The Gator Club, Sarasota. 941-366-5969; Facebook.com/ MoxieProductionsSRQ

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

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TUESDAY, AUG. 20, 6 P.M.-MIDNIGHT SAVOY, ORLANDO Bring your cash to SAVOY Orlando for the eighth annual Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser, where all tips benefit the LGBT+ Center Orlando. Each hour, three celebrity bartenders will offer $6 Tito specials and more. Hosted by George Wallace and Pepe, the evening promises to be the biggest celebrity bartender night ever, with raffles, door prizes, Jell-O shots, a DJ and dancing! Learn more at TheCenterOrlando.org.

TAMPA BAY Come OUT St. Pete Art Contest and Exhibit SATURDAY, AUG. 10, 5-7 P.M. ARTXCHANGE, ST. PETERSBURG Celebrate Tampa Bay artists at Come OUT St. Pete’s latest art contest and exhibit ahead of the third annual October gathering. Participants previously submitted their work for the chance to be displayed on programs, T-shirts and other Come OUT St. Pete materials. The winner will be announced at 6 p.m. and artists will win cash and prizes. For more information, visit ComeOutStPete.org.

Stay Proud, Be Loud Happy Hour THURSDAY, AUG. 15, 5:30-7:30 P.M. AMERICAN SOCIAL, TAMPA The Matthew Shepard Foundation, Metro Inclusive Health and Miller Lite invite you to a special happy hour at American Social following the foundation’s Tampa Hate Crimes training provided to local law enforcement. Learn about their efforts to erase hate and train officers and prosecutors on how to properly report and prosecute hate crimes with special guest Dennis Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s father. Visit MatthewShepard.org for more information.

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AUGUST 8 - AUGUS T 21, 2019 // ISSUE 26 .16 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

overheard

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

BYE, BYE BIRD

LAMINGO RESORT HELD ITS FINAL SUNDAY TEA DANCE July 28, a poolside farewell after serving Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community for more than 10 years. Former Flamingo General Manager Jon Jusino confirmed the resort’s imminent closure July 22. Speculation began July 20 after Bay Area Auction Services Inc. advertised an “everything goes” sale on resort property on Aug. 6. Flamingo is currently scheduled to be redeveloped into an eight-story, 245-unit apartment building. According to Jusino, its current owners will retain ownership of the complex and will “move Flamingo to another location,” though no additional details have been provided. As of press time, Flamingo’s owners have yet to publicly comment about the closure or potential reopening. Crowds from across Tampa Bay gathered to say goodbye and enjoy a special finale show ahead of its final day of operation July 31. It featured longtime Flamingo entertainers Iman, Johnny Sparks, Robyn Demornay, Alexis De La Mer and Bobby York. Watermark was on hand to say goodbye and you can view a full gallery of photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

MOMMY DEAREST

RAG QUEEN STORY HOUR TAMPA BAY AND ITS MONTHLY HOST VENUE COMMUNITY CAFE are the latest targets of the anti-LGBTQ vlogger known as “The Activist Mommy.” The vlogger, also known as Elizabeth Johnston, contributed to the cancelation of an LGBTQ-inclusive prom at a public library in Jacksonville in June. The event was rescheduled and held at a local church. According to her website, “The pulse behind all her activism and cultural commentary is her love for her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ.” Utilizing social media, Johnston called on “phone warriors” to call the cafe and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, a staunch LGBTQ ally, to share their outrage. “St. Petersburg Florida thinks subjecting children to predatory behavior through an adult entertainment community is acceptable,” she wrote Aug. 1. Community Cafe also addressed Johnston’s attacks via social media. “Even through this newest harassment, now by Cult Blogger Mommy Dearest, we will ALWAYS stand behind Drag Queen Story Hour,” they wrote. “Kids seeing role models that are different than the norms is PIVOTAL to their emotional health … Drag Queen Story Hour— and all forms of LGBTQ+ acceptance—literally SAVES LIVES.” The mayor’s office confirmed receipt of complaints and shared their official response with Watermark. “The City of St Petersburg is a City that prides itself on its diversity and inclusive practices,” officials noted. “Hate has no home here … we are proud of events like the Drag Queen Story Hour and those who participate because they showcase those qualities that make us stronger as a community, and we do not begrudge how people choose to spend their time.”

