Watermark Issue 18.08: Health and Medicine by Watermark Publishing Group

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

ISSUE 18.08 | APRIL 14-APRIL 27, 2011 WATERMARKONLINE.COM

American Stage puts

Rent outdoors

Focus on

Health +Medicine COPING WITH AN ALZHEIMER’S PARTNER FAMILY SUPPORT VS. TEEN DEPRESSION STUDY: LGBT HEALTH ISSUES NEED ATTENTION

women +HIV

FOR THREE DECADES THE EPIDEMIC HAS BEEN SEEN AS A MAN’S DISEASE. MARIA MEJIA HOPES TO CHANGE THAT.

D AY T O N A B E A C H

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ORLANDO

• TA M PA

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

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S A R A S O TA

| April 14-April 27, 2011

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

watermark | preview

| April 14-April 27, 2011

issue 18.08

RENT 29

PG.

The musical Rent comes to St. Petersburg’s American Stage in the Park with an outdoor show sure to attract throngs of LGBTs. We speak with two of the show’s lead actors and with Rent’s openly gay director to see how this version stacks up to the original and how working outside can lend a special flair to the rock opera.

10 | Orlando News

As Maria Mejia of Miami knows, HIV infection doesn’t only affect gay males. She’s been positive for 20 years. Photo illustration by Jake Stevens

AIDS Walk Orlando surpasses its goal with a record number of walkers; A woman is killed crossing Colonial Drive near Mr. Sisters; Library dedicated

ORLANDO NEWS

to “Miss P.”; more.

15 / STATE NEWS

12 | Tampa News

16 / NATION + WORLD NEWS

Beckner and Kornell begin fundraising for 2012 campaigns; Panel focuses on battling gay bullying in Pinellas County schools; USF honors MC Film Festival owners; more.

17 / TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE

16 | Nation+World News

19 / ORLANDO MARKETPLACE

Officials say the military has seen little impact on troop readiness related to repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell”; Prop 8 judge reveals he’s gay; Arkansas court

strikes down gay adoption ban; more.

TAMPA BAY NEWS

29 | Scene+Heard

23 / MAIL

40 / EVENT PLANNER

The actors portraying “Maureen” and “Angel” in American Stage in the Park’s production of Rent tell us what it’s like to play on stage and what

43 / TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD

messages the 15-year-old musical can still teach today. Handsome actor Jonathan Lovitz has performed in several stage productions around Central and West Floria, but now he’s the Come Out With Pride grand marshal and

SCENE+HEARD

45 / ORLANDO OVERHEARD

one of the stars of the new Logo series Set Up Squad. He tells us about transitioning onto a reality show and why jury duty just isn’t for him.

47 | Health and Medicine For too long HIV/AIDS has been seen as a gay man’s disease. That’s why

58 / TRANSITIONS

60 / CLASSIFIEDS

Maria Mejia has stepped forward to tell the world what it’s like to live as an HIV-positive female. We examine how far HIV care has come and how far

61 / SPORTS

it has to go. Linda and Cathy have been partners for nearly two decades,

but when Cathy started suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Linda knew a support system for LGBT caretakers was needed. And, depression in LGBT

KNOW+TELL

teens is directly linked to how their families react to their orientation.

62 / GOSSIP

watermark | preview

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

editor’sdesk T

and within two hours she and I were chatting about her plan to record clips here are predators in our community. I’m not talking about the for her show. likes of those in that MSNBC series. I’m talking about the kinds I recognized her from different Pride events. We chatted a bit about of predators who wait for someone or something to get successful Watermark, but I told her this was about the competition, not about the before they attempt to jump on board to benefit from others’ hard work. newspaper. Her promises of airing our talented singers on television It’s especially hurtful when the hijacker is someone within your own sounded like an amazing opportunity, so I allowed her and her videographer community. access to our competition and to our singers. She even interviewed us as the Readers of Watermark know me as the editor of this newspaper. I’m the organizers of the event. Unfortunately, the trust I had in her was doomed by guy in charge of the content, the cover and I’m also the one responsible for any errors that appear—regardless of who’s byline is at the top of the article. Day Two of the weekend. Eventually I overheard her telling our contestants how she didn’t like our It’s a job I take seriously and it’s a job I absolutely love. rules protecting our sponsors and that she would do But many others know me as the co-owner of what she wanted. It was the first time I’ve ever had two statewide singing competitions. I’m admittedly to physically escort someone out of a building. tone deaf, but for the last seven years I, along with I consider myself a nice guy and I absolutely hate my partner, have run contests that lead to a national It was the first time confrontation. But as a business owner, I had to do it competition in Nevada. What started out as a small, I’ve ever had to to protect us and to protect our contestants. Steve Blanchard one night event with 15 singers seven years ago has Any organization will have people trying to take morphed into two large four-day contests with a EDITOR physically escort SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com combined 500-plus singers performing for our panel advantage of it. But what hurt the most was that someone out of she used my love of the LGBT community and my of judges. It has allowed us to meet people from all a building. involvement with it to try to take advantage of the walks of life who enjoy a shared passion—music. people who trusted me to ensure a safe, fun and fair As with any contest, you have disgruntled weekend. contestants who just know they didn’t win because With so many outside groups battling LGBT the thing is “rigged” or “biased.” That is all well and causes and blocking equality, it’s important we all stick together. However, good. It comes with the territory. we’re not a united front and this is just another example of how we are But when someone tries to take advantage of something you’ve spent stifling our own momentum by taking advantage of one another rather than a lot of time and money to make successful, it can be disappointing and working together. frustrating. I experienced just that the second weekend of April. I have no idea if the videos she recorded will ever make it on to her As we were preparing for our huge weekend in Tampa, a “TV alleged late night show and part of me hopes they never do. But I have personality” with a local independent station out of Lakeland and a DJ with to take the experience gained from the situation and use it for future a radio station devoted to LGBT Pride called me at the hotel. The person encounters. sounded familiar and she told me about the television station’s commitment Trust is a hard thing to rebuild and I’ve learned that predators come in all to LGBT causes and talented individuals within our community. She wanted to highlight our successful enterprise. I told her we were not a “gay contest” forms—even from within your own community. | l | by any means, but being the trusting person I am, I took her up on her offer

staff

watermark Orlando Office

Publisher Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Chief Financial Officer Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Administrative Assistant Erik Caban • Ext. 100 • Erik@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief Steve Blanchard • Ext. 303 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Online Editor Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Art Director Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com

P. O. Box 533655 Orlando, FL 32853-3655 TEL 407-481-2243 FAX 407-481-2246

Tampa Bay Office TEL 813-655-9890 FAX 813-849-2986 WatermarkOnline.com

Contributing Writers Greg Burton, Erik Caban, Scottie Campbell, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Brian Feist, Ken Kundis, Renee LePere, Billy Masters, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, Margaret Nolan, Anthony Paull, Rhetta Peoples, Greg Stemm, Louanne Walters

Photographers & Illustrators Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Tom Eckert Distribution Debbie Oliver, Mark Lauyans, Ken Caraway

Creative Assistant Andre Duputel • Ext. 107 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando Sales and Online Mktg. Dir. Mark Cady • Ext. 103 [Orlando] • Mark@WatermarkOnline.com Advertising Sales Scott McCauley • Ext. 105 [Orlando] • Scott@WatermarkOnline.com Advertising Sales Don Williams • Ext. 102 [Orlando] • Don@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading Ed Blaisdell Nat'l Ad Representative Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863

subscribe Watermark is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail). To subscribe or order back issues, call Erik Caban at 407-481-2243, Ext. 10. ISSUE 18.05

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CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

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| April 14-April 27, 2011

More than 5.3 million KALETRA prescriptions have been filled in the US* If you have HIV, ask your doctor if KALETRA could be right for you s +!,%42! MAY HELP LOWER VIRAL LOAD AND RAISE 4 CELL #$4) count n 3OME PATIENTS MAY DEVELOP SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SERIOUS INFECTIONS THEY ALREADY HAVE AFTER STARTING ANTI ()6 MEDICINES s +!,%42! IS USED WITH OTHER ANTI ()6 MEDICINES TO INCREASE THE CHANCE OF TREATMENT RESPONSE IN PEOPLE WITH HUMAN IMMUNODElCIENCY VIRUS ()6 INFECTION s +!,%42! DOES NOT CURE ()6 INFECTION OR !)$3 AND DOES NOT STOP YOU FROM PASSING ()6 TO OTHERS 9OU MAY STILL GET OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS OR OTHER CONDITIONS THAT HAPPEN WITH ()6

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April 14-April 27, 2011 |

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having pancreatitis if you have had it before. Tell your DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE NAUSEA VOMITING AND OR ABDOMINAL pain, as these may be signs of pancreatitis. Immune reconstitution syndrome may occur after STARTING ANTI ()6 MEDICINES INCLUDING +!,%42! 4HIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU DEVELOP SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SERIOUS INFECTIONS YOU ALREADY HAVE WHICH MAY require additional treatment. Large increases in certain fat (triglycerides and cholesterol) levels in the blood have occurred in some PEOPLE RECEIVING +!,%42! 4HE LONG TERM CHANCE OF getting complications such as heart attacks or strokes due to these increases in triglycerides and cholesterol caused BY PROTEASE INHIBITORS IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME New or more serious diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) HAVE OCCURRED IN SOME PEOPLE WHO take protease inhibitors, including KALETRA. Tell your doctor if you notice an increase in thirst or urinate often WHILE TAKING +!,%42! Changes in body fat HAVE BEEN SEEN IN SOME PEOPLE WHO TAKE ANTI ()6 THERAPY 4HE CAUSE AND LONG TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME Increased bleeding has occurred in some people with hemophilia WHO TAKE PROTEASE INHIBITORS including KALETRA. If you are taking birth control pills or using patches to PREVENT PREGNANCY YOU SHOULD USE AN EXTRA FORM OR A different type of birth control, since birth control pills or PATCHES MAY NOT WORK AS WELL WHILE YOU TAKE +!,%42! 4ALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT PREGNANCY WHILE TAKING +!,%42! )T IS NOT KNOWN IF +!,%42! WILL HARM YOUR UNBORN BABY If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should tell your doctor. )F YOU TAKE +!,%42! DURING PREGNANCY YOU SHOULD TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART IN AN !NTIRETROVIRAL 0REGNANCY 2EGISTRY 4HE PURPOSE OF THE PREGNANCY REGISTRY IS TO FOLLOW THE HEALTH OF YOU AND YOUR BABY $O NOT BREAST FEED WHILE TAKING +!,%42! 4HERE IS A CHANCE HIV can be passed to your baby through breast milk and your baby may have serious side effects from KALETRA. Common side effects of KALETRA include diarrhea, NAUSEA STOMACH AREA ABDOMINAL PAIN FEELING WEAK vomiting, headache, or upset stomach. These are not all of the possible side effects of KALETRA. 4HE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF +!,%42! ARE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME 4HIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT +!,%42! &OR MORE INFORMATION TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

9OU ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO THE &$! 6ISIT WWW FDA GOV MEDWATCH OR CALL &$! )F YOU CANNOT AFFORD YOUR MEDICATION CONTACT WWW PPARX ORG OR CALL THE TOLL FREE NUMBER 00! ./7 OR FOR ASSISTANCE &OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT +!,%42! CALL +!,%42! OR VISIT +!,%42! COM

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3INCE 3EPTEMBER )-3 (EALTH .0!ÂŠ 3EPTEMBER n3EPTEMBER )-3 EXPRESSLY RESERVES ALL RIGHTS INCLUDING RIGHTS OF COPYING DISTRIBUTION AND REPUBLICATION

| April 14-April 27, 2011

DO NOT RE-SIZE Ad unit Project # must match this project # 039-565605

KALETRA® (kuh-LEE-tra) (lopinavir/ritonavir) Tablets KALETRA® (kuh-LEE-tra) (lopinavir/ritonavir) Oral Solution Patient Information

Read the Medication Guide that comes with KALETRA before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. You and your doctor should talk about your treatment with KALETRA before you start taking it and at regular check-ups. You should stay under your doctor’s care when taking KALETRA.

What is the most important information I should know about KALETRA?

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KALETRA will harm your unborn baby. Birth control pills or patches may not work as well while you take KALETRA. To prevent KALETRA may cause serious side effects, including: pregnancy while taking KALETRA, women who take birth control • Interactions with other medicines. It is important to know pills or use estrogen patch for birth control should either use a the medicines that should not be taken with KALETRA. different type of birth control or an extra form of birth control. Read the section “What should I tell my doctor before taking Talk to your doctor about how to prevent pregnancy while taking KALETRA?” KALETRA. • Changes in your heart rhythm and the electrical activity • take KALETRA during pregnancy, talk with your doctor about how of your heart. These changes may be seen on an EKG you can take part in an antiretroviral pregnancy registry. The (electrocardiogram) and can lead to serious heart problems. Your purpose of the pregnancy registry is to follow the health of you and risk for these problems may be higher if you: your baby. ° already have a history of abnormal heart rhythm or other types • are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed if you are taking KALETRA. of heart disease. You should not breast-feed if you have HIV-1. If you are a woman who has or will have a baby while taking KALETRA, talk with your ° take other medicines that can affect your heart rhythm while you take KALETRA. doctor about the best way to feed your baby. If your baby does not Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms while already have HIV-1, there is a chance that HIV-1 can be passed to taking KALETRA: your baby through your breast milk. • dizziness Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including • lightheadedness prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal • fainting supplements. Many medicines interact with KALETRA. Do not start • sensation of abnormal heartbeats taking a new medicine without telling your doctor or pharmacist. Your See the section below “What are the possible side effects of doctor can tell you if it is safe to take KALETRA with other medicines. KALETRA?” for more information about serious side effects. Your doctor may need to change the dose of other medicines while you take KALETRA. What is KALETRA? Medicines you should not take with KALETRA. KALETRA is a prescription anti-HIV medicine that contains two Serious problems or death can happen if you take these medicines: lopinavir and ritonavir. KALETRA is called a protease medicines with KALETRA: inhibitor that is used with other anti-HIV-1 medicines to treat people • ergot containing medicines, including: with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. HIV-1 is the ® ° ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot , Migergot, Ergomar, Ergostat, virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Medihaler Ergotamine, Wigraine, Wigrettes) ® ® It is not known if KALETRA is safe and effective in children under ° dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E. 45 , Embolex, Migranal ) 14 days old. ergonovine, ergonovine and methylergonovine (Ergotrate, ° Methergine), ergotamine and methylergonovine Who should not take KALETRA? methylergonovine maleate (Methergine) ° Ergotrate Maleate, • Do not take KALETRA if you are taking certain medicines. For • triazolam (Halcion®), midazolam hydrochloride oral syrup more information about medicines you should not take with • pimozide (Orap®) KALETRA, please see “Can I take other medicines with • the cholesterol lowering medicines lovastatin (Mevacor®) or KALETRA?” and consult with your doctor about all other simvastatin (Zocor®) medicines you take. • sildenafil (Revatio®) only when used for the treatment of pulmonary • Do not take KALETRA if you have an allergy to KALETRA or any of arterial hypertension. (See “Medicines that may need changes” its ingredients, including ritonavir and lopinavir. and “What are the possible side effects of Kaletra?” for information about the use of sildenafil for erectile problems.) What should I tell my doctor before taking KALETRA? • alfuzosin (Uroxatral®) KALETRA may not be right for you. Tell your doctor about all Medicines that you should not take with KALETRA since they your medical conditions, including if you: may make KALETRA not work as well: • have any heart problems, including if you have a condition called • the herbal supplement St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum) Congenital Long QT Syndrome. • rifampin (Rimactane®, Rifadin®, Rifater®, or Rifamate®) • have liver problems, including Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C. Medicines that may need changes: • have diabetes. • birth control pills that contain estrogen (“the pill”) or the birth • have hemophilia. People who take KALETRA may have increased control (contraceptive) patches bleeding. • certain anticancer medicines, such as nilotinib (Tasigna®) and • have low potassium in your blood. dasatinib (Sprycel®)

