Watermark Issue 26.19: 30 & Thriving by Watermark Publishing Group

September 19 - October 2, 2019 Issue 26.19

Pasco Pride Expands in Second Year

INSIDE: Official Come Out With Pride Guide!

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

 

departments 7 // Publisher’s Desk 8 // Central Florida News 10 // Tampa Bay News 12 // State NEWS 13 // Nation & World News 21 // Talking Points 41 // Community Calendar 43 // Tampa Bay Out + About 45 // Orlando Out + About 46 // Tampa Bay Marketplace 48 // Central Fl Marketplace 53 // Wedding Bells / Announcements 54 // The Last Page

page

We are proud of Tampa’s reputation as a city with a wealth of cultural richness and diversity, and we are honored to host this popular festival in the Tampa Bay area that provides an opportunity to showcase how our region is enriched by those who call our community home. –Tampa Mayor Jane Castor on hosting part of the Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

On the cover

page

Thirty and Thriving: The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival turns 30. Design by

DiBenedetto/Wiedemann.

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Wayne’s World:

Wayne Brady heads home to Florida for an interactive, improv rock concert.

Watermark Issue 26.19 // September 19 - October 2, 2019

New Chair

Louder & Prouder

No Money

Last Page

page Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida names first openly-gay chair.

page Pasco Pride expands its celebration in the second year.

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

Rick Scott blocked millions of HIV funds when he was Florida’s governor.

We highlight exceptional LGBTQ community member David Dorman.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Publisher’s

Rick Claggett PUblisher

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

uring the life of this issue,

Mother Nature will officially unleash fall. Some of us mark the start of fall with the return of pumpkin spice everything. For others it’s designated by cooler temperatures, orange and brown decor or new episodes of their favorite stories. For me fall brings with it a special anniversary of sorts: sobriety.

Oct. 1 will mark four years since I stopped drinking. Fitting in a way, as Oct. 1 also launches LGBTQ history month. I am a history fan, always have been. Perhaps that’s why I find my career path so fascinating. At Watermark we share stories, mark truths and archive them so we can look back to see whether we improve; whether we learn from where we came from. I often say we need our past to understand our future. That is true as a community and as an individual. For this reason, I’ve decided every year around Oct. 1 I will revisit the circumstances that drove

me to sobriety. It’s hard to think about, even four years later, the pain that the extent of my drinking caused some and the money that was wasted to get me wasted. So many embarrassing memories come to mind now that my clear mind can see the past. It’s a hard subject for some to approach. Especially when our leaders suffer complications from drinking—nobody wants to talk about it for fear it will tarnish their reputation. For me it’s a must; and since I am telling my story it gets to happen. I have this page in every other issue to talk about whatever I want.

Sometimes I rant, sometimes I try to be funny, but this time I just want to put this story out there in case there is someone right now who needs to hear it. Alcohol controlled my life for 15 years. I am always amazed at what I was able to achieve in that time, but somewhat regretful at how much more I could have done if I wasn’t drunk for 90% of it. I drank like it was my job, and part of me actually felt like it was. Many events that I attended to represent work happened in bars or had a bar featured in it. Often times the first drink was free or all of them were. Don’t get me wrong, although I feel alcohol plays too big a role in society in general—especially in the LGBTQ community—I do not blame bars or LGBTQ events for my alcoholism. That I blame on myself and my insecurity. In fact, my roommate would often ask me why I didn’t just go to the events and not drink. I would usually get mad at her for the suggestion as if it was a rule that you had to get drunk where there was a bar. In retrospect, she was right. I love my partnerships with local bars and support them fully, one energy drink or club soda at a time. My problem was I thought I needed alcohol to fit in. I needed to drink or I would lose my job because I wouldn’t be cool or get to hang out with the “A gays.” As alcohol is a progressive problem, my drinking got worse and worse. Not much mattered in the end other than drinking and hooking up with people to feel special or needed. If I had one beer, I had to have all of them. I’d like to say I snapped out of it one day and made a change on my own, but that’s not the case. On Memorial Day Weekend 2015 I was pulled over at 2:30 a.m. I had been drinking since 5 p.m. the night before. A rational personal might

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

have taken an Uber, but my rational days were about a year in the past. The day after I got out of jail I went to the bar, drinking even heavier the next two to three months. The DMV and the court saw fit that I enter counseling and a program of peers to analyze my life. I was petrified to sit in a room of alcoholics and to be considered one of them. The stigma surrounding alcoholics is as unfair and useless as it is surrounding those with HIV/ AIDS and mental health issues. There is no type, no litmus test. Alcoholism is nothing to be ashamed of but needs to be addressed. If you feel alcohol negatively impacts your life and it is

It’s so hard to see a way out when you’re stuck inside your own head.

getting out of control, please reach out for help. There are so many organizations and types of groups you can try out. Getting sober changed my life and I couldn’t do it on my own. It’s so hard to see a way out when you’re stuck inside your own head. In this issue of Watermark we take a look at the 30th anniversary of TIGLIFF with an in depth look at which films you can expect at this year’s festival. We also bring back our Last Page, but this time we start to feature champions in the LGBTQ community. Starting things off is award-winning LGBTQ realtor David Dorman. In the news, Central Florida’s Boyd Lindsley is set to chair Planned Parenthood and Pasco Pride expands for their second event. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

contributors divine Grace

is an Orlandobased trouble maker with a forked tongue and all the charm you can imagine. Page 17

Jason Leclerc

is a near lifelong resident of the I-4 corridor, currently in South Tampa. He publishes poetry online at PoetEconomist. blogspot.com. His first book, Momentitiousness, was published in 2014. His book, Black Kettle, was published in 2016. Page 19

CORRECTIONS: Incorrect events were listed in the 2019 Fall Arts guide for Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. The correct events are listed below. Watermark regrets these errors. Holiday Friday Nights are Nov. 29-Dec. 27. Thanksgiving Weekend Open House is Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Christmas Eve Open House is Dec. 24. Stories from the Archives— Louis Comfort Tiffany and His Studios is Jan. 22.

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

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway, Vanessa Maresca-Cruz CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

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central florida news

Come Out With Pride announces 2019 grand marshals Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | Come Out With Pride (COWP) will have four grand marshals for its 2019 Most Colorful Parade in downtown Orlando Oct. 12. COWP made the announcement in a press release Sept. 2. The 2019 grand marshals are Miss International Queen 2019 Jazell Barbie Royale, founder of The Orlando Ribbon Project Ben Johansen, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard and, in memoriam, LGBTQ pioneer Joel Strack. “Our community grand marshals for 2019 truly epitomize what a hero can be in our community,” said Jeff Prystajko, board president of COWP, in the release. “Each grand marshal has done much to uplift, nurture and showcase the LGBTQ+ community in our region and beyond.” The COWP 2019 parade and festival’s theme “Heroes,” which was announced in July, played into why the board selected each of the grand marshals. As Miss International Queen 2019, Royale was the first black transgender woman to take the crown, as well as the first contestant from the U.S. to win the title since 2005. As a fierce LGBTQ advocate, Royale works in the Orlando community with Bliss Cares and is also a popular regular performer at the Parliament House in Orlando. The founder of The Orlando Ribbon Project, Johansen has made nearly one million ribbons since June 12, 2016. The project, created to identify volunteers the days after the Pulse tragedy, has grown into a community movement that brings awareness to Pulse, as well as the history of the rainbow in LGBTQ culture. Johansen will make his one-millionth ribbon at the Come Out With Pride Parade and Festival on stage during the evening Community Rally. Since 2011, the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard have been promoting LGBTQ awareness, acceptance and equality through music, entertainment and fellowship. The Band and Color Guard, along with the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble and the Tampa Bay Pride Band, will host an official Orlando Pride Week Concert—“Looking Back. Moving Forward.”—on Oct. 13 at The Plaza Live, as part of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA) National Conference. One of Orlando’s most prolific LGBTQ advocates, Strack was instrumental in the creation of Orlando’s first Gay Days and Pride parade, as well as the Orlando Gay Chorus and the Gay and Lesbian History Museum. Additionally, Strack’s advocacy was instrumental in providing resources to those fighting HIV/AIDS in Orlando. Strack passed away on July 15. He will be represented by his friends and family in the parade.

For more information on the grand marshals and all the events for Come Out With Pride, check out the Come Out With Pride guide, inserted into this issue, and visit ComeOutWithPride.com.

Head of board: Dr. Boyd

Lindsley (R) with PPSWCF president and CEO Stephanie Fraim (L) and UCF’s Dr. Jennifer Sandoval. Photo courtesy PPSWCF

New Chair Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida names 1st openly-gay chair Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF) elected Dr. Boyd Lindsley chair of its board of directors. The 23-member board is from a 22-county region of Florida, which includes Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. Lindsley is the first openly gay man elected to the position. Lindsley, who is the senior associate director for the University of Central Florida’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, began volunteering with PPSWCF in 2011 and joined the board in 2013. Lindsley says one reason he was motivated to volunteer was because of his recognized privilege. “I am a tall, thin, Caucasian male. I have some means,” he says. “So I have a great deal of privilege. And I think it’s incumbent upon those with privilege to deploy it in a way to help those who do not have such privileges.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

While PPSWCF is traditionally talked about as an organization providing female reproductive services, the organization offers services for all individuals, including: STI testing, family planning services, contraception, screenings for cervical, breast and testicular cancer and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a service that is not provided universally across all Planned Parenthood affiliates but has been a part of PPSWCF for the last three years. “We have been serving more than 800 transgender individuals since we started our program,” Lindsley says. “Those folks are coming from all over Florida, as well as from 10 other states in our nation, showing how badly the need is for this kind of health care.” Recently, Planned Parenthood has been in the news as the Trump administration instituted a “domestic gag rule on abortion,” which prohibits health clinics from receiving certain federal funding if they provide abortions or even if they refer patients to other health

centers where they can receive abortions. These funds, known as Title X funding, make family planning and other preventive health services more affordable and accessible. “Because the state of which we live in, we have not had Title X funds for a number of years,” says Lindsley. “As Planned Parenthood, we have had to raise funds to provide the kind of care that is needed for family planning services. That is what Title X funds supports, family planning, never abortion.” PPSWCF holds several fundraisers through the year to raise those needed funds, including one in Orlando on Nov. 6. The event called Rosé for Reproductive Rights is a beer and wine tasting mixer that will be held at the Orlando Museum of Art. Future events include a Choice Affair luncheon at Briar Glazer Family JCC in Tamp on April 17 and a benefit dinner at the Alfond Inn in Orlando April 24. As we head into next year’s election season, Lindsley says it is important to remember, especially for cisgender white men, how LGBTQ rights and women’s reproductive rights are entwined. “The modern LGBTQ rights movement is on the shoulders of the women’s rights movement,” he says. “We have the same enemies and through all of our intersections, we are stronger together.” For more information on PPSWCF, visit PlannedParenthood.org.

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Some things are bigger than banking (Like making life plans on lazy beach days.)

Long walks on the beach have a way of creating good conversation. Whether you’re discussing baby names or simply sharing life goals, it’s your relationship that helps motivate the big decisions in life. That’s why Regions takes pride in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and all those committed to building a better future together. regions.com/LGBTQ © 2019 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

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tampa bay news

Competitive Ball to benefit St. Petersburg VFW Ryan Williams-Jent

T. PETERSBURG | Bambu the Eco Salon will host The Elemental Ball on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., a competitive fundraiser for Come OUT St. Pete (COSP) benefiting the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 39. The VFW was founded in 1899 to assist veterans who served in wars on foreign soil or in hostile waters. Post No. 39 was formed in 1919 on the corner of Central Ave. and 26th St. in the 8,000 square feet, two-story structure housing it today. The salon, which is located across from the VFW and hosts COSP events annually, held a fashion show at the establishment last year. After its co-owner Chris Kiss won the charity-focused Miss Broken Slut pageant as entertainer Victoria Michaels in March, he began working with VFW leadership to restore their 175-seat theater. Kiss subsequently won Miss COSP 2019 on Sept. 1, a perfect marriage for his fundraising efforts. “The VFW has been taking care of our veterans for 100 years,” he explains, “and they have opened their doors to the gay men and women who have served our country and to the St. Petersburg community. I want to do something with my crowns that celebrates the men and women in our armed forces.” With his team at Bambu and the support of COSP, Kiss hopes to update the VFW’s space with new air conditioning, flooring, staging and more to allow the facility to host more community events. Drawing inspiration from New York City’s 1980s ball culture and the African American, Latinx and LGBTQ communities involved in its rise, organizers developed The Elemental Ball. Drag performers and vogue enthusiasts of all kinds are encouraged to enter the competition. A panel of judges will award points and trophies to participants who embody eight total categories. Categories include “Butch Queen Realness,” “Femme Queen Realness,” “Executive Realness,” “Lusciousness,” “Mother of the Year,” “Military Realness, “Opulence” and “Shopping on Grand Central.” A winner will be chosen for each, resulting in a vogue battle to determine “Best of the Ball.” Iraq veteran and VFW Commander J.P. Pittit is thankful for the support. “Restoring the space will bring people together,” she says. “It will help us give back to the community.” It’s a community Pittit proudly serves. “I think veterans have a tendency to be less prejudiced,” she notes. “When you’re in a combat zone, sex, race, gender, nothing like that matters. You need each other to survive.” Between fundraisers at Punky’s Bar & Grill and the VFW, Bambu’s efforts have raised nearly $2,000 thus far. Kiss hopes to cross $5,000 after the ball. “This will bridge so many diverse sectors within our community,” he says. “This will bring us together.” For more information about The Elemental Ball, visit Facebook.com/ BambuTheEcoSalon or call (727) 485-8802. For more information about Come Out St. Pete, visit ComeOutStPete.org.

