Watermark Issue 31.13: Haus of God

United Methodist Church embraces LGBTQ+ community in historic shift

Carlos Guillermo Smith elected to Florida Senate

Drag docuseries highlights LGBTQ+ Tampa Bay

United Methodist Church embraces LGBTQ+ community in historic shift Drag docuseries highlights LGBTQ+ Tampa Bay

Carlos Guillermo Smith elected to Florida Senate

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Carlos Guillermo Smith wins election to Florida Senate.

Jeremy Williams

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

DESK EDITOR’S

IAM NOT A BIG BIRTHDAY GUY, AT

least when it comes to my own. It has been years since I had a birthday party thrown for me, the day usually would consist of dinner with friends and maybe a stop at a local bar for a few drinks.

The day became way more lowkey after 2016 when the Pulse tragedy happened on June 12, my birthday. Since then the day has become a time to be with my community, remember the 49 lives lost and honor their memory. This June 12 was the 8-year mark of the tragedy and it was spent doing just that, attending events and mourning with friends, with each hug they would lean in and whisper “happy birthday.” It is a weird feeling being wished a happy birthday during a memorial service but I appreciate the acknowledgment from everyone.

I turned 45 years old this year and as I read through my

birthday messages on Facebook, I was reminded of a conversation I had 10 years ago on my 35th birthday with the founder of Watermark, Tom Dyer.

The office had gotten me a cake and a card and sung “Happy Birthday” to me, as is tradition at Watermark, and as the cake was being cut and slices doled out to the staff, Tom came up to me. I’m paraphrasing as I don’t recall what he said verbatim, but he said to me “Now is when you have to decide who you are and what you want in life. And if you want to make any changes, the next 10 years are the ones you’ll want to do it in. After 45, change becomes a lot more difficult.”

I’m not even sure if he remembers having the brief conversation with me but I took it to heart that day and really started to look at where I was in life. At the time I was an account manager in Watermark’s sales department. I was happy to be at Watermark but had always dreamed of being a journalist. I was on the high school newspaper when I was younger, I went back to college after my time in the Air Force to study journalism and it was what I had a passion for.

Tom’s words rang in my ears and while it wasn’t the only reason I had made the decision I made, within three months of that conversation, I had left Watermark. Like Kevin Costner looking for another Oscar, I headed west. My sister and her family were moving to North Dakota and I decided to accompany them on the trip. The plan was to help them get settled into their new life before heading further west to Los Angles where I had a friend who had recently moved there and see what the west coast had in store for me.

My time in North Dakota was short lived — I was only there for five months — before receiving a call on a cold January evening from Watermark’s Online Editor, Jamie Hyman. Jamie was pregnant and setting up her temporary replacement while she was going to be on maternity leave. She called me just as I was leaving the gym (yes, I actually went to the gym on a regular basis in those days) and with the snow coming down heavy, I took the call in my car as I waited for it to warm up.

I remember Jamie’s first question for me was “How’s the weather?” I think she knew how the weather was as I’m sure she could hear my chattering teeth on the other end of the line. After some small talk, she

asked me what it would take to get me to come back to Florida, and more specifically back to Watermark. I told her a position on the editorial team would be something that would make me highly consider it. Then she offered me her job, temporarily of course, but said that this could be my time to prove myself as the journalist she knew I wanted to be and could be.

Honestly, my first thought was packing up and moving back seemed like a step backwards. You’re not supposed to go back where you just came from when you’re trying to make big things happen in your life. Then I heard Tom’s voice again, “Now is when

Within three months of that conversation, I had left Watermark.

you have to decide who you are and what you want in life.” In that moment I decided that what I wanted to do was be a journalist and the stories I wanted to tell were the queer stories in Central Florida.

I told Jamie on that call I would come back and within a few weeks I was in Orlando, writing stories and covering the community. While Jamie was gone I did exactly what she told me to, prove myself. Now roughly 10 years later, I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else.

Here’s to the future me and hopefully I won’t have to go all the way to North Dakota again to find what I want in life.

BIANCA GOOLSBY

MBA is a digital strategist and activist who partners with mission-driven organizations to increase their impact through innovative and effective online communications1. Page 17

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 19

HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, SABRINA AMBRA, ABBY BAKER, STEVE BLANCHARD, DEBORAH BOSTOCKKELLEY, JOHNNY BOYKINS, BIANCA GOOLSBY, JAKOB HERO-SHAW, LORA KORPAR, JASON LECLERC, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, 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 PHOTOGRAPHY

LLC,

DESK EDITOR’S

JUNE IS ALWAYS A WHIRLWIND 30

days at Watermark. Pride Month events seem to kick off earlier and wrap up later every year, with new festivities popping up all the time, so there’s a lot to do.

I always say it’s a great problem to have, both professionally and personally. As managing editor, I want to make sure Watermark is covering as much as possible this (and every) month, showing that our community is not only here but that we’re thriving; as a gay Floridian, I want to celebrate that with as many LGBTQ+ folks as I can, as often as I can.

It matters because it can be easy to forget there’s so much to celebrate. The entire world has watched Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans attack our community relentlessly these last few years, ignoring real issues to score political points with Donald Trump’s extremist base. We have to find joy whenever we can.

Thankfully our community is great at that. Festivities began for me May 31 when St Pete Pride, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and the organization’s supporters gathered to raise the Pride flag above City Hall again.

“When we say ‘We are St. Pete’ we mean everyone,” the mayor shared. “Our diversity is our strength and together we make St. Pete the vibrant and uplifting community that it is.” I couldn’t agree more.

That evening Watermark was recognized as OUT Arts & Culture’s 2024 Media Ally. That’s when the nonprofit celebrated its rebrand from the LGBTQ Resource Center with its inaugural OUTies Awards gala in Gulfport.

A key part of the celebration was honoring the group’s supporters over the years. Watermark Publisher Rick Todd and I recorded a video to detail our gratitude for the recognition ahead of time, which played that night. I’ve been proud to cover their work and I was proud to accept Watermark’s award with my husband at my side.

St Pete Pride’s official kick-off party followed June 1, always one of my favorite events. Pridegoers filled car-free blocks of the Grand Central District to officially launch this year’s celebration.

The Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber subsequently held its annual luncheon June 6. It was a wonderful reminder that so much of Tampa Bay’s business community is here for us, something St Pete Pride’s Stonewall Reception reiterated that night.

The fundraiser welcomed supporters to the James Museum and raised at least $15,000 for the nonprofit’s work, just days before their annual Youth and Family Day June 8 — also the Tampa Bay Rays’ Pride Night. The team lost the game but championed equality throughout it, making for another memorable trip to Tropicana Field.

Since then I’ve been to LGBTQ+ art exhibits, celebrated the ninth annual Polk Pride and more, and festivities won’t slow down until July. St Pete Pride’s signature weekend is here and very queer, with more coming after that.

I’m proud to say that this year Watermark and St Pete Pride collaborated to create the official St Pete Pride Guide, available in both of June’s print editions, all official events and digitally at WatermarkOnline.com. It was an exciting endeavor both professionally and personally.

Watermark has supported the nonprofit since its inception in 2003, incidentally the year I graduated high school in Ohio, and I’ve attended every year since

moving to Florida just five years later. On a professional level, I’m thankful for their trust in us and for their commitment to working with local LGBTQ+ businesses.

On a personal level, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to have Florida’s largest Pride right in our backyard. I’ve loved every event this season and I’m excited for the rest, which I’ll spend surrounded by loved ones and other LGBTQ+ advocates I admire. June can be tiring but it’s always rewarding.

We focus on something else worth celebrating in this issue. In a historic shift decades in the making, the United Methodist Church

June can be tiring but it’s always rewarding.

repealed its ban on LGBTQ+ clergy last month. We speak with local reverends about what that means for LGBTQ+ and ally people of faith.

In Tampa Bay news we highlight some of this month’s festivities. Gulfport Pride addresses the inclusion of a pro-Trump vendor at its annual event and we preview what’s coming to the Grand Central District for the remainder of June. Our state also got some of the best Pride news imaginable: a federal judge struck down Florida’s law blocking gender-affirming care.

We tune into “Beyond Borders” for arts and entertainment. The five-part docuseries is streaming now on YouTube and highlights local advocates known for their advocacy and drag. We also preview the Anime Festival Orlando.

Watermark is proud to be your LGBTQ+ news source, so thanks for reading and supporting our advertisers. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy the St Pete Pride Guide and our latest issue. Happy Pride!

BIANCA GOOLSBY

MBA is a digital strategist and activist who partners with mission-driven organizations to increase their impact through innovative and effective online communications1. Page 17

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 19

HOLLY KAPHERR ALEJOS, SABRINA AMBRA, ABBY BAKER, STEVE BLANCHARD, DEBORAH BOSTOCKKELLEY, JOHNNY BOYKINS, BIANCA GOOLSBY, JAKOB HERO-SHAW, LORA KORPAR, JASON LECLERC, JERICK MEDIAVILLA, 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 PHOTOGRAPHY

central florida news

Senator Smith

Carlos Guillermo Smith wins election to Florida Senate

Luis Xavier De Peña

ORLANDO | Former Florida

Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith will now represent the state’s 17th District in the Florida Senate as he was the only candidate to qualify before the June 14 deadline.

Running unopposed, Guillermo Smith will succeed the term-limited Florida Sen. Linda Stewart.

“My heart is full of gratitude for this community who has entrusted me with the responsibility of serving as their state senator,” Guillermo Smith said in a press release. “Since last year, our campaign has knocked on over 10,000 doors in Senate District 17. We know that voters are frustrated with the direction our state has been heading, and they’ve had enough. Rents and property insurance premiums are soaring, over a million Floridians have recently lost health care, and Tallahassee has turned our classrooms into political battlefields.

Guillermo Smith goes on to express his love for his Orlando community in the statement, adding that he promises to “defend our values, to put people over politics, and to inspire hope for a better, brighter future for our state.”

“A future where families aren’t forced out of their homes or out onto the streets due to soaring rents and property insurance rates; where teachers can earn a living salary; where every student is protected and every family is respected; where people living with disabilities get the services they deserve to live and work in their communities; where families can live safe from gun violence; where Floridians can love who they want to love or be their authentic selves without harassment and intimidation; and where Floridians have the freedom to make private medical decisions without political interference,” he said. “That’s the Florida we deserve and that we are fighting for.”

Guillermo Smith was the first openly gay Latinx LGBTQ+ member of the Florida House when he was

Guillermo Smith announced his run for Florida Senate District 17 from the steps of Orlando City Hall in April 2023.

BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

elected back in 2016. He will now become the first Latinx LGBTQ+ member of the Florida Senate and the second gay man sent to the Senate following Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones of Miami.

“We’re thrilled that voters are sending Carlos back to Tallahassee to continue the fight in the Florida Legislature. Carlos is an unflinching progressive and one of the governor’s sharpest critics. He consistently exposes the governor’s lies, hypocrisy, and agenda to strip away our rights and freedoms. When the governor hid public information from voters, Carlos took him to court and won. Carlos is on the front lines, working to ensure the safety and well-being of all Floridians,” said Stratton Pollitzer, Chair of Equality Florida Action PAC, in a statement. “This victory is a testament to the support and respect Carlos has from the voters in this district. He arrives in the Florida Senate as a champion of the people, unopposed. Congratulations, State Senator-elect!”

Guillermo Smith announced his run for Florida Senate District 17 from the steps of Orlando City Hall in April 2023 surrounded by about 100 friends, family and supporters. He was joined by several elected officials including Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost, state Sen. Victor Torres and state Rep. Anna V. Eskamani. The 43-year-old Democrat represented Florida House District 49 from 2016-2022.

OSCEOLA COUNTY REVEALS CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR ITS PULSE TRIBUTE, ‘WINGS OF THE RAINBOW’

Luis Xavier De Peña

Osceola County reveled conceptual designs for a new Pulse tribute on the eighth remembrance of the Pulse tragedy on June 12 in a press release.

Working with artist JEFRË, in collaboration with Osceola County Board of County Commission Chair Cherly Grieb, the sculpture is planned to be located in Brownie Wise Park on Lake Tohopekaliga. The structure is meant to stand as a symbol of remembrance, diversity and hope.

The 49-foot sculpture, set to represent the 49 victims, is designed with the same number of rainbow hued glass wings. Each wing will hold a name of one of the victims making the tribute an intimate place of remembrance for those lost.

Although the tragedy happened in Orlando, Osceola County has a direct connection to the event. More than 20% of the 49 victims lived in Osceola County as well as a number of survivors.

“’Wings of the Rainbow’ ensures that the memories of these individuals continue to shine brightly, standing as a reminder of the strength found in unity, diversity, and remembrance,” Grieb said in the release.

“Creating ‘Wings of the Rainbow’ has been a deeply emotional and fulfilling journey. I hope this tribute not only honors the lives we lost but also serves as a beacon of hope and unity for the community. I’m honored to create a tribute that celebrates the lives that were lost on that horrific day and to be located in a passive, tranquil space that is removed from the tragic events of that night, a place of healing and spirituality,” said JEFRË in the release.

ROAD TO VICTORY: Carlos

PHOTO

“WINGS OF RAINBOW”: The conceptual design for the new Pulse tribute that will be built in Osceola County. PHOTO COURTESY OF OSCEOLA COUNTY

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SWITCHED TO BIKTARVY

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COCKTAIL CLOSES PRIDE WITH ‘DRAG RACE’ STARS AND MORE

Ryan Williams-Jent

ST. PETERSBURG | Cocktail’s month-long celebration of Pride is well underway, festivities that include headlining performances from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” superstars, fan favorite musicians and much more through the end of the month.

Festivities began June 1 as the sponsor of St Pete Pride’s Kickoff Block Party and continue daily through June 30. Among other events, the venue will host recurring staples like Big Gay Sing-Alongs, Movies & Martinis, Loud & Proud Karaoke and its signature brunches, dance parties and tea dances.

St Pete Pride’s inaugural Rhythms of Pride was also held at The Wet Spot June 13. The celebration highlighted “the fiery spirit and colorful culture of our Latin Queer family” with music from DJ Ace Vedo and performances from local entertainers. “This isn’t just any party — it’s a big Latin fiesta celebrating our Latin heritage for the first time during St Pete Pride,” organizers shared ahead of time, a promise they delivered on.

Cocktail’s headlining entertainment leading up to St Pete Pride’s signature weekend begins June 20 with “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner Alaska Thunderfuck. After an all-male revue hosted by Entertainment Director Adriana Sparkle’s alter-ego Daddy Sparkle June 21, Cocktail will then welcome “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Xunami Muse June 22.

Fellow fan favorites Gia Gunn and Alyssa Edwards, who helped judge this year’s Mx. St Pete Pride pageant, will perform June 23. The “Drag Race” stars will be joined by Kameron Ross, the openly gay country music star and “America’s Got Talent” finalist, and Thelma Houston. The Grammy Award-winning singer is known for “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and other hits.

Cocktail’s Cocked ‘N Loaded Main Stage Celebration will feature all four from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. during this year’s St Pete Pride Street Festival in the Grand Central District. Cocktail will bid farewell to Pride Month June 30 with a special tea dance — and while all events are free, VIP experiences are available.

“We are excited to be featuring one of the most diverse lineups of entertainment at this year’s Epic PRIDE at COCKtail!” Owner David Fischer says. “We have an action-packed schedule the entire month of June that features some of the most sought-after performers known internationally for their talent and impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

“The team has pulled out all the stops to create an experience for everyone to enjoy, from disco divas to a gay country artist to award winning drag performers,” he continues. “We can’t wait to make this your most epic PRIDE ever!”

For more information and to purchase VIP experiences, visit CocktailStPete.com/Pride-2024. Read more about St Pete Pride 2024 in the official guide, available in Tampa Bay editions of Watermark and at WatermarkOnline.com.

tampa bay news

Red Alert

Gulfport Pride addresses pro-Trump vendor’s inclusion

Chloe Wagner

GULFPORT, FLA. | Gulfport Pride responded to community concerns earlier this month after a vendor wearing and selling pro-Donald Trump merchandise participated in its fourth annual event.

Your Hot Sauce Company featured a selection of politically themed hot sauces at its booth June 1, in addition to a Trump 2024 hat supporting the former president’s re-election campaign. Their booth included a banner reading “Official Festival Merchandise” along with “brought to you by” the company’s logo, “Make America Hot Again” and the logo of organizer SIK Promotions.

Tiffany Razzano, who runs This Bookstore Kills Fascists and is also a Watermark freelancer, was a nearby vendor at the festival. She says several attendees were concerned about the company’s merchandise and SIK’s apparent support of its political messaging. She says she addressed the matter with Suzanne King, owner of SIK and a Gulfport Pride board

member, who advised the banner wasn’t political. Razzano detailed her experiences via social media June 1, noting that Trump “is a felon and his party has gone after the LGBTQ+ and other minority communities in Florida in recent years.”

“The logo of a Pride organizer should not be on a booth endorsing Trump,” she told Watermark afterwards. “That didn’t make any sense to me; there was a MAGA candidate for a party that hates the people you’re celebrating at Pride and it has your logo on it … that sign shouldn’t have been there.”

A response from Gulfport Pride came June 3. “We strive to make Gulfport Pride inclusive and a safe and friendly space for all participants,” they shared. “The LGBTQ+ community itself includes Log Cabin Republicans ... and we personally have several Lesbian and Gay friends who are Trump supporters. We cannot — and will not — try to censor vendors or attendees from wearing a shirt we don’t agree with, and cannot get involved with such issues unless that person gets unruly.

“We did not give any vendor the designation of ‘Official Festival Merchandise’ for the Gulfport Pride Festival,” they continued. “The vendor in question had a banner up from other, unrelated events. By the time it was brought to our attention, the festival was almost over, so there wasn’t much point in asking them to take it down.”

Gulfport Pride added that moving forward, the organization “will be reviewing other LGBTQIA+ events on our vendor selection criteria and putting any changes deemed needed.”

Gulfport Pride President Paul Ray declined to offer additional comment. King, however, told Watermark in an email that “These ... people are kind and generous HUMAN BEINGS … We host many INCLUSIVE events, not just Gulfport Pride and we work with all types of individuals and walks of life in this business. We don’t judge any of them based on their political beliefs, sexual preference, what they sell or what they wear.”

Pressed further, King noted “we will not be seeing that banner at any future events.” Watermark reached out to Your Hot Sauce Company but did not receive a response.

According to SIK’s website, the fifth annual Gulfport Pride is scheduled for June 7, 2025.

For more information about Gulfport Pride, visit GulfportPrideFlorida.com.

MAGA MERCH: A vendor sells a pro-Donald Trump hat at this year’s Gulfport Pride.

PHOTO BY TIFFANY RAZZANO

LEADERS ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE, ELECTION

Grace Lowell and Ryan Williams-Jent

ORLANDO | Florida Democratic leaders reflected on gun violence and this year’s presidential election in a press conference June 8, just days before the eight-year mark of the Pulse tragedy.

Speakers included Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and state Sen.-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith. They were joined by Orange County Democratic Chair Samuel Vilchez Santiago and Joy MCC Reverend Terri Steed Pierce, all of whom shared their thoughts on Pulse while highlighting the differences between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on gun safety and reform.

“Just this year, Republicans in the Florida Legislature tried to roll back overwhelmingly popular gun laws that make our families safer,” Fried said. “And for years now, [Gov. Ron DeSantis] has used the LGBTQ+ community as his punching bag, finding any excuse to demonize people for their gender or sexuality, all to score political points with Trump voters.

“So while we celebrate Pride Month, we also have a somber reminder of what we’ve lost and what needs to be changed so that all of us — gay and straight, transgender and cisgender, and everything in between — can live in peace. … That means reelecting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris this November, sending a clear message that we are going to keep fighting for the safety of our communities.”

The group noted the Biden-Harris administration is the first to pass a gun violence prevention law in the last 30 years. They also applauded the president’s steps to protect the country and the LGBTQ+ community from gun violence, calling attention to what his re-election campaign has characterized as Trump’s prioritization of the gun lobby.

“As we remember the 49 angels that were taken eight years ago, we also remember the strength of those who survived, the families impacted, and the enduring spirit of those who are no longer here,” said Guillermo Smith. “But we must also remember that our fight for equality and protecting our communities from gun violence is far from over. We have to stand together in the face of unprecedented attacks from the opponents of equality like Donald Trump and those who work against us and our right to live in a world that is free from gun violence.”

“After the attacks on Pulse and Parkland, Florida came together and said ‘no more,’” Fried also noted. “We’ve learned painful lessons on what we have to do to keep our communities safe … I’m afraid that the Florida Republicans have already forgotten these lessons.”

The president’s re-election campaign added in a press release that in 2024, Florida has had the most mass shooting in the U.S. thus far. “The Pulse massacre stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of bigotry and easy access to firearms,” they said.

