Watermark Issue 18.07: Outside the Home

YOUR LGBT LIFE. ISSUE 18.07 | MAR. 31 - APR. 14, 2011 WATERMARKONLINE.COM

BOB

DAN

BUCKHORN:

SAVAGE

Tampa’s new LGBT friendly mayor

Continues his fight to Make It Better

ORANGE COUNTY

JENNIFER NETTLES’

Eyes domestic partnerships

Big voice supports equality

SHEAR SEXINESS

SCISSOR SISTERS FRONT MAN JAKE SHEARS TALKS ABOUT THE SEXUAL SOUNDS OF HIS NEW ALBUM AND HIS AFFINITY FOR WARDROBE MALFUNCTIONS

D AY T O N A B E A C H

•

ORLANDO

• TA M PA

•

S T. P E T E R S B U R G

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S A R A S O TA

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

issue 18.07

4

JENNIFER NETTLES 29 PG.

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland has earned the affections of LGBTs thanks to her stances on marriage equality and acceptance. She talks with us about her crush on Adam Labert, her crossover success with the groups album, The Incredible Machine, her affinity for lesbians and living as a gay man trapped in a woman’s body.

Jake Shears brings his Scissor Sisters to Orlando’s Hard Rock Live on April 7.

6 | Orlando News Orange County Commissioners consider domestic partnership benefits; Red Door Project focuses on same-sex domestic violence; more.

ORLANDO NEWS

6

10 | Tampa News

13 / STATE NEWS

14 / NATION + WORLD NEWS

Citizens of Tampa elected Bob Buckhorn over Rose Ferlita to serve as mayor of the city March 22; TIGLFF hires new directors for the 2011

16 / TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE

season; more.

17 / ORLANDO MARKETPLACE

14 | Nation+World News

10

US Immigration puts same-sex bi-national deportations on hold after

TAMPA BAY NEWS

DOMA ruling; Same-sex marriages still on hold in California; Gay senior stoned to death after making alleged say advances; more.

49 | Outside the Home Comfortable Florida living extends outside the home, so we take a look at

SCENE+HEARD

27

provide both an auditory and visual sense of relaxation. In a perfect world,

45 / TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD

46 / ORLANDO OVERHEARD

58 / TRANSITIONS

we could design patio areas with as much whimsy as on our Facebook

Correction: Hope and Help Center is the organization that organizes and benefits from the Orlando AIDS Walk, its second largest fundraiser, and the Biatches of Orange County raised $18,000 during the 2010 event. A story in Issue 1806 was incorrect on those points.

KNOW+TELL

42 / EVENT PLANNER

creating inviting outdoor areas. Water features are popular in Florida and

pages, so try out a few fun ways to spice up outdoor spaces.

49

22 / MAIL

60 / CLASSIFIEDS

61 / SPORTS

62 / GOSSIP

watermark | preview

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

editor’sdesk the source.

At times our LGBT leaders seem to have an inclination for overreaction.

Petitions signed by thousands of people asking the two apps to be removed I respect and fully support LGBT advocates and activists who are fighting for full equality for me and my community. But guys, sometimes it’s important to step from the Apple store were successful and both technologies were removed. But this is all an overreaction from our side. back and see where the important battles lie.

The people looking to use these apps are already anti-LGBT, so it’s a case of Recently, the LGBT movers and shakers on the equality front got all up in arms preaching to the choir. Why would a gay man or lesbian, for example, download about two iPhone applications they say are “anti-gay” and “dangerous” to LGBT an application that is obviously disrespectful to him or her? A young LGBT person youth and our community as a whole. has the internet and LGBT community centers to get guidance.

“Anti gay?” Probably. “Dangerous?” I’m not so sure.

If an atheist group was upset over a Bible app, does that mean Apple should The e-mails I received about the apps said they put LGBT people in danger and be pressured into removing that application because a certain amount of people subjected our youth to mistreatment by society. Apple failed, those emails said, in that don’t believe in God sign a petition? What’s the magic number? 100,000 its responsibility to keep offensive, inaccurate information out of its app store. signatures? 500,000?

That sounds scary, doesn’t it?

A line must be drawn somewhere. Apple is not The apps were created by anti-gay groups Exodus a company serving a niche population. It has made International—based in Orlando—and the lesser known Imagine if we walked technology affordable and available to the masses—and Manhattan Declaration in New York. that includes those who have different opinions than The first group mentioned created an app—later Steve Blanchard into a public library and ours. Just because something is offered doesn’t mean we approved by Apple as containing “no objectionable EDITOR demanded anything SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com material”—offering “support” for those struggling have to like it. written by an anti-gay Technology is the library of the 21st century. Imagine with their sexuality and basic steps toward a so-called “cure.” Exodus has made a name for itself as the place to if we walked into a public library and demanded author be removed. laughably “cure” those gay tendencies. anything written by an anti-gay author be removed. If The second group offered a simple “survey” asking we allowed that, then any anti-LGBT individual could questions about sexuality and abortion rights. If the demand the removal of LGBT literature. user’s answers supported same-sex marriage rights or a woman’s right to choose, That rings of Nazi Germany, to me. then an “incorrect” message was shared, along with information on how to fight Look at some of the apps that service the LGBT community. You have Grindr, marriage equality and abortion.

Scruff and Encountr—all geared toward finding a local hook-up, I mean, romantic Personally, I think both apps are laughable. Exodus International isn’t seen interest. Sure, those apps have limitations on photo content, but if someone were as legitimate by anyone of merit. The American Psychological Association has to tell me they found those apps offensive, I would simply tell them to avoid them. said that ex-gay therapy doesn’t work and the organization has had so many We have far greater battles to wage rather than trying to ban apps that a group internal scandals that no one can—or should—take them seriously. Two of the of people already set in their ways are going to download. Marriage Equality is organization’s original founders—both men—eventually ran off together to get gaining in acceptance, anti-gay bullying still needs its national spotlight and Don’t married!

Ask Don’t Tell still need to be fully redacted.

The Manhattan Declaration is a Christian group with strong, right-wing Battle lines are important. But focusing on the important fights is Christian views that seem to follow the Bible literally. Of course I disagree with even more so. | l | their stances on LGBT issues, but am not surprised by their opinions, considering

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watermark | orlando news

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Domestic violence the focus of Red Door project jamie hyman

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Orlando | Sometimes the police officer called to the scene assumes they’re dealing with an argument between roommates and the officer fails to help the victim out of the devastating pattern of domestic abuse.

Sometimes, the victim is not aware that he or she is being abused at all. These are some of the all-too-common issues that can arise when domestic violence within same-sex relationships is rarely discussed.

The Red Door project is a joint effort to fight the misconceptions that surround domestic violence within gay relationships, making sure that law enforcement understands how to help victims while getting victims the help that they desperately need.

The Central Florida Gay & Lesbian Law Association (GALLA) received a grant from the Florida Bar Foundation to support a survey, followed by educational outreach, which focus on domestic abuse among LGBT couples. The survey is happening alongside increased partnering between The Center and Harbor House. Leaders from both entities are offering advice about the project.

Attorney Dixie Daimwood, Red Door Project committee chairperson, said it is an area that is “undershadowed” in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. She said many people don’t like to talk about it, plus there is concern that shedding light on same-sex domestic violence will hurt LGBT’s fight for equality in marriage, adoption and other family issues.

“We need to not ignore this issue and make sure we are aware and educated so we can prevent domestic violence, even though it’s something that we as a community don’t like to talk about or admit,” Daimwood said.

Xavier Guadalupe, sociologist and doctoral student at the University of Central Florida, is conducting the survey.

“The survey’s been live for about three weeks, and how long it lasts is up to The Center and the Bar association,” he said.

He guesses it will be live for another three months.

Guadalupe said he’ll analyze the data then report his findings to Red Door leaders.

“I’m hoping that out of the findings, we’ll be able to make policy and training recommendations and hopefully it will result in the updating of educational materials to the community,” Guadalupe said. “I’d like to see more than just the report. “ The survey can be found at TheCenterOrlando.org. It takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Daimwood calls the survey “Phase One,” and the educational aspect of the project “Phase Two,” where they hope to teach law

enforcement sensitivity when it comes to LGBT issues.

“We hope to correct some of their forms and affidavits so they’re more inclusive of LGBT relationships,” Daimwood said. “We also need to address the issue that some people don’t want to be outed, so many may not want public records of domestic violence in a same-sex relationship.”

She said another area that needs work is the Orange County Clerk’s forms on injunctions.

“We also hope to educate the judiciary on the law in that gays and lesbians do fall under the umbrella of domestic violence, and some may not want to talk about sexuality on record,” Daimwood said.

In the meantime, the fledgling partnerships made under The Red Door Project are already making a difference.

Harbor House CEO Carol Wick said that organization is working with the other partners on what strategic outcomes are needed from the survey, but they’ve also been providing a support group run by Harbor House staff, at The Center, for several months.

“We’ve seen an increase in some referrals coming through The Center,” Wick said. “We hadn’t sheltered a man in a couple of years and we’ve sheltered three gay men and a transgender individual in the last 6 months. Any time that there’s awareness and we can overcome any preconceived notions about who we do and don’t serve, it’s important.”

She said most of the time people don’t realize what’s going on qualifies as domestic abuse.

They’ll call it a bad relationship, but don’t recognize the warning signs,” Wick said.

Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center, said that since being part of the Red Door Project, he’s learned some surprising things about his own past relationships.

“I realized once I started talking to Harbor House that one of my relationships was abusive, but I never thought of it that way,” he said. “A lot of people may not understand. We need to educate the community and we need to educate the police.”

Wick added that domestic violence happens in cycles, so even if the victim manages to leave the relationship, if no one is educated, the abuser will likely batter his or her next partner.

Anyone who is currently in a violent relationship may call the Harbor House at 407-886-2856, or the state hotline at 800-500-1119, which will connect callers with the closest domestic violence support program. Wick said victims can call or have a session with an advocate anonymously. | l |

watermark | orlando news

Orange County commission to consider domestic partnerships jamie hyman Orlando | Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs has talked the talk about domestic partner benefits, and now the county is taking the first steps in walking the walk.

Steve Triggs, Manager of the County’s Communication Division, has confirmed that a county policy to offer domestic partner benefits to county employees will be a discussion item at the Board of Commissioners’ April 19 meeting.

Triggs said few details are available yet, and they aren’t sure what time the discussion will take place, but the proposal will be presented by County Attorney Jeff Newton and Manager of Human Resources Ricardo Daye. “I promised to bring the issue of domestic partner benefits forward early in my administration,� Jacobs said.

Attorney Mary Meeks has been working with the county’s legal department and human resources leaders in an advisory capacity on the domestic partner benefits issue. She said she believes the measure will be voted on April 19. “We are cautiously optimistic that it will pass,� Meeks said. “The mayor is supportive of it and is the driving force to make this happen and has specifically requested the community’s support for it.�

Meeks added that it’s important for the community to write and call their

commissioners, and to show up in support of the benefits at the April 19 meeting. “There are new members on board who weren’t there for the [county’s recent approval of a gay-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance] so we don’t have that to gauge as a measure of support on gay rights issues,� she said.

When advising county officials on the proposed benefits, Meeks said she’s focusing on equality and improving Orange County’s appeal to businesses. “Taxpayers pay for insurance benefits for county employees and their spouses and it’s only fair that taxpayers make same benefits available to county’s gay employees,� Meeks said. “Secondly, the positive economic impact in that having these types of policies attracts capital investment from high-tech and highwage companies to come to Orlando and Orange County.�

She said she’s also touching on economical impact to taxpayers in a county that shells out about $100 million for healthcare benefits. “The estimate of the financial impact is based on a review of the sixty or so other entities in Florida that currently offer domestic partner benefits and the numbers of gay employees who use the benefits,� she said. “Those numbers are usually pretty small, less than one percent.�

Meeks said those percentages have not been translated into specific dollar amounts for Orange County. | l |

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StudiOut helps Hope and Help staff report Winter Park | About 20 volunteers from StudiOut provided landscaping services at Hope and Help’s main office in Winter Park. The crew raked, trimmed bushes and planted flowering plants. The project is a

tradition—StudiOut has tackled the project every spring for the past four years.

StudiOut’s more than 550 active members are made up of LGBT (or supportive) Universal Orlando, Orlando based Universal Parks & Resort employees, and Wet-n-Wild employees. | l |

Funky Monkey wins 2011 Cook Orlando jamie hyman Orlando | The chefs behind Funky Monkey Wine Company are the winners of 2011 Cook Orlando, a food competition event that raised money for the Human Rights Campaign. Two restaurants also received People’s Choice awards: Pom Pom’s Teahouse for top food and Shari Sushi for top beverage.

Event co-chair Thearon Scurlock said the March 26–27 event attracted about 180 for Saturday’s VIP dinner at The Mezz, plus 300 for the tasting and competition Sunday on S. Eola Dr. Cook Orlando’s other co-chairs were Sharlie Reynolds and Jason Lambert. “We’re definitely going to continue it

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The HRC does not disclose total funds raised from its fundraising events. | l |

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watermark | tampa bay news

TIGLFF hires new program and development directors staff report

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Tampa | This year, the Friends of the Festival will have new help in organizing the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’s monthly screenings and October festival. It hired a new program director and development director in March.

The 501c3 brought on K.J. Mohr as program director and Larry Biddle as development director.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have this caliber of people joining our organization,” said festival president Ken Hodges. “We are excited with the quality and diversity of both of these individuals and what they will bring to our festival and the community. This is an exciting time for us as we enter our 22nd year of presenting the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival to Tampa Bay.” Mohr is the director of Film Program at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, Md., and works independently as a consultant and curator. She has been involved in the electric arts for nearly two decades.

