Watermark Issue 29.01: Health Care for All

Your LGBTQ News Source.

Jan. 6 - 19, 2022 Issue 29.01

Health Care

For All LGBTQ-focused clinics in Central Florida and Tampa Bay make it easier to get care

Stonewall Orlando closes its doors Sarasota Pride plans 2022 return

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

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Your LGBTQ News Source.

Jan. 6 - 19, 2022 Issue 29.01

Health Care

For All LGBTQ-focused clinics in Tampa Bay and Central Florida make it easier to get care

Sarasota Pride plans 2022 return Stonewall Orlando closes it doors

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

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DEPARTMENTS 7 // EDITOR’S DESK

page

27

8 // CENTRAL FL NEWS 11 // TAMPA BAY NEWS

Not every medical organization is fluent in serving LGBTQ patients … There are too many LGBTQ patients that just don’t go to the doctor because they are afraid they won’t be treated well, and that’s an area where we’re filling in the gaps.

– CREW HEALTH’S SOLITAIRE BONESTEEL

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page THE NEON BELL:

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page HEALTH CARE

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Erasure’s Andy Bell discusses the band’s recent album and more.

WATERMARK ISSUE 29.01 // JANUARY 6 - 19, 2022

FOR ALL:

LGBTQ-focused clinics make it easier to get

CLOSED FOR NOW

MOVING FORWARD

FILLING THE GAP

AUTHENTIC SOUND

page Stonewall Orlando closes its doors.

page Sarasota Pride plans its big 2022 return.

page

page

care. COVER PHOTOS BY DYLAN TODD

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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

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Commissioner Nikki Fried replaces LGBTQ Resource.

35

Pianist Sara Davis Buechner blazes trails on the stage.

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EDITOR’S

Jeremy Williams EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

I

DESK

KNOW I AM NOT ALONE IN

declaring that the last two years have not lived up to expectations. The worldwide pandemic has left many of us feeling isolated, fractured and surrounded by chaos. The longer we have had to deal with COVID-19 the more I have started to see my issues with anxiety come back.

After discovering in 2011 that I’m HIV-Positive, I started having panic attacks and general anxiety. The attacks got so bad that I stopped going to work and class, and I stopped reaching out to friends. Eventually, after much therapy, medication, losing relationships and gaining weight, I was able to get my anxiety in check. The full-fledged panic attacks stopped and the constant buzzing I felt in my chest, arms and legs went away.

It got to a point where I was able to stop taking the medication and rely on techniques I learned

WATERMARK STAFF

Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

from my therapist whenever I would feel that feeling creeping back in. Unfortunately, those techniques are working less and less these days.

With it now being 2022, and with everyone doing the whole “new year, new you” thing, I think my new year’s resolution is going to be to repair my mental health from the damage done to it from this pandemic. My typical resolutions revolve around losing weight, getting healthy and finding a husband; all of which I still intend to do this year but instead of starting with

Managing Editor: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Designer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 107 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Designer: Kyler Mills • Ext. 301 Kyler@WatermarkOnline.com

those, I think getting my mental health back on track will be the resolution that will help all the other ones along.

I’m pretty sure I was in the same boat as most when the lockdowns, quarantines and toilet paper shortages started. Through all of the horrible things that came with the pandemic, I was elated that I was able to take a break from going to events and work from home. It was like a mini vacation in some aspects, but the longer that break went on it turned into anti-social isolation where I forgot how to interact with people. That piled on top of the fact that I’m a hypochondriac and it was only a matter of time before my old friend started buzzing again.

As we all tried “getting back to normal” when the vaccines came, I started to feel guilty about all of the people, places and events I didn’t get to during the quarantine that I started to say yes to everything, leaving no time for me to work on rebuilding a personal social life that was left damaged in the pandemic. And it isn’t just me. So many leaders and activists in this community are feeling this guilt and are saying yes to everything which is starting to cause burnout.

I say, as we move into a new year, we get comfortable being able to say no. Saying no because you need time to yourself to decompress does not make you a selfish person. It just means you recognize that you need to take care of you. Let’s also make it ok in 2022 to set boundaries when it comes to work, community activities and social engagements.

Some in the community are way too comfortable calling or messaging at 9 or 10 o’clock at night to discuss something that can wait until the next morning. And that advice goes for you and your own work too.

You being able to respect your own separation of work life and private life will go a long way to maintaining good mental health.

Maintaining good health, both mentally and physically, is the best new year resolution you can set for yourself. But finding understanding health care providers can be difficult sometimes if you are a member of the LGBTQ community. So in this first issue of the year, we take a look at health care clinics that specialize in affirming your sexual orientation and gender identity.

In this issue, we look at health care facilities throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay and ask why these types of clinics are

[B]eing able to respect your own separation of work life and private life will go a long way to maintaining good mental health.

important to have and what types of services each of them offer.

In Arts & Entertainment, we chat with openly gay music legend Andy Bell of the synthpop duo Erasure and transgender pianist Sara Davis Buechner about her upcoming performances with The Florida Orchestra.

In news, we highlight Ashley Figueroa as she is named executive director of the Central Florida chapter of the Gay Officers Action League, look at the recent closure of Stonewall Bar in Orlando and talk to Sarasota Pride as it plans its return.

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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Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer

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JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

CONTRIBUTORS BRYANA SALDANA is

a 25-year-old, Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando. Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/Her They. Page 17

REV. JAKOB HERO-SHAW

is the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, MCCTampa.com. He and his husband are the proud fathers of two wonderful children. Page 19

J.D. CASTO is an

award-winning, internationally published photographer based in Central Florida. J.D. believes photography and the written word have the power to change the world. Page 31 SABRINA AMBRA, NATHAN BRUEMMER, SCOTTIE CAMPBELL, MIGUEL FULLER, DIVINE GRACE, HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, JASON LECLERC, MELODY MAIA MONET, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, GREG STEMM, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI, MICHAEL WANZIE

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

DISTRIBUTION LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, VANESSA MARESCA-CRUZ CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher.

Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail).

The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

Watermark Publishing Group Inc.

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EDITOR’S

Ryan Williams-Jent MANAGING EDITOR Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

M

DESK

Y FIRST WATERMARK COLUMN

was published Jan. 11, 2018, just one month into my role as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief. That means this issue marks four years of sharing my opinion here, which I now proudly get to do as Managing Editor, and I couldn’t be happier to still call these pages home.

Since much more than my job title has changed in the last four years, I decided to revisit my initial column for my first of 2022. I think having a firm grasp of what’s behind you is one of the best ways to prepare for what lies ahead, so with the new year it felt like the perfect time.

I’ll admit that I cleaned up a typo or two in the version on our website, which I’ll just call self-care, but I was happy to see that I still recognized its writer.

There were references to Britney, Disney and Marvel, which as any reader of my column knows are still a few of my favorite things,

and an appreciation for the loved ones I’m lucky to have in my life.

I wrote about my supportive husband, who made and makes my role here possible, our two shining examples of why dogs really are man’s best friend, my family and our group of friends who’ve earned the same title. I’m still thankful to have them all.

I was also happy to see that I shared some of my thoughts about my new position at Watermark, which followed nearly half a year of freelancing.

Our team lives in two-week cycles here, moving from one issue to the next to cover the

never-ending stories impacting our community, so it’s easy not to pause for some reflection. There have been a lot of those cycles since 2018, so revisiting my initial thoughts on joining Watermark’s staff was refreshing.

“In my new role as Tampa Bay Bureau Chief for Watermark (about which I’m ecstatic every day), I’ve finally found myself writing full time in 2018,” I wrote, reflecting on my lifelong dream.

“And to top it off, I’m surrounded by a talented team of individuals with a dedication to the LGBTQ community, our allies and the stories we hold dear.”

It was refreshing because it’s how I still feel. I’ve never been prouder to be a part of what Watermark does as Tampa Bay and Central Florida’s LGBTQ news source, or to be doing it alongside such a hardworking team.

That’s all made possible because of the support we receive from advertisers and readers, so heading into the new year and well beyond it, I want to say thank you for empowering and trusting us to tell your stories. We have exciting things planned for 2022 and can’t wait for you to be a part of them.

I have no shortage of hopes for what the year will bring, but perhaps the biggest is that we can keep our community together throughout it. We can only do that by effectively combating COVID-19.

I’m thankful to have a federal strategy for doing so where one lacks statewide, and for elected officials in Tampa Bay who trust in science, but personal accountability is key moving forward. Every one of us needs to make sure that we get vaccinated, and that everyone we love does the same. It’s the only way to beat it.

Vaccines are available at no charge to every single person

WATERMARK STAFF Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

Managing Editor: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Designer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 107 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Designer: Kyler Mills • Ext. 301 Kyler@WatermarkOnline.com

living in the U.S., and boosters – our best defense against variants after that – are readily available as well. Visit Vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to learn more.

Arguably more important than ever, our first issue of the year focuses on LGBTQ-inclusive health care. We review why it matters and what services are available from clinics throughout Tampa Bay and Central Florida, including local facilities like the Diversity Health Center, Empath Partners in Care, Love the Golden Rule and Metro Inclusive Health.

In news, we preview the return

We have exciting things planned for 2022 and can’t wait for you to be a part of them.

of Sarasota Pride and check in with a Tampa-based production company seeking to highlight Ybor City’s drag community through film. Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also unveil a new statewide resource for LGBTQ Floridians, replacing one recently removed under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In arts and entertainment, Erasure’s Andy Bell reflects on the band’s latest album ahead of their tour stops in St. Petersburg and Orlando. Sara Davis Buechner, an inspiring pianist who is transgender, also talks upcoming performances with The Florida Orchestra and more.

Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue – and year!

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

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer

1300 N. Semoran Blvd.

Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807 TEL: 407-481-2243

National Ad Representative: Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863

TAMPA BAY OFFICE 401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 TEL: 813-655-9890

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

CONTRIBUTORS BRYANA SALDANA is

a 25-year-old, Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando. Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/Her They. Page 17

REV. JAKOB HERO-SHAW

is the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, MCCTampa.com. He and his husband are the proud fathers of two wonderful children. Page 19

J.D. CASTO is an

award-winning, internationally published photographer based in Central Florida. J.D. believes photography and the written word have the power to change the world. Page 31 SABRINA AMBRA, NATHAN BRUEMMER, SCOTTIE CAMPBELL, MIGUEL FULLER, DIVINE GRACE, HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, JASON LECLERC, MELODY MAIA MONET, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, GREG STEMM, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI, MICHAEL WANZIE

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

DISTRIBUTION LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, VANESSA MARESCA-CRUZ CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher.

Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail).

The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

Watermark Publishing Group Inc.

7

central florida news

GOALCFL NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jeremy Williams

O

RLANDO | The Central Florida chapter of the Gay Officers Action League announced Jan. 2 that Ashley Figueroa will be the group’s new executive director.

Figueroa is the founder and executive director of the Gender Advancement Project, an organization which focuses on the progression and inclusion of transgender and gender nonbinary individuals in Central Florida.

She also sits on the Advisory Board for Equality Florida’s TransAction program, serves as a grant maker for the Contigo Fund, is a co-founder and board member of the Orlando Trans Collective, board member of One Orlando Alliance and is an active member of National Network Latin Plus.

GOAL, a fraternal civil rights organization providing a safe place for active and retired LGBTQ law enforcement officers, got its start in New York in 1982 and launched the Central Florida chapter in 2019.

Figueroa takes over as executive director from Vivian Rodriguez, who has served as the chapter’s inaugural director since 2019.

For more information on GOALcfl and its new executive director, visit GOALcfl’s Facebook page.

DELAND PRIDE TO CROWN ITS NEXT KING AND QUEEN Jeremy Williams

D

ELAND, FLA. | DeLand Pride is crowning its next king and queen later this month as it prepares for its annual Love is Love Pridefest in March.

The DeLand Pride Pageant currently will have 10 contestants — five vying for Mr. and five for Miss— to see who will be crowned the king and queen of DeLand Pride. Additional contestants have until Jan. 8 for get registered to compete.

Contestants will compete in four areas — a DeLand-themed costume presentation, evening formalwear, group Q&A and a talent component — before a panel of seven judges.

The event will take place Jan. 22 at The Dreka Theater in DeLand. Tickets are $25.

The winners will represent DeLand Pride at community events throughout Florida including the organization’s annual Pride celebration.

DeLand Pride’s Love is Love Pridefest takes place March 19 in Artisan Alley in DeLand from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and will include entertainment and a Pride Marketplace from 12-7 p.m.

For more information on the Pride Pageant and the upcoming Love is Love Pridefest, visit DeLandPride.org.

8

ORLANDO’S STONEWALL: Stonewall hosted Come Out With Pride’s Block Party in 2018.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

Closed For Now Stonewall Orlando closes its doors as it searches for new owner Jeremy Williams

O

RLANDO | Stonewall Bar posted to its Facebook page Dec. 31 a notice that read “due to unforeseen circumstances Stonewall Bar is temporarily closed.”

Steven Watkins, who owns Stonewall Orlando but has been away from the day-to-day operations of the business for nearly three years now, says the shutdown happened because the bar’s current operators did not come up with the money to purchase Stonewall by Dec. 29 as agreed upon.

“It’s no secret that I have been trying to sell for some time now,” Watkins says. “The current operators were in the process of buying the business but missed the deadline and then I found out they haven’t been paying their people.

That was the biggest reason that I had to go in and shut it down.

It was bleeding money and I had to stop the bleeding; it was just ridiculous.”

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

According to Watkins, the new operators had taken full financial responsibility but did not come up with the money they were supposed to pay to him. Watkins only identified Maria Pradera as one of the parties who were financially responsible.

“Maria I believe told everybody that she had bought the building and everything but it wasn’t closed on,” Watkins says. “She was running up bills on my end that I didn’t even know about until a couple of weeks after she had done it.”

Watkins stated that financial responsibility was taken over on Dec. 13 with the understanding that the new ownership would close to get ready to reopen in time for New Year’s Eve. “They were supposed to have everything done by the 29th of December so they could open on New Year’s Eve but instead they kept it open when they were supposed to have it closed down and were running it upside down.

There weren’t supposed to be any payments going out, they

were just supposed to be getting ready,” he says.

Watkins added that Stonewall was closed two days before he went in and closed them down.

“People were reaching out to me saying the place looked worse than they had ever seen and that they had not been paying the employees. So I shut it down and told them unless they come up with the money and pay the people what you owe them then I’m keeping it shut down,” Watkins says.

Watkins says that he has started paying staff and some of the entertianers the money owed out of his own pocket.

“I’m trying to make it right the best I can,” he says.

Watkins, who resides in South Florida, says he is unable to run and operate the business from where he is so Stonewall’s doors will remain closed until he is able to find new owners, adding that whoever it is he would prefer to see it kept it in the community.

“The community is what paid for Stonewall, they built it,” Watkins says. “When I was there I put everything back into it to make it better. Now I live in Fort Lauderdale and I can’t keep doing it. I can’t be there and work it and make it what it should be.”

Watermark reached out to Pradera for comment but has not heard back from her as of press time.

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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tampa bay news

FILM PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS YBOR CITY’S DRAG SCENE Ryan Williams-Jent

T SARASOTA STAPLE: Sarasota

Pride 2020 attendees.

PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

Moving Forward Sarasota Pride plans 2022 return Ryan Williams-Jent

S

ARASOTA | Sarasota Pride is scheduled to return Jan. 22 at J.D. Hamel Park from 12-5 p.m., the organization’s first celebration in nearly two years.

Sarasota Pride, Inc., its organizing nonprofit, has served the area’s LGBTQ community for more than three decades. Its 30th event was held Jan. 25, 2020 ahead of most COVID-19 cancellations and its forthcoming 31st was rescheduled from Oct. 2021 in response to the region’s last rise in cases.

“We hated to postpone, but our first priority is the safety and health of our Sarasota Pride attendees as well as our vendors, sponsors, performers, and volunteers,” Sarasota Pride President Cindy Barnes told Watermark at the time.

While COVID-19 continues to impact all of Florida, Barnes is hopeful Pride can move forward this year. She says that planning is nearly complete, even with fewer vendors and sponsors thus far.

“You just face this sort of thing when you try to hold an event during COVID,” Barnes

explains. “I think it’s going to be hit or miss. We have definitely had less response this year than ever before.”

Sarasota Pride experienced something similar ahead of its 2020 gathering, which Barnes attributes to the holiday season.

As was the case then, she’s hopeful that January will bring with it more vendors and sponsors willing to show their support.

“We’ve already paid out everything to put the event on – so if we have to cancel this time, we’re just out of that money,” Barnes says. “The city let us reschedule before because we were having it within a year’s time, but if we cancel this time we’ll have lost what we gave them.”

Barnes adds that up to 5,000 people and more than 50 vendors attended Sarasota Pride 2020. In the time since, the organization has welcomed new board members who, like Pridegoers from throughout Florida, are eager to see Sarasota Pride make a comeback.

“We’ve been here 31 years and people get used to it, they know it’s supposed to happen,” Barnes stresses. “I know a lot of people were disappointed in October

when it didn’t, but we’re coming back during the first month of the new year ... unfortunately we weren’t expecting another COVID variant.”

As of press time, at least 20 vendors are expected to participate this year. Organizers remain hopeful that number will at least double while promising an eclectic mix of activities and entertainment for its big day.

Sarasota Pride will feature performances from Divine AF and Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota. Area entertainer Lindsay Carlton-Cline will also emcee an hour’s worth of drag.

Additionally, Project Pride will partner with the organization for the first time, sponsoring a Kids’ Zone during the celebration. The area will feature face painting and a 40-foot slide.

To further combat COVID-19, vendors will also be socially distanced. Hand sanitizer and face masks will be readily available for attendees, who can also enjoy local food trucks and more.

“We just want everybody to come out and have a fun day,” Barnes says. “We’re hoping to ... have enough participation to put this thing on. We have to think positive, that’s the only thing you can do in these days.”

Sarasota Pride is scheduled for Jan. 22 from 12-5 p.m. at J.D. Hamel Park, located at 199 Bayfront Dr. in Sarasota. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities or the latest information, visit SarasotaPride.org.

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

AMPA | The LGBTQ-owned and operated SLlama Productions premiered “The Heart of Ybor” via social media Dec. 26, a new film project showcasing the history and evolution of drag in Ybor City.

Local filmmaker Samantha Luque, 24, launched her production company in 2020 to provide photography, video and other services that uplift marginalized voices.

“The Heart of Ybor” was initially shot for film school in September and October of last year.

“I decided to expand my film career,” Luque recalls.

“I had been working with a lot of nonprofits and local companies telling their stories and I wanted to go to school for film. I didn’t study it for my undergrad and wanted to do that for my Masters, and a lot of the programs ask you to complete a film.”

Luque found inspiration for the project during a drag show in Ybor, when Jade Embers introduced another fan favorite entertainer from the stage, Esme Russell.

“She called her one of the original drag performers and started talking about her,” she says. “Right then and there I was like, ‘that’s it. This is what I want to do. I want to showcase who these people are.’”

The initial result is a 10-minute documentary that includes Russell, as well other veteran performers and rising stars. Joey Brooks, Jade Embers, Gabrielle Fearce Santi, Brianna Summers, Juno Vibranz and Kristina White were all interviewed at local hotspots including Bradley’s on 7th, Showbar and Southern Nights Tampa.

“I wanted to start with trailblazers, because none of this would be possible without them,” Luque explains, “but I also decided to showcase how they affected performers working today. I wanted to tell their stories and get the insight of the people surrounding them.”

That led her to seek input from LGBTQ advocates and allies as well. “The Heart of Ybor” includes commentary from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa Pride President Carrie West, PFLAG Tampa Co-Founder Nancy Desmond and Trevor James, who now respectively serves as the vice president and president of the organizations.

“As a filmmaker this was one of the hardest projects I have ever done,” Luque shared along with the premiere.

“It was so important to make sure that their stories were told right and to honor the stories of the past, present and future. This community is beautiful and welcoming. It was a pleasure to capture their stories.”

Luque says a longer version of “The Heart of Ybor” will follow this year, running at least 45 minutes. She hopes to expand on each of the subjects found in her shorter film.

“I want people to understand that there is a person behind the heels and the makeup,” Luque says. “These are real people and I want them to respect their story and their journey to get a glimpse of what it really takes to be on that stage.”

For more information about SLlama Productions and watch the 10-minute version of “The Heart of Ybor,” visit SLLamaProductions.com.

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IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

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

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.  BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other.

Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION  This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.  Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, KEEP CREATING, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0369 04/21

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CHAD LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2018 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

es

h r

ut t

m

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KEEP CREATING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are.

BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Chad’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

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

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state news

ARREST MADE IN TRANS WOMAN’S 2019 MURDER Wire Report

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ABELLE, FLA. | Florida sheriff’s deputies arrested a man Dec. 22 in connection with the murder of a transgender woman whose body was found more than two years ago in her burning car.

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said Marcus Lynell Thompson, 35, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and arson in the killing of 23-year-old Bee Love Slater.

Detectives did not reveal more details or the motive of the killing at a press conference but said they were confident they were going to solve the murder and there would be more arrests. It is not yet clear if Thompson knew Slater.

Local media reports said the FBI helped detectives, investigating the case as a hate crime because of Slater’s gender identity. At the press conference, the sheriff’s office didn’t say whether the slaying was considered a hate crime.

NIKKI FRIED, FDACS LAUNCH LGBTQ RESOURCE Ryan Williams-Jent

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ALLAHASSEE, FLA. | Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services unveiled a new online resource for LGBTQ Floridians Dec. 21.

The LGBTQ Resources Page on the FDACS website contains anti-bullying information for parents, educators and youth. It also highlights LGBTQ-inclusive efforts taken by the department under Fried’s leadership.

Its addition follows the removal of a similar resource by the Florida Department of Education.

Officials removed a page Dec. 6 that supplied anti-bullying information to help create safer schools and address high rates of suicide among LGBTQ and other youth.

Fried immediately denounced the decision, calling it “yet another example of Governor DeSantis ignoring and erasing the needs of the LGBTQ community in our state.”

Equality Florida echoed the commissioner.

Executive Director Nadine Smith stressed that “vulnerable youth deserve better than a DeSantis Administration intent on putting them in harm’s way in order to score cheap political points.”

Announcing the new resource, Fried said that “improving the health, safety, and prosperity of all Floridians, including the hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ Floridians, is my top priority as a member of the Cabinet.

“It’s so important that LGBTQ Floridians know that they matter, there are resources to help and that we will continue to advocate for them,” she continued. “We need to be doing more for LGBTQ Floridians, not less.”

Nathan Bruemmer, who was appointed by Fried as the department’s LGBTQ Consumer Advocate in June, also celebrated the website’s launch. “With resources and information we have the power to affect change, without resources we can’t do that,” he shared. “Our LGBTQ students experience bullying and harassment at higher rates. Working to prevent bullying and harassment should be our collective priority.”

“LGBTQ students need more support in our schools, not less,” Equality Florida added. “We applaud the launch of these critical resources by FDACS.” Fried, who is also running for governor, also noted that “While Ron DeSantis is cruel for cruelty’s sake, we’re making sure we’re filling the gap and not letting anyone fall through the cracks.”

For more information or to view FDACS’ LGBTQ Resource Page, visit FDACS.gov/Consumer-Resources/LGBTQ.

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nation+world news

IN OTHER NEWS

FDA APPROVES INJECTABLE PREP Washington Blade Staff, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

T

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Dec. 20 that the agency had approved the first injectable treatment for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV. Manufactured under the name Apretude, it will be available to at-risk adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds and have tested negative for HIV immediately beforehand the agency said in a press release.

By granting its approval, the FDA opens up the option for patients to receive the injectable drug instead of a daily HIV prevention oral medication, such as Truvada.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, notable gains have been made in increasing PrEP use for HIV prevention in the U.S. and preliminary data show that in 2020, about 25% of the 1.2 million people for whom PrEP is recommended were prescribed it, compared to only about 3% in 2015.

However, there remains significant room for improvement.

PrEP requires high levels of adherence to be effective and certain high-risk individuals and groups, such as young men who have sex with men, are less likely to adhere to daily medication.

Other interpersonal factors, such as substance use disorders, depression, poverty and efforts to conceal medication also can impact adherence. It is hoped that the availability of a long-acting injectable PrEP option will increase PrEP uptake and adherence in these groups.

The safety and efficacy of Apretude to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV were evaluated in two randomized, double-blind trials that compared Apretude to Truvada, a once daily oral medication for HIV PrEP. Trial 1 included HIV-uninfected men and transgender women who have sex with men and have high-risk behavior for HIV infection. Trial 2 included uninfected cisgender women at risk of acquiring HIV. Participants who took Apretude started the trial with cabotegravir (oral, 30 mg tablet) and a placebo daily for up to five weeks, followed by Apretude 600mg injection at months one and two, then every two months thereafter and a daily placebo tablet.

Participants who took Truvada started the trial taking oral Truvada and placebo daily for up to five

weeks, followed by oral Truvada daily and placebo intramuscular injection at months one and two and every two months thereafter.

In Trial 2, 3,224 cisgender women received either Apretude or Truvada.

The trial measured the rate of HIV infections in participants who took oral cabotegravir and injections of Apretude compared to those who took Truvada orally.

The trial showed participants who took Apretude had 90% less risk of getting infected with HIV when compared to participants who took Truvada.

Apretude includes a boxed warning to not use the drug unless a negative HIV test is confirmed.

It must only be prescribed to individuals confirmed to be HIV-negative immediately prior to starting the drug and before each injection to reduce the risk of developing drug resistance.

Drug-resistant HIV variants have been identified in people with undiagnosed HIV when they use Apretude for HIV PrEP. Individuals who become infected with HIV while receiving Apretude for PrEP must transition to a complete HIV treatment regimen.

The drug labeling also includes warnings and precautions regarding hypersensitivity reactions, hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and depressive disorders.

in 2014, is among those with whom Gilliam worked.

“Both of those experiences taught me about the importance of being able to really talk about this work and amplify it and the ways to do that safely, but also the ways that it’s really important for the U.S. government to be able to lead in this space,” Gilliam told the Los Angeles Blade on Dec. 15 during a telephone interview.

Gilliam’s position, senior LGBTQI+ coordinator, is within USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation. He said he has “an open line to” USAID Administrator Samantha Power, who is a vocal champion of LGBTQ rights.

Gilliam told the Blade his “overall vision” is to “make it easier for USAID

staff and our partners” to advance LGBTQ-specific issues and to “make it easier” for activists around the world “to engage with the agency.”

“For me, this kind of means helping us to recognize advocates better understand USAID’s work,” he said. “This means learning from LGBTQI+ people around the world about their needs and co-creating and resourcing projects that best respond to those needs.”

The Biden administration in February issued a memorandum that committed the U.S. to promoting LGBTQ rights abroad. Gilliam told the Blade his position “is a reflection of how USAID is able to” implement the directive.

NEW APPOINTEE TO LEAD USAID LGBTQ INITIATIVES Michael K. Lavers of the Washington Blade, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

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ASHINGTON | The U.S. Agency for International Development has appointed Jay Gilliam to lead its efforts to promote LGBTQ rights around the world.

Gilliam was previously the director of the Human Rights Campaign Global program.

The Texas native worked at USAID from 2012-2016. Todd Larson, a retired U.N. official who became USAID’s senior LGBTQ coordinator

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SIX FLAGS MEXICO DROPS ‘AFFECTIONATE BEHAVIOR’ BAN The Six Flags amusement park in Mexico City announced Dec. 30 it is dropping a ban on “affectionate behavior” after complaints over two gay friends being taken out of a line at a ride for kissing. The incident happened Dec. 29, when the two customers were surrounded by security guards for kissing, though the pair was not expelled from the park. One witness wrote that heterosexual couples were kissing in the same area but they weren’t singled out as the gay couple was. On Dec. 30 Six Flags wrote on Twitter that it was dropping the policy.

SUIT SETTLED OVER MAINE TRANS TEEN’S SUICIDE The mother of Charles Knowles, a transgender teenager who died by suicide at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in Maine in fall 2016, settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the state for $225,000.

Michelle Knowles, of North Vassalboro, filed the lawsuit in federal court in April against the Maine Department of Corrections after she said she pleaded with authorities to provide mental health treatment to Charles before his death.. The Maine attorney general’s office declined to comment on the settlement.

DELAWARE SCHOOL BOARD AFFIRMS TRANS STUDENTS The Red Clay School District’s school board voted 4-3 to approve a policy that reaffirms transgender students’ rights to use preferred bathrooms, locker rooms, names and pronouns in school. The policy also affirms students’ rights to participate in corresponding athletic and health programs. Nearly 70 people spoke as public comment stretched to more than three hours amid booing, cheers and shouting. The policy allows students to express their gender identity at school without staff telling their parents. An earlier draft required disclosure but advocates said it could pose a risk to students without supportive parents. The three board members who voted against the motion cited this in their reasoning.

MAJORITY IN POLAND SUPPORTS MARRIAGE EQUALITY The majority of Polish people support LGBTQ rights surrounding marriage and family, according to research by the Polish group Love Does Not Exclude.

The survey found 56% of respondents believe same-sex marriage should be legal to ensure the safety of their children. Even more, 65%, said they felt “a biological parent raising a child with a same-sex partner” fits the definition of family and 58% of people said a same-sex couple is a family even without children. Poland is one of only six European Union member states where same-sex couples cannot marry or register a civil partnership.

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Bryana Saldana

DIARY OF A POET Patching up wounds

H

EALING IS ONE OF

those words that seems to get lost in translation.

The meaning is lost between social media’s perception of it and the actual work required. As someone currently on a healing journey, what I provide here is simply from my perspective and what I have gathered from those around me.

Firstly, whomever is reading this, I want to extend sincere gratitude to you because having this platform has been part of my healing journey. Experiencing the space to speak my truth, and maybe express a remnant of others, has been one of my greatest risks I shot out into the void. Telling my story and connecting with you is a medicine of its own kind.

With that being said, let’s journey back to a time in my life where healing was needed.

I was a teenager learning the world and cultures beyond my purview. Aged 17, going to my first doctor appointment alone and terrified. The dreaded “Are you having sex?” question was running in my mind the entire ride there.

During previous appointments, my mother, who knew I was sexually active, would look at me and I’d cower out of pure shame. This time around it was a new doctor and I had no idea what to expect. Getting mentally prepared for my annual checkup as I get the normal routine tests and checks done by the nurse, I could feel my palms sweating.

Finally, the doctor walks in and begins to ask me about myself, already off to a different start. Then we get to the “are you sexually active?” question. I nod, “yes, but only with women.” The look on her face was surprisingly delightful. She then tells me in her culture they believe two souls happen to find one another among the flesh we are given but the gender does not weigh as heavy like in American culture. The base of their acceptance is love, not judgement or ridicule.

