Watermark Issue 1901: Michael Smith // Health and Fitness

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.01 • JAN. 5 - JAN. 18, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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DEPARTMENTS

We were going for what we call an ‘edgy elegance’ 15 kind of a vibe.

6 // MAIL 9 // ORLANDO NEWS 13 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE, NATION & WORLD 21 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 27 // EVENT PLANNER 28 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 29 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 31 // IN DEPTH 36 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 37 // SPORTS 38 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 46 // GALLERY W

PAGE

—RONNY BARNETT, OF SARASOTA’S NEW NIGHTCLUB, THROB

ON THE COVER

After coming out three years ago, Michael Smith has accomplished a lot—from dropping more than 100 pounds, finding his partner and becoming Largo’s first openly gay commissioner in November when he beat incumbent Mary Black with 54% of the vote.

Photo by Nick Cardello

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ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

STATE, NATION & WORLD

IN DEPTH: FITNESS

Read it online!

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

PAGE Concern over Orange

09

County’s slow response to Orlando’s new domestic partner registry prompts leaders to plan an emergency meeting; Orlando mover and shaker Randy Ross has tossed his hat into the ring to become Orlando’s next out city commissioner; more.

PAGE Largo Commissioner

13

Michael Smith talks about the pressures of being the city’s first openly gay elected official and the budget woes facing his city in 2012; The GLBTA Democratic Caucus preps for its Winter Conference in Tampa next month; more.

PAGE The City of Lake Worth

16

abruptly voted in December to terminate Susan Stanton from her position as City Manager; New Year brings civil unions to two states; HIV vaccine study approved in Canada; more.

PAGE With a new year comes

most 31 resolutions, centered around fitness

goals. Contributor and personal trainer Joseph Kissel offers his five tips for improving your fitness in 2012. Publisher Tom Dyer shares his experience with Cool Sculpting—a way to literally freeze your fat away.

ORLANDO DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRY STARTS JAN. 12! LOOK FOR SAME-DAY COVERAGE AND LOTS OF PHOTOS AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM. JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What a year!

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“I can understand respect for a president who advances civil rights and liberties, but what about the common good of all Americans?”

Thank you Watermark for your Year in Review issue [Issue 18.26]. It’s always fun to be reminded of what happened over the previous 12 months and 2011 was indeed a banner year. The LGBT community has a lot to be proud of and Steve Blanchard’s story on the political accomplishments of the last year was a reminder of that. Also, kudos on a powerful cover. I shared the issue with family and friends visiting over the holidays, who were equally impressed.

CASEY GALINA NEW TAMPA

—GABRIELLE CARROLL

country’s citizens, but he has a lot still to learn about �ixing our country—no matter what party people choose to blame.

Ultimately, I have to agree that Obama still looks like the best choice based on the �ield of GOP contenders—and that’s truly a choice of the lesser of two evils.

GABRIELLE CARROLL ORLANDO

Obama: Lesser of two evils?

Steve Blanchard’s Editor’s Desk in your recent issue praised Barack Obama for his accomplishments in LGBT rights, but fails to focus on the 44th president’s shortcomings [Issue 18.26].

I can understand respect for a president who advances civil rights and liberties, but what about the common good of all Americans? We are in debt, record numbers of people are out of work and bank bailouts haven’t worked—just look at the mortgage crisis!

Obama has made inroads in the ways of equality of the

Manning’s defense dishonors GIs If he did what he’s accused of doing, Pfc. Bradley Manning is a traitor to the United States of America, and his choice to use “don’t ask, don’t tell” as a defense for treason is a betrayal of all gay and lesbian service members past and present. Whatever his reasons or excuses, Manning does not deserve sympathy from anyone.

Upon enlistment into the Army, Manning swore to defend the United States from enemies both foreign and domestic; yet, if he stole and publically distributed classi�ied material through

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WikiLeaks, he turned against his own country and became an enemy of the state. Perhaps the decision was an emotional outburst, reactionary or immature, but it was a conscious decision seemingly made by a trained professional soldier entrusted with a security clearance.

As he stands trial, he has shown himself to be willing to sacri�ice honorable gay and lesbian service members to avoid responsibility. Lawyers for Manning are claiming that his struggle with his sexual orientation contributed to emotional problems that should have precluded him from working in a classi�ied environment. This shameful defense is an offense to the tens of thousands of gay servicemembers who served honorably under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” We all served under the same law, with the same challenges and struggles. We did not commit treason because of it.

CAPT. R. CLARKE COOPER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS

CONTRIBUTORS

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

I

Desk

F YOU ARE A REGULAR READER OF

Watermark, you’ve certainly already noticed that with the new year comes a new look and feel. After hours of planning and researching, our art director Jake Stevens and I have come up with a newly designed, reformatted and (hopefully) more enjoyable way for you to read your hard copy of this newsmagazine.

And yes, I did call it a newsmagazine—with an emphasis on news.

Since 2012 is a huge presidential election year, now is the perfect time to capitalize on our expanding news coverage and to discuss how current events in our cities, the State of Florida, our country and the world directly affect LGBTs. We have signi�icantly cut back on our “theme” issues this year to allow for more in-depth coverage of stories important to our community.

WATERMARK STAFF

In fact, our new “In-Depth” section will give us a chance to delve into subjects we may not have had room to cover before, and it will also give us the �lexibility to highlight speci�ic subjects of interest.

For nearly two decades—2012 marks our 18th year—Watermark has continuously evolved. When publisher Tom Dyer started the pubnlication in 1994, it looked like a newspaper—complete with stories and headlines on our cover.

Eventually a more magazine-style

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 • 813-470-0899 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell Art Director: Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Assistant: Andre Duputel • Ext. 107 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com

cover became the norm, and that’s the way we plan on keeping things in the foreseeable future.

But while things may look familiar out front, it’s—as they say— what’s on the inside that counts.

Many of our favorite features remain—news pages, opinion columns, Overheard, Shot on Site, Market Place and Gallery W. But with our new layout, things have shifted.

In this rebooted format, you’ll notice that our Letters to the Editor section and our editorial cartoon are directly across from this page, offering opinions from our readers alongside this biweekly column. We also list some of our writers on this page, so you can put faces with the names of our talented contributors.

In the pages that follow, we offer expanded news pages for both Orlando and Tampa Bay, with more prominent headline placement and space for more photos and larger stories in both markets. Rather than simply reporting what happened, we hope to delve deeper into stories this year to give a unique perspective only an LGBT publication can give.

We also continue to expand coverage in Sarasota, throughout the state and the nation. Our news section transitions into opinion pieces with a page dedicated to recaps of interesting and sometimes fun news items of speci�ic interest to the LGBT community. We call it “Everything You Should Know About Anything,” and it will also be home to the results of our biweekly

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While we are taking a more newscentric view of the world in 2012, that doesn’t mean we’re abandoning the lighter, entertainmentoriented world that so often caters directly to LGBTs. Our new Arts & Entertainment section will continue to bring you local happenings in our event planner, and Stephen Miller’s “Screened Out” column rating new �ilms remains. You will also notice features on upcoming plays, shows, concerts and more— with a commitment to the local communities we serve and those talented individuals who entertain us.

True, we all want to read those big celebrity interviews that show up in mainstream publications like People and US Weekly—and we will surely have some of those this year. Florida is always a target destination for big-name acts. But our local groups, events, people and entertainers deserve a chance to be seen within the pages of their local LGBT publication.

In 2012 you will see familiar columnists in our pages, as well as a few new faces. I am con�ident those contributors will continue to enlighten, enrage and enthrall our readers with their insight and opinions.

Change is not always easy, but it is often necessary. This step in Watermark’s continuing evolution is exciting and I am anxious to hear your thoughts and input on our new look and our revamped dedication to covering our communities.

We are ambitious, and remain committed to being your source for local and national news, an opinion leader in our community and the authority on the impact of news on the LGBT community.

Happy New Year, and enjoy the new Watermark. |  |

Change is not always easy, but it is often necessary.

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Mary Meeks is a commercial litigation attorney at Carlton Fields, P.A. in Orlando and Mary is a gay rights anactivist who leads a grassroots social justice organization called “OneOrlando.com.”

Joseph Kissel has worked for newspapers and magazines for many years. He is a journalist, musician, filmmaker and fitness trainer who lives in NYC. He covers local news, politics and arts and entertainment for Watermark.

Greg Burton, Erik Caban, Scottie Campbell, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Billy Masters, Mary Meeks, Scott Manning, Stephen Miller, Margaret Nolan, Anthony Paull, Greg Stemm, Louanne Walters

PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Cardello is the owner of Cardello Photography and he lives and works in Tampa Bay. He is the official photographer for several area organizations, including the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Tom Eckert

DISTRIBUTION Debbie Oliver, Phil Garris, Ken Caraway CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail).

