Watermark Issue 31.07: Crowning Glory

Jeremy Williams

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

DESK EDITOR’S

I’M

NOT SOMEONE WHO PUTS A LOT

of stock in traditions. While I love the idea behind them, I have found in most instances they are just a way for people to say, “that’s just the way we have always done it” without having to answer follow-up questions.

Perhaps it’s because throughout my life the word tradition has been used to attack the LGBTQ+ community. “Same-sex couples can’t get married, that’s not traditional marriage” or “two men or two women can’t raise kids, that’s not the traditional family unit.”

That being said, there are a few traditions that I have embraced and cherish today, almost all of them tied to the holidays. My favorites are usually the ones that center around family and food, or as I call them, the Big Three: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Growing up, we celebrated all the other holidays too —

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

though the dinner table will just be me and my Mama.

While I have tried to be home for every major holiday, I have missed a few but for good reason. I was recently thinking about the first Easter I spent away from the family. I had joined the Air Force and was stationed at my first base in Aviano, Italy. Not a bad first assignment if you can get it. Most of the people in the dorms with me were spending their first Easter away from family, so a group of us decided to do something we probably would never get the chance to do again in our lives, we took the train down to Vatican City to hear Pope John Paul II give his annual Easter sermon.

I am not Catholic, nor am I overtly religious, but this seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity and as they say, “When in Rome.”

to buy several rosaries and prayer boxes as gifts for the family, then we made our way into the crowd for the sermon.

It was in a language I did not speak, Latin I believe, and it was relatively short. The pope came out and read something, threw some holy water into the crowd and went back inside. This was in Pope John Paul II’s final years so I’m sure the last few Easter concerts were condensed versions but more than what he said or did, what I remember the most was the energy of that crowd. It was part inspiring and part scary, knowing how much sway this man had over many of these people, over their thoughts

As they say, ‘When in Rome.’

both vocation and training. As a member of the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, she spreads joy at queer events and fundraises for local charities. Page 15

Halloween, Fourth of July, New Years Eve, etc. — but the Big Three felt like huge events where family and friends came from all over and we celebrated late into the night. The spread always consisted of a turkey or ham, sometimes both, baked macaroni, meatballs, dozens of sides and what felt like hundreds of pies, cakes and “salads” made of whipped cream, nuts and fruit.

The gatherings were so spectacular that even today, as family members have passed or moved across the country, it still feels weird not to be home for each of the Big Three holidays, which is why I will make the trek home this year for Easter even

Creative Designer:

Dylan Todd • Ext. 107

Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Caitlin Sause • Ext. 104 Caitlin@WatermarkOnline.com

Sales Director:

The city was packed with thousands of people lining up hours ahead of the service. Massive screens were set up throughout the crowd so even the people in the back could see what was happening. It was like a rock concert but instead of music fans, the crowd was filled with the obsessed masses, many of whom were in tears, vying for a spot close enough so they could see the eyes of their idol. So a lot like a Taylor Swift concert.

Along the outskirts of the crowd were dozens of vendors who were selling anything and everything with the pope’s face on it, and people were lining up to each of the carts to buy it all. They had T-shirts, towels, hats, playing cards, bottle openers; you name it, they had it with Pope John Paul II’s face on it smiling back at you.

They also had an array of religious paraphernalia such as rosary beads, Bibles and small prayer boxes with a picture of the Blessed Mother in it. I made sure

Danny Garcia • Ext. 108

Danny@WatermarkOnline.com

Central FL Account Manager: Daisy Chamberlin • Ext. 101

Daisy@WatermarkOnline.com

Office Assistant:

Bubba Trahan • Ext. 100

Bubba@WatermarkOnline.com

Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer

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

and their beliefs.

The craziest part, as the crowd dispersed and we made our way back into the city of Rome, me and my friends swore we saw Robert Redford walking through the crowd. We couldn’t make our way over to him to verify but it looked a lot like him. It seemed odd to us that Hollywood legend Robert Redford would just be walking through the crowd like a regular person so perhaps it was just a lookalike, or perhaps it was an Easter miracle.

Anyways, in this issue, we look at a few events coming to our area that many people see as religious experiences. Drag legends will come together in Tampa for the 2024 Florida Entertainer of the Year pageant. We talk to several queens involved. In Orlando, The Florida Film Festival brings more than 170 films to its 33rd outing.

However you and yours celebrate, I hope you all have a happy and food-filled Easter.

MELODY MAIA MONET, NICHOLAS MACHUCA, TIFFANY RAZZANO, SISTER JUANA REACTION, MOMMA ASHLEY ROSE, GREG STEMM, SYLVIE TREVENA, MICHAEL WANZIE, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI

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

Ryan Williams-Jent MANAGING EDITOR Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

DESK EDITOR’S

MY FIRST PRIDE WAS IN 2005. I was a 20-year-old college student living away from home for the first time, so I was pretty excited about new experiences.

I also had a crush, so I can’t say that didn’t play a part in getting me there. A boy I liked asked me to volunteer with him at that year’s festival and it didn’t take a whole lot of convincing.

Up until then I had no idea my hometown even had a Pride. I grew up in a suburb outside of Cincinnati, long before dating apps or social media had such a stranglehold on our lives, and so I hadn’t yet found my place among the LGBTQ+ locals.

Pride celebrations also felt like they were meant for larger cities than mine, like Chicago or New York, or maybe just for TV. At that point I’d only seen them on “Queer as Folk,” a series I watched when my parents were asleep that was about as far away from

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

That event was my first real sense of community. Being surrounded by LGBTQ+ advocates and allies en masse, folks who celebrated what made us different instead of ignoring or tempering it, gave me a glimpse of what an equitable future could look like for us all. I loved it.

That feeling is something I still try to carry with me personally, and that I’m lucky enough to celebrate professionally. Watermark attends and seeks to sponsor Pride celebrations throughout our coverage area, from Orlando to Sarasota and in-between, and there’s certainly no shortage of them here in Tampa Bay.

I’ve lost count of how many Prides I’ve attended these days, a “problem” I could’ve never imagined at 20, and I’ll admit that occasionally some of the luster is lost under the Florida sun. But one thing I never tire of is connecting with our community, which I was most recently given the chance to do during Tampa Pride.

my life as an LGBTQ+ Ohioian as I could imagine.

I learned very quickly that Pride belonged close to home, as it had for some time. Cincinnati Pride formed in 1973, just a few years after Stonewall launched the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, and it’s elevated the fight for equality ever since. The nonprofit marked 50 years in 2023, a major milestone for any kind of celebration.

It never fit, but I still have the Cincinnati Pride T-shirt organizers gave me to wear while volunteering. I have virtually no memory of what I did to help that year — I think it had something to do with collecting tickets of some sort — but I do remember how Pride made me feel. Like I was a part of something bigger.

Creative Designer:

Dylan Todd • Ext. 107

Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com

Creative Designer: Caitlin Sause • Ext. 104 Caitlin@WatermarkOnline.com

Sales Director:

This year’s event marked a decade of its current iteration, seven of which I’ve attended. Most often that’s been while proudly representing Watermark as a sponsor, an opportunity we weren’t afforded this year after publishing the news feature “Former Tampa Pride board members call for change, new leadership” on June 7, 2023.

Tampa Pride’s leadership declined to participate in the story and Watermark’s relationship with the organization has been strained since then, but our commitment to unbiased reporting and Tampa Bay’s LGBTQ+ community has never wavered. It’s why we happily attended Tampa Pride 2024 as a vendor.

Given the circumstances I wasn’t sure what to expect, but

Danny Garcia • Ext. 108

Danny@WatermarkOnline.com

Central FL Account Manager: Daisy Chamberlin • Ext. 101

Daisy@WatermarkOnline.com

Office Assistant:

Bubba Trahan • Ext. 100

Bubba@WatermarkOnline.com

I knew right away we were where we belonged. That’s because being surrounded by so many LGBTQ+ advocates and allies honoring what makes us different still fills me with joy, whatever the circumstances. It gave me another glimpse of what an equitable future could look like and that’s always worth celebrating.

In the days since I’ve seen discourse of all sorts from Tampa Pride supporters and detractors, but my takeaway remains this. Pride is bigger than any one person. It belongs to us all, and I was thankful yet again for the reminder.

Pride is bigger than any one person. It belongs to us all.

Tampa will host another major LGBTQ+ event soon, Florida Entertainer of the Year. We detail the drag competition ahead of its impending return in this issue, speaking with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum and pageant co-owner Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor, the system’s reigning queen Twila Holiday and more.

In Tampa Bay news, the City of St. Petersburg formally recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility 2024 and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts details its upcoming Broadway season. We also examine Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” settlement and preview the Florida Film Festival.

Watermark is proud to be your LGBTQ+ news source, so thanks for reading and supporting our advertisers. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.

MELODY MAIA MONET, NICHOLAS MACHUCA, TIFFANY RAZZANO, SISTER JUANA REACTION, MOMMA ASHLEY ROSE, GREG STEMM, SYLVIE TREVENA, MICHAEL WANZIE, DR. STEVE YACOVELLI

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

Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer

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

MICHAEL SLAYMAKER TO STEP DOWN AS ORLANDO YOUTH ALLIANCE CEO

Bellanee Plaza

ORLANDO | Michael Slaymaker will retire from his role as CEO of Orlando Youth Alliance at the end of 2024 after holding the position for seven years.

