Watermark Issue 31.17: Securing Your Legacy by Watermark Publishing Group

Police still looking for suspect in murder of Orlando trans woman

Tampa Bay Black Lesbians social group becomes nonprofit

Essential estate planning tips for LGBTQ+ families

Jeremy Williams

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

EDITOR’S

DESK

IAM ROUGHLY THREE MONTHS INTO my weight-loss journey and things are moving slowly but in the right direction. I’m down about 30 pounds and while visually I don’t notice a huge difference my pants fit better and I am getting to use a new notch on my belt that I haven’t been able to use before.

I knew going into this that losing weight at this age was going to be a steeper climb than when I did it in my 20’s so I was prepared for that — but as long as I continue to lose and not gain, I’m happy.

Being in my mid-40’s has brought on several new concerns. Along with difficulty losing weight, I have found that more and more I don’t understand kids these days, music is always played too loud and, most annoyingly, I can’t remember anything anymore.

It isn’t little things like I can’t remember where I put my keys and what I had for dinner last week. I feel like entire portions of my past have fallen out of my

head. I recently had family come into town and, as you do when family gets together, we reminisced about the past and shared stories from our youth, and the number of things people talked about or mentioned left me feeling like I didn’t partake in any of those events. I’m assured this happens to us all as we age but it doesn’t make it any less worrisome, especially for a hypochondriac like me.

Luckily, while my memory seems to be shutting down, my senses can still remember everything. I adore those times when a smell or sound will trigger a memory and all those feelings come flooding back. I have had that

happen to me several times over the last few months, from a candle my sister had that smelled like the cologne an old crush used to wear to a YouTube video I came across of clips from “Biker Mice from Mars” and “Street Sharks,” cartoons I watched as a teen that I had forgotten even existed.

Recently I had one of those moments as I was getting ready for work. I was listening to Chad & Leslye, the morning radio show on Orlando’s Magic 107.7, and they played Destiny’s Child’s “Jumpin’ Jumpin.” I had not heard it in years but that song was on a CD mix that I had back in the early 2000s when I was stationed in Italy that I listened to when I was getting ready to go to the clubs with my friends. I was instantly transported back to my 20’s thinking I needed to get my haircut and my car washed too because I work hard and I do in fact got the right to get my party on.

While I have a love-hate relationship with social media, I do appreciate that Facebook will throw up memories on my page to remind me of things I posted that I forgot about and that it recommends groups and pages that share things you may not remember, even things you might rather have forgotten.

One such post recently was from a Gen X nostalgia page that shared images of toys from the 70s and 80s that many of us had. Scrolling through and seeing them, I recalled the Cabbage Patch Kid my sister had and the talking Cooler from “Pound Puppies” that I had as a kid. Then I came across an image of the Hot Wheels City Sto & Go set. It was a two-layered city with collapsible buildings for your Hot Wheels cars that would fold into a carrying case when not in use. It was one of my favorite toys and the subject of one of my most horrible memories.

I was probably five or six years old at the time and was playing with it one day, minding my own

business, and my brother, who is 11 months older than me, came in and started trying to play with it. Now granted I could have been a nicer brother and shared my toy, but I was not in a sharing mood that day and shoved him away telling him it was mine and he couldn’t play. Instead of accepting his defeat, my brother went into our parents’ room, retrieved a bowling ball from their closet, came back and threw it at my Hot Wheels City Sto & Go set. Unfortunately his sad, weak baby arms could not throw it far enough and instead of hitting my Hot Wheels City Sto & Go set, it landed on my foot, breaking my big toe. To this day, that toe is not the same.

While that story is one of

Memories are great but what’s even better is saving democracy.

tragedy and sadness, especially for my toe, it has actually come in handy for me at several points in my life. I have used it to write a short story for a creative arts class, a monologue for a drama class and I share it often with my brother’s kids to evoke sympathy and get them on my side when my brother and I have disagreements.

Memories are great but what’s even better is saving democracy. Florida is days away from its primary elections and then roughly two months later we have the general election. Make sure you are registered to vote and that you have a plan, whether it is early voting, vote-by-mail or you plan to go the day of. Check in at Vote. org and be informed. I’d rather take a hundred bowling balls to the foot than have our democracy be a distant memory.

BRYANA SALDANA is a 25-year-old, Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando.

Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/ Her/They. Page 19

EDITOR’S NOTE: In issue 31.16’s LGBTQ Voters’ Guide it was misprinted that Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost said yes to supporting Project 2025. His actual response was “No, I strongly oppose Project 2025 and any efforts that seek to undermine the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ individuals and our democracy. This plan is a direct attack on the progress we have made and would harm countless LGBTQ+ Americans. I will continue to fight against such regressive policies.” We regret this error.

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

CARRAWAY

DESK EDITOR’S

YOU CAN SAY A LOT OF THINGS

about American politics — but at least as of late, you can’t say they’re boring. These last few months have been

It’s been captivating to a political nerd like me, someone who’s long believed the only way to make change is to vote for those who believe in it. It’s why I’ve been proud to support Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for president over the years.

I’ve voted for Democrats in every presidential election I’ve been able to except my first, when at 18 years old I unenthusiastically supported George W. Bush. I had no love for the Republican, who was terrible for our country and our community, but felt like it’s what I was supposed to do. Kids do stupid things sometimes.

It’s something I wrote about last year after the GOP’s first presidential primary debate,

quite the year.

which feels like a lifetime ago.

Participants included Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and other Republicans who never stood a chance with Donald Trump’s extremist base, at least not from under his shadow.

“I wouldn’t vote for Bush today … but I can tell you I’d choose him over any of the Republican candidates standing on that stage,” I wrote in my column. “They made that choice for me when almost all of them said they’d still support Donald Trump — the twice-impeached ex-president who clearly tried to steal the 2020 election — should he win their party’s nomination next year.”

A lot has changed since then. Trump not only formally became the GOP’s presidential nominee

but more deservedly became a convicted felon, one emboldened by the Supreme Court he installed that doesn’t seem to care.

The former president also debated our sitting one, sending many of President Joe Biden’s supporters into a panic after his undeniably poor performance. I wasn’t one of them.

“History will be kinder to Joe Biden for flubbing one debate than it will to those who abandon him over it,” I wrote afterwards.

“I don’t think anyone wanted a 2020 rematch, the president included, but ... between an honorable old man who’s led an inclusive four years and an old bully whose nightmare term ended in an insurrection, the choice is clear to me.”

It still is. It just turns out that Biden had something else in mind.

After weeks of speculation, and what I still believe were unwarranted and ageist attacks from both the right and left on a public servant who deserved better, the president announced he wouldn’t seek a second term.

“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” Biden addressed the nation. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”

Having already endorsed Harris, Biden noted there is “a time and place for new voices, fresh voices … and that time and place is now.” As he often has been, the president was right. Democrats, myself included, are pretty fired up about her campaign and it’s nice to be excited again.

It seems to me that Biden exhibited a type of wisdom that only comes with age, something that should be revered in a leader rather than criticized. We owe

Biden a debt, and the best way to pay it is to vote for Harris this November.

Before then, of course, Florida has a primary election that will shape the general to come. If you haven’t already, please make a plan to vote at Vote.org on or before Aug. 20 and take the time to educate yourself on the issues.

Among other resources, you can visit WatermarkOnline.com to read our 2024 LGBTQ+ Voters’ Guide. Watermark reached out to over 60 local congressional candidates to ask about how they would represent LGBTQ+ constituents. Check out their

We owe Biden a debt, and the best way to pay it is to vote for Harris.

responses and remember that it’s more important than ever to support those that support you. Our future depends on it.

We look ahead in another way this issue, checking in with local attorneys about estate planning. These subject matter experts share what members of the LGBTQ+ community can do with their finances should they pass and more.

In Tampa Bay news, the social group Tampa Bay Black Lesbians forms its own nonprofit and Metro Inclusive Health reveals it generated over $755,000 in free healthcare last year. In arts and entertainment, “Fable” opens freeFall Theatre’s 15th season.

Watermark is proud to be celebrating 30 years as your LGBTQ+ news source, so thanks for reading and supporting our advertisers. Please stay safe, stay informed and enjoy this latest issue.

BRYANA SALDANA is a 25-year-old, Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando.

Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/ Her/They. Page 19

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

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PINEAPPLE HEALTHCARE AND OUT SPORTS LEAGUE PARTNER FOR SPLASH BASH FIELD DAY IN ORLANDO

Luis Xavier De Peña

ORLANDO | Pineapple Healthcare is combining education and entertainment with its Splash Bash Field Day, bringing attention to Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, or SHAAD.

“What we’re trying to do is capture the joy of team sports in a way that also educates the community. That is what the Splash Bash is all about,” says Andres Acosta Ardila, director of community relations at Pineapple Healthcare.

Partnering with OUT Sports League Orlando, Splash Bash hopes to evoke the same sense of joy that school field day brought to participants with event goers broken into teams to compete in challenges.

The educational part of the day will come during lunch where the teams will face off in a trivia challenge. The topics for this challenge will center on HIV and STI prevention and treatment to coincide with SHAAD.

SHAAD highlights the disproportionately high levels of HIV infections in the southern United States compared to other regions in the country. The South accounts for over half of all HIV infections in the U.S.

