Watermark Issue: 27.05 Local Wave by Watermark Publishing Group

Tampa Bay Edition

March 5 - 18, 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 27.05

Central Florida and Tampa Bay pick their favorites in the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence

Empath Health, Stratum Health announce merger

LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus conference comes to Orlando

Central Florida Edition

March 5 - 18, 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 27.05

Central Florida and Tampa Bay pick their favorites in the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence

Empath Health, Stratum Health announce merger

LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus conference comes to Orlando

T hank y ou f or v o t ing t he

RAYS AND ROWDIES AS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM! PRI20381_Watermark_Wave_Award_Rays_and_Rowdies.indd 1

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20 Min Results Walk-Ins Welcome

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departments 7 // Bureau Chief’s Desk

page

9 // Central Florida News 15// Tampa Bay News

After falling in love with Pete, he got me to believe in myself. I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who wanted to believe in themselves, too. – Chasten Buttigieg on husband Pete’s historical 2020 presidential campaign

19// State News 21// Nation & World News 31// Talking Points 57// Community Calendar 59// Tampa Bay Out + About 61// Central Fl Out + About 62// Tampa Bay Marketplace 64// Central Fl Marketplace 69// Wedding Bells/ Announcements 70// The Last Page

On the cover

page En garde:

page THE LOCAL WAVE:

Central Florida and Tampa Bay pick their favorites in Watermark’s Awards for Variety and Excellence.

Ethan Gruska talks his famous family and new album.

Watermark Issue 27.05 // March 5 - March 18, 2020

Cover Photographs by Dylan Todd.

Florida blue

State of the Bay

Gone too soon

Cutler’s Caucus

page Orlando hosts the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus’ winter conference.

page Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala raises awareness, more than $310,000.

page

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WatermarkOnline.com

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

Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen unexpectedly dies at 41.

Guest columnist Dave Cutler details Florida’s upcoming elections.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

SECOND ANNUAL

LGBTQ+ WOMEN ARTIST EXHIBIT

WED, MARCH 18 | 7PM - 9PM METRO INCLUSIVE HEALTH 3251 3RD AVE N, ST. PETE

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

tampa bay

bureau chief’s

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

Desk

ne of the interesting things

about my position as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief, a self-enforced rule moreso than a mandated one, is that I work diligently to check many of my personal positions at the door. It isn’t always easy when you’re writing a column. This space exists so that we’re able to connect with readers; so that to a certain extent you’re able to know us as we work to know you. I’m thankful to have this column for that reason, even if it’s the most self-scrutinized thing that I write, because I care deeply about our community. I consider myself lucky to serve it, in Tampa Bay and beyond, and I want as many people to know that as possible. It can just get a little tricky as a journalist. Journalism was one of my first true loves and remains my passion today. The written word is one of humanity’s most powerful tools, whether it’s being used to entertain or empower, and a free

press dedicated to impartial truth is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. We should all fight for it, and against those who would threaten it. Through all of their faults and long before they inspired Broadway ballads and bops, our Founding Fathers agreed. It was Thomas Jefferson, our nation’s third president who often found himself at odds with the journalists of his day, who succinctly summarized in 1823 that “the only security of all is in a free press.” “The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right,” he also wrote in 1787. “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a

government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” My personal hero Stan Lee, a founding father of a different variety, popularized another phrase. “With great power comes great responsibility,” he wrote in “Spider-Man.” It’s a mantra that reinforces my desire to detail many of my personal positions sparingly to amplify my objectivity, particularly in Watermark’s pages. That’s because it’s my duty to accurately and independently detail issues impacting the LGBTQ community and the allies we serve. In all that we do here, facts come first – and so I choose my words carefully. With that said, I’m imploring our community to help carefully choose something else on March 17: the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. A candidate who, in November, will fight to make Donald Trump a one-term president and begin to repair the four years of damage he’s done to the free press, our community and this country as a whole. Watermark doesn’t endorse candidates and I won’t personally go to “War” over who I think is the most qualified to become our next commander-in-chief; she could be anyone running. Instead, I’ll simply say that whomever you support, do so wholeheartedly. Just do it knowing that every Democratic candidate on the ballot will ultimately be a welcome relief in November, even if your personal favorite doesn’t get the nomination. Vote not just for yourself, but for the most vulnerable among us. Your community and your country need you. We focus on another 2020 race in this issue: the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence, or the WAVEs. Tampa Bay and Central Florida responded in record numbers to recognize the best of

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

the best in LGBTQ and ally activism, entertainment and more, and we’re proud to present your Top 3 favorites in nearly 50 categories. Many of the individuals that you chose are highlighted throughout our coverage, beginning with our cover. It features Music Director Jeremiah Cummings, Senior Pastor Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis and Associate Pastor Gina Durbin of King of Peace MCC, the WAVE Award winner for Favorite Local Faith-Based Establishment; Favorite Local Stage Performer and Musician Alyssa, Favorite Local DJ Mike Sklarz and Nate Taylor, representing Favorite Local Health Care Facility and Most Effective Nonprofit Metro Inclusive Health. They were photographed by

Your community and your country need you.

Watermark’s Dylan Todd, winner for Favorite Local Photographer, in front of “Pride & Love,” painted by artists Jay Hoff and Chad Mize, winner for Favorite Artist. The mural is found in the Grand Central District, St. Petersburg’s traditional “gayborhood,” the winner for Favorite Local Shopping/ Entertainment District. On a personal note, I want to thank readers for naming me this year’s Favorite Local Writer/Journalist in Tampa Bay. I’m so very grateful to do what I love and I couldn’t do it without your support of the free press, Watermark and our advertisers. I’m honored to have received your vote; please remember to cast another March 17 for the candidate of your choice. Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue, and congratulations to all of this year’s WAVE Award winners!

Orlando Office Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com

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

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

contributors Dr. Steve Yacovelli

is owner of TopDog Learning Group, LLC, a learning and development, change management, and diversity consulting practice based in Orlando. He’s also the Chief Inclusion Officer of LGBTInclusivity.com, a consulting group focused on LGBTQ equality in the workplace. Page 25

Dave Cutler is

the president of the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus and the secretary of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. He has been politically active since 2000 and looks forward to turning Florida blue this November. Page 27

Tiffany Razzano

is an editor at Tampa Bay Newspapers. She is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for writers and readers. Page 69

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

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

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central florida

bureau chief’s

Jeremy Williams cfl bureau chief

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

saw myself in Pete Buttigieg. I

know that some people had concerns with him, and he was by no means the perfect candidate, but it is not something I can say for any other presidential candidate in the current presidential race, or any presidential race I have voted in before.

Since Mayor Pete made his historical announcement that he would run to be the next president of the United States I have had my eyes — along with my support and vote — locked on him. I like his calm, cool and collected manner. He doesn’t take a stage yelling and waving his arms around frantically. He doesn’t belittle and demean anyone, unlike the current Commander-in-Chief. Pete is smart, articulate and is well prepared every time he takes a debate or town hall stage. The same words I’ve used to describe Pete are some of the same I used when I described my support for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race. I saw a

lot of similarities in the way the two present themselves and I still think Hillary would have made a fantastic president. But I didn’t see myself in Hillary. Pete is a military veteran, as am I. As someone who served this country, I cannot tell you how much the leadership skills and core values an individual learns in the military are the skills and values I want to see in my president, and those values were a big part of my support for him. You can see those skills on the debate stage when he speaks rationally, even as the other candidates around him rant and holler. Many people saw Pete when he spoke as rehearsed and without passion. I saw a reserved and

intelligent man who, as president, I would not have to worry about him taking to Twitter in the middle of the night to call women “sad” or “nasty” or address other nations around the world as “shitholes.” Pete is a religious man, which I know many progressives weren’t onboard with and I get that. I was raised Baptist, and while I do not attend church now nor would I call myself a Christian, when I hear how Pete speaks of his faith I hear the loving and accepting voices from my family who are almost all Christian and who all accept and love me just as I am. As the first openly gay man to run for the nation’s highest office, I felt it when Pete spoke about struggling with coming out and his own sexuality. More than any other similarities in Pete and I that I see, this is the biggest one. Even with an open and accepting family, I struggled with coming out. As a kid of the 80s and 90s, I saw what being an openly gay man was like. I remember seeing what happened to Matthew Shepard on TV. I remember hearing about AIDS and paying extra special attention when the news called it “the gay cancer.” I saw a lot of myself in Pete so I was disappointed when I heard he was getting out of the race. As I listened to Pete announce he was dropping out of the race to the crowd in South Bend, Indiana, I could hear that love of country in him, I could hear that passion so many pundits said he didn’t have. But the most telling part of who Pete is as a person was not when he spoke, but when his husband, Chasten spoke to the crowd. He said “After falling in love with Pete, Pete got me to believe in myself again ... I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there ... who needed to believe in themselves too.” That is probably the most important and best part of Pete’s

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

historic run, the fact that he showed a country full of LGBTQ kids that whatever they dream, it is all possible. Now that Pete is out of the race that doesn’t mean I don’t vote. My support will now go behind another candidate. Who? I do not know yet, but I want to say thank you to Pete Buttigieg for showing this loud, overweight, positive, openly gay veteran that I am allowed to be myself no matter what in life I strive for and for showing me that whatever I do that I am enough for me. Now, no matter whom you are putting your support behind, make sure to vote and have your voice heard.

Thank you to Pete Buttigieg for showing this loud, overweight, positive, openly gay veteran that I am allowed to be myself no matter what in life I strive for.

Speaking of voting, in this issue we have the results of the annual Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence, the WAVES. After weeks of your own campaigning it is time to see who our reader’s favorites are in Central Florida and Tampa Bay. In news, we preview the upcoming Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Winter Conference in Orlando, we take a look at an exciting merger in Tampa Bay between Empath Health and Stratum Health and we remember the openly gay mayor of Wilton Manors, Justin Flippen, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41.

Orlando Office Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com

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1300 N. Semoran Blvd. Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807 TEL: 407-481-2243

Tampa Bay Office 401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 TEL: 813-655-9890

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

contributors Dr. Steve Yacovelli

Dave Cutler is

Tiffany Razzano

is an editor at Tampa Bay Newspapers. She is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for writers and readers. Page 69

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

Watermark Publishing Group Inc.

The Bottom Line

A Cancer Screening That Could Save Your Life

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Not everyone with these risk factors will be diagnosed with anal cancer. However, if any of them apply to you, you should talk to your doctor about anal dysplasia. If your doctor believes that you are at higher risk for developing anal dysplasia or anal cancer, he or she may recommend a high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) screening. During an HRA, a physician uses a plastic instrument called an anoscope and a special microscope called a colposcope to greatly magnify the skin of the anal canal. If an abnormal area is found, a small piece of anal tissue may be removed and sent to a pathologist to be examined for signs of cancer. Because of the powerful magnification and near-4k resolution, HRA is able to detect a greater number of abnormalities than Pap smears — making it possible to catch dysplasia early, before diseased cells can develop into anal cancer.

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2/28/20 2:45 PM

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central florida news

Orlando queens bring TV classics to the stage Samantha Neely

RLANDO | It all started with “The Golden Girls” and Taco Tuesday. The journey to local drag queens’ Ginger Minj and Gidget Galore’s new stage series “TV Land Live,” began with them sitting down a year prior at Galore’s house and watching “The Golden Girls” on Hulu. “We decided we wanted to do something fun, and something that reinvigorated us as far as drag goes,” Minj says. “We just happened to be watching ‘The Golden Girls” and we just said to each other ‘Why don’t we do this? Why don’t we take this show that we love so much and just run it on its feet?’” A few months later, Minj and Galore’s show “The Golden Gals Live,” debuted to sold-out audiences and positive reviews from critics. After multiple performances and a Christmas special, they knew they had to expand on the show’s success. They decided to take multiple classic sitcoms and give them “The Golden Gals” treatment. “We had to keep this ball rolling, we had to do something to continue to bring this to the community,” Minj says. “But we knew we didn’t want to keep doing ‘Golden Gals.’ So, we decided why not take all of the TV shows we grew up on and kind of turn them on their heads.” Minj and Galore picked shows they loved and, most importantly, ones they thought the audience would connect with. “TV Land Live” was born and the first season of shows were picked, with each title a bit off from the original: “Rozeanne,” “Gilligan’z Island,” “Dezigning Women,” “Bee-witched” and “The Munsterz.” “We choose these shows because they are either really important from our past, we grew up with these shows, we related to these shows or they just brought us a lot of joy watching them originally or in syndication,” Galore says. With Minj as the writer and director and Galore as the costume and set designer, the duo worked to perfect the nuances of each sitcom so that audiences could pick up on the iconic jokes and details from the classic originals but still have it feel like something fresh and new. From working on the script to hunting in local thrift shops for props, they say they have been working nonstop to cover each and every detail. Each show will only have four days from rehearsal to opening night so planning is a must. “One thing that we all bring to the table is being prepared when we come into rehearsals,” Galore says. “The cast gets together Sunday through Wednesday prior to the start and then we open the show Thursday and end Monday.” The duo is being joined by their original cast from “The Golden Gals” — MrMs Adrian, Divine Grace and Doug Ba’aser — as well as special guest stars for each show like the debut show in the “TV Land Live” series that ran last month with “Mean Girls” and “Looking” actor Danny Continued on pg. 11 | uu |

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Them Dems:

President Stephen Gaskill (2nd from L) and members of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus with state Rep. Amy Mercado (3rd from L) during Lobby Days this year in Tallahassee. Photo from Caucus’ Twitter

Florida Blue Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus brings winter conference to Orlando Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | With less than two weeks until the state’s presidential primary, the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus will gather at the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside Hotel in Orlando for its 2020 winter conference March 6-8. Themed “All in to Win in 2020,” the caucus hopes to stoke excitement among Florida Democrats in a pivotal area of a battleground swing state. “Orlando is key in a state that is needed by Dems if we are going to take back The White House in November,” says Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Stephen Gaskill. “Orlando is right in the middle of Central Florida and that’s where elections are won and loss. We felt it was important to come into Orlando, which is very LGBTQ friendly, and really talk about our issues and highlight our community with the attention of the political press being focused there.” Florida’s LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus has 21 chapters across

the state, several of which have been formed in the past year in predominantly red counties, and include this year’s conference host — the Orange County chapter of The Rainbow Democrats. “We bring together about 100 activists from around the state twice a year, activists and allies, to discuss LGBTQ issues in the state and nationally,” Gaskill says. “We’ll hear from candidates, community leaders and elected officials. It’s always a really exciting and energizing event.” The conference will kick off on Friday, March 6, with a welcome reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m., but the bulk of the schedule will take place all day Saturday, March 7, starting with breakfast and opening remarks from Florida Democratic Party (FDP) Chair Terrie Rizzo at 8 a.m. “Terrie is a phenomenal and energetic speaker who will definitely get the excitement level up first thing in the morning as she talks about what the FDP is doing,” Gaskill says. During the morning session, guests will also hear from Gaskill,

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

Rainbow Democrats President Brandon Nelson and Orange County Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) Chair Wes Hodge. The day’s first presentation will be from Carol Cleaver — a science teacher, member of the Escambia Education Association Teacher’s Union and Vice President of the Emerald Coast Equality LGBTA Democratic Caucus — and will focus on the driving forces behind discrimination in Florida schools. “LGBTQ discrimination in Florida’s schools is such a huge issue right now with the voucher issue and we are seeing how that is playing out in Tallahassee, so we will have a discussion about that,” Gaskill says. The school voucher issue began earlier this year when the Orlando Sentinel reported that the state’s Step Up for Students voucher system sent $129 million in school vouchers to 156 private Christian schools with anti-LGBTQ views. Several companies withdrew donations after the investigation was made public. Another topic of discussion at the conference will center around terminology in the community with a presentation titled “What Does That Mean? Non-Binary, Genderqueer and the New Language of the LGBTQ+ Movement,” led by the caucus’ Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Reign Hervey.