03-A465 Kaletra CB-10.625x10.6(2).indd 1

CONSUMER BRIEF SUMMARY CONSULT PACKAGE INSERT FOR FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

• certain cholesterol lowering medicines, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®) or rosuvastatin (Crestor®) • certain other antiretroviral medicines, such as efavirenz (Atripla® and Sustiva®), nevirapine (Viramune®), amprenavir (Agenerase®) and nelfinavir (Viracept®) • anti-seizure medicines, such as phenytoin (Dilantin®) carbamazepine, (Tegretol®), phenobarbital • medicines for erectile problems, such as sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®) • medicines for tuberculosis (TB), such as rifabutin (Mycobutin®) • inhaled steroid medicines, such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase®) • inhaled medicines such as salmeterol (Serevent®) or salmeterol in combination with fluticasone propionate (Advair®). Your doctor may need to change to a different medicine • medicines for gout, such as colchicine (Colcrys®) • medicines to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), such as bosentan (Tracleer®) or tadalafil (Adcirca®) • pain medicines, such as fentanyl (Duragesic®, IonsysTM, Fentora®) and methadone If you are not sure if you are taking a medicine above, ask your doctor.

How should I take KALETRA? • Take KALETRA every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. • It is very important to set up a dosing schedule and follow it every day. • Do not change your treatment or stop treatment without first talking with your doctor. • Swallow KALETRA tablets whole. Do not chew, break, or crush KALETRA tablets. • KALETRA tablets can be taken with or without food. • If you are taking both Videx® (didanosine) and KALETRA: ° didanosine can be taken at the same time as KALETRA tablets, without food. ° take didanosine either one hour before or two hours after taking KALETRA oral solution. • Do not miss a dose of KALETRA. This could make the virus harder to treat. If you forget to take KALETRA, take the missed dose right away. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Instead, follow your regular dosing schedule by taking your next dose at its regular time. Do not take more than one dose of KALETRA at one time. • If you take more than the prescribed dose of KALETRA, call your local poison control center or emergency room right away. • Take KALETRA oral solution with food to help it work better. • If KALETRA is being used for your child, tell your doctor if your child’s weight changes. • KALETRA should not be given one time each day in children. When giving KALETRA to your child, give KALETRA exactly as prescribed. • KALETRA oral solution contains propylene glycol and a large amount of alcohol. KALETRA oral solution should not be given to

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April 14-April 27, 2011 | DO NOT RE-SIZE Ad unit Project # must match this project # 039-565605

babies younger than 14 days of age unless your doctor thinks it is right for your baby. ° If a young child drinks more than the recommended dose, it could make them sick. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room right away. ° Talk with your doctor if you take or plan to take metronidazole or disulfiram. You can have severe nausea and vomiting if you take these medicines with KALETRA. • When your KALETRA supply starts to run low, get more from your doctor or pharmacy. It is important not to run out of KALETRA. The amount of HIV-1 virus in your blood may increase if the medicine is stopped for even a short time. The virus may become resistant to KALETRA and become harder to treat. • KALETRA can be taken with acid reducing agents used for heartburn or reflux such as omeprazole (Prilosec®) and ranitidine (Zantac®) with no dose adjustment. • KALETRA should not be administered once daily in combination with carbamazepine (Tegretol® and Epitol®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), or phenytoin (Dilantin®). Avoid doing things that can spread HIV infection. KALETRA does not stop you from passing HIV infection to others. Do not share needles, other injection equipment or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them, like toothbrushes and razor blades. Always practice safer sex by using a latex or polyurethane condom to lower the chance of sexual contact with semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.

face may also happen. The cause and long-term health effects of these conditions are not known at this time. • Increased bleeding for hemophiliacs. Some people with hemophilia have increased bleeding with protease inhibitors including KALETRA. • Increased risk of certain problems when you take medicines used for the treatment of erectile problems such as sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®) with KALETRA: ° low blood pressure. If you get dizzy or faint, you need to lie down. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have fainting spells. ° vision changes. Tell your doctor right away if you have vision changes. ° penis erection lasting more than 4 hours. If you are a male and have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get medical help right away to avoid permanent damage to your penis. Your doctor can explain these symptoms to you. • Allergic reactions. Skin rashes, some of them severe, can occur in people who take KALETRA. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a rash when you took another medicine for your HIV infection or if you notice any skin rash when you take KALETRA. • Babies taking KALETRA oral solution may have side effects. KALETRA oral solution contains alcohol and propylene glycol. Call your doctor right away if your baby appears too sleepy or their breathing has changed. Common side effects of KALETRA include: • diarrhea • nausea • stomach area (abdominal) pain • feeling weak • vomiting • headache • upset stomach These are not all of the possible side effects of KALETRA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use KALETRA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give KALETRA to other people, even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them. This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about KALETRA. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about KALETRA that is written for health professionals. For more information about KALETRA call 1-800-633-9110 or go to www.KALETRA.com.

What are the ingredients in KALETRA?

Active ingredient: lopinavir and ritonavir Inactive ingredients: KALETRA 200 mg lopinavir and 50 mg ritonavir tablets: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The film coating contains: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, polyethylene glycol 3350, yellow ferric oxide 172, and polysorbate 80. KALETRA 100 mg lopinavir and 25 mg ritonavir tablets: copovidone, sorbitan monolaurate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and sodium stearyl fumarate. The film coating contains: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, polytheylene glycol 3350, and yellow ferric oxide E172. KALETRA oral solution: acesulfame potassium, alcohol, artificial What are the possible side effects of KALETRA? cotton candy flavor, citric acid, glycerin, high fructose corn syrup, Magnasweet-110 flavor, menthol, natural and artificial vanilla flavor, KALETRA can cause serious side effects. peppermint oil, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, povidone, • See “What is the most important information I should know propylene glycol, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, sodium about KALETRA?” citrate, and water. • Liver problems. Liver problems, including death, can happen in people who take KALETRA. Blood tests in people who take KALETRA oral solution contains 42.4% alcohol (v/v). “See KALETRA may show possible liver problems. People with liver How should I take KALETRA?”. disease such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C who take KALETRA 2011, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED may have worsening liver disease. Tell your healthcare provider * The brands listed are trademarks of their respective owners right away if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver and are not trademarks of Abbott Laboratories. The makers of problems: these brands are not affiliated with and do not endorse Abbott ° loss of appetite Laboratories or its products. How should I store KALETRA? ° yellow skin and whites of eyes (jaundice) KALETRA Tablets, 200 mg lopinavir/50 mg ritonavir ° dark-colored urine KALETRA tablets: Manufactured by Abbott Pharmaceuticals PR Ltd., pale colored stools, itchy skin ° • Store KALETRA tablets at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F Barceloneta, PR 00617 stomach area (abdominal) pain. ° (15°C to 30°C). • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Some people for Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL 60064, U.S.A. • Do not keep KALETRA tablets out of the container it comes in for who take KALETRA get inflammation of the pancreas which may KALETRA Tablets, 100 mg lopinavir/25 mg ritonavir and KALETRA longer than 2 weeks, especially in areas where there is a lot of be serious and cause death. You have a higher chance of getting Oral Solution humidity. Keep the container closed tightly. pancreatitis if you have had it before. Tell your doctor if you have Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL 60064, U.S.A. nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain while taking KALETRA. These KALETRA oral solution: • Store KALETRA oral solution in a refrigerator, between 36°F to 46°F Ref: 03-A465-R10 may be signs of pancreatitis. (2°C to 8°C). KALETRA oral solution that is kept refrigerated may Revised: February, 2011 • Increases in certain fat (triglycerides and cholesterol) levels be used until the expiration date printed on the label. in your blood. Large increases of triglycerides and cholesterol • KALETRA oral solution that is stored at room temperature (less can be seen in blood test results of some people who take than 77°F or 25°C) should be used within 2 months. KALETRA. The long-term chance of getting complications such 036-553815 MASTER • Keep KALETRA away from high heat. as heart attacks or stroke due to increases in triglycerides and Throw away any medicine that is out of date or that you no longer cholesterol caused by protease inhibitors is not known at this need. time. • Diabetes and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Some people Keep KALETRA and all medicines out of the reach of children. who take protease inhibitors including KALETRA get new or more General information about KALETRA serious diabetes, or high blood sugar. Tell your doctor if you notice KALETRA does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. The long-term effects of 039-565605 an increase in thirst or urinate often while taking KALETRA. KALETRA are not known at this time. People taking KALETRA may • Changes in body fat. Changes in body fat in some people who still get opportunistic infections or other conditions that happen take antiretroviral therapy. These changes may include increased with HIV-1 infection. Some of these conditions are pneumonia, amount of fat in the upper back and neck (“buffalo hump”), herpes virus infections, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) breast, and around the trunk. Loss of fat from the legs, arms and infections.

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watermark | orlando news

| April 14-April 27, 2011

AIDS Walk Orlando raises $170,000 jamie hyman

Harold Strait, The Center board member and Miss P’s brother David Wegman hung the plaque officially dedicating the Paul “Miss P” Wegman Memorial Library.

The Center’s library dedicated to “Miss P” staff report Orlando | The library at The Center is now the Paul “Miss P” Wegman Memorial Library, after being dedicated on April 3 to the facility’s very first librarian who passed away eight years ago. “Miss P” was the headliner at the Parliament House for decades. Her ashes are placed under the stage at The Footlight Theatre. “So every time you see a drag queen trip, that’s Paul grabbing their heel,” said Miss P’s brother, David Wegman. “She was a mix between Tallulah Bankhead and Don Rickles,” said Center Executive Director Randy Stephens. “She was definitely

an icon that a lot of people remembered.” At the dedication ceremony, Wegman donated books from Miss P’s personal collection, a commemorative plaque was hung and attendees watched the screening of a video memorial of Miss P. Stephens said the library now contains 3,500 volumes, which members of The Center can check out for free. “Her brother donated some of her personal books including her own personal dictionary and a few other reference materials that she used,” Stephens said. He said The Center has had five librarians over the years and “each one of them have brought something very valuable to it,” so Stephens plans to write a brief history of each to be distributed to The Center’s members. | l |

Westboro counter-protests planned staff report Orlando | Gay-friendly groups are getting organized and preparing to counter a protest by notoriously anti-gay group Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro plans to picket Dr. Philips High School from 6:50–7:20 a.m. on April 29. Their press release says the school is “fag-infested”

and “pervert-run.” At least two counter-protests have popped up on Facebook, with as many as 1,000 people reporting that they plan to attend. The hate group previously staged a protest at University High School in Orlando in November of 2010, but only about 3 picketers showed up and they were far outnumbered by counter-protestors. | l |

briefs O.C. Commissioners to consider domestic partnerships Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs and the county commissioners will discuss domestic partner benefits for county employees at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 19. The meeting kicks off at 9 a.m. in Commission Chambers, downtown on Rosalind Ave. Supporters are being asked to wear red to show their solidarity.

LGBT motorcycle club formed The Center is organizing an LGBT motorcycle club. The club held its first group ride Saturday,

April 9 to the Leesburg Bike Fest, and several more are scheduled throughout the year, culminating in PRIDE RIDE 2011 during Come Out With Pride on Oct. 8. The club is open to anyone interested in recreational motorcycle touring. For more information visit TheCenterOrlando.org.

MBA HQ to open doors The Metropolitan Business Association’s and Come Out with Pride’s new office headquarters is opening its doors on Thursday, April 28. The MBA will host a grand opening party that evening, from 6:30–8 p.m. The new office is located on S. Osceola Ave, a block from Lake Eola. There is no charge to attend the grand opening.