“I’m thrilled to be joining so great a festival as the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival,” she said. “I look forward to working with the Tampa Bay community to continue its tradition of excellence and bringing the greatest cutting edge LGBT film to this area!”

Most recently, Mohr has served as a curator for the Chicago Film Archive, Marymount College Manhattan, University of Maryland, Syracuse University and Bangkok’s Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. Her film work and curated programs have appeared at Anthology Film Archives in New York City, Yerba Buena Arts Center in San Francisco and the Museum of Image and Sound in Sao Paulo, Brazil as well as many venues around the world. She has been programming director for Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC), School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has

Larry Biddle

KJ Mohr

worked in various capacities at Outfest in Los Angeles, Reeling in Chicago, Reel Affirmations in DC, MIX festivals in New York and Brazil, Ladyfest Chicago, Milwaukee Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and the Flaming Film Festival in Minneapolis and others around the country.

Biddle founded PlanningWorks in 1997 and has provided strategy, communications and development guidance to small businesses, nonprofits and community advocacy organizations for more than 35 yrs. As a leading national fundraiser; he has raised more than $350 million for nonprofit organizations.

Biddle established and built development activities for ActionAIDS in Philadelphia to an annual fundraising level of more than $500,000. Twenty years ago under his leadership, as development director of ActionAIDS, he founded the now nationwide program, Dining out for Life. Larry was deemed “the arbiter of the new hotness” in a September 2004 Wired magazine article about his internet and fundraising leadership on the Howard Dean for President Campaign.

He lives in St. Petersburg with his partner of 19 yrs, David Warner, who is the editor of Creative Loafing.

For more information, visit TIGLFF. com. | l |

briefs St. Pete Pride announces theme, grand marshal

Beckner launches reelection campaign

The theme for the 2011 St. Pete Pride Street Festival will be “One Day…” The board voted on the theme during its March meeting as a way to express hope for an inclusive future.

During the same meeting, the board agreed to invite the Rev. Troy Perry, the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, to be this year’s promenade Grand Marshal.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner has launched his reelection campaign for 2012 and is looking for donations. The county’s first out commissioner won his seat in 2008 and has continued to be an advocate for LGBT equality and fiscal responsibility in county government. For details on his campaign or to donate, visit KevinBeckner.com.

watermark | tampa bay news

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

Buckhorn to be Tampa’s new mayor

First Sunday of Every Month

Sunday, April 3rd 11 am - 3 pm

steve blanchard Tampa | The citizens of Tampa spoke loud and clear on March 22, electing Bob Buckhorn as the next mayor of the city with more than 63% of the vote. His challenger, Rose Ferlita, finished with 37%.

The race was not nearly as close as many had anticipated and Ferlita gave her concession speech just after 8 p.m.—just over an hour after polls closed. During his acceptance speech March 22, Buckhorn thanked his supporters and pointed out the diversity in the audience, including the “straight and gay” supporters by his side.

Buckhorn, who had endorsements from the St. Petersburg Times, Creative Loafing and the outgoing mayor herself, planned to meet with Iorio the day after the election to start the transition process. He will take office April 1 and will begin implementing his plans immediately. The UV Rays, a small contingent of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale, have been invited to sing at his Oath of Office Ceremony at the Tampa Convention Center.

Both candidates voiced support for the LGBT community and during a pre-election interview with Watermark, Buckhorn said that as mayor, he’d continue the LGBTfriendly policies enacted by outgoing mayor Pam Iorio.

“Everything that she has done will remain in place,” Buckhorn said. “I have been in the fight for a long time and plan to continue to do everything I can to keep our city moving forward, including all of Iorio’s initiatives.”

Shortly after Iorio took office in 2003, she enacted domestic partner benefits for city employees—a policy that is still in affect today. Iorio hadn’t planned on endorsing a successor, but said that negative campaigning forced her to throw her popularity behind Buckhorn.

“I am honored to have gotten those endorsements,” Buckhorn said. “Everyone who looked at these races have said that not only do they endorse us, they believe our plan is the plan that can get us to the next level. I’m humbled and thankful for that.

Now, I want everyone to support Tampa so we can move the city forward.”

Buckhorn's plans are thorough, but they do not seem to include replacing Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, whom Iorio appointed last year. Castor is the first woman police chief for the department and has never hidden her sexuality. She and her ex-partner are raising two sons.

“We’ve been friends for 20 years,” Buckhorn said about his relationship with Castor. “I have been an admirer of hers since I met her. I’ve watched her move through the ranks and deal with the issues of the department and she’s done so with

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Tampa Mayor-Elect Bob Buckhorn celebrates his victory on March 22 in Ybor City. | Photo courtesy Carrie West

grace and strength. She’s a superb chief.”

Buckhorn said he recognizes Castor’s work in keeping crime rates on the decline in Tampa, but stopped short of actually saying he’d keep her on board.

“I’ve avoided specifics on all of the appointed positions in the city,” Buckhorn said. “But you can suffice it to say, I think Jane Castor’s performance has been exemplary.”

The race for mayor split the LGBT community because of the support expressed by both camps. However, Buckhorn received a big push from the GaYbor District Coalition, which may have brought out more LGBT votes in his favor.

His campaign headquarters are in Ybor and he had the support of coalition founders Mark Bias and Carrie West.

“I’ve been impressed with how organized they are and what they have brought in as capital,” Buckhorn says. “They’ve asked so little from the government and this was a move entirely self-initiated by a group of entrepreneurs.”

Buckhorn said he hopes to continue that working relationship with Tampa’s LGBT citizens and invited them to share their perspective on Tampa’s future.

“I want their passion and energy,” he said. “I want them to feel they have a seat at the table and they are invested in not just me, but the vision, hopes and aspirations of the community. The LGBT community is an integral part of who we are as a city.”

He added that diversity makes a city stronger and that he relies on diversity in tough times.

“Because of diversity, we’ll get out of this economic malaise and because of that we’ll compete better than almost any other city in the country,” he said. | l |

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watermark | sarasota news

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Annual Harvey Milk Festival set to return to Sarasota staff report

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Sarasota | For the second year in a row, the LGBT community of Sarasota will celebrate Harvey Milk Day. A festival is scheduled for the weekend of May 20-22 in the Rosemary District of the city.

Shannon Fortner is once again at the helm of the festival and Harvey Milk Day will align with ceremonies planned across the nation.

Harvey Milk Day was successful in 2010 and the event is a means to raise awareness about LGBT rights on both state and federal levels. Plans for Sarasota’s festival include incorporating local and national musicians, performance artists and other entertainment.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed May 22 as the first annual Harvey Milk Day in 2010, and communities across the country jumped on board to celebrate. May 22 is Milk’s birthday, and he would have been 81 this year.

Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Milk introduced and helped pass gay rights measures in the city. He was assassinated in 1978.

Last year’s Sarasota festival saw hundreds

Volunteers show their enthusiasm during the 2010 Harvey Milk Festival in Sarasota last May. Photo courtesy Todd Kachinski Kottmeier.

of participants driving from throughout the region.

“This is something we need to do every year and it’s important to remember how far we still have to go to be fully accepted in this country,” Tina McCurray of Brandon said at last year’s festival. “I was excited when I learned about this event. It’s fun, but it’s fun with a purpose.”

The festival’s 2011 advisory committee is seeking volunteers, sponsors, and street team members. The next volunteer meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 4, at ALSO Out Youth in Sarasota. For advertising, sponsorship information, or volunteer opportunities, visit HarveyMilkFestival.com. | l |

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watermark | state news

Bullied teen to get public apology

jamie hyman

Palm Coast | A gay Flagler County teenager and his school district have reached a groundbreaking agreement with the Flagler County School District after the student was harassed for being gay by his fellow students and one of his teachers.

According to Luke Herbert, 15, his shop teacher would joke that “you can’t put Mountain Dew and Pepsi in the same fridge, or they’ll turn gay.” Herbert said the joke was repeated several times, and that his teacher would mock Herbert’s mannerisms. The student also questioned his failing status in the class.

When he brought the teacher’s behavior to the attention of school officials, Herbert said he was told the teacher is “an older gentleman and would be retiring in a year.”

Herbert said a guidance counselor claimed she wasn’t able to switch him out of that class, so he was sent to the school’s media center each day instead.

“That was their solution,” he said.

Herbert eventually stopped attending classes, which led to ACLU’s intervention.

“I’m just happy to not be there anymore,” Herbert said. “I hated going there; I really dreaded going.”

In a media release, ACLU of Florida LGBT Advocacy Project Attorney Shelbi Day said what happened to Luke was “inexcusable,” but an “all-too-common occurrence” for LGBT students.

“Schools have an obligation to ensure that teachers and students understand that bullying and harassment of any student is prohibited and to act swiftly and appropriately to address it when it occurs.”

According to the ACLU, school officials acknowledged they made missteps in handling Herbert’s situation and should have acted more swiftly. The shop teacher involved has been officially reprimanded and has agreed to make a public apology.

In addition, the ACLU said the school district has agreed to a number of actions, including helping Herbert get back on track academically and giving Herbert options for completing his education in an

environment in which he can feel safe.

The school district will also recommend that the school board add protections for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the Student Code of Conduct and the district’s bullying and harassment policy. The district will also work with the Flagler Palm Coast Gay-Straight Alliance to create a series of public service announcements about bullying and harassment.

Day said the public apology will be the first in that series of PSAs. “The Flagler County School District is taking action to make sure that what happened to Luke does not happen again,” stated Flagler County School District Attorney Kristy Gavin in a media release.

“Luke’s case made us realize that we need to do more to prevent bullying and harassment and to ensure that district faculty, staff, and students are on notice of what is prohibited and know that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.”

The plan now is for Herbert to attend a virtual school.

“I’m happy that there is a solution in place,” Herbert said after the agreement was announced. “It’s somewhat an end to a long road.”

He added that he’s hoping to be able to put this behind him.

“For the last month and a half my life revolved around this,” he said. “I’m satisfied to know my voice was heard. I hope the teacher feels sorry for what he did.”

Day called Herbert “courageous” for speaking out, and both Herbert and Day pointed out that his story ended differently than other students who reach their breaking point and cause harm to themselves.

“Luke is a good example for kids who feel like they’re being bullied and harassed and the school does nothing, that they should get other adults involved,” Day said. | l |

briefs Miami Gala raises more than $100K The Equality Florida 2011 Miami Gala surpassed its goal of raising more than $100,000 to support the efforts of Equality Florida. More than 250 people attended the event at The Webster on March 20. The Voice for Equality honorees were Elizabeth Schwartz, LGBT attorney; George Sheldon, who was director of the Department of Children and Families when Florida’s ban on gay adoption ended and Ellen Freidin, who led the Fair Districts Campaign.

Murder suspected indicted The man accused of killing two Wilton Manor residents in December 2010 was indicted by a grand jury March 23. Peter Serge Avsenew, 26, was charged with the murders of Stephen Duane Adams, 52, and Kevin Mark Powell, 47. He is charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, unlawful use of a credit card, and grand theft auto. Avsenew is being held without bond in the Miami Dade County Jail.

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watermark | nation+world news

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

US Immigration puts samesex bi-national cases on hold wire report

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Washington, D.C. | Christopher Bentley, the spokesman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has confirmed that cases of foreign partners who are married to a same-sex partner and would otherwise be eligible for a green card are on hold in light of questions about the continued validity of the Defense of Marriage Act. A New York immigration judge last week suspended the deportation of an Argentine lesbian while she and her wife contest her green card denial due to DOMA, calling the

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validity of the federal law defining marriage as between one man and one woman into question.

In response, Bentley said, “USCIS has issued guidance to the field asking that related cases be held in abeyance while awaiting final guidance related to distinct legal issues.”

Although DOMA is still being enforced, the USCIS is using its discretion to hold off on denying green card applications where applicable.

The White House announced Feb. 23 it would no longer defend Section 3 of DOMA in court. | l |

Court: No gay marriages in Calif. during appeal wire report San Francisco | A federal appeals court on Mar. 23 refused to allow gay marriages to take place in California while it considers the constitutionality of the state’s voterapproved ban.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris had joined gay marriage proponents in urging the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to lift a stay that had been placed on a lower court’s ruling to strike down

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Lawyers for two same-sex couples had sought again to lift the stay after the California Supreme Court recently said it would take at least until the end of the year to consider a legal question asked by the appeals court in the case.

Once the state’s high court makes its decision, the case will resume in the 9th Circuit. Once a decision is rendered there, the case is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. | l |

Penn. senior stoned to death for gay advances wire report Lansdowne, Pa. | A 28-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged with murder after telling police he stoned to death a 70-year-old man in January after the senior citizen allegedly made unwanted sexual advances toward him.

John Joe Thomas told police on Mar. 17 that he beat Murray Seidman using a sock that was stuffed with rocks because he read in the Old Testament that homosexuals should be stoned to death.

The relationship between the two is not known, but police said Thomas was the sole beneficiary of Seidman’s will.

After Seidman allegedly hit on the young man, Thomas said he received a message in his prayers that he must kill Seidman. The elderly man was hit in the head about 10 times, police said.

Thomas left Seidman dead in his Lansdowne apartment but later returned days later, calling police on Jan. 12 to make it appear like he just found the body, authorities said. | l |

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Fort Worth, Tex. | The city of Fort Worth will pay $400,000 to a man severely injured during a raid on a gay bar two years ago, a settlement that avoids a federal civil rights lawsuit.

The City Council approved the settlement with Chad Gibson, who says Fort Worth police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission used excessive force.