This was the first time in my life a stranger made me feel comfortable with being who I am but also the first time I realized I never truly felt accepted until that moment.

I found another wound that needed to be patched.

Since this experience roughly 10 years ago, I am still processing those wounds. My current partner made it clear that “healing can never come to a point of being healed, because it is an endless journey.”

Your wounds may not leak or smell but they are there to help us understand the world around us a little better. To extend compassion in the most trying times.

I have been trying the last few months to implement a self-care routine to assist in the healing process. I’ve also learned advocating for myself has granted me the ability to navigate my feelings and not feel muted.

Many of us within the community I’m sure have felt or currently feel small in a world we sometimes feel was not made for us in mind. The hatred and bigotry whether directly or indirectly perpetuate this feeling of unworthiness or feeling small. I found once you enter a place of healing it’s more powerful than forgiveness and has everything to do with love and care for one’s mind.

The phrase “the journey is not linear” is something to also keep in mind. There will be days where we feel less than incredible but even a sip of water can be treated as a victory. The most important thing to keep in mind is not holding any expectations of self. Similar to working out, you won’t see the results immediately but they will rise to the surface as time passes.

As we grow through life none of us anticipate finding wounds while we are trying to heal the ones we held on to for so long. We often walk around wondering when will we wake up and witness the healing we work toward in our own ways. It

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could be writing, exercise, drawing/painting, going to the middle of a forest and screaming, screaming into a pillow, really anything that can take a little bit of weight off our shoulders.

Healing our minds, bodies and spirits will give space for everything else in our

Looking back to that doctor appointment, I am reinvigorated with gratefulness. I was able to experience something that not many people get to.

Especially being a masculine presenting lesbian woman, I could have been dismissed but she had a level of

the sick and elderly, help us live longer and prepare us for the opposite end of it all.

Almost 10 years have passed since this interaction and I never saw her again but I trust this memory will stick to my journey forever. This doctor gave me the ability to breathe a

life to experience healing as well. This will look different for everyone, it could be as small as no longer shaking your leg when you are in a stressful situation, placing boundaries around family or friends that did not have any before or deciding to prioritize your wellbeing above the interest of others.

humanity that can never truly be measured. I felt a sense of acceptance from the world. I carry this offering in my heart graciously and aim to carry it on to others.

In general, healthcare workers are the backbone to our society. And now more than ever it is being recognized but it has always been deserved. They care for

little softer and feel a little lighter by simply caring. If you all take anything from this, please let it be that love is the ingredient needed to heal our communities, to love ourselves more, to breath deeper, to live fully.

Thank you.

I found once you enter a place of healing it’s more powerful than forgiveness and has everything to do with love and care for one’s mind.

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viewpoint

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw

QUEERLY BELOVED New Year, Same You

W

ELCOME TO 2022!

Along with celebrations and fireworks, many folks brought in the new year with new commitments, new promises to themselves and new ideas to make this the year when everything shifts and changes for the better.

Sometimes this can be a great way to start a new year – but usually it’s not, since the “new year, new me” mentality can be extraordinarily toxic. So, if you have a huge and unrealistic list of new year’s resolutions, your best option is to throw it in the trash.

The start of a new year can be a slippery slope toward self-hatred. This year let’s just not do that. You’ve been through enough.

Don’t get me wrong, feeling inspired toward self-improvement can be a very good thing. The problem is a week or two into the new year we might have set ourselves up for failure. If we have not been perfect with all the things that were going to change, we might begin to unravel. Nothing magical happened at exactly midnight on Jan. 1 to make change any easier than it was before.

When we don’t live up to the unrealistic expectations that we set for ourselves, we begin questioning our worth based on arbitrary ideals, largely emerging from the opinions of other people.

This is a new year and with it might come some new realizations. You might form new commitments – but

you aren’t a different person than you were in 2021, and that’s a good thing.

You are the culmination of the amazing things, the bad things, and the many mundane things you have done up until now. If your list of resolutions was made from a place of self-hatred, it’s not ever going to fulfill its aim.

Recently I read that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions every day. You are currently reading this, so clearly you make good decisions. But perhaps not every one of your 35,000 decisions is the best decision. Maybe you are kicking off 2022 with that achy feeling of regret from some of the 12,775,00 or so decisions you made in 2021, or the many millions of decisions you made before then.

Everyone has things about themselves that need to change. Whether we want to change our behaviors, our bodies, our jobs, or our relationships, we need inspiration for transformation. We need fuel for better decisions.

We need the courage to change ourselves and our situations. These things come from self-worth, not self-deprecation. But all too often, we approach change by berating and criticizing ourselves.

If you need to change something, cruelty toward yourself is not the best way to inspire self-transformation. Instead, you can love yourself into change. Even the things you might hate the most about yourself are part of you. You can change these things by loving yourself enough to know what decisions are best for you.

As a trans person, I know quite a lot about change.

When I was rather young, I made the huge decision to transition medically. For me, it never felt like a decision, but more a necessity for my survival. I feel lucky that I learned early on in life that I was better off loving myself

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toward change instead of making changes fueled by a sense of self-hatred.

I remember thanking my body for getting me to where I was, while I worked to change my body into what I needed it to be. I had to find a way to be comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t become

hard in their own lives when they are talking to someone who was able to make huge life changes.

You don’t have to be a trans person to understand the desire to radically change something about yourself. There are many things that we all seek to

But do it because you are worth it. Don’t do it because this is the beginning of 2022 and certainly don’t do it from a place of shame or self-hatred.

I stand by my suggestion that you choose to throw out that huge and unrealistic list of new year’s resolutions.

a wholly different person.

But I am a person who found a much more authentic embodiment for myself.

A couple of decades have passed since the beginning of my transition. I find that a fringe benefit of having transitioned is that people run out of excuses when they are trying to tell me they can’t change something in their own lives. It can be awkward for people to argue that change is too

change about who we are, how we look and what we do with our lives.

Maybe 2022 really is your year. Maybe it is time for you to make the major changes you need to make in life. If you feel you need to take better care of your body, or get a handle on your sobriety, or go back to school, or transform your life in any of the other myriad ways you feel it needs transforming – then do it!

Of the 35,000 or so choices you will make today, the best choice is to look at yourself with kindness and compassion. Figure out what you can transform in your life. Tell yourself that you are worth the time and energy that it’ll take to get there.

If your list of resolutions was made from a place of self-hatred, it’s not ever going to fulfill its aim.

Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw is the senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, MCCTampa.com. He and his husband are the proud fathers of two wonderful children.

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talking points It’s about time! I want to normalize how we live, and that love has no gender, by being a visible part of our LGBT community.

– “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF MIAMI” STAR JULIA LEMIGOVA ON BEING THE FRANCHISE’S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ LEAD, DEC . 2021

IN 2022, ONLY 31

COUNTRIES

METROPOLITAN OPERA TO PRESENT ‘CHAMPION’

F

WORLDWIDE

OLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF TERENCE BLANCHARD’S “FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES” on the opening night of its latest season, the Metropolitan Opera will present its premiere of the composer’s first opera, “Champion,” in April 2023. The piece is about closeted gay boxer Emile Griffith and premiered at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis on June 15, 2013. Blanchard and librettist Michael Cristofer intend to make revisions for the Met performances, which will be in a revamped version of the original production. Met music director Yannick Nezet-Seguin will conduct a cast starring bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green as the young Griffith, bass-baritone Eric Owens as the retired boxer and soprano Latonia Moore as the boxer’s mother. Nezet-Seguin also conducted “Fire,” the Met’s first work by a Black composer and emphasizes 21st century music in his repertoire.

HAVE LEGALIZED

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. 22 DID SO THROUGH

LEGISLATION, ‘DRAG RACE UK’ TAKES ON THE WORLD

“R

UPAUL’S DRAG RACE: U.K. VERSUS THE WORLD” was announced Dec. 21, promising to unite fan favorites from across the globe in a single competition. ““Nine international members of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ royal alumni will battle it out for the crown in the brand new series,” its official description reads. The U.K. will serve as the host nation as “renowned queens from different franchises and cultures will compete in an international arena showcasing their country’s finest drag in their bid to become the ultimate Drag Race Superstar.”

Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr will join RuPaul with a “sparkling array of superstar guest judges.” The cast and premiere date will be revealed at a later date.

WRESTLER SMACKS DOWN HOMOPHOBIA

A

PHOTO OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER ANTHONY BOWENS KISSING HIS BOYFRIEND and YouTube personality Michael Pavano went viral after Bowens shared it in response to homophobia. The picture shows the two kissing in front of a group of anti-LGBTQ protestors and was posted after a spectator yelled an anti-gay slur during one of Bowens’ wrestling matches. “This is why I posted that photo,” Bowens confirmed with a video of the incident. “Stuff like this unfortunately still exists. Not phased, I’ll just keep fighting against stuff like this til the day I die.”

Bowens was signed to a five-year contract with All Elite Wrestling in 2020, one year after coming out as gay.

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

‘HE-MAN’ ARTIST, DESIGNER DIES

T

. MARK TAYLOR, ARTIST AND TOY DESIGNER FOR THE “HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchises died Dec. 23 at 80 years old. He-Man, the face for Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toy line and star of several animated television shows first popularized in the 80s, became an icon within the LGBTQ community. Many saw parallels in the secret life led by Prince Adam, the character’s alter ego. “If I was going to do a hero for today, it would be a female hero – because it’s the time, because the heroes of our time are women. ... Us men had our day,” Taylor told fans at a convention in 2015.

7 THROUGH

COURT DECISIONS AND

2 THROUGH

COURT-MANDATED

LEGISLATION.

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– The Human Rights Campaign

21

Last Day to Enroll: Jan 15th Open enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace is here and 26Health can help you get an insurance plan for 2022.

Enrollment starts Nov. 1st and ends on Jan. 15th.

Our Certified Application Counselors will help you find health coverage options through the Marketplace, including assisting you with eligibility and enrollment forms.

Call us today at (321) 800-2922, ext. 1701, 1702, 1703, 1705, or 1706 to book an info session or book online at 26Health.org/enroll.

This service is simple and free.

Get help with your 2022 plan now before time runs out.

22

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Health Care

For All LGBTQ-focused clinics in Central Florida and Tampa Bay make it easier to get care

M

Sarah Kinbar

ORE THAN EVER, EXPERT AND

culturally competent health care is widely available to the LGBTQ community. The seeds of this flourishing forest can be found in a change of mindset in the health care industry as a whole, sparked by patient experience research.

