Watermark Issue 29.04: Out Around the World

Your LGBTQ News Source.

Feb. 17 - Mar. 2, 2022 • Issue 29.04

Out Around Out Around Out Around Out Around

the World World the the World

A look at some of the biggest LGBTQ celebrations happening over the next year DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

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DEPARTMENTS 7 // PUBLISHER’S DESK

page

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8 // CENTRAL FL NEWS 10 // TAMPA BAY NEWS

As huge LGBTQ events happen around the world every year, one of the largest occurs right here in our own backyard … this year, each of the major party organizers say their events are coming back and they will be bigger than ever.

– WATERMARK STAFF

13 // STATE NEWS 15 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 21 // TALKING POINTS 37 // EVENT PLANNER 39 // TAMPA BAY OUT + ABOUT 41 // CENTRAL FL OUT + ABOUT 42 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 43 // CENTRAL FL MARKETPLACE 46 // WEDDING BELLS ON THE COVER

page DO YOU WANT TO BE

31 A SNOWMAN?:

page OUT AROUND

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THE WORLD: Some

of the biggest LGBTQ celebrations happening over the next year. DESIGN BY KYLER

F. Michael Haynie talks about playing Olaf in the Broadway tour of “Frozen.”

WATERMARK ISSUE 29.04 // FEB. 17 - MARCH 2, 2022

MILLS (KY VIEN).

SCAN QR CODE FOR

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

NOW LOOKING

STRONGER TOGETHER

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

AS SEEN ON TV

page onePULSE Foundation begins search for executive director.

page ReadOut: A Festival of Lesbian Literature returns.

page

page

Read It Online!

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

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Tatiana Quiroga’s viewpoint talks about Bruno.

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freeFall Theatre cooks up “I Love to Eat.”

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PUBLISHER’S

Rick Todd PUBLISHER

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

B

DESK

ARRING ANY UNFORESEEN

tragedy, the end of this month will mark my 20 years of employment with Watermark.

More than 40% of my life, and over 70% of the paper’s existence, I have spent as a Watermark employee. That sounds awfully strange to me.

I’ve been involved in roughly 522 issues, 75 specialty guides, 80 Pride celebrations and countless community events. It is a little overwhelming to step away from our two-week production cycle and look at 20 years in its totality.

Prior to Watermark, my longest consecutive time logged in any position was a year and a half.

If I knew on Feb. 28, 2002 that eventually I would be writing this column as the owner and publisher of Watermark, well I just wouldn’t have believed it.

I remember that day vividly.

I walked into the office with bleach blond hair, eight piercings in my face and a wrinkled shirt — it was before I knew the importance of ironing. My appearance was a

stark contrast from my interview in which I had dark brown hair and no visible metal. It was such a drastic change that Watermark founder, Tom Dyer, thought the business manager had hired the wrong administrative assistant.

Luckily for me, they didn’t.

In my 20 years, I have been afforded the opportunity to experience such great joy. I’ve seen amazing works of art, listen to inspiring leaders and share in the stories that have shaped our community. The company itself has been an amazing place to be. It will never be lost on me, the value of working somewhere you can be your true and honest self. This was rare in 2002.

The joys of the past two decades have been met by equal sorrow.

Most notably are the losses of staff members and friends of the paper we held so dear. Every one of them has played an important role in what this organization is today, and who I have become. Watermark has seen some setbacks with recessions and the housing crisis of the late 2000s, and most recently with COVID-19.

We have also created a few dark times of our own, dropping the ball on occasion. I’m looking at you Stratosphere and Fire and Ice parties. We have had a few editorial stumbles along the way as well. They were hard lessons to learn, but we listened and took measures to correct them.

My personal journey over the past 20 years has mirrored the ups and downs of the company.

I’ve made some egregious errors from which I have grown, I have lost some people very close to me and I have experienced all the good that happiness can bring.

There are snapshots of my time here that I think of fondly.

For example, hiding under a tent at Lake Eola during a terrible afternoon thunderstorm. I had locked myself out of my car while working a booth space for a Center picnic one year. My roommate and I were trapped under the Watermark tent for an hour, alone and playing cards while hoping not to be struck by lightning. Jen and I worked every event, all day, rain or shine or thunderstorm.

I remember soaking people with water guns at the Wet Party in Tampa in my early days and I remember Pat Benatar at Tampa Pride. I remember my first Typhoon Lagoon night party. Back then it was called Beach Ball and it was one of Watermark’s successful event creations. The impact of being around so many LGBTQ people in one space is a feeling I will always remember.

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

Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 107 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com

Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Kyler Mills • Ext. 301 Kyler@WatermarkOnline.com

Tampa Bay Account Manager: Jeffrey Holmes • Ext. 105 Jeffrey@WatermarkOnline.com

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

My favorite memory is sitting in the conference room with the staff while President Obama congratulated our community on marriage equality. A moment no one in that room thought they would live to see.

So much has changed in the past 20 years. With the rise of the internet and social media we have had to adjust how we report the news. With the growth of our community it has become increasingly difficult to be everywhere all the time. I am beyond proud of this staff and what they are able to accomplish.

I am most proud, though, of the work we do with our local community organizations. In my

I hope reading this paper keeps you engaged in our local community and inspired by those in it.

tenure, Watermark had donated over $4 million in advertising to nonprofits and businesses in need.

I am often criticized for how local my brain works, but local regional news is why we are here. We tell the stories of our community by our community. Central Florida and Tampa Bay are my home and that’s the community I want to focus on.

My hope is that our readers feel as much a part of this newspaper as I do. I hope reading this paper keeps you engaged in our local community and inspired by those in it. I feel lucky to be here and I am honored to get to do the work that I do. Here’s to 20 more years!

We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

ORLANDO OFFICE Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer

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CONTRIBUTORS BENEVA FRUITVILLE

is a transgender artist who has starred on stages, national television and in film. She is an activist and a board member for ALSO Youth in Sarasota. Page 17

TATIANA QUIROGA

is the Director of Family Equity and Diversity for Family Equality. She is a proud mother, wife and LGBTQ advocate in Central Florida. Page 19

TIFFANY RAZZANO

is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for writers and readers. Page 46 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, RAYLENE HUNT, JUNE MACWHITHEY

CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher.

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

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

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

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

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central florida news

TRASH2TRENDS HONORS SINGHAUS’ Jeremy Williams

O

RLANDO | Keep Orlando Beautiful returned to SeaWorld’s Ports of Call for the eighth annual Trash 2 Trends fashion event Feb. 5 with a tribute to a pair of Central Florida legends.

The fundraising event, called “an evening of recycled fashion,” brought together more than two dozen artists and designers who created high-end-inspired fashion made from materials that would have otherwise been discarded in a landfill.

The event, emceed by Central Florida entertainer Doug Ba’aser and the Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell, featured a tribute to fashion icon Marcy Singhaus and drag legend Sam Singhaus, aka Miss Sammy, who both passed away in 2020. After a video featuring photos of the duo, models strutted the runway wearing some of Marcy and Sam’s most iconic looks.

The tribute was followed by designs using everything from bottle caps, tin cans and trash bags to an entirely painted outfit and another made from broken glass.

To see photos from the event, visit WatermarkOnline.com.

OPENLY GAY LAWYER RUNNING TO BECOME CENTRAL FLORIDA JUDGE Jeremy Williams

O

RLANDO | Orlando attorney Michael Morris is running for circuit judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers both Orange and Osceola Counties.

Morris, who has been practicing law in Central Florida for more than 20 years, has worked for the Department of Children & Families and the Florida Department of Health as well as worked in the private sector in the areas of family law, bankruptcy and civil litigation.

“As a judge, I would bring all of my life and legal experience to the bench,” Morris said in a statement on his campaign website. “My hope is that I would be not just a judge who is knowledgeable about the law, but also one that is fair, empathetic, and always respectful to the people who appear before me.”

Over his legal career, Morris has lent his services to those who were unable to afford an attorney, volunteering through the Orange County Bar’s Legal Aid Program. He received a “Pro Bono Champion Award of Excellence” in 2014 and the “Guardian of Justice” award from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida in 2021.

Morris is holding his first campaign event in downtown Orlando at 310 Lakeside on Feb. 17. The event will be in person with a virtual option as well.

Elections for the Ninth Judicial Circuit will be held Aug. 23 with a runoff election, if needed, on Nov. 8.

For more on Morris, his experience and event information, visit MichaelMorris4Judge.com.

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E.D. SEARCH:

onePULSE has begun its search for an executive director and expects to select one by early spring.

PHOTO BY MAIA MONET

Now Looking onePULSE Foundation begins search for executive director Jeremy Williams

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RLANDO | onePULSE Foundation has begun its search for an executive director, according to a job listing posted to the organization’s LinkedIn page.

“As onePULSE embarks on a new three-year strategic plan and enters the next crucial phases of the final design, construction and operation of the National Pulse Memorial & Museum and Orlando Health Survivors Walk, we recently made changes to our senior leadership structure to best position us for continued success over the next three years and beyond,” onePULSE stated in an email to Watermark.

“We have eliminated our Chief Operating Officer position and have posted an Executive Director position to focus on the day-to-day operations of onePULSE.” Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse and founding CEO of onePULSE Foundation, will no longer serve as the organization’s CEO/president.

“Barbara Poma is not stepping down,” the organization stated in the

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email. “Barbara, formerly President/ CEO, remains as the ‘keeper of the story’ for onePULSE, and continues to share her unique perspective and experience as the Founder.

She serves as an inspiration to all who contribute toward the realization of the National Pulse Memorial & Museum and Orlando Survivors Walk and will focus her work on assisting in our national fundraising efforts.”

Last year, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 49, which designated the site of the LGBTQ nightclub as the National Pulse Memorial & Museum.

The bill was sponsored by three of Central Florida’s congressional representatives: Reps. Darren Soto, Stephanie Murphy and Val Demings and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives May 12 and the U.S. Senate June 9.

The design for the $45 million planned memorial and museum was decided on in Oct. 2019 and will include a fountain, shallow reflecting pool and a garden filled with 49 trees at the memorial site with the museum, which will be a circular tower with vertical gardens and public plaza, up the road from the

memorial. The project was expected to be completed by 2022 but has faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Executive Director of onePULSE Foundation ensures the Foundation’s mission and vision are upheld through all daily operations, programs and services. In addition, this role will oversee the planning, development and strategy for the National Pulse Memorial & Museum and Orlando Health Survivors Walk,” reads a job description posted to onePULSE’s LinkedIn page.

Among the qualifications, onePULSE is looking for an individual with 10 or more years’ experience working in corporate and/or nonprofit organizations working into multiple years at an executive level as well as experience working in a leadership capacity for an organization that operates a business, memorial, museum or historical facility.

An individual who is fluent in both English and Spanish, has a strong knowledge and network in the Central Florida community and prior experience in building a museum or public facility with multiple service offerings is also desired.

The position pays $150,000 a year, according to the job listing. onePULSE hopes to identify a candidate for the position by early spring.

