Watermark Issue 27.06: by Watermark Publishing Group

Your LGBTQ Life.

March 19 - April 1, 2020 • Issue 27.06

Coronavirus concerns impact central florida and tampa bay

D A Y T O N A B E A C H • O R L A N D O • T A M P A • S T . P E T E R S B U R G • clear w ater • S A R A S O T A

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We are two months behind in the actions that needed to be taken against this pandemic. Unless we individually take more charge of our actions to overcome the shortcomings of our public health policy, we will continue to be behind the eight-ball for the foreseeable future. —Dr. Edwin DeJesus, Medical Director for the Orlando Immunology Center

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On the cover

page

page First Time Out: Central

Coronavirus concerns impact the LGBTQ communities in Central Florida and Tampa Bay.

Watermark Issue 27.06 // March 19 - April 1, 2020

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WatermarkOnline.com

Florida performer Philip Ancheta talks about his first national tour, “Miss Saigon.”

Coronavirus Effects Community First

Social Distance

Ladyfingers

page Government declares states of emergency, LGBTQ businesses announce closures.

page

Read It Online! In addition to a Web site with daily LGBTQ updates, a digital version of each issue of the publication is made available on WatermarkOnline.com

page Tampa Pride and Manatee Pride postpone parade, festivals and events.

Winter Party Festival attendee in Miami tests positive for coronavirus.

Sabrina Ambra takes on coronavirus and social distancing in her latest Viewpoint.

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Publisher’s

Rick Claggett PUblisher

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Desk

he problem with running a

bi-weekly newspaper is timing. Even before social media this was an issue. Watermark goes to press roughly 40 hours before it hits the stands, leaving a window of uncertainty. There have been instances where something in our pages was obsolete by the time the articles were in the hands of our readers.

More often, a story we worked on would change at the last minute, leaving the editorial team to scramble to replace it. Such is the case with this issue. We had planned to report to you the amazing events and good times coming our way with Tampa Pride. Unfortunately, and quickly, societal norms changed and forced a postponement of the annual event. I sat in the room with the Tampa Pride board as they made the decision to move the event and my heart goes out to them. Safety first was their mantra, rightly so, but still it was somber to see the hard work put into Pride get delayed. Since that meeting the

community at large has seen a slew of cancelations, postponements and uncertainty. There is the expected fear one might associate with a pandemic, getting sick or passing a virus on to a loved one who is vulnerable. In addition we have the daunting fear for our jobs, businesses and nonprofits. It’s time like this that I reflect on my childhood memories of my mom, the consummate momma’s boy that I am. She seemed to know what to say in any circumstance. Whether helping me navigate the pitfalls of school cliques or offering comfort to other baseball moms, she always had great advice to give.

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

In an effort to make her proud, and to steal a page from Bill Maher, let me offer this advice: Safety, sleep and stress. Above all else, make sure you are safe. Follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines, available in this issue, to protect yourself and others from spreading the COVID-19 virus. You may not be at personal risk for a hard fought battle with this virus, but we all know someone who is and it is our responsibility to do our part in keeping it contained. Secondly, get sleep. Keep your body rested and your immune system strong. Finally, find ways to reduce stress. Sometimes that means stepping away from the 24-hour news cycle. Look into how the Small Business Administration can help your business and nonprofit organizations, as well as packages hopefully rolling out of Congress soon for individuals suffering financially from this pandemic. As I alluded to in the beginning of this column, it’s hard to know what will change in the time between my typing these words and the printing and distribution of this issue. I’ve never been a fan of speculative news so I won’t even try to predict the future. What I do know is that we have faced adversity before. Our community has suffered greatly at the hands of HIV/AIDS, our country suffered through September 11, 2001 and the world suffered through the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. We have helped each other through immeasurable odds before and we can do it again. Please look out for each other. Help where you can. I have said many times in these pages that we need you to support those who support you. That has never been truer than right now. If you are able to pick up a copy of the paper, please do so and keep it with you. Flip through the pages to not just read the stories, but support those who advertise. If you can’t

get a physical copy, sign onto our website, WatermarkOnline.com, and flip though the digital version of the paper. Those businesses that brave this hardship with us are what keep us going, allowing us to bring the news of this community to you. In this issue of Watermark we look at how the COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting Central Florida and Tampa Bay. We show you what the CDC and local municipalities recommend to keep yourself safe, while letting

Please look out for each other. Help where you can. I have said many times in these pages that we need you to support those who support you. That has never been truer than right now.

you know how businesses and organizations are being impacted. Missing from this issue will be our Event Planner. In compliance with CDC recommendations many of the events have been cancelled. We do check in with local actor Philip Ancheta and his experience traveling with the tour of “Miss Saigon,” which was scheduled to play in both Tampa and Orlando. We also offer a humorous look at social distancing from local radio host and comedian Sabrina Ambra. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

contributors Sabrina Ambra

is a cohost of Real Radio 104.1’s “News Junkie” program and will kick your ass if she needs to. Page 15

Lora Korpar is

a journalism student at the University of Central Florida and a former Watermark intern. She plans to graduate in Spring 2020. Page 37

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

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

distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway, Vanessa Maresca-Cruz

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

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central florida news

Rainbow Alliance offers scholarships to LGBTQ students in Volusia and Flagler Counties Samantha Neely

AYTONA BEACH, Fla. | Rainbow Alliance, an organization benefiting LGBTQ youth in Volusia and Flagler counties, has launched a scholarship program for students in the community looking to attend college. Ranging from $500-1,000, the scholarships can be applied for by any LGBTQ student in Volusia and Flagler who plan to attend a college, university or post-secondary vocational program between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The grant can be used on tuition, campus room and board, books or supplies. “They just simply add to a student’s other forms of income,” Rainbow Alliance Chairman Paul Edson says. “There’s going to be an opportunity to buy books more readily or perhaps get more meals, pay their tuition.” Edson says the recipients of the scholarships will be chosen by a Scholarship Selection Committee, separate from the Rainbow Alliance’s board, to keep everything fair. The committee will consist of diverse individuals from various academic backgrounds who are sympathetic to the struggles and issues within the LGBTQ community. Rainbow Alliance has given out 14 scholarships in the past. One of the group’s most recent recipients is Miguel Moore, an Argentinean student studying aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Moore applied for the scholarship after transferring from Argentina and getting more involved with the local LGBTQ community in Daytona Beach. Moore has been the president of three LGBTQ clubs on his Embry-Riddle campus — PRIDE, OSTEM and NGPA — and has been a vocal activist for LGBTQ students. “I’m very committed to bringing visibility on campus and in our community,” Moore says. “I’ve been talking to a lot of university officials and staff here on how to make things better and how to accommodate people from our community.” Since receiving the scholarship, Moore has attended several meetings with the Rainbow Alliance and has built a connection with the board. He believes this scholarship not only helps LGBTQ students financially but also helps to increase awareness on campus of the local LGBTQ community and lets them know that there are resources for them. “Engineering is not a career that many associate with a gay man, so I thought it was going to be hard because I thought I wouldn’t find a lot of people like me,” Moore says. “Organizations like this exposed me to queer people. They are doing engineering like me.” Applications can be found online at VFRainbow. org and at the Alliance’s Facebook page. The deadline for application submission is April 1.