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O

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs

SEEING RED: LGBT supporters wore red and filled county chambers when a Human Rights Ordinance was before the Orange County Commission in 2010. Activists hope for a similar showing should the domestic partner registry make it onto the county’s agenda.

Jacobs’ silence worries activists Emergency meeting will discuss next step on Orange Co. domestic partner registry Jamie Hyman

JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RANGE COUNTY | Central Florida’s LGBT activists are calling an emergency meeting to address the issue of a countywide domestic partner registry, but county of�icials said they’re on schedule with the proposal.

Attorney and Orlando AntiDiscrimination Ordinance (OADO) committee member Mary Meeks said she �irst met with Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs about the domestic partner registry in December 2010, after Jacobs had been elected but before she took of�ice. Since then, the City of Orlando has approved a domestic partner registry. While the city was engaged in the process, Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer reached out to Mayor Jacobs, encouraging her to approve the registry alongside the city, but Jacobs opted not to do so. “[Mayor Jacobs] was more

encouraging couples to tell the county how the registry would improve their lives and organizing appearances by supportive community members at county meetings.

“We’re getting the impression from people inside the concerned about the same-sex administration that [Jacobs] is not domestic partner bene�its for really keen on going forward with county employees, and she got this,” Stephens said. “It’s time for that done last April,” said Randy the community to step up and we Stephens, executive director of need them to start �lexing their The (LGBT) Center. “Since then, muscles.” we have been talking to her about Meeks said she thinks the registry and she keeps putting activists are “heading into the it off. First it was going to be by home stretch” as far as a county the end of summer, then by the domestic partner registry goes. end of 2011.”

There’s a scheduled meeting between LGBT leaders and Mayor Jacobs on Jan. 26 to —STEVE TRIGGS, JACOBS’ SPOKESPERSON discuss the issue.

“We’ve kind of been getting Amid increasing concerns that Jacobs has decided against moving rumblings that [Jacobs] doesn’t quite understand it or understand forward with the registry, the the need for it, so we’re trying OADO has called an emergency meeting at The Center for Monday, to ramp things up to make sure she does understand,” Meeks Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting said, adding that the emergency is open to the public, with the meeting is to let the community purpose of organizing a letterwriting campaign, educating the Continued on page 14 |  | community about the registry,

“Nothing’s really changed, so I’m not sure what the fuss is about.”

RLANDO | Randy Ross is a name many LGBTs recognize in Central Florida. He was heavily involved with AIDS Walk Orlando and is known for his social media campaigning for a variety of causes.

But now, the openly gay Orlando resident is on a new path of recognition—he has announced his candidacy for Orlando City Council. Ross hopes to represent District 1, an area that meanders from Delaney Park to the Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona. Currently the district is served by Phil Diamond, who will resign his post to run for Mayor.

Ross will face Stephen Rayle, who �iled paperwork in late December.

Ross’ central campaign issue is to create new jobs in Orlando by proposing new programs like the “50 x 3” Orlando Job Fair Plan, which would require the City of Orlando to sponsor a job fair every 90 days for the next two years.

Ross said the goal of his job fair program would to put at least 150 unemployed Orlando residents back to work every 90 days. When asked, how his job plans might bridge the gap between af�luent neighborhoods like Delaney Park and Lake Nona in District 1 and impoverished communities like Paramore or the homeless, he did not have a simple solution.

“There is no easy answer,” he said. “The best thing that we can do is get people back to work.”

While he doesn’t keep his sexuality a secret, his orientation is one of the last things he has considered when it comes to campaigning—something he learned a lot about when he �irst sought public of�ice 12 years ago as he campaigned for a seat on the Orange County School Board.

“I saw the many challenges teachers faced and wanted to work to help make teachers happier in their jobs,” said Ross.

Despite his passion, Ross ran his School Board campaign in fear.

“It was frightening, I was worried that people would �ind out that I was gay,” said Ross.

Ross came out at 36. Now at 46, he said he is more concerned about issues like unemployment, crime, pedestrian safety, elderly care, and disadvantaged youth.

Ross has past experience with job fairs after launching The Employment Guide in Orlando through Trader Publishing Company in 1999. He says it was one of the city’s largest job fairs to date during a time of relatively low unemployment.

He claims creating more jobs will help deal with other issues in Orlando like homelessness and crime.

With a crime rate of 104 per 1,000 residents, Orlando also has one of the highest crime rates in America.

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

orlando

David Moran

NEWS

Ross announces City Council bid

Continued on page 10 |  |

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|  | Teresa Jacobs from pg.10

NEWS

orlando

know that the next couple of weeks, ahead of the Jan. 26 meeting, “is the critical time that our community can either convince or not convince mayor Jacobs that we need a registry.”

Stephens said once the registry comes before the Board of County Commissioners the registry will have the necessary support, with at least four of seven commissioners voting in favor. He said commissioners Scott Boyd, Jennifer Thompson, Ted Edwards and Tiffany Moore Russell have committed to approving the domestic partner registry.

“The problem is getting it before them,” Stephens said.

Meeks said it’s now or never.

“I think she’s going to make the decision now, because that’s how Mayor Jacobs works,” Meeks said. “She has an agenda. She lines things up; she addresses things

in order and acts. If she decides in January of 2012 not to have a registry, I don’t think we’re going to have another shot.”

However, Steve Triggs, a spokesperson for Mayor Jacobs, said “everything is progressing as planned” on the county’s end.

“The Mayor’s been meeting with legal staff and she’s sent them back for more research,” Triggs said. “Nothing’s really changed, so I’m not sure what all the fuss is about.”

The city of Orlando’s domestic partner registry de�ines domestic partnership, outlines the registration process and provides an overview of protections provided within a domestic partnership that has been recognized by the City of Orlando.

Those protections include hospital visitation, rights to health care decisions, guardianship and the right for both domestic partners to participate in the education of their children. It was approved unanimously by city commissioners Dec. 12. Couples can register beginning Jan. 12.

To read more about the battle for a countywide registry, read Meeks’ opinion piece on page 17. ||

|  | Randy Ross from pg.10 Ross helped start a Crime Watch in his neighborhood after a string of robberies and a neighbor was murdered.

The community as a whole has common concerns, and embracing diversity is key to bring everyone to the same table, Ross said. He cited his work with Title I school children, the Orlando Inner-City Games, also known as the After-School AllStars, and his work with HIV/AIDS fundraising.

“There isn’t one particular answer to bridging our community,” said Ross, using his past success of raising $20,000 for AIDS Walk Orlando as an example. “ou �ind a way to bring people to do a common thing together.”

As he gears up for the campaign season, he says being out empowers him to not only support LGBT equality, but also make a greater impact in the entire Orlando community with no fear only freedom.

“2012 is a great time to be who you really are,” he said.

City Commission elections are slated for April 3. |  |

Gay Christian Network coming to Orlando Staff Report

O

RLANDO | The Gay Christian Network Conference will be held Jan 5–8 at the Doubletree

by Hilton Orlando. The annual conference is open to both LGBT and LGBT-supportive Christians, and attracted more than 400 attendees at its 2011 event in Nashville.

According to a release, speakers include: Misty Irons, a straight Conservative who thinks

churches should do more to support gays; Jeremy Marks, an “ex-gay” organization founder who has reversed his position on the issue and Justin Lee, the executive director of The Gay Christian Network. Online registration is closed, but $160 registration at the hotel is still available.

The Gay Christian Network is a nonpro�it ministry serving Christians who happen to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and those who care about them. |  |

Ex-partners to share parental rights Wire Report

D

AYTONA BEACH | A Florida appellate court says two former lesbian partners both have parental rights to a daughter born with one mother donating the egg and the other mother giving birth.

The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach overturned a lower court decision that had been made in favor of the birth mother.

The appellate court says the biological mother’s constitutional rights to equal protection and privacy were violated with the lower court decision. |  |

Bod y Lan guage , n •

•

A form of non-verbal communication consisting of body posture, facial expressions and eye movements.

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EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

Photo by Nick Cardello

Out in the Open Michael Smith shares how he shed his fear and became Largo’s �irst openly gay commissioner Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

L

ARGO | Largo’s newest City Commissioner is all smiles when he says hello during a recent interview at a Starbucks Coffee shop in Pinellas County. The 30-year-old is fresh off a November win to become the city’s �irst-ever openly gay elected of�icial, and it’s a responsibility he takes to heart.