“When it comes to the HIV epidemic, the South is falling behind, right,” Acosta Ardila says. “Our region is number one for new HIV transmissions. Florida, especially Orlando falls in the top four.”

Racial and ethnic minority men who have sex with men are more likely to become infected in the region, according to a 2023 study by HIV.org. Factors that lead to the increase of infections include lack of resources in rural areas, lack of sexual education and the fear from the stigma of receiving an HIV diagnosis.

Acosta Ardila says today the disease is a “chronic, manageable illness” that patients can easily manage.

“The important thing to remember is that when you’re in treatment, you can become undetectable,” Acosta Ardila says, “and if you’re undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV to anyone else. That is the logic behind U=U.”

U=U stands for Undetectable equals Untransmittable, which means those who are HIV positive cannot pass the virus to a partner.

Pineapple Healthcare will be providing free HIV testing at the event as well as linkage to care options for those that test positive. They will also have information on preventative options such as PrEP and DoxyPep.

“We’re gonna have a DJ that’s gonna be playing and it’s gonna be a fun time because here at Pineapple we like to focus on education that also entertains,” Acosta Ardila says. “Because that’s the best way to reach the community.”

The Splash Bash Field Day will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25, in Barnett Park from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets are free but the event is limited to 80 participants. You can register at OUTEvents.LeagueApps.com/events.

central florida news

Say Her Name

Police still looking for suspect in murder of Monique Brooks

Jeremy Williams

ORLANDO | Monique Brooks, a 49-year-old transgender woman, was shot and killed near the Florida Mall in Orlando July 19, and authorities are still searching for a suspect.

Brooks was found in the parking lot of the Burlington Coat Factory, located at 8204 South Orange Blossom Trail, around 3:50 a.m. and was taken to the hospital where she later died, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Little else is known about the incident, leading police to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Brooks was a hairstylist and an LGBTQ+ rights activist who was actively involved with Divas in Dialogue.

“Monique was one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever known,” Mulan Montrese Williams, executive director Of Divas in Dialogue, said, speaking with the Human Rights Campaign. “She has always been the life of the party

and willing to help anyone in need. She will be truly missed. Her kindness and outgoing spirit will never be forgotten.”

Speaking with Orlando’s FOX35, Brooks’ sibling, Lecia Paul called Brooks “fun loving” and “brilliant.”

“If anybody, anywhere, hears anything, sees anything, even just an inkling of anything please reach out to law enforcement,” Paul said. “Please, please, this didn’t have to happen.”

Brooks’ death marks at least the 22nd killing of a trans person in the U.S. since the start of 2024, according to HRC, and the third in Florida.

“We’ve lost yet another Black trans woman to gun violence,” said Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for HRC Foundation’s Transgender Justice Initiative, in a statement. “Monique was a gem of a person who should be with us today. We call on Orange County to exhaust all possible means in securing justice for Monique. As a community, we grieve Monique and know that her bright spirit will live on through her loved ones.”

In its reporting, HRC pointed out that while Florida has

JUSTICE FOR MONIQUE:

Brooks was a hairstylist and LGBTQ+ rights activist who was active with Divas in Dialogue.

discrimination protections for transgender and gender nonconforming people in employment, housing, education and public spaces it does not include gender identity as a protected characteristic in its hate crime law.

“Violence against trans people in the US disproportionately impacts Black trans women, and is fueled by hateful, discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ policies and rhetoric,” wrote Everytown for Gun Safety on its social media.

In June 2023, HRC declared a National State of Emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans because of the 550+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced by state legislatures across the country.

“We must demand better from our elected officials and reject harmful anti-transgender legislation at the local, state and federal levels, while also considering every possible way to make ending this violence a reality,” HRC stated. “It is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, especially Black transgender women. The intersections of racism, transphobia, sexism, biphobia and homophobia conspire to deprive them of necessities to live and thrive, so we must all work together to cultivate acceptance, reject hate and end stigma for everyone in the trans and gender-expansive community.”

Monique

PHOTO FROM BROOKS’ FACEBOOK

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

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

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

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

ABOUT BIKTARVY

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

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

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

� dofetilide

� rifampin

� any other medicines to treat HIV-1 BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY

Tell your healthcare provider if you:

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

� Have any other health problems.

� Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.

� Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks of breastfeeding during treatment with BIKTARVY.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

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

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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY

Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

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

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

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

METRO GENERATES OVER $755K

Chloe Wagner

TAMPA BAY | Metro Inclusive Health has announced that the organization’s Copay it Forward program generated $755,107 in free healthcare for under or uninsured patients in Tampa Bay last year.

The program utilizes pharmaceutical copayments to provide for those in need at no additional cost to those who are insured. It was developed to channel “the power of insured patients to help eliminate barriers to quality healthcare by providing essential and often lifesaving services.”

“The quality of life in our community is intrinsically linked to access to healthcare,” Metro Inclusive Health Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Brian Bailey said in a press release. “With rising costs impacting every aspect of daily life, it’s more crucial than ever to ensure that healthcare remains accessible.

“Our commitment is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can live, work and thrive in Tampa Bay,” he added.

The initiative is made possible with the Federal Health Resources & Services Administration’s 340b program, which allows the nonprofit healthcare provider to purchase discounted prescription drugs. It’s just one part of how the organization has worked to serve Tampa Bay for over 30 years.

The Copay it Forward figure grew by nearly $95,000 in 2023, surpassing Metro’s 2022 total of $660,485. It was made possible by insured patients using “a designated partner pharmacy to fill their prescriptions,” allowing them to provide services at no cost from their St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater, Brandon, Seminole Heights and New Port Richey locations, in addition to mobile and telehealth.

Only patients receiving medical care from Metro who are insured with most major insurances — including Medicare and Medicaid — can participate in the initiative. They can utilize one of almost 60 partnered pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS or AB Specialty in Tampa Bay.

Metro also hopes Metro Inclusive Pharmacy, which the nonprofit introduced last year, will enhance their Copay it Forward program. Their goal is to raise over $755,000 in 2024, a year that began with the organization’s significant redistribution of operations.

“In early 2024, Metro completed its transformation from four to nine health centers ahead of schedule and under budget,” CEO Priya Rajkumar noted in the press release. “Today, we’re seeing double-digit new patient growth at nearly every location.”

The organization also introduced same-day access to services in recent months, including rapid STI testing and results, as well as walk-in PrEP, DoxyPEP and nPEP programs with prescriptions available in under an hour. You can read all about Metro’s current initiatives and more in its 2023 annual report on its website.

For more information about Metro Inclusive Health, its Copay it Forward program and other initiatives, visit MetroTampaBay.org.

tampa bay news

Next Steps

Tampa Bay Black Lesbians social group becomes nonprofit

Chloe Wagner

TAMPA BAY | Tampa Bay Black Lesbians, a social group which first formed in 2021, has officially become a nonprofit.

TBBL started as a small Facebook group and quickly grew into an organization of over 1,000 people. The organization’s website notes “we are a powerful group of strong, beautiful, accomplished, educated and joyful friends, sisters, wives, partners, mothers, teachers, revolutionaries, CEOs, entrepreneurs and world changers,” stressing that “Black women are a FORCE!”

TBBL Founder Tamara Leigh and other members formed Tampa Bay Black Lesbians Inc. in June to further showcase that. The nonprofit is dedicated “to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where Queer Black Women can thrive through community engagement, advocacy, and resources by celebrating diversity, championing equity, and creating safer spaces to

build a stronger, more connected community for all.”

Leigh is also the founder and editor of Blaque Out Magazine, which serves as “a home for Black, Brown and Trans stories” and works to “inspire readers to find their truths and be their authentic selves.” She formed TBBL after moving to St. Petersburg from New York in 2020 to create a space specifically for Black lesbians, something she felt was missing in the region.

“As we went from 100 to 300 to 700 members, the dynamics within the group changed,” she says. “At the beginning, it was like a little family. Then it very much grew into a community and as we moved over 1000 people, the dynamic changed again. I think it was an opportunity for us to sort of reevaluate where we were and where we wanted to go with this.”

TBBL plans to announce its full board in September. In the interim, an advisory board is in place as they continue to host a range of events, including smaller, more intimate group hangouts and larger events like their Get Nude party held last June.

The group has hosted the annual event, a partnership with St Pete Pride, for three years. Like each of the nonprofit’s events, its focus is creating spaces for marginalized communities within an already marginalized community.

TBBL also recently launched their new Influencer program and additional events are forthcoming. Leigh says to expect the usual meetups for which the group is known in addition to new ventures and merchandise that support their mission.

She also hopes the group’s presence is seen as inclusionary and empowering. Events thrown by TBBL, such as Get Nude, can be attended by all in the community; their purpose is just to keep LGBTQ+ Black and brown women at the forefront.

“It’s incredibly important to have spaces where any and all of us can feel safe, and that’s why groups like ours exist,” she explains. “I think it’s important to stress that having specific organizations that represent and program for groups of people for marginalized groups within marginalized groups isn’t divisive or oppositional. It’s just to ensure that safe spaces for all of us exist — which isn’t a given in any space, but certainly is a given in ours.”