FLORIDA LAW BLOCKING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE

THROWN OUT BY FEDERAL JUDGE

Wire Report

FORT LAUDERDALE,

FLA. |

A federal judge on June 11 struck down a 2023 Florida law that blocked gender-affirming care for transgender minors and severely restricted such treatment for adults, calling the statute unconstitutional.

Senior Judge Robert Hinkle said the state went too far when it barred transgender minors from being prescribed puberty blockers and hormonal treatments with their parents’ permission. He also stopped the state from requiring that transgender adults only receive treatment from a doctor and not from a registered nurse or other qualified medical practitioner. And he barred a ban on online treatment for transgender adults.

Hinkle said transgender people are constitutionally entitled to the legitimate treatment they need and, quoting the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., compared those who oppose it to those who were once against equality for minorities and women.

“Some transgender opponents invoke religion to support their position, just as some once invoked religion to support their racism or misogyny,” Hinkle wrote in his 105-page decision. “Transgender opponents are of course free to hold their beliefs. But they are not free to discriminate against transgender individuals just for being transgender.

“In time, discrimination against transgender individuals will diminish, just as racism and misogyny have diminished,” he continued. “To paraphrase a civil-rights advocate from an earlier time, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office blasted Hinkle’s ruling, issuing a statement calling it “erroneous,” and vowing to appeal. But those who sued the state celebrated the decision.

Lucien Hamel, a transgender adult, issued a statement saying, “I’m so relieved the court saw

there is no medical basis for this law — it was passed just to target transgender people like me and try to push us out of Florida.”

“This is my home. I’ve lived here my entire life,” he said. “This is my son’s home. I can’t just uproot my family and move across the country. The state has no place interfering in people’s private medical decisions, and I’m relieved that I can once again get the healthcare that I need here in Florida.”

A mother of one of the children who sued said, “This ruling means I won’t have to watch my daughter needlessly suffer because I can’t get her the care she needs.”

“Seeing Susan’s fear about this ban has been one of the hardest experiences we’ve endured as parents,” said the woman. She was identified in court documents only as Jane Doe and her daughter as Susan Doe to protect their privacy. “All we’ve wanted is to take that fear away and help her continue to be the happy, confident child she is now.”

DeSantis had signed the law last year as he was gearing up for a presidential campaign that was highly based on culture wars.

“We never did this through all of human history until like, what, two weeks ago? Now this is something?” he told cheering supporters as he signed the bill. “They’re having third graders declare pronouns? We’re not doing the pronoun Olympics in Florida.”

At trial, Florida’s attorneys had conceded that the state cannot stop someone from pursuing a transgender identity, but said it can regulate medical care.

For minors, the only treatments at issue are puberty blocking treatments and cross-sex hormones — giving testosterone to someone assigned female at birth, for example. Those who were undergoing treatment when the law was adopted in May 2023 were allowed to continue. Surgery, which is rare for minors, was still blocked.

For adults, treatment was still allowed but could only be done by a physician instead of an advanced practice registered nurse

or other professional. It required the patient to sign a consent form in person while in the same room with the doctor, meaning the treatment couldn’t be done on a video call or otherwise online — something not normally required with other medical procedures. Violators could be charged criminally and medical providers could lose their licenses.

Hinkle wrote that Florida had long allowed treatment for gender dysphoria, the feeling that one’s gender identity does not match one’s sex as registered at birth.

“But then the political winds changed,” Hinkle wrote. He was appointed to the bench by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1996.

For 99% of people, Hinkle wrote, their biological sex and their gender identity are the same. But for a few, they differ. Hinkle said the state admitted that during the trial, even if some won’t believe it and think transgender people are making a choice like “whether to read Shakespeare or Grisham.”

“Many people with this view tend to disapprove of all things transgender and so oppose medical care that supports (it),” he said.

He said even though the state concedes it cannot constitutionally block people from identifying as transgender and presenting themselves as they wish, several legislators made it clear in their comments that this was their goal.

At least 25 states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, and most of those states face lawsuits.

The only other one to be struck down so far as unconstitutional is the ban in Arkansas, which the state has appealed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Advocates are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

Judges’ orders are in place temporarily blocking enforcement of a ban in Montana and aspects of the ban in Georgia.

JUDGE BLOCKS BIDEN’S TITLE IX RULE IN FOUR STATES, DEALS BLOW TO PROTECTIONS FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS

Wire Report

WASHINGTON (AP) | The Biden administration’s new Title IX rule expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students has been temporarily blocked in four states after a federal judge in Louisiana found that it overstepped the Education Department’s authority.

In a preliminary injunction granted June 13, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty called the new rule an “abuse of power” and a “threat to democracy.” His order blocks the rule in Louisiana, which filed a challenge to the rule in April, and in Mississippi, Montana and Idaho, which joined the suit.

The Education Department defended the rule and said it’s reviewing the judge’s order.

“The Department stands by the final Title IX regulations released in April 2024, and we will continue to fight for every student,” the agency said in a statement.

The Louisiana case is among at least seven backed by more than 20 Republican-led states fighting Biden’s rule. The rule, set to take hold in August, expands Title IX civil rights protections to LGBTQ+

students, expands the definition of sexual harassment at schools and colleges, and adds safeguards for victims.

Doughty, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, is the first judge to block the rule. It deals a major blow to the new protections, which were praised by civil rights advocates but drew backlash from opponents who say they undermine the spirit of Title IX, a 1972 law barring sex discrimination in education.

Louisiana is among several Republican states with laws requiring people to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their sex assigned at birth, restricting transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity. President Joe Biden’s rule clashes with those laws and claimed to supersede them.

The Louisiana lawsuit argued that the new rule would force schools across the four state to pay millions of dollars to update their facilities. In his decision, the judge called it an “invasion of state sovereignty” and concluded that the states were likely to succeed on the merits of the case.

His order says the rule likely violates free speech laws

by requiring schools to use pronouns requested by students. It also questions whether the Biden administration has legal authority to expand Title IX to LGBTQ+ students.

“The Court finds that the term ‘sex discrimination’ only included discrimination against biological males and females at the time of enactment,” Doughty wrote in his order.

The judge expressed concern that the rule could require schools to allow transgender women and girls to compete on female sports teams. Several Republican states have laws forbidding transgender girls from competing on girls teams.

The Biden administration has proposed a separate rule that would forbid such blanket bans, but it said the newly finalized rule does not apply to athletics. Still, Doughty said it could be interpreted to apply to sports.

“The Final Rule applies to sex discrimination in any educational ‘program’ or ‘activity’ receiving Federal financial assistance,” he wrote. “The terms ‘program’ or ‘activity’ are not defined but could feasibly include sports teams for recipient schools.”

ROME CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRIDE

Wire Report

ROME (AP) | The Rome LGBTQ+ Pride parade celebrated its 30th anniversary June 15 as tens of thousands of people in brightly colored outfits marched through the Italian capital waving banners, dancing and singing as well as poking fun at Pope Francis.

The Pope had to issue an apology last month after Italian media quoted unnamed bishops saying that Francis jokingly used the term “faggotness” while speaking in Italian during a meeting. He had used the term in reaffirming the Vatican’s ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests.

Francis reportedly repeated the word a second time in a meeting with Rome priests this week.

“Attention, from here on high levels of faggotry,” read a sign on a large motorcycle driven by a woman in a rainbow-colored hat at the front of the parade.

A man dressed up as Pope Francis held a sign reading “there is too much faggotry in this parade.”

The leader of Italy’s main opposition party, Elly Schlein, danced on a float at the center of the parade. She is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, with views differing sharply from Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.

Meloni’s Brother of Italy party program states it is against marriage equality, gay parents adopting children, and surrogate

pregnancies. Last year, her far-right government limited recognition of parental rights to the biological parent only in families with same-sex parents.

A woman held up a sign reading, “I don’t like Meloni, but I like melons and red hair.”

Another sign made fun of Gen. Roberto Vannacci, a newly elected member of Parliament for the European Party with the right-wing League party. Vannacci was fired by Italy’s defense minister after writing a book deemed offensive to women, gays and Blacks.

“If according to Vannacci the LGBTQIA+ is a minority … he has never met the seminarians of Pope Francis.”

IN OTHER NEWS

BILL WOULD RENAME NYC SUBWAY STOP AFTER STONEWALL

A New York City subway station would be renamed to commemorate the Stonewall riots that galvanized the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, under legislation approved by state lawmakers as they wrapped up their session this month. The state Legislature approved a bill June 5 directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to change the name of the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square subway station in Greenwich Village to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station. “This change will memorialize the history of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement and inspire NY to demand justice and equality for all,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsored the proposal, wrote on the social platform X following the Senate’s passage of the measure. The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul for her approval. Her office said late June 9 it will review the legislation.

CDC ADVISES USING ANTIBIOTIC AS ‘STD MORNING-AFTER PILL’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finalized its endorsement June 4 of taking doxycycline after unprotected sex as a way to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis infections. CDC officials called it the first new prevention tool against sexually transmitted infections in decades, and said innovation is badly needed. Rates of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea have been rising for years, most notably in gay and bisexual men, although the latest data suggested chlamydia and gonorrhea cases stopped rising in 2022. The new guideline is specific to gay and bisexual men and transgender women who had an STD in the previous year and are at high risk of getting infected again. Officials call the treatment doxy PEP, short for doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis. Doctors can write a prescription for one dose of 200 milligrams of doxycycline to be taken within three days of unprotected sex, the CDC said.

PROTESTERS VANDALIZE ZIMBABWEAN LGBTQ+ OFFICES

A handful of protesters vandalized the offices of Zimbabwe’s largest LGBTQ rights organization. Although they did not enter GALZ (an Association of LGBTI People in Zimbabwe)’s building in Harare, the country’s capital, they did gather at the gate and sang homophobic songs. The protesters also left anti-gay graffiti on the gate and walls. Several people after the incident started to question the authenticity of the protesters, arguing GALZ itself organized the protest in order to get funding. They said some of the protesters “looked gay” and even argued the organization had yet to approach the police. GALZ has sought to discredit some of the reports, while calling the protest disrespectful and uncalled for. GALZ said it has filed an official police report, and is “cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations.”

Building Peace UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME

AS INDIVIDUALS, EACH

of us brings something unique and special to the world, one which often demands conformity and perfection.

Discovering inner peace becomes a transformative endeavor, and choosing peace and embracing authenticity is essential for a fulfilling life. This means accepting yourself for who you truly are and letting go of the need to conform to societal expectations. By prioritizing peace, we allow ourselves to live authentically and unapologetically. Remember, the path to freedom, fulfillment and joy lies in embracing your true self. Each time you stand firm in your authenticity, you move closer to what truly belongs in your life.

