Watermark Issue 29.20: Orlando Proud & New Directions

IT’S TIME FOR MY ANNUAL reminder that I have a drinking problem. The truth is I’m reminded daily but it is the time of the year I like to use this space to talk about it. On Oct. 1 I will be seven years sober. That’s roughly 2,557 consecutive 24 hours.

I am so dramatically different from the person I was back then that it is hard for me to imagine it was just seven years ago, yet the time has flown by so fast I feel like I had my last drink yesterday.

In May of 2015, Memorial Day weekend, I had no idea I was an alcoholic. I liked to get drunk with my friends, that’s what I knew. We used to joke that we were drunks, not alcoholics, because alcoholics went to meetings.

I certainly had a picture in my mind of what an alcoholic looked

like and I didn’t fit the bill. I had a job that I was successful at, I had a home and car and I didn’t wake up and raid the liquor cabinet. I didn’t have to drink everyday and I didn’t really crave drinking. I had friends, people I could count on and people who counted on me.

The amount I was drinking had come into question from time to time over the years though. I once no-called-no-showed to work. It was a pretty dramatic scene playing out while I slept

through most of the day. I hadn’t resurfaced since entering the bar the night before and no one could get a hold of me. I didn’t think much of it since I knew I was just sleeping it off, but my coworkers and friends were calling hospitals and police stations to look for me.

My boss at the time asked if I thought I was an alcoholic. I confidently declared I was not, for the reasons I stated above.

I also had an ex-boyfriend tell me my drinking was not normal. It was seconds before he walked out the door for the last time, so I just attributed it to sour grapes.

My life seemed pretty normal to me, that is until I got arrested.

I was driving home from my normal watering hole at 2 a.m. with someone I just met following behind me. I had been drinking since 4 p.m. and decided to make the drive knowing I had a headlight out and against the sound advice of my best friend. Turns out I had two headlights out. That led to me getting pulled over, which led to me getting arrested, which led to court-ordered counseling and a 12-step program.

It’s important to note that getting arrested did not make me realize I was an alcoholic. I used to go to DUI school and then Uber to the bar. Once I had to start the 12-step program, though, I decided to stop drinking until I had fulfilled the requirement, with every intention of drinking when it was done.

The further away from drinking I got, the more I started to realize that maybe the amount I was drinking was not normal. I definitely recognized that once I started drinking, I didn’t want to stop and did not stop until I passed out. I realized I was lying to people about why I couldn’t

honor my commitments and missed some important moments with family and friends because I went to a bar instead.

I also began to realize that I didn’t always get in trouble when I was drinking, but when I did get in trouble I was always drinking. I could see that my actions were hurtful to many people. It wasn’t a pretty picture.

I like to think that seven years later I can make up for that lost time and I certainly hope that I enrich the lives of others as truth and honesty are now my mantra.

I don’t tell my story to garner

GREG STEMM lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 17

BEN FRANCISCO MAULBECK has more than two decades of experience in LGBTQ+ community work and philanthropy, including serving as president of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and as vice president of Hispanics in Philanthropy. Page 19

praise. I agree with the sentiment that sobriety anniversaries are a pat on the back for doing something you should have been doing all along. Nevertheless, I feel it important to use this platform to tell my story because I know how important it was for me to hear other people’s stories.

Alcoholism doesn’t have a specific look. It doesn’t care who you are or what your social status is. It can happen to a loner; it can happen to the most popular person in the room and it can happen to those you look up to the most. It’s important to talk about it, to remove the stigma and hopefully save some lives.

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

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

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My life seemed pretty normal to me, that is until I got arrested.

Rick Todd

central florida news

LEIGH SHANNON GIVING AWAY WIGS IN OCTOBER

Jeremy Williams

ORLANDO

| Martin Fugate, who is better known in the community as drag performer Leigh Shannon, is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October by giving away medical-grade wigs to cancer patients and other individuals who are financially challenged and who have experienced hair loss due to medical issues at his shop “Ritzy Rags Wigs & More” in College Park.

Fugate, who lost his mother to breast cancer when she was 43, has been working with Adreans Hair Goods, who donates the wigs every year, for a decade now to help patients who cannot afford to get a wig. Fugate says that even before the start of the month that he had already given away two wigs.

“There are so many people who cannot afford a medical grade wig, and we really try our best, all year long, when they come in here to make sure that they leave happy with a wig,” Fugate says. “Sometimes if I can’t give it away, we work to get it to them at a discount cost.”

Along with his wigs giveaway, Fugate also wants to spend the month sharing stories of cancer patient’s journeys, raising awareness about cancer research and letting people know the importance of getting proper cancer screenings.

In order to apply for a free wig, applicants can email Fugate at RitzyRagsEmail@aol.com and share their story and be considered.

HOPE & HELP RESCHEDULES

ORLANDO AIDS WALK

Jeremy Williams

Orlando Strong

Symposium addresses needs of Orlando LGTBQ community

Madison Pollock

ORLANDO

|

ORLANDO

| Hope & Help announced Sept. 16 that it had to postpone the Orlando AIDS Walk, its annual walkathon HIV/AIDS fundraiser, due to concerns with the weather.

“Your safety is our first priority and due to heightened risks for thunderstorms … we decided it was best to reschedule the event,” the nonprofit organization posted on Facebook. “Anyone who has already registered, you are still set … If you have not registered yet, there’s still time! We apologize for the change of date, but we can’t wait to see you!”

The Orlando AIDS Walk has been rescheduled for Oct. 21 starting at 6 p.m. The event will still be held in Lake Eola Park and feature the Fight the Stigma Fest scheduled before the walk around Lake Eola. The festival will include local vendors, food and drink trucks, live entertainment, raffle prizes, free HIV testing and more.

For more information and to register for the event, go to HopeAndHelp.org/AIDS-Walk.

With the beating of the drum made from deer hide, guests were introduced to a traditional dance from the Creative Native American Dancers & Educators during the 2022 Orlando Strong Symposium Sept. 15. Eagle feathers, which are earned through acts of kindness, bounced as the performer danced throughout the crowded room in UCF’s Dr. Phillips Academic Commons. An intrinsic dance to honor the fallen “warriors” of the Pulse shooting.

The symposium, hosted by Contigo Fund and held at UCF Downtown Sept. 15-16, kicked off the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month by diving deeper into laws that were passed through the Florida Legislature this past session that were seen to have a negative impact on the lives of LGTBQ, Latinx, immigrants and people of color communities.

The theme for this year’s symposium was “For Our Collective Rights & Freedom.”

“We gather in righteous anger as the hate-slate of laws driven by far-right politicians here in Florida, from laws like Don’t Say LGBTQ and the Stop Woke Act, to the 15-week abortion ban, and the transgender healthcare bans,” Marco Antonio Quiroga, executive director of the Contigo Fund, said to a crowd of supporting listeners. “Laws aiming to police every aspect of our lives. From our classrooms, businesses, to our doctor’s offices and our bodies.”

After Antonio Quiroga’s speech, Orlando Commissioner for District 4, Patty Sheehan, read the city’s official proclamation declaring Sept. 15 “Orlando Strong Symposium Day.” The opening ceremony included video remarks from both Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

“The work’s never done and there will always be forces opposing good,” Sheehan said. “But that doesn’t mean we give up; we keep fighting and I’m glad to see symposiums like this one.”

The two-day event had guests engaged with 12 different

workshops, divided between seven different plenaries that highlighted Pulse, immigration rights, LGBTQ education, HIV justice, transgender health care, advancing equity, diversity and inclusion and reproductive freedom/abortion access. After a long look on how far the LGTBQ, Latinx, immigrants and people of color communities have come and discussing their plans for the future, guests were invited to an official networking mixer the first night at Savoy Orlando. Attendees were invited to “The City Beautiful Reception” at the Winter Park Event Center on the event’s second night.

In between plenaries, guests attended workshops on a variety of topics including sexual violence, microaggressions, fundraising, voting rights, HIV, harm reduction and advocacy through art.

Andrés Acosta, Contigo Fund’s community relations manager, says this was the first year the symposium integrated workshops into their event and that he was surprised by the large turnout of attendees there was.

A relaxation room was offered to guests, offering snacks, art activities and one-on-one peer support in a quiet space. There was also a “trans and gender diverse lounge” where different organizations displayed their resources, such as name changing services and make-up tutorials, for the transgender community.

COMMUNITY LEADER: Andrés Acosta speaks during the 2022 Orlando Strong Symposium.

PHOTO BY MADISON POLLOCK

CAN RELEASES 1ST ANNUAL REPORT

Ryan Williams-Jent

SARASOTA

| CAN Community Health released its annual report for 2021 and 2022 Sept. 20, a first in the private, not-for-profit organization’s 30 years.

CAN is dedicated to the treatment and care of people living with HIV and other diseases, offering medical, dental and psychological care among other services. It operates over 30 medical clinics, including its Sarasota headquarters and locations throughout Florida.

The organization first previewed its report Sept. 10 during the return of CANDance, an event which has served as a fundraiser for CAN’s work since 1999. More than 300 supporters attended the gathering to highlight their more than three decades of service.

Attendees were each provided a copy of the report, which was detailed by CAN President and CEO Dr. Rishi Patel. He was appointed to the position in January, having previously served as interim president and CEO since July 2021 after joining the organization in 2015.

The report notes that in fiscal year 2022, CAN served 21,249 patients in its service area of Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. It also served others outside of its service area in Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York and North Carolina.

CAN also reported substantial growth in its Patient Assistance Fund, which helps underserved patients with personal and medical expenses.

“Many times our patients do not have transportation, the ability to pay for utilities or money to buy food,” the report explains. “The Patient Assistance Fund is there to help patients who are facing extenuating circumstances that negatively impact their healthcare and other personal needs.”

The fund grew from $1.26 million in fiscal year 2021 to $2.9 million in 2022. CAN provided housing, medical, nutrition, utilities and transportation assistance.

“As evidenced in the information in the Annual Report, our CAN medical, testing, pharmacy and outreach teams have done a stellar job caring for patients diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C, those seeking preventative care through PrEP, dental care, pharmacy, and/or behavioral health services,” Dr. Patel says.

“The coronavirus pandemic has been uniquely challenging for healthcare providers here in the United States and around the world and a significant threat to the well-being of our largely immunocompromised patient population,” he continues. “However, we are proud that our staff met each challenge with enthusiasm, creativity and dedication to our mission. Their efforts resulted in innovations like our at-home HIV testing program and telehealth services, which 40 percent of our patients utilized in FY2021.”

For more information about CAN Community Health and its services, or to view the organization’s full annual report, visit CANCommunityHealth.org.

tampa bay news

Family Fun

Come Out St. Pete marks six years

Ryan Williams-Jent

Showtimes are at 11 a.m. and noon. At 1 p.m., COSP will unfurl its 375-foot Pride flag in recognition of NCOD.

ST.

PETERSBURG | Come OUT St. Pete will mark its sixth year this October with events before and after National Coming Out Day.

COSP was founded in 2017 to honor NCOD. The organization advocates for all sexual orientations and gender identities through inclusive events and more.

That includes this year’s inaugural “Family” Day Celebration Oct. 9 at Seminole Park, scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It will be preceded by a Pride Run St. Pete 5K Run/Walk from 8-9 a.m.

Participants will begin at Seminole Park and make their way down Central Ave. before circling back. COSP’s partnership with the Pride Run Series, which organizations similar 5Ks nationwide, was rescheduled from June due to weather.

“We also felt it was fitting to utilize beautiful Historic Kenwood’s Seminole Park for this event, while still keeping the celebration within the Grand Central District,” COSP Chair Chris Jones adds. Virtual 5K options are also available.

Registration for each option is live online and day-of registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Participants will receive a finisher medal, race T-shirt and other perks.