Orlando | Nearly 2,000 walkers snaked their way around Lake Eola for the 2011 AIDS Walk Orlando on Saturday, April 9, a fundraiser benefiting Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. Maggie King, director of development, said it looks like the event will raise about $170,000, surpassing the goal of $165,000. “We still have money that’s outstanding and matching gifts,” she said. The top fundraising team was Team Karma Yoga at $16,700, with Khalil Makdah ringing in as the top individual fundraiser at $8,212. Disney’s VoluntEARS had the most walkers, and Kenneth Cole’s team was the most spirited. “Eighty-eight cents on every dollar we raise goes directly to client services,” said King. “Our mission is to save lives by

treating and preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS.” She said last year they served more than 5,000 clients. “We provide different things for different people depending on their needs, such as insurance, case management and HIV tests. Last year we gave out 2,700 free HIV tests,” she said. “We do that through the generosity of the community, and we couldn’t do it without their support.” King said the event went smoothly. “From our standpoint, it couldn’t have gone any better,” she said. “It was so well-attended and it always humbles me because we’re just a little agency and all those people come out to support us and the clients we serve. It’s always very emotional. It always chokes me up.” The AIDS Walk is Hope and Help’s second largest annual fundraiser. | l |

Woman killed leaving Mr. Sisters parking lot staff report Orlando | An Orlando woman was hit by a car and killed attempting to run across State Road 50/Colonial Dr. April 9. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Alicia Stokes, 24, left the Mr. Sisters parking lot early in the early morning hours and tried to cross the road. She ran into the path of a Toyota Camry. Police say Stokes died at the scene but the driver

of the Camry was not injured. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that Stokes may have been under the influence of alcohol, but no charges will be filed in connection to her death. It is unclear whether Stokes was inside the LGBT-friendly bar before attempting to cross the street. Mr. Sisters owner Brian Humphries did not return calls for comment by press time. | l |

WMFE sale pending to Daystar Television jamie hyman Orlando | Central Florida’s airwaves are about to get a little more anti-gay. WMFE has announced that it is selling its public TV station to religious broadcaster, Daystar Television. Orlando filmmaker and LGBT activist Vicki Nantz said the sale announcement set off alarm bells. “I think that’s why Daystar Television has formed a new non-profit organization called Community Educators of Orlando,” she said. Nantz said Steven Strange, publisher of the anti-gay magazine Charisma, and his son sit on the board of trustees. The new non-profit is listed as the buyer but Nantz said they’re run by Daystar. “Public Television and WMFE have historically provided a place for LGBTaffirming TV programs which have

educated our country and advanced the fight for equality,” Nantz said. “To think that PBS will no longer have a home in the nation’s 19th largest TV market and will instead be another religious channel broadcasting bigotry and hate via the Daystar Network is a warning bell for everyone, especially those in the LGBT community.” She said it’s “like giving voice to these bigots” and is encouraging all members of the community to contact the FCC to protest the sale. “Even if you never watch it, it’s another tool of anti-gay bigotry that is in our hometown,” Nantz said. The FCC commissioners’ email addresses can be found at FCC.gov/ Contacts.html. Nantz said the FCC has 90 days to decide whether to grant the license. | l |

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Steve Kornell, right, speaks during a forum on anti-bullying practices in Pinellas County Schools held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. | Photo courtesy Bobby Poth

Panel focuses on eliminating gay bullying in schools staff report

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Clearwater | Bullying in schools is not a new problem. In fact, it’s happened for generations. But some parents, churches and even school employees are making things worse, according to some concerned residents who attended a panel on bullying April 3. One man who didn’t identify himself except to say he was a bus driver for Pinellas County Schools, said he complained to the district about antigay remarks and gestures he witnessed on the bus, but his supervisor was not supported. Many other stories of bullying and anti-gay sentiments were shared by the nearly 50 people attending the forum at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The discussion was led by three professionals who have worked with young victims of gay bullying: Shelbi Day, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union Tampa branch; Steve Kornell, a St. Petersburg City Council member and Pinellas schools social worker; and the Rev. Buz Van Horne, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. The forum was sponsored by the regional chapter of Lutherans Concerned, a nonprofit that promotes justice for all, including lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender individuals. “The impetus behind this panel was the death of seven teens by suicide in the last six to eight months throughout the country,” said Steve Miller, president of the regional chapter. “One young man took his life after his sexual orientation was exposed online.” Anti-bullying laws are important, the panelists said, but not everyone understands their reach. “There is an anti-bullying law for schools,” Day said. “It defines bullying as the use of threatening, humiliating or intimidating behavior of various types. It is never okay for a teacher to make antigay jokes or mock a

student’s behavior.” Each school also is required by law to enact its own policy against bullying and harassing. However, laws won’t work if they aren’t enforced or if students are afraid to use it, according to Kornell, who is the city’s first openly gay elected official. He is also a social worker for two Pinellas County schools. “Putting policy in place is only 50 percent,” the St. Petersburg City Councilman said. “The other half is making sure teachers and staff are enforcing policy and that isn’t always happening.” A child’s home environment can lead to bullying, according to Day. She said that a parent she met promised he would “beat the gayness” out of his child. “Many kids can’t go home and talk to their parents,” she said. While St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is LGBT affirming, Van Horne questioned the wisdom of other anti-gay churches and religions that say therapy can cure homosexuality. “That approach can be devastating for a teen,” Van Horne said. Fortunately, Gay-Straight Alliances are popular in Pinellas County Schools and only one school—East Lake High—doesn’t have one. The alliances are initiated by students and help strengthen self-esteem and diminish bullying. Finding sponsors for those groups, however, can prove challenging. “Teachers, either gay or straight, sometimes don’t feel comfortable with this group,” Day said. But Kornell said teachers and principals in Pinellas County are more often supportive than not. Van Horne referred to the popular It Gets Better project created by author and columnist Dan Savage. The YouTube sensation showcases adult LGBTs and allies encouraging LGBT youth that with time, things do improve. | l |

watermark | tampa bay news

Beckner, Kornell begin campaign fundraising steve blanchard Tampa/St. Petersburg | The Tampa Bay areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two out politicians are collecting funds to fuel their 2012 bids for ofďŹ ce. Steve Kornell and Kevin Beckner are looking to retain their seats on the St. Petersburg City Council and the Hillsborough County Commission, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If it seems like we just won an election, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because we just did,â&#x20AC;? Kornell said at a kick off event in March. Kornell was elected to a partial term created by former council member Jamie Bennet, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was humbled by the amount of support we had during our last campaign with over 200 volunteers and I am thrilled to see the same enthusiasm beginning to emerge.â&#x20AC;? In 2008, Beckner secured his seat on

the Hillsborough County Commission with a grassroots campaign that helped unseat incumbent Brian Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who had a history of anti-gay votes. Since taking ofďŹ ce, Beckner has focused a lot of ďŹ scal responsibility, along with human rights issues. It was at his ďŹ rst ofďŹ cial meting as a county commissioner that he discovered a hidden earmark of $2.3 million from former Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson. Both elected ofďŹ cials are the ďŹ rst openly gay politicians elected to posts in Tampa Bay. Fundraisers are forthcoming for both and information is available by searching by their respective names on Facebook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been honored to serve this great city, and I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of St. Pete,â&#x20AC;? Kornell said about his upcoming campaign. | l |

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Tampa | Things may seem a little quieter around Tampa Bay schools on Friday, April 15. Students will participate in the annual Day of Silence to protest the discrimination, harassment and abuse faced by LGBT students and allies. Following the day at school, the participants will gather at Sacred Grounds in Tampa to share their experiences throughout the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;essentially â&#x20AC;&#x153;breaking their silence.â&#x20AC;? The day is the project of GLSEN, and students will wear stickers and pass out cards

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Bias, West receive USF Pride Award staff report Tampa | To many, Mark Bias and Carrie West are the fun-loving owners of MC Film Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the quirky shop in the heart of Ybor Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GaYbor District. But the longtime Tampa residents are also activists and have been the push behind LGBT equality for decades.

According to a letter from Mark Hafen, Chair of the USF Presidential Advisory Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, the two were selected for their â&#x20AC;&#x153;numerousâ&#x20AC;? contributions to the LGBT community of Tampa Bay. The pair were presented the award on Thursday, April 14, during USF Prideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seventh Annual GALA event at the USF Gibbons Alumni Center. | l |

Barros joins Watermark staff steve blanchard St. Petersburg | Anthony Barros is changing careers. The popular resource development manager with the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas has accepted a position to become Watermarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Tampa Bay Sales Director. The move comes after the resignation of Jim Nixon, who accepted a position as the group marketing director at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anthony has big shoes to ďŹ ll,â&#x20AC;? said Watermark publisher Tom Dyer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wish Jim every success in his new career and we welcome Anthony to the Watermark family.â&#x20AC;? During his career at ASAP, Barros coordinated the World AIDS Day Gala, created AIDS Walk St. Petersburg and successfully introduced Dining Out For Life to Tampa Bay. Barros, who lives in St. Petersburg with his partner, Ed Leonhard, will ofďŹ cially start in his new position at the ďŹ rst of May. | l |

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watermark | sarasota news

| April 14-April 27, 2011

AIDS Ride hits Legacy Trail April 23 staff report Sarasota | For the third year in a row, Trinity Charities will invite bicycle enthusiasts of all skill levels to participate in its 12 mile AIDS Ride along Legacy Trail in April. This year’s event is Saturday, April 23, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The annual beneﬁt raises money for Trinity Charities, which provides a number of services to the area’s needy, hungry and HIV communities. Registration will be in the back of the YMCA parking lot at 8301 Potter Park Drive. That’s also where the ride will begin. The Legacy Trail is more than 12 miles long and runs from just south of the City of Sarasota

to Venice, following the former CSX railroad corridor. Organizers say the total length of the ride is 25 miles round trip. However, beginners are encouraged to utilize any of the 15 rest areas along the trail and it is not required that the entire 25 miles be completed. The ride is described as a “bicycle fun ride” and is not a race. However it is a fundraiser and participants are encouraged to ask coworkers, friends, family and neighbors for donations. Donations may also be made online. Those interested in participating in the Saturday, April 23 ride can visit TrinityCharities.org to sign up. For more information, call 941-355-0847. | l |

Outdoor art exhibit returns to Sarasota staff report Sarasota | The international outdoor art exhibit demonstrating diversity will once again return to Sarasota. Embracing Our Differences features 39 bilboard-sized images created by professional artists, art students and school children from Florida and around the world. The creations also feature

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April 14-April 27, 2011 |

FOR

RENT American

Stage brings the rock opera to the park steve blanchard

t. Petersburg | Alison Burns isn’t a lesbian, but she plays one on stage. The seasoned actress returns to the role of “Maureen” in American Stage’s production of RENT, opening April 15 at Demens Landing downtown. It’s the theater company’s 26th annual outdoor production. “I love playing gay people,” says Burns, who played Maureen in the original tour of the musical. “It’s a privilege to represent the gay community. That community is so open and welcoming with such a loving spirit. It’s nice being on stage to inspire non-gay and gay people alike.” The 1996 Pulitzer Prize winning rock opera has been done on many stages around the world (and on ﬁlm) since its debut 15 years ago. But the story about a group of Bohemian friends in early 1990s New York City continues to inspire and motivate directors to recreate a year in the life of this group of friends. “I am of the RENT generation,” explains out director Eric Davis. “When it came out I was the same age as the characters in the show. So this production, this play, is about people I know—about people of my generation.”

Davis says that his production of RENT is similar to the original, but he took artistic license with some of the costumes and choreography. There are plenty of points where Davis plays homage to the original production, but he says he approached American Stage’s production “without the baggage.” Burns says she’s enjoyed those changes. “I think that the production Eric has created will help RENT fans discover new aspects of the show and still captivate newcomers to the story,” she says. Davis says his costuming ideas are different than what some die-hard fans may envision, but he says they work. And that’s something Tampa Bay-based actor Ricky Cona, who plays “Angel,” enjoys. Costumes and heels “I have a whole new respect for drag queens,” says Cona, who plays the Puerto Rican female impersonator the rest of the cast meets in the ﬁrst act of the show. “Drag is hard and I’m already on my third pair of shoes!” Cona, who is an “out homosexual male,” rehearses in a “modest heel” now but originally wanted platform heels for the role.

Alison Burns, foreground, plays Maureen in American Stage in the Park’s production of RENT, opening April 15. | Photos courtesy American Stage

After a few rehearsals, he says he was ready to sacriﬁce style for comfort. “I think Angel would understand,” he laughs. Cona admits he wasn’t as familiar with RENT as some of his cast mates. He knew the big songs from the production, but he didn’t know the show was a rock opera—in that almost all of the dialogue is sung. “I had the highlight album,” Cona admits. “And I saw a recording of the original Broadway production, but that was about it.” The 25-year-old says he admires his character of Angel because he is so at peace with his HIV diagnosis—which was essentially a death sentence at the time the play is set. “He has this terrible disease and he’s the only one who accepts it,” Cona says. “He’s teaching them to live day by day and to put differences aside. He helps the characters come together as a family in spite of his own experiences. That is admirable to me.” Cona says he enjoys watching drag shows and he admits he recently experienced some “character study” at Georgie’s Alibi watching RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Shangela dancing on the stage. Continued on page 38 | uu |

| April 14-April 27, 2011

watermark | television

back to basics: Logo’s Setup Squad offers a familiar face, drama and Dating 101

erik caban

ogo is turning the dating world on its head this spring with the help of some professional “wingmen” and “wingwomen” on its new series, Setup Squad. The docu-reality series follows an upand-coming dating agency, Wings, Inc. in New York City, specializing in professional “wing” women and men transforming their hapless clients into confident singles looking for love. One of those “wingmen” is Jonathan D. Lovitz, who Florida LGBTs will recognize from his appearances in productions at American Stage in St. Petersburg and as this year’s Come Out With Pride grand marshal. Has dating really come to this? Yep! Where meeting and courting someone in-person has all but been superseded by a digital society, the Setup Squad offers a gay/straight, female/male refresher course on the ways to communicate, connect and “the art of the pickup.” The actor and model made headlines recently when he was dismissed from jury duty for voicing his disdain for being treated like a “second class citizen.” Other cast members include Renee, the fashionista, a self-professed dating expert and the no-nonsense boss and owner of Wings, Inc.; Meredith, a lesbian real-estate agentby-day who helps clients “seal the deal” with

her persistence and compassion; Lauretta, a married, vivacious “queen bee” and Renee’s right-hand woman in the business; and Helen, a single, straight comedienne and new recruit to “Wings, Inc.” who believes humor is the best icebreaker to love at first sight. Lovitz is the Southern gentleman who relies on his charm to help seal the deal. The handsome Florida native shared his thoughts on his new career on reality television, his upcoming gig as grand marshal and his recent headline-making experience as an outspoken juror.

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

(L-R) Helen, Renee, Jonathan, Lauretta, Meredith are part of the Setup Squad that premieres Monday, April 25 on Logo. | Photo courtesy Jason DeCrew for Logo

different upbringing. Speaking of growing up in Coral Springs, that’s where you began your acting career and spent quite a bit of time performing at the American Stage Theatre Company. How was the transition from stage to television? Smooth. I still act and model during the day but get to moonlight as a match-maker at night. How did you become a professional “wingman?” Well, I think years of my own experiences of the good, bad and very ugly of dating helped. With my acting background, I’m able to be very open and outgoing. It’s a great combination to help others. And I’m not helping just gay men but straight women as well. So, in a way, I’m teaching myself not be limited.