After leaving the public education system in 2019, I vowed to start #TakingMyLifeBack. For many years, I hid behind a mask to conceal my pain and allow me to pretend. But I grew weary of hiding my struggles and of bearing the weight of the world on my shoulders. One day I made an intentional decision to reclaim my life. I allowed myself to be seen, heard and vulnerable. I pledged to uphold three fundamental principles: accountability, transparency and integrity. These keys have empowered me to embrace my true self and prioritize peace. Life will continue to life, and people will continue to be people. What sets us apart is our choice in how we live. It’s time to take control and harness the power of P.E.A.C.E.

P: Prioritize your needs. Amidst the chaos pulling us in every direction, prioritizing your needs is essential. Take the time to understand your wants, needs and desires. Set boundaries, say no when necessary and make yourself a priority. By doing so, you invite peace into your life in its purest form. This isn’t selfish; it’s self-care. When you put yourself first and attend to your own needs, you recharge your internal batteries, enabling you to give more to others — and most importantly, to yourself.

After my open-heart surgery, I had to be more intentional in prioritizing my health. I learned that without taking care of myself and my needs, I couldn’t

fully be at peace. Whether by dedicating time to your hobbies and passions, or by simply declining activities that drain you, always remember to prioritize yourself.

E: Empower your voice. In a world that stifles individuality, expressing your thoughts and feelings with confidence and integrity is essential. It is an act of courage and authenticity, crucial to attaining inner peace. Recognize the profound worth of your thoughts and feelings and express them with clarity and assurance. Doing so honors your authentic self and inspires others to do the same. Your voice reflects your unique experiences and perspectives. Don’t let fear or doubt silence you — your words possess the power to heal, connect and spark change. Embrace your inner courage, speak your truth boldly and let your voice resonate with strength and conviction. By reclaiming your power, you illuminate the path for others.

A: Accept your journey. Every individual’s journey is unique. Embrace your own path, with all its ups and downs. Recognize that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life and allow yourself to grow from them. Embrace your imperfections and treat yourself with kindness.

As someone who has faced numerous challenges, I understand the importance of maintaining a positive internal dialogue about our journeys. We are often our harshest critics and it’s crucial to show ourselves the same compassion and understanding that we would give to others.

Whether through positive self-talk or taking a needed break, practicing self-compassion helps us stay true to ourselves. Your journey is worth celebrating every step of the way.

C: Cultivate positive habits & relationships. Surround yourself with

individuals who inspire and support you. Build healthy relationships that bring out the best in you. Conducting a village audit can help identify those who positively influence your life and what relationships are no longer in alignment. Similarly, take time to reflect

E: Embrace change. Life is a journey full of twists and turns. Embracing change allows us to adapt, learn and evolve. I remember struggling with major changes in my life, often resisting them out of fear of the unknown. But over time, I discovered that change

how we live.

on your habits and make an effort to cultivate positive ones that align with your values and goals.

The routines I’ve adopted help me stay present and grounded. By reducing my screen time, I can dedicate more energy to journaling, meditating and exercising. Prioritizing positive habits and relationships lays a solid foundation for cultivating inner peace.

brought new opportunities and enhanced my quality of life. It expanded my perspective, led me to try new things and taught me more about myself. Trust in yourself and your ability to adapt. Remember, change is the only constant in life and it’s up to us to embrace it and thrive.

As you continue your journey towards peace, know that every step you take matters. Together, we can create a world where authenticity is celebrated, compassion is abundant and peace prevails over everything. Keep going, keep growing, and may your path be filled with love, joy and inner peace. Take a moment to breathe, center yourself and remember that you have the power within you to create your own peace. Shine your light and inspire others to do the same! The world needs more of your authentic self — so let it shine brightly for all to see. Here’s to living a life filled with P.E.A.C.E.! I love you!

Bianca Goolsby, MBA is a digital strategist and activist who partners with mission-driven organizations and empowers families to curate safe social spaces.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WANZIE

IN LIGHT OF THE COVER story of this particular issue of Watermark, I felt compelled to share my absolute disdain for organized religion as a whole and for Christianity in particular.

However, despite my being an out and proud atheist, there are still some mainstream churches for which I have long had tremendous respect.

High atop that list is our local St. Luke’s of which I am grateful for its existence, its leadership and its consistent message of inclusiveness which was evidenced in meaningful ways far in advance of that which now appears to be gaining traction with the United Methodist Church General Conference.

St. Luke’s was at the forefront of providing funds for AIDS service organizations while almost every other religious institution in our area was paralyzed in fear and whose clergy preached condemnation rather than compassion. St. Luke’s has a history of embracing diversity and providing support and social services for virtually all “God’s children” regardless of how disenfranchised and maligned those individuals may have been by others among their own denomination’s conference in the past, by other churches and indeed by the state of Florida. But unfortunately, St. Luke’s has also long been a nearly lone exception to the norm.

I have said it many times before and I’ll say it again: I truly believe that organized religion on the whole has proved to be the most destructive force on the face of the planet.

Think about it, the most heinous crimes against humanity have been perpetrated in the name of religion. From the bloody crusades to the Spanish inquisition. From the burning at the stake of accused “heretics” and “blasphemers” in the world of olde to the burning of suspected witches in the new world. The men who flew those jets into the World Trade Center did so in name of their God and as a

perceived dictate of their fervently-held religious beliefs. And never mind the Quran, the Bible has been weaponized and used to incite the most non-Christian atrocities almost from the very time of its inception. The Bible has been interpreted to justify the oppression of women, the enslavement of entire races of people and is currently being held up as the impetus for and justification of white supremacy, hatred for and violence against Jews and the total degradation of queer and especially trans individuals.

I understand the seemingly innate need of humans to believe in a deity. The practice seems to have been around in one way or another almost since the beginning of recorded history. It seems that from the moment our brains evolved to the point of reasoning, we as Homo sapiens became fearful of the unknown — a penchant that remains painfully prevalent today and when we could not make sense of something we invented Gods to provide the answers, or at least the reason for every single thing that occurred in nature here on earth, and especially in the skies above. There came a time when such beliefs were abandoned by our more evolved, increasingly intelligent selves, and most of those Gods were relegated to the categories of mythology or superstition. Then somehow, we reached a plateau in our progression. I believe that through some unfortunate glitch in our evolutionary process we became stunted in our mental growth and we as a species never fully shed that need to have a belief in a being greater than ourselves so that whenever anything happened which seemed beyond our control we could convince ourselves that no matter how devastating, no matter how dire the situation or occurrence, we could

comfort ourselves by telling ourselves that “It’s all part of God’s plan” or that “It’s one of the mysteries of our faith.”

I cannot find the logic in the abandonment of only some Gods while still clinging to the belief in another. To me, that makes absolutely no sense.

Still, I respect the right of all people to believe as they choose and to practice any religion to which they care to subscribe, regardless of how unenlightened and silly I consider those practices to be. What I cannot respect is the propensity for the religious among us to insist that others must live according to the dictates of their chosen faith. I find this current fervor for Christian Nationalism

among the far-right wing of the Republican party, and most especially among evangelical Christians specifically, to be the single most disturbing and horrific movement currently afoot in this country.

No matter how vehemently you may disagree with anything I’ve expressed here you can

those Jewish individuals and any non-Christian among us, will be criminalized into a nonhuman existence, or possibly even exterminated. I truly, truly believe this to be true.

As such, I am begging you to please make sure you are registered to vote, and please vote Democrat down the entire ticket

The most heinous crimes against humanity have been perpetrated in the name of religion.

mark my words on this: If Donald Trump becomes president in 2025 we will not only see the complete failure of the American experiment — that being our very democracy — but we WILL end up living in a country with a state religion dominated by Christian fanatics of the most extreme and hateful ilk, and we as queer and trans folk, and

come November. If you need something to believe in, please believe that your very life depends on your doing so.

Michael Wanzie is an Orlando-based playwright, actor and ordained minister. He is most recognized for his direction of productions in the Central Florida area.

Michael Wanzie

In Memory of John “Tweeka” Barber 1972 - 2011

talking points

Did you come to my fucking show to say Pride sucks? Are you fucking stupid?

Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. If you have nothing nice to say, shut up, alright?

— ADELE, DURING HER JUNE 1 SHOW IN LAS VEGAS AFTER SOMEONE IN THE CROWD YELLED OUT “PRIDE SUCKS!”

BAILEY ANNE KENNEDY MADE HISTORY JUNE 1 WHEN SHE WAS CROWNED MISS MARYLAND USA. Kennedy is the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Maryland USA. She is also the first Asian American and military spouse to win the title. Miss Maryland took to her Instagram June 4 to open up about how her identity has played a role in her career, writing about how she deals with hate. “Not everyone has to agree with the spaces that you occupy, and it doesn’t mean that you aren’t worthy of these opportunities,” she shared alongside a photo of herself tearing up as she won the competition. “The work that I will do for the remainder of my life is to make sure that children who feel like me will never have to worry about the consequences of being who they are by simply being myself and being a positive contribution to society.” Kennedy’s husband is a U.S. Marine and she has been a longtime advocate for military spouses. Kennedy cited the USO as one of her platforms. Kennedy added how she advocates for what she calls “Beauty Without an Expiration Date” as another one of her platforms, and her hopes that the win “will open up some doors.” Next on her schedule, Kennedy is set to compete for the title of Miss USA in Los Angeles Aug. 4.

V.E. SCHWAB SIGNS 7-FIGURE BOOK DEAL

BESTSELLING AUTHOR V.E. SCHWAB HAS A 7-FIGURE BOOK DEAL. Tor Books, a Macmillan imprint, announced June 12 that it has agreed to terms on a $2 million contract for a new work from the science fiction/fantasy novelist. “Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil” is scheduled for June 2025. Schwab’s novel will span from 16th century Santo Domingo to 21st century Boston as it tracks the entangled stories of three women whose bodies are “planted in the same soil.” Schwab, 36, is known for such series as “Shades of Magic” and “Cassidy Blake” and for her million-selling novel, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” about a French woman blessed with immortality and cursed with being forgotten by all who meet her. In a statement, Schwab called her new book “my bones, blood, my heart.”

‘THE BOYS’ WILL END WITH SEASON 5

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO’S “THE BOYS,” will end with its fifth season. The show’s creator and showrunner Eric Kripke announced “the end has begun” while promoting the series’ fourth season, which premiered June 13 on Prime Video. “Season 4 Premiere Week is a good time to announce: Season 5 will be the Final Season! Always my plan, I just had to be cagey till I got the final OK from Vought,” Kripke wrote on X. “Thrilled to bring the story to a gory, epic, moist climax.” To accompany the announcement, Kripke shared an image of what appears to be a redacted script for the final episode of the fourth season, with a profane message at the bottom referencing the final season. Season 5’s release date has not yet been announced.