When the “patient first initiative” concept made its way into the health care lexicon more than 10 years ago, health care groups nationwide and internationally gathered, conversed and restructured with the expressed goal of providing individuals with increased safety and quality assurance. ​​Patient First — Joint International Conference on Quality Assurance and

Patient Safety, a 2012 health care conference in Glasgow, invited research paper submissions with this greeting: Patient First aims to replace our current “Physician centered” healthcare system with the one that revolves around the patient — “Patient centered.” We need to move from “what’s the matter” with our patients to “what matters” to our

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

patients, focusing on their concerns while assuring safety and effectiveness.

The cultural shift that came next was global, opening the door to better health care for all. This transformation in the conversation about health care aligned with new clinics opening to reach specific patient populations, such as the LGBTQ community.

26Health in downtown Orlando deliberately established services to custom fit the LGBTQ patient population.

“We weave cultural competency into the DNA of our organization. Also, one of the tenants that we stand on is being inclusive and diverse in regard to our recruitment and development of our staff members. Plus we provide training workshops to our team so they have the language to provide empathetic care,” CONTINUED ON PG. 27 | uu |

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BEPrEPARED 24

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

LGBTQ+ Premier Medical Care

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watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

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OUR CLINIC LOCATIONS ORLANDO: 1400 S ORLANDO AVE. SUITE 205, WINTER PARK, FL 32789 KISSIMMEE: 17 W MONUMENT AVE, KISSIMMEE, FL 34741 TAMPA: 13047 W. LINEBAUGH AVE., SUITE 101, TAMPA, FL 33626

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watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

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| uu | Health Care for All FROM PG.23

says Robert Baker-Hargrove, co-CEO of 26Health.

26Health was founded in 2011 as a multidisciplinary health care system to meet the complete needs of the LGBTQ community.

“Our board is comprised of a minimum of 51% patients because when you think about health care, you want to be able to hear directly from the people you are impacting, that you’re serving, that you are reaching. We incorporate their voices into our approach to healthcare services,” Baker-Hargrove says.

Research shows that kind of representation yields great rewards for patients. Medical facilities that are closely tied to their patients through shared community and deliberate engagement do a better job than facilities that rely solely on data and big-picture trends.

Metro Inclusive Health, with locations throughout Tampa Bay, has seen exponential growth, offering more than 100 programs and services. “We are constantly adding services based on patient needs,” says Brian Bailey, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Metro.

The organization’s widespread Bay-area locations help combat the longstanding problem of inequitable treatment for LGBTQ patients, something it’s historically done in partnership with CAN Community Health.

The not-for-profit is dedicated to the treatment, care and continual wellness of people living with HIV and owns and operates 34 medical clinics with a headquarters in Sarasota.

Empath Partners in Care, also known as EPIC with facilities throughout the Tampa Bay area, recognize the importance of LGBTQ-focused care as well. Susan Talbott, an LGBTQ Community Support Counselor with EPIC, says members who identify as a part of the community — especially members of the trans community — put off for years receiving care because of the stigma and discrimination so many experience.

“I have talked with patients who say they don’t want to spend half of their appointment educating their physician on what it’s like to be a trans woman,” Talbott says. “They don’t mind

INCLUSIVE SERVICE: Metro Inclusive Health opened its 30,000-square-foot facility in Ybor last year. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD answering the questions the first time but need to see you made an effort to understand their world when they come back.”

Nationally, those living outside urban areas often have to travel to find trusted clinicians. Orlando’s Spektrum Health opened up a second clinic this year in the city of Melbourne, located in more conservative Brevard County.

“On the door of the Orlando clinic is a City of Orlando Safe Space sticker,” says Svetlana Victoria Dunn, office manager

in Brevard County. We have been able to connect with Space Coast Pride and they have been phenomenal. We have been able to participate in a lot of events with them and really show the community that there is support for you, there are people who care about you and there are people who are willing to fight for you.”

Dunn, who is transgender, says the importance of having an LGBTQ-focused health care provider is more than just receiving care from someone

patient know that whoever they speak to there about their health will be knowledgeable in LGBTQ specific health concerns.

“Not every medical organization is fluent in serving LGBTQ patients,” Solitaire Bonesteel, head of marketing and development at Crew Health in Southeast Orlando, says. “For example, many hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices don’t know how to communicate about PrEP. Also, not everyone knows how to serve transgender men effectively.

Our board is comprised of a minimum of 51% patients because when you think about health care, you want to be able to hear directly from the people you are impacting.

— ROBERT BAKER-HARGROVE, CO-CEO OF 26HEALTH for Spektrum Health. “Brevard County doesn’t have that program and we found that there are so many people in Brevard County that are just hiding out because they’re in fear because they have this perception that Brevard County is this overwhelmingly conservative place, and on the outside it sure is, but I’m not so convinced on the inside.”

Dunn, who first lived in Brevard County when she moved to Florida, says she experienced firsthand the lack of LGBTQ resources available in smaller, more rural areas.

“Our goal being there really is to flip that,” Dunn says. “We want there to be more resources

who knows all the clinical terms, especially for individuals in the trans community. It’s about respecting who each person is.

“I recently just changed my name legally so the name on my ID doesn’t match me at all,” she says. “At another clinic, the dentist office or another provider they may dead name me all day long.

With a clinic like ours, we go out of our way to make sure we are affirming who you are. We do not dead name, we always make sure that we use the right pronouns, we selected a computer system that specifically allows us to do that.”

Going to a clinic that promotes itself as LGBTQ-centric lets the

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

What we’re trying to do here is create a safe space for complete and inclusive health care. There are too many LGBTQ patients that just don’t go to the doctor because they are afraid they won’t be treated well, and that’s an area where we’re filling in the gaps.”

Some large hospital groups are making strides in serving LGBTQ patients, which can ultimately help people living in rural areas where specialized LGBTQ clinics may be less likely to be.

Orlando Health, St. Petersburg General Hospital and USF Health are some of the larger health care organizations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay that specify LGBTQ services on their

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websites such as transgender care, including gender affirming hormone therapy and transgender transition care. These large entities are an umbrella for doctors in far-reaching locales.

At Orlando Health, transgender care begins in adolescence, under their Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children arm. Because Orlando Health extends its reach through Physician’s Associates, a primary care group of more than 180 doctors, there is a ripe opportunity to serve LGBTQ patients who live far from the city center.

Without question, nontraditional sexual and gender identities experience significant health disparities. According to a 2020 article in Health Affairs magazine, “Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, LGBTQ patients have higher rates of anal cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, obesity, substance abuse, cigarette smoking, and suicide … Sexual minority women report fewer lifetime Pap tests, transgender youth have less access to health care, and LGBTQ individuals are more likely to delay or avoid necessary medical care compared to heterosexual individuals.”

While these disparities do linger, the imbalance doesn’t seem that it will last long. No matter where you live in Central Florida or Tampa Bay, new health care options for LGBTQ patients are available, and becoming even more available, from independent clinics to ever-expanding medical groups.

“I love it when one of our patients convinces a friend to come along with them to one of their appointments,” Dunn says. “I can hear them chit chatting in the lobby while I’m sitting there doing my work and I hear them saying things like ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this place,’ ‘it’s so amazing’ and ‘I didn’t know places like this existed,’ so the feedback has just been phenomenal. It’s really heartwarming to see the love in the community and we are just so happy to be able to give back.”

On the following pages, we have gathered information on many of the LGBTQ-centric clinics in Central Florida and Tampa Bay. Along with clinic locations and contact information, we have also included what health care services each clinic provides.

Additional reporting by Jeremy Williams.

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LGBTQ-centric clinics Health care clinic

Contact number(s)

Website

Primary Care

Pinellas County: 727-328-3260 Hillsborough County: 813-237-3066

MyEpic.org

St. Petersburg: 727-321-3854 Tampa: 813-232-3808 Clearwater: 727-220-0550 New Port Richey: 727-494-7625

MetroTampaBay.org

Love the Golden Rule 3000 1st Ave. N., St. Pete

727-826-0700

LoveTheGoldenRule.com

Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay 4302 N. Habana Ave., Suite 200, Tampa

813-518-0881

DiversityHealthCenter.com

26Health 801 N. Magnolia Ave., Suite 402, Orlando

321-800-2922

26Health.org

Bliss Health 2901 Curry Ford Rd. #106, Orlando

407-203-5984

BlissHealth.com

CrewHealth 8601 Commodity Cir., Orlando

407-605-2252

CrewHealth.org

Harmony Healthcare 1400 S. Orlando Ave., Suite 205, Winter Park

407-777-2022

HarmonyHealthCareOrlando.org

Orlando Immunology Center 1707 N. Mills Ave., Orlando

407-647-3960

OICOrlando.com

Spektrum Health SPEKTRUM Health Orlando, 5205 S. Orange Ave., Suite 110, Orlando SPEKTRUM Health Melbourne, 1920 S. Babcock St., Melbourne

Orlando: 407-454-1363 Melbourne: 321-294-0400

Spektrum.health

407-426-9693:

PineroMedical.com

Transgender Health

Pediatrics

Empath Partners in Care (EPIC)

EPIC St. Pete Campus, 3050 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg EPIC Clearwater, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater EPIC Tampa Campus, 4703 N. Florida Ave., Tampa EPIC Sexual Health Center, 300 49th St. S., St. Petersburg EPIC at the Tampa Care Clinic, 4600 N Habana Ave. #15, Tampa (by appointment only)

Metro Inclusive Health

St. Petersburg location, 3251 3rd Ave. N., St. Pete Tampa location, 2105 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa Clearwater location, 2349 Sunset Point Rd. #405, Clearwater New Port Richey location, 4747 US-19, New Port Richey Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center, 2227 Central Ave., St. Peteinclusivitea., 2235 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

Pinero Preventive Medical Care 1720 S Orange Ave #200, Orlando

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Chronic Disease Management

in Central Florida and Tampa Bay Telehealth

Mental Health

HIV & STI Testing, Prevention, Treatment, & Management

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Aesthetic care

Adoption

Pharmacy

Interpretation services

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Social Services

Labs

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We’re a one -stop, comprehen ive medical clsin made for yoic u

Key services: o Primary Medical Care o HIV/STI Testing and Treatment o PrEP and PEP o Case Management o Transgender Health Care and HRT o Mental Health Counseling o Syringe Service Program o Health Care Assistance Program o Peer Support Mentoring o Support Groups

Visit www.hopeandhelp.org or call 407.645.2577

to learn more 30

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

l l e B n o The Ne Andy Bell of Erasure on his recent album, the LGBTQ youth and his most memorable performances

F

J.D. Casto

ORMED IN LONDON IN 1985, THE SYNTHPOP

duo Erasure have written over 200 songs and sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Consisting of openly gay singersongwriter Andy Bell and songwriter, producer and keyboardist Vince Clarke (co-founder of the band Depeche Mode), the band is set to begin their latest North American tour in Florida this month.