Local Update: Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings (center), Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (center L) and other officials at a press conference to declare a local state of emergency March 13. Photo courtesy Orange County Government

Coronavirus Effects Local governments declare states of emergency, LGBTQ businesses announce closures Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | As Central Florida started reporting its first cases of the coronavirus, COVID-19, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer held a joint press conference March 13 to declare local states of emergency. As of press time, the Florida Department of Health has 160 confirmed positive cases of coronavirus with five deaths. In Central Florida there are three cases in Orange County, four in Osceola County, four in Seminole County, seven in Volusia County, one in Lake County and one in Brevard County. “Most of the tragedies or disasters or natural emergencies that we’ve had have been localized,” Dyer said. “This one encompasses the entire country and we need to respond as a country but more importantly we have to localize it and do everything that we can in our

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community to make sure our citizens and out visitors are safe.” Following the press conference, the City of Orlando suspended all city-hosted, city-sponsored and city-permitted events of 250 or more people. Orange County has also suspended all events of 250 people or more as well as suspended jury trials for two weeks and utilities will suspend service disconnections due to nonpayment. Local LGBTQ organizations and businesses began posting resources, policy updates and cancellations as local and federal health officials started encouraging “social distancing” within the general population. The LGBT+ Center Orlando posted to its Facebook March 13 that while The Center will remain open for individual counseling and testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and STIs, all events and groups facilitated by staff members would be cancelled through the end of the month including OWL Senior Social, T& Coffee, SPARK Men,

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SPARK Women, Gender Identity & Caregiver Group, Word by Word and Men’s Speakeasy. All other groups will meet at the discretion of the facilitator. Hope & Help announced that its facilities will be closed until April 6 with all appointments being conducted virtually during that time. The nonprofit HIV organization previously announced that it would be postponing its annual AIDS Walk, originally scheduled for April 18 at Lake Eola Park. Central Florida’s arts community is also feeling the effects. The Dr. Phillips Center, Bob Carr Theater, the Orlando Ballet, Central Florida Community Arts, Amway Center, the Garden Theatre, Opera Orlando and many more all announced they are postponing or cancelling shows at least until the end of March. Orlando’s Spring Fiesta in the Park, scheduled for April 4 and 5 at Lake Eola Park, has also been cancelled. The management team at Club Orlando, a men’s only sauna club and athletic venture, announced that the facility will close for 30 days as of March 16. The One Orlando Alliance, a coalition of more than 30 LGBTQ organizations, announced via social media that it will be staying in contact with local LGBTQ businesses, nonprofits and organizations to try and address the needs of Central Florida’s LGBTQ+ community.

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Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

tampa bay news

Manatee Pride 2020 postponed Ryan Williams-Jent

radenton, Fla. | The seventh annual Manatee Pride Festival has been rescheduled from March 21 to May 23 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. This year’s festival, a fundraiser for the LGBTQ-focused nonprofit Prism Youth Initiative, was expected to draw at least 2,500 attendees. Organizers announced its postponement just two days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an interim guidance recommending mass gatherings postpone in-person events consisting of 50 people or more nationwide. “Because the health, well-being and security of our community is first and foremost, in an abundance of caution, and, in keeping with government’s directives to avoid mass gatherings in light of the coronavirus (covid-19), we must postpone the 7th Annual Manatee Pride Festival,” Manatee Pride shared March 13. “Our new date is set for May 23rd,” their statement continues. “We know that this may disappoint and inconvenience some, but we must be responsible. In the meanwhile, please, be safe, and make plans to celebrate with us on May 23, 2020. PRIDE ON!” Manatee County Commissioners subsequently declared a state of emergency in the area March 16. The decision followed the news that four Manatee County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of March 15. The state of emergency is a procedural step which allows local authorities to respond more efficiently in an urgent public health situation. “We must be proactive rather than reactive,” Public Safety Director Jacob Saur shared in a press release. “Inevitably we will see an increase in cases but now is not a time to panic, it’s a time to plan and prepare.” The release also noted that Dept. of Health in Manatee County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie specifically recommends avoiding group activities. “Our goal is to work with the health care system to try and keep the spike down to try and control it,” she said. Bencie added that COVID-19 “is different than anything in our lifetimes because of the widespread nature of it. It will continue to spread if we don’t take appropriate precautions, whether they be limiting international travel or the basics of social distancing.” Saur also stressed the importance of limiting contact with other parties. “It’s important for the public to understand that even if you’re not feeling sick or if you don’t have signs of the flu, you should go about your business as if you have it so you’re more conscious of what you do,” he said. “Practice social distancing.” Manatee Pride organizers had planned to utilize this year’s celebration to announce the planned merger of Prism Youth Initiative with ALSO Youth. The Sarasota-based nonprofit also provides services to LGBTQ youth, which it has paused through March 31. Manatee Pride 2020 is currently scheduled for May 23, 2020. For more information, visit ManateePride.com. For more information about and resources concerning COVID-19, read this issue’s in-depth coverage.

TAMPA PROUD: Tampa Pride’s 2019 celebration in Ybor City. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD.

Community First Tampa Pride 2020 postponed Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | The sixth annual Tampa Pride has been rescheduled from March 28 to May 30 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The decision preceded the city of Tampa’s official recommendation to limit large gatherings March 13. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) subsequently released an interim guidance recommending that mass gatherings postpone in-person events consisting of 50 people or more nationwide. “Tampa Pride 2020 wants to ensure the health and safety of our community first and have taken the necessary precaution to do so,” organizers shared March 12. “We made this difficult decision to postpone because of the Coronavirus COVID-19 EMERGENCY. “We are rescheduling Tampa Pride 2020 to May 30, 2020,” the statement continues. “All Official Tampa Pride 2020 events are on hold and may be rescheduled. Tampa Pride 2020 will keep

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

you updated on the current changing situation. We thank you in advance for your patience during these trying times for our community & country.” Official events were scheduled to begin March 26 with the Tampa Pride VIP Sponsors Party at The Florida Aquarium, which also announced March 13 that it would close March 16-29. A support the sponsors night throughout Tampa was scheduled to follow March 27 before the street festival and parade in Ybor City on March 28. Tampa Pride was also scheduled to welcome celebrity headliner Martha Wash for an inaugural Pride at Night concert at the Cuban Club. The singer rose to fame as one half of the disco duo Two Tons O’Fun, which in 1982 changed its name to The Weather Girls after releasing their massively successful LGTBTQ anthem “It’s Raining Men.” While the club remains available for the concert May 30, Wash’s involvement in Pride at Night is unclear as of press time. Organizers share that they are working diligently to reschedule official events, including previously scheduled performances by local and national entertainers.

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The city also shared March 11 that they are working with local, state and federal agencies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Officials have launched a revamped web platform to communicate important public information. The platform is available at TampaGov.net/COVID-19, contains information related to general risk updates, symptoms and risk factors, travel information, frequently asked questions, resources and more. The city also encourages English-speaking residents to text “TAMPAREADY” or “TAMPALISTA” to 888-777 to receive real-time text alerts related to the virus and other emergencies. “The safety of our residents is our number one priority,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor shared in the release. “We want to make it as easy as possible for our residents to find the information that they need to stay safe and stay informed.” She further noted that the outbreak is evolving daily and citizens can’t be complacent. “We all have to do our part to prevent the spread of germs and protect ourselves,” Castor concluded, “so that we can protect the most vulnerable members of our community.” Tampa Pride 2020 is currently scheduled for May 30, 2020. For more information, visit TampaPride.org. For more information about and resources concerning COVID-19, read this issue’s in-depth coverage.

