Watermark Issue 28.22: St Pete's Pride / Trying to Ban

Your LGBTQ Life.

Oct. 28 - Nov. 10, 2021 Issue 28.22

st. pete’s Outgoing Mayor Rick Kriseman reflects on 8 inclusive years leading the Sunshine City

SPECIAL INSIDE:

PFLAG Riverview receives national honor

OnlyFans changes impact content creators

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

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Your LGBTQ Life.

Oct. 28 - Nov. 10, 2021 Issue 28.22

SPECIAL INSIDE:

Fans

Tr y i n g t o ban Onl y

A lo ok at h ow cons er v at iv e groups and M a s t e r C a rd a re impact ing O nly Fans ’ cont ent crea t o r s Orlando’s Lacie Browning lip syncs for American Lung Association

St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman says goodbye to LGBTQ community

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER • SARASOTA

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OCT. 28 - NOV. 10, 2021 // ISSUE 28 . 2 2 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

Pride is something we can relate to.

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DEPARTMENTS 7 // EDITOR’S DESK 8 // CENTRAL FLORIDA NEWS 10 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 12 // STATE NEWS 15 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 21 // TALKING POINTS 37 // EVENT PLANNER 39 // TAMPA BAY OUT + ABOUT 41 // CENTRAL FL OUT + ABOUT 42 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 43 // CENTRAL FL MARKETPLACE 46 // WEDDING BELLS

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I think if the next mayor didn’t raise the Pride flag – I say he, because it’s going to be a he in this case – I think he’d catch holy hell for not doing it, and rightfully so.

—OUTGOING ST. PETERSBURG MAYOR RICK KRISEMAN

ON THE COVER

page

23/31

page TRYING TO BAN ONLYFANS:

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ST. PETE’S PRIDE: Mayor Rick Kriseman reflects on eight inclusive years. PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

TRYING TO BAN: How conservative groups are impacting OnlyFans. PHOTO AND PHOTO

BY J.D. CASTO.

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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A look at how conservative groups and MasterCard are impacting OnlyFans’ content creators.

WATERMARK ISSUE 28.22 // OCT. 28 - NOV. 10, 2021

LIP SYNC FOR A CAUSE COMMUNITY CHAMPION MIAMI MURAL

LOOKING BACK

page Lacie Browning to raise funds for the American Lung Association.

page

Read It Online!

In addition to a Web site with daily LGBTQ updates, a digital version of each issue of the publication is made available on WatermarkOnline.com

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page Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith receives key to St. Petersburg.

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page

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Black, LGBTQ-inclusive mural cited for multiple code violations.

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“A Normal Heart” provides timely account of the AIDS epidemic.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM AT @WATERMARKONLINE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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EDITOR’S

Ryan Williams-Jent MANAGING EDITOR Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

I

DESK

F YOU WANT A KID TO BECOME A

strong and independent reader, give them a comic book. It’s unsolicited advice I tend to give anyone who interacts with children they love.

That’s because it worked on me. I started reading comics at around seven, when I was given a few issues by someone who noticed my obsession with “X-Men: The Animated Series” in the early 90s. They were the perfect fix between new episodes every Saturday morning.

In addition to keeping me out of trouble with engaging entertainment, the comics challenged me. They introduced me not only to new worlds but to new words and languages, strengthening my reading comprehension and turning me into a lifelong fan of the written word, in all its forms.

My love for comics only grew as I began to realize how I was different from others.

DC mainstays like Batman, his

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guardian Alfred and sidekick Robin taught me that family can take many forms from any circumstance. Marvel’s Spider-Man taught me that with great power must come great responsibility.

The X-Men, my favorites, taught me the intrinsic value of every person, no matter who they are or love. These heroes worked toward a better tomorrow for everyone, even those who hated and feared them just because of how they were born.

It’s a concept that’s always spoken to my little gay heart, long before I knew why but especially after. Unfortunately, LGBTQ representation has long been lacking in comics – something that’s thankfully starting to change.

I remember being teased for passing out Valentine’s Day cards as a kid with the characters, so it still blows my mind that Black Panther, Iron Man and Wolverine are household names. But even as someone who’s gotten to see his childhood heroes leap from the printed page to the silver screen, I’ve never been more excited to be a comic book fan.

In the last year, Marvel featured the first same-sex superhero wedding between two of its “Young Avengers” stars. The two were introduced in 2005 but didn’t share an on-panel kiss until 2012, only three years after the company’s very first between two men, cementing a relationship which had been danced around since 1992.

In June of this year, “Marvel’s Voices: Pride” was published, featuring 12 stories with the company’s growing roster of LGBTQ characters. The list now retroactively includes Iceman, a founding X-Man introduced in 1963.

Similarly, DC celebrated Pride Month with “DC Pride,” an anthology of nine stories from its own impressive list of LGBTQ characters. Their commitment to representation on the page continued in August when the third iteration of Robin came out as bisexual and then again on National Coming Out Day Oct. 11, when DC announced that their current Superman will do the same.

A week later, DC introduced readers to a Black transgender woman in “Nubia & The Amazons,” a character who’s joining Wonder Woman’s sisterhood of warriors.

The inclusion immediately prompted conservative outrage online, only further proof that representation matters.

It even led actor Lynda Carter, who played TV’s iconic iteration

of “Wonder Woman” in the 70s, to voice her support. “Trans women are Wonder Women,” she tweeted. “End of story.”

If comic books have taught me anything, it’s that it should be. Decades of stories have helped shape my views on what’s right and what’s wrong – and with LGBTQ representation at an all-time high, I couldn’t be prouder to be a lifelong fan.

Over the years comics have also shown me that not all heroes wear capes. That’s why in this issue we chat with longtime LGBTQ ally and outgoing St. Petersburg Mayor Rick

It’s a concept that’s always spoken to my little gay heart, long before I knew why but especially after.

Kriseman ahead of the city’s general election Nov. 2.

He reflects on eight inclusive years of leading St. Petersburg before its residents choose his successor. Local LGBTQ advocates also share their thoughts on how he’s made the sun shines on all who live, work and play here.

Content creators on OnlyFans detail how conservative groups have impacted their work in this issue as well and in Tampa, the timely “A Normal Heart” returns to the stage.

Watermark strives to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. Please stay safe, vote if you live in St. Petersburg and enjoy this latest issue.

ORLANDO OFFICE

Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Managing Editor: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

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

Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Account Manager: Michael Wier • Ext. 105 Michael@WatermarkOnline.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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

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CONTRIBUTORS SCOTTIE CAMPBELL

is a longtime activist as a member the LGBT community. His work has resulted in a thriving community in the Lake Ivanhoe region and his wit has melted at least a few Orlando candles. Page 17

J.D. CASTO is an

award-winning, internationally published photographer based in Central Florida. J.D. believes photography and the written word have the power to change the world. Page 31

DEBORAH BOSTOCKKELLEY

reviews theatre for Broadway World and other outlets and runs The WriteOne Creative Services.

She is an ally, wife, mom and Tampa native. Learn more at TheWriteOneCS.com. Page 35 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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EDITOR’S

Jeremy Williams EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

A

DESK

S I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT BEFORE

in year’s past, I am not a huge fan of Halloween. I know, I know, I’m a bad gay.

I just can’t get into dressing up, whether it’s in a cumbersome or skimpy costume, I don’t do well with makeup and asking strangers for candy lost its appeal when I got old enough to just go buy my own.

But what I do love about this season — the movies. I love scary movies. It doesn’t matter if they are slasher films, ghost stories, B-movie cheesy monster flicks, I love them all. It’s nice to get the adrenaline running and be scared in a controlled environment free from any actual danger. For me, horror films and comedies must be watched with someone. There is no better movie-watching experience than getting scared or laughing with friends, family or a theater full of complete strangers.

I have a couple of people in my social circle that are my go-to watch buddies for certain types of horror

movies. My brother Joey is the person to watch a good “bad film” with. He is also my go to for movies like “Saw” and “Final Destination,” what are lovingly referred to as torture porn horror films. My roommate Chris is the one I turn to for movies about ghosts, haunted houses, demonic possessions and zombie flicks. But my original scary movie watching buddy, the one who introduced me to the genre, is my Aunt Lori.

Aunt Lori is my mom’s sister but being only seven years older than me, she was always more like an older sister to me. She gave me my first cup of coffee when

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I was probably too young to be drinking it, she took me to my first dance club and she started my love-hate relationship with Freddy Kreuger when she let me watch “A Nightmare on Elm Street” for the first time when I was but a wee lad.

We were living in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the 1980s and I was about seven or eight years old. My parents were heading out for a Saturday night of grown-up fun without the kids and Aunt Lori was on deck to babysit. As the parents headed out, Aunt Lori grabbed the TV Guide, flipped to the listings for that night and there, in black and white, it read: HBO double feature - “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge.”

“You all want to watch a scary movie tonight?” she asked me and my siblings. We lit up like devious little children who knew we were about to be allowed to do something our mother wouldn’t have let us do if she was there.

“What scary movie?” we asked.

And then she gave us a preview of what we could expect. A monster hunting you in your dreams, killing you the moment you fell asleep.

Then she put her hand in the air, wiggling her fingers back and forth and started to sing “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you.

Three, four, better lock the door.”

I remember her chasing us around the house trying to get us while we screamed and ran. I get that same feeling of fear and excitement inside whenever I start a scary movie.

We made popcorn, turned the lights off and climbed under a blanket and it was time for the movie to start. As the opening scene played out and I heard Freddy Kreuger laugh and the noise of him sliding the knives of his glove against metal, I knew I would never have a proper sleep again. The movie terrified me in all the best ways.

As I get older, I realize I’m forgetting a lot of memories from when I was a kid. I’ll be having

a conversation with a family member and they will mention something about when we were kids and I’ll think, “Really, that happened? I must have forgot.” But sitting underneath that blanket with my heart racing as Freddy Krueger ruined my ability to dream peacefully is an amazing moment that I will never forget. To this day, the “Nightmare on Elm Street” films are my favorite scary movies and I occasionally still get an overnight visit in my dreams from Freddy, and I have my Aunt Lori to thank for that.

To this day, the ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ films are my favorite scary movies and I occasionally still get an overnight visit in my dreams from Freddy, and I have my Aunt Lori to thank for that.

So this Halloween, if you have a niece or nephew, a kid brother or sister, or maybe your own small children, pick a scary movie that is inappropriate for their age and watch it with them. You just might make an everlasting memory for them.

In this issue, we look at how conservative groups and financial institutions are attacking content creators on OnlyFans. We also have a one-on-one with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. The LGBTQ super ally talks about his support of and work for the community as he prepares to leave office.

ORLANDO OFFICE

Owner & Publisher: Rick Todd • Ext. 110 Rick@WatermarkOnline.com

Managing Editor: Ryan Williams-Jent • Ext. 302 Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com

Editor-in-Chief: Jeremy Williams • Ext. 106 Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com

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

Sales Director: Danny Garcia • Ext. 108 Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Senior Orlando Account Manager: Sam Callahan • Ext. 103 Sam@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Account Manager: Michael Wier • Ext. 105 Michael@WatermarkOnline.com

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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

OCT. 28 - NOV. 10, 2021 // ISSUE 28 . 2 2 WAT E R M A R KONLINE .COM

CONTRIBUTORS SCOTTIE CAMPBELL

is a longtime activist as a member the LGBT community. His work has resulted in a thriving community in the Lake Ivanhoe region and his wit has melted at least a few Orlando candles. Page 17

J.D. CASTO is an

award-winning, internationally published photographer based in Central Florida. J.D. believes photography and the written word have the power to change the world. Page 31

DEBORAH BOSTOCKKELLEY

reviews theatre for Broadway World and other outlets and runs The WriteOne Creative Services.

She is an ally, wife, mom and Tampa native. Learn more at TheWriteOneCS.com. Page 35 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.