CYNDI LAUPER FAREWELL TOUR ANNOUNCED

CYNDI LAUPER ANNOUNCED JUNE 3 HER 2024 GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN FAREWELL TOUR. This is Lauper’s first major tour in over a decade and it will also be her last. The farewell tour, produced by Live Nation, is a 23-city headlining tour beginning Oct. 18 in Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The tour makes stops across North America in her hometown of New York City at the iconic Madison Square Garden. Throughout the tour, Lauper will be joined by special guests, who will be announced at a later time. One of the tour’s only two stops in Florida will be at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Nov. 6. The other will be at the Hard Rock Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida Nov. 8.

THINK CHANGING ONE’S GENDER IS MORALLY WRONG, WHILE 44% SAY IT IS MORALLY ACCEPTABLE.

MISS MARYLAND USA, A TRANS WOMAN, MAKES HISTORY

United Methodist Church embraces LGBTQ+ community in historic shift

ABellanee Plaza

FTER A DECADES-LONG

battle, United Methodist delegates repealed their church’s denominational bans on LGBTQ+ clergy, removing a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed ministers.

At the first General Conference in five years due to COVID-19, delegates voted 691-51 May 1 to remove the ban. The now-repealed ban was originally enacted

in 1984, during this time the conference also voted to require “fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness.”

The following day, on May 2, delegates voted 523-161

to remove a 52-year-old declaration from the official Social Principles that deemed the practice of homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching”; the church’s 1972 General Conference approved the phrase.

Rev. Andy Oliver, Pastor of Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, was present during the 2024 General Conference. He says the people at the conference were fighting the hardest and they wanted to have the ability to create a new church.

“It was literally 52 years of work and 52 years of

organizing,” Oliver says. “It really was a relay race of people that labored, some of them until they died and didn’t get to see the change. Many of them labored until they couldn’t take the toxicity anymore and had to leave and find a place of healing and safety.”

Every four years, the UMC gathers for its General Conferences. Oliver says that members would show up to try and change the rules of the church for inclusiveness, but things would get worse.

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“Churches like Allendale and many other churches across the United Methodist connection began to just ignore the unjust rules,” Oliver says. “Basically, act as if they weren’t in place, and as we began to ignore those rules, we hosted weddings here.”

With the change, it doesn’t mandate or explicitly affirm LGBTQ+ clergy, but it means the church no longer forbids them. A measure was also approved that forbids district superintendents or regional administrators from penalizing clergy for either performing a same-sex wedding or for refraining from performing one.

Clergy members who were previously required to surrender their credentials because they were convicted of being a “self-avowed practicing homosexual” or because they presided at a same-sex marriage or union service may apply for readmission to their clergy session, according to the UMC website.

During the May 2 vote, marriage was given a new definition in the Book of Discipline, as marriage is between “two people of faith” rather than “between a man and a woman.” The offer came from delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage due to laws.

It is possible that the rule change will mainly apply to U.S. churches since other countries, like many in Africa, have the right to impose the rules for their own regions. The UMC counts 4.6 million members in Africa.

The conference endorsed a regionalization plan April 26 that would allow the churches of the U.S. the same autonomy as other regions of the global church. This still requires local ratification as it could create a possibility where LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage are allowed in the U.S. but not in other regions.

A footnote describing what a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual” is has been removed. The measure took effect immediately May 3

upon the conclusion of the General Conference.

Rev. Dr. Vance Rains, Lead Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Orlando, says the wording needed to be modified as it was traditional. He thinks more liturgies will change as the time comes.

“My intention is that, whether it be a heterosexual couple or a same-gender couple, they’ll be treated exactly the same,” Rains says. “The language is traditional, it assumes a man

its LGBTQ+ bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ ordination.

The UMC was formed in 1968 by the joining of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 2020, it was estimated the church had 12.5 million members worldwide, with 7 million in the U.S., according to Human Rights Campaign. The member count dropped to 5.4 million in the U.S. in 2022 and is expected to drop further with

what it means and the whole of it,” Rains says.

The most common mistake when it comes to understanding verses or stories in the Bible is ignoring the context, according to Lifeway Research.

Rev. Dr. Jenn Stiles Williams, Lead Pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, says people need to look at the contextual and historical understanding of scripture. She says there was scriptural misinterpretation when it

Conservatives in the church did everything in their power to continue to dehumanize these people. Over those 52 years, queer people would have to listen to themselves be talked about as issues and not as people.

—

REV. ANDY OLIVER, PASTOR OF ALLENDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN ST. PETERSBURG

and a woman, but many of us have been making that kind of modification anyway, even in heterosexual ceremonies.”

Rains made sure to note that it has always been the pastor’s decision to wed a couple, as the couple would have to be ready to get married.

The vote comes after the departure of more than 7,600 American congregations, mostly conservative, from the UMC. One-quarter of the denomination’s American total showed dismay over the denomination not enforcing

the new ruling.

As some churches have left, Rains says there’s been painful sorting with pastors and more conservative members leaving. For the more conservative UMCs, Rains says he hopes those churches do the theological and biblical work to understand the difference between accepting versus affirming.

“It’s an evolution from a simplistic reading of our Bibles to a deeper, faithful, more introspective look at what the Bible, not just what it says, but

got clear on their purpose and what it means to be a church.

In the new version, the church urges members not to condemn gays and lesbians. It describes human sexuality as a “sacred gift” and “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” The change calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.

With the new changes, Oliver says churches like Allendale UMC will continue to support its community but will also walk alongside its sibling churches to help them into the new reality.

“We were living as if the rules had already been changed for the last eight and a half years,” Oliver says. “But now the rules have been changed. There’s going to be a lot of work of healing that has to be done in all of our churches to live into these new rules and this new way of being.”

Oliver finds it remarkable to see some of the queer people who have stayed in the church to fight for change.

“Conservatives in the church did everything in their power to continue to dehumanize these people,” Oliver says. “Over those 52 years, queer people would have to listen to themselves be talked about as issues and not as people.”

It’s up to the LGBTQ+ community to decide if they feel safe in the UMC, Rains says. He hopes members of the community who have been looking for a safe spiritual community can find one now.

comes to the changes made at the conference.

“At St. Luke’s we take scripture very seriously, but we’re able to read it from a historical concept,” Williams says. “Being able to look at the words and really wrestle with our Methodist understanding of reason, tradition and experience as we come to scripture.”

When a third of the churches left, Williams says the global denomination had to make financial decisions. She says it wasn’t a bad decision as they

“We’ve been saying to certain people, we just don’t need your gifts and your abilities and the things that God has invested in you,” Rains says. “I think now that we can fully celebrate that, we’ll only benefit from it. We’ll be blessed by their gifts and their personhood.”

In 2020, an estimated 5.3 million LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. said religion is important to them, that they attend religious services or both, according to the Williams Institute. Some key findings were that middle-aged and older LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to be religious than younger adults, and LGBTQ+ adults of color are more likely to be religious than white LGBTQ+ adults.

BLESSED ARE THE WOKE: Allendale United Methodist Church Rev. Andy Oliver leads the church’s parade entry through Downtown St. Petersburg during last year’s St Pete Pride Parade. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

Tom Boyko, administrative assistant at Mandarin United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, says he grew up with a Baptist background. He was leery of going back to church as a gay man, but he wanted to have faith. His late husband, Kendal Jolly, was raised as a member of the Assembly of God denomination but both joined Methodist Church when Jolly worked as choir director for St. Luke’s.

Boyko was with gay friends when he was personally invited to join St. Luke’s by Kim Barnes, Rev. Bill Barnes’ wife. Bill Barnes was the lead pastor of St. Luke’s before Williams took over.

“Right away that told me that if the pastor’s wife is inviting gay people to this church, that this church accepts gay people,” Boyko says. “Kendal and I were so involved, we started bringing gay friends there who had same beliefs and wanted to go to church but weren’t welcome anywhere.”

When Boyko’s husband passed away, St. Luke’s held a service in his memory along with a performance from the choir. Boyko says it was beautiful to see the pastors speak about the great faith Jolly had.

At St. Luke’s, Williams is the third lead pastor in its 40-year existence. The church was officially chartered in 1983 and the surrounding area now holds a community of 90,000 residents. Williams is proud to keep the church inclusive and welcoming for Central Florida.

“St. Luke’s has been on the forefront with ... Rev. Bill Barnes making sure during the AIDS epidemic that we were hosting things like serenades and raising money for Central Florida,” Williams says.

At St. Luke’s, they believe that love, grace and the equity of a place at the table of Jesus Christ are afforded to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or socio-economic status, according to its website.

The core values at St. Luke’s are love lived out through acceptance, hospitality, community, discipleship, service and accepting it means Christ’s love knows no boundaries, Williams adds.

The UMC is now put in line with other denominations like the Presbyterian Church, the Lutheran Church and the United Church of Christ. A United Methodist believes that God loves all people and that they share in expressing that love, according to the United Methodist Church’s official website.

After being a part of the UMC for 12 years, Oliver says he carries stories with him of the people fighting for possible

them to grow in who they were meant to be.”

Those types of inclusive churches are called reconciling churches, Rains says. He says that before the rules were changed some of the churches made a declaration that fully welcomed people.

“We’re making a big statement here and now we must consistently live up to it,” Rains says. “So, whoever walks through our doors, they know they’re going to be treated with

When it was officially announced that UMC would remove the ban, Boyko says he was filled with joy, adding that he received a call from a UMC pastor involved in Jolly’s memorial service.

“She called me right away when it happened and she said, ‘I was thinking about you and Kendal today’,” Boyko says. “It was very emotional because churches should accept everyone, nobody should be excluded. Whether you’re

At St. Luke’s we take scripture very seriously, but we’re able to read it from a historical concept. Being able to look at the words and really wrestle with our Methodist understanding of reason, tradition and experience as we come to scripture.

— REV. DR. JENN STILES WILLIAMS, LEAD PASTOR

safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people. He thinks of Ben Wood, a young man in North Carolina who was gay. Oliver says Wood was very involved in his church but had a hateful youth director that condemned him.

“This young man took his life as a result of that action and it kept me going to want to continue to fight so that there would be no more Ben Woods,” Oliver says. “I wanted to fight and create a better church that would be safe spaces for LGBTQ youth and places for

utmost respect and their dignity is going to be respected.”

