Watermark Issue 27.01: New Year Focus by Watermark Publishing Group

Orlando Prideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris get married

Missing persons case in Lakeland offers $10K reward

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departments 7 // Bureau Chief’s Desk

page

9 // Central Florida News 12 // Tampa Bay News 14 // State News

People underestimate weight loss and water … Just by drinking a good amount of water, close to a gallon a day, your body will lose a significant amount of weight just by being hydrated. –Rock Hard Fitness Personal Trainer Jacklyn Tippett

15 // Nation & World News 21 // Talking Points 41 // Community Calendar 43 // Tampa Bay Out + About 45 // Central Fl Out + About 46 // Tampa Bay Marketplace 48 // Central Fl Marketplace 53 // Wedding Bells/ Announcements 54 // The Last Page

On the cover

page Girls Scout:

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NEW YEAR FOCUS: Central Florida, Tampa Bay trainers share tips for a healthy 2020.

Photo by Dylan Todd. Design by Dibenedetto/Wiedemann.

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Kristin Chenoweth’s new album and tour pays tribute to fellow LGBTQ icons.

Watermark Issue 27.01 // Jan 9 - Jan 22, 2020

Love Goals

Seeking Closure

the Boy who Lived

The Last Page

page Orlando Pride’s Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris wed.

page $10K offered in Lakeland missing persons case.

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

John Michael’s “Order of the Penix” bewitches Orlando.

Get to know Central Florida attorney Jessica Thomas.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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JAN 31-FEB 2, 2020

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Sheree L. Greer, Keynote and Workshop Leader.

23 Authors from Around the Country! ◊ Wine & Cheese Meet and Greet ◊ Readings ◊ Book Signings ◊ Saturday Lunch ◊ Panel Discussion ◊ and much, much more! Writing workshop, “You are the Protagonist.” Suggested donation, just $25.

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Nia & Ness Featured entertainment. Sat. Feb 1st, 8 PM. Catherine Hickman Theater, Gulfport. Tickets at Beach Bazaar, Gulfport or: niaandness.bpt.me

central florida

bureau chief’s

Jeremy Williams cfl bureau chief

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

’m finding it very difficult to

write this issue’s Central Florida Bureau Chief’s Desk. I’m having trouble putting words together which, for anyone who knows me, is not something I normally have trouble with. They might not be the smartest words, or even the correct words many times, but lack of words is usually not a problem. As this is my first column of the most futuristic sounding year since 2000, I had planned to write all about my goals for 2020. To borrow the frequently mocked “Karen mantra,” it was going to be one of those “New Year, New Me” columns. I planned to climb into my comfy chair, legs tucked under my bum, wrapped in an infinity scarf and holding my latte close to my chest to talk about how 2020 is going to be a year of optimism and rebirth, but as I prepared to do this social media alerts started to ping on my phone about how we were about to enter into World War 3. Groovy. After seeing things like #WWIII, #TrumpsWar and #NoWarWithIran trending on Twitter, I looked

up what happened and read the following statement from the Pentagon: “At the direction of the president, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.” The Pentagon goes on to say Soleimani was actively planning an attack on Americans in the region, and concludes that statement with: “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and

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

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

our interests wherever they are around the world.” Not arguing the validity of the attack, I do have one phrase that came to mind as I read what happened: Wag the Dog. “Wag the Dog” is a 1997 film starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro about a U.S. president who starts a war to distract the country from a political scandal. The title comes from the expression “the tail wagging the dog.” If you haven’t seen the film you really should watch it because I’m pretty certain Trump has it marked on his Amazon Prime favorites list. Less than a week in and it appears that 2020 will be the time when Trump does whatever he can to distract from his growing list of scandals, lies and impeachment to include but not limited to raging war, blaming immigrants and poor people, locking up children and defending racists. I’ve never been one to believe in any Zodiac symbolism but I do think it is pretty telling that January 2020 in the Chinese Zodiac is the year of the pig rolling over into the year of the rat. I don’t know where we will be as a community, country or planet when this publishes. News these days changes so quickly so it may be revealed that the attack — as stated by the Pentagon — was warranted or we may be — as stated by Twitter — engulfed in the largest global war since the 1940s. If the latter is the case, I thank you for taking time away from your post at the Gatling gun to read my lil ole column. While I cannot see the future, and would probably be locked up in my house laying in the fetal position if I could, all I can offer up in the way of 2020 predictions is recommend some movies to watch as we gird our loins. Along with the aforementioned “Wag the Dog,” you should also check out 2018’s “Vice,” a great film about former VP Dick Cheney and how he was a key player in getting

the U.S. into war with Iraq under false pretenses. I would also recommend the 1976 classic “All the President’s Men.” Another film starring Hoffman, this time alongside Robert Redford, on the reporting of Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and how their reporting helped to bring down the Nixon presidency. You should also watch the 1996 sci-fi comedy “Mars Attacks!,” starring Jack Nicholson as a completely inept, vain U.S. president. My final recommendation is the 2011 film “What’s My Number?” It doesn’t have anything to do with

All I can offer up in the way of 2020 predictions is recommend some movies to watch as we gird our loins.

politics or corruption, but it stars the always delightful Anna Farris and Captain America himself, Chris Evans. It was a criminally underrated romantic comedy that always makes me smile in the end and always makes me blush when Evans answers his door in nothing but a kitchen towel. Swoon! In case there is a light at the end of the Trump train tunnel, and we make it to the end of 2020 sane and in one piece, in this issue we speak to fitness professionals and nutrition experts on how to stay focused on your 2020 health goals. In this issue, we also chat with entertainer Kristin Chenoweth as she heads to Sarasota for a concert and interactive performance artist John Michael as he prepares for a pair of shows in Orlando.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

contributors Miguel Fuller is the out and proud co-host of the Miguel & Holly show on HOT 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything! Page 17

maia Monet is a photographer at Southern Nights in Orlando and a singer with the band Mad Transit. Page 19

Gregg Shapiro

is a freelance journalist and entertainment reporter whose work appears frequently in Watermark. Page 31

Tiffany Razzano is an

editor at Tampa Bay Newspapers. She is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit. Page 53

Sabrina Ambra, Nathan Bruemmer, Scottie Campbell, Miguel Fuller, Divine Grace, Holly Kapherr Alejos, Jason Leclerc, Melody Maia Monet, Jerick Mediavilla, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Michael wanzie

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

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway, Vanessa Maresca-Cruz CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

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Ryan Williams-Jent TB bureau chief Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

n “Star Trek: First Contact,” the

finest film in the popular franchise’s more than 50-year history, the eternal Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard beams into theaters to lead the U.S.S. Enterprise into battle against the sci-fi staple’s deadliest threat. No, not reboots – the Borg. The Borg are chilling, cybernetic aliens linked to a hive mind known as “The Collective.” They forcibly transform individuals into zombie-like drones through the process of assimilation, linking their victims to a collective consciousness and erasing all traces of their individuality in the process. The many become one. At the direction of their leader, they target anyone who looks or thinks differently than they do, seeking to add their distinctiveness to their own. It’s not unlike some members of the modern Republican Party, just with less covfefe and more cybernetics. Think “Make Assimilation Great Again.”

If you’re not a fan of or you’re not familiar with “Star Trek” and very little of the above makes sense, it’s possible you would have made fun of me in elementary school. Or middle school. Or maybe you are now. Nevertheless, I have been – and always shall be – a fan. I’ve been a proud “Trekkie” since my father introduced me to the series, a longtime favorite of his, at a very young age. He’d grown up watching “Star Trek,” which would eventually become known as “The Original Series.” It offered fans weekly, futuristic fantasy and lessons in philosophy from 1966-69. In its three seasons and 79 episodes, it

celebrated diversity and inclusion with, among other things, television’s first interracial kiss. It did so just one year after the Supreme Court struck down state laws against interracial marriage, proving “Star Trek” was willing to boldly go where no series had gone before. That’s why it’s inspired 13 feature films and nearly 10 television shows to date, including “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” which I mirrored my father and grew up watching. I like to think that’s why he introduced me to the franchise, aside from wanting a fellow “Trekkie” to talk Spock with. I believe he wanted me to absorb its message of tolerance to help shape many of my formative years. It did. Of the multiple lessons the series taught me, two in particular stand out. First, that no matter how excited you are after attending your first “Star Trek” convention, no other fifth graders will think your “Beam Me Up, Scotty!” pin or extremely rare Deanna Troi figure are cool. Keep them in your bookbag. Second, and this is more useful as an adult in 2020, the bad guys ultimately don’t win. Not even the Borg, no matter how overwhelmed you become as they assert that your existence as you know it is over and that resistance is futile. Resistance isn’t futile, it’s essential. The future can still be a hopeful and inclusive place, with room for all people to have a seat at the table – whomever they love, however they identify, wherever they’re from and whatever they do or do not worship. 2020 certainly seems like the future to me, seeing as it’s already become a year in which an impeached president can threaten war via tweet and head to the golf course.

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

So after nearly four years of targeting anyone who looks or thinks differently than this administration does – erasing LGBTQ rights at every opportunity, stacking the courts with anti-LGBTQ judicial picks and advocating against us before the Supreme Court – it’s time to explore new frontiers. It’s time for equality-focused voters to trek to the polls in record numbers. It’s time to ensure that a second term is one place where no Trump has gone before. In this issue we focus on 2020 in another way, turning to health and wellness at the beginning of this new year. We speak with personal trainers, fitness coaches and nutritionists in Tampa Bay

Resistance isn’t futile, it’s essential.

and Central Florida who share their tips to help you live long and prosper, however you see fit. The two-year search for a missing Lakeland man continues in Tampa Bay news, as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement unveils details about its $10,000 reward. Anti-LGBTQ attorney and former Pinellas-Pasco judicial candidate Donald McBath is also suspended from practicing law – and in happier legal news in Central Florida, Orlando Pride players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris wed. We focus on music and magic in Arts and Entertainment. Pop-u-lar LGBTQ ally and Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth chats with us about her new album ahead of her Sarasota stop. “Harry Potter” fan John Michael also heads to Hogwarts for “John Michael and the Order of the Penix” in Orlando. Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue. Engage!

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

contributors Miguel Fuller is the out and proud co-host of the Miguel & Holly show on HOT 101.5 FM in Tampa Bay. He also hosts everything! Page 17

maia Monet is a photographer at Southern Nights in Orlando and a singer with the band Mad Transit. Page 19

Gregg Shapiro

is a freelance journalist and entertainment reporter whose work appears frequently in Watermark. Page 31

Tiffany Razzano is an

editor at Tampa Bay Newspapers. She is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit. Page 53

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

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central florida news

State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith admonished for holding husband’s hand at Vatican Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-49) and husband Jerick Mediavilla were told to stop holding hands while sightseeing at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Smith stated via a series of tweets from his Twitter account. “We meant no disrespect, but our experience must be shared,” Smith tweeted Dec. 30. “While visiting St. Peter’s Square, Jerick and I were pulled aside and warned by [Vatican officials] that we could be FINED or worse for holding hands and violating the penal code. I was shocked, but not surprised.” Smith and Mediavilla, who is a frequent contributor for Watermark, had been in Italy on their honeymoon. Smith did not specify who the Vatican official who approached them was but, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the individual was not a member of Vatican City’s law enforcement arm. “This was a powerful reminder that there are places in the world where LGBTQ people are punished simply for existing,” Smith tweeted. “Even in the US, life can be dangerous, esp. for black trans women who face increasing hate violence & whose average life expectancy is 30-35 in the Americas.” Smith said that he and Mediavilla were both raised Catholic. He advised while being raised in the religion they were both taught to be ashamed for being LGBTQ. “We are NOT ashamed— we are PROUD,” he tweeted. “But the painful reality of how organized religion continues to poison society’s attitudes against LGBTQ people is shameful and must change.” The church’s current spiritual leader, Pope Francis has gone back and forth when it comes to LGBTQ issues since being elected to the position of pope in 2013. Months after assuming the position, Francis made his now famous “who am I to judge?” remarks when asked about gay priests. He has also met with openly LGBTQ Catholics and civil rights leaders in the fight for equality. However, Francis has also been critical on gender identity and same-sex marriage issues. Many community leaders took to social media after hearing about the incident, including friend and fellow state House Rep. Anna V. Eskamani. “Love you both,” tweeted Eskamani, “thank you for sharing your experience and reminding us all how the fight for equality and acceptance is still ever present.” While the couple was admonished at the Vatican, Smith did take the opportunity to express gratitude to those in the faith-based community who have been fighting for LGBTQ rights. “Thanks to countless interfaith leaders and worshipers committed to equality, things ARE changing. We’re grateful for their unconditional love. Working alongside people of faith, who are both LGBTQ and allies, is how we can conquer hate together,” Smith tweeted.