Continued on pg. 11 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

central florida news | uu | Orlando Queens from pg. 9 Franzese. Galore says each show has been designed to give the main cast members their own headlining show. “For example: Ginger was the lead in ‘Rozeanne,’ I will play Samantha in ‘Bee-Witched’ and [MRMS] Adrian will be Gilligan. We each have our highlighted show,” Galore says. The queens say they have already started planning for next year’s shows and want to top this current line-up. “In the future, we would love to be able to bring new shows each season,” Galore says. “Definitely more ‘Golden Gals,’ we hear it every day, but switching out other shows so it feels fresh and funny and entertaining.” They say they mainly want audience members to be able to come to the shows and feel like they can be themselves and laugh despite whatever is going on in their lives. “It’s so much fun to be able to just drop them off at the door for an hour and a half and just laugh,” Minj says. “Laugh like we did 20 years ago when we were watching these shows on television.” “TV Land Live” season passes are $200 and gets you VIP for the remaining five shows, individual show tickets are $25 for General Admission and $50 for VIP. All tickets are available to purchase online at Eventbrite.com, keyword TV LAND LIVE.

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surrogate for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. | uu | Florida Blue The afternoon session will begin from pg. 9 with a Tallahassee Legislative update. First on the state of the “This presentation is an House from Florida Rep. Carlos outgrowth of our entire focus on Guillermo Smith and then on the diversity and inclusion,” Gaskill state of the Senate from Florida Sen. says. “It’s important that we have Annette Taddeo. knowledge and an understanding of “The conference is one week the terms our community is using.” before the session ends so there The morning session will will be a lot going on and it will conclude with a series of guest be important to hear from both speakers including Pulse Ribbon of these lawmakers to see where Project founder Ben Johansen, we are headed as a state and as a Caucus treasurer Adam Sabin community,” Gaskill says. and Orlando Commissioner Patty Two panel discussions are Sheehan, who will speak during the scheduled for the afternoon day’s luncheon. session. The first will look at the “[Sheehan] has been a longtime issues and challenges for Florida’s part of our caucus. She helped us transgender community. The panel form the organization in the early will consist of Nathan Bruemmer, days,” Gaskill says. “Several of the former executive director of ALSO iterations of the Orange County Youth and frequent Watermark chapter she was always involved in contributor; Ricki Bauman, assistant that so getting to hear from her is secretary of the caucus; and Gina a thrill and she is always exciting Duncan, Equality Florida’s director to listen to.” of transgender equality. Also scheduled to attend the The second panel will involve luncheon will be “Sex and the the team behind Convert to Love, City” actress Cynthia Nixon, a to ban conversion Magazine Ad FY20 *RUSH Final.pdf 1 12/5/19 a movement 9:31 AM

therapy in Orange County. The panel will consist of Eric Rollings, Convert to Love organizer; Heather Wilkie, executive director of the Zebra Coalition; Jennifer Foster, CEO of One Orlando Alliance; and Stephanie Preston-Hughes, a therapist from Orange Counseling. The evening’s cocktail reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the leadership dinner starts at 7:30 p.m. The dinner’s keynote speaker will be U.S. Rep. Val Demings. “She has a national profile, is an amazing speaker and has a sense of what’s happening in Congress and in Washington,” Gaskill says. Dr. Jill Biden, representing the Joe Biden campaign, and executive editor of Out Magazine and founder of Black Trans Circles Raquel Willis, representing the Elizabeth Warren campaign, will also be speaking. For more information on the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus 2020 winter Conference and to see who else will be speaking at the leadership dinner, visit LGBTQDems.org/ All-In-To-Win-In-2020-Attend-Our-Win ter-Conference.

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

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tampa bay news

Manatee Pride to hold seventh annual outing Ryan Williams-Jent

RADENTON, Fla. | The Manatee Pride Festival will hold its seventh annual outing March 21 from 12-5 p.m. at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion to raise funds for LGBTQ youth. Manatee Pride seeks to uplift and empower members of the LGBTQ community who live in, love and visit Bradenton and the greater Manatee County area. It serves as a fundraiser for Prism Youth Initiative, the nonprofit dedicated to providing services for LGBTQ youth throughout the county since 2010. “It’s really incredible to enter our seventh year,” Prism Youth Initiative Board President and Manatee Pride Committee Chair Valerie Fisher says. “I don’t think when we first started doing this that we had any idea how well-received we would be and how popular our festival would become.” Last year’s celebration welcomed an estimated 2,500 attendees, a number impacted by inclement weather near their location, and previous festivals have seen up to 4,000. Fisher says organizers expect at least as many supporters as they saw in 2019, come rain or shine. More than 50 vendors are expected and festivities begin at noon. The celebration will once again open with a blessing from the LGBTQ-affirming Church of the Trinity MCC, also this year’s event sponsor. The festival’s entertainment will follow throughout the day, featuring live music, drag performances and more led by fan favorite entertainer and emcee Beneva Fruitville. “We’re very much looking forward to her returning as our hostess with the mostess again this year,” Fisher says. “She’s been at every Pride with us.” “I’m thrilled to have been a part of Manatee Pride since its inception and hosting this year is the icing on the cake,” Fruitville adds. “This event has been such a source of happiness and inclusion for the entire community and I am super proud to volunteer with them.” The future of Prism Youth Initiative will also be discussed during this year’s festival. Fisher says the organization will officially announce its planned merger with ALSO Youth, the Sarasota-based nonprofit of which she is also a board member. The organization was founded in 1992 and exists to empower LGBTQ youth. “We’ll be making the official announcement at Pride,” Fisher explains. “The goal is to expand services for youth in Manatee County; the resources that we’re able to generate through Manatee Pride will be reserved and spent on the youth here. I personally am very excited about it.” Fisher adds that the mission of Manatee Pride remains to empower the area’s LGBTQ youth. “We may not be the biggest Pride, but it’s a fun day for everybody and always has been,” she says. “We try to make sure it stays family friendly; it gives the rest of Manatee County the opportunity to participate with us and see that we’re just like them.”

The seventh annual Manatee Pride will be held Saturday, March 21 from 12-5 p.m. For more information, visit ManateePride.com.

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EQUALITY EVENING: Equality Florida

Executive Director Nadine Smith delivers her Tampa Gala keynote address Feb. 21. photo by dylan todd

State of the Bay Equality Florida Tampa Gala raises awareness, more than $310,000 Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | Equality Florida welcomed supporters to Armature Works Feb. 21 for the nonprofit’s annual Tampa Gala, raising more than $310,000 in its statewide fight for equality. The sold out gathering featured live auctions led by former Hillsborough County Commissioner and current Clerk of the Circuit Court candidate Kevin Beckner, all benefiting the organization’s efforts. It also honored activists Don Murray and Wayne Spiwak with the 2020 Voice for Equality Award. “Always marching to the beat of their own drum, Don and Wayne have challenged the norm since they met 29 years ago,” Equality Florida shared. “They just like to think of it as ‘doing the right thing.’ As the first same-sex couple to adopt in Florida, they consider themselves blessed with their wonderful son Mark.” The duo’s advocacy has long focused on LGBTQ youth. In April of 2019, Murray helped lead the first LGBTQ ministry in the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg focused on providing a safe and affirming space

for LGBTQ youth in the church. Since its inception it has grown from six to more than 50 members. “In the name of LGBTQ equality, Don and Wayne have sued states, met with city council members to fight for our civil rights and worked with Christian mothers who just want their children back,” Equality Florida noted. “Don and Wayne are helping to define the ‘new normal.’” The evening also highlighted a number of elected officials from throughout Tampa, including Mayor Jane Castor. She began her remarks by thanking attendees for supporting civil rights statewide. “We have made so much progress,” Castor said, “but it oftentimes feels like two steps forward and one step back. So we have to stay united. We have to stay together to ensure that everyone is treated fairly – not only in our community, but in our entire state.” Castor called Tampa a unified and diverse city, adding that every attendee was essential in the fight for equality. “One of the things that we benefit from here in this community is having everyone working together, whether it’s on the local, state or federal level,” she said.

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“It boils down to treating everyone with dignity and respect.” Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith subsequently delivered the evening’s keynote address, detailing the organization’s thriving programs. She also called on supporters to help them reach voters in 2020 to defeat Donald Trump. “In 2016, we said we have 1.4 million people in the state of Florida who are pro-equality voters, who believe what we believe, but who might not turn out to vote if we didn’t explain to them what the stakes were,” Smith shared. “Because you invested, because you contributed, we turned out 446,000 voters who might not have otherwise voted. “There were 162,000 votes that were never heard because we lacked the resources to educate and mobilize,” she continued. “We cannot stand in front of you [on November 4, 2020] to say we did not have the resources to turn out every single person that cares about LGBTQ equality.” Smith concluded by calling the 2020 presidential election the “most consequential election of our lifetimes,” noting that “what happens in Florida dictates what happens nationally.” She added that Equality Florida’s staff, board and volunteers would make Floridians proud, thanking supporters for making their work possible. For more information about Equality Florida, visit EQFL.org.

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tampa bay news

Empath Health, Stratum Health System announce intent to merge and expand Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA BAY | Empath Health and Stratum Health System announced Feb. 26 that the organizations have entered into formal discussions to merge and become one of the largest nonprofit, hospice-based care networks in the nation. Empath Health’s nonprofit, integrated network of care supports patients facing chronic or advanced illnesses throughout Tampa Bay. It began in 1977 as Suncoast Hospice and its members include EPIC, or Empath Partners in Care, which formed in 2016 after the merger of the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas (ASAP) and Francis House. Stratum Health System, founded in 2015, is a not-for-profit integrated health care network focusing on managing the continuum of care through hospice and home-based services

in Southwest Florida. Its most recognized brand is Tidewell Hospice, established in 1980, which services patients in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. “This action brings together two integrated networks of care that share a commitment to the preservation of their charitable missions of not-for-profit hospice, home care and community-based services,” the organizations shared in a press release. “The new organization will care for more than 6,000 people a day.” “This is an exciting and historic day as we move forward, together, to provide trusted, integrated care solutions for those lives for whom we are blessed to care, including the tremendous support we provide to our patients’ families and our communities,” Empath Health President and CEO Rafael Sciullo shared. “Empath and Stratum both independently operate in good

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business and financial health, but must plan for the future,” Stratum President and CEO Jonathan Fleece added. “The combined organization will have the scale, breadth and capabilities to compete more effectively as the healthcare marketplace continues to evolve through increased competition. Our services, people and geographic synergies fit well together creating a stronger, more formidable organization for the years to come.” In an announcement video, Sciullo and Fleece noted that Empath and Stratum have entered a planning phase to develop a comprehensive plan to merge. Sciullo will serve as CEO and Fleece will serve as the president of the new organization, which as of yet has not been named, with a full integration expected in January 2023. At that time, Sciullo will retire and Fleece will become both president and CEO. “Rest assured, we are starting in a good place,” Fleece explained.

“Both organizations are in strong financial and operational health, and this gives us time to make good, careful, deliberate and thoughtful decisions as we move forward.” The organization also shared that a Mission Services Organization (MSO) is anticipated to launch this year, the first team of professionals hired under the new organization. The MSO “will provide shared services across the organization in the most efficient manner and provide a foundation to build integrated care services,” including innovation, technology, finance and more. Empath and Stratum also noted that the merger has no direct impact on patients, their families, volunteers, donors, referral sources or the Board of Directors for either organization at this time. Additionally, all affiliated organizations will continue to operate under their current names as of now.

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“EPIC will not be impacted,” the organizations also confirmed to Watermark. “However, there is potentially some opportunity for us to expand our EPIC services into the four-county area where Stratum currently provides services. Stratum does not have an HIV services program.” The organizations concluded that they will provide “trusted, integrated care solutions for the lives for which they are blessed to care.” Their efforts will include “the tremendous support they provide to patients’ families and the communities they serve [and] continue to exemplify what it means to be not-for-profit compassionate care givers demonstrating open minds, brave spirits, pioneering hearts, grateful voices and a healing presence for the work they so passionately love.”

For more information about each organization, visit EmpathHealth.org and StratumHealthSystem.org.

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state news

south Florida organization advocates for transgender women with HIV Michael K. Lavers of The Washington Blade, Courtesy The National LGBT Media Association

ilton Manors, Fla. | The founder of a South Florida organization that serves transgender women says her goal remains to change her clients’ lives “in a good way.” Arianna’s Center CEO Arianna Lint, during an interview with the Washington Blade last month at the National LGBTQ Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference in Dallas, said her organization is “the first resource for transgender” people in Florida who are in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and once they are released. Lint said a combination of grants and private donations allows Arianna’s Center to purchase bus tickets to Florida for trans women after ICE releases them from their custody. Arianna’s Center also provides them with housing, monthly bus passes and access to free health care and English classes so “they can continue their lives.” “We have to provide everything,” said Lint. “We don’t pay them, but we give them transportation … we put them in school. We try to find them stable housing. We find them a free doctor.”

Lint, 47, was a lawyer in her native Peru before she moved to the U.S. in order to complete her transition. Lint opened an escort service when she was living in New York. “It gave me the financial life to continue my life, pay my bills,” Lint told the Blade. Lint moved to Florida after Sept. 11 and opened a construction company in Orlando. Lint told the Blade she “had a relationship and everything, and then” she tested HIV positive. “It was a very big shock for me,” she said. “I left my own business and everything.” Lint was a volunteer at an Orlando HIV clinic before she became a full-time employee. Lint worked for the Florida Department of Health before Sunserve, a Fort Lauderdale-based LGBTQ organization, in 2013 hired her as its trans director. Lint founded Arianna’s Center in 2015. “I decided to step out and open my organization because I saw in South Florida there were no trans-led agencies,” Lint told the Blade. Arianna’s Center offers a variety of programs to its trans clients. These include home testing and linkage to care for those who test positive. Lint told the Blade her group conducts needs assessment, and encourages clients who are negative to go on PrEP. Lint also said many of Arianna’s Center’s clients are homeless, sex workers and survivors of domestic violence.

