Bureau Chief’s Desk

from Watermark Issue 27.07: Where can they Go?

Tampa Bay Ne s

Desk central flor ida bureau ch ief ’s Jeremy Williams cfl bureau chief Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

Ihad been in the U.S. Air Fo rce for seven months when the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened.

It being nearly 20 years ago since that life-changing event happened, I can’t remember everything that occurred in my life after Sept. 11, 2001; however, I do remember people being shocked and scared. I remember my family and friends being worried and not knowing what was coming next. I also remember seeing celebrities and politicians on television, and hearing ordinary people in letters and on the street thanking me for my service. Thanking every man and woman in uniform for their sacrifice. They thanked our first responders and our leaders for acting fast and selflessly protecting and safeguarding our communities in uncertain times. Congress passed legislation to increase military pay and benefits and songs were written praising all these heroes. Rightfully so we treated servicemembers and

first responders the way we treat celebrities and influencers. Now here we are in 2020 with a global pandemic that is crippling the world’s economy and impacting the health of hundreds of thousands of people and killing off tens of thousands. We have absorbed new words into our daily lives like coronavirus, social distancing and flattening the curve. We’ve also started to notice new groups of workers who, during a time of crisis, have stepped up and become our heroes: Healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, fast food workers, truck drivers, stay-at-home caregivers, delivery drivers and many, many more who continue to tend to the sick, stock shelves and deliver goods, putting their own health in jeopardy to keep you safe and sound in your homes.

These are workers who have been declared by local and federal governments as “essential” during this pandemic, and are being praised on social media by some of the same individuals who just a few months ago complained that someone “flipping burgers” or “stocking cans” doesn’t deserve $15 an hour. Those same people who you call on to deliver your medicine, food and diapers so you can stay safe are the same people who last year many of you said weren’t doing jobs that warranted being paid a living wage and getting health benefits.

My hope after this pandemic ends is that we remember these heroes who sacrificed for us and, just as we did for the military after 9/11, fight for them to get pay raises and benefits.

If this pandemic has taught us anything it is that no person is expendable, no job is more needed than any other and in order for our communities to thrive we must respect and depend on everyone and recognize that everyone has worth and purpose.

I also hope that after the fear of this situation fades we all remember those elected leaders who fought for these things even before a pandemic and continue to vote to keep them in office.

I also hope we remember the elected officials who said certain lives were worth sacrificing in order to have a great economy and remember those senators who knew how bad this pandemic was going to get and decided to sell off stocks instead of warning the country, and let’s make sure that they are never allowed to make decisions for us again.

Times are tough for nearly everyone right now, this company included, so I also want to thank every single Watermark employee for stepping up, I want to thank every advertiser who was able to stick it out with us even as our cities and counties began shutting down and I want to thank you who is taking the time to read this and every other story in Watermark. I believe in this newspaper, in the mission we serve and the service we provide, and if we all look out for each other we too will get through this.

In this issue, we take an in-depth look at LGBTQ homelessness in Central Florida and Tampa Bay and ways that community organizations are trying to help. In Central Florida news, Tidal Wave Party announces it is the first group to bow out of Orlando’s Big LGBTQ weekend in June and a pair of Orlando’s biggest festivals adjust schedules. In Tampa Bay news, we say goodbye to a local hero who lost his battle

My hope after this pandemic ends is that we remember these heroes who sacrificed for us.

with COVID-19 and check in with more closures.

Due to the economic impact of the coronavirus, Watermark will not have any Arts & Entertainment features or Viewpoint columns in this issue; however, we do check in with a local healthcare professional to get an update on the current pandemic.

These are chaotic times we are in right now so be safe, take care and please stay informed. The hardest thing to see in a time like this is the spread of false medical information that can be dangerous to a person’s health. Make sure what you share is verified and factual.

Remember, you and the truth both matter so be sure to take care of both.

atermark 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

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

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

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

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

Lo ra K p is a journalism student at the University of Central Florida and a former Watermark intern. She plans to graduate in Spring 2020. Page 45

Richard E. Carlisle became CAN’s third president and CEO in 2015 and served as vice president of Sarasota Memorial Hospital for 15 years. CAN Community Health is headquartered in Sarasota and is the third-largest private provider of HIV services in the nation. Page 34

Sa rina Am ra, Nathan Bruemmer, Scottie Camp e , Migue Fu er, Di ine Grace, Ho y Kapherr Al ejos, Jason Lec erc, Me ody Maia Monet, Jerick Media i a, Greg Stemm, Dr. Ste e yaco e i, Michae anzie

photography

Brian Becne , Nick Carde o, Bruce Hardin, Jamar us Mos ey, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift

distri ution

LVNLIF 2 Distri uting, Ken Carra ay, 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.

Reach local LGBT communities across the nation.

Start connecting with over a million loyal readers in print and online across the country. 2 1 2-2 42-6863 i n fo @n a ti on a ll gbtm ed ia a ssoci ation.com www. n a tion a l l g btmed i a a ssoci ation.com