For more information about the Tampa Bay Black Lesbians, future events and more, visit BlackOuot.com/Tampa-Bay-Black-Lesbians or visit Facebook.com/WeAreTBBL.

SAFE SPACE: Members of the Tampa Bay Black Lesbians at a social gathering in 2023.

PHOTO COURTESY TBBL

PARENT OF TRANS STUDENT SUSPENDED BY FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARD

Chloe Wagner

Jessica Norton, a Broward County school employee and mother to a transgender daughter, was suspended from her job at Monarch High School — where her daughter also attended school — in Broward County for violating the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

Norton was suspended without pay for 10 days on July 30, ending the lengthy investigation into the school and family. The school board also stated Norton must be moved from her job as a computer information specialist to a different job that does not manage or handle student information.

The decision follows an investigation into a transgender teen playing on Monarch High School’s girls varsity volleyball team. The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in public school sports teams that align with their gender identity.

Norton brought a lawsuit against the school district and the Florida High School Athletic Association to challenge the act she was suspended for in 2021. The law specifically applies to schools, not individuals. Monarch High School was fined $16,500 in 2023.

“There is no way around it, I’m being punished because I am the parent of a transgender student. While I can finally breathe a sigh of relief that this 239 day investigation is finally over, ending the constant scrutiny and allowing me to keep my job, I am still frustrated with the decision the school board made today,” Jessica Norton said in a statement. “Every action I took to support my daughter was as her parent, not as an employee of Monarch High School—it was never my decision whether my daughter played volleyball.”

Broward School Board Member Daniel Foganholi had received an “anonymous tip” about a trans student playing sports at Monarch. The student in question was Norton’s then 16-year-old daughter.

The school board, superintendent and senior district leadership were aware of Norton’s daughter playing volleyball at the school.

Norton pulled her daughter from Monarch High School, and she now attends an online Broward County school.

Norton said the decision was made to protect her after she was outed via the investigation.

“The senior leaders of the District should be embarrassed that they’re in charge of the lives of children seeing as they had no problem destroying the life of mine,” Norton said during a Broward County school board meeting in June. “But you know what, it’s okay if I’m the villain in their story because I am the hero in my daughter’s story.”

STANLEY CAMPBELL IS OPTIMISTIC HEADING INTO FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC SENATE PRIMARY

Jeremy Williams

U.S. Navy veteran and businessman Stanley Campbell is feeling optimistic about his chances of being the Democratic candidate who will go up against Sen. Rick Scott in the November general election.

Campbell is currently one of four Democrats vying for votes in the Aug. 20 primary election for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida currently occupied by Scott. The others are Army veteran Rod Joseph, former state representative Brian Rush and former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, the candidate who currently seems to be the frontrunner.

Mucarsel-Powell has many endorsements from state officials, Democratic leaders and progressive organizations. Campbell comes with his own state endorsements as well including the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, The Latino Vote of South Florida, the Broward County Deputy Sheriff’s Association and

the Florida AFL-CIO, the state federation of the largest federation of unions in the United States.

Campbell, who was “born, bred, raised, educated and professionalized in the State of Florida,” grew up in the Liberty City area of Miami. He went to college at Florida A&M University where at the age of 19 he created the data reduction algorithm and aero-analysis for the Voyager 2 spacecraft. After he graduated, he joined the U.S. Navy where he became a test pilot and served on NASA’s executive advisory board.

“When you’re in those positions, you gain a lot of experience,” Campbell says. “My Democratic opponent just doesn’t have that level of experience.”

While Campbell says his level of experience makes him a better candidate than Mucarsel-Powell, he is also looking passed August, into the general election, laying out why he thinks he is the best person to replace Scott.

“[Rick Scott] has voted twice against the budget, which means that he’s standing in the way of the military getting paid and he also didn’t say one word when [Sen.]

Tommy Tuberville was holding up military promotions,” Campbell says. “There’s a lot of games that they play but you should not use the most powerful military in the history of the world for that kind of thing.”

Campbell says he is also going to be a champion for the LGBTQ+ community when he is elected. Cambell, along with Joseph and Rush, expressed his support for passing the Equality Act and the Biden administration’s Title IX revisions when asked during Watermark’s 2024 LGBTQ+ primary voters’ guide. Mucarsel-Powell’s campaign did not respond to Watermark’s questionnaire.

“I was brought up to treat everyone as an equal,” Campbell says. “There isn’t going to be a person on Capitol Hill or any hill that is going to support your right to be who you are more than me. My brother [Uncle Luke from 2 Live Crew] went to the Supreme Court twice, and we know how to fight. We know how to fight in the streets of Liberty City and we know how to fight in the courts or what’s right.”

JUDGE RULES THAT FLORIDA’S TRANS HEALTH CARE BAN DISCRIMINATES AGAINST STATE EMPLOYEES

Wire Report

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | A federal judge ruled Aug. 1 that Florida’s transgender health care ban discriminates against state employees and violates their civil rights.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said the state’s ban violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.

The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by three current and former state employees against the Florida Department of Management

Services. The employees had challenged the denial of medically necessary treatment for their gender dysphoria under the state’s categorical exclusion of coverage for “gender reassignment or modification services or supplies.”

“We are so grateful that the court is holding the state accountable for its facially discriminatory policy that carves out transgender state employees for unequal treatment,” Southern Legal Counsel attorney Simone Chriss said in a statement. “There is no nondiscriminatory reason for the state to categorically deny coverage of safe, effective, medically necessary treatment only when it is needed to treat

gender dysphoria but not for the treatment of any other condition.”

Walker wrote in his ruling that health and pension benefits frequently represent a crucial component of an employee’s compensation, so the practical effect of denying or reducing such benefits on the basis of sex is to deny the employee an employment opportunity on the basis of sex.

The court will schedule a trial to determine the amount of plaintiffs’ damages.

The Florida Department of Management Services and the governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the lawsuit from The Associated Press.”

BILLY BEAN, 2ND OPENLY GAY EX-MLB PLAYER, DIES

Wire Report

NEW YORK | Billy Bean, who became the second former Major League Baseball player to come out as gay in 1999 before becoming the sport’s senior vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, has died. He was 60. MLB released a statement confirming his death. Bean died at home Aug. 6 after a yearlong fight with acute myeloid leukemia.

The California native played in six big league seasons from 1987 to 1995, making his debut with

the Detroit Tigers in a four-hit performance that tied a record for a player in his first game. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. He was a two-time All-American outfielder at Loyola Marymount, leading the team to the NCAA Men’s College World Series in 1986.

Bean wrote a book titled “Going the Other Way” and was also a keynote speaker at many events. He publicly came out as gay in 1999, the second former major leaguer to do so after Glenn Burke.

Bean worked with MLB clubs to “advance equality for all players,

coaches, managers, umpires, employees, and stakeholders throughout baseball to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace for everyone.”

“Our hearts are broken today as we mourn our dear friend and colleague, Billy Bean, one of the kindest and most respected individuals I have ever known,”

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Billy was a friend to countless people across our game, and he made a difference through his constant dedication to others.”

GLAAD UNDER FIRE FOR EXCESSIVE SPENDING

Christopher Kane of the Washington Blade, Courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association

GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis is under fire for excessive spending following a report in the New York Times Aug. 1, which suggested the first-class airfare, hotel accommodations and car services booked by the organization’s chief executive for business travel far outpace the expenses of leaders of similarly sized nonprofits.

Quoting legal, nonprofit and ethics experts, the article suggests Ellis and GLAAD’s actions may also have violated IRS rules, including their decision to not declare spending on Ellis’s home office renovation as income on her personal tax forms.

When Ellis joined in 2014, the article notes, GLAAD was in dire financial straits. Elevating the group’s public profile and expanding its purview, Ellis had quintupled its revenue to $19 million by 2022.

“Major donors have included media and tech companies such as Netflix, Google, and the Walt Disney Company; philanthropists

like Ariadne Getty; and the New York City Council,” the Times wrote. “In 2022, the billionaire MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million.”

GLAAD’s chief communications officer, Rich Ferraro, said the board took Ellis’s performance into consideration when deciding her compensation, as under her leadership the advocacy group had started punching above its weight.

In a statement to the Advocate, Ferraro called the article “deeply misleading,” specifically disputing claims about Ellis’s annual compensation and denying that she ever took home “anything near” $1 million per year.

POLICE INVESTIGATING HATE SPEECH TARGETING OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Wire Report

PARIS | Paris prosecutors said Aug. 2 that police have opened a hate speech investigation following a complaint by Olympics opening ceremony artistic director Thomas Jolly. The Paris prosecutors’ office said that Jolly filed a police complaint on July 30, four days after the opening ceremony, for death threats, “public insults” and “defamation.”

Jolly’s complaint comes after the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony prompted a storm of outrage in the wake of a contentious scene featuring drag queens and other performers. Although Jolly has repeatedly said that he wasn’t inspired by “The Last Supper,” critics interpreted part of the show as a mockery of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting showing Jesus Christ and his apostles.

French President Emmanuel Macron extended full support to Jolly and all performing artists

who were part of the Olympics opening show.