7

central florida news

JP MORGAN CHASE DONATES $125K TO ONEPULSE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION Skyler Shepard

O

RLANDO | JPMorgan Chase provided a $125,00 contribution to the nonprofit organization, onePULSE Foundation. The grant will go towards the onePULSE Academy, the education arm of the nonprofit, which promotes acceptance and inclusion through innovative, reflective and experiential learning methods.

Educational programming is one of four pillars of the Foundation’s mission to create and support a memorial that opens hearts, a museum that opens minds, education programs that open eyes and legacy scholarships that open doors.

“JPMorgan Chase is a valued partner of the Foundation and has been a steadfast supporter of our mission to promote acceptance and inclusion through educational programming,” said Earl Crittenden, the chairman of the onePULSE Foundation board of trustees. “We know that people still struggle every day to feel accepted for who they are. Our mission is to amplify their voices, to let them know they are seen, heard and valued and to help as many others as possible to embrace them.” onePULSE Academy is designed to educate and engage the community in courageous conversations regarding the LGBTQ community. The program covers various topics such as the Social Visionary Series, Conversation Starters Film Series and the Colloquial Storytelling Series.

“Change and acceptance begin with knowledge and understanding. That is why we are focused on helping onePULSE advance its already robust and valued educational curriculum – so they can continue to drive acceptance, inclusion, and equity for the LGBTQ+ community and all those who fight against discrimination,” said Adrian Kierulf, Community Engagement Manager of JPMorgan Chase. “We’re honored to continue supporting this important and necessary work from onePULSE in Orlando and nationwide.

JPMorgan Chase has donated $5 million to multiple nonprofit organizations that serve the LGBTQ community who have been displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, we can do more to build a culture of respect and inclusion around the world,” said Brian Lamb, global head of Diversity and Inclusion for JPMorgan Chase, in a release. “These partnerships are a top priority because now, more than ever, we need to lock arms with our LGBT+ employees, customers and partners to promote equality and better serve our communities when they need it most.”

For more information on the onePULSE Academy, visit onePULSEFoundation.org.

8

LIP SYNC FOR LUNGS: Lacie

Browning will compete in the annual lip sync battle to raise funds for the American Lung Association. PHOTO

COURTESY AMERICAN

Raising funds Performer Lacie Browning lip-syncs for American Lung Association Skyler Shepard

O

RLANDO | Lacie Browning is a staple in the Central Florida LGBTQ community.

The WAVE Award-winning drag performer has been entertaining crowds in Orlando for years and can be seen most weeks showcasing her talent at her home bar, Stonewall Orlando.

On Nov. 10, Browning will be putting her talents towards a charitable cause, the American Lung Association’s Lip Sync for Lungs Battle IV at Novel Lucerne in Orlando’s SoDo Mainstreet District.

Browning was connected with the Orlando Lung Association through fellow entertainer, Billie Jo Clark, and drew a deep personal connection to the event and organization.

“There’s so many of us that have family members or friends with lung diseases, they’re so common nowadays that more research is needed,” Browning says. “Personally, I know family members that have lived with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and other lung

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

diseases, and with COVID things have been more difficult for them.”

Browning will perform during the fourth installment of this epic lip-sync showdown along with three other competitors — Heather Hurry, marketing director of Pillar to Post; Michael Barber, Central Florida criminal defense attorney and president-elect of the Orange County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Section; and Dr. Rick Ramnath, member of the American Lung Association’s Local Leadership Board — to see who will win the title of Lip-sync Battle Champion.

The evening, which will also feature a silent auction, will be emceed by VIP Mortgage Group’s Ted Bogert with Jordan Ostroff of Jordan Law FL, Steve Gunter of Taproom at Dubsdread and Chelsea Whaley of J Donovan Financial serving as the event’s judges.

The lip-sync battle will raise funds to support the American Lung Association’s overall mission to conduct groundbreaking lung disease research and provide lung education programs in Florida.

Helping to raise funds for charity

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LUNG ASSOCIATION

is second nature for Browning, who has performed at many fundraising events throughout the years for local LGBTQ organizations. Browning believes that there is more to performing than just the entertainment value, especially since the pandemic started in 2020.

“I’ve worked in Orlando for a long time and I love giving my time to help with charity events and fundraisers. I held live events from home during the pandemic, any proceeds I made I donated to my bartenders and anyone out of work at that time,” Browning says. “I love giving my time up to help.”

The American Lung Association hasn’t forgotten about the pandemic either and will have safety precautions in place for the event. Along with maintaining social distance and requiring masks, the event will limit attendance. To accommodate all who want to watch the lip-sync battle, you can choose the “Pajama Party” live stream option. Along with being able to watch the event from anywhere, viewers will be able to still participate in the silent auction, comment on your favorite performances and more.

The American Lung Association’s Lip Sync for Lungs Battle IV will be held at Novel Lucerne Nov.10 from 5:30-8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and the virtual experience can be purchased for $20.

For more information about the event, how to donate or to purchase tickets visit LipSyncForLungsOrlando.org.

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9

tampa bay news

PFLAG RIVERVIEW HONORED Ryan Williams-Jent

R

IVERVIEW, FLA. | PFLAG Riverview was honored at PFLAG National’s 2021 convention “We Are the Change” Oct. 24 for the chapter’s dedication to the LGBTQ community in its first year.

PFLAG is the nation’s first and largest organization dedicated to uniting the LGBTQ community and its allies. The Riverview chapter is one of more than 400 nationwide, each of which provides confidential support, education and advocacy to those in need.

“PFLAG National staff is excited to present a safe and creative ‘We Are the Change: The 2021 PFLAG National Convention’ experience,” the organization shared ahead of the biennial convention. It was held virtually so participants across the nation could “share best practices and learn strategies to fulfill the organizational mission of LGBTQ+ support, education, and advocacy within their communities.”

PFLAG Riverview marked one year as a safe space for the LGBTQ community in March. It was co-founded

by Faith Moeller, the mother of two LGBTQ youth who now serves as its president.

The group began with 25 attendees and held an in-person meeting just one day before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. They met virtually for the rest of the year and experienced record growth.

“I could not be more honored, excited and proud of my PFLAG Riverview Family’s first year as a chapter,” Moeller says. “Everyone is welcome no matter where they are at on their journey. We have grown to 100 members including LGBTQ+ adults & youth, grandparents, parents and allies in our very first year in spite of the pandemic.”

PFLAG Riverview resumed in-person meetings in April and continues to offer virtual support as well.

During the convention, members joined hundreds of others for three days’ worth of panels that culminated in the awards recognizing PFLAG Riverview and three others. More than 30 chapters were nominated.

“We are honoring four exceptional PFLAG chapters that have shown up for their communities over the last 18 months,” PFLAG National shared Oct. 24.

“We celebrate the ways in which PFLAG Riverview succeeded in building virtual community via PFLAG Connects in the wake of the pandemic.

“The fact that this chapter grew a community of roughly 100 members in its first year is worth recognition,” officials added. PFLAG Jersey Shore in New Jersey, PFLAG Columbus in Ohio and PFLAG Gillette in Wyoming were also recognized for their work.

“I think we were selected by the sheer number of nominations that came in which is wonderful and having 100 people join through membership during the pandemic when most chapters struggled with attendance,” Moeller reflects. “We are still in our infancy stage. I am new and have a lot to learn but am surrounded by a very dedicated and qualified bunch!”

For more information about PFLAG Riverview, visit PFLAGRiverview.org.

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ST. PETE PROUD:

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (L) presents Nadine Smith with a key to the city Oct. 14. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

Community Champion Smith receives key to St. Petersburg Ryan Williams-Jent

S

T. PETERSBURG | Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith received a key to the city from Mayor Rick Kriseman during a City Council meeting Oct. 14, the city’s highest civilian honor.

Among her decades of LGBTQ advocacy, in 1997 Smith co-founded Equality Florida, now the state’s largest LGBTQ-focused civil rights organization. She lives in St. Petersburg with her wife Andrea and son Logan.

“Nadine Smith has been a community organizer, a trailblazer and a leader all her life,” Kriseman shared ahead of the presentation.

“From helping convene the first Oval Office meeting between a sitting president and LGBTQ community leaders in the 1990s to serving as the executive director of Equality Florida, Nadine is a leading voice for the LGBTQ community. She and her work are also an important part of what makes St. Pete so special.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Smith served as one of the four national co-chairs of the 1993 March on Washington, making history by meeting with then-President Bill Clinton. She also served on the founding board of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization and in August was reappointed to serve as chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Florida Advisory Committee.

Kriseman discussed all this and more during the presentation.

“I want to begin by highlighting not her professional accomplishments but my favorite thing about her: she’s a resident of the Sunshine City,” he mused.

“She’s the executive director of Equality Florida and she lives right here – and that alone makes us a better city.

“I’ll say something that isn’t often said in this chamber: Nadine is a badass,” the mayor continued to laughter. “But make no mistake, she is a thoughtful, deliberate leader. She knows how to build relationships and get things done

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and she’s done it time and again.

She’s a uniter.”

Smith accepted the recognition by expressing her thanks to Kriseman, City Council and her family by birth, marriage, choice and “through the struggle,” many of whom were in attendance.

“I can’t think of a more meaningful symbol to me than a key,” she began. “When you give someone a key to your home, you’re really telling them that they belong. You’re telling them that they’re welcome.

“Florida has not always been welcoming for a Black child, a female child, a gay child; and St. Petersburg has not always been that welcoming place,” Smith continued. “We have had to work really hard to carve a space of welcome … it’s important that we judge ourselves by how much we make the stranger feel welcome, and we’re all the stranger at some point.”

Smith also utilized the opportunity to criticize Florida’s State Legislature, which earlier this year passed its first explicitly anti-LGBTQ law since 1997.

“Every time I look at this key I will remember the journey that we have taken as a city to become an open and welcoming place for all,” Smith said. “At a time when our State Legislature ought to be looking to replicate a spirit of inclusion, I hope that all of us understand our obligation to open that key and hold it out to those who can easily be fearful.”

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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state news

BLACK, LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE MURAL CITED FOR MULTIPLE CODE VIOLATIONS Los Angeles Blade Staff, Courtesy of The National LGBT Media Association

M

IAMI SPRINGS | A colorful wall mural in Dade County has attracted the ire of municipal authorities who say the mural, which includes a child of color reading a book, a verse from a Maya Angelo poem and an LGBTQ Pride rainbow symbol violates building codes.

The United Teachers of Dade union has been cited by Miami Springs for code violations after it unveiled the mural on its office building the Miami Herald reported.

“If you do not see the word mural on an ordinance this does not mean it’s allowed, means you should make an inquiry with the Building & Zoning department

first and present your mural,” Miami Springs Councilwoman Jacky Bravo said in an email to the Herald.

“We are not talking about a small stamp on the wall,” he continued. “Seems like they took a blind eye on this one, and unfortunately has caused an issue to be dealt with.”

The Herald reported that it was unveiled in March. It was titled “Rise” to send a message to lawmakers in Tallahassee regarding laws that were being introduced that negatively impacted the minority and LGBTQ communities in the state.

“Today, we unveiled ‘RISE,’ an art mural that depicts the importance of #publiceducation and its crucial role to ensure a functioning #Democracy,” UTD shared via Twitter March 18.

“It symbolizes the resilience of our community and their continuous fight for #justice and #equality,” the organization

added. “Stop by UTD and check it out!”

Luis Valle, a Miami-based artist who was commissioned by the UTD Union to paint the mural told the paper, “The idea was to make a mural that addressed pending legislation in Tallahassee, at the time, that would affect public schools, as well as the rights of minorities and those in the LGBTQ+ community.”

He also noted that the piece “ is about inclusivity for all people and all cultures.”

Although the UTD Union had submitted and paid for a permit, the Miami Springs City Code Compliance Department, which requires permits be obtained before work commences, had already issued a “notice of violation” on March 25 to the union site’s property owner, UTD Building Corp.