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tampa bay news

‘THE MIGUEL & HOLLY SHOW’ ENDS Ryan Williams-Jent

T

AMPA BAY | Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor, hosts of “The Miguel & Holly Show,” announced the imminent end of their celebrated radio program Feb. 4 after seven years on Hot 101.5.

Billed as “Funny. Authentic. Real,” the popular show began in 2015 and soon welcomed Scott Tavlin, who remains on the air. Fuller and O’Connor read prepared statements after being given the “unprecedented privilege … to say goodbye” before the two announced their departure from the station.

Fuller, an openly gay Watermark contributor, broke the news to listeners during a “Miguel & Holly Family Meeting.” He and O’Connor began by thanking Cox Media Group and the show’s team for allowing them the opportunity to directly address viewers on the matter.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we say it’s time to pull back a little bit,” O’Connor shared with tears. “It’s time for us to pull back and focus on us a little bit. Our dreams and our goals are constantly evolving and much like we always encourage you to do, it’s time for us to leap. We are jumping into our future, Miguel and I, into the unknown – hoping against all odds that you know how much we love you.

“Thank you for finding us. Thank you for becoming our family,” she continued. “Thank you for your support, your encouragement. Never stop learning about yourself, never stop asking why about you and your own precious life, never stop believing in yourself and never stop daring to do great things.”

Fuller spoke next.

“Almost seven years ago on March 31, 2015, Holly and I opened up the microphones on one of the biggest radio stations in the country and introduced ourselves to you,” he said. “We said ‘we are perfectly imperfect and we hope you come along for the ride.’ Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine the last seven years going the way they have.”

The host subsequently detailed various events and initiatives listeners supported, including book drives and celebrations of diversity including Tampa Pride, St Pete Pride and more. He, O’Connor and Tavlin regularly supported LGBTQ-focused events, including hosting Watermark’s WAVE Awards.

“We’ve shared so many adventures together,” Fuller said. “If you’ve listened to this show for more than a day, you know that I’m a radio geek at heart. I love this medium and what it can do, but you listening have brought it to life. You let this poor, gay, Black kid from Atlanta, Georgia come here and fulfill his dreams.”

Fuller also reflected on the ongoing pandemic’s impact on the world, as well as how he’s evolved personally.

“When we interviewed for this job … I said, ‘I want Holly and I to be on the Hot 101.5 signal until they shove us into Shady Acres,” he noted. “But my life is different, my passions are different. My heart is different. And I’m ready for the next adventure.

“Thank you for allowing us to live our lives on the radio with you,” Fuller closed. “We love you.”

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FEATURED VOICES: (L-R) Authors Len Barot, Anne Shade and Georgia Beers will kick off ReadOut 2022. PHOTOS COURTESY READOUT.

Stronger Together ReadOut: A Festival of Lesbian Literature virtually returns Ryan Williams-Jent

G

ULFPORT, FLA. | The LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library will virtually present the fifth annual ReadOut: A Festival of Lesbian Literature Feb. 18-20, showcasing works written by, for and about lesbians.

The resource center has operated as an independent nonprofit since 2019. It held its first in-person festival at the library the year prior and transitioned to a virtual event in 2021 due to COVID-19, allowing organizers to reach a wider audience than ever before.

More than 900 registrants joined last year’s festival via Zoom, leading organizers to prepare a robust follow-up. ReadOut 2022 will welcome at least 60 authors for live, interactive panels known as pods and prerecorded readings known as pearls, emphasizing its theme of “Lesbian Voices, Stronger Together.”

“In keeping with that theme, we have made ongoing efforts to engage women of color in both the livestreamed and prerecorded sessions of ReadOut,” LGBTQ Resource Center President Susan Gore says. “Reaching out to younger women also has been a goal for us. We know it’s a marathon, not a sprint, yet we

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

are pleased to say we have made progress with expanding both groups this year.”

ReadOut 2022 will officially begin Feb. 18 at 4:30 p.m. After a warm welcome, the event will hold its first pod from 5-6 p.m., “Keeping the Romance (Novel) Alive.”

It will feature a candid conversation between authors Georgia Beers and Anne Shade.

Beers is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author of more than 30 lesbian romance novels and Shade is the author of other works. She writes “about women who love women [with] strong, beautiful BIPOC characters.”

The session will feature an introduction from Len Barot, author of more than 60 novels.

She’s also the president of Bold Strokes Books, an independent publisher of LGBTQ works.

“Georgia Beers is an award-winning, well-established writer of lesbian romance novels,” Gore explains. “Anne Shade is an up-and-coming author in that genre. They will be in conversation to share experiences on how they write and tips about building an audience.”

The suspense-focused “Just One More Page…” will follow from 6:05-7:05 p.m. Authors will “discuss the art of building suspense in every genre.” The festival’s first day will close with a

look at fiction and nonfiction from 7:10-7:40 p.m.

ReadOut’s second day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.

Featured pearls will focus on nonfiction and various types of fiction like science, speculative and more. Pods include deep dives into humor, historical novelists and “How Editors and Authors Can Stay Friends.”

A virtual Bingo fundraiser will close festivities from 7-8 p.m., led by the Raymond James LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group with a suggested donation of $5 per card. Gore says they hosted a similar session for the LGBTQ Resource Center, “so they know how to keep those virtual bingo daubers hopping!”

The festival’s final day will run Feb. 20 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Authors will begin with a pearl on memoirs and fiction, followed by an hour-long romance pod. “The BookstaGays: An LGBTQ+ Books Podcast” will be held after that.

Additional pods include examinations of intersectionality and explorations of undoing stereotypes. “Going Deep, Soaring High, Bringing Out the Best” with authors Becky Bohan, Carol Anne Douglas, Dana Finnegan, Sara Fleming, Ellen Levy, Lois McGuinness and Sara Yager will be the festival’s final panel before closing remarks from 5:30-6 p.m.

Registration for ReadOut 2022 is now open. The LGBTQ Resource Center encourages and expects LGBTQ and other literature enthusiasts to attend from all over the world.

Registration for ReadOut 2022 is now open.

There is no cost to attend but donations are appreciated. To learn more about this year’s participating authors and to register, visit ReadOut.LGBTQGulfport.org.

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state news

WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO FLORIDA LEGISLATURE’S ‘DON’T SAY GAY’ BILL Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

W

ASHINGTON, D.C. | Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Feb. 7 comments signaling support for “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida that would restrict school teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity in K-5 education, the White House has denounced the bill as a measure “designed to target and attack the kids who need support the most.”

A spokesperson blasted out the statement Feb. 8 on Florida’s HB 1557/SB 1834, which critics say is the latest in an attempt by conservatives to erase LGBTQ visibility in schools.

“Every parent hopes that our leaders will ensure their children’s safety, protection, and freedom,” the White House said.

“Today, conservative politicians in Florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need support the most – LGBTQI+ students, who are already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves.”

After a Florida House committee approved the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation last month, DeSantis signaled support for the legislation, telling reporters Feb. 7 it was “entirely inappropriate” for teachers to be having conversations with students about gender identity.

“Schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write,” DeSantis said, according to NBC News.

“They need to teach them science, history. We need more civics and understanding of the

U.S. Constitution, what makes our country unique, all those basic stuff.”

Critics say the legislation effectively stigmatizes LGBTQ families and students in schools and is part of a wider effort by conservatives to stymy visibility of LGBTQ people.

Defenders of the legislation have pointed out the restrictions in the “Don’t Say Gay” bill apply only to grade school, which they say isn’t an age-appropriate forum for discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Across the country, we’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn, and most troubling, who they can or cannot be,” the White House said. “This is politics at its worse, cynically using our students as pawns in political warfare. At every step of the way, Republicans have peddled in cheap, political

attacks, instead of focusing on the issues parents, students, and teachers care about.”

The Biden administration, the White House spokesperson said, has instead “focused on keeping schools open, providing resources to combat learning loss, and supporting students’ mental health.

“The difference in leadership could not be more stark, and the Biden-Harris Administration will not shy away from holding leaders accountable for dangerous actions that hurt our nation’s students,” the White House spokesperson said.

The White House spokesperson drew a contrast between the message sent by the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the Biden administration to LGBTQ students.

“Just imagine what it would feel like to be a kid watching the leaders in your state bully you through legislation that tries

to erase your existence,” the spokesperson said. “These types of attacks are the root cause of the mental health crisis that LGBTQI+ face. The president wants LGBTQI+ young people who may be feeling scared or alone because of these legislative attacks to know that they are loved exactly for who they are, and that he won’t stop fighting for the protections and safety they deserve.”

President Joe Biden also directly addressed the matter via social media.

“I want every member of the LGBTQI+ community — especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill — to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are,” the president shared Feb. 8.

“I have your back,” he concluded, “and my Administration will continue to fight for the protections and safety you deserve.”

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

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HRC’S EX-PRESIDENT SUES OVER TERMINATION, ALLEGES RACIAL DISCRIMINATION Chris Johnson of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

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lphonso David, the former president of the Human Rights Campaign terminated by the board after he was ensnared in New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment scandal, sued the nation’s leading LGBTQ group Feb. 3, arguing he was fired as a result of racial discrimination “amid a deserved reputation for unequal treatment of its non-white employees” and was explicitly told he was paid less because he’s Black.

David, speaking with the Washington Blade in a phone interview Feb. 3, said he came to the decision to file the lawsuit after practicing civil rights law for 20 years and “never thought that I would be a plaintiff.”

“But I’m in this chair, I was put in this position,” David said. “And as a civil rights lawyer, I couldn’t look the other way. It would be anathema to who I am and it would undermine my integrity and purpose for the work that I do.

And so I have to go through and make a very, very difficult personal decision to file this lawsuit.”

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, accuses the HRC of violating new state and federal laws for terminating David, who was the organization’s first person of color and Black person to helm the LGBTQ group in its 40-year history. The lawsuit also contends the HRC contravened equal pay law in New York by paying David less than his predecessor, Chad Griffin.

After a public dispute with the board in September amid an independent investigation of his role in the Cuomo affair, the HRC boards unceremoniously fired David and shortly afterward announced a still ongoing search for a new president. David was named nearly a dozen times in the damning report by New York

Attorney General Letitia James, suggesting David assisted in efforts

by Cuomo’s staff to discredit a woman alleging sexual misconduct in Cuomo’s office. David has consistently denied wrongdoing.

But the lawsuit is broader than the termination and describes an environment at the HRC, which has faced criticism over the years for being geared toward white gay men, as a workplace where “non-white staffers were marginalized, tokenized and denied advancement to high-level positions.” After a speech David gave on issues of race and indifference in the context of HRC’s mission, the lawsuit claims a board member complained about him referring too much to being Black, but faced no penalty from the organization.

Specifically named in the report is Chris Speron, Senior Vice President of Development, who expressed concern about “alienating” white donors and specifically “white gay men” after David issued a statement on the importance of Black Lives Matter after the killing of George Floyd

by Minneapolis police officers.

