Watermark Issue 30.21: Tricks & Treats by Watermark Publishing Group

Your LGBTQ+ News Source.

Oct. 12 - 25, 2023 • Issue 30.21

Tricks & Treats Central Florida serves up scares this Halloween

Sarasota Pride to hold 32nd celebration Come Out With Pride readies for Orlando parade, festival

INSIDE: THE OFFICIAL COME OUT WITH PRIDE GUIDE DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

Your LGBTQ+ News Source.

Oct. 12 - 25, 2023

Issue 30.21

Hauntingly

Ever After LGBTQ+ Tampa Bay moves into spooky season

Sarasota Pride to hold 32nd celebration Come Out With Pride readies for Orlando parade, festival

INSIDE: THE OFFICIAL COME OUT WITH PRIDE GUIDE & COME OUT ST PETE GUIDE DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

E FRE

SARASOTA Celebrate love, diversity, and equality at the vibrant Pride Festival! Get ready for an extraordinary experience filled with captivating entertainment, an electrifying concert, and a bustling market. Immerse yourself in the rainbow of talent and creativity as performers set the stage ablaze with their artistry.

LGBTQ+

a lot more!

FOOD TRUCKS & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Pride Bike Rally DRAG CELEBRITIES

Pet PArade

ROSEMARY DISTRICT | OCTOBER 21, 2023 | NOON-5PM Project

PRIDE

A SARASOT

www.ppsrq.org

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I also think Halloween is really healthy, because it’s a time

DEPARTMENTS

when the whole world gets to laugh at things we’re scared

7 // PUBLISHER’S DESK

PAGE

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

of. Anything goes on Halloween, there are no rules. – TIM HINTON OF TAMPA BAY’S PHANTOM HISTORY HOUSE

12 // STATE NEWS 15 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 21 // VISIBILI-T 23 // TALKING POINTS 37 // TAMPA BAY OUT + ABOUT 39 // CENTRAL FL OUT + ABOUT 40 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 42 // CENTRAL FL MARKETPLACE 46 // EVENT PLANNER ON THE COVER

PAGES

27/30

Phantom History House celebrates 1st

TRICKS & TREATS: Central Florida servces up scares this Halloween. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

HAUNTINGLY EVER AFTER:

Halloween. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

SCAN QR CODE FOR

PAGE HALLOWEEN: S20 Spooky Empire celebrates 20 years of scares.

WATERMARK ISSUE 30.21 // OCT. 12 - 25, 2023

PRIDE BOUND

LGBTQ+ A LOT MORE

RE-VAMPED

MORE THAN A KISS

PAGE Come Out With Pride announces more entertainers and events.

PAGE Project Pride to present the 32nd Sarasota Pride with Thorgy Thor and more.

PAGE

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

“Nosferatu” is back for third year at Renaissance Theatre.

LGBTQ+-focused

leads American 35 “Indecent” Stage’s 46th season.

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CONTRIBUTORS

PUBLISHER’S

Rick Todd PUBLISHER

Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

DESK

HIS MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO

some people, but I can be a very awkward person. I’ve talked before, in this space, about being shy. Shyness is especially painful when you are also awkward. I’m one of those rare people who don’t like to hug. I think my body language gives that away, but more often than not the signal is not picked up on. The moments before the hug are the most awkward. I ask myself, is it obvious I don’t want to do this? Now do I try to shake someone’s hand instead? Will I accidentally touch them somewhere I shouldn’t? I usually end up in some weird half handshake, half hug with my body twisted. Sure, I could just hug everyone. But I’m awkward. I used to hide the awkwardness with drinking, but that’s not an option anymore. So now I have to find other ways around it. This is particularly difficult for me in networking

situations. It doesn’t make much sense. I’ve worked in this community for decades, but I still feel awkward at events, mingling and making small talk. My modus operandi is to stand in one spot, or sit in my seat, and wave at people from a distance. I’m happy to talk to anyone who walks up to me, that somehow makes it easier than me trying to initiate the conversation. I often wonder how this is perceived by the general public. Do people think I’m stuck up or snobby? There was this one instance at an Equality Florida Gala in Orlando a few years ago where an employee thought I was deliberately avoiding him and he said those around him were picking up on that. It wasn’t

true. I’m just awkward and waved from afar. I also find it hard to make friends. I know a lot of people through work, and I for some reason categorize work separately. However when it comes to me on a personal level, I tend to isolate myself for no reason. I’ve played on the same softball team for a while now, but I find myself only around them when the game is on. I’ll talk myself out of going out with the team by disqualifying myself for them. I don’t drink so why would they want me around. I’m a lot older than most of them. This has made it difficult for me to make real, personal connections with people. I have my best friend who I care deeply for. She is probably the nicest person in the world and I assume she is loved by more people in this community than me — and rightly so. She’s kind of awesome. I also have my husband. It amazes me everyday that he fell in love with me and married me. I should point out that the only reason he and I met is because he tracked me down at an event and made me hang out with him. He wouldn’t let my awkwardness make an excuse and walk away. I’ve described this about him before, but falling in love with him was the first time I have ever felt a completely selfless kind of love. I am way more interested in him and his success than I am with my own. I can’t imagine there is much I wouldn’t do to ensure his happiness. Before him, the idea of this kind of life was only in the movies and songs, a dream of mine that I had tried to force on the wrong people. Having him in my life is helping me be less awkward.

WATERMARK STAFF Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com Managing Editor: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

It is helping me seek a deeper connection with those in my life. I had the privilege of celebrating my brother’s 50th birthday this past week. My other two brothers, who live out of state, flew in for the occasion. It was great to be able to hang out with them and connect on a level we haven’t done for a very, very long time. We didn’t argue about politics, we just enjoyed each other’s company and relished the time we had together. As I sat in my home trying to figure out what to write about for this issue, a man was being

I encourage everyone to tone down the rhetoric of hate and ﬁnd common ground. interviewed by Rachel Maddow. His family had been taken hostage in the recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. It was heartbreaking to hear the horror he was living in and I felt lucky to have the people in my life that I love. I wish life was as easy as the words, “love conquers hate.” I wish it was easy to make happen. I encourage everyone to tone down the rhetoric of hate and find common ground. Make the world a better place. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.

ORLANDO OFFICE Creative Designer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 107 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Designer: Caitlin Sause • Ext. 104 Caitlin@WatermarkOnline.com

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TATIANA QUIROGA

is the executive director for Come Out With Pride. She is a proud mother, wife and LGBTQ advocate in Central Florida. Page 17

ANGELIQUE YOUNG is

a transgender activist, entertainer and entrepreneur with a master’s in psychology. She currently hosts Sickoning Sundays at Showbar Ybor while maintaining her business and more @DNCNDiva on Instagram. Page 19

HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, SABRINA AMBRA, ABBY BAKER, STEVE BLANCHARD, DEBORAH BOSTOCK-KELLEY, JOHNNY BOYKINS, NATHAN BRUEMMER, BIANCA GOOLSBY, JAKOB HERO-SHAW, LORA KORPAR, JASON LECLERC, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, MELODY MAIA MONET, TIFFANY RAZZANO, GREG STEMM, SYLVIE TREVENA, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI, ANGELIQUE YOUNG, MICHAEL WANZIE

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central florida news

RITZY RAGS TO GIVE AWAY A DOZEN WIGS Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | Martin Fugate, known as drag entertainer Leigh Shannon and owner of Ritzy Rags Wigs & More in College Park, is continuing his tradition this year of giving away wigs to cancer patients in need to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, recognized every October. Fugate partners with Aderans Hair Goods, who donates 12 to 15 wigs and about 20 turbines to be given away each year. “We do this every year,” Fugate says. “I partner with them, they are my main wig company, and they’re so gracious. We have a close relationship and I’ve written some things for them and I’m kind of like their critique person. I have been with them for about 25 years.” Fugate knows all to well the impact that cancer treatments can have on a person’s self-esteem and mental health. At the age of 24, he lost his mother to breast cancer when she was only 43 years old. “She was a beautiful Barbara Eden woman, had beautiful blonde hair and when we went to get her a wig, all I could get her was a wig that looked like Vicki Lawerence from ‘Mama’s Family.’ So my mother never got a good wig and she was a beautiful woman. So now I feel like every time I make a woman happy getting her a good wig, I’ve done it for my mom.” Fugate says that anyone looking to get a wig of their own should make sure they are “medical grade synthetics.” “Don’t ever get human hair,” he adds. Ritzy Rags moved to Orlando’s College Park area more than two years ago after being in the Mills 50 District for over 30 years. Fugate says in his time of running the shop, he has seen so many cancer patients come in angry and frustrated with their situation, but that moment they find the right wig, it brings them to tears. “Going through cancer is traumatic and anything you can do to hold onto something from before, and a lot of times it comes back to hair. Your hair becomes like your security,” he says. Fugate says he has already given away seven wigs and has several more to go before the end of the month. In order to apply for a free wig, applicants can email Fugate at RitzyRagsEmail@aol.com to share their story and be considered. Fugate has been focused on running his business recently after parting ways with Hamburger Mary’s Orlando. Fugate hosted his cabaret dinner show and Illusions revue as drag icon Leigh Shannon. “While I’m kind of enjoying having time off, it’s rough getting out of that routine,” Fugate says. “Plus my love for Hamburger Mary’s is still so strong. Even with the departure, I really still love Hamburger Mary’s.” Fugate recently announced that he would be returning with his cabaret and illusions shows in November, bringing both to Theatre Winter Haven’s new Ghostlight Lounge. The Cabaret Dinner Show starts Nov. 10 and Illusions in Revue is back Nov. 17.

DRAG ICON: Monet X Change (pictured), along with LaLa Ri, will be Come Out With Pride’s headliners this year. PHOTO FROM

Pride Bound Come Out With Pride announces more entertainers, events Jeremy Williams

RLANDO | As Oct. 21 approaches, Come Out With Pride has begun putting the final touches on its 2023 parade and festival. COWP will start the day off at 12 p.m. with its annual Pride festival in Lake Eola Park featuring familiar spots to Pridegoers including a marketplace, youth zone, a sober space and more. The Trans March & Rally will begin at 1 p.m. leading into The Most Colorful Parade at 4 p.m. Pride celebrations across the state this year have all had to contend with the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has come out of Tallahassee, and COWP is no exception, with them seeing a reduction in support from major sponsors. “It was an interesting phenomenon that we saw this year, where our major sponsors that we’ve had for countless years, for various reasons, are not coming in at the same level that they had been,” says COWP executive director Tatiana Quiroga.