They cited violations that included improper size of wall sign; improper placement and/

or width of wall sign; improper construction of the sign and failure to comply with the applicable color palette.

“Failure to correct the violations by the time due shall cause this case to be set for hearing before the code compliance board and may result in fines, costs and/or a lien levied against you and the property,” the notice said.

Any fines imposed would not exceed $250 per day for a first-time violation, it also noted.

The city gave UTD until April 24 to correct the violations, according to the notice. Potential fines, as of Oct. 13, could run as high as $43,000 the Herald noted.

Currently, discussions are ongoing. “UTD reviewed all the codes before contracting our mural artist in order to perform our due diligence,” United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats said in an

emailed statement to the Herald on Oct. 11.

“Additionally, we spoke to a former council member to double-check our findings and that individual also concluded that the Miami Springs City Codes did not address this topic,” Hernandez-Mats continued in the email.

“The art piece is not a sign for the building or our organization; it has no logo or company name on it because it is an artistic expression in the form of a mural with no other intent,” Hernandez-Mats’ added.

Attempts by the Miami Herald to reach Miami Springs Mayor Maria Mitchell, and City Council members were unsuccessful ahead of theMiami Springs City Council meeting on Oct. 25.

View photos of the mural at WatermarkOnline.com.

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nation+world news

LEVINE BECOMES 1ST OPENLY TRANS US ADMIRAL Brody Levesque of The Los Angeles Blade, Courtesy of National LGBT Media Association

T

he nation’s eight uniformed services added the first ever openly transgender four-star flag officer Oct. 19 as Dr. Rachel Levine, who serves as the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health and head of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, was ceremonially sworn in as the highest ranking official in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

The admiral will lead 6,000 Public Health Service officers.

“I am humbled to serve as the first female four-star officer of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and first openly transgender four-star officer across any of the eight uniformed services. This is a momentous

occasion and I am pleased to take this role for the impact I can make, and for the historic nature of what it symbolizes. May this appointment be the first of many like it as we create a more inclusive future,” Levine said in a statement.

“Admiral Levine’s historic appointment as the first openly transgender four-star officer is a giant step forward towards equality as a nation. This is a proud moment for us at HHS. Admiral Levine — a highly accomplished pediatrician who helps drive our agency’s agenda to boost health access and equity and to strengthen behavioral health — is a cherished and critical partner in our work to build a healthier America.” said Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra in a statement.

Housed under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and led by the Assistant Secretary for Health and U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. Public

Health Service Commissioned Corps is one of eight uniformed services – and the only one dedicated solely to protecting, promoting and advancing America’s public health. Public Health Service officers serve throughout the nation in communities that are most in need by providing health care to underserved and vulnerable populations or advancing practice, policy, or research. As America’s Health Responders, Public Health Service officers are the first in line to defend the nation’s public health against threats large and small.

Levine, before being nominated

by President Joe Biden and then confirmed by the Senate for her current role earlier this year, had previously served as the Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, had been confirmed previously by the state’s Republican-controlled senate to serve as Secretary of Health and the state’s physician general.

countries “with unambiguous and abhorrent human rights record” are members. Haley also said the council has a “chronic bias against” Israel.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement that LGBTQ rights will be one of the U.S.’s focuses once it officially rejoins the council on Jan. 1.

“Our initial efforts as full members in the Council will focus on what we can accomplish in situations of dire need, such as in Afghanistan, Burma, China, Ethiopia, Syria and Yemen,” she said. “More broadly, we will promote respect for fundamental freedoms and women’s rights, and oppose religious intolerance, racial and ethnic injustices, and violence and discrimination against members of minority groups, including LGBTQI+ persons and persons with disabilities. And we will oppose the council’s disproportionate attention on Israel, which includes the council’s only standing agenda item targeting a single country.”

President Joe Biden in February issued a memorandum that commits the U.S. to promoting LGBTQ rights abroad.

The previous White House tapped then-U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell to lead a campaign that encouraged countries to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations, but many LGBTQ activists in the U.S. and around the world have questioned its effectiveness.

The Washington Blade in August filed a federal lawsuit against the State Department that seeks Grenell’s emails around his work on the decriminalization initiative.

“The President and Sec. Blinken have put democracy and human rights—essential cornerstones of peace and stability—at the center of our foreign policy,” said State Department spokesperson Ned Price after the U.S. regained a seat on the council. “We have eagerly and earnestly pursued these values in our relationships around the world.”

US REGAINS SEAT ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Michael K. Lavers Of The Washington Blade, Courtesy of National LGBT Media Association

T

he U.S. regained a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council Oct. 14, three years after the previous administration withdrew from it.

The U.S. won election to the council alongside Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia and United Arab Emirates.

The council in recent years has emerged as a champion of LGBTQ rights around the world, even though Cuba and other countries with poor human rights records are among the 47 countries that are currently members. Venezuela and Russia are also on the council.

Then-U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley during a 2018 press conference that announced the U.S. withdrawal from the council noted Cuba and other

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

IN OTHER NEWS FEDS OK COLORADO PLAN TO COVER GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE Colorado will include gender confirmation care in its individual and small group health insurance plans, state and federal officials announced Oct. 12.

The state’s plan under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will include jaw, cheek and eye modifications, face tightening, facial bone remodeling for facial feminization, breast or chest construction and reductions and laser hair removal. Additional health benefits for Colorado’s plan include an annual mental health exam and expanded coverage of opioid alternatives for pain management, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said. The new plan adds 15 drugs as alternatives and will cover up to six acupuncture visits per year. The changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

TEXAS PASSES NEW LIMITS ON TRANS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES Texas became the latest and most populous state to tighten restrictions on transgender athletes in public high school sports. State lawmakers approved a measure Oct. 17 that requires transgender athletes to play on teams that align with the gender listed on their original birth certificate, not their current gender identity. The bill pushed by the Legislature’s Republican majority went to GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed it into law Oct. 25. Texas joins at least five other states that have passed similar measures in recent months. Activists have called the bill mean-spirited and discriminatory.

ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL INVESTIGATES ‘ANTI-QUEER’ SURVEY An unofficial student survey that made the rounds at the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School located in the Southern tip of Illinois has the local LGBTQ community angered and LGBTQ students alarmed. A group of students calling themselves the “Anti-Queer Association” had circulated the so-called survey that asked: “Yes, I want queers to go in the bathroom,” or “No, I don’t want queer kids to go to the bathroom with us normal people.” The district’s superintendent said school administrators found out about the survey Oct. 20 and are investigating.

PUTIN DESCRIBES TRANS RIGHTS AS ‘CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY’ Russian President Vladimir Putin described transgender rights Oct. 21 as “a crime against humanity.” The Washington Post reported Putin made the comment in a speech he delivered in Sochi. Putin specifically said the idea that children are “taught that a boy can become a girl and vice versa” is “on the verge of a crime against humanity.” Putin, according to the Post, also said trans activists are demanding an end to “basic things such as mother, father, family or gender differences.” Activists in Russia have sharply criticized the Kremlin’s LGBTQ rights record.

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don’t leave voluntarily. If you’re an employer, it could be worth your time to consider why an employee has decided to depart for the good of your small business, company, organization and your community.

There are the obvious reasons employees move on: more money, lack of advancement opportunities or perhaps a job title. (Though in my experience, a job title is a comically coveted perceived elevation-- a job title often doesn’t correlate to salary.) One of these could well be the reason the employee is leaving or it could be just an excuse the employee is giving you. The departure presents an opportunity to look deeper and examine the work environment and your role in it. An exit interview might give insight, but we’ve all been taught not to burn bridges, so it is likely censored.

“I think something this whole year has taught us is that it’s not worth it to stay in an unhealthy place,” a friend recently said to me. It remains bizarre to me that we’ve managed to politicize the pandemic, but here we are. No matter which side of the fence you’re sitting on, or even if you’ve taken a seat right on the thing, one thing seems undeniable: collectively we have been through some shit.

I think my friend is onto something though. They were in an unhealthy place themselves, beginning the daunting process of looking for a position with another company. Notice the word daunting. Looking for work is generally an arduous, demoralizing, vulnerable experience and the employee who just left you took that mountain rather than stay at your company.

In my friend’s case, they wound up getting promoted into the position vacated by the very person who was creating the toxic environment. They now have the opportunity to remain with an organization they have invested years with and shape the institutional culture. Not all of us are that lucky.

A coworker of mine asserts that Gen Z will be less tolerant of toxic work environments. While my marketing background has caused me to be leery of generational generalizations, I hope what she says is true. The pandemic will no doubt have an impact on our relationship with work and Gen Z is experiencing it during a crucial time in their development. They are also coming up in a post-industrial world where being treated like a cog in the wheel by an employer is considered undesirable and even unfair.

It was a necessity to work from home, that is if your job was adaptable to it, which presented an experiment we probably wouldn’t have embarked on otherwise. In the aftermath, some companies have begun to question the need for a piece of real estate, but many others are going back to an in-person work environment. A recent Harris Poll found 40% of Americans preferred to work from home full-time, 35% a hybrid of home/ office and 25% saying they preferred to work in an office full-time. The situation calls into consideration why an employer needs you at such and such time on the dot, until such and such time and not a minute less, even if your work can be accomplished in a shorter time. Why are we made to feel that our boss needs to see us to know we’re working?

I present this as an example of how work life is changing. Personally, I find myself in the 35% finding hybrid desirable. There was

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

sanity in being able to return to my desk but being able to keep my household and work in balance by being home was a revelation. That is, if I were quick enough to hit the mute button when my dog needed to “talk” to the mailman or fast enough

accusation that this comes from government assistance which is a convenient excuse but unlikely. If someone is willing to file for unemployment and get 25% of their wages, rather than work for you, then maybe you have some

an employee leaves. Are you creating or perpetuating a toxic work environment?

Is your communication transparent and consistent?

Do your employees feel that you have their back?

Are you aware of your own moods and how they affect

to turn off my camera if my other half wandered out of bed in his preferred sleeping attire: his birthday suit. Ah, lock down was a lot of things, but I can’t say it was dull.

We’re keenly aware that something has changed in the workforce when we go out to eat or to a bar.

Things have gotten slower because establishments are having a harder time hiring. We have all heard the

thinking to do. And really, how far does someone get on a $1,200 stimulus check without working? In Orlando, that’s a month’s rent, if you’re lucky. Service industry jobs are tough work because, well, people suck. After what we’ve been through, we’re thinking twice about working places where we have to deal with rude people.

There are many questions you can ask yourself when

those around you? Are you seeing consistent or sudden turnover? Do employees call out a lot?

Perhaps in your analysis you will find the departing employee is an isolated case but ruminating on it can be healthy for all. The truth is the separation of business and personal life is a myth-we are people, what happens to us is personal.

The pandemic will no doubt have an impact on our relationship with work and Gen Z is experiencing it during a crucial time in their development.

READ IT ONLINE! Head to WatermarkOnline.com and click on the Digital Publications link to a read a digital version of the printed newspaper!

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Paul E. Ray, President of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County

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one of the most influential members of the Supreme Court, on which he served for more than two decades as its first Jewish member, it was Louis Brandeis who said that “the most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill, is that of private citizen.”

Legal scholars cite the justice’s work today because voting is what defines us and guides us. I, like so many others have been involved in the push for equality for the better part of my adult life. I have always believed that both voting and activism are critical to our future.

We are currently witnessing the denying of women’s right to determine what happens to their own bodies in Texas and in the upcoming Florida legislative session, we are facing the specter of HB 167, which would implement the same policy as Texas. Add in the attack on our transgender community with the banning of the ability to play sports and it paints a painful picture.

Once these direct attacks on women’s and transgender rights are successful, legislators will quickly set their sights on LGBTQ+ rights as a whole.