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state, nation+world news

Miami’s Winter Party Fest guest tests positive for coronavirus Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

n attendee at a fundraising dance party in Miami for the National LGBTQ Task Force has tested positive for the coronavirus, the organization informed participants in a letter sent March 15. The organization — best known for its annual “Creating Change” conference — informed attendees of the event about the attendee who tested positive for coronavirus via a letter from Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. “I was informed that one of our Winter Party Festival guests tested positive for COVID-19 in the week following our event,” Carey said in a news statement. “We are grateful to them for alerting us,

particularly given that they were not experiencing symptoms during WPF and had traveled elsewhere, but wanted to make sure we were aware of this development.” The Winter Party, which took place March 4-10, is a week-long celebration of beach parties and nightclub dancing in Miami. According to the Task Force, the official number of attendees at the event was 5,500 people. It’s unknown how the attendee was infected. The Task Force as of March 16 had yet to report other cases of attendees testing positive for coronavirus. Carey said in the letter “there are many places people could have been exposed before and after Winter Party as this virus has developed.” But coronavirus infection among event attendees doesn’t appear to be isolated to one individual, based on an account of one participant at the event. The attendee, who spoke to the Blade on condition of anonymity, said

he had direct exposure to one friend who subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus. The attendee added he’s part of a group chat with roughly 80 members and an estimated 20 of them say they have flu-like symptoms. “Most of us are not eligible for testing so are self quarantined and recovering at home,” the attendee said. Based on social media posts, the attendee said there could be up to three confirmed cases of Winter Party attendees who tested positive for coronavirus. Carey insisted in a news statement the Winter Party was still held amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus based on “official guidance available at the time.” Precautions undertaken at the event, Carey said, included comprehensive signage with CDC information about practicing good hygiene and making alcohol-based hand sanitizer available throughout the Festival.

highlights a provision of Brunei’s penal code that sought to impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of consensual same-sex sexual relations. The State Department sharply criticized the penal code. The Bruneian government last May placed a moratorium on the death penalty in the country. Uganda, Jamaica and Guyana are among the dozens of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain illegal. The report notes Gabon in 2019 criminalized homosexuality among adults. The report notes anti-LGBTQ violence remains widespread in Brazil and in many other countries. It also highlights the case of Camila Díaz Córdova, a transgender woman who was murdered in El Salvador in January 2019. The report notes Cuban authorities last May 11 arrested several activists who participated in an unsanctioned LGBTQ rights march in Havana. The report also references this reporter’s detention at the Cuban capital’s José Martí International Airport three days before the event when he tried to enter the country.

The report notes lawmakers in Angola in 2019 approved a new penal code that decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations in the country. Botswana’s High Court last June issued a ruling that legalized homosexuality in the African nation. The report notes the Batswana government appealed the landmark ruling. Pompeo in his remarks also referenced the Commission on Unalienable Rights, which stresses “natural law and natural rights.” Activists have sharply criticized the commission, in part, because Pompeo named Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard Law School professor who is known for her vocal opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples, as its chair. OutRight Action International is among the LGBTQ advocacy groups that have expressed skepticism over the initiative. The Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ rights record in the U.S. and its overall foreign policy continues to spark widespread outrage among activists and their supporters.

State Department releases annual human rights report Michael K. Lavers of the Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

he State Department’s annual human rights report released March 11 notes violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was commonplace around the world in 2019. The report notes authorities in Chechnya continued “a campaign of violence against individuals perceived to be members of the LGBTI community.” It specifically cites the Russian LGBT Network — an advocacy group based in the Russian city of St. Petersburg — that indicates Chechen authorities “illegally detained and tortured at least” 40 people during a period that ended in January 2019. The report also notes two of them “died in custody from torture.” The report notes Iran and Saudi Arabia are among the handful of countries in which homosexuality remains punishable by death. It also

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in other news Dating apps urge users to take precautions With app operators reporting an increase in the number of people moving online due to concerns over the coronavirus, several leading LGBTQ dating apps are taking steps to make sure their users are limiting social interaction to online rather than meeting up face-to-face. Grindr, the world’s best-known gay dating app, said “We… have published (World Health Organization) guidelines in the Grindr app to help users make the best-informed decisions when interacting with others.” A message currently greeting users on the app provides a link to the latest updates from the CDC. Tinder, which serves a mixed straight and LGBTQ community of nearly 6 million subscribers, also issued an advisory note, saying “Tinder is a great place to meet new people … While we want you to continue to have fun, protecting yourself from the coronavirus is more important.” The 30-million-user app Hornet also recently issued messages with advisory notes on how to avoid contracting the virus, and Scruff, which has over 15 million users, has sent out coronavirus tips from WHO “in chunks of 100,000 until all users are alerted.”

South Carolina agrees to ignore law on LGBTQ sex ed ban South Carolina education officials have agreed not to enforce part of their own state law that bans sex education teachers from mentioning any relationships other than heterosexual ones — unless the talk involves sexually transmitted diseases. Civil rights groups last month sued the state, saying the law violated the U.S. Constitution. They also say it led to a hostile classroom climate that fostered bullying of students who are not heterosexual. A federal judge signed a consent agreement reached between the plaintiffs and the state on March 11, in which both sides agree not to punish teachers who violate the law. State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman now has 60 days to inform all of South Carolina’s public school superintendents of the deal, and the order that they must no longer follow the requirement.

Canada moves to ban conversion therapy Lawmakers in Canada introduced a bill March 9 that would ban so-called conversion therapy in the country. Attorney General David Lametti and Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger introduced the measure that would amend Canada’s Criminal Code. The proposed amendments would punish those who cause “a minor to undergo conversion therapy,” remove “a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy abroad,” cause “a person to undergo conversion therapy against their will,” profit “from providing conversion therapy” and advertise “an offer to provide conversion therapy.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last December publicly called for a conversion therapy ban in Canada.

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AMERICAN PLAYLIST April 17 & 18 Van Wezel Sean O’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.

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viewpoint

Sabrina Ambra

ladyfingers Oh My, Corona

y a show of

recently washed hands, who is fucking exhausted of hearing/reading/saying the word “coronavirus?”

I think the only person who is slightly thankful for this shit show of a pandemic is Ozzy Osbourne, who has relinquished his title of “guy who bit off a bat’s head” and given it to its new, rightful owner: Patient Zero. Speaking of silver linings, with this influx of facemask purchases I’d like to imagine that there is a big percentage of folks finally getting a whiff of their stank-ass breath they had previously been sending directly into our nostrils. Mortgage rates are at lifetime lows, the stock market is plummeting, toilet paper is nowhere to be found. Take it all in, my friends, and then chase that with a dollop of hand sanitizer in your mouth or whatever. During a time that everyone thinks they’re going to die, I say with a hysterical draw, “what a time to be alive!” The sound and/or sight of a meager sneeze sends simultaneous chills down any spine within a 20-foot radius. As someone with severe allergies to anything carried in a gust of wind, I’m one public allergy attack away from a self-quarantine just to avoid the inevitable awkward explanation I’ll attempt while sneezing inside my shirt (and yes, onto my breasts). If you think that is ridiculous, how about the fact, YES FACT, that 38% of beer-drinking Americans (that

answered this particular survey, but still) would not buy a Corona beer at this moment “under any circumstances.” While this is clickbait AF, I have also personally witnessed several people in real life and social media claim something along the lines of not eating Chinese food to avoid COVID-19. Good. Fucking. God. What movie is this and how do I find the pause button? It goes without saying, but since I have a word count, there is no “pause” in life, AMIRIGHT?! As of late, it feels like we’re doing the opposite of pausing; instead we are full-blown binge watching, or in my case, spending an inordinate amount of time scrolling, watching previews, reading descriptions and adding to the queue that I almost never refer back to. It’s like I have committed to my fear of commitment. I love to plan yet fail to act, and then time whizzes by while giving me the middle finger. At the beginning of this [strange] year, my dear friend and creative partner Jeff and I were chatting over some whiskey at our favorite watering hole. It was there that I told him, probably for the second or fifth time (re: love to plan, suck at the follow through,) about one of my long standing pipe dreams — create music and actually release it. After an amount of time and shots of whiskey that went unaccounted for, we settled on two things: a plan and a mantra. The plan was to write, record and publish an EP; the mantra: “Stay Focused.” It is my pleasure, and slightly to my dismay, to inform you all that as of this writing, WE ACTUALLY FUCKING DID IT. Listen here, you gorgeous reader you, I cannot stress enough how great I am at not following through

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

with my plans, dreams, aspirations, and otherwise. So, seeing the words “Corvus, Incorporated” on Spotify and, thus, seeing a plan finally come to fruition was and continues to be a marvelous feeling. A feeling that was made possible by my boy Jeff,

reading (48-69 hour period,) the United States as a whole went from clickbait beer-drinker surveys to collectively acknowledging this coronavirus ain’t nothing to fuck with. I have no scientific evidence to back this up, but I’m pretty sure

and my baby boy Jeff in our continuous attempt at The Mantra: Whether it be a short term goal, your sanity during this global shit storm, a lingering pipe dream, counting the minimum of 30 seconds it takes for a proper

and a feeling that I want to have again very soon. Furthermore, I cannot and will not (#WordCount) fail to mention another “as of this writing” moment and I ask that you ask no questions as I drop this transparency on ya ass. From the moment I started this piece up until I type these words that you’re

Tom Hanks is the cat to T.Hanks. That, in and of itself, is a pause-worthy moment that we will not be granted. We have no choice but to ride this wave and the next wave and the one after that with balance, patience and awareness. With that, I cordially invite you to join myself

handwash, or otherwise just remember to “STAY FOCUSED.” And WASH YOUR FUCKING HANDS. I love you.