While Pride has seen past major sponsors coming in at lower levels this year, the organization has seen an increase in lower-level sponsorships this year, many of which are coming in as Pride sponsors for the first time. “We’re excited that we have so many brand-new relationships and partnerships that we hope to continue to cultivate and grow,” Quiroga says. One organization that came forward to show its support in a major way this year is AIDS Healthcare Foundation, or AHF, who came in Oct. 4 at presenting sponsor for Pride’s Most Colorful Parade. Another issue brought on by Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies was trying to secure national performers for Pride’s entertainment stages at the festival. Pride recently announced that “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums LaLa Ri and Monet X Change would be this year’s headliners. “This is where we see a direct impact with the recent legislation,” Quiroga says. “We’re excited by the fact that we’ve found these two nationally recognized talents

COME OUT WITH PRIDE

who are willing to not only come and perform on our local stage but understand the sensitivity that we’re working with when being here in Florida.” As is recent tradition with Pride, a week full of official events will precede Pride’s parade and festival. These events are partnerships between Pride and other LGBTQ+ organizations. Along with previously announced event partners such as Zebra Youth, Hamburger Mary’s, Impulse Group and more, COWP is partnering with two beloved Orlando LGBTQ+-owned businesses: The Hammered Lamb and Savoy. “These are long-time partnerships that we’ve had ... so we’re excited to partner on these events,” Quiroga says. The Hammered Lamb will host Hammered Brunch Oct. 22 from 1-3 p.m. The post-Pride wrap up will be hosted by Darcel Stevens and feature performances by Axel Andrews, Aaliyah Nouveau, Orusha San Miguel and Lacie Browning. Savoy is partnering with COWP for its own week of Pride events that include Stand Up for Pride comedy show Oct. 17; Pride Bingo Oct. 18; Watermark’s Movies Out Loud, a Pride edition of Latin Night and karaoke Oct. 18; Bear Pride Night with Bear Buffet Oct. 19; and its own Pride recovery brunch and a T-Dance Oct. 22. For more information, visit ComeOutWithPride.org and check out the official Come Out With Pride guide.

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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tampa bay news

OUT SPORTS EXPANDS TO TAMPA BAY Ryan Williams-Jent

AMPA | OUT Sports League has announced its expansion to Tampa Bay, beginning Oct. 14 with kickball games at the Rubin Padgett Sports Complex. The LGBTQ+ recreational sports organization was created to provide a safe space for members of the community. It initially operated as part of a California-based league before Commissioner John Teixeira formed OUT Sports in 2021. “We decided to go independent because it better served the community,” he explains. Since then it’s grown to offer kickball, dodgeball, soccer, volleyball and cornhole to more than 1,600 players. The kickball season will run through Dec. 2, with no games Nov. 25 but a makeup scheduled for Dec. 9. They’ll be played 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays for players of all skill levels, gender identities and sexual orientations. The Tampa expansion is the result of a merger with Rainbow Sports League, which previously offered inclusive games in the region. OUT Sports lowered players’ fees, chose a new location for gameplay and created other benefits ahead of the new season. “Games were not being played at a field that was centrally located and because it was so far away, it was hard for the players to get the social experience that they may have wanted afterwards,” Teixeira says. “I also thought it was a bit cost prohibitive, so we lowered the cost from $75 to $50.” Fees cover the cost of equipment, insurance, T-shirts and more, including social activities like afterparties at Bradley’s on 7th in Ybor. Captains can create teams of 12 or more, players can join existing teams if invited or the league can place individuals on teams. Registration is ongoing and OUT Sports expects between six and eight teams for its first Tampa season. To assist in coordinating the expansion, Teixeira brought on Andrew Jones as a league manager. “People are excited to have OUT Sports League in in Tampa,” Teixeira says. “We have over 1,000 players every season in Orlando and because of that, we’ve had a lot of players who have lived in or moved to Tampa. They’ve been spreading the buzz that we’re going to try to make some positive change in the Tampa Bay sports community.” OUT Sports hopes to expand operations in 2024 to include dodgeball, soccer and sand volleyball. The league is also working on hosting a statewide kickball tournament with other local sports organizations next year. “I’ve always thought that one of the most important parts about recreational queer sports is that they provide an opportunity to meet other queer people offline; off their apps and in person,” Teixeira says. “A queer sports league helps provide social activities on and outside of the field and we’re excited to expand to Tampa.” For more information about OUT Sports League and its upcoming season, visit OUTSportsLeague.com/Tampa.

NEW ERA:

Project Pride, which now organizes Sarasota Pride, at last year’s event. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

LGBTQ+ more Project Pride to present 32nd Sarasota Pride Ryan Williams-Jent

ARASOTA | Sarasota Pride will hold its 32nd celebration Oct. 21 from 12-5 p.m. in the Rosemary District, promising “LGBTQ+ a lot more” in its first year organized by Project Pride. The nonprofit presented last year’s event in conjunction with Sarasota Pride, Inc., announcing their merger during the celebration. They promised to build upon its legacy of uniting the LGBTQ+ community, a key part of Project Pride’s mission. “We approached this year with allyship and partnership in mind,” President Jason Champion says. “We brought in new vendors and new allies within the community that were looking to support us; it’s important that the LGBTQ+ community in Sarasota remains visible.” An inaugural Pride Bike Rally will kick off festivities at 11 a.m., when 100 cyclists will “ride to Pride in style before the show starts.” Participants can either bring or rent a bicycle and will be followed by a 100-foot section

of Project Pride’s Progressive Pride flag from Main St. to the Rosemary District. Leading the charge will be Grand Marshal Tom Edwards, who was elected to the Sarasota County School Board in 2020. The openly gay official “is its only moderate voice advocating for the freedom of teachers, the rights of ALL students and parents and the preservation of public schools from the destructive, political winds of privatization,” Project Pride notes. Sarasota socialite Donna Koffman will join him as this year’s Honorary Ally. The organization says her “unwavering support and dedication to promoting equality for the LGBTQ+ community has left an indelible mark on our hearts … she has truly earned this well-deserved recognition.” Burlesque performer VooDoo von BoomBoom and radio personality Jonah Ray will host from the main stage. Attendees will hear from politicians like Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie, activists like Zander Moricz and be treated to nearly 20 different performances.

Groups like Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota and Brittany Zeff and Crew will provide live music, with comedy from Poppy J Snacks and dance from troupes including the Azara Ballet. Drag will also heavily feature with Florida Entertainer of the Year Twila Holiday, Lindsay Carlton-Cline, Brianna Summers and more, with a headlining showcase from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Thorgy Thor. Sarasota Pride will also include a Kids Zone with a bounce house from ALSO Youth and a Pride Pet Parade. More than 80 vendors will be present, along with an assortment of food and drink including alcohol for those 21+. After 5 p.m., festivities will continue with an official after party with SRQ Beats. A jungle-themed event promises “a night of celebration, inclusivity and pure fun” from 8 p.m.-midnight, with tickets starting at $30. “We approached this year working to build Pride as ‘LGBTQ+ a lot more’ because we’re doctors, we’re attorneys, we’re artists, we’re musicians — we’re not just LGBTQ+,” Champion says. “This is an all-inclusive festival to unite Sarasota in a time of need.” Sarasota Pride will be held Oct. 21 from 12-5 p.m. at Blvd. of the Arts from Florida Ave. to Lemon Ave., with events at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight. For more information, visit PPSRQ.org/SarasotaPride.

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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state news

SMART RIDE PREPARES FOR FINAL YEAR Ryan Williams-Jent

articipants in the 20th annual SMART Ride are hoping to raise $2 million for AIDS service organizations throughout Florida in the event’s final year. Organizers announced the fundraiser’s 20th ride would be its last on Sept. 16. Participants from throughout the state will hold their final 165-mile trek from Miami to Key West Nov. 17-18 to benefit Empath Partners in Care in Tampa Bay, Miracle of Love in Central Florida, Broward House in Wilton Manors, Pridelines in Miami-Dade County, Compass Community Center in Palm Beach County and AH Monroe in Monroe County. SMART Ride Founder Glen Weinzimer told Watermark that the organization made “the right decision [at] the right time.” The 20th event will once again be presented by CAN Community Health. “CAN Community Health was honored to be a part of the SMART Ride for so many years,” Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Rogelio J. Capote says. “From beneficiary to title sponsor, we have seen this event grow and flourish into life-changing moments for so many community members. “It has been a pleasure to work with Glen and all the agencies to make a genuine and passionate impact in all the communities we serve,” he continues. “This may be the last ride, but our fight is far from over!” EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim agrees. She says SMART Ride’s end makes “this year’s ride is that much more important.” EPIC received a donation of $150,985.46 from SMART Ride 19. Winheim says the funds have “created such an opportunity for EPIC to change the lives of our clients in different ways than our grants do by removing the paperwork, the income guidelines and sometimes the zip code restrictions. It let us focus on the person, their needs and how we can help them.” “We have such a great momentum building in Tampa and EPIC is committed to exploring creating something locally,” she adds. “I have had a very preliminary conversation with Miracle of Love in Orlando about being open to talking about doing something from Tampa to Orlando … We encourage anyone that wants to donate to donate. Let’s hit that $2 million goal!” AH Monroe, which has benefited from the fundraiser since its inception, is also gearing up for the final ride — and potentially others. “There is hope we will reinvent it for 2024,” Executive Director Scott Pridgen told OUT South Florida Oct. 6. “The agencies have become very connected. The six of us will come together and figure it out. What it is? I don’t know yet.”

For more information about SMART Ride or to donate, visit TheSMARTRide.org.

EQUALITY FLORIDA, MCC CHURCHES RALLY FOR LGBTQ+ RIGHTS Ryan Williams-Jent

quality Florida and Metropolitan Community Church leaders from across the state came together Sept. 30 to showcase their “faith against hate,” rallying against laws impacting LGBTQ+ and other marginalized Floridians. Each organization’s roots lie in social advocacy. Equality Florida is the state’s largest LGBTQ+focused civil rights organization and the denomination has over 200 churches and spiritual communities, with more than a dozen affirming churches in Florida alone. The partnership was a direct response to “the most virulently anti-LGBTQ session in the legislature’s history,” Equality Florida said in a press release. The 2022 session saw the expansion of Florida’s “Don’t’ Say Gay or Trans” law, targeted gender-affirming care

and other trans rights and sought to restrict drag performances. These and other laws were used for “censoring higher education institutions and accelerating statewide book banning efforts to those imposing government restrictions on transgender people and their families who seek best practice medical care and enact draconian bathroom bans in publicly owned buildings,” Equality Florida noted. “This rally is just one example of how MCC shares the message of God’s inclusive love, for all God’s children,” MCC Moderator Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston said. “Jesus didn’t stay indoors demanding justice and proclaiming good news, he went out onto the street. MCC proudly does the same!” “I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with affirming churches and faith leaders who believe that LGBTQ people are included in the family of God, are loved as their authentic selves, and deserve the

same freedoms and equal protection under the law as every other person,” Equality Florida Director of Transgender Equality Nikole Parker added. Both she and Eggleston spoke in Tampa. “Equality Florida is committed to continuing our work to build and expand interfaith coalitions that push back against the legislature’s slate of hateful laws,” she continued, “and work together to rebuild an inclusive Florida where everyone has the freedom to be who they are and love who they want to love without fear of hatred and discrimination.” The organization also reflected on the experience Oct. 5. “Faith against hate,” they wrote on social media. “Our Equality Florida team was happy to join with faith leaders and MCC in Tampa to send a message: LGBTQ+ children are made in a perfect image, and they are loved. We must come together to build a better and more inclusive Florida.”

obtained under a public information request by the Florida Freedom to Read Project. The nonprofit group, which opposes the law, provided the memo to The Associated Press Sept. 27. The district later allowed some exceptions for high school libraries. But Charlotte’s policy remains one of the more stringent policies adopted by the state’s 67 countywide school districts to enforce the bill. The law was originally passed by the Legislature and signed by DeSantis in 2022 and strengthened last spring. The southwest Florida county between Fort Myers and Sarasota has about 17,000 students in its public schools. The district told the news website Popular Information, which first reported the memo, that the document is not a verbatim transcript of the meeting, but it is an accurate reflection. DeSantis and other Republicans have repeatedly said the measure is reasonable and that parents, not teachers, should be broaching

subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity with their children. The governor has made cultural issues a major point of his presidential campaign, even taking on the Walt Disney Co. after it expressed opposition to the bill. Florida Freedom to Read said Charlotte’s policy is “evidence that fear over thoughtful decision making is winning the day.” But the group says Florida Department of Education officials are to blame for any district confusion or overreach. The school district later issued a statement to Popular Information clarifying some of the superintendent and attorney’s remarks. Officials said books “featuring LGBTQ characters are accessible in the media center for grades 9-12. While they may not be utilized for classroom instruction, these books are available for individual study and can be borrowed by students.”