Our vote has the most power. As Abraham Lincoln reportedly said four years before he was elected as president, “the ballot is stronger than the bullet.” We need to keep always in mind that we, as the LGBTQ+ community, owe women and our transgender siblings our complete allegiance in this battle.

This, after all, is not just their fight, but ours as a collective. The attack on our transgender community in Tallahassee is the unraveling of decades of hard work by so many activists and so many who have voted for a better tomorrow.

Activists in this country throughout the years, from the Daughters of Bilitis in the 50s, to those who fought at Stonewall in 1969, organized with the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club in 1971, marched with Harvey Milk in 1976 with the San Francisco Gay Democratic Club or fought for visibility with ACT UP in 1987, to name a few, were created by committed individuals.

Each participant worked to make a change in the world by building coalitions and engaging people.

In Tampa Bay, the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County continue with the movement.

We do so by conducting voter sign-ups, holding candidate vetting through interviews and providing voter guidance through our organization’s endorsements. The current St Petersburg mayoral race and council elections are the latest effort by the Stonewall Democrats to make a difference.

The Stonewall Democrats are proud to endorse former Ken Welch for St. Petersburg mayor. We supported Welch in his previous campaigns for county commissioner, a role in which he served for five terms.

He has a proven record of reaching out and listening to the LGBTQ+ community, which has informed and shaped his advocacy and actions as a county commissioner. We are confident Mr. Welch will build on the equality legacy of Mayor Rick Kriseman who has endorsed him, as have many other Pinellas Democratic elected officials.

When elected, Mr. Welch will become the first person of color elected to the St. Petersburg mayor’s office.

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In addition to the mayoral recommendation, we have endorsed the following City Council candidates. Copley Gerdes for District 1, Brandi Gabbard for District 2, Lissett Hanewicz for District 4, Mhariel Summers for District 6 and Richie Floyd for District 8.

commissioners, state legislators and congressional candidates, we need to educate ourselves on their positions and work to get the right ones elected. There are many organizations like the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County that are still in the trenches, working

Over the decades, the efforts put into our community’s fight for equality has brought us much progress. It is with that positive progress, however, that we sometimes became complacent by not carefully exercising our most powerful weapon – our vote.

From municipal council members to county

to sign up voters while educating them, detailing their endorsements and recommending candidates.

But as the past decades of the fight for equality show us, it takes groups of people to work together to invoke the change needed.

We see the future of equality in America when we see TV series featuring

LGBTQ+ stars in lead roles, where a drag queen can be the most-awarded Black person with Emmys in history. But then, when we look out at the real world around us, we see a different picture – this is the picture our combined votes can change.

From municipal council members to county commissioners, state legislators and congressional candidates, we need to educate ourselves on their positions and work to get the right ones elected.

Paul E. Ray is the president of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County, which is devoted to advancing equal rights for all people as a county chapter of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. He is also a proud resident of Gulfport where he serves as a city council member and co-founded the Gulfport Pride parade and festival. Learn more at StonewallPinellas.org.

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talking points You didn’t pay me nearly enough to deal with the real world consequences of the hate speech dog whistling you refuse to acknowledge, Ted. F*ck you and your amoral algorithm cult.

—HANNAH GADSBY, IN AN INSTAGRAM MESSAGE TO NETFLIX CEO TED SARANDOS AFTER HE DEFENDED DAVE CHAPPELLE’S LATEST SPECIAL

OF

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DC COMICS’ CURRENT SUPERMAN TO COME OUT AS BISEXUAL

D

C COMICS REVEALED OCT. 11, NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY, that its current Superman Jon Kent will come out as bisexual next month in “Superman: Son of Kal-El” #5. Jon Kent, son of the classic Superman Clark Kent and Lois Lane, assumed the mantle of Superman earlier this year. He currently leads the recently launched title each month. According to DC, like his father before him, Kent will find love in the newsroom. He’ll strike up a friendship with reporter Jay Nakamura and become romantically involved. The news follows the coming out of Tim Drake, the third iteration of Batman’s longtime sidekick Robin, and is the latest in DC’s commitment to LGBTQ representation on the page and screen. “Superman: Son of Kal-El” #5 will be available Nov. 9.

LGBTQ ACTORS JOIN ‘GIRLS CAN’T SHOOT (& OTHER LIES)’ CAST

B

BILLY PORTER CALLS OUT VOUGE FOR HARRY STYLES COVER

EANIE FELDSTEIN AND MICHAELA JAÉ RODRIGUEZ ARE JOINING KAT DENNINGS, JAMEELA JAMIL AND LOLLY ADEFOPE in “Girls Can’t Shoot (& Other Lies),” a new anthology series based on the bestselling essay collection “Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and Other Lies).” Oscar-nominated actress Saorise Ronan is set to executive produce the pilot episode.

The original book includes essays penned by Ronan, Feldstein, Dennings, Jamil and Adefope. “The first season will explore and play with the expectations of women in storytelling by placing heroines at the center of traditionally male genres in a multitude of original, high concept, cinematic tales,” according to Deadline. No release date has been confirmed.

B

ILLY PORTER CALLED OUT VOGUE MAGAZINE in a recent interview with The Times of London for putting Harry Styles on its cover last year, making Styles the first solo male to do so. The cover featured Styles in a Gucci gown and drew international headlines. “I changed the whole game,” Porter said. “I. Personally. Changed. The. Whole.

Game. And that is not ego, that is just fact.” Porter goes on to say that he is “not dragging” Styles but a straight, white man shouldn’t be the one leading the conversation. “He doesn’t care, he’s just doing it because it’s the thing to do. This is politics for me.

This is my life. I had to fight my entire life to get to the place where I could wear a dress to the Oscars and not be gunned now,” Porter said.

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ORMER NSYNC STAR LANCE BASS announced he and husband Michael Turchin are the proud parents of twins. On Instagram, Bass wrote “The baby dragons have arrived!! I [cannot] express how much love I feel right now. Thank you for all the kind wishes. It meant a lot.

Now, how do you change a diaper??!

Ahhhhhhhh!” The babies were carried via surrogate, the singer noted, adding that Alexander was born one minute before his sister and weighed 4 lbs., 14 oz. Violet weighed 4 lbs., 11 oz. His husband also announced the news on his Instagram. “Introducing the newest members of the Turchin-Bass household: Violet Betty and Alexander James!!!!” he wrote. “They’re pure perfection and yes that includes the dozens of poops we’ve already dealt with. Our hearts our full!!! Thank you everyone for the well wishes.”

OUT TO TEAMMATES WAS

OVERALL POSITIVE, 13% HAD A

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NEGATIVE ONE.

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—OutSports study

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st. pete’s

PHOTO BY DYLAN TODD

Outgoing Mayor Rick Kriseman reflects on 8 inclusive years leading the Sunshine City

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Ryan Williams-Jent

ICK KRISEMAN WAS SWORN IN AS

St. Petersburg’s 53rd mayor in 2014, just six months before the 12th annual St Pete Pride. Like the city itself, the celebration was ready for change.

That’s when organizers split its traditional festivities in two, moving St Pete Pride’s street festival to its own day and launching a night parade. In another first, the celebration also welcomed Kriseman as St. Petersburg’s first sitting mayor to march.

It wasn’t the first time he had made history with the organization, or the community it serves. As an attorney, he joined the Tampa Bay Business Guild in

1992 – now the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber – where he became the organization’s first non-LGBTQ keynote speaker.

He also supported the LGBTQ community in other ways, particularly as an elected official. Kriseman served on the St. Petersburg City Council from 2000-2006, signing a 2003 proclamation recognizing Pride Month in St. Petersburg for the inaugural St Pete Pride after then-Mayor

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Rick Baker refused, and worked on amending the city’s Human Rights Ordinance to include LGBTQ protections.

Kriseman also worked toward a more inclusive Florida in the State House of Representatives from 2006-2012, and as mayor worked to ensure the sun shined on all who live, work and play in St. Petersburg before and after his re-election in 2017.

During his tenure St. Petersburg has received a 100% score in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index, which measures how inclusive a city has become. In 2014, he inherited a score of 66%.

That year, Watermark asked Kriseman a series of questions ahead of his first St Pete Pride as mayor – among them, what he

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AMPA BAY LGBTQ ACTIVISTS, COLLEAGUES AND LEADERS reflect on Mayor Rick Kriseman’s impact.

DR. SCOTT BARRY, BAY CITY REHAB & WELLNESS OWNER

MAKING HISTORY: After becoming the first mayoral candidate to walk in the St Pete Pride Parade the previous year, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman becomes the first sitting mayor to march in the parade in 2014. PHOTO COURTESY THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG

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would say to those who don’t approve of his support of the LGBTQ community.

“I’m not changing,” Kriseman answered – and in two terms, he never did.

Ahead of St. Petersburg’s general election Nov. 2, Watermark sat down with the term-limited mayor at St. Petersburg City Hall to reflect on his eight inclusive years as the city’s leader. Surrounded by awards and commemorations from organizations like Equality Florida, St Pete Pride, the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber, Watermark and more, he reflected on his enduring relationship with St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ community.

WATERMARK: WHAT ARE YOUR EARLIEST MEMORIES OF BEING CALLED AN LGBTQ ALLY?

RICK KRISEMAN: My college roommate and the best man when I got married, who now lives in New York with his husband, was talking to me about the Tampa Bay Business Guild in 1992. He said, “there’s not a lot of lawyers that are members, let alone straight lawyers.”

I had just started my own law practice and it was a great way to grow my business and represent a community that really needed representation. I ended up going with him to their next dinner, had a great time and met a lot of really wonderful people like [St Pete Pride co-founder] Brian Longstreth. I joined and became very involved, so my direct involvement in the community was then.

I guess I became an ally earlier, if you want to say that. My sister’s gay.

I remember when I was visiting her one time in Atlanta that she took me out

to go hear some live music from this group that she said was really good.

I hadn’t heard of them before – it was the Indigo Girls. I think it was probably the first time I was in a gay bar and after we left it was like, “Well, that was cool. They were awesome.”

Technically I am, but I’ve never seen myself as an advocate. I’ve always just felt like this is the right thing to do and done what’s natural and what’s right, which is to treat people with dignity and respect. People should be allowed to love who they love and be who they are, which to me was just second nature.

WHAT LED YOU TO PRACTICE LAW AND ULTIMATELY MOVE TO POLITICS?

In some ways, the answer is the same. I have always represented people that needed help. That’s what attracted me to being a lawyer, being able to know what the laws are so that you can protect yourself and your family, but also to help others.

It’s also what attracted me to politics. You have the ability to do things that make people’s lives better.

I describe it to kids nowadays – they always ask me what it’s like being mayor – that I feel like I’m Santa Claus.

They look at me like I’m crazy but I say that he has the best job because he gets to give kids gifts, which makes him feel good because he’s done something that’s made them happy.

I feel the same way. I get to do things as mayor that change people’s lives and makes them happy, hopefully. So when it does, it makes me feel like I’ve got the best job in the world.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE?

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

It’s a great question, because as you come to the end of your time in this job, everybody asks what you think your legacy will be and a lot of times people focus on things. The expectation becomes that I’m going to say, “Well, I helped build the St Pete Pier or the new police station,” something like that.

What I’ve always hoped my legacy would be is that I changed the culture of the community that I live in, that I made St. Petersburg a more welcoming, tolerant, diverse, equitable community where everyone – no matter the color of their skin, their religion, their sexual orientation, who they love, who they are, what their economic status is – has the same opportunity to live a good quality of life.

I do think we’ve changed the culture somewhat here in St. Pete.

Our last score before I got elected and started working on it was a 66% in the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. We’ve had a perfect 100 every year since. We raised the flag for Pride Month above City Hall, and when I was on council I had to sign the proclamation recognizing Pride Month because our mayor wouldn’t do it. I walked in the parade because our mayor wouldn’t do it and I’ve obviously done that as mayor.