We have no choice but to ride this wave and the next wave and the one after that with balance, patience and awareness.

Sabrina Ambra is a cohost of Real Radio 104.1’s “News Junkie” program and will kick your ass if she needs to.

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Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

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talking points

Nearly 9 million registered voters of those voters

[My sexuality] does not define me. At the end of the day, I don’t know if in 20 years I will like a man. One never knows in life. But at the moment I am heterosexual and I like women. — Rapper Bad Bunny speaking to rumors about his sexuality in an interview with the Los Angeles Times Feb. 28

identify as LGBTQ;

50% 15% 22%

are Democrats,

Netflix comedy festival to include LGBTQ comedy night

etflix announced March 2 that it will present the first ever “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” a live comedy festival inspired by the streaming giant’s popular YouTube channel, in Los Angeles this spring. The line-up, which will perform from April 27-May 3 across twenty different venues, include Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, David Letterman, Amy Schumer and Chelsea Handler. The festival will also present “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration,” a stand-up showcase featuring out queer performers Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes and more. Entertainers Demi Lovato, Graham Norton and Ruby Rose will be among the presenters for the event. “Stand Out” is set for May 1 at the Greek Theatre in L.A. The show is scheduled to be taped and made available for streaming at a later date.

are Republicans,

are Independents

and 13% are members of another party or have no party affiliation. —The Williams Institute

Lady Gaga announces new album, ‘Chromatica’

ady Gaga announced March 2 that her highly anticipated sixth studio album will drop April 10 via Interscope Records. Titled “Chromatica,” the album was executive produced by Gaga alongside BloodPop. The news comes after the release of Gaga’s latest single Feb. 28, the high-energy track “Stupid Love,” which debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in 58 countries. The single is one of 16 tracks to be featured on the standard edition of “Chromatica,” with several bonus tracks planned for the deluxe version. The album’s cover will be unveiled at a later date. The video for “Stupid Love,” which was shot entirely on an iPhone 11 Pro, hit No. 1 worldwide trending on YouTube upon its release.

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Amazon revives Canadian sketch show ‘Kids in the Hall’

mazon is reviving the classic Canadian sketch comedy show, “Kids in the Hall,” for its streaming platform. The show will reunite the original five cast members — Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson — and add “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels to the mix. Amazon has ordered eight episodes for its streaming service, Amazon Prime. A date hasn’t been set for its premiere. The original series ran for over 100 episodes from 1988 to 1995 in both Canada and the U.S. The original cast previously reunited to star in the 1996 movie, “Brain Candy,” and the 2010 miniseries “Death Comes to Town,” in addition to touring together.

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Riley Knoxx becomes 1st trans woman to perform at NBA game

he Washington Wizards hosted its annual Pride Night and made NBA history. D.C. performer Riley Knoxx became the first openly transgender woman to perform at an NBA halftime show March 6. Knoxx told Good Morning America the Wizards “reached out to me, believe it or not. They have been watching for a while and they’ve been wanting me to perform at their events, but they were just waiting for the right time and space. And it just worked out that because they were watching, that’s how I got this chance.” The Wizards hosted a dance party on the court after with local dj Tezrah. The Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks 118 to 112.

the city of dunedin welcomes back

24-26

north pinellas pride

april

Friday Pride in the Park @ TD Ball Park - Gates open at 5 (Tickets: www.milb.com/dunedin/schedule/2020-04) Lunch @ Happyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bayou Bites - 11-4 Dance Party with DJ @ Crown & Bull - 9PM Drag Show/Dancing @ Blur - 10PM Rainbow Dinner @ Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro - 5PM Saturday Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breakfast @ VFW Post 2550 - 8-11AM Pool Party @ Beyond the Wall Bed & Breakfast - 12-4pm Luau @ Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar - 7-11PM Live music by Jericho Turnpike @ Blur - 8-11PM Sunday all day Shop, dine and drink at our locally owned shops, restaurants, bars and breweries. Look for our Pride stickers and a full listing of participating merchants for their specials.

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Visit https://www.facebook.com/NorthPinellasPride/ for info on all of the weekend planned events

sponsors include event venue businesses 18

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COVID-19 Coronavirus concerns impact central florida and tampa bay

Ryan Williams-Jent

n estimated 60,000 people

Photo By Maia Monet

filled the streets of Ybor City for Tampa Pride last year, celebrating Tampa Bay’s growing LGBTQ community. It’s a record that organizers were expecting to break this year until March 12, when they postponed their sixth annual outing originally scheduled for March 28.

Since Tampa Pride’s return to Hillsborough County in 2015, attendees, vendors, parade participants and community sponsors have grown year after year. Its expansion is made possible by its supporters, Tampa Pride President Carrie West says. “Last year we maxed out and had to turn people away,” he reflects. “We still wanted to grow and that’s what we’ve done. Through our partnerships and working together to make it happen, this year’s parade, festival and food truck alley are sold out. Everyone has done their part for the good of the community.” It was with a heavy heart but for the good of that community that Tampa Pride postponed its annual gathering until May 30, and the celebration isn’t alone in rescheduling. The seventh annual Manatee Pride, a fundraiser for LGBTQ youth originally slated for March 21, has been moved to May 23. Continued on pg. 20 | uu |

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| uu | COVID-19 from pg.19

The LGBT+ Center Orlando has suspended or changed its regularly scheduled programming through March 27. The Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber of Commerce has suspended in-person activities until April 17. This year’s AIDS Walk Orlando, which benefits Central Florida’s Hope & Help and was originally scheduled for April 18, has been postponed and as of press time, not yet rescheduled. Equality Florida, the state’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Floridians, has cancelled or postponed all public events through mid-April. They’re evaluating doing the same for others, including some of its largest annual fundraisers. “Stay strong,” the organization shared. “Our community is not unfamiliar with the phenomena of stigma and epidemics. We have to remember what HIV/AIDS taught us about taking care of each other in a climate of fear and real risk.” The changes are a response to the very real dangers of potentially contracting COVID-19, a new coronavirus first discovered in late 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO), which directs international health within the United Nations and leads partners in worldwide health responses, declared it a pandemic on March 11. They did so two days after Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Florida and two before Donald Trump declared one nationwide. On March 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that mass gatherings postpone in-person events of 50 people or more people across the nation, prompting further action from local governments and DeSantis. On March 17, the governor closed bars and clubs for 30 days. “We hope this will reduce gathering in large numbers,” he said. “WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of

spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared before the decision. “Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. “It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death,” he continued. “We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear.” WHO advises that coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which can infect animals and/or humans. They are known to cause respiratory infections in humans ranging from the common cold to more

a high risk demographic, a growing number of organizations have asserted. More than 100 LGBTQ and LGBTQ-supportive groups released an open letter to health care providers and the media on March 11, outlining the risks our community faces. The letter was initiated by six organizations: the National LGBT Cancer Network, GLMA: Health Professions Advancing LGBTQ Equality, Whitman-Walker Health, SAGE, the New York Transgender Advocacy Group and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. Additional high profile signers include GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, InterPride, Lambda