Slaymaker became the board president of OYA in 2007, a time when the organization had no staff and a budget of less than $2,000. He was asked to be the first CEO of OYA in 2017.

“I absolutely love being CEO of Orlando Youth Alliance but there’s only so many hours in the day,” Slaymaker says. “The organization is growing at leaps and bounds and they really need more than just a part-time person.”

Slaymaker says the growth in the organization is tremendous. He says when OYA first started out there was only a handful of donors, now there are almost 400 donors a year.

As the nonprofit grew, the community recognized the impact of OYA. It was honored as a recipient of the Nonprofit of the Year from The Pride Chamber and won the award for Innovation & Excellence in Fundraising from the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the 2023 National Philanthropy Day.

“It’s neat seeing the community rally and understand the future of making sure that our youth community is taken care of, motivated and engaged,” Slaymaker says. “I’ve been excited to be a part of that for 17 years and still will be in the future.”

OYA has support groups in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Polk Counties along with many other activities for LGBTQ+ youth, a mental health referral program, oversees the Polk County Pride Festival and has given out over $100,000 in college scholarships, according to a press release.

Slaymaker will be moving into a new part-time role with the organization — Trustee of the Building Trust Fund, with a goal to purchase a building with the trust fund. Slaymaker says he will be managing the details like location and sizing.

To help transition, Slaymaker will stay on until the end of 2024 to help the new CEO in any way he can.

“We built into our budget that we could go ahead and hire somebody and have me at the same time be there as some overlap so that I can help to train and orientate,” Slaymaker says. “That way our organization won’t miss a beat.”

The OYA board of directors is conducting an executive search for a new CEO. The posting can be viewed in the coming month on afpcentralflorida.org/jobs.

To learn more about the Orlando Youth Alliance and what services they offer, go to OrlandoYouthAlliance.org.

central florida news

Supporting the Kids Local activists fund GSA clubs

Connor Barry

ORLANDO | When Boone High School received threats, backlash and opposition from local government due to a Gay Straight Alliance drag queen event, Eric Rollings knew he wanted to do something to support them.

Now nearly a year later, he has donated $12,000, with the help of an anonymous friend, to fund all Orange County high school GSA clubs for a full year.

“With the generosity of a very caring individual and myself, we just wanted to make sure that we guarantee that they’re funded, that the kids can have safe places to go,” Rollings says. “It is so important.”

This is not the first major contribution Rollings and his friend have made towards LGBTQ+ support. Rollings says that over the last few years he has made multiple donations to different LGBTQ+ organizations in the state.

“I’m committed to giving back to the community, especially on the local level,” Rollings says. “There are so many things that are local

that I really want to protect, that are really great programs.”

Following the cancelled “Drag and Donuts” GSA event last year and threats made to the Boone principal as a result, Rollings says he was very discouraged and ashamed of the state of LGBTQ+ support in Florida.

In the time since then, his concerns have grown as he watches the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ policies being proposed in Florida.

“There’s just this constant onslaught and lack of LGBTQ support, or actually reversing things that are already in place,” Rollings says. “Florida is so fucked up.”

This is why Rollings decided now was the time to reach out to a generous friend of his and pull together the money.

“At the high school I went to, I wish we would have had a GSA because it was rough,” Rollings adds. “When I was growing up, there was nobody who even talked about it.”

Debi Pedraza, executive director of the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, says that Rollings’ donation will

FUNDING

GSAS: Boone High School is one of the two dozen high schools whose GSAs are being funded by a $12K donation from local LGBTQ+ activists. IMAGE FROM GOOGLE MAPS

help guarantee that necessary support at all 24 Orange County high schools.

“Charitable contributions like this are able to fund activities and expenses that can’t be covered through taxpayer dollars,” Pedraza says. “For a lot of kids, school is their safe place and with clubs like these they give kids a sense of belonging and acceptance … that’s important for all kids.”

Pedraza adds that while stipends are still provided to club sponsors, all clubs are required to fundraise or find outside funding for specific events and activities.

GSA clubs can also help queer students find resources and outside support in their communities. Through events GSA clubs can connect students with local groups such as Zebra Youth, Orlando Youth Alliance and Equality Florida to offer resources and give students a chance to get involved in their communities.

Rollings says these activities are exactly what queer kids need most, especially today, given the political climate surrounding LGBTQ+ people.

“All it does is create more bullying, more hatred, more crime against people, more gay bashing and it pushes people back into the closet,” says Rollings. “With the GSA, it is one of the best ways that we can recognize bullying in the school or prevent suicide, or you can have someplace that’s safe where you can talk to people.”

STRAZ CENTER ANNOUNCES 2024-25 BROADWAY SEASON

Ryan Williams-Jent

TAMPA | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2024-25 Broadway season March 15, nine shows also featuring special encore engagements and a world premiere.

The season officially begins with the Nov. 12-17 run of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Musical.” The “record-setting Broadway holiday sensation … helps remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season,” its synopsis notes.

“Some Like it Hot” follows Dec. 10-15, featuring a book co-written by “Red, White & Royal Blue” director Matthew López based off of the 1959 Marilyn Monroe film. The New York Times called it a “super-sized, all-out song-and-dance spectacular!”

Jukebox musicals will subsequently kick off 2025.

“The Cher Show,” celebrating the LGBTQ+ icon’s music and life, will play Jan. 14-19, 2025; “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” will play Feb. 11-16, 2025 and the Michael Jackson-inspired “MJ the Musical” follows Feb. 25-March 2, 2025.

A three-week engagement of “Disney’s The Lion King” will then play April 2-20, 2025, the celebrated musical based off of the 1994 animated feature.

“There is simply nothing else like ‘The Lion King,’” the synopsis says.

“Mystic Pizza” will play April 29-May 4, 2025, a new musical based off of the 1988 Julia Roberts film. It features 80s and 90s hits. “Shucked” will play June 3-8, 2025, which made headlines throughout its Broadway run for its LGBTQ+ inclusion.

The season will also feature the world premiere of “The Boy Who Loved Batman,” billed as an inspirational comedy playing Oct. 1-Nov. 10. The beginning of the year will also feature repeat engagements of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” Jan. 3-5, 2025 and “MAMMA MIA!” Jan. 28-Feb.2, 2025.

“The process of curating the 2024-2025 Bank of America at the Straz season has been thrilling, challenging and artistically rewarding,” Straz Center President and CEO Greg Holland said in a statement.

“The season brings a renewed focus on new works with the Straz Center’s production of a world-premiere play, ‘The Boy Who Loved Batman’ and the new musical, ‘Mystic Pizza,’” he continued. “The capstone of this new season is, of course, ‘The Lion King,’ which makes its first return to the Straz in nearly a decade for a breathtaking three-week engagement.”

Ahead of its 2024-25 Broadway season, the Straz will welcome a number of other shows. “Girl from the North Country” plays through March 31 followed by runs of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Peter Pan,” “Clue” and “Les Miserables.”

Straz Center season ticket renewals and new subscriptions will be available beginning April 2 and individual tickets will go on sale at later dates. For more information about each show and to purchase tickets for the current season, visit StrazCenter.org.

Local Leadership

St. Pete recognizes Transgender Day of Visibility

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST. PETERSBURG | The City of St. Petersburg formally recognized Transgender Day of Visibility during its March 21 City Council meeting, issuing a proclamation declaring March 31 as such.

TDoV celebrates the accomplishments of transgender people worldwide while raising awareness of the work needed to improve and save their lives. The international commemoration began in 2010.

This year’s proclamation was issued by Mayor Ken Welch, who reflected on the importance of the annual observance through a local lens.

The mayor began by thanking LGBTQ+ Liaison Jim Nixon for his work to ensure the city remains informed and connected to its residents. He subsequently welcomed him to the podium for the proclamation’s reading, along with St. Petersburg Community Engagement Coordinator Eric Vaughan and St. Petersburg Police Department LGBTQ+ Liaison Major Markus Hughes.

Additional guests included Empath Partners in Care LGBTQ+ Community Support Counselor Jane Haskell, Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President Nathan Bruemmer and TransNetwork Co-Founder Andy Citino. Representatives from Equality Florida, Metro Inclusive Health and St Pete Pride were also in attendance.

“Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates transgender representation, activism and equality,” Welch read from the proclamation. “…We come together as a community to promote visibility and fairness to all transgender individuals … [and] acknowledge the resilience of transgender individuals throughout history [who have] made our American tapestry even more vibrant.”

The proclamation also referenced the “repeated attacks on trans people in Florida,” noting that the City of St. Petersburg believes “everyone should be treated with respect and dignity in society and lawmaking.” In addition to explicitly anti-transgender policies enacted by Gov. Ron

DeSantis’ administration in recent years, legislative sessions under his tenure have included explicitly anti-transgender bills crafted by the state’s Republican supermajority, some of which he signed into law.

The proclamation concluded by noting “we honor the bravery of the many transgender individuals who live in this vibrant city … in their authentic gender.” Welch also called on “all citizens to treat each other with dignity and respect, without exception.”

