Watermark Issue 30.12: Divas, Drag & Determination

Organizers say you can’t stop St Pete Pride

With all of our celebrations, we want to center queer experiences and queer joy. This year I think has a mix of emotions, but overarchingly we’re ready. We hope people show up and stand up for each other.

Hamburger Mary’s files lawsuit over anti-drag law.

Petersburg raises Pride flag for 10th year.

Dirty John’s ‘Gays R Us’ fights hate with humor.

Dixie Longate brings her show to Garden Theatre.

– NICOLE BERMAN, ST PETE PRIDE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

S

Since we still have a Democrat in the White House, POTUS recognized this important time of the year with a proclamation. It begins with why we started celebrating June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month — the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.

“Police had raided the Stonewall Inn — a gay bar located in New York City — and for the next six days they clashed with LGBTQI+ protestors, who bravely stood their ground,” writes President Joe Biden. “Their courage sparked a civil rights movement for the liberation of the LGBTQI+ community and changed our Nation forever.”

Biden goes on to speak how the movement has grown “stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive with every passing year.” The progression of that fight has not been without roadblocks, and

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

these last few years have felt like massive boulders blocking our road, especially here in Florida.

A few issues ago, I wrote about the emergence of artificial intelligence apps that were being praised by some as a leap into the future and by others as the kickoff to the great robot takeover of the world. For anyone who remembers seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator terrorize Linda Hamilton in the 1984 classic film, the possibility of a machine uprising is a very real fear. Given the state of the country and that we may be sharing a planet with a new race of A.I., I thought I might ask the A.I. chat app that I have its thoughts on LGBTQ+ rights. After telling me “As a language model A.I., I do not have personal opinions or beliefs,” it

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

Creative Designer: Kyler Mills • Ext. 104 Kyler@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Ari Garcia • Ext. 107 Ari@WatermarkOnline.com

then gave me its personal opinions and beliefs.

“LGBTQ+ individuals have long been subject to discrimination and marginalization in societies and cultures across the world. This discrimination has had a widespread impact that has led to an accumulation of social, political and economic barriers that have made it difficult for LGBTQ+ members to integrate fully into society. As a result, it has become crucial to support and advocate for these marginalized individuals.

“The primary reason why it is essential to support LGBTQ+ individuals is that it is a basic human right to be respected for who we are, regardless of our perceived sexuality or gender expression. Every person deserves to live a happy and healthy life free from discrimination or persecution. In many societies, however, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can be detrimental to one’s career, social status and quality of life. Supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, therefore, is instrumental in ensuring that such members of society can live a life without fear or shame.

INCE THIS IS MY FIRST DESK FOR the month of June, I want to start off by wishing everyone a Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month.“Moreover, by supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, we promote inclusivity and diversity. We live in a world where people come from different backgrounds, cultures and values, making it crucial for society to be open and receptive to different beliefs and practices. LGBTQ+ individuals serve as an integral part of our diverse communities and contribute significantly to our cultural and economic growth. They bring a fresh perspective to our shared experiences and contribute to the richness and depth of life.

“Finally, when we support LGBTQ+ individuals, we foster a culture of compassion and understanding. We learn to empathize and relate to people who are different from us, creating mutual respect and tolerance in the community. These values can be built upon to create a society

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

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

Central FL Account Manager: Daisy Chamberlin • Ext. 101 Daisy@WatermarkOnline.com

that promotes peace, justice and equality. Supporting LGBTQ+ individuals is therefore not only important for the well-being of members of this community, but it also promotes the values that drive a harmonious and vibrant society.

“In conclusion, supporting the LGBTQ+ community is vital to creating a society that values diversity, respects human rights and promotes mutual understanding. This support can be shown through creating safe spaces and institutions, passing laws and policies that protect LGBTQ+ persons and engaging in advocacy and activism to raise awareness about the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. It is time we recognize the beauty in diversity

Until A.I. takes over and sends all of our celebrations to the cloud, there is still real-world Pride to be had.

and appreciate it for what it is – a cornerstone for a richer and more fulfilling society.”

As artificial intelligence calls for more acceptance, this world’s “natural intelligence” is calling for hate and discrimination. I don’t know about you but, with the way things are going, I might just be willing to welcome our new A.I. overlords if it means a world of more diversity, love and acceptance.

Until A.I. takes over and sends all of our celebrations to the cloud, there is still real-world Pride to be had. So get out there this June and let the haters know that you’re here, you’re queer and you’re filled with Pride!

ORLANDO OFFICE

1300 N. Semoran Blvd. Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807

TEL: 407-481-2243

TAMPA BAY OFFICE 401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713

TEL: 813-655-9890

ANGELIQUE

YOUNG is a trans activist, entertainer and entrepreneur. She currently hosts Sickoning Sundays at Showbar Ybor while maintaining her business and more @DNCNDiva on Instagram. Page 21

MICHAEL

WANZIE is an Orlando-based playwright, actor and ordained minister. He is most recognized for his direction of productions in the Orlando area. Page 23

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, J.D. CASTO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

DISTRIBUTION AFFILIATIONS

LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, RAYLENE HUNT, ZACHARY WELCH

CONTENTS

We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

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

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. JUNE 8 - 21, 2023 // ISSUE 30.12 WATERMARKONLINE.COM 7

DESK EDITOR’S

Ryan Williams-Jent MANAGING

M

He was the first person I knew who got to do what he loved for a living, which I aspired to from an early age. I’m happy to say that we now have that in common, and that growing up in a tattoo shop also taught me a lot about restraint. I’ve seen far too many half-hearted choices lead to permanent results over the years.

It’s part of what took me so long to get a tattoo myself, even if it was always going to be free and well done, which can be a rare combination. You can only see someone cover up an ex’s name, a newcomer’s mistakes or some other drunken decision so many times before you think, “yeah, probably not for me.”

Of course, now I have seven. Tattoos are addictive once you start, especially when you’re not

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

paying, but each of mine came after careful consideration. That’s true even of my own drunken decision, a design I’d wanted for years but never followed through on. I’m proud to say I have no regrets or regerts.

My tattoos are among the reasons it’s obvious I have strong interests. Most are visible and inspired by the things I love, like “The Little Mermaid,” which folks tend to pick up on.

Even if they don’t, the movie is bound to come up eventually because I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember. I saw the original animated feature in 1989 just before my fifth birthday and it’s captivated me ever since.

“The Little Mermaid” spoke to me for a number of reasons. I won’t go too far under the sea

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

Creative Designer: Kyler Mills • Ext. 104 Kyler@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Ari Garcia • Ext. 107 Ari@WatermarkOnline.com

here because my friends, family and even casual readers of this column probably know what they are, but the gist is that it showed me — a chubby, gay, poor kid growing up in Ohio — that you could want more from life and get it. It’s a message I needed to hear as a child that’s continued to resonate with me as an adult.

That’s why I’ve followed Disney’s live action remakes a little anxiously in recent years, especially once they started adapting classics from their animated resurgence. Disney’s Renaissance was led by “The Little Mermaid” and ended in 1999 with “Tarzan,” an underrated gem but not a personal favorite of mine.

Y STEPDAD IS A RETIRED tattoo artist, so I have a longtime love for Guns N’ Roses and a deep appreciation for his craft.My top four films have always been “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin” and “The Lion King,” which Disney started remaking in 2017. I thought things got off to a great start with “Beauty and the Beast,” which I adored, even if Emma Watson’s Belle vocals were sometimes less than enchanting.

“Aladdin” came next in 2019, unleashing a whole new world of dread. I liked it overall, but it was just missing some of the same magic. A Robin Williams joke just doesn’t have the same smack from Will Smith.

Nothing could have prepared me for “The Lion King” after that, though the movie did leave a scar. It left me with very little faith in Disney’s Circle of Live action.

Still, “The Little Mermaid” managed to give me some hope that year. Disney announced that they’d cast Halle Bailey as Ariel, a relative newcomer I wasn’t familiar with but was quickly excited about. A few Spotify streams told me everything I needed to know about her: the girl could sing.

And wow, has she. I saw the film twice on opening weekend

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

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

Central FL Account Manager: Daisy Chamberlin • Ext. 101 Daisy@WatermarkOnline.com

and haven’t stopped listening to the soundtrack since. They couldn’t have made a better choice.

The movie is a beautiful tribute to its predecessor and a love letter to the LGBTQ+ creatives who shaped it — from the fairytale’s writer Hans Christian Anderson to legendary lyricist Howard Ashman to Ursula’s drag inspiration Divine. It’s deeply rooted in what made it special while breaking new ground in exciting ways.

I’m so happy for the next generation of viewers who get to see themselves reflected

ANGELIQUE

YOUNG is a trans activist, entertainer and entrepreneur. She currently hosts Sickoning Sundays at Showbar Ybor while maintaining her business and more @DNCNDiva on Instagram. Page 21

MICHAEL

WANZIE is an Orlando-based playwright, actor and ordained minister. He is most recognized for his direction of productions in the Orlando area. Page 23

in “The Little Mermaid,” especially those who are BIPOC. Everyone deserves that. Representation matters.

We check in with an organization that understands that in this issue, previewing what you can expect from St Pete Pride 2023. We speak with organizers who say you can’t stop Pride as well as entertainers like their new royal court and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Malaysia Babydoll Foxx.

In other Tampa Bay news, former Tampa Pride board members explain why they’re calling for a change in leadership. In Orlando, the owners of Hamburger Mary’s file a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis for legislation being used to target drag statewide.

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

ORLANDO OFFICE

1300 N. Semoran Blvd. Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807

TEL: 407-481-2243

TAMPA BAY OFFICE 401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713

TEL: 813-655-9890

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIAN BECNEL, NICK CARDELLO, J.D. CASTO, BRUCE HARDIN, JAMARQUS MOSLEY, CHRIS STEPHENSON, LEE VANDERGRIFT

DISTRIBUTION AFFILIATIONS

LVNLIF2 DISTRIBUTING, KEN CARRAWAY, RAYLENE HUNT, ZACHARY WELCH

CONTENTS

We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

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

EDITOR

Fighting Back

Hamburger Mary’s Orlando files lawsuit over anti-drag legislation

Emily Paul

ORLANDO | Owners of Hamburger Mary’s in downtown Orlando filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis over his signing of SB 1438, stating that the new law violates their First Amendment rights.

Mike Rogier and John Paonessa, owners of the restaurant, made the decision to sue DeSantis after he signed the “Protection of Children” bill, SB 1438, into law May 17. The legislation will allow the state to fine, suspend or even revoke any establishments’ liquor license if they knowingly allow children to attend “adult live performances,” which would include drag shows.

“With all the recent legislation, this is just one more step that the legislators are deciding for parents what’s best for their children. Parents can’t decide for themselves if they want to bring their kids to a very G-rated drag show. Just the drag queens being there is enough for the state to take away your liquor license,” Paonessa says.

Hamburger Mary’s has been showcasing drag performances in Orlando since 2008. Their Sunday brunch drag show is advertised as “family friendly,” but due to the legislation, they have seen a 20% drop in reservations.

“It certainly has an impact on our business. The state is creating problems where there are none and solving problems where there are none,” Paonessa says.

In their statement on Facebook, the owners said that they believe the bill “has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community.”

“What I know is that the right is creating a false narrative that kids are being groomed here, that we are pedophiles, we’re recruiting, and people buy into that. Parents come with their kids, so nobody is talking to them and grooming them, but people buy into that narrative and are upset about it. If it were true, I would be mad too, but it’s not. There’s no speck of validity in those comments at all. Those people haven’t been here to experience our show,” Paonessa says further.

Lawyers for the state argue that the new law does not target drag performances and have asked the judge to dismiss the suit.

“The act does not prevent establishments from continuing to stage ‘adult live performances’ or deny access by adults to those performances,” the state asserts. “It merely requires the exclusion of children for whom the performance would not be age-appropriate. And contrary to HM’s implication, the act does not target drag shows; by its terms, it protects children from exposure to any kind of sexually explicit live performance that is obscene for the age of the child present.”

Many supporters of Hamburger Mary’s lawsuit reached out to offer financial support to the restaurant’s legal defense fund through a GoFundMe page. As of press time, it has already raised nearly $40,000 and the number is continuing to grow. The page states that 100% of all funds raised will go directly to Rogier and Paonessa’s legal fees. The outpouring of support has left the Hamburger Mary’s owners feeling so proud of their city and community.