FLORIDA SCHOOLS TARGET LGBTQ+ BOOKS Wire Report

op officials at a Florida school district ordered the removal of all books and material containing LBGTQ+ characters and themes from classrooms and campus libraries, saying that was needed to conform to a state law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay or Trans.” Charlotte County Schools Superintendent Mark Vianello and the school board’s attorney, Michael McKinley, were responding to questions from the district’s librarians at a July meeting asking whether the bill, officially the “Florida Parental Rights in Education Act,” required the removal of any books that simply had a gay character but no explicit sex scenes. “Books with LBGTQ+ characters are not to be included in classroom libraries or school library media centers,” the pair responded, according to a district memo

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER SAYS SOME PHARMACISTS ARE REFUSING TO FILL GENDER-CONFIRMING RX Wire Report

MAHA, NEB. | A Nebraska lawmaker says her office has been contacted by families who have reported some pharmacists are wrongly refusing to fill prescriptions for gender-affirming medications for their transgender children, citing a new state law limiting the ability of anyone under 19 to get puberty blockers or gender-affirming hormones. Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt sent a letter Oct. 4 to the state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, asking him to inform all Nebraska health care professionals — including pharmacists — that the new law specifically allows minors who were already receiving those medicines before the law took effect to continue that treatment. The law, often referred to by its bill name of LB574, also bans gender-affirming surgeries for

trans youth under 19. It took effect Oct. 1. “However, parents and patients inform me that they have been denied prescriptions essential for care that were prescribed prior to October 1, 2023,” Hunt’s letter reads. “Apparently, some Nebraska pharmacists are using LB574 to refuse to refill prescriptions issued by healthcare providers. Any disruption or delay in a prescribed regimen is inconsistent with the plain letter of LB 574 and is inconsistent with the medical standard of care for these patients.” A spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a message asking whether the department or Tesmer would honor Hunt’s request. The new law would allow some new transgender patients under the age of 19 to begin pharmaceutical treatment under a set of guidelines to be drafted by the state’s chief medical officer.

Tesmer, who was appointed to that post weeks ago by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen, had said during his confirmation hearing that he would likely be unable to issue those guidelines by Oct. 1. But he did release a set of emergency regulations on Sunday until permanent regulations could be adopted, which is expected sometime after a public hearing is held on the final draft in late November. Those emergency regulations came after families, doctors and some lawmakers said they had largely gotten no response from the department on when the regulations would be in place. Hunt has been a vocal critic of the new law and was among a handful of progressive lawmakers who helped filibuster nearly every bill before the officially nonpartisan Legislature earlier this year to protest it.

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed gay marriage. But even Francis has voiced support for civil laws extending legal benefits to same-sex spouses, and Catholic priests in parts of Europe have been blessing same-sex unions without Vatican censure. Francis’ response to the cardinals, however, marks a reversal from the Vatican’s current official position. In an explanatory note in 2021, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless gay unions because “God cannot bless sin.” In his new letter, Francis reiterated that matrimony is a union between a man and a woman. But responding to the cardinals’ question about homosexual unions and blessings, he said “pastoral charity” requires patience and understanding and that regardless, priests cannot become judges “who only deny, reject and exclude.”

“For this reason, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of benediction, requested by one or more persons, that do not transmit a mistaken conception of marriage,” he wrote. “Because when a benediction is requested, it is expressing a request for help from God, a plea to be able to live better, a trust in a father who can help us to live better.” He noted there are situations that are objectively “not morally acceptable.” But he said the same “pastoral charity” requires that people be treated as sinners who might not be fully at fault for their situations. The five cardinals challenged Francis to affirm church teaching on gays, women’s ordination, the authority of the pope and other issues in their letter. They published the material two days before the start of a major three-week synod at the Vatican.

POPE SUGGESTS BLESSINGS FOR SAME-SEX UNIONS Wire Report

ATICAN CITY | Pope Francis has suggested there could be ways to bless same-sex unions, responding to five conservative cardinals who challenged him to affirm church teaching on homosexuality ahead of a big meeting where LGBTQ+ Catholics are on the agenda. The Vatican published Oct. 2 a letter Francis wrote to the cardinals on July 11 after receiving a list of five questions, or “dubia,” from them a day earlier. In it, Francis suggests that such blessings could be studied if they didn’t confuse the blessing with sacramental marriage. New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, said the letter “significantly advances” efforts to make LGBTQ+ Catholics welcomed in the church and “one big straw towards breaking the camel’s back” in their marginalization.

IN OTHER NEWS COLORADO HIGH COURT TO HEAR CASE AGAINST CHRISTIAN BAKER Colorado’s highest court said Oct. 3 that it will hear the case of a Christian baker who refused to make a cake celebrating a gender transition. The announcement by the Colorado Supreme Court is the latest development in the yearslong legal saga involving Jack Phillips and LGBTQ+ rights. Phillips won a partial victory before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 after refusing to make a gay couple’s wedding cake but was later sued by Autumn Scardina, a transgender woman, who asked his suburban Denver bakery to make a pink cake with blue frosting for her birthday. It refused after Scardina explained it would celebrate her transition from male to female. The justices didn’t explain how or why they made the determination.

JUDGE: ARIZONA CANNOT EXCLUDE GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE In court documents filed Sept. 29, U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Marquez signed off on a consent decree in a class action lawsuit led by Dr. Russell Toomey, a University of Arizona professor, against the state and the Arizona Board of Regents eliminating a ban on providing gender-affirming care under Arizona state employee health insurance. Toomey is transgender and sought coverage for a “medically necessary” surgery in 2019. In June, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an executive order prohibiting state employee health plans from listing gender-affirming care as ineligible for coverage, reversing a Republican-backed ban that was enacted in 2017.

NEBRASKA IMPOSES 7-DAY WAIT FOR TRANS YOUTH TO START MEDS Nebraska is requiring transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care to wait seven days to start puberty blocking medications or hormone treatments under emergency regulations announced Oct. 1 by the state health department. The regulations also require transgender minors to undergo at least 40 hours of “gender-identity-focused” therapy that are “clinically neutral” before receiving any medical treatments meant to affirm their gender identities.

PAKISTAN RESUMES ISSUING ID CARDS TO TRANS PEOPLE Pakistani authorities have resumed the registration of transgender people and issuing identity cards to them after the Supreme Court’s Sharia Appellate Bench on Sept. 25 ruled on the issue. An Islamic court on June 13 ordered all data acquisition units to halt the registration of trans people and to issue identity cards only to cisgender males or females. The Supreme Court in 2009 extended civil rights to the trans community. Pakistani MPs in 2018 passed a historic law, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, that prohibited any discrimination based on gender identity.

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viewpoint

Tatiana Quiroga

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Pride to me RAPPED IN

rainbow paper with a giant glitter bow on top, October is here and really queer! As the executive director of Come Out With Pride, I’m constantly thinking about Pride — as a celebration, as an action, as a space, as a mission and vision, and as an organization.

As I’ve exclaimed countless times, “Pride is more than a party!” Actually it’s complex and complicated. Sometimes it’s a messy conversation, full of mixed emotions, historical events, current political obstacles, challenges, celebrations and calls to action. For many of us, Pride is part of our story. Having moved to Orlando in the late 90s to attend UCF, my first exposure to real queerness was late night rave parties at the Historic Firestone. The bumping base of house music thumping throughout the night, keeping me awake until first light. I witnessed nonbinary bodies adorned in beautiful costumes, covered in glitter, balancing on platform shoes, while rhythmically moving to the beat. All were accepted and welcomed. This is where I found home. Embraced by the drag queens, glow sticks lit my path and JNCO jeans were my uniform. At the time, I didn’t know what I was, but I most definitely knew what I wasn’t. In those days, I found Pride when entering this inclusive space with a sense of belonging I had not found anywhere else.

Years later, I found Pride in a sea of red shirts at a magical place. There, I was witness to members of my new-found community, which puzzled me because they were not familiar faces at the local club. They broadened my perception of my possible future. I saw queer parents with their kids, and couples who appeared past their prime but still madly in love, holding hands while watching the fireworks. In the early 2000s, I discovered Pride in an actual LGBTQIA+ parade down Orange Avenue. It was slightly disorganized, poorly attended and way too short, BUT it was my first taste of activism. I was energized being amongst my people, marching, chanting, holding signs and hands, we took over the street. My act of rebellion and resistance was being unapologetically me! That day, an activist was born. As a kid raised in the 80s, who witnessed the HIV/AIDS crisis and clearly remembers Ryan White, I could not quietly sit by as our positive numbers continued to climb. I found Pride in becoming a certified HIV tester, volunteering my time and educating our community. I dove deeper into community involvement. Countless years later, I found Pride the day I legally married my wife in Massachusetts, before marriage equality. I discovered true love. As my best friend and my soulmate, we began building our life together. Our oldest kiddo was born in 2011 in October on the date of the Come Out With Pride parade that year. That day, Pride found me, making me a proud parent and forever changing my life. As a queer mom of color, I am committed to passing down our culture to my children. I want my kids to know that the LGBTQAI+ movement was conceived by a riot which turned into a revolution started by Black and Brown trans women

who had enough. We must show respect and gratitude to our ancestors who paved the way and created the opportunities we have today. I want them to celebrate their authentic self, feel the power of protesting and the enthusiasm of marching, enjoy a drag

and people of color in mainstream media. It is growing recognition of our economic impact. It is hosting a Pride Prom every April for adults in our community to enjoy prom in their true form with the people of their choice and create new and

is not only my full-time job, it’s part of my story. It’s part of my core, my mission and passion. Pride is creating spaces where my people can feel belonging and acceptance as their authentic selves. To loosely quote the brilliant artist, Pink — sometimes, Pride is

show, understand why lesbians wear cargo shorts (because of all the pockets), feel loved by their gay uncles and know the symbolic importance of our chosen family. Pride is more than a party. It’s more than the limited items sold in June. It’s more than the corporate attempt to capture our dollar. For me, Pride is the increasing visibility and representation of queer

positive memories. Pride is that collective celebratory spirit and love that we feel on that steamy day in October, where hundreds of thousands of us take over Lake Eola, proudly and colorfully parade down Orange Avenue, enjoy all day fabulous entertainment and end the experience with a firework extravaganza. Pride is a lot of different things for a lot of different people. Personally, Pride

our party! “The universe is the DJ, life is the dance floor, love is the rhythm, and you are the music!” Come Out With Pride Orlando and see YOU on Oct. 21st at Pride!