PASCO PROUD: Supporters flood Sims Park for the inaugural Pasco Pride on Oct. 6, 2018, the first Pride celebration to take place within Pasco County.

Photo courtesy PASCO PRIDE

Louder & Prouder Pasco Pride expands in second year Ryan Williams-Jent

EW PORT RICHEY, Fla. | The second annual Pasco Pride will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 6, expanding from a one-day festival to unite Pasco County’s growing LGBTQ community. Pasco Pride made history with its inaugural outing in 2018, becoming the first LGBTQ Pride festival held in the county. The organization has since dedicated itself to fostering communication, tolerance, education and mutual support between the area’s LGBTQ advocates and allies. “This year has been all about building community, laying our groundwork and finding out what people actually need from us,” Pasco Pride President Nina Borders says. “What does Pride mean in Pasco? It’s different than it is in Tampa, St. Petersburg or Orlando.” Borders, who served as vice president during Pasco Pride’s inaugural festival, says the organization wanted to immerse itself in the community. That led to expanding its monthly Drag Queen Story Hours, now by invitation only to discourage protestors, in which the reigning Miss Pasco Pride Stephanie Stuart reads books to children.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Pasco Pride also adopted a one-mile section of road in June via Pasco County’s Adopt-a-Road program, a stretch previously claimed by the white supremacist hate group the Ku Klux Klan. “We’re not only a group that throws a Pride festival,” Borders says. “We’re an organization that protects the community and operates 365 days a year to meet the needs of all.” This year’s festivities will officially begin with the Mister & Miss Pasco Pride Pageant on Sept. 29 from 8 a.m.-midnight at The Asylum. The LGBTQ hotspot will welcome hosts D.C. and Delores T. Van Cartier as reigning Pasco Pride royalty Vyn Suazion and Stuart each crown their respective successors. A screening of “The Lavender Scare” will follow Oct. 3 from 7-10 p.m. at the historic Richey Suncoast Theater. The documentary chronicles the mass firing of gay and lesbian federal workers in the early 1950s. Historian and University of South Florida Professor David K. Johnson, who wrote the book which inspired the film, will host a Q&A. “We’re so excited about the screening,” Borders says. “This is our history.” On Oct. 5, Pasco Pride will hold its inaugural block party at Railroad Square from 4-8 p.m. The

event will feature live music, food, drinks, vendors and performers from throughout the area. “The city, local businesses and bars are all excited about it,” Borders explains. “We’re going to bring in the LGBTQ community and our allies from all over to help solidify our presence.” Pasco Pride Week will conclude Oct. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Sims Park with the organization’s second annual festival. “We estimated about 2,500 people came through last year,” Borders says. “This year we’re looking to double that.” The festival will begin with opening ceremonies led by Florida House Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, a self-described “LGBTQ accomplice,” and Florida House Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, the state’s first openly LGBTQ Latino lawmaker. “They’re riveting speakers,” Borders says. “People should get there early.” It will also feature headlining performances from entertainers including Larmani and Vyn Suazion, as well as music from DJ T.C. Czaritsa. Momma Ashley Rose of The Rose Dynasty Foundation will host and welcome a number of fellow drag performers. “We’re a grassroots Pride and the only way we can really grow is through the help of everyone in the community,” Borders says. “We want people to come out, have a great time and show their pride—Pasco Pride is for everyone.” The second annual Pasco Pride will be held Sept. 29-Oct. 6. For more information, visit PascoPrideFestival.org.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

state news

South Florida Trans woman 18th killed in US Lora Korpar

ee Love Slater was found burned to death in a vehicle in Clewiston, Florida the morning of Sept. 4, just a week shy of her 24th birthday. Hendry County Sheriff’s Office states that the crime most likely occurred around 2 a.m. In the police report, Slater is identified as a male and referred to by her dead name. The sheriff’s office is still trying to establish a motive, but Slater’s best friend Kenard Wade and many others believe that this was a targeted attack that had to do with her being transgender. Wade told WINK News that Slater was receiving threatening messages from someone. In text messages sent the night of the fire, she told Wade that she wanted to leave town. Slater’s friend Antorris Williams told Out Magazine that she was a “sweet girl” and that she “transitioned very early and she was in a great place.” Slater’s death marks the 18th murder of a transgender person in the U.S. this year.

Sen. Rick Scott blocked millions of dollars for HIV prevention when he was governor of Florida Jeremy Williams

epublican Sen. Rick Scott and his administration rejected $70 million in federal funds to address HIV in Florida while Scott was the state’s governor, according to an investigative report released by The Guardian on Sept. 11. The Guardian states that between 2015-2017, Florida returned $54 million in grants to the federal government intended for combating HIV. This was “due to an apparently deliberate failure on the part of state health bosses to secure legislative permission to spend such desperately needed funds.” The report also states that Scott’s administration blocked two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant applications in 2015 that would have allowed $16 million to be sent to Miami-Dade and

Broward counties, two areas with some of the highest rates of HIV infections in the U.S. The CDC’s 2017 statistics show that Florida had 4,783 new HIV diagnoses, or 13% of the total cases in the U.S., more than any other state. Marlene LaLota, who was the administrator of the Florida Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS section from 2014 to 2016, spoke with The Guardian for its report, saying “I think Rick Scott fueled the epidemic in Florida. … How many infections could have been prevented with that money? How many lives could have been saved? Shame on them.” LaLota also told The Guardian that she and her team were forbidden by the Scott administration from discussing budget concerns directly with legislators.

“Rick Scott had us all on lockdown,” LaLota said. “It didn’t used to be like that with previous governors.” A spokeswoman for Scott said to The Guardian that the assertions in its article were inaccurate. “The state could only spend the money that it had the budget authority to spend,” the statement read. The Florida Department of Health did not respond to The Guardian’s requests for an interview. The Guardian’s reporting comes seven months after President Donald Trump announced in his 2019 State of the Union address his administration’s goal to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. The administration’s proposal titled “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” states it will reduce new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% in five years and by 90% by 2030.

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

nation+world news

Gay US ambassador marches in first-ever Bosnia Pride parade Michael K. Lavers of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association The openly gay U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina is among the thousands of people who took part in the country’s first-ever Pride parade Sept. 8. “The Pride March is fundamentally about equal human rights for everyone,” reads a statement the embassy issued alongside embassies from several European countries, the European Union and the U.N. “Everyone in BiH—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity—is entitled to all the same rights and freedoms. However, the fact remains that vulnerable groups are still suffering. It is everyone’s responsibility to support those who are marginalized and face discrimination and injustice.” Emina Bosnjak, executive director of the Sarajevo Open Centre,

which organized the parade, told the Washington Blade that 3,000 people marched. Bosnjak said they included members of “the LGBTI community, parents and families of LGBTI (people), our allies and supporters.” Media reports indicate more than 1,000 police officers were stationed along the parade route in anticipation of any potential violence or protests. The parade took place without incident. “Yesterday’s Pride March was just like I dreamed and knew it would be, and it still made my heart burst with joy,” Bosnjak told the Blade. “It was a crucial event for all the lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a community, we feel like there is now more freedom and a lot more support, although we still have much work ahead of us to reach full equality and acceptance in our society.” Mona Eltahawy, an Egyptian-born feminist and author who lives in New York, was among those who also participated in the parade.

Tanya Domi, a professor at Columbia University who also participated in the parade, described it as an “unqualified success.” “People were longing to hold a Pride and today Bosnia and the Western Balkans region showered love and their approval of LGBTI Bosnians,” Domi told the Washington Blade. The parade took place nearly 23 years after the end of the former Yugoslav republic’s civil war that left upwards of 100,000 people dead between 1992-1995. Nelson’s participation also coincides with continued criticism of the Trump administration’s LGBTI rights record in the U.S. A nondiscrimination law that includes sexual orientation and gender identity took effect in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2016, but anti-LGBTI discrimination and attitudes persist in the country. “The Pride March also gave hope to many of our citizens that BiH can be live up to its image of a vibrant, diverse and tolerant country, and that makes me proud,” Bosnjak said.

birth when both parents are U.S. citizens and one of them has resided in the U.S. at any point prior to the baby’s birth.” Immigration Equality, Lambda Legal and the law firm Morgan Lewis, which represent the Kivitis, noted the State Dept. is treating the couple’s daughter as “born out of wedlock” because only Adiel Kiviti has a biological connection to her. “The focus here is our little girl whose rights are being infringed upon by our government,” said the Kivitis in the press release that announced the lawsuit. “Every parent wants to protect their child, to give them assurances of tomorrow, and this policy isn’t letting us do that.” “Our daughter will know her story,” they added. “She will know how she came into this world, she will know about all of the loving people who helped us become a

family, and she will know how her parents fought for her rights and for the rights of other families.” “The State Dept.’s policy of requiring a ‘biological’ relationship between a child and both of his or her married parents misclassifies children born to married same-sex couples as ‘born out of wedlock,’” reads the Kivitis’ lawsuit. “This policy categorically excludes the children of same-sex couples from the marital presumption embodied in Section 301. The State Dept. thus disregards the parents’ valid marriages, ignores the legal and parental rights of non-biological parents, demeans the relationship between the child and his or her non-biological parent and destabilizes families.” “It also disenfranchises U.S. citizen children of birthright citizenship,” adds the lawsuit.

Gay married couple in Md. sues after daughter denied US citizenship Michael K. Lavers of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

A Maryland married couple filed a federal lawsuit against the State Dept. Sept. 12 over its refusal to recognize their daughter’s U.S. citizenship. Roee Kiviti and Adiel Kiviti of Chevy Chase married in California in 2013. Their daughter was born via surrogate in Canada in February. “K.R.K. was born in 2019 in Calgary, Canada, during Roee and Adiel’s marriage,” reads the lawsuit. “Both Adiel and Roee were U.S. citizens at the time of K.R.K.’s birth.” The lawsuit notes Section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act says, “a baby born abroad to married parents is a U.S. citizen at

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in other news Cyprus AG says Bishop’s ANTILGBTQ REMARKS not hate speech Cyprus’ attorney general found no indication that a senior Orthodox Christian cleric broke the law by making widely-condemned remarks about homosexuality. The bishop triggered condemnation by Cyprus’ government, politicians and rights groups after saying in a June lecture that homosexuality could be passed on to unborn children if a pregnant woman had anal sex—a claim with no scientific basis. The AG said the full context of his remarks did not incite hatred or violence or constitute hate speech. While the Church of Cyprus has issued no comment, individual bishops voiced disapproval.

Dartmouth lets students select chosen names New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College has become the latest university to allow students to easily change their name or gender identity in directories, on identification cards and across the Ivy League campus. Transgender and non-binary students have been able to request IDs and directory listings that reflect their preferred names for more than a decade, but the new policy announced Sept. 11 allows them to log on to the college’s information system and make changes. Chosen names also will be allowed to appear on transcripts and diplomas.

Canada’s first Chick-fil-A opening draws protests Protesters crowded a Toronto sidewalk Sept. 9 to voice their opposition to the opening of the first franchised Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada over the chain owner’s record on LGBTQ issues. The protesters said the company has funded anti-LGBTQ initiatives while CEO Dan Cathy has voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage. “The fact that Chick-fil-A’s opening up on the streets of Toronto’s really problematic for us, given that we know the company promotes hate. It’s just unacceptable,” said Justin Khan, director of public interest and legal issues at The 519, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Wilson Yang, operator of the Chick-fil-A in Toronto, said that everyone is welcome.

New York City looks to repeal ‘conversion therapy’ ban

Corey Johnson, the openly gay Speaker of the New York City Council, introduced a bill Sept. 12 to repeal a law that prohibits mental health professionals from performing the discredited practice of conversion therapy on adults and minors. He introduced the repeal in what he called “a painful decision,” noting that he remains convinced the practice of attempting change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is harmful and ineffective based on assessments by virtually all of the nation’s mainstream mental health advocacy organizations. He said a lawsuit filed in January of this year challenging the constitutionality of the law could result in court rulings harmful to the effort to ban conversion therapy, including a possible negative ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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viewpoint

Divine Grace

S weet

Divinity The Cost of Paying Attention

ello, Dolls!