The lawsuit claims Speron pushed David to “stop mentioning in his public statements and remove from his bio the fact that he was HRC’s first Black President in its history.”

Speron also was critical of hiring a Black-owned consulting firm and “criticized a Black staff member for attending a meeting with the consulting firm without a white person present,” the lawsuit claims.

Speron couldn’t immediately be reached for comment to respond to the allegations.

In terms of equal pay, the lawsuit says HRC’s co-chairs informed David he was underpaid compared to his predecessor because he’s Black. But the lawsuit also acknowledges in 2021, just before news broke about the Cuomo report, the HRC in recognition of David’s work renewed his contract for five additional years and gave him a 30% raise.

David, speaking with the Blade, said he was in “shock” upon experiencing these alleged incidents of racism, maintaining

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he had kept quiet at the time out of concern for the greater good of the aims of the HRC. Joni Madison, interim president of the HRC, said in a statement after the lawsuit was filed the organization is “disappointed that Alphonso David has chosen to take retaliatory action against the HRC for his termination which resulted from his own actions.”

“Mr. David’s complaint is riddled with untruths,” Madison said.

Madison adds the individuals accused of racism in the lawsuit “are people of color and champions of racial equity and inclusion who provided support and guidance as Mr. David led the organization,” without naming any specific individual. The boards for the HRC and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation who made the decision to terminate David, were comprised of seven independent directors, five of whom were Black.

The racist environment, the lawsuit says, culminated for David in September 2021 amid an independent investigation of his role in the Cuomo affair conducted by the law firm Sidley Austin LLP at the behest of the organization.

According to the lawsuit, the board co-chairs contacted David late at night before Labor Day weekend to tell him to resign by 8 a.m. the next morning or be terminated for cause. When David asked whether the Sidley Austin investigation had made any findings against him, or if a report would be issued explaining what he was accused of doing wrong, the board co-chairs refused to say, the lawsuit says.

David declined to resign and was then fired “for cause” under his contract.

The termination, the lawsuit says, signified differential treatment of David because he is Black, taking note the Human Rights Campaign under his predecessor had “endured repeated, serious, scandals — many of which involved HRC’s mistreatment of Black and other marginalized individuals,” but Griffin was never terminated “for cause.”

IN OTHER NEWS SOUTH DAKOTA GOV SIGNS ANTI-TRANS BILL South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill Feb. 3 that will ban transgender girls and college-age women from playing in school sports leagues that match their gender identity, making South Dakota the 10th state to enact such a law. Noem is the first governor to sign such a ban this year. The bill is set to take effect July 1 but faces potential legal challenges. Federal judges have halted enforcement of such laws in Idaho and West Virginia, while the Justice Department has challenged bans in other states as violations of federal law. Opponents have decried the bill as bullying and say it sends a message that transgender people are not welcome in the state.

VIRGINIA’S ANTI-TRANS STUDENT BILL DIES IN COMMITTEE

A Virginia House of Delegates committee on killed a bill Feb. 9 that would have eliminated the requirement that school districts must implement the state Department of Education’s transgender and nonbinary student guidelines. The House Education Committee by an 11-11 vote margin tabled House Bill 988 that state Del. Scott Wyatt (R-Hanover County) introduced. State Del. Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield County) is the only Republican who voted against the measure. “HB 988, which would have removed the requirement for school boards to adopt model policies protecting trans and non-binary students, failed to report out of committee,” tweeted Equality Virginia. “988 is dead!” The Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee last week tabled an identical bill that state Sen. Travis Hackworth (R-Tazewell County) introduced.

MISSOURI LGBTQ BOOK BAN ADVOCATE ARRESTED FOR MOLESTING A CHILD

Ryan Utterback, who spoke in support of banning “Fun Home” and other books depicting sexual acts in North Kansas City school libraries, is now facing a felony count of child molestation and two related misdemeanors. A probable cause statement alleges the 29-year-old father laid down on a bed with a child less than 12 and fondled the child in December 2020. A separate case alleges he started showing videos sexual in nature on his cellphone to a young child around the time the child was 4 years old.

RIGHTS GROUP: IRAN EXECUTES 2 GAY MEN

Iran has executed two gay men who were convicted on charges of sodomy and spent six years on death row, according to a report by the Human Rights Activists News Agency on Jan. 30. The two men were identified as Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi. They were sentenced to death for “forced sexual intercourse between two men” and hanged in a prison in the northwestern city of Maragheh, some 310 miles from the capital, Tehran. Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, considered one of the most repressive places in the world for LGBTQ people.

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Beneva Fruitville

PICKING BERRY

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The T Isn’t Silent GREW UP VERY RELIGIOUS, in the kind of religion that relied on not asking a lot of questions.

It was also the kind of religion where you could sleep in the same bed as your same-sex partner of 20 years every night, but maintained separate bedrooms in case anyone came over. The kind where if you were caught having an affair, drinking, gambling, cavorting, fornicating or any other sin, all you had to do was ask for forgiveness.

We didn’t even have to confess it to someone in person because we weren’t Catholic. The Lord would just forgive you when you asked him.

I was taught in those years to judge everyone and that appearances were everything, and that the one thing I could not be in my religion was gay. I never understood why – but like I said, questions were frowned upon.

I remember a short but pointed conversation with my pastor after I came out. You see, I was kind of a celebrity at my church because I sang solos on Sunday mornings, something no teenager had ever done there before me. Ever. In the rainbow glow of my newfound gayness and my ever-present ego, I had decided to come out despite that high profile and left the closet doors wide open.

Everyone knew, so I knew what happened next was coming. My pastor called me into his office, which felt

like being called to meet the principal in school. There were no pleasantries, no handshakes, nothing.

He looked at me with the most insincere look I have ever seen. He began with something like, “It really pains me to say this” or “The Lord has put this on my heart,” I don’t remember the exact words.

My ears felt like they would burst into flames, my heart was beating ridiculously fast and I was sweating like, well, myself in church well before I had ever been labeled a whore!

Then with one sentence he informed me that I was no longer welcome there. Period.

I expected it to happen, I just didn’t expect to feel so devastated. The experience turned me away from organized religion for about 25 years.

That rejection was one of the most painful experiences of my young life. I didn’t know how to process it.

I couldn’t understand that it wasn’t reality that was being preached from the church’s altar.

I experienced something similar when I came out as a transgender woman.

I found that many of the gay and lesbian members of our community were no longer my allies – and that many find transgender people to be a detriment to their fight for equality; a hindrance when it comes to our rainbow family.

Lesbians have told me that I am living out a sexual fantasy and that my gender dysphoria does not exist.

I have been told that by being in female-only spaces I invite women to be raped and murdered because I am a man, no matter “what mutilations I do to my body.”

I have also been told that I am the reason gay men can’t adopt or are seen as freaks. I have been threatened with violence and death because of my coming out, but I never thought it would come from my own community.

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To say it is disheartening is an understatement. It is heartbreaking.

There would be no LGB rights movement without the T, look at Stonewall. We need to take a good look at our own community, because transgender people are absolutely a part of it –

against the people who want to eliminate the very discussion of us.

Our entire community needs to remember what it felt like to be rejected.

To think about the sense of helplessness and worry about where we could turn, something so many

confidence that comes with it, only to have members of that community – your safe haven – turn against you.

It’s worse than the original rejection you felt. It cuts deeper.

It’s important that every member of our community remember that we’re all

we always have been and we always will be.

Trans men and women must be respected as we continue to battle for equal rights. The Florida Legislature is fighting to erase entire families and sections of our community.

If we can’t band together in times of distress, we will never be able to fight

of us have felt, and the subsequent reward of finding our tribe.

Whether it was with an LGBTQ organization, by doing drag, going to a bar, a coffee shop or on the internet, many of us have come to feel safe as we began living authentically.

I challenge everyone to imagine finding that and the

fighting the same fight, and it’s not with each other.

I have been threatened with violence and death because of my coming out, but I never thought it would come from my own community.

Berry Ayers, aka Beneva Fruitville, is a transgender artist who has starred on stages, national television and in film. She is an activist and board member of Sarasota’s ALSO Youth.

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Tatiana Quiroga

PARENTAL GUIDANCE Mi familia

“W

E DON’T TALK

about Bruno… no, no, no” has been playing in my house every day, since it was released on streaming. My children have fallen in love with the endearing characters, the enchanting music and the colorful cinematography. Each kid anticipates their favorite part and bursts out into song on cue. It’s an orchestrated, theatrical experience which unfolds in our living room almost daily.

As a great film should, “Encanto” has sparked in-depth conversations in our household. Full of curiosity, my kiddos ask about family structures. We discuss the significance of the representation of Latino characters and their various shades of skin color and hair texture. Being in a multiracial, multiethnic and bilingual family who speak Spanglish, my kids can relate to the characters and can see themselves reflected on the screen. Other times, we explore their family dynamics, multigenerational trauma and why they don’t talk about Bruno.

Interestingly, our kiddos often ask my wife and I to share about us. When did we start dating? What was our wedding like? But their interest mostly focuses on how and why we started a family, and why was it so difficult?

Like a bedtime story, my wife and I take turns recollecting our love story. We chuckle and poke fun about how my wife asked me to see the indie film “Motorcycle Diaries” and I hesitantly said yes. Making reference to lesbian stereotypes, we joke that our U-Haul must have broken down because we dated several years before we thought about marriage.

Clearly, this reference is over their heads but still amusing to us. I tell them about the injustices and our fight for marriage equality. For us, we loved each other

so much that being legally recognized as a married couple was a priority. We laugh at “old” pictures of our two weddings — our more youthful look, our outdated hair and my big dress. Both kiddos get a kick out of seeing us before we were “momma” and “mami.”

Like so many same-sex couples before 2016, we embarked on the pilgrimage to Massachusetts to get legally married. Then, when back in Florida, we had our celebratory ceremony with cake, flowers and our supportive friends and family. We explain why “love wins” is a commonly used phrase, especially during Pride.

We tell them that we loved them before we even knew them. We started a family because momma and mami had an overflowing amount of love and wanted to share. We wanted them so badly that we tried so hard for such a long time to have them. Our family building journey was full of peaks and valleys. Our oldest knows he is conceived with an unknown donor. And that we needed the assistance of a loving and supportive doctor who asked momma, as the gestational carrier, to poke herself with lots of needles. Being they hate shots, they find this to be a colossal act of courage and bravery, which it was.

We don’t normally get into how a shipping company, who will remain nameless, lost our sperm once in transit. That was a dark day spent on the line with countless customer service representatives, trying to explain what a giant, chrome cryo tank looks like. At that time, we pushed through our tears and frustration and kept repeating to ourselves, “this will be funny one day.”

Thankfully, it’s hilarious now! What are the chances?!

Using photos to illustrate our tale, we show them the two sets of courtroom pictures. The days I legally became their parent. Since our oldest was born before

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marriage equality, I, as the non-bio and non-gestational carrier, had to adopt him via a second parent adoption.