Haskell spoke afterwards. She noted that “visibility is often a double-edged sword, one that comes with a fierce knowledge of self, unshakeable bravery and daily courage to stand in one’s truth.

“Visibility also comes with a risk,” she continued. “A risk of losing loved ones, employment, housing and safety, especially for trans communities of color.”

She also noted that she is visible “to honor our ancestors, to celebrate those walking this journey with me and to continue carving out space for future generations.” She ended her remarks by challenging those in attendance to consider doing the same.

Citino closed the presentation, celebrating the city’s dedication to inclusivity. He noted that “when feeling included, I feel safe,” thanking local leaders for their support.

“I wish every city was just like St. Pete,” he noted. “This country would be a much better place.”

ST. PETE STRONG: (L-R) Nathan Bruemmer, Jane Haskell, Andy Citino, Stephanie Foglia and Jim Nixon at City Hall March 21. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT FLORIDA’S ‘DON’T SAY GAY OR TRANS’ SETTLEMENT

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” law is remaining in place under a settlement reached between the state and parents, students, teachers and advocacy groups who challenged it in court. But the fallout that gave it that nickname is nixed under the deal.

Florida’s 2022 law is one of the highest-profile among dozens of measures adopted in Republican-controlled states to try to rein in what can be taught about LGBTQ+ issues — and the rights of LGBTQ+ people — in a movement championed by Florida governor and former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, among others.

The main thing the settlement does is clarify a law that was purposely vague so it could be used as a weapon to discriminate, said Joe Saunders, senior political

director at Equality Florida. A key point of clarity is how the law applies to “classroom instruction,” as opposed to mere discussion or mention of a topic anywhere on school grounds.

He listed some things that will change now:

— Books featuring LGBTQ+ characters were removed from school libraries in one county. Those books must now be returned. But depending on the content of the book, a teacher might not be able to read it aloud.

— Anti-bullying programs that had been ditched because they addressed anti-LGBTQ+ bullying can resume.

— Teachers in a county that once allowed them to designate their classrooms as LGBTQ+ safe spaces with a sticker on the door were required to peel them off.

Now, the stickers can return.

— One valedictorian was forced to censor a commencement speech in which

he mentioned he was gay. That kind of censorship would no longer be allowed.

— Lawyers advised teachers in one county that they shouldn’t talk with students about LGBTQ+ issues or, if they were in a same-sex relationship, even put family photos on their desks. Those photos can now come out of the closet.

— Some after-school gender-sexuality alliances canceled meetings or went underground. Those are now clearly allowed.

“What the settlement now makes clear is that students can say ‘gay’ in Florida schools, that students can say ‘trans’ in schools … and not have to deal with censorship from the weaponized vagueness of the law,” Saunders said March 12.

The agreement took effect immediately when it was signed by a lawyer for the state government on March 11.

Under the agreement, the state government is to share the settlement — and guidance on how to implement it — with the state’s 67 county school districts.

The agreement does not lay out a timeline for that.

Since 2022, at least six other states have adopted laws similar to Florida’s. A court has put on hold enforcement of Iowa’s law from last year. Laws are in effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky and North Carolina. A federal challenge over Indiana’s is pending before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

It’s not immediately clear whether the Florida settlement could sway what happens in the other states.

Some of the measures apply the instruction bans only to younger grades — as Florida’s did when it was initially adopted. Others apply it to all public school students. Florida’s was

expanded through a state Board of Education policy last year.

Both in Florida and nationally, DeSantis has built his brand as a conservative willing to go to battle, and the law he signed in 2022 was a prime example. The approach did not help him make much of a dent in this year’s GOP presidential primary. He dropped out of the race after a blowout loss in the Iowa caucuses in January and endorsed former President Donald Trump.

Both DeSantis and the plaintiffs in the challenge to the law emerged from the settlement claiming victory.

In a statement, his office called the deal “a major win against the activists who sought to stop Florida’s efforts.”

Those who challenged it said the settlement provides clarity and “effectively nullifies the most dangerous and discriminatory impacts” of the law.

GOP STATE ATTORNEYS PUSH BACK ON BIDEN’S DIVERSITY RULES FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

Wire Report

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. | A Biden administration plan to promote diversity and equity in workplace apprenticeship programs is facing pushback from Republican attorneys general in two dozen states who assert it amounts to race-based discrimination.

The U.S. Department of Labor contends its proposed rewrite of the National Apprenticeship System rules — the first since 2008 — would modernize and diversify on-the-job-training programs while improving their quality and protecting new workers.

But the proposed rule change has become the latest example of political divisions over perceived fairness and opportunity in educational institutions and workplaces. While President Joe Biden and many Democratic-led states seek to require greater consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion, many Republican elected officials are seeking to eliminate such initiatives.

“We should not let race-obsessed ideology interfere with an important and successful apprenticeship program,” Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement on behalf of 24 states.

The proposal drew a variety of other objections, including from some business groups that contend it would drive up their costs, reduce their flexibility and ultimately decrease participation. Among other things, the proposal would require at least 2,000 hours of paid-on-the-job training, eliminating an option to finish sooner for workers who prove their competence.

“It’s going to discourage apprentices to enroll in these programs,” said Ben Brubeck, vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors, whose chapters provide apprenticeship programs.

More than 640,000 people participate in registered apprenticeship programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency, according to Labor Department

statistics. The programs provide paid on-the-job training and education for workers in a variety of fields, from construction to public administration, education and manufacturing.

Nearly 85% of participants are male and about 60% are white, according to Labor Department data.

The proposed rule would require apprenticeship program sponsors to have strategies for the recruitment, hiring and retention of people from “underserved communities.” The proposal would define that to include women, people of color, those with disabilities, military veterans, people adhering to particular religious beliefs and people who are LGBTQ, nonbinary or gender nonconforming.

Around 60 bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been proposed this year in Republican-led state legislatures. About half that many bills have been filed in support of such initiatives in Democratic-led legislatures.

IRISH PRIME MINISTER LEO VARADKAR SAYS HE’S QUITTING FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL REASONS

Wire Report

LONDON | Irish Prime Minister

Leo Varadkar, who made history as his country’s first gay and first biracial leader, announced Wednesday that he is stepping down for reasons that he said were both personal and political.

Varadkar announced March 20 he is quitting immediately as head of the center-right Fine Gael party, part of Ireland’s coalition government. He’ll be replaced as prime minister in April after a party leadership contest.

“My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political,” Varadkar said, without elaborating. He said he

plans to remain in parliament as a backbench lawmaker and has “definite” future plans.

Varadkar, 45, has had two spells as taoiseach, or prime minister — between 2017 and 2020, and again since December 2022 as part of a job-share with Micheál Martin, head of coalition partner Fianna Fáil.

He was the country’s youngest-ever leader when first elected, as well as Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister. Varadkar, whose mother is Irish and father is Indian, was also Ireland’s first biracial taoiseach.

He played a leading role in campaigns to legalize same-sex marriage, approved in a 2015 referendum, and to repeal a ban

on abortion, which passed in a vote in 2018.

“I’m proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place,” Varadkar said in a resignation statement in Dublin.

Varadkar was first elected to parliament in 2007, and once said he’d quit politics by the age of 50.

Varadkar said he knew his departure would “come as a surprise to many people and a disappointment to some.”

“I know that others will, how shall I put it, cope with the news just fine – that is the great thing about living in a democracy,” he said. “There’s never a right time to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any.”

ALABAMA GOV SIGNS BILL BARRING DEI PROGRAMS

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation March 20 that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public schools, universities and state agencies and prohibit the teaching of “divisive concepts” including that someone should feel guilty because of their race or gender. The measure, which takes effect Oct. 1, is part of a wave of proposals from Republican lawmakers across the country taking aim at diversity, equity and inclusion programs, also known as DEI, on college campuses. Republicans say the programs deepen divisions and promote a particular political viewpoint. But opponents say it is a rollback of hard-won advances and programs that welcome underrepresented student populations.

MARYLAND ATTORNEY BECOMES 1ST OPENLY GAY JUDGE ON 4TH COURT

Maryland labor attorney Nicole Berner, who worked as the general counsel for the Service Employees International Union, was nominated by President Joe Biden to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in November. She was confirmed March 19 by a 50-47 vote in the Senate. The 4th Circuit, based in Richmond, decides appeals from federal courts in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

NEBRASKA BILL TO SUBJECT LIBRARIANS TO CHARGES FAILS

A bill that would have held school librarians and teachers criminally responsible for providing “obscene material” to Nebraska students in grades K-12 failed to break a filibuster March 20 in the Legislature. But heated debate over it led the body’s Republican Speaker of the Legislature to slash debate times in half on bills he deemed as covering “social issues” for the remaining 13 days of the session. State Sen. Joni Albrecht, who introduced the bill, said it simply would close a “loophole” in the state’s existing obscenity laws. But critics panned it as a way for a vocal minority to ban books they don’t like from school and public library shelves.