Every day. Every. Single. Day. Every day and each morning brings with it some sort of fresh new Hell. Every sunrise is greeted by the orange Goblin King and some dementialaden tweet from the First Toilet at five o’ clock in the morning. Who’s the Emperor mad at today? Bette Midler? Maybe it’s John Legend. Perhaps he’s pulling a classic from the stacks and “crooked Hillary” will reprise her role as the Disney Witch trying to demolish the castle he’s building out of a deck of cards. Nine hours later, he’s had a team of specialists cram his comb-over into a cotton candy machine and whip it into that famous citrine yellow confection that the other world leaders are openly laughing at. Fabrizio has caked on a thick layer of tangerine foundation, while paying special attention to keep the caution orange grease paint away from the eyes so that our Commander-in-Chief looks like a sepia negative of a transvestite raccoon in a weird hat. He puts on a red necktie long enough to be cut with a gigantic pair of scissors at the grand opening of a grocery store. Then he calls his wife over at wherever she ended up spending the night and asks her to send his love to their son--no, the other one--NO! The OTHER one--and hangs up faster than you can say “Tiffany.” After a Big Mac behind the Resolute Desk, the clock strikes noon and it’s time to crack those tiny little knuckles and get to work. (Putin’s already upset he didn’t get a goodnight call, and long distance relationships only work for our King if they involve porn actresses, abortions and hush money.) Holding the television remote with both hands. FOX News is switched on, and the debriefing begins. Uh-oh! What is this? Something scandalous? Did somebody say, “Pelosi”? Because if they repeat it twice more,

she might be conjured up like Beetlejuice. It’s time to reach into the top hat from Lincoln’s bedroom and pick some random distraction to tide America over until dinnertime. Well, until UberEats delivers. He has Tammy with the big rack send over an edible bouquet to Kim Jung Un with something precious scribbled on the card, and it’s time to call it a day. Lather, rinse and repeat. I have spent the last two months in a new relationship. What that means is that, for the first time since Methuselah’s bar mitzvah, I have been too distracted by sex with a twenty-something to even turn on the news. I have barely even peeked at a newspaper. Why? Because aside from rediscovering muscles that have been forgotten since the late 1900’s, I am HAPPY! And the surest way to crap that up and throw a booger into the works nowadays is to pay attention to the news. For 966 days, each one of them has brought with it some new avalanche of bullshit. I don’t have to tell you that. If I had a dime for every person that’s told me they can no longer even stomach turning on the news, I’d have more money than the paltry sum those tax returns are hiding in shame. This aversion to the news cycle is no accident. This constant barrage of petty, infantile, ludicrous garbage is carefully crafted to wear us down. This is what is known as “media fatigue.” Make no mistake about it: The architects of this weariness know precisely what they are doing. As long as they can chip away at our patience, focus and common sense, the less attention we will pay to the surreptitious goings-on behind the curtain. America, by and large, just doesn’t care. They just want to be left alone with their Loco Doritos Tacos and internet porn. (Which,

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incidentally, is also now considered “presidential.”) After two years of bickering and fighting with each other leading up to the 2016 election, a shell-shocked America got really upset. Then they got really tired. Americans don’t care that our president thinks solar

nation is as dangerous as an un-diapered baby sitting on a wedding gown. I know that everybody is worn out. I get that the Sturm und Drang of the news cycle has us so beaten up that we look like we married Ike Turner, but now is not the time to turn away.

go back to more legitimate sources. I urge you to at least consider BBC World, PBS Newshour, whatever. Just something with headlines and details. Give us the facts! Then we can make up our own damned minds about how we FEEL about it. We cannot afford not

energy can only power a house during daylight hours or that he’s that guy that looks directly into an eclipse. They care about that $69,000 hospital bill that is ruining their chances of owning a home or putting a child through college. I’m just kidding. Nobody’s kids will be going to college. DeVos will see to that. Why? Because an educated

I repeat: NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TURN AWAY! Personally, I can’t cope with any of the television news outlets anymore. All I ever wanted was the news. I don’t need a Hannity or a Cooper to tell me what I’m supposed to think. I don’t need Don Lemon’s glossy sassy mouth wagging verbal fingers at panelist. I just want the news. So I have to

to pay attention. If this all eventually blows over, we can take a well-deserved rest, but for the next year, please stay alert. Pay attention, look around, AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY! Amen, The Divine Grace

I know that everybody is worn out. I get that the Sturm und Drang of the news cycle has us so beaten up that we look like we married Ike Turner, but now is not the time to turn away.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

viewpoint

Jason Leclerc

The other side

of life Working out Libertarianism

f you ever want to

understand why Libertarianism, the political belief that weak government and strong markets best allocate resources and protect rights, doesn’t work in practice, spend an hour at a semi-public gym with Tim Tebow.

Here you’ll witness a cross section of citizens—most, far more ordinary than Tim Tebow—who expect equality. Here you’ll see members who, regardless of ideology or religion or income, represent diverse gym-communities: meatheads, moms, wandering first-timers, lean-queens, college kids and earnest elderlies. Many members follow the rules of etiquette, enforcing social norms that Libertarianism depends upon. There are those, though, who practice something far more selfish and, sometimes, frustratingly devoid of situational awareness. When we opt into semi-public gym membership, we pay dues to cover the overhead of running the business: the greeters at the front desk who check IDs and keep the non-members out, the maintenance staff who keep the machines clean and in working condition, the professionals who lead the popular Rumba and Spin classes, the mid-managers who ensure that the club runs efficiently with a reasonable return to stakeholders. In general, our pay-to-play—or workout—privileges are enforced by a portion of our dues that support our collected requirements of unity, justice, defense, welfare and the liberty to reach for personal betterment: physical perfection, one rep at a time. There are those on whom the etiquettes of working out in a semi-public space are lost. Even the seemingly pettiest breakdowns—what economists call negative externalities—of that set of rules create ripples that undermine the common good. A bag in the workout space, even if you’re Tim Tebow, for instance, impinges on others’ abilities to access space or machines that are not being used except for the storage of those bags. Failure to re-rack weights causes trip hazards as well as frustration for those who know where to look for the particular

weights that they need; they’re available but unusable. Bench-hoggers prevent others who should be able to work-in from meeting their own fitness goals. Sweaty, stinking members who fail to wipe down machines after use endanger the health as well as the comfort of others who workout behind them. Breakers of these rules grossly undervalue the negative externalities of their selfishness and overvalue their own personal liberties. Where selfishness prevails over self-regulated good citizenship, those whose actions conform to etiquettes are relatively harmed. Either the rule-followers give up to their own selfish proclivities—a sure devolution to anarchy— or the gym must actively enforce explicit rules. Dues go up for everybody. What is, in a semi-public space, lost on etiquette, becomes a grand metaphor for the failures in our fully public space. Etiquettes are generally unwritten; they are dependent upon a shared understanding that they will be passed along. Some of us learned these rules in high school physical education classes; such classes are no longer curricular requisites. Some of us learned these rules from trainers that advised us as we were making our way through boot-camps or one-on-one instructions; such classes may not be everybody’s path into individualized, self-guided training. Some of us learned these rules through tribalism and lore; such interactions, when not guided by official knowledge-passers, may lead to bad-acting even as best-intentions prevail. Libertarianism is based upon the premise, in the absence of explicit and enforceable legislative action, that everybody knows and respects the unwritten rules. Libertarianism requires that our insular participation in the free market provides rational inputs and reasonable outputs. Our visit to the gym reminds us that the enforcement of etiquettes sometimes require

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the rules to be written and, ultimately, enforced. Our visit to the gym reminds us that the tranquility of human interaction needn’t be tranquil, but should be, at least, fair. And then, there are those few for whom there is knowledge and, arrogantly, a sense that such rules apply to everybody else. Despite all the reasons to love Tim Tebow outside of this metaphor, his disruption of the gym

common opportunity, explicit rules for their protection of the common good must sometimes be enumerated and enforced. Justice demands, in the face of Libertarianism, that we enforce rules that may not otherwise be respected—or even known. If the rules are unknown, it is a breakdown of our responsibility to educate. If the rules are known, it is a breakdown of

Heisman winners, follow the same rules, written and unwritten, within the broader Politick, or we don’t. Else we find ourselves within the same striated social order that Libertarianism argues against; else we find ourselves crying out for more explicit legislation to protect our liberties against those forces whose own selfish tendencies would undermine them. My favorite university

ecosystem highlights that, just like Thomas Jefferson’s slave-run plantation, Libertarianism breaks down in the face of social and economic hierarchies. Where a free market doesn’t protect the ideals of common defense, cause and

our responsibility to respect our neighbors. If the rules are known and we respect our neighbors, it is a breakdown of our responsibility to respect the market in which we bring our resources to fairly trade. For Libertarianism to work, either we all, including

History professor argued that the most strident anti-communists are former communists. Apparently, this maxim applies to former fat-kids and former libertarians. How Tim Tebow fans work-in remains up for discussion.

My South Tampa gym recently enacted a rule against bringing tote bags into the workout area. On the first day that the rule was in place, we were visited by a celebrity—frankly, a personal hero—who broke that rule.

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

51.2%

talking points I want to live my dream of playing the game I’ve worked my whole life to play, and being open about the person I’ve always been. ... Those two objectives shouldn’t be in conflict. —NFL free agent Ryan Russell about coming out as bisexual to ESPN

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Brazil court overrules Rio mayor on ban of gay kiss in ‘Avengers’ comic

Brazilian Supreme Court justice blocked efforts by Rio de Janeiro’s conservative mayor to have a book fair remove a comic showing two men kissing. Mayor Marcelo Crivella had ordered the removal the comic “Avengers: The Children’s Crusade” that included the kiss, saying he was acting to protect children against “sexual content.” That set off a legal battle as federal Attorney General Raquel Dodge challenged the move by Crivella, a former evangelical pastor. She said allowing the mayor to remove books goes against freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas. A lower court sided with Crivella. But chief justice Jose Dias Toffoli ruled in favor of Dodge Sept. 8, blocking the mayor from removing any books. Crivella’s office said he will appeal to the full court.

discrimination and

violence in the past year reported attempting suicide in that year.

97.7%

had seriously thought about suicide.

—U.S. Transgender Survey, conducted by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law

‘Riverdale’ to receive award from GLSEN

he cast and creators of “Riverdale” will receive an award from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) for the show’s portrayal of LGBTQ relationships in a high school setting. GLSEN announced Sept. 9 that “Riverdale” will be honored with its Gamechanger Award. The group cited the show’s “groundbreaking storytelling about LGBTQ relationships” as why it was chosen to receive the honor. The CW series is a modern take on the “Archie” comics characters. Its stars include KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse and Madelaine Petsch. The GLSEN Respect Awards will be bestowed at a gala in Beverly Hills, California, on Oct. 25, and will also honor Octavia Spencer.

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Lil Nas X releases new video for ‘Panini’

il Nas X released the video for his single “Panini” on YouTube Sept. 5. It was viewed 37 million times in its first five days. In the video, X plays with the idea that he is everywhere now, poking fun at himself and fame. X’s first single “Old Town Road” spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, catapulting him to mainstream popularity. X came out as gay in June, making the point that artists should be able to come out at any time— even when at the top of the charts. “Panini” and “Old Town Road” can be found on X’s debut EP, “7.”

‘Grace and Frankie’ to end with season 7

etflix original comedy series “Grace and Frankie” is coming to an end with the release of its seventh season. The show, starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, follows two rivals who become unlikely friends after their husbands fall in love with each over and decide they want to get married. It touches on themes like female friendships and the meaning of “family” as the titular characters learn how to make sense of their lives again after this change. First airing in 2015, “Grace and Frankie” will end as Netflix’s longest running show with 94 episodes. The sixth season will premiere in January 2020. No release date for the seventh season has been set yet.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Ryan Williams-Jent

olice officers and protesters far

outnumbered patrons during the inaugural Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF) in 1990. It was the result of animus and interest surrounding one of the earliest publicized LGBTQ gatherings in downtown Tampa. While details surrounding TIGLFF’s founding are scarce, early accounts advise leaders from the Tampa Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, Bay Area Human Rights Coalition and Tampa Bay Business Guild formed the festival for two purposes.

The first was to extend the city’s Pride celebration in October by three days; the second was to serve as a fundraising tool for the LGBTQ community, particularly for organizations serving those living with HIV/AIDS.