“I am outraged and sad,” Macron said about threats and cyberbullying Jolly and others have suffered. “Nothing justifies threats against an artist.

“French people were very proud of the opening ceremony that presented France’s history, its adventurous spirit, its audacity and it was all done with artistic freedom, which is very important to us,” he added.

IN OTHER NEWS

CATHOLIC PRIEST SUES GRINDR FOR ALLEGED OUTING

Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, a Catholic priest in Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit against the gay dating app Grindr on grounds that it allegedly sold his “sensitive” personal information to commercial vendors that enabled The Pillar, a conservative Catholic publication, to obtain the information and publish an article in July 2021 disclosing that the priest patronized gay bars and was “only a step away from sexual predation.” The lawsuit says the article resulted in Burrill being forced to resign from his job as General Secretary for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and caused him to suffer “severe emotional and mental distress.” Grindr said in a statement it “intends to respond vigorously to these allegations.”

JUDGE UPHOLDS OHIO’S GENDERAFFIRMING CARE BAN

An Ohio law that limits gender-affirming health care for youth under 18 can go into effect, a county judge ruled Aug. 6. The law bans transgender surgeries and hormone therapies for minors, unless they are already receiving such therapies and it is deemed a risk to stop by a doctor. The law also includes restrictions on the type of mental health services a minor can receive. State lawmakers in January enacted the law, which also bans trans athletes from taking part in girls’ and women’s sports, after overriding a veto by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

‘DON’T SAY GAY OR TRANS’ LAW GO INTO EFFECT IN LOUISIANA

A new Louisiana law went into effect Aug. 1 that broadly bars teachers from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, a type of policy critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay or Trans.” In addition, the measure prohibits “covering the topics of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular” activity that is under the jurisdiction of the school. Between new Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and a GOP supermajority in the Louisiana Legislature, measures mirroring national conservative priorities had a clear path forward into law this year.

INDIAN PRISONS TO PROTECT LGBTQ+ INMATES

The Indian Home Ministry on July 15 sent a note to local officials and prison administrators that acknowledges queer prisoners regularly face discrimination and violence because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The government has asked all states and territories to ensure queer people receive equal rights in their prison and also instructed officials to prevent discrimination in relation to accessing goods and services inside their prisons, especially visitation rights. The directive mandates prison officials allow inmates to meet with family members, relatives, friends and legal representatives at least once every two weeks.

Bryana Saldana

DIARY OF A POET

Chasing Fulfillment

STARTING AT A YOUNG

age, I always thought tattoos were beautiful. My mother has a few and most of the people I grew up around have some too. It’s a beautiful way to etch a part of your journey onto your skin, whether that be where you’re from or in memory of someone special.

From the age of 18 onward, I have collected quite a few tattoos, around 35 or so, I haven’t counted in a while. All of them hold a significant meaning in my life. Things I would never forget and couldn’t, even if I tried. Around 10 years ago, I got a tattoo that says, “Thunder’s The Promise, Fulfillment’s The Rain.” When I got this tattoo, I was around 19 or 20 and sleeping on my mother’s couch, trying to find my grip on the world. I wanted to separate myself from the noise I never asked for, along with rain that felt like poison. I wanted to feel fulfillment.

I recall times in my life when the thunder was all I could hear, no matter how tight I closed my eyes and pressed my hands against my ears, the thunder was more powerful. No rain at all, just a loud sky raging undue terror on whoever it chose. At a certain point I chased after the lightening and roar, sat in the middle of the light show the sky made, not having a care in the world if it hurt. I knew storms would never end. Growing up in Florida it’s inevitable, but the rain didn’t feel like fulfillment, it felt like hail. I wanted something that felt impossible so this led to making wishes, often with pennies, stars and candles. Wishes that my life could be more quiet. These wishes were cast into dirty ponds, wells and on every birthday. After a while, it began feeling so silly to ask for a quiet world, because how? How could I find my escape

hatch? It felt like I was only destined for the thunder and hailstorms.

When we’re young and queer in spaces that don’t promote it, where it feels more tolerated than celebrated, it’s hard to navigate. It’s even more difficult when there is a battle inside of you that knows just existing as visibly not straight in the South is a dangerous, silent protest. I never experienced blatant overt or violent acts of homophobia but I can feel the microaggressions, whether that be staring too long or moving from my vicinity entirely. These subtle acts would be missed by straight people but queer people know exactly what it feels like. There is already this gut-wrenching feeling that we don’t belong and then you add the messiness of living in chaos. This leaves us with nowhere really to exist without being made to feel like a nuisance.

My fulfillment has come slowly and has looked different over periods of time. One way was traveling alone to places I had never been. I think that’s where it really started. I never went anywhere alone, always had someone around whether that be one of my sisters or friends. I felt very uncomfortable with the idea of traveling or being alone. This act of adventuring alone started with drives here and there, then transitioned to flying to Denver for the first time and seeing a totally different way of life. I was visiting a former girlfriend that had two moms, and I was mind blown about how normal it seemed in this part of the world I never touched. Family dinners, outings and movie nights. For the first time I witnessed queer love in real time. This gave me hope I never thought would touch my world. As that relationship dissolved, I gained a desire to invest in my self-love and I began taking myself on dates to immerse myself in unknown territory. I knew it would

strengthen me. I even spent some holidays alone, though it was sad sometimes, it showed me how powerful I was alone. The hail that was falling on me was loneliness and not by choice, there was always someone around but the rain I found was finding comfort in my

me would be blown away with not only where we ended up but what more we endured to get here. I’ve slept in more king-sized beds than I could imagine since leaving everything I’ve known behind. I bear witness to so much silence, I am constantly having to

As always it has taken so much love for self and commitment to healing what I did not create, to find myself in my dream place to live with a beautiful being and an unimaginable future ahead. Please know that the voyage will have rocky oceans, hail and thunder

When we’re young and queer in spaces that don’t promote it, where it feels more tolerated than celebrated, it’s hard to navigate.

own peace and solitude. My teenage self, that version of me looking for fulfillment, would have never guessed where the chase had taken me. My partner and I went as far as Merida, Mexico to recharge our batteries and reconstruct what we want our world to feel like. Nineteen-year-old

find comfort in the lack of chaos. Life is sun showers and I couldn’t have painted a better picture. I hate to say the hail was worth the healing, but in some ways it was. The thunder will never leave but the rain now washes all the worries away and gives hope to new, to beginning, again.

that you will feel down your spine but it will all be worth the outcome. Love yourself and those that show up for you, always.

Bryana Saldana is an Afro-Latina poet born and raised in Orlando. Saldana had her first published poem through “Women Who Roar.” Saldana’s pronouns are She/Her/They.

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FEBRUARY 16TH - 23RD 2025

1 President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law in 2022.

PHOTO IN PUBLIC DOMAIN

2 Disney World became a focus of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attacks over the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” bill.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

3 Orlando legend Doug Ba’aser passed away at the age of 62.

PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

4 Gerald J. Mayes, celebrated drag legend Tiffani Middlesexx, died Jan. 11 at 73. PHOTO FROM MIDDLESEXX’S FACEBOOK

5 Kids gather for a recurring Drag Queen Story Hour in St. Petersburg, an event that drew protests.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

6 Punky’s Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg ahead of its 2022 closure.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

7 Contigo Fund gifted laptops to Divas in Dialogue. PHOTO COURTESY CONTIGO FUND

8 Tampa Bay radio hosts Miguel Fuller (L) and Holly O’Connor left the region behind in 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY MIGUEL FULLER

9 Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.

PHOTO COURTESY PENN ATHLETICS

10 Stonewall Bar in Orlando closed its doors permanently at the start of the year.

PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

ON THE COVER

2 YEARS AGO

LOOKING BACK:

Rick Todd, Publisher

EVERY YEAR WE HIGHLIGHT

THE ups and downs that cycle around the sun brought to our community, but 2022 seems to be the year of the most dramatic twists and turns we have seen in many years.

We saw a handful of changes in our local landscape. In Central Florida, onePULSE Foundation begins its search for an executive director as Barbara Poma, owner of Pulse and founding CEO of the foundation, stepped away from the title. More than 15 years under The Pride Chamber, Come Out With Pride announces that it will begin operating independently. Neighborhood bar Stonewall Orlando closed its doors as the bar searches for a new owner.

In Tampa Bay, we said goodbye to Hot 101.5’s “The Miguel & Holly Show,” which ends after seven years as hosts Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor announce their move

to North Carolina. LGBTQ+ eatery Punky’s Bar and Grill announces its immediate and permanent closure after serving the community for more than six years.

Our community lost some legends in 2022. Actor, entertainer, host and friend to Watermark Doug Ba’aser passed away on July 16 at the age of 62. Tampa drag legend Gerald J. Mayes, Tiffani Middlesexx, died at 73. The longtime entertainer captivated audiences throughout Florida for decades. LGBTQ+ activist Jorge Diaz-Johnston is found dead in a Florida landfill and Duval Princess, a hairstylist who was 24 and transgender, is killed in Jacksonville.