Scott Nass adds. “At the same time, like our colleagues who joined the open letter, we call on public health officials to ensure the LGBTQ community is considered and included in the public health response to COVID-19 based on potential risk factors that exist in our community.” In addition to the three million LGBTQ elders living in the U.S., a demographic that as of mid-March faces a 15% COVID-19 mortality rate, the organizations advise that the LGBTQ community’s increased vulnerability stems from three primary factors. First, that the LGBTQ population uses tobacco at rates that are 50% higher

Our community is not unfamiliar with the phenomena of stigma and epidemics. We have to remember what HIV/AIDS taught us about taking care of each other in a climate of fear and real risk. - Equality Florida

severe diseases, and COVID-19 reactions have been mild to severe, including illnesses resulting in death. As of mid-March, the most common symptoms have been fever, tiredness and a dry cough, the organization describes. They note that some patients have aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea, with mild symptoms beginning gradually. The organization advises that around 80% of those infected recover from the disease without needing special treatment. They also share that nearly one out of every six people becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing, cautioning that the elderly and individuals with underlying medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are considered higher risk. The LGBTQ community at large may also be considered

than the general population. Legal, the National Center for “COVID-19 is a respiratory Lesbian Rights, the National illness that has proven Center for Transgender Equality and The Trevor Project. particularly harmful to smokers,” it reads. “As the media and health Second, that the LGBTQ communities are pushed into population has higher rates of overdrive about COVID-19, HIV and cancer. This “means we need to make sure the a greater number of us may most vulnerable among us have compromised immune are not forgotten,” National systems,” it notes, “leaving us LGBT Cancer Network Deputy more vulnerable to COVID-19 Director Dr. Scout begins in infections.” the letter. “Our smoking rates Finally, that the LGBTQ alone make us extremely community continues to vulnerable and our access experience discrimination, to care barriers only makes unwelcome attitudes and a a bad situation worse. This lack of understanding from letter outlines simple steps to providers in staff in many ensure no population is further health care settings. “As a stigmatized by a virus.” result,” the letter explains, “As an organization dedicated “many are reluctant to seek to the health and well-being of medical care except in LGBTQ communities, we urge situations that feel urgent – LGBTQ individuals to practice and perhaps not even then.” measures recommended by Health care organizations public health experts, such throughout Central Florida as frequent hand washing, to prevent the spread of this virus,” and Tampa Bay have worked diligently to change that for MD., MPA. and GLMA President

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years, rising to the occasion yet again as concerns over COVID-19 have developed. Metro Inclusive Health, which offers more than 100 health, wellness and pharmacy services throughout Tampa Bay, has implemented temporary precautions to protect their patients. “For 27 years, Metro Inclusive Health has made your health and safety a top priority,” the organization shared March 17. “We have strived to be at the forefront of public health and wellness, especially in times of crisis [and have] taken significant steps to continue serving our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The organization has asked patients experiencing two or more of the following symptoms – a fever of 100.4 or higher, a dry cough, shortness of breath or body aches – to call before entering its health center, even if they’ve previously scheduled an appointment. “We’re monitoring everything closely and taking outreach on a case-by-case basis,” Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Brian Bailey adds. “We immediately implemented a clean spaces and social distancing policy in all current programming and throughout the health center.” Metro has also adjusted its curriculum, allowing them to develop a strong lead on how to move essential programming to a virtual format. “We are prepared to employ social media and online presentation services to deliver programming pre-designed for virtual settings,” they advise. “Virtual tools and telehealth will also assist in the delivery of behavioral health and medical treatment services.” Empath Partners in Care (EPIC), which provides a wide variety of medical care, counseling, support and prevention services throughout Tampa Bay, has made similar strides. “We are screening every individual that comes in with a series of questions,” Executive Director Joy Winheim explains. “If they meet the threshold, we are masking them and asking them to contact their primary care provider.” EPIC’s group services have been cancelled and they are currently providing

Number of Cases

Without Protective Measures

Health care System Capacity

With Protective Measures Time since first case

FLATTEN THE CURVE: By cancelling large events and encouraging restricted contact with others, the CDC and health experts hope to “flatten the curve” of new COVID-19 infections, lessening its impact on our nation’s health care system. Graph adapted from the cdc

to-go- meals on their Tampa Bay campuses. “We will pre-bag up food pantry bags and provide to those that are in need,” Winheim says, “and we are only seeing absolutely essential appointments. We will do as much over the phone as possible.” Experts agree that education is essential in combatting COVID-19. That’s why the Orlando Immunology Center (OIC), one of the country’s leading HIV, hepatitis and STD centers, provided Watermark with information discussed during the 2020 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) March 8-11. CROI provides a forum for HIV and virologist experts to discuss investigations into the epidemiology and biology of human retroviruses and associated diseases. OIC shared a number of the conference’s key takeaways, including: ● A successful response will require everyone’s involvement in controlling the spread. We must take care of our hands and practice social distancing. The latter should not be confused with a “panic response,” but it is a necessary and effective way to combat the spread of this infection. ● This is not just another flu. The virus is not even genetically related to it, and although both are respiratory illnesses, worse in the elderly, their similarities just about end there. The corrected mortality rate, although stratified by age and some chronic illnesses, is in the magnitude of 20 times greater than for influenza.

● COVID-19 is as contagious as it was initially reported. ● It was corroborated that most infected people will develop the illness, 80% mild, 15% moderate. ● There is minimal, if any, airborne transmission. ● There is a possibility of no long term immunity and there are reports of reinfections. While COVID-19 has rapidly progressed since Dec. 2019, OIC Medical Director Dr. Edwin DeJesus advises that the U.S. government has failed to educate the public on its severity. He notes that the U.S. fired its Pandemic Response Team in 2018 to cut costs, decreasing the budget for the CDC in the same period. Those decisions left the nation unprepared to properly take action. “We are two months behind in the actions that needed to be taken against this pandemic,” he says. “Unless we individually take more charge of our actions to overcome the shortcomings of our public health policy, we will continue to be behind the eight-ball for the foreseeable future.” To best combat COVID-19, WHO recommends the following protection measures: ● Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. ● Maintain at least a 3 feet distance between yourself and anyone coughing or sneezing. ● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. ● Make sure you and those around you follow good

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respiratory hygiene, covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately. ● Stay home if you feel unwell. ● Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots and if possible, avoid traveling to these places. OIC recommends additional measures, including: ● Disinfect the property you carry frequently, including phones, keys, glasses and bags. ● Think of your immediate surrounding space as a part of yourself, keeping it as clean as you do your hands. ● Avoid greeting others with your hands or a kiss/hug. ● Avoid directly touching public surfaces that may potentially be contaminated with your hands and disinfect them when you do. ● Exercise social distancing. ● Increase your personal space when possible. ● Avoid crowds and large gatherings. Like the LGBTQ and LGBTQ-inclusive events and spaces rescheduling or cancelling throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay, DeJesus says it isn’t his intent to spread fear. “Facts and education are our best tools for success,” he says. “There’s no need to panic,” DeJesus continues. “With good and frequent hand washing, by avoiding touching your face in public and with social distancing, we may kiss this epidemic goodbye.”

COVID-19 RESOURCES Florida dept. of Health The Florida Dept. of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of Floridians through integrated state, county and community efforts. Its COVID-19 Toolkit contains information on prevention, screening, distancing and more. For frequently updated information, visit FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 or reach the COVID-19 Call Center 24/7 at 1-866-779-6121 or by emailing COVID-19@FLHealth.gov.