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Crescendo, the Tampa Bay Women’s Chorus, joined the efforts to support the festival in 1992. Its founding artistic director Sunny Hall has been involved with TIGLFF ever since, currently serving as the board’s secretary. “It is remarkable that after all this time and with all of the challenges, TIGLFF is still around and thriving,” she says. “In the early years, protesters from the KKK and the American Family Association stood on the street with bullhorns as patrons entered the historic Tampa Theatre. There were times when there were more protesters outside than patrons inside.” Ed Lally, who now serves as TIGLFF’s co-president, was one of the festival’s

first filmgoers. “Thirty years ago people were still closeted, and I remember my husband being concerned,” he recalls. “It was a big deal that they showed films on Franklin Street at the Tampa Theatre. There was a lot of press about it and a lot of protesting. I remember my husband being worried someone from his work might see him.” The experience cemented TIGLFF’s bond with the Tampa Theatre and relationships were soon cultivated with Tampa Bay at large. Or as Hall sees it, “LGBT people were afraid. Yet, TIGLFF stayed and the crowds grew.” Continued on pg. 25

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Features Friday, Oct. 4

OPENING FILM: “SELL BY” (2019) 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 94 Min. Adam and his boyfriend Marklin love each other but are considering marriage just because “it’s time.” “BIT” (2019) 10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 90 Min. A transgender girl falls in love with four queer feminist vampires.

Saturday, Oct.5 “QUEERING THE SCRIPT” (2019) 11 a.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 90 Min. A fun look at the subculture of LGBTQ fandom. “TRICK” (1999) 11:30 a.m. | Tampa Theatre | 89 Min. Aspiring songwriter Gabriel and go-go dancer Mark undergo a quest through the streets of New York. “ZEN IN THE ICE RIFT” (2018) 1 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 87 Min. Zen is a walking cube of ice. Then she meets Vanessa. “UNSETTLED: SEEKING REFUGE IN AMERICA” (2019) 1:45 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 81 Min.

launch party love: TIGLFF Director of Programming KJ Mohr and Co-President Ed Lally direct the festival’s 30th anniversary

Four LGBTQ refugees flee homophobic violence to California.

launch party at the Rialto Theatre Sept. 12. Photo by ryan williams-jent

| 30 and Thriving from pg.23

30 YEARS LATER TIGLFF will be held Oct. 4-12, but its 30th year began in late 2018 when it announced that Lally and fellow co-president Mariruth Kennedy would lead the festival through the milestone. Kennedy had previously served on the board for eight years, including four as president. After Lally’s early patronage, he served for two years as vice president and created TIGLFF’s largest fundraiser; its annual launch party which he continues to chair, most recently on Sept. 12. Tampa’s progressive changes over the decades will be particularly evident Oct. 4, Lally shares excitedly. That’s when the city’s 59th and first openly LGBTQ Mayor Jane Castor will open this year’s festival at the Tampa Theatre. “It’s one of the most exciting things about this year,” he says. “She’s opened it a few times as police chief but this takes it to a whole new level.” “As a city that prides itself on its inclusiveness, the City of Tampa is proud of the association we have had with this festival through the past three decades, and commend the many sponsors for their continued support,” Castor said in

a statement. “Since its founding in 1990, the film festival is known as an event that entertains, empowers and enlightens its audience and it has become one of the largest gay and lesbian film festivals in the United States and one of Tampa’s premier cultural events. “We are proud of Tampa’s reputation as a city with a wealth of cultural richness and diversity,” Castor concluded, “and we are honored to host this popular festival in the Tampa Bay area that provides an opportunity to showcase how our region is enriched by those who call our community home.” While the festivities begin at TIGLFF’s historic home in Tampa, they continue in its 30th year at a second venue in St. Petersburg: Metro Inclusive Health’s state-of-the-art health and community center. “We are very excited about this connection,” Kennedy says. “Metro is such a force in the community, it is great to bring some of our audience to them and introduce the festival to some of their folks.” Longtime festival supporter and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will open and close films in the city, something he touts as an honor. “This 30th year of TIGLFF is a very special one for us here in the Sunshine City,” he shared in a statement.

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“THIS IS NOT BERLIN” (2019) 3 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 105 Min.

“Our city has emerged as a city of the arts and welcoming the film festival here is a welcome privilege,” Kriseman continued. “You join an esteemed group of cultural organizations that excel in presenting the visual and performing arts, and we are proud to welcome the addition of TIGLFF to our inclusive community.”

A coming of age story about Carlos, an outsider who likes unpopular music and building robotic sculptures. “SAME BUT DIFFERENT: NEW ZEALAND LOVE STORY” (2019) 6 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 95 Min. Rachel is funny and ready to “get back out there.” Filmmaker Nikki is creative and oblivious to Rachel’s attempts to meet her. “THE SHINY SHRIMPS” (2019) 8 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 103 Min.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM

A joyful film about a flamboyant amateur water polo team on its way to the Gay Games. “LAST FERRY” (2019) 10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 86 Min.

“Our programming reflects our audience, honed to specific tastes and communities locally and internationally, reflecting our diversity and interests,” Hall says. “Through the latest narrative, documentary and experimental work, our programming goal is to provide a welcoming, celebratory environment for attendees to see cutting edge queer films for the first time with an audience of our peers and allies.” Planning for each year’s lineup, which has been overseen by TIGLFF Director of Programming KJ Mohr since 2011, begins as soon as the previous year’s program is locked in place. Mohr programs for festivals across the country, working year-round with distributors and filmmakers to Continued on pg. 27 |

A young lawyer looking for love on Fire Island is drugged, mugged and witnesses a murder.

Sunday, Oct. 6 “A BIGGER SPLASH” (1974) 11:45 a.m. | Tampa Theatre | 105 Min. Artist David Hockney’s paintings of men are instantly recognizable. This documentary explores his relationship with a man who was once his lover. “BILLIE AND EMMA” (2018) 1:45 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 104 Min. Billie and Emma are sent to a Catholic high school for very different reasons. Together they explore friendships, sexual awakenings and the promise of a whole life. “SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF A PLAY” (2019) 3:45 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 88 Min. Del Shores opens the secret vault of his memory and shares six characters whom we have not met but certainly know. |

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Continued on pg. 27 |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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| 30 and Thriving from pg.25

bored and aimless, they consider marriage just because ‘it’s time.’” The movie stars vets like Scott Evans from “Grace and Frankie,” Patricia Clarkson from “Sharp Objects” and Kate Walsh from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “13 Reasons Why.” Their characters navigate “the precarious journey toward middle age” and their “flailing attempts at finding themselves.” The film screens Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and cast members are scheduled to appear. It will be preceded by an opening reception kick-off party beginning at 6 p.m. in front of the Tampa Theatre. TIGLFF will offer drinks for donation, complimentary appetizers and DJ Hurai Knight will provide music. “It’s perfect for kicking off

more than anything it’s just a really well-crafted film. That’s what makes it the centerpiece.” TIGLFF’s Documentary Centerpiece “Seahorse” is “cinematically fantastic,” Mohr says. The film screens Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre. “This highly personal and intimate film tackles universal themes,” filmmakers explain. “Its account of a pregnancy will be familiar to anyone who has navigated the path to parenthood, but this timeless journey is made entirely fresh by seeing it through the perspective of a transgender man.” The film was shot over a three-year period and is described as an uplifting story of the birth of a much-wanted baby, depicting

cultivate the best films by and for the LGBTQ community. Along with TIGLFF’s screening committee, she says each feature or short chosen for the festival is reviewed at least four times. “This year our call for entries opened in March, then the committee gets going in April,” Mohr explains. “The train really moves fast from April to October, but it’s year-round.” “KJ has done a great job all year and now for the festival has brought us the best slate of films available,” Kennedy says. “We have terrific movies, some great panels and lots of talent and filmmakers attending. I’m just especially excited to be a part of bringing these great stories to our area, and giving voice to the filmmakers.” “She’s one of the best programmers in the country,” Lally adds. “People want to see films about themselves and about people that support them. I think this will be a banner year for us.” This year’s festival will showcase 97 films from 25 different countries. It will also screen five collections of short films, present live performances, host discussions with filmmakers and more. It’s a diverse lineup of entertainment representing a - TIGLFF Secretary Sunny Hall diverse community. “the most challenging, emotional TIGLFF and getting in the mood,” “TIGLFF has always been a safe moments of Freddy’s journey” to Mohr says, turning toward other haven and a place of comfort, give birth as a transgender father. festival focal points. where you can breathe a sigh of It challenges his understanding TIGLFF’s Narrative Centerpiece, relief and be with your community,” of masculinity, gender “Straight Up,” was released in 2019 Mohr says. “More than ever, it’s a and parenthood. and screens at the Tampa Theatre celebratory experience where we “It’s outstanding,” Mohr Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. While it’s another can just enjoy our time together summarizes. “Audiences need entertaining romantic comedy, without feeling angst, concern and to see this.” it has a twist—it’s “a love story anxiety about coming out. “Song Lang” rounds out the without the thrill of copulation.” “First and foremost, this is a festival as the International “Hyper-articulate, obsessive community event,” she continues. Centerpiece, premiering Oct. 10 at compulsive gay twenty-something “Audiences want to be entertained 8:30 p.m. at Metro Inclusive Health. Todd wants to try being straight,” and they want to come together The Vietnamese film, a rarity its synopsis explains. “Not because to talk about it afterwards.” in itself, is a visually stunning he thinks being gay is bad. He just That begins with opening award winner. thinks he is bad at being gay.” night and continues with the The film introduces filmgoers He soon connects with an festival’s centerpieces. to “a hunky, brooding, and aspiring actress “who hates hardened debt collector and meeting people” and the two forge CENTER SCREEN martial arts practitioner who a relationship “that’s all talk and To find the perfect opening night no sex.” It’s described as “equal threatens to set fire to a pile film, Mohr says she looks for crowd of traditional opera costumes parts Classical Hollywood and pleasing films that represent for an upcoming performance.” distinctly 21st century, exploring TIGLFF’s audience as a whole. “Sell After one of the actors steps in just how elastic our definitions of By,” released this year and marking to stop him, audiences undergo love and sexuality can get.” the directorial debut of Mike Doyle, a “non-traditional meeting [that] TIGLFF will welcome director was a clear standout. ignites a slow burn between the and actor James Sweeney to The ensemble film introduces two men, set against a lush and discuss his film, his directorial audiences to Adam and his gritty 1980s Vietnam.” debut. “The fact that he wrote it insta-gay boyfriend Marklin, who and stars it in just blows my mind have been together for five years. because it’s so well done,” Mohr “They love each other,” the synopsis says. “It’s relatable and funny, but Continued on pg. 29 | | reads, but “their relationship is so

“TIGLFF is still around because of the hundreds of people through the years that stepped up, stepped out and held on tight to the notion that LGBT stories matter. Those stories deserve to be told.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

| 30 and Thriving: Features from pg.25

“ADAM” (2019) 6 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 95 Min. Adam assumes a new gender identity to stay in the good graces of his summer crush after being mistaken for a trans guy. “GOOD KISSER” (2019) 8 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 75 Min. Jenna agrees to a weekend fling with girlfriend Kate and the worldly Mia. She’s bitten off more than she can chew.

Monday, Oct. 7 “TONGUES UNTIED” (1989) 5:00 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 55 Min. Marlon Riggs details his experiences coming to terms with the stigma that Black gay men face. “MORE BEAUTIFUL FOR HAVING BEEN BROKEN” (2019) 6:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 111 Min. Devoted FBI Agent “Max” De Ridder forms a bond with a young boy with special needs and his mother. “FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO” (2018) 6:45 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 93 Min. A journey that sheds light on religion in America. “JOSE” (2018) 8:45 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 86 Min. Jose spends his time having random sex until rethinking his life. “PARADISE HILLS” (2019) 9:15 p.m | Tampa Theatre | 95 Min. Uma wakes up in a boarding school for wayward young women, whose families pay for their daughters to emerge perfect.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 “VISION PORTRAITS” (2019) 5:15 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 79 Min. Queer filmmaker Rodney Evans chronicles his loss of vision. “BEING IMPOSSIBLE” (2018) 6:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 97 Min. Ariel discovers her body for the first time. NARRATIVE CENTERPIECE: “STRAIGHT UP” (2019) 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 95 Min. Todd wants to try being straight. Not because he thinks being gay is bad; he just thinks he is bad at being gay. . “THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET” (2019) 9 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 108 Min. Lola is an overachiever in a cutthroat corporate environment.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 DOCUMENTARY CENTERPIECE: “SEAHORSE” (2019) 5 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 89 Min. A transgender man named Freddy decides to start his family by becoming pregnant. “KATTUMARAM” (2018) 6:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 73 Min. Anandhi rejects each suitor and lives her life in quiet resolution to her circumstances. Until she falls in love.