Perhaps the story that captivated Florida, and the nation, the most was Florida Republican’s — led by Gov. Ron DeSantis — attack on the LGBTQ+ community with the “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” law, blocking gender-affirming care and school sports from trans youth and feeding into the “groomers” lie that led Nazis to protest Drag Queen Story Hours, Pride events and anywhere our community gathered. The Walt Disney Company pauses political contributions in Florida due to the bill.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced that his department will allow the options of transgender male, transgender female, nonbinary and other when veterans select their gender in medical records and healthcare documentation. Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas made history when she became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. We ended on a high note as President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law, providing federal protections to same-sex and interracial marriages.

talking points

Tim Walz is an exceptionally effective governor and also great to work with. I’m excited for what his Midwestern voice, military experience, and common-sense values will bring to our winning ticket, and for everything the Harris-Walz administration will deliver for Americans.

—TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG ON DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL

CANDIDATE KAMALA HARRIS SELECTING GOV. TIM WALZ AS HER RUNNING MATE

ORVILLE PECK’S ‘STAMPEDE’ FEATURES STARS FROM COUNTRY AND POP

IT IS NOT EASY TO BE AN OUTSIDER IN COUNTRY MUSIC, BUT ORVILLE PECK HAS MADE A CAREER OUT OF IT. On his third album, a duets LP called “Stampede,” his nonconformist spirit has led to collaborations with everyone from Willie Nelson and Elton John to Mickey Guyton and Kylie Minogue. The 36-year-old South African musician has been steadily stripping back his mask since his 2019 debut album “Pony.” “I think it’s sort of in parallel with my confidence,” he says to the Associated Press. “When I first started — my first album — I really needed the mask.” It takes some self-assurance to release a duets album. Each song is a brand-new collaboration, a previously unexplored creative experiment, and a balancing act. “Every single song is me, 50%, and then 50% the other artist,” he says. “Stampede” is out now.

LAMBERT, CRAVALHO JOIN ‘CABARET’ ON BROADWAY

GET READY TO SAY WILLKOMMEN TO THE NEXT STARS TO ENTER THE KIT KAT CLUB ON BROADWAY — Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho. Producers of the Tony Award-nominated revival revealed July 24 that Lambert, the singer-songwriter who has fronted Queen, and Cravalho, the voice of the title character in Disney’s animated musical film “Moana,” will play the Emcee and Sally Bowles, respectively, in the current revival of “Cabaret.” The two — each making their Broadway debuts — will take over for English actors Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, who both earned Tony Award nominations for their parts. The newcomers will start Sept. 16 and play through the end of March.

‘THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW’ STAR DIES AT 46

ERICA ASH, AN ACTOR AND COMEDIAN SKILLED IN SKETCH COMEDY, HAS DIED.

She was 46. Ash died July 28 in Los Angeles from cancer, according to her publicist and a statement by her mother. Ash impersonated Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice on “Mad TV,” a Fox sketch series, played the ex-wife of Kevin Hart’s character on the BET series

“Real Husbands of Hollywood” and was a key performer on the Rosie O’Donnell-created series

“The Big Gay Sketch Show.” Her other credits included “Scary Movie V,” “Uncle Drew” and the LeBron James-produced basketball dramedy “Survivor’s Remorse.” She also appeared in the Broadway production “Baby It’s You” and a touring production of “The Lion King.”

ALMODÓVAR’S FILM TO BE NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL CENTERPIECE

PEDRO ALMODÓVAR’S “THE ROOM NEXT DOOR,” THE OUT FILMMAKER’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MOVIE, will be the centerpiece for this year’s New York Film Festival. The drama stars Julianne Moore as Ingrid, a best-selling writer, who rekindles a relationship with her friend Martha, a war journalist played by Tilda Swinton. This will mark Almodóvar’s 15th appearance in New York’s main slate. Other films playing during the festival include Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anora,” RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” and Steve McQueen’s “Blitz.” The New York Film Festival, running Sept. 27 to Oct. 14, takes place at Lincoln Center and a handful of other venues around the city.

—University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative annual report

Essential

estate planning tips for LGBTQ+ families

Jeremy Williams

IN THE HIT 2019 FILM, “KNIVES OUT,” THE lawyer of Harlan Thrombey, the 85-year-old bestselling crime novelist played by Christopher Plummer, gathers the family in Thrombey’s study after he dies for the reading of the will.

The money-hungry heirs await to see which one of them will inherit Thrombey’s mansion, money and publishing company. The lawyer states that “[Mr. Thrombey] also wrote up a statement … and he wanted that read first.” The tension builds as the family finds out that the entire estate was left to his caregiver. The family becomes irate and drama ensues.

While this makes for great cinema, most inheritances do not involve gathering the family to read the will. It is primarily done with very uneventful court proceedings. However, something that occurs in “Knives Out” that is more common in the LGBTQ+ community is leaving all or portions of an estate to non-biological family.

In a study conducted last year by the LGBTQ+ youth charity Just Like Us, it was found that LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to say they are not close to immediate family members

with nearly half of LGBTQ+ young adults stating they are estranged from at least one family member. While this was a study conducted with the LGBTQ+ population in the U.K., it stands to reason that the queer community in the U.S. faces similar issues when it comes to dealing with unaccepting family members.

It also stands to reason that if you do not want to continue relationships with family members that you also do not want those individuals inheriting your assets when you die. If you do not have a proper plan in place, however, that is exactly what could happen.

WHAT IS ESTATE PLANNING?

Simply put, estate planning is a plan of action put in place to ensure your wishes are followed in case you die or become incapacitated. This process with most

people is commonly thought of as “making a will” but there is more to it than just having a will.

“Estate planning has two parts to it,” says Ed Blaisdell, an Orlando attorney who specializes in estate planning, trusts, health care directives and more. “One is the one most people are familiar with which is what happens to your assets when you die, and that involves a will or a trust, some document like that to provide directions for your assets when you die.”

Blaisdell is one half of the legal team Dyer & Blaisdell with Tom Dyer, founder of Watermark. The pair has 40 years of experience between them in estate planning law.

“The other side of estate planning is planning for something while you are living,” Blaisdell says. “Things that allow people to speak for you when you aren’t able to speak for yourself. If you are in the hospital and you’re unconscious and there must be a medical decision made, who is going to make that decision for you?”

While putting a plan in place for when you die or become incapacitated seems like something to focus on as you get older, Blaisdell says it is not necessarily something that you want to put off until you “think you are old enough.”

“My instinct is you should always have it,” he says. “Realistically though, even for a simple estate, I would say that by the time you’re 30 you should have a will, and you should have advanced directives, because even 30-year-old’s get sick and are unconscious.”

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOTHING?

“Not having a plan is a plan, it’s just not a very good one,” says Liz Moneymaker, an estate, elder and special needs lawyer with Ferrari, Butler & Moneymaker in St. Petersburg, who has been practicing law for more than 20 years. “If you don’t have a plan in place, Florida law has one for you.”

Florida’s intestate succession laws dictate how a person’s assets are distributed when they die without a will or trust. First if you are married, your assets will go to the surviving spouse.

If the deceased had no spouse, their children are next in line to inherit. Legally adopted children and biological children are both eligible, but stepchildren are not. If the person had no spouse and no children, the parents are next, followed by siblings, niblings, grandparents and so on down the family line.

“Florida isn’t a state that recognizes something like common-law marriage,” Moneymaker says. “So, if you have a partner, even a long-term partner, if you don’t have documentation those individuals are strangers in the eyes of the law.”

That goes for your chosen family as well. Relationships within the LGBTQ+ community may be stronger than your family ties but under the law they have no say unless you take the steps to give them a voice.

“Especially if you have family members that you are not fond of,” Blaisdell says. “You can get a very undesirable result if you don’t have some kind of documentation.”

Even if you think that you don’t have anything that would warrant you to have a will, Blaisdell says that even the smallest estate can cause a big problem without documentation.

“I have a car, I have a couple bank accounts, maybe a house; I don’t really have anything, but by not doing anything you can create a huge costly mess later,” he says.

WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER?

As stated earlier, estate planning documents primarily fall into two categories: what happens to my stuff when I die and what happens if I can’t make decisions for myself?

There are several different types of documents that you might want to consider having as part of your estate planning, and this is where a lawyer who specializes in this type of law comes in handy, but there are some standard ones that most people are familiar with.

Common testamentary documents — a document that explains your wishes when you die — are a last will and testament and a living trust.

“A will is a snapshot document. It basically says upon my death, take my assets and do this,” Blaisdell says. “With a trust you appoint a trustee and your assets are held in the trust and the trustee can then manage them for whatever period of time you designate.”

Moneymaker adds that if avoiding probate, which is the process of a judge overseeing the distribution of one’s assets, is something you want then you should be looking at a trust estate plan.

“That can get confusing because a lot of people think that a will avoids probate and it doesn’t,” she says. “If you’re using a will as a way to pass your assets along, you are guaranteeing the document will have to be probated and your heirs will have to go through time and

deciding ahead of time — if you want life-sustaining measures to be withheld. In other words do you want to ‘pull the plug’ is kind of the crass way to say it.”

Other documents that might be considered include a pre-need declaration of guardian, which says if the court for some reason needs to appoint a legal guardian for you who do you want them to look to, and a document that gives authority to make funeral arrangements.