What seems to be the primary reason clients come to “Can you tell me a Wings, Inc.? WATERMARK: Will People taking place where it’s wrong this be your first time themselves or dating to talk about equality?” as a Grand Marshal? too seriously. Dating —Jonathan D. Lovitz should be as simple JONATHAN D. as going out with a LOVITZ: Yes. I’m friend. No pressure; very excited! I always just hanging out. said if I gained any Then, if you’re fortunate enough, you’re best notoriety from the “jury duty” thing, I wanted friend could turn into more. to continue to be vocal, proactive and make a difference. Growing up in Coral Springs, It seems as though most of the feedback Fla., I think it’s great that you’re able to be out from your jury duty dismissal was positive. and proud in Orlando. A lot of people don’t Has there been any backlash? truly appreciate that ability. My boyfriend, for example, is from Lincoln, Neb., and had a very I remember someone asking, “Is jury duty

the right place to be voicing your personal opinions?” My response was “Can you tell me a place where it’s wrong to talk about equality?” The point is, it’s gotten people talking. I don’t care what you say about me, just as long as you’re talking. My goal is that dialogue leads to change. You’re clearly passionate about non-profit organizations and charities. What are some of your favorite organizations you’ve worked with? Broadway Cares combines entertainment and equality to fight AIDS. UCP [United Cerebral Palsy], which educates, advocates and provides support for those living with cerebral palsy. And I’ll be speaking at a Broadway Impact event for marriage rights. If you hadn’t become an actor, what career do you think you would have chosen? An astronaut or a teacher. I used to go to space camp in Cape Canaveral every summer as a kid. Eventually, I would still like to become a college professor, maybe once I’m done acting. You’ve been with your boyfriend almost three years. What is the best relationship advice you’ve gotten and who was it from? My boyfriend always says, “One day at a time.” | l |

see+hear WHAT: Setup Squad WHERE: Logo WHEN: Mondays, 9 p.m.

watermark | television

| April 14-April 27, 2011

an uprising of power A powerful new documentary sets the record straight on Stonewall

scottie campbell

arly in Stonewall Uprising, in voiceover, a man describes the evening of June 28, 1969, succinctly, in a tone permeated with pride: “In the civil rights movement, we ran from the police. In the peace movement, we ran from the police. That night, the police ran from us—the lowest of the low—and it was fantastic.” Producers of the acclaimed PBS history series American Experience approached documentary team Kate Davis and David Heilbroner with the project of recounting David Carter’s book Stonewall: The Riots that Sparked the Gay Revolution, in large part due to their proven track record with LGBT subject matter. Their documentary,

like its source material, has managed to achieve something that appeared impossible up until now: setting the record straight on this event that ignited the LGBT rights movement. To arrive at this objective look at the facts of the evening the LGBT community fought back for the first time, Davis and Heilbroner had to sift through myth, legend, and embellished memories. Speaking to Watermark from his home in Manhattan, respected playwright Doric Wilson relates a memory of seeing a friend dancing in a can-can line in front of the police that night. He knows the memory isn’t real because he didn’t meet the friend until after Stonewall.

Lesbian protestors interact with NYC police during the Stonewall Riots of 1969. | Photo courtesy PBS

“My mind superimposes it. I see it as real, but know it didn’t happen at the same time. I’m usually pretty good about that kind of stuff, so if I’m dealing with that imagine what [the filmmakers] were up against,” said Wilson, one of the eyewitness interviews in Stonewall Uprising. Among his canon of plays is Street Theater (1982) about Stonewall. Heilbroner and Davis made Anti-Gay Hate Crimes (1998) and Transgender Revolution (1999) for the A&E Networks, and Davis directed and produced Southern Comfort, an award-winning film (including Best Documentary Feature at the Florida Film Festival) about a female-to-male transgender diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Some may be surprised to learn, then, that Heilbroner and Davis are husband and wife. When the question comes up, Davis gets her guard up a bit perceiving it as a challenge of their qualifications. “I don’t want to speak for my husband, but I was interested in gay rights when I was in high school and—I’m dating myself—this was the 1970s. I even started a gay rights group [in high school], though it was quickly disbanded,” Davis told Watermark. At the same time, Davis offers that having some distance from the topic may

have helped the couple to take an unbiased look at what has been called the Stonewall Rebellion. Wilson agrees that not being “immersed” in the LGBT community, in addition to being too young to remember Stonewall, may have been a key to Davis and Heilbroner’s success. “I was terribly impressed with Kate and David. I gained some measure of fame at [1960s off-off Broadway coffee house] Caffe Cino, so I’ve been interviewed for 50 years. Never have I been around people who took such care,” said Wilson. Wilson emphasizes that starting with author David Carter, who served as a consultant on the film, was also pivotal in making Stonewall Uprising accurate. Carter’s book, submits Wilson, was the first chronicling of the evening that didn’t seem to have an agenda, unlike Martin Duberman’s Stonewall, for example, which postulates the riot was manufactured by leftists. An inclusive range of interview subjects adds crucial legitimacy to the documentary. In addition to rioters themselves, the film includes journalists from The Village Voice, the NYPD officer who led the raid, and Ed Koch, the eventual New York City Mayor, who was then a councilman and leader in “cleaning

watermark | television

Rioters confront cops outside Stonewall in New York on June 28, 1969. | Photo courtesy PBS

CBS report “The Homosexuals” hosted up the streets.” by none other than Mike Wallace, widely Davis laughs when she recounts a considered liberal. screening of the film in North Carolina at “I know Mike and I would guess he which an audience member angrily insisted would be embarrassed by the piece today,” she should have asked Koch if he was gay, said Davis. “But that was the accepted an unfounded rumor that has perpetuated thought on homosexuality at the time, the NYC LGBT community for decades. which makes it all the more important to Though she seems surprised by the include in the film.” encounter, it only helps reinforce her Davis is fairly indignant over the motivation for placing Koch’s “powerful” exclusion of Stonewall in textbooks while scenes in the film. The director calmly Wilson views explained to the man it as a fact of that the film wasn’t life (“…history about going after is the version anyone. “I was interested in of the people “That’s a whole who won…”), other discussion. gay rights when I but Stonewall Let’s talk about that was in high school Uprising could over a beer later,” she and… I even started be an important laughs. start to finding that American a gay rights group, place in history. society’s view of though it was quickly In addition to homosexuality making the film during the 1960s disbanded,” festival circuit, it and the anti-gay —FILMMAKER KATE DAVIS will be broadcast laws, most arcane on PBS this even at that time, month, viewed by provide an essential millions, many of backdrop to the film. whom are unaware of these events. Those An interviewee who served in the Navy numbers will include members of the recounts slashing his wrists to avoid the LGBT community who will, for the first shame of homosexuality, a woman tells time, connect Pride parades to the birth of of joining a nunnery to figure herself the LGBT rights movement, the night the out, and Wilson tells of a friend who was queers fought back. | l | given a lobotomy, an accepted cure for homosexuality at the time. Clips for a 1961 public service announcements called Boys Beware teaching young attractive boys how to recognize a homosexual’s advances seem worthy of Saturday Night Live skits, WHAT: American Experience if it weren’t for the fact that they were presents Stonewall Uprising WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Monday, April 25 real. It is particularly jarring, and telling, WHERE: PBS (Check local listings to see clips for a black and white 1967

see+hear

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

watermark | film

| April 14-April 27, 2011

screened out A FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARIES

stephen miller

Stephen@WatermarkOnline.com

Shut Up Little Man! (Documentary directed by Matthew Bate)

n 1987, two naĂŻve young men from Madison, Wisconsin moved to a slummy apartment in San Francisco. Next door were two professional drunks: Ray, an old homophobe and his very gay roommate, Peter. These ďŹ lth-mouthed alcoholics fought verbally and physically. The scared kids taperecorded the brouhaha, at ďŹ rst in fear and later in fascination. The recordings went viral even before the Internet existed. Shut Up Little Man! is hilarious and sad, twisted and pathological. Not only does it raise questions of how these two virulently opposed addicts came to live with each other; It also explores the morals of the two youths secretly recording the nightly war, disseminating the information, later copyrighting and selling the material.

Comic book artists, playwrights and even movie studios jumped into the mix, and the phenomenon turned into a legal and ethical quagmire. Bateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s documentary shows the Shut Up Little Man! history in every permutation, with excellent editing and pacing. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more vital, this ďŹ lm subtly posits many quandaries and lets the audience sort through all the fascinating and sick variations of right and wrong.

Chekhov for Children (Documentary by Sasha Waters Freyer)

Uncle Vanya is a dark, Slavic play that runs almost three hours. Anton Chekhov wrote it in the 1890s. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about aging Russian peasants reďŹ&#x201A;ecting on lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failings. Who in their right mind would have 12-year-olds perform it?

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Eddie Lee Sausage (left) and Mitch Deprey recorded their gay, drunk neighbors in the documentary Shut Up Little Man!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was like experimenting with kids,â&#x20AC;? say one person who was in the 1979 production, now more than 30 years later. Director Waters Freyer went to PS 75, an experimental Manhattan school where writers would do special projects with the kids. One such person, Phillip Lopate, directed ďŹ fth graders in a full-length production of the depressing, thoroughly adult script. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great subject. The kids, now adults, all have different takes on this crazy project. In subtle ways, they even mirror Chekhovâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s themes. The only thing hindering this documentary is a lack of technical skillâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;good sound, cinematography and editingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for the modern interviews.

a strong sense of what his inďŹ&#x201A;uence will be in the long run. So, like Foremanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plays, the narrative has some annoying gaps.

Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour (Documentary directed by Kerthy Fix)

As a band, Le Tigre was lo-ďŹ electronic and punk, embodying a politic that was outspoken, lesbian, and feminist. Fun and freakiness saved them when their heavy-handed message got tedious, as it sometimes does in this documentary. Director Fix followed the band on their ďŹ nal tour in 2004. Despite mindFLUX their proselytizing, they had fun, incorporating goofy animation (Documentary directed by and choreography into their Ryan Kerrison) shows. Perhaps the most fascinating character in the For anyone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seriously band was Samson, who looked studied theatre, Richard like a teenaged boy, with a Foreman is a weird and thin moustache and a distinct inspiring example of what unibrow. She became the audiences will put up with. Unlikely lesbian sex symbol JD bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely sex symbol. For the rest of us, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only an Samson of Who Took the Bomp? That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that oddball footnote. about half of this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get Foreman has created more politically pedantic. Also, with than 50 dramatic works, writing and directing such interesting subjects, Fix spends too much supremely kooky plays that constantly time on the mundane. | l | confound audience expectation. Heavy on props, visuals and absurd dialogue, loaded with strange costumes, grating noise, and vacillating Overflowing uncontrollably characters, his plays have nonetheless garnered with glittery fabulousness three Obie awards. Pretty damn good, but Director Ryan Kerrison does an amazing itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no Sunset Boulevard job getting over 50 interviews to outline An entertaining enough flick with Foremanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, work and inspirations. The perhaps a few gaping holes editing and illustrations are also symbolic Ever so slightly watchable, even if it is just because of that hot actor of Foremanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style. mindFLUX doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t completely give us a sense of what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to Two hours of your life youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never get back sit through a Foreman play, nor does it provide The Florida Film Festival continues through April 17 In Orlando at Enzian and the Regal Winter Park Cinemas. Information on these films, schedules and other offerings is at FloridaFilmFestival.com. More reviews are at WatermarkOnline.com

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watermark | art

| April 14-April 27, 2011

complex clay Matt Nolen’s ceramic sculpture is on exhibit at the Mindy Solomon Gallery

tom dyer

t. Petersburg | Matt Nolen’s unique clay and mixed media sculptures command attention. First you notice a beautifully rendered human form. Then the subtly expressive face draws you into a rich and often provocative story. There are graduate school lecturers with less to say. Consider “Oil Lamp”, currently part of the “Florida Souvenirs” exhibit at the Mindy Solomon Gallery in downtown St. Petersburg. A hungry baby reaches toward a single porcelain flame. Underneath is a landscape filled with the industrial waste of a consumptive world dependent on oil. With gas approaching $5 a gallon and the tragic BP oil spill still fresh in memory, the at-first innocent-looking ceramic sculpture is particularly potent. As Mike Myers’ Linda Richman character would say on SNL: “Talk

amongst yourselves.” No surprise that artwork of this kind often takes Nolen up to a year to complete. “I get an idea then I let it incubate until imagery starts to develop,” Nolen says from his studio in New York City. “Then I draw until I feel compelled to begin creating with clay.” It’s a multi-layered process, often involving five to six “firings” in the kiln. Like a Tim Burton movie set, Nolen’s studio is filled with tantalizing and disturbing figures in various stages of completion. “My work tells the story of conflict driven by challenge,” Nolen says. “My figures are in emotional or psychological transition. I’m interested in life lived within the complexity of these margins.” But Nolen is the antithesis of the angstridden urbanite. Born in Key West and raised

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in Alabama, he has the accent and easy charm of a southern gentleman. He moved to New York in 1983, ready to put his degrees in painting and architecture to full use. It was a good decision. For years he specialized in functional art, and a handmade public washroom made for the Kohler Co was named one of “The 10 Best “Oil Lamp” is typical of Matt Nolen’s most recent work: challenging and beautiful. Bathrooms in the World,” by the Travel Channel. Nolen has since been profiled in the New York Times, and his work appears in numerous private and public collections, including the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Art at New York University and Pratt Institute, and currently board president for the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine. Nolen lives in Harlem with partner Greg Triggs, a director and comedian who performed at the Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island. The two met through Nolen’s brother, Philip, also a popular Orlando-area performer. Triggs now produces shows “Twist” uses unexpected imagery to convey complex worldwide for Disney. human emotions. Nolen’s work has been exhibited at the Mindy Solomon Gallery for a number of years. doing,” he says. “There’s a lot to sort out, The international showcase for contemporary especially different ways to communicate art is part of the cultural renaissance in emotion in painting and sculpture.” downtown St. Petersburg. In “Twist”, Nolen tops a restive face with a “I met Mindy at a ceramics conference and closed lotus blossom as headpiece. A tornado we just connected,” Nolen says. “She has an swirls from a large hole in the neck, like a eye for interesting, thought-provoking work.” tracheotomy to a troubled soul. Whether functional or figurative, Nolen’s “I’m trying to convey struggle, growth, art has always been complex. The transition to transition,” says Nolen. “It’s not easy. If I ever human forms was organic, but also bold. get to the point where it feels totally within my “I’m always trying to put myself in grasp, I’ll probably move on.” situations where I don’t really know what I’m Talk amongst yourselves. | l |

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watermark | theater

| April 14-April 27, 2011

“I have a whole n e w r e s p e c t for d r a g q u e e n s . ” —actor Ricky Cona,who plays “Angel ”

| uu | RENT from p.29

“I watch RuPaul’s Drag Race like no one’s business,” he laughs. “There’s a lot of work that goes into drag and I have a new respect for those artists now. Not only is it a challenge financially to create those outfits, but it’s physically demanding. You have to be in incredible shape.” The hardest part about his role as Angel, Cona says, will be the multiple transitions in and out of drag during the performance. “Make up will be really hard—that part will be interesting,” he says.