Continued on pg. 29 |

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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| 30 and Thriving: Features from pg.27

“CIRCUS OF BOOKS” (2019) 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 90 Min. Karen and Barry were just looking for a way to support their young family when they became distributors for Hustler. “CLEMENTINE” (2019) 8:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 93 Min. Karen becomes entangled with the younger Lana after breaking into her ex’s lake house on a bender of passion. “BENJAMIN” (2018) 9:15 p.m. | Tampa Theatre |85 Min. Benjamin is a young filmmaker in London; boyishly handsome, awkwardly brilliant and full of self-doubt.

Thursday, Oct. 10 “CHANGING THE GAME” (2019) 5:15 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 88 Min. For young transgender athletes, the sport they love often turns into a minefield of controversy. “AN ALMOST ORDINARY SUMMER” (2019) 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 100 Min. When two grandfathers from different backgrounds fall in love, telling their families is the last hurdle before their wedding. “KNIVES AND SKIN” (2019) 9:15 p.m.| Tampa Theatre | 111 Min. Carolyn, Joanna, Laurel, and Charlotte are your average teenagers, until Carolyn disappears. INTERNATIONAL CENTERPIECE: “SONG LANG” (2018) 8:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 102 Min.

TRICK AT TWENTY:

John Paul Pitoc (L) and Christian Campbell share a moment in 1999’s “Trick.” Director Jim Fall will present a 35mm, 20th anniversary screening of the iconic LGBTQ film at this year’s festival, something he calls thrilling. Photo courtesy tiglff

| 30 and Thriving from pg.27

“I wasn’t expecting anything when I walked into it,” Mohr says, “but it blew my mind. Not only is it beautiful but it’s a technically excellent film. It’s one of my favorites this year.” Mohr notes that while audiences will be introduced to new favorites like “Song Lang,” they’ll also be given the opportunity to enjoy old favorites in honor of TIGLFF’s 30th.

FILMS OF FESTIVALS PAST

Mohr included three features designated as retro screenings for this year’s lineup. “Since it’s our anniversary, we wanted to screen films that were TIGLFF favorites from over the years,” she explains. The first is “Trick,” the romantic comedy directed by Jim Fall first released in 1999. Starring Christian Campbell, Coco Peru and Tori Spelling, the LGBTQ “romp full of sexual obstructions, mishaps

and friendships” will be displayed on 35mm film—a treat in today’s digital age—in honor of its 20th anniversary. Fall will also attend the screening, held Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Tampa Theatre. “If someone had told me 20 years ago that today there would be this wonderful parade of screenings across the country of my film, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Fall says. “We loved the movie, and the movie was like such a labor of love for everybody involved. It’s thrilling to make a movie and have people remember it and remember it fondly.” The director adds that he hopes to spend as much time at TIGLFF as possible, participating in discussions and meeting with fans. “One of the biggest joys of going to film festivals is hearing from people who saw the movie 20 years ago,” he says. “I’ve heard so many wonderful stories of people who said ‘Trick’ was one of the first gay movies, if not the first gay movie, that they ever saw. I never get tired of hearing those stories.” Fall will likely discuss “Trick 2” with fans, announced last year,

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

A brooding debt collector threatens to set fire to a pile of traditional opera costumes until an actor steps in.

which he confirmed to Watermark is still in the works. “I wrote the script,” he says. “The whole cast is coming back and we’re all really excited about it.” TIGLFF will also screen two of his short films in an effort to show “what directors are working on and where careers go over the span of decades,” Mohr says. “‘Trick’ was one of the great seminal festival favorites. We really wanted to bring it in.” “A Bigger Splash” is the festival’s next retro screening, held Oct. 6 at 11:45 at the Tampa Theatre. The 1973 film by Jack Hazan documented David Hockney, still fruitful at 81, a great American artist who was also gay. It chronicles his evolving relationship with a young man who was once his lover and remained his muse. 1989’s “Tongues Untied” will follow at the same venue Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. The documentary details filmmaker Marlon Riggs’ experiences as a gay, African Continued on pg.31 |

Friday, Oct. 11 “YOU DON’T NOMI” (2019) 5:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 91 Min. When does a critically “bad” film become a cult film? SUZANNE WESTENHOFER: LIVE! 8 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 90 Min. Suzanne never does the same show twice. “END OF THE CENTURY” (2019) 10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 84 Min. Are two men merely beautiful strangers in a foreign city, or are they part of each other’s histories and maybe even destinies?

Saturday, Oct. 12 “A DOG BARKING AT THE MOON” (2019) 1:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 108 Min. Xiaoyu returns to China with her husband to visit her parents after her father’s coming out. “AND THEN WE DANCED” (2019) 3:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 113 Min. Merab aspires to make the National Ballet and he feels confident, until Irakli shows up. CLOSING NIGHT FILM: “GAY CHORUS DEEP SOUTH” 8 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 98 Min.

After the 2016 election, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus set out to bring their message of hope and resiliency to the south.

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Shorts Saturday, Oct. 5 SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT: DRAMA IN YOUR SHORTS 4 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 108 Total Min. A collection celebrating queer people of diverse backgrounds. “LAVENDER” | A young gay man begins an unconventional relationship. “DEVI: GODDESS” | Tara risks social boundaries as she pursues her maid. “ALL WE ARE” | A confession threatens to pull two men apart. “SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT” | The difficulty of expressing intimacy. “XIAO XIAN” | Xiao Xian cannot imagine her upcoming night. “A BROKEN APPOINTMENT” | The unraveling of a relationship. “TREACLE” | Belle and Jessie go road-tripping through California. “HANK” | Hank and husband Tommy struggle to save their 15-year marriage.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 UNIVERSAL DRAMA 8 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 101 Total Min. A collection celebrating queer people around the world. “DARIO” | Dario wants nothing more to dance at Carnival with his troupe. “MY WORLD IN YOURS” | Shams left her girlfriend Hanine back in Palestine. “PARKING” | Two men having sex in the backseat of a car are robbed. “TOMORROW ISLAND” | A Soviet operator attempts to save her lover. “SWEETHEART DANCERS” | A couple rewrites Native American culture. “INFINITE WHILE IT LASTS” | Asexual Danny is hesitant about a relationship.

Thursday, Oct. 10

AT THE CENTER: TIGLFF Director of Programming KJ Mohr worked year-round to program this year’s 30th annual festival, which

HISTORY LESSONS

includes centerpieces (Top-Bottom R) “Sell By,” “Gay Chorus Deep South” and “Seahorse.” Photos COURTESY TIGLFF

community of diverse backgrounds and experiences. | | 30 and Thriving “Universal Drama” follows Oct. from pg.29 8 at 8:30 p.m. at Metro Inclusive Health. The collection of six American man coming to terms short films celebrates members with his sexual identity while of the LGBTQ community from highlighting his losses during the around the world. AIDS crisis. The aforementioned “History “These are films in formats Lessons” follows at the people won’t get a chance to St. Petersburg venue Oct. 10 at see anywhere else, at least not 6:30 p.m., showcasing six short anytime soon,” Mohr says. “These films celebrating LGBTQ history are important milestones in our community’s history over the years.” from Stonewall to the present day. Highlights include “Happy Birthday, In honoring TIGLFF’s Marsha,” imagining the iconic anniversary, Mohr also sought to activist Marsha P. Johnson’s life in mark another milestone in LGBTQ the hours before 1969’s Stonewall history. To commemorate 50 years Riots and “The Gay Rub,” which since the Stonewall riots, she features University of South Florida utilized a series of short films—one (USF) graduate Steven Reigns and of five collections highlighted in Professor David K. Johnson. this year’s film lineup. “Tickle in Your Shorts” will be screened Oct. 12 at 5:45 p.m. in SALUTE YOUR Tampa, lightening up the mood with SHORTS eleven quirky short films including “The Handyman.” Filmmaker JC “Something to Cry About: Calciano, a TIGLFF favorite director Drama in Your Shorts” is the first known for “10 Year Plan, Is It Just collection of shorts screening Me?” and “E-Cupid,” is thrilled to at TIGLFF this year. On Oct. 5 be included. at 4 p.m. at the Tampa Theatre, “TIGLFF is the embodiment of filmgoers can enjoy the collection what my films represent,” Calciano of eight dramatic short films that shares. “The festival is about celebrate members of the LGBTQ

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

6:30 p.m. | Metro Inclusive Health | 107 Total Min.

bringing the community together, sharing stories, representing the value of loving yourself and each other. I think that’s why my films and I have always felt so welcome at this festival.” “We have more shorts programs than usual because there was just so much great material in our submissions,” Mohr says. “It’s very strong work.” She points to TIGLFF: Next Scene as a prime example.

FILMS FOR THE FUTURE

TIGLFF: Next Scene is a new initiative for the festival, a free collection of shorts screening Oct. 12 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Tampa Theatre. The program aims to bring TIGLFF into the future, marrying the next chapter of LGBTQ filmmakers and filmgoers and steering them into the next decade. “The festival is going to be all about young adults going forward,” Lally says. “They need to come in and make it what the wan it to be— Continued on pg. 33 |

A collection celebrating queer people from pre-Stonewall to the present day. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARSHA” | Marsha Johnson pre-Stonewall Riots. “INVISIBLE WOMEN” | Manchester, England’s LGBTQ history. “THE GAY RUB” | USF’s Steven Reigns chronicles historical LGBTQ markers. “RAINBOW VOICES” | New Zealand’s LGBTQ community celebrates. “HAVE WE MET BEFORE?” | The history gay sex from the 70s to present day. “THE MAKING OF A MONUMENT” | New York City’s Stonewall Inn’s history.

Saturday, Oct. 12 TIGLFF: NEXT SCENE 11 a.m. | Tampa Theatre | 96 Total Min.

A collection showcasing young LGBTQ creators from Tampa Bay and beyond. “LIME MAN” | Lime Man risks life and limb to make a special delivery. “TADPOLE” | Shy Chris anxiously prepares for his friend to spend the night. “POSITIVE YOUTUBERS” | YouTubers talk openly about their HIV status. “MONOSAURUS LEX” | Middle schooler Lex understands unique differences. “HIM, HER, THEM” | A commentary on the social construct of gender. “SECOND PUBERTY” | A black and white introspection about transitioning. “BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE” | Teenage celebrities change the course of their lives. “NO FEMS” | A frank and insightful look at the pressures to be masculine. “HEAD’S UP” | A contemporary look at HIV and practicing safe sex. “THE GAYBYSITTERS CLUB” | Kristi discovers her best friend is dating a BOY. “BIRTHDAY GIRL” | Brynn is surprised by her mother and friends. “QUEERLY BELOVED” | Exploring the spectrum of gender and sexual identity.

Continued on pg. 33 |

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8th Annual

Volusia Pride

Festival

Saturday Oct. 19 1-5pm

Old Fort Park • New Smyrna Beach

Face Painting

Rainbows, unicorns, whatver you want!

Drawings

A variety of gift certificates

Featuring DJ Joanie

Central Florida’s Favorite Spinmaster

Entertainment

Donation

For every dog or cat food item you bring for local pet rescues, we’ll give you a FREE drawing ticket for our Basket of Cheer!

Family Fun

The festival is produced by

PFLAG Volusia

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| 30 and Thriving from pg.31

many of us are ready to pass the torch and there’s a whole different perspective out there.” TIGLFF partnered with Tampa filmmaker Leo Fowler on the initiative, a local activist and animation student at USF. “One of our main focuses with this initiative is to get local young people involved with the festival at large but also in the movie making process,” he explains, “which can be inaccessible to a lot of people. Our workshops aim to educate others on the basics of filmmaking.” He believes it’s critical for young LGBTQ filmmakers to be able to create stories about themselves and others like them. “Representation is so important, especially to kids of marginalized groups,” Fowler explains. “It feels good to be able to have some impact on young creators.” “About half of the shorts are from young, local filmmakers and about half are submissions or films I’ve cultivated from elsewhere,” Mohr says of this year’s shorts screening. “This is where we go next with TIGLFF.”