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Newlyweds: Brides and soccer champs, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris. Photo courtesy

Love Goals Orlando Pride’s Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris get married Jeremy Williams

li Krieger and Ashlyn Harris, players of both the Orlando Pride and U.S. Women’s Soccer team, wed at a ceremony in Miami Dec. 28. Krieger, 35, and Harris, 34, exchanged vows at Miami’s Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, according to PEOPLE magazine. The couple walked down the aisle to a performance by singer Kina Grannis as family and friends – including soccer stars Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and basketball player Sue Bird – watched on. Harris took to twitter on her wedding day to post the message: “It’s time baby...I’ve been waiting 10 years for this moment.” Harris hashtagged the tweet #HomeHasAlwaysBeenWithYou with a link to an Instagram photo of the couple from photographer LuvRox Photography. Krieger retweeted Harris, writing “I can’t wait!!!” followed by two bride emojis with a heart emoji between them. Orlando Pride also retweeted Harris, adding “Congrats to Ash and Ali on getting married!”

Speaking to PEOPLE before the ceremony, the couple said they instantly knew Miami’s Vizcaya would be their wedding venue the moment they saw it. “It was this kind of Mediterranean castle-like vibe right on the water, this European-type vibe that we were going for,” Krieger said. “Right when we walked in we were like, ‘Oh my God. We love this and everyone else was going to love this and this is just … This is it.’” “I think the biggest thing for Ali and I,” Harris added, “was creating an environment where it was a very classic and clean and modern and just really sharp and almost in a magical way that’s kind of what our vision was from the very beginning.” Krieger and Harris married nine months after announcing their engagement to PEOPLE on March 13. In the interview, the couple stated they had been engaged since September 2018. Krieger and Harris first met in 2010 when they became teammates for the U.S. National Team. “We became really close friends, and we just hung out, we cliqued, and we had so much in common,” Harris told PEOPLE in March. “We

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

Harris’ Instagram

always sat next to each other on the bus and on flights, and we kind of just talked about our dreams and our hopes and what we wanted to do one day when we grew up. Because at the time, we were kids. The rest has kind of been history.” Before saying “I do,” Harris told PEOPLE that she is excited for the larger impact of their marriage. “This will be the first time in our relationship where all of our friends, all of our family are going to come together to be one and to celebrate us on a completely different level. I think so much of our support from our family and friends have been through soccer and this is just so much more meaningful, in my opinion, to be celebrated for love and acceptance and inclusion, that’s so major in the world we live in now.” The couple was a part of the historic U.S. Women’s Soccer Team that went on to win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team’s official Twitter account joined in on the celebration, tweeting “Can’t say it enough, we LOVE love ... December has been a big month for our people. Wishing you all the happiness in the world.” Krieger and Harris plan to honeymoon somewhere tropical after the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. “We’re going to plan to go on our dream honeymoon, which is hopefully going to be in the Maldives or Bora Bora on one of those little huts on the water. So that’s kind of what we envision,” Krieger said.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Worsening of Hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without ﬁrst talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains: } dofetilide } rifampin } any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you: } Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection. } Have any other health problems. } Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY. } Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: } Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. } BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

Get HIV support by downloading a free app at

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POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including: } Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section. } Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to ﬁght infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY. } Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY. } Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. } Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. } The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food. GET MORE INFORMATION } This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more. } Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5. } If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP PUSHING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: December 2018 © 2019 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0103 02/19

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

h, r

ut t

HAT’S es.

KEEP PUSHING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you. To learn more, visit BIKTARVY.com.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

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tampa bay news

Anti-LGBTQ attorney, ex-judicial candidate suspended Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | The Florida Bar announced Dec. 27 that anti-LGBTQ Wesley Chapel attorney and former Pinellas-Pasco judicial candidate Donald McBath has been suspended from practicing law. “The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 15 attorneys,” the organization shared. “As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system ... for the more than 107,000 members of The Florida Bar.” Among those disciplined was McBath, who lost his bid for the Pinellas-Pasco circuit judgeship Aug. 28, 2018. His race first generated headlines May 30 after the Tampa Bay Times exposed his social media posts condemning the LGBTQ and Muslim communities. “If the homosexual continues committing that sin of sodomy, his soul faces ETERNAL damnation,” McBath shared via Facebook. “Abstain, if you really have that mental illness. It’s not love.” He also shared via Twitter that Muslims are “deranged.” McBath subsequently confirmed the authenticity of the posts, reiterating to the outlet ahead of the nonpartisan race that “Jesus condemned sodomy!!!!” At the time, McBath did not respond to Watermark’s multiple requests for comment, though he did update his campaign website with a statement. “As a Christian, I love homosexuals too,” he wrote. “I just don’t like the sinful act of sodomy ... It doesn’t mean that two males or two females can’t be best friends.” He subsequently emphasized his homophobic views ahead of St Pete Pride 2018, publicly demeaning prominent Tampa Bay drag entertainers scheduled to perform at the popular event. He also voiced his opposition of the Democratic Party and strong support for Donald Trump. These and other anti-LGBTQ, political and xenophobic views shared publicly led to the Florida Supreme Court’s disciplinary measures. According to The Florida Bar’s formal complaint – as a judicial candidate, but still as a lawyer – McBath was subject to the rules regulating the organization. The document states that he violated The Florida Bar’s Creed of Professionalism and Oath of Admission. “McBath, as a judicial candidate, made written and oral statements concerning his political affiliations and his views of classes of parties and issues that were hate-filled, unprofessional and inappropriate,” The Florida Bar summarized. McBath was suspended for 91 days and fined $1,386 for court reporters’ and administrative fees. According to The Florida Bar’s release, the suspension’s length requires that attorneys “undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses, including proving rehabilitation.”

MISSING: Brian Klecha was last seen Dec. 27, 2017. A reward for $10,000 is now offered for information about his case. Photo via Facebook

Seeking Closure $10K reward offered in case of missing Lakeland man Ryan Williams-Jent

AKELAND, Fla. | Authorities, advocates and the family of Brian Klecha are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the closure of the Polk County man’s missing persons case. Klecha, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former Walt Disney World employee believed to be openly gay, was last seen on Dec. 27, 2017 at the age of 35. According to authorities, he was completing a banking transaction at a MidFlorida Credit Union in Auburndale. The Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began investigating Klecha’s disappearance due to the case’s multi-jurisdictional nature. He had ties to Hillsborough, Orange and Polk counties and agents believe he did not leave or go missing on his own. They further note he may have been the victim of domestic or drug abuse. “Brian was an amazingly kind person,” Klecha’s mother Kathy tells Watermark. “Brian worked at Disney as a bus driver and also worked as an Uber driver for extra money. Brian

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

liked to read science fiction and about airplanes.” He is further described by family members as a white male with short, blonde hair. They note he has green eyes, a deep cleft chin and stands six feet tall. His mother says Klecha moved to a shared Lakeland residence with multiple roommates Dec. 15, 2017, just 12 days before he was last seen at the credit union. She explains that he was withdrawing $200 from his bank account that he’d just received for Christmas. FDLE and the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center first sought the public’s help in locating Klecha in 2018. “In March, a third-party using Klecha’s car was involved in a traffic accident in the Tampa area,” FDLE released Aug. 16, 2018. “Police could not locate Klecha at the time and he has not had any contact with friends or family. There is concern for his well-being.” On Dec. 26, 2019, FDLE renewed their call for public assistance. “A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the Brian Edward Klecha missing

persons case,” FDLE released. “FDLE agents continue to search for the 35-year-old who was last seen on December 27, 2017. The reward is being offered by the family of Brian Klecha, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay and FDLE.” The department now advises Klecha’s vehicle was found abandoned on State Rd. 618 in Tampa on Feb. 11, 2018. Investigators believe it had been involved in a car accident a few days prior. “After two years, we continue to work leads in this case, but we need more information,” FDLE Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said. “Someone knows what happened to Brian or where he is now, and we won’t stop until we know.” Public assertions by social media accounts dedicated to locating her son and maintained by Klecha’s mother seemingly implicate his previous roommates in the disappearance. As the case is currently active, FDLE advised Watermark, authorities are unable to comment. “Brian has not been found and charges have not been filed,” Klecha’s mother says. She also adds that “Brian would not abandon his vehicle and he would call family if something was wrong.”

Anyone with information about Klecha’s disappearance is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 800-873-TIPS (8477). Tips can remain anonymous and can also be reported at CrimeStoppersTB.com.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

RESHAPING THE FACE OF HIV SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2020 THE RITZ CARLTON, SARASOTA GALA CHAIRS: SUSAN MALLOY JONES TERRY MCKEE JAMES AMATO

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

PHOTO BY DENNIS GOLONKA

WITH SPECIAL GUEST:

state news

Pride of the Americas focuses on international outreach ahead of first year Americas. They also volunteer with the host organizations, marshaling parades, setting up festival sites, checking in vendors and more. In 2019, the travels have focused ort Lauderdale, Fla. | The first Pride of the Americas on the Americas, with trips to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa in Greater Fort Lauderdale Rica, Curaçao and Suriname, in may be four months away, but addition to more than 20 U.S. efforts to attract visitors from Pride festivals. Alaska to Argentina and all points The Pride Fort Lauderdale board in between began more than and planning committees also a year ago. include members of Argentinian, Organizers from Pride Fort Bahamian, Brazilian, Canadian, Lauderdale and the Greater Fort Colombian, Cuban, Dominican Lauderdale Convention and Visitors and Ecuadorean ancestry who are Bureau, the event’s presenting all actively promoting the event sponsor, are hoping for hundreds of to friends and families in their thousands of visitors at the festival, native countries. Apr. 21-26. They anticipate that “Each of these countries 20 to 25% will come from out of celebrate Pride in very different the country. ways,” Pride Fort Lauderdale Each year, members of the President Miik Martorell says. Pride Fort Lauderdale board travel, “LGBT+ rights are viewed very mostly at their own expense, to more than two dozen Pride festivals differently from country to country … in the end, it’s love that unites around the world to promote Pride us all,Priest regardless of language 8662-115339 PRINT Dr. Brenton Watermark Ad - Magazine Fort Lauderdale and Pride of the or culture.”