At First UMC of Orlando, the members celebrate the gift of diversity in the Downtown Orlando community and world, according to its website.

Rains says he’s been proud of his church but now he is proud of the denomination for making the official change. There has been a mood of celebration in the UMCs since the change. “It took us too long to get here, but we are here and we’re very hopeful about that,” Rains says.

will allow churches to move forward in making a difference in their community.

“The only thing that gets in our way is us,” Williams says. “We don’t have any excuses not to grow and to continue to do the good work that we have because there’s no dark shadow hanging over us.”

These changes allow anyone regardless of sexuality to walk through the doors of any UMC, Rains says. He thinks everyone has gifts and dreams that make them unique in the image of God.

As for the future of the UMC, it is up to the members to follow the new rules of acceptance. Anyone can make the church a new kind of place, Rains says.

“I don’t know what the future will look like exactly, but I just expect it to be richer,” Rains says.

Allendale UMC is a Reconciling Congregation: a place without barriers and a sanctuary for all, according to its website. Although Allendale is welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, some churches may need to earn that trust, Oliver says.

He thinks some churches have to put in the work and if those churches are successful in that, then there could be a day when LGBTQ+ people can trust the UMC.

One of the ways churches can support LGBTQ+ people is by showing up in spaces alongside and fighting with them, Oliver says.

“I hope that churches show up at Pride and march in the parade, which can be a very healing experience for both the church and those who have been harmed,” Oliver says. “I hope churches celebrate their queer members.”

rich, poor, white, black, gay, straight, everybody should be there because God is love, God isn’t hate.”

Now with the decision being finalized, Boyko thinks there are going to be a lot of good things that will happen with the church.

One of the things Williams is looking forward to at her church is same-sex weddings. She says she is honored to embrace those looking to get wed, especially members who have stuck with St. Luke’s for so long. Williams says this change

Those looking for more support in the UMC can find it with The United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus. It seeks to act in solidarity with one another and others who have been marginalized in the church, according to its website.

Oliver says churches should be involved in issues of advocacy as it helps everyone learn from their community.

“I think the more that we can be in relationship with one another, the closer we grow to each other and to God,” Oliver says.

PROUD CHURCH: The front of the First United Methodist Church of Orlando is decorated with rainbow flags to celebrate Pride Month. PHOTO BY CAITLIN SAUSE

OF ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN ORLANDO

Strength and Solidarity

‘Beyond Borders’ docuseries spotlights Florida drag

Chloe Wagner

SLLAMA PRODUCTIONS

premiered “The Heart of Ybor” in 2022, a 10-minute documentary showcasing the Tampa city’s vibrant drag community. Its success paved the way for the LGBTQ+-owned company’s next endeavor, which has amassed over 150,000 views on YouTube since its release.

Filmmaker Samantha Luque’s new five-part docuseries

“Beyond

Borders” launched on the platform April 25 and concluded May 23. The self-made documentary sheds light on Florida’s

trans, nonbinary and drag communities, showing the impacts of Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Her company’s mission is to amplify “diverse voices through storytelling to not only ensure understanding, but to instill empowerment and create a ripple of change.” It’s exactly what she’s done in “Beyond Borders.”

“I wanted people to listen to what’s going on, for people to be aware about what’s happening here in Florida, what’s happening here in the United States,” Luque reflects on what she calls her “passion project.” She adds that “if it’s going to happen

to us, it’s going to happen to other people too.”

The docuseries spotlights five members of the Drag2Talle Nine, activists and entertainers originally based in Tampa Bay that traveled to Tallahassee during the 2023 legislative session to speak out against hate. They are Angelique Young, Daniel Cruz, Aaron Perry-Cruz, also known as Erika P.C., Lilith Black and Freya Misdemeanor. Luque chose the subjects after hearing them speak at the historic Drag Queen March last year.

“I heard their stories on stage and they were so inspiring and so passionate,” Luque recalls. “Because it was them saying, ‘We need help, we need to stand together. There’s no more this and them. We’re all united and we need help, please.’”

Each episode details the entertainer’s experiences, highlighting stories of coming out and finding places of belonging in hostile environments. Episode one focuses on the dancing diva herself Angelique Young, also known as Angelique Godwin, who became Equality Florida’s Director of Transgender Equality last month.

Young expresses what it truly means to be an Afro-Latina transwoman — to constantly grow and learn while developing who she is. She shares the highs and lows of her journey, from the mental health struggles she experienced during her transition to the joy and validation she felt when she legally changed her name.

She originally came out to her family as bisexual, then gay, as a drag queen and ultimately as a transwoman. Her coming out process gave Young the opportunity to build better bonds with her loved ones by sharing different parts of the LGBTQ+ community.

“No one has to decide whether or not they still love me or not,” Young says in the series. “They just have to decide whether or not they want to understand.”

Episode two focuses on the life of “drag husband” Daniel Cruz, also a member of the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Watermark freelancer. Cruz married Aaron Perry-Cruz, the entertainer known as Erika P.C. in 2021.

They couple met at an LGBTQ+ club in Ybor six years ago and have been together ever since. Cruz was not surprised that his husband — who is the focus of episode three — wanted to do drag as he loved and valued performing arts.

There were many changes Cruz faced as a drag husband, among them the time commitment. The episode showcases his adoration and support for P.C.’s dream, illustrating that love really does conquer all.

“I don’t mind money being spent

“The more they do this, the more it infuriates me and gives me the energy to do it.”

Lilith Black and Freya Misdemeanor respectively feature in episodes four and five.

Black navigates their life as a nonbinary drag artist in a state where their identity is under attack by both lawmakers and local Floridians. They share they were once misinformed about the drag and trans communities but broke through the that to become who they are, experiences they hope

resulting in the complete cut-off of contact from her birth father.

She found solace from her hate-filled home in her drag mother, episode one’s Young. She was the first of many drag queens, trans and queer people she would connect with; Misdemeanor had the rare opportunity to attend a drag school led by Young and eventually performed for the first time in 2018.

“This queer community has once again saved my life and brought me back from the dead,”

I wanted people to listen to what’s going on, for people to be aware about what’s happening here in Florida, what’s happening here in the United States.

— “BEYOND BORDERS” DIRECTOR SAMANTHA LUQUE

on this, it’s important to him,” Cruz says in the series. “It’s bringing so many good things to his life and to our lives and to our community.”

P.C. was inspired by the entertainer’s late mother who imparted the foundation to live authentically, episode three reveals. While drag isn’t her full-time career, she highlights how she’s felt the consequences of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and recalls one night at Southern Nights Tampa when an egg was thrown at the entertainer from a car passing by.

The rise of negativity in Florida fuels her fire for being who she is and being proud of it.

“The more laws they pass, the stronger Erika becomes,” P.C. says.

will bring comfort to queer youth watching the series.

“This is a horrible thing that’s happening, but it is temporary. It’s reversable,” Black says. “And the future we will live in is going to be accepting of all of us, whether they want to be a part of it or not.”

Luque calls the fifth and final episode “deeply personal.” It examines the story of Misdemeanor, a Tampa native and transwoman.

Misdemeanor was raised in a conservative, religious household and at 14 came out as bisexual, despite knowing she was not — doing so to give her family hope and not let them down. A year later, Misdemeanor came out as gay,

community, thus connecting her with her own child.

“That’s the reason why I created all this — to encourage conversation between people, to let people know it’s okay that you’re scared. It’s okay if you don’t understand. But just take five minutes to watch something, and it might enlighten you on a subject that you had no idea that was even happening,” Luque explains.

The film’s subjects say they’re thankful to have played a part in the series.

“I was proud to participate in ‘Beyond Borders’ because it was important to be a voice of love and light to others, to let others the younger generation know that they matter, that they are important and they are loved just the way they are,” P.C. says. “I wanted them to know it’s okay to be your 100% authentic self.”

“Those days in Tallahassee during 2023 were such a whirlwind with so much going on,” her husband adds. “I felt it was important for somebody to capture the urgency and passion of that moment … I am glad more people can learn about what happened and use it as a catalyst to continue the work moving forward.”

Telling these stories was important to Luque both as a lesbian and friend to many local queens. She notes she’s excited to provide insight into Florida’s LGBTQ+ community.

“I think being the bridge for helping people tell their story, it’s a really heavy feeling as the director,” she says. “It’s so important for me to bring that authenticity out and make sure that their stories are told right.

Misdemeanor says. “By just existing and being who they are because when you talk to them, they’re about love, they’re about light. They’re about bringing more light, more happiness, positivity and more gorgeousness to the world.”

The docuseries is handcrafted by Luque to amplify the voices of queer, trans and nonbinary individuals while facing obstacles created by the state’s government. She says the support for the docuseries from the community and the subjects themselves has been intense.

Luque recalls a mother of a trans child who sent her an email extending her gratitude for educating her more on the

“I think the final product is exactly how they wanted to be represented in the public,” she continues. “They just wanted someone who is misunderstood, someone who doesn’t see themselves, to be able to hear this and say ‘Oh my god, they jumped over the rainbow. They became this person and I can too. I’m not alone in this world.’”

Luque is currently seeking support for a second season of “Beyond Borders” that will focus on members of the LGBTQ+ community outside of Florida.

Learn more and view season one at Youtube.com/@BeyondBordersSeries. Learn more about SLlama Productions at SalamaProductions.Us.

EMBRACING DRAG: Ericka P.C., a member of Tampa Bay’s Drag2Talle Nine which has advocated for LGBTQ+ Floridians in Tallahassee in recent years, is a focal point of “Beyond Borders.” PHOTO COURTESY SAMANTHA LUQUE

FIRE ISLAND

Anime Festival Orlando offers safe space with drag performer Oriana Perón, LGBTQ+-focused events

ALuis Xavier De Peña

NIME FESTIVAL ORLANDO IS SET TO bring big talent and engaging events to Central Florida this Pride Month.

AFO is one of the longest-running anime conventions in Orlando, launching with its first anime festival in 2000. This year the convention will be held at the Rosen Plaza on International Dr., running from June 28-30.

Drag entertainer and educator Oriana Perón will be returning for the second year in a row to perform and bring their drag race to the convention.

Peron has been a fan of the convention circuits since attending their first convention at Anime Central in Chicago. They started cosplaying in 2006 which then inspired a transition to doing drag roughly 12 years ago.

“I’m Oriana cosplaying a character. So, my goal is never really to embody the character fully,” Perón says.

For Perón the idea of gender in cosplay has always been nonexistent, and they think people should cosplay characters they like no matter who they are or how they identify.