30 YEARS STRONG

The 30th annual TIGLFF will close as it began: surrounded by song. “Gay Chorus Deep South,” 2019’s celebrated documentary chronicling the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ message of hope in response to the 2016 presidential election, rounds out this year’s programming at the Tampa Theatre Oct. 12 at 10 p.m. “Over 300 singers travelled from Mississippi to Tennessee, through the Carolinas, and over the bridge in Selma,” the film’s description details. “They performed in churches, community centers and concert halls in hopes of uniting us in a time of difference. The conversations and connections that emerge offer a glimpse of a less divided America, where the things that divide us—faith, politics, sexual identity—are set aside by the soaring power of music, humanity and a little drag.” The South Florida Gay Men’s Chorus Director Tim Seelig is scheduled to Skype with the audience after the film—and in honor of TIGLFF’s musical roots and founding, the Tampa Bay Gay Men’s Chorus will perform prior to the screening. “Women Making Music—25 Years of Crescendo:

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

The Tampa Bay women’s Chorus,” a short collection of clips and commentary, will also be presented. “Tampa used to have two thriving LGBT choruses, so we wanted to honor that tradition prior to the screening of ‘Gay Chorus Deep South,’” Hall says. “The men’s chorus will sing, but Crescendo is no more—so TIGLFF wanted something to reflect her presence and impact.” “It all speaks to the history of TIGLFF and starting the festival,” Mohr adds. “It’s an uplifting way to conclude as we think about where we’ve come over the last 30 years.” “TIGLFF is still around because of the hundreds of people through the years that stepped up, stepped out and held on tight to the notion that LGBT stories matter,” Hall asserts. “Those stories deserve to be told.” The 30th annual Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will be held Oct. 4-12, 2019. Single tickets begin at $15, with student prices beginning at $6. 4 Packs are available for $50, Crown Circle Passes begin at $150 and Simply Fabulous Passes begin at $600.

| 30 and Thriving: Shorts from pg.31

Saturday, Oct. 12 TICKLE IN YOUR SHORTS 5:45 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | 99 Total Min. A collection of quirky films to lighten your mood. “ENGAGED“ | The pressure to pop the question becomes too much for Darren. “I KNOW HER” | Pillow talk leads to some interesting revelations. “THE HANDYMAN” | A gay man’s fantasies become more than expected. “WHALE, HELLO THERE” | Anna and Beca can text and chat for hours. “STEPDADDY” | Wyatt and Patricia reconnect over sloppy spaghetti. “MORE THAN HE KNOWS” | A trip to Palm Springs unearths desires. “GAY BABY” | Deonte undergoes a quest to have a baby the natural way. “HOW TO FOLD A FITTED SHEET” | Bellamy’s having a bad day. “THE COMMON FAG” | The trials and tribulations of breaking out of our boxes. “GIRL’S WEEKEND” | An estranged lesbian reunites with her family. SWEATER | Corey’s new sweater and free coffee start to brighten his mood.

The Tampa Theatre is located at 711 N. Franklin St. in Tampa. Surrounding metered spaces are available for parking and are free after 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day on weekends. The William F. Poe Garage and 717 Parking nearby are also available for varying prices. Metro Inclusive Health is located at 3251 3rd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg and features free parking. All screenings and presentations are subject to change. For the most up to date information and to purchase your tickets, visit TIGLFF.com. 3251 3rd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.

For more information, visit TIGLFF.com.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Jeremy Williams

ayne Brady loves

Orlando. The City Beautiful is where he grew up, where he went to school and where he created and honed the skills that have made him one of Hollywood’s most versatile entertainers.

“While I wasn’t born there—I was born in Columbus, Georgia—in terms of my life, Orlando is the place that I claim. I always get a sense of pride whenever I see anyone come out of Orlando that’s done anything really great,” Brady says. “Growing up in Orlando in the late 70s through the 80s, I had an amazing time. I loved being from Tangelo Park. I loved going to Dr. Phillips High School. I had a great time at West Orange for the one year that I went there. Whenever I’ve gone back it still feels the same. It still smells the same to me.” Brady came up at a time when Orlando was turning out some of the world’s biggest entertainers: NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling and Mandy Moore to name a few. He also helped start the SAK Theater Comedy Lab, worked as a character at Disney and was a Ghostbuster at Universal. “Orlando gave me so many opportunities that if I would have just graduated high school and left to go to Los Angeles, I would have never had,” Brady says. “There really was a lot of art and theater and music coming out of the area and it was a great place for a performer to get started.” Continued on pg. 37

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

Winter Park Chamber is proud to host the

Grumpy’s Underground Lounge Presents:

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

good at hiding my dirt. Either one of those still have nothing to do with what you do onscreen. I feel that that is a very bad commentary—in the past I’ve called it “nice guy syndrome.” It’s hurt me in some ways and I work to make sure that my talent leads. I also figure if I don’t get something, or someone doesn’t think I’ll be interesting enough because I’m not snorting coke, then I don’t need to work for you.

| Wayne’s World from pg.35

Since leaving Central Florida, Brady has gone to appear on television in “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He’s also had celebrated runs on Broadway in “Chicago” and “Kinky Boots,” won six Emmy Awards, had his own talk show and is the current host of the game show “Let’s Make A Deal.” Brady is making his way back to Florida as he tours the country with what he calls “an improv rock concert.” Brady spoke with Watermark by phone ahead of his Florida shows.

You’ve played two really interesting and powerful gay characters. The first is Barney Stinson’s openly gay brother James on “How I Met Your Mother.” How did that role come to you?

All of those skills you learned here in Orlando were on full display in your first televised show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” That is the first chance audiences outside of Orlando got to see your talent. How did you get involved in “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

I first got involved when “Whose Line” came to Orlando, I think it was in 1992, and auditioned us from SAK. We were still a fairly new company and, while we were funny, I think we hadn’t worked up our muscles yet. We were good for being big fish in a small pond, so to speak. I’m not saying that Orlando is a small pond— especially now, it’s even bigger and better—but back then, when you’re pretty much the only game in town, you have nothing to gauge yourself against. It was after that when the original seven of us that started SAK went to L.A. We had a lot of talent in that group but we needed to be tested. So when we left and moved to L.A., that’s when we found out “Oh, we need to step our game up” and we really worked hard and grew. I got “Whose Line” when they came to L.A. and had an open call in 1997 or 98. We were invited by the show because by then we had morphed into a group called “The House Full of Honkeys” and we were selling out shows and were getting a reputation, so we all auditioned. At the time I knew in my heart that there was no way in hell that I was going to get cast. I loved doing the songs and I loved doing characters, but I was really focused on auditioning and when I went

His name was Lola: Central Florida native Wayne Brady performs on the New York stage as Lola in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical hit “Kinky Boots” in 2015. screenshot from YouTube, courtesy of Playbill to L.A. I was convinced that my big break would be either from a sitcom or a drama, or I would get a record deal. Those were the things that I was pursuing. I didn’t consider myself funny like the other guys were funny. I think they are some of the funniest guys I’ve ever known on the planet, the ones I came up with. So I knew that I wasn’t going to get the show. I went to the audition on my lunch break for Universal Studios Hollywood; I had managed to get a job there in the “Beetlejuice” show. I said, “Okay, I’ll just go to this audition and then go back and do the rest of my shows.” Well, as luck would have it, at the end of the day I was the guy that got the new slot. Out of hundreds of people that auditioned, I got that gig and it completely changed my life, but I would have never gotten it if it hadn’t been for everything that I learned in Orlando. You are a very versatile performer: You act, you

sing, you dance, you’ve done voice work, you host everything—talk shows, game shows. Is there one particular medium you enjoy above all the others?

You know what? I’ve gotten that question for 20 years and the answer’s always the same. It’s no. I think at different times, I enjoy different things. But if I didn’t do even one of those things that you just mentioned, we wouldn’t be having this call right now. I’m able to pull all that together into one package and then be funny on top of that. So I think if I had to rank it in order, I love music. I’m a musical soul at heart, which influences my comedy. So anything that I can do that involves music, whether it’s doing a Broadway musical, whether it’s doing a musical improv show like I’m doing when I come to Florida, those are the things that make me happy. I love doing scripted stuff as well. I love taking on other characters. So I think it really depends.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

You’re known in the entertainment world as being a really nice guy and having a really clean-cut image. You even poked fun at that image in an episode of “Chappelle’s Show” back in 2004. Has that image ever presented a challenge in trying to land a role?

Yes, actually. What’s funny is only in show business and in the perverse way that people can be because of human nature, can someone not being a dick be looked at as a negative when you’re auditioning for a role. I’m an actor, plain and simple. So who I am in my regular life has nothing to do with what I can do onscreen. When people say “Oh, you’re too nice,” just because you’ve never heard about me using drugs, getting into a fight with the cops or spitting on somebody doesn’t mean that I’m any better than anyone else. It either means that my mom raised me right—which my grandmother did raise me right—or it means that I’m very

I loved playing James. They called me, the creators of the show, and I will forever be thankful to them. They called and made an offer. They said, “We would love for you to play Barney’s gay brother” and I thought how amazing it would be to play Barney’s gay, black brother, and the coolest thing about that role was that it wasn’t played as a gag. He was a guy who in some ways was more of a “dude” than Barney was. He kept it real and happened to be in love with a man who was his husband. That’s what I thought was such a great space to present. I see way too many other portrayals where someone is mocked or a gay character that’s brought on as the butt of a joke and I didn’t want to be a part of that. That was actually my next question because you didn’t play him stereotypically flamboyant or over the top as so many gay characters have been played on TV. When you came in and read the script for the part, is that how the character was written or was that something that you consciously brought to the character yourself?

I think it’s both. They had a very grounded way of writing him and once I read it, I knew that I wanted him to be just a guy. At the end of the day, there are all these stereotypes of everyone: There are stereotypes for every race, there are stereotypes for every gender, and there are some people that, for good or for bad, live up to

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Continued on pg. 39 |

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

| Wayne’s World from pg.37

those stereotypes. Then there are people that just so happen to be black, they so happen to be gay. So I love the opportunity to just play the guy who happens to be black, who happens to be gay. It was one of the coolest things I think I’ve done on TV. Coming onto a show like that that has such a close-knit lead cast, was it difficult folding into the group at all or were they very open and accepting of people coming in and working in the group?

They were so open and I think especially coming on with a certain cache or status—you were coming into their world, but I was invited into their world because they knew that I could deliver—you were coming into a place of mutual respect. And on top of that, every one of those guys are super nice and just good people. You also played Lola in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, and Lola is another powerful LGBTQ character. Were you intimidated at all taking that role on?

I think the only intimidating part about it were the shoes. I remember after my first rehearsal once I got home, I woke up in the middle of the night and my feet were actually pulsing like it was a cartoon. I stopped myself for a second and thought, “I really don’t know if I’ll be able to do this show because of the shoes.” Then I kicked that thought right out of my head after ten seconds because there was no way in hell that I wasn’t going to do it. I love Lola so much, I love Lola/Simon. I learned so many things about myself and about life doing that role and I’m lucky enough that I got a chance to do it twice. I got a second crack at it and I feel that I was able to even perform it better and learn even more. The interesting thing about Lola—and this may be controversial for some people—when you talk about Lola being gay, the thing is if you read the script on the very first page—and I talked to Harvey [Fierstein, who wrote the book for “Kinky Boots”] about this—if you read the very first page in the character description, Lola is

I’ve never felt like more of a man than when I walked onstage [as Lola in “Kinky Boots”] in those heels … I felt very powerful and I loved that feeling. I loved that armor and I think that’s one of the lessons I took away [from being in that show]. — Wayne Brady heterosexual, and I thought that was amazing. To my knowledge, I think that everyone who’s done Lola has been gay, and that’s neither here nor there, but for me as an actor, that was an important piece. I felt that I could connect with Lola on a level maybe that some other guys couldn’t because I felt like Lola. I felt like Simon. I was that kid who maybe didn’t live up to my neighborhood’s or my family’s ideals of masculinity. Being raised in Tangelo Park, and I loved growing up there, but in that environment homophobic words were thrown around like it was air. So from the other kids in my neighborhood, that’s the first time that I ever heard the word “faggot” and it was said to me. A kid cornered me in the bathroom and said that I “walked like a faggot” and I didn’t know what that meant. I had to ask my mom, and even then at that age I remember thinking “What an ugly-ass word. What a horrible thing to throw at somebody.” So when I got a hold of the script and I knew that Simon put up with that from his own father and went to such great lengths to prove himself by becoming a boxer and then said “Screw this, I’m going to become a drag queen,” and he lives in that world and loves and takes on that persona, I knew that I was that guy. What were your biggest takeaways from playing Lola?

I think the second time I learned more technical things. I felt like I was a better technical performer in drag because by the time I had done it the first time for six months, I had

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

learned to dance in the heels and embody certain things. I knew a bunch of drag queens, even when I was a kid I used to hang out at the Parliament House, so I grew up watching a lot of amazing drag performers. I saw my first drag show there at the Parliament House. God bless his soul, Paul Wegman was a friend of mine. He directed me in a production of “Fences” and he was emceeing the night of my first drag show. Shangela [a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist] was my drag coach for opening night and is still a dear friend of mine. So I think the second time around, I was way more at ease. When I started the second run, I knew my body better, and I think in terms of knowing my body better, I was able to play the Lola mannerisms and persona even better. What I learned the first time around is, and it’s one of the coolest lessons I’ve ever learned in my life, that I’ve never felt like more of a man than when I walked onstage in those heels. I would come out in the blue outfit and those shoes and I felt so empowered, I felt beautiful. Some guys would go “You can’t feel beautiful. You’ve got to feel handsome.” No. I felt beautiful. I felt strong because I’m already 6 feet, but with those heels I was, like, 6 feet 4 inches. I felt very powerful and I loved that feeling. I loved that armor and I think that’s one of the lessons I took away. I was receiving so much love online and in the world and in the community for taking on the role of Lola, but I also received a lot of vitriol online. Like, some urban stations saying “You know I heard that Wayne Brady is

doing this drag character. I told you he was a sissy.” He’s this, he’s that. I got mail from people that watched “Let’s Make a Deal” saying that they would never watch me on “Whose Line” or “Let’s Make a Deal” or any sitcom that I did again because I was committing a sin. I would get letters from some black women saying “Damn, we lost another one.” The lesson that I learned from all that is I don’t care. I did not care at all what they thought. In fact, it was fuel. Every night that I went onstage I took that RuPaul quote to heart: “What you think of me is none of my business.”