Unlike many of his peers in the ‘80s, Bell has been openly gay since the beginning of his career, cementing Erasure and Bell as icons in the LGBTQ community. Watermark had the privilege of speaking with the living legend himself to discuss Erasure’s latest album and EP, the struggles of younger

LGBTQ community members and some of the band’s most memorable performances.

WATERMARK WE’VE BEEN DANCING AROUND FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS LISTENING TO BOTH “THE NEON,” AS WELL AS YOUR NEW EP. THEY’VE BOTH GOT

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THAT PERFECT VIBE FOR LIVING ROOM DANCE PARTIES AS WELL AS CLUBS. HOW WOULD YOU PERSONALLY DESCRIBE THE SOUND OF THESE ALBUMS?

ANDY BELL: The idea behind when we started recording [“The Neon”] was to just try and kind of capture some of that initial enthusiasm that you have when you’re a teenager, when you first start playing records.

It was that kind of excitement that we wanted to tap into, as well as some of the bands who were inspiring to us when I was a teenager, like Eurythnics and Japan, those kind of bands just, like, really inspired us for the songs on “The Neon.”

WHAT WENT INTO MAKING YOUR MOST RECENT EP “NE:EP”?

CONTINUED ON PG. 33 | uu |

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MLK WEEKEND SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

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other people and by hopefully dissipating some of that pain and providing a source of joyfulness for an audience as well. To me that’s the most important thing.

The contact with the audience and just wanting to have all of us share.

| uu | The Neon Bell FROM PG.31

Well, to be honest, that was four tracks that we had, like spare after “The Neon,” because we had, I think, probably about 16 tracks on “The Neon,” and they kind of didn’t fit on the album. So we just saved them for an EP. Really, afterwards, kind of like some extra promotion [laughs].

THAT IS A PERFECT SEGUE INTO OUR NEXT QUESTION. YOU’VE BEEN PERFORMING FOR YEARS AND I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE WHAT SOME OF YOUR PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN LIKE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND PLAY ONE GIG OVER AGAIN, AS THOUGH IT WAS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHEN OR WHERE WOULD YOU PLAY?

YOU’RE STARTING YOUR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN FLORIDA, WHICH IS AN HONOR. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM THIS UPCOMING TOUR?

Well, we had great, really good reviews in the U.K. and we weren’t trying really hard.

[Laughs] I don’t know. It seems like it’s a celebration really of our music and we’re kind of not really a very hyped band, so I think it’s people coming of their own accord or they hear about it from friends. This time we’ve had more requests from people to come view the shows and stuff than in a long, long time, so I was thinking, with everything that’s going on around the world, it’s made people think what they really want.

IN LOOKING AT YOUR DISCOGRAPHY, IT’S CLEAR TO ME THAT YOU’VE GOT THESE CYCLES. YOU HAVE THESE BIG HITS, YOU RIDE THAT WAVE FOR A WHILE, AND EVENTUALLY THINGS DIE DOWN AND YOU REINVENT YOURSELVES. YOU CLEARLY KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME, AS IT WERE. I’D BE CURIOUS TO HEAR YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF EMERGING LGBTQ ARTISTS, AND IF YOU’VE GOT ANY ADVICE FOR THEM.

It’s always very exciting for me when I see other LGBTQ artists coming through. My hat goes off to them, and I wish them the very best luck they could have.

You always come into [the music industry] with your eyes wide open and you don’t really realize how tough it is.

For me, the thing that protected me in the beginning was my naivety, I suppose, and you just keep going. You go along and try not to let anything stop you but there are always going to be obstacles along the way. And sometimes you just feel like, oh shit. This isn’t worth it. It’s just taking too much of my energy or my time or whatever. But I think

MUSIC ICONS: Andy Bell (L) and Vince Clarke make up the legendary duo Erasure. PHOTO BY PHIL SHARP, COURTESY OF MUTE once you’ve made any kind of statement or if you’re involved in politics, you have to follow it through. You kind of just do it at your own pace.

Just keep your close knit group of friends around you and take advice from them and people that you feel you can trust in the industry because there aren’t that

know what that experience is like but it kind of seems to me, I mean, it’s quite scary, even though going to a pub is quite scary. [You’re meeting] a perfect stranger for the first time in the flesh, which is how we used to do it.

People just seem to be kind of judged quite aggressively

needed more. So I don’t know whether there’s any kind of outreach groups or things that we could organize, maybe online or something, but I don’t know if young people are willing to listen to older people anymore.

I’m not sure.

It’s always very exciting for me when I see other LGBTQ artists coming through. My hat goes off to them, and I wish — ANDY BELL them the very best luck they could have. many people that you can confide in. It all comes down to you in the end. So you have to find your own space.

YOU ARE A BIT OF A PIONEERBEING AN OPENLY GAY ARTIST DURING A TIME WHERE MOST COUNTRIES STILL HAD SODOMY LAWS. THE STRUGGLES OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY WERE VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE ONES WE ARE FACING TODAY. AS AN ELDER WHO HAS LIVED THROUGH SO MUCH, WHAT DO THINK THE CURRENT STRUGGLES FOR THE UPCOMING GENERATION OF LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE?

For me, it seems like everything is so fast, especially living online. I’ve never met anybody online, so I wouldn’t

now too or even more just on their appearance and how they look and stuff like that. It wasn’t as harsh then. I think when we were younger because you met people that were there who were present, we learned how to grow up in tribes, I suppose. And part of those groups did include elder people, which were always there to give us advice. I’m not sure whether young people have that anymore, depending on their circumstances.

I watched with my partner a program on HBO where they’re going around with small towns and meeting up with some LGBTQ people and having deep conversations with them about their struggle. I think that’s really something that’s really helped and something that is

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

YOU’VE OVERCOME A LOT. HIP REPLACEMENTS, KNEE REPLACEMENTS, ADDICTION AND YOU’RE LIVING WITH HIV. YOU ARE A VERY RESILIENT PERSON. WHAT HAVE THESE CHALLENGES TAUGHT YOU?

I just feel like everything is for a reason. I’m guessing certain things happened to me when I was younger so I could deal with them not so much in my old age. That’s why I really admire people like Frieda Carlo. She went through loads of struggles and kind of used her pain as a source for her creativity. And I think that’s kind of what happens when you’re a performer. You can’t help it. You overcome whatever it is you’re going through by performance and by relating to

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I don’t know, really. I mean, we’ve been around quite a few consequential things as they have happened — a lot saying we made it happen. We were in Berlin when the wall came down, and then Czechoslovakia when they had their revolution there.

And we’ve had people coming into the gigs where we practically just let the doors open. There’s been some quite memorable times. I couldn’t think of a real one-off that I would like to repeat, but there are a number of occasions. We’ve had some great things happen to us.

THOSE ARE ALL AMAZING! IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT ON YOUR CREATIVE BUCKET LIST?

To be honest, I’m with my partner, and we just want to settle down. Because we’re moving around so much, you know, you look forward to this life, and it’s kind of like you don’t always want it to be in the future, but circumstances don’t allow for that. So we just really count our blessings and just look forward to that time.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

We’ve always had an amazing time in Tampa, St. Petersburg — that’s where we met, my partner and I — so we’re really looking forward to the shows in Florida this time around.

Erasure, with special guest Bag Raiders, play at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Jan. 15, with tickets available at DrPhillipsCenter.org, and The Mahaffey Theater Jan. 16, with tickets available at TheMahaffey.com.

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Pride in the Park Jan 22, 2022 EMCEE Lindsay Carlton-Cline J.D.Hamel Park Gulfstream & Main

Live Music-Drag Show-Food Trucks Vendors-Kids Zone-40’ Slide DIVINE AF

12-5p.m.

Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities Available

www.sarasotapride.org

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MUSIC

Authentic Sound Sara Davis Buechner brings trans visibility to The Florida Orchestra and beyond

(ABOVE)

TRAIL BLAZER:

Transgender pianist Sara Davis Buechner.

PHOTO COURTESY THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA

A

Ryan Williams-Jent

S A RECITALIST, CHAMBER MUSICIAN

and soloist, Sara Davis Buechner has performed across the globe – from renowned venues in North America to concert halls throughout Australia, Europe and Japan. It’s easy to see how.

Music has been a lifelong passion for Buechner, who at 62 has one of the widest musical repertoires of any professional pianist working today.

She says she “knew I was going to do this since I was three or four years old – which I think is very common for classical musicians.

“You discover very early that you have a kind of special aptitude for music and if you love it very much, you study it very hard,” she continues, which is what the Baltimore native did. Buechner attended The Juilliard School and made her New York debut in the 1980s to critical acclaim.

The musician quickly aspired to master her craft on the world stage.

“When I was younger I had the desire to try to play everything ever written to the piano,” Buechner says. “It’s pretty impossible because there’s a 500-year repertoire for that instrument. I sort of weaned myself down to things that I love the most.”

The result is an extensive body of work, with more than 100 different piano and orchestra pieces performed to date.

Despite her success on the stage, things changed drastically for Buechner both personally and professionally by the late 90s. That’s when she transitioned.

“I was always very conflicted about gender most of my younger life and made my transition in my later 30s,” she explains. “I hadn’t

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really thought about it too much but suddenly occurred to me that I had a life on stage and I was a very visible person. I couldn’t just hide that and suddenly reappear as what many people perceive to be a different person.

“I was thrust into a rather unusual and uncomfortable situation – and the best way to handle that was to be very outspoken and open about it,” she adds. As a result, Buechner lost her job teaching at a conservatory, her manager and most of her concerts.

“Colleagues I had worked with, conductors and other musicians I played chamber music with, just stopped returning calls,” Buechner says. “They didn’t want to be associated with me.”

The pianist soon found refuge in Canada, performing regularly with major orchestras. She became a dual citizen in 2015 and returned to the U.S. a year later, joining the faculty of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia.