“They don’t go to the office,” she said. “We go to where they are.” Arianna’s Center partnered with Human Rights Watch on its report about trans women of color who live in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Arianna’s Center also worked with the Transgender Law Center on a Florida and national survey about trans issues. Lint is a board member of the Trans Latin@ Coalition, a California-based group that advocates for trans immigrants and other groups around the country. Puerto Ricans with HIV are among the vulnerable groups that Hurricane Maria left even more at-risk after it devastated the U.S. commonwealth in September 2017. Arianna’s Center began to work in Puerto Rico a few months later. Lint told the Blade many Puerto Ricans with HIV come to Florida to receive treatments that are not available on the island. AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Borealis, Gilead Sciences, AIDS United, the Elton John Foundation, the Southern HIV Impact Fund and Miami Dolphins: Football Unites are among the organizations that have given Arianna’s Center funds to expand its work. Arianna’s Center is working with the University of Puerto Rico to conduct the first needs assessment for people with HIV on the island. Arianna’s Center opened an office in Puerto Rico in 2019. “They tell us what’s happened in Puerto Rico, so that was of interest for us to go to

Puerto Rico and start working over here,” said Lint, referring to Puerto Ricans with HIV with whom Arianna’s Center works. Arianna’s Center’s staff now includes COO Tony Lima. Lint herself only began to receive a salary late last year. Casa Ruby CEO Ruby Corado is among those who Lint considers a “mentor.” Corado in a statement to the Blade said Lint’s “hard work and perseverance has evolved in building a center that is the life-saving key for many Florida and Caribbean trans people.” “Her work is priceless,” said Corado. Trans Latin@ Coalition President Bamby Salcedo echoed Corado. “Arianna Lint is an example of possibility in the trans community,” Salcedo told the Blade. “Through hard work and determination, Arianna has been able to build a great center and be one of the leaders of the trans community in Florida and across the nation.” Lima said Lint “inspires me on a daily basis.” “She is the consummate advocate, who goes above and beyond to ensure that trans women of color are represented, included, protected and empowered to fight the discrimination they face daily,” Lima told the Blade. “She leads with passion, dedication and love and for this reason she is not only respected throughout Florida but also across the country.”

believed in Wilton Manors. I just can’t believe he is gone.” Flippen grew up in Wilton Manors, and attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Friends described him as a big, burly guy with a big smile and a big heart. Vice Mayor Tom Green, who abruptly adjourned an in-progress City Commission meeting, said Flippen was on the phone chatting with someone who was at the meeting when the mayor had an apparent heart attack while driving. The person he was conversing with called 911, Green said. “We are deeply saddened to share that Mayor Justin Flippen passed away earlier this evening,” the city subsequently shared via social media late Feb. 25. “We ask that everyone respect Mayor Flippen’s memory, family members, friends, and our entire community that is mourning by allowing the City to provide official information via our website (www.wiltonmanors.com), as well as the city’s official Facebook and Twitter pages.”

Green also shared that Flippen was devoted to his role as mayor and loved talking to his constituents. “He is one of those real person-to-person people,” he said. “Justin just loves to talk to everyone about just about everything.” City activist Paul Kuta said O’Connell added that Flippen worked very hard. “He has a full-time job and was also a part-time mayor,” Kuta explained. “He was conscientious generally about both.” Flippen had recently filed to run for re-election. He was elected mayor in 2018 on a platform of experience, fiscal responsibility, inclusive community values and protecting neighborhoods’ small town feel. “I found Justin to be not only an amazing friend, but also a good a coach,” said Tony LoGrande, Chairman of Economic Development Task Force in Wilton Manors. He added that Flippen “taught me if you want to get things to the table you need to bring them up as a motion. He was a man of action. Everything was about taking

action, getting involved and moving the agenda forward.” Flippen said he wanted to strengthen public safety, protect the city’s neighborhoods and find new ways to lower water rates. Flippen was first elected to the Commission in Nov. 2008, and then picked to serve as Vice Mayor. He served from 2008-2010 and 2014-2018 before being elected mayor. “I am so overwhelmed and so thrilled and so happy,” Flippen said after his victory in 2018. “I think I have a track record of being very representative of the people of Wilton Manors and their values and concerns.” Flippen, who earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law, was a member of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, Friends of the Library, the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers Network, the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, The Pride Center at Equality Park and numerous other homeowner associations. A celebration of life for Flippen was scheduled for March 6.

Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen dies at 41 Sallie James of South Florida Gay News

ilton Manors, Fla. | Wilton Manors Mayor Justin Flippen died of a brain aneurysm Feb. 25, Wilton Manors police confirmed Feb. 26. “The Broward County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed Mayor Justin Flippen’s cause of death was a brain aneurysm and the manner of death was natural,” Police Chief Paul O’Connell said. Flippen, 41, died suddenly while en route to a City Commission meeting. He had recently announced he was seeking re-election and was elected mayor in 2018. He was also openly gay and the youngest member of the Commission. “He was a good friend of mine, and God, this city is going to miss someone very dear and special,” said former City Commissioner Scott Newton. “It’s a sad day for Wilton Manors. Justin was someone who just

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

nation+world news

Buttigieg drops presidential campaign Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

ormer South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, who had considerable success and made history as a gay presidential candidate, dropped his bid for the White House March 1. “Tonight, I am making the difficult to suspend my campaign for the presidency,” Buttigieg said in a speech in his hometown of South Bend. “I will no longer seek to be the Democratic nominee for president, but I will do everything in my power to ensure that we have a new Democratic president come January.” In a speech bringing a historic campaign for the LGBTQ community to an end, Buttigieg invoked the major themes of his campaign, including respect, belonging, discipline and joy.

Those values, Buttigieg said, were what compelled him to discontinue his bid for the presidency just days before Super Tuesday, when a lion’s share of 1,357 delegates will be awarded. “One of those values is truth, and today is a moment of truth,” Buttigieg said. “After a year of going everywhere, meeting everyone, defying every expectation, seeking everybody, the truth is that the path has narrowed for our candidacy, if not our cause.” Throughout his speech, Buttigieg supporters could be heard chanting, “2024! 2024!” Buttigieg exits on the heels of the primary in South Carolina, where he performed poorly behind former vice president Joseph Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Buttigieg won 8% of the vote, compared to 49% for Biden and 20% for Sanders. Buttigieg enjoyed considerable success in the early voting state of Iowa and New Hampshire. Although his win in Iowa was marred by a

fiasco in counting votes for the Iowa caucuses, he walked out with the most delegates, becoming the first openly gay person to win delegates in a presidential primary. Chasten Buttigieg, introducing his husband on stage, recalled the time he affirmed his husband’s decision to run for president because of what it would mean for gay youth. “After falling in love with Pete, he got me to believe in myself,” Chasten Buttigieg said. “And I told Pete to run because I knew there were other kids sitting out there in this country who wanted to believe in themselves, too.” Despite his campaign’s struggles, Buttigieg maintained an optimistic tone throughout his speech, maintaining his vision for improving America. “I firmly believe that in these years in our time, we can and will make American life and politics more like what it could be, not just more wise and more prosperous, but more equitable and more just and more decent,” Buttigieg said.

Pence defends role in HIV outbreak when governor Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

n defense of his role in overseeing coronavirus efforts within the Trump administration, Vice President Mike Pence downplayed his responsibility for the HIV outbreak that occurred under his watch as Indiana governor. Pence, responding to a question from journalist Andrew Feinberg during a White House news conference with President Trump Feb. 29, said the outbreak was a result of Indiana not allowing needle exchanges, which have been shown to reduce new HIV infections dramatically. “We had an outbreak of HIV in a very small town that emerged in early 2015,” Pence said. “My health officials came to me. We immediately deployed health resources. The truth was HIV/AIDS was being spread by people sharing needles and intravenous drug use, and the state of

Indiana did not allow for providing a needle exchange to citizens.” Pence added the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention came to Indiana and made a recommendation, which he said led to him declaring a health emergency making for 30 days a needle exchange available in the state of Indiana. “I’m proud to say that every one of those patients was treated, [and] we ended the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus,” Pence said. Scrutiny on Pence’s responsibility for the HIV outbreak grew this week after Trump made him head coordinator for U.S. coronavirus efforts, saying Indiana had been a model for health administration. Trump defended Pence’s record in response to the question, insisting Indiana “has been an absolute leader” on health care as a result of the vice president’s work the state was “one of the best, if not the best in the country.” Pence also addressed in response to the question his oversight of a MERS infection as Indiana governor. The vice president called MERS “an infectious disease much more deadly than the coronavirus.”

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“It was then when I was governor, I learned of the extraordinary capabilities of CDC, worked with my health officials in the state of Indiana, worked with federal officials and, maybe most importantly, learned the invaluable role that local health officials play in dealing with the spread of infectious disease,” Pence said. According to Pence, the state of Indiana secured the patient with MERS, found out other the individuals with whom the patient was in contact and concluded “there were no additional infections and that patient recovered and there was only other MERS disease.” Pence concluded he takes the experience of oversight over the HIV outbreak and MERS infection as Indiana governor as part of his duty overseeing coronavirus efforts. “I’ve been to the needle exchange that he reluctantly authorized,” Buttigieg said. “He was dragged kicking and screaming into that. Had he acted earlier, I believe that the worst parts of that HIV epidemic could have been avoided.”

in other news Washington approves ‘gay panic’ defense ban A Washington state measure prohibiting homicide defendants from claiming a defense based on panic over a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity passed by the Senate on a bipartisan 46-3 vote Feb. 26. The bill, which passed the House earlier this month on a 90-5 vote, would block a defendant from using a defense based on discovery or disclosure of the victim’s actual or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation and would prevent a claim of “diminished capacity” because the defendant did not fully comprehend the nature and gravity of the alleged crime. The legislation now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee.

Idaho moves closer to ban on trans women in athletics Idaho moved closer Feb. 26 to banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports despite warnings that such a law is unconstitutional. A measure that overwhelmingly passed in the Republican-led state House would apply to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges and universities. A female team would not be open to a student who was born male, even if they identify as female. It now goes to the GOP-dominated Senate. Backers say the law is needed because athletes born male have physical advantages over females and allowing trans women in can limit female athletic, economic and self-growth opportunities.

South Carolina sued over LBGTQ sex ed discussions ban It is against state law in South Carolina for public school sex education classes to mention anything other than heterosexual relationships, unless the talk involves STDs. A federal lawsuit now aims to change that. The lawsuit filed Feb. 26 seeks to overturn the Comprehensive Health Education Act of 1988 as an unconstitutional violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The law also says that any teacher who allows “a discussion of alternate sexual lifestyles” can be fired. State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, named as a defendant in the lawsuit, agrees that the law is on shaky ground.

Ireland’s openly gay prime minister resigns Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister resigned Feb. 20. Leo Varadkar submitted his resignation after the Irish Parliament failed to name a new prime minister. Varadkar resigned less than two weeks after his Fine Gael party lost 15 seats in the country’s general election. Varadkar became Ireland’s prime minister in 2017. In 2018, he raised LGBTQ issues with Pope Francis when he visited Ireland and in 2019 attended a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at Vice President Pence’s official residence in D.C. with his partner, Dr. Matthew Barrett. Varadkar will remain Ireland’s caretaker prime minister until Parliament chooses his successor.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Your Queer Career:

Work Advice from ‘the gay leadership dude’ Should I Come Out At Work?

n his new column, Dr.

Steve Yacovelli, (a.k.a. “The Gay Leadership Dude”) shares his expertise on submitted workplace questions from members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Have a question? See below!

Hey GLD: I have a simple question: should I come out at work? I’ve been at my job for over a year. I’m doing pretty well, but just don’t feel like I’m being my true self at work. I avoid personal discussions with most co-workers, watch my pronouns when people do ask what I did last weekend and keep work people very separate on social media. It’s not horrible, but feels like a light dull headache every day. Should I or shouldn’t I? — Closet Cubicle

Hello Closet! This is a big question and so glad you asked. A 2018 Human Rights Campaign survey found that 46% of LGBTQ+ employees say they’re closeted at work, down just 4% over the past 10 years. So, you’re in a lot of company here. Your question is big: so, should you? I hate to say, “it depends,” but it does. Here’s some things to help you process through: - Reflect on the “why?” Ask yourself: “Why do you want to come out at work?” Be clear on your intention and what you want to happen. - Be mindful of your organizational culture. Is your workplace one that embraces differences and celebrates inclusion? Getting a temperature check on your work culture can help you see potential support or roadblocks when you do decide to share your authentic self.

- Look at what your organization has done to both others within the workplace who’ve already come out as well as their external stance on LGBTQ+ equality. Actions speak louder than break-room posters. This is such a personal thing, so I won’t tell you what to do. However, personally I think life is too short to work in a closet and to be in an organization that doesn’t value your authenticity. “Gay Leadership Dude” I have an issue: my boss is a jerk. I mean, she’s good at getting things done but at a high cost! She doesn’t respect anyone’s differences or uniqueness, she only wants things done her way or it’s the highway. I love my company but hate my boss. And, I can’t tell if she’s homophobic or just an ass (I’m the only out person in the department). How do you deal with a jerk boss who won’t listen? — Frustrated Homo

Hey Frustrated: I hear ya! While I’ve been fortunate to have many awesome leaders in my career, I’ve had a few who were just like yours. I was on a special project for a company once and our Project Manager took the whole team on a “team building afternoon” boating trip and she purposely didn’t tell me. So, what could you do if your boss is like the jerk of a PM I had? Here are five ideas to help you: 1. Reflect: Is her behavior really about your sexual orientation? It’s sometimes easy for us to think someone doesn’t like us because of simply who we are as our authentic selves. But take a pause and think if it’s really about you being queer. Have you heard her say gnarly comments about our community overall? Does she have rapport with any other openly gay folks in your org? Take a breath and objectively look at her past behavior. 2. Reflect: Is it actually you? Sometimes we don’t see our own faults or challenges

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in relationships, business or otherwise. Think back to the last conversation. What was your demeanor? Were you “short” with her? This could be a chicken-egg scenario. As hard is it may be, adjust your attitude when you interact next and see if that helps. 3. Ask: What’s REALLY

things up for a dialogue to share perceptions as well as its impact. 4. Help: You need somebody! If you’ve tried the above and nothing changed, it’s time to get your friendly HR professional involved. Meet and share your perspective and ask for

awesomeness shine for others to see.

going on? If it’s not your attitude (#2) nor your queerness (#1), then what is it? At this point it may be time to muster up your Leadership Courage and just ask her, in a neutral tone and in a private space. This Feedback Formula of “When you __, I feel __ because...” helps frame an observed action and share how it impacted you. It’s your perception and it opens

their advice. 5. Pull an Elsa: It may be time to dust off your resume or CV and “let it go!” I’m not saying just pick up your toys and leave, but if you have put in your best effort to no avail, you can look for new opportunities—either within your workplace or outside. It’s time to get out from under her shadow and let your authentic

financial, medical, legal or other professional advice. Full disclosure can be found at the website listed above. Dr. Steve Yacovelli (“The Gay Leadership Dude”) is owner and principal of TopDog Learning Group, LLC. His latest book,“Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” came out June 2019. Find more information at TopDogLearning.biz

HAVE A QUESTION FOR “THE GAY LEADERSHIP DUDE”? Submit at YourQueerCareer. com. Please note the advice shared is for informational use only; it is not intended to replace or substitute any mental,

Personally I think life is too short to work in a closet and to be in an organization that doesn’t value your authenticity.