County Health Departments County Health Departments are reinforcing public health and monitoring health trends on a daily basis. They help identify possible cases and serve as expert resources. For information in Hillsborough County, visit Hillsborough.FloridaHealth.gov; Manatee County, Manatee.FloridaHealth.gov; Orange County, Orange.FloridaHealth.gov; Pasco County, Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov; Pinellas County, Pinellas.FloridaHealth.gov; Polk County, Polk.FloridaHealth.gov; Sarasota County, Sarasota.FloridaHealth.gov; Seminole County, Seminole.FloridaHealth.gov. For information via phone in Orange County, call 407-723-5004; in Sarasota County, call 941-861-2873. In all other counties, 1-866-779-6121.

CITY GOVERNMENTS City governments are working closely with the resources listed here and others. For Orlando, visit Orlando.gov/COVID-19; Tampa, TampaGov.net/COVID19; St. Petersburg, StPete.org/Emergency.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC is the leading U.S. public health institute and is closely monitoring COVID-19 throughout the nation. It provides community resources, information and more. Visit CDC.gov/Coronavirus for frequently updated information.

The World Health Organization The WHO is a specialized agency of the U.N. concerned with public health and is closely monitoring COVID-19 conditions throughout the globe. It provides community resources, information and more. Visit WHO.Int/Coronavirus for frequently updated information.

Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

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Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

First Time Out

Local performer Philip Ancheta Talks about his first national tour, ‘Miss Saigon’

Jeremy Williams

rlando performer Philip

Ancheta will always remember the day he got the call that changed his life.

“I was with my friend Heather when they called and I just screamed at the top of my lungs ‘Heather, I’m going on tour,’” Ancheta recalls. “I just sat down and cried. It was such a surreal experience and she hugged me on the ground and we cried together.” Born in Austin, Texas, Ancheta came to Florida in the 2000s to attend Florida State University where he received a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance then headed to Orlando in pursuit of a job at the House of Mouse. “I was set on my big Disney dream,” he says. “Unfortunately that didn’t happen right away, but then I started performing on cruise ships. Cruises were my first professional performing jobs.” Ancheta eventually did become a cast member at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” as well as became a familiar face in Central Florida’s LGBTQ entertainment spotlight in the 2010s. Among his local credits include appearing in shows during the Orlando Fringe Festival, performing at

Continued on pg. 25 | uu |

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is your LGBTQ Life. Community. Pride. Wedding. Business. Advocacy. Event. Celebration. Fight.

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Hope & Help’s 2011 and 2012 Headdress Ball and as a regular fixture of the award-winning Broadway Brunch Bunch at Hamburger Mary’s. “Miss Saigon” is Ancheta’s first national Broadway tour, an opportunity he almost didn’t take. “After the first year [of the national tour, which began in 2018] a couple of people moved on to other projects and they were looking for a few replacements. So they had a preliminary audition process where they invited several people to come to audition and I was one of those people,” Ancheta says. “Unfortunately, I had just gotten a new job so I didn’t audition, but a second chance opened up a few months later and they reached back out to me and I thought if I don’t show up now I’m never going to get another audition ever again. I went and it was one of the hardest auditions of my life but a about a month later I got the call.” Ancheta joined the ensemble for “Miss Saigon” in 2019. The current U.S. tour is based on the show’s 2017 Broadway revival and stars Red Concepción, Emily Bautista, Anthony Festa, J. Daughtry, Ellie Fishman, Jinwoo on the road: Philip Ancheta joined the cast of “Miss Saigon” in 2019. Photo courtesy BROADWAY BOOKING OFFICE NYC Jung and Christine Bunuan. “Miss Saigon” is a musical based on the Italian opera “Madame says. “He has his own unique take put into the feel of it as well. cousin (played by Jung) who Butterfly” from French composers on it which is so brilliant.” When “Miss Saigon” originally was betrothed to her when they Claude-Michel Schönberg and The attention paid to played for audiences in London’s her children. As the show goes Alain Boublil, the same team that authenticity in the show started West End in 1989 and on on, Kim and Chris are forced to created the legendary musical with the London and Broadway Broadway in 1991, major Asian make life-changing decisions that “Les Misérables.” The show begins revivals and extend to more than characters The Engineer and alter their fate and everyone’s in 1970s Saigon during the tail just the casting. Thuy were played by Caucasian around them. end of the Vietnam War. “One of the most iconic scenes actors. Early in the production One of the most impressive “’Miss Saigon’ is about the in the show is the marriage they even wore eye prosthetics things about “Miss Saigon” is the relationship between a bargirl ceremony,” Anchetta says. “In this and bronzing cream to make huge scope of the show from the named Kim (played by Bautista) marriage ceremony the original them look “more Asian.” costumes and makeup to the sets and an American G.I. named lyrics for the show didn’t really “Our casting team has taken and cast. The national tour boasts Chris (played by Festa),” Ancheta make sense. It took a Vietnamese great care in who they are a cast of more than 40 actors. says. “It’s a beautiful love story actor in the production on casting for this show,” Anchetta Ancheta alone plays six different that shows how their relationship Broadway to mention, ‘Hey, this says. “Red, The Engineer, is characters and has 14 costume changes both of their lives forever. changes every night. doesn’t seem as authentic as from the Philippines and he is They found this love in the chaos it could be.’ The composer and fantastic in this role. He played “This show is a huge of the Vietnamese War and the lyricist took that into account this role in the West End revival undertaking and we wouldn’t be story follows all of the events that and they decided they were going of the show in London and left able to do it without everyone transpire after that.” to make some alterations and to come perform the role in the involved,” Ancheta says. Kim and Chris’ relationship is they changed the lyrics to be United States.” “Obviously the leads are driving complicated, not only by the war more accurate to the Vietnamese When Concepción first came the story but the ensemble helps going on in Vietnam, but also by language. So the lyrics are on to play The Engineer, while create a greater understanding the people in their lives including changed for the tour and that is knowing the entire score, he of the environment we are in and Chris’ best friend, a fellow G.I. the version we sing now during had never seen “Miss Saigon” every one of them give everything named John (played by Daughtry), they have each and every night. the show and that changed performed on stage. Kim’s boss at “Dreamland,” the because everyone involved with “He got a chance to make this I’m so proud of everyone involved bar she works at, known in the show wants to be as authentic his own character without any who are creating such a beautiful the show only as The Engineer and true to the story as it can be.” kind of preconceived notion of environment for this story.” (played by Concepción) and Another way they are keeping who The Engineer was,” Anchetta Along with the look of the Thuy, Kim’s Communist officer the show authentic is by having show, a lot of attention has been

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Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

two actors of Vietnamese descent act as consultants for the production. “One is Vietnamese-American and the other is first generation Vietnamese-Australian and they have Vietnamese phrases they use throughout the show as ad libs,” Achetta says. “So anyone who knows the language or knows the culture or is from that area of the world will see and hear that and hopefully think ‘Oh, they are making that effort to be more authentic.’” For Anchetta, having an authentic production that shows realistic Asian characters is important, especially since he is a person of Asian descent himself, and after a recent conversation with a patron following one of his performances, is grateful that shows like “Miss Saigon” exist. “An individual, without any intent behind the question, was genuinely asking me when the tour was over would I be allowed to stay in the United States and become a citizen,” Anchetta says. “The shock for me wasn’t really in the question but in the assumption that because of how I look that I couldn’t already be an American citizen.” In that moment, Anchetta says he wishes there had been more time to have a longer, more honest conversation with that person. “Maybe I am one of the first people of Asian descent that this person has ever interacted with,” he says. “I could have told them that the majority of the show is made up of American citizens. While it was surprising in the moment, it was enlightening because I realized how important and how special our show is in these smaller cities and towns, and I’m so grateful to have these opportunities to be able to be my authentic self in front of people. We all have more commonality than we think whether we are Asian, Latin, African-American, whether we are LGBTQ or straight, we all have commonalities and the only way we are going to know that is talking to each other and learning from each other.” Performances for “Miss Saigon” were scheduled at the Straz Center in Tampa March 24-29 and at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando March 31-April 5, but have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit Miss-Saigon.com/US-Tour, StrazCenter.org or DrPhillipsCenter.org.