Rick Karlin of South Florida Gay News

SUMMERPORT

One of the goals of Pride of the Americas is to generate attention for the plight of LGBTQ people living in countries where people are still ostracized and imprisoned because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “In my home of the Bahamas, just 40 miles away from Florida, it is still very difficult, even dangerous, to live as an openly gay man,” adds Pride Board Member Shawn Palacious, a prominent drag performer and media personality who has called South Florida home since his youth. Last summer, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau launched an international digital campaign to promote Pride of the Americas to millions of LGBTQ residents throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. Awareness of the event is very high among likely visitors, says Martorell. The campaign is currently running Ad FY20 *RUSH Final.pdf 1 12/5/19 in three languages and targeting

international LGBTQ news and travel outlets. “I’ve been hearing from friends in Brazil, Argentina, Canada, practically everywhere, who have seen the ads,” Martorell says. “There’s a lot of excitement out there. We’re even receiving inquiries from England and Europe.” Pride Fort Lauderdale recently launched French, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole translations of the Pride of the Americas website to facilitate planning by visitors who may not speak English. It’s an important inclusivity initiative, Martorell emphasizes. With an unprecedented number of international guests expected, South Florida’s hospitality industry is also gearing up. More than 20 local hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County are offering special rates and packages during Pride of the Americas. 9:31 AM

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

Participating hotels can be found at PrideOfTheAmericas.org and new hotels are being added each week. The Galleria Mall will serve as an official welcome center, along with a second planned location in Wilton Manors, and both will be staffed by volunteers to assist guests during the festival. Pride Fort Lauderdale is still seeking volunteers to assist with the effort, especially bi- and multilingual persons who speak Spanish and Portuguese. To learn more, go to PrideOfTheAmericas.org. “An international festival like Pride of the Americas is obviously a huge undertaking and we couldn’t do it without the support of our city and county, the hotel and hospitality industry and most importantly, our presenting sponsor, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau,” Martorell concludes. “We’re very excited.”

Brenton Priest, DO

nation+world news

Methodists to split in marriage, clergy impasse Wire Report

ASHVILLE, Tenn. | United Methodist Church leaders from around the world and across ideological divides unveiled a plan Jan. 3 for a new conservative denomination that would split from the church in an attempt to resolve a decades-long dispute over same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. The proposal, called “A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation,” envisions an amicable separation in which conservative churches forming a new denomination would retain their assets. The new denomination also would receive $25 million. The proposal was signed in December by a 16-member panel, which worked with a mediator and began meeting in October. The panel was formed after it became clear the impasse over LGBTQ issues was irreconcilable. The next step could come at the church’s General Conference in May. Methodist Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly gay bishop, said the United Methodist Church leadership “was clearly at a point in which we couldn’t agree to disagree” over same-sex relationships. “I’m actually really sad that we couldn’t build a bridge

that could have provided a witness to the world of what unity amid diversity and disagreement could look like.” Oliveto was challenged by the denomination’s highest court, the Judicial Council, in 2017 when it declared that the bishop’s consecration “was incompatible with church law.” However, Oliveto was allowed to remain as the resident bishop of the Mountain Sky Conference, which includes United Methodist churches in Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and a section of Idaho. Asked what a post-separation world looks like for the church to move forward, Oliveto said, “We are no longer using LGBTQ people as scapegoats.” Members of the 13-million-person denomination have been at odds for years over the issue, with members in the United States leading the call for full inclusion for LGBTQ people. The rift widened last year when delegates meeting in St. Louis voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which affirmed bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan but were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.

Methodists in favor of allowing LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage vowed to continue fighting. Meanwhile the Wesleyan Covenant Association, representing traditional Methodist practice, had already been preparing for a possible separation. Concern over the future of the church pushed members, led by Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone, to convene a group to share ideas across the theological spectrum. New York Bishop Thomas Bickerton said that turned into the final panel, made up of moderates, progressives and traditionalists from Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the United States. Bickerton, who heads 438 Methodist churches in New York, said while he thinks it is an amicable solution, “there is a degree of heartbreak within me because I never thought we would reach this point. However, we are at this point. The differences are irreconcilable. This is inevitable.” While other mainline Protestant denominations have embraced gay-friendly practices, the United Methodist Church has not, though acts of defiance by pro-LGBTQ clergy have multiplied. Many have performed same-sex weddings; others have come out as gay or lesbian from the pulpit.

St. Louis helps students match gender identity Wire Report

T. LOUIS | Two St. Louis University students have founded what they call a clothing library that helps students find outfits that match their gender identity. St. Louis Public Radio reported that the student-led Queer Closet allows transgender and gender-nonconforming people to rent or buy affordable clothing that helps them feel more comfortable. “I think one of the biggest and best aspects of the Queer Closet is the idea you’re working with someone who understands what you’re going through and someone who understands the queer experience,” said

co-founder Regis Wilson, a SLU business major who identifies as gender-nonconforming. The Queer Closet started in a dorm room when co-founder Grayson Chamberlain, a transgender man, lent outfits to friends who didn’t have clothing to match their gender identities. Last year, the effort received $1,800 from a university grant program that supports student-led service projects. The money allowed the closet’s founders to move into the office of the LGBTQ student organization Rainbow Alliance. Membership for students is $5. They then make an appointment to visit and choose clothes to rent for three weeks. If they find

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

something they love, they can buy it for a low cost. Most items are donated or swapped, Wilson said. The Queer Closet’s workers also help people find places to buy chest binders and other more expensive items. Clothing items are displayed together on rolling racks rather than separated by gender. They are loosely grouped by type. Pieces range from suit jackets to brocade trousers and sundresses. Wilson said clothes can be a crucial way to explore gender identity, but retail stores that are organized by gender can be scary and traumatic for people who don’t fit traditional gender norms. He also said offering knowledge and support is as important as helping clients find clothes.

in other news Body of Michigan man who went missing Christmas Eve found The body of 25-year-old Kevin Bacon, a gay Flint man was found Dec. 28 in a Bennington Township residence, according to police. Michigan State Police said a 50-year-old man was arrested on a murder charge but wasn’t identified, pending arraignment. Roommate and friend, Michelle Myers, told MLive.com that Bacon was going to see a man he had met on Grindr. Family members reported him missing when he didn’t show up for breakfast on Christmas Day. Bacon worked as a hairstylist and was a student.

Illinois prisons must reform transgender inmate treatment Illinois prisons must undergo wide reforms in the treatment of transgender inmates, including training for employees and avoiding cross-gender strip searches, under a new court order. The order stems from a 2018 lawsuit filed on behalf of five trans women who said they weren’t provided with appropriate treatment while in custody. In the lawsuit, the women claimed the prison delayed hormone treatment therapy. In one case, an inmate’s treatment was started only after attempts to self-castrate. Illinois Department of Corrections officials have until Jan. 22 to provide steps they’ve taken to following the order.

Colombia capital’s first lesbian mayor sworn in The first lesbian elected mayor of the Colombian capital of Bogotá took office Jan. 1. Claudia López, a former Colombian senator, on Oct. 27 was elected with slightly more than 35% of the vote. López, who ran on the leftist Green and Alternative Democratic Pole party ticket, is also the first woman elected Bogotá’s mayor. López was elected to the Colombian Senate in 2014. She later became a candidate to succeed then-President Juan Manuel Santos who left office in 2018. López is married to Colombian Sen. Angélica Lozano, a bisexual woman who in 2018 became the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Senate. López was not out when she was elected to the Senate.

Chile transgender rights law takes effect Chile’s Gender Identity Law came into force on Dec. 27. Trans people who are at least 18 and single can now change their name and legal gender with a simple procedure in the country’s Civil Registry. Teenagers ages 14-18 can do so in court, but the new law does not include trans children and adolescents who are under 14. “Today alone we have 136 people who will complete their procedure throughout Chile,” Justice and Human Rights Minister Hernán Larraín told local media. Another 921 people are already registered to exercise the right to their identity in the next few days.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Miguel Fuller

high fidelity The Journey of Fitness

hen I learned

that the first issue of Watermark this year would focus on fitness, I could already feel my fingers banging on the keyboard. I have A LOT to say about fitness, especially as a gay man. Where do I begin?

Fitness for me equals journey. I’m still walking down this long, fun, frustrating road that I call my fitness journey. I can’t remember when I started calling myself fat. Maybe it was late in high school, maybe it was college, but at some point while growing up I started this vicious cycle of going to food for comfort. Once I would shove the double cheeseburger down my throat with a large fry and some diet coke, I would immediately feel regret. In those four to five minutes (I can throw down on some food real fast) it would take me to devour everything, I felt like I could literally feel the endorphins releasing into my blood stream. The burger never rejected me. The fries never made me feel less than. The diet coke would laugh at my jokes. Food was everything I ever wanted out of a guy. That burger and fries never stood me up on a date. I turned to food to celebrate good times and to make myself feel better after anything negative hit my life. Then college ended. In that spring semester of my senior year I went from weighing around 180 pounds to pushing 300. After I turned 21 I found booze, buffalo wings and ranch. I couldn’t get enough. By the time I went to my first gay club in

Savannah, Georgia, I was pretty good with the negative self-talk. “Miguel, this shirt is too tight for you. Gosh, you fatty, put the damn french fry down so someone will learn to love you.” Those are the type of thoughts that would run through my head at any given point after eating a meal. After experiencing different tribes of people staying in their tribes and ignoring anyone that looked differently than they did, my negative self-talk went through the roof. At 21, just graduated and only a few dating situations under my belt, I felt like I needed to lose weight in order to get a man. That began my next decade of trying every diet under the sun. Weight Watchers, starving myself, avoiding carbs, utilizing meal prep services, hiring personal trainers, undergoing liquid diets and taking special pills – I have tried it all. Every time I would go through a cycle of losing weight I would work my ass off for a few months, lose weight for about a month or so and then go back to slowly putting it back on. It was not a fun experience. In that time, even when I lost weight guys would still not talk to me. I thought being skinny equaled getting a man. What was I missing? I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong – and then I walked into my first CrossFit class. I know what you are thinking. Did Miguel write all of this to now try and sell me on CrossFit? No. I’m not trying to do that; I’m just telling you what worked for me. From the moment I started the journey with CrossFit, my self-talk started to change. I’ve gone up and down with weight since I’ve been attending classes, but the biggest change I’ve seen is how I view myself.

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I used to attack each workout because I felt like it would get me closer to my goal weight, which would make me dateable. I’m so mad at myself for thinking that way. This is why it’s called a journey. After going through my first CrossFit competition a few years

a six pack – I didn’t – but the person looking back in the mirror was a man who had finally found confidence in himself. I had learned to love my curves and embrace the power in my thick thighs. I didn’t need to look a certain way to be loved. Those thoughts set off an

goals, focus on how it’s going to make you feel, not how you are going to look. It’s great losing that weight, but when does it stop? Will you ever like the way you look? Not until you also work on what’s happening on the inside. That process can be just as tough as the

ago, my energy in the gym turned to correcting my form, gaining strength and developing mental toughness to work through difficult workouts. About two years ago, after working on my mind and self-talk, I was getting ready for work. I noticed that for the first time since high school, I liked the way I looked. No, I loved the way I looked. Not because I had

explosion in my head. Since then, I’ve regularly had to make sure that I wasn’t doing the negative self-talk. I spend so much time with myself, why would I want to expose myself to so much negativity? You don’t need a personal trainer to learn to love yourself – you just need to look at what’s on the inside. So as you go into 2020 and work on those fitness

workout you do in the gym. Happy New Year!

Food was everything I ever wanted out of a guy.