Pride is a lot of different things for a lot of different people.

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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

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viewpoint

Angelique Young

A DIFFERENT LIGHT A Journey Through the Past

RECENTLY HAD THE

honor of being featured in “If You Could See Me Through My Eyes,” an exhibit at the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale. The museum reached out to me at the Florida Out Coast Convention after I received an award for my activism earlier this year.

After I accepted the award, Robert Kesten, the museum’s executive director felt my story needed to be shared on another level. I truly had no idea what he had in store when he reached out asking for a few of my personal items that told my story — I just knew that each item would be accompanied with a piece of my story to tell it in full, showcasing how I got here and where I came from. While I may have done this in smaller conversations, I had never truly taken stock of my journey. To say that we rarely stop and recognize all we have achieved and overcome is something I wonder if others may overlook in their lives as well. The building of my story couldn’t be confined to five paragraphs any more than the history of Stonewall itself, but I tried my best as I combed through old photos, clothing and belongings to find objects that held not only memories but purpose for me. I realized that during my changes in life I had learned to let go a multitude of objects and hold dearly and tightly to my memories. I had forgotten about so much I had done over the years. Even the earlier stages of my activism were lost to time in my mind but unlocked by this exercise of memory.

With those memories also came those I would rather leave behind. I had forgotten about my work in Pittsburgh with people being diagnosed with HIV, or my fights for equality on women’s rights. Defending women outside of Planned Parenthood along with children who were seeking assistance for LGBTQ+ purposes. I didn’t realize that standing up for others regardless of your own situation was considered activism until now. Even as I sent these things off, I wasn’t sure how they would be featured in the museum and what would come of it. When I was called to come and speak at the exhibit’s opening, I thought it was because of how well I spoke at the FLOCC event. I was surprised when I walked in with my partner, hand in hand, an experience I had never had in tandem with the event. I was shocked to see the museum full of people — but before I could even make my way in, I saw myself on a wall. My heart could have split. The emotions that ran through me seeing all my items on display with an amazing description about my life left me full of joy and in tears. All these people came to see and hear my story and wanted to know more about me. I couldn’t believe it. I was able to meet another wonderful soul featured in the exhibit. A local icon and legend of South Florida, Rajee Narinesingh. This wonderful soul, while a bit older than me, told her amazing story. Though completely different in some ways we were the same in so many others. It is true that some of the most beaten and bruised individuals hold the most beautiful light and love within them. When it was my turn to speak, I was given a rare chance to tell my truth. The thing I had wanted to do for

so long. For the first time ever in a speaking capacity I was not limited or held back by this opportunity. “Women of color have long been the backbone of the social justice movement and trans women of color are no exception,” the exhibit is described. “We just like

feeling valid in ways I had never expected. I had hoped that I would have an impact on this world in more ways, and thanks to the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, I had that chance along with other fabulous trans women of color. We are featured

articles, cover pages and headlines that date back to the 70s and details the our communities’ triumphs and struggles throughout history. The museum is a fabulous place to attend and needs our support, so please give it if you can. We need more places that tell our stories,

to do it with a little more sparkle.” It let me stand in the sun and speak my truth. To tell my life story: the good, the bad and the beautiful. They say you should always share your story because you never know who is listening. You never know what your words will do for someone else. That night I connected with so many people and the experience left me

and running in the exhibit until Dec. 1 and I cannot thank Robert, his board of directors and staff more for their warm welcome. The exhibit is paired with a secondary exhibit that is featured on display throughout the entire museum called “Media Makes a Difference.” It depicts how media plays a part in how the world sees us and how we see ourselves. It displays

reveal our history and give voices to the unheard and unspoken.

They say you should always share your story because you never know who is listening.

Angelique Young is a transgender activist, entertainer and entrepreneur with a master’s in psychology. She maintains her business and more @ DNCNDiva on Instagram. Learn more about the Stonewall National Museum & Archives at Stonewall-Museum.org.

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Aguilar Salud, Orgullo Hispano! Apoyo y Empoderamiento para Nuestra Comunidad Hispana, Latinx y LGBTQ+ en Florida. de nuevas infecciones por VIH en el estado de Florida. Pero no es solo eso, “La Cena” también busca fomentar el talento local y unir fuerzas entre miembros de la comunidad que desean trabajar en entornos signiﬁcativos.

osé Aguilar, es un inmigrante Venezolano que ha dedicado más de una década de su vida a la defensa y el liderazgo en la respuesta al Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH). Su experiencia personal como hombre gay lo llevó a fundar Aguilar Salud Inc., una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) con la misión de proporcionar servicios sociales y de salud culturalmente competentes e integrales, en español. En Aguilar Salud, está el compromiso de abordar las disparidades en la atención médica y a servir a las comunidades hispanas, latinas y LGBTQ+ con especial atención y sensibilidad a sus necesidades y experiencias. Sabemos que la representación y la confianza son fundamentales para nuestro trabajo, y estamos aquí para apoyar a todos, independientemente de su orientación sexual, origen o identidad. Una de las iniciativas más destacadas de Aguilar Salud es “La Cena”, un programa mensual de cenas completamente gratuito y abierto a la comunidad hispana en diferentes lugares de Florida Central, patrocinado por Pineapple Healthcare. Este programa fue creado en respuesta al aumento alarmante

“La Cena” ha tenido lugar en espacios emblemáticos como Hope Community Center, SAVOY Orlando y Orlando Family Stage. Además, hemos logrado involucrar talentos destacados de nuestra comunidad como Cesar De La Rosa, Noel García, y el puertoriqueño embajador de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) Andrés Vázquez, conocido en sus redes sociales como @monotrepao. A través de esta iniciativa, Aguilar Salud y su equipo han llegado a muchos miembros de la comunidad y los han conectado a su vez con servicios vitales, incluyendo atención médica primaria, prevención y tratamiento del VIH. Las personas que reciben servicios de Aguilar Salud, pueden obtener Proﬁlaxis Pre-Exposición (PrEP), Tratamiento de VIH, Tratamiento de Hepatitis C, entre otros, sin importar el estado de ajuste migratorio de las personas y sin importar que tengan seguro médico o no. La comunidad se siente representada y expresa gratitud y conﬁanza al ser atendidos en su propio idioma y en un espacio donde se sienten comprendidos y seguros.

de nuestra gente Hispana, Latinx y LGBTQ+. Estamos aquí para apoyarlos en cada paso del camino, desde la prevención y el diagnóstico hasta el tratamiento y el empoderamiento. La visión de Aguilar Salud es un futuro en el que todas las personas, sin importar su orientación sexual o su origen, tengan acceso a una atención médica de calidad y sean tratadas con dignidad y respeto. Aguilar Salud Inc. no sería posible sin el apoyo y la colaboración de personas comprometidas como usted. Le invitamos a considerar unirse a esta importante misión de servir y empoderar a las comunidades. Juntos, podemos marcar la diferencia y crear un futuro más saludable y equitativo para todos. Si desea obtener más información sobre Aguilar Salud, La Cena, Bancos de Ropa, Bancos de Comida, Manejo de Caso, Acceso a PrEP, Acceso a Tratamiento de VIH, y recursos sobre Salud Sexual, visite www.aguilarsalud.com y siga sus redes sociales @aguilarsaludinc. ¡Aguilar Salud es Orgullo Hispano!

Aguilar Salud cree en el poder de la comunidad unida. Juntos podemos crear un impacto signiﬁcativo y positivo en la salud y el bienestar

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Miembro del Consejo Directivo

Aguilar Salud Inc

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

Visibili-T PHOTO BY BLACK ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

NICOLE ‘TEMONET’ LEVY She/Her/Hers

It’s one of the reasons she wanted to participate in Visibili-T, noting she “had the lovely task of coming out twice.” The second time was as transgender at 16 years old. “Visibility is a very important dynamic to who I am in my trans journey,” Levy says. “Both experiences were met with love and support — my family and my community had my back 100% — and that leaves someone very well rounded and grounded. It shaped me as an adult. “I was concerned with my identity, but it just wasn’t an issue which let me focus on work, nursing school and other achievements,” she adds. “I was just me! Being seen could help the next generation feel seen and inspire them to live their lives out loud.” It’s Levy’s hope that everyone who is LGBTQ+ gets to experience that. She says if there’s one thing she’d like to see improved in the community, it’s communication — specifically around mental health for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. “I want us all to grow old and have full lives,” Levy notes. “No

one should feel their live isn’t worth living.” As for how she’s lived hers, she admits perhaps some of it was too quick. Levy says she’d tell her younger self to “take your time growing up!” “You’re going to be an adult a lot longer than you’ll be a kid, so take it all in and enjoy it while you can,” she muses. “My human experience isn’t unique; I’m not the only trans individual and I think we can all agree adulting sucks. But I make it work and I work hard!” Thankfully it’s by doing what she loves. “I love the restaurant business and managing it is in my blood,” Levy notes. “I love creating stellar dining experiences and my favorite thing to do in our community is be backstage with my brothers and sisters in the Tampa Bay area. I love us!”

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Ryan Williams-Jent

ISIBILI-T IS DEDICATED TO

transgender members of our community in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, some you know and many you don’t. It is designed to amplify their voices and detail their experiences in life.

This issue, we check in with Nicole Levy, also known as fan favorite drag performer TeMonet. When she isn’t entertaining the masses under the spotlight, the Buffalo, New York native and Tampa resident works in restaurant management. “Across the board I love what I do because I get to make people smile — whether it’s on or offstage,” Levy says. “I love interacting with people, being their cause for laughter and providing the best experience wherever they catch me working.” It’s a key part of what brought the entertainer to Florida.

She says she wanted to “grow outside of my western New York roots and become more visible and nationally known as an entertainer, activist and as a person in general,” something she’s accomplished at length in the years since. Levy can regularly be found at LGBTQ+ hotspots throughout Tampa Bay, including St. Petersburg’s Enigma and Cocktail. “I am affectionately known as ‘the people’s queen,’” Levy says, a moniker she takes seriously and wears with pride. “I love drag because it allows me to take center stage and

share my art with the world,” she explains. “We are artists more than anything and getting to share that while being paid for it is a blessing. I use my brand to elevate causes, marginalized voices and put on one hell of a show.” It’s something the entertainer reflected on at length with Watermark in 2020. “We have the ability together to change the world,” she wrote in a column. “I was able and willing over and over again to make changes in my life by rejecting bigotry, achieving things I never thought would be possible. Most importantly, I had love in my life from my family and friends to sustain me. “We can use our voices to help uplift others and highlight the good in all communities across our great country, while remembering the systems and ideologies that were put in place to keep marginalized communities in the red,” Levy continued. “It seems now more than ever that a person is only as strong as the voices and people around them.”

Interested in being featured in Visibili-T? Email Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams in Central Florida or Managing Editor Ryan Williams-Jent in Tampa Bay.