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The AIDS perspective RENT is a snapshot in history, according to Davis. And this snapshot isn’t always pretty. “I think RENT is more powerful now than it was in the 1990s,” Davis says. “Culture’s relationship with AIDS has changed. Any AIDS play is a snapshot of that period and RENT is about the first generation of kids who grew up knowing what AIDS was. They knew it as ammunition on the playground.” Time period references to the drug AZT and a positive diagnosis as a death sentence are historically accurate, Davis says, as are the characters’ reactions to the stigma of infection. “The straight vs. gay perception has changed a lot since the play originally appeared,” Davis said. “There is more of an acceptance of people with HIV and AIDS now and less hiding it. Today it’s no longer just a gay disease, it’s a blood-borne illness.” Take it outside Since RENT is performed outdoors, there are plenty of factors to worry about other than the regular theatrical worries. The elements, for example, concern Burns, who says the cast was not rehearsing outdoors during Tampa Bay’s current rash of heavy thunderstorms. “I think that will be a challenge for us,” she says. “Florida weather can be extreme. But it’s worked for 26 years.” Fortunately for the cast, Davis has

experience directing plays outdoors. He directed last year’s wildly successful production of Hair at Demens Landing. “There’s a beauty to it,” Davis says of working on an outdoor production. “There’s a feeling of instant community when you’re out there. It’s a communal encampment feeling. Being outdoors is getting right to the root of theater, when stories are told around a fire.” Burns agrees, saying “It takes out the formality” of traditional theater. A decade of growth It’s been 10 years since Burns has played the “needy and crazy” Maureen. But returning to the role has brought a new respect for the character to the RENT alum. “I have a lot more experience now and I realize what an iconic play this is,” Burns says. “Just living another 10 years has opened my eyes to a whole new side of the play and I’m finding the truth behind it.” Burns says she discovers “hidden moments” almost daily during rehearsals and that the true investments these characters have in each others’ lives is more powerful to her now than 10 years ago. “It touches on so many parts of life,” she says. “It’s about love and loss. I truly understand it more.” Anyone can relate to the characters of RENT, according to Davis. While it is one of the “gayest plays” out there, the stories are universal. “RENT puts a gay love relationship right in the middle of the play,” Davis says. “But there are three love relationships and they represent all aspects of sexuality. You have the gay couple, the lesbian couple and a straight couple all sharing stories set to popular music. That’s what makes this play so incredibly special.” | l |

see+hear WHAT: RENT WHERE: Demens Landing, St. Petersburg WHEN: April 15-May 8 TICKETS: AmericanStage.org

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| April 14-April 27, 2011

Spamalot Monty Python’s Spamalot is a lot gayer than you might think, and it arrives at Sarasota’s Van Wezel April 20 and 21.

Orlando Home and Garden Show

Meow Meow New York cabaret diva Meow Meow will perform at the Straz Center on April 21.

HGTV star Andrew Downward will appear at the Orlando Home and Garden Show the weekend of April 15.

art

theater

[ORLANDO] QUACK Art Reception

[SANFORD] Cabaret

The Center will host a QUACK Art Reception at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. The reception falls in the middle of the exhibit, Bold Art 6, wich runs through April 29. Artists displayed include Jackie Blue, Anje Dardin, David Dodson, DurkART, Barbara Hughes and Frank LoPinto. For details and more information, visit FLQuack.org.

The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center will present the dark comedy/drama Cabaret inside its Helen Stairs Theatre April 29-May 8. The popular musical that launched Liza Minnelli into Oscar stardom will no doubt sell out fast. For tickets and information, visit HelenStairsTheatre.com or call 407-321-8111.

music [ORLANDO+TAMPA] Lady Gaga Her penchant for 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.

[ORLANDO] Ke$ha Dance floor diva Ke$ha will perform at the House of Blues at downtown Disney on Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23. The concert will no doubt feature some of the popular star’s mega hits and selections from her new album. For tickets and information, visit HOB.com or call 407-934-BLUE.

[SARASOTA] Spamalot Okay, on the surface there isn’t anything that gay about Monty Python’s Spamalot—but just wait until you get into the second act, and meet “The Diva” and experience a medieval gay wedding. Experience musical theater in a whole new way when the award-winning comedy arrives at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Wednesday and Thursday, April 20 and 21. For tickets and information, visit VanWezel.org.

[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 runs through May 8. Tickets are available at AmericanStage.org or by calling 727-8237529.

[TAMPA] Dial M for Murder Frederick Knott’s thriller, Dial M for Murder is a classic tale of deceit, betrayal, and a “perfect crime” that goes very, very wrong. Tony Wendice, a charming, sophisticated extennis player, has concocted a plot to murder his wife, Margot, and inherit her fortune. As

with all foolproof schemes, of course, things don’t work out quite so well, and Tony’s “perfect crime” leads to some very unintended circumstances. The inspiration behind the Hitchcock movie starring Grace Kelly opens Friday, April 22. For tickets and information, visit CarrollwoodPlayers.org.

Meow Meow If you love the art of cabaret then you’ll love Meow Meow. The “diva of the highest order” brings her post-modern-cabaret show to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Thursday, April 21, at 8 p.m. Her off-kilter comedy and performance art are described as exotic and her musicality takes audiences on a journey through the portals of old Shanghai, pre-war Berlin and gay Paris. For more information and tickets, visit StrazCenter.org.

special events [ST. PETERSBURG] 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.

[ORLANDO] Home & Garden Show The annual springtime edition of Central Florida’s longest-running home improvement event will feature out HGTV star Andrew Downward throughout the weekend of April 15-17. All events are held within the Orange County Convention Center Complex beginning at 10 a.m. each day. For tickets and more information, visit OrlandoHomeShow.com.

Lake Eola Garden Tour On Sunday, April 17, the Lake Eola Heights Historic Neighborhood Association will present the fith biennial tour of “The Private Gardens of Historic Lake Eola Heights.’ This year’s event will build on what has become a very popular feature on Orlando’s calendar of gardening events. For tickets and more details, visit LEHHNA.com.

LGBT Wedding Expo The Center will host an LGBT Wedding Expo on Saturday, April 30, from noon to 5 p.m. The event is presented by the Plum Tree Company and will feature vendors showcasing their wedding accessories. Florists, videographers, DJs and bands, and even travel agencies will be on hand to help plan that special day. Raffles and door prizes will also add to the celebratory atmosphere.

Babes in Bonnets The annual Babes in Bonnets Easter Auction returns to the Footlight Theater inside the Parliament House for a day of outrageous outfits, comedy and, of course, hats. The fundraiser returns on April 18. For more information, visit ParliamentHouse.com.

Gaga after party When an artist like Lady Gaga comes to town, it’s not just a concert but an event. So whether you have tickets for the show or not, join in the festivities Friday, April 15, at Hamburger Mary’s in Orlando with a pre- and post- Gaga concert party. In addition to Mary’s great food and drink, she’ll also be serving up an outdoor dance party with music by DJ Cap’n Kirk, a Lady Gaga costume contest, and special surprise appearances. The party starts at 5 p.m. and lasts all night long. Hamburger Mary’s is at 110 West Church Street at Church Street Station.

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.

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

| April 14-April 27, 2011

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Photography | Steve Blanchard, Harold Harmon, Suzanne Noe and Carrie West 1- David Lee and Melanie Wilkinson of Canaan Band perform at Spirit Fest April 2 at Christ the Cornerstone Church in Pinellas Park. 2- (L-R) Pam Green and Lisa Noe of Karmic Tattoo were on hand for the Spirit Fest at Christ the Cornerstone Church in Pinellas Park April 2. 3- Performers in Square One’s “Man on the Moon” art show at the Ritz Ybor take the stage April 6. 4- Elektra Heavenly and Harold Harmon enjoy each other’s company at the Double Tree Westshore Hotel lounge during Talent Quest Sunshine State 2011 finals April 9. 5- Bob Buckhorn was sworn in as Tampa’s new mayor on April 1. 6- (L-R) Jodi Roberts, Amy DeMilo, Cheryl Roberts and Tim Brown get cozy after Drag Queen Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City April 6.

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tampa bay overheard That’s Dr. Ed, to you The end of April is an important time for Ed Briggs and David Schauer. The popular St. Petersburg-based couple will get married on Monday, April 25, in Washington D.C.—which coincides with their 18th anniversary. On April 29, Briggs officially becomes Dr. Edward Briggs, DNP. The pair will celebrate their nuptials and Briggs’ graduation with a party at Beak’s Old Florida on Central Avenue on April 30. The couple has asked that in lieu of gifts, donations be made through OxFamAmerica.org, which helps those living in some of the world’s poorest countries. Congratulations to both for their renewed commitment and the graduation!

ESP invited to Heart Ball Event Show Productions has gained notoriety throughout Tampa Bay the past year for its over-the-top shows and exciting aerialists. Now ESP can add the 2011 Tampa Bay Heart Ball to its resume. The group performed at A La Carte Event Pavilion to benefit the American Heart Association. Committee chair Bryan Glazer and his committee selected the theme Passion for Life for which ESP designed show stopping entertainment. Their opening production featured an aerialist morphing from a cocoon into a butterfly as the vocalist and dancers gave a thundering performance to the

song “The Dog Days are Over.” The closing production was a Rock & Roll style Glee finale featuring singers and dancers performing to a medley of inspirational rock anthems to re-enforce the theme of hope and giving. An aerialist and Rock & Roll stilt walkers enhanced this performance making this a memorable spectacle. While ESP isn’t officially a gay production company, it certainly has its fair share of gay elements.

St. Pete Men’s Chorus reboot The St. Petersburg Men’s Chorus is undergoing a reorganization by Thomas D. Guthrie, managing artistic director, and original founders Mark Ebenhoch, Daniel Kiermaier and Clayton Hogue. The group originally formed in 2006 but never seemed to take off. Now, the chorus is a GALA-affiliated group and is a non-profit organization. The SPMC hopes to present concerts at public events in addition to the bi-yearly traditional concerts and operate integrated into the entire community rather than expecting the public to come only to our regular concerts. Guthrie said that being a part of St. Pete Pride is on the top of the list of the group’s priorities. Those interested in joining can contact Guthrie at thomguth@gmail.com or through. stpetemenschorus.com.

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

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orlando overheard She Likes Us, She Really Likes us On Sunday, April 3, Ellen DeGeneres completed taping of two episodes of her hit daytime talk show at Universal Orlando Resort. Those who were lucky enough to get their hands on a much-coveted ticket to be in the audience were treated to appearances by LL Cool J, Kelly Clarkson and Duran Duran. This marks the fifth year that Ellen has filmed her show in sunny Orlando. The comedienne wasn’t shy about her appreciation of the City Beautiful. “Let Oprah have Australia, I’ll take Orlando,” she said. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who was in the audience, said she was honored by DeGeneres’s endorsements for the city.

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YouTour, a traveling entertainment event featuring several of the internet’s biggest stars, which was to commence touring in January, has been abandoned. YouTour was the brainchild of Orlando resident and on screen host of StirfryTV.com, known to his many viewers simply as “River.” Michael Wanzie was set to direct the unique high energy variety show. According to Wanzie, “the tour was predicated on sponsorships which did not fully pan out due to the economy.”

Lascivious Liberation Ricky Martin’s “Musica + Soul + Sex” tour stopped in Orlando Friday April 8 with plenty of “sex.” Clad in black leather, the sultry singer strutted, shimmied and shook his bon bon to a nearly sold-out crowd at the Amway. The dynamic concert was packed with surprises both musical and visual. Martin’s coming out was clearly evident in his performance. With a grin on his face, he cavorted with shirtless male dancers and at different points in the evening, voice-over interludes told stories about experiencing prejudice. One young man talked of searching for acceptance from his father for being gay. “Be yourself,” his voice urged, as the crowd erupted in cheers.

Drama Scream Queens Last week, Scream veterans, Courtney Cox and David Arquette were spotted canoodling at the Grand Floridian Hotel in Orlando. It was reported that the two were here to spend some family time with their 6-year-old daughter Coco at Walt Disney World. The two also attended the Scream 4 premiere April 11 together. Could this mean they may get back together? “I don’t know. We’re not divorced,” Cox told reporters. “We couldn’t be in a better place. It’s better than before we were separated because we’re getting to know each other in a different way.”

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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1– There was lots of leather at the first organized ride to Leesburg Bike Fest for The Center’s Pride Ride Celebration. There will be two other events leading up to the main ride in October. 2– Patrick James, Michelle Gunn and Michael Hodges were among the reunited at the Cactus Club Rewind event, held April 1 at Paradise. 3- Scissor Sisters, Jake Shears and Ana Matronic, were “Filthy/Gorgeous” at Hard Rock Live April 7. 4– Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls Christina Sockol, Jamie Hyman, Sabrina Napolitano, Tiffany Maitland, Melissa Biddle and Linzy Svehla took over the rink at the gay skate night Rainbow Roll, held March 29 at Universal Skate Center 5– A Full Sail University LGBT group took a photo break from their volunteer project of repainting the upstairs of The Center. 6– The Metropolitan Business Association’s AIDS Walk Orlando team made a strong showing at the April 9 event at Lake Eola.