Miguel Fuller is the host of Miguel and Holly on HOT 101.5 in Tampa Bay and hosts daily segments on the nationally syndicated Dish Nation. See his life in pictures and videos on Instagram @MiguelFuller.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Maia Monet

Trans of thought Good riddance 2019

almost killed myself

two or three times in 2019. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is also true. I’m not saying this to garner sympathy, or even worse, elicit advice. Rest assured, I am taking the steps necessary to improve my state of mind. It is just that being trans can often feel like existing in a vat of acid eating away at your dignity and integrity. It is the rare trans person who hasn’t contemplated escaping the pain through drastic means. If you don’t believe me, find a trans person in your life you happen to be close to and ask them if they’ve ever created a suicide plan. Don’t be surprised if they have a ready answer.

Perhaps my first column of the year should be about looking forward with a sense of optimism, but that doesn’t reflect my life as part of the trans community. I sometimes wonder if cisgender people appreciate how difficult it is to be transgender in today’s world. They might be able to quote the suicide rate for trans people, but I suspect they are detached from the reality of our everyday lives. They don’t actually experience the emotional stress of hearing about yet another government policy meant to incrementally erase the legal status of trans people. They can’t comprehend the blinding fear of coming out as a trans woman to a cisgender heterosexual man who might decide violence is the appropriate response. The thing is, I don’t think cisgender people are to blame. We haven’t done much more than present some grim numbers. However, as Stalin is reported to

have once said, “The death of one person is a tragedy, the death of one million is a statistic.” Yet too many transgender advocates believe that statistics will do the heavy lifting of rallying allies to the cause. Problem is, it isn’t effective. Just ask climate scientists how well it is working out for them. Quoting the high number of trans women murdered in any given year, or the microscopically low rates of de-transition, is simply not compelling to the very people who most need convincing. What we need to do is make emotional appeals by sharing our experiences. To that end, here is a slice of what my life was like as a transgender person in 2019. In 2018 I made a video on my YouTube channel about how coming out as a trans woman led to the end of my marriage. I described how, without any means of supporting myself at the time, I was forced 900 miles away from my son to move in with my mom. I cried on camera about how much I regretted not being a fulltime parent and missing milestone moments. I exposed my private pain in the hopes it might help another transgender person feel less alone with their own. Yet someone decided this year to comment on this gut-wrenching video about how sad they thought it was that we live in an age where a man can put on dress and call himself a woman. As if my transition was the result of a whim or a fetish. As if it didn’t cost me everything I had ever known. I blocked them and tried to forget how much the comment hurt. I blocked someone every day in 2019. I read about a transgender woman named Julie Berman. Julie lived in Toronto and worked as a hair stylist. A local transgender activist for 30 years, and outspoken critic of violence against trans people, she was best known for having given a speech

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at the 2017 Transgender Day of Remembrance about the murder of her friend. Two years later, police were called to her home and found her with a blunt force injury to her head. She later died at the hospital. As I read about her story, I tried not to dwell on our similarities.

Maya Forstater. Maya lost her court case after suing her U.K. employer for not renewing her contract when her transphobic online postings came to light. With one tweet, the immensely influential author of a magical world that hinged on the defeat of evil people

dumpster fire of a year. Looking forward to 2020 is not much more promising. A landmark Supreme Court decision is likely to decide that trans people are not protected under current law banning sex discrimination, not to mention a looming presidential election that

I also tried not to feel scarily vulnerable given the number of people who have called me a perverted sicko and would probably like nothing more than to hurt me if they knew where I lived. The capper to 2019 was reading in a J.K. Rowling tweet about her support of the anti-trans beliefs of

who believed “pureblood” wizards were superior, had made it known she didn’t think I was “pureblood” enough to be a woman. J.K. made my life, and it should also be noted the lives of trans kids, more difficult from that day forward. All these moments and more made 2019 a

may very well reinstall an extremely trans-hostile administration. Good news for my therapist, but terrible news for me, and the trans community as a whole.

With one tweet, the immensely influential author of a magical world that hinged on the defeat of evil people who believed ‘pureblood’ wizards were superior, had made it known she didn’t think I was ‘pureblood’ enough to be a woman.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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

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talking points

As of 2020,

countries and territories

across the world

have enacted national

I missed an opportunity to say simply that I don’t condone any type of violence in any way, shape or form to anyone for being who they are … Instead I said, ‘I addressed it.’ I said, ‘I apologized.’ I said, ‘I talked about this already.’ I was just immature. –Kevin Hart reflecting on the controversy caused by his homophobic tweets in his new documentary

LGBTQ advocates decry J.K. Rowling tweet

.K. Rowling, the author of the celebrated “Harry Potter” series, sparked backlash Dec. 19 for her public support of a researcher accused of transphobia. Rowling tweeted her support of Maya Forstater, who was fired from London’s Center for Global Development (CGD) after transphobic commentary. She did so after Forstater lost a wrongful termination case against GCD. “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill,” Rowling wrote. According to GLAAD, the author’s publicist subsequently declined to have an off-the-record conversation with the advocacy organization and members of the trans community. “J.K. Rowling, whose books gave kids hope that they could work together to create a better world, has now aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender,” GLAAD shared.

laws allowing same-sex couples to

‘Gay Jesus’ comedy prompts attack

Gilbert, Perry file for separation

etflix’s “The First Temptation of Christ,” a comedy special which insinuates that Jesus was gay, drew the ire of religious conservatives in Brazil and prompted a gasoline bomb attack on Dec. 24. A social media video shows three individuals target Brazilian humorist group Porta dos Fundos’ production studio over the program. There were no injuries in the overnight attack and a security guard extinguished the flames. Police in Rio de Janeiro surveyed nearly 50 security cameras near the scene of the crime and have begun identifying suspects. “The country will survive this torment of hatred, and love will prevail together with freedom of expression,” Porta dos Fundos shared. “The First Temptation of Christ” is now streaming.

ctress Sara Gilbert has filed for legal separation from singer-songwriter Linda Perry, her wife of five years. Gilbert is the star of ABC’s “The Conners,” the spin-off of “Roseanne.” She is also the creator and former co-host of the daytime talk show “The Talk.” Perry is the former singer of 4 Non Blondes and has written music for Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and Pink. The two began dating in 2011 and were married in 2014. Gilbert filed the separation documents in Los Angeles Superior Court Dec. 27, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and requesting neither party receive spousal support. No details were given on custody arrangements for the couple’s 4-year-old son.

marry, N mostly in Europe and the Americas. Austria, Taiwan, Ecuador and Northern Ireland did so in 2019. –Pew Research Center

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

Same-sex ‘Star Wars’ kiss slips censors

brief “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” scene featuring the franchise’s first same-sex kiss survived Chinese censorship. Variety reported Dec. 19 that the film was released uncut in the country, whose government has frequently restricted LGBTQ content. The kiss was first teased by the film’s director J.J. Abrams ahead of its release, when he told the same outlet that he wanted a cast that “looked more the way the world looks than not.” He added that “in the case of the LGBTQ community, it was important to me that people who go to see this movie feel that they’re being represented in the film.” While the moment was the franchise’s first same-sex relationship depicted onscreen, LGBTQ content has appeared across other mediums.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

Jeremy Williams

f you are looking to make

some changes in your life now that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in 2020, you are not alone. Making a New Year resolution is as American as apple pie, baseball or any other U.S.A. clichĂŠ you can think of. In fact, according to a YouGov survey, nearly seven out of 10 people make some sort of New Year resolution for themselves as they say goodbye to the past year and look ahead to becoming a more focused and determined person.

Each year, the list of the most popular resolutions include spending less money, quitting smoking, getting more sleep and spending more time with family. However, the resolution that tops every list and survey is losing weight. Several surveys even indicate that nearly half of all New Year resolutions are to lose weight or get in shape. Unfortunately, if you are one of those people the surveys have some not so great numbers for you. The U.S. News & World Report states that about 80% of people who resolve to lose weight give up by mid-February and a study by researchers at the University of Scranton found that almost a quarter of those give up after the first week. While those numbers can sound discouraging, have no fear because we are here to help. We spoke to personal trainers, fitness coaches and nutrition experts in Central Florida and Tampa Bay to collect information

Continued on pg.25 | uu |

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

| uu | New Year Focus from pg.23

and tips for you to stay on track with your health and fitness goals. The information on the subsequent pages are broken up into the two categories we all know are the main focus to getting healthy, fit and losing weight: exercise and eating right. While our advice comes from fitness and nutrition specialists, make sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new health goals.

Fitness

Yep, if you want to lose weight this year you are going to have to get more physical. Below are a few tips to help keep you motivated as you run toward that healthier you. Be sure to set S.M.A.R.T. goals

“The first thing you want to do is set yourself up for success and the only way you can do that is by figuring out what it is you want to accomplish,” says Austin Hickey, a fitness coach at Hell’s Bells Performance Training in St. Petersburg. “Whenever I start working with a new client I tell them that their goals must be S.M.A.R.T.” S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed. Hickey says most people come in to him with a goal that is set too broadly. Be specific. “You can say I want to lose 50 pounds this year,” he says, “but there’s not really a process or framework that’s going to help you get there.” A better way to set your goals is to have them be more specific and focused on the process rather than the end result. “Instead of an arbitrary number of pounds to lose, maybe your New Year resolution should be to go to the gym three times a week,” Hickey says. That brings us to our next step: make your goal measureable. While you can track your progress by how much weight you are losing, doing so can be misleading as your weight will fluctuate as you develop muscle and lose fat. Hickey says measuring by the number of days you plan to dedicate to fitness or the number of exercises you plan to do with each work out will be easier to track and keep you in a more positive mindset.

smart options: Brenda Fikry is a registered dietitian, certified exercise physiologist and the owner of St. Petersburg Nutrition. Photo by dylan todd Next you want to make sure that your fitness goals are achievable. “Setting a goal to get fit so you can run in a marathon is a great goal, but not if the marathon is in a month,” Hickey says. “If you come out of left field with an unattainable goal like losing 100 pounds by March then you are not going to stick with it.” Try and be realistic with your goals. You didn’t put the weight on in one week so don’t go in thinking you will lose it in one week. Think realistically and be honest with yourself. “Everyone expects instant results,” says Max Dunley, fitness trainer and owner of Rock Hard Fitness in Orlando. “Nowadays, you order something on Amazon and it’s here the next day. I tell my clients if you can make it to the third month, then you’ll see. Most people will diet for three days and they’ll be like, ‘I haven’t lost 20 pounds yet.’ It’s a process, it’s consistency. It’s not going to happen in the course of a week or a month.”

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You also want to give yourself plenty of time to reach your goals. “With the new year, people will get psyched up about getting fit, and that’s great, but they will try and go from doing nothing for years to being in the gym seven days a week,” says Zach Rochette, a personal trainer with Rock Hard Fitness. “They do that for one week, get burnt out and then they don’t step back into the gym for the rest of the year. Ease yourself into it.” Being S.M.A.R.T. about your goals isn’t just about crossing the finish line, it’s the education you gain along the way. “You’re going to learn more from the process than you will from getting to the end result and that will be the most beneficial thing for you,” Hickey says. “That knowledge is going to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle once you reach your goal.” It takes a village

Achieving your fitness goals are easier if you have the right support around you and people who have the knowledge to get you where

you want to be, especially if you are an individual getting back into working out after being away from the gym for years. “A lot of people say they want to lose weight as their New Year resolution but don’t go to where the education is,” says Jacklyn Tippett, another personal trainer with Rock Hard Fitness. “They go to these big name gyms, get a membership for $30 or $40 a month and they have no guidelines or process to put you on the right track to be successful. You’re just supposed to go in and figure it out.” Tippett says getting a trainer, coach or mentor who can set you up on a game plan and hold you accountable can be the difference between following through and giving up. If one-on-one attention isn’t something you are a fan of or is outside of your finances, look into signing up for classes. “Joining a bootcamp gym where you have a class that guides you through a workout so you don’t have to go in and guess exercises to do is a fantastic way to stay on track,” Tippett says.