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DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING BEYONCÉ’S JUST-CONCLUDED 39-CITY RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR will premiere in North American theaters Dec. 1, AMC Theaters announced. The film adds a second blockbuster from a music superstar to a fall slate of movies. Like “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which debuted Oct. 13, “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” is being released directly by AMC, the movie theater chain, without studio involvement. Tickets will start at $22 plus tax. The film will run for a minimum of four weeks, AMC said. The film charts Beyoncé’s tour on behalf of her 2022 Grammy-winning album “Renaissance.” It mixes concert footage and elements of a visual album while trailing the tour.

TAKEI BOOK TO PUBLISH NEXT SPRING

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‘HEARTSTOPPER’ SEASON THREE ENTERS PRODUCTION

ETFLIX’S MASSIVE HIT “HEARTSTOPPER,” A BRITISH QUEER COMING-OF-AGE ROM-COM SERIES, has officially began production on a third season. “Heartstopper” creator Alice Oseman made the announcement on Instagram. The post is an image of Oseman holding a clapperboard decorated with sketches of the show’s two main characters, Charlie and Nick, with the phrase “AND ACTION!” “Heartstoppers” is based on a series of graphic novels by Oseman about Charlie and Nick’s school-age romance and the lives of their friends and families. No official release date has been given for season three. “Heartstopper” seasons one and two are streaming now on Netflix.

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PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

Hauntingly

Ever After Phantom History House celebrates ﬁrst Halloween in Tampa Bay

Ryan Williams-Jent

HANTOM HISTORY HOUSE —

Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+-owned and -operated bed and breakfast where guests can rest in peace… and quiet — is offering an unparalleled Halloween experience this year. Hosts Steve Blanchard and Tim Hinton have made sure of it. Located in Westchase, the paranormal-themed, two-story

home allows guests to book overnight experiences and enjoy events throughout the spooky season. This year is particularly special because it also marks more than the B&B’s first Halloween; the haunted holiday will also be its owners’ first as husbands. The two wed in August, just months after opening their home to those seeking a unique experience. It’s also when they began finalizing Halloween 2023’s décor, mixing concrete

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to build tombstones for their property, hanging an extensive array of lights and more. “It’s exciting,” Blanchard says of entering the spooky season. “This is something we’ve envisioned since we came up with the idea for the house. It also makes me a little bit nervous because we want people to love what we’ve built.”

CONTINUED ON PG. 29 | uu |

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HALLOWED HALLS: 1.) Phantom History House owners Tim Hinton (L) and Steve Blanchard. 2.) The B&B’s Cemetery Room. 3) The B&B’s Portrait Room. 4) The B&B’s Potion Room. PHOTOS BY DYLAN TODD the haunted sites and hear the haunted tales of Oldsmar during this evening walking tour, which covers just over a mile.” Blanchard will also be leading VIP tours during Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Oct. 15 and 22. He’s done so for six years and can be requested for those who wish to attend. At his own home, however, he’ll guide people through ghost stories by the fire Oct. 12, 19 and 27. Participants can expect “tales of local and distant sites where the veil between the human world and the underworld seems to thin.” The Tampa Bay Sanderson Sisters will also make an appearance Oct. 21. Fan favorite drag entertainers Daphne Ferraro, Chi Chi Lalique and Kathryn Nevets, who have been performing as the witchy “Hocus Pocus” trio for more than a decade, will return to the Phantom History House for a special party. Guests will experience musical numbers, take photographs and “enjoy food, wine, music and ‘just desserts.’” Additional offerings include a séance on Oct. 28 and a pumpkin carving before then on Oct. 25. Phantom History House promises

to “provide the pumpkin, carving tools and handle the messy clean up while you find inspiration in [their] unique setting … to create a memorable Halloween decoration staple.” Creating a memorable experience is the Phantom History House’s ultimate goal, of course. Halloween is just the perfect extension of that, particularly for those who are LGBTQ+. “There are many reasons why Halloween resonates with our community,” Blanchard says. “We can dress up, have fun, go to a party and put on a mask to be something we’re not for a day, whereas the rest of the year we’re constantly judged. We’re free to be who we are.” “I also think Halloween is really healthy, because it’s a time when the whole world gets to laugh at things we’re scared of,” Hinton adds. “Anything goes on Halloween, there are no rules.”

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| uu | Hauntingly Ever After FROM PG.27

“We’ve been planning for a year, honestly” Hinton adds. “It’s taken us months to do the decorating because of our lights, making the tombstones and buying the giant figures.” Phantom History House has four 12-foot residents on property, a Halloween trend they embraced early, if not helped set. Two are traditional skeletons while two others have pumpkin heads with other ghoulish features. Décor skews less toward a haunted house and more toward eerie elegance once inside. Phantom History House offers four bedrooms, available individually or collectively with their own rates, private restrooms and themes. The first is the Ouija Room, which “pays homage to the spirit board of choice for many who want to contact those who reside on ‘the other side.’” The Cemetery Room has a graveyard mural and “offers a respite fit for the dead.” The Portrait Room lets guests sleep “under the watchful eyes of

numerous people — some living, some who have passed,” framed photos the couple obtained at various antique shops and other means. Those who want to “feel like you’re within a castle’s bedchamber and enjoy your stay as the King or Queen you are” might prefer the Castle Room. The B&B also has four meeting spaces. Its dining room seats up to 10 people “in an elegant bright space surrounded by gold-framed mirrors” and its Victorian Library features “a large collection of books on every subject and oddities strategically placed throughout.” The Potion Room “provides an eerie yet elegant gathering space” and the outdoor lanai allows guests “to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather with a view of a nature preserve and serene pond.” These and other spaces serve as the backdrop for Halloween 2023. Special events began in late September and continue through the end of the month. Each are open to the public but overnight guests receive special discounts and pricing. “There’s just something about Halloween,” the B&B’s website

reads. “The air is crisper, the days are shorter and the nights are filled with spooky stories, folklore and fun. It’s a holiday tailor-made to the theme and vibe of Phantom History House and we’re looking forward to celebrating with you all season long!” Festivities include Phantom History House’s inaugural Halloween Masquerade Party Oct. 14, billed as their “high-end event of the season.” Masked attendees will enjoy music from guitarist John Demas “and soak up our spooky, festive ambiance as you partake of foods and desserts, wine and soft drinks.” Ghost tours will be held in the neighboring Oldsmar Oct. 13, 20, 26 and 28. Blanchard will be joined by co-host Ginger Tatarzewski for a historic and haunted tour of the city. “Oldsmar’s oldest buildings are said to have spectral visitors late at night and residents of the 100+-year-old city have shared their stories of entities and paranormal activity in their homes, which are relayed to guests on this tour,” the 75-minute venture is described. “Put on your comfortable walking shoes, see

Phantom History House is located at 12603 Corral Rd. in Tampa, Florida. For more information about celebrating Halloween and beyond with or without a stay, call 727-656-0478 and visit PhantomHistory.com.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween: S20

Spooky Empire celebrates 20 years of scares

ALL DRESSED UP: Past attendees of Spooky Empire dressed as Dinsey villians. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

Jeremy Williams

POOKY EMPIRE RETURNS TO THE

Hyatt Regency in Orlando Oct. 27-29 to celebrate its 20th year of delivering the best sights, sounds and screams to Halloween lovers.

Touted as Florida’s Premier Horror Convention, Spooky brings together fans of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and more with a three-day convention filled with celebrities, musicians, wrestlers, cosplayers, vendors, tattoo artists and more, and this year promises to be bigger and better as they ring in two decades worth of conventions. “There’s going to be something going on all the time through the entire convention, so you’ll definitely need all three days to experience it,” says Jaimz Dillman, Spooky’s media “Spooksperson.” Spooky was created by Petey Mongelli and his wife Gina in South Florida in 2003. Speaking with Orlando Weekly in 2013 for the convention’s 10-year anniversary, Mongelli talked about how it all began with a

conversation about starting a rock and roll convention. “So we were listening to a lot of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and KISS. It was all horror-related music, so we were like, ‘Why don’t we just do the whole show on horror movies?’,” Mongelli recalled in 2013. “So our main thing was to try and find the actors that were in all the horror movies. That was the hard part, because when we started doing it, there were no other horror conventions out there that were fully developed. So it was rough. We’d actually look up where the movies were filmed and we’d dive into the telephone books to try and find all the actors.” The event grew year-by-year, and really took off, Dillman says, when it was moved to Orlando

and visited by none other than Freddy Krueger himself. “The first year that Robert England came aboard was really when Spooky was put on the map,” she says. For a lot of the convention attendees it is the celebrities that get them in the door but it is Spooky’s open and accepting environment that keeps them there and coming back year after year, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. “It’s an all-inclusive event. It’s all genres, it’s family friendly, everyone is welcome,” Dillman says. “You can definitely feel that when you are there. People who come recognize that Spooky is a place for people who don’t feel like they belong in the mainstream to be able to go and express themselves. Whether it’s through cosplay, whether it’s through their art, the music they love or how they live their lives. Spooky is very involved in the LGBTQ+ community, we celebrate the things that make people unique and different and that’s why we say anybody who

feels like they’re on the fringes of Peterson and Wierson had society, they have a home with us.” decided to keep their relationship While there will be select a secret for years because the two events at Spooky that are felt the need to protect the Elvira restricted to 18 and up, Dillman brand. “I’m happy and relieved says there will be plenty to do for to finally allow our secret to see people of all ages. the light of day,” Peterson wrote “Yes, Spooky does have horror in her memoir. aspects to it and yes, some of it Other events that you do not does have an air of creepiness to want to miss include a special it, but there are some people who Shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror that is their lifestyle, even in their Picture Show” and a burlesque parenting and the way they bring performance by the Vaudevillains up their kids. This is a family Burlesque Company, both on Oct. event for a lot of people so we 27 and free with your Spooky have a kids corner where there’s Empire admission. There are celebrities that the kids will know, also many returning favorites or voice actors from their favorite including the Zombie Walk, cartoons. They even get their own costume contests and horror costume contest.” film festival. At this year’s convention, And what would the more than 50 celebrities have Halloween season be without been announced including Keifer a good ol’ fashion haunted Sutherland, Jason Patric and Billy house? The Carving is a haunted Wirth from the ‘80s cult classic attraction right inside the “The Lost Boys”; several monsters convention. from your favorite slasher films “Irving Maxwell was a locally including “A Nightmare on known pumpkin carver, but Elm Street’s” Robert Englund, his town stopped celebrating “Hellraiser’s” Doug Bradley Halloween after a boy and “Friday the 13th’s” Kane disappeared and the mother went Hoder; scream queens Heather mad and began killing children,” Langenkamp and Andi Matichak; the experience’s synopsis reads. cast reunions from ”Nightmare on “His business dried up and no Elm Street 4: The Dream Master” one wanted his work anymore. and “Jawbreaker,” the 1999 black Bitter and delusional he started comedy written and directed by traveling to fairs and roadside out filmmaker Darren Stein (who exhibits to make ends meet. Late will also be a part of the panel), one night while carving his most just to name a few. delicate work he was interrupted One celebrity sure to draw by a drunk who would end up large crowds is the return of the ruining the sculpture. In a fit of Mistress of the Dark, Elvira, aka rage he split the man’s head in Cassandra Peterson. two and used the remains to “It was a little difficult for her correct his work. In his eyes it to come back to Florida,” Dillman was a masterpiece. Now he is on says, “but we knew it would be the hunt for the perfect pieces really important to have her to carve and turn into works of here to not only let the LGBTQ+ twisted art.” people here know that we all This is a separate ticketed support them being a part of this event at Spooky. Tickets are $10 community, even if some of our and available leading up to and laws are not doing as such, but during the convention. also we want her to know that “This really is an experience we love her for who she is and like no other,” Dillman says. “It’s we are not representative of our like going to a family reunion. government at the moment.” There’s been proposals and Peterson, who was already an marriages and spooky babies icon with LGBTQ+ horror fans, who have come out of this revealed in her memoir, “Yours convention because it is such Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the a tight-knit, caring, protective Mistress of the Dark” which group of people who attend.” released two years ago, that she Spooky Empire celebrates its 20th is a member of the community anniversary Oct. 27-29 at Hyatt Regency in and is in a 20+-year same-sex Orlando. Tickets and more information are relationship with her partner, available at SpookyEmpire.com. Teresa “T” Wierson.