Mayor Mike Moncrief says the

settlement doesn’t admit any police officers’ wrongdoing or city liability. A deputy city attorney said Gibson’s lawyer planned to sue Fort Worth and the state’s liquor board in federal court—but they went into mediation instead.

The liquor board and city police determined in their investigations there was no excessive force. Two agents and a supervisor with the liquor board were fired, and three Fort Worth officers were suspended. | l |

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I’m proud to announce a brand new “relaunch.” The tentative date is April 1 (April Fool’s Day, whose idea was that? Mine? Oh, okay.

Carry on). Here is what you can expect: • A familiar look… but better.

The basic format of the site is the same, but Watermark design genius Jake Stevens has streamlined the look of the site, reducing clutter and easing navigation.

• New toys! A much more extensive Restaurant & Bar Guide, Real Estate Showcase (updated by the realtors themselves) and classified advertisements are just a few of the super-useful features you’ll find at Watermark Online. We also have improved sorting and search capabilities for our community guide, plus an interactive distribution map that will direct readers to the closest spot where they can satisfy their cravings for a print version of the paper. In addition, submissions to our Calendar of Events will be set up so that the approval process that gets events online will happen much more quickly.

h yes, I was so wide-eyed and naïve then. It was in May of 2009 that I was • What you want to know, invited to guest-write Watermark’s where you can see it. One of Editor’s Desk column, to introduce the issues with the previous site was myself and the revamped that the design tied our hands when it WatermarkOnline.com. With typing came to front-and-center placement fingers fresh and innocent, I casually of Watermark’s fantastic events and laid out the new features visitors giveaways, making it frustrating for would enjoy when they stopped by some visitors to find the information Watermark’s online home, while they needed. Now we have the mentioning flexibility that the lack to show you of constraints that stuff in a within blinking neon I’m proud to virtual space box right at announce a brand would mean the top of the expansions in home page. I new “relaunch.” content. mean, we won’t.

I had no But we could, idea. and pertinent We grew big. Let’s just put it that information will be more prominent. way. In the past two years we’ve • Targeted advertising. Hey mastered the art of the constant Tampa Bay-area people! You’ll only update, got picked up by Google see ads that have to do with Tampa News, launched two successful Bay-area stuff. Hey, Orlando people! blogs and are usually sold to You’ll only see ads that have to do capacity—our slots for web ads are with Orlando-area stuff. Now, won’t limited, and as soon as one becomes that be nice? available, it’s snatched up by the next lucky advertiser.

• Better community options.

For the months we spent developing the new version of the site, we were operating under an outdated version of our old software that prevented many users browsing via Internet Explorer from commenting. Not only will that no longer be an issue, but new commenting features have been installed that will make community participation easier, across the board.

• More fun! The new site’s software will allow us to try out all kinds of excellent features, plus we’ll be able to respond to good ideas and requests from the community. More than ever, Watermark will grow and change along with the LGBT community, and that is fun. (Well, I think it is, but that’s why it’s my job!)

In other online news…

While I’m using this space to make announcement after announcement pertaining to Watermark’s Online world, I have a few off-site things to talk about.

Generally, the big-ticket giveaways are carried out at WatermarkOnline.com. Lately, we’ve been getting lots of smaller goodies from Karpel Group in New York, and we’re distributing that stuff through quick and easy giveaways via Watermark’s Facebook page—Facebook.com/ WatermarkFL. Make sure you “like” Watermark’s page to get in on the action. So far we’ve handed out albums by Jennifer Hudson, Britney Spears and The Sound, plus great movie DVDs, with much more to come.

Seriously, the only way it could be easier to win great stuff would be if I drove to your house and dumped it onto your porch I love you all, but that is never, ever going to happen.

For quite some time, Watermark has had a pretty dead Twitter feed.

That has changed. Now, every single update to the site appears as a Tweet, with a brief headline and a link back to the full story.

To get WatermarkOnline.com in your pocket, go to Twitter.com/ WatermarkOnline and follow us.

Keep an eye on WatermarkOnline.com. I know I’ve said this before but I mean it every time—big things are going to happen. | l |

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watermark | viewpoint | orlando marketplace

F

Rediscovering Orlando Ken Kundis

Ken@WatermarkOnline.com

ive months ago, I returned to Orlando after moving from here three years ago to the greater New York City area.

Being back home is messing with my mind a bit, if I’m being entirely honest. Mostly because I am back in the only place I’ve ever called ‘home.’ That is, until I went to New York, and called that place home for three years. But the work gods interceded (much to my great fortune) and suddenly my new great New York area job turned into a chance to have the company move me home to work out of a growing operation in Lake Mary.

The familiarity takes on a bit of a fun house mirror effect. To add to the Groundhog Day feeling, I moved back into my house (which, thankfully, I kept) and am working in the same office park, in fact in a building separated by an access road from the building I left three years ago. Remember the season of Dallas where it turns out Bobby dreamt the entire thing? Yeah, it feels like that a lot.

So how does my hometown seem to me after a three-year break? Let’s take a look:

somehow seem more ‘American: 10. You can actually see the Arguing politics in NYC is usually downturn of the economy in preaching to the converted, if you’ll Orlando in the visuals around the forgive the self-promotion. city. Shuttered businesses and 4. Having a boyfriend who lives homeless people are just a part of in New York and visits regularly, daily life on an island that morphs I find myself striving to show like an amoeba, 24 hours a day. But this dyed-in-the-wool city boy in all my previous trips home, the the essential components of my pace of development in Orlando beautiful hometown. I’ve been never seemed to cease. This time, perhaps too aggressive in really when I returned in October, it was wanting to show him that Orlando as though someone had taken a isn’t simply a satellite to the Polaroid of the entire city from a attractions. Truth is, it isn’t hard to year ago. Nothing has changed in a do. There is amazing haute cuisine, year. beautiful local culture, yes, the 9. It seems there are a attractions, and the weather? Well disproportionate number of truly, that deserves its own number. morbidly obese people in Orlando, 3. Okay the weather. If there is more than anywhere else I’ve ever been. My first weekend home I went one thing, and only one thing, I can say I truly hated about living in the to my local east 50 Home Depot.

Northeast, it’s the winters. And I It looked like a casting call for the don’t necessarily mean the cold, or next season of the Biggest Loser.

Statistics don’t lie: despite the warm even the snow that turns into the most unappetizing Slurpee of all weather, Southerners are the fattest time. For me, it’s the light. It just citizens of the fattest country on the seems like all 16 million of us are planet. huddled around a single fluorescent 8. Uh, what’s up with the light bulb in an underground weather? No hurricanes, and frigid laboratory for four months. There winters!? In the three years before I is something truly luxurious about left Orlando, I didn’t wear as much a February day where you have to as a sweatshirt three times. put on sunscreen. By February of 7. Local news is so much better every year I lived in New York, here. I know it seems counterI found myself asking “Yeah, it’s intuitive that the local news in New the greatest city in the world, but York wouldn’t be lifted by being the Dutch couldn’t have settled in the media capital of the world.

Charlotte?”

But local news programs in New 2. I’ve missed getting dirty. Just York are corny, badly produced and so you know, three years of renters openly tabloid-ish. The same is true living in your house will typically with newspapers like the Post or result in three years of abject the Daily News, but at least they’re neglect. My balanced with yard—front the Times as an and back— alternative. have required 6. Goodbye When I returned in major cleanOrlando October, it was as ups and that’s Sentinel. While even before on the media though someone planting tip, I was sad had taken a Polaroid season. I’ve to see that the of the entire city chopped local Auto down trees Saver has more from a year ago. and pulled up pages than stumps. I’ve a weekday planted herbs.

Orlando I’ve cleaned dead rats out of my Sentinel. Not to mention a clear shed. I’ve bought tools. (Ah, tools.) absence of local reporting and My nails were always cleaner in dependence on wire reports. Given New York, but I’ve missed getting the current climate for traditional a good muddy sweat on while media, not unexpected, just sad. working in the sun on my very own 5. Yeah, still a lot of Republicans property. up in here. I work for a venerated 1. I still love it here. And it’s still old financial services company so I the most beautiful place I’ve ever was surrounded occupationally by seen. | l | Republicans, even in NNJ/NYC. But in my personal life I doubt I could rub two of them together (excluding family). In a weird way, the opposing viewpoint all around— and all the Palin 2012 stickers—

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

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watermark | viewpoint

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

No. They don’t allow racist or anti-Semitic apps, so “ex-gay” is also not okay.

Maybe, under the grounds of religious expression, if they’d cleansed the app’s content for hateful, libelous content first.

Yes, because the “ex-gay” movement is so ridiculous no one will pay attention anyway—protests only justify the “ex-gay” cause.

top web comments On Movies Out Loud: Can’t Stop the Music Apr. 14:

60%

“We saw Sammy and Jeff’s Movies Out Loud of Mommie Dearest. It was the best time I’ve had a movie in years. Can’t wait to see what they come up with for Can’t Stop The Music.”

—mookeyorlando

Yes. Censorship is censorship, and so the app should be allowed.

On Bob Buckhorn winning Tampa’s mayor seat:

“I think the right decision was made by choosing Bob Buckhorn. He wants the city of Tampa to have more diversity including the LGBT community and job growth so when a person graduates from college their only option is not a call center job.”

25% 13%

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2% At WAterMArkOnline.cOM, We Asked yOu: Apple is under fire for approving an “ex-gay” app. It’s since been removed from the store, but...

should Apple have allowed the app in the first place?

A new poll will be posted to the homepage this week. Be sure to visit WatermarkOnline.com and let us know what YOU think!

On attack on 3 gay travelers in St. Lucia:

“Wow, this makes me a little nervous.

I have been warned about travel in the Caribbean. It’s a shame that gay and lesbians can’t go where we want to go.”

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Don’t ignore religion

I have been living up in Lake County with In my travels and web searches, I have my partner for 19 years now and we rarely get come across many other gay newspapers to Orlando. I looked into WatermarkOnline. that carry inclusive articles with a religious com recently and just want to thank all of the theme. staff as well as Tom Dyer, your publisher. I Before the Gazette closed, Brian [Feist] knew Tom many years ago when we lived near was publishing a series of articles about each other in Winter Park and he has also welcoming churches in the Bay Area. So handled legal issues for my partner and me. much of the anti-gay rhetoric and bigotry I don’t think I ever really thanked him or the comes from the so called “religious” staff of Watermark for your contributions to our right. As gay people we cannot continue to community. ignore religion.

Because of all of HRC and the your efforts so many NGL Task Force people will be helped. realize that. Both There were no types of have a religious publications like yours section promoting when I was growing the inclusion of up in New Port Richey, LGBT people —ChuCk Bailey Fla., in the 1960s and in communities of 70s. I had no place to faith. turn after getting the I was just on crap kicked out of me your website and I for years in that redneck, backwater town. checked the spirituality section. There were So, to all of you, especially those that work only two articles under spirituality, both of behind the scenes and may not interact with which were fairly old. the public: thank you. Because of your work at I would love to see Watermark spend a Watermark people will know they are not alone little more time in the religious realm. and they have a resource to turn to for help Wayne Morris and guidance. It is publications like this that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, made me a better nurse in helping a co-worker Clearwater deal with the process of coming out. She found Watermark to truly be a life saver. To all of you, my most sincerest thanks.

“She found Watermark to truly be a life saver.”

Chuck Bailey Leesburg, Fla.

Send all correspondence to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com. Letters may be edited for space or clarity. Opinions expressed in reader mail do not reflect those of Watermark’s staff.

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watermark | viewpoint

publisher’s

perspective

friendships, her choice of roles and the bold way she flouted convention in her personal life, it was clear she was on our side. In more secretive and repressed times, all you had to do was read between the lines.

She was close friends with her effete Lassie Come Home co-star Roddy McDowall. She mothered Montgomery Clift, and famously cradled him in her arms when he almost died in a car accident not far from her home. She befriended and Reflections in protected closeted Giant co-stars James a Violet Eye Dean and Rock Hudson.

And at the height of her bankability she chose roles in challenging non-commercial productions that dwelled in sexual ambiguity. If you want to experience Tom Dyer Taylor after her passing at age 79, skip Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Cleopatra and rent the movies that speak directly to her gay fans.

A Place in the Sun (1951), features a ravishing 17-year-old Taylor as a spoiled socialite who lures Clift away from his pregnant factory-worker wife, played by Shelly Winters. Message: Desire trumps convention, even when the consequences are tragic.

In Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) Taylor plays Tennessee Williams’ memorable “Maggie the Cat,” a woman desperate for the affection of her tortured gay husband, played by the equally stunning Paul Newman. Message: Gay is gay, and not even the sexiest woman in the world can change that. lot of people now qualify as Taylor is also married to a gay man, “stars,” and it seems like one or this time an Army major played by Marlon two die just about every day. But Brando, in Reflections in a Golden Eye once in a long while a celebrity’s death (1967). She ridicules his masculinity; he creates pause, as if time is required to takes it out on her by flogging her horse. absorb the loss and adjust to a world There’s also a neighbor who cut off her absent one of its cultural touchstones. nipples after giving birth, an effeminate Such was the case with Marilyn houseboy, and a hunky enlisted man who Monroe, Grace Kelly, John Lennon, rides horseback naked. Message: Follow Princess Diana and Michael Jackson. And desire where it leads or things get ug-ly! it was certainly the case with the death of My favorite Taylor movie was penned Elizabeth Taylor last week. by two gay screenwriters, Williams and Taylor was a good, if uneven, actress Gore Vidal. Suddenly Last Summer (1959) who was in some is memorable not very good, and only for its stellar very bad, movies. cast—Taylor, Clift To behold her was Her glamorous and and Katharine often controversial Hepburn—but to consider the lifestyle made her also its delicious meaning—and the the tabloid queen of Southern Gothic the 50s and 60s. But plot. power—of beauty. it was her ravishing Hepburn plays beauty that made her the wealthy mother iconic. of unseen Sebastian With a voluptuous body, thick brunette Venable, who used her money and looks to hair, double lashes and blue eyes so deep attract boys during their summer vacations that they appeared violet, Taylor was together. But when Hepburn grows too old breathtaking throughout a prime that lasted to be desirable, Sebastian casts her off for more than two decades. On the screen or luscious cousin Taylor, who goes insane in photographs you didn’t just look at her, after witnessing him being eaten alive by you stared. To behold her was to consider street urchins. Now Hepburn wants Taylor the meaning—and the power—of beauty. lobotomized so she won’t reveal what Gay men have always worshipped happened. beauty, but our relationship with Taylor “Is that what love is? Using people?” was deeper than that. Through her Taylor asks Hepburn as they stroll through

A

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

Sebastian’s garden filled with meat-eating Venus Flytraps. “Maybe that’s what hate is… not being able to use people.”

Message: Plot doesn’t matter as long as the repartee is scintillating.

It’s all subtext, but homosexuality plays a role in each of these movies from a golden era in which Taylor won two Best Actress Oscars. By the 1980s, Taylor knew it was too late for nuance. She loved gay men, they were dying all around her and no one was speaking up about it. So she became the first major celebrity to embrace AIDS activism. Taylor angrily battled HIV discrimination and raised more than $100 million for research, treatment and education programs.

25

“It’s bad enough that people are dying of AIDS,” she said, “but no one should die of ignorance.”

Even in her later years, gay men found sources of identification. Taylor overcame alcoholism, drug addiction and weight fluctuations, all while enduring love continued to evade her.

“It is very strange that the years teach us patience,” Taylor said toward the end of her life. “The shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.” | l |

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

27

SCISSOR SISTERS’ FRONTMAN ON HIS SECOND PUBERTY, PERFORMING NAKED AND THE BAND’S LADY GAGA LOVE AFFAIR chris azzopardi

T

hey’ve always been gorgeous, but it took a decade before the Scissor Sisters, with their third album Night Work, became full-on filthy. The romp-pop album, released last year, is done up in cheeky softcore innuendo about “funking” someone, the late-shift grind (literally) and “big” surprises.

The Scissor Sisters will be at Orlando’s Hard Rock Live on Thursday, April 7, to showcase those surprises and out frontman Jake Shears had plenty of surprises of his own to share.

Our chat with Shears covered everything—from the conversation that united the band with Lady Gaga for the megastar’s 2011 Monster Ball Tour to the favorite gay icon he wants to meet (Tom Petty?).

Shears also talks to us about the, well, sheer amount of clothing he wears, his

wardrobe faux pas and how he defines himself—according to the Urban Dictionary.

WATERMARK: Your Twitter page says you’ve been in the studio recently. Are the Scissor Sisters recording some new music?

JAKE SHEARS: Yeah, I’m in the studio as we speak. We’re writing new music. We’re back in New York for a moment, so we just thought we’d come in and play around and have fun. So yeah, we’re writing, definitely.

The wait won’t be four years like it was for Night Work then?

Well, it was just three and a half.

(Laughs.) But it definitely won’t be that long.

So, also in my Twitter finds, I came across a photo of you in a jockstrap.

Oh, great!

Why are you always the naked one in the group?

I… um… just get hot on stage. That’s the main reason. (Laughs.) I usually don’t get naked onstage, but I get excitable and usually it just feels better. The less I have on, the more I can move around. It’s the reason why Iggy Pop is always ripping his shirt off, so he can move and do his thing.

You’re looking beefier than ever, too. Lots of Muscle Milk, huh?

I’ve been drinking a lot of Muscle Milk.

I’m preparing for my future as an exercise guru.

The music on Night Work is some of the band’s most sexual. Is it true: Does art imitate life?

The album is very much about our lives that we lead and then our fantasy lives that

we lead—so a lot of it does imitate life. A lot of it is just imitating the dreams going on in my brain. But it’s a very sexy record, and I think we were feeling sexy when we were making it.

Your work, as far back as “Filthy/ Gorgeous,” has always had a sexy feel to it.

How do you explain those constant themes of sexual exploration and liberation in your music?

I think that this is the first record where we’ve really explicitly explored that. So there’s a lot of celebratory stuff, but then there’s a real dark side to it; we love seeing two sides of the same coin. But it was just time for us to take the fringe and the feathers away a bit.

The other thing is I felt like I sort of crossed over the line from being a kid and a Continued on page 38 | uu |

28

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watermark | music

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

29

jennifer nettles gives the gays some sugar(land) ThE couNTRy SupERSTAR SpEAkS ouT oN homophobIA, gIRL cRuShES ANd bEINg A gAy mAN

chris azzopardi

A

s the lovable lady half of supergroup Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles is country’s answer to the contemporary diva—she can belt like the best of ’em. And though she has one hell of a voice, as does bandmate Kristian Bush, she doesn’t just use it to sing the arena rock-inspired songs from their fourth and latest album, The Incredible Machine. She uses it to speak to the duo’s gay fans—even though so few country artists do.

In this rare sit-down with the singer, a powerhouse since “Stay” stormed the charts and nabbed a Grammy in 2009, Nettles talks coming out in country music, how she still loves her lesbians even if one of them—a former Sugarland band member—sued her, and why Adam Lambert turns her on.

WATERMARK: With all of its arena rock and pop influences, The Incredible Machine is a departure from your country roots. Does Sugarland still consider itself a country act?

JENNIFER NETTLES: You know, I’m so grateful that country music found us first.

I love all kinds of music, and clearly not only can you tell from The Incredible Machine, but even from songs on past albums or our cover choices. I just love to sing all kinds of music.

That being said, I consider myself country if you like country, and if you don’t like country but you like what we do—awesome! I love that, too. I think it’s really what speaks to the human spirit.

As an artist, it always feels a little bit squishy to try to answer that question— because you never want to be pinned in one

way or another, while at the same time I feel very proud to be called country.

Considering your cover choices, from Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” to “Love Shack” and even “Staying Alive,” I’m starting to think that maybe Jennifer Nettles has the musical taste of a gay man.

(Laughs.) Yes, absolutely! What’s not to love about that? And you would definitely think that if you saw our current show, because we’ve been closing with “Like a Prayer” by Madonna.

Around the time the album was released, there was a higher reporting of suicides among gay youth—and the song “Stand Up” from The Incredible Machine felt particularly relevant. What was on your mind when you wrote it?

There wasn’t one specific event that inspired it. It’s really a song about finding one’s own voice wherever you feel unseen or wherever it is you feel you need to be empowered. Just as you’re saying it resonated with you regarding the bullying and gay teen suicides, if the song can be a place of healing and a place of inspiration—man, I mean, that’s why we do what we do as artists. So there wasn’t one specific event that inspired that song as much as it is, I guess I should say both fortunately and unfortunately, a message that people need to hear and have needed to hear throughout the ages.

Do you get much feedback from gay people who are inspired by your music?

Sugarland lead singer Jennifer Nettles has a growing following of gays and lesbians—and she’s proud to count them among her fans.

People sometimes will reach out with their personal stories. I did Nate Berkus’ television show a number of months ago when we were about to release The Incredible Machine, and in the audience was a woman who was a huge fan. She spoke to how our music really helped to empower her when she was coming out.

So I do get stories like that at times.

Sometimes people share them out and openly and say “This was my specific experience as a gay person;” sometimes people just say, “Hey, you helped me through a hard time,” and they don’t go into specifics. But we’ve had coming out stories, and I feel honored to be able to help someone through that part of their life, for sure.

Many country stars have actually addressed gay issues in the press, including Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts and Dolly Parton. And yet we still don’t have a major country artist who’s out. Why do you think that is?

I don’t know why that is. Let’s discuss here for a moment, because clearly there are gay country fans. I can’t even speak as to why. Why do you think? Maybe we might come up with something here.

My guess is that they’re putting their career on the line; it’s scary for a country artist to come out in such a conservative arena, as you said.

But isn’t it scary for any artist to come out? Even in mainstream pop it is. I mean, thank God—and I’ve said this before—for Adam Lambert. Thank God for eyeliner. I have needed a sexy man to wear eyeliner since The Cure. Since Robert Smith no one has really been able to do it for me in that way.

Who’s your girl crush?

There are so many wonderful women out there. As far as actresses go, I love Meryl Streep.

You really are a gay man.

Maybe this will continue the whole idea that I’m actually a gay man: I have this thing for British women. I love Judi Dench. I love Helen Mirren. I love these women, and I definitely do have big girl crushes on them.

I’m trying to think as far as musicians go. I mean, what’s not to love about Beyoncé?

I read that you want to be on Glee. continued on page 40 | uu |

30

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watermark | books

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

31

savage grace DAN SAVAGE crEAtES A compANioN book for hiS ‘it GEtS bEttEr’ cAmpAiGN

lawrence ferber

W

hen sex advice guru Dan Savage, Who would you like to see contribute an It of “Savage Love” column/podcast/ Gets Better video or message but hasn’t yet? iPhone-iPod app fame, founded and launched the It Gets Better Project in I would love the Prime Minister of Canada, September 2010 with husband Terry Miller via Stephen Harper, to make one. I would like its first YouTube video, he never expected that to see—and am not surprised we have not it would go as far as it has in sheer numbers. seen—a video from a prominent Republican So far it has reached 10,000-plus submissions elected official. There has been not a one. I and input from across the globe and social wish every politician would make one. strata—President Obama’s video went up just Look at New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg. a month after its launch.

He made a video where he said we welcome Edited by Savage and Miller, the book everybody—LGBT youth have a home in New companion, It Gets Better: Coming Out, York if where you’re at is not welcoming you.

Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life At the same time that he released that video Worth Living (Dutton; $21.95), features he slashed funding for the Ali Forney Center, all-new written essays by the likes of David which is a shelter for LGBT teens, and he was Sedaris, Kate Clinton, Michael Cunningham, called out for his hypocrisy. and Alison Bechdel, as well as video People were able to use the video to shame transcriptions and expanded essays from highhim and he reversed and re-funded the Center. profile personalities and everyday folks alike.

So calling in these chits, and being able to hold Savage, who serves as Editorial Director the people to the promises they made in their for Seattle’s The Stranger weekly and recently videos, is valuable. That said, for me the most shot a TV series pilot for MTV (he’s awaiting important videos are word on whether it’s the ones from people being picked up), no one has ever heard spoke about the book, of—average everyday “I would like to see a where he turns for LGBT folks reaching video from a prominent advice and the next out and sharing their social-sexual mission joy with LGBT kids Republican elected on his agenda. who may be having official. There has trouble picturing a WATERMARK: been not a one” future for themselves.

How does this book Queer kids —Dan Savage further the It Gets know there are gay Better mission and celebrities out there, message? and straight celebs and politicians who are fine with gay people, DAN SAVAGE: Well, the book includes but what some of them are having trouble pieces from people who haven’t made videos. picturing is how they get from being a bullied, It also creates another way for kids who need miserable 14-year-old gay kid whose family is to hear these messages to find them. I’ve also tormenting them to a happy, secure, loved, written books before, and you never really and perhaps reconciled with their family gay know where a book is going to wind up. They adult. wind up in school libraries. I’ve gotten notes from people who stumbled across my book What are the next steps in It Gets Better’s The Kid in the Himalayas. The internet has future? tremendous reach, of course, and kids are wired and tech savvy, but not all kids have “There’s a good body of videos and we access to the internet and not all kids want to want to archive and tag them so they’re more leave a browser history that might incriminate easily searched. There are a lot by trans people, them. So this gives another way to reach a lot but you can’t always tell which just by looking of kids. at the thumbnail images, so we would need to

Columnist Dan Savage and his partner, Terry Miller, have compiled even more tales of It Gets Better for his new book, released March 22.

make them easier to break out into playlists and search. We’re working on that now.

The mission after that is to make sure that 5-10 years from now, once this moment of such intense media interest has passed, that kids who are five today and going to be fifteen then and don’t know about the website can find their way there. We have to make sure that there is enough money raised to host and

maintain the website and awareness about it in schools and where kids are. | l |

more info It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living (Dutton; $21.95) was released March 22.

meow meow The New York Post calls her a “cabaret diva of the highest order,” and the Australian Press says she’s “a phenomenon.” Don’t miss this post-post-modern cabaret diva. Meow Meow has wowed audiences around the globe with her unique brand of kamikaze cabaret, off-kilter comedy and performance art exotica.

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April 21 Tickets: 813.229.STAR (7827) • STRAZCENTER.ORG Outside Tampa Bay: 800.955.1045

Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

32

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

33

34

watermark | film

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

screened out VISUAL? YES. WELL WRITTEN? NO.

stephen miller

Stephen@WatermarkOnline.com

Limitless (Starring Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish)

A

man who instantly becomes über-smart—there are probably a hundred interesting ways to tell that story. Limitless spins it three or fours ways—all these plotlines are well done in their own right, but none of them terribly creative, skillfully connected, or fully fleshed out.

Sexy Cooper plays a schlubby writer who cannot seem to finish his book. One day, his ex brother-in-law gives him a super-pill for no apparent reason and the drug taps that proverbial 80% of the brain we don’t use. Suddenly, Cooper is finishing his magnum opus, becoming a card shark, winning on Wall Street, and solving murders. His brainpower captures the

interest of ex-girlfriend Cornish, financial tycoon De Niro, and the Russian mob.