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Bootcamp, yoga and Zumba classes tend to be less expensive than getting a personal trainer and some gyms include exercise classes as a part of the membership. Classes also come with a built-in community and will keep you more accountable as it is a scheduled appointment. You can also use your gym as a way to meet people and make new friends who are in the same boat as you. “Look throughout the community and find friends who are working toward similar goals as you are,” Hickey says. “Nothing is more motivating than feeling like you are being left out of what the group is doing. Friends will help keep you going to the gym and help hold you accountable.” Let your friends and family know what your resolutions are as well. While some of them may not being going to the gym with you they can offer you support and encouragement during those Continued on pg. 27 | uu |

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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I'm always here with local advice you can trust.

healthy choices: Members at Hell’s Bells Performance Training in St. Petersburg use medicine balls during workout (1). Trainers Zach Rochette, Jacklyn Tippett, Ben Windle and Ashleigh Woodruff (2-5) demonstrate several excercises on the various pieces of equipment availble at Rock Hard Fitness in Orlando. Photo 1 courtesy of Hell’s Bells, photos 2-5 by Dylan Todd

| uu | New Year Focus from pg.25

times when you feel like the results aren’t coming fast enough. Variety is the spice of life

Let’s face it, most people don’t like going to the gym and working out. Sure there are those who claim to love it and more so people who feel great once they get there, but the thought of repetitively running on a treadmill or lifting weights for an hour each day can sound mind-numbingly dull to some, especially if you are just getting into it. Along with the before mentioned classes, your work out can just as easily be found outside of a gym. “Working out can be about more than just getting healthy, use it as an excuse to learn new skills or try something different,” Hickey says. “Go hiking, take up paddle boarding, go swimming; get outside of the gym and use your fitness and health in other ways.” Joining a sports league is a great way to get your fitness

on outside of the typical gym workout and helps build a community for yourself. Central Florida and Tampa Bay has several LGBTQ-specific leagues including softball, dodgeball and kickball, just to name a few. Exercise around your busy life

According to our trainers, the biggest reason people give up on their fitness goals is they say they are too busy. Even if you are an on-the-go, busy 24/7 kind of person, you can still get some sort of exercise into your day. “Almost anything you do to move your body is better than sitting and eating lunch at a desk,” says Rochette. “You don’t have to go into a side room and do jump squats and mountain climbers on your breaks, but if you go outside for a 15-minute walk, maybe eat while you’re walking, stuff like that will make a difference.” Other suggestions to get exercise into your day include taking the stairs instead of elevators, keeping a single dumbbell in your desk drawer and using it for a couple of minutes

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

several times a day and for every 30 minutes you sit getting up and moving for two minutes. The most important tip that came from every trainer, if you have a job that keeps you immobile for any lengthy amount of time, make sure to stretch throughout the day. “Most people with a desk job, their mobility is crap,” Dunley says. “If you don’t have mobility, you’re not going to be able to move anything properly. If you want to counteract sitting at a desk for a prolonged period of time, get those ankles moving, get those hips moving, stretch, stretch, stretch.” Dunley also recommends if you are someone who is too busy during the day and after work to get a workout in, try to get into the habit of getting up early and doing it before you start your day. “I’ll tell people it’s hard for me to work out after 9 or 10 a.m. because the phone starts ringing, your day gets started and things start weighing you down,” he says. “For me, at the end of the day I’m stressed out and I just want to go home and eat my feelings. First

thing in the morning, get it out of the way. Don’t look at work emails, just set that alarm clock and show up.”

Nutrition

The second part in your one-two punch to a healthier you is all about what you are eating. Below are tips from nutritional experts to help you get that healthy body without getting rid of all the flavor. Journal your progress

The main reason so many fail in eating right and being healthy is that they lose track of what they are eating throughout the day. “I think the best way for anyone to get started with a healthier diet is by keeping a food journal,” says Brenda Fikry, a registered dietitian, certified exercise physiologist and owner of St. Petersburg Nutrition. “Try it for a week or so at first, and pay attention to what your body is telling you.” Fikry says as you document your eating habits don’t just record what foods you consumed. You want to include what you ate, how much you ate, what time of

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day you ate and, most importantly, how your body felt. “Maybe you felt bloated, maybe as you approached a meal you were feeling irritated, maybe your energy was real low on a certain day. After a while you will start to make connections,” she says. “Are you eating too much in the evening because you go too long between lunch and dinner? Do you need to add a snack time in somewhere? Are you taking in more calories too close to bedtime? Once you journal enough you can start to set small goals for yourself that will help you to succeed.” Do your research

The biggest obstacle to overcome when it comes to eating right is knowing what information is accurate out there. “The reality is out of any industry on the entire planet, the most saturated one and the one with the most false news is definitely nutrition,” says Ben Windle, fitness trainer and head nutrition coach at Rock Hard Fitness. “You have people that are

Continued on pg. 29 | uu |

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from pg.27

Get that H2O

If you are having trouble losing weight, it may not necessarily be a problem with your food; it could be you are dehydrated. “Our bodies are almost 70% water and most people are not drinking nearly enough throughout the day,” Fikry says. “Being dehydrated can make your body think it’s hungry which will make you snack. You also have no energy if you are dehydrated so you most likely won’t do any physical activity.” The average person should be consuming between 12-16 cups of water, nearly a gallon per day. “Get yourself a gallon of water, mark it off and have it by your desk,” Dunley says. “That way you can at least know how much you’re drinking.” “People underestimate weight loss and water,” Tippett added. “You don’t drink water the whole time you’re sleeping obviously so you wake up dehydrated and a lot of people don’t replenish until lunchtime. So then you just went half a day without any water and then you drink two, three regular water bottles. It’s not enough in the day and just by drinking a good amount of water, close to a gallon a day, your body will lose a significant amount of weight just by being hydrated.”

Ye a

r, N e w G oa

spewing horrible misinformation, trying to sell you nutrition programs when in reality all you need to understand is the basics of losing weight. Simply put, just put yourself in a calorie deficit.” Windle suggests, in order to lose weight at a healthy rate, that your calorie deficit should be between 200-500 calories. The reduction should be based on the amount of calories you would normally eat per day to maintain your current weight. Your recommended calorie needs are based on your age, sex, weight, height and daily activity level. A calorie calculator is easy to use and is available online at Health.gov. One thing that is important to maintaining your nutrition goals is knowing what you’re putting in your body. “A lot of the fast foods that are common and cheap that we eat are made up of all kinds of things we don’t know about,” Fikry says. “The best thing you can do for yourself is know what is in the foods you are putting in your body.” The best way to know what you are eating is to cook your food yourself, says Tippett. “When you can, you should be cooking everything you eat so you know what is in it, you can educate yourself on proper nutrition and you can switch it up,” she says. “It is about making nutrition a priority.”

H a p p y N e w Ye a r !

| uu | New Year Focus

you take the weight off and keep it off.” Over the last several years we have heard about diets like keto, the South Beach diet and Adkins that all say reducing or removing certain foods — whether it is carbohydrates, processed flour or sugars — from your diet can help you drop the pounds fast. “For weight loss purposes, there’s no enemy,” Windle says. “Carbs are not your enemy. Fats are not your enemy. Sugars are not your enemy. You just have to have everything under control.” Our experts also say pre-packaged food programs like Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and Weight Watchers aren’t any better. “Diet plans like those want you to buy their products and you do have to become dependent on them for success,” Fikry says. “I would say save your money and spend it more on educating yourself on ways you can eat healthy that are sustainable. Nutrition doesn’t have to be so complicated, just keep it really simple — whole foods, cook meals yourself when you can and keep hydrated.” Fikry does say that some pre-packaged meal plans can be helpful if you are using them as a way to learn proper portion control. “If you can learn the portions you’re getting from these pre-made meals and then apply that and roll it out into your own life by yourself, then maybe it could be a good stepping stone. But for most people, it doesn’t work that way. They just become dependent on it and as soon as they stop buying their food and go back to eating normally, they put the weight right back on.” The problem with packed food programs, says Rochette, is people’s eating habits are not “one size fits all.” “Everybody is a different size,” he says. “Someone who’s 6 feet can eat their maintenance around 2,300-2,600 calories. That’s going to be different from someone who’s 5 foot 2 inches, 120 pounds. So they obviously shouldn’t be eating the same meal and most of those programs won’t take that into account.”

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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The list includes Judy Garland, Eydie Gorme, Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. Parton herself joins Chenoweth on a roof-raising rendition of the Dixie diva’s “I Will Always Love You.” Other high-powered vocalists joining Chenoweth

Photo by Gian Andrea di stefano

Continued on pg. 33 | uu |

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

and Reba McEntire on “I’m A Woman.” How did those collaborations come to be?

| uu | Girls Scout from pg.31

include Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson and Reba McEntire. “I really wanted to pay homage to all the women singers who have influenced me over the years,” Chenoweth explained upon its release. “I wanted to make something that men could also enjoy, but this is by the girls and for the girls.” According to the Broadway legend, who skyrocketed to fame with her roles in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Wicked,” the songs featured on her new album “have all stood the test of time, and most of them are songs that I grew up listening to. It was a little intimidating, because people like Judy, Barbra and Dolly are the people who made me want to be a singer in the first place.” Still, Chenoweth has explained that she wanted to pay homage to her fellow artists not only to do them proud but to put her own stamp on their work. “I think I was able to do that,” she’s shared, while also adding that “sometimes it felt impossible.” That’s “because there were about 45,000 songs I wanted to record, and it took me a year and a half to narrow it down for the album,” Chenoweth advises. “Some of the songs were obvious choices, but others were not. I also tried to find a story arc for the album through the songs.” A longtime friend and supporter of the LGBTQ community, Chenoweth spoke with Watermark “For The Girls” about that arc and more ahead of her live concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota on Jan. 30.

WATERMARK: The presence of Linda Ronstadt can be felt throughout “For The Girls,” especially on songs she covered like as “Desperado,” “It doesn’t matter anymore,” “Crazy” and “I Will Always Love You.” In terms of your personal music influences, where would you place her?

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: I’ve got to say that she’s going to be up there with Dolly Parton. She’s going to be up there with

Basically, I picked my favorite singers alive today and asked them to do it. (Laughs.) Reba and I have become closer over the past several years through our work with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and Celebrity Fight Night. Singing with Reba and Andrea has been a real high for me. She’s also a fellow Oklahoman. When did you first meet Reba?

I met her when I was 19, working at Opryland USA. On my night off, they asked me if I wanted to hand out candy at this event where Reba McEntire was being honored. I said, “Yes! I want to do that.” I met her and I couldn’t speak. I teased her and said, “Do you remember the girl who went mute?” She said, “Yes, I do!” I said, “That was me!” (Laughs.) What does it mean to you to be able to sing with Reba?

girls power: The wickedly popular and iconic Kristin Chenoweth duets with multi-generational musical icons across multiple genres on “For The Girls,” available now from Concord Records. Photo by Gian Andrea di stefano via concord records Judy Garland. That’s where I place her. Also, I remember when I was growing up, Linda had those Nelson Riddle albums that I wore out. She can do any song there is, and sing like that, and also do Pirates of Penzance. I was impressed with that. It was a career that I’ve always thought, “I want to be like that!” I think I’m lucky because I can do a lot of things and so can she. Speaking of “I Will Always Love You,” you are joined on that song by the woman who wrote it, and

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

whom you mentioned, Dolly Parton. What was it like to sing with her?