“Our ‘Family’ Day Celebration is a continuation of our yearly recognition of National Coming Out Day,” Jones says. “This year, I had the idea to go back to the original concept of how I remembered Pride events to be when I first came out.”

The park will host local LGBTQ and ally artists, organizations and other groups. Jones says each vendor provides services for the LGBTQ community that promote a sense of belonging.

While COSP’s event is family friendly, its concept focuses on the idea that the LGBTQ community at large is familial. The gathering will feature music from DJ Jayson Chancey, drag performances from Kori Stevens, Alexis De La Mer and Veronica Vixen, and highlight COSP’s newly crowned royal court.

COSP held its annual “Come Out As You Are” Royal Court Talent Competition Sept. 11, naming three 2023 representatives who will each perform. They are Miss Come Out St. Pete Rockell Blu, Mr. Come Out St. Pete Adam

“We are very excited about this event because it will have a neighborhood community feel, while still keeping with our tradition of the event being within the Grand Central District,” Jones says. “Attendees will be able to browse through the vendors and information groups that will be available, grab a bite to eat and sit in the park while listening and watching the entertainment!”

COSP will continue its celebration Oct. 30 during Halloween on Central 2. The LGBTQ inclusive spooktacular will shut down 22 blocks of Central Ave, with COSP overseeing the 28th-30th blocks.

“As Come Out St. Pete celebrates our sixth anniversary this year, we have discovered that our mission is still of importance,” Jones says. “The board of directors has learned to work very cohesively and productively this year in creating new ideas and providing more defined goals … we are appreciative of the LGBTQ+ and ally community that has supported us.”

COSP’s “Family” Day will be held Oct. 9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Seminole Park, located at 2900 3rd Ave. N. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. To learn more, visit ComeOutStPete. org and PrideRunSeries.com/St-Pete.

Cole and Ambassador Caezia Giovanni Kreshe.

LIVING OUT LOUD: Come Out St. Pete supporters unfurl their Pride flag at Seminole Park in 2020.

PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

PROSECUTOR TO STAY SUSPENDED FOR TRIAL

Wire Report

LGBTQ COALITION ENDORSES CRIST FOR GOVERNOR

Ryan Williams-Jent

WILTON

MANORS, FLA.

TALLAHASSEE,

FLA. | A federal judge in Florida ruled Sept. 19 that a state prosecutor suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis will remain out of office while his court case against the Republican governor moves to trial.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle denied a motion to reinstate Andrew Warren as state attorney of Hillsborough County as the lawsuit continues, instead telling attorneys he would rather have a full trial over the suspension complete with evidence and testimony.

DeSantis suspended Warren last month for signing statements that said he would not pursue criminal charges against seekers or providers of abortion or gender transition treatments, as well as policies about not bringing charges for certain low-level crimes.

Warren quickly sued the governor after the suspension, alleging the removal violated his free speech rights. Warren, a Democrat, was elected in 2016 and 2020 as state attorney by voters in Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa.

“Today is an important day in an important fight for democracy – our democracy,” Warren told reporters in Tallahassee. “I’ve spent my career walking into court as a prosecutor, fighting for victims. Today, I went in as a plaintiff, fighting for democracy itself.”

During the roughly two-hour hearing, Hinkle questioned government lawyers over whether Warren’s signing of statements on abortion and transgender rights would be protected under the First Amendment or if they were defined policies that could warrant his removal from office.

In an executive order formally suspending Warren, DeSantis focused heavily on Warren’s signing of statements about not prosecuting crimes around abortion or gender transition treatments. More than 90 district attorneys, state attorneys general and other elected prosecutors across the U.S. have signed the letter saying they don’t intend to prosecute people for seeking, providing or supporting abortions.

Warren said no such abortion cases were brought to his office for prosecution. Florida has not enacted laws criminalizing gender transition treatments for minors but ``these statements prove that Warren thinks he has the authority to defy the Florida Legislature and nullify in his jurisdiction criminal laws with which he disagrees,’’ the executive order from DeSantis reads.

DeSantis also cited Warren’s policy of not pursuing some lesser categories of crime, including “trespassing at a business location, disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, and prostitution.” Similar uses of prosecutorial discretion by progressives elected around the country in recent years have prompted some pushback.

Trial dates for Warren’s lawsuit against DeSantis have not yet been set. Learn more about Warren’s fight at AndrewWarrenFL.com.

| The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus and political action committees for the Human Rights Campaign and SAVE endorsed Charlie Crist for governor Sept. 14, joining Equality Florida’s PAC in their support.

Representatives for each organization gathered in South Florida along with Crist to announce the endorsements. They detailed their ongoing efforts to mobilize LGBTQ and ally voters for the Nov. 8 general election.

As the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, HRC’s PAC alone is expected to reach 4.2 million Floridians. The organization called Governor Ron DeSantis “one of the most anti-LGBTQ+ politicians in America and an existential threat to every LGBTQ+ person in Florida.”

“The rights of millions of Floridians are being rolled back by him and an extremist minority of anti-equality judges and politicians attacking our families, our right to vote, and our right to access healthcare and make decisions about our own bodies,” HRC Interim President Joni Madison said in a statement.

“They are waging a brutal and coordinated campaign to roll back rights at a breakneck pace and won’t stop until Floridians show up at the ballot box and vote them out of office,” she continued.

“The Human Rights Campaign

is proud to endorse Rep. Charlie Crist for Governor of Florida and we’re looking forward to fighting alongside him and pro-equality champions across Florida to put an end to Ron DeSantis’s extremist agenda.”

The LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus echoed HRC. “The lives of LGBTQ+ Floridians are put further at risk each time that Ron DeSantis relentlessly attacks our community,” Caucus President Stephen Gaskill said. “We need a Governor who will undo the damage caused by DeSantis and who will put our state back on the path to full equality. Charlie Crist is the leader we can trust to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights, and we are proud to endorse him.”

“The past few years have seen relentless attacks on LGBTQ children and families by the current governor,” SAVE Executive Director Orlando Gonzalez added. The group is billed as South Florida’s longest serving organization dedicated to protecting the LGBTQ community.

“It’s time for a change here in Florida and that change is Charlie Crist,” Gonzalez added.

The endorsements follow Equality Florida Action PAC’s, which announced their support for Crist Sept. 1. Senior Political Director Joe Saunders reiterated the organization’s support.

“LGBTQ Floridians know the stakes of this election — and are ready to elect Charlie Crist,” he said. “Ron DeSantis has waged war on the community, stoking

anti-LGBTQ bigotry, making policies aimed at censoring our families from schools the cornerstone of his extremist agenda, and weaponizing state agencies against us, stripping transgender people of health care and assaulting nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ students.

“Pro-equality voters have borne the brunt of the anti-LGBTQ crusade of this governor and are now poised to be the difference in this election,” Saunders continued. “Charlie is a champion of LGBTQ equality and we are ready to send him back to the governor’s mansion to ensure every young person in our state is protected and every family is respected.”

Crist, who released his detailed plan to protect LGBTQ Floridians last month, welcomed the support.

“I am beyond humbled by the outpouring of support from Human Rights Campaign, Equality FL Action PAC, SAVE and the statewide caucus in our fight to make Ron DeSantis a one-term governor and bring kindness and compassion back to the Governor’s Mansion,” Crist said.

“Ron DeSantis will stop at nothing to appease his extremist base, including attacking our LGBTQ neighbors’ hard-earned freedoms,” he continued. “Enough is enough. This November, we will put an end to his attacks on our communities once and for all.”

The general election will be held Nov. 8. Check your registration and more at Vote.org. For more information about Charlie Crist’s campaign, visit CharlieCrist.com

MIAMI BEACH TO RECOGNIZE LGBTQ HISTORY

John McDonald via S. Florida Gay News

decision by the Miami-Dade County School Board to ignore LGBTQ History Month, passed on a 5-1 vote with Commissioner Steven Meiner dissenting.

Commissioner Alex Fernandez said the resolution empowers parents and students to have their own conversations and decide how to engage in their schools.

MIAMI

| Miami Beach Commissioners approved two resolutions pertaining to LGBTQ History Month at their Sept. 14 city commission meeting.

The commission unanimously passed a resolution recognizing October as LGBTQ History Month in Miami Beach. A separate resolution, expressing disappointment with the recent

Meiner and Commissioner David Richardson exchanged heated words before Mayor Dan Gelber intervened and Meiner left the chambers. “He’s building quite a record of voting against the LGBTQ community,” said Richardson, noting Meiner voted against naming a city street after slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

Miami-Dade School Board member Lucia Baez-Geller, the lone vote in favor of LGBTQ History Month, was invited by Gelber to give the meeting’s invocation.

“I hope that we continue to work so that nobody in our society feels less than,” Baez-Geller said.

IN OTHER NEWS

LGBTQ CLUB AT YESHIVA U OFFERS COMPROMISE

Wire Report

a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ordered the school to recognize the LGBTQ student group.

NEW

YORK | An LGBTQ group at New York’s Yeshiva University has proposed a deal that would allow other student groups at the Orthodox Jewish university to resume meeting while the LGBTQ group’s status is litigated.

The group YU Pride Alliance made the offer to Yeshiva Sept. 21, days after the university announced that it was suspending all student activities in response to

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to lift a temporary hold on a court order that required Yeshiva University to recognize the Pride Alliance as a student group.

The victory for the LGBTQ group may be temporary, however, with the majority writing in an unsigned order that Yeshiva should return to state court to seek quick review and temporary relief while the case continues.

In response to the Supreme Court ruling, university officials said in an email to students that Yeshiva would “hold off on all undergraduate club activities while it immediately takes steps to follow the roadmap provided by the U.S. Supreme Court to protect YU’s religious freedom.”

The proposal from the Pride Alliance would allow the other clubs to resume their activities.

The university argues that granting recognition to the Pride Alliance, “would violate its sincere religious beliefs.”

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS CUT TIES WITH LGBTQ CHURCH

Wire Report

The Southern Baptist Convention’s top administrative body voted to cut ties with two congregations Sept. 20 — an LGBTQ-friendly church in North Carolina that had itself quit the denomination decades ago and a New Jersey congregation it cited for “alleged discriminatory behavior.”

The votes of the Executive Committee came at the end of a two-day meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, even as the committee copes with a Department of Justice

investigation. The federal-level scrutiny follows a blistering report by a consultant earlier this year into sexual abuse in Southern Baptist settings and mistreatment of survivors by past Executive Committee officials.

The committee approved a statement that College Park Baptist Church of Greensboro, North Carolina, was not in “friendly cooperation” due to its “open affirmation, approval and endorsement of homosexual behavior,” which conflicts with the denomination’s theological conservative positions.

In fact, College Park had voted in 1999 to leave the denomination, and its website makes a point of stating it’s not a member of the Southern Baptist Convention but rather of more progressive Baptist bodies.

The committee, in a separate vote, declared that Amazing Grace Community Church of Franklinville, New Jersey, was no longer in friendly cooperation. It cited its “lack of cooperation ... to resolve concerns regarding alleged discriminatory behavior.”

Requests for comment from both congregations via phone and email were not immediately returned.

US WARNS DRUG COULD MUTATE MONKEYPOX

Wire Report

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

Kelley Robinson, former executive director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, will be the next president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s leading LGBTQ group announced Sept. 20. Robinson will be the first Black, queer woman to serve in that role. HRC’s announce comes after a year-long search after the board of directors terminated its former president Alphonso David when he was ensnared in the sexual misconduct scandal that led former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign. David has denied wrongdoing and has filed a lawsuit against HRC.

CALIFORNIA ENACTS LAW TO HELP LGBTQ MILITARY VETS

A new law in California will help military service members who were discharged under “don’t ask, don’t tell” to reestablish their eligibility for Veterans Affairs benefits, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sept. 17. The new law will require the California Department of Veteran Affairs to establish the Veterans Discharge Upgrade Grant Program to help advise LGBTQ veterans who were discharged under “don’t ask, don’t tell” and to help those who qualify to update and correct their records and access veterans’ benefits.