It’s a solid idea, but the execution is sort of scatterbrained, lacking the focus and intricate structure that would’ve made Limitless…well, intelligent.

Cooper (The Hangover, The A Team) does a great job carrying the movie, making a believable transition from hobo to handsome. The other characters are a little more boring. Cornish seems shallow and vacillating, and poor De Niro is lost in the detritus. This cluttered film relies too much on voice-over to keep everything glued together. Director Neil Burger seems to specialize in average films (The Illusionist, The Lucky Ones) told with panache. Here his camera tricks are plentiful but not all that special. It’s like all the plots— numerous but not very unique.

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Robert De Niro supports Bradley Cooper in the hunk’s first starring role, Limitless.

Red Riding Hood

often lacks—what so many auteur directors like him, Tim Burton, and Terry Gilliam (Starring Amanda Seyfried, Shiloh Fernandez, lack—are stories as artfully rendered as the Max irons, Virginia Madsen, Billy Burke, Gary visuals.

Oldman, Julie Christie) Browning (Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events) is an orphan child This mutt of a movie is Twilight meets terrorized by her wicked stepfather. When Grimm fairy tales. Red Riding Hood skips stepdad fails at incest, he carts Browning over its supernatural mystery for a heaving off to Lennox House, a post-modern asylum adolescent romance. It’ll find its young prey, of Dickensian darkness. There she finds she but nothing more. has five days to get out or be lobotomized Seyfried is the prettiest, smartest girl in by the all-male attendants. She enlists the a Bavarian village plagued by a werewolf. help of four other inmates, a teacher and One full moon, the animal quits eating the her own overactive imagination to find five town’s livestock sacrifices and starts killing simple items and escape. inhabitants. Creepy crusader priest Oldman Browning’s imagination (or whatever announces that the beast is a resident this place is) is a fascinating in disguise. Is it one of Seyfried’s mishmash that informs the quest. parents (Burke, Madsen), her Evil robots and Nazis bump spooky grandma (Christie) who up against realms of martial lives outside the town in the arts starkness and cabaretwoods, or even one of the like glitz—everything girl’s two suitors (Fernandez, gritty and bleak. Without a Irons)? coherent, driving story and This neat premise could’ve clever dialogue, though, it’s taught the old fairy tale some all ADHD eye candy with new tricks. Instead RRH rolls a dumb ending. The final around in earnest teenaged Emily Browning delivers product is that of an overmelodrama.

Sucker Punch. manipulated comic book.

It’s no surprise to find Teeming with sexy, director Catherine Hardwicke underage women and steam(Twilight) and writer David Johnson (Orphan) punk visuals, Sucker Punch could have helming this pubescent bodice-ripper. Despite been groundbreaking. Buried in here is an a few good visuals, the characters are dull. idea of how powerful young women survive Seyfried is shallow and uninteresting, lacking in an increasingly violent, male-centric drive and deduction. The monster kills her world. Instead the flick feels exploitative— sister, and yet it’s not long before she’s back to a boy’s fantasy fodder instead of the girl’s flirting and fretting about her beaus. The final manifesto it should have been. | l | moments are just plain preposterous and gross, but the filmmakers had to tie this lovesick mongrel up any way they could.

Overflowing uncontrollably with glittery fabulousness

Sucker Punch (Starring Emily Browning, Jena Malone, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens)

Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen, Legend of the Guardians) is a very dynamic, artistic director; there’s no denying that. What he

Pretty damn good, but it’s no Sunset Boulevard An entertaining enough flick with perhaps a few gaping holes Ever so slightly watchable, even if it is just because of that hot actor Two hours of your life you’ll never get back

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ll

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watermark | film

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

digging into an outing DIRECToR MIKE MILLS TELLS THE SToRy oF HIS FATHER’S LATE CoMINg ouT IN BEginnERs

anthony paull

F

or the first time, the Sarasota Film Festival is targeting an LGBT audience with a few genre-specific films peppered throughout the April 7-17 celebration. The festival will also feature several appearances by film legends like Geena Davis and Christopher Plummer.

Plummer stars in Beginners, an intimate tale of a middle-aged son confronting his 75-year-old father’s decision to come out as a gay man. The film will show twice at the Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 on Sunday, April 17, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. It is the festival’s closing night feature. Both mills and Plummer are scheduled to appear.

The premise of Beginners stems from director Mike Mills‘ ’ personal recollections of his ailing father,

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who found a “second wind” after sharing his life-long secret. Famously known for his graphic design work and music videodirection, Mills casts the likes of Ewan McGregor and Plummer, utilizing seasoned actors and naturalistic film techniques to explore the family dynamics of a father and son dealing with the ugly truth of death, while discovering that, at any age, life can be beautiful.

Mills took a moment to chat with Watermark about his work.

WATERMARK: After directing music videos for such acts as Moby, Yoko Ono, and Air, what inspired your jump to features?

MIKE MILLS: I love doing music

(L-R) Christopher Plummer plays a widower who comes out to his son, played by Ewan McGregor.

Photo courtesy Focus Features

videos, but I always hoped to make features. My videos were always storybased. With videos, I was practicing, trying different styles to become a filmmaker. For me, video making was like film school.

coming out? And how did it compare to the reaction of Ewan McGregor, whose character was based on you in the film?

I think Ewan’s character was surprised, but embraced his father, which was my reaction in real life. There was so much more vitality in my “gay” dad. His coming out was so positive. He was in love with the UPS man. He was shopping at French Connection. Overnight, he became 40.

He wanted to talk about sex all the time.

I think Ewan’s character reacted quite similar to me. He found it quite beautiful.

Aesthetically, what mood were you trying to create with the film?

I started writing it after my father passed away, and when a second parent dies, there’s a period of “high grieving” where you have so much to say. So visually, I wanted a dense bouquet of images in the film, with stills and drawings As a writer, do you find that you write and people talking to the camera. I about what pains wanted the film to you? have a naturalistic quality, with a rich Sort of. More so, “I knew that vocabulary.

I write about my thickest mystery. portraying my dad’s The character gayness would be Hal was based on So with Beginners, your father, who are you telling the different because he came out as a gay story for you or for had played straight man late in life. your dad?

Where there any for most of his life.”

I’m telling it gay stereotypes you for everybody, —MIke MIlls, dIrector tried to avoid when but only because of Beginners writing the role?

I know about it.

I tried to avoid As a filmmaker, I stereotypes in the find that I have to gay characters as well as the straight truly know a subject to have the right to characters. I knew that portraying my tell a story. I saw it (Beginners) as a type dad’s gayness would be different because of memorial for my dad. He would have he had played straight for most of his qualms with it—I’m sure, as he was a life. That’s why I thought Christopher bossy, intense man. But I think, ultimately, Plummer would be good for the role. I felt he’d be into it. | l | the choice would surprise the audience.

Plus, Christopher and Ewan had such great chemistry. Ewan genuinely liked Christopher as a person. Beyond that, we WHAT: Beginners didn’t have a discussion as to a character WHERE: Sarasota Film Festival, Sunday, being gay or not. It was more about how April 17 at the Regal Hollywood 20 they loved.

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38

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watermark | music

| uu | Scissor Sisters from p.27

boy, which I felt like I was going to be forever, into being a grown man. [It] has definitely changed the way that I think about things, the way that I perform and the things that I wear.

It’s been like hitting a second puberty.

When you look back at your career—going from Brooklyn clubs, kind of struggling to find an audience, and now opening for the biggest superstar in the world—how do you feel about how far you’ve come?

I really look back fondly at the last 10 years.

This year, it’s going to be 10 years since our first performance, so I feel very proud. But, at the same time, I also feel unfit. I feel like as a band we have a lot more to say, and I just think this band is going to constantly turn itself on its head.

Touring with Lady Gaga as her opening act should offer you the exposure that you haven’t necessarily had in the U.S. You’ve always connected better outside of the States. In fact, some people still think you’re a European band.

Totally—a lot of people do.

Why do you think you’ve been able to connect better outside of America?

It’s funny: This last tour we had through America was probably the best American tour we’ve ever done. There’s something so exciting about touring America at this moment for us. I don’t know what it was about this record, but it seemed to make a connection with a real core audience—even more so than the last couple of records. With our American audience, we really found kind of a center and the shows, because of it, were super exciting.

They really were some of the most exhilarating shows we’ve had in a long time. I still get really excited about playing in America. We’re so well received in Europe and in all these other places, but playing in America still feels uncharted and super exciting.

Did Lady Gaga handpick yeou for this tour or was it a record-label matchmaking?

Oh god, no, it wasn’t a label thing. It came about in a conversation. We were hanging out at Elton’s White Tie & Tiara Ball [in 2010], and he sat us next to each other ’cause he knew we’d get along and it was high time for us to meet. We were talking about music and she was telling me that she used to come see us play when she was younger and was just really inspired and loved our band a lot. I think she holds us very close to her heart in a lot of ways. And she said, “This might sound really weird, but I think that we’d do really well on tour together.” I just said we’d do it in a heartbeat. And it was a done deal in a week.

It’s going to be the gayest show of the year, without question.

(Laughs.) It’s also just really nice to do something that comes from something real rather than something set up by record labels.

While they may not be a “gay band,” the Scissor Sisters are very gay. All three men in the group are out and proud.

This comes from a real love of one another, and it’s going to be super exciting because we’re going to be playing for tons of people who have no idea who we are. It’s a great platform for us.

I really just like so many—let me ask [band member] Baby Daddy. (Turns away from the phone and says, “Who’s left that I haven’t met that I’m obsessed with?” Baby Daddy: “That you haven’t met?” Shears: “Or that I haven’t stalked?”)

He just called it: Tom Petty. Tom Petty is one of my fucking heroes. He’s not as glamorous as Jane Fonda, but …

Both you and Gaga wear some pretty flamboyant clothes. Would you be open to wearing a meat anything?

It depends on where it’s placed. (Long Nor is he a gay icon. pause.) I don’t know what that meant.

He’s not really a gay icon, I guess. But he (Laughs.) God knows I’ve walked out on is for me. I just grew up listening to his music stage in some wonderful and horrendous and hideous things. My husband was going through and I’ve just always been a massive fan. My tastes really run pictures recently and the gamut; I’ve we came across, god, got real obsessions this one picture. You and influences just look back on some “We are a gay band and inspirations shit that you wear that I think people and it doesn’t seem and there are three couldn’t really that long ago, but gay men and a predict. then you look at the woman, who might as picture and you’re like, You never liked “Oh my god, I can’t well be a gay man.” when people believe that I wore that —Jake ShearS would refer to the horrible patchwork Scissor Sisters shirt with big bellas a “gay band.” bottom trousers.” But Do you feel like I’m not a vain person, you’ve been able to shake that label over and I’m not afraid to look like a fool. the years?

Aside from Lady Gaga, you’ve been able to With this last record we sort of shook it hang with some cool gay icons, like Dolly in a way, and then figured out how to wear Parton, Kylie Minogue and even Jane it. I think it was always really frustrating for Fonda. Who are some others that you’d like me in a lot of ways just because I always to chill with? felt like being called a “gay band” was a categorization that put us in a second tier, Since I was a kid Jane Fonda was really somebody I fantasized about meeting in person like we were a second-rate creation. But our songwriting and our performances can stand someday. But that’s a tough question, because

up to anybody else’s, and can stand up next to the best—and labeling it with our sexual preference above all else is demeaning.

However, on the other hand, we are a gay band and there are three gay men and a woman, who might as well be a gay man. That’s shaped our aesthetic, it’s shaped who we are. It’s part of what we sing about, it’s part of the sexuality we express. There are two sides to it, and I think that we are less insecure about it.

In the Urban Dictionary, Jake Shears is defined as the “hot lead singer of the band Scissor Sisters… gay and fabulous… known for taking his clothes off or having them taken off… pretty and funny… his abs are very lickable.”

Oh, that’s good. I like that definition.

If you wrote your own entry, what would you write?

God. That’s a tough question. Rock music fanatic. Horror lover—not “whore” lover.

Video gamer. Exuberant and sexual. Former elf.

I grew up always feeling very puckish, like A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I always felt like kind of a very energetic mischievous elf, but I don’t know if that’s really applicable anymore. But that’s how I’d describe myself. I love that I’m in the Urban Dictionary. That’s exciting! | l |

see+hear WHO: Scissor Sisters WHEN: 8 p.m., Thursday, April 7 WHERE: Hard Rock Live TICKETS: HardRockLive.com

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watermark | music

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

MEET SUNDANCE AWARD-NOMINATED FILMMAKER DANIEL

KARSLAKE

EXCLUSIVE SCREENING / SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2011 / 2PM “Confronts, with whimsy and hellďŹ re, the clash between religion and homosexuality.â€?

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TICKETS 321-331-2569 INFORMATION EVERY THREE SECONDS ORLANDO ON FACEBOOK ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART 2416 N. MILLS AVE., ORLANDO

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have created a country-pop crossover vehicle with their new album, The Incredible Machine.

| uu | Sugarland from p.29

I would love to be on Glee, thus furthering the myth that I’m a gay man. (Laughs.)

Proceeds to benefit the production of Daniel Karslake’s newest production “Every Three Seconds�.

Learn more about this groundbreaking film at this event. *THIS EVENT IS NEITHER SPONSORED NOR ENDORSED BY THE ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART. THE ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE FUNDRAISING AT THIS EVENT, DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPONSORSHIP OF THIS EVENT AND WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE FUNDS RAISED AT THIS EVENT.