JAPANESE COURT: TO DENY SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A Japanese high court ruled March 14 that denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and called for urgent government action to address the lack of any law allowing for such unions. Plaintiffs and the LGBTQ+ community in Japan cheered it as giving them hope for change toward equality. The court does not have the power to overturn the current marriage law, which has been interpreted to restrict marriage as between a man and a woman. Government offices may continue to deny marriage status to same-sex couples unless the existing law is revised to include LGBTQ+ couples or a new law is enacted that allows for other types of unions.

Novice Sister Juana Reaction

POSITIVE REACTIONS

Allyship in Action

IRECENTLY

HAD

THE opportunity to participate in the “Let Us Live” march and rally in Tallahassee, which was organized by LGBTQ+ advocates during the Florida legislative session.

The purpose of the march was to advocate for the rights and dignity of trans Floridians, with a particular focus on protesting House Bill 1639, the “Trans Erasure Bill.” This bill was one of several anti-trans bills proposed during the legislative session.

It would have required someone’s sex assigned at birth instead of their gender identity to appear on driver’s licenses, endorsed conversion therapy for trans Floridians, implemented extra costs for gender-affirming healthcare and eroded local nondiscrimination laws throughout the state. These bills would have terrible consequences for trans Floridians, exposing them to unnecessary danger in everyday situations and placing undue burdens on obtaining lifesaving healthcare.

The day of the march, our Tampa Bay delegation met in a parking lot in Ybor at 4 a.m. to depart to Tallahassee together in a bus. The Drag2Talle group (formed last year for the 2023 Drag Queen March in Tallahassee) acted as organizers and facilitators with the leadership of Ericka PC, Justine B. Knights and Lilith Black.

After several visits that the group had made to Tallahassee during the legislative session, the march would serve as the culmination of these efforts. The excitement and passion were palpable during the drive up. We had dozens of trans attendees and trans allies in the bus, including parents, siblings and friends, who were united in their desire to contribute towards the common goal of having our voices heard.

Now, you may be asking, if the march was for trans people, why were there non-trans attendees? The answer is simple: allyship in action. You see, sometimes we think that allyship is something that cisgender

straight people are called to do, but not us queer people because we are in the middle of the oppression.

While we are all in the middle of the fight for equality, it is undeniable that there are certain groups under our LGBTQ+ umbrella who need enhanced allyship. Such is the case for the trans community, which has had to endure hateful and hurtful rhetoric in the current political climate, particularly these past two years.

Regardless of how you identify, you can still be an ally to groups in need. Even though I do not identify as a trans individual (when out of my nun habit, I identify as a cisgender gay man), I was among many trans allies who decided to show up in action on that day, showing our trans siblings that they are not alone in this fight.

The march started at a park where we joined delegations from cities across Florida. Once all arrived, there were more than 200 participants estimated at the event. Several speakers invigorated the crowd with inspiring speeches. A minister from a Unitarian Universalist Church said, “Those who believe in freedom, justice and love cannot rest until it comes.”

We then marched uphill towards the Florida Capitol, united in chants asking for the recognition of trans rights and the rejection of hate and discrimination in our state. Once we arrived at the steps of the Capitol, more inspiring speakers took to the podium, including trans grassroots community leaders and supportive legislators.

Barbie Mugler, executive director of Trans United in Elevation, had words that resonated with me. “Our presence does not hinder or infringe on your existence. More rights for us does not mean fewer rights for you,” she said. “Tolerance is not the replacement for acceptance. What already exists cannot be erased.”

That last line evoked one of the loudest cheers of the

day. Her words united us in strength and solidarity. After the speeches, we went inside to the rotunda of the Capitol, where we showed through our numbers and presence that we are a force to be reckoned with.

On the drive back we were all processing the

it got stuck in committee at the Florida Senate, which effectively killed the bill, at least for this session.

Did this occur entirely due to the march? Probably not, but it was an important and prominent action which contributed to this result. The truth is, no

groups that you can join to effect change. Let this be a call to everyone to always choose to be an ally to those most in need, whether you identify in the same way as them or not.

This year’s march had a profound impact on Florida’s LGBTQ+ community. History

While we are all in the middle of the fight for equality, it is undeniable that there are certain groups under our LGBTQ+ umbrella who need enhanced allyship.

day’s events and the call to further action that we received, when an advocate from our group ran down the bus hallway screaming: “The Trans Erasure Bill has been dropped!” A thunderous sound of applause and cheers filled the bus with the most welcome news. Even though the bill did end up being passed by the Florida House of Representatives,

matter how big or small a contribution may seem, all contributions are necessary to triumph as a community. No action will change the world overnight, but many actions together can provoke significant change.

What action have you taken recently to show your allyship to our local trans community? There are many local charities and activist

and change are happening before our very eyes — wouldn’t it be exciting to be a part of that?

Novice Sister Juana Reaction is an educator by both vocation and training. As a member of the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, she spreads joy at queer events and fundraises for local charities.

talking points

I didn’t become an actor so that I could play an actor. There’s no part I’ve ever played where I wasn’t playing something I’m not. It’s part of the gig. And I’ve always said, if gay actors weren’t allowed to play straight actors, Broadway would be over.

—”WILL & GRACE” STAR ERIC MCCORMACK SPEAKING ON “GOOD MORNING BRITAIN” ABOUT STRAIGHT ACTORS PLAYING GAY CHARACTERS

STOLEN ‘WIZARD OF OZ’ RUBY SLIPPERS WILL GO ON TOUR THEN BE AUCTIONED

APAIR OF RUBY SLIPPERS WORN BY JUDY GARLAND IN “THE WIZARD OF OZ” WERE RETURNED TO THEIR OWNER, nearly 20 years after the iconic shoes were stolen from a museum in the late actor’s hometown. The memorabilia collector who owns the iconic footwear immediately turned them over to an auction company, which plans to take them on an international tour before offering them at auction in December, an official with Dallas-based Heritage Auctions said March 18. The ruby slippers were at the heart of the beloved 1939 musical. In reality, Garland wore several pairs during filming. Only four remain. Memorabilia collector Michael Shaw’s ruby slippers were believed to be the highest quality of all of them — they were the ones used in close-ups of Dorothy clicking her heels. Shaw loaned them in 2005 to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. That summer, someone smashed through a display case and stole the sequins-and-beads-bedazzled slippers. Their whereabouts remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018.

TILSON THOMAS TO LEAD NY PHILHARMONIC PROGRAM

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS IS TO CONDUCT the opening subscription program of the New York Philharmonic season, three years after the conductor announced he was being treated for a brain tumor. The 79-year-old is to lead the orchestra in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 14 with Emanuel Ax and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony on Sept. 12, 13 and 15, the orchestra said March 19. Tilson Thomas said in August 2021 that he had surgery for a brain tumor. He has continued to lead an active schedule but with fewer performances: Tilson Thomas led four concerts with the New York Philharmonic in March 2023. He was founder of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach.

MERCURY’S LONDON HOME FOR SALE

FREDDIE MERCURY’S SANCTUARY IN LONDON, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century — minus his “exquisite clutter.” Garden Lodge, as the neo-Georgian brick home in the posh Kensington neighborhood is known, is for sale by Knight Frank for offers exceeding $38 million. It is not publicly listed. Mercury, the frontman for Queen, bought the house in 1980 — the year the band’s album “The Game,” with hits “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” topped the charts. He reportedly paid cash for the property, which was listed for more than 500,000 pounds, according to “Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury.” Mercury died in the house in 1991 of AIDS-related pneumonia at 45.

‘X-MEN ’97’ SHOWRUNNER EXITS

BEAU DEMAYO, THE OPENLY GAY SHOWRUNNER of Disney+’s animated “X-Men ‘97” series, has parted ways with Marvel Studios. The news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter March 12, just one day before DeMayo was expected to attend the show’s Hollywood premiere. No reason was given for his firing and DeMayo, who is active on social media, deleted his account. He has since reactivated it. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Marvel Studios’ Brad Winderbaum said while he can’t give details, he would not characterize DeMayo’s departure as “being fired.” “’We parted ways’ is the best way I could say,” Winderbaum said. DeMayo completed season one of “X-Men ‘97,” which began March 20, and wrote stories for its second season which is under production.

4,240

BOOKS IN SCHOOL

AND

PUBLIC LIBRARIES WERE TARGETED IN 2023, A SUBSTANTIAL HIKE FROM THE THEN-RECORD 2,571 BOOKS IN 2022.

47% OF THE BOOKS BEING CHALLENGED HAVE LGBTQ+ AND RACIAL THEMES. — A report from the American Library Association

Florida Entertainer of the Year honors local and legendary drag

Ryan Williams-Jent

FLORIDA ENTERTAINER OF the Year made its anticipated return in 2023, welcoming 600 people to The Ritz Ybor for an elevated evening of local and legendary drag. The Tampa-based pageant is one of nearly 20 preliminaries around the country, all of which serve as a springboard for drag artists to compete at National Entertainer of the Year.

The nationwide competition was conceptualized decades ago by George Stinson and Ed Lewis, who owned Louisville, Kentucky’s celebrated-but-defunct Connection Complex Nightclub. They were inspired by Female Impersonator of the Year, a Texas-based pageant held in 1985.