So what I’m hoping is that I’ve made it so natural, and such a part of who the city is, that anyone who comes after me can’t undo it. That this will always be who St. Pete is. That St. Pete will always put the Pride flag up for Pride month, the mayor will always sign the proclamation and will always walk in the Pride Parade and the TransPride March.

That we’ll always score a perfect 100 on the MEI, we’ll always have an LGBTQ

My husband and I moved to the Tampa area in 1999 and I immediately joined the Tampa Bay Business Guild. One of the first people I met was Rick Kriseman, who is one of those warm, welcoming people that always makes you feel important. Later as the president of the Guild, we awarded him our “Citizen of the Year” title for all the work he was doing for the community.

St. Pete has been blessed to have a mayor that cares as much as he does and always fights for everyone. He will be missed as a voice in the Tampa Bay area. Much love and success for any future venture he takes on.

JIM NIXON, ST. PETERSBURG LGBTQ LIAISON, MAYOR’S OFFICE

Rick has been an advocate long before becoming mayor. His unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community resonates throughout his career as an attorney and in politics. His vision for a St. Petersburg where the sun shines on all has grown throughout the city and had a direct impact on the livability of all its citizens.

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity he has given me to work in the best city, and to work in a truly supportive environment where we’ve been able to directly impact the lives of the LGBTQ+ community while sharing his vision of what an inclusive city can be.

MAJOR MARKUS HUGHES, LGBTQ LIAISON, ST. PETE POLICE DEPT.

I want to thank Mayor Kriseman for having heart and compassion toward everyone in the community, including the underserved populations, and for making the city feel safer for everyone to come out. He’s shown that everyone is important regardless of who you are or how you identify, and given people the strength to be themselves publicly. He’s encouraged everyone to help make this an equal and fair place to be.

BRIAN LONGSTRETH, CASA DEL MERMAN OWNER

I met Rick Kriseman at a Tampa Bay Business Guild dinner in the mid 90s, where my first thought was “gay attorney, we need to meet.”

I quickly found out he was married to his wife Kerry and was a strong ally to our community, which he’s continued to be during his 22+ years of public service. As mayor, Rick has continued to make St Petersburg a true LGBTQ+ welcoming destination for visitors and residents. Thank you Rick and Kerry, my dear friends, for all the fun times in making the Sunshine City even brighter – and I have to ask in true Jed Bartlett form: “What’s Next?”

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liaison for the city and for the police department. That’s a cultural shift and that’s what I hope I’ve been able to accomplish, not just during my time but as something that goes beyond it.

IT WOULD BE A LOT TO UNDO.

I think if the next mayor didn’t raise the Pride flag – I say he, because it’s going to be a he in this case – I think he’d catch holy hell for not doing it, and rightfully so. The LGBTQ community is a huge part of who St. Petersburg is, and I take great pride – no pun intended – in knowing that we host one of the largest Pride parades in the country, certainly in the state of Florida; even larger than South Florida and Key West, which I think is awesome. It’s probably one of the things I’m going to miss the most, leading the Pride parade and dancing my way through it.

I do kind of dance through it because there’s just this energy and love. It’s hard to put into words.

It’s also interesting because I was in Boston for a conference of mayors during the city’s Pride parade and the mayor at that time was Marty Walsh, who’s now Secretary of Labor. He invited any mayor who wanted to do so to walk in the parade with him, so I did. It was a big parade but the energy wasn’t the same. There’s just an energy here when you go to our Pride parade, and to me it’s emotional.

A lot of times by the time the parade’s over, I’m exhausted but I’m elated, and there’s a welling of emotions that you just feel. There’s just this love that permeates for the whole route.

that’s far too often overlooked and denigrated.

YOU’VE SPOKEN FOR TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY AND OTHER EVENTS HIGHLIGHTING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY EVERY YEAR. WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT MAYORAL SUPPORT MIGHT STOP IN ST. PETERSBURG?

My goal all along has been to try and make the shift in who we are as community sustainable beyond my time. That’s why I think it was so important that we made a big deal of events every year, to create that expectation and make it difficult for that to not occur again or go back to the way it used to be.

YOU ALSO PARTICIPATED IN ST PETE I think elections matter and they PRIDE’S FIRST TRANSPRIDE MARCH, have consequences. If people like what I have done with these changes, that’s because they voted for me and put me in a position where I could do it. We have an election coming up YOU HAVE A LONG and it matters who HISTORY WITH ST PETE you vote for, and I’ve PRIDE. WHAT WAS IT been vocal in who I’m LIKE SIGNING THE FIRST supporting.

PRIDE PROCLAMATION I’m supporting AND DID YOU EVER Ken Welch because IMAGINE IT WOULD BE I believe that he is IN ITS 20TH YEAR? best positioned to lead the city forward, No. (Laughs.) First continue the things of all, it was an honor that have been to sign it and again, a important to me and no-brainer. When the to do things that mayor refused to do it I haven’t been able I just said I was going to. It to do. I have great was the right thing to do, — ST. PETERSBURG MAYOR RICK KRISEMAN confidence that he we needed to recognize will continue the the community here. work that I’ve done with the LGBTQ To watch the growth of this every HONORING THE MOST MARGINALIZED community and that he won’t let that year, from what started as a very small MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WHY slip. Certainly if he does, I’ll be in his parade to what it’s now become with a HAS IT BEEN IMPORTANT FOR YOUR ear, because I think it’s too important. full month of activities in 2021, is just ADMINISTRATION TO HIGHLIGHT We’re one community, we’re so remarkable. In some ways I thought THE TRANS COMMUNITY? supposed to be one humanity, and they almost created a problem for when we stop treat people differently, I think the first year that we had themselves, because they set the bar based solely on how they see the TransPride March was in some so high this year that the community themselves or who they love, we’ve ways the most emotional, because is going to want them to do it again, got a problem.

I think it was the most impactful on top of the parade. It was creative, it for the trans community here in St. was innovative and it took a horrible YOU CREATED THE ROLES OF Pete – because you’re right, this is the situation with the pandemic and found LGBTQ LIAISON FOR THE CITY AND a way to allow our city and in particular most marginalized part of the LGBTQ POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHY WAS community. The most susceptible our LGBTQ community to celebrate. It THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU? to violence, especially the trans was awesome.

Aside from it being part of the community of color and women.

YOU WERE THE FIRST MAYORAL criteria for improving our score in It was important because I don’t CANDIDATE AND FIRST MAYOR TO the MEI, if there’s no one in a position like to just talk. I think action has to WALK IN THE PARADE. WHAT DO YOU to help someone when they’re being follow and support your words, and so REMEMBER ABOUT THOSE DAYS? discriminated against, then having a if I want to talk about St. Pete becoming Human Rights Ordinance to provide The energy from the crowd was a city of opportunity where the sun unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. shines on all who come to live work and protections is impotent. What I knew from my experience with the I always felt like the crowd lifted me up play, that means the sun has to shine community over the years is that and carried me the entire route. I mean on our trans community too. Walking it was just amazing, and it’s been that in the parade casts the sunlight, and way every year. I love the parade and it shines a light on that community CONTINUED ON PG. 29 | uu |

I’m a better person because of the community and the love that’s been pushed my way. It’s been incredibly powerful. These have been the best eight years of my life, without question.

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

DR. BOB WALLACE, LOVE THE GOLDEN RULE MD

My husband Jojo and I want to thank Mayor Kriseman for all that he stands for and all of the great things he did for the LGBTQ community during his time in office. He is a true leader and a true gentleman.He changed our lives and the lives of many in the LGBTQ community. The fact that I had to wait until I was 59 and a half years old to be married in Florida speaks volumes to what efforts had to be taken for us to wed here in the state. Thank you for all that you’ve done. We look forward to seeing you in future public office.

TIFFANY FREISBERG, ST PETE PRIDE PRESIDENT

It’s not a coincidence that St Pete Pride grew to become Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride celebration under the tenure of Mayor Rick Kriseman. His leadership set a tone of open-hearted inclusiveness that allowed our organization to flourish. Thank you, Mayor Kriseman, for marshaling the support of the city and showing others what it truly means to be an ally.

CHRIS JONES, COME OUT ST. PETE CHAIR

Mayor Kriseman, thank you for eight years of service to St. Petersburg and always advocating for such a diverse city. You’ve supported Come Out St. Pete and the LGBTQ+ community over the years and we thank you for that! Good luck in your future endeavors!

JOY WINHEIM, EMPATH PARTNERS IN CARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I have watched the progress and growth in the St. Petersburg LGBTQ community and am so proud of the accomplishments this city has made under the leadership of Rick Kriseman.

Mayor Kriseman made St. Petersburg a safe place for families of all kinds, a place that celebrates diversity and a place that showed it knew what the true meaning of inclusivity meant.

I know that whatever endeavor comes next, he will shine just as brightly as he did here in St. Petersburg.

BRIAN BAILEY, METRO INCLUSIVE HEALTH CHIEF MARKETING & EXPERIENCE OFFICER

Mayor Kriseman’s administration went above and beyond in positioning St. Pete as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. In doing so, he influenced peers and helped solidify Tampa Bay’s place as a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. That legacy has and will continue to positively impact the economic growth of our region for generations to come.

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JANE CASTOR, TAMPA MAYOR

Rick has been a great friend and mentor since the first day I took office. He has been a pleasure to work with to improve the quality of life throughout our region.

JUSTICE GENNARI, TAMPA BAY LGBT CHAMBER PRESIDENT

LAST DANCE: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman walks in St Pete Pride’s most recent Pride parade in 2019. PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF ST. PETE

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people needed to feel comfortable in who they were speaking to, that they weren’t going be judged and that what they had to say was going to be taken seriously.

I felt like we needed to create a position to help people if they are being discriminated against or just needed somebody who was willing to listen to them in city government. It made sense to give the community somebody they can feel confident and comfortable with, which is Jim Nixon for the overall city and Major Markus Hughes for the police department.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THOSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS?

I think so. I think Markus and Jim have both done a great job in representing the city and the community. Markus just got promoted again and is a great cop. I also got to marry him, which always sounds funny when I say it. (Laughs.) I performed the marriage ceremony.

YOU ALSO PERFORMED THE FIRST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AT CITY HALL IN 2015.

Bob and JoJo!

So to be able to do something in my community – in my city for people who live in my city and wanted to get married in my city – with their family here to celebrate with them, it was just awesome.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR ST. PETERSBURG AFTER YOUR TERM?

Cities are like big, huge tankers – and you don’t get to the place your tanker is in overnight. It takes time to get to where you are, and you don’t get there by turning on a dime. Tankers don’t turn like that.

It’s a slow, gradual turn, so I have always viewed myself as in some ways the captain of this tanker. My job was to get it turning in the direction of equity, opportunity, diversity, tolerance, love, kindness and compassion, and I think we’ve got it turning in that direction.

It’s going in that direction now, so my biggest hope for St. Petersburg is that we keep moving that way and don’t start turning backwards. That’s always the big fear. Truthfully I think it’s the fear of every mayor, and probably every elected official, that all the hard work and the things they’ve done to try and positively impact their community could get undone.

WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS TO YOU?

WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

Oh, what an honor. To be able to do it on the day it became legal in Florida was really cool. I was touched that they asked me to do it and I was really proud to be the first.

My sister had to travel from Atlanta to Washington to get married, and she held a reception back in Atlanta that my wife, our kids and I went to, but we didn’t get to see her get married.

So much of what my administration has tried to focus on, and what I’ve tried to focus on, isn’t necessarily the things that a lot of politicians do, like buildings and infrastructure. It isn’t that those things aren’t important, but they’re not as impactful as when you focus on people.

That’s what we’ve tried to do.

Government should be used to lift people up and to change people’s lives for better to provide opportunities and let people live a life filled with

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

happiness, love and kindness. That’s what I’m hoping will continue.