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‘Nosferatu’ is back and re-vamped for third year at Renaissance Theatre

T SCARY MERCH: Vincent Price memorabilia is only part of what you can see, and buy, at Atomic Horror. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

Atomic Horror serves up scares this Halloween

Jeremy Williams

HAT COULD BE BETTER THAN

Halloween? How about Halloween all year long! That’s what you’ll find at Atomic Horror, a retail store in Orlando dedicated to all things horror in movies and television shows.

“Atomic Horror is the ultimate destination for horror enthusiasts, offering a wide range of merchandise inspired by your favorite horror movies and TV shows,” the horror shop’s website states. Owner Bryan Murphy opened Atomic Horror a year ago when he was looking for a change in his career. “I finished 20 years of an office job and was at that mid-life moment and thought I would like to be somewhere more fun,” Murphy says. “So I asked myself what have I liked all my life? It’s horror movies, especially a lot of the bad horror movies. I have a soft spot for cheesy stuff, old stuff.” Atomic Horror isn’t just a retail store though, it is a full horror experience. Life-size horror icons such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Ghostface are on display and photo ready. There is even a shrine to the Mistress of the Dark, Elvira. “We have more Elvira merch than I think anybody else,” Murphy says. “Whatever licensed Elvira items I can get my hands on I get, and she sells well. Her fans are dedicated.” So what are some of the big characters we can expect to see trending this Halloween season? “What’s popular for Halloween tends to reflect the haunted house themes at [Universal’s Halloween] Horror Nights, especially in Orlando,” Murphy says. “We see a lot of people coming for Chucky merchandise, Chucky is really popular

anyways but he’s got a new show out. We see people wearing Chucky-inspired stuff like his striped shirt and things like that.” Other franchises that have had fans turning up this year include “The Exorcist,” which has a new film and haunted house at HHN; Ghostface has also been popular thanks to the series of new “Scream” films in recent years; and popular with young fans is Netflix’s “Wednesday.” “’Wednesday’ is a big hit with the kids so definitely there is sure to be a lot of Wednesday costumes out there this year,” Murphys says. While all genres of film have their fans, those who love horror tend to embrace it as a lifestyle. “I think horror is so popular because of its mass appeal,” Murphy says. Atomic Horror is celebrating the Halloween season and its one-year anniversary with a Creature Feature drag event at Iron Cow in Orlando Oct. 18. The event will start with horror movie trivia, hosted by Beatrixxx Oddity and Opulence Black, and be followed by a drag show featuring performances by “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans” winner Victoria Elizabeth Black, Anesthesia and Victoria MF Cage. The event is 18 and up and $5 at the door.

Jeremy Williams

HE RENAISSANCE THEATRE COMPANY IN

Orlando is back for the third year with its crowdpleasing, immersive vampire experience, “Nosferatu,” playing on select nights now through Nov. 5.

Created by show director Donald Rupe and choreographer Kathleen Wessel, “Nosferatu” is loosely based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula” and the classic 1922 film of the same name. But you can expect to see influences in the show from vampire mythology all across pop culture. “We don’t follow any one story,” Rupe says. “We get inspiration from a lot of different vampire lore, movies and TV. We try to make references that fans might get even if they’re not completely obvious to everybody but there isn’t just one story that we follow.” This year’s show features 30 cast members leading the audience through 10 spaces of eerie vibes and dark corners to play out scary — and sexy — scenes over the course of the show’s 90 minutes, and if you were lucky enough to get into one of the sold-out shows from the past two years, this re-vamped show is an all-new experience from the previous iterations. “The structure is similar in that the audience gets to go to different rooms,” Rupe says. “But all of the spaces are different. The stories are different. Even the way that we tell the story is different.” Rupe describes “Nosferatu” as a “creepy, sexy vampire experience,” saying “it’s definitely more immersive than a regular theater experience and more intricate than a haunted house.” “Each performer as their own track,” he says. “So you could pick who you consider ‘the lead’ of the show and follow that character or pick what might typically

be called a supporting role and follow that character from scene to scene and see their perspective, and see what their experiences are. “It’s not linear in structure,” he continues. “I don’t love to give too much away because the surprise is half of the experience, but there are large sections of the show that everyone in the audience sees together.” Roughly 30 minutes of the show is the audience wandering on their own and following characters, Rupe adds. The other 60 minutes you are told exactly where to be. Something else new to this year’s show is the use of original music by Matt Lynx and Jason M. Bailey, which Rupe calls “very cinematic.” A popular part of the show from previous years was VBar, the sexy nightclub where thirsty vampires meet their prey. This year, VBar has been split off into a separate all-new immersive experience. VBar opens each participating night after both performances of “Nosferatu.” Rupe says people who see the second show can just stay for VBar and people who see the earlier show can hangout in there outdoor lounge area with seating, drinks and food trucks.

“Nosferatu” plays on select nights through Nov. 5 with two shows each night, starting at 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. VBar opens at 10:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to RenTheatre.com/Nosferatu.

Atomic Horror is located at 4805 E. Colonial Dr. in Orlando and is open Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

VAMPED UP: ”Nosferatu” features 30 terrifying, and sexy, vampires in this year’s show. PHOTO BY MIKE DUNN

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EVENTS

CENTRAL FLORIDA

“Beetlejuice,” Oct. 24-29, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

A Petrified Forest’s Storytime Slayhouse, Select nights through Oct. 28, A Petrified Forest, Altamonte Springs. 407-468-6600; APetrifiedForest.com

Vault of Souls, Oct. 26-29, The Vault, Tampa. 813-225-3450; VaultTampaCatering.com “Hocus Focus: New Halloween Experience,” Oct. 26-30, Fairgrounds St. Pete, St. Petersburg. Fairgrounds. Art

Legoland’s Brick or Treat presents Monster Party, Select days through Oct. 29, Legoland, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346; Legoland.com/ Florida Boo at the Zoo, select days through Oct. 29, Brevard Zoo, Melbourne. 321-254-9453; BrevardZoo.org Screamin’ Green Hauntoween, through Oct. 31, Crayola Experience, Orlando. 407-757-1700; CrayolaExperience.com SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, Select nights through Oct. 31, SeaWorld, Orlando. 407-545-5550; SeaWorld.com/Orlando Leu Gardens’ Happy Frights/ Haunting Nights, Select nights through Oct. 31, Leu Gardens, Orlando. 407-246-2620; LeuGardens.org Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Select nights through Nov. 1, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista. 407-939-5277; DisneyWorld.Disney.go.com

Halloween Weekend, Oct. 27-29, Enigma, St. Petersburg. 727-235-0867; EnigmaStPete.com

IT’S SPOOKY Get your costumes ready for Halloween fun in Central Florida and Tampa Bay. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” w/ Shadow Cast, Oct. 19-20, Athens Theatre, DeLand. 386-736-1500; AthensDeLand.com Halloween on the Ave, Oct. 20, Winter Park Farmers Market, Winter Park. CityOfWinterPark.org

TAMPA BAY UnDead in the Water, Select nights through Oct. 28, Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-228-8766; UndeadInTheWater.com

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Select nights through Nov. 4, Universal Studios, Orlando. 407-363-8000; UniversalOrlando.com

Ghoulish Grooves, Oct. 20-21, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

“Nosferatu,” select nights through Nov. 5, Renaissance Theatre, Orlando. RenTheatre.com

Opera Del Sol presents “Dracula,” Oct. 20-29, CityArts, Orlando. 863-510-7236; OperaDelSol.org

Movie in the Park: “Hotel Transylvania,” Oct. 13, Center Lake Park, Oviedo. 407-971-5565; CityOfOviedo.net

Pup Crawl & Costume Contest, Oct. 22, Quantum Leap Winery, Orlando. 407-421-9005; Mills50.org

Busch Gardens’ Family-Friendly Spooktacular, Select days through Oct. 31, Busch Gardens, Tampa. 813-884-4386; BuschGardens.com/ Tampa

Kids Halloween Party featuring “Hotel Transylvania 2,” Oct. 22, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org

Creatures of the Night, Select nights through Oct. 29, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Tampa. 813-935-8552; ZooTampa.org

Phantasmagoria XIV: “Tales of the Undead,” Oct. 26-28, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org & Oct. 29, Athens Theatre, DeLand. 386-736-1500; AthensDeLand.com

Haunted River Tours, Select nights through Oct. 29, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa. 813-223-7999; PirateWaterTaxi.com

Tricks & Screams: Bewitched, Oct. 13, Vu, Orlando. 407-964-1082; TricksAndScreams.com “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” w/ Dynamic Tension, Oct. 13-14, CW Theaters 15, Melbourne. 321-723-4143; CWTheaters.com Killer Carnival: A Sideshow of the Macabre, select nights Oct. 13-28, Winter Garden. KillerCarnival.com Halloween Spooktacular Sidewalk Market, Oct. 14, Hometown Furniture & Décor Market, Winter Park. 407-951-5606; HometownMarketWP.com Suck Me Dry – Vampire Ball, Oct. 14, Savoy, Orlando. 407-898-6766; SavoyOrlando.com

Thornton Park District 10th Annual Halloween Block Party, Oct. 28, Burton’s Thornton Park, Orlando. 407-412-5140; Orlando.gov Emo Halloween 4: Back From the Dead, Oct. 31, Will’s Pub, Orlando. 407-898-5070; WillsPub.org

Phantom History House’s Halloween 2023, Select nights through Oct. 29, Phantom History House, Tampa. PhantomHistoryHouse.com/Events

Ybor City Ghost Tour, Through Oct. 31, The Cuban Club, Ybor. TampaBayTours.com Busch Gardens’ Howl-o-Scream, Select nights through Oct. 31, Busch Gardens, Tampa. 813-884-4386; BuschGardens.com/Tampa Scream-A-Geddon, Through Nov. 4, 27839 Saint Joe Rd., Dade City. ScreamAGeddon.com