I remember seeing an interview back in the 90s with Wesley Snipes when he did “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” and people were saying similar things about him for taking that role.

In some portions of the black community the homophobia is still very strong in the sense that there is an ideal of what a man is and what masculinity is. What is messed up about that to me, and I’ve spoken about this before, is that stereotype that some of us lay upon each other—like you need to be this big thugged-out cat to really be a man—that is the same stereotype that then people outside our community, like in show business, they have the idea of a hyper-masculine black bull or a stud or somebody who’s cool or somebody who’s down. If you don’t talk like that, if you don’t walk like that, then you’re not black. In our community, it’s not only you’re not black enough, but you’re not man enough. When Wesley did that I think it

was so brave of him. He was Mr. Hyper-masculine, martial arts, basketball playing dude. He was the closest thing we had to a big black action hero. So I love Wesley’s choice. In fact, Wesley Snipes is one of my idols. You are coming home to Central Florida this October. You’re such a versatile entertainer, there’s so many different things that we can expect from the show. So let me just ask you: What can we expect to see from you?

Well, I’m going to try to throw in a little bit of everything, but it’s an improvisational show for the most part. I call it an improv rock concert. I come out and start out with a freestyle, using words from the audience. Then from that point on, it’s whatever pops into my head. I always bring people from the audience up onstage, I interview people. I might even check your Instagram feed and put your picture up on the screen and do a character based on you. I allow the audience to write song titles that don’t exist. I take those song titles and we make songs that sound like real songs. I have my music director Cat Gray with me. Then I let the audience write their own questions. I ask them to write down questions that they want to ask me. Nothing is off limits. I promise to answer with complete honesty. I do that because I figure a conversation is the closest to improv that you get in real life. So my answer to you, it’ll either be just a straight answer or it might be a funny story or the funny story turns into a song or the story turns into a scene. So it’s a way for me to communicate with the audience while sharing things about me that maybe they didn’t know and also an opportunity for me to do funny storytelling. Wayne Brady performs at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando on Oct. 12 at 8 p.m., tickets start at $39.50 and are available at DrPhillipsCenter. org, and at The Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., tickets starts at $35 and are available at TheMahaffey.com.

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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community calendar

event planner arts+entertainment

Central Florida

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Pride Charity Golf Challenge

Bears Night Out, Sept. 20, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

Friday, Sept. 20, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dubsdread Golf Course, Orlando

The Color Run 5K, Sept. 21, Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee. 885-662-6567; TheColorRun.com ARMageddon - The Ultimate Arm Day, Sept. 21, Rock Hard Fitness, Orlando. 407-802-4631; RockHardFitnessOrlando.com Indecent Exposure, Sept. 21, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Ivy Les Vixens Birthday, Sept. 21, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Changing the Game, Sept. 22, Rollins College, Winter Park. 407-476-5327; QLatinx.org Bisexual Visibility Day Panel Discussion & Celebration, Sept. 23, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Intersectionality: Building a Framework for Social Change, Sept. 26, Orange County Library, Orlando. 407-476-5327; QLatinx.org Orlando Bisexual Alliance September Meeting, Sept. 26, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Dane Cook, Sept. 27, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Sip Tea Saturday’s Day Party, Sept. 28, Aero, Orlando. 321-245-7730; StonewallOrlando.com Alyssa Hunter, Sept. 28, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; AeroOrl.com

Ant MAn Singer Adam Ant brings his “Friend or Foe” tour to the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on Sept. 28 and Hard Rock Live in Orlando Sept. 29. Photo by Robin Parker, from Flickr

Hats & Heroes Ball: The Greatest Show, Sept. 28, Waldorf Astoria, Orlando. 407-597-5500; TalkOfTheTownRestaurants.com

Jennifer Webb Campaign Kickoff, Sept. 24, Historic Peninsula Inn, Gulfport. 727-346-9800; ElectJenniferWebb.com

Legends - A Night of Illusions, Sept. 28, Frescos, Lakeland. 863-683-5267; Facebook.com/ LegendsOfIllusions

Trevor Noah, Sept. 28, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com

LGBT Youth and Family Group, Sept. 25, Sanctuary Center, Tampa. 813-485-4198; TheSanctuaryCenter.com

Come Out and Laugh, Sept. 29, Hideaway Cafe, St. Petersburg. 727-644-7895; ComeOutStPete.org

Adam Ant, Sept. 29, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com/ Live/Locations/Orlando

TBAC’s Kick Up Your Heels Season 6, Sept. 27, Creative Loafing, Tampa. 813-739-4800; CLTampa.com

Tampa Pride Community Update Meeting, Oct. 1, Tampa Pride, Tampa. TampaPride.org

Taylor Dayne, Oct. 3-4, Epcot, Walt Disney World. 407-939-5277; DisneyWorld. Disney.go.com

Literary Roast of Ernest Hemingway, Sept. 27, The Studio@620, St. Petersburg. 727-895-6620; Studio620.org

Taste of Grand Central, Oct. 3, Grand Central District, St. Petersburg. 727-828-7006; ComeOutStPete.org

TAMPA BAY Tampa Climate Action Rally, Sept. 20, City Hall, Tampa. OurClimate.us Cabaret with Judy B. Goode, Sept. 21, Hollander Hotel Downtown, St. Petersburg. 727-873-7900; HollanderHotel.com Equality Florida Training St. Pete, Sept. 21, Allendale Church, St. Petersburg. 813-870-3735; EQFL.org

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Sept. 27, SubCentral At The Iberian Rooster, Saint Petersburg. 727-258-8753; IberianRooster.com Over The Rainbow, Sept. 28, Grand Central District, St. Petersburg. 727-828-7006; ComeOutStPete.org Adam Ant, Sept. 28, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com/ Bilheimer-Capitol-Theatre

SARASOTA HashTagLunchBag September Meet-Up, Sept. 21, Raffurty’s Bar and Grill, Sarasota. 941-260-5285; HashTagLunchBag.org Fabulous Independent Film Festival, Sept. 2729, Burns Court Cinema, Sarasota. 941-228-4872; FabulousIFF.com

Bowled Over Promotions is proud to present the first annual Pride Charity Golf Challenge. Come out swinging and support your favorite LGBTQ charities. Enjoy a morning of golf, games and raffles. Awards, lunch and drinks will follow at The Hammered Lamb. For more information, visit BowledOverPromotions.net.

Space Coast Pride 2019 Saturday, Sept. 28, 1-7 p.m. Eau Gallie Civic Center, Melbourne The Space Coast is celebrating its 13th annual Pride parade and festival in Melbourne’s historic Eau Gallie Arts District. The festival will feature live music, vendors, entertainment, food and beverages, a kid’s zone and much more. Festival starts at 1 p.m. and the parade kicks off at 2 p.m. This event is free to attend. For more information, visit SpaceCoastPride.org.

Tampa Bay 2nd Annual Florida LGBT Healthcare Conference Friday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m.-Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. St. Petersburg College Allstate Center, St. Petersburg The Florida LGBT Healthcare Conference will provide an overview of best practices for healthcare providers and law enforcement officers in how to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. The conference will feature focus sessions geared toward nursing, mental health and law enforcement, as well as panel discussions and networking opportunities. Attendance fee is $45 per person. Register at FloridaNurse.org.

A Tribute to Stonewall 50th Anniversary Concert Saturday, Sept. 28, 5-8 p.m. HCC Performing Arts Center Ybor Campus, Tampa The Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds and Tampa Bay Pride Band celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall with a tribute concert at the Ybor Campus of HCC in Tampa. General admission tickets are $10 each. Visit TampaBayPrideBand.com to purchase tickets and for more information.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

tampa bay out+about

LIZZO LOVE

ore than 7,000 of superstar Lizzo’s ever-expanding fanbase, which she affectionately refers to as her Lizzbians, filled the Yuengling Center Sept. 10 for the singer’s sold-out stop of her “Cuz I Love You Too” tour. Ari Lennox opened for the iconic LGBTQ ally, who subsequently performed 16 songs. Lizzo began with “Heaven Help Me,” making her way through “Boys,” “Like A Girl” and ending with her megahit “Juice.” “I never thought I would be able to do this, so I want you to look at me, and I want you to see that in yourself,” the performer shared with the crowd. “I want you to see somebody in yourself who can achieve the unachievable—and dream up the impossible and make the impossible possible. Be your own superstar in your story of self-love.” Watermark was on hand to help welcome Lizzo to town. You can view our photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

THE GRAND REVEAL epresentatives from Come Out St. Pete (COSP) gathereD at Metro’s LGBTQ Welcome

Center Sept. 17 to announce their first ever grand marshals for the organization’s upcoming parade. “The St. Pete LGBTQ community passionately shows an abundance of PRIDE year-round,” COSP organizers have shared. “They’ve expressed their desire to have a daytime parade during a cooler month on Central Avenue. This provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate National Coming OUT Day in October. We’re so grateful for our community’s support and sponsorship which makes it possible for us to do this for them.” The second annual procession is currently scheduled for Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. until noon during the third annual COSP. It will begin at 20th St. and head west on Central Ave, featuring a custom rainbow flag that will be unfurled along the route. Miss Come Out St. Pete Victoria Michaels is scheduled to kick off the festivities with attendees along with the celebration’s aforementioned grand marshals. Three grand marshals were chosen for the celebration: Cole Foust, Metro Inclusive Health’s LGBTQ Division Manager; Claire Elisan, CEO of the nonprofit Project No Labels and Chuck Henson, longtime Spectrum News 9 traffic expert and news anchor. Each grand marshal is intrinsically tied to their support of Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community. The parade will immediately be followed by the COSP street festival on Central Ave., held between 22nd St. and 31st St. Local small businesses and vendors will offer their goods and services amidst live entertainment and appearances by community advocates and allies. For more information or to register for the parade or festival, visit ComeOutStPete.org.

2 3

LEADING LAD:

Tomorrow’s Leader Today Elliott Darrow (R) and his girlfriend pick up Watermark in downtown St. Pete Sept. 6. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

BAR BROS: Mitchell

Demmons (L) and CJay Tauber man the bar at Quench Lounge Sept. 7. PHOTO BY WADE WILLIAMS-JENT

EQUALITY MINDED:

Equality Florida’s Wesley Davis (L) and Michael Womack (R) welcome potential first gentlemen Chasten Buttigieg to Metro Inclusive Health Sept. 10. PHOTO

COURTESY EQUALITY FLORIDA

BALLERS: (L-R)

Miranda Collette, Joyce Smiley, J.P. Pittit, Joyce Lockhart, Chris Kiss, Duane Cook and Lady V. plan the upcoming Elemental Ball at the VFW Sept. 12. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

30 STONG: (L-R) Justice

Gennari, Bob Sanders, Christie Hattersley, Rep. Adam Hattersley and Jarred Wilson kick off the 30h annual TIGLFF at their launch party at the Rialto Sept. 12.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

EPIC RUN: Balance

Tampa Bay and EPIC run for the cause at The Great Gay 5K on Pass-AGrille Beach Sept. 14. PHOTO COURTESY GREAT GAY 5K

BEACH BRUNCH:

Clayton Harrison (L) and birthday boy Justin James celebrate at Shepard’s Beach Resort Sept. 15. PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

SUNDAY FUNDAY:

Roosevelt Cevallos (L) and Robert Pellati enjoy The Patio Tampa Sept. 15. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

central florida out+about

Genie of Orlando

he hit Broadway musical “Disney’s Aladdin” is coming to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 22-Feb. 9, 2020. It was announced Sept. 13 that Orlando native and out performer Michael James Scott will be performing as the Genie during the musical’s run in Central Florida. Scott graduated from Dr. Phillips High School and has appeared in the Broadway productions of “The Book of Mormon,” “Something Rotten,” Hair,” “All Shook Up,” “The Pirate Queen,” “Elf,” “Mamma Mia” and “Tarzan,” as well as previously performed as the Genie in London’s West End and Australia, the latter of which won Scott a Helpmann Award— the Australian version of The Tony Award. “The pride, joy and fierce excitement of having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring this iconic role, in a show I’m so proud to be a part of, back to the city where it all started for me feels like the biggest Disney dream come true,” said Scott in a press release. “I’m the product of Orlando, a city that is a big supporter of the arts and gives young artists the tools and opportunities needed to pursue their dreams. So many people have helped me, and my family, make this dream a reality. I can’t believe I have the chance to come back home to show my beautiful city their return on investment!” Performer Korie Lee Blossey, the tour’s current Genie, will return to the role following Scott’s Orlando performances. Tickets for “Disney’s Aladdin” are available online at DrPhillipsCenter.org, by phone by calling 844-513-2014 or in person at Dr. Phillips Center’s box office.

onePULSE land purchase

he onePULSE Foundation took its next step toward creating the National Pulse Memorial & Museum with a $3.5 million purchase of nearly two acres of land near Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Scheduled to open in 2022, the museum will honor the 49 victims of the 2016 shooting as well as highlight hate crimes against the LGBTQ community and their impact on society. The 1.75-acre parcel of land purchased is located at 438 W. Kaley St. The onePULSE Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a memorial for the victims of the shooting and helping their loved ones heal after the tragedy. In October 2018, the onePULSE Foundation was awarded up to $10 million Tourism Development Tax funding by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for the design and construction costs for the museum. The land the onePULSE Foundation acquired is about one-third of a mile from Pulse. The foundation is currently working to acquire even more land near the nightclub for the memorial, which will be privately funded. For more information on the memorial development, visit OnePulseFoundation.org.