Over 30 queens have been crowned since 1991, including Central Florida’s Trinity “The Tuck” Taylor. She competed and won National EOY in 2014 before becoming a fan favorite victor on various iterations of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

“Pageantry as a whole is just something different. It’s not gone mainstream, like what people see with ‘Drag Race,’ and for me

specifically, pageantry is really what built me into the entertainer that I am,” Taylor says. “I started doing pageants when I first started doing drag and EOY was the first major system that really took me in.

“I competed for 10 years in the system, and it’s really what introduced me to people that I know today,” she continues. “It was like a finishing school for me and it’s important because it really does help people get connected to others in their community.”

Eight contestants entered last year’s Florida EOY, vying for $5,000, a crown, sash, certificate and hotel stay for National EOY in Kentucky. They were judged on their presentation, creative evening wear, an on-stage question and answer session and specialized talent.

After the scores were tallied, Florida EOY sent

CONTINUED ON PG. 23 | uu |

PHOTO OF TWILA HOLIDAY BY JAMARCUS MOSLEY

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

SERVICES

Comprehensive Primary Care

Gender A rming Care

HIV, STI & Viral Hepatitis

Testing & Treatment

Prevention, Education & Outreach

LOCATIONS

CLEARWATER

2349 Sunset Point Road #405

Clearwater, FL 33765

O ce: (727) 216-6193

eFax: (877) 868-0981

PALMETTO

408 7th Street West

Palmetto, FL 34221

O ce: (941) 803-7939

Fax: (941) 417-2328

eFax: (866) 622-3009

WALK-INS WELCOME AT ALL LOCATIONS *

* services vary by location

Lab Draws

Linkage to Care Services

Medical Peer Navigators

On-Site Pharmacy

Patient Care Coordination

PrEP & nPEP Services

Ryan White Provider

Spanish Speaking Sta Support Groups

Telehealth Services

Transportation Services

NEW PORT RICHEY

4758 Rowan Road

New Port Richey, FL 34653

O ce: (727) 312-2040

eFax: (888) 806-9655

ST. PETERSBURG

3251 3rd Ave N #125

St. Petersburg, FL 33713

O ce: (727) 498-4969

ORLANDO

1301 W. Colonial Dr.

Orlando, FL 32804

O: (407) 246-1946

F: (855) 895-5749

TAMPA

2105 N Nebraska Ave.

Tampa, FL 33602

O ce: (813) 769-7207

winner Kenya M. Black and first runner-up Twila Holiday to nationals, two fan favorite queens from Central Florida. The latter ultimately captured the crown.

Holiday says her path to victory began with Taylor, long a cheerleader for the system and now a one-third owner of National EOY. The “Drag Race” alum also helped guide Florida EOY organizers Neil and Katie McCurry through their first year as promoters.

“Trinity approached me literally the week of the pageant,” Holiday explains. “She said she thought I’d make a great contestant and at the time I had never thought of competing in EOY. It wasn’t in my immediate future.

“I said, ‘I don’t have time to invest and really prepare for a pageant, but I’ve got a decent drag wardrobe. I think I could throw something together,’” she recalls. “So that’s exactly what I did. I decided to do the pageant two days before I showed up for registration — we put our little package together and came in first alternate.”

Holiday won three of the preliminary’s four categories, all but her Liza Minelli-themed talent.

“I wasn’t able to secure dancers for it, which I knew was going to be an issue,” she says. “But the overall experience for Florida EOY, going in having never competed in an EOY pageant, was remarkable. It was honestly the best experience I had ever had.”

That’s thanks in large part to the McCurrys, who Holiday says “went above and beyond” as promoters. The two were also recognized for their efforts at nationals.

Florida EOY won preliminary of the year in 2023. Neil calls the accolade “a big honor for us, particularly because there are so many other great prelims out there.”

“When Trinity approached us about doing this, Katie and I said we had to really go big or not do it at all,” he explains. “That was the approach we took with it. We spent a lot of time thinking about what the pageant would look like — from the flow of people walking in the door and what their experience would be like — to the ancillary things

happening around them like meet and greets.”

The McCurrys worked diligently to conceptualize the preliminary from start to finish. The evening featured entertainment from “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner Kylie Sonique Love and other talents.

“The stage presentation, the lighting scheme, we were very pleased with all of it,” Neil says. “So to be recognized by our peers as the event of the year was a great, great experience for us.”

community to have something like this for everyone to enjoy.”

Neil expects up to 10 contestants for this year’s preliminary, which returns to The Ritz Ybor April 7 at 6 p.m. They’ll compete for a $5,000 total cash prize, a crown, sash, plaque and four-night hotel stay at nationals, once again being scored on presentation, creative evening wear, on-stage Q&A and talent.

This year’s theme is Disco, which Neil says was chosen “to bring joy, laughter and put

also appear. Central Florida entertainer Addison Taylor will emcee and the evening will also feature Holiday as National EOY 2023, Black as Florida EOY 2023, Taylor as National EOY 2014 and Tiffany T. McCray, celebrating a decade as Florida EOY 2014.

Other system favorites schedule to appear include National EOY 1994 Electra, 2004’s Tasha Long, 2009’s Bianca Nicole and 2018’s Danielle Hunter. Current “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 16 contestant Nymphia

We take our commitment to bringing world-class drag to the Tampa Bay area seriously.

— FLORIDA EOY ORGANIZER NEIL MCCURRY

Taylor says the recognition was well deserved.

“Last year’s preliminary was like a national pageant in itself,” she notes. “It was run like a national pageant with the entertainment, the lineup, the judges, the location. The way that Neil and Katie put it together was like none other.

“They are so passionate about supporting the community and we’re very fortunate to have them as promoters in our system and as allies for our community,” Taylor continues. “Last year’s event was so spectacular and this year is supposed to be even better. They’re not newcomers to the system anymore and they really know what pageantry is all about. I’m excited for the

some dance in everyone’s step.” The McCurrys promise “an unforgettable evening of glamour, talent and fierce competition for an all-star drag pageant.”

“People that were there last year can expect the same energy, talent and excitement they had before,” Neil says. “They might also notice subtle differences that were designed to make the event even better.”

As for those who didn’t attend, he says “they’re going to experience what we consider to be a national class type of event, one that rivals anything they could see in Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, as far as the production and talent value.”

In addition to each contestant’s presentation that evening, local and national fan favorites will

TV money. I know the struggle of dating as an entertainer and trying to get a fair paycheck and bookings. Not only to support your art but to support yourself while doing your art.

“I think it’s super important that we support local entertainers so this art form doesn’t die and so they feel validated and appreciated so that it’s taken seriously as a job,” she continues. “Because a lot of people use it to pay for their bills and live. We need to support these artists.”

One way to do that is by supporting Florida EOY.

“EOY has a stronghold in Florida because we have so many former winners from the state,” Taylor says. “It’s important that we continue that legacy and Neil and Katie have been paramount to that, pushing this preliminary above and beyond anything that’s ever been. If you’re looking for a good pageant to come and support, it is definitely this one.”

Holiday agrees. The drag artist is currently touring the country for EOY preliminaries and is excited to reign close to home.

“I always say that before ‘Drag Race,’ in order to be a notable drag queen in the community, you had to compete in pageants,” she says. “That’s how you got bookings. That’s how you got exposure. That’s how you became a legend.

Wind will also perform, spreading both disco and “banana fever.”

“As a drag pageant we want to represent emerging local drag talent, but we’re also happy to showcase legends from ‘Drag Race’ like Trinity and Nymphia,” Neil says. “She’s one of the most popular contestants in the midst of a really competitive season. We love showcasing artists in different stages of their career.”

The McCurrys’ appreciation for all levels of drag is something Taylor holds dear. It’s also what’s kept her invested in pageantry over the years.

“This is my 21st anniversary of doing drag and I was a local artist far longer than I was anything on TV,” she notes. “I know the struggle of how expensive it is to do drag when you’re not making

“TV has kind of changed that but I’m an old school queen and I love, love, love to promote pageantry,” she continues. “EOY is the perfect platform for entertainers to make a name for themselves and now’s the time to get on board while we have the momentum rolling. This is world class pageantry and is going to be a night to remember.”

Tickets for Florida EOY 2024 are on sale now and begin at $19.95 with additional fees. Meet and greet opportunities are also available.

“Drag is, without question, a serious art form and a great form of entertainment,” Neil says. “We take our commitment to bringing world-class drag to the Tampa Bay area seriously and we’re really fortunate to be part of EOY. You’re not going to find a better place to be on April 7 than the Ritz Ybor for this celebration of drag and community.”

Florida Entertainer of the Year will be held April 7 beginning at 6 p.m. at The Ritz Ybor, located at 1503 E. 7th Ave. in Tampa. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit FLEOY.com.

REIGNING QUEEN: Florida Entertainer of the Year 2023 Kenya M. Black competes at The Ritz Ybor during last year’s preliminary. The fan favorite performer will step down at this year’s pageant. PHOTO BY JAMARCUS MOSLEY

is made up entirely of documentary content, says Anderson.

Movie Fest

Florida Film Festival has many queer offerings for 33rd outing

Connor Barry

MARQUEE

FILMS:

Enzian Theater plays host to many films and events for the 2024 Florida Film Festival.

PHOTOS BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

THE FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL IS

bringing the best of the best to Orlando April 12-21 for its 33rd outing.