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hirty years ago, in 1981, “gay cancer” was diagnosed as HIV/AIDS. Since then, millions upon millions of people have been diagnosed with the disease and the 1980s and early 1990s saw circles of friends and communities decimated as funerals became weekly rituals. The disease became known as a “gay man’s disease” or a disease shared among drug users. For 20 years, Maria Mejia silently battled her condition—and no one suspected the young Colombian native was infected, much less even at risk. “When someone thinks of a positive female, they think prostitute, drug dealer or that they are promiscuous,” Mejia says by phone from her Miami home. “I’m ﬁghting that stigma, that’s why I’m showing my face out there.” Mejia, who has been with her girlfriend for four years now, decided late in 2010 to come out of the HIV closet to show a new face in the ﬁght for HIV/AIDS funding and medical research. The 38-year-old says she was diagnosed with HIV when she was 18, but she believes she actually contracted it when she was 16 and had unprotected sex with her exboyfriend. She believes he contracted it from his drug use. She didn’t even show symptoms of infection and she took a routine blood test when she joined the Job Corps in Kentucky. “The doctor didn’t prepare me like they do now,” she remembers. “He just said, ‘You have AIDS.’

H I V I S N ’ T J U S T A M A N ’ S D I S E A S E steve blanchard The reaction In 1981, a diagnosis of AIDS was a death sentence. Patients knew that death was inevitable and that no drugs were available to allow a normal life. “Twenty-five or 30 years ago, the news of a positive diagnosis was devastating to people,” says Elisa Icaza-Webb, a nurse practitioner in St. Petersburg who has been at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS crisis for 25 years. “Everywhere you looked, AIDS was there. It was in the news and people were dying like flies. It was awful.” It was a little better in the early 1990s, when Mejia was diagnosed, but not much. “I didn’t seek treatment of any kind,” Mejia says. “I didn’t want to take pills and I didn’t want my world to revolve around this disease.” In fact, Mejia didn’t seek treatment for a decade after her diagnosis. But she finally got to the point that she had no choice. Her T-cell count dropped below 40, meaning she was more than HIVpositive, she had AIDS. “For 10 years I did what I thought everyone was supposed to do—eating healthy and exercising,” she says. “But

HIV broke down my immune system and I needed medication—there was no longer a choice.” Fortunately medication has come a long way and the cocktails available are suitable for both men and women. The only differences, according to Icaza-Webb, are based on the age of the woman and her fertility. “If a woman is of child bearing age and she wants to have a child, there are certain medications we avoid because of fetal side effects,” she says. “But if a woman has her tubes tied or cannot have children for any other reason, we can use some of those same medications we use on men.” Since beginning her medical regimen, Mejia has regained her health Continued on page 56 | uu |

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ashington D.C. | “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience unique health disparities. Although the acronym LGBT is used as an umbrella term and the health needs of this community are often grouped together, each of these letters represents a distinct population with its own health concerns.” “Furthermore, among lesbians, gay men, bisexual men and women, and transgender people, there are subpopulations based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, age, and other factors,” is how the report opened. That summary statement is not news to anyone familiar with the LGBT community. But the fact that it was made in a report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and written by the prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM) adds new meaning and credibility to shaping health policy, which heretofore had been lacking. Traditionally IOM committees are asked to identify research gaps and priorities within a field. “But that paradigm does not fit for this area,” chair Robert Graham, MD, said at the March 31 news conference releasing the report. “There has been so little fundamental, across the board research with the LGBT communities that we couldn’t just identify gaps, we really needed to base our findings

upon a more broad and encompassing degree of needs in terms of research,” continued the professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. He said much of the research that does exist focuses on gay male adults, particularly with regard to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. And it has been conducted largely in urban environments, not suburban or rural ones. There is little research focusing on bisexuals and transgender persons or on issue of childhood or aging. Information on racial and ethnic groups and lower income populations is also scant. Some of these factors may confer additional health risks “and these sorts of crosswalks just have not been examined at all,” Graham said. Recommendations Among the broad recommendations in the report are: Data collection: Most federal surveys should offer opportunities for people to selfidentify as LGBT, should they choose to do so. Electronic health records should contain information on sexual orientation and gender identity. Methodologies: NIH should support developing standardized definitions and measures of sexual orientation and gender identity, to facilitate comparisons across studies. Training: NIH should create a comprehensive research training approach to strengthen LGBT research at NIH and among its grantees. Research: Researchers applying for grants from NIH and other federal agencies should identify how their research will meet the needs of LGBT Americans, in much the same way they do now along lines of race and gender. Committee members at the news conferences offered their own more focused research priorities toward meeting those needs. “We don’t have a good understanding of

Robert, Garofalo, left and pictured with San Francisco State University gerontologist Brian deVries, is a Northwestern University professor who believes more structural- and community-based programs are needed for LGBT populations. | Photo by Bob Roehr

the developmental processes that affect LGBT persons. I would love to see something that pulls together what we have attempted to piece together, the LGBT life cycle,” said Brian de Vries, a gerontologist at San Francisco State University. For Robert Garofalo, a pediatrician and professor at Northwestern University, “HIV is the number one health disparity that affects our community. If I were to design a study it would be to focus on intervention research for underserved populations, like young African American men in this country who are facing exorbitant amounts of HIV.” The past president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association said very little has been done in the area of intervention research that has been proven effective in reaching this community. He is particularly interested in structural and community-based rather than medical interventions. Judith Bradford, with Fenway Community Health in Boston, would focus on behavioral risk factor surveillance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Only 13 states currently measure it, “so if you look across the country you have a patchwork of places in which this data are collected.” She also would extend the questions to include adolescence through older age. Other Areas A second year medical student in the audience noted the spotty nature of education on LGBT issues in medical schools—some offer little to no training while a few are doing “a fantastic job”—and asked how the report addresses that training. The NIH plays only a small role in medical education so that was not a major focus of the report. Garofalo said, “The report does an incredibly good job of condensing the available literature. I think that will help medical schools develop curriculum.” Graham said a similar first report on black and minority health disparities in the 1980s “worked its way into medical school

curriculum as a sourcebook. We have some hope this report will do the same thing for the LGBT community.” Bradford said many of these recommendations “are not a big deal” to implement, but she acknowledged that there are barriers, including political barriers to doing so. For Garofalo, “This is something we have done for other populations and we think we should be doing it now for this population. This document goes a long way in framing it from a very scientific perspective. It is entirely now a matter of political will.” The day prior to release of the report, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article in its clinical practice section entitled “Care of Transsexual Persons.” It is the first time it has dealt with the subject so extensively. Garofalo said we have much to learn from the Dutch in this area. Graham said the journal article, this report, inclusion in surveys and electronic health records are important because they create opportunities for self-reporting of sexual orientation and gender identity. And for others, including physicians, “seeing those questions legitimates the fact that it’s okay to be that way … it is a sensitizing experience.” The NIH has appointed a liaison to coordinate implementation of the report’s recommendations within that agency. | l | The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding is available at IOM.edu/LGBTHealth

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| April 14-April 27, 2011

took over new responsibilities in their relationship—she became Cathy’s primary caregiver.

Fading

Hope L I V I N G W I T H A L Z H E I M E R ’ S D I S E A S E C A N B E E V E N M O R E D I F F I C U L T O N L G B T S rob mccabe

lth hema e edicin

inellas Park | Linda Watson and Cathy Oatman live in a nice home in a quiet neighborhood in a lovely house with a well-manicured lawn. Both women are veterans of the United States Army and served in Vietnam. Both have children—Cathy’s are adopted from Vietnam, Linda’s are from a previous marriage. There are toys everywhere on the day of the interview because they are taking care of Linda’s granddaughter. The house is also ﬁlled with years’ worth of memories. “We’ve been together over 20 years,” says Linda. “We met as friends many years ago and she used to be my traveling buddy back and forth to Veterans conventions.” The pair used to have a lot of friends and travel together. But then suddenly their comfortable life together came to a crashing halt. Ten years ago, Cathy suffered a heart attack which was followed by several small strokes. Not long after those debilitating attacks, she developed vascular dementia that eventually turned into Alzheimer’s disease and Linda

Bad to worse As a result of the disease, things started going from bad to worse. More and more Cathy, now 74, started displaying many of the traditional symptoms of Alzheimer’s— wandering and confusion as to where she was, familiar things were no longer familiar. She often misplaced things and she became irritable and lost her temper frequently. One day, Cathy started a fire in the kitchen while Linda was taking a rest. “She went to put something in the microwave from the refrigerator and forgot to take off the tin foil, Linda remembers. “I woke up and smelled something burning and ran to the kitchen and saw the microwave on fire and I said ‘Oh no!’” The two women start to laugh. Why the laughter? “We do a lot of humor,” Linda says. “We laugh a lot because you can’t take things personally. You can’t. You just have to let it roll over and just know that it’s the situation. So we laugh a lot, because if you don’t, you can go crazy.” Cathy was diagnosed to have the later stages of the disease—somewhere between Stages 5 and 6. She is also battling Stage 5 renal failure. Cathy is often filled with anxiety and delusional. She has hallucinations and is often restless. Linda says that her wife got so restless that she walked out of the house and wandered off while Linda was taking her nap. “The only time I lay down to take a nap and she wandered out looking for me, and she goes two doors down, walks into their house and sits down,” says Linda, 56. “Fortunately everybody around here knows us and they came in my house. I was sound asleep in the bedroom and I hear this voice calls out, ‘Linda, Linda, we’ve got Cathy.’ “That’s the day,” she adds, pointing toward the door, “that I went out and bought these locks.” Day by day Cathy is in good form the day of this interview. Linda believes that her twoyear-old granddaughter helps keep her partner active and alert, but there are days when Cathy can’t even get out of bed and it can take up to two people to get her out of bed to bathe her. “For the last couple of weeks she has been doing really well, but tomorrow morning we could wake up and things will be very different,” Linda admits. “So every day brings a new challenge. The thing with Alzheimer’s is that you never know what the day will bring. Every day you can start over and wipe the slate clean

because it’s going to be a new day.” Most of the help Linda gets is from the VA. Medical supplies, emollient lotions, diapers and the much-needed medicine which helps to slow down the progressive nature of the disease are readily available. For Linda, caring for Cathy is almost a 24/7 job. She tries to get rest when she can, but it isn’t easy. “We’re on a home-based primary care through the VA,” says Linda. The VA provides everything—even day care at a local VA facility. But even with that care, there is little time for Linda to rest. Day care days are the days she does her shopping and other important errands. She has a woman come in once a week to clean the house and a person to assist with Cathy. All of the day-to-day costs of medicine and other much-needed supplies would be astronomical, but because they are both veterans, all of their materials are covered through the VA. Like many people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, Cathy’s long-term memory is in great shape, but her recent memory is bad. “She can recall all of the songs and the ditties from World War II and things like that,” Linda says, “but you tell her something right now, and within ﬁve minutes she’ll forget.” Slowing the inevitable There are many different types of drugs to help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but nothing will stop its progression. Aricept is the most popular prescription and is used during the mid- to moderate Alzheimer’s disease stages. Cathy is on Rivastigmine, which is a patch, but sometimes it causes nausea, so she has to get off that medication once in a while in order to eat. Linda is exhausted, but she stays with Cathy because she loves her and she made a commitment to her. Both women are legally married in Canada, but because of the anti-marriage laws in Florida and the United States, they had to set up separate legal documentation to protect themselves—including Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney. “Get a Medical and Durable Power of Attorney now, don’t wait!” says Linda. The Medical Power of Attorney is a document signed by a competent adult,

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April 14-April 27, 2011 |

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“We laugh

a lot, the “principal,” that because if designates a person whom the principal trusts to make health care decisions on the you don’t, you principal’s behalf should the principal be unable to make such decisions. The can go crazy.” Durable Power of Attorney is important because limited and general Powers of —LINDA WATSON, Attorney are terminated WHO CARES FOR HER when the principal becomes develop a program for incapacitated. LGBT couples facing PARTNER CATHY, WHO Florida law provides the debilitating effects of for a special Power of IS SUFFERING FROM Alzheimer’s disease. Attorney—the Durable Fountain says that ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Power of Attorney which many people who live comes into effect when the with Alzheimer’s disease person can no longer act experience feelings of for him or herself. With alienation and shame this document, the person associated with the who has Power of Attorney can manage, condition. But why, she is asked, has there decide, sign and act on the principal’s been an increase in Alzheimer’s disease behalf. over the past 25 years? She says that’s because people are living longer, which Finding community means more elderly Americans experience the disease. Linda misses the days that she and “Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs in Cathy used to spend as a “typical” couple. people aged 60 to 85,” Fountain explains. But one of the things Linda misses “Not everyone gets Alzheimer’s. It’s not the most is going to church. She and a part of normal aging, but there is some Cathy used to go to the King of Peace age-related memory loss as people get Metropolitan Community Church in St. older. Petersburg where they could experience “When I was growing up, cancer was a sense of community, but even the short talked about with a sense of shame. Now, drive to their spiritual home was too there are many cures for many forms of much, she says, and they’ve lost touch cancer. There are no cures for Alzheimer’s with a lot of their church friends. Both disease. There are medications to slow of the women’s families have been very the progress, but at this time, there is no supportive when they can and Linda says cure.” that provides some strength. But there But until an LGBT group can be are feelings of isolation from the LGBT established for couples living with community Alzheimer’s disease, couples like Linda According to Beth Fountain, Helpline and Cathy will continue to struggle along, Specialist at the Florida Gulf Coast feeling isolated with only each other to Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association turn to for love and support. in Clearwater, there are support groups Those living with a same-sex partner for couples facing Alzheimer’s disease, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease are but many LGBT couples may not invited to contact Fountain at 727-578feel comfortable talking about their 2558. | l | relationships. That’s why she and Linda are trying to

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Dr. Caitlin Ryan, PhD found there is a direct link between LGBT depression and the amount of support given by an individual’s family.