“It’s a tough balance because the gay community expects you to push for things and those on the other side are watching everything you do to make sure you’re not pushing through some agenda,” said Smith, who wears a rainbow Pride bracelet on his left wrist. “All I can do is be myself. I can bring things up—like the fact I don’t have the same bene�its as the straight commissioners because my relationship isn’t legally recognized. I can show them that I’m a gay man and that doesn’t mean I’m some scary monster.”

Smith won the November election with 54% of the vote, unseating

“I was raised by a Catholic and a Southern Baptist,” Smith said. “I was always taught in church that it as wrong to be gay and that something was wrong with anyone who was.”

It wasn’t until after working closely on the successful campaigns of Hillsborough County Commissionlong-time incumbent Mary Gray er Kevin Beckner and St. Petersburg Black, who tried to leverage Smith’s City Councilman Steve Kornell that sexuality against him at a town hall Smith saw that sexuality is irrelevant meeting shortly before the election. when it comes to seeking public It was a plan that back�ired for the of�ice. incumbent and a move that Smith “After that experience I had to ask believes helped him win. myself, ‘What am I afraid of?’” Smith “Largo is seeing progress,” Smith said. “It was time to be myself.” said. “There’s a focus on arts, culture Eventually Smith, who is a Senior and becoming a destination for Library Assistant at the Pinellas tourism. The city is evolving. It’s my Park Library, came out to his family, friends and co-workers.

Both his parents were supportive, he said.

He soon wore —LARGO COMMISSIONER MICHAEL SMITH his rainbow bracelet, which he knew would job to show the voters and residents present opportunities to come out to here that I’m just like everyone else. more people, he lost more than 100 That stigma [of being a gay commispounds and met Eric, his partner of sioner] will go away.” more than a year.

While he’s con�ident the stigma “This huge rock was lifted off my will fade, Smith knows personally shoulders,” Smith said about coming how dealing with sexuality can take out. time. The Pinellas County native came out only three years ago— Continued on page 14 |  | when he was 27.

“I can show them that I’m a gay man and that doesn’t mean I’m some scary monster.”

AMPA | It’s a big election year, and the Florida GLBTA Democratic Caucus is wasting no time preparing. The organization’s annual Winter Conference is the weekend of Feb. 10 at the Metro Community and Wellness Center in Ybor City.

“We want to make sure that we show not only the state of Florida, but our country and the world that there are progressive democrats and LGBT democrats here,” said Sally Phillips, president of the caucus. “Tampa is huge in this election and we will have the national and international spotlight on us because the GOP convention is going to be here in August.”

Details of the conference, called “Brick by Brick: Paving the Path to Equality,” were still under wraps at press time, but Phillips did say that the three-day gathering will focus on strategizing and how to support the group’s 13 chapters stretched across the state.

The purpose of the conference, according to Phillips, is to host breakout sessions that focus on training that attendees can then practice out in the �ield throughout the year. It also serves as a fundraiser. Money raised at the conference will fund actions toward speci�ic goals.

“Everything politically affects LGBTs,” Phillips said.

“It’s important for us to be involved at every level.”

Details on the Winter Conference will be released on the group’s Facebook page. Visit FloridaGLBTDemocrats. org for more information. |  |

tampa bay

Steve Blanchard

NEWS

GLBTA caucus gears up for winter conference

Tampa Bay sees 10% of state’s hate crimes Wire Report

T

AMPA | Based on statistics released by the Florida Attorney General’s of�ice, 10% of the hate crimes committed in 2010 were in the Tampa Bay area. While most of those crimes were motivated by race, 21% were motivated by sexual orientation.

Throughout the Tampa Bay area, law enforcement agencies reported investigating 15 hate crimes in 2010.

Of those, three were based on sexual orientation—two in Pinellas County and one in Pasco County.

Hillsborough County did not report any hate crimes based on sexual orientation, but did investigate three crimes motivated by race, the report said.

For more information on the state’s hate crime statistics of 2010, see State News on page 16. |  |

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

13

|  | Michael Smith from pg.13

NEWS

tampa bay

The commissioner said he strives to be transparent in all aspects of his life--including sharing his battle with dyslexia. The commissioner was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in grade school, and uses his experience with that disability to encourage students to read.

“If a parent comes into the library looking for books on disabilities, I’m quick to share my story with them,” Smith said.

“There are ways to handle disabilities if you have the right tools. I’m proof of that.”

Smith is committed to advancing LGBT rights in Largo—whether it be an inclusive Human Rights Ordinance protecting LGBT residents or researching domestic partner bene�its for city employees.

But other issues face the city, namely a looming $2.5 million budget cut.

“We have to �ind ways to do that but not affect our citizens,” he said.

“I will protect our police department and �ire department. Without those you have higher crime and more injuries. I also want to protect our parks.”

Smith also spoke of current low interest rates, which he sees as an opportunity for structural improvements in the city.

“Money is tight,” he said. “But if we don’t act now, rates will go up and it will cost more in the future. Construction is cheaper now because contractors are looking for work and need the work.”

It’s a lot to juggle, but he’s anything but intimidated. Rather, he sees an opportunity to continue the evolution of Largo, which just �ive years ago gained national attention when then-commissioners voted to �ire City Manager Steve Stanton.

Stanton was �ired shortly after revealing plans to undergo gender reassignment surgery and become Susan Stanton.

“Times are changing and it feels like a new era,” Smith said. “In my campaign I talked about jobs and mortgages—those are the real issues. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is dead, younger people are more accepting and Largo has its �irst openly gay commissioner. We’re moving ahead.” |  |

West appointed to historical advisory board Staff Report

T

AMPA | History lovers in Hillsborough County have a new advocate in their corner. In December, GaYbor District Coalition president and MC Film Fest coowner Carrie West was named to the Hillsborough Historical Advisory Board by Ken Hagan, chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.

“I am pleased for the appointment,” said West. “Just six months ago the commissioners looked away in what was going on in historic Ybor City and didn’t want to sign the proclamation for Ybor City’s annual GaYbor Days during the 4th of July. Now they seem to say, ‘Wow.’ It is a very positive Hillsborough County

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economic story.”

In July 2011, only two county commissioners signed the proclamation celebrating GaYbor Days, which highlights the economic impact of the coalition in the historic area of Tampa.

West’s position on the board is a three-year appointment and Hagan credits the former City Council candidate’s historically conscience past.

“I cannot adequately express to you the importance the county places on your participation,” Hagan said in a letter to West.

“Your caliber of membership is outstanding and your service invaluable.”

The county’s Historical Advisory Board consists of seven members—one member each from the cities of Tampa, Temple

CAPTURING HISTORY:

Carrie West was appointed an advisory board to preserve Hillsborough’s history.

Terrace and Plant City and our appointed by commissioners.

Its mission is to support and facilitate a uniform historical marker program throughout Hillsborough County. It also provides the BOCC with support that complements the goals of historical preservation and education throughout the county.

West and the other board members will meet quarterly. |  |

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NEWS

Nightlife returns Steve Warne

WARNE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

ARASOTA | Sarasota has a checkered past when it comes to nightlife. Through the years, there have been bars, lounges and clubs. But none have endured, and many have become infamous after their demise with a few gaining infamy during their short reigns in the limelight.

So when rumors of a new club started circulating in 2010, locals held their breaths in anticipation, and many more started to hope and pray that it would become a reality and Sarasota’s woes would �inally come to an end. Over a year after the rumors began circulating, those

prayers have been answered, and Throb Nightclub is now open for business.

With a capacity of 1,000, upscale VIP lounges and bottle service, Throb is everything Sarasota has wanted and more.

“Throb is a new creature for Sarasota County—nothing like this exists,” said Ronny Barnett, the VIP Services Manager at Throb. Located in an industrial area of North Sarasota off of U.S. 301 (North Washington Blvd.) at 2201 Industrial Blvd., Throb isn’t what you’d expect to �ind nestled in the midst of construction businesses and bike shops. “We were going for what we call an ‘edgy elegance’ kind of a vibe,” Barnett said. “You know, you pull up here and it looks industrial, and then you walk in and you

OMG FOR VIP: Throb’s VIP Services Manager Ronny Barnett stands in the lounge area of Sarasota’s newest and only full-time LGBT night club. | Photo by Steve Warne

have soft pink walls and chandeliers.”

The name, Throb Nightclub, also seems to be edgy, but Barnett points out, “Throb clearly goes with the beat of the music, and that’s what we are going to be known for—the music.

We have a sound system that will blow your mind.”

The �irst year of business will be instrumental for Throb, and special events include appearances by famous drag queens, live performances and celebrity host DJs. ‘There are a lot of things coming,”

Barnett said, “and we can do it on a grand scale and do it well!”