2ND SUSPECT SOUGHT IN NORWEGIAN PRIDE SHOOTINGS

Authorities in Norway are seeking a second suspect in a deadly shooting attack during the Norwegian capital’s annual LGBTQ Pride festival. A 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran was arrested after the June shootings in Oslo’s nightlife district that killed two people and wounded more than 20. A second Norwegian man is being sought for a suspected role in the attack. Norwegian media identified the man as a 44-year-old who allegedly posted online statements about killing gay people. The wanted man was well-known to police and is currently outside Norway, but “we do not want to comment on which country the person is currently in.”

WASHINGTON

| U.S. health officials are warning against overuse of the lone drug available to treat monkeypox, saying that even a small mutation in the virus could render the pills ineffective.

The Food and Drug Administration recently updated its guidance for Tpoxx, which has been prescribed to tens of thousands of patients with the virus.

In an online update, FDA officials cautioned that a single molecular change to monkeypox “could have a large impact on the antiviral activity of Tpoxx.” Since viruses are

constantly evolving to overcome obstacles to infection, including drugs, regulators stressed that doctors should be “judicious” in prescribing the medication.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tpoxx should no longer be given to otherwise healthy adults who are not suffering severe symptoms.

The move to scale back Tpoxx’s use follow weeks of criticism from HIV advocates and other patient groups who have urged the Biden administration to make the antiviral drug more widely available. Tpoxx is approved for the related smallpox virus, and its use against monkeypox is considered

experimental and tightly controlled by federal officials.

Doctors wishing to prescribe the drug must submit an application to the CDC, documenting their patient’s need and agreeing to track their results and any side effects.

Tpoxx works by targeting a single protein found on monkeypox, smallpox and similar viruses. The FDA said research in labs, animals and people suggests multiple ways in which monkeypox could develop resistance to the therapy.

The update came as federal officials expressed cautious optimism Sept. 15 about the trajectory of the outbreak, noting that new cases have fallen about 50% since their peak in August.

WORLD CUP CAPTAINS WANT TO WEAR RAINBOW ARMBANDS

FIFA came under pressure Sept. 21 from several European soccer federations who want their captains to wear an armband with a rainbow heart design during World Cup games in Qatar to campaign against discrimination. Eight of the 13 European soccer teams going to Qatar have joined the “OneLove” campaign. FIFA rules prohibit teams from bringing their own armband designs to the World Cup and insist they must use equipment provided by the governing body. Armbands are the latest battleground for players to push political messages linked to the World Cup hosted in Qatar, where homosexual acts are illegal and the treatment of migrant workers building projects for the tournament has been a decade-long controversy.

viewpoint

realize that Prince William didn’t automatically become the Prince of Wales, the new King had to appoint him. King Charles III has already completed that task. King Charles III served as the Prince of Wales for 60 years, which means I have never known a time when he wasn’t sovereign over my historical homeland.

The King went on to address the Welsh parliament in Welsh. That’s no small task for anyone like me who has tried to master that very difficult language. I’ve said it’s the only language where you can have a word with 15 characters and no vowels.

thousands of dollars each year on beach nourishment to attract people here. Why shouldn’t the UK use the monarchy for tourism promotion? Who goes to London without seeing the changing of the guard?

hard to see how the new King will even come close to the warm and humorous personality she displayed.

POSITIVE LIVING

MY ENTIRE FAMILY ON

both sides is Welsh. They mined coal outside of Cardiff and then moved to the foothills of Appalachia in southern Ohio and mined coal there.

As there is now a new prince and princess of Wales, I’ve been keenly watching the events surrounding the Queen’s death. Even the Queens dogs were corgis – a Welsh word that literally means “small dog.” Honestly I’ve never given much thought to what I think of the British monarchy, but I am now.

All the coverage of the funeral and the distinctly British pomp and circumstance has made me feel a bit strange. Given our history with Great Britain it seems almost sacrilegious to have an American opinion. After all we haven’t been loyal subjects for nearly 250 years.

But something pulls at my ancestral heartstrings. Other nations are known for their food, their art, their dance or their craftsmanship. Great Britain has the monarchy. I have to admit I feel some sort of weird dormant patriotism when I have heard them singing “God Save the King.” I may be a 7th or 8th generation American, but am I still a Tory at heart?

I’ve often wondered where I would have stood if I had been alive in the American colonies in the late 1700s. American Quakers were around then and not all of them supported a violent revolution. Many wanted to negotiate with the British. If you wonder how that might have turned out, we can look north to Canada.

I’ve learned a few things while watching the coverage from across the pond. For instance I didn’t

I have to say I admire the British on the way their relationship with their monarch has evolved. While the reign of some royals in other parts of Europe ended with a guillotine, the British have managed to keep the traditions of hundreds of years alive while still moving ahead as a modern country. They seem to be virtually unique in this.

Some in the Commonwealth have used the occasion to call for the abolishment of the monarchy and have been highly critical of British colonial rule that went on for centuries. They say the monarchy is an archaic dinosaur that is expensive for taxpayers and in the end is just a ceremonial position. While I see some of the points, I don’t think now is the time for those discussions. Let the family mourn before you start stripping away their titles, castles and blaming them for things Queen Victoria did 200 years ago.

It seems to me that the Brits should consider their sizeable annual contributions to the throne as a tourist marketing expense. They can be a kinder, gentler representative to old colonies and a visual sign of encouragement and hope for those at home. After all we spend hundreds of

Figures released recently by Brand Finance claim the monarchy will deliver a net profit of precisely 1.144 billion pounds to the U.K. economy this year alone. That’s a cool 1.64 billion U.S. dollars. The total economic value of the British monarchy is estimated at more than $83 billion, a lot of royal dough.

Much of the value of the monarchy comes from the personalities of its members.

Queen Elizabeth II was such a beloved character that is

I also had a bit of nostalgia for what might have been. Can you image a Queen Diana? I’m sure she would have gone on to even greater things. I suspect that

Queen Consort Camilla will have a more traditional role.

“Endearing” is not a word I would use to describe the new King and Queen Consort, but with a typical British stiff upper lip I’m sure they will do their duty. The children sure get a lot of press, unfortunately not all of it good. I don’t see any of them being as popular to Americans, including this one, as Diana and some of the others were.

Even if you don’t have a great opinion of the Brits and their old traditions, be sure watch the pageantry. Both the Queen’s funeral and the national celebration of a coronation that will follow promises to be over the top. You just know there were some “real” queens doing that choreography.

With apologies to George Washington, “God Save the King!”

Greg Stemm is a longtime resident of Pinellas County and a founder of St Pete Pride. He currently sits on the board of the award-winning LGBTQ Resource Center of the Gulfport Public Library and is an outspoken activist on many issues, including HIV/AIDS education.

I admire the British on the way their relationship with their monarch has evolved.

In support of the Monarchy

Greg Stemm

THE CONTIGO FUND AND Funders for LGBTQ Issues recently released a new report on the state of funding for the Orlando area’s LGBTQ+ communities – just over six years after the Pulse massacre left our communities reeling.

The report shows that Orlando continues to feel the ripple effects of the tragedy and is unique in the nation –both for its exceptional range of community assets and for its distinctive challenges.

The new report seeks to assess where we are in building a sustainable set of resources to meet the many needs of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ communities. It essentially asks, “Are we making progress?” and it provides a benchmark for future studies on the state of local LGBTQ+ funding. I was one of the lead authors and researchers for the report, and my perspectives on the findings are shaped by my eight-year tenure as president of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and my current role as an independent consultant for Contigo Fund and other philanthropic organizations.

The report shows that, since Pulse, Orlando has built up an exceptionally diverse ecosystem of LGBTQ+ community organizations – more than 30 nonprofits and grassroots groups addressing issues ranging from housing to the arts. Of those groups, 20 were established in the past six years: 10 of them led by and for LGBTQ+ communities of color, and several focused on transgender communities. Never in my career have I seen a city fill so many gaps and cultivate such a diverse LGBTQ+ ecosystem so quickly. This unprecedented achievement is a testament to the strength and resilience of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ communities.

It’s also a testament to the Contigo Fund, which the report shows to be the region’s largest funder of LGBTQ+ community organizations and programs, providing 42% of all funding from 2017 through 2020. Some LGBTQ+ Orlandoans may not realize just how special it is for a city of Orlando’s size to have an LGBTQ+ community-based foundation of Contigo’s scale and impact. Contigo gives out more grant dollars annually than most of its peer LGBTQ+ foundations around the country – even the one for New York City. Contigo is also the only LGBTQ+ Latinx foundation in the country, and one of the largest funders of LGBTQ+ communities of color in the U.S. South. Contigo has helped make Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community a model for the South and the nation.

In 2016, many other local funders gave large grants to the One Orlando Fund to assist survivors and families of victims in the wake of Pulse, but few have given in the years since. In fact, other than Contigo Fund, local funders only gave about one-fourth of all foundation and corporate funding for Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community organizations from 2017 through 2020.

In 2016, within days after Pulse, multiple local corporations pledged six-figure and seven-figure gifts to the One Orlando Fund. But none of those local corporations gave more than $75,000 for LGBTQ+ issues locally over 2017-2020. We need local corporations and funders to show leadership and solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, not just with a single gift in response to our greatest tragedy but with consistent support and partnership, year in and year out.

The report also shows that the resources of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community groups are extremely lopsided. Four local HIV/AIDS service providers had combined revenue of $70 million, far larger than any other local LGBTQ+ nonprofit. These organizations derive revenue

largely from insurance reimbursements and restricted federal dollars, and they address vital needs for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, including LGBTQ+ people.

Outside of the four largest HIV service organizations, all of Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community groups had a total combined revenue of $7.2 million in 2020. Of that, nearly half went to the onePULSE Foundation, which is currently leading a $45 million capital campaign to establish a national museum for Pulse. This capital campaign aspires to raise 150% of all the funds raised by One Orlando Fund for relief for survivors and victims’ families – which in itself was the world’s largest fundraising effort in LGBTQ+ history. The scale of the museum itself may create challenges in building a well-balanced LGBTQ+ ecosystem as we continue the recovery.

Even six years later, our communities affected by Pulse have a long way to go in the journey of healing. We need resources to address the full, diverse range of needs faced by LGBTQ+ communities, such as mental health and substance use, food insecurity, housing instability and the urgency of mobilizing in response to the hateful stream of legislation from Tallahassee.

In contrast to the four largest HIV service providers and onePULSE, most local LGBTQ+ groups have annual budgets of less than $250,000. With just one or a few staff people, these grassroots groups have helped our community get through the pandemic, provided emergency case management and bilingual counseling services, and connected trans community members with life-saving healthcare and peer-to-peer support.

Like local corporations and foundations, the region’s

larger HIV providers and LGBTQ+ organizations have an opportunity to leverage their resources in support of these grassroots groups that have low access to resources but high impact.

With 42% of funding for Orlando’s LGBTQ+ communities relying on a single funder, our rich ecosystem is in a precarious position. Contigo Fund cannot do this work alone. This new report is the first of its kind. I hope that in future iterations, we’ll see local funders, corporations and large nonprofits join Contigo among the leading LGBTQ+ funders, building a rich ecosystem that fully addresses all of our diverse communities’ needs.

Ben Francisco Maulbeck has more than two decades of experience in LGBTQ+ community work and philanthropy, including serving as president of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and as vice president of Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Orlando’s LGBTQ+ communities have unique resources and unique challenges

Ben Francisco Maulbeck

talking points

I don’t have feelings of kindness when it comes to humans being made fun of for questioning their identity, especially kids. The whole ‘When they go low, we go high’ thing doesn’t work with these people. Any resistance movement is not done with kind words. And there’s a lot worse things I could’ve called her.

--COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST MAREN MORRIS, AFTER CALLING BRITTANY ALDEAN “INSURRECTION BARBIE” BECAUSE OF TRANSPHOBIC COMMENTS ALDEAN MADE ON INSTAGRAM

LGBTQ

PERFORMERS TOOK HOME QUITE A FEW TROPHIES AT THE 74TH PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS SEPT. 12. The big LGBTQ winner was “The White Lotus.” The HBO Max anthology TV series — created by Mike White, who is bisexual —took home the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, two more trophies for the show’s directing and writing and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for openly gay actor Murray Bartlett. Jerrod Carmichael won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing of a Variety Special for his heartfelt “Rothaniel” in which he comes out as gay as part of the show. Colman Domingo won Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his appearance in “Euphoria” and Nathan Lane, after six nominations in the category, finally won Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “Only Murders in the Building.” RuPaul continued his dominance in the Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program, winning for the seventh year in a row; however, his show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which has won Outstanding Competition Program every year since 2017, lost to “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.” “Queer Eye” also continued its reign, winning Outstanding Structured Reality Program for the fifth year in a row.

DON LEMON TO CO-HOST NEW CNN MORNING SHOW

TRANS ACTRESS JAMIE CLAYTON LEADS ‘HELLRAISER’

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL NAMES NEW FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

CNN

ANNOUNCED SEPT. 15 THAT DON LEMON, POPPY HARLOW AND KAITLAN COLLINS WILL TEAM UP AS HOSTS OF A “REIMAGINED” PROGRAM that debuts later this year, replacing the current team of John Berman and Brianna Keilar at “New Day,” which airs on the news network from 6 to 9 a.m. It’s the first major programming move announced by new CNN Chairman Chris Licht, who has an extensive background in morning television. He helped develop “Morning Joe” at MSNBC and also produced “CBS This Morning” in the early 2010s. The morning show announcement opens another hole in CNN’s prime-time lineup, where they still haven’t replaced Chris Cuomo.

HULU

RELEASED THE TRAILER TO ITS NEW TAKE ON CLIVE BARKER’S 1987 HORROR CLASSIC “HELLRAISER.”

The all-new reboot stars

transgender actress Jamie Clayton as the lead Cenobite, a group of sadistic supernatural beings from another dimension, who is better known among fans of the original film series by the name Pinhead. In the new film, a young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites. She “unfortunately begins to dabble with it,” Director David Bruckner told Entertainment Weekly. “And chaos ensues.” The film premieres on Hulu Oct. 7.

AFTER

THREE YEARS AS THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL, Eugene Hernandez has been tapped to lead the Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Institute announced Sept. 7 that Hernandez will become the festival’s fourth director in its nearly four-decade history, in addition to heading the institute’s year-round public programming. Before trading Lincoln Center for Park City, Utah, Hernandez will remain with the New York Film Festival through its upcoming edition, which kicks off Sept. 30. He will start his new position with Sundance in November, but 2024′s Sundance — its 40th — will be his first to lead.

A Place for Us All

Come Out With Pride works to provide a safe space as Orlando celebrates Pride

Jeremy Williams

WHEN ARIANA DEBOSE accepted her Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, the 31-year-old Afro-Latina actress became the first openly queer woman of color to win the prestigious film trophy in a performance category.

“To anyone who has ever questioned your identity — ever, ever, ever — or find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this: There is indeed a place for us,” DeBose said from the Oscar stage that night while looking directly into the camera.

The last four words in that sentence come from the lyrics of the song “Somewhere,” written by openly gay composer/lyrist Stephen Sondheim, in the musical “West Side Story.” It is the film that DeBose won her Oscar for and the phrase selected by Come

Out With Pride as this year’s parade and festival theme.

“We wanted to stand in solidary and stand in unity with our community after all these hateful attacks with the legislation this year,” says COWP Executive Director Tatiana Quiroga. “We wanted to make sure that people felt and knew that when they came to Pride that there is a place for them and that this is their place. In spite of what is going on, they have us, they have each other and this is our place.”

The theme, paired with DeBose’s Oscar win, is double meaningful to Quiroga who, like DeBose, is a queer woman of color.

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Experienced, understanding counsel on matters related to family, estate, and beneficiary planning, including:

“Having such incredible representation and having someone who lives in intersections that I live in, it touched home in a real meaningful way,” she says. “Especially as a female having to navigate white, cisgender, male environments. So much of Central Florida leadership is still that, so having her not just get the part but win the award, it really felt like I was seen. And as a marginalized person, I want other folks in our community who live in those intersections to feel the same inclusion, acceptance and welcomeness that I feel from Pride. It really is a form of invitation to my people to come, enjoy and know that this is your place.”

COWP is indeed working to make sure that this year’s Pride celebration is not only a place for all members of the LGBTQ community but also a safe space where everyone can celebrate without fear.

“Unfortunately, due to the current climate,” Quiroga says, “security — which has always been a top priority for us — due to this year’s threats to other Prides around the country, due to hateful legislation, increased activity by hate groups; the board and I have really looked into raising the stakes when it comes to the safety of the festival.”

The Pride festival will be more secure than in year’s past including barricading the space around Lake Eola Park with four access points, one at each corner of the park, to enter the festival. Each entrance will have metal detectors attendees will need to pass through and will be staffed with private security.

“This is a communal effort and we hope people understand that we are trying to keep everyone safe,” Quiroga says. “There will be an increased presence of private security. Our security company has been vetted and has extensive experience working with the LGBTQ community. That was a high priority for us as we were vetting security companies.”

Pride is also asking attendees to leave bags at home or, if you need to bring a bag into the park, to make sure it is a clear bag. They are also asking everyone to alert security if they see anything suspicious.

“We want everyone to come and have fun just as they did in year’s past, at the same time we realize it takes a village, it takes a community, so we are pushing people to say something if you see something,” Quiroga adds. “Please let one of the security guards know, also OPD will have a presence there, and of course in a worst-case scenario call 911.”

An increased security presence will be needed as this is expected to be Orlando’s largest Pride celebration ever. Along with

grassroots organizations into the parade and festival who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to do so. Those grassroots organizations are Orlando Queer & Trans Asian Association, Blue Truck Garden Network, Black Health Commission, Divas in Dialogue and Painting Change Orlando.

“We are excited to work with OIC to be able to make Pride accessible to these organizations,” Quiroga says.

Other festival areas Quiroga

with the trans march,” Quiroga says. “I’m so proud of our local trans leaders for keeping the momentum going from last year and creating the Central Florida Trans March. We look forward to seeing how we can continue to support them while at the same time making sure they have their own space and place, and as allies we do everything we can to support their efforts.”

“The march last year was great for visibility,” says Cutliff, who along with being a Grand

looked at our wins and our losses and thought how could we be better and how could we showcase our local talent and local community better. Who would be better to do it than ourselves. So we coalesced with a lot of the trans leaders here locally, we wanted to make sure we got a large swath of the community. We wanted to make sure that everyone felt represented and we really were very intentional about the programming we wanted to put on this year.”

Cutliff says the team has worked closely with trans activist Nathan Bruemmer, who was instrumental in creating and leading the Trans Pride March at St Pete Pride. This inaugural event will not only feature a march but also a rally, which will take place at 1 p.m. at the COWP festival, but Cutliff points out that this isn’t a political rally rather an inspirational event.

“A lot of times, our visibility is around death, so we want to get to a spot where we are breathing life into our community,” she says. “When we say rally, we mean a coming together, a galvanizing of our goals and getting our love batteries recharged for our community. We are going to come together under the issues that are important for us and raise our voices in solidarity, in positivity and in love and light.”

Cutliff adds that it is important to have this kind of visibility and support in a place like Orlando because of the city’s position as a progressive area surrounded by a mostly conservative state.

more than 200 organizations and businesses participating in the parade — which will be led by this year’s Grand Marshals: Broadway star and Orlando native Michael James Scott, R.I.S.E. Initiative founder Shea Cutliff, Central Florida student activist Will Larkins and representatives for the late Doug Ba’aser — the festival will also consist of roughly 150 vendors, more than 80 spots on the Sponsor Walk and about 30 spaces providing food and drink, more than any previous year.

Something new to this year’s Pride celebration is COWP’s partnership with the Orlando Immunology Center to sponsor

highlights are the return of the Sober Space, an area inclusive of those living in sobriety, and the Rainbow Ranch kids’ area. A new addition this year will be the Teen Zone, which Quiroga points out was developed in response to this year’s homophobic and transphobic legislation coming out of Tallahassee that had a particular focus on LGBTQ youth.

Another addition to this year’s festival is the Central Florida Trans March, an event born out of last year’s National Trans Visibility March, which was held in conjunction with COWP in Orlando.

“I’m so ecstatic that we are able to continue our partnership

Marshal in this year’s parade is also the chair for the Central Florida Trans March. “As local leaders, we really want to take on the responsibilities for our own communities, so that’s what we are doing with this march.”

Cutliff says that leaders of Orlando’s trans community discussed launching the Central Florida Trans March last year before the national team came to them with the opportunity to host the National Trans Visibility March.

“There was a lot of visibility around that march and around Central Florida, and we really appreciated that,” Cutliff says. “After last year we got together,

“Orlando really is a beacon of hope in the Deep South and especially in the state,” she says. “We think it’s very important to have this visibility, to have this march, have this parade, because ultimately we want our lives to be seen as positive things. The bulk of the messaging around our lives and our advocacy is usually very heavy on the trauma bit but we can celebrate ourselves too. We can take ourselves seriously but we can also take space in our hearts to celebrate ourselves and give ourselves that grace to be human like everyone else.”

Come Out With Pride’s festival will be at Lake Eola Park Oct. 15 starting at 12 p.m. The Central Florida Trans March rally will start at 1 p.m. with the march helping to kick off The Most Colorful Parade at 4 p.m.

FILLED WITH PRIDE: Tens of thousands are expected to attend Come Out With Pride’s parade and festival around Orlando’s Lake Eola Park Oct. 15. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

We are going to come together under the issues that are important for us and raise our voices in solidarity, in positivity and in love and light.

— SHEA CUTLIFF ON THE CENTRAL FLORIDA TRANS MARCH

(ABOVE)

FRIEND LIKE ME: Michael James Scott takes a break from Broadway to attend Pride in Orlando.

Orlando Proud

Broadway star and Orlando native Michael James Scott returns home for Come Out With Pride

and their energy have been like nothing I have ever seen. I’ve been very blessed to be able to open a good amount of Broadway shows and the opening night audiences are always just insane and amazing, like a rock concert, and it has felt like that every night since we’ve been back. It’s unlike anything we could have thought. Just the energy is so electric.

I have gotten the chance to go see other shows as well and it’s the same energy. You feel it walking around Midtown too, they have been dying to come back and they’ve been there. My hat goes off to all our industry leaders to be able to figure out how to get our audiences back and make them feel safe inside a full theatre. We have been very blessed with full houses, which is amazing, and it has been quite a success.

Obviously there have been a lot of hurdles for all of us, figuring out casts and crews, ushers and musicians, testing people and knowing what to do if someone tested positive for COVID, what it means when we have to shut down; so figuring all of that out has been crazy. But people are resilient and they wanted to do everything they can to make it work. Things now are a little more calmed down and we are having a great time.

WHAT DID YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT BEING ON THAT BROADWAY STAGE?

Jeremy Williams

MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT HAS performed on stages around the world, from Broadway to London to Australia and so many cities and towns in between.

He has performed in some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful shows ever, originating the roles of the Minstrel in “Something Rotten!” and Dr. Gotswana, aka “The Maggots Guy,” in “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway.

However, more than any of his other role, Scott is known the world over as the wish-granting, fast-talking, larger-than-life Genie from “Disney’s Aladdin.”

