watermark | wave awards It seems that Orlando’s social calendar gets more packed each year,
Nov. 10 - Nov. 23, 2011 |
35
notable
results:
but the three events listed here seem to take the cake every cycle. Despite Come Out With Pride’s postponement due to bad weather this fall, the downtown celebration took top honors. Let’s hope the rescheduled event brings out record numbers Nov. 13.
Favorite Local LGBT Annual Event 1. Come Out With Pride
spotlight
2. Gay Days 3. Headdress Ball
Orlando
Favorite Local Writer/Journalist
Favorite Politician
1. Billy Manes, Orlando Weekly 2. Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel 3. Michael Wanzie, Wanzie.com
1. Patty Sheehan, Orlando City Commissioner 2. Linda Stewart, former Orange County Commissioner 3. Daisy Lynum, Orlando City Commissioner
Greatest Straight Ally to the Local LGBT Community 1. Mack and Margo Dixon, LGBT advocates 2. Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor 3. Linda Stewart, former Orange County Commissioner
Most Effective Local LGBT Organization 1. The Center 2. Hope and Health 3. Orlando Gay Youth Alliance
Favorite Local Clergy Leader 1. Michael Wanzie 2. James P. Martin 3. Rev. Lisa Heilig, Joy Metropolitan Community Church
Favorite Local LGBT Sports League/ Organization 1. Central Florida Softball League 2. Gay and Lesbian Bowling League 3. Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls
Favorite Local LGBT blog 1. Daily City 2. Fire Down Below, Erik Caban 3. Scottie Saves the World
Favorite Local LGBT Website 1. WatermarkOnline.com 2. Wanzie.com 3. DailyCity.com
Favorite Place to Impress a Date 1. Orlando Ballet 2. Funky Monkey 3. Stonewall
Favorite Local Movie Theater 1. Cobb Cinema Café 2. Enzian 3. AMC Dine In Downtown Disney
Favorite New LGBT Business 1. Prickly Pear 2. Bananas Diner 3. Mr. Sisters
O Favorite Local Health Care Professional 1. Dr. Rafael Pinero, Preventive Medical Care 2. Dr. Dan Giaquinto, Chiropractic Care 3. Dr. Roberto Ortiz, Orlando Immunology Center
Favorite Local Personal Trainer/ Fitness Instructor 1. Tony Edge 2. Frank Boyce and Jessica Todd 3. Blake McEntyre and Greg Duke
Favorite Local Massage Therapist 1. Holly Lynn, Bodyscape Massage and Skin Studio 2. Wayne McKay, Spa Thornton Park 3. Dea Toscano, EO Inn
Favorite Local Gym/Fitness Center 1. LA Fitness, E. Colonial location 2. 24-Hour Fitness 3. Planet Fitness Continued on page 36 | uu |
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Greatest Straight Ally to the LGBT Community:
Jack&Margo Dixon
rlando | Jack and Margo Dixon are a staple at almost every Central Florida LGBT fundraising event throughout the year. Orlando’s Greatest Allies to the LGBT Community have been married 40 years and became involved with LGBT advocacy thanks to their love of the live theater. “A few years ago we decided to start going to more plays,” says Margo, who jokingly adds in a whisper, “there are gays in the theater.” The couple met the actors, directors and others involved in local productions and soon found themselves among friends at cast parties and other events. Those relationships spawned more friendships and soon the Dixons were encompassed by local LGBTs. When the pair worked on Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000, they found even more LGBTs with similar political views “We developed another circle of friends,” Margo adds. “As it turned out, there were a substantial number of volunteers from the LGBT community supporting the various campaigns, many of whom also overlapped with the theater circle. So, again, as a result of common interests, we gained more friends and they just happened to be gay.” The Dixons initially just attended fundraising events in the LGBT community, but soon took more active roles in specific fundraisers for the St. Francis House, Hope & Health, Genesis and more. Their connection to the theater community just strengthened their bonds to the charities because of the entertainment tie-in. “There is an amazing core group of people who unselfishly donate their time and talents to these fundraisers, and we are proud to support them and work with them in an effort to raise money for good causes, many of which serve the LGBT community, or the Orlando community in general,” Margo says. The Orange Blossom Tennis Association has benefitted from the Dixon’s generosity as has the Headdress Ball, which raises funds for Hope & Help. They also partnered with Michael Wanzie and David Dorman this year to replicate “The Stork Club” and raise even more money for local charities. “We work with a lot of great people doing things that benefit the LGBT community and the community at large,” Margo says. “We try to do a lot, we try to support everyone, and we hope those things help to make us good allies.” For the Dixons, rights aren’t a gay or a straight issue—it’s a human issue. Margo quotes Harvey Milk when asked what others in the community can do to advance equality. “Harvey Milk said, ‘You are the medicine the world needs. It’s your individuality that the world needs and that is very powerful medicine,’” Margo says. “That sums it up nicely and we must fight to protect that human right to be different, to be ourselves and to let others be themselves.” Even though 2011 is winding down and will soon be history, don’t expect the Dixons to fade away just yet. Both plan to stay very active in 2012, especially since it’s a presidential election year. “We plan to continue to support the LGBT community whenever we can in whatever way we can,” Margo says.—Steve Blanchard