Campaign for the Arts Arts and cultural organizations rely on contributions from private donors to maintain high-quality programming. Join thousands of Central Floridians in ensuring the arts are accessible to all by donating to the 2020 Collaborative Campaign for the Arts.

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE AT

w w w. U n i t e d A r t s . c c / G i v e - N o w

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

Just a Little Prick

Just a Little

a member of

JustaLittlePrick.org

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

IfyouSex.org IfyouSex.org

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

viewpoint

Cutler’s caucus Blue No Matter Who

very election is

important, from choosing your local city council or commission all the way up to selecting the president of the United States.

This election is the most important in the last 100 years of our nation, however, if not in the country’s entire history. That’s because Donald Trump and his administration have systematically undone or threatened all of the progress made under President Obama for LGBTQ Americans. From the transgender military ban to rescinding protections for LGBTQ students, to arguing against employment protections at the Supreme Court to opposing the passage of the Equality Act, our community is under constant attack. Our transgender siblings of color are especially vulnerable now, as are our nation’s courts where marriage equality was largely won. Trump has now stacked them with right-wing judges, threatening all of the progress that our community has made. We have two primaries and the general election on the Florida calendar this year to help change that, beginning with the presidential preference March 17. Our local primary follows Aug. 18 and the general election is on Nov. 3. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that you must be registered in the party whose primary you wish to vote in. While the deadline to register for the presidential primary has passed, the deadline for the Aug. 18 primary is July 20. After that, the deadline to register in the general election is Oct. 5, where every registered voter can vote in each race regardless of party affiliation. The presidential preference primary will welcome both Republicans and Democrats to the ballot box – and unlike 2008 and 2016, the Democratic ticket has more than two strong candidates. This means it will be very competitive, we’ll get more attention from the candidates than usual and that your vote strongly matters. There are 16 candidates on Florida’s ballot as some have withdrawn since they were finalized. Due to the race’s competitive nature, it’s important to ensure the candidate you support has not withdrawn, whether

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

responsible for local ordinances which protect residents from discrimination and students from bullying. Those who have primaries will be on the ballot Aug. 17, and because of how some districts are drawn, many of these primaries are essentially the general election because

clear and present danger, the president. He pushes anti-LGBTQ, anti-choice policy, gives tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, denies climate change and has made us the laughing stock of the world. It’s time to push back. Everyone has their favorite

piece on the importance of voting this year, and I invite those of you in Hillsborough County to visit the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus’ monthly meetings. Throughout this year, we will be hosting many of these local candidates where you can learn where

one party dominates voter affiliation. The main event will be Nov. 3, when in addition to the presidency every member of the U.S. House will be up for re-election. Many state legislative and local races will also commence, so be sure to check with your Supervisor of Elections to see which seats you will be voting on in addition to the country’s

Democratic candidate(s) for president, but it’s important to remember that any one of them will be light years better than Trump. I urge everyone reading this to make sure that you are ready to elect pro-LGBTQ candidates from the top of the ballot all the way down! I want to express my sincere thanks to Watermark for asking me to write this

they stand on equality. It’s time to vote blue no matter who.

Everyone has their favorite Democratic candidate(s) for president, but it’s important to remember that any one of them will be light years better than Trump.

Dave Cutler is the president of the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus and the secretary of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. He has been politically active since 2000 and looks forward to turning Florida blue this November. For more information about his work, visit HCLGBTADC.org and LGBTQDems.org.

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

10981861

Dave Cutler

you vote by mail, early vote or head to your local polling location. Of note this year, the LGBTQ community can be proud that Mayor Pete Buttigieg did as well as he did. He won the most presidential delegates in the Iowa caucus, a historical first for an openly gay candidate, and tied for the most delegates in the New Hampshire primary. He also finished a respectable third in the Nevada caucus. Like the mayor, every Democratic candidate running strongly supports our community. They all support pro-LGBTQ policies and legislation like the Equality Act, LGBTQ-specific health care, banning conversion therapy and reinstating protections for LGBTQ students. It’s also important to remember that voting all the way down the ballot is critical after the presidential preference primary. At the state level, Commissioner Nikki Fried is the only official who has enacted protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity and she also created the position of LGBTQ liaison. Unfortunately, she is the only statewide Democrat elected to hold office and our community is also under attack in the state legislature. Bills have been filed that would rescind local ordinances protecting LGBTQ employees, legalize so-called “conversion therapy” and imprison doctors for up to 15 years if they provide certain transition-related medical care to transgender youth. The Florida Competitive Workforce Act, which would ban discrimination statewide against our community, has been introduced once again, but the Republican-led legislature has consistently blocked it from even getting a hearing. As we move into election season, it’s so important to pay close attention to every candidate. That includes county commissions, school boards and city councils/ commissions. They’re

o t e v Mo In Colorado, more than just our grass is protected. Your job is, too. We pride ourselves on our innovative businesses & ability to be ourselves at work.

goodbusinesscolorado.org/startyourbusinesshere

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

AMERICAN PLAYLIST April 17 & 18 Van Wezel Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Loughlin, conductor

Legendary saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Branford Marsalis joins forces with vocal star Storm Large in a custom designed program with Sarasota Orchestra. Classic Hollywood, vintage Broadway and the Great American Songbook are all included in this American Playlist that will have audiences swaying in their seats.

STORM LARGE vocalist

Tickets from $37 941-953-3434 SarasotaOrchestra.org

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

2019 2020

SEASON

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

talking points I don’t think you need a lot of advice from me on bravery, you seem pretty strong. It took me a long time to figure out how to tell even my best friend I was gay, let alone how to get out there and tell the world.

As of

Jan. 2020,

73 countries

still have laws making it

illegal

—Pete Buttigieg to a 9-year-old boy who asked him for advice on having the bravery to come out at a campaign rally in Denver Feb. 23.

Lily Tomlin to be honored with Chinese Theatre hand and footprint ceremony

ollywood legend and LGBTQ icon Lily Tomlin will be immortalized with a hand and footprint ceremony at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood during the 11th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 17. “Lily Tomlin’s talent has endured for fifty years because she knows who she is. She’s managed to play broadly drawn roles alongside more nuanced characters without a hint of falseness,” said Ben Mankiewicz, TCM primetime anchor and official host of the festival. Tomlin has won a Tony, Grammy, eight Emmys, two Peabody Awards and has been awarded by the Kennedy Center Honors in her long career. Tomlin, 80, married her partner Jane Wagner, 84, in 2013 after being together for more than 40 years.

to be gay.

Of those countries,

allow the

death penalty

for those convicted of being gay. —76Crimes.com

Netflix announces drop date for Ryan Murphy’s ‘Hollywood’

etflix officially announced May 1 as the launch date for “Hollywood,” Ryan Murphy’s second series on the streaming service. A 7-episode limited series created by Murphy and Ian Brennan, the show “takes viewers back to the Tinseltown of a bygone era, following a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers as they try to make it big in post-World War II Hollywood – no matter the cost.” “Hollywood” stars Darren Criss, Jim Parsons, Dylan McDermott, Patti Lupone and Joe Mantello as series regulars, as well as notable guest stars Maude Apatow, Mira Sorvino and Rob Reiner. Murphy, Brennan, and Janet Mock are credited as the show’s writers. Mock will also serve as a director on the series.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Marvel actor says ‘The Eternals’ will feature married gay superhero

ctor Haaz Sleiman, who is openly gay, tells NewNowNext he will be portraying the husband of a gay superhero in Marvel Studio’s upcoming film, “The Eternals.” “I just shot a Marvel film with the first openly gay superhero … I’m married to the gay superhero Phastos … we represent a gay family and have a child.” Phastos will be played by Brian Tyree Henry. According to Sleiman, this will not be just another “blink and you miss it” LGBTQ moment in a Disney-owned property. “[There is] a beautiful, very moving kiss,” he says. “Everyone cried on set. For me it’s very important to show how loving and beautiful a queer family can be.” “The Eternals” will be in theaters Nov. 6.

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Actor Rick Cosnett comes out in Instagram post

ick Cosnett, the Zimbabwean-Australian actor best known for his roles in TV shows “The Flash,” “Quantico” and “The Vampire Diaries” came out as gay in an Instagram video Feb. 13. “Dramatic pause — I’m gay,” Cosnett said in the video. “Just wanted everyone to know because I made a promise to myself to live my truth everyday and sometimes, that is a really hard thing to do.” Cosnett co-starred in last year’s Bolivaian drama “Tu me manques (I Miss You),” a film about a father who travels to New York to confront his son’s boyfriend after he has committed suicide. “So there you go,” Cosnett said about his coming out. “I’m sure most of you probably knew anyway.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

LOCAL WAVE

Central Florida and Tampa Bay pick their favorites in the Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence Jeremy Williams

he Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence, better known as the WAVEs, are back and the competition was intense this year. We asked you, our faithful readers, to tells us

your local LGBTQ favorites in both Central Florida and Tampa Bay in nearly 50 categories — some new (Favorite Theatrical Show), some old (Favorite LGBTQ Club/Bar) and some returning classics (Favorite DJ) — and you did not disappoint. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

After you nominated the best of the best, we presented to you the top three in each category and asked for your help once again and, once again, you did not disappoint. In the preceding pages you will find all the winners, as well as a few number one favorites that we chose to highlight. In the process of selecting your favorites, we also asked you to tell us the people and places we said goodbye to in 2019 that you will miss the most. Along with your WAVE favorites, we reflect on your responses and remember some of those people and places we lost.

Let’s get to it. Congratulations to everyone who made it into the top three, another congratulations to those who came out on top and a big congratulations to all our readers who have made this one of the biggest WAVEs in Watermark history.

May we have the envelope, please...

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

Miss Edwina

(and the men in her life) Written and Directed by Patrick Brafford

March 5-15, 2020

A Play about Tennessee Williams

GulfportCommunityPlayers.org | Tickets $18 Online Only Hickman Theater 26th St & Beach Blvd.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 33

Tampa Bay’s

Winners FAVORITE LOCAL POLITICIAN

First: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor Second: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman Third: State Rep. Jennifer Webb

FAVORITE LOCAL ACTIVIST First: Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Second: Claire Elisan, Project No Labels Third: Ashley Brundage, Empowering Differences

FAVORITE LOCAL ALLY FOR EQUALITY First: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman Second: St. Petersburg City Council Vice Chair Gina Driscoll Third: Laurie Chism

FAVORITE LOCAL CORPORATION FOR EQUALITY First: Tech Data Second: Regions Bank Third: Progressive Insurance

MOST EFFECTIVE LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION First: Metro Inclusive Health Second: Equality Florida

FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUE/ ORGANIZATION First: Tampa Bay Rays Second: Suncoast Softball League Third: Tampa Bay Rowdies

First: Salon Swank

FAVORITE LOCAL WRITER/JOURNALIST First: Ryan Williams-Jent, Watermark Second: Alec Reynolds, Watermark Third: Dave Borman, Tampa Bay Gay

FAVORITE LOCAL WEBSITE First: WatermarkOnline.com Second: GayStPete.com Third: Outcoast.com

FAVORITE PLACE TO IMPRESS A DATE First: The Canopy Second: BellaBrava Third: Quench Lounge

FAVORITE FUNDRAISING EVENT First: Metro Inclusive Health Annual Cocktail Party Second: St Pete Pride Red & Green Party Third: Equality Florida St. Pete Gala

MOST PRIDEFUL LOCAL EVENT First: St Pete Pride

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS NOT A BAR/CLUB (OVER ONE YEAR OLD) Second: FatMarker Clothing Third: 6S Boutique

FAVORITE NEW LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS (LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD) First: Tangra Nightclub Second: Bishops Third: FabStayz

FAVORITE LOCAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY First: Metro Inclusive Health Second: Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay Third: AHF Healthcare Center, St. Petersburg

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED HAIR SALON First: Salon Swank Second: Bambu the Eco Salon Third: Everyday Beautiful Wigs & Salon

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED SPA First: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa Second: The Woodhouse Day Spa Third: Sandy’s Hair Studio & Spa

Second: Tampa Pride Third: Come OUT St Pete

Third: Project No Labels

St. Pete

Staple

Photo by Dylan Todd

King of peace mcc: Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Faith based establishment

here’s a reason St. Petersburg’s King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) has grown from a congregation of 12 to an inclusive body of nearly 200 in its 45 years. Love. “We’ve always been affirming and celebrating,” Rev. Elder Dr. Candace R. Shultis says of the church, which has served the area’s LGBTQ community and its allies since 1975. She proudly joined the congregation as senior pastor 12 years ago. “I think you can say MCC is the original LGBTQ church,” she explains. “We’re not just accepting, but we are LGBTQ and we always have been. That’s our community.” It’s one of the many things which sets MCC apart as a Christian denomination. Since its inception in 1968, it has been at the center of civil rights movements, addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation and global human rights from the front lines. “Since before Stonewall,” Shultis notes, adding that MCC performed a same-sex marriage in 1969, paving the way for marriage equality. Since then, the denomination has grown to include more than 170 affiliated churches, ministries and communities in 33 countries worldwide, with more churches in Florida than in any other state. While MCC’s support for equality as a whole has always been clear, so too has King of Peace’s for Tampa Bay’s expansive LGBTQ community. In 1993, the church founded and housed Metropolitan Charities, Inc., which has since evolved into Metro Inclusive Health – this year’s WAVE winner for Most Effective Local Non-Profit Organization. It now offers more than 100 health, wellness and community services throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. King of Peace has also welcomed a number of other LGBTQ organizations in its current home on St. Petersburg’s Fifth Ave., including Equality Florida and St Pete Pride. The church now offers an extensive variety of worship services and community gatherings, supported by Shultis, Associate Pastor Rev. Gina Durbin and Director of Music Jeremiah Cummings, among many more. “We’re here,” Shultis says, “and we’re here for you. We will welcome you with open arms – come get to know us and let us get — Ryan Williams-Jent to know you.”