2 3

FOND FAREWELL: Miranda Richards (L) and Alexis De La Mer share a moment at the Flamingo Resort’s final Sunday Tea Dance July 28. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE: Daphne Ferraro (L) She-Hulks out beside husband Leif Thomas’ Captain America at Tampa Comic Con Aug. 3. PHOTO

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DINNER DIVAS: (L-R) Punkettes Dixie Lynn Michaels, Victoria Michaels, Juno Vibranz and Georgia Moore strike a pose after Victoria Works Central at Punky’s Aug. 3. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

WARM WELCOME: (L-R) Val Brinkley, Fernando Chonqui and Luke Blankenship attend the grand opening of Bishops St. Petersburg July 30. PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

MENDES MEN: Hot 101.5’s Miguel Fuller (L) and Scott Tavlin (R) flank Sean Mendes during the pop star’s stop at Amalie Arena July 29. PHOTO

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FOR THE CHILDREN: Metro Inclusive Health staff, volunteers and youth take a field trip to Studios at 5663 during LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Camp July 29. PHOTO

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ONE YEAR STRONG: Don Printz (L) and Tom Singer celebrate the one year anniversary of G St Pete Aug. 3. PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

EPIC EVENING: (L) Lael Arango and Joy Winheim celebrate the EPIC benefit Unmasquerade at Tampa River Center July 27. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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AUGUST 8 - AUGUS T 21, 2019 // ISSUE 26 .16 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

overheard

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

THE CENTER TO HOST STONEWALL MUSEUM EXHIBIT

HE LGBT+ CENTER IN ORLANDO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO HOST the national traveling exhibit from Stonewall National Museum & Archives, the organization announced July 30. The Center will be one of 20 LGBTQ community centers in the U.S. to feature selections from the museum’s Stonewall National Education Project, a program of 14 LGBTQ educational exhibits. The first exhibit, “50 Years: The Stonewall Uprising,” will be on display for the public at The Center starting on Oct. 1 and remain until Dec. 31. A new exhibit will be featured every three months with “The Harlem Renaissance: As Gay As It Was Black” on display from Jan. 1-March 31, “Days Without Sunshine: Anita Bryant’s Anti-Gay Crusade” displayed April 1-June 30 and “Transcending Gender: Bodies & Lives” displayed July 1-Sept. 30. “I am thrilled that we can provide this exhibit to our community,” said George Wallace, The Center’s executive director, in a press release. “It is critical that we continue to educate our youth on our history. The Center Orlando is already home to the local LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida. This national exhibit will complement our local history and give central Floridian’s a fuller picture of our narrative.” The Center will host a reception to honor the first exhibit on Oct. 4. Receptions honoring each of the other exhibits are planned throughout the coming year. For more information on the exhibits as well as other programs and events from The Center, visit TheCenterOrlando.org.

THE PRIDE CHAMBER HONORS LGBTQ BUSINESSES

HE PRIDE CHAMBER, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MBA ORLANDO, recognized LGBTQ business professionals and community leaders at the 2019 Pride in Business Awards Gala at Hard Rock Live at Universal in Orlando Aug. 3. Hosted by Spectrum News 13’s Eric Levy and Miss Sammy, the evening featured a VIP reception, live entertainment and an after party in CityWalk. The Pride Chamber handed out seven competitive awards during the ceremony. onePULSE Foundation CEO Barbara Poma was named Business Leader; BrandCo founder Ken Granger was named Business Owner; Merritt Business Solutions won New Business; J.D. Casto Photography won Small Business; Zebra Coalition was named Non-profit of the Year; Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride co-owner Kay Rawlins won Corporate Ally; Dr. Steve “The Gay Leadership Dude” Yacovelli of TopDog Learning Group was named Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Leader of the Year; and Out @ Universal Orlando was named the 2019 Pride Superstars. The Pride Chamber also announced BizzyNate Creative’s Business Development Specialist Debo Ofsowitz as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year and Equality Florida’s Gina Duncan as the Community Champion of the Year.