“I think that the popularity of ‘Drag Race’ and the popularity of anime and the ease of which we can access anime now has made it easier to see more and more, you know, folks doing various cosplays,” Perón says.

While some in the fandom have expressed how they don’t see how LGBTQ+ culture and anime mix, Perón says that the idea that both are intertwined couldn’t be clearer.

“Sometimes on the internet a convention will post, ‘We’re having an Oriana show,’ and commenters

will be like ‘What does drag have to do with anime?’,” Perón says. “I’m like, have you seen an anime? The entirety of ‘Sailor Moon’ is queer.”

Perón’s performances rely on personal experiences and feelings, the person behind the drag. They reinforce those lessons and metaphors with the stories of the characters they portray in their show.

“But then I get up there and if I have a story quote or character or things like that, then I’ve got like framework, and I can work within that,” Perón says. “And so that’s why I realized as an entertainer that I need that, that storybook framework.”

Attendees to this year’s AFO convention will not only see Perón perform but will also have the chance to be chosen to compete in “Oriana’s Drag Race.” Fans of the popular “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will be familiar with the setup, but Perón’s version adds elements of anime and pop culture to the event.

“Oriana’s Drag Race” will see five lucky attendees compete on Friday, June 28, for a slot in Perón’s Saturday night drag show on June 29.

“So there are four challenges, in between each of the challenges I have a professional drag entertainer come out and perform,” Perón says. “So, the audience gets to see the amateurs do something and then a paid professional come on stage and do something.”

For Perón, the drag race is more than a competition. This experience is something that can leave a lasting impression on the attendees that are able to compete.

“I’m trying to provide an opportunity for those who want to experiment and a safe place to do so,” Perón says. “By the end of the weekend, wherever I’ve gone, a new drag entertainer is born.”

Perón isn’t the only LGBTQ+ representation at this year’s festival. Charlotte Gaymer Network will also be present at AFO this year. A nonprofit organization that provides for the LGBTQ+ community’s gaming enthusiasts in the Charolette, North Carolina area, CGN also hosts various events such as their Gaymer Gathering,

which has grown into the largest LGBTQ+ networking event in the Carolinas.

Executive director and co-founder, Jonny Saldana is part of the team bringing CGN to Central Florida for the convention this year. Saldana and CGN will be involved in and hosting several different events

— to see the advances and retreats from DEIA in the space.”

“Diversity in Gaming: Exploring LGBTQ+ Thematic Elements and Stories in Gaming” will happen on Friday, June 28, from 2-3 p.m. in the Panel 1 (Salon 5) room.

“That panel typically talks about diversity in games like,

“Allyship: How to Be an Effective Ally” will take place Saturday, June 29, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Panel 1 (Salon 5) room.

CGN will also be hosting a series of “JackBox Party Games,” sponsored by the developer of the games themselves, JackBox Games.

I’m trying to provide an opportunity for those who want to experiment and a safe place to do so. By the end of the weekend, wherever I’ve gone, a new drag entertainer is born.

— DRAG AND COSPLAY PERFORMER ORIANA PERÓN

at this year’s festival.

“Diversity in Gaming: Exploring LGBTQ+ Thematic Elements and Stories in Gaming” is a gaming panel with a focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and how those qualities can be applied in the creation and development of games.

“Join Charlotte Gaymers Network to talk about everything DEIA in the gaming industry and video games,” the event description reads. “DEIA is more important than ever. For gamers of marginalized backgrounds, it’s been heartwarming — and frustrating

what does that mean,” Saldana says. “How do we make sure that diversity is not only uplifted more but focused on game development and creation.”

The group will also be hosting “Allyship: How to Be an Effective Ally,” a panel around the topic of being a supportive ally for those in the community that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We will have an attorney with us on that panel and talk about what it means to be an ally,” Saldana says. “How to not be performative, but how to be a genuine ally in the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality and our rights.”

5:30-6:30 p.m., featuring voice actors Brittany Lauda, Kira Buckland and Tiana Camacho in a discussion panel about voice acting and gender; “X-Men 97: What Happened, Where Can it Go and More?,” held Friday, June 28, from 8-9 p.m., presented by Gaymerdee and Broken Needles Cosplay of More Mutants and examining the LGBTQ+-inclusive show “X-Men ‘97”; and “Manga/ Anime to See as Someone Who’s LGBTQ+,” held Saturday, June 29, from 7:30-8:30 p.m., presented by ShKrimp and Trip! Sometimes.

“It’s hard to find media that is both fun and good representations of the joys and struggles of someone who’s LGBTQ+,” the “Manga/Anime to See as Someone Who’s LGBTQ+” description reads. “So we’re here with some fun, sad, scary recommendations to expand your repertoire!”

Attendees of AFO this year will also have the opportunity to meet several celebrities popular in nerd culture who are attending the convention. Fans could meet iconic entertainers and voice actors, including Dante Basco, who played Rufio in “Hook” and voiced Zuko in the “Avatar the Last Airbender” animated series; SungWon “ProZD” Cho, who has voiced characters in “God of War: Ragnarok,” “Borderlands 3,” “One Piece” and more; and Johnny Young Bosch, best known for his roles in the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” franchise.

Saldana will be performing live at one of the big parties that will be hosted at the convention.

“So I’ll be infusing a lot of the music that I play with pride anthems and songs that are very recognizable part of the LGBTQ+ culture,” Saldana says.

CGN also has an active discord community for those that want to stay connected outside of the convention as well. Those wanting to join can find the community at Discord.gg/CGN.

Other panels that may be of interest for LGBTQ+ attendees include “Gender in Anime with Brittany, Kira, and Tiana,” held on Friday, June 28, from

“AFO exists to encourage the appreciation of Japanese culture within the anime and video game fan communities of Orlando,” the anime festival states on its website. “Our community has the best fans, and we’re focused on providing excellent content and encouraging fans to be excellent to each other. To our dedicated fans, we thank you and look forward to seeing you again and again. And to our newest fans, we can’t wait for you to join us on our journey of over two decades.”

Single day passes start at $45 with weekend passes available starting at $90. To purchase tickets, see the festival’s full schedule, list of celebrity guests and more, visit AnimeFestivalOrlando.com.

PRINCESS OF POWER: Oriana Perón performs as She-Ra during a convention. PHOTO PROVIDED BY INJOY ENTERTAINMENT LLC

After working with the HIV+ and HIV- communities for more than two decades across the board: From sex parties to social events, from outreach to helping make the MSM adult entertainment industry safer, (History | POZ4POZ) I noticed something on a national scale that no one discussed or challenged me on: MORE THAN 320 million Americans are HIV-negative, LESS THAN 5 million are HIV+ and less than 2 million Americans are on PrEP. (HIV Conversation Changer | HIV Has Been Stopped) Been

Something happened to our efforts to stop HIV: "SOMEDAY" became "TODAY". Thus, my THANK YOU to us - all of us.

Respectfully Yours; Robert Brandon Sandor HIV+ 1983 POZ4POZ.com/HISTORY

announcements TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

The Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber held its Pride in Business luncheon June 6. The board honored Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as Corporation of the Year, Weapon Brand as Small Business of the Year, BKN Creative as LGBTBE of the Year and GTE Financial as Nonprofit of the Year. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister also received the President’s Award. Read more and view photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

St Pete Pride held their Stonewall Reception June 6, raising at least $15,000. The board also presented St. Pete Service Center Director Jim Nixon with a special Rainbow Revolutionary award recognizing his years of service as the city’s LGBTQ+ liaison. St Pete Pride subsequently held their 2024 Youth and Family Day June 8, inaugural Rhythms of Pride June 13 and fourth annual Shades of Pride June 1415. Read more and view photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

The Tampa Bay Rays held their 18th annual Pride Night June 8, recognizing the Suncoast Softball League for their years of advocacy, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies held their Pride Night June 15. View photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

Project Pride held its second annual Silver Pride June 9 at the Senior Friendship Centers. Read more about the organization’s Pride month at WatermarkOnline.com.

Polk Pride celebrated nine years June 15. Read more and view photos at WatermarkOnline.com.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Flex Traffic School owner Tito Rhodes (June 20); Former Watermark account manager Russ Martin, Tampa Bay chauffer Marty Theriot, St. Pete handyman Adam Miller, Freelance writer Skyla Dawn Luckey, KW Realtor Jordan Conover (June 21); Former Polk County School Board member Sarah Fortney, ‘Coolest Realtor in Tampa Bay’ Tabi Deas (June 22); Entertainer Ashlee T. Bankx, Tampa Keller Realty star Bill Knecht, Derby diva Mark O’Hara, Tampa Bay entertainer Russell Mania, The Mertailor Eric Ducharme (June 23); Tampa U.b.U. Salon artist Jeremy Beauchamp, Proud parent Suzanne Cohen, Tampa Bay mainstay Jeremy Fetters, St. Petersburg realtor Todd Fixler, Diamond in the rough Lindsey Burkholder (June 24);, St. Pete twirler Dan Radwanski, Tampa outdoor enthusiast Scott Buttelwerth, Nielsen manager Will Edwards, LionMaus Media co-founder Megan Hickey (June 25); Metro Inclusive Health’s Brian Bailey, Hudson’s Furniture manager Aaron Horcha, Helping hand Amy Dalzell (June 27); Family woman Arleen Batronie (June 28); Black Rose Photography owner Morgan Le Shade, Musician Todd Wathen (June 29); Tampa Bay realtor Steve Blinder, sports enthusiast Steve Forchielli (June 30); Mellow Mushroom owner Karen Atwood, St. Petersburg leather man Matt Wolf, Mad Theatre of Tampa’s DJ Holt, St. Petersburg artist Julia Wingle, Shy guy Ian Henderson (July 1); Tampa philanthropist Matt Bachman, former Metro Inclusive Health CEO Lorraine Langlois, Sawmill performer Sofonda Cox, St. Pete graphic guru Michael O’Connell, PFLAG Tampa President Trevor James, Balance Tampa Bay socialite Alvin Providence (July 2); St Pete Pride President Byron Green-Calisch,Tampa Bay realtor Michael Noeltner (July 3); Career coach Tim Durling (July 4).