Not an easy feat in Florida 10 years ago. And, to fully protect our family and my parental rights, I adopted my second kiddo via stepparent adoption. I share with them

we were protected and recognized by the law because having both of our names on their birth certificates isn’t enough.

We discuss why in our family it’s essential to speak kindly to each other. Always treat each other with respect. When

confidently know and most certainly feel they are loved, loved, unconditionally loved.

When my wife and I share our love story, it’s actually our family story. Love is the bond that glues us together through our wins and our losses. Like Abuela finally realizes in “Encanto,”

how the judge kindly and gently asked me if I loved them, could I commit to each of them and take full responsibility for them for the rest of their lives? YES! A thousand times, yes!

As we talk about the countless compilations of families, they know their two-mom family had to take extra steps to ensure

due, apologize and ask for forgiveness. Listen to others’ words, especially when it comes to their body. It is essential to be supportive and encouraging of each other. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. And finally, love makes our family!

My hope, my wish, my desire is for my children to

we are far from perfect but we built our familia foundation with love and my miracle is you! .

Like Abuela finally realizes in ‘Encanto,’ we are far from perfect but we built our familia foundation with love and my miracle is you!

Tatiana Quiroga is the Executive Director for Come Out With Pride. She is a proud mother, wife and LGBTQ advocate in Central Florida

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Ending the HIV epidemic

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talking points This is just amazing … I just have no words for it.

There’s something magical that gets to me when it comes down to the Games. There’s something at the Games that brings out the best in me.

— IRENE WÜST, THE FIRST LGBTQ OLYMPIAN TO WIN GOLD IN BEIJING AND THE MOST DECORATED OUT OLYMPIAN

85.4% OF

GAYS AND LESBIANS

‘THE POWER OF THE DOG’ LEADS OSCAR NOMS

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HE NOMINEES FOR THE 94TH ACADEMY AWARDS WERE ANNOUNCED FEB. 8, with Netflix’s western “The Power of the Dog” leading the pack. Its 12 nominations include Best Picture, Best Director and acting nods for all four of its leads. The film, about a closeted gay rancher who torments his brother’s new wife and her son, has been a critical hit since its release. The Best Actress category also saw bisexual actress Kristen Stewart nab her first Oscar nomination for her performance as Princess Diana in “Spencer,” while queer actress Ariana DeBose received her first nomination in Best Supporting Actress for playing Anita in “West Side Story.” Stewart and DeBose could become the first openly LGBTQ actors to win. The animated documentary “Flee,” the story of a gay Afghan refugee, also made history with its Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary and Best International Film nominations.

OVER 18 HAVE BEEN VACCINATED

AGAINST COVID-19,

COMPARED TO

76.3% 72.6% OF HETEROSEXUALS.

MADDOW TAKES MSNBC HIATUS

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ACHEL MADDOW, MSNBC’S MOST POPULAR PERSONALITY, said Jan. 31 she will be taking a hiatus from her prime time show until April to work on a new, undisclosed podcast.

She also announced that she will help with a movie based on “Bag Man,” her first book and podcast about former Vice President Spiro Agnew directed by Ben Stiller and produced by “Saturday Night Live’s” Lorne Michaels. “Change is good,” she said on her show.

“Change is absolutely terrifying, but in this case it’s good.” Maddow signed off from her show starting Feb. 4 but is expected to appear during major events. MSNBC personality Ali Velshi and others are expected to fill in on “The Rachel Maddow Show.”

‘GOLDEN GIRL’ BETTY WHITE HONORED

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ELEBRITIES INCLUDING ELLEN DEGENERES, JAY LENO, DREW BARRYMORE, TINA FEY AND CHER led NBC’s “Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl” on Jan. 31. The hour-long special – which is now streaming – honors White, who died Dec. 31 at 99. “Friends and stars pay tribute to America’s comedy sweetheart and her trailblazing television legacy; featuring clips that best capture the irreverent tone, spirit and impeccable comic timing that are a hallmark of the star’s decade’s long career,” it’s described. In a musical tribute recorded on the sound stage in Hollywood where White starred with Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty in “The Golden Girls,” Cher sang “Thank You for Being a Friend,” the show’s theme song.

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‘TIGER KING’ JOE EXOTIC RESENTENCED

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FEDERAL JUDGE RESENTENCED “TIGER KING” JOE EXOTIC TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON Jan. 28, reducing his punishment by just a year as he begins treatment for early-stage cancer. “Please don’t make me die in prison waiting for a chance to be free,” he tearfully told a federal judge who resentenced him on a murder-for-hire charge.

Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was convicted in a case involving animal welfare activist Carole Baskin. Both were featured in Netflix’s popular “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.” Their story will also be featured on in “Joe vs Carole,” a fictionalized take starring John Cameron Mitchell and Kate McKinnon premiering March 3 on Peacock.

OF BISEXUALS AND

74.4% OF TRANSGENDER ADULTS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED. – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Study, Released Feb. 2022

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PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND

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Out Around Out Around Out Out Around

the World World the the World A look at some of the biggest LGBTQ celebrations happening over the next year

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Jeremy Williams

S WE NEAR THE TWO-YEAR MARK

PHOTO BY IGGY LOPEZ

from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. that shut down life as we know it, we are now closer than ever to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and getting “back to normal.” That means more traveling, more time with friends and more celebrations.

As you start to plan your vacations for 2022 and beyond, we put together some information on a few of the biggest LGBTQ events happening over the next 12 months(ish). (We do have one LGBTQ event that got bumped from the fall of 2022 to the fall of 2023, but we didn’t have the heart to remove it from the list.)

We have included some big Pride events, some mind-blowing circuit parties and a few posh getaways that are happening all around the globe.

There is something for everyone on the list, so start hiring your sitters and booking your hotels because it’s time to take some time off. You’ve earned it.

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White Party Palm Springs April 29-May 1

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he White Party in Palm Springs is an annual multi-day music festival and the largest gay circuit party in the U.S. The event typically brings more than 30,000 to California’s desert resort city every year for a series of pool parties during the day and epic dance parties at night.

The event was first launched in 1990 by event organizer Jeffrey Sanker, who passed away in May 2021, and has grown into White Party Global, which hosts LGBTQ events around the world throughout the year.

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MEET THE QUEENS: (L-R) Shangela, Coco Peru, Heklina, Charlie Hides, Daniel Franzese and Alec Mapa at RuPaul’s DragCon in 2017. PHOTO BY DVSROSS, FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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After postponing, first due to COVID-19 then after the passing of Sanker, White Party Palm Springs returns to the desert after a three-year hiatus April 29-May 1. The event’s host hotel, and the setting for each day’s Soaked! Pool Party, is the Hilton Palm Springs. The weekend kicks off Friday night with a rainforest-themed Rio party called “Jungle Cruzin” at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The party returns to the convention center Saturday night with its traditional event where everyone wears white.

This year’s theme is inter-dimensional superheroes and is called “Eternal.” The weekend’s circuits close out Sunday with “Big Top Circus T-Dance,” an outdoor party that starts in the afternoon and goes on into the wee hours of the morning.

Weekend passes start at $395. For more information on events and to purchase tickets, go to WhitePartyGlobal.com.

RuPaul’s DragCon May 13-15

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here is no denying that drag has taken over the world and that is in no small part due to the popularity

of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Since it first premiered on Logo TV in 2009, “Drag Race” and its growing list of spin-offs have brought drag into the mainstream and turned its queens into household names.

Fans pack clubs, bars and theaters across the country to get a look at their favorite queens, so it was only a matter of time before Mama Ru put a plan into place for those fans to see dozens of “Drag Race” queens in one place – and so DragCon was born.

Starting in 2015 in Los Angeles with a sister event launching in New York City in 2017, DragCon is the “world’s largest celebration of drag culture.” After two years away from an in-person drag convention, DragCon LA returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center May 13-15 and currently has more than 100 drag queens attending the event including Alaska, Eureka!, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Milk, Raja, Sasha Velour, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Thorgy Thor, Trinity the Tuck and many more.

Tickets start at $40 for a single day and $70 for the whole weekend. Kids 8 years old and younger are admitted for free. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to RuPaulsDragCon.com.

SEEING RED: A group of friends gather in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom, some in red shirts and rainbow Micky Mouse ears, during Gay Day at Disney in 2018. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

Gay Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom June 4

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s huge LGBTQ events happen around the world every year, one of the largest occurs right here in our own backyard. Gay Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom started as a single day event on the first Saturday in June 1991 in which LGBTQ individuals and their families gathered in front of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom wearing red T-shirts as a way be visible to each other and the world. That first year, 1,500 people attended with that number doubling the following year and growing to 10,000 by 1995.

The celebration ballooned into multiple days of events from many groups — including GayDayS.com, One Magical Weekend, Girls in Wonderland and Tidal Wave Party — who bring circuit parties, concerts, expos and pool parties every year that encircle the original event and is attended by more than 100,000 people each year, all while still not being an officially sanctioned event by Disney World.

In 2019, the KindRED Pride Foundation was launched in order to increase awareness around the legacy of Gay Day

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at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and to create Red Shirt Pride Day in an effort to ensure that the celebration that was started in 1991 would continue to be recognized on the first Saturday in June every year. Due to the pandemic, the surrounding celebrations were cancelled and Gay Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom saw a reduced number of attendees at the theme park in red shirts.

But this year, each of the major party organizers say their events are coming back and they will be bigger than ever.

The KindRED Pride Foundation will host several events including the “We Are One” benefit concert June 2 and a multi-sport LGBTQ competition called The Pride Cup June 3-5. For more information, go to KindREDPride.org.

GayDayS.com will host events from May 31-June 6 with the Avanti Palms Resort serving as host hotel. For more information, go to GayDayS.com.

One Magical Weekend returns June 2-6 with the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort serving as its host hotel. For more information, go to OneMagicalWeekend.com.

Girls in Wonderland events will happen June 2-6 with the Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration serving as host hotel. For more information, go to GirlsInWonderland.com.

Tidal Wave Party will be hosting events June 2-5 with The B Resort and

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Spa serving as host hotel. For more information, go to TidalWaveParty.com.

São Paulo Gay Pride Parade in Brazil June 19

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he Gay Pride Parade in São Paulo, Brazil is the largest Pride parade in the world with millions of attendees every year. The parade holds the Guinness World Record for parade crowd size with 5 million attendees in 2013, and there is no question as to the parade’s popularity once you experience it, or even just see the parade photos.

Events tied to São Paulo Pride start several days before but the Pride Parade is the highlight of the weekend. The parade, happening June 19 this year, will begin in front of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo and travel nearly 3 miles to the Praça Roosevelt in Downtown São Paulo. The parade goes on for hours and features thousands of colorful outfits and headdresses as well as more than two dozen themed floats known as Trio elétricos.

For more information on the parade and surrounding events, clubs and hotels, go to GayTravel4U.com/Events/ Sao-Paulo-Gay-Pride.