“I want to thank everyone for their support. We have been here for 15 years, and we knew that the community supported us but when this came out and there was just an overwhelming gush of positivity and love, it just means the world to us,” Paonessa says. “It keeps us going.”

FAMILY DRAG: Hamburger Mary’s Sunday Broadway Brunch in June 2018.

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

YOU WANT A SINGING CAREER, STAY AWAY FROM SECONDHAND SMOKE.

Ellie’s severe asthma attacks were triggered by secondhand smoke at work. She and her partner have to live with its effects forever. If you or someone you know wants free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

ONEPULSE FOUNDATION SCALING BACK ITS ‘VERY AMBITIOUS’ PLANS

Jeremy Williams

ORLANDO | Last month, when the onePULSE Foundation announced that a deal could not be reached with the owners for the acquisition of the Pulse property, the question that most people asked after “what happened?” was “what’s next?”

onePULSE Foundation’s executive director, Deborah Bowie, says the time has come to scale down the organization’s original planned museum, calling it a “hugely ambitious project.”

“[The organization is] on the other side of some key decisions that were made to adjust the project,” Bowie says. “A lot of people remember the big colorful building and the global competition, but that was pre-COVID.”

Bowie, who came on as onePULSE’s executive director last year replacing Pulse owner and

onePULSE founder Barbara Poma, says one of the first things she was told was that they would need to revisit the project.

“We had all these high in the sky dreams that were very ambitious. It was a hugely ambitious project,” she says. “And we probably didn’t help ourselves by boxing ourselves in to the plan of being done in seven years, but it doesn’t happen like that.”

This past January, the board came together in Orlando to hold an in-person strategy session. In that session, it was decided that the museum would be rescaled and that the existing structure located at the spot of the planned museum would be used instead.

“That big, beautiful building had climbed to about $100 million in cost,” Bowie says. “That’s a big project and that’s a big operations cost to maintain month over month.

… The world as we knew it before 2020 with COVID is not the same

world we’re in now. Things are going to be expensive for a while.”

Part of the rescaling was economic, Bowie says, but part of it was also done to make the space into something that good serve the greater good of the community.

“When I got here, I went out to meet people of the community as the new ED and it opened up a huge opportunity for us to sit down with organizations who probably didn’t have a favorable opinion of us,” she says. “What I learned in those conversations is the organization had not done a really good job of inviting people into our space.”

After speaking with community leaders about what the museum space could be, Bowie went back to the board.

“What I learned is there is a need in this community for a communal space for these organizations to get together,” she says, “whether it is in a working capacity, if they wanted to have a conference. Some of these

nonprofits don’t even have an office for their executive directors. I took that information back to the board that there’s an opportunity for us to think about our project in a way where we’re of service to those organizations and the board liked that idea.”

Bowie says that the 44,000-square-foot building that currently sits at 438 W. Kaley Street will be repurposed into a multi-use communal space, including areas that can be used for conferences, trainings and events. She also reiterated that a portion of the space will still continue to be a museum, a prerequisite for the $10 million tourist development tax funds that the organization received in 2018.

As for the memorial, Bowie says onePULSE will be looking for feedback from the community — particularly from the survivors, victims’ families and first

“Community response is actually happening now, so obviously it takes time to get through that because these are really one-on-one conversations,” she says. “They’re just opportunities for the executive board to hear directly from those who were impacted.”

Bowie says in those talks, onePULSE will start to organize what a memorial will look like, offering up a few possible options, including building a memorial on the property next to the Pulse nightclub, space that onePULSE purchased when it planned to have the memorial at the Pulse location. Another option would be to build a memorial adjacent to the museum.

“That’s the kind of feedback we are going to be looking for from the community,” Bowie says. “Unfortunately though we have to move on from the property itself because we do not own it and that’s just a hard reality.”

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

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

ABOUT BIKTARVY

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

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS.

Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:

 dofetilide

 rifampin

 any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

 Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

 Have any other health problems.

 Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.

 Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

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

(bik-TAR-vee)

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.

 Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fi ght infections that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.

 Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.

 Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

 Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

 The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side e ects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2023 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights

PRIDE KICKS OFF IN GULFPORT

Greg Stemm

GULFPORT, FLA. | Pride month officially kicked off in Gulfport June 1 with a trio of events including a flag raising, an art show opening and a drag show. Gulfport Pride followed June 3.

The crowds were large and boisterous following months of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks from Tallahassee. Attendees worked to balance fun with a strong statement that the community won’t be silenced.

“It’s time we came together to show our unity,” state Rep. Lindsay Cross shared during the Pride flag raising. “While Pride month begins today, I like to think that Gulfport and St. Petersburg are welcoming cities 365 days a year. I can promise you I won’t stop fighting for your community and especially for the LGBTQ community. Happy Pride, Gulfport! Let’s show our joy!”

Gulfport Vice Mayor Paul Ray agreed. Looking out over the crowd gathered behind the Gulfport Public Library, he noted that “this is what unity looks like!”

While many cities raise the Pride flag over their City Hall, locals do so over the Gulfport Public Library, located at the entrance of the city’s historic waterfront district. The space is home to the LGBTQ Resource Center.

The organization is hosting ArtOUT 2023: Emergence through June 30. Susan Gore, the nonprofit’s president, says she hopes people who attend this month’s show in the library will immerse themselves in the world of Pride through art.

“This international juried art show is a signature Pride program from Gulfport’s LGBTQ Resource Center,” Gore explains. “Additionally for the month of June, you can find art onsite at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg, the Gulfport Public Library and online. The show includes entries from a wide variety of mediums showcasing the depth of the art world in this small community.”

Drag at the Hickman was also held June 1, a benefit for the LGBTQ Resource Center. Organizers were determined that the show must go on despite laws being used to target the art form.

“In today’s world we literally put our lives at risk every time we walk on stage… as do all performers of any kind, not just drag,” says Michael Knapp, who along with life and show partner Edson Abadia, Jr. produced the event.

The duo created the characters of “Mr. and Mrs. Gripp” and did not disappoint a sold-out crowd of more than 170 people. They performed a number of anthems that made the 18+ audience very much a part of the experience.

“I’ve always wanted people to be free in expressing themselves in whatever art they are pursuing including drag,” Knapp says. “People should be free to express what’s going on inside as well as outside. Drag is very much like that.”

Crowds subsequently gathered for Gulfport Pride June 3, further setting the tone for events throughout the month. The day featured a street festival, “Friends of Dorothy” march and more.

Still Shining

St. Pete marks Pride for 10th year

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST. PETERSBURG | St Pete Pride and supporters from throughout Tampa Bay gathered June 1 at St. Petersburg City Hall, hoisting the Pride flag above the local landmark for the 10th year in a row.

The flag raising officially kicked off Pride month in St. Petersburg, which will host the largest LGBTQ+ Pride in Florida this June, detailed on p. 31.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch led the ceremony, reflecting on the city’s commitment to LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. He began by highlighting other elected officials in attendance, including the eight-person City Council, state Rep. Lindsay Cross, Treasure Island Mayor Tyler Payne and proxies for other local leaders. He then addressed a growing crowd of LGBTQ+ advocates and allies.

“When I look around at the faces here today I feel the warmth of diversity in the air,” he said.

“I see the strength of equity, inclusion and unity and I feel the pride of us all standing together for a cause that isn’t easy, but

nevertheless a cause that we know is right.

“Dr. Martin Luther King famously said, and I will update the pronouns, ‘the ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy,’” the mayor continued. “If we are to achieve true equality in our nation for everyone, regardless of our race, our faith, our orientation, or identity, then we must have the courage to stand for the rights of everyone — regardless of who they are or who they love.”

Welch also noted that this year marked the 10th such flag raising, calling on residents to stand together “for progress and against ignorance and hatred.” The mayor then read and issued a proclamation declaring June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride month in the city.

St Pete Pride Executive Director Nicole Berman accepted the proclamation before addressing the crowd as well. This year marks her second at the organization’s helm.

Berman began by thanking the city for their ongoing support of St Pete Pride, as well as the

volunteers, supporters and more who make the celebration possible each year. Almost all of St Pete Pride’s board of directors were in attendance, as were members of St Pete Pride’s 2023 Royal Court.

“One year ago today, I stood here at City Hall to raise the Pride flag for the first time as the executive director of St Pete Pride,” Berman said. “While I was absolutely terrified ... I was also excited and full of hope for the season. While that sentiment still remains, we cannot welcome the 2023 Pride season without acknowledging the challenges that it brings.

“This year the LGBTQIA community, my community, has faced countless cowardly attacks and attempts to silence our voices, restrict our rights and erase of presence,” she continued. “I hate to break it to anyone who thinks our community doesn’t belong in Florida, but you can’t stop Pride.”

Berman subsequently outlined St Pete Pride’s commitment to equity, equality and more, inviting the LGBTQ+ community from near and far to attend events throughout June.

“There are a lot of different opportunities for people to come and show up,” she noted. “If your city canceled Pride or there’s not a Pride happening, please come out to ours. We’d love to have you.”

View a full photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com.

LOUD & PROUD: LGBTQ+ advocates raise the Pride flag at City Hall June 1.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

FORMER TAMPA PRIDE BOARD MEMBERS CALL FOR CHANGE, NEW LEADERSHIP

Ryan Williams-Jent

TAMPA | Former Tampa Pride board members are calling for a change in leadership after their ninth celebration in March and the cancelation of this year’s Pride on the River.

Tampa Pride welcomed thousands to Ybor March 25 with a board of four. It included Tampa Pride President Carrie West, Treasurer Howard Grater and Executive Board Members Alex Barbosa and Cassandra Hair, the latter two of whom were subsequently removed. Their departures are a part of a larger pattern. Since Jan. 2021, six board members have resigned from Tampa Pride’s governing body, while three others have been removed.

Of the board members who resigned, one did so after public pressure. Mark Bias stepped down last year after sharing a derogatory

social media post about female drag entertainers. Critics say that he has remained involved ever since.

Another board member who resigned returned to resign again, while a second returned to stay, Executive Board Member Derek Durum. He now serves as an executive board member beside West and Grater.

West confirmed May 18 that the board voted to cancel Pride on the River, citing anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis the day prior. It was scheduled to return in September.

According to Axios Tampa Bay, however, West “acknowledged that the board chose to cancel the event before DeSantis signed the bill.” The outlet published a report on May 22 and spoke with former board members who charged Tampa Pride lacked the structure to plan its return.

Mark Eary, who resigned from Tampa Pride’s board in January, was among them. He helped form

Tampa Pride’s current iteration and most recently served as vice president emeritus and co-director of Pride on the River.

“I had been thinking about resigning for a long time,” says Eary, who took issue with West having a paid position while leading the board as president. He says that and other issues were impossible to change due to board gridlock.

“I could never get anything fixed or even considered,” he says. “I left because I couldn’t see change happening until [West and Bias] went away.”

Transparency was one of the reasons Barbosa wanted to join the Tampa Pride board. He experienced board gridlock after seeking financial information. “It’s just a recipe of disaster,” he says. “It’s

are involved,” she says. “But most importantly, there is an unwillingness to change and evolve.”

She believes that Tampa Pride’s board needs to be restructured, citing West’s public misgendering of MCC Tampa Senior Pastor Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw earlier this year and more. It prompted MCC Tampa to withdraw from the 2023 celebration.

Another former board member, Trevor James, agrees change is needed. His involvement began in 2016 and he most recently served as a vice president in 2022.

“There’s a history of this happening and it’s clear that with

evolved over the years before leaving in 2021. “You’d expect that their processes would mature, but they never put that work into it,” John says. “They never reached out beyond their own circle.”

“And from my point of view, there’s been no effort to make sure that Tampa Pride goes beyond them,” Nancy adds. “I don’t think there’s anything underhanded going on, but the leadership is in their own element and needs to expand.

“This is not the time for Tampa Pride to be stepping back or ousting people who happen to have a different opinion,” she continues.

SEBRING SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PRIDE

Vanessa Whittle

The Sebring City Council opened its meeting on May 16 with a prayer, transitioned to residents and council members passionately addressing their fellow townspeople, and closed with the city council voting to allow a road to be closed for a Pride event.

At this city council meeting, Christopher Davies, founder and president of the Highlands County LGBT+ Caucus, requested permission from the city for the organization to close a portion of North Commerce Avenue on June 11 for a Pride event.