We’re always going to have to work on keeping hatred, discrimination and tolerance at bay. We saw as a result of the 2016 election, where we had a president open Pandora’s box and say “it’s okay to be a bigot, it’s okay to be hateful, hurtful and discriminatory; anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist,” that we have to be vigilant. We always have to be vigilant.

YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAS SUPPORTED THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY FOR EIGHT YEARS. WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS IT ENDS?

I want to say thank you, and I’m going to try and say it without getting emotional, because I’m starting to.

(Pauses, tearing up.)

The love that I have felt from this community has really been amazing.

It’s lifted me up and it’s helped me keep going. There are times when this is not the easiest job in the world … and whenever I have someone in the community come up to me and say, “thank you for everything you’ve done for us,” I want to say thank you to them, for everything they’ve done for me.

I’m a better person because of the community and the love that’s been pushed my way. It’s been incredibly powerful. These have been the best eight years of my life, without question … being mayor is the best job in politics, but for me I think this has been the best job I’ve ever had, period.

It’s because of the people in the city, but this community in particular.

There’s been a relationship that we’ve had that’s been really special.

The mayor has been an individual member of the Chamber for many years and a strong supporter through all of our efforts. His philosophy has been to make sure that the sun shines on all who live, work and play in St. Petersburg and it shows in everything the city has done under his leadership and to support the region as an inclusive place. It’s been great to have a friend and mayor that believes that we should all have an equal piece of the pie at the table.

NADINE SMITH, EQUALITY FLORIDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

While the state legislature escalates attacks on our community, Florida’s cities continue to lead the state in LGBTQ inclusion. Mayor Kriseman’s leadership in St. Petersburg has made this a welcoming place for my wife and I to raise our child. We must continue to uplift the values of fairness and equal treatment under the law and ensure our city and our state are welcoming and inclusive places for everyone to live, work and visit.

SUSAN MCGRATH, FLORIDA LGBTQ+ DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CAMPAIGN CHAIR

Rick Kriseman inherited a sometimes sleepy city with serious challenges but the potential to be more, do more. Under his leadership, we are a more inclusive, welcoming and loving city.

The progress of this administration will benefit generations to come. When I travel throughout the state or nation, folks recognize St Petersburg as a city pf progress. I’m proud to call St. Pete home and thankful for this mayor’s vision and commitment.

NATHAN BRUEMMER, FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES LGBTQ CONSUMER ADVOCATE

I can barely wrap my head around summarizing Mayor Kriseman’s impact on the city as an LGBTQ ally. We always knew this day would come. He has ushered in a completely new era for our city. Mayor Kriseman has a sincere and personal dedication to equity.

Through his consistent support and courageous leadership, I watched him transform from an ally to a CHAMPION for the LGBTQ+ community.

It has been an honor and a privilege to know and to work with Mayor Kriseman. He has left an indelible mark on our city, and certainly on me as well. May we all be inspired to carry forward the work.

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his OnlyFans with his husband Tyler following a suggestion from friends in May 2019 with the simple goal of covering his husband’s health insurance. After collaborating with other creators, just over a year later, their channel has grown and they are now in the top .13% of all earners on OnlyFans. Hylls called the move to fulltime sex work a gamble and was disappointed in OnlyFans initial decision to ban adult content on the platform.

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Dan Edwards is a college student who has found financial freedom through OnlyFans. A former part time construction worker, Edwards isn’t worried about OnlyFans because he has been cross-promoting his content on other sites like JustForFans. The one thing he pointed out is that while he is a student, creating adult content is a full-time job.

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Sex workers have had to evolve and migrate from one platform to another since well before the age of the internet, as censorship surrounding sexual speech has continually increased.

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WORK FROM HOME: Kaden and Tyler Hylls work on their lastest video for OnlyFans from their home. The couple have worked to become one of the top performers on the popular platform. PHOTO BY J.D. CASTO action. “While I personally don’t rely on that platform for a large majority of my income many of my friends do, especially my friends who are sex workers. I was even ready to help some people I knew create content for free for a small period of time so they could have a way to launch things on new platforms and stay on their feet.”

As news that OnlyFans would be dropping sexually explicit content from its site, social media lit up with condemnation for the site from

the true fault lies: with the banks and credit card companies like Mastercard, who have refused to stand up to a misguided and ill-intentioned evangelical War on Porn,” they wrote.

The fight to take down online sexual content, and sex work in general, goes back before OnlyFans.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, formerly known as Morality in Media, started as a primarily Catholic nonprofit in 1962. The far-right,

American Family Association and Family Research Council where he previously served as director of government affairs and senior legal counsel respectively. Both organizations are designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.

Exodus Cry, another group fighting against the pornography industry, was originally developed out of a weekly prayer group founded in 2007 by Benjamin

I’ve created a business off of this platform ... and for [OnyFans] to just in one quick swoop take that away without even giving any consideration to everybody was the biggest slap in the face, because we’re the ones that — KADEN HYLLS helped build that platform. content creators and subscribers who accused OnlyFans of building its business on the backs of sex workers and then dropping them once they were a billion-dollar company. But according to a statement made by the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, OnlyFans isn’t to blame.

“While many will blame OnlyFans for sacrificing sex workers in pursuit of investment capital and mainstream recognition, we need to be frank about where

anti-porn organization have campaigned against sex shops, the decriminalization of sex work and advocated for abstinence-only sex education. In the 1990s, MIM boycotted Disney after the company began to provide spousal benefits to the partners of LGBTQ employees.

Rebranded to NCOSE in 2015, their mission shifted to “expose the links between all forms of sexual exploitation” while also maintaining their anti-LGBTQ ideals.

Patrick A. Trueman, NCOSE’s current president, has ties to the

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

Nolot and is a Christian nonprofit organization. According to its website, Exodus Cry uses funding to change laws that will “end the sex industry” and “works with governments and legislators … to implement legislation that creates criminal culpability for sex buyers, pimps, and traffickers, and brings freedom and support to victims.”

In Feb. 2020, Exodus Cry’s director of abolition, Laila Mickelwait, launched a campaign against Pornhub calling for the site to be shut down. Using the

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hashtag “#Traffickinghub” and co-sponsored by NCOSE, the campaign created a petition that was, according to their website, designed to hold Pornhub accountable for “enabling, distributing and profiting from real mass sexual crime.” By September, they had over 2 million signatures.

In early December, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof published an op-ed that alleged Pornhub was being used to share Child Sex Abuse Material and sex abuse videos. Pornhub denied these claims, saying in an email to Canadian Press in Dec. 2020, “Any assertion that we allow (that) is irresponsible and flagrantly untrue … We have zero tolerance for child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Pornhub is unequivocally committed to combating CSAM, and has instituted an industry-leading trust and safety policy to identify and eradicate illegal material from our community.”

However, under mounting pressure, Pornhub changed their policies to only allow verified users to upload and download content from the site and expanded its moderation protocols. This change meant that every piece of content found on Pornhub would now exclusively come from verified uploaders, a requirement that other online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and Twitter have yet to institute.

The change wasn’t enough.

According to a story from the Institutional Investor, Kristof’s NYT column caught the attention of Bill Ackman, the hedge fund manager and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Ackman, a father of four daughters, read the column and noticed that Mastercard and Visa were payment processors for Pornhub. Ackman, who was friends with Mastercard’s then-CEO Ajay Banga, text Banga the article saying that Mastercard should do something about this.

Banga responded, “We’re on it.”

Two days following the removal of 10 million videos — 75% of Pornhub’s content — Mastercard and Visa announced, within an hour of each other, that following their own investigations into unlawful content on the site, they were cutting ties with Pornhub.

Sex workers making a legal income as verified users, who were now the only ones able to upload or download content to Pornhub, were suddenly unable to receive payouts through the nation’s two largest credit card companies.

MODEL BEHAVIOR: Dan Edwards (L) and Morgan Le Shade each both use OnlyFans, as well as other platforms, to interact with their fans.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDWARDS (L) AND LE SHADE (R)

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

The effects of this, sex workers argued, would put more people at risk of exploitation, something the conservative groups claimed they wanted to prevent.

“It is clear that Pornhub is being targeted not because of our policies and how we compare to our peers, but because we are an adult content platform,” Pornhub announced in a statement responding to Mastercard and Visa’s decision. “[NCOSE and Exodus Cry] are organizations dedicated to abolishing pornography, banning material they claim is obscene, and shutting down commercial sex work. These are the same forces that have spent 50 years demonizing Playboy, the National Endowment for the Arts, sex education, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and even the American Library Association. Today, it happens to be Pornhub.”

Pornhub’s statement also referenced a report by third-party Internet Watch Foundation, which found 118 instances of CSAM on Pornhub in the last three years, and points out that in the same timeframe, Facebook’s own self-reported transparency data found 84 million instances of CSAM on the social media platform.

The removal of the majority of Pornhub’s content was a massive victory for NCOSE and Exodus Cry, the latter calling it “one of the most significant actions ever taken against criminal porn” and “a huge WIN for the united #Traffickinghub movement.” Emboldened by their victory, the organizations turned toward NCOSE’s “Dirty Dozen List.”

The list, which features companies like Amazon, Twitter and Netflix, is produced annually and is meant to call out twelve mainstream companies who are “profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation.”

By the end of Dec. 2020, OnlyFans had reached a level of mainstream visibility that was comparable to pre-purge Pornhub, causing it to be added to the 2021 Dirty Dozen List.

When the news of OnlyFans’ ban broke, NCOSE quickly and happily accepted the credit, stating on their website that the decision made

by OnlyFans, “comes after much advocacy.” The conservative groups had once again lobbied Mastercard, asking them to create more restrictive policies surrounding adult content under the guise of abolishing sex trafficking and exploitation. This led to Mastercard writing a new policy for adult content sites it works with and

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released the proposed changes this past April.

The new policy requires, “the banks that connect merchants to our network ... to certify that the seller of adult content has effective controls in place to monitor, block and, where necessary, take down all illegal content.” These changes also include age and identity verification for content creators, a content review process before publication, complaint review processes within seven days and a stringent appeals process for content to be removed, all in what appears to be an effort to over complicate and deter sex workers from creating and uploading content.

Mastercard’s new policies went into effect on Oct. 15 and the full extent and impact of these changes have yet to be seen. According to Le Shade, something has to change.

“Stop with all the archaic slut shaming ways and leave sex workers alone,” he says. “They aren’t bothering anyone and I’m willing to bet a lot of those making decisions are secretly subscribers and consumers of much of the content they are actively harming.”

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Reach local LGBT communities across the nation.

Start connecting with over a million loyal readers in print and online across the country.

212-242-6863 info@nationallgbtmediaassociation.com www.nationallgbtmediaassociation.com

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THEATER

Looking Back

‘A Normal Heart’ provides timely account of the AIDS epidemic

(ABOVE)

TIMELY TALE:

Laura Roberts as Dr. Emma Brookner (L) and Joshua Chaykin as “A Normal Heart’s” examining doctor.

PHOTO COURTESY CARROLLWOOD PLAYERS

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Deborah Bostock-Kelley

N 1981, A FEW GAY MEN WERE BEING

treated in New York City ICUs with pneumocystis pneumonia and a rare cancer revealed through Kaposi’s Sarcoma: purplish tumors on the skin.

Because gay men were the first to contract this mysterious disease, initially, the media dubbed it “gay cancer.” The underlying problem was an immune deficiency, and the disease was renamed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. By 1985, over 15,000 gay men were diagnosed with AIDS and as the death toll rose, the community was largely ignored by the government and medical establishments. More than 12,000 tragically lost their lives by the end of that year.

Amidst the fear, uncertainty and division, a play was born that raged about the frustration of being discounted and the desperation to find answers to a death sentence diagnosis. It detailed the story of writer Ned Weeks and his attempt to unite the community against a pandemic ready to wipe out an entire generation.