SAFETY FIRST: Central Florida’s law enforcement and LGBTQ community leaders gather to discuss Public Safety for the One Orlando Alliance’s Community Discussion series at the Orlando Police Department July 25. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

BIG REVEAL: The Come Out With Pride board announces Pride’s theme and events at The Venue in Orlando July 31. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Volunteer of the Year Debo Ofsowitz (L) and wife Milena Jacobina at The Pride Chamber’s Pride in Business Awards at Hard Rock Live in Universal’s CityWalk Aug. 3. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

THE HAPPY COUPLE: State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Watermark Viewpoint writer Jerick Mediavilla say “I do” at The Venue in Orlando Aug. 4.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

DIVERSITY IS KEY: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (center) with the city’s new Committee on Multicultural Affairs at Orlando City Hall July 31. PHOTO COURTESY THE CITY OF ORLANDO

AUTHENTICALLY YOU: The cast of this fall’s “Unapologetically Trans”—(L-R) Jordyn Victoria Laos, Holly Gramm, Ashley Figueroa and Nikole Parker— have a planning session in Orlando July 27. PHOTO COURTESY

UNAPOLOGETICALLY TRANS

BIG GALS UNITE: (L-R) Ginger Minj, Stacy Layne Matthews and Jiggly Caliente from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” invade the Parliament House in Orlando for Big Gal Invasion Aug. 3. PHOTO

COURTESY PARLIAMENT HOUSE

NEW YORK BOUND: Central Florida performer and Broadway Brunch Bunch member Philip Ancheta hits the New York stage July 30 to audition for the national tour of “Miss Saigon.” PHOTO

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• Bold Heading • Photo

OCTOBER 12 LAKE EOLA PARK JOY

LOVE UNITY SPIRIT CHARITY DANCING MEMORIES COMMUNITY CELEBRATION PERSEVERENCE

1 5

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Y E A R S

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O F

announcements

WEDDING BELLS

Bill and Ed Bohannon-Dobski from Orlando, Florida

ENGAGEMENT DATE:

CONGRATULATIONS

Dec. 31, 2018

Savoy Orlando celebrates 15 years this August. G St Pete celebrated one year of business on Aug. 4. Southern Nights Orlando celebrates 5 years on Aug. 16.

WEDDING DATE:

June 23, 2019

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

OFFICIANT:

Drew Sizemore

VENUE:

Tanner Hall

COLORS:

Purple and White

WEDDING SONG/ ARTIST:

“Beautiful” by Joshua Kadison

FLORIST:

Angel Sheridan

CATERER:

Sam’s Club

CAKE FLAVORS: Red Velvet and Lemon

BAKERY:

Kathy Bristol from I Dream of Sugar

PHOTOGRAPHER /VIDEOGRAPHER:

Carissa Imel Photography, Dolphinsoul Creations

DJ / ENTERTAINMENT:

Wayne McKay

CONDOLENCES

Tampa Bay entertainer Beyja King passed away July 28 and will be dearly missed.

PHOTO COURTESY BILL AND ED BOHANNON-DOBSKI

“T

RIXIE, WHAT DO YOU

want for 2018?” That is the question that started it all for Bill and Ed Bohannon-Dobski.

Bill was watching his Facebook friend’s live video on New Year’s Eve 2017. In the video, Ed was asked that very question and his response was “a boyfriend would be nice.” Bill decided to take a chance and direct message Ed, typing “I’m available LOL.” Their conversation continued on messenger and eventually they decided to meet in person. Ed goes by the stage name, Trixie Deluxxe, as a drag queen performer with Hamburger Mary’s Broadway Brunch in Orlando. For both, the connection was quick. Ed felt like he had known Bill for a lifetime, even though it was their first in person meeting. I love “how caring, loving, funny and how warm he is,” says Ed. “Bill is a true soulmate to me.” Bill realized that Ed’s kind and sweet personality was just as nice in person as it was online. “He treats me the way I have always wanted to be treated,” he says.