The day’s events will begin with a Pride service at a local church, followed by a Pride brunch, which is open to all ages.

The group will then move to North Commerce Avenue, which will be closed for the event and open only to those 21 years old or older. This is in compliance with Senate Bill 1438, which prohibits establishments from admitting a child to an adult live performance.

Jeff Schoop, executive consultant to the Highlands County LGBT+ Caucus, also spoke at this meeting and in support of this event, citing the economic opportunities that come with hosting an event such as Pride.

Schoop referenced other cities in Florida that have held Pride events and brought significant funds into the county, including St Pete Pride, which drew in approximately 300,000 attendees and $67 million in economic impact.

Regardless of the expected economic benefit of holding this event, some Sebring residents spoke against allowing this event to take place.

Despite the fact that children under the age of 21 are not permitted to attend the part of the event that the roads will be closed for, enforced by the use of tickets and wristbands, Highlands County resident John Watson shared his concerns regarding Sebring’s children being exposed to this event.

Sebring Councilwoman Terry Mendel also commented on the impact that the event could have on the city.

“There are certain things that are good for a community and certain things that are not good for a community,” she said.

Other members of the community spoke in support of allowing the closure of North Commerce Avenue for the purpose of holding Pride events.

The city of Sebring is home to a religious minority, which prompted many of the arguments from opponents of the decision to block the roads for the event to be based on Christian tenets.

Following comments from the public, the Sebring City Council agreed to allow North Commerce Avenue to be closed for the Pride event with a vote of 5-1.

TRANS FLORIDIANS BLINDSIDED THAT NEW LAW ALSO LIMITS ADULT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Wire Report

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. |

Debate surrounding Florida’s new restrictions on gender-affirming care focused largely on transgender children. But a new law that Republican presidential candidate and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month also made it difficult, even impossible, for many transgender adults to get treatment.

Eli and Lucas, trans men who are a couple, followed the discussions in the Legislature, where Democrats warned that trans children would be more prone to suicide under a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and Republicans responded with misplaced tales of mutilated kids. Eli said he and his partner felt “blindsided” when they discovered the bill contained language that would also disrupt their lives.

“There was no communication. … Nobody was really talking about it in our circles,” said Eli, 29.

Like many transgender adults in Florida, he and Lucas are now facing tough choices, including whether to uproot their lives so that they can continue to access gender-confirming care. Clinics are also trying to figure out how to operate under regulations that have made Florida a test case for restrictions on adults.

Lucas, 26, lost his access to treatment when the Orlando clinic that prescribed him hormone replacement therapy stopped providing gender-affirming care altogether. The couple also worries about staying in a state that this year enacted several other bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

“My entire life is here. All my friends, my family. I just got a promotion at my job, which I’m probably not going to be able to keep,” Lucas, who works in a financial aid office at a college, said. “I’m losing everything except Eli and my pets moving out of here. So this was not a decision that I took lightly at all.”

The Associated Press is not using Eli’s and Lucas’ last names because they fear reprisal. While

their friends and families know they are trans, most people who meet them do not.

The new law that bans gender-affirming care for minors also mandates that adult patients seeking trans health care sign an informed consent form. It also requires a physician to oversee any health care related to transitioning, and for people to see that doctor in person. Those rules have proven particularly onerous because many people received care from nurse practitioners and used telehealth. The law also made it a crime to violate the new requirements.

Another new law that allows doctors and pharmacists to refuse to treat transgender people further limits their options.

“For trans adults, it’s devastating,” said Kate Steinle, chief clinical officer at FOLX Health, which provides gender-affirming care to trans adults through telemedicine. Her company decided to open in-person clinics and hire more physicians licensed in Florida in order to continue to provide care to patients who have already enrolled, even though that represents a major change to the company’s business model.

Eli has been seeing a physician for years and therefore still has access to care. But SPEKTRUM Health Inc., the Orlando clinic that prescribed Lucas hormone replacement therapy, has stopped providing gender-affirming care.

“There are a lot of people looking for care that we’re no longer legally able to provide,” said Lana Dunn, SPEKTRUM Health’s chief operating officer.

Florida has the second-largest population of transgender adults in the U.S., at an estimated 94,900 people, according to the Williams Institute. Not all transgender people seek medical interventions.

At least 19 states have now enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. But restrictions on adults haven’t been part of the conversation in most places. Missouri’s attorney general tried to impose a rule in that state, but it was pulled back.

Florida is “the proving ground of what they can get away with,” Dunn said.

Her organization treats about 4,000 people — most in Florida and some out-of-state telehealth patients, she said. While SPEKTRUM has bolstered its mental health services since the law passed, it and other organizations heavily rely on nurse practitioners to provide care.

Dunn estimates that 80% of trans adults in the state were getting their health care from a nurse practitioner and now have lost access.

The law also contains language that she said could scare off doctors who would be otherwise willing to treat trans patients, such as a 20-year statute of limitations to sue over care they provide.

As a trans woman herself, Dunn is grappling with losing her own access to hormones while trying to provide support to terrified patients. That’s taken “a significant emotional toll,” she said.

“Not only am I faced with this lack of care for myself but a lot of people within the community are also facing the same thing, and they’re reaching out to me for guidance,” Dunn said. “So I’m doing my best to help guide people and console them, but nobody’s really reaching out to me saying, ’How are you doing? Are you OK?’”

Lucas, who transitioned eight years ago when he was 18, anticipates running out of hormone treatments in June. In the best case scenario he can foresee now, he will be able to get a new prescription in August. He fears he might start to get his period again.

“It’s just going to be extremely difficult mentally to have your body changing in a way that doesn’t align with your brain,” Lucas said.

Eli and Lucas have switched to a month-to-month lease and tentatively plan to relocate to Minnesota in November. They said they would leave sooner if they can afford it and started an online fundraiser to help. Moving with their dog and two cats increases the expense and difficulty of finding a new place.

US JUDGE REJECTS TENNESSEE’S ANTI-DRAG LAW

Wire Report

NASHVILLE, TENN.

| Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation law designed to place strict limits on drag shows is unconstitutional, a federal judge says.

The law is both “unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad” and encouraged “discriminatory enforcement,” according to the ruling late June 3 by U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker.

“There is no question that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment. But there is a difference between material that is ‘obscene’ in the vernacular, and material that is ‘obscene’ under the law,” Parker said.

“Simply put, no majority of the Supreme Court has held that sexually explicit — but not obscene — speech receives less protection than political, artistic, or scientific speech,” he said.

The law would have banned adult cabaret performances from public property or anywhere minors might be present. Performers who broke the law risked being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony for a repeat offense.

Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based LGBTQ+ theater

company, filed a complaint in March, saying the law would negatively impact them because they produce “drag-centric performances, comedy sketches, and plays” with no age restrictions.

“This win represents a triumph over hate,” the theater company said June 4. “Similar to the countless battles the LGBTQ+ community has faced over the last several decades, our collective success relies upon everyone speaking out and taking a stand against bigotry.”

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Republican and one of the law’s main sponsors, said he was disappointed with the ruling.

Initially, the complaint listed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Shelby County District Attorney General Steven Mulroy as defendants. But the plaintiffs later agreed to dismiss the governor and top legal chief — although Skrmetti continued to represent Mulroy for this case.

Tennessee’s GOP-dominated Legislature advanced the anti-drag law earlier this year, with several GOP members pointing to drag performances in their hometowns as reasons why it was necessary to restrict such performances from taking place in public or where children could view them.

Yet the actual word “drag” doesn’t appear in the statute. Instead lawmakers changed the state’s definition of adult cabaret to mean “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors.” Furthermore, “male or female impersonators” were classified as a form of adult cabaret, akin to strippers or topless dancers.

The governor quickly signed off on the statute and it was set to take effect April 1. However, to date, the law has never been enforced because the federal judge had sided with the group that challenged the statute in March, and he temporarily blocked the law.

Parker also cited how the law’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Chris Todd, had previously helped lead an effort to block a drag show in his district before introducing the drag ban proposal. Todd later confirmed that he hadn’t seen the performance, but nevertheless pursued legal action to stop the show and the event was held indoors with an age restriction.

The drag law marks the second major proposal targeting LGBTQ+ people passed by Tennessee lawmakers this year. Lee signed into law GOP-backed legislation banning most gender-affirming care, which is being challenged in court.

THOUSANDS MARCH IN JERUSALEM PRIDE PARADE

Wire Report

those who seek to shift it toward more religious conservatism.

BIDEN: US AT ‘CRITICAL INFLECTION POINT’

President Joe Biden’s Pride month proclamation issued June 1 said the nation is facing another “critical inflection point,” reflecting on Stonewall and more. It noted that more than 600 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have targeted LGBTQ+ Americans in 2023 and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to equality, including through the creation of the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth. “This month and every month,” the proclamation concludes, “let us celebrate the pride that powers the movement for LGBTQI+ rights and commit to doing our part to help realize the promise of America, for all Americans.”

TEXAS GOV BANS TRANS YOUTH HEALTH CARE

Texas became the most populous state to ban gender-affirming care for minors after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on June 3, joining at least 18 other states. Every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and supported the medical care for youth when administered appropriately. Lawsuits have been filed in several states where bans have been enacted this year. Last year, Abbott became the first governor to order the investigation of families who were receiving care. The investigations were later halted by a Texas judge.

ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT BECOMES UGANDA LAW

JERUSALEM

| Thousands of people on June 1 marched in Jerusalem’s Pride parade — an annual event that took place for the first time under Israel’s new far-right government.

The march in the conservative city is always tense and tightly secured by police, and has been wracked by violence in the past. But this year, Israel finds itself deeply riven over a contentious government plan to overhaul the judiciary.

The plan has torn open longstanding societal divisions between those who want to preserve Israel’s liberal values and

Jerusalem’s march is typically more subdued than the one in gay-friendly Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of revelers pour into the streets for a massive, multicolored party.

But the parade, amid tight security, drew bigger crowds than usual in a show of force against the government and its plan to reshape the legal system.

“There isn’t one struggle in Israel for democracy, and another one for LGBTQ+ rights,” opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a speech to the crowd. “It’s the same struggle, against the same enemies, in the name of the same values.”

Other opposition politicians and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, joined the march. “I don’t find this controversial one way or the other,” Nides said. “This is about the rights and human rights, and this is what brings America and Israel together.”

At one point during the parade, Ben-Gvir was jeered with chants of “shame” as he walked on the sidelines for what he said was a visit to monitor security.

Hagar Bonne, of Jerusalem, called the march a “happy occasion” but also said it was the “antithesis” to the national climate.

People carried a flag that read: “There is no pride without democracy.”

Uganda’s president signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law May 29, new anti-gay legislation supported by many in this East African country but widely condemned by rights activists and others abroad. It prescribes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality, ” which is defined as cases of sexual relations involving people infected with HIV, as well as with minors and other categories of vulnerable people. A suspect convicted of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be imprisoned for up to 14 years. The U.N. Human Rights Office said May 30 it was “appalled that the draconian and discriminatory anti-gay bill is now law.”

JAPANESE COURT BACKS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

The Nagoya District Court became the second major higher court in the country to rule that the lack of legal recognition of same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Judge Osamu Nishimura said more people have become supportive of recognizing same-sex marriage, and the reasoning behind excluding same-sex couples from the legal marriage system is becoming “shaky,” resulting in a situation that is “difficult to ignore,” local outlets reported, also noting the court pointed out that the public remains divided over the issue.

A DIFFERENT LIGHT

Crown

HAVING BEEN ON THE front lines in Tallahassee these last few months, I find it hard to put into words what I’ve experienced. We are in unprecedented times, but there is amazing work being done to help hold our community together — from both outside and from within.

During my time in the Capitol, I met with many of the Democratic legislators who have fought for us, despite knowing they would not and could not win. Florida is under a supermajority held by the Republican side.

They endured daily runaround and misdirection but stayed vigilant and determined to prove why the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills should not pass. Having borne witness to their conviction, I am forever grateful.

It’s an impossible fight to win, but we cannot stop now. My own story began by attending the general sessions, where I was met — much to my dismay — with tactics used to discourage speakers and show a lack of interest, care and compassion for those of us who chose to stand before them to share our stories.