It Takes

Family wire report

Fa m i ly a c c e p ta n c e k e y t o f i g h t LG B T d e p r e s s i o n

lth hema e edicin

or the first time, researchers have established a clear link between accepting family attitudes and behaviors towards their LGBT and significantly decreased risk and better overall health in adulthood. The study shows that specific parental and caregiver behaviors—such as advocating for their children when they are mistreated because of their LGBT identity or supporting their gender expression—protect against depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in early adulthood. In addition, LGBT youth with highly accepting families have significantly higher levels of self-esteem and social support in young adulthood. The study is published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, a journal of the International Society

of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, in a peer-reviewed article titled “Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults.” Despite all the recent “Family attention to health risks and disparities for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth, prior to acceptance this study, little was known about how families express protects acceptance and support for their LGBT children. Moreover, no prior research against had examined the relationship between family acceptance of suicidal LGBT adolescents and health The study, authored and mental health concerns in by Dr. Caitlin Ryan and thoughts emerging adulthood. her team from the Family “At a time when the media Acceptance Project, which and families are becoming and shows that accepting acutely aware of the risk behaviors of parents that many LGBT youth behaviors, and caregivers towards experience, our findings that their LGBT children are family acceptance protects protective against mental depression against suicidal thoughts health risks—including and behaviors, depression suicidal behaviors—has and substance abuse offer a and substance critical implications for gateway to hope for LGBT changing how families youth and families that abuse while relate to their LGBT struggle with how to balance children and how LGBT deeply held religious and youth are served by a offering a personal values with love for wide range of providers their LGBT children,” says Dr. across disciplines and Caitlin Ryan, PhD, Director gateway to systems of care, including of the Family Acceptance custodial care systems Project at San Francisco State hope for LGBT such as foster care. The University. “I have worked study was funded by The on LGBT health and mental California Endowment, health for 35 years and putting youth.” a health foundation our research into practice by dedicated to expanding developing a new model to —Dr. Caitlin Ryan access to affordable, help diverse families support quality health care for their LGBT children is the underserved individuals and most hopeful work I’ve ever communities. done.” Ann P. Haas, Ph.D., Major Research Director of Prevention Findings: Projects for the American Foundation for Family accepting behaviors towards LGBT Suicide Prevention, notes, “With this new groundbreaking study, Ryan and her colleagues youth during adolescence protect against suicide, depression and substance abuse. have provided the strongest evidence to date LGBT young adults who reported high that acceptance and support from parents and levels of family acceptance during adolescence caregivers promote well-being among LGBT had significantly higher levels of self-esteem, youth and help protect them from depression social support and general health, compared to and suicidal behavior. These findings open the peers with low levels of family acceptance. door to a whole new focus on how families LGBT young adults who reported low can be helped to more fully engage in the kind levels of family rejection during adolescence of behaviors that reduce suicide risk in LGBT were over three times more likely to have adolescents and young adults.” suicidal thoughts and to report suicide “Times have changed,” says Stephen attempts, compared to those with high levels of Russell, PhD, President Elect of the Society family acceptance. for Research on Adolescence and a consultant High religious involvement in families was to the Family Acceptance Project. “More and strongly associated with low acceptance of more families want to be accepting of their children. Yet, many families still struggle when LGBT children. These studies will be published in peera child comes out as LGBT. It’s essential to have research like this to deeply understand the reviewed journals designed for providers, caregivers and practitioners from a wide range ways that families show their acceptance, so of disciplines and practice settings. | l | that we can identify how to support families.”

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| April 14-April 27, 2011

live to be 40. “Honestly, Greg, I don’t pull any punches with my patients,” she told me. “If you want things sugarcoated you need to find another doctor. My response to that question from “I had a nervous my best medical perspective is, ‘Probably not.’” breakdown and I was in my early 30s with my whole life ahead of me. I had a wonderful, loving partner a catastrophic at home and I was making $70,000 a year at a great job. But here I was, listening to my relapse where doctor telling me I had “maybe three to five years at most.” catastrophic relapse where I About the same time my drank 15 bottles of vodka in partner also tested positive. 12 days and ended up in the We’ve never figured out who hospital for five days. gave it to whom. Does it really I mention this because matter? At least I had someone that experience forced me who knew and could relate to to take a hard look at a lot what I was going through. of things in my life—my Our lives over the next “secret” HIV life being few years became all about one of them. I decided it living life for the moment. We was time I “came out” to traveled to Tahiti, Aruba, Costa family and friends, and I Rica, and Puerto Rico. We and ended up began asking them for help bought all the most expensive and support. Much of what furnishings and things we contributed to that tough wanted for our home. If we had in the hospital summer was the burden of to pack 40 or 50 years of living carrying this disease around into the next three to five, then for five days .” all by myself. It finally “what difference did it make” caught up with me. I had if we charged up huge credit to make significant changes card bills. in my life or I would drink We were going to be dead again. And for me, to drink when the bills came due is to die. anyway. I started with my Quaker congregation. I I made the decision early on that I was going shook when I did it, but I stood up in Quaker to keep my status secret from my family and Meeting one beautiful fall morning in 2009 most of my friends. I thought, perhaps rightly and told my fellowship that I was HIV-positive so, that I just couldn’t deal with the stigma that and I needed their help, especially spiritually. seemed prevalent at the time. I was an only The power of prayer and their on-going child and only a few years earlier we had lost commitment to me and my health has since my mother to breast cancer. I couldn’t face proved invaluable. telling my father that his only son and the other That evening at home I picked up the phone survivor of our family was also going to die and called my father. That was one of the tragically I surmised that there was no reason hardest conversations I’ve ever had. Then more to burden him with that knowledge until I got phone calls to other family, then to friends. sick. It was a decision that stood until 2009. The reactions were amazing. There were No one knew. My dad, the rest of my family, no judgments at all. Everyone I spoke to said even some of my closest friends didn’t know. they loved me and asked me how they could I carried that knowledge and the burden of help. The love and support demonstrated by dealing with meds, doctors, lab tests, hospital everyone blew me away. stays and side effects all on my own. In Now, I’m coming out to the readers of retrospect that probably wasn’t a good idea. Watermark. It’s a bit daunting, but also I am also a recovering alcoholic. exhilarating because now I feel like I can live In mid-2009 I worked as the executive my life openly without all the secrets and lying. director of St. Pete Pride, an organization I I wouldn’t say my experience makes me an helped found. But my health was not exactly “expert” on all things HIV. But I have learned a condusive to the rigors of producing a lot in the almost 20-years of positive living. celebration attended by tens of thousands of It is my hope that by me being so open people. with this dialog that we continue to bring HIV HIV saps your strength and stamina no out of the shadows and into the sunlight of matter how good your counts are or how good understanding, compassion and hope. | l | your health appears to be to outsiders. In the end it proved to be too much for me and I Greg Stemm is a resident of Gulfport, Fla., and a left the organization. That played hard on my freelancer for Watermark Media. He may be reached psyche and I had a nervous breakdown and a at LifePoz@aol.com.

I drank 15 bottles of vodka in 12 days

Greg Stemm was diagnosed HIV-positive in 1992 but didn’t share his status with friends and family until 2009. Photo by Steve Blanchard

Positive

Living greg stemm

C o m i n g t h e HI V

I lth hema e edicin

o u t o f c l o s e t

f someone had told me when I sat across from the public health official who told me I was HIV positive in an icky green-colored room back in 1992 that I would someday write a column about what it was like living with this disease, I would have told them they were nuts. Foremost, I would not have believed that I would be alive in 2011 as a healthy, happy freelance writer for this publication I adore. Back in 1992, the only medication that was approved for treatment of HIV was AZT. It wasn’t a good drug. To say it was ineffective would be an understatement. It did little to actually treat the disease. It made me really sick and it made me horribly anemic. And so, I went to the best HIV specialist in the Tampa Bay area at the time, Dorrie Norris. I remember my initial meeting with Dorrie where I asked her at 31 years of age if I would

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

watermark

| April 14-April 27, 2011

“The doctor didn’t prepare me like they

Maria Mejia (right) and her partner, Lisa, walked at the Miami AIDS Walk earlier this year.

| uu | Woman and HIV from p.47

and appears as a fully healthy woman. She and her partner, who is negative, have launched a campaign to share Mejia’s story because too many people don’t believe women can get infected with HIV. “’You look good and you’re not a gay man,’ is heard by all of my female HIV patients,” says Icaza-Webb. “There is not one of my HIV-positive women who will say its different than that. Their friends immediately think about drug use when they learn about a woman’s diagnosis. But it can infect anyone.”

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For Mejia, sharing her HIV status became paramount in early 2011 when she watched her partner’s sister die of a brain tumor. She said she couldn’t understand why someone can say they have cancer, but not HIV. “With cancer, you die or you’re in remission,” Mejia says. “With HIV, you have no breaks. You have it forever and it’s always there, day and night. That’s what I always try to convey to everyone I come across. A life sentence HIV infection rates are back on the rise in Florida—mostly among young gay men and young African-American women between the ages of 18-26. The reasons for the increased infections can be linked to less education on the topic or the news that the disease is manageable by specific medications. “Everyone says that HIV is chronic,” says Mejia. “I tell them, it’s not a death sentence any more, but it is a life sentence. There is a lot to do.” Finding the right medications is important, of course, and Icaza-Webb is thankful for the advancements made during her career. But many patients don’t see the big picture when they learn of their status. “Every aspect of your life changes,” she says. “Social, economic—there are a lot of taboos and stigma still. It’s slowly getting better, but it is still there.” A positive diagnosis may not be a death

sentence, but it can still be traumatic for a patient. Mejia, who has several blogs on the subject of HIV, says that there are times when she has to encourage people to live—but she has to focus on prevention too. “It’s a tricky balance,” she says. “I try to give someone who just found out he or she is positive the hope to continue. I convince them they can continue to live a fairly normal life. I give them hope. But I have to focus on prevention too. Medications are harsh but you can live with it. But it’s an avoidable situation.”

do now;

he just said,

‘You have AIDS.’”

Icaza-Webb says. “This is a completely different area than finding a cure. Look at polio. I cannot tell you when the official last case of polio was reported. Every child in the world is vaccinated for that.” And that’s how HIV may be eradicated— through vaccinations, she says. “Once you have massive vaccinations over multiple generations, you see the virus is unable to infect new hosts. The lifecycle is halted, and that may be the way we rid the world of HIV. But that’s a long way off.”

Finding trust Mejia and her partner, Lisa, are careful. Lisa is educated about HIV and Mejia takes precautions to ensure she doesn’t infect her. “I disclosed my status to her before we were a —Maria Mejia couple,” Mejia says. “I’m more than willing to share information with her and The search for I consider myself an HIV a cure educator. I want people When the AIDS crisis to come ask me questions first began, Icaza-Webb told and the four years I’ve been with her we’ve her patients and friends that she would not talked about the precautions.” see a cure for the disease in her lifetime. Mejia says she doesn’t share toys with Thirty years later—and with medications her partner and even if her partner has a unimaginable three decades ago readily slight sore in her mouth, she won’t engage available—her position has not changed. in oral sex. “We have excellent medications now to “We’re very careful and she gets tested control HIV,” she says. “But none of them regularly,” Mejia says. “Everything has will kill HIV. I don’t think we’re close to been fine. It’s not always easy to be so a cure because it’s a complicated process. careful but when you see what I go through, Many try herbal remedies from other she realizes the importance to be safe. Too continents, transfusions, blood exchanges. many people in relationships with positive But I cannot tell you that I’ve seen any people say, ‘I don’t care, I love you.’ significant research that is close to finding “No! If you love them, then you also a cure.” Recently, a man in Germany was actually need to love yourself.” Mejia and Lisa are lucky. Finding trust cured of the disease, but the circumstances isn’t easy, and Icaza-Webb believes trust is surrounding that case were extreme, Icazasomething that should not be taken lightly. Webb points out. In that case, the patient “People lie about little things like about received a stem cell transplant as a means how much money they make or where they to battle leukemia. However, the extreme live,” she says. “You don’t think they’ll lie conditions of that procedure are not readily about their HIV status too? available to the rest of the world. Mejia agrees and knows that not “It is not something that is readily everyone is as forthcoming with their status available or that has been proven to work as she is. 100%,” Icaza-Webb says. “I still do not “This is controllable and we now how to believe a cure will happen in my lifetime, do that,” Mejia says. “We just have to have and I have a long time to live.” A vaccine for the disease, however, could to use that power to stop the spread and control it.” happen in a decade or more, she says. For more information on Mejia, visit her “We have found vaccinations for other blog at TheBody.org. | l | diseases we thought we never would,”

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A DIFFERENT KIND OF HEALTHCARE – “IF IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT, DON’T DO IT!”

early every person alive today has either heard about chiropractic health care or has already utilized it. It seems that the “alternative” stigma attached to chiropractic care is clearing and people finally understand how chiropractors can add to their health care team. This is all well and good except for one small problem…Depending on which chiropractor you go to, you will get very different experiences.

It wasn’t until I had been practicing for about 5 years that I really started to understand the concept that as chiropractors we have all basically agreed that it is ok to disagree. Different practitioners realize that each and every physician’s goal is to put the patients’ health first. Right? Unfortunately I can say with certainty that this is NOT always the case. With this in mind I decided to come up with a short list of things that each person considering seeing a chiropractor (or already doing so) should ask of their doctor: 1) DO YOU PRACTICE EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE? Meaning, are you current on the medical literature and do you follow what it is saying. This is extremely important as it will help your doctor to give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment that has been PROVEN to work. 2) HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? Most initial care plans should be 2 to 4 weeks long with the objective to see if the patient feels better. If you don’t feel better in that time then you probably won’t, no matter how long you keep going back. Chiropractors who recommend 6 months or more of care on the first visit are NOT interested in their patients well being. If the chiropractor is telling you something that doesn’t feel right, don’t do it and get a second opinion. 3) WHAT OTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE THERE? It is customary practice throughout medicine to carefully outline what will happen without care and what we expect to happen with care. If your chiropractor is afraid of you going to your medical doctor, you may want to question why. Medical doctors who refer patients to my clinics understand that every modality I use has supporting research behind it.