Just that I could retire now. (Laughs.) It made my musical life very complete. Honestly, since I was a little kid, it was Dolly Parton. Mainly because I felt like I kind of sounded like her, even the way she talks, and I know she’s petite and from the South. There were a lot of things about her that I understood. I’m also honored to know her not only as an artist but also as a businesswoman. I’ve watched her and learned from her. She

does not sell any of the songs she writes! She owns them. When Whitney Houston did “I Will Always Love You” in “The Bodyguard” – which was an amazing version as well, a real barn burner – you go back to the original source and you listen to that. That’s what I connected with the most. And she’s never sold her music. She’s a smart lady! She is a true genius. In addition to the dolly duet, you are joined by Ariana Grande on “You Don’t Own Me” and Jennifer Hudson

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Of course, it’s cool to get to collaborate with great singers like Reba, who has her own stamp when she sings a song. As does Jennifer! There’s no confusion there. When you hear their voices, you know that’s Reba and you know that’s JHud. I think Jennifer has one of the best voices around today. I also appreciate the fact that both Reba and Jennifer have done Broadway, as well. I always love that. It makes you feel like you’re in a club. With Ari, I just watched her grow up. She came backstage with her mom and grandma at “Wicked” and I gave her a wand. She said, “I want to be a singer, too!” I thought, “Well, isn’t that sweet?” And as the years have gone by and I’ve watched her grow and evolve into the biggest pop star there is, I’ve been so very proud of her. You, Jennifer and Ariana also did “Hairspray” on NBC together.

Yes! I hadn’t met Jennifer before, but I knew Ariana. And Dove Cameron and I have worked together a lot. I kind of view myself as a mama bear, taking care of those

Continued on pg. 35 | uu |

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| uu | Girls Scout from pg.33

girls like Ariana and Dove. I want to make sure they know they’re loved. Not just for their talent, although that’s the aspect that drew us together, but for who they are. And Jennifer just blew me away with her voice!

You mentioned Judy Garland and 2019 was a big year for her. It’s the 50th anniversary of her passing and the 80th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.” Does that have anything to do with why you chose to include “The Man That Got Away” from “A Star Is Born?”

Yes. Obviously, she’s another woman that I understand what she’s doing. When I was a little girl, I said, “That’s me! I’m her!” The same with Julie Andrews. When you’re a young artist you look at other artists and you say, “I understand that.” I always understood her. Gaga had such a big success with her version of “A Star Is Born,” for which I was extremely proud of her. I think it’s nice to show that it started with Judy and “The Man That Got Away” in “A Star Is Born,” and then it went to Barbra and then it went to Gaga. I think it’s important to show how things can change, but still say the same. I went back to the original source. In a way, I did it as an homage to Barbra and Gaga, too. But it would have never even mattered if Judy hadn’t done it. You also included “I Wanna Be Around” on the album, a song made popular by Eydie Gorme. What drew you to the song?

I’ve always been a huge fan of hers. I remember when I was little and I saw her on “The Carol Burnett Show” a lot. Again, I went, “I can do that. I understand “I Wanna Be Around.” There’s a part of me, and a part of all of us as humans, that says, “I don’t wish you ill, but I kind of want to be around when you get hurt like you hurt me. ‘Sit there applauding from a front row seat/ When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine.’” It also gave me a chance to do a big sultry number, like “The Man That Got Away”, too. Another lane that I like to live in. And I wanted to honor her, too. I love her and I’m sad that I never met her. Doris Day is another one of those. When I think about “When I Fall in Love,” sung by Doris Day or Natalie Cole singing it with her dad, there are many reasons to sing that song.

Parton. If there was a “For The Girls 2,” would you consider covering tunes by female singer/songwriters like Brandi Carlile and Patty Griffin?

Yes! I would love to cover them. Brandi happens to be on the top of my list right now. I’m also enjoying Maren Morris a lot. I love these girls that are writing and doing their own thing. Chely Wright is another singer/songwriter that I very much admire, that I feel has been, like Eydie Gorme, hit it big at one time, but man would I love to honor her. I would love to honor Sandi Patty, a Christian artist that everybody knows I love. She had a major impact on my singing life. Of course, there’s [also] Julie Andrews. I would love to do a “For The Girls 2.” I’m already thinking that way because there were so many songs that I didn’t get to do. I even want to do a Jennifer Lopez song. I really want to go there. I know when Ari and I sang “You Don’t Own Me,” of course everybody knows the version by Dusty [Springfield], whom I love very much. But I went back to the original source who was Lesley Gore. Ari does Ari and I do my homage to Lesley. On “I’m A Woman,” I’m doing an homage to Peggy Lee. I’m trying to find that line where I’m putting my stamp on it, but also paying homage to the women who did it originally. Kind of like you and Dolly on “I Will Always Love You.”

Yes! When it first starts, you think, “Is that Kristin or Dolly?” Eventually when she comes in and starts singing and then as the song goes on, she really starts wailing, I thought, “Wow! She’s outdone herself on her own song!” I was so honored, honestly.

“For The Girls” is available now from Concord Records wherever music is streamed and sold.

Kristin Chenoweth performs live in concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota at 8 p.m. on Jan. 30. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 941-953-3368 or visit VanWezel.org.

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Go to WatermarkOnline.com to read all of our Arts & Entertainment features.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

Theater

The Boy Who Lived to Tell Stories Performer John Michael gets interactive in Orlando with Harry Potter-themed show

(above)

potter more:

John Michael uses the Wizarding World to tell his tale of getting tested and about the AIDS crisis in “John Michael and the Order of the Penix.” Photo by Chuck Marcelo

Jeremy Williams

ohn Michael doesn’t consider himself an actor.

“I usually call myself a performance artist, not an actor,” Michael says. “I try not to outright say that I’m not because it can piss some of my actor friends off, but I guess the reason why that’s helpful for people to understand about my work is my shows are about how I’m really trying to create reality in a sense of fantastical circumstances.” Michael — who turned 30 in April 2019 — started to take this approach to his performing after Matthew Tomlanovich, a college professor and mentor to Michael in his hometown of Dallas, “had

the courage” to tell him that he wasn’t an actor. “He tells me this but he also says ‘you still have something when you’re on stage,’” Michael recalls. “So we started to work together and develop this unique performance style. When I started performing with him we just leaned into this idea of not acting.” A major component that manifested in his shows — or as Michael calls them “interactive comedies” —was his connection with the audience. “It came about because I didn’t want to keep doing the voices of my other characters so I had the

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

audience just do it instead,” he says. “It’s been so fun and lovely to stumble upon this whole entirely different medium of performing and really lean into it before we really realized what we had.” Michael developed five original interactive comedies with his mentor before Tomlanovich passed away in 2014. One of those was a Harry Potter parody called “John Michael and the Order of the Penix” in 2013. “This show was in response to my first STI,” Michael says. “I was a young gay man of 22 and I ignored symptoms that I knew were pointing towards a sexually-transmitted infection. I ignored symptoms because I was terrified and then things started to get to a point that I just had to get tested.” At the time, Michael was also rereading the Harry Potter

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

book series and started to draw similarities between what he was going through in his life and with the boy wizard who lived through an attack from He Who Must Not Be Named. “The more I thought about it I realized I wasn’t naming what was on my penis and I thought how amazing it felt to be able to laugh about it,” Michael says. “At the time I was volunteering with the resource center in Dallas and when I heard stories from my older friends about what happened with the AIDS crisis in the 80s and early 90s, it felt like they were talking about Lord Voldemort to young Harry Potter. The fear, the denial, the terror.” Seven years after first performing “Order of the Penix,” Michael is revisiting and rewriting Continued on pg. 39 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

| uu | The Boy Who Lived to Tell

Stories

from pg.37

the interactive comedy with director Sammy Zeisel to perform in Orlando. The LGBT+ Center will present the show at The Abbey on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. “We’re really digging in and using the Harry Potter canon as our mythology for the updated show to make something that’s tough to digest and tough to talk about more palatable,” Michael says. “Since I’m not the same performer and writer I was back then I needed to find a different way to enter the story.” Michael says while the original show dealt primarily with his fear of going to get tested, this show is about how we hurt our community when we’re too afraid to acknowledge our own fears and our own problems. “It’s a bigger umbrella,” he says. “The message as a whole I think has less judgment to it than a 24-year-old me might carry. It has a warmer heart. There are moments of the new material where I, as a 30-year-old man, am reacting to this person who’s ignoring a cut on his penis. It’s not just about getting tested, if you don’t name it out, not only will you not be able to take the first step of acknowledging what’s against you, but also other people can’t help you.” While extensive knowledge of all things Harry Potter isn’t required, the more of a fan you are of the original source material, the metaphors will have more of an impact for you. “I think the entire point of doing this show is to use the obsession of my generation and Gen Z – because younger people are still obsessed with Harry Potter – to use that mythology to tackle something that we’re terrified about, to use something we already know to explain this thing so many people are afraid to talk about. It’s so beautiful to just think about how the spells to fight dementors and boggarts are all about imagining happy, funny memories. That laughter is magic. Jokes are spells that we can cast and spread lightness, hopefully.” Before taking the stage with his magic wand and book of spells, Michael will be performing another one of his shows at the Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest. “Meatball Séance,” which Michael premiered at last year’s Orlando Fringe Festival, will play at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center’s Purple Venue Jan. 10-11. “’Meatball Séance’ is a show in which the audience helps me cook my mother’s famous meatballs onstage to bring her back from the dead,” Michael says. “The story came about because I wanted to find a better way of grieving. I was upset about her not being a part of my life anymore and the show is a great

example of why I continue to do my art. Satirizing my traumas gives me clarity.” The process of bringing people on stage to make his mother’s meatballs helped Michael to deal with the awkwardness he felt whenever someone would say “sorry” when they found out his mother had passed away. “I decided to just stop talking about her because I didn’t want to handle people being awkward about it and it was really a big bummer because she was so fun. When I bring people onstage, I very much want them to have the same experience people had at my mother’s parties, which was the time of their lives.” After its Orlando Fringe premiere, Michael performed “Meatball Séance” more than 50 times throughout 2019. He is working with Zeisel on the return of the show to Central Florida for Winter Mini-Fest. “Developing work with Sammy is like I’m going into a secret government building and I have someone in a van who can tell me where the security guards are at,” Michael says. “It’s like an extra pair of eyes. Our chemistry is better than I’ve ever had with any lover.” With the help of Zeisel, Michael says “Meatball Séance” has been taken to the next level. “The audience is going to see someone who’s found even more possibilities when it comes to audience participation and they’re going to see someone who’s even more off the rails and even more excited,” Michael says. “I love where this show has gone and I will probably be performing it for the rest of my life.”

“John Michael and the Order of the Penix,” presented by the LGBT+ Center, will be held at The Abbey in Orlando Jan. 13. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress as witches and wizards for the performance. Tickets are $25 and VIP is $40. More information is available at the LGBT+ Center’s Facebook page. “Meatball Séance” will be held at Orlando Fringe’s Winter Mini-Fest at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in the Purple Venue Jan. 10 at 9:15 p.m. and Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, visit OrlandoFringe.org.