Dive Team: The District Dive crew shares a toast as they prepared for the bar’s soft open on Sept. 11 in Orlando’s Milk District. Photo

courtesy Colleen Lindsay

Birthday Story Hour: Gidget Galore (L) showed up to Jennifer Kunsch’s 50th birthday to read an original story during her party in Orlando Sept. 8.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

For The Kids: (L-R) Jordan Hunter, Stephanie Preston-Hughes, Heather Wilkie, Eric Rollings, Stephany Mahaffey and Brandon Wolf offer public comment on conversion therapy at the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting in Orlando Sept. 10.

Photo courtesy Stephanie Preston-Hughes

Birthday Queen: Ms. Darcel Stevens (Center) celebrates her birthday with Bryan Bevins-Spitler (L) and Jeff Bevins-Spitler and a beautiful cake by Maria Alicea at the Parliament House in Orlando Sept. 7. Photo courtesy Jeff Bevins-Spitler

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Take A Bow: Blue Star (Center) surrounded by VarieTEASE after a performance of Hammers & Lambs, the final show to play at The Venue in Orlando Sept. 12. Photo courtesy

Danielle Schmitz

Witnessing Love: (L-R) Mallory Garner-Wells, Michael Thomas Farmer, Boyd Lindsley, Joe Saunders, Brent Kelleher, Ida V. Eskamani and Hannah Willard attend the wedding of Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Jerick Mediavilla in San Juan, Puerto Rico Sept. 1. Photo courtesy

Carlos Guillermo Smith

Toast To You: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan (L) and owner Lane Blackwell celebrate the grand opening of MojoMan’s new location with a ribbon cutting in Orlando Sept. 7. Photo

courtesy Lane Blackwell

London Baby!: Newly engaged Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez (L) and Luis Lazaballet at the Buckingham Palace Gates in London Sept. 16. Photo courtesy Luis Lazaballet

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

announcements

wedding bells

Carlos Guillermo Smith and Jerick Mediavilla, from Orlando, Florida

Engagement Date:

Oct. 13, 2018

Wedding colors:

Navy blue and rose gold

Local Birthdays

Wedding Date:

Aug. 4, 2019 (Orl) Sept. 1, 2019 (PR)

Officiant:

Buddy Dyer (Orl) Nadine Smith (PR)

Venue:

The Venue (Orl) Hotel El Convento (PR)

Florist:

Lee James Floral Designs (Orl) Reies Inc. (PR)

Caterer:

John Michael Catering (Orl) Hotel El Convento (PR)

Photographer:

J.D. Casto Photography (Orl) Fotografia Moreno (PR)

Entertainment:

Orlando Gay Chorus, Natalia Taylor Adonis (Orl) Xtreme Sound, Sak Entertainment (PR)

Congratulations

Jon Jusino was named Bradley’s on 7th general manager Sept. 2. City of Orlando’s Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez and Luis Lazaballet were engaged in Brazil Sept. 2. MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing held its Colonial Plaza grand opening Sept. 7. GaYbor District Coalition celebrates 12 years in Tampa’s historic Ybor City in Sept. 2019 Cruisers Lounge in Cape Coral celebrates their second anniversary in Sept. 2019.

“W

hen we met and we

first started flirting, in my mind I couldn’t accept that someone so sweet, so kind, and so handsome would actually take an interest in me that had NOTHING to do with politics,” says Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

Carlos met Jerick Mediavilla at The Venue in Orlando during an event supporting the Latinx community impacted by the Pulse shooting in 2016. Carlos was attending to support Proyecto Somos Orlando as an elected official. Jerick had been encouraged to attend by a friend as a way to meet new people. Jerick moved to the U.S. in November 2016. “I didn’t know anyone at the event, only my friend Rafael and that’s it. I was sitting by myself in a corner next to the restrooms, when my attention got caught in the energy that is Carlos Guillermo Smith,” explained Jerick. It was exactly two years after they met at The Venue that they said “I do” in the very same location on Aug. 4. “My favorite moment was to hold Carlos’ hand throughout the

event. We were always holding hands,” says Jerick. “I also loved the amount of people that attended the event—which was close to 200—and of course, the finale of the event, when Natalia Taylor Adonis performed.” As outspoken defenders of the LGBTQ community, it was important for the couple to highlight the community. From the location to the photographer, nearly all of the vendors for their Orlando wedding were LGBTQ-owned businesses. Carlos and Jerick walked down the aisle to an enchanting performance of Cindy Lauper’s “True Colors” by the Orlando Gay Chorus. The commitment to highlight the LGBTQ community came as no surprise, especially as thousands of people watched the

couple’s engagement at Come Out With Pride. Continuing their wedding celebrations, Carlos and Jerick had a second, more intimate wedding in Puerto Rico on Sept. 1. “I loved seeing our two worlds come together,” Jerick says. “Family from Mexico, Montreal, Vancouver, Puerto Rico and different cities in the U.S. ... That was unforgettable to me.” Equality Florida executive director and friend, Nadine Smith officiated the wedding in the beautiful Hotel El Convento. The couple danced their first dance to a hit from the Material Girl herself. “Our first dance as a married couple was to the 80’s hit ‘Crazy For You’ by none other than Madonna. That is OUR song,” says Carlos. As the happy couple looks to the future, it’s clear they’re ready to live their happily ever after. “I see myself beside my husband, supporting him on his professional endeavors,” says Jerick. “I feel that life has prepared me to be the partner, friend and support system he needs. I see him looking at me the same way every day, every time.” —Marianella Falbo

St. Pete comedian Jeff Klein, Flight of Ideas’ Bob Kodzis (Sept. 19); Disney manager of corporate alliances Jason Dobbins, Cosplay captain Leif Thomas, Dr. David Rice at Eola Eyes, “DJ Trypsin” Gabe Medina (Sept. 20); JLL general manager Thearon Scurlock, Hogwarts student Heather Murphy, Walt Disney Port Orleans Resort lobby concierge Gerry D. Evans, The Meadows Country Club’s John Pozo-George, Animal advocate Ziggy Shockley, Orlando Gay Chorus creative director James Rode, Orlando artist and comedian Angela Ramos, Tampa socialite Neil Parker (Sept. 21); Orlando sister “Isadora Knocking” Morris Beverly, Lead Pastor of The Edge Community Church Ricc Rollins (Sept. 22); Balance Orlando owner Lu Mueller-Kaul, Tampa Bay chef Darlene Herrick, former Watermark art director Charlie Carballo, JLD Communications’ public relations director Jose Luis Dippa (Sept. 23);Tampa Bay fashion designer Ivanka Ska, Former President at Florida Theatrical Association Ron Legler, Quench twin Nick Caraccia, Orlando photographer Angie Folks, Casa Bella manager Mark Celaya-Renaud (Sept. 24); Southern Nights’ Christopher Bishop, Orlando chef Nathan Shifflett, The Dashing Man Brian Smith, Project Manager at Disney Kevin Thornton, Enigma bartender R.J. Walker (Sept. 25); Orlando performer Eddie Cooper, Orlando performer Janine Klein, Keep Orlando Beautiful coordinator Jody Goostree, graphic artist Jarrod Pope, Watermark’s former director of digital media Jamie Hyman (Sept. 26); Accuracy Painting’s Kelly Bachman (Sept. 27); Tampa realtor Cody Limberger, Dardin Restaurants’ social media strategist Jeff Alexander Giordano, Dapper Duck owner Chuck Zell (Sept. 28); Tampa decorator extraordinaire Matthieu Stanoch, City of Orlando’s CFO Chris McCullion, Ybor City event planner Tony LaColla (Sept. 29); HIV/AIDS activist Rob Domenico, former Watermark contributor Aaron Alper (Sept. 30); St Pete Pride VP Nathan Bruemmer (Oct. 1); TriggerMouth Tee’s Luis Balaguer, Tampa Bay entertainer Darnell Bradley aka Crystal Reigns, Parliament House’s Niki Ames, Orlando drag queen Tora Himan (Oct. 2).

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

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

the last page Hometown:

Technically I was born in Hamilton, Virginia but was only born there prematurely! I consider myself to be from New London, Connecticut. I moved here in 1985, the son of a military family.

Identifies as: Gay

Out Year: 1992

David Dorman Real estate B r o k e r / P r ofess i onal S i nge r

Profession:

Real Estate Broker / Professional Singer

Professional role model:

Barry Miller

Title of your autobiography:

“What did I miss?”

Hobbies:

Cooking gourmet meals for friends, travel, movies, music, my pets, theater

The Last Page is dedicated to individuals who are making a positive impact on the LGBTQ community. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about the movers and shakers of your community. Recommend People to: Central Florida Bureau Chief Jeremy Williams at: Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Bureau Chief Ryan Williams-Jent at: Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

Photo by Jake Stevens

What do you do professionally?

I am a managing Broker/ Owner of CENTURY 21 Professional Group, Inc. on the border of Windermere, Ocoee, Winter Garden and Gotha. I manage 50+ agents and am also the top producing agent for the brand in our area. I am ranked around No. 35 of all C21 agents in the United States. I also sing with a few professional corporate bands that perform locally as well as abroad. It’s my stress relief! How do you champion for your local LGBTQ community?

What is your favorite local LGBTQ event?

Come out with Pride!

What is your favorite thing about the local LGBTQ community?

I love how diverse we are and am extremely proud of the level of talent and skill that our community leaders show. I sometimes feel guilty that I am not as involved as some others, but I do what I can with the time I have.

What would you like to see improved in the LGBTQ community?

I have in the past and present performed and created fundraising performances for organizations such as St. Francis House, Hope & Help and The LGBT+ Center in Orlando. I love to do any type of fundraiser that involves collaborating with other performers and businesses. What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?

I am amazed at the youth we have in our community, but sometimes I think they take things for granted that their predecessors have done. I’d like to see more collaboration between the generations. On a personal note, I’d like to get more involved than I have in recent years!

I tend to go for the cover story but I also like the photos shot locally.

I have been married more than six years and have been

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

What would you like our readers to know about you?

with my now husband, Scott Penyak, for 16 years. We met online (dial up!) and have been together ever since. I take what do seriously, but also like to make things fun and I never take any of my successes for granted. I love to work and help people. I try to be approachable to everyone and love calling Orlando home! What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to not over think things and to trust my instincts more. We often times can be our worst enemy when we let fear of failure hold us back. Describe how you felt when you heard you were among those named NAGLREP’s top LGBTQ real estate agents in the U.S. this year?

I was surprised and honored! I am probably the last person to look at my numbers in real estate. It freaks me out to be honest. I am a person who simply dives into a job and doesn’t think about the payback on it. I am a firm believer that if you do the right thing and treat people properly, the rest falls into place, so when I was

informed of the ranking I was shocked but I did do a little happy dance on the inside. I am not one (that I know of) to brag about successes and I tend to down play them. That being said, it’s great to be recognized by my peers and I don’t take it for granted. You are well known in the community for being a performer as well. Where will people be able to see you perform next?

Funny you should ask. I rarely perform where the public can see me as the band is a professional corporate band that plays events that are very private; however, I am happy to say that on Oct. 16, at my office, we will be presenting our 6th annual “Acoustic Sunset” which is a fundraiser for Easter Seals Florida. My band, “Acoustic Joe” will be there from 5-9 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to join us as we once again challenge ourselves to raise 21K for the cause. We usually beat it every year but are always happy to see new faces!

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

September 19 - Oc tob er 2, 2019 // Issue 26 .19 wat e r m a r konline .com

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