4) WHAT ELSE CAN I BE DOING TO HELP MY CONDITION? The word Doctor in Latin means “teacher”. If your chiropractor is not acting as a teacher and showing you what you need to do while you are NOT in his office, he is doing you a disservice. Remember, Chiropractic is a profession not a procedure. Moving spinal joints is usually only a small piece to your musculoskeletal condition. Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of new information from both research and in-depth studies that show the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for a number of health problems. Chiropractic Physicians are educated nearly identically to allopathic (medical) and osteopathic physicians in basic sciences and diagnosis. The differences occur in treatment method, with allopathic and osteopathic physicians focusing on drugs, surgery and interventional procedures, while the chiropractic physician focuses on correction and maintenance of biomechanical and neurological integrity of the human body, through spinal manipulation and associated procedures. These procedures may include treatment modalities such as physiological therapeutics including ultrasound, diathermy, traction, and various stimulation, rehabilitative exercise and lifestyle changes, and Wellness Prevention activities such as dietary counseling, and healthy living. Most chiropractors realize that to truly engage in a person’s lifelong health, you must give them principles to live by.

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watermark | transitions

| April 14-April 27, 2011

Inner Circle VP Will Perry, who is also a board member for The Center in Orlando celebrates his birthday April 16.

transitions 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

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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

watermark_ad.indd 1

Anniversaries Orlando Realtor David Dorman and his partner, marketing director Scott Penyak, celebrate their sixth anniversary together on April 19. St. Petersburg’s Watermark distribution heroes and softball players Claude and John Granstrand celebrate 33 years together on April 17.

Birthdays Orlando The (GLBT) Center board member Will Perry (April 16); Serial Thriller and swing dancer Kalyn Rushing (April 17); Orlando arts patron Jerry Baumeister, adorable former Georgie’s Alibi-St. Petersburg server John Fletcher, and St. Petersburg’s non-profit-consulting professional Beth Fountain (April 18); Olde Town Properties Realtor Patrick James (April 19); Publix at Colonialtown pharmacist Rob Young (April 20); Orlando Fringe event associate and director of marketing for David Dorman Inc., Scott Penyak, head honcho of The Center Randy Stephens (April 21); yummy and young bear and owner of Tampa-based Crystal Clean cleaning services Michael DiCamillo, Orlando fashion plate and aspiring realityshow contestant Jamesson Beane and Rollins College director of dance Bob Sherry (April 22); Tampa Leather Club member and Brandon Office Depot manager Joseph Mastrapasqua, Bellevue Bombshell and artist Amanda Vickers, former Tampa-based actor

now residing in New York Christian Maier (April 23); St. Petersburg actor and theologian Tom Campbell, Watermark sales rep and plant whisperer Scott McCauley, brilliant Central Florida artist and set designer Paul Horan, former Tampa resident and current Fort Lauderdale actor Larry Buzzeo, O-Town textbook editor and mom Sara Lyna, and St. Pete Pride co-director Scott Turner (April 24); Bradenton sculpture and artist Alan Neal, and coordinator of ASAP’s Flamingo Resort project coordinator David Karst (April 25).

Celebrity Birthdays— Past and Present Lesbian blue-eyed-soul chanteuse Dusty Springfield and gay dance legend Merce Cunningham (April 16); emaciated Brit fashion icon Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham (April 17); curvy Ugly Betty star America Ferrera (April 18); out Star Trek actor George Takei, occasional Joan Jett kisser Carmen Electra, and stage and screen thespian Jessica Lange (April 20); Cure lead singer Robert Smith, glam-rock stage-writher Iggy Pop, and owner of a new iPod Queen Elizabeth II (April 21); actress, singer and director worthy of being called a diva Barbra Streisand, belting icon in the making Kelly Clarkson, cone-bra designer Jean-Paul Gautier and lovable kook Shirley MacLaine (April 24); baby-voiced Oscar winner Renee Zellweger and silken-voiced jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald (April 25); sketch comic supreme Carol Burnett (April 26).

Send news about birthdays, passings, anniversaries, promotions, commitment ceremonies—and whatever you commemorate—to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com. 4/8/11 8:11:28 AM

dothis!

watermark | truth

Your health is too important for risk-taking ADVICE FROM

The Truth

Truth@WatermarkOnline.com

Dear Hater, Yes, you are ofﬁcially consenting adults. But you’re also in your 20s. When you’re in your 20s, it is easy to forget that your health is the most precious thing you have. Given the current state of HIV treatment, you’re almost sure to live a long and reasonably healthy life. But here comes the Truth: there will be limitations. It’s easy in your 20s not to see that, but unless a magic bullet is discovered, this disease will be a daily presence in your life for the rest of your life. That’s not said to scare you or make you feel terrible. Just to give you a sense of the gravity of the situation. Intimacy is a beautiful thing, and in a weird way, Dustin’s point of view is laudable. But this isn’t about love. It’s about immunology. You’d protect him if you had a cold by not kissing him. Allowing him to intentionally infect himself at your hand is a burden I know I could never handle with someone I love.

Dear Truth, I want you to settle a disagreement I’m having with my friend: I am a 30-something woman living in Tampa and I have been single on-and-off for about three years following an eightyear relationship. Since my break up, I have relied heavily on my friends for support and counsel and they are really important to me. But every time I start dating someone new, my so-called friends hit on her as soon as Dear Truth, my back is turned. It’s gotten to the am a healthy, HIV-positive man point that I don’t want to introduce and my boyfriend of four years, girls I’m dating to my friends so as to Dustin, is HIV-negative. We avoid a fight. They claim its harmless are both in our 20s, educated and flirting and they’re just trying to make employed, and we can’t get enough of my girl feel like “part of the group.” each other. We I say they’re almost always use disrespecting me condoms when and need to back we have sex (I’m off. What do you You got some shady the top), but we think? have barebacked —Cross in friends, mmmkay? a couple of times, Carrollwood What they’re doing is just to “get things started.” Dear Caroll Wood, so tacky, we need a I’m not too This is going to new word for ‘tacky.’ worried because be an easy one. Girl, my viral load is you got some shady undetectable; friends, mmmkay? plus, I pull out What they’re doing long before I shoot. Last month I is so tacky, we need a new word for found out that Dustin poked holes in ‘tacky.’ I would not only stop bringing some of the condoms in our nightstand girlfriends around to meet your friends, because he wants to seroconvert so we I’d find a girlfriend with a lot of cool can bareback all the time. I told him friends. ‘Cause here comes the Truth: that he shouldn’t have done that, but I yours aren’t so cool. | l | can’t say that I totally disagree with his desire to give up on using rubbers. After all, we’re consenting adults and we are aware of the risks; it’s just that we want to be that much closer to each other. Are we the only ones who feel this way? —Latex Hater

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

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watermark | sports

Hockey teams continue the anti-gay fight cyd zeigler, outsports In sports, homophobic epithets are used on virtually every field, pitch, ice and court to demean opponents. “Stop playing like a fag.” “Don’t be a cocksucker.” Old-school coaches cling to this guarded tool to motivate young athletes who cringe at the thought of being associated with anything ‘gay.’ Teams celebrate the casual use of these words as a rite of passage. But that language has no place in the Miami, Ohio, hockey program. Having experienced the coming out and untimely death of openly gay student manager Brendan Burke just over a year ago, the team’s awareness of gay issues is unlike any other in NCAA hockey, and maybe all of NCAA men’s sports. “After Brendan came out I realized that those words shouldn’t be used, even in slang,” said junior forward Trent Vogelhuber, who admits he once liberally tossed around anti-gay slurs. “[Brendan] said he didn’t take it personally, but he noticed when those words were used. I just made a conscious effort to not use the words he might feel uncomfortable around.” Junior defenseman Chris Wideman said he was fully accepting of gay people before Burke’s revelation to the team; anti-gay slurs have never been on the tip of his tongue. “It’s not a way to live,” Wideman said. “It’s offensive and hurtful to a group of people who don’t deserve that. You don’t hear anybody walking around dropping racial slurs all the time.”

Taking it to the NHL Team assistant captain Andy Miele was one of the best players in NCAA hockey this year. He was named the 2011 Player of the Year for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (the top conference in hockey in 2011); He not only led the nation in points (71) and assists (47), but he scored the most points in a season in

Division 1 since 2003, and his 56 points in conference are the most in two decades. Miele’s staggering numbers don’t feed into the stereotypical image of a man who would champion gay equality, but Miele has become an outspoken advocate for acceptance of gay people both in sports and beyond. A close friend of Burke, Miele remembers times dancing with his gay friend at a local bar and he doesn’t care who knows it. Miele’s agent, Scott Norton, said 12 NHL teams are pursuing Miele for next season. Patrick Burke, brother of Brendan and a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, could not praise Miele highly enough. “The fact that numerous NHL teams are competing to sign Andy shows how wellrespected he is,” Patrick said. “Whatever team he chooses is getting a tremendous hockey player and an even better person.” What if one of those teams doesn’t like the fact that he is so vocally pro-gay? “If someone wants to look down upon me because of my feelings on this issue, that’s their loss,” Miele said. “You play hockey because of the way you play it, not because of your outlook on certain issues.” Miele said hearing the word “faggot” casually tossed around a professional locker room would likely not drive him to action, particularly in his first year. However, if he heard a pro teammate use a homophobic slur directed at a gay person, he would start a conversation. “I’d say something,” LoVerde said. “I’m pretty stubborn. I’d ask him why he hates gay people, that they’re just like him and me.” The gay-positive attitude certainly hasn’t hurt the Miami team. They finished second in the nation in 2009, losing an overtime thriller in the championship. In 2010, they returned to the Frozen Four and lost in the national semifinals. This year they were ranked No. 5 in the nation but lost in the round of 16. | l |

Fans support Brazilian volleyballer wire report Nearly a week after 3,000 fans booed and chanted “faggot” toward a professional Brazilian Volleyball player, his team wore pink and rainbow colored jerseys to show support and fans clapped pink thundersticks emblazoned with his name.

Michael—Brazilians refer to their athletes by first name only—plays with the Volei Futuro and officially came out after the harassing game in early April. The deciding Game 3 of the playoff series will be held Friday back on Sada Cruzeiro’s court where the homophobic taunts occurred. | l |

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

watermark | gossip

| April 14-April 27, 2011

billymasters

“People didn’t know that she was so talented cutting hair. The one thing she would have liked to become is a hair stylist.” —Jose Eber talks about Elizabeth Taylor’s secret passion. I’m not so sure it would have been a good idea. How much do you tip the stylist with two Oscars, a tracheotomy scar, and wearing the Cleopatra headdress?

Oh, Elizabeth

Billy Masters Billy@BillyMasters.com

only met Elizabeth Taylor once—on April 29, 1986 at an AIDS beneﬁt in NYC. “To Care is to Cure” was billed as “The World’s Largest Photo Session.” Her “date” for the evening was a very dashing Calvin Klein—and having him show up at an AIDS event back then was big news. As the presentation was about to start, people pushed closer to the stage. I seized that opportunity to slip over to the now-abandoned (and fully-laden) buffet. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied a tiny ﬁgure in front of the guy slicing roast beef. Before the slab hit the plate, someone whispered in her ear. I heard a familiar voice screech, “Can’t I at least put a goddamn piece of meat in my mouth, for Christ’s sake?” Realizing someone overheard her, she smiled at me and winked. That was Elizabeth Taylor. This was Taylor at her most beautiful. She’d gotten sober, lost all the weight, was tanned, and her dark hair had little grey tips—she was breathtaking. I wormed my way into her enormous entourage and followed her into the wings. The moment she came off stage, about 20 security guards appeared and created a human chain around her and everyone in her immediate

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vicinity—including moi. We were all hustled towards a waiting car, knocking over poor little Dr. Ruth. Everyone was frazzled, except Elizabeth. This was her life. She was used to it. Come to think of it, she never did get a piece of meat that night, but I did! Not that this really matters, but there’s been a lot of discussion this week about who was the first celebrity to join the fight against AIDS. Both Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Rivers have been credited with this, and in a way, both are correct answers. Auntie Joan is the first celebrity of record to raise money to fight AIDS. She produced and headlined two benefit concerts on March 11, 1984 at the legendary West Hollywood hotspot, Studio One (now known as The Factory). That evening, Joan and pals Charles Nelson Reilly and Julie Budd raised over $45K. Almost a year later, Elizabeth was asked to help organize an event for AIDS Project LA. This led to the first annual Commitment to Life gala, which took place on Sept. 19, 1985. Elizabeth accomplished the seemingly impossible— because of her support and personal phone calls (to say nothing of convincing former first lady Betty Ford to be the inaugural honoree), celebs like Shirley Maclaine, Burt Lancaster, Diahann Carroll, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Cher, George Hamilton, Angie Dickinson, Heather Locklear, Tommy Lee, Morgan Fairchild and Dak Rambo showed up and helped raise over $1 million that night. Without a doubt, Joan Rivers was the first star to raise her voice. But Elizabeth made other celebs feel it was the right thing to do. As we previously reported, The Real World: Las Vegas cast member Dustin Zito has a past as gay pornstar Spencer on Fratmen and Fratpad. He even mentions it fleetingly (an apt description) on the first episode of RW. RW It’s one thing to refer to it—it’s another thing for people to be able to see it. That may be why most nude photos and footage (specifically, a scene where he orally services fellow Fratman Travis) have mysteriously vanished from the web. We’re told MTV

There’s some debate over whether or not Elizabeth Taylor was the first celebrity AIDS activist in the 1980s, but she was the first to raise tons of celebrity funds in the HIV/AIDS fight.

ain’t so happy about people like me who are in possession of this very explicit material. So I suggest you check out BillyMasters. com as soon as possible. Lord knows how long they’ll last! Would you believe that Bradley Cooper missed his graduation ceremony from Pace University because he was having gay sex? Anyone surprised? This was back in 2001, when the venerable James Lipton was dean of the school. Brad’s past came back to haunt him when Lippy interviewed him for Inside the Actor’s Studio. “Ten years ago as dean, I was handing out diplomas and I noticed you were missing from your graduation ceremony. Where were you?” Brad responded, “I was having sex with Michael Ian Black in a sports shed in Wet Hot American Summer.” The video I’ll run on BillyMasters.com should answer all of your questions, except for one: What was Bradley Cooper doing on Inside the Actor’s Studio? When James Lipton is lowering his standards, it’s deﬁnitely time to end yet another column. Until next time, remember, one man’s ﬁlth is another man’s bible. |l|

Bradley Cooper missed his graduation because he was filming a sex scene with Michael Ian Black.

April 14-April 27, 2011 |

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