Scott first came to the behemoth of a role as the standby in the original Broadway show but soon got the spotlight to himself as

the originator of the role in the Australian production, winning the 2017 Helpmann Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical — the Australian equivalent of the Tony Awards for Broadway theatre. He would then take the role on the road for the North American tour, then in London and finally back to the Broadway stage where he currently plays the Genie.

The Orlando native, who attended Dr. Phillips High School, will return home to Central Florida to help lead The Most Colorful Parade as one of Come Out With Pride’s Grand

Marshals Oct. 15. Scott will also bring that homegrown magic to Come Out With Pride’s festival where he will headline the event’s finale.

Scott spoke with Watermark ahead of the Come Out With Pride festivities about Broadway, Pride and why Orlando is the place for him.

WATERMARK: IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE “ALADDIN” OPENED BACK ON BROADWAY AND YOU WERE ABLE TO GET BACK OUT ON THAT STAGE AFTER EVERYTHING SHUTDOWN DUE TO COVID. HOW HAVE THE AUDIENCES BEEN SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN BACK?

MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT: It has been a big mission for Broadway to get back and figure out our new normal — what that looks like and what coming back after a pandemic really meant for Broadway. What has been so exciting and so beautiful are the audiences. The audiences

I’ve said this before but I felt like a part of my soul was missing. It was 17 months; I mean that’s insane. Almost two years of no lights up on a Broadway stage, so it just felt like a part of my soul was missing. I had an amazing opportunity to be a part of a documentary called “Reopening[: The Broadway Revival]” for “Great Performances” on PBS, and they followed me for three months, the crew, as we opened back up and what it was like going back into rehearsals and everything, and it really felt like part of my soul was coming back. It was emotional, it was challenging, it was all the ups and downs but it has felt like Michael is fully back.

WITH THAT LONG OF A HIATUS, WAS IT DIFFICULT TO GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS OR WAS IT JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE?

Oh God, it took a little bit. We had a month of rehearsals before we got back into it. Most shows did the same thing, we all had like a month to get back into it. What happens to your body when you are not doing a show for that long is quite

PHOTO COURTESY DREAM THREE

interesting. There were things I thought I would remember and that was not the case. My mental state when I was not doing the show was let it go, I literally just let it go. So I had to train again to physically get back, I felt like I was preparing for war. Like OhMyGod, what is happening?! You’re preparing for what feels like the Super Bowl, but you haven’t been training for two years. I kept busy during the pandemic, which was lovely, and I actually got to do quite a bit performing, different concerts and some voice-over work, which was all great and fun but for me, I am a theatre nerd, I was a theatre kid; so getting back into shape for a live Broadway show is unlike anything else.

YOU ARE COMING HOME TO ORLANDO TO PERFORM AT COME OUT WITH PRIDE AND TO LEAD THE PRIDE PARADE AS ONE OF ITS GRAND MARSHALS. HAVE YOU GRAND MARSHALED A PARADE BEFORE?

I have not grand marshaled a parade before. I have been a part of Pride parades in other places before, but I have actually never been able to be at Orlando Pride, this is my first Orlando Pride, so I am floored that I get to come back to my hometown and be a part of Orlando’s Pride. Obviously I am beyond proud and prideful to be from Orlando, so to be able to come back and do this, it is just an honor. I was beyond honored when they asked me.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST PRIDE PARADE OR FESTIVAL?

I will say, I remember going out when I was in Orlando to Southern Nights and things like that, and I remember there being some things going on. Obviously at that time it was nowhere near as big as it is now, but I remember when I was growing up there was a couple of smaller events. But my real first Pride was here in New York City, and it was incredible and shocking on so many levels. There was just so many people and so much support. Then when I was in London doing the revival of “Hair,” that was one of the first Prides where I actually got to be a part of it. We were a big part of Pride there because of the show and it being about love and pride, and that was pretty epic. New York City was my first Pride

festival though, and since then I have gotten the chance to be a part of Prides all over the world. And now I get to come to Orlando!

PRIDE’S THEME THIS YEAR IS “A PLACE FOR US,” TAKEN FROM “WEST SIDE STORY,” WHICH HAD ITS REMAKE RELEASED LAST YEAR. IF YOU WERE GIVEN FREE REIN TO BE A PART IN ANY BIG SCREEN ADAPTATION, WHICH

ORLANDO HOLDS ITS PRIDE CELEBRATION IN OCTOBER TO CELEBRATE LGBTQ HISTORY MONTH AND NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY. WHAT WAS YOUR COMING OUT LIKE?

What’s kind of funny is my coming out was a little anti-climactic in the sense that I when I told my parents that I think I am gay, they were literally like “Are you happy?” and

in my surroundings. So that laid the groundwork to it being normal in my life.

Now I will say it took me more time to be comfortable with who I am and feeling like I was proud to be the person I am in my own skin and that it was OK. That was the biggest hurdle for me to overcome. I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church so my relationship with God, or Allah

support groups, other people like you who may be literally right around the corner from you. When I was growing up we didn’t have near the resources we have today in terms of the internet, all the social media. If they’re not finding it at home, reach out. There are so many places you can go. One of the biggest things, at least for me, was finding my tribe of people. My friends I had around me in school. Even if it is just one person, find your tribe. Find the person or people who can embrace you and build your own community from there.

BROADWAY MUSICAL WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE GIVEN THE HOLLYWOOD TREATMENT?

It would something like “Pippin” and I would love to play Leading Player. Something that is just this big epic movie, or maybe it would be something ridiculous like an old school “Jelly’s Last Jam,” something that feels good with dance numbers with hundreds of dancers, something that only Hollywood can do. One of those, either something epic and dramatic like “Pippin” or something crazy like “Jelly’s Last Jam.”

I said “yeah,” and they were like “OK.” It was really unbelievable and I know that is not always the case, so my heart always goes out to these people who it was such a different experience for. I have been very, very, very lucky and very blessed that my coming out was like that.

Also, a lot of that was because of my community. Growing up in Orlando, I was at Dr. Phillips High School and there was a community of people that were very open about supporting LGBTQ youth. So in our program I had other gay friends and that was something that was normal

or Buddha, whoever you believe in, was tricky and it took me a while to come to terms with the relationship that I have with my God and that is what gave me the empowerment to be who I am.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH COMING OUT TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

I feel like now, knowing what we have available for LGBTQ youth, if you aren’t getting that support at home, seek it out in your community. You may not even know what’s available to you right at your fingertips. Find

AFTER LEADING THE PARADE, YOU ARE HEADLINING THE FESTIVAL FINALE. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE? Think anthem. For me I wanted it to be a moment not just about being fierce and fabulous and loud, but also there is strength in quieter moments. There is strength in a moment that is about softness and unity. I am such a loud, pretty flamboyant, boisterous kind of person so I am interested in seeing a moment where we can just be still. So that is something to look forward to, something I can say about the show without giving too much away.

Michael James Scott will headline Come Out With Pride’s big festival finale at the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park in Orlando Oct. 15. For more information on all of Pride’s events, go to ComeOutWithPride.org or pick up a copy of the official Come Out With Pride guide wherever you find Watermark.

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| Orlando Proud

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SHOW STOPPER: Michael James Scott will headline Come Out With Pride’s festival finale at Lake Eola Park in Orlando Oct. 15. PHOTOS COURTESY DREAM THREE

LEADING MAN: Michael James Scott is one of Pride’s Grand Marshals.

I am such a loud, pretty flamboyant, boisterous kind of person so I am interested in seeing a moment where we can just be still. So that is something to look forward to, something I can say about the show without giving too much away.

— MICHAEL JAMES SCOTT ON HIS COME OUT WITH PRIDE FINALE PERFORMANCE

Wopening night of the 33rd annual Tampa Bay and International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Oct. 7, it will mark the first time in years TIGLFF kicks off with an executive director at the helm. Victor Gimenez joined the organization in the role late last year.

The film aficionado is the former executive director of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, South Florida’s LGBTQ showcase. He served in the role for six years, overseeing its rebranding, increasing its cash reserves and successfully

navigating the organization through much of the pandemic.

It’s a drive he brought with him to TIGLFF, the state’s longest-running celebration of cinema by and for the LGBTQ community. It was founded in 1989 and has worked

to entertain, enlighten and empower audiences ever since.

“The Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is excited to

Film Festival is excited to announce Victor Gimenez, formerly Executive Director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Festival in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as its new Executive Director,” TIGLFF announced Nov. 29, 2021. “Mr. Gimenez will lead TIGLFF into its 33rd year and out of the pandemic by overseeing all aspects of the organization from fundraising to programming and building a new outreach effort in the community.”

TIGLFF Board President Rob Akins – who led the

organization through the height of COVID-19 and in 2020 helped introduce TIGLFF Online, the festival’s streaming platform – also expressed his support. He said that Gimenez would “be instrumental in leading the organization and realizing the board’s vision for TIGLFF, to once again, be a leading LGBTQ+ arts organization.”

Gimenez hoped for the same. He said TIGLFF was “at a great crossroads to become a more vibrant part of the Tampa/ St. Pete LGBTQ+ community by not only being an avenue where great films will be shown, but also allowing the community to come together to discuss those films, learn more about each other and create meaningful dialogue.”

By February, the organization launched its monthly A-List series, featuring films chosen by community programmers from throughout Tampa Bay. An average of 50 guests per show have enjoyed the nine showings presented this year.

“Our monthly screenings have done really well – and actually, they’ve done really well with films that you can watch at home,” Gimenez says. The selections have included fan favorites like “Kinky Boots,” which screened twice and was programmed by local drag performer Stephanie Shippae.

“People have wanted to get out and to meet up with people,”

Gimenez explains. “To see some people they recognize, maybe meet new ones, and the monthly screenings we’ve had have been great for that.”

TIGLFF hopes that translates to this year’s 33rd annual festival, which returns Oct. 7-16 across new and fan favorite venues in St. Petersburg and Tampa. Around 50 full-length and short films will be presented, solidified by TIGLFF’s screening committee, its dedicated board and Brighid Wheeler, TIGLFF’s new program director.

Wheeler is the former programming director for the Atlanta Film Society and former senior programmer for the Indie Memphis Film Festival, a role she maintained for more than a decade. In addition to her work at TIGLFF, the cinephile serves on the Board of Film Impact Georgia, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the voices of independent filmmakers.

The programmer eagerly joined TIGLFF in June.

“I’ve been in the industry for a while but shockingly, I’ve never worked for a queer festival,” Wheeler says. “I’ve always programmed for non-genre, non-niche film festivals and the opportunity really excited me.”

She says that’s because voices within the community have often been silenced throughout history, leaving LGBTQ legacies to be lost forever.

“I think anytime you’re able to hold a space like TIGLFF

does, specifically for cinema, it lends itself how crucial it is to document our stories,” Wheeler stresses. “We’ve been around throughout history and we’re still here. Being able to hold this space – especially in a state like Florida, in a time like this – only reinforces how important that is.”

Gimenez agrees. He says TIGLFF is not only documenting LGBTQ history, it’s doing so through an LGBTQ lens.

“The basic answer about why LGBTQ film festivals are still so important is always that representation matters, that the stories are about our lives and that it’s good to see ourselves on screen,” he explains. “But typically a queer film aimed specifically at a queer audience has a different take than a queer film aimed at a mainstream audience.

“Queer film festivals provide an avenue for these films that are made for queer audiences to be seen,” Gimenez continues. “I think that’s why they’re still needed and why they’re still very important. They have a different take, a different flavor and a different tone.”

