Publisher’s
Rick Todd PUblisher
Rick@WatermarkOnline.com
I
Desk
don’t know how you all do it.
It’s tough business getting through the week. When I have a rough week, I sit back in awe of moms, other business owners and nonprofit volunteers fighting the good fight. For many people — these three categories especially — it just doesn’t stop. It seems the more you do the more there is to be done. There is great reward, but not without the work. I find myself overwhelmed lately; and as much as I dislike Facebook, I’m still there, scrolling daily through the lives of those people the algorithms find most important to me. The political posts aren’t as prevalent on my feed anymore, but something new has caught my eye. I see people on vacations or short breaks to recharge and I have to admit, it makes me jealous. Obviously I am happy for my friends and excited to see their adventures, but I find a way to internalize their joy into some kind of malady on my part. How can they do all this great work and find time to recharge when I can’t seem to take one day off of work and not create more work
for myself? It’s an unfortunate side effect of Facebook, cleverly coined frenvy by an unknown person on the internet. Too often we catch these glimpses of people’s lives then draw comparisons and create narratives that really don’t apply. So, what’s the solution? Don’t do it. I know it isn’t that easy, trust me. Be happy for your friend and let the post live in the moment. Don’t compare. No one has a better life than you because of where they check in or what’s on their wall. In general, people put out there what they want you to see. More often than not, that is only going to be what they perceive to be their best.
The law of averages would suggest someone is out there with the same perceptions of your posts. The thought of this made me laugh so I went back through my own, and I can clearly see how this communication tool of social media can actually be miscommunicating reality. In light of this revelation I wanted to assure everyone that I am just as self-conscious, self-doubting as any one and it is completely normal. In addition to running this newspaper operation, I sit on two boards for local nonprofits, I am working on creating a documentary worthy of the LGBTQ community of Central Florida and I am working on creating a sidehustle-at-home-cookie-busine ss with my husband. I also spend countless hours in my car trying to prove that although I am working in an office or playing in a softball game in one city today that I still value the other office, softball team and city as my home. It’s exhausting and I often think I am not pulling it off. Luckily for me, I have an incredible support system. My husband, my family – both chosen and biological – and the incredible staff here at Watermark make it possible for me to try and do it all. Whether I succeed or not, they are there to encourage me to keep trying and for that I am grateful. Watermark is moving full force with the documentary, “Greetings From Queertown: Orlando.” We have teamed up now with Adrenaline Films to start the process of creating the story for this movie, and it’s beautiful. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with so many people about what they have created and its impact on our community and I really believe this project is something special. The best things in life stem from unintentional beauty. For example, in the face of tragedy a small business owner created a ribbon as a symbol of strength and hope. His
watermark staff
Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com
Tampa Bay Bureau Chief: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com
Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com
Creative Designer: Dylan Todd • Ext. 107 Dylan@WatermarkOnline.com
Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com
Creative Designer: Ezri Ruiz • Ext. 301 Ezri@WatermarkOnline.com
Tampa Bay Account Manager: Michael Wier • Ext. 105 Michael@WatermarkOnline.com
watermark Your LGBTQ life.
act of kindness has inspired many who then volunteered their time to recreate this symbol and spread this message to as many people as possible. The local community newspaper wrote about this venture and quoted the founder as aspiring to see this ribbon make it to space. The article was read by someone with connections to a billionaire who had his sights set on flying commercial flights into space. The billionaire got the ribbon and made that historical flight into space. Pictures from that flight went viral. People from all over the world saw the
I get to witness great things happening all the time and I get to be part of the team that tells you about it.
billionaire wearing the ribbon and the message of strength and hope reached the world. To quote Joe Biden, “This is a big fucking deal.” One person had one idea to do one good thing and it reached millions, turning into millions of good things. It happens all the time in our community. This is the true reality. So, whenever I feel overwhelmed and wonder if I am at a breaking point, I remember why I love my job: I get to witness great things happening all the time and I get to be part of the team that tells you about it. To read more about Ben Johansen and the Orlando Ribbon Project, check out Page 8 of this issue. We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.
Orlando Office Founder and Guiding Light: Tom Dyer
1300 N. Semoran Blvd. Ste 250 Orlando, FL 32807 TEL: 407-481-2243
National Ad Representative: Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863
Tampa Bay Office 401 33rd Street N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 TEL: 813-655-9890
July 22 - Augus t 4 , 2021 // Issue 28 .15 wat e r m a r konline .com
contributors Grace Korley is a
lifelong activist and volunteer with Sarasota’s Harvey Milk Festival, where she is collaborating to bring greater visibility to LGBTQ+ people of color. She lives in Winter Park and is working toward a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Page 17
Tiffany Razzano
is the founder and president of Wordier Than Thou, a literary arts nonprofit that creates fun, engaging events for writers and readers. Page 47
Sabrina Ambra, Nathan Bruemmer, Scottie Campbell, Miguel Fuller, Divine Grace, Holly Kapherr Alejos, Jason Leclerc, Melody Maia Monet, Jerick Mediavilla, Greg Stemm, Dr. Steve yacovelli, Michael wanzie
photography Brian Becnel, Nick Cardello, Bruce Hardin, Jamarqus Mosley, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift
distribution LVNLIF2 Distributing, Ken Carraway, Vanessa Maresca-Cruz
CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations. WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.
Watermark Publishing Group Inc.
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