Continued on pg. 37 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

OPENING FALL 2020

St. Petersburg

For more information, call or visit us online today!

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Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice. Handling fees will apply.

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 35

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED FITNESS CENTER First: Amped Fitness St. Petersburg Second: 9Round Fitness Largo Third: Hell’s Bells CrossFit

FAVORITE LOCAL VETERINARIAN CLINIC First: SPCA Tampa Bay Second: Pet Pal Animal Shelter Third: Grand Central Veterinary Hospital

FAVORITE PLACE TO PAMPER YOUR PET First: Bow Wow Barber Second: Two Mutts and a Poodle Third: A Very Important Pet

FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR First: Eric Wilson, Keller Williams Realty Second: Ryan Thompson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group Third: Tabi Deas, Sellstate Legacy Realty

FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY A CAR First: Tyrone Square Mazda Second: Dayton Andrews St. Petersburg Third: Fuccillo Nissan Clearwater

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPPING/ ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

FAVORITE LOCAL FRAMING SHOP First: The Crafty Framer Second: Tyrone Frame & Mirror

First: The Grand Central District Second: Ybor City Third: The Edge District

Third: Gallery Barbas

Corporate

Community

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST First: Chad Mize

FAVORITE LOCAL GEEK SPOT

Second: Susan Lucier Third: John Gascot

First: Right Around the Corner Arcade Brewery & Craft Beer Bar

FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Second: Emerald City Comics

First: Dylan Todd

Third: M&M Video Games St. Petersburg

Second: Jamarcus Mosley Third: Robert Castelli

FAVORITE LOCAL WEDDING VENUE

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED RESTAURANT

First: The Vinoy Second: Sunken Gardens

First: Punky’s Bar & Grill

Third: Sirata Beach Resort

Second: Old Key West Bar & Grill

FAVORITE LOCAL FAITH-BASED ESTABLISHMENT

Third: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria St. Pete

First: King of Peace MCC Second: MCC Tampa

FAVORITE LOCAL BRUNCH First: Iberian Rooster

Third: Disqualified; non-LGBTQ affirming.

Second: Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater Third: Old Key West Bar & Grill

FAVORITE LOCAL FLORIST

FAVORITE LOCAL LATE NIGHT DINING

First: Green Bench Flowers

First: Three Coins Diner

Second: Bloom Envy Boutique

Second: Punky’s Bar & Grill

Third: Absolutely Beautiful Flowers

Third: 2nd & Second

FAVORITE LOCAL MUSEUM OR GALLERY First: The Dali Museum Second: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete Third: Woodfield Fine Art Gallery

Photo Courtesy Tech Data

Tech Data: Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Corporation for Equality

ech Data, a global technology distributor, celebrated $37.2 billion in sales last year. But the Fortune 500 company’s most valuable asset is arguably its workforce – 14,000 people in more than 100 countries worldwide, including nearly 2,000 at its Clearwater headquarters. “Tech Data’s people are the best and brightest in the industry and as diverse as the products and services the company provides,” the corporation shares. “A cornerstone of the company’s culture, Tech Data believes Diversity and Inclusion in our global workforce produces more innovative results and provides a competitive advantage.” The company’s internal commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its five minority-focused Business Resource Groups – including Spectrum, its LGBTQ-focused effort. The group is dedicated to promoting a safe and welcoming environment regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and regularly sponsors workshops to increase understanding. “The group has hosted very successful educational events,” Tech Data Director of Diversity and Inclusion Cal Jackson says. “We’ve had a lot of people showing up for these and have built modules that talk about moving from allies to advocates … helping them understand how to show up for your fellow LGBTQ colleagues here in the workplace and what that means.” In St. Petersburg, that’s translated to an ever-expanding presence during St Pete Pride. In 2016, more than 100 employees, friends and family members marched in Tech Data’s name. That number has increased annually, growing to more than 1200 parade participants last year. Tech Data also became the march’s title sponsor. The nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy group celebrated Tech Data’s commitment to equality in the workplace long before its Pride presence, however. The company has received a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate equality index for 15 consecutive years. “By embracing the diversity of our colleagues around the globe and cultivating an environment of inclusion, we enrich our company, culture, and communities,” the company shares. “Tech Data is proud to be recognized in the community as a leader in the promotion and — Ryan Williams-Jent practice of diversity and inclusion.”

Continued on pg. 39 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

2253 Central Avenue #105 St. Petersburg, FL 33713 727•254•6981 | woodﬁeldﬁneart.com 11am—5pm Tuesday through Saturday

SAT U R DAY, M A R 2 1 , 8 P

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Singer, songwriter, TV & Broadway star 253 FIFTH AVE N, ST PETERSBURG

727-822-3590 | MYPALLADIUM.ORG 38

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 37

FAVORITE LOCAL CATERER First: The Stuffed Mushroom Second: Orange Blossom Catering Third: Metro Chefs Catering

FAVORITE LOCAL CHEF First: Darlene Herrick Second: David Weiss Third: Jeffrey Jew

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED LGBTQ CLUB/BAR First: Enigma St. Pete Second: Quench Lounge Third: Bradley’s on 7th

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED ALLIED CLUB/BAR First: Iberian Rooster Second: The Dog Bar Third: Old Key West Bar & Grill

FAVORITE LOCAL HAPPY HOUR First: Enigma St. Pete Second: Quench Lounge Third: Bradley’s on 7th

FAVORITE LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL KARAOKE, PERFORMER: DJ First: Mike Sklarz TRIVIA OR Second: Greg Anderson BINGO NIGHT Third: TC Czaritsa

First: Alexis De La Mer, Drag Queen Bingo at Quench Lounge

Second: Victoria Michaels, Drag Queen Bingo at Punky’s Bar & Grill Third: Theresa McGivern, Karaoke at Quench Lounge

FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER/ SERVER First: Michael Ackeret, Enigma St. Pete Second: Mitchell Demmons, Quench Lounge Third: David Rodriguez, Quench Lounge

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG First: Daphne Ferraro Second: Daisy Rae Welch Third: Rockell Blu

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: STAGE (NONDRAG) First: Alyssa Second: Matthew McGee Third: Robert Rigsby

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: MUSICIAN First: Alyssa Second: Jennifer Real Third: Boys’ Entrance

FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO SHOW First: “The Miguel & Holly Show,” Hot 101.5 Second: “Talkin’ Pets with Jon Patch,” Talkin’ Pets Radio Third: “Drew Garabo Live,” 102.5 The Bone

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE First: Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Authentic Sound Photo by Dylan Todd

Alyssa: Tampa Bay’s Favorite local performer: Stage (Non-Drag); Favorite Local Performer: Musician

lyssa is as authentic as they come. “I’m trans and I definitely do not hide that,” the 34 year-old, Clearwater-based artist asserts. “I’m very open in talking about LGBTQ issues and bringing them to light.” The singer-songwriter says she’s always wanted to perform, tracing her earliest desires to age seven. “I remember watching Madonna and while

Second: The Mahaffey Third: freeFall Theatre

FAVORITE LOCAL THEATRICAL SHOW First: American Stage in the Park’s “Mamma Mia!” Second: The Gulfport Community Players’ “Next Fall” Third: The Scott & Patti Show’s “Dannie”

FAVORITE LOCAL ADULT NOVELTY STORE First: XTC Adult Super Center Second: Todd Couples Superstore Third: Frisky Business

Magic, Musical Mike Photo by Dylan Todd

Mike Sklarz: Tampa Bay’s Favorite local performer: DJ

f you’ve fallen in love on the dance of some of Tampa Bay or Central Florida’s hottest clubs, you may have DJ Mike Sklarz to thank. Since returning to the music scene nearly two years ago, his unique sound has been amplified at Bradley’s on 7th, Tequilas, Southern Nights, Parliament House and more. He’s also kept crowds moving during some of Florida’s premiere LGBTQ events. Sklarz’s thrilling blend of circuit, tribal and vocal anthems have been featured during Tampa Pride, St Pete Pride, Orlando’s Big Gay Weekend and the All Hallows’ Masquerade Ball, engaging massive audiences throughout the state. “It all goes back to when I was 16 listening to Casey Kasem on the radio doing ‘American Top 40,’” Sklarz reflects. “I worked in radio and while I was growing

other people were like, ‘Oh, she’s great,’ I was thinking, ‘I want to do that.’” Alyssa was writing music by 15, recording it by 18 and released her first full-length album in 2015. Her latest album, the 15-track “Re-Established,” was released on all major streaming services in 2018. “When I started I listened to other people and did what they told me I should do,” she reflects. “My latest album is me taking back control and people have really loved it. They can see where I am and that everything is where it needs to be. I’m very happy with it.” Alyssa has performed it throughout Tampa Bay, from benefits to St Pete Pride. She says that her sound, described as “mostly pop with other genres for a more unique experience,” also inspired her to re-record her earlier music. “I’m currently working on a ‘Revised’ project,” Alyssa says, “which will be 27 of my older songs with three bonus tracks. ‘Got Pride’ is one of them … I want to show people that your sexual orientation and your gender identity doesn’t matter; you can do what you want to do.” — Ryan Williams-Jent up I was DJing graduation parties and receptions, things like that. I thought back then it was a hobby.” It became a thriving career after he left the corporate world behind. “I got laid off after 14 years,” Sklarz reflects, “and I thought, ‘what’s going to be my next career path?’ Since I’m very comfortable behind the microphone and very comfortable entertaining … I picked up where I left off 25 years ago. Music is always something that I’ve had a passion for.” Sklarz’s WAVE Award-winning sound is regularly featured at Tangra Nightclub, the WAVE Award winner for Favorite New Locally-Owned Business (Less Than One Year Old) and Bradley’s on 7th, which placed third for Favorite Locally-Owned LGBTQ Club/Bar and Favorite Local Happy Hour. He’ll also be DJing during GayDayS 2020 in June, with more venues to be announced. “I love getting to interact with the community,” Sklarz says. “It’s my job to get to know everyone.” “Getting back into this at 47 was scary,” he concludes, “but you can never give up — Ryan on your dreams.” Williams-Jent

Continued on pg. 41 | uu |

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

200ft

100ft

70ft

50ft

40ft

20 20 SFF VISION FRUNG

30ft

CLARITY

25ft

20ft

15ft 13ft

MARCH 27

A C

high fidelity

Thank you Tampa Bay! For all of your love & support and voting us as one of the best places to worship in Tampa Bay!

Join Us Sundays at 10AM

Going out to share Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Love for all for 45 years

- APRIL 5 2020

SARASOTAFILMFESTIVAL.COM

miguel fuller

A L L I M

L M

viewpoint columnist

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

King of Peace MCC 3150 5th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33713 https://churchstpetersburg.org

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

Waving Goodbye Tampa Bay remembers the people and places we lost in 2019

Ryan Williams-Jent

ampa Bay celebrated a

number of things in 2019, reflected in our readership’s record response to the 2020 WAVE Awards.

From the election of Jane Castor, Tampa’s first openly LGBTQ mayor and now the winner for Favorite Local Politician – to our community helping raise nearly $110,000 for Metro Inclusive Health’s LGBTQ-affirming programming during its Annual Cocktail Party, this year’s winner for Favorite Fundraising Event, there were a lot of wins. There were also losses. That’s why we asked readers to reflect on the people and places we said goodbye to in 2019, to honor those that impacted our community last year. You responded in droves. Some of the answers were personal to the respondent. They included “a friend,” “my brother” and “my partner.” Others were general but specific to our community, like “anyone that lost their lives fighting for equality” and “all of the transgender women who were murdered.” Every answer was powerful. Overwhelmingly, the community reflected on Tampa Bay performer Beyja King. The talented entertainer, who died unexpectedly in July 2019, was a regular performer at Quench Lounge for more than two years. “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Quench family

member Beyja King,” the establishment shared July 29. “Beyja has been on cast and a Diva Host for over two years warming our hearts, and quickly became Quench’s sweetheart. She will forever be missed. For only a moment you touched many lives, yet such a beautiful imprint you left on our hearts.” Respondents also reflected on the loss of Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ safe spaces, beginning with Hamburger Mary’s Brandon and St. Petersburg. The two locations announced they would close by the end of March in Feb. 2019, following the 2018 lead of Hamburger Mary’s Tampa. G St. Pete, which closed on Aug. 24, 2019 just weeks after their one-year anniversary in downtown St. Petersburg, was another

recurring answer. The Florida Entertainment Group, responsible for Ybor’s The Honey Pot, advised that while they “made a lot of friends and really love St. Pete … we just couldn’t make it work.” Receiving more responses than any other locale was The Flamingo Resort, which closed July 31, 2019 after serving Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community for more than 10 years. The hotspot is currently being redeveloped into an eight-story, 245-unit apartment building. Crowds from across Tampa Bay gathered to bid Flamingo farewell with one final Sunday Tea Dance July 28, 2019, enjoying buckets of rum, poolside reflections and a finale show featuring longtime resort entertainers Iman, Johnny Sparks, Robyn Demornay, Alexis De La Mer and Bobby York. The resort has since been demolished – but like every person and place Tampa Bay will miss, its memory lives on with our collective community.