Written by Larry Kramer, the largely autobiographical “A Normal

Heart” takes the audience through an emotional rollercoaster during the opening years of the epidemic, 1981 to 1984. Weeks is outraged by society’s lack of responsiveness and becomes an LGBTQ activist, fighting for the right of his community to survive.

This powerful play runs in Carrollwood Players’ Black Box Theatre Nov 5-13.

Under the direction of David J. Valdez, the play features Luis Graham (Ned), Christopher Daniels (Felix), Laura Roberts (Dr. Emma Brookner), Jeff Slagle (Ben), Tristan Horta (Mickey), Derrick Shane (Bruce), Dylan Fidler (Tommy), Joshua Chaykin (Examining Doctor/ Hiram/David).

“I was entering and exiting college during that era, so I happen to be the same demographic as the actors. We didn’t know what was happening,” Fraga says. “There was no information. We didn’t know

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what to do. Everyone was blaming everyone else. This play brought back memories of a time where we really didn’t know what was going on.”

With eerie similarities to the current COVID pandemic, the play is a raw, viscerally moving, true-to-life picture of the AIDS epidemic. From a political standpoint, it shows how AIDS was neglected in its early years, largely ignored for politics and majority morality. Also a tragic personal experience of two lovers trying to cope with the deadly diagnosis, the play refuses to sugarcoat the audience’s experience.

“Years ago, when I read the script, it was very unsettling,” Valdez says.

“Although in the late 80s I was a child, I tried my best now as part of the LGBTQ community to research as much as I could on the AIDS crisis.

I really felt a connection. These men were ostracized for the result of loving another human being.”

In the Black Box theatre, Valdez purposely created a world where all nine actors never leave the stage.

“When the actors are not active in a scene, they are also spectators, becoming part of the audience,” he explains. “We are all watching this unfold as it happens. Are we going to sit silent, or are we going to do something?”

When “A Normal Heart” premiered in 1985, it was called a “wake-up call.”

Valdez says that he would describe it now as a battle cry.

“Right at the top of the show, when the lights come up initially, it’s like you are being shot out of a rocket,” he notes. “The energy is there. We don’t stop. We don’t let you breathe until the end of the show. It is truly a battle cry.”

Roberts’ character Dr. Emma Brookner is based on Dr. Linda Laubenstein, the first doctor to treat patients with the mystery disease and link Kaposi’s Sarcoma to AIDS. Nearly 40 years later, when AIDS is more of a treatable lifelong condition than a fatal prognosis, she says it is more of a warning.

“Especially with what is going on now with COVID,” she notes. “There is this sense that what happened then can

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happen again and in some respects has been happening.”

Graham, who plays Weeks, said that this generation should be grateful for those who came before.

“This play sends a strong message that the work is not done,” he says.

“This is a lesson that lets [this generation] know a lot happened that got them to the point where they are now.”

Though the play is set in the 80s, don’t expect the actors to don neon and acid wash. They wear clothing that could be from any decade, and the accompanying musical soundtrack is 80s with a twist – performed as covers by modern artists.

“I think timeless is the word to use because although we are telling a story from the 80s, this could happen again,” Valdez says. “We’re trying to keep our audience off-kilter just a bit.”

Although the character of Weeks sometimes comes across as a bully and one of the characters calls him out on his behavior, Valdez says that the audience will love his ferociousness and his unrelenting passion for those he cares about.

“The Reagan administration didn’t even utter any of ‘AIDS’ for years, so someone like Ned, loosely based on Larry Kramer, had to be a bully,” he explains. “My love for this play lives within Ned’s passion, but also the community. It’s truly an ensemble piece. It’s written so well.

It’s a manifestation of pure love for each other.”

Roberts says that the connection and determination of the characters are what she loves about the play.

Dr. Brookner is caught between red tape, bureaucracy and the system,” the actor says. “She is doing her best to treat this horrible disease when no one is helping. It feels like she’s screaming in a dark room just trying to bring humanity to the situation.”

Roberts also believes that while the show features mature content, “everyone who is interested in a truly moving and educational story, really interested in connecting with a piece of theatre, should come to this show.”

“This will be very eye-opening for the audience to see how these gay men and trans women were treated during that time,” Zayas adds.

“A Normal Heart” debuts November 5-13, 2021, at the Black Box Theatre in Carrollwood Players, located at 4333 Gunn Hwy. in Tampa. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit CarrollwoodPlayers.org.

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community calendar

EVENT PLANNER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Uncut Cabaret

Sharon Needles, Oct. 29, South Nights, Orlando.

407-412-5039; Facebook.com/ SouthernNightsOrlando

FRIDAY, OCT. 29, 7 P.M. HÄOS ON CHURCH, ORLANDO Orlando Gay Chorus invite you to the 13th annual Uncut Cabaret at HÄOS on Church in downtown Orlando. This fun and frivolity event filled with adult content will feature sexy Uncut Boyz and Girlz, the “Tops and Bottoms” game, a chance to win a prize package worth more than $200. This is an 18 and up only event. Tickets are $20, bar opens at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit OrlandoGayChorus.org.

“The Rocky Horror Drag Show,” Oct. 29-30, Stonewall Bar, Orlando. 407-373-0888; Facebook.com/Stonewall.

Orlando Trick or Treat Brunch, Oct. 30, Cocktails & Screams, Orlando. 407-904-0124; CocktailsAndScreams.com Day of the Dead Celebration, Oct. 30, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando.

407-896-4231; OMArt.org Halloween Movie at Lake Eola – “Beetlejuice,” Oct. 30, Lake Eola’s East Lawn, Orlando. 407-246-2555; DowntownOrlando.com Spooktacular, Oct. 30, Avalon Park, Orlando. 407-658-6565; AvalonParkOrlando.com Enrique Iglesias & Ricky Martin, Oct. 30, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com Halloween at Old Town, Oct. 31, Old Town, Kissimmee. 407-396-4888; MyOldTownUSA.com Killer Carnival, Oct. 31, LGBT+ Center, Orlando. 407-228-8272; KillerCarnival.com “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oct. 31, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.org “Tootsie,” Nov. 2, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-839-0119; Dr.PhillipsCenter.org Meet the Filmmaker: “The Room” with Greg Sestero, Nov. 4, Enzian Theater, Maitland. 407-629-1088; Enzian.org Heather Land, Nov. 4, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-839-0119; Dr.PhillipsCenter.org

ROCKING OUT Out and proud performers head to Florida as Ricky Martin, joined by Enrique Iglesias, performs at the Amway Center in Orlando Oct. 30 and Melissa Etheridge rocks Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater Nov. 9. MARTIN PHOTO FROM TICKETHUB.COM & ETHERIDGE PHOTO FROM MELISSAETHERIDGE.COM

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Nov. 5, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando. 407-839-0119; Dr.PhillipsCenter.org

Halloween Mansion Party, Oct. 29, The Orlo House & Ballroom, Tampa.

813-898-2438; TheOrlo.com

50th annual Fall Fiesta in the Park, Nov. 6-7, Lake Eola Park, Orlando. 321-281-2185; FiestaInThePark.com

“Nunsense A-men!,” Oct. 29-Nov. 7, Central Park Performing Arts Center, Largo. 727-587-6793; EightOClockTheatre.com

Marc Anthony, Nov. 6, Amway Center, Orlando. 407-440-7000; AmwayCenter.com

Riverwalk Trick or Treat, Oct. 30, Riverwalk, Tampa. 813-221-1539; TheTampaRiverwalk.com

Trey Kennedy, Nov.11, The Plaza Live, Orlando. 407-228-1220; PlazaLiveOrlando.org

Howl-O-Ween at Paw!, Oct. 30, Pinellas Ale Works, St. Petersburg. 727-235-0970; PawBeer.com

TAMPA BAY “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” Oct. 20-Nov. 14, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org “Tootsie,” Oct. 26-31, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Erykah Badu, Oct. 29, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com

Halloween on Central, Oct. 31, The Grand Central District, St. Petersburg.

GrandCentralDistrict.org A Little Hocus Pocus, Oct. 31, Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg. 727-341-4596; TIGLFF.com 4 Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue Drag Queen Bingo, Nov. 2, Punky’s Bar and Grill, St. Petersburg. 727-201-4712; PunkysBar.com

Nikki Glaser, Nov. 5, Tampa Theatre, Tampa. 813-274-8981; TampaTheatre.org

Be Kind to Your Mind TUESDAY, NOV. 9, 6-7:30 P.M. STAFFORD HOUSE, ORLANDO Peer Support Space, Bros in Convo, Miracle of Love and Stafford House are partnering to present Be Kind to Your Mind, a community gathering led by and for peers 18 and up. Join them for fuzzy blankets, light snacks, supportive conversation and a meditation as attendees share pain and love. You do not need to share to attend. Open to all sexual orientations, genders, ages, and disabilities as well as those of diverse neurological, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. To register, go to CommunalHealing.Eventbrite.com.

TAMPA BAY

“The Normal Heart,” Nov. 5-13, Carrollwood Players Theatre, Tampa. 813-265-4000; CarrollwoodPlayers.org

Equality Florida Tampa Gala

The Millennium Tour 2021, Nov. 6, Amalie Arena, Tampa. 813-301-6500; AmalieArena.com Melissa Etheridge, Nov. 9, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com Trey Kennedy, Nov. 10, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

SARASOTA ALSO Youth Halloween Party, Oct. 29, ALSO Youth, Sarasota. 941-951-2576; ALSOYouth.org Bruce Hornsby, Nov. 11, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-263-6799; VanWezel.org

FRIDAY, OCT. 29, 7-10 P.M. ARMATURE WORKS, TAMPA Equality Florida presents the Tampa Gala 2021 Reception and Dinner at Tampa’s Armature Works. The gala, hosted by radio personality Dominic Fariello, will feature a seated dinner by Puff ‘n Stuff, entertainment, open bars, a silent and live auction and an inspiring message from Executive Director Nadine Smith.

Cocktail attire suggested. For more information on Equality Florida, its galas and to donate, visit EQFL.org.

Balance Tampa Bay’s November Social SATURDAY, NOV. 6, 8-11:45 P.M. THE HARD ROCK CAFÉ, TAMPA Join Balance Tampa Bay at the Hard Rock Café in Tampa for the November social, featuring Tampa Bay cover band, The Cheaters. The event will include classic American food, an authentic rock atmosphere and a chance to hang out with friends — or make new ones.

Also learn about Balance Tampa Bay’s upcoming events for the rest of the year. For more information, visit BalanceTampaBay.org.

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

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Bevel and Flat Mirrors Cut to your specifications!

Specialty Frames Available in Oval, Circle, and Shadowbox.

All Custom Framework is Professional Crafted on-premises!!!

TyroneFrame.com 2060 Tyrone Blvd N • St. Pete

(727) 344-1000 38

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announcements

TAMPA BAY OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Step Out Tampa Bay held its grand opening Oct. 17. Learn more at StepOutTampaBay.com.

Kristina White and Alexa Satmary were married Oct. 18.

PFLAG Riverview was one of four chapters honored by PFLAG National during their biennial convention Oct. 24.

Read more on p. 10.

Diversity Arts shared Oct. 25 that the organization has earned a grant from the Gobioff Foundation for Black History Month 2022. Learn more at DiversityArtsInc.com.

CLOSURES

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Levi’s Bar and Grill in New Port Richey announced its immediate and permanent closure Oct. 20.

CONDOLENCES Joseph Everett Cromwell died Oct. 18. He will be missed.

William “Bill” Royal Crippen died Oct. 18. He will be missed.