Nightmare on Franklin Street 2023, Oct. 13-31, Tampa Theater, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org Read No More: Haunted St. Pete Kerouac House, Oct. 13, The Jack Kerouac House, St. Petersburg. 516-906-2140; WordierThanThou.com “Friday the 13th Boos and Ghouls Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oct. 13, Bar548, St. Petersburg. 727-644-2151; Facebook.com/ RockyInTheFlesh “Frankenstein,” Oct. 18-Nov. 12, Jobsite Theater, Tampa. 813-476-7378; JobsiteTheater.org 6 Ft. UndHERground Mixer, Oct. 18, Henderson’s, Tampa. 813-443-1822; ProjectNoLabels.org Tampa Bay Sanderson Sisters Costume Party, Oct. 21, Phantom History House, Tampa. 727-656-0478; PhantomHistory.com 45th Annual All Hallows’ Masquerade Ball, Oct. 21, Bryan Glazer JCC, Tampa. 813-575-5900; AllHallowsBall.org 6 Ft. UndHERground Halloween, Oct. 21, Salty Nun, St. Petersburg. 727-329-9994; ProjectNoLabels.org Official Roser Park Ghost Tours & Halloween Block Party, Oct. 21, St. Petersburg. Facebook.com/ RoserParkNeighborhood

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Sueños de Dali 2023, Oct. 28, The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg. 727-823-3767; TheDali.org Bands from the Dead & Hell on Heels, Oct. 28, The Floridian Social, St. Petersburg. 727-322-4600; TheFloridianSocial.com Poisonous Plant Tour, Oct. 2829, USF Botanical Gardens, Tampa. 813-974-2329; USF.edu/Gardens La Luchaween 2023, Oct. 29, The Palladium, St. Petersburg. 727-822-3590; MyPalladium.org Halloween on Central 3, Oct. 29, Central Ave., St. Petersburg. HalloweenOnCentral.com Cock-O-Ween with Robin S. and Eureka O’Hara, Oct. 29, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com Hallow-Queen GaYbor Bar Crawl, Oct. 29, Multiple Venues, Ybor. Facebook.com/GaYborDistrictCoalition Halloween Drag Brunch, Oct. 29, Salty Nun, St. Petersburg. 727-329-9994; Facebook.com/SaltyNun EPIC Generations Halloween Party, Oct. 31, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-5526; MyEPIC.org

SARASOTA Boo! At The Bay, Oct. 20, The Bay, Sarasota. 941-203-5316; TheBaySarasota.org The Feud: Halloween edition, Oct. 26, Mellow Mushroom, Sarasota. 941-388-7504; Facebook.com/ MellowMushroomSarasota Monsters Booze Cruise 4, Oct. 27, Marina Plaza, Sarasota. SarasotaOUT.com CANDance 25-Year Anniversary: Monsters Ball, Oct. 28, Circus Arts Conservatory, Sarasota. CANCommunityHealth.org

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

www.tampabaylgbtchamber.org

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THEATER

A Kiss and Much More ‘Indecent’ leads American Stage’s 46th season

(ABOVE)

IN GOOD COMPANY:

The cast of “Indecent,” including openly LGBTQ+ actor Michael Raver (1st Row, 2nd from L.) PHOTO BY CHAZ D PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AMERICAN STAGE

Ryan Williams-Jent

MERICAN STAGE OPENED ITS 46TH

season Oct. 4 with “Indecent” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, a perfect fit for Tampa Bay’s longest-running professional theatre company.

The Jewish, LGBTQ+ tale is billed as “a love story worth fighting for,” and it has been for 100 years. “Indecent” recounts the 1923 censorship of playwright Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance,” which featured the first lesbian kiss on Broadway and resulted in convictions of obscenity for its producer and cast. “A play that recounts the fiery controversy sparked by a lesbian kiss, ‘Indecent’ is a love story at its core,’” American Stage’s synopsis reads. “A brothel owner’s daughter and a sex worker discover passion on stage, and our more-than-disapproving characters

are what make the rest of this play, well, indecent. A deeply moving and hopeful play inspired by true events, it stands as a grounding work of Jewish culture.” The regional premiere is directed by Helen R. Murray, the company’s producing artistic director. She announced it would open the 2023-24 season earlier this year, but it wasn’t the first time the play made headlines in Florida. A century after “God of Vengeance” was censored for showcasing LGBTQ+ love, a high school production of Vogel’s 2015 work was seemingly canceled for the same reason.

Jacksonville’s Douglas Anderson School of Performing Arts pulled the show in January, drawing the ire of free speech groups nationwide. A spokesperson told the Associated Press the decision was made because it “contains adult sexual dialogue that is inappropriate for student cast members and student audiences.” He denied it was a response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” law, one of the state’s recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. It restricts the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Vogel, who is Jewish and a lesbian, condemned the decision through the nonprofit PEN America. “I’m not in the business of politics, but whatever that board says in terms of statements that they’ve released about why they’re doing this, they’re putting sheep’s clothing over a wolf. And the wolf is Governor DeSantis,” she said. “The faculty and the administration have principally been silenced,” Vogel continued. “If I were to take that long view back of ‘Indecent’ — what was I saying about the ‘God of Vengeance?’ — [it’s that] censorship of the arts is always the first step towards totalitarianism, and ultimately, towards genocide.” It’s a weight American Stage understands. Murray described the production as “a love story wrapped in a conversation about art, censorship and the power to persevere,” adding that the show “does one of my very favorite things that theatre can do— it makes us laugh and ache at the same time because the hope we feel is monumental.” The show has also captivated openly gay actor Michael Raver for some time. He saw the original production in New York and in American Stage’s version plays Lemml, a tailor turned stage manager. “My character is sort of the audience’s lens through which this entire story gets told,” he explains. “I’m the only actor in the show who just plays one person, everyone else

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shifts into someone else — and so from a certain point of view, the play is also about this man’s journey.” Raver had auditioned for other “Indecent” roles in the past, but this production marked his first vying for Lemml. He drew inspiration from his grandmothers, both women of Jewish, Eastern European descent, and says working with the entire cast and crew has been “delicious.” The actor also praises Murray’s direction and American Stage’s overall vision, noting that “Florida, as a state politically, is very complicated.” “While St. Pete has been forward-thinking and inclusive, a lot of the surrounding cities might not necessarily be that way,” he says. “It’s a tense part of the country, and I commend Helen and American Stage for doing something that might result in some of their audience being a little uncomfortable.” It’s not just for the sake of doing so, he adds, but for potentially changing hearts and minds. It’s one of the reasons he thinks the show resonates with LGBTQ+ and ally audiences. “Paula Vogel charges the audience with how ridiculous it is to hate someone or to be afraid of someone based on their ethnicity, their culture or in this case how they identify sexually,” Raver says. “It’s two women sharing a kiss. A kiss. So my hope is that people come to see the show and are shocked that something this innocent caused this level of a social earthquake.” While not explicitly expressed in the “Indecent” script, Raver also says his version of Lemml is on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. “That’s what’s really great about doing a play like this,” he explains. “There are things and choices that we’re making that are divergent from the original version — and it’s one of the beautiful things about this art form: it’s open to interpretation.” He also calls “Indecent” an “emotionally expensive play,” one that will resonate with its actors and audience well after the curtain call. “I feel passionately about people seeing this play,” Raver says. “I don’t want there to be a dry eye in the audience when we’re done. I want people to laugh — the play is very funny — and I want them to come and be moved.” “Indecent” plays at American Stage Wednesday and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit AmericanStage.org.

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announcements

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival held the Tampa edition of its 34th celebration Oct. 5-8. The festival will return in January 2024 for a St. Petersburg edition. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com. William Melnyczenko and Jordan Conover were married Oct. 7. Tampa Bay entertainer Dioscar Montesino was crowned the first Mr. Continental Newcomer Oct. 9. OUT Sports League officially launches in Tampa Oct. 14. Read more on p. 10 and view photos from the league’s

pre-games on Oct. 7 at WatermarkOnline.com.

Come OUT St. Pete’s seventh annual celebration will be held Oct. 14, featuring live entertainment, a chili cook-off and much more. Read all about it in the official guide in Tampa Bay editions of Watermark and in the digital version at WatemarkOnline.com.

CONDOLENCES Tommy Clark died Sept. 29 at 36. He will be missed. Thomas Giarelli died Oct. 5 at 27. He will be missed. Lawrence J. Burke died Sept. 30 at 85. He will be missed.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Former Grand Central District Executive Director David Foote, Tampa Bay entertainer Lady Janet (Oct. 12); Tampa mainstay Mark “Tea Cup” Bias West, WellCare Manager Michael Clouse, Former Tampa Bay bartender Jeff Beadle (Oct. 13); Freelance writer Michael Kilgore, Ybor City Barbering Co. owner Lisa Ann Harmon, Ybor legend Joey Brooks, Sarasota PrimeTimer Dan Warren, Optum Vice President Tyler Grisham, Democratic activist Christian Hotchkiss (Oct. 14); St. Pete socialite Art Lawrence, Tampa retiree Howard Hawk, comic guru Eddie Riordan (Oct. 15); Suncoast softballer Michael Monnich, Out & About host Tyler Butler (Oct. 16); Tampa political guru Mitch Kates, Geico expert Barry Stemle, Ybor City’s King Corona Cigar expert Willy Emerson, Metro Inclusive Health nurse Amanda Graves (Oct. 17); Pinellas County Young Democrat President Blaine Lawson, DJ Cubby Pat O’Rourke (Oct. 18); St. Pete strategic advisor Mike Callahan, Former Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber president Eric Mathis, Cider Press Cafe owner Johan Everstijn, Tampa photographer Byron Schaerr, Tampa Bay Pride Band’s Daniel Stevens, Tampa Bay entertainer Chanel P. Cartier, Chago’s Barbershop barber Kevin Rix (Oct. 19); Flamingo Car Club president Robert “Tiny” Nasworthy, Ybor entertainer Blu Yake (Oct. 20); St. Pete DJ Jayson Chancey, Tampa Bay activist SueZie Hawkes (Oct. 21); The Lady’s Room owner Vicki Gibson, Former Honey Pot

1 2

3 STAR POWER: Mr. Vyn Suazion rocks out for the crowd at Cocktail Sept. 29.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

LET FREEDOM READ: Luis Salazar marks Banned Books Week with Bookends: Literature & Libations at Shuffle and “Maus” Oct. 1. PHOTO FROM BOOKENDS’ FACEBOOK

ST. PETERSBURG STAPLE: (L-R) Stephanie Stuart, Alexis Da La Mer, Kori Stevens, Georgia Moore and Lindsay Carlton-Cline and one of the Bulge Boys celebrate the 12th anniversary of The Garage on Central Ave Sept. 30. PHOTO FROM

THE GARAGE’S FACEBOOK

PINK PACK: The Studios at 5663 family flocks to Flamingo Fest Sept. 30. PHOTO FROM

STUDIOS AT 5663’S FACEBOOK

TEAM TAMPA: OUT Sports League supporters play free kickball games Oct. 7 at the Rubin Padgett Sports Complex. PHOTO FROM

OUT SPORTS TAMPA’S FACEBOOK

FAITH AGAINST HATE: Equality Florida and Metropolitan Community Church representatives rally in Tampa for LGBTQ+ rights on Sept. 30. PHOTO FROM EQUALITY FLORIDA’S FACEBOOK

A FAMILY AFFAIR: “The Mattachine Family” star Juan Pablo Di Pace (L) and writer Danny Vallentine kick off TIGLFF 34 Oct. 5 with the film’s opening at the Tampa Theatre. PHOTO FROM TIGLFF’S FACEBOOK

ROWDIE BUNCH: Members of the Pinellas County Young Democrats and Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Pinellas County take the Sun Runner to a Rowdies game after connecting with voters via phone Sept. 30.