The documentary “Mama Bears” is one example of that, this year’s opening night film. It will screen at Tampa Theatre, TIGLFF’s traditional home, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

“Spread across the country but connected through private Facebook groups, they call themselves ‘mama bears’

TIGLFF 33 SCHEDULE

FRI., OCT. 7

OPENING NIGHT FILM: “MAMA BEARS”

Tampa Theatre | 7:30 p.m. An intimate exploration of conservative, Christian mothers who have become fierce advocates for LGBTQ+ people. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

SAT., OCT. 8

“THANKS TO HER”

Tampa Theatre | 2:30 p.m. A closeted high school senior embarks on a journey of self discovery when she is forced into community service at a nursing home with a homoromantic classmate. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS PROGRAM

Tampa Theatre | 4:45 p.m. A series of six documentary shorts. They include “Black Beauty,” “Blind Angels,” “Holding Moses,” “Isolation,” “My Abortion Saved My Life” and “Trans_CCS.” Streaming statewide Oct. 9-16.

“ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY” Tampa Theatre | 7 p.m. A small-town dreamer with a big idea leads an unlikely band of outsiders to create the International Male catalog. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

WOMEN’S SPOTLIGHT FILM: “YOUTOPIA”

Postcard Inn on the Beach | 7 p.m. When Scout Durwood’s girlfriend dumps her, she determines that from now on if something doesn’t feel 100% authentic, she’s not doing it! Precedes Ladies’ Spotlight Party at 9 p.m. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

“LONESOME”

Tampa Theatre | 9:15 p.m. Fleeing a mysterious drama in his hometown, a country boy nearly loses himself in the easy sex and pervasive loneliness of the big city. In-person screening only.

SUN., OCT. 9 – WEDS., OCT. 12

“FRAMING AGNES”

TIGLFF Online After discovering case files from a 1950s gender clinic, a trans cast turns a talk show inside out to confront the legacy of a young trans woman. Streaming statewide only.

SUN., OCT. 9 – SUN., OCT. 16

STREAMING SELECTIONS

TIGLFF Online Most in-person screenings will stream statewide. See film descriptions for specific dates.

SUN., OCT. 9

NARRATIVE SHORTS PROGRAM

Tampa Theatre | 2:30 p.m. A series of nine narrative shorts. They include “All The Awards I Never Gave You,” “Aura,” “Blown Up,” “Ezra,” “Kiss Me,” “Lie Next To Me,” “Picture Yourself,” “River Fork” and “Valentine.” Streaming statewide Oct. 9-16.

“THE SIXTH REEL”

Tampa Theatre | 4:45 p.m. When the death of a close friend unearths the long-lost reel of a classic film, Jimmy and his cohorts concoct underhanded schemes. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

“WAKING UP DEAD”

Tampa Theatre | 7 p.m. Gorgeous, hard-partying Danny Maldonado was once about to conquer Hollywood. But at 35, his acting career has flatlined. Streaming statewide Oct. 9-12.

| uu | New Directions

FROM PG.33

FILM CREW: The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’s staff, board members and volunteers, including Executive Director Victor Gimenez (3rd from R) attend the TIGLFF 33 launch party in Ybor on Sept. 24. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

because while their love is warm and fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all LGBTQ+ people,” its synopsis reads. “Although some may have grown up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, mama bears are willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to keep their offspring safe – even if it challenges their belief systems and rips their worlds apart.”

“In the process of selecting the opening night film, there are different options that we look at,” Gimenez says. “For ‘Mama Bears,’ I thought within seven minutes of watching, ‘okay, this is the opening night film.’ It was the only one that I felt that for, especially with the way things are in the state of Florida right now.”

In 2021, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state’s first explicitly anti-LGBTQ bill in decades into law, restricting the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports. He subsequently championed “Parental Rights in Education,” more widely known as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” law, which went into effect July 1. Each law targets LGBTQ youth.

“I get goosebumps thinking about ‘Mama Bears,’” Wheeler says. “To see this uplifting story about parents rallying around their children … it ends up being a true celebration of community that transcends any sort of political or religious affiliation. By the end of it, you can’t help but cry out of joy.”

“It gives you a positive feeling,” Gimenez agrees. “It makes you feel good about yourself and about allies within the community, knowing that people can change. Even people that you think wouldn’t.”

“It’s the kind of message right now that remains extremely timely and very important,” Wheeler adds. “We couldn’t think of a better way to

set the tone for what the rest of the festival will have in store.”

Nearly the entire TIGLFF lineup this year will be more accessible than ever, screening in Tampa Bay theaters and subsequently available to stream statewide via TIGLFF Online. Only two films won’t be available virtually while one will not screen in person.

The decision was made in light of what industry experts liken to virtual fatigue, Gimenez notes. He says that while streaming was the savior of every film festival in 2020, 2021 saw a decline in virtual viewership.

“One major change from last year is that we had films that were only available virtually,

film at the location. It will also precede a new Ladies’ Spotlight Party at 9 p.m.

“We thought of this an opportunity to expand our audience and to get some of our crowd to experience Girls in Wonderland,” Gimenez says. “It just seemed like an opportunity for two different organizations with two different points of views to come together and make something work.”

As for “Youtopia” – a comedic, lesbian-focused musical – the film was the perfect fit.

“When Scout Durwood’s girlfriend dumps her unexpectedly, Scout takes stock in her life and determines that from now on, if something doesn’t feel one hundred percent authentic to her, she’s not doing it,” it’s described. “Following the devastating break up, Scout inadvertently becomes the leader of a hipster millennial cult that engages with the multiverse and of course, aliens … she soon discovers that her journey of self-discovery could trigger the end of civilization as we know it and is forced to take on her biggest opponent yet: herself.”

MON., OCT. 10

“PAT ROCCO DARED”

Green Light Cinema | 7 p.m. In this colorful trip back in time, filmmaker and activist Pat Rocco shares his incredible life story. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

TUES., OCT. 11

“NO STRAIGHT LINES: THE RISE OF QUEER COMICS”

Green Light Cinema | 7 p.m. This film chronicles the journeys of five scrappy queer artists. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

WEDS., OCT. 12

“JIMMY IN SAIGON”

Green Light Cinema | 7 p.m. This documentary explores the mysterious death of Peter McDowell’s eldest brother, James, who died at 24 in Saigon. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

THURS., OCT. 13

CENTERPIECE FILM: “KEEP THE CAMERAS ROLLING: THE PEDRO ZAMORA WAY”

Fla. Museum of Photographic Arts & Green Light Cinema | 7 p.m. The story of Pedro Zamora, the charming young activist who transformed the face of AIDS in America by allowing MTV’s “The Real World” to chronicle his joy, influence and journey. FMoPA screeningprecedesCenterpiece Reception in Tampa. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

FRI., OCT. 14

“CHRISSY JUDY”

AMC Sundial 12 | 7 p.m. When his best friend and creative partner suddenly couples off and moves away, a New York drag queen must reinvent himself. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

“IT IS IN US ALL”

AMC Sundial 12 | 9:15 p.m. A Londoner returns to his ancestral homeland of Donegal. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

SAT., OCT. 15

and films that were only available physically,” Gimenez explains. “This year we’re basically giving our audience an option. If you don’t feel comfortable coming to the theater, or quite frankly if you have a conflict, you’ll still have an opportunity to watch this year’s films.”

There are several incentives to experience the films in person this year, however, including two new partnerships. Flanked by additional films at Tampa Theatre Oct. 8-9, TIGLFF will present its Oct. 8 women’s spotlight film “Youtopia” with Girls in Wonderland – a key organizer of women’s events during Orlando’s big LGBTQ weekend in June – at Postcard Inn on the Beach.

The outing will mark TIGLFF’s first time screening a

“If you would have told me even just five months ago that my favorite film was going to be a comedic musical, I would have absolutely scoffed and turned on my heels,” Wheeler says. “But that’s the beauty about what I do. I’m forever learning about myself and my personal taste … if you come with an open mind, you will walk away from the film like I did.”

Films will begin screening in St. Petersburg’s Green Light Cinema – the home of TIGLFF’s A-List series – Oct. 10. Offerings will culminate Oct. 13 with this year’s centerpiece film, the documentary “Keep the Cameras Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way.”

In another festival first, it will simultaneously screen in both St. Petersburg and Tampa via another new partnership. Tampa’s screening will be

“JEANNETTE”

AMC Sundial 12 | 2:30 p.m. The film begins in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub massacre and follows Jeannette as she finds support and healing through community. In-person screening only.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM: “PETIT MAL”

AMC Sundial 12 | 7 p.m. Three charismatic women living in an intimate, passionate partnership learn to navigate a shift in their dynamic. Streaming statewide Oct. 16.

SUN., OCT. 16

“THE BUTTERFLY QUEEN”

AMC Sundial 12 | 2:30 p.m. Five years ago, best friends Casey and Robin parted ways. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

“UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS”

AMC Sundial 12 | 4:45 p.m. | 100 Mins. A curmudgeonly gay dwarf and his unstable, alien-obsessed neighbor are thrown together on an impossible road trip. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

“A RUN FOR MORE”

AMC Sundial 12 | 9:15 p.m. Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe goes on a personal journey and questions her relationship to her community. Streaming statewide Oct. 13-16.

We’re experimenting this year to find ways to encourage cohesion throughout TIGLFF’s entire program.

— TIGLFF PROGRAM DIRECTOR BRIGHID WHEELER

held at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and precede a Centerpiece Reception.

Gimenez says the film will appeal to all audiences.

“To borrow the slogan of MTV’s ‘The Real World,’ this is the true story – the true story of a pandemic; politics; misunderstanding and prejudice; the impact of the media; and, most importantly, AIDS activist Pedro Zamora,” it’s described. It details “his life, his joy and his influence, as told by people who knew and loved him, and by those who witnessed the strength of his commitment and its impact.”

While Zamora died at 22, the filmmakers note that “his insistence and his way with bravery, humanity and love truly changed the world.”

Screening the film at each venue was a way to reach a wider Tampa Bay audience, maximizing its impact, while also highlighting a new TIGLFF partner in the museum.

“In a way, this brings these segmented audiences together, giving them an opportunity to enjoy the same film while still being comfortable in their parts of town,” Wheeler says. “We’re

experimenting this year to find ways to encourage cohesion throughout TIGLFF’s entire program. It felt like a great way to reinforce that.”

In-person screenings move to AMC Sundial Oct. 14, another of TIGLFF’s longtime partners. That includes the Oct. 15 closing night film “Petit Mal.”

“Anto, Marti, and Lai are a throuple blissfully living together in a remote house, with nothing but their beloved bundle of dogs keeping them

semi-autobiographical blend of documentary and fiction … is an invitation to experience the intimate details, both unique and universal, of the ups and downs and shifting dynamics in a polyamorous relationship.”

Both Gimenez and Wheeler have high praise for the film, which has been celebrated by mainstream and LGBTQ audiences alike. Wheeler first saw it during this year’s Tribeca Festival.

“Anyone who chooses to

accessible,” she explains. “Ultimately it wraps the festival up with a positive impact for our loyal audience.”

Wheeler also encourages audiences to challenge themselves this year.

“Choose something that takes you outside of your comfort zone, for the sake of enjoyment or for the sake of being changed,” she stresses. “There’s definitely something for everyone, I can promise that.”

That’s clear from this year’s

Passes offered this year are a Quad Feature Pass for $45, which includes four general admission tickets; a Full Festival Pass for $150, which provides access to every film and a Director’s Cut Total Access pass for $250 with additional perks.

“Coming to the festival is a communal act, to laugh, cry and get involved together,” Gimenez says. “Especially this year, with everything going on in Florida, it’s also a kind of political act to let other people know that we exist.

“These are our stories,” he continues. “They’re important, not just to us, but they should be important to everybody. We’re gathering together to be seen and to be heard and we’re going to keep sharing our stories.”

company,” it’s described. “When Lai leaves for a work trip, the balance is thrown off and Marti and Anto must adapt to being just the two of them.

“Suddenly, the dreaminess of their secluded home becomes isolating, and all they have to rely on is each other,” the synopsis continues. “In the spirit of honest and vulnerable openness, this

come to ‘Petit Mal’ … is going to love it,” she promises. “You’re going to be really deeply grateful that you chose to see the film.” She says it’s the perfect close to a film festival that begins with “Mama Bears.”