A Singing, Dancing, Comedy Revolution Catch this “infectiously fun” (The Hollywood Reporter) parody from the comic mastermind behind the longrunning hit Forbidden Broadway. Created, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini. “Smart, silly and convulsively funny!” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times “The next best thing to seeing Hamilton !” – Barbara Hoffman, New York Post

Go to WatermarkOnline.com to read all of our Arts & Entertainment features.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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community calendar

event planner arts+entertainment

Central Florida

Watermark’s Third Thursday

4th Annual Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest, Jan. 9-12, Orlando. 407-648-0077; OFWinterMiniFest.com Live Drag Queen Makeup Tutorial, Jan. 11, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Community Sweat, Jan. 12, Rock Hard Fitness, Orlando. 407-802-4631; RockHardFitnessOrlando.com “John Michael and the Order of the Penix,” Jan. 13, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6103; AbbeyOrlando.com Kelly Richards Piano Bar, Jan. 10, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com Stonewall Saturdays, Jan. 11, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com “La Cage” ft. Jade Jolie, Jan. 11, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com All Womens Social Event and Dance, Jan. 18, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Queen of Comedy Dragaysa Monique Live, Jan. 18, Irish Shannon’s, Orlando. 407-866-1191; IrishShannons.com Joe Gauthreaux, Jan. 18, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com GenderQueer Community Group, Jan. 20, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org Orlando Game Night, Jan. 20, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

Thursday, Jan. 16, 6 – 8 p.m. Hope & Help, Winter Park

Power of Love Celine Dion fans will be coming from near, far, wherever they are to Tampa’s Amalie Arena Jan. 15 for the Grammy-winning diva’s “Courage World Tour.” Photo courtesy Amalie Arena.

“Aladdin,” Jan. 22-March 9, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org Bearaoke Thursdays, Jan. 23, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com

80s & 90s Night, Jan. 14, The Garage, St. Petersburg. 727-258-4850; Facebook.com/ OFCLGaragePage

Miss Shave My Face Pageant, Jan. 19, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org

Celine Dion, Jan. 15, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com

PFLAG St. Pete Support Meeting, Jan. 21, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg. 727-490-9044; Facebook.com/PFLAG.St.Pete

Drag Queen Bingo, Jan. 15, Caddy’s, Gulfport. 727-592-2842; Facebook.com/ CaddysGulfport

Pins for Pride Night, Jan. 24, Castle Church Brewing, Orlando. 407-635-9410; CastleChurchBrewing.com

Tampa Bay “Please Stand By: A TV Show Exhibit” Opening, Jan. 10, MIZE Gallery, St. Petersburg. 727-251-8529; ChadMize.com

Ybor City Ribbon Cutting, Jan. 16, BKN Creative, Tampa. 813-644-7443; BKNCreative.com

Pasco Pride Adopt-A-Road Cleanup, Jan. 11, Moon Lake Rd., New Port Richey. PascoPrideFestival.org A Queen and her Variety Bunch Brunch, Jan. 12, Queen’s Head, St. Petersburg. 727-498-8584; TheQueensHeadBar.com

Mad Hatters Burlesque Show, Jan. 17, Mad Hatters, St. Petersburg. 727-800-5030; MadHattersTeaBar.com Tampa Drag Queen Bingo, Jan. 19, Stone Soup Company, Tampa. 813-247-7687; EQFL.org

“Rocky Horror Picture Show” Live, Jan. 24, Iberian Rooster, St. Petersburg. 727-258-8753; IberianRooster.com

sarasota “The Book of Mormon,” Jan. 10-12, Van Wezel, Sarasota. 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org LGBTQ Night, Jan. 16, Umbrellas1296, Sarasota. 941-500-4810; Umbrellas1296.com Drag Queen Bingo, Jan. 24, SunCoast MCC, Venice. 941-484-7068; SunCoastMCC.com

Join Watermark for the first Third Thursday of 2020! The networking social also serves as a reunion of Central Florida’s Most Remarkable People past and present. Be sure to bring cash for raffle sales, which benefit Hope & Help in their fight against HIV/AIDS. Light bites will be provided and your first drink is free with your business card. For more information, visit Facebook.com/WatermarkFL.

Women’s March 2020 Sunday, Jan. 19, 12 – 2:30 p.m. Orange Ave., Orlando The Orange County Chapter of the National Organization of Women invites you to march in the third annual Women’s March. Participants are encouraged to bring their best signs and best friends to march in support the Equal Rights Amendment, the LGBTQ community, racial equality, immigrant rights, impeachment and more. To register and to learn more, visit Facebook.com/ NOWplusOrangeCountyFlorida.

Tampa Bay Watermark Wednesday Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6 – 8 p.m. Postcard Inn, St. Pete Beach Watermark Wednesday heads to the beach for our first networking social of 2020! The gathering also serves as a reunion of Tampa Bay’s Most Remarkable People past and present. Be sure to bring cash for raffle sales, which benefit Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) in their fight against HIV/AIDS. Light bites will be provided and your first drink is free with your business card. For more information, visit Facebook.com/WatermarkFL.

State of the Chamber Annual Luncheon Friday, Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Centre Club, Tampa The Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce holds its annual State of the Chamber luncheon and welcomes St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Community leaders will discuss the accomplishments of 2019, their visions for the chamber and for the future of Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit DiversityTampaBay.org.

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

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

tampa bay out+about

ART FOR ALL

quality Florida has announced two opportunities for young LGBTQ artists to showcase their talents. “Our Safe and Healthy Schools Program is aimed to end LGBTQ bias where it begins, in our schools,” Equality Florida shared. “By helping our schools and educators create safe spaces for LGBTQ youth, students feel welcomed, supported and can thrive. “Equality Florida wants to create a platform to showcase and celebrate young LGBTQ+ artists,” organizers continued. “We want them to feel safe to express who they are through their art and in their life.” Tampa Bay LGBTQ+ artists who are 18 and under are invited to participate in Equality Florida’s free LGBTQ+ Youth Art Workshop Feb. 1 from 12:30–3:30 p.m. at the Florida CraftArt Gallery. Diversity Arts Founder John Gascot will lead participants in creating artwork for Equality Florida’s upcoming Equality Shuffle and LGBTQ+ Youth Art Show. The free show is scheduled for Feb. 23 from noon until 3 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. LGBTQ+ artists 21 and under are encouraged to participate and interpret the show’s theme of “Safe” through a youthful LGBTQ lense. Each artist may submit up to two pieces for consideration by Feb. 12. For more information, search “Equality Shuffle & LGBTQ Youth Art Show” on Facebook or contact Jennie O’Leary at EQFLJennie@gmail.com.

YOU’RE WORTH IT

roject No Labels (PNL) officially launched its mental health initiative “Dear Self, You Are Worth It” Jan. 6 to make mental wellness attainable for all. The nonprofit’s program is a collaboration with Dr. Katie Schubert, a licensed mental health counselor and board certified sex therapist. She is also a nationally certified counselor and specializes in sex and gender therapy. Joining her is Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Intern Steph Ostrow. Ostrow specializes in LGBTQ and HIV-related issues. “For the past four years, PNL has been involved in different spheres of social issues,” PNL CEO Claire Elisan says. “People have always felt comfortable to talk to us about the pressing issues around the community. One issue that really stuck out to us is mental health care. It seems like people were in need of hope, inspiration and better coping mechanisms … This program is an affordable opportunity for personal growth.” “This program is incredibly important,” Dr. Schubert says. “Our community is suffering from high rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. This is a great opportunity to see an expert and find happiness and peace in your life.” Each session costs $20 per hour and appointments are first come, first serve. Space is also limited. For more information or to schedule an appointment between now and April 28, call 813-438-3537 or visit ProjectNoLabels.org.

2 3

CROWNING ACHIeVEMENTS: Miss New Face Desire S’Moore (L) and Miss Florida Trans Proud Crystal Michaels reflect on their 2020 crowns after Victoria’s Year-End Bash at the VFW Dec. 28. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

NIGHT OUT: Zachary Hines (L) and DJ Mike Sklarz take the stage Jan. 2 during Out @ The Straz before “Aladdin.”

PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

CHRISTMAS QUEEN: Aphrodite sells merry merchandise for “A Drag Queen Christmas” at the Straz Dec. 29. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

QUENCHED: (L-R) Eric Hutton, Michael Smith and Nick Okeson relax at Quench Lounge Dec. 28.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

ZERO HEROES: Metro Inclusive Health’s Tommy Wright (L) and Daniel Velasco table for Zero Pinellas during Pride Bowling Night Jan. 2 at Dunedin Lanes.

PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

RAINBOW ROAD: The LGBT Truckers ring in 2020 with Tampa Bay events Dec. 30.

PHOTO COURTESY LGBT TRUCKERS

BINGO BONANZA: (L-R) Jay Miah, Nicole Dreger, Beneva Fruitville and Tamiami Trails dazzle at Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza at McCurdy’s Dec. 29. PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

BIRTHDAY BOOS: Zackery Welch (L) celebrates boyfriend Jeremy Skidmore’s birthday at BellaBrava Jan. 4. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

central florida out+about

New Year, New Hope

ope & Help is kicking the new year off with the announcement of the date for its 2020 AIDS Walk Orlando. The not-for-profit health center — which offers HIV/STD/HEP C testing, treatment and primary medical care — announced Jan. 6 that the 2020 AIDS Walk Orlando will be on Saturday, April 18 starting at 8:30 a.m. “AIDS Walk Orlando is a community fundraiser event for people of all backgrounds to show how strong the human spirit is compared to the impact of HIV,” Hope & Help stated in a press release. “Every year, hundreds of community members, businesses and organizations join forces to walk in solidarity to: honor the lives of those who were lost due to complications of living with HIV/AIDS; raise awareness about modern HIV prevention and treatment options; and raise money to help offset the cost of HIV treatment for those in need.” Since its first walk in 1995, Hope & Help’s annual event has raised more than $1 million to help fund programs and assist those living with HIV. Hope & Help will also be starting the year off with the grand opening and open house event for its new facility in Winter Park on Jan. 10. The organization, now located at 4122 Metric Drive, #800, will host the event starting at 4 p.m. with the ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. The event will allow the community to meet Hope & Help’s medical team, service providers and tour the new facility while enjoying complimentary wine and appetizers. Watermark will host its first Third Thursday of 2020 at Hope & Help’s new space on Jan. 16 from 6-8 p.m. For more information on these events, visit Hope & Help’s Facebook page. To learn more about the 2020 AIDS Walk, create a team, donate, sponsor or become a vendor, visit AIDSWalkOrlando.org.

Proud Board

ave you attended Come Out With Pride’s (COWP) parade, festival or any of the amazing events they present each year and wondered how you too could be a part of that amazing organization? Well, here is your chance. COWP’s Board Member Application process is now open and they are looking for anyone who wants to be a part of the team. According to COWP’s website, “board members can expect to spend a minimum of 5-10 hours per month on formal duties including board meetings and other events. Additionally, if you take on other functional roles such as a department director or chair your responsibilities and time commitments will increase. Board terms are for two years. Previous experience with a Pride event or similar large event is preferred but not a requirement.” For more information and to apply, go to ComeOutWithPride.com.

Santa’s Squad: (L-R) Brian Becnel, Kevin Kriegel, Kevin Bee and Michael Colavolpe hang with Old Saint Nick before his big flight at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Christmas Eve. Photo courtesy Brian Becnel

Christmas Winners: Ticket giveaway winners Daniel Markovich (L) and Anthony Chiocchi attend “A Drag Queen Christmas” at The Plaza Live in Orlando Dec. 27. Photo by Danny Garcia

Mary›s. Hamburger Mary›s: (L-R) Steven Johnson, Gidget Galore, Ginger Minj and Josh Roth have a license to perform in Ginger and Gidget’s Bond-style NYE show at Hamburger Mary’s Orlando. Photo courtesy Josh Roth

2020 Vision: Dani Hill (L) and Yasmin Flasterstein, founders of the Peer Support Space, ring in 2020 at the LGBT+ Center’s Roaring 20’s NYE Gala in Orlando. Photo courtesy

Back in Action: One of Watermark’s Most Remarkables of 2019, Ashley Figueroa is ready for another remarkable year at Bliss Cares Jan. 6. Photo

courtesy Ashley Figueroa

The Honeymooners: Jerick Mediavilla (L) and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith get a selfie during their honeymoon in Rome, Italy Dec. 19. Photo courtesy

Carlos Guillermo Smith

Ready For Action: Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan shows off her action figure of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Orlando Jan. 3.