On New Year’s Eve, Carmen Carrera from Season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race made an appearance and hosted a meet-and-greet before her performance.

“At the moment we have two VIP suites,” explained Barnett. “The maximum capacity for our large VIP suite is 23, and the other VIP suite has a maximum of 10. The private booths out in the lounge seat anywhere from four to six.”

Barnett expects the club’s VIP bottle service to be very popular and details are available on Throb’s new website, Throb.me.

“Anybody who wants to have a fabulous time can do that here,” Barnett said. “If you want to celebrate your birthday or anniversary on a large scale, why not have it in a fabulous location like this? Have a great time without having to worry about it. Let us worry about it!”

Throb Nightclub’s lounge area is for a 21-yearold and up crowd and is open from 2 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. A $5 cover is required on the weekends.

More information is also available on a Throb Nightclub app available on Android devices. |  |

sarasota

After a year of rumors, Sarasota celebrates the opening of ‘Throb’

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state, nation+world NEWS

BULLET POINTS

STATE NEWS HEADLINES

IN OTHER NEWS… HIV VACCINE APPROVED FOR HUMAN STUDIES IN CANADA After two decades of research, a group of Canadian scientists has won approval to start testing an experimental HIV vaccine on humans. The vaccine, developed by researchers at the University of Western Ontario, has received a green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical human trials. This month the vaccine, called SAV001, will be given to 40 healthy people with HIV to test its safety. Previous studies have shown the vaccine triggers a strong immune response and has yet to show any adverse effects or safety risks. According to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, there are 30 HIV vaccines currently being tested in phase 1 clinical trials around the world.

NEW YEAR BRINGS SAME-SEX CIVIL UNIONS IN DE, HI The dawning of the new year in Delaware and Hawaii brought with it new laws allowing same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil unions. In Delaware, the new law took effect at 10 a.m. Jan. 1, but most same-sex couples had to wait until government offices reopened Jan. 3 before applying for a license. The law authorizing civil unions was signed by Gov. Jack Markell in May before a cheering crowd of supporters in downtown Wilmington. Further west, same-sex couples in Hawaii began entering into civil unions after a new state law went into effect on New Year’s Day. The new law allows same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil union with the same state rights and responsibilities as traditional marriages.

CHURCH NATIVITY SCENE WITH GAY FIGURES VANDALIZED The Christmas Eve vandalism of a California church’s Nativity display that included depictions of gay and lesbian couples is being investigated as a hate crime, police said. The Claremont United Methodist Church display featured silhouettes of three hand-holding couples—two men, two women and a heterosexual pair. The vandal knocked over the depictions of the gay and lesbian couples but left the straight couple alone, causing at least $3,000 worth of damage.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BOOSTS GAY MEN’S HEALTH Gay men who live in states where same-sex marriage is legal are healthier, a new study published online Dec. 15 in the American Journal of Public Health finds.

During the 12 months after the 2003 legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, gay and bisexual men exhibited a significant decrease in medical care visits, mental health visits and mental health-care costs, compared to the 12 months before the law changed. “These findings suggest that marriage equality may produce broad public health benefits by reducing the occurrence of stress-related health conditions in gay and bisexual men,” said author Mark Hatzenbuehler.

16

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Lake Worth fires Susan Stanton Wire Report

L

AKE WORTH, FLA. | Susan Stanton’s term as city manager has come to an abrupt end after 2½ years. Lake Worth commissioners voted 3-2 to �ire her in December. Stanton, formerly Steve Stanton, was �ired in 2007 from her longtime job as city manager in Largo after announcing plans to change her gender.

She was hired by Lake Worth, a city in Palm Beach County, in April 2009. Stanton made no comment during the discussion to �ire her, and was silent as she walked out of the crowded chambers to exit City Hall.

The vote included the immediate appointment of Finance Director Steve Carr as acting city manager.

Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, who has disagreed with Stanton over a variety of issues for years, made the motion to �ire her at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting. Maxwell was joined by Mayor Pam Triolo and Commissioner Andy Amoroso, both of whom were elected on Nov. 8, in

the decision to �ire Stanton.

Commissioners Christopher McVoy and Suzanne Mulvehill voted against �iring Stanton, who made $150,000 a year. Triolo cited a sense of distrust and anger among residents before voting to �ire Stanton. McVoy praised Stanton for the professional staff she brought to city hall and criticized the abrupt �iring.

“I �ind it really out of line to have this dropped on us and on the public without advance notice,” McVoy said.

Mulvehill called Stanton’s �iring “a reckless and irresponsible decision for the best interests of the city.”

Mulvehill praised Stanton for clearing up many city problems.

“It was absolutely mayhem in this city when I came on board in 2008,” she said. “We have made tremendous progress.”

Stanton received a mostly favorable evaluation by the commission in April, though thenMayor Rene Varela criticized her for poor relations with residents, employees and other government leaders. In an April 4 memo to the

FIRED!: The City of Lake Worth unexpectedly voted to fire Susan Stanton during its December meeting, outraging some citizens and disappointing her supporters. commission, Stanton said she found more problems than she expected after she became city manager, including a �inancial system that allowed departments to spend money not approved in the budget, a lack of personnel policies and no payroll time-recording system.

“At times, it feels like everything needs to be �ixed,” Stanton wrote.

Under terms of her contract, Stanton will receive six months’ salary plus payment for accrued sick and vacation time. |  |

Sexual orientation motivated 21% of Florida’s 2010 hate crimes Wire Report

T

ALLAHASSEE | Florida’s attorney general reports that 149 hate crimes were committed in the state in 2010.

Attorney General Pam Bondi released the 2010 �igures the last week of December. The information includes details on the types of

hate crimes committed throughout Florida.

The �irst-term Republican from Tampa says the hate crimes were reported by local law enforcement agencies throughout the state that provide data to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

More than 46% of the hate crimes were racially motivated and 21.5% resulted from sexual

orientation. The report states 19.5% resulted from religious beliefs and 12.7% from ethnicity.

Florida reported 148 hate crimes in 2009. That was the lowest number since the state began tracking them in 1990. Hate crime reports peaked in 1992 with 395 cases |  |

created a steering committee of nine volunteers in early 2011. By year’s end, Equality Punta Gorda was formed and to large fundraisers launched the organization into longevity.

Equality Punta Gorda hosted two large “Gay-la’s” last year.

The �irst was in May and saw 54

in attendance. It’s Dec. 18 event maxed out at 130 guests. So far the organization has focused on social events, but plans on publishing an LGBT-friendly business directory in Charlotte County and creating fundraisers to bene�it non-pro�its.

For more information, visit EqualityPuntaGorda.org. |  |

New group focuses on equality in Charlotte County Steve Warne WARNE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

P

UNTA GORDA, FLA. | Two Charlotte County residents determined to do something about the lack of LGBT events in the community

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermarkonline.com

livingloud W

HAT HAVE YOU DONE today to make you feel proud?

I love that song by Heather Small, and now I’m directing it your way because our community is at a critical moment. If there ever was a time for you to do something meaningful that will make you feel proud, it is absolutely now. We need your help to persuade reluctant Orange County of�icials to create a domestic partnership registry, before the opportunity slips away.

Orlando makes history this month by becoming the �irst municipality in Central Florida to implement a domestic partnership registry. But Orlando’s registry applies only within the city limits, and creates disturbing scenarios where people who live outside the city have to make dif�icult decisions as to whether to go to the nearest hospital in a medical crisis, or to a distant hospital in the city where they can be sure that their relationship will be recognized.

Orange County leaders have been stalling, exploring reasons to not implement a countywide registry that would provide very critical rights to our community— the right to visit our partners (and their children) in the hospital, the right to make medical decisions for our partners, the right to make funeral arrangements for our partners, the right to participate in the school activities of our partners’ children.

After more than a year of talks with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, and after an invitation from

citizens opposed to the registry. Jacobs said in a Watermark interview last year that, although she opposes marriage equality for gay people, she believes that gay couples should have all of the same rights as heterosexual couples. In a discussion that I had with her speci�ically concerning the registry, Jacobs said to me, “Those are important rights. People should have those rights.”

So why on earth hasn’t Teresa Jacobs made the obvious right decision to support the registry? It’s because she hasn’t heard from you.

The next step towards equality is up to you now. Write Mayor Jacobs at Teresa.jacobs@oc�l.net. |  |

point

Do something today—�ight for Orange County Registry

assist in any way possible.

The Orange County Attorney’s of�ice vetted the proposed registry ordinance and reported no legal obstructions. The Orange County Comptroller’s of�ice (which would implement and administer the registry) vetted it and reported no administrative or cost concerns, and they worked with the Orlando City Clerk to help implement the City’s registry so it will be compatible with the County’s proposed registry.