“It can be very problematic for unmarried couples because they’re essentially a stranger legally,” Blaisdell says. “It can get really ugly when a partner knows what the deceased person wants and the deceased person’s family conceived something very different, so now you are not only dealing with the grief of somebody dying but you are also fighting over what to do.”

money before they can actually get your assets. A trust would take everything out of your hands and put it into a trustee’s hands after you die so there is nothing to probate.”

A will-based plan might make more sense and would avoid probate is if you are legally married.

“Using myself as an example,” Moneymaker says, “I’m married and I have a will-based plan because all of my assets that would go to my wife are based on joint accounts and beneficiary-based accounts. So, my portfolio on death is transferred to her. My IRA has her as the beneficiary. My bank accounts have her as paid on death, so even though I have a will-based plan there won’t be any probate if I were to die first because it would automatically go to her.”

Some important advanced directive documents — a document that state’s a person’s wishes for medical care if they are unable to speak for themselves — to consider include a medical directive (also known as a living will) and a durable power of attorney.

“Your durable power of attorney would be for your finances, naming someone who could pay your bills, refinance your home if need be, deal with the IRS, social security and insurance companies, those type of things,” Moneymaker says. “Your medical directive would name someone who can make medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated, as well as —

“It’s important especially in our community with individuals who may have some animosity amongst family members,” Moneymaker adds. “When someone passes, they don’t want the family trying to intervene and get the ashes or make decisions about burial or cremation if that’s not what they want, so having that stuff in writing makes it more likely that their wishes are going to be followed in the end.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR ESTATE?

Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, you will want to have a good idea of what types of assets you have.

“Checking and/or savings, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, other types of investments, do I have rental properties or vacation properties, these are the things that a good holistic estate planner is going to want to know,” Moneymaker says. “That lets them see ‘OK, do we need a trust-based plan put in place or can we accomplish your goals by simply making sure that your beneficiaries are put in place?’”

Also deciding what a person’s final wishes should be and what they should do with that estate is a decision solely for the person who owns it.

“What I often tell clients is this is one time in your life you get to be selfish,” Blaisdell says. “This is about what you want, so you tell me what you want and we go from there.”

Both Blaisdell and Moneymaker added that they

LGBTQ+ ESTATE PLANNING PROFESSIONALS: Ed Blaisdell (L) works in his office with the assistance of Brianna Rockmore (photo on L); Liz Moneymaker. BLAISDELL PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS; MONEYMAKER PHOTO COURTESY BY MONEYMAKER

deal with a substantial LGBTQ+ cliental, and often see situations where someone comes in, doesn’t have a great relationship with their family and isn’t sure what they want to do with their estate.

“That’s not a decision I would make for them but we talk it through, what is it that you want your legacy to be,” Moneymaker says. “It’s mainly about getting people comfortable to talk about what they want to happen when they die. If someone is talking about them in 50 years, what is it that you want them to say?”

“Often they leave everything to their unmarried partners, children, nieces and nephews, their partner’s children, brothers and sisters. We have a lot of clients who leave some or all of their estates to charity,” Blaisdell says. “It’s not uncommon on the first visit or with the first conversation for people to say, ‘I have no idea what to do with my money.’ You don’t do this all in one visit. Estate planning takes some time and that time is built into the process for that reason. You want people to take their time, sit and think about things. Quite often people don’t like thinking about it and often there are competing interests.”

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ISSUES TO WATCH OUT FOR?

A big mistake, Moneymaker says, is when people try to do estate planning themselves.

“I had a case where someone tried to do their own will but it wasn’t signed properly,” she says. “He meant to leave everything to his partner but now it’s not going to the partner because it wasn’t done correctly. Nobody wants to spend money on estate planning, and I get that, but if you don’t do it correctly you are not going to have your wishes followed.”

Blaisdell recognizes that the cost of estate planning is a reason that some people don’t do it but he says that a little money now goes a long way to avoiding a mess later.

“The cost of estate planning is typically so much less than an unplanned probate where you have nothing,” he says. “You can plan your entire estate so you can avoid probate entirely, so you don’t have to go through that legal process involving the court or the judge. Most people can do that, and that takes a little bit of time and a little bit of money now versus if you die without something in place, when

it will take a lot of time and a lot of money to figure out what your estate is.”

Another concern that Moneymaker brings up is when non-married couples buy a home or condo together.

“They will think we own it jointly because we are on the deed but it turns out that the deed has their name on it but it’s not joint with right of survivorship,” she says.

Joint with right of survivorship is a legal arrangement that gives two or more people equal rights to an asset or account, and also provides survivorship rights if another account holder dies. Without it when one of the partners dies their share goes to whoever their heirs are, not the other person on the deed.

“A recent case I had, these two women were partners for 40 years, their names were both on the deed but they didn’t realize that they didn’t own it with right of survivorship, so when the one partner died all of her share went to an estranged daughter who didn’t get along with the couple at all,” Moneymaker says. “So now my client has to share a couple of different houses with this daughter that her partner didn’t

even have a relationship with. It is an easily fixable thing if you do it before someone passes. Once they pass away it is stuck how it is.”

Common in the LGBTQ+ community is treating our pets as children, so just as with children you don’t want to forget to include your pets in your estate planning.

“We can set up a trust to take care of their pets if they were to pass,” Moneymaker says. “But there’s a myriad of ways that we can plan for pets, it doesn’t have to get complex like with a trust. We can simply identify the caretaker of the pet, providing them funds to rehome the pet; I deal with people every week whose pets are like their kids.”

FINAL THOUGHTS?

“It is really, really hard to contest a will,” Blaisdell says. “So even just doing a simple will or trust is enough to determine where your assets will go. A family member, or anyone, challenging a will or a trust has a very high threshold, a burden to prove that that will or trust isn’t valid. If you leave your family out of your testament wishes with a valid will or valid trust it is

highly unlikely they will be able to challenge it and get anything.”

“There are key objectives for any of us — whether you are gay, straight or somewhere in between — you want an estate plan that protects the surviving partner and lets them live in a manner in which they have become accustom,” Moneymaker says. “You want to keep control with the people you want to have control, and if you don’t put that in writing then that family that you may not want to be in charge is now in control of your finances and your health care. We all know we are in line somewhere; we just don’t know when our number is going to be called so it is best to be prepared.”

Dyer & Blaisdell is located at 416 Ferncreek Ave. in Orlando. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 407-648-1153 or visit DyerBlaisdell.com.

Ferrari, Butler & Moneymaker is located at 3833 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 800-484-0473 or visit LizMoneymakerLaw.com.

speak with the artistic director. She reached DeVita instead.

Feud and Fiction

‘Gypsy’-inspired ‘Fable’ leads freeFall’s 15th season

Chloe Wagner

STORY

TELLERS:

Liz Power as June Havoc (L) and Heather Baird as Gypsy Rose Lee. PHOTO COURTESY THEE PHOTO NINJA

FREEFALL THEATRE’S 15TH SEASON

began in Tampa Bay with “Fable” Aug. 9, a show about the creation of the iconic “Gypsy.”

“Fable” depicts two starlet sisters — Gypsy Rose Lee and June Havoc — and highlights their feud over the creation and release of the Broadway staple. It plays select nights through Sept. 8.

“You’ve heard of the feuds between Capote and his Swans and Bette vs. Joan, but nothing will prepare you for the story of June Havoc, Gypsy Rose Lee and the making of one of Broadway’s most beloved properties,” freeFall teases. “‘Fable’ explores the nature of memory through the eyes of two very different show business siblings.

“When one sister wants her version of events made legendary on the Broadway stage, the other is pulled into a tug-of-war over the truth of things long past,” its synopsis continues. “A fable about the making of a Broadway

fable ... Sisters June and Rose’s loyalty to each other is tested in a mounting battle between fiction and truth.”

Liz Power makes her freeFall debut as June Havoc. Heather Baird, who recently featured in freeFall’s “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater,” plays Gypsy Rose Lee. Other cast members include company favorites Bonnie Agan, James Putnam and Mya Simpkins. Rounding out the cast are Broadway veterans Larry Alexander as Jerome Robbins and Melissa Minyard as Ethel Merman. The show will be accompanied by a live band as well.

To understand “Fable,” one must understand the story of “Gypsy,” a fan favorite for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Broadway musical features an overbearing stage

mother that tries to live out her dreams of stardom through her two daughters.

“Gypsy” is loosely based off a book that was based on the memoir written by Gypsy Rose Lee and mainly focuses on her point-of-view throughout the musical. “Fable” takes June Havoc’s unwritten perspective and creates a story playwright Doug DeVita, who is gay, says anyone can relate to.

“I think that a longing to be seen, recognized and appreciated for who we really are is what will appeal to almost anybody,” he says. “Not just the LGBTQ+ audience … we all have our stories. We have our lives. We want to be recognized for who and what we are.”

The show depicts real and imperfect people with flaws and problems, which he hopes audiences can see themselves in. Havoc’s character in “Gypsy” is not portrayed kindly. Rather, she is an extrovert who elopes with a boy whom Lee’s character, an introverted underdog named Louise, is in love with.

“I want people to see her in a more sympathetic light than she’s been seen ... particularly in ‘Gypsy,’ because she comes across as a brat who steals her sister’s boyfriend, right?” DeVita explains. “That never happened. That was made up for the show.”