Photo by Charles Wolf

Photo by Courtesy Florida Entertainment group

Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 41

Central Florida’s

Winners FAVORITE LOCAL POLITICIAN

First: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Second: Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan Third: State Rep. Anna Eskamani

FAVORITE LOCAL ACTIVIST

First: George Wallace, LGBT+ Center Second: Eric Rollings, Foundation for the Florida Enviromental Protection Third: Brandon Wolf, Equality Florida

FAVORITE LOCAL ALLY FOR EQUALITY First: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Second: State Rep. Anna Eskamani Third: Jack & Margo Dixon

FAVORITE LOCAL CORPORATION FOR EQUALITY

First: The Walt Disney Company Second: Universal Orlando Resort Third: Orlando Health

MOST EFFECTIVE LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

MOST PRIDEFUL LOCAL EVENT First: Come Out With Pride

First: LGBT+ Center Orlando

Second: Gay Days Third: OIC’s Big Gay Brunch

Second: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

FAVORITE LOCALLYOWNED BUSINESS NOT A BAR/CLUB (OVER ONE YEAR OLD)

Third: Foundation for Florida Environmental Protection

FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUE/ ORGANIZATION

First: Orlando Immunology Center (OIC)

First: Orlando Pride

Second: Embellish FX Third: Bears in the City

Second: Orlando City Soccer Third: Central Florida Softball League

First: Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel Second: Jeremy Williams, Watermark

Second: Sette Third: My Shady Side

FAVORITE LOCAL WEBSITE First: WatermarkOnline. com

FAVORITE LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL First: Orlando Immunology Center (OIC)

Second: Bungalower.com Third: OICOrlando.com

FAVORITE PLACE TO IMPRESS A DATE

Second: Pinero Preventive Medical Care Third: Spektrum Health

First: Lake Eola

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED HAIR SALON

Second: Parliament House - Tie Second: Savoy - Tie

FAVORITE FUNDRAISING EVENT First: Orlando AIDS Walk (Hope & Help)

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FAVORITE NEW LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESS (LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD) First: District Dive

Third: Matt Palm, Orlando Sentinel

Third: Bears in the City’s A Very Beary Christmas (Baby DJ)

Stage

Photo by Dylan Todd

FAVORITE LOCAL WRITER/JOURNALIST

Second: Savoy’s Celebrity Bartender Night (LGBT+ Center)

The Center

First: Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Second: Split Endz Hair & Nail Studio

George Wallace: Central Florida’s Favorite Activist; The LGBT+ Center Orlando: Most Effective local nonprofit organization

t makes sense that Central Florida’s Favorite Activist would come from the community’s Most Effective Local Nonprofit Organization. George Wallace, the executive director of the LGBT+ Center, says while he is honored to be named Favorite Local Activist the win came as a bit of a surprise. “I’m one person in this big grandiose fight for equality and my voice at the end of the day is just one in a sea of amazing voices,” Wallace says. “But I’m glad that I have this platform to voice my opinion and our community’s concerns in a way that gets noticed.” Just being an activist, let alone Central Florida’s favorite one, means a lot to Wallace but he says that the award for the LGBT+ Center being named the most effective nonprofit in the community is even more special. “I think The Center’s award means more to me because this is an organization that I believe in and I go to work for every day and I love and the community loves,” he says. “We’ve been part of Central Florida for 40 years and we’re not going anywhere, and our mission to educate and advocate for the LGBTQ community is something we all do every single day. I’m just proud to be a part of that and I have to say a huge props to the entire team of The Center.” Along with the staff, Wallace says The Center wouldn’t be what it is without its team of loyal volunteers. “Our volunteers are the backbone of the organization and I want to just personally say thank you to every single volunteer that gives up their time, whether it be five minutes or 150 hours, because these people are so dedicated and they’re there every single week and we couldn’t do what we do without them,” he says. And to the readers of Watermark, Wallace wants to say thank you to each and every one of you personally. “I am a small piece of Orlando and The Center is a small piece of Orlando, and I’m just so very thankful that we can be there for you,” he says. “The Center is open seven days a week and my door is always open so stop in and I will thank you and give you a personal — Jeremy Williams tour.”

Third: Vamp Hair Studio

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Orlando, FL 32803

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 45

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED SPA First: Club Orlando Second: The Spa Orlando Third: Balance Orlando

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED FITNESS CENTER

FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY A CAR

FAVORITE LOCAL MUSEUM OR GALLERY

First: Fields BMW Orlando

First: Orlando Museum of Art

Second: Toyota of Clermont

Second: Orlando Science Center

Third: Orlando MINI

Third: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

FAVORITE LOCAL SHOPPING/ ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

Second: Rock Hard Fitness

FAVORITE LOCAL GEEK SPOT

FAVORITE LOCAL VETERINARIAN First: Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital Second: Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando Third: North Orange Animal Hospital

FAVORITE PLACE TO PAMPER YOUR PET First: Ranger’s Pet Outpost and Retreat Second: Woof Orlando Third: All Creatures Pet Grooming

FAVORITE LOCAL REALTOR First: Scott Benson, Green House Realty Second: Eric Rollings, Mainframe Real Estate Third: Justin Dalrymple, Mainframe Real Estate

Second: Sam Flax Third: Great Escape Frame & Art

Second: Disney Springs Third: Ivanhoe Village

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST First: Patty Sheehan Second: Nick Smith

First: Gods & Monsters

Third: Chad Booth

Second: The Geek Easy

FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Third: A Comic Shop

FAVORITE LOCAL WEDDING VENUE

First: Loc Robertson Second: Pat O’Rourke

First: Dubsdread

Third: J.D. Casto

Second: Paradise Cove

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED RESTAURANT

Third: Celebration Gardens

FAVORITE LOCAL FAITH-BASED ESTABLISHMENT First: Joy MCC Second: First Unitarian Church of Orlando Third: Christ Church Unity Orlando

FAVORITE LOCAL FLORIST First: Lee Forrest Second: Lee James Third: Jacob McCall

Gods

First: Let Us Frame It

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First: Club Orlando Third: Subu Crossfit

FAVORITE LOCAL FRAMING SHOP

Geek

First: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria Second: Rainbow Café Third: Sette

FAVORITE LOCAL BRUNCH First: Hamburger Mary’s Broadway Brunch Second: The Hammered Lamb Third: April Fresh Comedy Brunch

Gods and Monsters: Central Florida’s Favorite Local Geek Spot

ocated on International Drive is every pop culture, comic book and gaming geek’s dream — and Watermark’s readers Favorite Local Geek Spot — Gods & Monsters. The retail space of Gods & Monsters is filled with all the comics, graphic novels, toys, games, collectibles and movie memorabilia your imagination can handle and then some. One particular section that most likely helped Gods & Monsters to top this category for the second year in a row is the store’s prominently displayed LGBTQ area. “We pride ourselves on being an open and inclusive place where everyone can come and not only feel welcome but also feel comfortable being who they are without fear,” says Todd Fisher. Fisher and his wife Anna Young, who Fisher affectionately calls the “powerhouse of Gods & Monsters,” opened the store together in 2015 and since then have made it a part of Gods & Monsters’ mission to be a safe space in Orlando for all LGBTQ Central Floridians. “We have members of our staff who are a part of the LGBTQ community and they are constantly telling us what we need to be reading and bringing into the store to make sure we are taking care of this community,” Fisher says. “Being a warm and welcoming place has just always been at the heart of who we are and what we do.” Along with being a place where you can pick up your favorite comics and toys, God & Monsters also has Vault 5421, a “post-apocalyptic” themed craft beer bar, and an ever-expanding gaming area. They also feature a gallery wall of local and consignment art and have multiple community events per month. The store is meant to bring geeks and nerds of all fandoms together to meet new people, share their interests and enjoy a game or a drink. “Thank you to everyone who voted and if you didn’t vote, come in and check us out. We are like nothing you’ve seen before,” Fisher says. — Samantha Neely

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PROUDLY SERVING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS

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| uu | WAVE Awards 2020 from pg. 47

FAVORITE LOCAL LATE NIGHT DINING First: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria Second: Santiago’s Bodega Third: Tako Cheena

FAVORITE LOCAL CATERER First: John Michael Exquisite Weddings and Catering Second: Dubsdread Catering Third: Arthur’s Catering and Events

FAVORITE LOCAL CHEF First: Pom Moongauklang Second: Trina GregoryPropst Third: Kevin Fonzo

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED LGBTQ CLUB/BAR First: Parliament House Second: Savoy Third: Stonewall Bar

FAVORITE LOCALLY-OWNED ALLIED BAR/CLUB First: The Hammered Lamb Second: Ember Third: St. Matthews Tavern

FAVORITE HAPPY HOUR First: Savoy Second: The Hammered Lamb Third: Stonewall Bar

FAVORITE KARAOKE, TRIVIA OR BINGO NIGHT First: Erica Roberts, Singin’ at the Savoy Second: Pat O’Rourke, Bearoke at Parliament House Third: Lacie Browning, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Viewing Party at Stonewall

FAVORITE LOCAL BARTENDER/ SERVER First: Jeff Munzing, Parliament House Second: Brandon BracaleLlewellyn, Savoy Third: Travis Whitt, Savoy

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DRAG First: Ginger Minj Second: Gidget Galore Third: Erica Roberts

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: STAGE (NONDRAG) First: Blue Star Second: Michael Wanzie Third: Matt Stevens

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: MUSICIAN First: Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Second: Chris May Third: Rebekah Piatt

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMER: DJ First: Edil Hernandez Second: DJ Scott Robert Third: DJ Joanie

FAVORITE LOCAL RADIO SHOW First: Johnny’s House, XL106.7 Second: Blue, Pride Radio Third: Homo Happy Hour

FAVORITE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS VENUE

Thank You For Being a Fan Photo by Dylan Todd

“The Golden Gals”: Central Florida’s favorite local theatrical show

he second the audience went nuts after hearing the “Golden Girls” theme song, drag queens Ginger Minj and Gidget Galore knew they had something special. “We didn’t know how the audience was going to respond,” Minj says. “I’ll never forget the first performance. The lights went down, the theme song started and the audience started to sing along.” After a year of selling out multiple shows and earning praise from the community, readers of Watermark voted “The Golden Gals” their Favorite

First: Dr. Phillips Center Second: Footlight Theatre Third: The Starlite Room

FAVORITE LOCAL THEATRICAL SHOW First: “The Golden Gals”

Second: VarieTEASE’s “Rain” Third: “From Here”

FAVORITE ADULT NOVELTY STORE First: Fairvilla Megastore Second: MojoMan Swimwear & Clothing Third: Midnight News at Parliament House

We Are The Champions Floyd’s 99 Barbershop: Central Florida’s favorite locally-owned hair salon

ou can’t help but feel cool when you walk into a Floyd’s 99 barbershop. The musicians on the walls and the stylish barbers make it feel like you just stepped into a music video. “The rock and roll atmosphere is second to none and draws people in but honestly, and I get a little emotional talking about this every time, what keeps people coming back is our staff. They are what makes Floyds Floyds,” says Sarah Sleeth. Sleeth is owner of the six Floyd’s 99 barbershops in Central Florida, with another two on the way. Unlike many barbershops you come across that caterer only to a male clientele, Floyds prides itself on being an all-inclusive barbershop.

Local Theatrical Show. Filled with fun costumes and inside jokes that made the audience nostalgic for the original series, they also put their own twist on the classic. “We definitely try to bring in an Orlando touch or a drag touch or a reference to Ginger on RuPaul or something to make it unique,” Galore says. While both Minj and Galore — alongside Divine Grace, MrMs Adrian and Doug Ba’aser — star in the show, they each tackled different areas of show off stage. Minj, who came in first place for Favorite Local Drag Performer, served as the show’s writer and director, while Galore, who placed second for Favorite Local Drag Performer, designed the costumes and sets that mirrored the classic series. “When we started,” Minj says, “we had $100 from me and $100 from Gidget and we somehow recreated the set live on stage.” Seeing the reaction from the local community has been the most rewarding part, says Minj. “We are so honored that Orlando awarded us this and voted for us,” Galore said. “We will continue to be outstanding in production value, bringing you something new and different to the stage.” — Samantha Neely No matter which location you head into, regardless of orientation or gender, you can be sure you’ll enter into an accepting environment free of judgment. “At Floyds we want to be a part of the community and that’s all communities,” she says. “So to get recognized by the LGBTQ community as a safe place and as a place giving a great experience is particularly special.” Sleeth specifically points to the location in the Mills 50 District, also a winner as Favorite Local Shopping/Entertainment District, as a place to expresses their love and passion for the LGBTQ community. “Because Floyds is very much influenced by pop culture, we had murals featuring some pop culture icons painted on the outside of a couple of our locations and at the Mills 50 Floyds we chose Freddie Mercury. He was actually my husband’s idea,” Sleeth says. “With the spirit of the community right around there, with Zebra Coalition and The Center right here, it just felt right to pick someone like Freddie Mercury. A person who was filled with so much strength and passion, it just made sense for this neighborhood.” — Jeremy Williams

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Waving Goodbye Central Florida remembers the people and places we lost in 2019

Jeremy Williams

here was a lot to

celebrate in 2019. But even with the amazing people, places and organizations of the last year, we still had a few tearful moments as we lost some special people in the community and said goodbye to a few safe spaces for LGBTQ individuals. That’s why, as we queried about your favorites in the local LGBTQ community, we also asked you to tell us some of the people and places you will miss the most. Many of you listed national and international celebrities like Doris Day, Toni Morrison, Rip Torn, Luke Perry, Valerie Harper and Cokey Roberts. Individuals who touched the hearts and souls of people from every walk of life and whose passing the world mourned together. Others listed not names, but titles of the people who meant the world to them like mom, dad, aunt, grandfather, son and friend. Individuals we may not know but by the names you call them we know the pain you go through every day. There were several members of the LGBTQ community we lost in 2019 whose passing is still felt but their memories continue to live on in the charities, groups and organizations they started. Two names overwhelmingly mentioned by you were Carmella Marcella Garcia and Joel Strack. Carmella, whose real name was George Timothy Reed, was a regular drag performer throughout Orlando for many years frequenting the stages at Parliament House, Southern

Nights and Pulse. Her biggest legacy here in Central Florida was the creation of the Easter fixture Babes in Bonnets more than 20 years ago. Thanks to Carmella’s vision, Babes in Bonnets has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the LGBTQ youth of Central Florida since its beginnings and continues to do so to this day. We lost Carmella on Oct. 15, 2019. She was 57. Joel passed away on July 15, 2019 at the age of 59. Joel was an LGBTQ leader, activist and pioneer in Central Florida’s fight for equality dating back to the 1980s. He was a pivotal player in helping to launch what is

now known as Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom. Joel also helped create Orlando’s first Pride parade and assisted in founding both the Orlando Gay Chorus and the Gay and Lesbian History Museum. Central Florida said goodbye to several places last year that served as community gathering spaces. Dexter’s in Thornton Park and Hamburger Mary’s in Daytona Beach topped many people’s lists but one location topped more lists than any other — The Venue. WAVE-winning performer, community leader and LGBTQ icon Blue Star opened The Venue in September 2012. While Blue originally launched The Venue to have a space for her own shows, in the years after it opened it became a home to the Central Florida burlesque community, a safe place for new artists to build their art and a catchall venue for LGBTQ organizations to hold events. The Venue closed its doors in September 2019, seven years after it opened.

Photo by Tabitha Widby

Photo by JD Casto

Photo by Jeremy Williams Photo by Gary Motes

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arts and Entertainment

Touché Ethan Gruska chats about his new album ‘En Garde’

Gregg Shapiro

ou may not immediately

recognize Ethan Gruska’s name, but if you were a fan of the brother/sister duo The Belle Brigade, it might ring a bell, if you will.