“My ‘return home’ was accompanied by a keen awareness and appreciation that society has moved in remarkably positive ways toward understanding and the acceptance of transgender people – though we still have a long road ahead,” Buechner’s website reads.

“The classical music business likes to pretend that it is gender- and color-blind regarding the concert stage ... My own experience tells me otherwise.”

That’s why Buechner has become a vocal advocate for her community.

It’s something The Florida Orchestra, the state’s largest professional symphony orchestra based in Tampa Bay, readily celebrates beside her. Buechner will play with TFO Jan. 8 at St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater and Jan. 9 at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall, presenting George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F” ahead of Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” The American composer is a personal favorite of hers.

“I’ve always loved Gershwin’s music,” she says. “He’s one of our great, wonderful composers who

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put himself on the map by being able to write music that was not only classical but also had populist elements. He has a very wide-ranging appeal that people can appreciate on many levels.”

TFO notes that Buechner is the perfect pianist to breathe life into the piece.

“Part of The Florida Orchestra’s mission is to connect our audiences with a wide range of guest artists, composers and works of music that reflect our world and the Tampa Bay community,” CEO Mark Cantrell says. “We are excited to have Sara Davis Buechner onstage with us because she is an inspiration for everyone – both through her powerful performances and her empowering story.”

Buechner is grateful for the support. She says LGBTQ representation in the classical musical field “is pretty non-existent” and venues can be hesitant to showcase such an outspoken advocate.

“I don’t think I’ve really had any negative situations at all from the concert stage. When you walk out, bow and sit down at the piano, people want to hear you play the piano well,” she says. “Now if you don’t, well, then you can expect a little blowback.

“If you do your job, I don’t think people are upset,” she continues. “It’s really much more on the business side of things. People who are worried about selling tickets.”

Thankfully she enjoys the support of organizations like TFO and others. In New York, she premiered her one-woman show “Of Pigs and Pianos” in late December to rave reviews from The New York Times.

The piece details her “extraordinary life story in music and words,” consisting of excerpts from her unpublished autobiography.

The outlet called the production a “deeply personal statement,” one that Buechner hopes leads to both a tour and her book’s publication.

“What editors think will sell is a sensational story about a sex change – but I guarantee you, mastering the intricacies of Mozart’s piano concertos is far more interesting,” Buechner laughs. “I can say things in words, I can write things in words, but music is the language I speak most fluently.”

Buechner will speak that language at The Florida Orchestra Jan. 8-9. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit FloridaOrchestra.org.

Visit SaraDavisBuechner.com to learn more about the artist.

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community calendar

EVENT PLANNER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Unusual Frida Art Show

Dining with the Divas Variety Show, Jan. 7, Hamburger Mary’s, Orlando. 321-319-0600; HamburgerMarys.com/Orlando Bob Saget, Jan. 7, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; Facebook.com/ HardRockLiveOrlando Movie Trash presents “Showgirls,” Jan. 8, The Nook on Robinson, Orlando.

407-906-6675; Facebook.com/ TheNookOnRobinson Dungeon Night, Jan. 8, The Woodshed, Orlando. 407-293-7474; TheWoodshedOrlando.com Uncorked, Jan. 11, Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, Orlando.

407-426-1733; OrlandoBallet.org Taffy’s Bingo, Jan. 11, Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company, Orlando. 407-337-6011; PersimmonHollowBrewing.com “The Rest is Silence: A Shakespearean Thriller,” Jan. 14-23, Timucua Arts Foundation, Orlando.

321-234-3985; Timucua.com “Together Again: A Happy Days Reunion,” Jan. 15, Clermont Performing Arts Center, Clermont. 352-394-4800; ClermontPerformingArts.com Erasure: “The Neon Tour,” Jan. 15, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org Meet the Filmmaker: “The Room” with Greg Sestero, Jan. 15, Enzian Theater, Maitland.

407-629-1088; Enzian.org Broadway Brunch, Jan. 16, Hamburger Mary’s, Orlando. 321-319-0600; HamburgerMarys.com/Orlando.

90s Drag Bingo, Jan. 17, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, Orlando. 407-270-6749; IvanhoeParkBrewing.com

THURSDAY, JAN. 13-FRIDAY, JAN. 14, 6-9 P.M. HARRY P. LEU GARDENS, ORLANDO This event highlights the creative works of 35 artists from throughout Florida inspired by Frida Kahlo.

Their art deals with love, tragedy, suffering, stress, passion, courage and pain in an “Unusual” and unique way at the Leu House Museum. Entry is $11 if purchased online or $16 in person and includes three drink tickets. This colorful exhibit celebrates Kahlo’s legacy and features music, a fashion show and more.

Learn more at UnusualFrida.com.

NEON NIGHTS

Mr. Glamorous 2022 SATURDAY, JAN .15 – MONDAY, JAN. 17, VARIOUS TIMES VARIOUS LOCATIONS, ORLANDO

Erasure brings “The Neon Tour” to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando Jan. 15 and the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Jan. 16. PHOTO VIA ERASURE/FACEBOOK

State of The Milk, Jan .19, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-401-3003; TheMilkDistrict.org

“Jersey Boys,” Jan. 12-13, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

“World of Musicals,” Jan. 16, Ruth Ecker Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

PFLAG Orlando Support Meeting, Jan. 19, First United Methodist Church, Orlando.

407-236-9177; GOPFLAG.org

Breakfast with the Mayor, Jan. 13, JW Marriott, Tampa. 813-637-0156; SouthTampaChamber.org

The Royal Ballet & Philharmonic Orchestra, Jan. 19, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org

HIDE Night, Jan. 14, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

Drag Queen Bingo with Adriana Sparkle, Jan. 20, Speakeasy Central, St. Petersburg. 727-329-9915; SpeakeasyKavaBar.com

TAMPA BAY Pride Skate, Jan. 8, Skateworld, Tampa.

813-884-7688; Facebook.com/ PrideSkateTampa EPIC Generations: Social Hour, Jan. 10, Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport. 727-415-3287; MyEPIC.org “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” Jan. 11-16, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“PROUD Tina,” Jan .14, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com “Broadway Belters,” Jan .15, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. 813-922-8167; CarrollwoodCenter.org St. Pete Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival, Jan. 15-16, Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg.

StPeteBeerandBacon.com Paint and Party, Jan. 15, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; HamburgerMarys.com/ Clearwater

Queens on Central, Jan. 21, Enigma, St. Petersburg. 727-235-0867; EnigmaStPete.com “Sex N’ The City: A Super Unauthorized Musical Parody,” Jan. 21, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

SARASOTA “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Jan. 14Feb. 6, Venice Theatre, Venice.

941-488-1115 “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical,” Jan. 18-19, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-263-6799

Erasure: “The Neon Tour,” Jan. 16, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com

The Mr. Glamorous Pageant returns Jan. 17, with events beginning Jan. 15 at 9:30 p.m. with the Mr. Glamorous Welcome Party at Amor. Joan Jullian, Khloe Damore Mykul Jay Valentine and Desi M. Andrews perform. The Glamorous Pageantry Brunch follows Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at HAOS on Church with more performances. The main event will be held Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at The Plaza Live. Learn more at Facebook.com/Glamorous4Ever.

TAMPA BAY Ultimate Showdown 2022 SUNDAY, JAN .16, 7 P.M. SOUTHERN NIGHTS, TAMPA Power Infiniti and the creators of Battle of the Houses, Shade Showcase, GQ Prince, Forever Bad Princess, National Bearded Empress Pageantry System and City Side Lounge’s Saturday Showcase present an official Tampa Pride benefit talent contest. Honoring those who paved the way for LGBTQ rights, 15 local performers will compete in three categories. Entry is $10 for 21+ and $20 for 20 and under. Learn more at Facebook.com/OfficialTampaPride.

A Conversation with Nicholas Garnett WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 7 P.M. TOMBOLO BOOKS, ST. PETERSBURG Nicholas Garnett, author of “In The Pink: A Memoir,” will be interviewed in Tombolo’s courtyard by Paul Wilborn, author of “Cigar City.” Garnett will discuss his book which details his “version of the go-go 90s,” including his marriage which introduced him to “gay friends who occupy the upper crust of the burgeoning gay circuit party scene.” RSVP and learn more at TomboloBooks.com.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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Join your local LGBT Chamber, as we are the premier advocates for the Tampa Bay Area’s LGBT business community.

Join our quit smoking study.

WILTING? Participants get up to $370 over 14 months.

Smoking causes impotence.

You may qualify if you have HIV and smoke.

All genders welcome. To see if you are eligible, go to:

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Contact Dr. Marhefka and team at USF. FloridaProject@usf.edu or 813.563.8515

www.tampabaylgbtchamber.org

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JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

announcements

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Dominic Costelli and Mike Anthony announced their engagement Dec. 31.

Red Mesa Cantina celebrated 13 years n St. Petersburg Dec. 31.

Mixers at Old Key West celebrated 7 years in St. Petersburg Jan. 1.

Justice Gennari and Eric Williams announced their engagement Jan. 2.

ALSO Youth unveiled its new logo and website Jan. 3, designed to be more inclusive. Learn more at ALSOYouth.org.

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St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman delivered his farewell address at the St. Pete Pier Jan. 3.

Brianna Summers’ Drag by the Bay celebrates four years of its Saturday night show in Gulfport Jan. 15. Read more at Facebook.com/DragByTheBay.

CONDOLENCES Tampa Police are still seeking information in the murder of Jenny De Leon. Anyone with information about her death or suspicious circumstances Nov. 2, 2021 is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477 and reference Case #21-463329. Read more at CrimeStoppersTB.com and WatermarkOnline.com.

Tampa Bay advocate Jean Batronie died Jan. 2. She will be missed.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Tampa activist Bill Polley, Northwestern Mutual’s Matthieu Chin (Jan. 6); Watermark contributor Sylvie Trevena, ALSO Youth Executive Director Mickey Stone (Jan. 7); St. Petersburg bartender Michael Joseph, Teaching for the Culture founder Bianca Goolsby (Jan. 8); Enigma’s Erick Henrriquez, Tampa Bay technology manager Ron Walters (Jan. 9); St. Petersburg florist Bobby York (Jan. 10); St. Petersburg instructor and massage therapist Jeremy Couture, Lakeland massage therapist David Lesnett, Gulfport retired Birkenstock USA specialist Danny Hughes (Jan. 11); Sarasota real-life cowboy Bill Flynn, Sarasota actress Christine Alexander (Jan. 12); Watermark owner and publisher Rick Todd, Tampa Bay marketing artist Nick Capezza, Sarasota MCC pastor Gina Durbin (Jan. 13); Sarasota Pride President Cindy Barnes (Jan 14); Power Design director Stephanie Morge, St. Pete sailer Michele McHugh, Rainbow Counseling owner Aimee Leigh (Jan. 15); Tampa realtor Patricc Petti, Tampa Bay bartender Tyler Frederick (Jan. 16); Tampa musician Connor Zwetsch, former Watermark art director Jake Stevens (Jan. 17); JP Morgan Chase honcho Kris R. Johnson, Atomic Tattoos’ Aaron Bailey-Santamarina (Jan. 18); Tampa Bay trainer Stephen Kalter, Cocktail manager Melvin Theriault (Jan. 19).