After nearly 3,000 films were submitted, around 170 have been selected as part of this year’s festival.

“Everything in this lineup is kind of like our babies,” says programming director Matthew Curtis. “We have a lot of really, really fresh movies this year and a lot of talent coming in attached to those movies which is very exciting.”

The festival will begin with an opening night party and screening at the Tiedtke Amphitheater in Winter Park April 12, and over the course of 10 days, audiences will have the opportunity to interact with celebrities, filmmakers and casts, as well as view a range of feature length films, shorts and documentaries of all genres, including many queer films.

The Florida Film Festival also holds the distinct honor of being one of only a handful that are Academy Award-qualifying in all three Oscar shorts categories: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film and Documentary Short Subject; meaning any short film that is in competition that falls into any of the three categories and wins a grand jury prize is automatically eligible to be nominated for an Oscar the following year.

This year’s Academy Awards saw the nomination of “Ninety-Five Senses,” an animated short that won the Florida

Film Festival’s Grand Jury Award for Animated Shorts in 2023.

The festival team is excited for the Florida Film Festival to finally return to normalcy following the pandemic. Programming coordinator Tim Anderson says that for the first time since 2019, the juries will be watching live in the theater and the Winter Park block party will be opening the festival.

“I think that really elevates the experience, being able to watch the movie in the theater with the audience and then the filmmakers are there for the Q&A,” says Anderson.

Several LGBTQ+ films will be in the spotlight this year, representing queer people in nearly every category.

“Every section has some level of queer representation inside of it, which is something we’ve done here forever,” says Anderson.

Of the lengthy lineup of films being shown during the festival, 16 feature LGBTQ+ themes. Ranging from romance and comedy to trippy-adventure and documentary, with the highest concentration being in the domestic shorts category.

Anderson says that one of the queer films he found the most interesting was “Seahorse Parents,” a short documentary following four trans men carrying children to birth.

Every one of these films is a must watch and many of them are unlike anything you’ve seen before, says Curtis.

“We have two of the craziest animated shorts in the festival with queer content that are just insane. One of them we debated sticking in midnight shorts,” Curtis says.

The film, “Discoteque,” will likely have a mature audiences disclaimer on it but was just too good to not include in the animated shorts competition, Anderson adds.

This feeling was a common occurrence during the screening process leading up to this year’s festival, says Curtis. With so many amazing submissions it was hard to narrow them down.

Submissions began in mid-August and continued into November. The 38 programmers, headed by Curtis and Anderson, began watching the submissions immediately and this process took around six months, running into late February.

With so many films to review, the team divides into committees for the different categories: domestic documentaries and short documentaries, domestic narrative features, domestic narrative shorts and animation, international features and shorts, experimental films, music films, Florida films and midnight films.

“The final selections meetings can go on for 10 to 12 hours to pick out four or five programs,” says Curtis. “Nobody was leaving the room so we ended up adding a fifth live action shorts program, because we just couldn’t come to a consensus.”

These five live action shorts programs will be made up of 35 total films, out of the 1,100 that were submitted for the category.

The 33rd Florida Film Festival will be full of other firsts as well. Curtis says that this year’s music film lineup was so strong they added an extra music film in the spotlight section and a music documentary in the documentary competition, in addition to the three-film music section they normally have.

This is also the first time ever that one of the Florida shorts programs

This year over 40% of the live action short films are world premieres, Anderson says.

Curtis adds that typically world premieres are not as common for the Florida Film Festival because so many bigger film festivals, like Sundance and Slamdance, happen before them.

Along with its lineup of incredible films, the Florida Film Festival will also give audiences the chance to ask the filmmakers questions and even meet some of the casts.

“There is a huge number of filmmakers that come to this film festival. Last year almost 200 filmmakers were here with their projects,” says Anderson.

Among the celebrity interactions will be an event featuring Emmyand Golden Globe-nominee Natasha Lyonne, who will be on hand for a special screening of her 1999 film “But I’m a Cheerleader.”

“But I’m a Cheerleader,” which also stars Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, RuPaul, Richard Moll and Cathy Moriarty, is a comedy cult classic that follows high school cheerleader Megan (played by Lyonne) who is sent to a conversion therapy camp by her parents to “cure her lesbianism.”

Lyonne will not only be in attendance to watch the film but will also hold a Q&A with the audience after the screening.

This level of engagement is something Anderson prides himself on.

“The festival really tries to break down that wall between filmmakers and the audience,” he says. “It means a lot I think when the audience has come out and … when you talk to them after the movies are over about their films or ask them questions during the Q&A.”

Above all else, Curtis and Anderson both made one thing clear. This year’s festival lineup is something special. With such a strong lineup that they had to add extra films and extra categories to bring all the best films out to the community, the audience is in for a treat.

“The quality of the pool that was getting sent to us kind of forced our hand to turn and ask, ‘can we fit this in the lineup somewhere?’” Curtis said. “This stuff is so good; we have to play all these.” For more information

(ABOVE)

Narrative Features Competition:

“Riley”

DIRECTED BY BENJAMIN HOWARD 2023, 93 MIN, USA

EAST COAST PREMIERE

“Riley” is the feature debut from Emmy-winning writer/director Benjamin Howard about a disciplined high school athlete whose life unravels when his queer identity competes against who he’s supposed to be. With high expectations for his athletic pursuits, Dakota lives within carefully designed boundaries, a calculated blueprint upon which he’s formed the basis of his world. His father, a football star who ended up getting hurt in the NFL, now coaches Riley’s team. But when the reality of his identity comes to light, Dakota is forced to confront the consequences of denying himself or coming to terms with who he really is. Howard and actor Jake Holley will be in attendance for both screenings.

April 15, 6:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

April 17, 4 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

Documentary Features Competition:

“The Herricanes”

DIRECTED BY OLIVIA KUAN

87 MIN, USA, 2024

SOUTHEAST PREMIERE

Who knew that women’s full-tackle football existed in the 1970s? Enter the Houston Herricanes, a team made up of women from all walks of life that came together for the love of the game. Representing a city that was struggling with social issues and historical segregation, this diverse group of players were blazing a trail for women in the male-dominated game. However, unlike their male counterparts, they did not get paid. For four years this team played hard and bonded as friends and sometimes lovers. Then abruptly things ended, and most of them lost all contact with each other. Now, nearly 50 years later, the women reminisce about their experiences, and discuss how it was a defining moment in their lives and the history of the sport. Director Olivia Kuan will be in attendance on April 13.

April 13, 6:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

April 17, 3:45 p.m. @ Enzian Theater

Queer Films

Documentary Shorts Competition:

“Merman”

DIRECTED BY STERLING HAMPTON IV 11 MIN, USA, 2023

SOUTHEAST PREMIERE

Registered nurse. Civil right activist. Leather daddy. Andre Chambers will not be pigeonholed into any one stereotype. This film plays as part of the 6x Real: Documentary Shorts program.

April 16, 4 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A) April 19, 1:45 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

“Seat

31: Zooey Zephyr”

DIRECTED BY KIMBERLY REED 14 MIN, USA, 2024

Acclaimed FFF alumna Kimberly Reed aims her lens at expelled Montana House of Representatives legislator Zooey Zephyr, who turns a bench into her “office” while fighting for trans youth. This film runs with “Invisible Nation.”

April 14, 1:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A) April 17, 1 p.m. @ Enzian Theater

Narrative Shorts Competition:

“Bust”

DIRECTED BY ANGALIS FIELD 10 MIN, USA, 2024

EAST COAST PREMIERE / 2ND US SCREENING

The loyalty of a trans woman to the NYPD is called into question when she’s tasked with entrapping a fellow trans woman. This film plays as part of Shorts #2: “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

April 13, 4:45 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A) April 17, 9 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

“Deliver Me”

DIRECTED BY JOECAR HANNA

16 MIN, USA/SPAIN, 2023

EAST COAST PREMIERE / 2ND US SCREENING

A clone with a complicated relationship with his creator feels betrayed when he learns his maker made another clone and plans to sell it. This film plays as part of Shorts #4: “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

April 14, 4:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

April 18, 9 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

“Diving In”

DIRECTED BY NITZAN MAGER

7 MIN, USA, 2023

FLORIDA PREMIERE

A woman frets about getting intimate after a first date for fear her partner might be spooked by her unique anatomy. Director Nitzan Mager and writer/producer M. Rowan Meyer will be in attendance on April 14. This film plays as part of Shorts #5: “If I Should Fall From Grace with God.”

Apr 14, 9:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

Apr 19, 4:15 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

“Places of Worship”

DIRECTED BY BRIDGET FRANCES HARRIS

13 MIN, USA, 2024

WORLD PREMIERE

A devout Catholic altar girl struggles to reconcile her faith with the feelings she has for her female coworker. Director Bridget Frances Harris and actor Sabrina Lauren Michaels will be in attendance on April 14. This film plays as part of Shorts #4: “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

April 14, 4:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

April 18, 9 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

CONTINUED ON PG. 29 | uu |

“Romance Package for Two”

DIRECTED BY CARLEN MAY-MANN

14 MIN, USA, 2023

EAST COAST PREMIERE

A couple’s monotonous relationship is put to the test when a dominatrix takes up residence for the week in their kitschy roadside motel. Director Carlen May-Mann and producer Noah Dirks will be in attendance on April 14. This film plays as part of Shorts #3: “A House is Not a Home.”