1

FAMILY FUN: (L-R) Wendi Johnson, Callen Jones and Melissa Davis table at St Pete Pride’s Youth & Family Day June 8 for the Jones Home Team.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

2

SAYING GOODBYE: Matthew McGloin closes out American Stage’s run of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” June 15 at Jannus Live. PHOTO FROM AMERICAN STAGE’S FACEBOOK

3

POLK PROUD: Jiyah Bolden picks up the latest issue of Watermark at the ninth annual Polk Pride June 15.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

4

RAYS UP: Lucas (L) and Emmie Wehle show off their Tampa Bay Rays Pride at the team’s 18th annual Pride Night June 8. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

5

LOOKING BACK: J. Carl DeVine captivates the audience by sharing his personal experiences at Stonewall during St Pete Pride’s Stonewall Reception June 6. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

6

PRIDE WOD: CrossFit St. Pete take a break from their annual Pride workout of the day June 15. PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD RECUPERO

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LADS WHO LUNCH: (L-R): Rene Cantu, Chad Daugherty, Justice Gennari, honoree Sheriff Chad Chronister and Chris Rollins at the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber’s annual luncheon June 6. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

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MARKET DAY: Metro Inclusive Health’s Nate Taylor (L) and Rolando Reyes table at Water Street Tampa’s Pride market June 16. PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

announcements CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

Former Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith will now represent the state’s 17th District in the Florida Senate as he was the only candidate to qualify for this election cycle following the June 14 deadline. Running unopposed, Guillermo Smith will succeed the term-limited Florida Sen. Linda Stewart, who is now running for Orange County Commission District 3. Read more on pg. 9.

The Central Florida Sounds of Freedom Band and Color Guard announced its newly elected 2024-25 board members June 13. Michael McKee will be the board president, Chris Martin will be board vice-president, Courtney Lovestrand will be board treasurer, Nicole Edwards will be board secretary and Keith Allen will be the boards communications director. It was also announced that Victoria Albert, Brianna Cipriani, Veruska Guerrero, Alexis Mack and Anthony Parisi will act as Members at Large.

SAK Comedy Lab celebrated opening the doors of its new location at 55 W. Church St. in Orlando June 8 with a grand opening event and ribbon cutting.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

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 Ange Sheridan, Steelers fan Jimmy Guzic, Central Florida Softball League diva Eric Hans (June 21); Central Florida Training And Development Consultant Mark Pierpont, Seminole County Public Schools theater educator Ayò Jeriah Demps, UCF Musical Theatre Specialist Jim Brown (June 23); Former Parliament House bar manager Dana Tetreault, Arkham Assailant Amanda Hippensteel (June 24); Orlando Fringe Patron winner Nanci “Mama B” Boetto, The Ribbon Project founder and Embellish FX proprietor Ben Johansen (June 25); Mother to the publisher Ginger Bentz, “God is a Scottish Drag Queen” performer Mike Delamont, former Watermark intern Sophia Mackrides, roller derby team captain Amber Luu (June 26); Orlando realtor Chad Gibson, Central Florida artist John Jacopelle (June 27); O-Town DJ and aspiring MD Chris “Cub” Mendez, Central Florida visual designer Adam McCabe (June 29); Photographer Dixie Lee Todd, Central Florida performer Serenity Rosé (July 1); “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Coco Montrese, Tim Vargas of Embellish FX, Former Putnam County Courier Journal editor B.J. Laurie, actor extraordinaire Tommy Wooten, Central Florida drag entertainer Lisa Lane, Assistant General Manager at JJ’s Fusion Grille Sandra Nasrallah, Equality Florida’s Salvatore Vieira (July 2); Central Florida performer and entertainer P. Sparkle Rob Ward (July 4).

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NEW LAUGHS: Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (center) celebrates with other attendees the grand opening of the SAK Comedy Lab’s new Orlando location June 8.

PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

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BOOK PAW-TY: Sara Elizabeth Grossman signs copies of her new book, “Schnauzer in a Sweater-Vest,” at White Rose Books in Kissimmee June 13. PHOTO BY LUIS XAVIER DE PEÑA

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ORLANDO STRONG: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer speaks to the crowd before the start of the 8th Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run at Orlando City Hall Plaza on June 8. PHOTO BY BUBBA TRAHAN

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ROYAL PREMIERE: Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana celebrate the opening of Magic Kingdom’s new ride “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” during a soiree at Disney World June 10. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

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QUEENS ON THE ROAD: (L-R) Twila Holiday, April Fresh and Trinity Taylor bring their Orlando love up to The Wave in Norfolk, Virginia June 10. PHOTO FROM LOC ROBERTSON’S FACEBOOK

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THE STAGE IS SET: Florida Sen.-elect Carlos Guillermo Smith (L) and husband Jerick Mediavilla are out supporting Orlando Fringe in Loch Haven Park May 25. PHOTO FROM CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH’S FACEBOOK

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RAINBOW RUN: Orlando Magic fans cheer on runners at the 8th Annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run at Orlando City Hall Plaza on June 8. PHOTO BY BUBBA TRAHAN

8 PRIDE PARTNERS: Members of Pineapple Healthcare and Watermark’s podcast team grab a selfie during Polk Pride in Lakeland June 15. PHOTO BY CAITLIN SAUSE

BellaBrava & Stillwaters Tavern

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Serving the LGBT community since 2005!

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BELLABRAVA

community calendar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Pride in Mental Health

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 7-9 P.M.

PEACEFUL PEACOCK, ORLANDO

Join Pineapple Healthcare and Peaceful Peacock Orlando to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ mental health. This event will feature insightful activities, a small art installation and a full yoga class and sound bath. Come connect with like-minded individuals and learn valuable tools for self-care and well-being. Let’s come together to break stigmas and promote mental wellness for all. For more information, call 407-317-6805 or visit PeacefulPeacockOrlando.com.

“1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture”

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 5 P.M.

UNITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, ORLANDO

Join Unity of Central Florida to view the powerful and important film “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture,” a feature documentary that follows the story of researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a significant mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. Released in 2022, it tells the story of the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University that reveal astonishing new information and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. Learn more by going to UnityCFL.com.

TAMPA BAY

St Pete Pride 2024

FRIDAY, JUNE 21-SUNDAY, JUNE 23, TIMES VARY LOCATIONS VARY, ST. PETERSBURG

St Pete Pride’s signature weekend kicks off with the Friday Night Concert featuring “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Sasha Colby at Jannus Live. The parade follows June 22 in Downtown St. Pete, beginning with the Trans March and a festival with Saucy Santana. The Street Fair closes the weekend June 23 in the Grand Central District. For more information read the official St Pete Pride Guide in current editions of Watermark and at WatermarkOnline.com.

Pride with the Police

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 9 A.M.

CAN COMMUNITY HEALTH, TAMPA

Meet the Tampa Police Department’s LGBTQ+ liaison and learn how the PD fosters positive relationships with the LGBTQ+ community. Presented with the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber and open to all, this event will also welcome local leaders and highlight the city’s Safe Place initiative. Learn more at Tampa.gov.

EVENT PLANNER

RAINBOW REVOLUTION

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

“The Play That Goes Wrong,” Through June 30, Osceola Arts, Kissimmee. 407-846-4643; OsceolaArts.org

Michael Mayo, June 20-22, Judson’s Live, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

blink-182, June 20, Kia Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; KiaCenter.com

Pride Night, June 21, Cocktails & Screams, Orlando. 407-904-0124; CocktailsAndScreams.com

Pride Market, June 21, The Woodshed, Orlando. 407-293-7474; TheWoodshedOrlando.com

“Hello, Dolly!,” June 21-22, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

The Garden Bistro’s Final Drag Brunch, June 23, The Garden Bistro, Orlando. 407-930-2640; TheGardenBistro407.com

“Les Misérables,” June 25-30, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Orlando Out Fest, June 27-30, Fringe ArtSpace, Orlando. 407-436-7800; OrlandoFringe.org

Sunset at the Zoo, June 28, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford. 407-323-4450; CentralFlroidaZoo.org

Xunami Muse, June 28, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

AFO - Anime Festival Orlando, June 28-30, Rosen Plaza Hotel, Orlando. AnimeFestivalOrlando.com

“Silence”: A Medieval Melodrama Farce, June 2830, Timucua Arts Foundation, Orlando. 321-234-3985; Timucua.com

Team Anna Back to School Drive, July 1-19, Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani’s office, Orlando. 407-228-1451; AnnaForFlorida.com

Red, White and BOOM, July 2-4, Legoland, Winter Haven. 888-690-5346; Legoland.com

The Pride Chamber’s July Business Connect, July 3, The Pride Chamber’s offices, Orlando. 407-420-4895; ThePrideChamber.org

Fireworks at the Fountain, July 4, Lake Eola Park, Orlando. 407-246-2121; Orlando.gov

TAMPA BAY

Alaska Thunderfuck, June 20, Cocktail St Pete, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.org

Dunedin Pride, June 21-28, Multiple locations, Dunedin. 727-733-3197; DunedinFL.com/ Pride

St Pete Pride Party, June 22, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg. 813-586-1170; LCRTampaBay.com

Pride Brunch & Bar Crawl, June 22, Multiple locations, St. Petersburg. Facebook.com/ PrideCrawlers Serving Pride Drag Brunch, June 22, Red Mesa Cantina, St. Petersburg. 727-896-8226; RedMesaCantina.com

Afternoon Drag Show, June 22, Rocking Crab Seafood and Bar, St. Petersburg. 410-262-2929; GregAndersonEvents.com

Get Nude 3, June 22, Nova 535, St. Petersburg. 949-873-6682; StPetePride.org

Broadway Rave, June 28, Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg. 727-767-9666; BayboroBrewing.com

Transtastic, June 28, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. StPetePride.org

Xunami Muse, June 29, Southern Nights, Tampa. 813-559-8625; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsTampa Generations of Pride, June 30, Empath Partners In Care, St. Petersburg. 727-328-3260; MyEPIC.org

Drag Queen Worship Service, June 30, Allendale UMC, St. Petersburg. RoseDynastyFoundationInc.org

Free Dodgeball Open Play, June 30, Jet Jackson Recreation Center, St. Petersburg. Facebook.com/ HotMessSports

LGBTQ+ Summer Bowling League, July 2, Pin Chasers Midtown, Tampa. (561) 2895803; OUTSportsLeague.com

SARASOTA

Banned Book Club “This Book is Gay,” June 25, 117 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. SarasotaBooks.com

Project Pride’s Grand Flag March, June 29, Ringling Bridge, Sarasota. PPSRQ.org

No More Excuses.

Time to put all those tired excuses on pause and get some real answers. Men’s health is important, which means all of your “I’m just too busy” and “It only hurts a little” and “I’m fine, it’s fine, I’m fine” excuses take a back seat to taking some real action for the benefit of your health. We’ve made it easy, so go ahead and schedule an annual check-up with Orlando Health today and learn more at OrlandoHealth.com/MensHealth

#ItsMoreThanAMonth