DeVita was eight years old when he was first introduced to “Gypsy,” having watched the film adaptation at home. From there his obsession with June Havoc began.

His love for her — as a character, as an actress and for “Gypsy” — went beyond the bombshell blonde and the movie’s aesthetics, however. He says Havoc’s story was personal for him.

“I always loved ‘Gypsy.’ I wouldn’t be gay if I didn’t love ‘Gypsy,’ or vice versa,” DeVita muses. “… June was always my favorite. It took years of therapy for me to figure out June’s my favorite because she got away from her mother. She had the domineering mother — and, you know, so did I.”

During his stint as marketing director for Abington Theatre Company in New York, DeVita was able to have a conversation with the elderly Havoc. DeVita recalls his conversation with the woman, who was upset that a local theatre was doing a three-week summer run of “Gypsy” and called to

“And as she talked, I began to realize for the first time that she did consider [“Gypsy”] a hatchet job,” DaVita says. “That she was very actor studio. She was always looking for the truth in everything and ‘Gypsy’ is subtitled a fable because of her. There’s nothing truthful in it and that bothered her.”

The phone call gave him the idea for his show centered on Havoc’s perspective, but he didn’t start writing it until after she had passed, partially because it was a sensitive issue for many people involved in her life.

Eleven years and a variety of playwriting workshops later, “Fable” was finalized. DeVita used every resource available to him to get Havoc’s perspective to the best of his ability. Even then, the show is titled “Fable” for a reason, partly because it’s based on a musical subtitled a “Musical Fable.” He talked to multiple people involved in the original show, such as Lane Bradbury who played “Dainty June” and Jacqueline Mayro who played “Baby June.”

“And there’s a certain rationale-like quality to this, because June has her version of the events. Gypsy has her version of the events. Rose has her version of the events,” DeVita says. “Arthur Laurents, Jerry Robbins, Ethel Merman, they all have their versions of that show, and that fascinated me. Look at those people who were involved inthat production … Stephen Sondheim, David Merrick. It’s this astonishing array of theater legends, and it’s like catnip.

“So that’s what really drove me to it, because I could write about my stuff, but in a very different way than I usually write. Since it is a fable about a musical fable, I was also free to make stuff up the same way Gypsy Rose Lee did, the same way June did, the same way Rose did,” he continues. “It’s not to say that there’s nothing truthful in the script. I read everybody’s books, and I pulled ideas from all of them — and I did talk to several people who were involved in the original production.”

DeVita hopes audiences’ main takeaway from “Fable” is that experiences are not singular. Any given story is made up of multiple perspectives. “I’ve said this so many times, to realize that when we tell our stories, we’re telling other people’s stories as well,” DeVita elaborates. “Anyone who’s involved in your story … their story becomes a part of yours.”

“Fable” plays select nights through Sept. 8 at freeFall Theatre, located at 6099 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit freeFallTheatre.com.

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

Roo Roo’s Diner celebrates four years in Largo this month. Reservoir Bar will celebrate 20 years in Ybor Aug. 18.

The Tampa Bay Black Lesbians have officially become their own nonprofit. Read more on pg. 12.

Metro Inclusive Health raised $755,107 in free health care in 2023. Read more on pg. 12.

John Lincoln Jr. and Dustin Shay were married July 27.

St Pete Pride announced Aug. 5 that River Bates will serve as the organization’s new Youth Pride & Programs Director.

Equality Florida announced Aug. 6 that Alex Quinto has joined the organization as their new Coordinator of Professional Learning.

COMING OUT: Miss Come OUT St Pete Veronica Vixen performs at Casa del Merman’s 2nd Sunday Pool Party to raise funds for the organization Aug. 11. PHOTO FROM COSP’S FACEBOOK

SISTER, SISTER: The Tampa Bay Sister of Perpetual Indulgence’s Sister Juana Reaction (L) and Sister Agatha Frisky Aug. 11. PHOTO COURTESY SISTER JUANA REACTION

3 NATIONAL NETWORKING: Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber VP Rene Cantu represents the region at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce convention in Palm Springs Aug. 2. PHOTO FROM THE TAMPA BAY LGBT CHAMBER’S FACEBOOK

4 LOCAL LEGEND: Esme Russell dazzles on stage at Bradley’s on 7th Aug. 3. PHOTO FROM BRADLEY’S ON 7TH’S FACEBOOK

5 FANTASTIC FLOCC: OutCoast Publisher Rachel Covello takes the stage at the second annual Florida OutCoast Convention Aug. 12 in Coral Gables. PHOTO COURTESY FLOCC

YEE HAW: Empath Partners in Care representatives and supporters have a scootin’ bootin’ bowling fundraiser Aug. 10 at Pin Chasers Midtown for the 17th annual Strike Out for AIDS. PHOTO COURTESY EPIC

7 BACK IN SESSION: Largo Commissioner Michael Smith (L) joins local officers in reminding the region to drive carefully on the first day of school Aug. 12. PHOTO FROM SMITH’S FACEBOOK

8 DOING THE WORK: The Hillsborough County LGBTQ Democratic Caucus provides primary voter information and slate cards at the West Tampa Library Aug. 11. PHOTO FROM THE LGBTQ DEM CAUCUS’ FACEBOOK

Inclusive Care Group announced Aug. 7 it will open a second location in Tampa this September. Learn more at InclusiveCareGroup.com.

Sister Juana Reaction became a fully professed member of the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Aug. 11.

2024 PRIMARY ELECTION

Florida’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 20 and early voting is underway throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay. Watermark reached out to over 60 congressional candidates and organizations throughout the state to ask them about LGBTQ+ issues and their responses can be read at WatermarkOnline.com

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Former Tampa Bay bartender CJay Tauber, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch (Aug. 15); Entertainer Jay Miah, Photographer Josh Shipp Aug. 16); City of St. Pete staple Jim Nixon, Interior designer Scott Velez, Entertainer Alexis De La Mer, Photographer Kimberly DeFalco, Enso owner Mathias Padilla (Aug. 17); St. Pete realtor Dan Casper (Aug. 18); Lakeland singer Danny Pate, Tampa pastor Scott Manning, Love the Golden Rule’s LJ Sosa (Aug. 19); Clearwater bear Keith Schorr, Brandon restaurant exec. Rob Roberts (Aug. 21); Thrillseeker Brandon Taylor, Cocktail bartender Kaitlyn Lampasso (Aug. 22); The Hotchkiss Group’s Sonny Hotchkiss, Caretaker Mariam Mai (Aug. 23); Writer Karen Brown, The Taylor Company’s Scott Taylor, Tampa Bay mainstay Corey Peterson, Entertainer Kamden T. Rage, St. Pete actor/director Steven Flaa, Channel 125 owner Dick Woelfle, Mr. Tampa Pride 2024 Dante Valentino (Aug. 24); Tampa Bay realtor Tom Malanowicz, St. Pete Twirling Project veteran Steven Caruso, Tampa softballer Andrew Cohen, Optician Sharon Greene, Cocktail bartender Marc Kennedy (Aug. 25); Come OUT St. Pete staple Joshua Wallace, Educator Laurie Walls, Entertainer Ja’Staria Sherrington, Spring of Tampa Bay’s Emmie Wehle (Aug. 26); St. Pete activist Carl Lovgren, Keller Williams’ Dallas Coffield, Tampa Bay realtor Scott Fulghum, GaYbor President Walter Giovanni (Aug. 27); Clearwater bear Chris Miller, DoMA Home Furnishing’s Cody Williams, activist Aramis Baynard, St. Pete LGBTQ+ Liaison Eric Vaughan (Aug. 28).

announcements CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS

Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani walked the commencement stage at the University of Central Florida Aug. 4 as she completed her doctoral program in Public Affairs, focusing on Public Administration.

The 12th annual Celebrity Bartender night returned to Savoy Orlando Aug. 6 raising over $7,000 for the LGBT+ Center Orlando. You can see photos from the event at WatermarkOnline.com.

Corsets & Cuties celebrates 10 years as a burlesque cabaret troupe Aug. 28.

26Health celebrates nine years as a Central Florida health center this month.

CONDOLENCES

Monique Brooks, a 49-year-old transgender woman, was killed near the Florida Mall in Orlando July 19. Little is known about the incident, leading police to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. You can read more about this story on pg. 9.