April 14, 2 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

April 18, 6 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

Animated Shorts Competition:

“Discoteque”

DIRECTED BY

MASASHI YAMAMOTO 5 MIN, USA,

2023

FLORIDA PREMIERE

Two male lovers eat each other and dance on their flight to a giant disco ball in space. This film plays as part of Animated Shorts: “The Weight.”

April 17, 6:45 PM @ Enzian Theater

April 19, 9 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

“edith and the small child”

DIRECTED BY KOHANA WILSON

7 MIN, USA, 2024

EAST COAST PREMIERE / 2ND US SCREENING

An anxious recluse fends off stir-craziness, gender reckoning and visions of a massive prehistoric ground sloth. This hand-drawn, black-and-white, pencil animation about hair, puberty and body dysphoria won the Grand Jury Award for Animation at Slamdance 2024. This film plays as part of Animated Shorts: “The Weight.”

April 17, 6:45 p.m. @ Enzian Theater

April 19, 9 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

Queer Films

International Features:

“The Queen of My Dreams”

DIRECTED BY FAWZIA MIRZA

97 MIN, CANADA/PAKISTAN, 2023

Set against the backdrop of their shared love for Bollywood fantasies, a queer, first-generation Canadian girl and her mother, a conservative Islamic Pakistani woman, navigate the complexities of womanhood, family and tradition across three different eras.

April 17, 3:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A) April 21, 12 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

International Shorts:

“Seahorse Parents”

DIRECTED BY MIRIAM GUTTMANN

10 MIN, THE NETHERLANDS, 2023

EAST COAST PREMIERE

Four soon-to-be parents share their personal stories of pregnancy as transgender men. This film plays as part of the International Shorts #2 program.

April 20, 2 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B) April 21, 6 p.m. @ Enzian Theater

Midnight Shorts:

“NOHOMO”

DIRECTED BY J. SANTOS

5 MIN, USA, 2023

“NOHOMO” is a queer journey through the mind of Dick, whose mundane commute to work erupts into a phallic kaleidoscope of the subconscious. This was legit animated on a Nintendo 3DS. This film plays as part of Midnight Shorts.

Apr 13, 11:59 p.m. @ Enzian Theater

Apr 19, 11:59 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

Florida Shorts:

“Space Coast”

DIRECTED BY CAROLINE BATES

14 MIN, USA, 2023

SOUTHEAST PREMIERE

Following the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle in 2011, three students at Astronaut High School watch their hometown dissolve as they reminisce on the past and hold out hope for the future. Director Caroline Bates and cast will be in attendance on April 20. This film plays as part of Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts.

April 20, 12 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

Music Films:

“Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill”

DIRECTED BY ANDY BROWN AND BRIAN LINDSTROM

91 MIN, USA, 2023

Footnotes of music history tend to be more interesting than chapter headings. Judee Sill’s footnote? She was the first artist signed by David Geffen’s Asylum Records, home to the most successful L.A. singer/songwriters in the 1970s. Sill recorded two stunning albums, blending aching confessional lyrics with folk, classical and gospel. They bombed, and she was dropped by Asylum, dying a few years later of an overdose. Although she once graced the cover of Rolling Stone, she was basically forgotten. Lost Angel digs deep to uncover the complicated life of Judee Sill, who was far more than a failed singer/songwriter. As a teenager, Sill had a heroin habit, served time for armed robbery, and worked as a prostitute. She kept intense journals, discussing her ambition and spirituality, along with prayers to be saved from addictions and personal demons. Sill looked like a meek librarian, but she had a string of explosive affairs including one with songwriter J.D. Souther, who left her for Linda Ronstadt. Somehow, Sill transformed all this personal pain into musical masterpieces that are continually rediscovered. Offering Sill’s own voice from interviews, rare performance clips, animated sequences and interviews with contemporary artists like Fleet Foxes, Shawn Colvin, Weyes Blood and Big Thief, the footnote that was Judee Sill is ready to be shared.

April 18, 3:30 p.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater A)

April 21, 11:30 a.m. @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B)

announcements TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

OUT Arts & Culture, formerly the LGBTQ Resource Center, was awarded the nonprofit’s first of two $7,500 operating grants from the Pinellas Community Foundation March 14. Read more about the nonprofit’s rebrand at WatermarkOnline.com.

Tampa Pride marked 10 years on March 23, returning to Ybor for a full day of activities celebrating the region’s LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. Festivities included a street festival, Diversity Parade and Pride at Night. “Tampa Pride wants to extend a warm thank you to our amazing sponsors, dedicated volunteers, talented entertainment, enthusiastic attendees and the wonderful City of Tampa and Hillsborough County!” they shared via social media. March 25. “We are truly grateful for all your support and contributions that made our 10th anniversary celebration an unforgettable and special day for everyone involved.” Read more and view a full photo gallery at WatermarkOnline.com.

The Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will hold its fourth Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival March 29-31. Read more on p. 38 and at TIGLFF.com.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Mr. Come OUT St. Pete Silver Foxx, Tampa softballer Randal Spiller, Sarasota equality advocate Jen Drake, Tampa entrepreneur Art Smith, Nail tech extraordinaire

Jaime Lucas Irizarry (March 28); Tampa Bay activist Bobbi Lindaman, Watermark columnist Steve Blanchard, Bradley’s on 7th bartender Nate David (March 29); Tampa Bay activist Susan McGrath, Sarasota guitarist Jamie Gee (March 30); Tampa Bay author Jillian Abby (March 31); Sarasota paralegal Richard Furlow, Tampa Bay server John Reed Replogle (April 1); Tampa Bay entertainer KC Starrz, Franklynn Visual Marketing’s Frank Clemente (April 2); St. Pete airman Kevin Parker, Tampa Bay-based flight attendant Trenton Ferris (April 3); Sarasota actor Matt Craft, Disco Donnie Presents production manager James Dinnan, Artist extraordinaire Christine Grossman (April 4); Tampa banker Jeff Baker, St. Petersburg nurse Brian Feist, St. Petersburg entertainer Michael Jones, Tampa MCC activist Mac McGowan, Sage Sarasota’s Jordan Rose, St. Petersburg director Eric Casaccio, Largo City Commissioner Michael Smith, Shear Excellence owner Denny Newton (April 5); C2Q›s Donny Hill, Public accountant Joel Schmitz (April 6); Sarasota real estate e-marketing director Ken Demmons, All Hallows aficionado Nick Okeson (April 7); St. Petersburg HIV/AIDS activist Joe Dobson, Avidchick Design president Jennifer Carter, Project Pride SRQ co-founder Katie McCurry, Sarasota entertainer Grandma Pearl (April 8).

1 BINGO FOR THE CAUSE: The Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County surround hostess Alexis De La Mer (3rd from R) during a March 18 bingo benefiting the organization’s work at Cocktail.

PHOTO FROM THE STONEWALL DEMOCRATS’ FACEBOOK

2 MIXING IT UP: Vincent Zeoli (L) and Scott Barry enjoy Equality Florida’s 2024 Car Barn Mixer in Tampa. PHOTO FROM EQUALTIY FLORIDA’S FACEBOOK

3 ROYAL TEA: Mr. Tampa Pride Dante Medina (L) and Miss Tampa Pride Charlotte Diamond Star share a moment during Tampa Pride’s street festival March 23. PHOTO BY BUBBA TRAHAN

4 NEW BEGINNING: OUT Arts & Culture receives a grant from the Pinellas Community Foundation March 14. PHOTO COURTESY OUT ARTS & CULTURE

5 TAMPA PROUD: CAN Community Health marches along 7th Ave. in Ybor with the Key West Pride Flag for Tampa Pride’s parade.

PHOTO BY JAMARCUS MOSLEY

6 ST. PETE STRONG: Mayor Ken Welch (C) and St. Pete City Hall present local organizations with the city’s Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation March 21. PHOTO

COURTESY THE CITY OF ST. PETE

7 COMING OUT: Come OUT St. Pete hosts the return of the Grand Central District’s Chili Cook-Off March 10. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

8 WARM WELCOME: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (L) and state Rep. Michele Rayner attend the grand opening of Soul de Cuba Café March 14.

PHOTO FROM RAYNER’S FACEBOOK

announcements CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

Eric Rollings and an anonymous friend made a $12,000 donation to fund Orange County’s Gay Straight Alliances for a full year. Read the full story on pg. 8.