“You’ve got the hope from the opening night film, all of that energy and enthusiasm, and you close on what can be considered an art film that’s just generally

full schedule, detailed in the sidebars. Single admission tickets begin at $15 for virtual or in-person screenings and passes are available for those wishing to see multiple films, whether that’s in a theater or at home. Once a film is unlocked via TIGLFF Online, viewers will have 48 hours to complete their screening.

TIGLFF 33 is Oct. 7-16. In-person screenings will be held at Tampa Theatre, located at 711 N. Franklin St. in Tampa; Green Light Cinema at 221 2nd Ave. in St. Petersburg and AMC Sundial 12 at 151 2nd Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.

Special event screenings and receptions will be held at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts at 400 N. Ashley Dr. Cube 200 in Tampa and Postcard Inn at 6300 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach. Virtual screenings will be held via TIGLFF Online at TIGLFF.Eventive.org. Learn more and purchase tickets or passes at TIGLFF.com.

PG.37

OPENING EMBRACE: “Mama Bears” will welcome TIGLFF audiences to this year’s festival.

PHOTO COURTESY TIGLFF

CLOSING TIME: “Petit Mal” closes TIGLFF 33. PHOTO COURTESY TIGLFF

Coming to the festival is a communal act, to laugh, cry and get involved together ... with everything going on in Florida, it’s also a kind of political act to let other people know that we exist.

— TIGLFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VICTOR GIMENEZ

COURTNEY

AUTHENTIC

Ryan Williams-Jent

ACT ISN’T JUST AN

international superstar, she’s an LGBTQ icon. The Australian drag artist has been a trailblazer for her entire career, paving the way for others around the world.

The singer rose to prominence in 2003 by auditioning for the first season of “Australian Idol” both in and out of drag, the latter as alter ego Shane Janek. Act advanced to the semi-finals in the competition, becoming the first openly LGBTQ contestant on an Australian reality TV series in the process.

After cultivating a career overseas, she set her sights on the U.S. Act competed on the sixth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2014, tying for runner-up and securing an American

fanbase. High-profile solo shows and partnerships followed.

In 2018, Act competed and won “Celebrity Big Brother U.K.” She used the platform to educate her peers and viewers around the world about LGBTQ issues before making even more TV history the following year.

Act became the first drag performer to compete on any iteration of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2019. She secured second place in in the Australian version’s 16th season and subsequently returned for its “All Stars” version to do the same earlier this year.

CONTINUED ON PG. 43 | uu |

Drag icon Courtney Act reintroduces herself in new memoir

PHOTO BY JOSEPH SINCLAIR

The performer details her artistry and activism in “Caught in the Act: A Memoir,” which released in the U.S. Sept. 13. It’s billed as “a hilarious, often scandalous, and at times heartbreaking, peek into the entertainment icon’s journey towards understanding gender, sexuality and identity.”

It’s exactly that. Watermark spoke with Act ahead of the memoir’s domestic release.

WATERMARK: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MEMOIR. WHY IS NOW THE PERFECT TIME TO PUBLISH IT?

COURTNEY ACT: I don’t know if it’s the perfect time, but it’s a time. I wrote it during lockdown. I was arriving in Los Angeles – I had coincidentally arrived on the first day of lockdown – and then obviously, all of the other work that I had come to the U.S. for had been canceled. It gave me all of this time to write the book.

I guess my career in Australia and the U.K. is probably more of a perfect time for this memoir. In the U.S., “Drag Race” was nearly 10 years ago now, so as far as my impact in the queer world, I don’t have a very good understanding of what I mean there anymore, if that makes any sense. But this book is something that I worked so hard to write and I’m very passionate about, and I really love it.

DID ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS?

I underestimated how much time and how much excavation was involved in writing a book. I actually wrote about 220,000 words and about 80,000 got published. It was quite amazing. Normally in life, we write a tweet or a text and it’s instantly out there in the world, so we’re very used to the things we write being fairly quickly read, judged, criticized, complimented.

With writing a book – I started on the 17th of March, 2020 – and it didn’t come out in Australia until November 2021. Now it’s coming out in the U.S., so it’s just a different thing to write something and not have become public for over a year or two. You have a lot of time to consider what you’ve written and to grow.

WHAT’S THE RECEPTION BEEN LIKE?

It’s been great. In Australia, it’s a best seller, which was lovely. It’s been on the top of different book

lists and nominated for different awards. I was just in the U.K. and it sold out and has gone into reprint. Actually that first day, it sold out on Amazon, which is both good and bad. You want everybody to be able to buy the book on the first day.

THE BOOK CONTAINS “COURTNEY FACTS,” NARRATIVE BREAKOUTS DETAILING THE LGBTQ EXPERIENCE. WHY WERE THOSE IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE?

I think sometimes in the queer community, or sometimes in minority communities, we expect other people to understand us. I get that the burden of explanation shouldn’t rely on the minority, but I just liked the idea of having everyone on the same page, literally, as they’re reading the book.

In Australia, I have a TV show on the [Australian Broadcasting Company] where I interview people, and the audience of that is very mainstream; straight, white, cis[gender], het[erosexual] kind of people. I pictured them picking up this book. Also, I was just trying to bring a little bit more context and information to people as they read it – so that when I say “gender fluid,” they know what I’m intending, because a lot of these terms get bandied around and people have different interpretations of what they mean.

I find when people are given the information that they’re often quite open to receiving it. And if they’re reading my book, they’re already willing. I’m sure it’s not being going to be bought by the Republicans and used as a text for education.

YOU’RE PANSEXUAL AND GENDER FLUID. WHAT DO YOU WISH MORE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THAT?

I think that in the queer community, for the longest time, it was “gay and lesbian; man and woman.” And we fought for those identities and those boundaries, and now they’re sort of expanding and getting more nuanced. I know that to come out as gay, you had to get outside the status quo of the heterosexual world, but I think that for gay people it just became the default. Sometimes there’s more to explore beyond the edges of that.

I just sort of think like, “If I’m attracted to somebody, then I would like to follow that up and just explore.” To quote “Auntie Mame,” “life’s a smorgasbord and most poor suckers are starving.”

YOUR MEMOIR DETAILS YOUR TIME ON TV INCLUDING “DRAG RACE.” WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDING ASPECTS OF DELVING BACK INTO YOUR HIGH-PROFILE ERAS?

Delving back into any part of your life that was heightened is so cool to do once life has gone on. So to look back at something like “Drag Race” while writing this book, and to go back and watch my season with a little more understanding that my life didn’t end there was really interesting. At the time you’re there, you’re like “this is it. This is so important because it’s like the most recent thing I’ve done. It’s the biggest thing I’ve done.” And you wonder, “is this where the story ends?” So to see as the years go on that it didn’t

end, it continued to evolve, helped to give me some perspective.

HOW SO?

At the time it was a lot more personal, obviously. You kind of store those memories and feelings in an unprocessed sort of way. So to go back and process them now and look at it all and tell these stories kind of healed some of that stuff. There was a lot more written, actually, because in the first pass I was writing from a more emotional place or a more hurt place from that experience. And I know the fans will probably be mad, because the thirsty juicy parts were sort of taken out, but I realized I wasn’t writing those because they were real. I was writing them because I was hurt. So just describing my experience of going through that was something that was really helpful .. it was actually really healing.

“DRAG RACE” NOW HAS A “DOWN UNDER” SPINOFF. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF EVER EXPLORING THE SHOW OR “ALL STARS?”

It’s funny because I’ve been watching “Drag Race Down Under,” and I’ve seen some clips of other ones. I did email World of Wonder when I originally heard whispers of “Drag Race Down Under.” I was like, “you know, I’m here. I’m in Australia, the pandemic’s on so getting people is a challenge.” But actually, I think watching it I’m glad that I’m not involved because I think it’s something that is so associated with Ru.

It’s something that we all know and love, and sometimes I feel when I watch other iterations

CATCHING UP: Courtney Act’s new memoir, available now wherever books are sold. PHOTO VIA PANTERA PRESS

with other queens in her position … sometimes it feels a bit like a cookie cutter or an imitation of Ru. I don’t know, I wouldn’t want to be that. I think Ru does it so well, or has done it so well and so much that it’s just that’s what it is. So initially I was like, “I would have loved to have been involved in that,” but I think that I just enjoy watching it more.

IS THAT THE SAME FOR “ALL STARS” OR WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO RETURNING?

I think it’s the case for “All Stars,” too. I love watching it. I think the winner’s season that was just done was brilliant. I feel like no fan of “Drag Race” could deny how wonderful it was to watch all of those queens in an “All Stars” format. But as far as going back to it goes, I guess that maybe in a U.S. sort of context, it makes sense – like I think it would be so much fun to go on the show and be with queens from other seasons, and I loved the actual challenges and stuff like that. But where my career is in the U.K. and in Australia, it’s not something that makes sense for me. But I do love watching it and it would be fun.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS TO TOUR IN THE U.S.?

I don’t have any plans at the moment, but hopefully. I would definitely love to come there and do some gigs and some signings, things like that.

In the interim, “Caught in the Act: A Memoir” is available now wherever books are sold. Stay up to date with Courtney Act at CourtneyAct. com and @CourtneyAct on social media.

AUTHENTIC ACTIVIST: Shane Jenek, also known as Courtney Act. PHOTO BY MAGNUS HASTINGS

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

The Fabulous Arts Foundation’s 12th annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival, Sarasota’s only LGBTQ film festival, kicked off Sept. 23. This year’s films will be inperson and include special outdoor screenings. They are currently scheduled to continue through Oct. 1. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

Tampa Pride held the second annual Pride on the River Sept. 24, officially launching the organization’s 2023 season. Read more and view photos from the event at WatermarkOnline.com.

The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival held its launch party for their 33rd year Sept. 24, welcoming supporters and previewing festivities yet to come. Read more on p. 33 and view photos from the event at WatermarkOnline.com.

Rev. Craig Cranston celebrated his final Sunday at MCC Tampa Sept. 25. He will now serve as the Senior Pastor at St. John the Apostle MCC in Fort Myers.

EVENT UPDATES

The Wet Spot Pool Bar and Day Club has announced new headliners for their official grand opening party on Oct. 29. Multi-platinum recording artist Dev and drag entertainer Hedda Lettuce will feature. Read more at Facebook.com/ TheWetSpotStPete.

Equality Florida has postponed its annual Tampa gala, originally scheduled for Sept. 30, due to inclement weather. A new date will be announced once it is confirmed with the venue. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com

The Garage on Central Ave. was scheduled to mark 11 years in the Grand Central District Sept. 30. The celebration has been postponed due to inclement weather. Learn more at Facebook.com/OFCLGaragePage.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Tampa decorator extraordinaire Matthieu Stanoch, Ybor City event planner Tony LaColla (Sept. 29); Watermark columnist and LGBTQ activist Nathan Bruemmer, Suncoast softballer Ismal Melgar (Oct. 1); TriggerMouth Tee’s Luis Balaguer, Tampa Bay entertainer Darnell Bradley aka Crystal Reigns, Nurses Choice Inc. president Steve Sika (Oct. 2); St. Petersburg staple Chuck Henson, Sarasota photographer Samantha Ponzillo (Oct. 4); St. Pete weather goddess Edith Lewis-Allen, St. Pete sprinter Gabe Michael (Oct. 5); Tampa realtor Mike Reedy, Gomez Law Firm of St. Petersburg’s Ian Gomez (Oct. 7); Tampa Bay photographer Robert Castelli, Allendale United Methodist Church pastor Rev. Andy Oliver (Oct. 8); Southern Nights Tampa manager Michael Wilson (Oct. 9); Tampa Bay hair stylist Krissy Kiss, St. Pete data specialist Stephen Gillin, Pasco Pride President Nina Borders, Plant aficionado John Lopez (Oct. 10); King of Peace MCC pastor Candace Shultis, Grand Central District Executive Director David Foote, Tampa Bay entertainer LadyJanet (Oct. 12).