There were shortened timeframes to speak, due to the overwhelming turnout of those who opposed the session’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills. With time on the clock and order to maintain, we were forced to give those in power more time to deliberate about those in the crowd while they siphoned our time. With just seconds to speak, we attempted our best to convey the emotion necessary to reach callous hearts, to little avail. I came to realize that we were not meant to win and this was simply a formality. If that was just

the beginning, it was clear that we needed to warn our communities.

Still, rallies and even a historical drag march on the Capitol couldn’t prepare us for what has happened since the bills have passed and been signed into law. The scope of danger and damage is clear and present, so how do we proceed?

I am one of the first to be affected by HB 1421. The bill has a hidden clause that impacts adults despite being made to “protect” children. It prevents telehealth care for trans patients. It also requires trans patients to see a doctor in person, no other form of nurse or medical attendant is acceptable.

Before this law went into effect, providers who lacked the ability to continue started to cancel patient appointments and began to end care. I was called and told I could no longer receive services, leaving me stranded in-between medical care needs.

Those who have been helping us for years are now scared of helping due to the vagueness of the laws and the ability for them to face not only fines, but jail time or the termination of their licenses. What’s worse is if they don’t get caught, the law can be called on for years afterwards. This is just part of the fine print of one law that was passed. Florida is falling into an unforeseen crisis due to the potential hazards these laws present.

So what can we do about these terrible laws that infringe on our health, safe spaces and loved ones, when the laws don’t attack us?

I wish there was another way, but outside of lawsuits and hostile takeovers it’s going to come down to unifying our groups.

I don’t just mean the unification of the LGBTQ+ community, either. We are going to need to link arms on a much bigger scale and join forces with the various communities here in Florida to stand up and fight.

We will need to begin to help inform our cities and communities. We will need to let them know exactly how these laws work and how to stay safe in the face of them. Provide resources to those in need and keep them informed. Our community also needs to get every single person registered to vote and hold elected officials accountable for our safety. Those who hope to become politicians need to be on the ground on the frontline, meeting the community and working with us to fight back against these laws — showing support and holding the line against those who would seek to harm us.

We need to build and encourage voting at the polls more than voting by mail while educating others on the process. If you are reading this and feel like now is your time to stand up and fight back, but don’t know where to start, reach out to your local organizations or even me. It all begins with educating yourself so you can share that with others and help to perpetuate a healthy cycle of empowerment. There is nothing better than giving people a chance to make an educated decision. We can no longer offer thoughts and prayers. We can no longer sit back and watch in horror on our TV screens and mobile devices.

We must start acting and making change.

There are various ways to help our community move forward. Support can be speaking up, standing up, volunteering, making donations and so much more. I watched our drag community come together to march on the Capitol, making national news, and I know we can’t stop now. We must keep moving. The show must go on.

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.

There is nothing better than giving people a chance to make an educated decision.

Adjusting the

Angelique Young

Michael Wanzie

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF

were clearly fearful of losing their jobs were they to be found out.

My general ignorance regarding human sexuality and my actual fear that I myself might be suffering from this abnormality was only worsened by seeing those who were brave enough to admit they were gay going to such great lengths to ensure non-gay persons would not find them out. For me, this resulted in a pervasive feeling of general dread that was about as far removed as one could possibly be from feeling anything remotely related to PRIDE.

“PRIDE HAS BEEN A trusted brand for over 35 years” – or so says the advertising copy for the laundry detergent that first came on the market in a rather plain, colorless, not-in-anyway-gay-or-fabulous cardboard box imprinted with the words “PRIDE Washing Powder.”

And at that time in my life, cleaning products really were my only touchstone to PRIDE. In the early ‘80s I still carried a wallet with snap shots in it, as did most everyone at that time. In place of the expected pictures of my girlfriend or wife I instead carried a gag photo obtained from a joke shop which featured a bottle of Johnson’s PRIDE furniture polish positioned next to a squeeze container of JOY dishwashing liquid. I was traveling the country with “Sesame Street Live!” at the time, and whenever some guy in a hotel bar would pull out his billfold to show pictures of his family, I would pull out my wallet and show him the snapshot of the side-by-side cleaning products and that usually got a laugh, and that laugh usually got me out of having to discuss anything at all to do with my personal relationships. I had only recently come to terms with myself with regards to my being gay and I couldn’t imagine at that time that I would ever be totally out of the closet.

What a strange time that was for me just as I am sure it was for so many others. I had literally run away from home several years earlier to pursue a performing career but the only role of merit I had scored up to that point was that of a Magic Kingdom Jungle Cruise Skipper. I was totally in the closet while working at Disney and most gay people I encountered while working there were also in the closet while on Disney property. Those who admitted to being gay did so only among the most trusted of friends and

because the multi-thousand dollar Muppet costume and character head had been quite purposely burned. Incinerated on the spot. The show tracks had to be edited and the entire production relocked to adjust to the absence of this major character a replacement costume could be shipped out to our company on the

Florida when it comes to our LGBTQ+ community, I can’t help but feel a special added measure of Pride this month. I had left Disney — where everyone was in the closet — to join the Muppets where everyone was openly gay and happily so, until our friends started dying. In time, scientists and medical professionals

time Disney embraced not only the financially viable Gay Days but also openly embraced and celebrated its gay cast members. And in time, the Mouse House actually stood up for our community and has continued to do so in a most public fashion. That is but one of many of what were at one time thought to be

LGBTQ+ community, I can’t help but feel a special added measure of Pride this month.

When I landed the role of a life-sized Muppet I was, on the one hand, bursting with PRIDE in that I was traveling the country in association with the well-respected name of Jim Henson with all the attendant prestige and the enviable income that came along with being in an Actors Equity unionized production.

The Oxford dictionary defines PRIDE as “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.” I had that feeling. But it was a feeling that was dramatically diminished by my unshakeable shame over being one of the type of people who were somehow inexplicably deserving of this “gay cancer” that was all anyone and everyone was talking about at the time.

When a fellow Muppet started losing weight and began exhibiting skin liaisons it was not long before he was unceremoniously no longer with the company. We showed up at the arena for a performance one night only to discover our friend had quietly gone home without so much as a goodbye. No one in management would say that he had contracted AIDS but what was really disturbing was that his understudy could not step into his role as Count Von Count, as was meant to happen,

road. It was hard to sustain a sense of PRIDE under such circumstances.

And so, despite the current unfathomable regressive anti-gay policies and general cruelty of the governor of the state of

got a handle on AIDS and a diagnosis ceased to be a death sentence. In time Disney acquired the Muppets, merging two of my favorite realms. In time I burst out of the closet and never looked back. In

inconceivable occurrences in which we who live in Orlando – that little pocket of Blue in this horribly Red state – can indeed take PRIDE without referring to a cleaning product.

Despite the current unfathomable regressive anti-gay policies and general cruelty of the governor of the state of Florida when it comes to our

Visibili-T

RAN FLUGSTAD

Ryan Williams-Jent

VISIBILI-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 Ran Flugstad, a Georgia native and Gulfport resident who loves Tampa Bay’s waterfront. The nonbinary artist, also “a pagan goddex with a tattoo addiction,” is an animal and plant enthusiast who draws inspiration from nature.

It’s evident both personally and professionally. Ran is one half of Ran & Rami Photography, a business they run “for

the weirdos, the creatives, the non-traditional” with their partner Rami, who is also nonbinary.

The couple — whose “first date was the most magical day of my life,” Ran says — moved to Tampa Bay just before their two-year anniversary. In addition to wanting to be near the water, they wanted to cultivate their art.

“We do all types of photography, but we specialize

mostly in LGBTQ+ weddings,” Ran says. Like its owners, the business welcomes one and all.

“We strive to make an inclusive and comfortable environment for every couple, triad or polycule,” Ran explains. “We both know how it feels to see no representation growing up and we want to change that! We want to normalize all types of love! We want to validate every type of person and love through our work.”

One way they do so is by offering gender-affirming photoshoots. They’re pay what you can and designed for clients to feel seen.

The photoshoots are open to anyone who wants to partake, Ran explains, but can be especially meaningful for trans clients. The photographer understands that firsthand.

“Sometimes you look in the mirror and it doesn’t feel like you’re looking at the person that you see yourself as,” Ran says.

“So the shoots are a way where you can be your fullest self. You don’t have to do anything with the pictures … it can be something just for yourself.

“I like to pose people in a way that makes them feel most gender affirmed,” they continue. “It’s just a photoshoot to have fun and to get to see yourself in a light that

sometimes you don’t always get to see yourself in.”

Ran says they’ve always been drawn to photography for reasons like that. They went to school for film and video but fell in love with wedding photography in particular.

“I think it’s really special getting to see queer love in all of its different forms,” they say. “I just really love capturing it.”

When they aren’t behind the camera, Ran enjoys a variety of books, film and TV. They most recently enjoyed Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” the reboot of the popular 80s cartoon. The groundbreaking series championed LGBTQ+ visibility throughout its five seasons.

“It’s incredible and I finally got Rami to watch it,” Ran says. “It’s one of my favorite queer shows of all time.”

They also recently finished reading “The Sunbearer Trials,” a Mexican-inspired fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Aidan Thomas. The novelist is also trans and Ran beams that their latest book is “oh my god, just ‘chef’s kiss.’ It’s so good.”

The photographer also loves spending time outside, whether they’re walking their dog, hiking or going on bike rides.

They’re grateful to do in an affirming region.

“Gulfport and St. Pete are super queer,” Ran notes. “Rami and I look very queer, there’s no way to hide it, and we’ve always felt super welcome. I really enjoy that. The difficult part is if you go 40 minutes outside of the area — then it’s a completely different story.”

It’s something they wish would change, and soon.

“All of these anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been put in place have been hard on me personally but also on the LGBTQ+ community in general,” Ran says. “It’s hard for all of us.”

One key way to combat it, they believe, is through representation. It’s why they wanted to participate in Visibili-T. “I feel like a lot of the people who are putting these anti-trans laws in place, most of them have never seen a trans person or known anything about us,” Ran explains. “It’s important for them to see that we’re just people trying to live. It’s easier to hate people that you don’t know.”

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.

PHOTO BY AMANDA JANE LILES PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY RAN & RAMI PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY BY R. WEBER PHOTO

talking points

The North Face has always believed the outdoors should be a welcoming, equitable and safe place for all. We are honored and grateful to support partners like Pattie Gonia who help make this vision a reality. The Summer of Pride series, now in its second year, has helped foster a more accessible and welcoming environment for individuals from all backgrounds to gather and experience the joy of the outdoors.

—A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE NORTH FACE IN A STATEMENT TO FOX NEWS AFTER SOME ON THE RIGHT CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE COMPANY

AFTER ACQUIRING THE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED QUEER ANIMATED FILM “NIMONA,” Netflix has announced that it will be released on the streaming platform just before Pride month comes to an end on June 30. The film is based on a graphic novel in which the titular Nimona, a shapeshifting teen voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, must help prove a knight by the name of Ballister Blackheart, voiced by Riz Ahmed, innocent of a crime he did not commit. One problem: Nimona may be a “monster” Blackheart is sworn to kill. “Set in a techno-medieval world unlike anything animation has tackled before, this is a story about the labels we assign to people and the shapeshifter who refuses to be defined by anyone.” “Nimona” also features the voice talents of Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, RuPaul, Lorraine Toussaint, Indya Moore, Beck Bennet, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman.

698,000 LGBTQ+ ADULTS IN THE U.S. HAVE RECEIVED CONVERSION THERAPY WITH

350,000 RECEIVING IT AS ADOLESCENTS.

INTERSEX DOC TO RELEASE JUNE 30

FOCUS FEATURES

ANNOUNCED MAY 30

THAT THE INTERSEX DOCUMENTARY FILM “EVERY BODY” will make its way to U.S. theaters June 30 after the film’s world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York June 11. Julie Cohen, the Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker behind “RGB” and “My Name is Pauli Murray,” directs “Every Body,” a revelatory investigation of the lives of intersex people, focused on activists River Gallo (they/ them), Alicia Roth Weigel (she/ they) and Sean Saifa Wall (he/ him). “Woven into the story is a stranger-than-fiction case of medical abuse, featuring exclusive footage from the NBC News archives, which helps explain the modern-day treatment of intersex people.”