OPEN REGISTRATION

Registration for the eighth annual 4.9K Community Rainbow Run is now open. The Rainbow Run, presented by Orlando Health, will take place on June 8. This will be the first year that the City of Orlando is hosting the annual event. The 4.9k run (or walk) will once again start and end with a CommUNITY Festival at Wadeview Park, with the route passing by Orlando Health and the Pulse Nightclub, where a permanent memorial will be created. The CommUNITY Rainbow Run is hosted in-person but there is also a virtual option for you to participate from anywhere in the world and show your support for those impacted by the Pulse tragedy. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Orlando United Pulse Memorial, a project within Strengthen Orlando, the City of Orlando’s existing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the goal to construct a permanent memorial at the Pulse site. You can register at events.hakuapp.com/community-rainbow-run.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

New Church Family of Daytona Beach’s Jerry Corlis (March 28); LGBT+ Center Orlando board secretary

Grace Peek-Harris, Lead Genetic Counselor at Cooper Surgical Fertility Solutions Nick Charles, Orlando actor Jon Jiminez (March 29); XL106.7 radio personality Sondra Rae (March 31); DJ Lindsey Leigh, Big Bang BOOM! cabaret boss lady Gams D’Vyne, Celebration Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Lena Feliciano, Central Florida musician Melissa Crispo, DJ Twisted Dee (April 1); Form 2 Fashion co-founder Jaison Radcliff, Former cover model Aaron Sanford-Wetherell, leather enthusiast Sir Pharaoh, Orlando-based flight attendant James Sparkman (April 2); Darren Charles aka Bridgette Galore, Bowled Over Promotions’ Karyn Bell, Orlando’s Didi Panache (April 3); Orlando playwright David Lee, SOLE Orlando leader Kate Murray, burlesque performer Kissa Von Addams, Bowled Over Promotions’ Dawn Kallio, Orlando-based flight attendant Sean Wiggins, former TV personality and People Magazine writer Steve Helling (April 4); Orlando Front Runner Scott Feneck, Central Florida hairdresser Anthony Chiocchi (April 5); Orlando accountant Leah James, Opera Orlando’s Sarah Purser Bojorquez, Former PFLAG Orlando president Pat Padilla (April 6); Graphic designer Jason Donnelly, Intrepid traveler Jon Taylor, Rollins College costume studio manager Seth Schrager, Applied Veterinary Solutions owner Jean-David Parlier, local theatre artist Cathy Colburn, ally and owner of Dictor Financial Wayne Dictor (April 7); Disney performer David Negrón, Impulse Group Orlando President Noel Ruiz (April 8); LGBT+ Center Orlando’s Marshall Turner, Orange County Mayor’s LGBTQ liaison Marc Espeso (April 9); local LGBTQ+ advocate Arthur Charles, Orlando landscaper Todd Meyer, local activist John R. Sloan Jr., Orlando lovebird Bobby McCall (April 10).

1

GRAND OPENING: Owner Lane Blackwell cuts the ribbon for the grand opening of MojoMan Swimwear and Clothing’s new Orlando location Feb. 28. PHOTO BY BUBBA TRAHAN

2

ON TOUR: Sammy Rae plays for the crowd for their CAMP: The Tour! in Orlando Feb. 28. PHOTO BY BUBBA TRAHAN

3

MEDIA DAY: Rick Todd (L) and Jeremy Williams attend Epcot’s kick off to its 2024 International Flower & Garden Festival Feb. 28.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

4 AT THE FAIR: Gidget Galore is dressed to the nines for Pride Night at the Central Florida Fair March

6. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

5 WITH THE BAND: Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost plays the drums on stage at his Madsoul Music Festival in Orlando March

2. PHOTO BY BELLANEE PLAZA

6 TAKE THE STAGE: Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani speaks to the crowd at the Madsoul Music Festival in Orlando March 2. PHOTO BY CONNOR BARRY

7 SEASON OPENER: Ed Blaisdell (L) and Tom Dyer cheer on Orlando City SC for the team’s season opener at the INTER&Co Stadium in Orlando Feb. 24. PHOTO FROM TOM DYER’S FACEBOOK

8

COLLEGE DAYS: Come Out With Pride’s Tatiana Quiroga attends Rollins College’s Non-Profit Summer Internship Hiring Day in Orlando March 22. PHOTO FROM COME OUT WITH PRIDE’S FACEBOOK

CENTRAL FLORIDA

TDoV 2024

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1-4 P.M.

LGBT+ CENTER, ORLANDO

Transgender Day of Visibility is a day dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness about the issues and challenges they face. Join the Trans & Non-Binary Task Force for a free wellness event at The Center Orlando featuring trans and nonbinary health care organizations, information on the Florida Legislative session, a craft space area, snacks and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/comeoutwithpride/events.

The Pride Chamber

April Business Connect

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 6-8 P.M.

ORLANDO SHAKES, ORLANDO

Mix, mingle and network with other LGBTQ+ professionals at The Pride Chamber’s April Business Connect social, hosted by Bowled Over Promotions and Orlando Shakes. As part of our gathering, The Pride Chamber will be collecting personal hygiene products for middle and high school students, to be donated to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools. Space is limited so register now at ThePrideChamber.org. The event is free for members and $20 for non-members.

TAMPA BAY

Transgender Film Festival

FRIDAY, MARCH 29-SUNDAY, MARCH 31

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, ST. PETERSBURG

TIGLFF’s 4th annual Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival marks Transgender day of Visibility and returns with in-person and virtual events. An opening night reception will be held at 5 p.m. on March 29 at Thrive DTSP, in-person screenings will be held all weekend at Green Light Cinema and a TransFest Community Picnic will be held in St. Pete March 31. Read more at TransFilmFest.Eventive.org.

Popcorn/Watermelon VII

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 9 P.M.

AMERICAN LEGION SEMINOLE POST 111, TAMPA

The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will hold the next installment of their lip sync battle benefiting Girls Rock St. Pete. Amateurs are welcome and can win bragging rights, $50 and a chance to judge a future competition. The evening will also feature performances from the sisters, raffles and more. Get details at Facebook.com/TampaSisters.

THE CELEBRATION TOUR

Kamden T. Rage Benefit, March 31, The Garage, St. Petersburg. 727-258-4850; Facebook.com/ OFCLGaragePage

“Mrs. Doubtfire,” April 2-7, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in the Park,” April 3-May 5, Demen’s Landing, St. Petersburg. 727-823-7529; AmericanStage.org

Madonna, April 4, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com

EPIC Generations Improv Class, April 4, 11, 18, 25, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org

Orchid Festival, April 7, Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg. 727-551-3102; SunkenGardens.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA

“From Here,” March 22-May 5, Renaissance Theatre Company, Orlando. RenTheatre.com

Orlando Ballet’s Director’s Choice, March 28-31, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-426-1733; OrlandoBallet.org

LGBTQ+ Sand Volleyball League spring opener, March 29, Festival Park, Orlando. OUTSportsLeague.com

CeCe Teneal, March 29, Judson’s Live @ Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Joey Fatone & AJ McLean: A Legendary Night, March 29, Hard Rock Live, Orlando. 407-351-5483; HardRockLive.com/Orlando

April Fresh Comedy Brunch, March 30, Jack & Honey’s, Orlando. 407-440-4079; JackAndHoneys.com

Orlando Otters

Fish Fry, March 30, Grumpy’s Underground, Orlando. Facebook.com/ OrlandoOttersRFC

Drag Me To Brunch, March 31, Sidecar Home Market, DeLand. 386-232-8551; DeLandPride.org

Easter Sunday Golden

Egg Hunt, March 31, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

UCF Celebrates the Arts, April 3-14, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 844-513-2014; DrPhillipsCenter.org

The Apopka International

Spring Orchid Festival, April 5, Krull-Smith, Apopka. 407-886-4134; KrullSmith.com

Joint Canvas: Knock on Doors for Anna, Carlos & Stephanie, April 6, Orlando. Bit.ly/Canvass2024

Forever ABBA Canada, April 6, Ritz Theater, Sanford. 407-321-8111; RitzTheaterSanford.com

Spring Fiesta in the Park, April 6-7, Lake Eola Park, Orlando. FiestaInThePark.com

LGBTQ+ Kickball League spring opener, April 10, Barnett Park, Orlando. OUTSportsLeague.com

TAMPA BAY

“Girl from the North Country,” Through March 31, Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” Through April 7, Jobsite Theater, Tampa. 813-229-7827; JobsiteTheater.org

Beyonce Release Party, March 29, Ride’em Cowboy, St. Petersburg. RideEmCowboyDTSP.com

Music Bingo, March 30, Neptune Grill, Gulfport. 410-262-2929; GregAndersonEvents.com

Melissa Etheridge, April 11, Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa. 866-388-4263; SeminoleHardrockTampa.com

LGBTQ+ Veterans Coffee Connection, April 11, Empath Partners in Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org

LGB2B+ Breakfast Social, April 12, The Crumb Factory, St. Petersburg. 727-623-9830; Facebook.com/Groups/ LGB2BPlus

EPIC Generations Coffee Hour, April 12, Sunshine Center, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org

SARASOTA

“Hamilton,” Through April 7, Van Wezel, Sarasota. 941-263-6799; VanWezel.org

Divine AF, March 30, Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, Sarasota. 941-266-8561; DivineAF.com

Madonna brings four decades of her hits to Tampa’s Amalie Arena on April 4. PHOTO BY RICARDO GOMES

Jeremy

Bayfront Health is now Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.

A new name, for a new century of care. Three years ago, we welcomed Bayfront Health into the Orlando Health family of hospitals. Since that time, we’ve been making steady investments in Bayfront Health and the St. Petersburg community to improve the quality of care and your patient experience, with expanded services and access to more top specialists. And we are proud to add our name. Stay tuned for even more good news to come.