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I was thinking they could work you in as Kurt’s mom in ashbacks. What do you think of being the dead mother of a gay son?

I would love it! Anyway they could work me in—I would be the janitor sweeping the hallway of the school and cleaning out lockers, I don’t care.

any more adorable, you dance around in your pajamas in Sara Bareilles’ “Uncharted� video. How did that come about?

Sara just reached out and said, “Hey, I’m doing this video and asking all my friends to be a part of it. Would you consider doing it?� I was like, “Sure, just tell me when you need it.� She wrote: “I need it tomorrow!�

And I was like, okay, I’m just going to do something casual. So when I got up that morning, I said, “Hey, I’m going to do that in my pajamas—that’s casual enough.� And that’s what I did. It was fun!

Based on your music videos, you’re actually a really great actress. You’re so In the spirit of The Incredible Machine, convincing in the “Stayâ€? video, but then what are some of your favorite incredible “Stuck Like Glueâ€? machines? just reinforces how Ooh, I hate to great of an actress “Thank God Adam say it, and I’m a bit you really are. of a “Luddite,â€? but Lambert‌I have (Laughs.) Or how I would say that if needed a sexy man great of a stalker I I did not have my am.

Blackberry it would to wear eyeliner be a challenging since The Cure.�

Do you have any time. It keeps interest in acting? me connected. —JENNIFER NETTLES Unfortunately— I do! And I maybe people will actually love it. gasp—I don’t get into Theater is deďŹ nitely a lot of toys and games, like the apps. I wish I something that, through the course of my loved them, because I feel like there’s a club childhood and even in college, I enjoyed out there that I’m not a part of. (Laughs.) participating in. I would love to do theater, or I also think, as I’m sitting in my dressing as far as movies or television goes, if the right room right now looking around, for me as thing came along I would deďŹ nitely entertain a singer, a humidiďŹ er is a pretty friggin’ it. Right now everything has been so focused incredible machine. And I just got a new place on my music career, and obviously music is and I actually have a dishwasher, and that’s my ďŹ rst love, so I’ve been focused there. But an incredible machine. I didn’t have one for if the right thing came along, absolutely! I mean obviously I love doing it; I have a lot of years. I took it out to put a wine refrigerator in—because I have my priorities! | l | fun in the videos. I would deďŹ nitely be open to that.

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watermark | event planner

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Laughing Matters: Unconditional Surrender Florida Studio Theatre brings back its comedy, Laughing Matters: Unconditional Surrender, beginning April 1.

comedy [SARASOTA] Laughing Matters The popular sketch comedy show Laughing Matters returns to the Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret April 1 and continues through June 19. The fourth installment, subtitled Unconditional Surrender, is described as “Saturday Night Live for Sarasota,” the troupe pokes fun at the City of Arts—from its numerous roundabouts to the new City Commission. For tickets and details, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call 941-366-9000.

music [ORLANDO+TAMPA] Lady Gaga Her penchant or outrageous outfits and her powerful voice mixed with a dance beat has made Lady Gaga an LGBT icon early in her career. The Poker-faced diva who fought for the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell returns to Florida for a Friday, April 15 performance at Orlando’s Amway Arena and again on Saturday, April 16 at Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum. Her “Born This Way” tour will no doubt bring out LGBTs from throughout the state.

[CLEARWATER] Harry Connick Jr. Long time musician Harry Connick Jr. gained LGBT notoriety as Debra Messing’s on-screen husband in Will & Grace. Now the New Orleans native is back behind the piano as his tour stops at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday, April 8, at 8 p.m. This is the handsome singer’s second performance at the Clearwater venue—his concert sold out there last year. For tickets and information, visit RuthEckerdHall.com or call 727-791-7400.

[TAMPA] Talent Quest Sunshine State Regional Finals Nearly 300 singers from across the state are scheduled to compete April 8-10 at the Double

Tree Westshore Hotel for prizes and a trip to the nationals in Laughlin, Nev. The gay-owned competition features three categories—Country, Pop and Masters (50-plus)—and contestants are from as far north as Cocoa Beach and Gainesville to as far south as Naples. Weekend passes are $35 in advance and $70 at the door. For more information visit TalentQuestSunshineState.com.

[ORLANDO] Scissor Sisters The wildly popular rock band Scissor Sisters— fronted by the hot Jake Shears—will bring its sounds to Hard Rock Live in Orlando on Thursday, April 7. The four-member band has three out and proud members and Shears will no-doubt lose a layer of clothing sometime early in the performance. For tickets and information, visit HardRockLive.com.

Someday Souvenir April’s Phish Phest event is a two-in-one monthly social event plus a live concert! It features popular LGBT band Someday Souvenir and the social begins Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at Johnny’s Other Side, 2631 S. Ferncreek Ave. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and there is a $10 cover.

Ricky Martin Sexy singer and new dad Ricky Martin will bring his new tour to the Amway Center on Friday, April 8. The Livin’ La Vida Loca star came out on Oprah last year, wrote a new book and adopted twins—all while creating a new album. For more information and tickets, visit Amway.CenterNow. org.

film [ORLANDO] Movies Out Loud: Can’t Stop the Music The makers of 1980 musical Can’t Stop the Music had a challenge: How do you tell the story of the Village People without making them seem gay?

They failed, miserably, but in the attempt made a can’t-look-away camp classic. Come stare on Thursday, April 14, at 8 p.m. at the Plaza Cinema

Ricky Martin Sexy singer and new dad Ricky Martin will bring his new tour to the Amway Center April 8.

Lady Gaga LGBT icon and pop music diva Lady Gaga will sell out Orlando’s Amway Arena April 15 and Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum April 16.

Café. Once again, armed only with microphones and laser pens, comedian Jeff Jones and drag personality Miss Sammy will be your tour guides through the wonderful world of camp cinema. $10 tickets are available at WatermarkOnline. com or at the door. Advance tickets are strongly recommended—this event regularly sells out.

theater [ST. PETERSBURG] RENT You’ve never seen RENT like this before. American Stage brings the bohemian rock opera outdoors with its annual American Stage in the Park showcase at Demens Landing in St. Petersburg. A powerful, young cast will reinvigorate the powerful story of friends struggling to survivie in New York during the AIDS outbreak. The show opens Wednesday, April 13, and runs through May 8.

Tickets are available at AmericanStage.org or by calling 727-823-7529.

special events [ORLANDO] AIDS Walk Orlando Hope and Help Center of Central Florida’s second largest annual fundraiser returns to Lake Eola Saturday, April 9. AIDS Walk Orlando has been raising awareness and funds for 16 years, with more than $165,000 raised at last year’s event.

Registration is now open for teams and walkers at AIDSWalkOrlando.org. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the event, with the walk starting at 9:30 a.m.

PILLOWLANDO MMXI Orlando’s official International Pillow Fight Day event is Saturday, April 2 at 5 p.m. The location will not be announced until the day of the event.

Interesting pillows and costumes are encouraged, and there will be an after party with its location also to be announced. It is asked that participants swing lightly, remove glasses before starting and refrain from swinging at people holding cameras. Feather pillows are not allowed at PILLOWLANDO.

A Whole New Brawl Game The Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls’ last game of the season is a double-header. All four teams will play in match-ups that will not be determined until immediately before game time, and a new team, the Arkham Assailants, will make its debut. Doors open at 5 p.m., Sunday, April 10, with Game 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com or from your favorite derby girl, $13 at the door with kids’ admission $5.

It all goes down at the Universal Skate Center. An after party is scheduled at 57 West.

[TAMPA] USF LGBT Community Gala The Seventh Annual Spring USF LGBT Community Gala returns to the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus Thursday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m. This year’s gala will feature young adult author Alex Sanchez, who will serve as guest speaker. The program is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. inside the Gibbons Alumni Center. For more information visit USFAlumni.org.

USFSP 2nd Annual Drag Show The Gay/Straight Alliance of the University of South Florida—St. Petersburg, will present its second annual Drag Show on Friday, April 8.

This year’s theme is “Hollywood” and once again, emcee Stephane Blair will keep the excitement— and laughs—moving. Details on tickets and participating are available by contacting organizer Jennifer Garcia at jag@mail.usf.edu.

Equality Florida’s Pinellas Gala The brand new Dali Museum will play host to Equality Florida’s Pinellas Gala on Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m. The fundraiser will feature entertainer Sharon E. Scott and the Dali galleries will be open from 9-10 p.m. for art lovers. Tickets are $100 and are available online at EQFL.org/PinellasGala.

Got an event you’d like to see listed in Watermark? At least two to four weeks in advance, send all pertinent info—date, time, place, cost, contact information for readers to get more details, and what the event is about—to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com, and we will feature it in the paper on a space-available basis.

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

1- (L-R) St. Pete Pride board members Richard Robinson and Angela Gross joined executive director Chris Rudisill in welcoming supporters to the Taste of Pride event held at The Dali Museum March 19.

2- Participants in the Third Annual 18 Fore Life Golf Tournament at Rocky Point Golf Club in Tampa raised money for Francis House and Metropolitan Charities March 26.

watermark | tampa bay out+about

shot on site

Photography | Steve Blanchard, Nick Cardello, Tom Dyer and Suzanne Noe

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3- (L-R) Scott and Normie Dunn, popular karaoke jockeys throughout Tampa Bay’s LGBT bars, took some time to enjoy the Renaissance Festival at the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry on March. 26.

4- As one of her last official acts as Tampa’s Mayor, Pam Iorio cut the ribbon officially opening the Metro Wellness and Community Center in Ybor City March 28.

5- Friends gathered outside the Palladium Theater in downtown St. Petersburg before comedienne Suzanne Westenhoefer took the stage March 26.

6- (L-R) Tom Turner of Turner Carpentry Construction and John Woodruff, Timothy Frack and Michael Pouch, all of John Woodruff Painting Inc., were on hand for the ribbon cutting at the Metro Wellness and Community Center’s Ybor City location March 28.

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watermark | tampa bay out+about

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

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tampa bay overheard Iorio says goodbye while cutting Metro ribbon Outgoing Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio made one of her last public appearances with the office to cut the ribbon for the new Metro Wellness and Community Center in Ybor City on March 28. The beloved two-term leader has been an advocate for LGBT equality since taking office in 2003 and has attended LGBT events throughout her career as mayor. Her appearance at Metro was special for many LGBTs who hate to see her go, but are excited for new mayor Bob Buckhorn to take office in April. Iorio, along with Ybor City development gurus, talked about the positive influence Metro will have on the historic area.

Flamingo reboot The Flamingo Resort will turn two years old this summer—in August—but changes are already afoot. A walk through the popular St. Petersburg destination shows some of those changes already. New booths adorn the dining area alongside the dance floor and a new menu graces all of the tables.

There is also the brand new leather bar, called Code, offering a new hangout for the leather/levi/uniform crowd. Resort manager

David Baker said the new bar, which opened in March, has a changing area for those wanting to participate in weekend themes. Popular Cabana Bar bartender Doug Lyons was serving the patrons of Code during a recent visit, which seemed to attract quite the crowd. Future plans include expanding the fenced area around the courtyard and pool, increased security and a larger, more efficient outdoor dining area.

UV Rays to sing at Buckhorn inauguration Tampa Mayor-Elect Bob Buckhorn is staying true to his commitment to invite LGBTs to participate in city government. The newly elected mayor has invited the UV Rays, a small contingent of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale, to sing at his Oath of Office ceremony Friday, April 1. The 2 p.m. celebration and swearing in will be held at the Tampa Convention Center. The UV Rays consist of eight members of the popular chorus.

Got juicy gossip or amazing event photos? E-mail the dish or your photos (with full names of everyone pictured and event details) to Overheard@WatermarkOnline.com

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

watermark | orlando out+about

orlando overheard Finding Sanctuary According to flogger (food blogger) Scott Joseph, the spaces on the first floor of the Sanctuary condominiums left empty when the restaurants Graze and Sanctuary Diner closed may be the potential site of two new concepts from restaurateurs, Eddie Nickell and Nick Olivieri. Joseph reported that The Sanctuary is in negotiations to house The Prickly Pear, which will offer a Southwestern fare and Nick’s Place, an Italian eatery. HRC Board member Jason Lambert may be also getting his piece of the pie and opening a gourmet pizza place where Beacon was located. Nickell rebuffed the rumors saying, “We are looking at several locations all over town. I will make an announcement soon. But no, we are not in the Sanctuary.” Nickell and Olivieri recently held the grand-opening of The Funky Monkey Vault, a wine and gift shop located in the Mills-50 District and second Bananas Diner is already under construction at Pointe Orlando.

Last weekend, Funky Monkey Wine Co.’s Executive Chef Matthew Slattery was awarded Quickfire Champion at the COOK Orlando 2011 Event.

Seeing Stars If you were at Mr. Sisters on Friday, March 25, you may have noticed a famous face.

Actor and star of the hit TV series, Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson along with sexy boyfriend Justin Mikita experienced Orlando’s latest nightlife concept. Earlier in the day, the two were hosted by Universal Orlando Resort and reveled at both of Universal Orlando’s theme parks while on vacation.

Donating for DOMA RipTide at Typhoon Lagoon will honor gay and lesbian military members this year. Let’s Go Play, the producers behind the event which takes place during Gay Orlando Week, along with OutServe announced that in celebration of repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this past year, they will donate 250 free tickets to service men and women who are serving or have served our country. OutServe.org, an underground network of LGBT men and women actively serving in the military, played a very public role in the repeal of DADT. “We want to pay tribute to our active, retired and ‘unfairly discharged’ service men and women,” said Michael Christ of Let’s Go Play. “We want them to enjoy a night of revelry along with 6,000 other men and women from around the world without having to worry about who is watching.” This year’s event is on June 3, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Got juicy gossip or amazing event photos? E-mail the dish or your photos (with full names of everyone pictured and event details) to Overheard@WatermarkOnline.com

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watermark | orlando out+about

shot on site

Photography | Tom Dyer, Roberto Gonzalez, Julie Milford and Randy Stephens

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1- Dr. Rafael Pinero (far right) and friends enjoyed a sunny day and lots of artistic displays at the 2011 Winter Park Arts Festival.