CANNES’ AMFAR GALA RAISES MONEY FOR AIDS RESEARCH

AMFAR RETURNED TO THE FRENCH RIVIERA MAY 25 FOR ITS CANNES GALA, RAISING $17 MILLION for AIDS research. Queen Latifah hosted the 29th edition with Eva Longoria, Fan Bingbing and Rebel Wilson among the stars walking the red carpet. Also in attendance were models Elsa Hosk, Heidi Klum, Coco Rocha and Winne Harlow. Some of the high-priced auction items that helped to raise the funds included a one-of-a-kind Aston Martin sportscar signed by F1 drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso that sold for $1.6 million, a pair of white gold Chopard earrings set with diamonds and emeralds that went for $295,000 and a Damien Hirst portrait of Leonardo DiCaprio that sold for $1.29 million.

SAM SMITH TEASES MADONNA COLLAB

SAM SMITH SHARED A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA MAY 24 teasing a possible collaboration between the Grammy-winning singer and the one-and-only Madonna. A video clip was posted to social media with audio of Smith and Madonna saying “Sam and Madonna,” while text of the same phrase flashed across a black screen. Smith then tweeted “Manchester, we’ve got a surprise for you this evening. ‘Unholy’ won’t be the last song….” It’s unknown what the surprise was going to be as four songs into their Manchester concert, Smith canceled due to vocal issues. They later issued an apology saying that they had to cancel due to illness. They also canceled their next two shows.

25 STATES CURRENTLY HAVE FULL OR PARTIAL BANS ON THE DANGEROUS PRACTICE; HOWEVER FLORIDA - IS NOTONE OF THEM.

—Williams Institute

SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE SINCE

Providing premier medical care in your community through outreach, advocacy, education, and research.

SERVICES

*

HIV, STI & Viral Hepatitis

Testing & Treatment

Prevention, Education & Outreach

Lab Draws

Spanish Speaking Sta Support Groups

Telehealth Services

On-Site Pharmacy

Patient Care Coordination

PrEP & nPEP Services

Ryan White Provider

2349 Sunset Point Road #405 Clearwater, FL 33765

O ce: (727) 216-6193

PALMETTO

408 7th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221

O ce: (941) 803-7939

Fax: (941) 417-2328

* services vary by location

NEW

4758 Rowan Road New Port Richey, FL 34653

ORLANDO 1301 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32804

O: (407) 246-1946

F: (855) 895-5749

ST. PETERSBURG 3251 3rd Ave N #125 St. Petersburg, FL 33713 O

ce:

O ce: (813) 769-7207

watermark Your LGBTQ+ News Source. JUNE 8 - 21, 2023 // ISSUE 30.12 WATERMARKONLINE.COM 29

Divas, Drag & Determination

Organizers say you can’t stop St Pete Pride

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST PETE PRIDE WELCOMED AN

estimated 300,000 people to St. Petersburg last June, marking 20 years of service with at least 10 signature events held throughout the month. The post-pandemic return of its parade welcomed 150-200,000 participants alone, cementing its status as Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration.

It set the perfect precedent for St Pete Pride’s 21st season this year, Executive Director Nicole Berman says. Its month-long celebration kicked off June 2 and continues with St Pete Pride staples through June 30, several of which intentionally

elevate the most marginalized of LGBTQ+ voices.

“People really like having the opportunity to show up in different ways,” Berman says.

“With all of our celebrations, we want to center queer experiences and queer joy. This year I think

has a mix of emotions, but overarchingly we’re ready. We hope people show up and stand up for each other.”

Last year’s celebration was her first at the helm, having joined the organization after a nationwide search. When Berman was named one of Watermark’s Most Remarkable People of 2022 for her work, St Pete Pride President Tiffany Freisberg said she was “exactly what St Pete Pride needed to celebrate our 20-year history and move our organization into its next era.”

“We knew we needed an out-of-the-box thinker with grit and a tireless work ethic,” she wrote. “More so, we needed someone committed to making St

Pete Pride more diverse, inclusive and equitable than ever before.

“At St Pete Pride, we have a clear mandate: we will not compromise on the integrity of our mission for anything or anyone,” Freisberg continued.

“I have watched Nicole fulfill that promise repeatedly.”

That mission — “to strengthen St. Petersburg’s legacy of inclusion and diversity, providing a safe space for the education, self-exploration and celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community and allies” — has faced new challenges this year. While St Pete Pride has continued to champion equality and equity through events and outreach, they’ve done so against the backdrop of the most

The Dalí Museum congratulates St. Pete Pride on 20+ years of success.

anti-LGBTQ+ legislative session in Florida’s history.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed four anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law May 17, legislation targeting LGBTQ+ students, live performances like drag, transgender health care and more. Bolstered by a Republican supermajority in the state House and Senate, he championed them throughout his second term before launching a 2024 presidential bid.

Those efforts led statewide and national LGBTQ+ organizations to issue advisories detailing the risks of relocation or travel to Florida. Organizers says that around 30% of St Pete Pride attendees come from outside of the state and they aren’t yet sure how this year’s celebration will be impacted.

St Pete Pride 2023 will go on as planned, however, and already is. In a stark contrast to Tallahassee, St. Peterburg’s elected officials joined other local leaders to proudly raise a Progressive Pride flag above City Hall June 1.

“Intentional inclusivity has always been one of our administration’s core principles,” St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch tells Watermark. He’s expected to ride his motorcycle once again along this year’s parade route.

“Our annual Pride festivities, culminating with Florida’s largest Pride parade and festival, highlight our city’s support for our LGBTQ+ community and all who have experienced marginalization,” he continues. “I’m proud to be leading

ST PETE PRIDE 2023 EVENTS

When and where to celebrate St Pete Pride 2023 with events led by or held in conjunction with the organization.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Day

No Cost, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

North Straub Park, Downtown St. Petersburg

This joy-filled event will bring thousands of LGBTQ+ youth, queer families and allies to North Straub Park for this one-of-a-kind Pride event. Guests will enjoy family-focused activities, vendors, and main stage performances.

“Get Nude: Shades of Melanin”

$15, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday, June 11

Savant on Second, 634 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg

a city that embraces our LGBTQ+ community. Our citizens are valued for who they are, not who they love or how they identify. We — all of us — are St. Pete.”

Welch also joined other leaders in Florida last month who’ve declared their cities a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, a key part of the LGBTQ+ organization GLSEN’s Rise Up Campaign. He released a proclamation declaring St. Petersburg safe and affirming for residents and visitors on May 3.

It’s just one reason St. Petersburg LGBTQ+ Liaison Jim Nixon is proud of the city he calls home.

“This year the LGBTQ+ community has faced attacks from Tallahassee and across the nation,” he explains. “This June is a symbolic month in which LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies unite in various ways and celebrate Pride. St. Pete will again be no different.

“As long as there is opposition against people from this community and worldwide, cities like St. Petersburg must support our impacted residents,” Nixon continues. “I have attended a Pride celebration every year since 1984, and throughout those 38 years, despite facing unsurmountable adversity, we have stood firm. We will weather this storm.”

St Pete Pride’s 13-member board and Berman have approached St Pete Pride 2023 with that mindset throughout its planning process. Organizers worked with city officials, local organizers and even hired attorneys to ensure this year’s celebration moved forward.

“All of the legislation that popped up brought a level of uncertainty since you don’t know how things will be impacted until they’re signed into law and happening,” Berman explains. “So we spent a lot of time reading legislation, I went to hearings and rallies in Tallahassee and we just kept planning, building in contingency plans.”

While each of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws impact the community St Pete Pride celebrates and serves, some were a key concern in terms of planning this year’s festivities. Among them were Senate Bill 1438, deemed the “anti-drag bill” by LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations like Equality Florida.

While it “is not an outright ban on drag or prides, it threatens excessive fines and license revocation against LGBTQ-friendly businesses, and possible jail time for individuals who admit minors into ‘adult live performances,’” the nonprofit explains. “It uses vague and subjective language that will have a chilling effect on drag shows, an intended consequence of the bill.”

“Once the law was signed, we met with the city and the feedback we got was it didn’t change any existing ordinances,” Berman says. “We’ve always followed decency standards — no nudity, no sexually explicit behavior, no profanity — so we were full steam ahead.”

Berman didn’t anticipate how St Pete Pride’s partner establishments would respond, however, noting that some sponsors aren’t returning this

Presented with the Tampa Bay Black Lesbians, this 18+ event returns with a dessert and cocktail hour from 9-10 p.m. featuring goodies from Angelique Davis and Design-a-Delight. DJ Donnie Luv perform from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Shades of Pride Festival

No Cost, 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, June 18

The Factory, 2622 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg

Shades of Pride purposefully centers the voices of the Black and brown LGBTQ+ community by uplifting their experiences through collaboration, local entertainment and vendors from within the community. The 18+ festival celebrates the history of Juneteenth, showcases art and culture and once again welcomes special guest TS Madison.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

Stonewall Reception

$75, 6-9 p.m.

The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg

The iconic Stonewall Reception honors brave individuals who have fought for the recognition of civil rights and given hope to so many. Share light bites, drinks and entertainment with St Pete Pride sponsors, community partners and government officials to celebrate progress and give credit to those who have made LGBTQ+ Pride possible.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

Friday Night Concert: Idina Menzel

$35, 6-10 p.m.

Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave. N., Ste. 206, St. Petersburg

International stage and screen star Idina Menzel headlines this year’s Friday Night Concert. The longtime LGBTQ+ ally — known for her roles as Maureen in “RENT,” Elphaba in “Wicked” and Elsa in Disney’s animated “Frozen” films — will be joined by fan favorite local entertainment in this 18+ event. Angelique Young hosts and will be joined by fellow fan favorites like Brianna Summers, Ashlee T. Bangkx, Girls Rock Camp St. Pete band Anarkitty, Queen Sheba Bethsheba A. Rem and St Pete Pride’s newly 2023 court: Miss St Pete Pride Ceazia Giovanni Kreshé, Mr St Pete Pride Mr. Vyn Suazion and Mx St Pete Pride KaMarion Lavish.

Pete Pride, cont.

GETTING THE PARTY STARTED: St Pete Pride welcomes supporters to The Grand Central District for their 2023 Kickoff Block Party June 2. View a full photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

EPIC Sexual Health Center Provides Total Sexual Healthcare

EPIC’s Sexual Health Center offers essential sexual health and disease prevention services through education, support and resources, empowering all people to achieve better sexual health and well-being.

Services include STI diagnostic and treatment services, pregnancy testing and referrals, PrEP and PEP education and medication as well as sexual health education services and workshops with an onsite sexpert.

Michael E. Dunn, MD, AAHIVS Rodrigo Sabec, ARNP | Michael Cooley, ARNP

year. Thankfully new sponsors took their place and fundraising remains on track. Some venues have also mandated age limitations for certain events, including this year’s Friday Night Concert with Idina Menzel.

St Pete Pride announced the international stage and screen star would headline last month. The longtime LGBTQ+ ally made her Broadway debut in 1996 as Maureen Johnson in “RENT,” later originating the key roles of Elphaba in “Wicked” and Elsa in Disney’s animated “Frozen” films.

“We are specifically excited about Idina because she is using local drag entertainers as a part of her performance,” Berman says. “That was one of the things that really was the hook for us, that our local folks get to be up on stage with her.

“We absolutely recognize that Pride itself was built on the back of Black and brown trans women and drag performers,” she continues. “We recognize that we would not be here today if not for their efforts historically and now. They continue to lead the fight against this legislation and for our rights.”

It’s one of the reasons St Pete Pride crowned Ceazia Giovanni Kreshé, Vyn Suazion and KaMarion Lavish as Miss, Mr and Mx St Pete Pride this year. Their annual drag pageant was rebranded from Miss St Pete Pride to Mx St Pete Pride and held April 30.

“In the wake of the current political climate in Florida, it’s critical that we acknowledge, embrace and forefront the deep diversity within our community,” St Pete Pride’s board of directors announced Feb. 28. “Despite Pride being born from a riot spearheaded by Black and brown trans women, we have watched those very communities become increasingly excluded from the visual narrative of Pride celebrations.

“With violence against the trans community on the rise, it is imperative that Pride recommit to creating safe and equitable spaces that lift every person represented by the Pride flag,” they continued. “In celebration of our city’s rich diversity, St Pete Pride is proud to introduce the Mx St Pete Pride Pageant … open to all contestants, regardless of gender.”

“I think it’s essential that we have more inclusivity in our

community,” Kreshé says. “Even though we have the same values that the rainbow flag stands for, we have become more divided. It’s really great that we can now open the door to all sorts of people to be a part of something as big as St Pete Pride. It’s about time!”