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NEW YEAR, SAME DIVA: Adriana Sparkle hosts Cocktail’s Cock Drop for New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31. PHOTO BY SUNNIE RIZZOLO COURTESY COCKTAIL

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FEELING THE LOVE: “Drag Race” All Star Kylie Sonique Love (L) strikes a pose at Bradley’s on 7th with DJ Mike Sklarz.

PHOTO COURTESY MIKE SKLARZ

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SHOW OFF: First Lady of Ybor Joey Brooks hosts Sunday Funday at Show Bar Dec. 26. PHOTO COURTESY MARK BIAS

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SEASON’S GREETINGS: Polk Pride accepts the award for best professional float in the Lakeland Christmas parade Dec. 20. PHOTO

COURTESY POLK PRIDE

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COZY CORNER: Southern Nights Tampa’s Sexy Santa (L) warms up Juan Fontanez Jr during the bar’s Naughty or Nice Onesie Party Dec. 23. PHOTO COURTESY

SOUTHERN NIGHTS TAMPA

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FARING WELL: Longtime LGBTQ ally Rick Kriseman gives his farewell address as mayor at the St. Pete Pier Jan. 3.

Read his parting thoughts to the LGBTQ community at WatermarkOnline.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY RICK KRISEMAN

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FAMILY PHOTO: Mixers at Old Key West staff members wish patrons a happy holiday season Dec. 24.

PHOTO COURTESY MIXERS AT OKW

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EPIC NIGHT: Team Empath Partners in Care supports Suncoast Hospice at The Lights of Lake Park Estates Dec. 22.

PHOTO COURTESY EPIC

7 watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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ASK US ABOUT: Repeat Guest Discounts Military & Veteran Discounts Spa Specials & Memberships Florida Resident Discounts & Student Discounts Call 1-800-818-1211 or visit thegrandresortandspa.com for information.

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JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

announcements

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

COVID TESTING SITES Due to the increased number of COVID-19 case in Florida and the increased need for testing, Ornage COunty has opened three COVID-19 testing sites: Barnett Park, located at 4801 W. Colonial Dr.; Econ Soccer Complex, located at 8035 Yates Rd.; and South Ornage Youth Sports Complex, located at 11800 S. Ornage Ave. All three locations are open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached. All locations are all offering

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Molecular PCR and Rapid Antigen (both nasal) tests at no cost. No appointments are necessary but online pre-registration is required. Go to PatientPortalFL.com to pre-register.

RESEARCH STUDY Three of the nation’s largest blood centers — Vitalant, OneBlood, and the American Red Cross — in partnership with the LGBT+ Center Orlando are seeking participants to

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join a new groundbreaking FDA-funded study in Orlando to consider new approaches for determining blood donation eligibility for men who have sex with men. If you are a gay or bisexual male between 18-39 years old and interested in becoming a blood donor, you may be eligible to participate. To gather the necessary data the blood centers are partnering with LGBTQ Centers in eight cities across the nation. The study looks to enroll 250–300 gay and bi men in Central Florida who meet the study eligibility criteria.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

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Plume’s Clinical Operations Manager Abby Silverman, former owner of Partners Emmi Grainger (Jan. 6); Mr. Bear Bust 2017 Shaun Boyd (Jan. 8); Former Watermark reporter Susan Clary, Orlando Fringe performer Logan Donahoo (Jan. 10); Orlando promoter Jason Nuez (Jan. 12); Watermark owner and publisher Rick Todd (Jan. 13), Former Chelsea Nightclub owner Nikki Turnon, Se7en Bites owner Trina Gregory-Propst (Jan 14); Former Watermark intern and covergirl Gina Avile, Real estate vixen Carla Stanton (Jan. 15); Orlando dog-walker Don Williams, Central Florida LGBTQ veterans advocate Keri Griffin Edenfield, Former Watermark intern Melanie Ararat, Central Florida musician Justin David (Jan. 16); Former Watermark art director Jake Stevens, Watermark contributor Scottie Campbell, Softball stud Richard Harem, UCF journalism professor Rick Brunson, Orlando Ballet performer Adam Boreland (Jan. 17); Lake Fairview Marina owner Cynthia Johnson, Orlando Gay Chorus vocalist Edd “Peaches” Sinnett, A League of Our Own member Jerry Rivera (Jan. 18).

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A PUERTO RICAN HOLIDAY: Tommi Pritchett (L) and Joan Rodriguez, with son Liam, celebrate the holidays with the coquis in sunny Puerto Rico Dec. 28.

PHOTO BY JOAN RODRIGUEZ

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XMAS IN NYC: Reggie Warren (L) and Rebecca Farrow escape the Florida heat for some cooler weather in New York City Dec. 25.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REGGIE WARREN

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NYE DRAG: Jeremy Williams (L) with Emma Schmidt celebrate New Year’s Eve with Hamburger Mary’s Wizard of Oz-themed show in Orlando Dec. 31.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

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PURRFECT NEW YEAR: State Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, with her feline friends, wish everyone a Happy New Years in Orlando Dec. 31. PHOTO COURTESY ANNA V. ESKAMANI

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IT’S A DELL: (L-R) Joél Junior Morales, Mulan Montrese Williams, Beautifull Sallings and Mariah Morris show off the brand new Dell computers that were presented to Divas in Dialogue courtesy of Contigo Fund’s “Access For All” campaign.

PHOTO COURTESY JOÉL JUNIOR MORALES

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COMMUNITY LEADERS: Andrea Montanez (L) and Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet grab a selfie at the Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka Dec. 22. PHOTO COURTESY FELIPE

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SOUSA-LAZABALLET

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IN THE HAOS: The entertainment at HAOS on Church ring in the New Year in downtown Orlando Dec. 31. PHOTO COURTESY BILLY MICK

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DEFYING GRAVITY: Myki Meeks is Elphaba during the Broadway Brunch Bunch’s New Year Eve show at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando Dec. 31.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

8 watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

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813-655-9890

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C E N T R A L

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JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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WEDDING BELLS

Kathryn Hagen and Constance Thurston of Orlando, Florida

ENGAGEMENT DATE:

March 27, 2021

WEDDING DATE:

Dec. 11, 2021

OFFICIANT:

Ed Middleton

VENUE:

Cocoa Beach Community Church

COLORS:

Red and green with rainbows too, because…

Rainbows.

WEDDING SONG/ ARTIST:

“Your Song”

by Elton John

CATERER:

Catered Dish Chef Brandon Milam

BAKERY:

Momma’s Homemade Cakes

PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER:

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DJ/ ENTERTAINMENT:

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W

Lora Korpar

HEN KATHRYN HAGEN MET

Constance Thurston through Craigslist in the summer of 2007, she had no idea they would one day get married.

Having recently gotten out of a marriage, Kathryn wasn’t nearly ready to start dating again. But she was looking for friends, which prompted her to put an ad on the website’s Strictly Platonic section.

Connie responded and the two hit it off, doing everything from shopping to crafting and game nights together.

“Our relationship progressed and

by Christmas time we both figured out that we had really been dating for the last few months,” Kathryn says.

After a decade of knowing each other, Kathryn decided to come out to Connie as transgender and begin her transition, which only made their relationship stronger.

“Many relationships do not survive a partner’s gender transition. Ours blossomed,” Kathryn says. “We have both grown as individuals and as a couple throughout the process.

Having Connie in my life has been a blessing.”

Though Connie and Kathryn had been considering tying the knot for years, neither proposed. In the spring of 2021, the question came up when Kathryn went to the hospital for a minor procedure. When checking in, medical staff asked Connie how she was related to Kathryn. For simplicity’s sake, she said Kathryn was her fiancé.

Kathryn took that as a proposal, but they made sure later.

“We followed up and officially popped the question to each other on the beach in the moonlight,” Kathryn says. “We both said yes!”

They got married that December in Cocoa Beach. Kathryn said when planning the wedding, they wanted to keep as much “in the family” as possible.

The venue, caterer, bakery, DJ and the jeweler who made the couple’s rings were all either LGBTQ+ or strong allies of the community.

“We also made it a point to reach out to our friends who are parents of transgender or gender non-conforming teens to specifically invite them to bring their kids,” Kathryn says. “We were honored to have them there and to include them.”

Connie said one of her favorite moments of the day was seeing Kathryn walk down the aisle. The two had not seen each other’s dresses before the ceremony, which made the moment they saw each other feel more suspenseful.

“She was so beautiful,” Connie says. “Her face just radiated joy and happiness.”

She added that another moment she won’t forget was dancing with her nieces and nephews at the reception.

“It was a fun moment of silliness, but it was also important for them to be there and be a part of it all and for them and their cis-het parents to see our love and our community as we see it every day,” Connie says.

One of Kathryn’s highlights from the day was when her Uncle Jay

offered to walk her down the aisle shortly before the church doors opened. She said that while Connie’s family was very supportive when she came out, hers had more trouble accepting her true self.

“I think my family has had a harder time coming to terms with having a rainbow sheep in the family,” Kathryn says. “I was stunned last summer when my uncle finally got to meet the real me. He didn’t skip a beat. My childhood idol, manly man, retired Marine Corps officer, Uncle Jay, had room in his heart for the niece he just met.”

Overall, it was a night to remember for Connie and Kathryn surrounded by their loved ones.

“As we were eating, Connie told me to take a moment and take it all in,” Kathryn says. “I put down my fork and looked around. The hall was beautiful, and it was full to overflowing with love. Chosen family, biological family and friends. Gay, straight, cis, trans, devoutly religious and committed atheist alike mingling, breaking bread and raising a glass in confirmation that love is love.”

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.

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watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

JANUARY 6 - 19, 202 2 // ISSUE 29.01 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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