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arrive at 10 a.m. to enjoy the park’s waterslides and pools until the Main Stage Party kicks off at 2 p.m. Get ready to dance and splash around until 10 p.m. when the transition from day party to night party occurs with a huge firework display.

Then it is off to the water park’s club venue to continue dancing until 6 a.m.

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NYC Pride Parade June 26

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ew York City is where the modern LGBTQ rights movement was birthed with the 1969 police attack on the Stonewall Inn which led to LGBTQ people protesting and rioting for several days. The following year, LGBTQ leaders and activists held marches in several U.S. cities to commemorate the events at Stonewall. In the 1980s, the marches took on a more celebratory atmosphere and today thousands of Pride festivals and parades take place throughout the year in cities and towns, big and small, all over the world. At some point in every LGBTQ person’s life, you should make it a point to visit the one that started them all in NYC. NYC Pride averages 2 million attendees every year, with the parade making history in 2019 with more than 4 million people attending the parade for its partnership with WorldPride to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.

This year, NYC Pride will begin with a pair of events celebrating LGBTQ film: Family Movie Night on June 15 and Pride Presents 17. On June 23, NYC Pride hosts a human rights conference, its annual symposium of transformative changemakers in the queer community focused on activism and issues impacting the community. The weekend kicks off June 24 with an LGBTQ rally and a youth Pride celebration June 25.

NYC Pride’s big day is June 26 starting at 11 a.m. with PrideFest in Greenwich Village. PrideFest is an annual LGBTQIA+ street fair that combines exhibitors, entertainers, food and activities for a day of fun and celebration in the name of equality. The march begins at noon through Lower Manhattan, passing in front of Stonewall, now the Stonewall National Monument.

Pride Island, a concert and fundraising celebration, begins a 2 p.m. and will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual options.

For more information, go to NYCPride.org.

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For more information, go to CircuitFestival.net.

Provincetown Carnival Aug. 13-20

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EVENT COMBO: WorldPride and NYC Pride, two events on our list, combined in 2019 as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

Gay Wine Weekend July 25-17

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hat could be better than a weekend getaway in California’s Wine Country? A summer weekend getaway to Wine Country for Gay Wine Weekend!

Out in the Vineyard returns in full force with its Gay Wine Weekend July 15-17 after going virtual in 2020 and then hosting smaller events in 2021. This year, you’ll enjoy three full days of LGBTQ events in Northern California’s magnificent Sonoma Valley, home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines and wineries.

Celebrate with world class wine and culinary delights, music and dancing in a private estate vineyard, VIP receptions, wine excursions, a drag queen brunch, wine auction and pool party in one of the most famous luxury destinations in the world, all while benefiting Face to Face, Sonoma County’s HIV/ AIDS network.

Winery Tours and Winemaker Dinner tickets will run you $95 and $150 respectively for each event. An additional $500 will get you the VIP All Access Pass and will include admission to the Twilight T-Dance and VIP Reception at the Chateau St. Jean Winery, event after parties, the Drag Queen Recovery Brunch and Wine Auction and the Sunday Pool Soiree.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to OutInTheVineyard.com.

Northalsted Market Days in Chicago Aug. 5-7

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orthalsted Market Days is a weekend long, live music street festival held in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood (also known as Boystown) every year. The half-mile long festival features multiple stages with live performances, hundreds of vendors, DJs, dance floors and more.

Founded in 1982, Market Days now spans from Belmont to Addison on North Halsted St. in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood – America’s first recognized gay village and a Chicago LGBTQ historic landmark. The neighborhood is home to one of the largest LGBTQ populations in the country and also host’s Chicago’s annual Pride Parade every June.

The weekend Market Days festival averages 120,000 attendees each year and is considered the largest street festival in the Midwest. It features five stages: three main music stages and two stages dedicated to local bands.

The event is free but a suggested donation of $15 is asked which helps to make Market Days possible, as well as supports local nonprofits and funds other community projects.

Performers for the 2022 Market Days have not been announced yet but with it being

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the event’s 40th anniversary, expect some big names.

For more information, go to Northalsted. com/MarketDays.

Circuit Festival Barcelona Aug. 6-14

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reated by nightlife promotion company Matinée Group in 2008, Barcelona’s Circuit Festival brings together the world’s top promoters and international DJs every year for more than 20 parties and events spanning 10 days. Circuit Festival is currently the biggest international LGBTQ circuit party event in the world, attracting tens of thousands of partygoers each summer.

This year’s festival runs Aug. 6-14 and is sure to be huge given the festival had to cancel the passed two years due to the pandemic. Between the beaches, the pool parties and the dance circuits, there is no shortage of fun to be had but when planning your itinerary make sure not to miss the main stage party with its over-the-top fireworks show, the opening and closing parties and the centerpiece of the festival —Water Park Day. Water Park Day, which is on Aug. 9 this year, attracts 14,000 attendees on average to Illa Fantasia, one of Europe’s largest water parks, and is broken into two parties: the Main Stage Party and Water Park Night. Party goers start to

rovincetown Carnival is one of the largest outdoor celebrations in New England and attracts around 100,000 visitors each year to the popular LGBTQ vacation town which has been called the “gayest city in America.”

This year, Provincetown celebrates its 43rd annual Carnival Aug. 13-20 and is themed “Monsters, Myths & Legends,” so plan your outfits accordingly. The full event list has not been released yet but expect to see some of the traditional events including the official raising of the Carnival Flag at the Pilgrim Monument, opening and closing parties at the Crown & Anchor resort, boat cruises, costume parties, T-Dances and, of course, the parade, which will take place Aug. 18 and will begin at the Harbor Hotel and make its way through downtown.

For more information, go to Ptown.org.

Southern Decadence Sept. 1-5

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outhern Decadence is a weeklong event celebrated in New Orleans’ French Quarter around the first week of September every year, culminating in a parade on the Sunday before Labor Day. Southern Decadence began in 1972 as a going away party within a group of friends who playfully called themselves the “Decadents.” The costume party, that was held on the Sunday before Labor Day, grew and eventually shifted focus from a house party to a parade.

The parade featured its first grand marshal in 1974 who is granted complete control over

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the parade, a tradition that continues today.

Southern Decadence is now attended on average by a quarter of a million people each year and resembles the city’s annual Mardi Gras holiday with its street parties and bead tossing. Each celebration also features a theme and colors, a tradition of Southern Decadence since the late 80s. Themes have included titles such as “Plagues, Pests, Parasites,” “Menage à Trois” and “Fruit Salad: Come Toss A Good Time.”

Southern Decadence 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic and was cancelled again in 2021, once again because of the pandemic and the impact Hurricane Ida had on the area. With no Southern Decadence in the past two years expect its return to be huge.

Southern Decadence will announce its 2022 theme and colors in June. For more information, go to SouthernDecadence.com.

EuroPride

Sept. 12-18

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uroPride is a pan-European international LGBTQ event that features a Pride parade, hosted by a different European city each year except in cases where WorldPride is being held in Europe. In that case, that WorldPride event will also carry the title of EuroPride. The host city is usually one with an established LGBTQ Pride event or a strong LGBTQ community.

EuroPride was first celebrated in London, England in 1992 with an estimated 100,000 people in attendance.

Since then, the event has seen large-scale events such as 300,000 attendees in Paris 1997 and 1 million in Rome 2011. Smaller but significant events have also been held, like in Warsaw, Poland 2010 when 10,000 attended EuroPride as a political demonstration in the conservative country.

EuroPride 2022 will be hosted by Belgrade Pride in Serbia Sept. 12-18. Belgrade held its first Pride in 2001 but were prevented from holding another Pride event until 2010. During the 2010 Pride parade, a riot broke out between police and anti-LGBTQ, anti-government protesters. The third Belgrade Pride was held in 2014, alongside the country’s

over the course of 17 days during Australia’s summer.

The centerpiece of Sydney WorldPride will be the three-day Human Rights Conference which will focus on LGBTQIA+ human rights across the Asia Pacific region March 1-3.

Other events will include opening and closing ceremonies, a fair day, a gala concert, a Pride march, a beach party and more.

For more information, go to SydneyWorldPride.com.

Gay Games 11 Nov. 3-11, 2023

HITTING THE SLOPES: LGBTQ skiers have been heading to Aspen, Colorado every January since the late ‘70s to hit the slopes and party with the community for Aspen Gay Ski Week.

first transgender Pride event, without incident and has been held each year since expect for 2020 due to the pandemic.

For more information, visit EPOA. eu/EuroPride.

Folsom Street Fair Sept. 25

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he Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco is an annual leather, BDSM and kink event that takes place on the last Sunday in September each year. It gets its name because it takes place across 13 blocks in the city’s South of Market district on Folsom Street.

Started in 1984, Folsom Street Fair is now California’s third largest street event and the largest leather event in the U.S., estimating 250,000 attendees every year.

The street fair features hundreds of exhibitor booths catering to an array of fetishes, vendors, food areas, meet-and-greets with popular porn stars, dancing and live music stages. But the event is best known for its public sex performances and sadomasochistic activities.

The Folsom Street Fair is put on each year by the nonprofit Folsom Street Events, which uses the event to raise funds for various charities in the area.

While the event is free to attend, a $10 donation is recommended at admission.

For more information, go to FolsomStreet.org.

Aspen Gay Ski Week Jan. 2023

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spen just celebrated its Gay Ski Week last month but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for next year’s events now.

Aspen Gay Ski Week got its start in the late 1970s when a group of local gay men began meeting up with gay tourists from ski clubs in San Diego, Los Angeles and Chicago every January. Every year, each ski club would volunteer to host parties on different nights.

Eventually hot tub get-togethers became pool parties, visits to the discos became dance parties, drag shows became downhill costume contests and more.

Now the weeklong event brings thousands of visitors to the valley and is the signature fundraising event for AspenOUT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the Roaring Fork Valley that promotes tolerance, understanding and diversity through local and national programming, fundraising and grants for the LGBTQ community, their families and allies, with a focus on youth, education and community action.

Highlights of the annual event include the Friday night White Party, the above-mentioned Downhill Costume Contest and the Saturday night Grand Finale Pool Party. But let’s be honest, if you are going to Aspen Gay Ski Week you probably want to get in some skiing and Aspen is one

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of the best-known ski towns in the world with four mountains to choose from — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain and Snowmass Mountain.

For mores information, go to GaySkiWeek.com.

WorldPride

Feb. 17-March 5, 2023

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nterPride, an international alliance consisting of more than 400 Pride organizations from 70 countries, started its WorldPride event in order to promote LGBTQ issues on an international level through Pride parades, festivals and other activities. The event, licensed by InterPride and organized by the host city’s Pride organization, got its start in Rome in 2000 and has been held on six other occasions since: in Jerusalem in 2006, in London in 2012, in Toronto in 2014, in Madrid in 2017, in New York City for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall in 2019 and, for the first time ever, in two cities in two separate countries — Copenhagen and Malmö — in 2021.

WorldPride will be hosted next in Sydney in 2023, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week, the 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and the fifth anniversary of same-sex marriage in Australia.