Gruska, and his lesbian sister Barbara, released a couple of albums in the early 2010s before disbanding. The siblings, who are part of a musical dynasty (their grandfather is award-winning composer John Williams and their father Jay is a musician), continue to make music. Barbara worked on her wife Samantha Sidley’s 2019 album. Gruska has released two solo albums, the latest being

the wonderful and eclectic “En Garde.” Gruska was good enough to answer a few questions about his career and his solo work before the release of his new album. WATERMARK: BECAUSE OF YOUR MUSICAL LINEAGE – YOUR FATHER IS MUSICIAN JAY GRUSKA AND YOUR MATERNAL GRANDFATHER IS COMPOSER

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

JOHN WILLIAMS – DO YOU THINK IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT YOU WOULD ALSO BECOME A MUSICIAN? Ethan Gruska: I wouldn’t say it was inevitable. Many of my family members, who were not in music, were like, “Oh, man, don’t go through the trouble.” Even (for) my dad and my grandpa who have had a lot of success, it’s not easy doing it. It’s an insane amount of work and it’s up and down, even when you’re at a high level. It is in my blood and I’ve always been super drawn to music. I do feel like it was inevitable for me, but I don’t know if somebody else was in my shoes, maybe they would want to get the hell away

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inspiration for the song and its rhythmic energy?

| uu | Touché

That song was written in a different way. It wasn’t necessarily written for me. I do a lot of writing for other people. I often get together with people for cold, blind writing sessions and we just go. That was one of them. I liked the song and the upbeat production, the song felt good when we tried it. It’s usually just trial and error and instinctual. I wanted this record to have a little more that of that kind of appeal and energy because the last one had nothing you could move to. I wanted this to have a groove, something people could connect with in a more immediate way. I thought the lyrics had more of a universal sentiment to them.

from pg.53

from it. I was lucky to be drawn to it and to have people that I could ask questions. As one half of The Belle Brigade, with your sister Barbara, you released an eponymous debut album in 2011 and “Just Because,” a 2014 follow-up. What were the challenges and rewards of collaborating with Barbara in a band?

I wouldn’t say that there were any challenges aside from the fact that we were just grinding it. We were doing a ton of touring and working so hard. That brings emotional challenges just because it’s really hard to be on the road that much. I know she feels the same way. It was really lucky, because we’re very close and we were learning so much together, that we had each other to rely on. It would have been a totally different experience doing music without her because so much of my early learning experience, I had someone to lean on. I learned so much from that time. I got a lot of touring out of the way. I feel so lucky to be able to do more studio work and stay home. It was a great experience. We did so many years just going for it. I loved it, especially in retrospect [laughs]. Barbara is a lesbian and it made me wonder if because of that you were aware of a following for The Belle Brigade, as well as your solo work, in the LGBTQ community?

I’m not necessarily aware of that, but there are so many gay people in my immediate family that I just feel very close to that community.

In 2017, you released your solo debut album, the gorgeous “Slowmotionary.” Why was that the right time to make your solo statement?

Barb and I had decided that we needed to split off from the project. Not for any bad reason aside from having put all our eggs into that basket for several years. I think that The Belle Brigade albums that we made together, as much as I loved them, there was a lot of high energy stuff. In my soul, music is soft, sad ballads. I felt like coming off that

To my ears, “Haiku4U,” featuring Lianne LaHavas, sounds like it has a Prince vibe. Are you a Prince fan?

Belle of the ball: Ethan Gruska, of the music duo The Belle Brigade, brings a new sound to his latest album, “En Garde.” Photo by Josh Rothstein, Courtesy Warner Records

project, I needed to go bare and minimalist. I’m always rebelling against the last thing that I did. That first release needed to be totally different from anything that I’d done before. “Slowmotionary” was a piano-centered album whereas your new album, “En Garde,” with the combination of the electronics and acoustic guitar touches, on “Maybe I’ll Go Nowhere,” as well as on “Another Animal,” makes it clear that it is going to be a different listening experience.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

I appreciate that you listened to it carefully like that. I get bored quickly and I like so many different kinds of music so that perfect storm combination usually leads me to do something very different. I’ve been producing a lot more stuff. Being in the studio and having more capability over some of the more electronic side of working influenced this record. I wanted to have more production value because that’s what I’ve been studying in the last few years to get better as a producer. In “Maybe I’ll Go Nowhere,” you sing “nowadays/ heaven is a place/where something’s always

happening,” which sounds to me like a nod to the Talking Heads’ song “Heaven.” Am I on the right track?

Yeah, maybe so. It must be just so ingrained in my brain. Barb and I went on tour with k.d. lang for several months way back in the day and she would cover that song every night. It was one of my favorite moments. That song is in my DNA at this point. It must be a nod [laughs]. The upbeat “Enough for Now,” which features vocals by Phoebe Bridgers, is another example of a song that puts distance between En Garde and its predecessor. What was the

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Huge! I think he’s one of the greatest songwriters of all times. That’s probably my favorite song on the record because I think it’s the most bizarre. Also, because it’s the only one where I’m not singing the lead vocal [laughs]. I love not listening to myself. What happened was I was getting together with Lianne to write for her project. We met for two days. I’m a fan of hers and I had a sense that she would not want to do a standard thing. I wanted to show her some of the weirder musical pieces that I had and see what she gravitated towards. I showed her this piece of music and I was expecting her to say, “Cool! Show me another one. That’s too freaky”. But she responded to it and had a lot of incredible things to say about moving things around. Once we had this musical format, we were only together for two days, but we were having the best time writing these funny, tongue-in-cheek haikus and coming up with the song together. It was a great experience. She’s a blast and I think she’s amazing. The song sat around for a little bit. It thought it was really cool and I kept working on it. She was cool enough to let me use it for my project. I hope that one day it has a place in her world as well. Ethan Gruska’s new album “En Garde,” from Warner Records, is out now and available for purchase on vinyl and CD as well as streaming on all major platforms.

Read It Online! Commissioner Patty Sheehan

A Conversation with: Commissioner Patty Sheehan Presented by:

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

March 10 at 7:00 p.m. RSVP at: st.lukes.org/openarms (Drop-ins welcome!)

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The Florida Film Festival is presented by Enzian, Central Florida’s full-time, not-for-proﬁt alternative cinema, which seeks to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through ﬁlm.

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

community calendar

event planner arts+entertainment

Central Florida

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Miss Rose Dynasty Pageant 2020

Central Florida 2020 WAVE Awards, March 6, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-481-2243; WatermarkOnline.com

Sunday, March 8, 6-10 p.m. Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando

Mayor Dyer’s Community Summit, March 7, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Orlando. 407-503-3000; Orlando.gov Mardi Gras, March 7, Parliament House, Orlando. 407-425-7571; ParliamentHouse.com The Molly Ringwalds, March 7, House of Blues, Orlando. 407-934-2583; HouseOfBlues.com Mary’s & Mimosas, March 7, Hamburger Mary’s, Orlando. 321-319-0600; HamburgerMarys.com/Orlando Community Sweat: PFLAG, March 8, Rock Hard Fitness, Orlando. 407-802-4631; RockHardFitnessOrlando.com “Friends” Trivia, March 9, Castle Church Brewing, Orlando. 407-635-9410; ChurchCastleBrewing.com Billie Eilish World Tour, March 10, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com Camp Drag, March 11, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; StonewallOrlando.com Josh Groban, March 11, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Lamburlesque with Blue Star, March 13, The Hammered Lamb, Orlando. 407-704-3200; HammeredLamb.com Young Playwright Showcase, March 15, Central Florida Community Arts, Orlando. 407-937-1800; CFCArts.com

Grammy Gal Billie Eilish, who won all four general field categories at the 2020 Grammy Awards, brings her “Where Do We Go? World Tour” to Orlando’s Amway Center March 10. Photo via Eilish’s Facebook page.

Manila Luzon, March 13, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

Sunday Brunch Variety Show, March 8, Queens Head, St. Petersburg. 727-498-8584; TheQueensHeadBar.com

St. Patrick’s Day DrinkFest, March 17, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

CHIC Live, March 13, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712, PunkysBar.com

Drag Queen Story Hour, March 19, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; TheCenterOrlando.org

TAMPA BAY Gasparilla Music Festival 2020, March 7-8, Curtis Hixon Waterfront, Tampa. 813-708-8423; GasparillaMusic.com 2020 LGBTQ Youth Summit, March 7, Thomas Jefferson High School, Tampa. 813-232-3808; MetroTampaBay.org Drag Brunch, March 7, Iberian Rooster, St. Petersburg. 727-258-8753; IberianRooster.com

Krewe of Cavaliers Coronation Ball, March 13, Armature Works, Tampa. 813-250-3725; Krew. ClubExpress.com Trinity K. Bonet, March 13, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa Manila Luzon, March 14, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa City Side Showcase, March 14, City Side Lounge, Tampa. 813-350-0600; CitySideLoungeTampa.com St. Patrick’s Day Drag by the Bay, March 17, Neptune Grill, Gulfport. 727-623-4823; NeptunesGrillGulfport.com1

St. Patrick’s Parade After Party, March 17, The Honey Pot, Tampa. 813-247-4663; YborCityOnline.com/TheHoney-Pot PFLAG St Pete Meeting, March 17, Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.com Grand Central District Social, March 18, Former Georgie’s Alibi, St. Petersburg. 727-828-7006; GrandCentralDistrict.org Tampa Bay Bears Dine Out, March 18, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712, PunkysBar.com

SARASOTA Moxie Productions: Originals, March 11, The Gator Club, Sarasota. 941-228-4872; Facebook.com/ MoxieProductionsSRQ Ringling by the Bay, March 16, The Ringling, Sarasota. 941-359-5700; Ringling.org

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

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Join the Rose Dynasty Foundation for the fourth annual Miss Rose Dynasty Pageant, Orlando’s only familyfriendly drag pageant. Hosts Momma Ashley Rose and Miss GayDayS 2019 Twila Holiday will welcome special guests and contestants from throughout Florida to the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater to celebrate that every person is “loved, accepted and wanted.” Tickets begin at $25. For more information and to purchase yours, visit RoseDynastyFoundationInc.org.

A Night for Pride Saturday, March 14, 7-11 p.m. Aloft Downtown, Orlando A Night for Pride returns for its 16th year with a glamorous night celebrating Come Out with Pride. Join organizers for heavy hors d’oeuvres, beats by DJ Joanie and riveting performances by Blue Star and VarieTEASE. This year’s grant and scholarship winners will also be announced as COWP presents a silent auction and exciting details about this year’s parade and festival. Tickets are $50. Learn more at ComeOutWithPride.com

Tampa Bay Taste of Pride Saturday, March 7, 7-10 p.m. The Coliseum, St. Petersburg St Pete Pride invites supporters to feast like a queen for its latest Taste of Pride. Guests will enjoy sizable tastings from more than 15 Tampa Bay establishments, voting on their favorites. The overall winner will receive a $1,000 donation to an organization of their choice for St Pete Pride’s Community Grants Program. Tickets are $40 and include entrance, a ticket voucher and more. Visit StPetePride.com for tickets.

2020 LGBTQ+ Women Artist Exhibit Wednesday, March 18, 7-9 p.m. Metro Inclusive Health, St. Petersburg LGBTQ women artists and their supporters are invited to Metro Inclusive Health’s second annual LGBTQ+ Women Artists exhibit for Women’s History Month. Join organizers for an art exhibition that works to connect and support Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ women artists. People of all gender identities, expressions and orientations are encouraged to attend and enjoy the large variety of mediums for sale. Visit MetroTampaBay.org for details.

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2020 FINALIST March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

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TAMPA PROUD Tampa Pride welcomed supporters to the Hilton Tampa Downtown Feb. 20 for its Grand Marshal Gala, introducing this year’s honorees while looking ahead to their 2020 celebration. Organizers advised that the grand marshals were chosen by Tampa Pride’s board, which carefully considered their contributions to and longtime support of Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ community at large. Tampa Pride President Carrie West introduced each of them between performances by Tampa Bay entertainer De Delovely. This year’s grand marshals are Renee Cossette, Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Director; Bradley Nelson, Bradley’s on 7th owner; Sally Phillips and Ercilia Albistu of the Hillsborough County LGBTA Democratic Caucus; Freddy and Bardha Mamudi, New York New York Pizza owners; Carol “Mama” Steen, Tampa Bay bartender; Angelique Padro, Tampa Bay performer Lady Janet and Jay Chetney, Stonewall veteran. Watermark has also been named Tampa Pride 2020’s community organization grand marshal. “We have been longtime supporters of Tampa Pride and work hard to make sure Tampa is represented as a thriving and inclusive city,” Watermark owner, publisher and editor Rick Claggett has shared. “It is humbling that the board of Tampa Pride recognizes that and amazing to receive such an honor from them.” View Watermark’s photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

FOR THE CAUSE

AN Community Health welcomed supporters to the Ritz-Carlton Feb. 22 for the organization’s second annual Red Ribbon Gala. “It is incredible to look back at these last 11 months and see how far we have come in the fight against the HIV epidemic,” CAN Community Health CEO Richard Carlisle shared. “We are witnessing daily the power of access to care. This year we launched the CAN Community Health Youth Initiative, a safe space model for STD prevention.” The program provides leadership and decision-making authority to promote sexual health testing directly to their peers. “Many of the underserved youth in our communities are homeless or housing insecure and statistically at high-risk for STDs,” he noted. “Lack of familial and school support, combined with a lack of comprehensive in-school sex education means our initiative is essential for STD prevention, education, testing and linkages to care.” The organization also highlighted its 2018-2019 impact, noting that more than 15,000 patients had been linked to care in that time. In addition, more than 46,000 STD/HIV tests had been completed and $6.6 million had been reinvested into the communities CAN Community Health serves. The evening also welcomed Michael Kors, who replaced original headliner Debra Messing after the actress suffered an injury. The fashion designer read a letter from Messing and detailed his community advocacy. View Watermark’s photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

2 3

ART DUO: Jeff Lucas (L) and Corey Malyszka take on the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts at Julian B. Lane Park March 1. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

DIVA DELIGHTS: (L-R) Naliyah, Ja’Staria Sherrington and Juno Vibranz dazzle at Quench Lounge Feb. 22. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

EQUALITY EVENING: Nick Cardello (L) and Kurt English enjoy Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala Feb. 21. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

PLUS ONE: Dads and big sister to be (L-R) Paul, Lila Grace and Jose Smith-Rodriguez celebrate baby PJ’s shower in Lakeland Feb. 22. PHOTO COURTESY PAUL

AND JOSE SMITH-RODRIGUEZ

GALA GALS: Tampa Pride grand marshals Sally Phillips (L) and Ercilia Albistu proudly present their medals at the Hilton Tampa Downtown Feb. 20. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

ALL TOGETHER: (L-R) Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith, St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, Safe Schools Director De Palazzo and Deputy Director Stratton Pollitzer gather for the All Together Now Safe Schools Conference in St. Pete Feb. 24. PHOTO

COURTESY EQUALITY FLORIDA

OOPS, SHE DID IT AGAIN: Jade Embers Cohen celebrates her birthday Britney style at Southern Nights Tampa Feb. 22. PHOTO COURTESY SOUTHERN NIGHTS TAMPA

CAN COUPLE: Dex Fabian (L) and Brian Bailey attend CAN Community Health’s Red Ribbon Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Feb. 22.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

7 March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

central florida out+about

Lady Gaga lipstick ad features Orlando artist

ocal artist Ernesto Pena-Reagan showed his pride as a little monster as he modeled for Lady Gaga’s makeup brand, Haus Laboratories, in their new lipstick campaign. The campaign features 11 other super fans of Gaga’s in her new “Le Monster” Matte Lip Crayon launch. Pena-Reagan was chosen in a casting call online to model the product and promote it on social media. He is wearing the shade, “Hot Rod,” in his photo. Pena-Reagan was born in Mexico City and currently lives in Winter Park with husband, Brian Reagan. He expressed how much the campaign meant to him and shows the progress he has made as an LGBTQ immigrant. The campaign has received positive feedback online from fans of Gaga’s and the makeup community. Pena-Reagan has thanked his following for the support and Haus Laboratories for the opportunity, calling Gaga his hero. “I’m beyond HONORED to be part of this campaign,” Pena-Reagan wrote on Instagram. “From Mexico to the U.S with LOVE, thank you so much to @hauslabs and the Haus of Gaga for this amazing opportunity. You guys turned my life around!