The newly crowned representative first competed for Miss St Pete Pride last year, receiving first runner-up in the process.

“I was treated so well and it made me think about what being queen must be like,” she remembers. “So this year I had something to prove and I gave it my all — and I’m so happy I won! I’m truly grateful.”

Kreshé hopes to represent those who look like her while standing proudly beside them, especially in uncertain times. It’s something Suazion agrees with.

Mr St Pete Pride, a fan favorite recording artist and more, says he’s participated in the celebration every year since 2015.

“I absolutely love the comradery that comes to life on the streets,” he notes. “With this Pride event being one of the biggest in the nation, it’s definitely a monumental experience that can’t be missed. I’m so grateful to not only be attending in the year 2023 but to also be a part of the Royal Court.”

Mx St Pete Pride is particularly moved to have been crowned one of this year’s three representatives. Lavish is the first to hold the title.

“It opens an avenue for entertainers that don’t fall solely under the umbrella of female impersonator or male entertainer,” the performer says of the role. “I feel it allows us to be truly yourself … having the Mr and Mx allows the St Pete Pride Pageantry a growing opportunity to not have all the work on our Queen.

“I think it was an awesome move,” Lavish continues. “It’s an honor to be the first and I look forward to making sure we continue to push and open new doors and opportunities for our community.”

St Pete Pride’s court is slated to appear or perform at each of this year’s major events, joined by other fan favorite entertainers from near and far. The family friendly LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Day and adult-oriented “Get Nude: Shades of Melanin” are scheduled for June 10, along with the BIPOC-focused Shades of Pride Festival June 17. It returns with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge T.S.

Madison ahead of the Stonewall Reception on June 21.

“We do have drag at every event, on every stage,” Berman stresses. “It’s who we are, it’s what we do and there wasn’t any way we were moving forward without them. They’re our headliners, they’re our hearts.”

Additional entertainers include “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, season 15’s Miss Congeniality. Read our interview with the Saturday festival headliner on p. 37. Her performance will precede this year’s TransMarch and parade.

“We don’t know what to expect in terms of attendance,” Berman reiterates. “We’ll either see a big push for support or we’ll drop off a little bit — but for us, if we still have 90 or 100,000 people on parade day, that’s a win.”

St Pete Pride will return to its birthplace June 25 for the “Pride in Grand Central” street fair. The event welcomed 75-100,000 to The Grand Central District last year.

“The Grand Central District Association is proud to be the host for many Pride festivities highlighted by St Pete Pride’s Street Festival on June 25,” GCDA Executive Director David Foote says. Attendees can expect entertainment along Cocktail’s main stage — including pop stars Sheena Easton and Tiffany.

“The District’s community of residents and businesses celebrate diversity and inclusion throughout the year and it’s never been more important to brightly shine our support on the darkness of hate and divisiveness,” Foote adds. “We look forward to an epic celebration throughout the month of June and well beyond.”

As for the official close of St Pete Pride 2023, events include the transgender-focused Transtastic June 28 and the return of “Queer-E-Oke” June 30. The latter will once again welcome “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge Carson Kressley.

“With everything that’s been happening, this Pride just feel so much more important,” Berman says. “We’re very, very fortunate to be in a city that supports us, because it’s clear that not everyone has that same support.

“We’re ready to go,” she adds. “Come out and support it for the greater good — because if we can hold a very large Pride safely, lawfully and appropriately, then so can the smaller entities around. You can’t stop Pride.”

Learn more at StPetePride.org.

ST PETE PRIDE EVENTs, cont.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

St Pete Pride TransMarch, Parade and Festival

No Cost, 2-10 p.m.

Vinoy and North Straub Park, Downtown St. Petersburg

Celebrate St Pete Pride’s 21st year in this accessible, safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. on both sides of the parade route, which runs from Albert Whitted Park to Vinoy Park along Bayshore Dr. Vinoy Park hosts this year’s main stage entertainment like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, VIP cabanas and more. The TransMarch will also step off from Vinoy at 5:15 p.m., ending at the start of this year’s parade.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

Pride in Grand Central Street Fair

No Cost, 12-5 p.m.

The Grand Central District, St. Petersburg

Return to where it all started for St Pete Pride’s street fair. This all-ages celebration features block by block of entertainment, vendors, food, community partners and interactive games. Expect street performers and hundreds of participating businesses and organizations like Cocktail, which features entertainers Tiffany, Sheena Easton and more.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

Transtastic

No Cost, 6 p.m.

Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg

This welcome event celebrates Tampa Bay’s transgender and nonbinary community, showcasing a variety of talent, artistry and more. Guests will meander through both indoor and outdoor spaces enjoying appetizers and a cash bar.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

Queer-E-Okee

$20+, 7 p.m.

The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg

Celebrity host Carson Kressley returns to welcome hundreds for a hilarious and love-filled evening of music and camaraderie. The “Drag Race” judge will introduce a roster of local queer musicians who will perform some of the community’s most beloved songs while the audience sings along with the help of karaoke style lyrics projected onto a large screen. Tickets are $20, $45 or $75, with separate meet and greet tickets available for $50. Doors open for that and more at 6 p.m.

Looking for more ways to celebrate Pride in St. Petersburg this year?

Check

When and where to celebrate St Pete Pride 2023 with events led by or held in conjunction with the organization.

Foxxy Fun

Malaysia Babydoll Foxx brings Miami’s heat to St Pete Pride

Ryan Williams-Jent

THE 15TH SEASON OF “RUPAUL’S Drag Race” premiered on MTV in January, introducing the reality competition’s latest batch of fan favorite queens to the world. Sixteen performers lip synced for some serious cash, the crown and coveted title of America’s next drag superstar.

Breakout stars included Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, the show’s first performer from Miami. While she sashayed away in eighth place, her fellow

contestants awarded her Miss Congeniality.

A 14-year drag veteran, Foxx followed in the heel-steps of Fort Lauderdale’s Lashauwn

Beyond, her drag mother and season 4 contestant. She was a fan before and after Beyond’s experience and says she’d gladly compete again.

Until she’s an All Star, Foxx is connecting with fans in and outside of her home state — appearances which include a headlining stop at St Pete Pride 2023. Watermark spoke with her ahead of time about “Drag Race,” attacks against drag and the importance of Pride.

WATERMARK: WHAT DREW YOU TO DRAG?

It was the creativity and the freedom in drag to dress up and be someone else that you aren’t on the regular, especially when you see yourself as a shy person. You get to just put on that mask and portray someone else, be free, have fun and have nobody to judge you. I just like the creativity.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE STATE OF DRAG IN FLORIDA? IS DRAG DANGEROUS?

Drag is not dangerous, it’s always just been entertainment. I think the more that it becomes mainstream, people that don’t understand it are the ones that are afraid.

They are putting unnecessary labels on it just to shut it down, because they clearly see the positive impact that drag has. A lot of times when people don’t agree with certain things, they’d rather put a negative narrative on it … some people who aren’t willing to do the research to understand what it really is, they just follow that narrative.

But for me, drag has always been so colorful, so positive, so welcoming, especially for people who feel misunderstood or who don’t feel like they’re a part of anything. Drag has always been that space and that platform that is welcoming to any and every one, because drag is not just for queer people. It’s for everyone.

A NUMBER OF FLORIDA ENTERTAINERS HAVE APPEARED ON “DRAG RACE,” INCLUDING YOUR DRAG MOTHER, BUT YOU’RE THE FIRST FROM MIAMI. WHAT’S THAT LIKE?

It makes me feel very good to be the first person from Miami. Obviously you get the bragging rights, but I wanted to be on the show just open up the door to what the scene is like in Miami, because I felt like we didn’t have anyone that represented us on “Drag Race.”

Miami represents the fun side of drag, where it’s so free. We’re so popular when it comes to drag and I was always like, “why is one of the most popular places for drag not being seen on this platform?” Florida is one of the biggest pageant scenes and is very popular, so I felt like it was time for somebody from Miami to represent that.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE THAT PERSON?

I feel like I kind of give a mixture of pageantry as well as the performance side of drag. I wanted to open that door to give other entertainers the opportunity to utilize this platform and be seen as well.

I know that a lot of entertainers from Miami have tried out for the show throughout the years and haven’t been

to stand my ground and stand up for myself, but that all comes from things that I’ve been through outside of the show, especially trying to be noticed in my drag scene or trying to make a name for myself.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF NOW AS

AN ENTERTAINER?

Right now I’m just traveling and meeting all my fans and the people that support me. That’s something that I really enjoy doing, because I didn’t really get to do it before. I wasn’t a full time drag queen before “Drag Race” [and] now it’s an obligation, but a fun obligation. You get to do what you love, you get to create and be whoever you want to be at the end of the day. It’s great.

WHY ARE YOU EXCITED TO PERFORM AT ST PETE PRIDE?

successful making it on. I also thought that making it on it would open up that door for those people and help them not to give up, because it took me six times to get there.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM COMPETING ON THE SHOW?

It made me realize that I wasn’t as super confident as I thought I was. (Laughs.) So it opened up doors to make me build myself up even more and I learned to use my voice in a way that doesn’t have to be malicious, but also to stand your ground and be seen.

Anyone that watched the show saw my little episodes when I had

So when you go into a competition on TV, and you are around a bunch of strangers — and you feel like they don’t see you either — I felt like I had so much more to prove. I’m happy that I learned those things about myself, to use my voice, stand up for myself and not to back down.

YOU MADE AN IMPRESSION ON FANS AND YOUR CAST. DID YOU EXPECT TO BE VOTED MISS CONGENIALITY?

I mean, I wasn’t aiming to be Miss Congeniality, I was aiming to be the winner. (Laughs.) But anything that I do comes from a place of love and I know that I’m a very genuine and nice person. We didn’t see all of those moments for me there, but I took the time to really get to know every girl that was on the cast outside of the show.

I made it my duty to get to know every person because that’s just how I am. It’s a very unique

and very particular experience, I would say, that no one knows about unless you’ve been through it.

So everyone has a situation very differently and for me, I always wanted to make sure that everyone was okay or feeling alright, because some people don’t like to lose and they handle it very differently. My goal was always to make sure that everyone was okay and if they needed an ear or somebody to

Pride in general is such an amazing thing, because it’s people gathering to celebrate love, life, happiness, being authentic, being free and just being themselves. I’m excited to be surrounded by and intimate with people that want to show love and support. I want to give off the same energy to those people.

WHY DO YOU THINK PRIDE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA?

Because we have people who don’t understand what drag entertainers and performers are doing. We need to show that as queer people — people who celebrate Pride, even allies — can all come together to celebrate life and love, because at the end of the day, the message is spreading love.

talk to, that I was that person. At the end of the day, I just feel motherly all the time.

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN GOING BACK?

I wouldn’t mind it, I think I would have a different perspective going back. I’m not going to say I didn’t have fun, but I think I would have a lot more fun because I understand what it is that I’m going through. (Laughs.) When you do it the first time, everything is a surprise. I would know what I’m getting myself into, so I definitely would go back to show my growth. Yeah, why not?

We don’t want to do anything other than spread love, have fun, be our authentic selves and just create a safe space for people to be exactly who they are. I think we need as many people as possible to celebrate Pride … we have to show people that no matter what, we’re still got to live our lives, we’re still going to have a good time.

We still gonna have fun and that’s what it is, you’re just going to have to deal with it.

WHAT’S COMING NEXT FOR YOU?

I’m going to be going on tour later on this year. Me and [fellow “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 15 contestants] Sugar, Spice and Mistress. We will be doing a drag bootcamp tour and spreading a lot of love.

Malaysia Babydoll Foxx performs at St Pete Pride June 24 after this year’s parade at Vinoy Park, located at 701 Bayshore Dr. NE in St. Petersburg. For more information, visit StPetePride.org.

MISS CONGENIALITY: Malaysia Babydoll Foxx was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow competitors on season 15 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” PHOTO COURTESY KING’S QUEENS ENTERTAINMENT

Pride in general is such an amazing thing, because it’s people gathering to celebrate love, life, happiness, being authentic, being free and just being themselves.

— MALAYSIA BABYDOLL FOXX

Comedy and Commentary

Dirty John’s ‘Gays R Us’ sketch show fights hate with humor

the upcoming show. “When we’re highlighting a beautiful love story from the 1700s, and people in 2023 can still relate to the shame they experienced, something major needs to change,” she says.