The event, themed “Gather, Dream, Amplify,” will take place

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he Gay Games, which began in 1982, is a worldwide sporting event that promotes LGBTQ acceptance and features queer athletes performing in a variety of sports much like the Olympics. It is the world’s largest inclusive sport, arts and culture event.

The Gay Games, which were first held in San Francisco, share many similarities to the Olympics including lighting a flame at its opening ceremonies and being held every four years.

Of the 10 Gay Games since its start, six of them have been held in North America, three in Europe and one in Australia.

The 11th Gay Games will be held in Hong Kong, the first time for an Asian city.

Originally scheduled for Nov. 11-19, 2022, the 11th Gay Games were pushed back to Nov. 3-11, 2023 due to the ongoing pandemic. Gay Games 11 will be broken down into eight sections: Aquatic, which includes swimming, diving, water polo; Athletic, which includes track & field, running and marathons; Ballgame, which includes basketball, soccer, rugby and softball; Cross-Disciplinary, which includes bowling and cheerleading; Combines, which includes dance, eSports and golf; Mat, which includes fencing, martial arts and wrestling; Racquet, which includes squash and tennis; and Sea, which includes rowing and sailing.

The weeklong series of events will also highlight arts and culture with choir performances, cabarets, dance, performance art and more.

For more information, go to GGHK2022.com

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Unifying 32 local arts, science and history organizations to raise $4.38 million to bring you rich and diverse cultural programming.

WE ARE BETTER WHEN WE WORK

r e h t e g o t

FUEL THE ARTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY BY MAKING A DONATION THROUGH THE 2022 COLLABORATIVE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ARTS.

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Do you want to be a snowman?

F. Michael Haynie talks about playing Olaf in the Broadway tour of ‘Frozen’

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Jeremy Williams

ISNEY’S “FROZEN” HAS BEEN A

worldwide phenomenon since the first film premiered in 2013 – bringing in more than a billion dollars around the world, earning two Academy Awards and turning the likes of Elsa, Anna and Olaf into household names.

The popularity of these characters only grew as Disney released a sequel that grossed even more money, several animated shorts and a Broadway musical that earned three Tony Award nominations.

After Broadway went dark because of the pandemic, Disney announced that the musical “Frozen” would not reopen on

Broadway once shows started to come back but that instead, the touring company would return, which it did this past fall.

Now “Frozen” is making its way to Florida with stops at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Feb. 24-March 6 and at the Straz Center in Tampa March 23-April 3.

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

F. Michael Haynie (they/them), the actor playing Olaf in the touring production, has been with the company since its beginning.

They have not only been bringing Olaf to life each night with their acting and singing talent, but also with their puppetry skill as they control a huge Olaf puppet around the stage quipping with Elsa, Anna and Kristoff and bringing the animated icon to life to the awe of audiences across the country.

Watermark had a chance to speak with Haynie ahead of their stop in Orlando about what it’s like taking on the lovable, larger-than-life snowman and how it has been to get back on stages since the pandemic started.

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to Olaf because they can’t even believe what they are seeing.

We’re not able to interact at the stage door anymore until it is a safer and better time for all, but before the pandemic every now and then I would talk with a kid and they would ask who I played and I would tell them Olaf. They would be like “No, you’re not Olaf, Olaf is a puppet.” I think I am very much Olaf, the actor who operates him and brings him to life, but also that’s just Olaf right there on stage. This is probably the first Broadway show ever for a lot of the younger kids, so we have to understand that we have a huge responsibility to bring this show to life for them.

| uu | Do You Want to Be A

Snowman?

FROM PG.31

YOU ARE OLAF IN THE BROADWAY TOUR OF “FROZEN,” WHICH IS COMING TO FLORIDA STARTING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT THE STORY TO BE THE SAME AS IN THE FILM OR WERE THERE CHANGES MADE WHEN IT WAS BEING BROUGHT TO THE STAGE?

A lot of people forget that in some ways, even though Disney has created so many amazing theatrical performances, that in many ways these are adaptations just like any other musical adaptation of a novel or another movie. So yes there are things you will recognize from the film, like obviously “Let It Go,” but what will be new I think is not only seeing these characters personified by actors in the flesh but also the caliber of performers we have brought into the show. I feel very, very fortunate to act alongside this spectacular company.

There are huge sections of the score that were written for this big Broadway show and there is big Broadway choreography, there are incredible scene changes and scenic elements but also fantastic acting. “Let It Go” even comes at a different point in the plot. There are all these things that happen in little different ways as you follow these characters in real flesh and blood. So with the score being filled out and these beautiful costumes and sets, it is still the story of the movie but think of it more as a film adaptation instead of someone pushing play on Disney+.

DID YOU FEEL ANY PRESSURE GOING INTO THE ROLE OF OLAF TO INCLUDE ASPECTS OF THE CHARACTER JOSH GAD CREATED OR DID YOU MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO SEPARATE YOUR OLAF FROM HIS?

I thank Josh for creating this part in the same way I thank the writers. The things Josh is able to do with his voice, the way he is able to create this bonkers character, I will always be in the shadow of that and not in a negative way. It’s an honor to play a character that has become so iconic from an actor that I have a lot of respect for.

He came and saw the show and we talked afterwards, and he was talking to me about how he never

HOW HAS IT BEEN GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING ON THINGS NOW THAT “FROZEN” IS BACK ON THE ROAD TOURING AFTER THE PANDEMIC HIATUS?

OLAF SINGS THE SUMMER: F. Michael Haynie brings the lovable snowman to life as they sing one of Olaf’s most

popular songs, “In Summer,” during “Frozen” the musical. PHOTOS BY DEEN VAN MEER, COURTESY DR. PHILLIPS CENTER

had to do this on stage and how in awe he was and what a different experience that is. I think I take a lot of inspiration from Josh and the character he created because it really is a brainchild between him and Jen Lee, who wrote the book.

I also have to give a huge nod to Greg Hildreth, who originated the part on Broadway, he’s one of those actors in New York that I respect more than most actors I’ve ever met. When I got the call from my agent that they wanted to see me for the national tour of “Frozen” I thought “Oh, they’re not gonna want me. There’s just no way.” I don’t think I can do what Greg does and I don’t think I can do what Josh did, and while I get to do those things now it was a huge vote of confidence from the creative team to let me be me in this character. They were open to all of the principle and the ensemble of this show creating versions that were different from the film, that were different from the incredible Broadway cast, that were these new versions of these characters.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT PLAYING OLAF?

The best thing about being Olaf for me is I get to be born from Elsa and Anna every time, and I know that sounds weird but they both conjure Olaf together.

In the show they say that Olaf is a little bit of Anna and a little bit of Elsa, and I get to do that on

stage with Caroline [Bowman, who plays Elsa] and Caroline [Innerbichler, who plays Anna], they are family to me and getting to create that is amazing.

I’m so proud of the very unique, very strange and weird Olaf that I get to bring out every night. I’m exhausted every time because I leave everything on the stage every night. I get to watch Olaf, almost like a parent, because I am right behind him.

No one ever looks me in the eyes, they always interact with Olaf.

So it’s this really cerebral, very strange experience.

AS OLAF, YOU ARE MANEUVERING A HUGE PUPPET ON STAGE. DID YOU HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH PUPPETRY BEFORE JOINING “FROZEN” AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO BECOME COMFORTABLE MANEUVERING OLAF?

To answer the second part of your question first, I’ve been doing the show since 2019 and I still have to work on being comfortable. (Laughs.) Puppetry is one of the most simple arts when you break it down, it’s about saying there is a thing that is not alive and I’m going to move it in a way that convinces you that this thing is alive, but it is something that you have to work on every single day.

My experience with puppetry before this was as a huge fan.

I grew up watching everything Jim Henson did and everything

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

he touched fascinated me. I loved “The Dark Crystal” and I think my whole existence stems from seeing “Labyrinth” when I was young. I remember thinking this is the coolest and weirdest thing in the world. Watching things like “Fraggle Rock” and the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie from when I was a kid. Puppetry is better, and I say this as a huge “Star Wars” fan, than CGI. There is something about having the thing practically there, it’s not about how it looks because sometimes it looks fake, but watching the actors react to something that is there is a beautiful part of the artform.

I have a good chunk of the responsibility for bringing Olaf to life, but when you watch Mason Reeves, who is our remarkable Kristoff, react to Olaf’s side eye or you watch him react to a genuine moment from Olaf, Nathan helps bring Olaf to life. Caroline and Caroline help bring Olaf to life and I think that’s the part of puppetry that I love, it’s a community build.

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU SEEING HOW THE KIDS RESPOND TO THIS CHARACTER THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY HAVE ONLY EVER SEEN IN ANIMATION ON FILM?

I get entrance applause sometimes and at first I was like “Oh hey, have they heard of me?”

(Laughs.) But this is a character that they know and they love.

It’s not one of my favorite things but sometimes kids will call out

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While we were away, my company — and I can’t speak for other companies because each one is its own personal thing — but ours stayed in contact. We had many assurances that we would be coming back which is not a privilege that every show had. We felt that we had a chance to come back so I actually ran a Zoom for my company every Sunday from the first Sunday we had off in March 2020 until the weekend before I drove to Buffalo to start 2.0. We called it the Hookah Happy Hour and it was a way for us to get together and talk and be there for each other.

In our company, we had people have babies and get engaged, all these things because we’ve been a company since 2019. There are so many things that happened over the pandemic so returning I think we understood we had the charge of being one of the shows that was going to help bring theater back, especially on the road.

I’m hoping that our show will have moments to be able to lead by example but also that our show will be able to learn from other companies and we’ll be able to recognize the moments of privilege that a show like “Frozen” has being a huge IP that can sell. I want everyone who’s reading this to come see “Frozen,” absolutely come see the show, but also go see community theater shows, support local art.

“Frozen” opens at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Feb. 24-March 6 and at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa March 23-April 3. For tickets, go to FrozenTheMusical.com.

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2022 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL

Tosca

by Giacomo Puccini Playing now - March 19, 2022

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

The Daughter of the Regiment

by Gaetano Donizetti OPENING WEEK! February 19 - March 18, 2022

The Pearl Fishers

by Georges Bizet March 5-19, 2022

Attila

by Giuseppe Verdi March 12-22, 2022 All operas performed in the original language with translations above the stage.

1987, The Daughter of the Regiment. Production photo by Alan Ferguson.

Purchase Tickets at SarasotaOpera.org Box Office: (941) 328-1300 | 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 The Winter Opera Festival is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Paid in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

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THEATER

As Seen on TV

freeFall Theatre brings James Beard to life in ‘I Love to Eat’

(ABOVE)

PLAYING A PIONEER: Matthew McGee stars as James Beard in freeFall’s production of “I Love to Eat.”

PHOTO COURTESY FREEFALL THEATRE

D

Ryan Williams-Jent

ECADES BEFORE ALTON BROWN

shared Good Eats, Ina Garten became a barefoot contessa or Rachael Ray readied her first 30-minute meal, there was Julia Child. A force in 1960s American television, the legendary chef instructed cooks across the country, all from the comfort of their own homes.