Prominent people, organizations and media outlets have contacted Mayor Jacobs to express support for the registry.

We have been advised that to date Jacobs has received no communications from

view

Mary Meeks

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to work together on a registry, Jacobs is still uncommitted and unenthused.

The envisioned countywide registry is slipping away because county leaders don’t think you need or want it. They don’t think you suffer when you’re not recognized as your partner’s family member during medical emergencies. They don’t care that state law prohibits you from planning your dead partner’s funeral. They simply don’t respect your family enough to create a countywide registry to �ix those injustices, and all it might take from you to change their thinking is a short letter, email or phone call.

That’s it; and without that tiny effort from you, the Orange County Domestic Partnership Registry will be denied. So I ask: what have you done today to make you feel proud?

And if it’s nothing, if you have not yet made your voice heard, then please do something now before you regret it forever.

Everyone in this community knows someone who has suffered because of the lack of these critical rights. I have written before about my friend Joyce, whose partner Claudia died after a seven month battle with cancer. Joyce was at times disregarded as Claudia’s life partner, Claudia’s healthcare documents were ignored, and the funeral home where Claudia’s body was taken refused to speak to Joyce about Claudia’s expressed wishes.

Another friend was not allowed to see his partner in the ER after he was admitted following a car accident. I asked one local attorney if she could think of any clients who had these kinds of issues and she immediately listed 19 couples.

In one instance, the local hospital denied a woman the opportunity to say goodbye to her dying partner because visitation in ICU is for “families only.”

Her partner had no other family, so she died alone in ICU, while her life partner sat alone in the waiting room. We cannot let this inhumanity continue.

I am a member of OADO, a group of concerned citizens who have been working with both the City of Orlando and Orange County towards implementation of a countywide registry. Orlando got on board thanks to a very supportive Mayor Dyer.

My colleagues and I have done everything we can do to get Mayor Jacobs on board. We provided extensive research from other jurisdictions. Mayor Dyer provided his staff research and offered to

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of people committing hate crimes are UNDER the age of – NY GAY & LESBIAN ANTI-VIOLENCE REPORT

2006 ABC POLL,

IN A

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2011, A SIMILAR ABC POLL IN

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“Screwed again...”

—Robert Fremin

On New Year’s Eve: “I got kissed by a girl! Anything can happen at G bar.”

—Arica Love

IT LEAKED!

On 2011 being a banner year for gay rights:

On a Catholic Cardinal comparing the fight for gay rights to the Ku Klux Klan:

“It’s getting better every year!”

—Mary Angelini

“The same comparison could be made about the Catholic Church even today.”

—Bruce Fournier

“This is a very important part of your relationship when it comes to protecting you and your family in health, visitation and funeral decisions. Remember Power of Attorney expires upon your or your partner’s death and becomes a useless piece of expensive paper. This will protect you in your time of most need!”

—Tom Woodward

On Orlando’s domestic partner registry:

According to TVLine, Oscar winner

HELEN MIRREN will make a cameo appearance on the incredibly gay Glee when it returns Jan. 17—just not physically. Rumor has it that she will play the internal voice of one of the characters.

Unfortunately, there's no word yet on who exactly she'll stand in for.

anything

On gay people, on average, paying $6,000 more per year in taxes:

ABFAB HOLIDAY SPECIAL The social networks were abuzz over the holidays with a leaked video showing a preview of a reunion of Absolutely Fabulous proportions! The British hit with gay sensibilities and legions of LGBT fans returned to the BBC with two holiday specials—one on Christmas and the other on New Year’s Day. A third special, reuniting Patsy (Joanna Lumley) and Edina (Jennifer Saunders) is scheduled to coincide with this summer’s London Olympics.

The return of the britcom to television after six years away sparked renewed interest in talk of an Absolutely Fabulous movie. Fortunately for fans, Saunders recently confirmed that she is “definitely going to do” a film. News surrounding a staged musical comedy wasn’t as positive, however.

WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL Will you be registered under the domestic partner registry?

No, because I’m holding out for marriage equality.

Yes, immediately!

5%

Yes, but not right away.

I would, but I don’t have a domestic partner right now.

Domestic partner registry is not offered in my area.

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

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JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

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SCAN FOR INFO AND TICKETS

GIVE ‘EM AN

INCH Gender-bending Hedwig and the Angry Inch comes to Orlando

Erik R. Caban

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ERIK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

RLANDO | WHAT’S A GIRL TO DO WHEN A

botched sex-change operation leaves an East German boy named Hansel with a Barbie doll crotch and an inch of useless scar tissue and when lovers betray, abandon and steal from her?

Why, what else but go from being a “slip of a girly boy” to an “internationally ignored song stylist” and front-woman of the band “The Angry Inch.”

After almost six years, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the gender-bending, off-Broadway musical returns to Orlando this month. This re-imagined production starring acclaimed local thespians Joshua Eads-Brown and Janine Klein rocks onto to the stage Jan. 11 at The Abbey in Orlando.

“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll cringe,” says Eads-Brown “If there’s an emotion, you’ll probably experience it!”

Orlando audiences may remember the wildly popular David Lee/Becky Fisher production from the early 2000s. But don’t expect the same show, says EadsBrown, who steps into the outrageous shoes of Hedwig.

This is a completely different interpretation from director Bruce Costella and musical director Spencer Crosswell.

“There are certain things that fans of the show expect, and those things are there, but there are also a lot of new surprises for audiences to enjoy!” he says.

And Eads-Brown’s co-star is quick to praise his contributions as well.

GENDER BENDER: Joshua Eads-Brown stars in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. | Photo by Adam McCabe

Continued on page 25 |  |

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

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watermark is now available at Hyde Park Village in Tampa!

To become a distribution location, please contact:

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BROADWAY CABARET SERIES OPENS! Ticket packages available

1/21 Marc Kudisch: What Makes Me Tick?

3/22 An Evening with Susan Egan Broadway’s “Belle” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and the longest running “Sally Bowles” from Cabaret, and so much more!

7:30 p.m.

Broadway leading man whose credits include 9-5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the New York City Opera’s revival of The Pirates of Penzance and more. 8 p.m.

4/21 A Grand Night for Broadway: Gala and Performance!

Three Men and a Baby…Grand!

• Pre and post-show Gala with the stars benefits Friends of the Palladium • Brian Lane Green, Lee Lessack, and John Boswell present a collection of new and old Broadway songs in the MAC-nominated Best Revue. 8 p.m Just a short walk from the Vinoy and downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront, the Palladium is consistently ranked as one of Tampa Bay’s best, most intimate, affordable venues! Come see why.

www.mypalladium.org (727) 822-3590

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JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermarkonline.com

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Memories of Yesteryear

W

ITH EVERY TECHNICAL

The Artist

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, Penelope Ann Miller, James Cromwell

advance—in this case, the addition of sound to �ilm in the early 30s— we lose something. Sure, we shake off much of the cheesy hamming that made Vaudevillians such great silent screen actors. However, we also lose the beautiful subtlety of expression and the experiments in cinematography.

As Gloria Swanson famously said in Sunset Boulevard, “We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces!”

The Artist is a silent, black and white �lick that takes us on a nifty journey of nostalgia.

Dujardin is a silent �ilm actor, in the style of Valentino with a little Errol Flynn rakishness thrown in. When one of his adoring fans, Bejo, accidentally bumps into him, she �inds herself on the way to Hollywoodland stardom.

She becomes famous in talkies, just as

his star fades—again, like Valentino. He selfdestructs and only her secret love and care protects him. Well, that and the loyalty of his awesome dog!

It’s a pretty simple story, but silent �ilms always were. Camera shots and background sets basically pound the themes home in a fun way.

The score prevails, but small experiments in sound effects give us a sense of what we gave up with the introduction of noise. The Artist teaches us the power of faces and body language.

The idea could’ve been gimmicky, but a deep respect for silent �ilms makes this �lick a joy to behold.

The Adventures of Tintin

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

(Voices of Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost)

(Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris)

Tintin is a boy wonder, a Belgian There is no denying the chemistry reporter who, along with his dog, of the two lead actors, and director solves some of the world’s greatest Guy Ritchie has some fun with the mysteries. He was one of the most elaborate action sequences. Those popular comic book characters of the are some serious clues to the success last century. Yet Tintin could’ve been of a burgeoning Victorian franchise lost to modern audiences if it weren’t that still can’t weave a yarn without for Steven Spielberg and Nickelodeon getting tangled in travel and tangents. creating a TV series and then this fun, Watson (Law) is about to begin silly computer animated �ilm. his married life, when the Tintin (Bell) buys a brilliant, manic and drugmodel ship that sails him RATINGS GUIDE addicted Holmes ensnares into a mystery about an the doctor in another old pirate battle and a mystery. This one involves modern-day family feud.