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overheard

tampa bay out+about

TASTY!

ood, drink and art enthusiasts gathered at the historic Coliseum March 7 for St Pete Pride’s annual Taste of Pride. The gathering was the first official St Pete Pride event of 2020. Celebrants were treated to samplings from nearly 20 of the area’s favorite locales. Taste participants included Better BYRD, MacDinton’s St. Pete, Old Key West Bar & Grill, Our Bar, Poppo’s Taqueria, Punky’s Bar & Grill and more. As artists Cole Foust, Brittany Freemon, John Gascot and Grayson Wolfe shared their artwork, entertainers Aquariius, Chanel P. Cartier, Iman and emcee Jay Miah performed. Attendees were also given the chance to vote for their favorite 2020 tastes in the Taste of Pride (ToP) Awards. Winners received a $1,000 grant to donate to the nonprofit of their choice from the St Pete Pride Community Grants Program. Food winner Poppo’s Taqueria, which featured chicken tacos, rice and bean bowls, chips and salsa, chose Pet Pal Animal Shelter. Drink winner Our Bar, which featured margaritas and Fireball, donated to Come OUT St. Pete. “Congratulations to the winning restaurants,” St Pete Pride shared March 11. “A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to all of the participating food & beverage vendors, local artists, performers, and volunteers, as well as those that came out to show their support for the evening!” As of press time, St Pete Pride is scheduled for June 28, 2020. Get a taste of Watermark’s photos from the evening at WatermarkOnline.com.

SOUTHERN STRONG

outhern Nights Tampa announced that it would temporarily closed March 16 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, one day before the governor closed bars statewide for 30 days. Its sister bar in Orlando shared the same. “The health and safety of our customers, staff and community is and will continue to be our number one priority at Southern Nights,” the establishments shared via social media. “Due to recent CDC recommendations regarding limitation of large gatherings, we will temporarily close Southern Nights over the COVID-19 outbreak effective immediately. “We feel that responsible actions such as these will help to avoid greater community spread of the virus, allowing all of us to resume life as normal in a more timely manner,” the post continued. “We encourage other local venues to follow these recommendations, and urge our customers to participate in social distancing in order to stifle further spread of the virus. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of appropriate health experts.” Southern Nights further noted that they look forward to reopening “in the coming weeks!” For more information, visit Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa.

2 3

CENTER STAGE: Manila Luzon captivates the crowd at Southern Nights Tampa March 14. PHOTO

COURTESY SOUTHERN NIGHTS

DAYTIME DUO: Lindsey Burkholder (L) and Justin Geleta enjoy happy hour at Enigma March 8. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

STRAZ STARS: Straz Marketing Director Sarah Ateek (L) and Marketing Manager Zachary Hines accept the venue’s first place WAVE Award on site March 13. PHOTO BY RUSS MARTIN

GAL PALS: (L-R) Jay Miah, Aquariius and Iman dazzle at the Coliseum for Taste of Pride 2020. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

DREAM TEAM: (L-R) Mayor Jane Castor, singer Brandi Carlisle and Ana Cruz strike a pose at the Gasparilla Music Festival March 7. PHOTO COURTESY

MAYOR JANE CASTOR

GRAND OL’ TIME: Big winners from the Grand Central District represent the gayborhood at the WAVE Awards Celebration at Bradley’s on 7th March 6.

PHOTO BY JAMARCUS MOSLEY

BRUNCH SQUAD: (L-R) Hostess Juno Vibranz, Kirk Davinci, Vyn Suazion and Remy strike a pose at “A Queen and her Variety Bunch” at the Queens Head March 8. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

BIG WINNER: Steve M. wins The Honey Pot’s “Hot Guy of the Week” March

7. PHOTO COURTESY HONEY POT

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8 7 Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

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.

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Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

overheard

central florida out+about

Seeing Red

on’t pack up your red shirts just yet. As the world scrambles to get a handle of the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses and schools are closing up and theaters and productions are postponing shows, Orlando’s Gay Day at Magic Kingdom on the first Saturday of June is still set to continue as planned, albeit cautiously. “Gay Days, Inc. is more than ever concerned with the safety and well-being of those who plan on attending our Gay Days 2020 event,” said Chris Manley, President of GayDayS.com. “We will continue to monitor the situation in our country as closely as possible and will work with national, state and local city agencies to stay updated on what changes are suggested. As of right now, we are planning on celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Gay Days with you June 2-8.” The same cautious approach is how KindRED Pride Foundation and One Magical Weekend (OMW) are looking ahead as well. “We are monitoring all government health guidelines and working closely with Disney to see if their March 31 re-open date gets extended or not,” says KindRED Pride President and co-founder of OMW Billy Looper. “Then we can better determine if OMW is happening the first weekend of June.” Looper says that the events for KindRED Pride and The Pride Cup are in the same holding pattern, but he says even if events are in lockdown come the first weekend of June “Take The Red Shirt Challenge” will happen no matter what. “It is a fun, perfect community building activity while in lockdown. We are still on a mission to get ONE MILLION people around the world to wear RED on the first Saturday in June,” Looper says. You can get more information on the virtual event at TakeTheRedShirtChallenge.com. For more information and to stay up-to-date on event changes, visit KindREDPride.org, OneMagicalWeekend.com, GayDayS.com and WateramrkOnline.com.

Crowns Out

he Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) joined the growing number of LGBTQ organizations who have had to adjust schedules when it announced March 16 that its spring concert “Send In The Crowns” would not go on as planned. “Our Board of Directors and Member Council in conjunction with the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center have decided to postpone our March 29 performance of ‘Send in the Crowns,’” the organization announced in an email statement. OGC stated that those who have already purchased tickets will receive an e-mail from the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center outlining next steps. If the email is not received, please contact Wayne Densch.

Pride Fair: Community leaders gather at the Central Florida Fair for LGBTQ Pride Night March 4 . Photo by Danny Garcia

WAVE Queens: Gidget Galore (L) and Erica Roberts dress to the nines for Watermark’s Central Florida WAVE party at Parliament House Orlando March 6. Photo by Jeremy Williams

Diverse Winners: One Orlando Alliance board members celebrate being named Orlando’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Champion by Mayor Buddy Dyer during the Neighborhood and Community Summit at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando March 7. Photo by Jeremy Williams

I Voted!: Darcel Stevens makes his voice heard as he early votes in Orange County March 14. Photo

courtesy Darcel Stevens

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

WAVE Win: Hamburger Mary’s Broadway Brunch Bunch show off their award for Favorite Local Brunch after performing for Watermark’s Central Florida WAVE party at Parliament House Orlando March 6. Photo by Hazel Jandik

United Advocates: Jennifer Foster (L) and Christopher Cuevas (2nd from L) join other community leaders and Unite Here! members as they call on Starbucks to stand with them against HMSHosts in Thornton Park March 4.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

In To Win: (L-R) Matthew Inman, Brandon Nelson, Terrie Rizzo, Margo Dixon and Jack Nelson attend the Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus Winter Conference at Marriot Orlando Airport March 6.

Photo courtesy Margo Dixon

Local Flavor: Bobby Hermida gets lucnh at Tako Cheen in Orlando’s MIlls 50 District March 11.

Photo by Jeremy Williams

8 Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

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watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

announcements

wedding bells

Robin and Jennifer Pitrie, from Orlando, Florida

Engagement Date:

Aug. 27, 2019

Wedding Date:

Jan. 19, 2020

Officiant:

Sarah Arsenault

Venue:

Our home

Colors:

Purple/Silver

Wedding Song/ Artist:

“The Bones” by Maren Morris

Florist:

Willow and Birch

Caterer:

Nona Blue

Cake Flavors:

Chocolate and confetti; Chocolate is Jennifer’s favorite, confetti is Robin’s

Bakery:

Publix

Photographer/ Videographer:

Laura Giancone, Robin’s friend and basketball teammate from college

obin and Jennifer Petrie have always been an adventurous couple.