One year after fate pulled them together through Facebook, Bill and Ed were celebrating New Year’s Eve 2018 when Bill decided to pop the question. Being a huge Disney fan, Ed had “always wanted to be proposed to in front of the castle at the Magic Kingdom.” With no castle in sight, Bill did the next best thing. “Bill pulled up a picture of the castle on his phone and said ‘I hope this will do. Will you marry me?’” says Ed. “‘Are you serious?’ I asked, and Bill said ‘Yes!’” Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but for Bill, the important part was to “enjoy every moment of planning and make decisions as a couple.” They were married in beautiful Tanner Hall in Winter Garden on Sunday, June 23. “[My favorite part] was the vows,” says Bill. “How we spoke from the heart and didn’t rehearse anything.”

There to help celebrate Bill and Ed’s union where Bill’s kids. “Bill has two children from a previous marriage,” says Ed. “We see our family as a blended, loving family.” The reception included a Disney villain-inspired cake. The bottom layer was red velvet, meant to represent Cruella de Vil from “101 Dalmatians.” The middle layer was lemon and decorated to look like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” Finally, the top layer was a Rice Krispies treat decoration representing the infamous poison apple from “Snow White.” The couple’s first dance was to “Beautiful” by Joshua Kadison. Making sure all of these special moments and details were captured was important to the couple. Ed advises those planning their wedding that they “make sure [to] enjoy the day, because that day goes so fast and it becomes a blur.” The day was made even more special by the incredible support surrounding them. “Having so many friends and family there to support our relationship was amazing,” the grooms say.

Kirkpatrick Veterinary Hospital manager Victor Daza, St. Petersburg doc Kush Patel, Orlando hunk Scott Dunkle, St. Petersburg realtor Doug Parton, Former Watermark intern Layla Ferris (Aug. 8); Equality Florida’s Brandon J. Wolf, Sarasota actor/writer Steve Warren, Orlando accountant Rose Gamba, QLatinx executive director Christopher J. Cuevas (Aug. 9); Hospice of Florida chaplain Randall Forshee, St. Petersburg activist Karen Murray, St. Petersburg clothing designer Raul del Castillo, Tampa health restaurateur Trent McAree, Largo beautician Jay Berwanger (Aug. 10); Lady Boy of the Peek-A-Boo Longue “Sorcha Mercy” Lance Austin, Community builder Kevin Johnson, GTE Financial specialist Jared Acuff, Salon Swank stylist Mikey Bessette, Tombolo Books’ Alsace Walentine (Aug. 11); Orlando hair stylist Bobby Kantz, Rotten S’more’s Shiala Morales (Aug. 12); Tampa Bay leather bear Eric Siglin, former owner of Tampa Bay-area Hamburger Mary’s Kurt King, Stand Up Florida’s Bryan Arnette (Aug. 13); Sarasota activist Chuck Redding, Tampa mortgage VP Andrew Bolton, Regalia owner David Lang, Tampa Bay chef Andrew Bolton (Aug. 14); Orangetheory Fitness guru CJay Tauber, Orlando performer David Almeida (Aug. 15); Tampa Bay entertainer Miah Van-Cartier, Tampa Bay photographer Josh Shipp (Aug. 16); Orlando entertainer Tod Kimbro, Tony Award-winner Kenny Howard, St. Petersburg LGBTQ liaison Jim Nixon, St. Pete photographer Jacie Ramsey, St. Petersburg interior designer Scott Velez, Tampa Bay entertainer Alexis De La Mer (Aug. 17); Tampa Bay performer Macaviti, Orlando actor Chris Shepardson, Sarasota orthodontist Michael Radall, Orlando lawyer Paul San Giovanni, St. Petersburg realtor Dan Casper (Aug. 18); Orlando-based actress Daniella Sagona, Orlando performer Danielle Hunter, Lakeland singer Danny Pate, Tampa pastor Scott Manning, Former St. Pete ASAP Executive Director William Harper, Orlando artist Steven McCune, Winter Park Playhouse’s Todd Long, Tampa economics specialist LJ Sosa (Aug. 19); Orlando Immunology Center’s Sam Graper, MHK Director of Strategy and Pharmacy Jimmy Singkhapophet (Aug. 20); Clearwater bear Keith Schorr, Brandon restaurant exec. Rob Roberts (Aug. 21).