Holmes’ famous nemesis, Overflowing This �ilm (hopefully not the the evil Dr. Moriarty with glittery last) introduces us to all the (Harris). It also involves fabulousness main characters: the boy, anarchists, gypsies, and a his dog, the famously drunk possible premature start to Pretty damn Captain Haddock (Serkis), WWI. good, but it’s no the bumbling inspectors Sure, there are some Sunset Boulevard Thompson and Thompson “gay” moments between (Pegg and Frost). the inspector and his best It’s easy to love the An entertaining friend, but that’s not enough enough flick old-school 1930s action to carry a �ilm. Even with with perhaps sequences, which call to gifted actors and locations a few holes mind Spielberg’s Indiana all over steampunk Europe, Jones series. Tintin starts this still managed to become quiet and small and builds Ever so slightly washed out, lifeless. watchable, just to three great action A good clue to how this for that hot actor sequences—on a pirate all goes wrong is Noomi boat, in Morocco, and Rapace’s character. (She’s �inally back on the streets of the wonderful, original Two hours of Luxembourg. The characters Lisbeth from the Swedish your life you’ll never get back are memorable, and their version of The Girl with the animation is well rendered, Dragon Tattoo). She’s there realistic but not waxworks creepy. when they need her; she disappears There is a subtle repetition to the when she doesn’t service the action. action. Most kids won’t catch it, but it’s I say “action” and not “plot,” because likely to delight adults. Sure, it’s not the story has so many impossibilities the deepest or most believable stuff, and holes of logic that it grows but there’s delight in its silliness and tiresome. The effects even gets to be implausibility. In fact, this is one of so loud and fast, they becomes static, those light, fast kiddie �licks the whole duller than Sherlock’s mind on drugs. family can enjoy. ||

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SLOTH: (L-R) Dana Kovar, Jeffrey Klein and Gerald Ramsberger star in Psalm of Bernadette or Sloth. | Photo courtesy Andy Orrell

Modern Morality THEATER

Sloth and Wrath take center stage this New Year at Studio @ 620 Joe Kissel KISSEL@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

T. PETERSBURG | SIN IS IN ... ALL OF US,

and erupting on stage Jan. 5-15 in Stephen Riordan’s Psalm of Bernadette or Sloth and Bedbugs or Wrath.

These savvy, modern morality tales distill their themes from one of the world’s earliest memes, The Seven Deadly Sins, and raises questions about what it means to be moral in the world today.

“I hope to open a dialog in each play so the audience walks away asking questions,” said St. Petersburg native and resident Stephen Riordan. “Who’s the worst

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offender in the play and how do they interact with each other?”

These are just some of the questions audiences will ponder during Wrath, in which Walter, a broken man dealing with the loss of his family, brings home a hustler named Paul Revere.

“Paul is also a damaged soul,” Riordan says. “And he pegs Walter as an easy mark.”

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

The danger grows on stage, heightened by the intimate setting of Studio@620 in downtown St. Petersburg, and as the night unspools, so does Walter’s anger.

The second installment of Riordan’s “Seven Deadly Plays” opens with Sloth, which isn’t nearly as dark as the evening’s concluding play.

Still applicable to today’s world, Sloth explores how dogmatic religious beliefs interfere with Matthew, an overworked junior partner at a start-up law �irm.

“Mathew’s most recent case has him questioning the power of his convictions and the strength of his character,” Riordan said.

“He faces his faith, his future and a mysterious visitor as Matthew and his slacker roommate deal with the consequences of letting go of what

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

WRATH: (L-R) Andrew Deeb and Norman Naudain star in Bedbugs or Wrath. | Photo courtesy Andy Orrell they thought they wanted,” he said. answered so quickly, it’s really Both of the plays are one-act and intense,” he said.

50 minutes apiece.

Devin Jones added he was excited Their intelligence and humor to be advancing the work of a bornare what attracted Studio@620 and-bred St. Petersburg playwright.

Producing Director Bob Devin Jones While spirituality and theology to bring in the entire series. are center stage in Riordan’s plays, “There’s always a surprise in the author says he still can’t return how the sin manifests itself,” said to church to practice his latent Devin Jones, who met Riordan when Catholic faith. he starred in the studio’s 2011 “The Catholic Church has production of The unleashed so Men. much terror on Audiences will the world, and be kept on their has been so toes and the edge quick to judge of their seats says homosexuality,” the actor who he said. “It’s not plays the hustler okay and I can’t in Wrath. bring myself to “I guarantee overlook it.” no one will expect Like Riordan, —PLAYWRIGHT what is going to the characters in STEPHEN RIORDAN happen,” said his plays have a actor Andrew Deeb, who went to the strong voice.

American Academy of Dramatic Arts And it is their calling—like in New York City with Riordan. ours, he said—to live a life that is But it was at St. Petersburg respectful of others and the best one Catholic High School where Deeb can be. met the “Seven Deadly Plays” author “That’s whether or not you through drama teacher Joseph believe in sin,” Riordan said. |  | Stawski.

Deeb still lives in NYC but MORE INFORMATION managed to �ind time to rehearse and appear in Wrath as well as Greed WHAT: Sloth and Wrath earlier in the year.

WHERE: Studio at 620, Riordan’s work prompts St. Petersburg questions, but Deeb says the WHEN: Jan. 5-15 conclusion provides plenty of resolution, too.

TICKETS: Studio620.org “All the questions you have are

“I hope to open a dialog in each play so the audience walks away asking questions.”

watermarkonline.com

|  | Hedwig from pg.21 “People can expect Joshua Eads-Brown singing and acting the shit out of the part of Hedwig,” boasts Klein.

Playing a character that blurs the lines between gender roles is pretty close to EadsBrown, who many may recognize by his drag alter-ego, Ginger Minj.

“One thing that ‘Hedwig’ has taught me is that sometimes that line between person and persona gets blurry, and sometimes fantasy is mistaken for reality,” he explains. “As much as I embrace and appreciate Ginger, I’m glad that I’m equally as respected as a legitimate stage actor. Call it the Hannah Montana syndrome, but I love experiencing the best of both worlds!

No matter which character you see, Joshua Eads-Brown is the man who walks into the building and Joshua Eads-Brown is the man who walks out at the end of the night.”

Despite such a correlation, he revealed that he almost didn’t take the role of Hedwig. After some urging by his husband and forgetting everything he knew about the original story, he read the script.

“This is a role that, on the surface, seems like a strange �it for me,” he says. “As I turned the last page and wiped the tears from my eyes, my mind was completely blown—and changed.

I realized how much the character spoke to me.

There’s a little piece of Hedwig in all of us: the lust, the loathing, the tears, the fears, and the overwhelming desire to be loved.”

Klein shared the same sentiments. She plays Hedwig’s poor, put-upon, drag-queen-turnedhusband, Yitzhak.

“The role of Yitzhak frightens the hell out of me,” Klein says. “I �it a certain type and mold and what I love about this production company is that they cast solely based on talent, not type.

I have to stretch outside of my comfort zone and that is a glorious blessing for a performer.

You end up �inding a whole other level of yourself in the process.”

Backed by a four piece band, Klein and Eads-Brown play all of the characters swirling around inside Hedwig’s brain—all of the people who have touched her on her way to this stage in her life.

“There’s a natural love and rapport between the two of us,” says Eads-Brown of his concomitant co-star. “She’s my favorite person to share the spotlight with.”

“Side note,” adds Klein. “[The band] is all cute college boys. Do I know your demographic or what?”

Both Eads-Brown and Klein have an arsenal of acting credits. Beginning with a role as a baby in community theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof, Eads-Brown has performed his whole life. His career has taken him from school plays to Broadway, commercials to �ilm, and back again. He attributes his passion for the arts to his mother.

“My mother always told me, ‘Artists aren’t created, they’re born,’ and she did her best to always push and support me in the decisions that I’ve made,” he recalls. “The beauty in all art

“There’s a little piece of Hedwig in all of us: the lust, the loathing, the tears, the fears, and the overwhelming desire to be loved.”

—JOSHUA EADS-BROWN ON PLAYING THE ICONIC ROLE.

is the creation of it. If you’re not creating something; a character, a costume, a painting, an ashtray, a macaroni portrait— anything—you’re not living up to your true potential.”