Children expressing who they are and what they feel isn’t new either. Cat Lim tells a story about having a crush on her Barbie in her standup segment. Lim says that for years she felt embarrassed after learning she liked girls by playing with Barbies, a childhood secret she kept to herself.

“A friend of mine and I used to play with Barbies and we did what a lot of kids were doing — have them kiss and other intimacy,” Lim says. The experience elevated some of her sexual feelings.

Skyla Luckey

COMEDY CREW: (L-R)

Cat Lim, Edward Leonard, Wil Lorenzen, Jay Hoff, John Huls, Ryan Hill, Claire Selius and Charissa Anderson.

DIRTY JOHN’S

DIRTY JOHN’S, A FAN FAVORITE

improv group in Tampa Bay, will take the stage during St Pete Pride with “Gays R Us.”

The vaudeville style celebration will lampoon everything from Florida’s attacks on drag to the state’s laws targeting the transgender community. John Huls, founder of Dirty John’s, says his improv troupe spares no spiritual expense. Especially after Governor Ron DeSantis signed four anti-LGBTQ+ bills into law ahead of Pride month.

“We’ve always been queer-centric,” Huls says. “More than half of us [in the cast] are LGBTQ. Queer humor has gotten me through these 65 years being on a very hetero-planet and I love giving back to an audience with comedic activism where you can feel as if you’re part of what’s happening. Only the theater can give that to you.”

“Gays R Us,” scheduled to perform at The Studio at 620 in St. Petersburg June 22-24, has four stage platforms. Each represents a different sketch. The show’s 11-person cast, which includes drag queens and drag kings, will open the show by performing a mashup of LGBTQ+ anthems.

Huls says the cast includes people from all walks of life. One of the show’s sketches, “Straight to Gay,” was written by the cast’s “token-straight guy” Will Lorenzen along with heterosexual cast member Charissa Anderson.

Lorenzo says it’s based off a character who’s being raised by two gay men, one who doesn’t understand why he’s attracted to women. It’s a spoof on how some think children raised by gay parents will also be gay.

“It’s funny because there is an element to that story,” Lorenzo says. “I grew up with a dad who was a puppet designer and set designer, so I had a lot of gay people in my life. If grooming were a thing then I’d be gay. The government we have now seems to think we need to be free from freedom.”

Cast member Claire Selius says being queer isn’t new, and “neither is keeping it a secret.” Selius shares a true lesbian love story from the 16th century using puppets in

“Very conservative people,” Avery explains. “My sister and I were specifically raised as Jehovah Witnesses, and we were raised in a town that was very culturally Southern, Lake City. We were in a religion that is unabashedly transphobic and homophobic.”

Loving someone for who they are would get you kicked out of the church, your family and your community. Avery explains that she did what was best for her at the time and came out as a gay man at 23.

“Every trans person’s journey is different,” Avery notes. “I came out as gay in my 20s. I had never heard of trans people and I didn’t know what trans people were growing up in a conservative family and small town. I didn’t have access to information about what it was to be trans.”

She always knew that gay wasn’t exactly the right word for her, saying it kind of fit but it didn’t fit completely. She began meeting trans people in her 20s which helped her discover that she closely identified with them.

“I felt that these feelings were probably inappropriate, and I knew it wasn’t something I could openly talk about,” she explains. “I shared it with my friend and she did not reciprocate those feelings, so it was kind of traumatizing. I realized later in life that it was a hilarious story.”

Lim thinks a lot of people can relate to her experience, and that’s one reason why she likes doing standup. By working with Huls, she learned that good comedy is personal.

Two sisters who were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses are also part of the show, sharing their true story of separation by religion. Avery and Sarah Belyeu will detail being disowned by their family when Avery made the choice to live authentically as trans at 30 years old.

The story is presented as a brief vignette into two perspectives, growing up with a trans sibling and living as herself.

“Our purpose is to promote understanding and love,” Sarah says. “Trans people are you and me — just a more beautiful iridescent color in the spectrum of humanity.”

The Belyeu family dates back to the 1830s in Florida, Avery says. The sisters feel centuries later that their family, including their parents, have held onto a stagnant mindset, preventing love and acceptance.

Sarah says they were always surrounded by love, but were also constantly aware that if they chose not to follow the Jehovah Witness faith, their family and friends would no longer be permitted to have any contact with them. Eventually they chose their own happiness.

Sarah has moved to Tampa since then and started her life as a restaurant entrepreneur, while Avery calls Dallas home. Avery’s upcoming visit to St. Petersburg will be her last visit to Florida for quite a while, citing the state’s anti-trans laws.

The sisters’ story is likely the most serious delivery of the sketches in “Gays R Us.” Others are fictional but inspired by the political climate in Florida, featuring a drag queen underground railroad.

Two characters — Daisy Shadowcreek, played by Jay Hoff and Shasta Velvet, played by Ryan Hill — will take audiences on a drag queen’s journey as they try to escape the laws of DeSantis by going underground. Shadowcreek is Velvet’s drag mother. Hoff spoke to Watermark in character.

“We are here to fight and we’re not running away,” the actor said. “I had a ticket for that train and we are not running away. Our community needs us. Our state needs us. The world needs us.”

“Gays R Us” plays June 22-24 at 8 p.m. at The Studio @620, located at 620 First Ave. South in St. Petersburg and tickets are $15. Learn more at TheStudioat620.org.

PHOTO COURTESY

(ABOVE) DIXIE’S CUP (AND BOWLS):

Dixie Longate will be peddling her Tupperware during her popular show at the Garden Theatre.

Tupperware Party

Dixie Longate brings iconic show to Garden Theatre

After the end of the lockdown, she emerged with another new project, “Cherry Bombs and Bottle Rockets.”

Watermark spoke with Dixie in mid-May ahead of her Tupperware Party at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden for three nights June 15-17.

WATERMARK: YOU MENTIONED PRIOR TO OUR INTERVIEW THAT YOU MAY BE SPEAKING WITH US WITH A COCKTAIL IN HAND, WHAT’S YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE TODAY AND IS IT IN A TUPPERWARE CUP?

Dixie: I have leftover cocktails today because I had Cinco De Mayo at my house and it’s always good to make extra because you never know who’s going to show up. They never RSVP, those people, I tell you! That would be sacrilegious if I wasn’t drinking from a Tupperware cup. What if I’m drinking and driving and hit a squirrel, I might spill my drink! With a Tupperware cup I won’t make a mess.

Emily Paul

HAILING FROM MOBILE, ALABAMA,

Dixie Longate is the Tupperware slinging, gum chewing, fast-talking drag persona of Kris Andersson, the writer, actor and producer of “Dixie’s Tupperware Party.” A mother of three who started selling the iconic plastic containers as conditions of parole in 2001, Dixie is a true Southern belle sharing her knowledge of food storage and funny tales for audiences to enjoy.

“Dixie’s Tupperware Party” started as a friend’s suggestion to sell Tupperware in the early 2000s and would later become a hit, performing over 1,700 shows worldwide and stirring up laughs in every crowd. Longate would become one of the company’s top sellers of Tupperware through her performances. The show has become one the longest-running

off-Broadway tours in American theater history.

“Never Wear a Tube Top While Riding a Mechanical Bull (and 16 other things I learned while I was drinking last Thursday)” was Longate’s second show concept performed during 2014. Dixie would create a streaming show during the COVID-19 pandemic called “Dixie’s Happy Hour” that ran in 26 cities.

I have been at the Jubilee almost every year since I started this, which is the big Tupperware convention. Almost every time I’ve been, they invite me up on stage and I get recognized for my achievements. It makes me smile for them to call my name and for me to walk up on stage with my big tumbler in hand filled with something.

WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT FROM THE TUPPERWARE PARTY AND WHAT DOES THIS SHOW MEAN TO YOU?

It’s a party onstage with games and prizes! I bring people up to get them involved because that’s really part of the fun. It’s a story of empowerment, all told through a Tupperware party. I take everybody, I lift them all up and leave them a little bit smiley-er than they came in. The ultimate message of the show is about who you are and who you can be.

A lot of people look at Tupperware and think “Oh, that’s for old ladies. It’s not something I want to enjoy.” But this really is for everybody. The reason this show has been running for 15 years on the road is because audiences have so much stinkin’ fun. It lifts you up a little bit and I think everybody, especially these days, needs something that speaks to their hearts. Grab your grandma, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, come on out and see the show. It’s more fun than you can shake a stick at!

THE TUPPERWARE PARTY IDEA CAME FROM A FRIEND OF YOURS, CORRECT? TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SHOW’S HISTORY AND HOW IT CAME TO BE WHAT IT IS NOW.

A friend of mine and I were at a Tupperware party years ago and they told me “You should do this! You’d be so good at it.” And my parole officer said I needed a job to get my kids back, so it seemed like a perfect fit. I was having a good time and making money and getting creative food storage so that just made everything better.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS SHOW? HAVE YOU BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE TUPPERWARE COMPANY?

I started selling Tupperware in 2001, gosh. That’s crazy! I put it together as a show and brought it to New York in 2007 and did it off-Broadway. That’s where it got all this traction and attention. I’ve been on the road touring ever since 2008, just doing my best to make people smile and help them with their food storage needs.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF TUPPERWARE?

You know, it’s somewhat hard to pinpoint but I love my Jell-O shot caddy! Sometimes I bring them to church and bust them out if it’s the same sermon I’ve heard before. I send them around during the same time as the collection plate is going so you can take something out of the Jell-O shot caddy and leave something in the collection plate. Everybody wins that way!

I also love my can opener. I talk about it in the program and sometimes I take it to bed with me because it’s just that good of a can opener. I don’t want it too far in case I need to open a can in the middle of the night.

I don’t think there’s a piece of Tupperware that I don’t love, but there’s some that I just use all the dang time.

“Dixie’s Tupperware Party” will be at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden June 15-17, starting at 7:30 p.m. This show is for adult audiences of 18 years or older. Tickets are on sale now at GardenTheatre.org.

PHOTO COURTESY VICTORY PRODUCTIONS

CONGRATULATIONS

Diversity Arts and Urban Dog Studio announced May 23 that they will acquire the Studios at 5663.

Eunic and Eve Epstein-Ortiz were wed in St. Petersburg May 26.

The City of Clearwater raised the Pride flag for the first time June 1, launching “Living the Culture: Clearwater Celebrates Pride.” Read more about their month of festivities at WatermarkOnline.com.

St Pete Pride officially kicked off June 2 with a block party. Read more about this year’s celebration in this issue and view a full photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com.

Project Pride’s Grand Carnival returned in Sarasota June 3. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

Polk Pride returns this month in Lakeland, including the organization’s signature event June 17. Read more at WatermarkOnline.com.

The Mari Jean Hotel has announced their official opening date of June 20. Read more at MariJeanHotel.com.

Filmmaker Eric Casaccio’s “Freak” will return to the Dunedin International Film Festival’s LGBTQ Pride Short Film Bloc June 22. Doors open at 6 p.m. with “Gen Silent.” Read more at Facebook.com/FreakTheFilm.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

St Pete Pride Executive Director Nicole Berman, Tampa Bay photographer Nick Cardello, Sarasota performer

Lindsay Carlton-Cline, Come OUT St. Pete board member

Christopher Lawrence (June 8); St Pete Pride cofounder Gerry Broughman, Tampa Bay chiropractor Joshua Carreiro, EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim (June 9); Tampa Bay Sister Daniel Lancaster, AAA Director Julio Soto, HCC teacher David Usrey, Tampa Bay lawyer

Scott Bird, Ybor store owner Sharon Rose, Tampa Bay

cowboy Roger Bell, St. Pete life-saver Richard Recupero (June 10); Tampa Bay real estate agent Ken Hodges, Tampa marketing whiz La’Trice “Lady LaLa” Sharpe, Tampa Bay leading loaner Keith Louderback, St. Pete SoyBright Candle Company co-owner Tim Huff (June 11); Tampa native bear

Ryan Morris, St. Pete trailblazer Darden Rice, Tampa Bay activist Lucas Aiden Wehle, Tampa Bay ally Julia Sharp, Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber President Justice Gennari (June 12); Empowering Differences entrepreneur Ashley

T. Brundage, Sarasota activist Joshua Beadle, Tampa Bay marketer Tony Pullaro, Oxford Exchange server Curtis Lynch (June 13); Tampa-based performer Lunatique, former TIGLFF president Chris Constantinou, Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay president Bill Kanouff (June 14); Tampa photographer Poly Costas, St Pete Q&A founder Jimmy Biascan (June 15); Bodywork Massage and Day Spa owner Roger Medrano, Town ‘n Country banker Travis Hilborne, Sarasota filmmaker Anthony Paull, St. Pete bartender Taylor Pruett (June 16); St. Pete photographer J.J. Respondek, Tampa Bay entertainer Arabella McQueen, St Pete Pride President Tiffany Freisberg (June 17); Sherloq Solutions’ Jonah VandenBussche, Flex Traffic School owner Tito Rhodes (June 20); Former Watermark account manager Russ Martin, Tampa Bay chauffer Marty Theriot, St. Pete handyman Adam Miller, KW Realtor Jordan Conover (June 21).