— Marianella Falbo

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.

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1 Las Vegas surpasses Orlando with the deadliest mass shooting in modern history, killing 59 including Cameron Robinson (R). 2 Rebecca Storozuk became the first openly transgender Orange County Sheriff’s office deputy. 3 Kate McKinnon thanks Hillary Clinton as she accepts her second Emmy for her role on “Saturday Night Live.”

2017

4 Danica Roem, a former journalist, becomes the first openly transgender person seated in any state legislature in the country by defeating Bob Marshal in the Virginia House of Delegates Race.

6 1

5 Kevin Spacey reveals he is gay amid allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior involving an underage Anthony Rapp.

6 Edith Windsor, a lesbian activist who was a pioneer for LGBTQ rights and brought down the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act, dies at age 88.

7 Metropolitan Business Association celebrates its 25 year anniversary at Celebrations Gardens on Nov. 30. 8 The passing of Tanisha Cassadine sparks a fight against silicone procedures and inspires a scholarship to help those wanting to transfer to do so in a safe way. 9 Milo Yiannopoulos resigns as news editor of Breitbart after coming under fire for comments made about sexual relations between men and boys. 10 Metro’s Celebrate 25 Gala raises over $65,000 for youth, seniors and transgender services.

2 YEARS AGO MOST POPULAR SONG

“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran

BEST SELLING ALBUM

“Divide” by Ed Sheeran

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 2017.

HIGHEST RATED TV SHOW

“The Big Bang Theory”

HIGHEST GROSSING FILM

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

BEST PICTURE OSCAR RELEASED 2017

“The Shape of Water”

OUT CELEBRITIES

Brian Michael Smith (actor), Sue Bird (NBA player), Barry Manilow (singer), Hanne Gaby Odiele (model), Aaron Carter (singer)

STATES THAT BAN CONVERSION THERAPY

8 - New Jersey, California, Oregon, Illinois, Vermont, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island.

A pioneer of LGBTQ representation on television, “Will & Grace” returns in a year that boasts the highest percentage of regular LGBTQ characters in television programing.

LOOKING BACK

Rick Claggett, Publisher

f 2016 was to be the worst year in our history, then 2017 would be the year we found our footing. In the year since the tragic shooting at Pulse, the Central Florida community, and the world, came together to show that love would conquer hate. The Orange County Regional History Center worked hard to preserve memories from the Pulse shooting while honoring those taken, and those still suffering. Flowers, candles, messages and photographs left at the site of the massacre were displayed at the History Center for the public to see at the one-year mark of the tragic shooting, along with stuffed animals, flags and works of art to commemorate those who were killed and injured. Community organizations were solidified to bridge gaps in the LGBTQ community and those underserved; including the One Orlando Alliance,

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QLatinX, The Contigo Fund, The Dru Project, Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, onePulse Foundation and Pulse of Orlando to name a few. Amid the process of healing and within a month of the one year mark of the Pulse massacre, Orlando suffered another tragedy in the sudden and unexpected loss of beloved journalist Billy Manes. Manes worked as Watermark’s editor-in-chief through the horrific events at Pulse and the year that followed. His words had become those of a grieving community that now grieved for him. For the first time in 15 years, the St Pete Pride parade was held in downtown St. Petersburg rather than the Grand Central District. When the organization initially announced the controversial move, the Street Festival was also scheduled to move downtown. The announcement sparked backlash from

Grand Central businesses, supporters and the mayor. After reconsidering, the Street Festival was to remain in the Grand Central District. Mayor Rick Kriseman won his bid for re-election against the anti-LGBTQ policies of former Mayor Rick Baker with a turnout of over 27% of eligible voters. Equality Florida celebrated two decades as the largest civil rights organization for Florida’s LGBTQ community. Jacksonville City Council voted to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s Human Rights Ordinance. President Donald Trump sends transgender rights activists into action when he tweets his intention to impose a trans military ban. Although many fought hard to see this proposed ban dismissed, it eventually came to fruition that any transgender person seeking to enter the military would be denied, while those already serving were allowed to remain.

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