When asked what he hopes audiences take away from his performances, EadsBrown replied, “I just hope they �ind what

they’re looking for. If you come to a comedy, I hope you �ind the laughs. If you come to a drama, I hope I deliver the tears by the bucketful. If I help you �ind and feel something, I’m satis�ied.”

Raised in the theatre by an actress and a director, Klein has been onstage since she was �ive.

“[My parents] sparked my love for the theatre,” Klein says. “They owned their own theatre company growing up. It was a wonderful world to escape to.”

So, how do you follow up Hedwig? EadsBrown will squeeze in two performances of Little Miss Parliament House, debuting later this month, and Klein will perform withTod Kimbro for the Fab Fringe Fundraiser VIP party Feb. 27 at Hard Rock. |  |

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MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: Hedwig and the Angry Inch WHERE: The Abbey, January 11-20 TICKETS: InTheWings.org or AbbeyOrlando.com

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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2012 ADVERTISE YOUR “MUST SEE” EVENT THIS WINTER SEASON IN THE only arts guide in central florida for the lgbt community. our readers want to know!

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

407-481-2243

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

[TAMPA BAY]

813-655-9890

watermarkonline.com

Event Planner

QUICK PICKS Tampa Bay Odd Couple

(Female Version) JAN. 6-28

Carrollwood Players CarrollwoodPlayers.org 813-265-4000

The 39 Steps JAN. 12-29 Jobsite Theater JobsiteTheater.org 813-229-7827

Orlando The Marvelous Wonderettes JAN. 12-FEB. 5

T

HE TOURING PRODUCTION OF the classic musical Les Miserables arrives in Central Florida when it opens at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center Jan. 17. The new 25th anniversary production has new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The

Les Miserables production has broken box of�ice records across the country.

While new elements are constant throughout the new production, it will still be familiar to die-hard fans of the original Broadway version.

TAMPA BAY

The First ever Miss Georgie’s Alibi Pageant For a decade, Georgie’s Alibi has been a staple in the St. Petersburg community. So we were surprised to learn that the popular night club has never held a pageant featuring its own name.

That’s about to change, thanks to former Miss St. Pete Pride Kori Stevens and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Alexis Mateo. The two have put their heads—and collective crowns— together to organize the �irst Miss Georgie’s Alibi Pagenat on Tuesday, Jan. 17, beginning at

9 p.m.

Like most pageants, categories include Presentation—creative costume in Blue—Talent and Evening Gown. Interested contestants can register the day of the pageant beginning at 5 p.m. The winner walks away with the crown, $500 in cash and a slew of bookings.

Find the event page on Facebook for more details and visit WatermarkOnline.com for an online gallery after the pageant.

Classic songs like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” “Master Of The House” and more are featured

in the tour.

Les Miserables runs through Jan. 22 in Orlando before heading to Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 31-Feb. 12.

For information and tickets, visit BobCarr.Performing-ArtsCenter.org or StrazCenter.org.

ORLANDO

The Wizard of Oz, JAN. 10 Peabody Auditorium, PeabodyAuditorium.org 386-671-3461

Once in a Lifetime,

pageant for toddlers.Think of it as an even more unsettling version of Toddlers and Tiaras.

The cast rotates roles each week, creating a new experience each time. The cast includes Carol Lee, Doug Ba’aser, Gidget Galore, Addison Taylor, Chantel Reshae, Ginger Minj and Miss Sammy.

Even the winner will be crowned by judges selected from the audience each night.

The show opens Jan. 7. For details, visit ParliamentHouse. com. Opening night photos will be posted on WatermarkOnline.com.

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Daytona Beach

Sarasota

Little Miss Parliament House The incredibly twisted mind of Jeff Jones brings the comedy Little Miss Parliament House to the Footlight Theatre of the play’s namesake every Saturday in January.

Before audiences get too concerned with that 21-year-old age limit to enter the property, realize that the cast of LMPH is made up of men in drag playing seven-year-old girls. According to a press release, the play is an example of what it would be like if everything that could go wrong did go wrong during a beauty

Theatre Winter Haven TheatreWinterHaven.com 863-294-7469

JAN. 6-APRIL 1 Asolo Repertory Theatre Asolo.org 941-351-8000

MORE INFORMATION For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit WatermarkOnline.com.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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PHOTOS BY: James Jackson, ProSuzy.com, Stephen Warne and Carrie West

ShotonSite

TAMPA BAY

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1- BREAK TIME: (L-R) Mark Bias and Melanie Minyon take a short break from the revelry of New Year’s Eve at Hamburger Mary’s.

2 - NEW YEAR’S TEASE: Amy DeMilo struts her stuff while performing at The Honey Pot in Ybor City on New Year’s Eve. 3- SIBLING SALUTE: The Twat Sisters celebrate New Year’s Eve at G. Bar in Ybor City.

4- BEER BUDDIES: This group of friends take a break from bowling while participating at a recent tournament at AMF Gulfgate Lanes in Sarasota.

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5- A-WASSAILING: Carolers entertain during a special Holiday Light show at the Florida Botanical Gardens on Dec. 22.

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6- YEAR OF THE DOG: Arthur Burnett spreads the celebratory mood with ‘Miss Amber’ in Ybor City during the Outback Bowl Parade.

7- BOWLING BROTHERHOOD: Friends enjoy a fun night of bowling at the AMF Gulfgate Lanes in Sarasota during a ‘9-pin, no-tap’ tournament on Dec. 27.

8- INCOGNITO CELEBRANTS: These three women celebrated the New Year in style—and behind shades.

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TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD Disco Diva Diaries They may have been at the height of their careers more than three decades ago, but that didn’t stop an enthusiastic crowd from enjoying the sounds of Maxine Nightingale, Sister Sledge and Gloria Gaynor on New Year’s Eve. The Disco Divas of the 1970s entertained a large—but not sold-out—crowd at the remodeled Mahaffey Theater with their greatest and biggest hits. The biggest crowd pleaser seemed to be

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Nightingale, who opened the show and got the noticeably older crowd up on their feet early on. By the time Sister Sledge took over the stage, fans were dancing in the aisle and several were even welcomed up on stage to shake what their mamas gave them.

Gaynor closed the show with a 40 minute set that included her re-imagined versions of “Every Breath You Take” and other hits. She wrapped things up with a stirring rendition of her anthem, “I Will Survive,” before the crowd made its way outside to enjoy the �ireworks presented by the City of St. Petersburg over Tampa Bay.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Another Gay Invasion of Ybor Our friends Mark Bias and Carrie West, who always have their �ingers on the pulse of what’s happening in Tampa, shared that a �lood of new LGBT bars are coming to Tampa— and three of them will open in Ybor City. The Liquid Lounge is relocating to the corner of 7th Avenue and 15th Street and will take over the old Blue Shark location. That makes room for a new Leather/Levi Men’s bar, yet to be named, to take over the former Liquid Lounge location next door to the Laughing Cat. Barbarella, which will feature a new LGBT T-Dance

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on Sundays, opened on New Year’s Eve in the space formerly occupied by Frankie’s Patio. The proprietors of MC Film Fest also told us that a new mega-dance club is coming to North Hyde Park, and it’s rumored to be called Mary-Go-Round.

2012 is already shaping up to be a huge year for LGBT entertainment in Tampa.

The Return of Gasparilla Gancho

Plans are �inalized for the second Gancho party weekend in Tampa during the last weekend of January—and it has shaped up to be a big

watermarkonline.com

sophomore year. The annual dance party spans three nights and coincides with Gasparilla, Tampa’s version of Mardi Gras that “celebrates” the pirate invasion of Jose Gaspar.

This year’s festivities begin on Friday, Jan. 27, with “Havoc” at the Amphitheatre in Ybor City featuring DJ Abel. The festivities continue on Saturday, Jan. 27 with the Gasparilla Parade Party at Urban Body followed by the Gancho Dance Party at the Ritz Ybor at 10 p.m.

Things wrap up on Sunday, Jan. 29, when DJ Oren Nizri spins at “Unleashed” at Rise. Details and a full schedule is available on the Gancho Facebook page and at GanchoTampa.com. |  |

PHOTOS BY: Pete Gogan, Phantom Photographics, Lizzy Hovanetz, courtesy of Winter Park, The Center

ShotonSite 1

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ORLANDO

1- SPARK THE NEW YEAR: (L-R) Erica Hopkins and Olivia Ariaudo rang in the New Year with flammable objects Dec. 31 at Vintage.

2- KEEPING IT BEAUTIFUL: Volunteers with The Center did their part to keep Orlando clean by picking up litter from the Center’s Adopt-A-Highway stretch on East Colonial.

3- PUCKER UP: (L-R) Raimund Liauw and Jeff Horn and rung in 2012 at a house party Dec. 31.