MEETING SCHEDULE

The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee released its monthly meeting schedule through the end of the year with two meeting dates per month to allow anyone who wishes to attend the ability to do so. The meetings will be held at the Kia Center in Orlando on Aug. 21 and 22, Sept. 25 and 26, Oct. 7 and 8, Nov. 20 and 21 and Dec. 11 and 12. All meetings will be from 4-8 p.m. If you cannot make it to a meeting in person, they will be streamed online. You can visit PulseOrlando.org/Committee for more information.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Orlando performer David Almeida (Aug. 15); Central Florida performer Tymisha Harris (Aug. 16); Orlando entertainer Tod Kimbro, Tony Award-winner Kenny Howard, Orlando chef Hazel Jandik (Aug. 17); Orlando actor Chris Shepardson, Central Florida athlete Brett Harvey, Orlando lawyer Paul San Giovanni (Aug. 18); Orlando-based actress Daniella Sagona, Central Florida performer Danielle Hunter, Orlando artist Steven McCune, Winter Park Playhouse’s Todd Long (Aug. 19); Orlando LGBTQ+ activist Sam Graper (Aug. 20); Hope CommUnity Center’s Debo Ofsowitz, school teacher and ally Tabatha Schmidt, GayMovieDB founder Brandon Taylor (Aug. 22); Orlando International Airport’s Pedro Aponte, Orlando graphic artist Marcus Vale (Aug. 23); Sunnyland Slammer Shana Moshen, Ally and activist Karen Brown (Aug. 24); Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Universal Brad Partridge (Aug. 25); Orlando’s Eddie Mora, Central Florida singer and actress Jill Wilson, Former Watermark film critic Stephen Miller (Aug. 26); Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse coordinator Benjamin Cox (Aug. 27); LGBTQ+ Florida activist Gary Kirkland, Orlando artist Keith Theriot (Aug. 28).

FAMILY VACATION: Watermark Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams (R) and family check out Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando Aug. 10. PHOTO BY HALE FOLSOM

BROADWAY QUEEN: Idina Menzel walks across the Walt Disney Theater stage at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Aug. 4. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

DISNEY MAGIC: Belle, the Beast (in human form) and the rest of the cast greet the audience after a production of the “Beauty and the Beast” live show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando Aug. 10. PHOTO BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

FITNESS FUNDRAISER: Fitness model Jimmy Drew shows off his talents as a celebrity bartender at Ivanhoe 1915 in Orlando Aug. 6. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

MONEY MAKERS: Celebrity bartenders Jason Lambert (L) and Jessica Hoehn were the top tip earners during the fundraising event at Savoy in Orlando Aug. 6. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

COMMUNITY NETWORK: (L-R) David Goldstone, Maia Goldstone and Max Goldstone attend The Pride Chamber’s August Business Connect in Orlando Aug. 7. PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

WORKING FOR FLORIDA: Central Florida Congressman Maxwell Alejando Frost (L) meets with Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su for a Department of Labor roundtable and press conference at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Aug. 9. PHOTO FROM FROST’S FACEBOOK

DOCTOR ESKAMANI: Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani is all smiles as she graduates with a PhD at the University of Central Florida in Orlando Aug. 4. PHOTO FROM ESKAMANI’S FACEBOOK

Journalism matters. Journalism provides information. Information is knowledge and knowledge is power.

Watermark matters. Our mission is to advance LGBTQ+ interests. We do that by connecting community, informing you of what is happening around you that might not be on your radar. We celebrate our triumphs and, at times, we question our missteps. We uplift those fighting the good fight and hold those accountable who seek to silence you.

We need your help to continue our mission. In honor of our 30-year anniversary, Watermark is asking 1,000 of our readers to support local queer journalism by gifting $30.

Visit WatermarkOnline.com/30th or scan the QR code to show your support.

Unlike other news outlets, Watermark covers the LGBTQ+ community from a local perspective, year-round, providing depth and context for our readers they can’t get elsewhere.

Your gift will help go towards investigative journalism, expanding our freelance team and creating opportunities for more LGBTQ+ journalists, hopefully providing us with the resources to hire more staff to provide a better experience for you, our readers.

community calendar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Splash Bash Field Day

SUNDAY, AUG. 25, 10:30 A.M.-2 P.M. BARNETT PARK, ORLANDO

Join Pineapple Healthcare and OUT Sports League for a day of fun and being active in honor of Southern HIV Awareness Day. The event will take place at Barnett Park and feature a live DJ, lunch, prizes and a team shirt provided free of charge. You must be at least 18 years old and this is a free event to attend but participation is limited to 80 individuals, so register now at OutEvents.LeagueApps.com/ events/4314308-field-day-splash-bash.

State of the Chamber

LGBTQ+ Luncheon

THURSDAY, AUG. 29, 11 A.M.-1 P.M.

NATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR CENTER, ORLANDO

The Pride Chamber welcomes you to its State of the Chamber & LGBTQ+ Business Luncheon, an event dedicated to celebrating and advancing the vibrant LGBTQ+ business community. Gina Duncan, president & CEO, will share the progress and achievements of The Pride Chamber and Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the NGLCC will provide insights into the current LGBTQ+ business environment. Tickets begin at $25 and can be purchased at ThePrideChamber.org.

TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay ComicCon

FRIDAY, AUG. 23 – SUNDAY, AUG. 25, TIMES VARY

TAMPA BAY CONVENTION CENTER, TAMPA

The Tampa Bay Comic Convention will be returning with three days full of pop-culture based festivities. Panels with stars like “The Little Mermaid’s” Jodi Benson and “Star Wars” legend Hayden Christensen, as well as other famous actors, comic creators, authors, artists and content creators. Buy tickets and more at TampaBayComicConvention.com.

“Drag Race All Stars” LIVE

THURSDAY, AUG. 29, 8 P.M.

RUTH ECKERD HALL, CLEARWATER

“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” comes to Ruth Eckerd Hall! Enter the Werk Room and get ready to experience the high kicks and low splits of the competition’s latest season with fan favorites like season 9 winner Angeria, Jorgeous, Plastique Tiara, Roxxxy Andrews, Shannel and Vanessa Vanjie in this show-within-a-show, which is 18+. Tickets start at $38.25 and are available at RuthEckerdHall.com.

EVENT PLANNER

BEAUTIFUL BENEFACTRESSES

“Carbonaro: Lies on Stage,” Aug. 22, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Seminole, Tampa. 866-388-4263; SeminoleHardRockTampa.com

Chappell Takeover, Aug. 23, Cocktail and The Wet Spot, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

EPIC Coffee Connections, Aug. 23, Gulfport Senior Center, Gulfport. 727-328-5526; MyEPIC.org

Pride KIKI BALL, Aug. 24, 38th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Facebook.com/Chinky.West.104

Sissy That Walk, Aug. 24, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

Tea with Té, Aug. 25, Cocktail, St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914; CocktailStPete.com

Afternoon Drag Show, Aug. 25, Rockin’ Crab Seafood and Bar, St. Petersburg. 727-202-8287; GregAndersonEvents.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Southern Nights Orlando 10 Year Anniversary, Aug. 15-18, Southern Nights, Orlando. 407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

Orlando Belly Dance Convention, Aug. 15-19, DoubleTree By Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando. 718-578-2730; OrlandoBellyDanceConvention.com

Soul Pop: Summer of Soul, Aug. 16-18 & 23-25, Fringe ArtSpace, Orlando. 407-436-7800; OrlandoFringe.org/ArtSpace

April Fresh’s Comedy Brunch, Aug. 17, Jack & Honey’s, Orlando. 407-440-4079; JackAndHoneys.com

The Stompdown, Aug. 17, Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach. 386-671-3460; PeabodyAuditorium.org

Alyssa Edwards: Glitz and Giggles, Aug. 18, House of Blues, Orlando. 689-329-2583; LiveMu.sc/3m2HNST

Villain Night, Aug. 23, Cocktails & Screams, Orlando. 407-904-0124; CocktailsAndScreams.com

XL106.7 Summer

Unplugged w/ Brent Smith & Zach Myers of Shinedown, Aug. 23, House of Blues, Orlando. 689-329-2583; LiveMu. sc/3m2HNST

“Pippin,” Aug. 23-Sept. 15, Garden Theatre, Winter Garden. 407-877-4736; GardenTheatre.org

Summer Fest, Aug. 24, Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, Orlando. 866-553-6755; MyHHO.org

2024 BLK Joy Festival, Aug. 24, Lorna Doone Park, Orlando. 407-801-4877; BlackHealthCommission.com

Corsets and Cuties 10 Year Anniversary, Aug. 25, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com

Pride Night, Aug. 27, Café DaVinci, DeLand. 386-736-0008; CafeDaVinciDeLand.com

“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” LIVE, Aug. 27, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-358-6603; DrPhillipsCenter.org

Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, Aug. 29-Nov. 23, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort. 407-939-5277; DisneyWorld.Disney.Go.com

TAMPA BAY

“Thrice to Mine,” Through Aug. 25, The Straz Center, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

“Fable,” Through Sept. 8, freeFall Theatre, St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205; FreeFallTheatre.com

Marren Morris, Aug. 17, Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-892-5767; TheMahaffey.com

“An Evening with John Legend,” Aug. 25, Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Tampa. 866-388-4263; SeminoleHardRockTampa.com

Drag Queen Bingo, Aug. 28, Corner Club Tampa, Tampa. 813-232-1482; CornerClubTampa.com

Kurtis Conner, Aug. 29, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org

WMNF’s Big Gay Bingo, Aug. 29, Arkane Aleworks, Largo. 727-270-7117; ArkaneBeer.com

Paint a Queen, Aug. 30, Studios at 5563, Pinellas Park. 727-313-2250; PinellasArtsVillage.com

SARASOTA

Disco Brunch, Aug. 18, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Sarasota. 941-256-0190; ProjectPrideSRQ.org

The cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” season nine will bring a live version of the competition to the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando Aug. 27 and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater Aug. 29. PHOTO COURTESY