But the small screen sensation wasn’t the first. While her story has captivated audiences ever since, the honor belonged to one of her personal friends: industry icon and fellow culinary pioneer James Beard.

The openly gay chef’s series “I Love to Eat” premiered on NBC in 1946, becoming the first national cooking show in television history in the process. An Oregon native, Beard attended a liberal arts college in Portland until he was “asked to leave” because of his sexuality.

He subsequently studied performance overseas before returning stateside to work in theater, radio and even Hollywood, landing in New York City to further explore an acting career. He found success in food instead, co-founding a

catering company and publishing his first cookbook before moving to TV. While he died in 1985 at 81, Beard’s legacy lives on. Child and other peers established The James Beard Foundation the next year, which still honors exceptional talent and achievement in the field with “the Oscars of the food world.”

His journey also inspired playwright James Still’s one-man show – the aptly titled “I Love to Eat” – playing now through Feb. 27 at freeFall Theatre in St. Petersburg.

It stars fan favorite Tampa Bay performer Matthew McGee as Beard, the performer’s first solo show.

“Before Julia Child and long before today’s proliferation of cooking shows, there was James Beard, the first TV chef,” its synopsis reads.

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“He brought a love for fine cooking (and a sense of humor) to the small screen in 1946 and helped establish an American cuisine based on fresh ingredients.

“Beard went on to become America’s first ‘foodie,’ and the award bearing his name is still the prize most coveted by chefs across the country,” it continues. “Larger than life (literally and metaphorically), American culinary icon James Beard was a complex, entertaining, beloved and frustrating friend and mentor to many.”

Also billed as “a love story with food,” McGee becomes “the face and belly of American gastronomy” to welcome audiences into the chef’s home. He shares recipes, cooking tips, gossip, reenacts moments from his TV show and more.

“This play was originally slated to open our 2020/2021 season,” freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis says. “freeFall audiences have always loved our selections celebrating the lives of American Masters.”

COVID-19 closures initially delayed the piece, which ultimately found a home this season after concerns grew over the Omicron variant. freeFall was slated to begin another production, one with a large cast and more extensive costs, but the fully vaccinated company opted to focus on the smaller show to ensure the safety of those involved and alleviate economic concerns.

“Eric thought, let’s bring back ‘I Love to Eat,’” McGee explains. “That way, if people felt somewhat nervous about coming back to the theater, it’s very doable with a one-man show, even if the crowd is smaller. Little did we know that people would really grab ahold of it.”

The play opened Jan. 29 to strong reviews. McGee says attendance has only grown, crediting the show’s humor and Beard’s story.

“The play is a fictionalized version of an evening with James Beard in his Greenwich Village apartment,” he says. “It’s you and James Beard talking in his kitchen and it’s really sweet, very funny and super poignant – because in a strange way, the play

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is about loneliness. I think people can really tap into that these days.”

While McGee plays the show’s sole character, he does interact with others. Beard famously kept his phone number listed and took calls from amateur cooks across the nation who sought his advice.

“A large part of the play is him answering the phone,” McGee says.

“People would call him from as far away as Kansas with problems they were having with their meal and he would help them out. Julia Child also calls and it’s all very charming, and a couple of boyfriends call which is another part of the story.”

McGee, who is also openly gay, readily accepted the challenge of playing Beard for that and other reasons. He calls the chef an LGBTQ pioneer, one he’s “kind of melded with in a strange way,” though he admits the 60 pages of dialogue were somewhat daunting at first.

“It’s a lot of material, and you only have a couple of weeks to rehearse until the show opens,” he says.

“Luckily I spoke with some actors who have done one-person shows around town that I really look up to.

They said, ‘Look, it seems tough, but every day you do it you know it a little bit more … when you’re about to put it on for people, you will know it,’ and it’s kind of amazing. You do.

“When you go on in a one-man show, the lights go up and it’s you until it’s over,” he also laughs.

“There’s no one to bail you out.

I thought that this would be a unique exercise as an actor, because a lot of times when I’m cast locally, I think people kind of see me as a certain type … this was completely original and new.”

As the entertainment industry works to rebuild, particularly live theater, freeFall has adopted a new directive for the season – to “simply escape awhile.” That’s what the company is helping audiences do with “I Love to Eat.” “People really laugh and I love to be able to provide that these days,” McGee says. “That’s what makes live theater so special. They come to this show, they really relax and let it out. I thought this was a sweet story about a person people maybe didn’t know a lot about, but it’s turned into a release for a lot of people. It’s been marvelous.”

“I Love to Eat” plays at freeFall Theatre, located at 6099 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, Wednesdays through Sundays until Feb. 27, excluding Feb. 18. For tickets and more information, including COVID-19 guidelines, call 727-498-5205 and visit freeFallTheatre.com.

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Metro Grand Hall 401 33rd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

*Venue requires proof of vaccination for entry

Hosted by:

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Official after party (21+) // 10pm

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community calendar

EVENT PLANNER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA Big Salsa Festival Orlando, Feb. 1721, Hyatt Regency, Orlando. 407-284-12134; BigSalsaFestival.com/Orlando “Angels in America: Part One,” Feb. 18-26, Valencia College, Orlando.

407-582-2900; ValenciaCollege. edu/Arts “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Viewing Party, Feb. 18 & 25, Southern Nights, Orlando.

407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Watch Party, Feb. 18 & 25, SAVOY, Orlando. 407-898-6766; SavoyOrlando.com Women in Business Expo, Feb. 19, VO3 Venue, Orlando.

407-757-5084; VO3Venue.com Science Night Live, Feb. 19, Orlando Science Center, Orlando. 407-514-2000; OSC.org Barenaked Ladies Mardi Gras, Feb. 19, Universal Studios, Orlando. 407-363-8000; UniversalOrlando.com FilmSlam, Feb. 20, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando. 407-734-1072; TheFilmSlam.com Drag Brunch: Queens with Hearts, Feb. 20, Island Time, Orlando. 407-930-2640; IslandTimeOrlando.com Tig Notaro: “Hello Again,” Feb. 21, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.com Rush Thursdays: Twisted Disney, Feb. 24, Southern Nights, Orlando.

407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando Billy Mick: “Leveling Up” Live, Feb. 24, HAOS on Church, Orlando.

407-203-4099; BillyMick.com

Always Pride Market SUNDAY, FEB. 20, 1 – 6 P.M. BAZAAR BOTANICA MARKETS, ORLANDO Pink Fink Productions, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company and Bazaar Botanica Markets present plants, artwork, vintage items and more. More than 30 LGBTQ artisans and small shops will be featured with live drag performances during the gathering.

The art supply and plant swap will encourage participants to pick up and bring plants, cuttings and seeds as well as rehome art supplies to other creatives. Learn more at BazaarBotanicaFair.com

HELLO AGAIN

Rally for LGBTQ+ Rights SATURDAY, FEB. 26, 12 P.M. CITY HALL, ORLANDO

Celebrated comedian Tig Notaro’s live tour stops at Tampa Theatre Feb. 20 and The Plaza Live in Orlando Feb. 21. PHOTO VIA TIGNATION.COM

“Disney’s Frozen,” Feb. 24-March 6, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando. 407-839-0119; DrPhillipsCenter.org.

“Comedians in Drag Doing Comedy,” Feb. 25, HAOS on Church, Orlando. 407-203-4099; HAOSOnChurch.com Mardi Gras Drag Bingo, Feb. 28, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, Orlando. 407-270-6749; IvanhoeParkBrewing.com

TAMPA BAY “The Prom,” Through Feb. 20, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org “I Love to Eat,” Through Feb. 26, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; freeFallTheatre.com “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” Through Feb. 27, American Stage, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529; AmericanStage.org

EPIC Generations Coffee Club, Feb. 18, Sunshine Center, St. Petersburg.

727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org Project Condom: Runway, Feb. 19, Inclusivitea, St. Petersburg. 727-321-7212; MetroTampaBay.org Karmic Tattoo, Feb. 19, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com BOSCO, Feb. 19, Southern Nights, Tampa.

813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa Tig Notaro: “Hello Again,” Feb. 20, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org Opening Up the Relationship, Feb. 24, Inclusivitea, St. Petersburg. 727-321-7212; MetroTampaBay.org

Late Night Latin Showcase, Feb. 25, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; HamburgerMarys.com/ Clearwater A Night of Crowns, Feb. 26, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com Bling Talent Showcase, Feb. 27, The Garage on Central Avenue, St. Petersburg.

727-258-4850; Facebook.com/ OFCLGaragePage

SARASOTA Sarasota Winter Arts & Crafts Festival, Feb. 26-27, J.D. Hamel Park.

ParagonArtEvents.com March G2H2, March 3, Tamiami Tap, Sarasota. 941-500-3182; TamiamiTap.com

We Convene: Public Art and Placemaking, Feb. 24, Creative Pinellas, Largo. 727-582-2172; CreativePinellas.org

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

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

The LGBTQ community and allies are invited to show their support for equality at City Hall. One Orlando Alliance, Equality Florida, Come Out with Pride, Zebra Coalition, QLatinx and Contigo Fund will be joined by supporters to protest anti-diversity legislation in Florida, including the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Organizers hope to send a unified and clear message to legislators. Learn more at OneOrlandoAlliance.org.

TAMPA BAY Ultimate Showdown 2022: Pioneers SUNDAY, FEB. 20, 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.

Gasparilla Music Festival 2022 FRIDAY, FEB. 25 – SUNDAY, FEB. 27, VARIOUS TIMES CURTIS HIXON PARK, TAMPA The annual Gasparilla Music Festival returns for its 11th celebration, featuring more than 40 bands across four stages! Enjoy musical acts along Tampa’s waterfront from a wide variety of genres on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., Feb. 26 from 1-11:30 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 1-11:30 p.m. The festival will also showcase some of the best in Tampa Bay’s street food. Learn more at GasparillaMusic.com.

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announcements

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor announced the end of “The Miguel & Holly Show” in Tampa Bay Feb. 4 to focus on new opportunities. Read more on p. 10.

Pasco Pride successfully made its return Feb. 5.

The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence announced their first home bar partnership with City Side Lounge Feb. 5. “They say ‘home is where the heart is, and one community bar has proven that year after year,” the organization shared. They’ll celebrate with events including their “Thank You For Being a Friend” Bingo on March 24 to kick off Tampa Pride weekend. Read more at Facebook.com/TampaSisters.

Buckeye Pizza Truck’s Kevin Johnson and Steve Sroufe announced the end of their business Feb. 7 to focus on new adventures.

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus held its 2022 Winter Conference in St. Petersburg Feb. 11-13.

Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

Paul and Rick Fifer were married Feb. 12.

Kerissa Hickey and Kayleigh Inzinna were married Feb. 13.