Dr. Phillips Center Cher’s 2020-21 Broadway season

fter teasing the season with “Hamilton” and “Wicked,” the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced the rest of the shows for its 2020-21 FAIRWINDS Broadway season Feb. 18. The nine shows coming for the new season boast an impressive 88 Tony Award nominations and 44 wins, including four Best Musical winners. The season features “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Tootsie,” “Hadestown,” “The Band’s Visit,” “The Prom,” “Wicked,” “CATS,” “Hamilton” and “The Cher Show.” “This will be another fantastic Broadway year, especially with the acclaimed titles and expanded number of weeks,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center. “Hamilton,” which will be a season add-on, will run for four weeks and “Wicked,” a season option, will run for three weeks. The upcoming season will also include the completion of Steinmetz Hall, the newest theater at the Dr. Phillips Center; however, all Broadway series shows will play in the Walt Disney Theater. “This season is filled with one-of-a-kind performances and we are proud to offer exclusive pre-sale opportunities to our members through our continued support of the FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season at Dr. Phillips Center and to provide quality entertainment to our entire community,” said FAIRWINDS president and CEO Larry Tobin. The 2020-21 season will kick off Sept. 29 with “To Kill A Mockingbird” and conclude with “The Cher Show” June 15-21, 2021. For more information, visit OrlandoBroadway.com.

Thursday Network: Sam Callahan, Brian Crews and Nikole Parker mix and mingle at Watermark’s Third Thursday at Crews & Pasquera P.A. Feb. 20. Photo by Danny Garcia

A Life Celebrated: George Wallace (L) and Kristy Weick remember Terry DeCarlo at his memorial service at The Abbey in Orlando.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

Clack, Clack: Widow Von’Du strikes a pose at the Parliament House in Orlando Feb. 29. Photo

courtesy Parliament House

Classic Rerun: Ginger Minj (L) and Daniel Franzese are Rozanne and Dan Connor in the TV Land Live show “Rozanne” at the Parliament House in Orlando Feb. 27. Photo by Danny Garcia

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Broadway Buds: Nick Smith and Aurora McCreary check out “Mean Girls” at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando March 1.

Photo courtesy Nick Smith

Running to Win: Patty Sheehan shows off her medal from the Best Damn Race in Orlando Feb. 29.

Photo courtesy Patty Sheehan

From Orlando: “From Here” writer-director Donald Rupe (center) at a performance of his show with Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Jerick Mediavilla at Central Florida Community Arts in Orlando Feb. 23. Photo courtesy Carlos Guillermo Smith

I Choose You: Justin Shakeri shows off his Jiggly Puff hat in Orlando Feb. 28.

Photo courtesy of Justin Shakeri

8 March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

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March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 •//Photo Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

announcements

wedding bells

Eric Fayad and Chadwick James, from St. Petersburg, Florida

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Engagement date:

Dec. 5, 2015

Wedding date:

Oct. 7, 2017 and Oct. 6, 2018

Wedding venue:

Fritz Farm (Cordele, Georgia)

Wedding song:

“I Said I Loved You but I Lied” by Michael Bolton

Wedding theme:

Kentucky Derby

Florist:

Southern Accents & Designs

Officiant:

Brent Walker

Caterer:

Southern Elegance

Bakery:

Southern Elegance

Cake Flavors:

Unfinished cake with vanilla layers, chocolate caramel, berries and popcorn and one gluten-free layer

Photographer:

Greg Moran

DJ:

DJ Money

Photo by Greg Moran

hough they were each based

in other cities at the time – St. Petersburg and Austin, respectively – Eric Fayad and Chadwick James first connected in Newark, N.J.

Fayad teaches medical and fire dispatch classes around the country and had hoped to schedule a class in San Francisco that fateful week in Oct. 2014. To his dismay, he filled out his request form incorrectly and found himself in New Jersey. James is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines and landed in the Garden State on a layover that same week. They matched on Grindr and started chatting. They didn’t meet up immediately. Instead, they exchanged phone numbers to continue their conversation. When James moved to Chicago not long after their first messages, he found a large bouquet of flowers from Fayad waiting at his new apartment. “The note said, ‘I hope the housewarming goes great,’” James recalls. “We hadn’t even talked on the phone by that time.” The pair finally met in person in 2015 for dinner at the Tampa Airport Marriott when he was

in town on another layover. They were engaged before the year was over. They had purchased a boat together and organized an outing with friends. James thought it was just a fun day on the water, but Fayad had other plans. He rented space at a Gulfport restaurant and invited friends and family to meet them there. When they pulled up to the dock, he proposed. James officially moved to St. Petersburg after that. As they began planning their wedding, he fell in love with the “beautiful” Fritz Farm in Cordele, Georgia. Having spent much of his life in South Georgia, he knew of the area as “very Southern… and not really welcoming of the gays.” Still, he wanted to get married there, hoping to make the point that “love is love.” When they learned the venue was owned by a lesbian couple, any concerns they had about the area were eased. “It was meant to be,” he says. “They were family.”

CONGRATULATIONS

Tony Pullaro, Director of Marketing at Red Mesa, won an ADDY at the American Advertising Awards ceremony.

They set a date, Oct. 6, 2017, and their guests made travel arrangements. Then, Fayad’s sister fell ill. She had battled cancer for much of her life and the leukemia she had beaten three years earlier returned. Her doctors scheduled a bone marrow transplant the day before her brother’s wedding. Not only did Fayad not want to get married without her there, he was also “the donor that saved his sister’s life,” James says. They put their plans on hold and days after Fayad donated his bone marrow, the couple held an intimate ceremony in his best man’s backyard. One year later, their big day finally came and they held their dream wedding, an over-the-top Kentucky Derby-themed affair with many friends and family, including Fayad’s sister. “Everything was perfect,” he says. “It’s a blessing she was able to be there.” James adds, “It just shows how strong we are ... with all the ups and downs and the cancer, everything came out the way we wanted in the end.” —Tiffany Razzano

Carnival Cruise Line’s Seth Grunes, St. Pete socialite David Hines, The Pub/Lakeland and Southern Comfort Campground owner Vaughn Howell (March 5); Orlando playwright, actor and Watermark contributor Michael Wanzie, TIGLFF Director of Programming KJ Mohr, Orlando realtor Rustin Davis, Rollins College theater director Thomas Ouellette, Tampa colorist Chas Stickney, Les Vixens dancer Allyna NiKohl, Sarasota Modern agent Hector Esteban (March 6); Tampa Bay fashionista Robert Chmura-Pappadeas, St. Petersburg muralist Dereck Donnelly, Habitat for Humanity’s Development Associate Val Brinkley, Tampa Bay political expert Randy Smith, Tampa Bay bear David Sparks, Ponytail princess Cheryl Prestero (March 7); WAVE-winning Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell, Orlando actor Erik Branch, Old Key West owner Mitch Faber, St. Petersburg realtor Matt Lawrence, Co-owner of E.M. & Voss Solutions Event and Wedding Services Eric Muenks, Jobsite Theater Producing Artistic Director David Jenkins (March 8); St. Petersburg mail carrier Derek Wilkins, Sarasota woman about town Misty Smeltzer, Southern Nights bartender Cathy Binkewicz (March 9); Halcyon singer/songwriter Deb Hunseder, Tampa Bay licensed mental health counselor Blake Williamson, Gulfport gal Caitlyn DeWitt, St. Petersburg City Council Vice Chair Gina Driscoll, Punky’s bartender Aaron McBeth, Biz Buzz Inc’s Bryant Dannic (March 10); O-Town actor Kevin Kelly, Orlando WAVE-winning activist Margo Dixon, artist Terry Hummel, Outfront Media advertising account executive Don Kiciena Jr., Dunedin dentist Mike Hopkins, St Pete Pride President Chrys Bundy, Foreign film aficionado Bob Austin, Former Doggie Door co-owner Jeff Brow (March 11); The Florida/Georgia Gay Rodeo Association’s Todd Garrett, Wells Fargo regional president David Guzman, Burlesque performer “Lady Siren” Shena Lollar (March 12); Tampa muscle man Danny Watson, Orlando Hamburger Mary’s co-owner John Paonessa, Tampa Bay leader Larry Biddle (March 13); Quench Lounge bartender Mitch Demmons, Tampa event planner Tim Thompson, Tampa Bay entertainer James Watson aka Josie Jay, Central Florida softball superstar Mary Johnson, Ember bartender Ramon Hernandez (March 14); Central Florida mental health professional Kristy Weick, Tampa nutritional biochemist Debra Roche, Brevard-based activist Scott Wall-DeSousa, St. Petersburg realtor Bobby Poth, Sarasota realtor Rob Krasow, Hogwarts-bound Bobby Dixon, United Health’s Paul Bradford (March 15); Publix Headquarters PR man Chris McNally (March 16); Britney-loving bear Nabil Harb, Former St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell, skincare genius Tabor Winstead, “Talkin’ Pets” co-host Jon Patrick, Enigma staple Indrek Karner (March 17); Associate director of admissions for Stetson Law School Darren Kettles, Ember bartender Brian Kabbash, Central Florida recruiter Charles Elliott (March 18).

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.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

the last page Hometown:

Born in Des Moines, Iowa but moved to Orlando in 1972.

Identifies As: Heterosexual female, ally

Pronouns:

She/Her/Hers

Profession:

Cathy Keene P resident

J . M eyers I nsurance agency

President of J. Meyers Insurance Agency

Professional role model:

My mom – she founded the agency in 1974 back when women did not own businesses and I strive to be like her every day.

Autobiography Title:

“Breaking the Mold: Creating my Own Path to Success.”

Hobbies:

My family and GRANDKIDS! Playing cards and games with friends. Husband is working on a boat, so someday boating

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

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 President of J. Meyers Insurance Agency, Cathy Keene. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about the movers and shakers of your community. What do you do professionally?

I am an Insurance agency owner and insurance agent. I own the agency in partnership with my sister – but I am also still an active agent and specialize in commercial insurance. I love insuring the small family business and getting to know the owners and office mangers. Being a business owner myself, I understand the balance act of buying the best coverage out there but still trying to make payroll. I want to break insurance down so the business owner can make the choices between what they want to pay to insure and what they feel they can self-insure. How do you champion for the local LGBTQ community?

I’m on the board of The Pride Chamber and even though we are a small business, we’ve joined at the Sponsor level to show our commitment. We have employees from the LGBTQ community, even before we were members of the chamber and same-sex

marriage wasn’t legal, we sought out insurance companies that treated LGBTQ couples the same as married couples — name both on homeowners’ policies, married discounts on auto, etc. We’ve always treated all clients with respect. We had a transgender woman insured years before I even knew the term, sometime in the early 90’s, and she said coming into our office was always a relief as we treated her just like everyone else and didn’t do the double take at the driver’s license when it said male. What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?

I always flip through the whole magazine but always to make sure I read the Viewpoints. Not really sure why. I guess I always like hearing someone else’s opinion and to see if their point of view aligns with mine and then, if it doesn’t, really consider theirs to see if I can understand where they are coming from. What is your favorite local LGBTQ event?

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

The Pride Gala of Course. It feels like a huge party with some of my dearest friends and then we get to celebrate the outstanding businesses in the Central Florida LGBTQ community. What is your favorite thing about the local LGBTQ community?

Be braver and trust in yourself. Too many times I’ve held back my ideas for fear that someone might think they were silly or stupid. Even if the idea doesn’t work out, you tried.

What is your earliest memory of being an LGBTQ ally?

Still just more acceptance. It is so hard for me to even comprehend the bigotry and unacceptance towards the LGTBQ+ community. I would truly like the term Ally to not be needed as everyone is accepted for who they are.

I was in college. I had a really good friend from high school who finally told me she was a lesbian and I said I always knew and went on with the conversation. Five minutes later she said “go back, you mean you’ve always known?” I was hurt that she was worried it would make a difference to me, then she explained that she had people that she was sure it wouldn’t be an issue with that no longer talked to her and I was too important of a friend to take that chance. That was when I truly realized that there were still a ton of people out there that still really care about someone’s sexual orientation. I had really thought my generation was more evolved —WRONG! — and that’s when I realized I couldn’t just sit back and think they know I’m okay with who they are, I need to tell them.

Talk to me and I’ll pretty much tell you anything. I’m an open book and my sister would probably say I share too much.

I was born into it, LOL. It was a good job to get me through high school, and then through college, now through life.

Sounds silly but how so accepting they are. Coming from the straight ally that has a lot of her own hang-ups – being a short, fluffy woman in the business world and especially in sales has not always been easy. This community has taught me to love and accept myself. I’m a much braver person than I was 5 or 6 years ago when I walked into The Center for my first RED Meeting. What would you like to see improved in the local LGBTQ community?

What would you like our readers to know about you?

What advice would you give your younger self?

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com

When and how did you get into the insurance business?

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

March 5 - M a rch 18 , 2020 // Issue 27.05 wat e r m a r konline .com