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

1 STREET SERVICE: Kaitlyn Lampasso welcomes patrons to Cocktail with a special pop-up bar June 1. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

2 SARASOTA SPARKLE: Project Pride Co-Founder Katie McCurry (L) and President Jason Champion strike a pose during The Grand Carnival at the Circus Arts Conservatory June 3.

BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

3 A DECADE OF PRIDE: St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch (L) presents St Pete Pride Executive Director Nicole Berman with a proclamation declaring June as Pride month during this year’s flag raising June 1.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

4

PINELLAS PROUD: The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County table at Gulfport Pride June 3.

PHOTO FROM REP. LINDSAY CROSS’ FACEBOOK

5 RESOURCE’S RESOURCE: The Raymond James Inclusion Network presents the LGBTQ Resource Center with $7,800 to fund three scholarships.

PHOTO COURTESY THE LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER

6

SETTING THE MOOD: Members of Rainbow Recreation prepare to lead a flash mob during St Pete Pride’s kickoff block party June

2.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

TEAM TAMPA: The Hillsborough County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus joins Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (2nd from R) to raise the flag above City Hall June 1.

7

PHOTO FROM THE DEM CAUCUS’ FACEBOOK

8 PAWESOME PALS: (L-R) Tammy Benjamin, Jackie Gill-Foil, Lindsey Burkholder and Deidre Favero enjoy Dog Bar’s foam party June 2.

PHOTO COURTESY DEIDRE FAVERO

PHOTO

CONGRATULATIONS

Watermark presented its annual Splash Awards at the Orlando Fringe closing ceremonies May 29.

Watermark editors awarded “Bullock and the Bandits” for Best Original Costume, “Dungeons and Drag Queens” for Best Use of Geek Culture, Kendall Leamy in “The White Lotus: Orlando” with the Jennifer Coolidge Award and “The Hock-Cock-A-Mook Islands” with the LGBTQ+ Award.

Watermark’s readers voted on their favorites from Fringe and honored Joel Swanson for “The White Lotus: Orlando” with Favorite LGBTQ+ Writer, Lily Garnett for “A Bad Romance” with Favorite LGBTQ+ Supporting Performer and AJ Pratt in “PeeVira’s SCAREavan

SingAlong” with Favorite LGBTQ+ Lead Performer. Ciara Hannon wrote and directed “Gay Cowboys” and won Favorite LGBTQ+ Director and “Gay Cowboys” also won Favorite LGBTQ+ Show.

CONDOLENCES

Longtime Orlando Fringe and Spooky Empire supporter, and friend of Watermark, Denna Beena passed away June 1. The community will honor this local icon with a Celebration of Life at CityArts, located at 39 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando, June 17 from 6-10 p.m. She was an artist, a giving person and supported numerous charities. With that in mind, pieces from her personal art collection will be available at the event for a donation made that night to Hearts of Reality. All proceeds from the bar will be donated to Lovey Loaves.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Orlando artist Nick Smith, Orlando drag performer

Addison Taylor (June 8); Freedom For All Americans

VP of government affairs Hannah Willard, KangaGirl

Productions diva Margaret Nolan (June 9); Central Florida teacher Jochy Cora-Santiago, Flag World

Orlando’s GM Rocky Ruvola (June 11); Watermark

Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams, Orlando activist Wendy

Elkes (June 12); Department of Transportation employee

John Stimis, Former Watermark account manager

Dalton Connell (June 13); Orlando DJ and model Marisa

Maddox, Opera Orlando’s Grant Preisser, The Glass

Knife’s Steve Brown (June 14); Central Florida pianist

Tim Turner (June 15); Central Florida queen Evelyn

Adonis, Central Florida Sounds of Freedom president

Joe Kennedy (June 16); CTS Agency’s Carolyn Capern, Central Florida LGBTQ history buff Ken Kazmerski (June 17); Intersex activist Juleigh Mayfield, CBP Martial

Arts Academy Orlando’s Milena Ofsowitz, Orlando artist

Lu’e Diaz (June 18); Watermark sales manager Danny

Garcia, LGBTQ activist Stacy Gayle, former Watermark intern Natalie Caballero (June 19); Photographer

Jonathan Croft, Flight attendant Andrew Elder, Miracle of Love’s Mpowerment program coordinator Lester Burges, Chiropractor and Joie De Vivr owner Dr. Will Llewelyn (June 20); Drag legend Angel Sheridan, Steelers fan

Jimmy Guzic, Central Florida Softball League diva Eric Hans (June 21).

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

1

BEACH GRADS: Graduates from Bliss Cares’ TRANSformation held a ceremony ahead of RipTide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon June

2

PRIDE MERCH: An out and proud shopper checks out the Disney Pride collection on sale at Disney Springs June 2.

3

DISNEY FANS: A group of red-shirt-wearing Disney fans take in sunshine at Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom June 3. Photo by Dylan Todd

4

YAS QUEEN: Jade Foxx is crowned as the new Miss GayDayS during the weekend pageant at DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld June

5

WATCHING OUT: Orange County Sheriff’s LGBTQ+ liaisons Sgt. Robin Petrie (L) and Lt. Brandon Ragan look out for the attendees of GayDayS’ Beach Ball at Aquatica June 3.

6

GIDDY UP: The dancers keep the party going at One Magical Weekend’s RED Roundup Party at House of Blues in Disney Springs June 3.

7

MAKE A SPLASH: Attendees are ready to get the party started at One Magical Weekend’s RipTide event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon June

8

BEARY GOOD: Kevin (L) and Jeff hit up the Bear Jamboree pool at the Crown Plaza Orlando hotel June 3.

2. PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

3. PHOTO BY KYLER MILLS

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

2. PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

community calendar

CENTRAL FLORIDA PARADE! A Grand Opening Gala and Fundraiser

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 7 P.M. WHITE ELEPHANT THEATRE, ORLANDO

The White Elephant Theatre, located at 1123 W. Fairbanks Ave., is celebrating its opening with a gala and fundraiser on June 12. Emceed by Michael Wanzie, the event will feature live performances, raffle prizes, light bites and a cash bar. You can also drop in the day before on June 11 between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for a tour of the new theatre. For more information, visit WhiteElephantTheatre.com.

Rainbow Raptors

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 10 A.M.-12 P.M.

AUDUBON CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY, EATONVILLE

Celebrate Pride Month with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. Join them for a morning of rainbow enrichment for their raptors, family friendly games and crafts, and a day to be yourself. Admission to the Center is free during Rainbow Raptors, thanks to the event sponsors -- Winter Park Veterinary Hospital and Cecil and Marty Magpuri. Donations are always greatly appreciated. For more information, go to CBOP.Audubon.org/events.

TAMPA BAY

Pride Night with the Rays

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 4:10 P.M.

TROPICANA FIELD, ST. PETERSBURG

Pride Night returns to Tropicana Field when the Rays take on the Texas Rangers. Fans who purchased a special Pride Day package will receive a Rays Pride Day can cooler, with a portion of certain ticket sales benefiting local organizations like Come OUT St. Pete, Metro Inclusive Health, St Pete Pride and more. For more information, visit MLB.com/Rays.

Loud & Proud: A Queer Beer Event

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 3-11 P.M.

7VENTH SUN BREWERY, TAMPA

This event celebrates Pride Month with food, art, vendors, jewelry, music, drag and of course, specialty beers. Ericka PC will host with performances from Angelique Young and Keirra Ka’oir Summers, all raising funds for PFLAG Riverview. 21+ after 7 p.m. Learn more at Facebook.com/7venthSunTampa.

EVENT PLANNER

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Broads’ Way starring Ginger Minj and Gidget Galore, June 9, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6103; AbbeyOrlando.com

Community Clean-Up w/ Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, June 10, Mills50, Orlando. Bit. ly/CleanColonial

Drag Bingo, June 10, Abbey Bar, DeLand. 386-734-4545; DeLandPride.org

Drag Brunch – Show US Your Colors, June 11, Island Time, Orlando. 407-930-2640; IslandTimeOrlando.com

Music Mondays at the Ren, June 12 & 19, Renaissance Theatre Company, Orlando. RenTheatre.com

Bungalower Drag Bingo and Music Video

Dance Party, June 13 & 20, Tactical Brewing Co., Orlando. 407-203-3303; Bungalower.com

Paramore, June 13, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com

Watermark’s Third Thursday, June 15, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-481-2243; Facebook.com/WatermarkFL

Hammered Brunch, June 17, The Hammered Lamb, Orlando. 407-704-3200; TheHammeredLamb.com

Gods & Monsters

8th Anniversary, June 17, Gods & Monsters, Orlando. 407-270-6273; GodMonsters.com

Opera on the Big Screen: “Aida,” June 17, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org

Pride Bar Crawl benefiting Come Out With Pride, June 17, Underground, Orlando. CrawlWith.Us/Pride

T-Dance Pool Party for Equality Florida, June 11, Casa del Merman, St. Petersburg. 727-310-4030; GayStPeteHouse.com

Devil’s Den, June 11, SpookEasy Lounge, Tampa. 813-857-5125; Facebook.com/ TheSpookEasy

Networking Ain’t a Drag: Diversity Panel & Bingo, June 13, Red Mesa Events, St. Petersburg. Facebook.com/ SWELSUMMIT

Equality Florida

Drag Queen Bingo, June 13, Creative Grape, St. Petersburg. 727-803-6004; CreativeGrape.com

“Paris is Burning,”

June 16, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org

Real Loud Open Mic, June 16, Zoie’s, St. Petersburg. 727-855-6990; ZoiesFL.com

Hand Drawn Jazz featuring the CFCArts Big Band, June 17-18, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Bazaar Botanica –Always Pride Market, June 18, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, Orlando. 407-270-6749; IvanhoeParkBrewing.com

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” June 22-25, Timucua Arts Foundation, Orlando. 321-234-3985; Timucua.com

TAMPA BAY

2023 Pride Splash Party, June 9, Highland Family Aquatic Center, Largo. 727-587-6720; PlayLargo.com

Bear Pride Glow Party, June 9, Quench Lounge, Largo. 727-754-5900; QuenchLounge.com

“Hot Box,” June 9-11, Space, St. Petersburg. 727-251-8529; Facebook.com/SpaceStPete

“The Greatest Showman,” June 10, Zoie’s, St. Petersburg. 727-855-6990; ZoiesFL.com

Pride Bar Crawl: St. Pete, June 17, Whiskey Exchange, St. Petersburg. 612-460-0094; Facebook.com/PrideBarCrawl

Pride Bar Crawl: Tampa, June 17, James Joyce Irish Pub & Eatery, Tampa. 612-460-0094; Facebook.com/ PrideBarCrawl

Tori Amos, June 18, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

Women of Rock Tribute, June 17, Salty Nun, St. Petersburg. 518-645-4741; WomenOfRockTribute.com

“Uncorking Diversity” Wine Tasting, June 19, Sauvignon Wine Locker American Trattoria, St. Petersburg. 727-827-7896; SavignonStPete.com

SARASOTA

Silver Pride, June 10, Senior Friendship Centers, Sarasota. 941-955-2122; ProjectPrideSRQ.org

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

The Tennessee Williams classic — starring (L-R) Caroline Hull, Indigo Leigh and Daniel Luis Molina — comes to the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando June 22-25. PHOTO BY ASHLEIGH ANN GARDNER

This Day and Every Day, We Remember.

#ItsMoreThanAMonth

Our philosophy toward care and inclusion extends to all humans from all walks of life. We accept everyone. We welcome everyone. It’s important to us throughout Pride Month. It’s important to us always.

BayfrontHealth.com