1ROCKING OUT: Divine AF plays at Hillsborough Community College for Constitution Day Sept. 20. PHOTO FROM DIVINE AF’S FACEBOOK

2AUDIO AFFICIANADO: Carrollwood Cultural Center Entertainment Director Derek Baxter describes the organization’s first theatrical performance Sept. 23. PHOTO FROM CARROLLWOOD CULTURAL CENTER’S FACEBOOK

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RAISING AWARENESS: (Clockwise, L-R) Hostess Pheyonce Montrese, Dixie, Lady Janet, Kori Stevens and Gabrielle Fearce Santi mark National Gay Men’s HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day with a 90s party Sept. 25.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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CRUNCH TIME: The team at Crunch Fitness St. Pete receives their 2022 WAVE Award Sept. 23. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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TAMPA PROUD: (L-R) Tampa Pride’s Alex Barbosa, Mark Eary and Mark Bias West welcome Pridegoers to Pride on the River Sept. 24. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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PLAY BALL: Suncoast Softball League team I’d Hit That hits the field for opening day of play at Woodlawn Park Sept. 25.

PHOTO COURTESY RICK TODD

7TEAM CROSS: Lindsey Sheppy (L) and Ian Gomez (R) enjoy an evening of support of Lindsay Cross (C) hosted by GBY & Associates. PHOTO FROM LINDSAY CROSS’ CAMPAIGN FACEBOOK

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LAUNCH NIGHT: TIGLFF Executive Director Victor Gimenez and Board President Rob Akins kick off TIGLFF’s 33rd year at The Attic at Rock Brothers Sept. 23. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

announcements

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

WAVE Award winner and cover model Tish and wife, Nat Pruitithep, welcomed a baby girl Sept. 14. Michael Wanzie celebrated one year of hosting Trivia Night Gaymes Happy Hour at Savoy Orlando Sept. 22.

SURVEYS

The One Orlando Alliance has launched the “We Belong Here” survey — an LGBTQ-focused, first-ofits-kind survey — to gather comprehensive data on Central Florida’s queer community that will assist its coalition of service organizations in their advocacy efforts. Those interested in participating in the One Orlando Alliance’s “We Belong Here” survey can visit OneOrlandoAlliance.org/Survey.

GIVEAWAYS

Tony Award-winning actor-singer Ben Platt is bringing The Reverie Tour, with special guest Aly & AJ, to the Amway Center in Orlando Oct. 6 and Watermark wants to send you to the concert for free. From now until the end of September, we are giving away a pair of tickets to the show every week. Once you enter you are entered for the entire run of the contest, although once you win then you cannot have your name drawn for another pair of tickets. To enter the ticket giveaway, go to WatermarkOnline.com/ BenPlatt.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

City of Orlando Chief Financial Officer Chris McCullion, Orlando advocate David Olsen (Sept. 29); HIV/AIDS activist Rob Domenico, Orlando LGBTQ advocate Eric Ercole (Sept. 30); Central Florida drag queen Tora Himan (Oct. 2); Local musician Taylor Bulloch, “The Money Coach” Tammy Lally (Oct. 3); Orlando talk show host Ted Bogert (Oct. 4); The Milk District executive director Zac Alfson, Orlando bartender Tracy Thomas (Oct. 5); Lighthouse Realty broker/owner Mike Trexler (Oct. 6); Orlando Youth Alliance CEO Michael Slaymaker, graphic designer Jocelynn White, drag performer April Fresh Loc Robertson, Former Watermark designer Katie DiBenedetto (Oct. 7); Watermark freelancer and UCF student Jheff Mathis, Orlando Meltdown coordinator Kyle Gaither, onePulse Foundation board member Aly Benitez, D’Squared Productions’ Douglas White (Oct. 8); Former Mad Cow Theatre executive director Mitzi Maxwell, Libby’s Legacy founder Robin Maynard-Harris (Oct. 9); Parliament House’s Robert Arroyo, USAA BOLD Leadership’s Michael Paonessa (Oct. 11); Orlando DJ and magician VJ Nick Comis, Mills50 director Joanne Grant, Orlando businessman Tim Leddy (Oct. 12).

1STOP THE STIGMA: (L-R) Gabriella Rodriguez, Andres Acosta and Kim Murphy show off signs they made for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day that will be used in Orlando’s upcoming Come Out With Pride parade.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

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HODA FAN: Jose Luis Dieppa (R) and Matt Roberts (center) are big fans with Hoda Kotb at NBC’s “Today” Sept. 20. PHOTO FROM JOSE LUIS DIEPPA’S FACEBOOK

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PORTRAIT PRESIDENT: Brandon Wolf gets a photo with President Obama’s new White House portrait in Washington, D.C. Sept. 14. PHOTO FROM BRANDON WOLF’S FACEBOOK

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HAPPY FAMILY: Tish and Natassia Dhumrongyud welcome baby Noa Ariya in Orlando Sept. 14. PHOTO COURTESY TISH

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IT’S LIT: (L-R) Tommi Pritchett, Liam Jaxon, Kristian Bighom and Pat Michaels represent the LGBT+ Center at Disney’s “EARidescent Evening” at the Animal Kingdom Sept. 24. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

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DIVA ON WHEELS: Azhia Li Kincade hosts Space Coast Pride Skate Night at Galaxy Skateway in Melbourne Sept. 20. PHOTO FROM SPACE COAST PRIDE’S FACEBOOK

WISH UPON A STAR: Josh Bell celebrates with Disney’s Impact Grant recipients at Walt Disney World Sept. 24. PHOTO FROM JOSH BELL’S FACEBOOK

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SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM: Kathryn Hagen (L) and Pandora Baxter grab a scoop at Ben & Jerry’s in Melbourne Sept. 14. PHOTO FROM KATHRYN HAGEN’S FACEBOOK

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community calendar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

October Business Connect

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5, 6-8 P.M.

HAMBURGER MARY’S, ORLANDO

The Pride Chamber invites you to come mingle at its monthly networking mixer. This month’s business connect will be at Hamburger Mary’s in Downtown Orlando. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free to chamber members and $20 for guests and visitors. For more information and to register for the event, go to ThePrideChamber.org.

Watermark’s Movies Out Loud: “Xanadu,”

THURSDAY, OCT. 13, 7-140 P.M.

THE STARLITE ROOM AT SAVOY, ORLANDO

Watermark’s Movies Out Loud returns as an official Come Out With Pride event with the film “Xanadu.”

Join comedian Sabrina Ambra and drag entertainer Trixie Deluxxe as they host, roast and pay tribute to the cult classic musical with hilarious commentary as the film plays. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Drink and food specials will be available. Proceeds from this event will benefit Orlando’s Come Out with Pride. Find the ticket link at Facebook.com/ WatermarkFL.

TAMPA BAY

SMART Ride Turnabout

COCKTAIL, ST. PETERSBURG

THURSDAY, OCT. 6, 6:30-9:30 P.M.

Join Team ActiveHearts for their second annual Drag Turnabout for SMART Ride, where every dollar benefits HIV/AIDS services. Its 19th year benefits local agency Empath Partners in Care. The team promises “Drag. Good Drag. Bad Drag. Everywhere in between!” as well as Jell-Shots and outstanding raffle prizes. Search “Team ActiveHearts SMARTRide Drag Turnabout” on Facebook to learn more.

COSP “Family” Day Celebration and 5K

SEMINOLE PARK, ST. PETERSBURG

SUNDAY, OCT. 9, 9 A.M.-2 P.M.

In honor of National Coming Out Day Oct. 11, Come OUT St Pete and the Pride Run Series present a 5K Run/Walk and Family Day celebration at Seminole Park. The race will be held from 8-9 a.m., followed by local vendors and entertainment from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. COSP will also unveil their 365-foot rainbow flag. Read more on p. 10 and at ComeOUTStPete.org.

EVENT PLANNER

DAYDREAM

BELIEVER

Halloween Pride Skate Tampa, Oct. 1, Skate World, Tampa. 410-262-2929; GregAndersonEvents.com

Massive Halloween Party, Oct. 1, Floridian Social Club, St. Petersburg. 732-322-4600; Facebook.com/ FloridianSocialClub

“Rocky Horror Picture Show” live w/Barry Bostwick, Oct. 2, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com

Healthy Start Coalition Drag Queen Bingo, Oct. 5, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; HamburgerMarys.com/ Clearwater

Ending HIV Focus Groups, Oct. 5, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Hocus Pocus 2 Watch Party w/ Ginger Minj, Sept. 30, Savoy, Orlando. 407-898-6766; SavoyOrlando.com

Sebastián Yatra, Sept. 30, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Axel Andres presents Electric Afternoons, Oct. 1, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

Tampa Bay Bear Takeover, Oct. 1, Club Orlando, Orlando. 407-425-5005; TampaBayBears.com

Lil Nas X, Oct. 3, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRock.com/Orlando

All the Queen’s Men, Oct. 3, The Lounge at Artisan Downtown, DeLand. DeLandPride.org

“Mean Girls” Drag Bingo, Oct. 3, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, Orlando. 407-270-6749; Facebook.com/ IvanhoeParkBrew Ben Platt, Oct. 6, Amway Center, Orlando. 844-854-1450; AmwayCenter.com

“SIX,” Oct. 6-9, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Bears and Bowling Balls, Oct. 8, Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando. 407-384-0003; Facebook.com/OrlandoBearsSC

Drag Brunch – Hocus Pocus, Oct. 9, Island Time, Orlando. 407-930-2640; IslandTimeOrlando.com

LGBTQ+ Dodgeball League Fall Season Launch, Oct. 10, Englewood Neighborhood Center for Families, Orlando. OutSportsLeague.com

Weird Al Yankovic, Oct. 11, King Center, Melbourne. 321-242-2219; KingCenter.com

Taste of College Park 2022, Oct. 13, Dubsdread, Orlando. 407-716-4215; RotaryCollegePark.org

Pride Paddle Parade, Oct. 13, Lake Ivanhoe, Orlando. 407-300-8781; EpicPaddleAdvenure.com

TAMPA BAY

“Avenue Q,” Through Oct. 2, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

2022 Equality Florida Tampa Gala, Sept. 30, Bryan Glazer Family JCC, Tampa. 813-870-3735; EQFL.org

11-Year Anniversary Celebration, Sept. 30, The Garage on Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-235-9086; Facebook.com/ OFCLGaragePage

“The Velocity of Gary (Not His Real Name),” Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa. 813-922-8167; CarrollwoodCenter.org

Singles Night, Oct. 5, The Lady’s Room, Largo. 727-642-4412; Facebook.com/ TheLadysRoomLargo Eunic Ortiz Election KickOff, Oct. 6, Noble Crust, St. Petersburg. 727-329-6041; Facebook.com/EunicOrtiz

Babes & Bulges: Halloween Edition, Oct. 7, The Event Space at Bulge, Tampa. 813-202-1000; Facebook.com/BulgeEvents

Party for the Paws, Oct. 8, Dog Bar, St. Petersburg. 727-317-4968; DogBarStPete.com

Closet Ball 2023, Oct. 9, Hamburger Mary’s, Clearwater. 727-400-6996; HamburgerMarys.com/ Clearwater

SARASOTA

12th Annual Fabulous Independent Film Festival, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Various Locations, Sarasota. FabAF.org October G2H2, Oct. 6, Mellow Mushroom, Sarasota. 813-421-3125; G2H2Sarasota.com

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

Ben Platt brings his tour, with special guest Aly & AJ, to Orlando’s Amway Center Oct. 6. PHOTO BY VINCE AUNG

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