Photo courtesy Patty Sheehan

Stage Work: Watermark sales director Danny Garcia toned down his make up for his guest performance as Mother Ginger in the Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Dr. Phillips Center Dec. 21.

Photo by Danny Garcia

Yasmin Flasterstein

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

8 January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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health benefits options. Watermark Publishing Group is theinsurance premier media outlet & for401K the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in Central and West Florida. Up to 20,000 copies of our biweekly newspaper are every other Thursday throughout Central Florida, Tampa Bay and surrounding communities. 51 watermark Your LGBTQ life.distributed January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com Watermark also produces a collection of high-gloss specialty publications, and a web site with a Watermark Publishing Group is the rapidly premiergrowing mediaonline outletcommunity. for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Incoming mailbox size limit is 10MB per email. Emails larger than 10MB will not be received. Please optimize attachments accordingly.

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January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

announcements

wedding bells

Dolly Ferraiuolo and Katie Shrum, from St. Petersburg, Florida

Wedding Date:

Central Florida’s Barry Miller and Gorgie Palaez were engaged Dec. 31.

Oct. 5, 2019

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Wedding Venue:

The Lightner Museum, St. Augustine

First Dance:

“I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie

Officiant:

Katie’s best friend, Gigi Brudno

Caterer:

A1A, St. Augustine

Bakery:

Creme de la Coco

Photographer: Sarah Resta Photography

DJ:

Feedback Entertainment

Day of Wedding Coordinator:

The Wedding Authority

Dolly’s Dress:

Tadashi Shoji

Katie’s Suit:

Sharpe Suiting

CONGRATULATIONS

Photo by Sarah Resta Photography

n the fall of 2011, Katie Shrum

was working full-time and taking night classes at St. Petersburg College. One was an introduction to sociology class at the Clearwater campus. She liked the professor so much that she followed her to the Tarpon Springs campus the following semester for the follow-up class.

“It was really far, but I was like, why not? Turns out, it was fate,” she says. That class was where she met her future wife, Dolly Ferraiuolo. After sociology, they found themselves in the same biology course and became fast friends. “There was a really good group of people in that class,” Ferraiuolo says. “All of us really bonded.” When they first met, there was only friendship between the two. Not only were they both dating other people, but they “were in very different places,” Shrum says. “I’m a total hippie and I was not on a path yet. I was floating through life, and she’s very type A.” Ferraiuolo adds, “I seriously plan everything. I’m hyper focused. I wrote her off as someone I’d date, but she was a great friend; cool to hang out with.”

Their friend group grew apart as they became busy with school and work, though they kept in touch via social media. Shrum “found her path” along the way, she says, studying sociology, and women’s and gender studies at the University of South Florida. Ferraiuolo also studied at USF, but they didn’t cross paths much – until Shrum reached out after seeing her post on Facebook that she was graduating. They decided to reunite their friends – professor included – from the biology class where they met. The group met for brunch, and afterwards the newly-single Ferraiuolo and Shrum stayed behind to talk. “We connected that day,” Shrum recalls. “We had more in common than I thought,” Ferraiuolo adds. “She was in a different place. She’d grown up a bit. One of my biggest hang-ups in life was

that I felt I couldn’t find anyone that matched my drive. It was nice to be able to connect in that regard, to have hopes and dreams and talents in many areas, and wanting to explore all of those things.” The two started dating. “It was the gayest thing ever,” Shrum says. “She invited me over one night and I never left.” It wasn’t long before the Safety Harbor couple got engaged. Though Shrum had “a solid plan,” Ferraiuolo proposed first. “It was really beautiful,” Shrum says. “I came home from school one night and I got hit by a wall of fire, literally. It was so hot in our house. I was seriously concerned that something was on fire and I was right; the whole living room on fire. She lit, like, 100 candles. First, I was like ‘yes,’ and then I was like, ‘we’ve got to blow these candles out.’” The wedding process was easy for the couple, she adds. “Once we decided we would have it in St. Augustine, everything fell into place.” Ferraiuolo describes their intimate wedding as “elegant goth.” She adds, “It was perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tampa Bay technology manager Ron Walters (Jan. 9); Former Watermark reporter Susan Clary, Orlando Fringe performer Logan Donahoo, St. Petersburg florist Bobby York (Jan. 10); St. Petersburg instructor and massage therapist Jeremy Couture, Lakeland massage therapist David Lesnett, Gulfport retired Birkenstock USA specialist Danny Hughes (Jan. 11); Sarasota real-life cowboy Bill Flynn, Sarasota actress Christine Alexander, Orlando promoter Jason Nuez (Jan. 12); Watermark owner, publisher and editor Rick Claggett, Tampa Bay marketing artist Nick Capezza, Sarasota MCC pastor Gina Durbin (Jan. 13); Sarasota Pride’s Cindy Barnes, former Chelsea Nightclub owner Nikki Turnon, Se7en Bites and Sette owner Trina Gregory-Propst (Jan 14); Power Design director Stephanie Morge, St. Pete sailer Michele McHugh, real estate vixen Carla Stanton, Rainbow Counseling owner Aimee Leigh (Jan. 15); Bradley’s on Seventh bartender Levi Garrett; Orlando dog-walker Don Williams, Central Florida LGBTQ veterans advocate Keri Griffin Edenfield; Tampa realtor Patricc Petti, Central Florida musician Justin David, Tampa Bay bartender Tyler Frederick (Jan. 16); former Watermark art director Jake Stevens, Watermark contributor Scottie Campbell, former St Pete Pride Executive Director Luke Blankenship, Softball stud Richard Harem, Tampa musician Connor Zwetsch (Jan. 17); Lake Fairview Marina owner Cynthia Johnson, Orlando Gay Chorus vocalist Edd “Peaches” Sinnett, A League of Our Own member Jerry Rivera, JP Morgan Chase honcho Kris R. Johnson (Jan. 18); Tampa Bay trainer Stephen Kalter, Enigma bartender Melvin Theriault (Jan. 19); Former Space Coast Pride President Lexi Wright, Lakeland filmmaker Kevin O’Brien, Pageant aficionado Aaron Bailey-Santamarina (Jan. 20); Watermark senior sales representative Sam Callahan, Watermark contributor Colton Adkins, Watermark business manager’s BFF Michelle Carter, D. Cole Hair Design owner Dylonn Cole (Jan. 21); GSH Radio host and Orlando resident Greg Henchar; Orlando service industry pro Jeremy Indomenico, marketing analyst Kyle Mason Hollingsworth, Rep. Charlie Crist’s LGBTQ liaison Michael Batista, Tampa customer service rep Giovanni McFarlane Fitzpatrick, Teak Neighborhood Grill manager Bliss Chadwell (Jan. 22)

— Tiffany Razzano

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.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

the last page here for my law firm clients that sometimes email me 10 times in one day because they are truly scared going through the legal process and need someone with experience to provide ongoing comfort. I pride myself of being there for others because if you have an ability to help, then you should.

Hometown:

Panama City, Florida

Identifies As:

Heterosexual Female

Pronouns:

She/Her/Hers

What advice would you give your younger self?

Profession:

Attorney at Law

Professional role model:

My father

Autobiography Title:

“This Too Shall Pass,” It is my mantra.

Hobbies:

Reading and singing with my kids

Jessica Thomas T homas L aw F irm , P L L C

he Last Page is dedicated to

individuals who are making a positive impact on the LGBTQ community in Central Florida and Tampa Bay. This issue, we check in with owner of Thomas Law Firm, PLLC, Jessica Thomas from Central Florida. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about the movers and shakers of your community. What do you do professionally?

Recommend People to: Central Florida Bureau Chief Jeremy Williams at: Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Bureau Chief Ryan Williams-Jent at: Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

I am an adoption and family law litigator. This means that I spend a considerable amount of time in court. I am not just at a desk all day, I am holding my client’s hand during a domestic violence trial; I am hugging my client after the judge rules that they will have majority timesharing with their children; I am wiping my client’s tears when the ruling comes in for them being awarded their marital home; and I am crying at my adoption hearings when I am able to formalize what the heart formulated. How do you champion for the local LGBTQ community?

I speak up. As an African American, plus-size woman, I face my share of adversity. Therefore, I am aware of what is needed of me to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. I must speak up

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

when I see something wrong. By joining The Pride Chamber years ago, I wanted my colleagues and clients to know that this was an important issue to me, and I wished to have an official capacity show my support. Just feeling that a certain community faces injustice is not enough. You must actively seek out ways to make real change, fight the tough battles and speak up when that group otherwise doesn’t have a seat at the table. What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?

Watermark Wedding Bells. In another life I would have been a wedding planner. I adore the happiness of weddings, the way that each couple makes them unique and love stories behind each photo. These are especially tear jerking for the ones that Watermark shows because often there is historical significance in each couple.

What is your favorite local LGBTQ event?

Come Out with Pride Orlando. The way that EVERYONE, and I do mean EVERYONE comes out to support the LGBTQ+ community is very inspiring. Knowing that for 15 plus years they have shown a light on what has been accomplished and what needs to be changed is encouraging. What is your favorite thing about the local LGBTQ community?

The support. Often there are negative stereotypes that afflict any marginalized group; however, Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community knocks any stereotypes out of the water. What would you like our readers to know about you?

That “I’m Here.” Yes, that is the tagline of my firm but it’s also who I am. I am here for my one-year-old daughter and three-year-old son every single day. Being a mother has made me fiercely protective of those in need overall. I am here for my husband who I support implicitly in his dreams. Being a wife has shown me how to truly be a team and how to support each other when times are tough. I am here for my friends/colleagues who make my network breadth large and significant as I often connect them with each other for resources and success. I am

You are worth it. Often as a young girl in a small town you don’t always have a world of confidence. Don’t misunderstand, my mother is the most confident person I know and she constantly showed her four daughters that we were “set apart” from the rest of the world. However, being a chubby, nerdy kid made me often seek out more common forms of acceptance with the popular kids. This would sometimes result in allowing myself to be the butt of the joke just to be part of the crowd. If I could look at little Jess the Best, I’d tell her, “You are worth it” and encourage her to demand more for herself from others. What led you to want to enter the legal profession?

My family. As I mentioned, I am from Panama City, Florida. Unless you have been there, you don’t know how rural it is. There are more pickup trucks than you can imagine with confederate flags on them and my middle school picnic benches had swastikas drawn on them, so there was some racial tension to say the least. I often worried about my family, specifically my dad, and what would happen to him in a “wrong place, wrong color of skin” situation. I thought of politics to make changes and started out as the fourth grade vice president at my elementary school. In fact, politics is still my ultimate goal, but I knew that I needed to be part of the day-to-day protection first — enter teen court. This was where I fell in love with the law. I am honored to serve the LGBTQ+ community as they continue to navigate these newly charted legal waters in adoption and family law. While the journey can be daunting, my clients know no matter what happens, “I’m Here.”

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

January 9 - J a nua ry 22, 2020 // Issue 27.01 wat e r m a r konline .com

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