The Salty Nun held “Nunday Funday” Feb. 13 for Super Bowl Sunday, their soft opening and sneak peak at festivities yet to come. Visit Facebook.com/SaltyNun for grand opening details.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Tampa Bay entertainer Iman, Tampa Bay entertainer Monique Love, Semi Sweet Designs co-owners Mike and Billy Tamplin (Feb. 17); Tampa’s Xtreme Total Health and Wellness consultant Ty Williams; Stonewall Pinellas Democrat Rick Boylan, St. Petersburg artist Jay Hoff (Feb. 19); Watermark husband Wade Williams-Jent, Tampa model and web site recruiter Michael Vought, Tampa Bay leather entrepreneur Billy Seablom, Lighthouse Credit Foundation founder David Crow, Tampa Bay actor Jay Goldberg, Sarasota realtor Michael Grady (Feb. 20); Tampa Bay entertainer Jade Embers Cohen, Tampa Bay entertainer LaDiamond Haze (Feb. 21); Tampa consultant Bart Nagy, TIGLFF superstar Renee Cossette, St Pete Pride Treasurer Stanley Solomons, Graphi-ko Gallery owner Wilmer E. Vergara Homez (Feb. 22); Sunrise Body Revival Chiropractic’s Dr. Travis France, Holiday Visions decorator Sean Reynolds-Steele (Feb. 23); Tampa Bay hairstylist Christopher Nejman, FabStayz Founder Robert Geller, Tampa Bay activist Janice Carney, First Home Bank manager Bob Sanders (Feb. 25); Tampa softballer Carlos Lopez, Sarasota Ballet marketing manager Mike Marraccini, Tampa massage therapist Eduardo Campos, St. Pete socialite James Brink (Feb. 27); Polk Pride’s Scott Guira, Rome Venture founder Tomas Carlucci (Feb. 28); Watermark contributor Abby Baker (March 1); Tampa Bay activist Jason Toleldo, Tampa Bay bowler Carmen Aguilar (March 2).

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BIRTHDAY BOY: Marcus Porter celebrates his birthday with a frat-themed party at Cocktail Feb. 12. PHOTO

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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LOCAL LOVE: Strong man Deidre Favero (L) holds her love Lindsey Burkholder at the ninth annual Localtopia at Williams Park in St. Petersburg Feb. 12.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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PASCO PROUD: Florida LGBTQ Consumer Advocate Nathan Bruemmer (L) and Pasco Pride President Nina Borders mark the return of Pasco Pride Feb. 5 at Heritage Park in Land O’Lakes.

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PHOTO COURTESY NATHAN BRUEMMER

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SAY GAY: Project Pride supporters rally in downtown Sarasota Feb. 6 against Florida’s proposed “Don’t Say Gay” bill and more.

PHOTO COURTESY PROJECT PRIDE

5

RUN WITH RAYNER: Michele Rayner (3rd from R), her team and supporters hold the congressional candidate’s first in-person event Feb. 12.

PHOTO COURTESY MICHELE RAYNER

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THE T ISN’T SILENT: (L-R) Nikole Parker, Carvelle Estriplet, Lucas Wehle and Abbie Aldridge discuss issues impacting Florida’s trans community during a Feb. 12 panel at the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus’ winter conference in St. Petersburg. PHOTO COURTESY

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FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS

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COME ON OUT: Mick Ferrari (R) and Jen sell Come OUT St Pete merchandise at the organization’s Studio 54 T-Dance at the Garage on Central Ave. Feb. 6. PHOTO COURTESY COME OUT ST PETE

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BOOKED UP: Tombolo Books co-owner Alsace Walentine prepares for Localtopia Feb. 11 from their storefront. PHOTO COURTESY

TOMBOLO BOOKS

watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

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announcements

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Peer Support Space celebrated three years on Feb. 1.

BarCodes Orlando celebrates 13 years on March 5.

RESEARCH STUDY Three of the nation’s largest blood centers — Vitaliano, OneBlood and the American Red Cross — in partnership with the LGBT+ Center Orlando are seeking participants to 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. Go to ADVANCEStudy.org for more details.

2

COVID TESTING SITES Orange County and the City of Orlando have four COVID-19 testing sites: Barnett Park, located at 4801 W. Colonial Dr.; Econ Soccer Complex, located at 8035 Yates Rd.; South Orange Youth Sports Complex, located at 11800 S. Orange Ave.; and Camping World Stadium, located at 1 Citrus Bowl Place. All four 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 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.

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LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Downtown Arts District board member Ben Laube, Orlando playwright-actor John Ryan, Disney entertainment guru John Bearse (Feb. 17); Orange County arts hero Terry Olsen (Feb. 18); Owner of Crabtree Healthy Living Toni Crabtree; Orlando realtor Sam Gallaher, Central Florida funeral director Sam Odom (Feb. 20); Orlando educator John Albritton (Feb. 21); Contigo Fund’s Andres Acosta Ardila, Central Florida performer Heather Abood, Roller girl Jessy “Spikey” Wayles, Orlando photographer/videographer Savannah Powell (Feb. 22); Orlando’s singing cowboy cub CiJay Bailey, The Hammered Lamb owner Jason Lambert, Central Florida realtor David Dorman (Feb. 23); Metro City Realty owner Jon Sheehan (Feb. 24); Songbird Megan Monesmith, Geek Easy’s Oral Frier, Orlando graphic designer Lisa Buck, Framing of Central Florida co-owner Mike Van Der Leest (Feb. 25); Central Florida Community Arts founder and executive director Joshua Vickery, Former Come Out With Pride board member Matthew Riha (Feb. 26); A/V technician at The Social/Beacham Peter Smith, Orlando aesthete extraordinaire Jim Cundiff (Feb. 27); Orlando photographer J.D. Casto, Disney Cruise Line’s David Baldree (Feb. 28); Fields Motorcars Orlando’s Russ Fowler (Feb. 29); Drag beauty Chrysanthe Mum (March 1); Former Joy MCC pastor Lisa Heilig, Indigo Hotel’s Tim Calandrino, Orlando community activist Heather Leibowitz, Girls in Wonderland’s Yesl Leon (March 2).

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CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH

COURTESY HEATHER WILKIE

IN CONCERT: Jerick Mediavilla (L) and state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith see Dua Lipa perform at the Amway Center in Orlando Feb. 11. PHOTO COURTESY

2

ALLYSHIP: (L-R) Andres Acosta Ardilla, Marco Antonio Quiroga and Tatiana Quiroga show their Trans Ally Awards from Divas in Dialogue during the Divas in Dialogue graduation at Maggiano’s in Orlando Feb. 5. PHOTO COURTESY ANDRES ACOSTA ARDILLA

3

EXHIBIT OPENING: Jose Luis Dieppa (L) and Marc Espeso at the members-only opening reception of “Heroes & Monsters: Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Thaddeus Mumford, Jr. Venice Collection” at the Orlando Museum of Art Feb. 10. PHOTO COURTESY JOSE LUIS DIEPPA

4

STRAWBERRY FIELDS: Tim Leddy picks an impressive batch of strawberries at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont Feb. 12.

AFTERNOON TIME: Heather Wilkie (L) and Ted Bogert at a Zebra Coalition fundraiser, organized by VIP Mortgage Group, at Island Time in Orlando Feb. 11. PHOTO

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MARY’S DRAG: Chyna Cravens channels Dua Lipa at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando Feb. 11.

PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

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FASHION ICONS: Participants and attendees during the 8th annual Trash 2 Trends fundraiser at SeaWorld’s Ports of Call in Orlando Feb. 5. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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THAT’S YOUR SIGN: Josh Bell shows off some of the signs made during a volunteer event at the LGBT+ Center Orlando Feb. 12.

The signs will be used during the Rally for Our Collective Rights at City Hall Feb. 26.

PHOTO COURTESY JOSH BELL

PHOTO COURTESY TIM LEDDY

8 watermark Your LGBTQ News Source.

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WEDDING BELLS

Brian Longstreth and Yutthaphum “Sam” Thotsawat from St. Petersburg, Florida

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Tiffany Razzano

OT LONG AFTER YUTTHAPHUM

Thotsawat – known to most as Sam – moved to Tampa Bay from Thailand for culinary school in 2016, he connected with Brian Longstreth through a dating app. They added each other on Facebook but didn’t chat much, and it wasn’t long before Thotsawat grew tired of the apps and deleted them.

They didn’t meet in person until he attended a drag queen bingo night at Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg.

Longstreth was bartending and the two got to talking. What Thotsawat didn’t know was that Longstreth also owned Punky’s at the time.

“I didn’t know how popular he was, his reputation, how famous he was in St. Pete,” Thotsawat remembers.

All he knew, at first, was how friendly Longstreth was. The two began spending time together.

“We just started doing things together and getting to know each other,” Longstreth recalls.

They didn’t have their first “official” date until about six months

after they met, attending Cirque du Soleil in Tampa.

“It just grew from there,” Longstreth says. When he planned a trip to Ecuador for New Year’s Eve 2018, Thotsawat decided to join him. They had already talked about getting engaged when they noticed a street vendor with a box of rings.

“All the rings were a dollar,” Longstreth says. “We were picking through it and found two that matched, which was rare – and also fit, which was even more rare. We thought, ‘That’s kind of a sign.’ So we splurged for the $1 rings.”

A couple of months later they ordered official engagement rings.

“We lost one and one broke, but we still had these $1 rings that actually held up amazingly well,” Longstreth says. “It was kind of a sign that we should stick with these for the actual marriage.”

The couple learned early on that they love the same things. They both like sports, frequenting Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies games. They’ve also traveled extensively, visiting places like Ecuador, New York, Cuba and Chicago.

“We’re very similar in what we like to do,” Thotsawat explains.

“Except Sam likes cold weather and I can’t stand cold weather,” Longstreth muses. “We all make sacrifices. New York and Chicago were mine.”

When it came to wedding planning, they decided to keep it “really simple,” he notes. “It’s kind of a tradition in my family that when I was a notary, I married both my brothers to their wives in a beach ceremony.”

One of Longstreth’s sisters-in-law decided to return the favor by becoming a notary, allowing her to perform their wedding ceremony.

They were married at TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach and celebrated with a dinner at Rum Runners Bar & Grille. They were joined

by Longstreth’s family and a small group of friends.

“I’m a big fan of keeping things simple,” he explains.

Though they wed in October, they didn’t move in together until November. That’s because Thotsawat was living with and caring for family members in Kenneth City.

In December, Longstreth turned management of his Casa del Merman at GayStPete House over to Bill and Jeremy Kody. “So, we traded places.

They were in the little house in the alley and now they’re in the big house,” he says.

Since Thotsawat’s student visa expired, they’re awaiting news of his green card so the couple can start traveling together again. Not only is it a passion they share, but Longstreth’s new business endeavor, Casa del Merman at GayMontanita House, is in Ecuador. In the meantime, they’ve adopted another stray dog together and “have been kind of setting up house and sharing our different taste in things and going through life,” Longstreth says.

Thotsawat adds, “It’s been heaven!”

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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