2- (L to R) Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, Yigit Pura, winner of BRAVO’s Top Chef Just Desserts, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and food blogger Scott Joseph had the extremely arduous task of judging COOK 2011 Orlando, a fundraiser for the HRC the weekend of March 26.

3- (L-R) Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and boyfriend Justin Mikita joked around with Woody Woodpecker while being hosted at Universal Orlando Resort on March 25.

4- (L-R) Amber Luu and Jessa Hartzell tapped into their inner material girls for an 80s themed birthday party at Universal Skate Center March 18.

5- Rhonda Foster, with Community Base Care of Central Florida, talked about building families to a packed house at The Center’s Adoption and Foster Parenting Town Hall Meeting March 16.

6- Brian Gilvin, Come Out with Pride sponsor and small business sales manager for ADT Securities Services, puts a fresh coat of paint on the new Metropolitan Business Association/COWP headquarters.

The office is set to open sometime in early April.

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watermark | outside the home

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

49

Outdoor water features can not only provide a relaxing atmosphere, but increase the resale value of a home.

Photo courtesy Tom’s Ponds.

D

aylight Savings has hit, the afternoons are getting warmer and before you know it, Florida’s summer humidity will be hanging over us once again.

For many, the Sunshine State can be too warm to spend much time outdoors. But there is a secret to making your outdoor living space seem cooler—water.

Water is a key element in Japanese gardens.

Japan, like central Florida, has hot, humid summers. The Japanese use the sight and sound of water to create the feeling of cooler temperatures and a relaxing environment.

Moorish architects in places like the Alhambra in Spain also used water features to create the same effect.

Central Florida is an ideal place for water features. They are functional year round and provide a wonderful element to any garden or exterior space. They are delightfully beguiling once installed. What type of water feature, however, depends not only on the space available but also on the cost and amount of maintenance required. Options range from easy-to-assemble fountains and fountain kits

to preformed ponds and ponds that require excavation.

Visible and audible delight My former partner had always wanted a “water feature.” So when we bought our last house he decided it was time. He found and hired a contractor who excavated, hauled in tons of rock and created a 2,000-gallon pond with quadruple waterfalls surrounded by tropical landscaping. It even had a stone bridge over one end.

The sound was wonderful. It was a delight to eat and entertain outside by the pond. We could see and hear it from the breakfast room and my home office. Both of us truly enjoyed the pond and never tired of sitting by it. When it came time to sell, the pond captivated every potential buyer. I am convinced one reason our house sold (pre-bubble) in two days at full price was the pond’s impact.

But it did have its downside. I called the pond, “The hobby I never knew I wanted,” with good reason. Along with the pond came the koi. These beautiful fish add so much to

a large pond. But that means you are now dealing with a living environmental system, not just a body of water. Once a week I would check the pH. The water level had to be maintained. The bio filter required periodic cleaning. And we had to have a fish sitter feed them when we were on vacation.

I never regretted the time and expense it took to maintain such a delightful ecosystem.

But I had no idea of the amount of time I would be spending on the pond when we had it installed. And so the first question anyone should ask when considering a water feature is, “How much time am I willing to commit for maintenance?”

If the goal is to create something that is just visual or visual with sound that requires minimal maintenance, a fountain is a wise choice. There are many fine pre-cast fountains that are readily available. Many are designed for a more formal or classic design.

My personal preference is for a more natural look for both the landscaping and any water feature. There are fountain kits that are Continued on page 56 | uu |

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

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Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

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51

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

watermark | outside the home

Garden Gnome theme

lawn flaminGo theme

barbie theme

Gnome Sweet Gnome A

s a young kid growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, I passed the Lowe house several times a day.

It was a nice home on a corner lot on the way to school and the playground. Mrs. Lowe was a short, unsmiling woman who wore animal prints, sequined glasses and four-inch high heels—even to walk her two toy poodles. She spoke with a thick German accent that was evident when she yelled at us for cutting through her yard.

She had beautiful gardens and when she died her overweight “bachelor” son, Freddie, maintained them. He also enhanced them by adding a growing number of lawn ornaments.

At first it was a few ceramic dogs and cats, then figurines of children, and then more ambitious and exotic statuary. He

added decorations during holidays. Looking back, I think this only child of severe parents was creating a family of sorts.

Regardless, the Lowe yard was an everchanging dreamscape; a source of wonder for children and derision for our parents.

And that’s the problem. When you place ornaments in your lawn you know you’ll be judged—harshly. But how many lesbians and gay men harbor fantasies of expressing their creativity and whimsy with their lawns? And what would a gay sensibility produce if unfettered lawn ornamentation was encouraged?

That will be the case at Fire & Ice Weekend during St. Pete Pride. Watermark and ALandCHUCK.travel are turning the Postcard Inn into an all-gay resort throughout the last weekend in June. The

the blank canvaS

52

award-winning beachfront property has 30 cabanas, each with its own small and very distinct lawn. Perfect for ambitious but small-scale decorating. And you get to take it down afterward.

During Fire & Ice Weekend, renters of the cabanas will decorate their lawns with themed lawn ornaments. A prize will be awarded to the best effort. Some themes already being discussed are Barbie and Ken at Cypress Gardens, S&M gnomes, Tim Burton at the beach and flamingos gone wild.

We’ve created a few sample lawns to give you some ideas. We’d be interested to hear—or see—your ideas. And if you’re interested in putting your talents to the test, there are still cabanas available at ALandCHUCK.travel. | l |

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

53

“The Platinum Group”

Connie Lancaster, Cynthia Serra & Lisa Story

St. Petersburg, FL

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connie@connielancaster.com

Saturday, May 21, 2011 8p - midnight Heavy hors d’oeuvres by Bern’s and SideBern’s Cocktails, beer and wine Full gallery access including Degas: Form, Movement and the Antique Surprise entertainment

$75 per person (includes museum membership)

Cornelia Corbett Center 120 West Gasparilla Plaza / Downtown Tampa

Proceeds from Pride & Passion support museum exhibitions and educational programs

Tickets and information: tampamuseum.org/events/pride-passion

BlueCross BlueShield of Florida ®

®

54

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

Pinellas

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SPONSORS ($1,200 - $2,499)

2011 Voice for Equality

Award Honoree; The Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Presiding Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Named by President Barack Obama to serve on the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Entertainment: Sharon E. Scott Viewing of Galleries: 9:00 to 10:00 Tickets: $100 Sponsorship Opportunities begin at $500 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Equality Florida’s important work.

RSVP at www.eqfl.org or (813) 870-3735 For questions, call (813) 230-6918

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SPONSORS Joel Briskman & Joseph Peace Chuck Henson & Tom Young Peter Hills & Wayne Martin Diane Hinckley & April Bates George Korones & Nathan Bays Joe Morrissey & Mark Montgomery Ron Reams & Mark Kizzee Woody Richey & Michael Schine Marge Sherwin & Rose Walton Nadine Smith & Andrea Hildebran Anthony Watson Brian Winfield & Kim Byrd

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Dr. William Adams James Anderson & Rafael Catala Paula Beersdorf Jeffrey Brizzi & Timothy Paul Chan John Clees & Evan Jeon Karen Goforth Pia Hiotis & Judie Lane David Hitterman & Brian Caulkins Bob Devin Jones & Jim Howell Linda & Phillip Lerner

Raymond Lucey Bob Riner & Robb Malizia Marvin Moore and Phong Luong Cynthia Serra & Allison Butler Jennifer Sewell & Catherine Covington Dr. Barbara Stein & Trace Malenfant Scott Strader/Laurence Roberts Peter & Helen Wallace Bill Ward

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

55

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watermark | outside the home

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

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designed to blend in with their surroundings.

Such kits require that you dig a small hole for a liner and surround the base of the fountain with stone. The water runs down the side of the fountain and into the gravel and is re-circulated. Usually a ceramic container is used for the fountain base, thus allowing its owner to exercise personal taste in the lection of the various components. The result is a fountain that is more personal than the pre-cast alternative.

Pondering ponds Similar choices can be found for ponds. Go to any home improvement store’s garden center and you will see plastic, preformed ponds. And I have seen some of these installed in such a way that they do add to their garden setting. Another alternative is to build your own pond. This allows the pond to be personalized and does save on the costs. But a well designed pond is not as easy to create as one might think.

My former partner and I chose to hire a contractor who had installed a pond for a client of his. We knew our limitations in terms of skill and time. We were presented with various plans and landscaping options that were based on our preferences.

The cost was substantial, about what an in-ground pool would have been, but the result was more pleasing and we could enjoy it yearround. It certainly proved to be a better return on investment when it came time to sell.

My only regret is that we relied on my partner’s choice of contractor. I have since

discovered two other resources that are gay owned and very professional. They are Thomas Armstrong, Landscape Architect, TomsPonds. com, and Pondscapes in Tampa, PondscapesTampa.com. If you are at all interested in a water feature you should spend time on both sites.

Know your resources Michael, the owner of Pondscapes, was a great resource when it came to understanding and maintaining my pond. He no longer does installations, but his store is a great resource for fountains, fish, and all manner of pond supplies.

He does do custom design work and has a free class once a month on how to build your own pond. I still enjoy stopping by his store and admiring the fountains, garden accents and koi he has in stock.

Tom of Tom’s Ponds is a landscape architect.

He prides himself on his custom designs and creativity. His approach is holistic and organic.

As a result his ponds and choice of fountains form an intrinsic element that fit naturally into the design. Because of logistics he currently limits his area to Lakeland over to Tampa Bay and down to Sarasota.

So whatever your budget and however much maintenance you are prepared to devote, there are wonderful choices available. Once you have enjoyed having a water feature you will understand why they add so much to any garden or landscape—and much needed relief during our Florida summers. | l |

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| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

watermark | transitions

Tampa banker and TIGLFF supporter Jeff Baker celebrates his birthday April 5.

transitions

Anniversaries

Orlando Phish Fest founders and Bedazzled Productions promoters Sue-Bee Laginess and Roxy Santiago celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary on April 6.

Announcer Chuckles of the Parliament House marks his 33rd year working at the resort on April 10.

Justin Homer and Angel Arcelay of Orlando celebrate their ninth anniversary together on April 14.

Savoy/Paradise co-owners George Butler and Randall Lambright celebrate their 18th anniversary this month.

Dancer-choreographer-DJ Blue’s production company, babyBlueStar Productions, turns five years old this month.

Congratulations Former Watermark sales manager Erica Franco and her partner Pat Forgione have opened a new location of their Italian ice shop, Rita’s.

It’s open for business in the Walmart Shopping Center on Goldenrod Road, near the Orlando International Airport.

Local Birthdays Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Tampa Bay Order’s Rodger Prewitt and former St. Petersburg resident and Equality Florida

supporter Elizabeth Albelo (April 1): Orlandobased flight attendant James Sparkman, former Watermark graphics artist Catherine Thompson, Tampa Bay-based Concept Bait’s Frank Clemente and Palm Beach County Human Rights Council founder and president Rand Hoch (April 2); Orlando’s Didi Panache, AKA Douglas McGeough (April 3); Hedwig actor/Shakespeare director David Lee (April 4); sexy Tampa banker and TIGLFF donor Jeff Baker, St. Pete nurse, Watermark columnist and former editor of The Gazette, Brian Feist, Orlando Front Runner Scott Feneck, St. Petersburg entertainer Meagan Towers (Michael Jones), and Tampa MCC go-to-man activist Mac McGowan (April 5); Orlando accountant Leah James (April 6); former Orlando and San Francisco-based graphic designer Jason Donnelly, Realtor and Tampa International Film Festival board member Ken Demmons, Intrepid traveler Jon Taylor and Rollins College costume studio manager Seth Schrager (April 7); St. Petersburg clown and HIV/AIDS activist Joe Dobson (April 8); PLAY Ybor co-owner and Halcyon co-founder Stephanie Callahan (April 9); Orlando bobbalicious lovebird Bobby McCall, Fort Lauderdale-based muscular singer Sean Ensign, and St. Petersburg resident and Canaan Band roadie Mike Hollis (April 10); Orlando photographer Heath Starling (April 11); Tampa-based non-profit angel Mac Williams, Orlando-based performer and Equality Florida State Field Director Joe Saunders and handsome Orlando Log Cabin Republican Patrick Howell (April 12): Florida Hospital Altamonte social worker Stacy Pease, Former OGC director Aubrey Connelly and Tampa performer Esme Russell (April 13).

Send news about birthdays, passings, anniversaries, promotions, commitment ceremonies—and whatever you commemorate—to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com.

watermark | advice

dothis!

Know where the burden lies ADVICE FROM

The Truth

Truth@WatermarkOnline.com

for COBRA when you lost your job. If so, please reach out to a provider in your network specializing in mental health issues. In the event you’re not covered by insurance, being a member of our community can be a strong positive here. There are many support groups for gays and lesbians in most urban areas, including ours.

Here comes the Truth, my friend: you are a vital and embraced member of your community, your family—whose love of which you are certain—and your group of good friends. The one who needs convincing is you.

Dear Truth, My younger sister, Penny, and I have been best friends our whole lives. I came out to Penny five years ago when she was home from college and she was really cool about it.