From day trips peach, strawberry and blueberry picking and kayaking to watching the ball drop in New York City for New Year’s Eve, the couple have lived by phrases like “you only live once” and “live life to the fullest.” “We travel a lot and experience all of what life has to offer,” Robin says. “We understand that life is short and that it is what you make it. We make memories every day.”

Jennifer and Robin immediately hit it off after being introduced by Jennifer’s sister, Danielle. After a first date to an Orlando Magic game with a Cajun food dinner after, they never looked back. Robin proposed to Jennifer while on an Olivia, or all-lesbian, trip to Tahiti. Robin had reserved spots on a catamaran, which is a small watercraft with two parallel hulls. While snorkeling, Jennifer had found a seashell with an opening on the side.

Robin snuck the ring into the shell and proposed with it on the catamaran. Despite their knack for adventure, the couple decided to keep their wedding intimate and small with an at-home ceremony, officiated by Sarah Arsenault, Robin’s best friend since second grade. The couple were pleasantly surprised to find that their vows were so similar despite them not having discussed them before, with both of them saying the vows were a highlight of the ceremony. “They made [Robin] cry,” Jennifer says, “My heartfelt vows.” “The vows were perfect, especially with Jennifer’s humor,” Robin says. “Also the wedding video that she made with pictures and songs will hold a special place in my heart for a very long time.” Jennifer says that what she enjoyed most was the “dancing, drinking, great food and close friends.” To experience their wedding day with their closest friends and two boxer dogs was one of the couple’s greatest journeys yet and they are excited to keep making more memories every day. “We are not perfect, but everything life has thrown at us has made us stronger, and we are always able to get through anything together,” Robin says. “I believe that is why I know Jennifer is my person, my ride or die for life. I absolutely love doing life with her, through good and bad times.” — Lora Korpar

Condolences

Ybor City staple Peter Mardon passed away March 9. He will be missed.

Congratulations

Bradley’s on 7th celebrated nine years in Ybor March 4. Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria St. Pete celebrates five years March 23.

Local Birthdays

St. Petersburg massage therapist Terrell Ray, skater and educator Manda Fernandez, King of the Cardboard Robots Evan Miga, Wicked Bears Fibers owner Dale Crocker, ABM Orlando’s Sheila Block, Breaking Rules Publishing president Christopher Clawson, Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber’s Kendal Summers (March 19); Sarasota County Health Department’s Sue Westcott, Seminole County Tax Collector candidate Lynn “Moira” Dictor, JM Best Entertainment owner John Best, Tampa Bay performer Stephanie Shippae, Hyde Park Antiques owner Randy Strebing, Central Florida performer William Bruce (March 20); Orlando performer Chris E. Mistery (March 21); Metro Inclusive Health’s Christian Klimas, Orlando dancer Tia Kadena (March 22); Channel 13 News IT Director Ian Michael, former T Network leader Jennifer Kurzawa (March 23); Southern Nights Orlando showgirl Chevelle Brooks, Equality Florida advocate Anastasia Hiotis, Mad Hatters’ David Baptista, Orlando nurse Christopher Milliron (March 24); Bizzy Nate owner Nate West, plant whisperer Jennifer Parrish, Tampa marketing manager Brian Gallaher (March 25); Tampa photographer John Kantor, former St Pete Pride board member Delores Ringgold, Former Gazette publisher Brian Feist, VarieTEASE dancer Megan Boetto, Lakewood Ranch Allstate owner Richard Plummer, St. Pete social media sensation Chris Gibson, Bowled Over Promotions’ Lisa Brown, WellCare Health Plans’ Ryan Menke (March 26); Olde Town Brokers realtor Jay Wood, St. Petersburg chef Domenica Macchia, Orlando dancer Brittainy A. Derden, Career counselor Chad Brown, Naked Eye Studio’s John Caroll, Sarasota retiree Donald Attanas, St. Pete realtor Aaron Hoffman (March 27); Tampa softballer Randal Spiller, Sarasota equality advocate Jen Drake, Tampa entrepreneur Art Smith, Nail tech extraordinaire Jaime Lucas Irizarry (March 28); GOALcfl president Grace Peek-Harris; Orlando actor Jon Jiminez, Moffitt Cancer Center’s Steve Blanchard (March 29); Florida Dem Susan McGrath, Sarasota guitarist Jamie Gee (March 30); XL106.7’s Sondra Rae, Orlando performer Doug Ba’aser (March 31); DJ Lindsey Leigh, DJ Twisted Dee, Big Bang BOOM’s Gams D’Vyne, Central Florida musician Melissa Crispo, Sarasota paralegal Richard Furlow, Equality Florida supporter Elizabeth Albelo (April 1).

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.

Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

the last page Hometown:

Dauphin, PA, a small town in the Allegheny Mountains outside of Harrisburg

Identifies As:

Dr. David Lyter Doc tor and Ow n e r o f D ive r si t y H e a l t h ce n t e r o f t a mp a b a y

Gay

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Out Year: 1980

Profession (Job Title):

LGBTQ Primary Care and HIV Medicine Physician, Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay founder

Professional Role Model:

Dr. Charles Rinaldo, a Ph.D. virologist at the Univ. of Pittsburgh

Hobbies:

My dogs (Basenjis), taking cruises (especially on Atlantis and RSVP) around the world, kayaking in local rivers, growing native Florida plants in my yard and watching bluebirds nest in my birdhouses

Photo By Jamarcus Mosely

he Last Page is dedicated

to individuals who are making a positive impact on the LGBTQ community in Tampa Bay and Central Florida. This issue, we check in with Dr. David Lyter, primary care physician and the founder of Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about the movers and shakers of your community. What do you do professionally?

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

Provide primary care for the LGBTQ and general community, including HIV care and hormone replacement therapy for transgender men and women. How do you champion for the local LGBTQ community?

By what I do professionally.

What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?

The Tampa Bay Bureau Chief ’s Desk. “Star Trek” rocks!

What is your favorite local LGBTQ event?

Tampa Pride.

community to live in on the Tampa side of the bay. What would you like our readers to know about you?

I am a seminary graduate with a Masters in Religion and a Florida Master Naturalist. The Florida Master Naturalist Program’s mission is to promote awareness, understanding and respect of Florida’s natural world among Florida’s citizens and visitors. I’m also single and available! What advice would you give your younger self?

How supportive patients have been of my practice.

You don’t need to spend years of anguish trying to change from being gay. It was not a choice. God made you that way and you should be proud of that.

I lived in Wilton Manors for eight years, which is “gay central” in Ft. Lauderdale. It had Rosie’s Bar and Wilton Drive, which is full of community establishments. I wish there was a similar

My mother was a nurse and my Christian upbringing taught me that service to others was what we all should strive to do. Dr. Charles Rinaldo, a PhD virologist at the Univ. of Pittsburgh and my role model, gave me my first opportunity

What is your favorite thing about your local LGBTQ community?

What would you like to see improved in your local LGBTQ community?

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

What led you to your career in the medical field?

Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

to work as an openly gay physician in 1982. He asked me to assist in recruiting and examining a large group of gay men at possible risk of the new epidemic of immune deficiency that men were experiencing. It was called GRID at that time and eventually HIV/AIDS.

What should readers know about Diversity Health?

We’re located at 4302 N. Habana Ave., Suite 200 in Tampa and provide health care to all members of the general and LGBTQ community. We have one clinician and two staff members who always answer the phone, return your calls and will not forget your name. We’re committed to providing evidence-based patient care and to developing long-lasting relationships within our community. You can learn more about us by calling 813-518-0881 or visiting DiversityHealthCenter.com.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Ma rch 19 - a pr il 1, 2020 // Issue 27.0 6 wat e r m a r konline .com

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