VOTING St. Petersburg’s general election will be held Nov. 2 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., which includes the race for mayor. Watermark asked mayoral candidates Robert Blackmon and Ken Welch five LGBTQfocused questions ahead of the election, detailed at WatermarkOnline.com. For more information about the election, visit VotePinellas.com.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Tampa vocalist David Valentine, Tampa educator Matthew Healey, Keller Williams Tampa Central admin Danny Gitsas, St. Pete hairstylist Jacob Andrew Harris (Oct. 28); Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay’s Juan Fontanez Jr. (Oct. 29); Lakeland leather man Jerry Miller, Salon GW owner Gregory Brady (Oct. 30); Sarasota HIV/AIDS activist Michael Kehoe, Tampa Bay Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Shelita Cra-k, State Farm agent John Psomas, Tampa boating enthusiast Jamie Paul (Oct. 31); St. Pete bear Wendell Wilson, Tampa Bay entertainer Reggie Gatewood, Comic connoisseur Julian Jabbar Hills (Nov. 1); Tampa organizing coach Tracy Miller, St. Pete salesman Toby Browning (Nov. 2); Ceridian’s Kevin Gordon (Nov. 3); Gulfport everyman Daniel Hodge, St. Pete Pride volunteer Rich Runyan, St. Petersburg cowboy Winston Haws (Nov. 4); Tampa Bay DJ Duane Cook, LGBTQ Resource Center Chair Susan Gore, Life Plan Law attorney Catherine Blackburn (Nov. 5); Tampa signing interpreter Steve Hammond, St. Pete Bears founder Grahame Harte, Former TIGLFF programming director Kelly Fry, TIGLFF supporter Timothy Thomas, Metro Inclusive Health founder Bob Pope, Pinellas Park massage therapist John Waldorf, Nikki Fried’s finance director Jon Stewart (Nov. 6); Lakeland lad Kenneth Elliott, Boating enthusiast Misty McDevitt (Nov. 8); Modern Gents Premier Barbershop & Bar’s Nicholas Medina, Tampa Bay socialite Sterling Powell, CNA Dominic Costelli (Nov 9); Metro Inclusive Health’s Kiala Santi (Nov. 10)

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MENTOR MOMENT: Pat Frank (L) hugs Tampa Mayor Jane Castor at the Oct. 14 dedication ceremony renaming a Tampa court in her honor. PHOTO COURTESY JANE CASTOR

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DATZ GREAT: Metro Inclusive Health shares Oct. 15 that it was presented with a check for funds raised by Datz Restaurant Group during Pride Month.

PHOTO COURTESY METRO

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LANE GANG: EPIC Executive Director Joy Winheim (3rd from R) is flanked by the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Oct. 16 at the Tampa’s 14th annual Strike Out for AIDS 2021. PHOTO COURTESY EPIC

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BACK IN ACTION: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay performs its first in-person concert in 18 months Oct. 16. PHOTO COURTESY GMCTB

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TEAM WELCH: Equality Florida Action PAC and supporters join endorsed mayoral candidate Ken Welch (lower C) for a day of action beginning at Punky’s Oct. 23. PHOTO

COURTESY EQUALITY FLORIDA

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CHOSEN FAMILY: PFLAG Riverview members and supporters grab a paintbrush for their Pinot’s Palette Painting Party AT The Regent Oct. 21.

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL WIER

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ST PETE PROUD: Megan Hickey, Ashlee T. Bangkx and Tiffany Freisberg take in the sights at Enigma Oct. 15.

PHOTO BY RYAN WILLIAMS-JENT

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DO IT LIVE: (L-R) Scott Tavlin, Will Calder, Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor take center stage Oct. 22 at the first Miguel & Holly Live at the Ritz Ybor. PHOTO

COURTESY MIGUEL & HOLLY SHOW

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BROADWAY IS BACK AT THE DR. PHILLIPS CENTER

HHHH November 2 - 7, 2021 • drphillipscenter.org 407.358.6603 • Groups 10+ Save!

Great seats are still available.

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announcements

CENTRAL FLORIDA OUT+ABOUT

CONGRATULATIONS Marc Espeso, special assistant to Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, was named to the board of directors for the LGBT+ Center Oct. 21.

Daniel Downer, founder of The Bros in Convo Initiative, and Brandon Wolf, media relations manager for Equality Florida, were both named to the board of directors for the One Orlando Alliance Oct. 21.

CONDOLENCES

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Daniel M. Jones, celebrated costume designer and former president of the Orlando Gay Chorus, passed away this month. He was 49.

RESEARCH STUDY Three of the nation’s largest blood centers — Vitalant, OneBlood, and the American Red Cross — in partnership with the LGBT+ Center Orlando are seeking participants to join a new groundbreaking FDA-funded study in Orlando to consider new approaches for determining blood donation eligibility for men who have sex with men. If you are a gay or bisexual male between 18-39 years old and interested in becoming a blood donor, you may be eligible to participate. The study looks to enroll 250–300 gay and bi men in Central Florida who meet the study eligibility criteria. Go to ADVANCEStudy.org for more information.

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VOTING Orlando’s general election will be held Nov. 2 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Races for City of Orlando Districts 1, 3 and 5 are on the ballot. Go to OCFElections.com for more information.

LOCAL BIRTHDAYS Former Out & About Books owner Robert Bruce Ground, Tako Cheena proprietor Edgardo Guzman, Southern Nights bartender Lance Keller, Orlando occupational therapist Sarah Bapst (Oct. 28); Hope & Help case manager Norm Gentry, Orlando attorney Michael Morris (Oct. 29); Bungalower’s Brendan O’Connor, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants executive director Lolita Jerido, Ashley Furniture store manager Brian Fenn, Former Watermark editorial assistant Samantha Rosenthal (Oct. 31); Seminole County school teacher Bobby Agagnina, Miracle of Love’s Angus Bradshaw Jr., Fitness guru Jennifer Mae, Orlando bartender Juan Miller, Orlando Gay Chorus’ Chip Reif (Nov. 2); LGBT+ Center’s Director of Operations Joel Morales (Nov. 3); Massage therapist and framer at Framing of Central Florida Kirk Johnston (Nov. 4); Orlando drag entertainer Robert Crane aka Erica Roberts, Orlando realtor Cindy Gregory, Orlando Verizon Wireless employee Ryan Lopez (Nov. 5); Equality Florida’s Michael Thomas Farmer, Women In Film & Television Florida President Robin Wright, Spooky Empire’s Denna Beena (Nov. 6); Orange County school teacher Kevin Hanna (Nov. 8); Special F/X master Alan Ostrander (Nov 9); J Meyers Insurance’s Lori Williams, Park Avenue salon owner Gary Lambert (Nov. 10).

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FRIGHT NIGHT: (L-R) Ida Eskamani, Donald Rupe and Rep. Anna Eskamani attend The Renaissance Theatre’s production of “Nosferatu” in Orlando Oct. 22. PHOTO COURTESY REP. ANNA ESKAMANI

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CELEBRATE PRIDE: Andres Acosta Ardila grabs a selfie during Orlando Queer and Trans Asian Association’s inaugural Pride of Color event at Lake Eola Park in Orlando Oct. 23. PHOTO

COURTESY ANDRES ACOSTA ARDILA

DOGGIE DRESS UP: City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, with Sienna, hang out at Ten 10 Brewing Company for Mills 50’s Pup Crawl in Orlando Oct. 24. PHOTO COURTESY

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CARLOS GUILLERMO SMITH

COURTESY DANNY GARCIA

COMMISSIONER PATTY SHEEHAN

PUPPY LOVE: Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith gets a kiss from Ruth Bader Ginsbark on National Make a Dog’s Day Oct. 22. PHOTO COURTESY REP.

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STUDENT SAFETY: Wes Hodge of the Orange County Democrats speaks at a press conference calling for an extension of masks for students outside Orange County Public Schools Oct. 25. PHOTO COURTESY

COMMUNITY WORK: Grace Peek-Harris, along with a few friends, help with the Mills 50 cleanup at the LGBT+ Center in Orlando Oct. 23. PHOTO

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COURTESY GRACE PEEK-HARRIS

MMM SOUP: (L-R) Jay Daniels, Danny Garcia and Rob Lang check out the soups at Pom Pom’s in Orlando Oct. 22. PHOTO

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THIS IS HALLOWEEN: Ben Johansen is having a good hair day at Embellish FX in Orlando Oct. 26. PHOTO

COURTESY BEN JOHANSEN

ORANGE COUNTY DEMOCRATS

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45

WEDDING BELLS

Matthew & Benjamin Carl-Allen from Orlando, Florida

ENGAGEMENT DATE:

July 29, 2019

WEDDING DATE:

Sept.

18, 2021

OFFICIANT:

Bri Stefek

VENUE:

Dr. Phillips House

COLORS:

purple and gold

WEDDING SONG:

“The Story” by Dolly Parton

FLORIST:

Lee Forrest Design

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Millenia catering

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Multiple small cakes for variety: red velvet, carrot cake, s’mores and double chocolate.

BAKERY:

The Smith Island Baking Company; Two Smart Cookies

PHOTOGRAPHER

Corner House Photography

ENTERTAINMENT:

Justin Kornaker, Orlando DJ Group

M

ATTHEW AND BENJAMIN CARL-

Allen never expected to meet over FaceTime on a drunken night.

“I had no clue what I was getting into that night,” Benjamin says. “I had just finished a workout and only came out after the fifth pleading.”

At the time, Matthew was living in Chicago. In Orlando, some mutual friends and Benjamin had decided to go out for Cinco De Mayo. Matthew celebrated alongside them from his bed, drinking cabernet out of mini wine bottles.

One of their friends sent Matthew a group photo with Benjamin in it.

“I happened to say to my friend, ‘that guy is cute,’” Matthew says.

“What did I care? I was in a different time zone. Next thing I know, my friends are FaceTiming me and Ben pushed himself into the camera and introduced himself.”

The next morning, Benjamin texted Matthew to let him know he was thinking about him.

“Matt was truly the first thing on my mind, the cute face and all those little bottles of wine,” Benjamin says.

“He was a keeper and I had to get to know him.

“I remember admiring the honesty and the confidence,” Matthew says.

“I knew this person would mean something, and the rest is history.”

The couple always knew that Benjamin would be the one to propose.

They even bought rings six months into the relationship.

“When you know, you know,” Benjamin says.

Two years into their relationship, Benjamin planned a date at The Turf Club, their favorite restaurant.

“For someone who often ruins surprises, it should have been obvious to me that something big was about to happen,” Matthew says. “But for some reason, I was totally not aware.”

Their server brought over a white box and told Matthew that their new tester appetizers were in it. Since they had been coming to the restaurant so often, Matthew believed it. Then, Benjamin stood up and told him that before he opened that box, he had another smaller box for him.

He got down on one knee and proposed. Turns out, the bigger box that the server had left them contained a Christmas ornament that said “Just Engaged.”

“I had to make every aspect of our normal lives seem extraordinary on that day,” Benjamin says.

After their dinner, Benjamin surprised Matthew again with a celebration with friends at their favorite local spot, Yeoman’s.

“It was a wonderful day that turned out to be the beginning of many amazing moments,” Benjamin says.

The two got married on Sept. 18, 2021. Both said that one of the most special aspects of the wedding was being able to have their family and friends around them.

“[I loved] sitting with our wedding party and seeing the friendships that were created, all because of their love and support for us,” Matthew says.

One of Benjamin’s favorite moments was dancing to Dolly Parton’s cover of “The Story.”

“Matt and I have done and experienced so much during our four years together,” Benjamin says. “It connects to how we show everyone the strong side of our personalities, but underneath us all, there are stories that no one else knows that make us who we are today.”

The couple and their loved ones danced the night away, enjoying each other’s company on what was truly a night to remember.

“You spend months planning a wedding,” Matthew says. “It takes a lot of time and effort. There was a moment getting ready, being surrounded with our favorite people, where Ben and I sort of looked at each other and both agreed — from this point on, whatever happens today, let’s remember why we are truly here and just enjoy it.”

— Lora Korpar

Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com for consideration as a future feature on this page.

46

watermark Your LGBTQ life.

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