After college, Penny moved to West Texas with her boyfriend and now they’re getting married. Penny asked me to be maid-ofhonor, but she says I can’t bring my new girlfriend as a date because her boyfriend’s family is Southern Baptist and they don’t approve of same-sex relationships.

I’m shocked that my sister would expect me to go back in the closet like this, but I can’t imagine not being part of her wedding? What should I do?

—Nuptial Nightmare

Dear Double N, What really twisted the knife for me is the very first line of your letter. If the two of you didn’t have such a special relationship, it would Dear Truth, be fairly easy for the Truth to simply say that ’m a 44-year-old gay man with selfyou should follow your heart and respectfully esteem problems. I don’t consider decline on principal. But given your singular myself attractive and I have never seen attachment to her, the situation is gravely myself as worthy of affection. I haven’t had complicated. You say that Penny has been a relationship with a man (or woman), and your best friend your entire life. As such, I’m no one outside of my sure she was on the family has ever said earliest list of people “I love you” to me. who were informed We’re rubbing up I have talked to about your sexuality. my few good friends I would submit that if against the boundaries to try to help me with she reciprocates the of what a meager my problem, but special designation of I’m afraid if I keep ‘best friend’ (not to columnist can do in relying on them it’ll mention that you’re a pithy 200 words, wear them down, her flesh and blood but I owe you my and I don’t want to sister), she needs to burden them. grow a spine and fast. best at least.

Part of my And here’s why: this is problem is that only the first of many I am currently milestones to come. unemployed and struggling financially. How When her first child is born—the first child do I break through and start feeling good of your sister and best friend—where are you about myself? and your partner in that scenario? And does —Lost in Tampa it end there? Will you have unguarded access to her children? Or will her in-laws compel Dear LIT her to distance herself—and by extension, her To begin, from your letter, I see some pretty children—from you? Here comes the Truth: If clear signs that you are in a clinical depression, your sister doesn’t make a stand here, she never that is, no matter what the cause, your body will. The very nature of your relationship is at chemistry is playing a number on you right stake and the ball is deep in your sister’s court. now, and pulling you down into a funk.

I hope she chooses the right shot, for both your It is absolutely critical for your physical sakes. | l | and mental health to speak to a therapist of some variety. I’m not sure if you signed up

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watermark | classifieds

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

[clAssifieds] central florida

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personal services COMPLETE STRESS REDUCTION - Massage by Daniel. Deep tissue, light tissue. Great rates on Sundays & Mondays. Showers available. College Park, North Orange & Virginia. In & Out, Hotels. (321)527-9436.

Roman package - Hot Italian looking to knead you into total relaxation & destressing. Students and Bi-sexuals welcome. Roman (407)802-4438.

professional services House Cleaning - Free estimates, Reasonable rates, No contracts. Call John at 407-592-8774.

PRIME S. COLONIALTOWN OFFICE SPACE - High profile

location in quiet downtown neighborhood next to Watermark offices. Near the corner of Ferncreek Avenue & Livingston Street.

Amenities include: monitored alarm system, landscape maintenance, CAT 5 networking throughout, and T1 & ROADRUNNER access available. Building is handicap accessible with parking. $775 per month. Available Now! Contact Rick at (407) 481-2243 ext 108 or via e-mail to rick@watermarkonline.com

Danny Veal, Realtor GRI, CLHMS & CDPE - I made a

commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation in significant areas of real estate to better serve and protect my clients. My designations: GRI - Graduate REALTOR Institute, CLHMS - Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, CDPE - Certified Distressed Property Expert. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate needs. www.DannyVeal.com

Text “Watermark” to 90210 if you are planning to buy or sell a home. David Dorman, CENTURY 21 - 321-293-2240 *Standard Text rates may apply, please check with your carrier.

real estate for sale roommates $500/mo. All Inclusive! -

Roommate wanted for 3/2 beautifully maintained 2900 sq. ft. pool home in Belle Isle. Close to Lake Conway. Features: washer/dryer, cable, internet access, game room and lake access. Prefer nonsmoking male, 30’s - 40’s. $300 deposit.

Contact George at 407-451-8094 or email millromance@yahoo.com.

JimsTouch Massage - Male LMT specializing in stress reduction for professional men - relieve your tension in 60, 90 or 120 min massage sessions with a combination of Swedish & Deep Tissue techniques. In calls at my convenient Winter Park studio, or out calls to your location daily 7 am - midnight (407)7196426 MA43172 /MM23795 www. jimstouch.com.

Outstanding Custom Home w/breathtaking views of Lake Down (Butler Chain of Lakes) - This home was designed Should there be a swimsuit competition for Realtors??

Sure that may seem silly but what is your criteria for selecting an agent to represent you with the most expensive asset you will probably ever own? Although my swimsuit days are over, my real estate career is still in full force. If you are thinking of buying selling or investing in real estate, think of me first. Stan Madray–Keller Williams Realty (407)928-7791 / www.StanMadray.com My commitment to you! •Communicate Effectively - Answer calls, respond to emails and keep you informed. •Be Knowledgeable - Know the market place, follow the trends and track the numbers. •Have Fun - It’s not just about the destination; It’s also about the journey. •Keep Integrity - Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. •Seek the Win-Win - Negotiate effectively to meet our needs and our objectives. Making real estate dreams come true. *BTW… If you do require your prospective agent to compete in talent, I will be twirling a fire baton to “HalfBreed” by Cher.

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Advertising Sales - If you are retail & customer-focused, computer literate & proficient, web knowledgeable & a self-starter with outside sales experience, then we might be a match! Watermark, the gay & lesbian newspaper for Orlando & Tampa Bay, is seeking an experienced sales professional to help us grow our business by helping businesses in the Tampa Bay area grow. You would call on potential clients, guide their advertising campaigns and make a very good living. Watermark Media is a great company offering a competitive compensation package that includes salary, commissions and full benefits. Send your cover letter and resume to Chief Financial Officer Rick Claggett at rick@watermarkonline.com or fax to 407-481-2246.

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Please email kaistpete@gmail.com for more information

Watermark does not knowingly print advertisements for sexual services. Beyond printed content, Watermark does not inquire into the nature of personal or professional services advertising. Payment for sexual services is illegal in the State of Florida, and respondents to classified advertising should govern themselves accordingly. As required by law (Florida Statute 480.0465), Licensed Massage Therapists include their license number in all advertising.

watermark | sports

Swoopes to return to WNBA

wire report

Tulsa, Okla. | Sheryl Swoopes never hid her disappointment with how her first go-around in the WNBA ended.

The three-time MVP who came out to her fans in 2005 couldn’t hide her excitement and appreciation for the second chance she received when signing with the Tulsa Shock on Wednesday.

“The only reason why I’m doing it is because I still love the game,” Swoopes said during a conference call with reporters. “To be given an opportunity to come back and kind of leave on the right note, or just to be a part of it again, is something I’m excited about.”

Swoopes, who turned 40 on March 25, returns after a two-year hiatus from the league she was a founding member of and once dominated. She helped lead Houston to the league’s first four championships from 1997-2000 and won her last MVP in 2005.

Her last season in the league was in 2008 with Seattle. The Storm released her after she played while recovering from back problems that plagued her the previous year in Houston.

Swoopes continued playing overseas in Greece after that, frustrated that no other WNBA team would give her a chance

when she felt she could still play.

Swoopes said she has put any hard feelings toward the league behind her, and she’s physically ready to help a Tulsa team that finished a league-worst 6-28 last season. She averaged 15.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game in her 11 seasons.

“Even at my age, I can honestly say physically my body feels better than it’s probably felt in the last two or three years I played in the WNBA,” Swoopes said. “If I personally felt like I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t be putting myself in this position.

“So there’s not a doubt in my mind that I still can compete on this level.”

Nolan Richardson, Tulsa’s coach and general manager, declined to say how much Swoopes would earn. He said the Shock considered signing Swoopes last season but the roster was already full.

Richardson said assistant coach Teresa Edwards, a former Olympic teammate of Swoopes, approached him about the possibility of signing the former MVP this offseason.

Swoopes decided to make the trip from her home in Houston to Tulsa last month for a workout under Richardson after Edwards called to gauge her interest

in making a comeback. The workout included full-court and shooting drills as well as defensive work and Richardson came away impressed.

“Anybody who can work out for 20 minutes Sheryl Swoopes came out as a lesbian in 2005 for me, that’s a while playing with the hell of a job,” Seattle Storm.

Richardson said.

“That was enough for her to convince me that she can do it and she really wants to.

“I feel that she’s dedicated enough to try to make a comeback. That’s what it’s all about to me, her getting her body ready

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

61

to make a comeback.”

The Shock made waves last season by signing former Olympic sprinter Marion Jones to a contract and re-signed her this offseason.

Richardson said he didn’t promise Swoopes anything regarding playing time, though he does expect her to serve as a mentor for the Shock’s younger plays.

Swoopes was perfectly fine with that.

“For me, honestly, it’s not about individual accomplishments, individual awards,” Swoopes said. “It’s about what I’ve got to do and how I can contribute to the team.”

That said, Swoopes isn’t above proving any doubters wrong that she can still contribute.

“I like to see people doubt me,” she said. | l |

WWE wrestler uses gay slur on Twitter wire report Just days after World Wrestling Entertainment said it had a new commitment to stop homophobia and bulling within the organization, one of its commentators used anti-gay slang on Twitter to take a jab at a fellow coworker.

Announcer Michal Cole called fellow

commentator Josh Matthews a “faggot” on Twitter. Cole and the WWE have both apologized for the slang and Cole added that it was not “meant as it was taken.”

The WWE and GLAAD recently formed a partnership to battle homophobia and bullying. As of press time the remarks by Cole didn’t appear to have harmed that new relationship. | l |

watermark | gossip

| Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011

billymasters

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“A vibrator. Definitely. A gold one.”

—Elton John answers Piers Morgan’s question, “What’s the single item you’ve bought in your life that’s brought you the most happiness?” Don’t paint me a picture.

T

his year’s annual Winter Party in Miami drew huge numbers of gorgeous guys raising money for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. When I arrived in a sea of abs and pecs, I didn’t see a single person I knew. Thankfully, I was immediately approached by a podiatrist from Los Angeles who wanted to say he’s a big fan—and you know how I love my fans...if only there was a hot tub nearby!

While I was in Miami, New Orleans was bursting at the seams for Fat Tuesday—or, as Kirstie Alley calls it, Tuesday. The grand marshals of the Endymion Parade were Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.

Ripa was accompanied by hubby Mark Consuelos while Coop brought his beau Benjamin Maisani. Andy Cohen (and his one good eye) was spotted trying to toss beads to the crowd.

Alas, there’s no celebrating up in NYC where the beleaguered production of Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark continues to limp along. The most recent opening night (the fifth rescheduled opening night, in case anyone is keeping track) has been postponed while the show undergoes a drastic overhaul. In a move that surprised no one, director and co-writer Julie Taymor has “stepped down.” The official reason is

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that she has too many other commitments to be able to completely retool the show. While the staging is being revamped, Bono and The Edge are trying to come up with a few new tunes that have a melody that anyone cares about. The show will shut down for three weeks on April 17 to implement these changes, resume more “previews” on May 12, and open on June 14—maybe the sixth time will be a charm! While I understand the technical aspects of this production made a traditional path unlikely, there are reasons why shows usually do out-of-town tryouts!

Which of you crazy queens out there has enraged Patti LuPone? Maybe I should be more specific—she’s so easy to tick off.

Which of you started a Twitter account in her name? Oh, yes, someone dared to assume the moniker of La LuPone for a few laughs—and some pointed barbs against Bernadette Peters, Elaine Stritch, Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close. After trying to get the situation resolved via e-mail and phone, LuPone drove to Twitter’s corporate headquarters. She couldn’t get past security and no one met with her. So Patti’s gone public with this warning on her own website, PattiLuPone.net: “Beware All Twitterers! There’s an imposter on Twitter (@LuPonePATTI) pretending to be me. I do not have a Twitter account. All communication from me will be on this website, no where else. So please don’t pay any attention to that twit on Twitter!”

She was even stronger when talking to Broadway.com: “I’d like to meet this person and wring his or her neck!” If you see her, run!

Which leads us to this week’s “Ask Billy” question. Patrick in Chicago writes, “Did you see the Les Miz concert from London? Who was the hot hunk who played ‘Enjorlas’? My god, he’s gorgeous. And what a voice!”

That would be mega-sexy Ramin Karimloo—who happens to be playing the “Phantom” in the London production of Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies,, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera.. In fact, Ramin has the distinction of being the youngest person to play the title role in Phantom in the West End (he was 28). Far more interesting is that he posed nude for CosmoUK. At the time, he said, “I’ve been on stage in just my pants before, in Miss Saigon, but I’ve never done full-frontal nudity—I’m too shy to even walk around my house naked.” And since several of you have asked, I’ll also run those full-frontal nude photos of Chris “Horse Hung” Brown on BillyMasters.com. At least now we know why Rihanna stuck around so long.

Hunky Ramin Karimloo, starring as the Phantom in London’s Love Never Dies, has turned the heads of American audiences during a recent appearance on a televised Les Miserables concert.

U2’s Bono and The Edge have the unenviable task of rewriting some songs for Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, which recently became the most previewed show in Broadway history.

When Chris Brown has two ways of choking you, it’s definitely time to end yet another column. You can get all late breaking news at BillyMasters.com and if you’ve got a question, just send it to Billy@ BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Patti turns up on America’s Most Wanted! Until next time, remember, one man’s filth is another man’s bible. | l |

Mar. 31-Apr. 14, 2011 |

63

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