PHOTO FROM PCYD’S FACEBOOK

co-owner Steven Donahue (Oct. 23); Hillsborough County Democratic activist Sally Phillips (Oct. 24).

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announcements

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Se7enBites celebrates 10 years this month. The Renaissance Theatre Company celebrated two years Oct. 2. The LGBT+ Center Orlando received a donation of $15,000 from Additional Financial as a part of the credit union’s 2023 Community Giving Celebration Oct. 4. Brendan O’Connor and Jess Keller were nominated for a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award, alongside Joe Harkenrider, Martin Olarte, Laura Ling, Christopher Beemer, Michael Germano, Michelle Provenzano, David Harrison, Tiona Langley, Jada Grant and Gaby Villafuerte Mantia in the category of Magazine Program (Series) for Very Local’s Restaurants on the Radar. Winners for the 47th Annual Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards will be announced in a ceremony on Dec. 2 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

Fitness coach Jacob Forrester and Citrus Club hosted a charity boot camp Sept. 30 in honor of National Recovery Month. The fundraiser raised almost $500 for the LGBT+ Center Orlando. Forrester presented the check to The Center’s CEO, Dr. George Wallace, Oct. 6.

Jason Lambert, owner of The Hammered Lamb, became a new co-owner of the Thornton Park restaurant that is currently The 808. Lambert — along with Wendy Connor, owner of The Abbey and one of the original partners of The 808 — will be converting the location into a new diner called Jack and Honey’s. Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Orlando’s city commissioners and local LGBTQ+ leaders at City Hall Oct. 9 to recognize October at LGBTQ+ History Month.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Orlando DJ and magician VJ Nick Comis, Mills50 director Joanne Grant, Orlando businessman Tim Leddy (Oct. 12); Watermark freelancer and LGBTQ activist Jerick Mediavilla (Oct. 13); Pink Flamingo Group Trips coordinator Dan Warren (Oct. 14); Orlando realtor Scott Benson, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom musician Melissa Fallcenbury, Art curator Mendi Cowles (Oct. 15); Divas in Dialogue founder Mulan Montrese Williams, Orlando Fringe show director Michael Marinaccio, Orlando ally Joey Williams, Real estate agent Kase Elders, Orlando attorney Mary Meeks (Oct. 16); Gecko accountant Judy L. Hines, singer Sunshine Matthews, Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph (Oct. 17); Come Out with Pride Executive Director Tatiana Quiroga, LGBTQ advocate David Moran (Oct. 18); Softball star Jennifer Friedman, Orlando make-up artist Scott Juszczak (Oct. 19); Orlando’s own “Divine Miss M” Jennica McCleary, Quality Analyst Chris Hamlett, Orlando photographer Chris Stephenson (Oct. 20); Hope CommUnity Center’s Andrea Montanez, DJ Ants Adam Brenner (Oct. 21); Karaoke legend Nick Rogers, Orlando maintenance specialist Joe Arlotta, America-lover Jaime DeFrancesco, Orlando Hamburger Mary’s bartender Juan Torres, Sprinkles Custom Cakes owner Richard Gregory (Oct. 23); Equality Florida’s former Director of Transgender Equality Gina Duncan (Oct. 24); Bricks Galore & MORE Toys owner Ryan Malin (Oct. 25).

MAKING ART: Kelly Stewart (2nd from L) with attendees at her October Art Show at the LGBT+ Center Orlando Oct. 5. PHOTO FROM DANIEL SERGI

DELUXXE BINGO: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” pit crew member Bruno (R) appears alongside Trixie Deluxxe at she hosts bingo at FIVE15 in Roayl Oaks, Michigan Oct. 7. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIXIE DELUXXE

DISNEY MAGIC: (L-R) Angie, Noelle and Tanya Blasingame are all dressed up for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Sept. 30. PHOTO COURTESY TANYA BLASINGAME

CENTER CHAIRTY: Fitness coach Jacob Forrester (L) presents a check to Dr. George Wallace at the LGBT+ Center in Orlando Oct. 6. The check was for funds raised during a charity boot camp held by Forrester at the Citrus Club. PHOTO FROM THE

CENTER ORLANDO’S FACEBOOK

CELEBRATE THE REN: (L-R) Josh Bell, Jerick Mediavilla and Carlos Guillermo Smith attend the two-year anniversary of the Renaissance Theatre Company in Orlando Oct. 2. PHOTO

FROM JOSH BELL’S FACEBOOK

ON BROADWAY: Jen Kunsch (L) and Rick Todd enjoy Broadway Royalty, Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell, at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando as part of The Residency Festival Oct. 7. PHOTO BY RICK TODD

ADDITIONAL FUNDS: (L-R) Cristina Lehman, Kevin Miller, Dr. George Wallace, Jeffrey Dry, La Jon Dantzler, Sam Nelson and Nora Rodriguez-Patterson on stage at Addition Financial’s Community Giving Celebration Oct. 4. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

MAKING HISTORY: Mayor Buddy Dyer, city commissioners and LGBTQ+ leaders at Orlando City Hall Oct. 9 to recognize October as LGBTQ+ History Month. PHOTO FROM MAYOR BUDDY DYER’S FACEBOOK

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

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watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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

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C E N T R A L

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watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

community calendar

EVENT PLANNER Come OUT St. Pete Family Day & Chili Cook-Off, Oct. 14, Seminole Park, St. Petersburg. ComeOUTSTPete.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA Stronger Together Concert WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18, 7-10 P.M. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, ORLANDO Join Bros in Convo, Orlando Gay Chorus, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom, Descolonizarte TEATRO, ambi Orlando and Come Out With Pride for the 2023 Stronger Together Concert. This event will feature a compilation of a band and choral concert, live art performance, spoken word and poetic monologues celebrating Central Florida’s LGBTQIA+ communities. This is a free event. RSVP at COWP’s Facebook page.

Come Out With Pride festival SATURDAY, OCT. 21, 12 P.M. LAKE EOLA PARK, ORLANDO. Come Out With Pride returns to Lake Eola Park for its annual festival. Featuring more than 200 vendors, COWP’s festival will also feature a Sponsor Walk, family friendly areas, a Sober Space, food trucks and more. Other events happening include the Trans March & Rally, The Most Colorful Parade, two entertainment stages, a fireworks show and several after parties in downtown Orlando. Go to ComeOutWithPride.org for more information.

TAMPA BAY Closet Ball 2024 SUNDAY, OCT. 22, 6 P.M. SOUTHERN NIGHTS, TAMPA ROCA Productions presents the drag competition where contestants transform themselves into their drag persona. Registration is $75 until Oct. 20 and categories include transformation, talent, Q&A and fundraising. The winner will receive $200 and more. For more information, email RocaProductions@ hotmail.com.

SARASOTA Sarasota Pride 2023 SATURDAY, OCT. 21, 12-5 P.M. ROSEMARY DISTRICT, SARASOTA Sarasota’s longest-running LGBTQ+ Pride celebration returns with its first festival produced solely by Project Pride, promising “LGBTQ+ a lot more!” Read more on p. 10 and at WatermarkOnline.com.

NICK AT NIGHT Nick Carter brings his “Who I Am” tour to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Oct. 15 and the Straz Center in Tampa Oct. 22. PHOTO FROM NICKCARTER.COM

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT CENTRAL FLORIDA

Revival Sunday w/ DJ Mikhael Aaronn, Oct. 15, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com. com/SouthernNightsOrlando

“The Prom,” Oct. 1222, Theatre UCF, Orlando. 407-823-1500; TheatreUCF.edu

Celebrate National Coming Out Day, Oct. 18, Moderne, Orlando. TheModerneBar.com

David Sedaris, Oct. 13, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Movies Out Loud: “Death Becomes Her,” Oct. 19, Savoy, Orlando. 407-481-2243; Facebook.com/WatermarkFL

Jonas Brothers, Oct. 13 & 16, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com

Sanford Art & Jazz Night, Oct. 19, Historic Downtown, Sanford. 407-243-8494; HistoricDowntownSanford.com

Live at Timucua: Nobuntu Quartet, Oct. 14, Timucua Arts Foundation, Orlando. 321-234-3985; Timucua.com

Please Say Gay! Pride Kick-Off party, Oct. 20, The Veranda at Thornton Park, Orlando. 336-491-8489; VerandaEvents.com

Strikes For Stripes, Oct. 15, Aloma Bowling Center, Winter Park. 407-228-1446; ZebraYouth.org Nick Carter, Oct. 15, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Meet a Mermaid, Oct. 20-22, Sea Life Aquarium, Orlando. 321-209-9651; VisitSeaLife.com/Orlando Gabriel Iglesias, Oct. 21, Addition Financial Arena, Orlando. 407-823-3070; AdditionFiArena.com

OUT Sports/CFSL present Come Out With Pride Sand Volleyball Tournament, Oct. 22, Festival Park, Orlando. OUTSportsLeague.com; CFALeague.org Revival Sunday, Oct. 22, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com. com/SouthernNightsOrlando “Annie,” Oct. 2429, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org FOODiE Truck Event, Oct. 25, O-Town Provisions, Orlando. 407-636-4698; Instagram.com/ OTownProvisionsBH

TAMPA BAY “The Choir of Man,” Through Nov. 26, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org ActiveHearts of Love Turnabout, Oct. 13, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

Autumn in the Air Community Health & Resource Fair, Oct. 14, UACDC, Tampa. 813-237-3066; MyEPIC.org Out Sports League Kickball Kick-off, Oct. 14, Rubin Padgett Sports Complex, Tampa. OutSportsLeague.com/ Tampa Metro on the Move: 30-Year Celebration, Oct. 14, Coastal Creative, St. Petersburg. 727-321-3854; MetroTampaBay.org Coffee Hour, Oct. 16, Dr. William E. Hale Senior Activity Center, Dunedin. 727-415-3287; MyEPIC.org Transgender Social Group, Oct. 20, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-415-3287; MyEPIC.org Saturday Morning Market Trip, Oct. 21, Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg. 727-415-3287; MyEPIC.org Light in the Shadows Tampa, Oct. 21, Ybor. Bit. ly/3LPixNp Nick Carter, Oct. 22, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Coffee Hour, Oct. 27, Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport. St. Petersburg. 727-415-3287; MyEPIC.org Broadway Ball & Broadway Ball After Dark, Oct. 21, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Maluma: “Don Juan Tour,” Oct. 28, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com

SARASOTA Disco Brunch, Oct. 15, Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota. 941-316-0808; PPSRQ.org

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

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

watermark’s

10.19.23 | Doors 7:00PM | Movie 7:30PM Tickets: $12 pre-sale / $15 at the door

Locaaon: Starlite Room at Savoy Orlando 1913 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804 Proceeds from this event will beneﬁt Orlando's Come Out with Pride.

Supporrng

Sponsors:

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. OCTOBER 12 - 25 , 202 3 // ISSUE 3 0. 21 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

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