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4- FRISKY FUN: (L-R) Tayeh Moore, Blue Starr and Peek Amateur 2011 winner Nicki Jay got frisky during the latest Peek-A-Boo Revue at Stardust Lounge, which is held the third Wednesday of every month.

5- SEMINOLE PRIDE: FSU represented on Dec. 29 at the Champs Sports Bowl Parade of Bands Dec. 29 on Park Avenue.

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6- TRADING ART: Artists and art lovers packed the home of Amy Watkins and Alex Copeland for the couple’s annual art trade fundraiser party, which raised more than $1,800 for Second Harvest Food Bank on Dec. 31.

7- AULD LANG SYNE: (L-R) Megan Monesmith and Victoria Jackson toasted the near year at Vintage Lounge.

8- IN SIGHT: Selena Vyle (in red) gains on Amina Acid during an Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls practice scrimmage Jan. 2 at Semoran Skateway.

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ORLANDO OVERHEARD Miss’d America Orlando’s own Chantel Reshae has been chosen amongst the 15 hopefuls from across the country for this year’s Miss’d America Pageant on Jan. 21 in Atlantic City. More than 1,500 people are expected to attend this eleganza extravaganza hosted

by Carson Kressley and musical performances by Martha Wash.

Reshae, a 17 year drag veteran, is the only Florida-based contestant.

“I want to thank the committee for allowing me to be a part of this event,” Reshae says. The Miss’d America Pageant was started in 1991 the Sunday after the Miss America Pageant (which used to be held in Atlantic City) as a fun but very competitive way

to raise money for local LGBT charities. The competition now bene�its The Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance, which provides economic, social and political advocacy of LGBT and LGBTsupportive business and citizens in the greater Atlantic City region.

Reshae can be seen every Tuesday night at Banana’s Diner for Broadway night. For more info on Miss’d America, visit Acglbt.org

24 Hours with the Mouse

Disney representatives announced Jan. 2 they’re planning a “marathon of fun” for their One More Disney Day event on Feb. 29, when the Magic Kingdom

in Florida and Disneyland in California will stay open for a full 24 hours. Guests will be welcomed from 6 a.m. on Feb. 29 to 6 a.m. on March 1. The 24-hour event is centered around 2012’s leap day and was announced on Dick Clarke’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Saturday night. Disney also launched OneMoreDisneyDay. com, where a Disney parks vacation will be given away daily. The website features a countdown to the event and asks visitors, “What would you do with one more day at Disney?” The promotion revolves around the idea that there is an extra day of theme parking in a leap year.

Parliament Progenies What would happen if everything that could possibly go wrong at a toddler pageant actually did go horri�ically wrong and the 7-year-old girls were played by grown men?

Beginning Jan. 7, you’ll be able to �ind out! If you’re a fan of Little Miss Perfect and Toddlers & Tiaras you will certainly like this show. If you detest Little Miss Perfect and Toddlers & Tiaras, you will absolutely love this madcap mockery. Join Orlando comedian and playwright Jeff Jones, who plays overly obsessive pageant owner and emcee Lionel Del Frisco who runs Little Miss

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

Parliament House, Inc. with his business partner and stage manager, Douglas White, for the crowning of the 2nd Annual Little Miss Parliament House.

The rotating assortment of antagonists and their mothers will be portrayed by Carol Lee, Doug Ba’aser, Gidget Galore, April Fresh, Addison Taylor, Chantel Reshae, Ginger Minj and Miss Sammy. No actual toddlers will be harmed at any of the performances of Little Miss Parliament House. As Mr. Del Frisco says about everything he does, “Perfection is my middle name.” For tickets, visit WanziePresents.com |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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watermarkonline.com

IN DEPTH: fitness

Flip the Fitness Script

Five ways to reach your fitness goals in 2012

I

T’S A NEW YEAR, WHICH MEANS AMBITIONS RESOLUTIONS

Joe Kissel KISSEL@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

1. BREAD IS THE ENEMY Do yourself one favor in 2012 and kick bread from your diet.

Go right ahead ... unless of course the Pillsbury doughboy is your temple’s template. Admittedly, the dough boy is cute—especially when he’s a lesbian—but as Pappy says, “You don’t see old fat people.”

Whether it’s to prove Ron Paul wrong about the longevity of gay men or just look great and be healthy while doing it, too much fat—and all the health problems it brings—is simply a matter of consuming too many calories. And it’s such an easy thing to do when wheat products are concerned.

Consider protein sources and vegetables the staples of your diet and wheat products a “luxury item” you can afford only occasionally.

It’s the number one reason why so many people today—of any orientation—are just plain heavier than they need be.

Following the skinny and skeletal ‘70s, America began its plumping

have been made and it’s time to begin the work toward a new and improved you.

Fitness takes center stage every New Year, and 2012 is no different.

However, to achieve your goals in this new year, it’s important to know a few basic truths as you work toward your goals over the next 12 months— and hopefully the rest of your life. crusade sometime in the 80s after the emergence of AIDS and the rising arc of straight supersizing that the gay bear community mirrored through the 90s and beyond.

Bread, one of the culprits of corpulence, trumps even sugary drinks as the number one dietary mistake because wheat products are insidious in the way they’ve become part of our dietary landscape and our human tendency to horde and graze.

If you never digested another bread product—and by no means suggested here as it’s far too sinfully delicious—your body would never protest and only thank you. Cut that stuff out and the puff covering your shrouded physique will shrink in weeks.

Lose that big sub roll for a medium-sized or small tortilla. Sub the bagel for oatmeal and fruit or

maybe just eat your favorite half (and freeze the rest). And those dinner rolls and “never ending” bread basket? Just forget it, at least until you’re in a good place and comfortable with a minor cheat day.

2. HIGHINTENSITY WORKOUTS

If there’s a freeway to the fountain of youth, �itness researches say high-intensity workouts could be the commuter-lane there.

Fast is the operative concept, meaning your workout never stops to even look at your phone—get an MP3 player! —engage in useless chatter with a gym slacker or any other of the other Seven Deadly Sins committed in the gym. Highpowered workouts are the antithesis

of “waiting around” and the result being eventual physique nirvana in an hour of gym time if you’re doing it right.

That most likely means lots of movement and sweat but not necessarily long, boring sessions of cardio to which your body quickly adapts.

It’s about challenging your muscles with moderate to heavy weight (depending on the circumstances and desired result) while maintaining a cardio-like pace between sets; work contrasting muscle groups (an upper-body exercise followed by a lower-body one is one approach) and “resting” should involve nothing less than constant “�itness-�idgeting” like knee raises, stretching, lunges and anything else that keeps you in a constant state of motion.

As tacky and gauche as it is, muscle mass is great for �ighting

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

Photo courtesy David Marra

diabetes, chasing away fat, protection from injuries, and in general studies say it’s a key ingredient in attaining a longevity that’s actually desirable. (Ever notice that as people “get old” they start losing signi�icant amounts of muscle mass? Or is it the other way around?

This highly avoidable process starts around 40 and accelerates with time.)

So you need to be lifting weights.

How much? Enough to progressively challenge all your muscles but not too much that you suffer a far-toocommon overuse injury and sideline your workouts.

Because as important as diet is, in this mechanized, de-exercised world of ours, if you’re in a hole bodywise, you’re going to need exercise to get out of it.

Your best bet—even if it’s a pinch or on credit—is to hire a good trainer to show you the exercises and techniques necessary to re-shape your body and learn how to love exercise if you don’t.

If you’ve also suffered injuries or have back problems, a trainer with a background in physical therapy is highly recommended.

Continued on page 34 |  |

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watermarkonline.com

IN DEPTH: fitness

Radio Waves—Tuned Into Fat Cells!

Goodbye to Love (Handles)

Tom Dyer

Will a new non-invasive procedure freeze my fat away? she marked an area the size of a submarine Tom Dyer sandwich on either side of my stomach.

PUBLISHER@WATERMARKONLINE.COM We took pictures, and then she walked me through the procedure.

Most important was �inding a comfortable RLANDO | I’VE HAD LOVE HANDLES FOR AS LONG position on my side because once the suction device is attached it can pop off if there’s as I can remember. Those two unsightly, un-masculine too much movement. Andrea made sure I side-saddlebags of fat have plagued me since had water, reading material and a �irm grip on the television remote. She placed a chilly adolescence, and kept me in baggy bathing suits for decades. cold compress on the targeted area, then positioned the device and pressed down. It Even at my Butter�ield 8 weight, when I After a single treatment, fat layers are pinched at �irst, and then the treatment area dropped below 180 for a few minutes just reduced by as much as 25% and the targeted got cold before quickly growing numb. before Beach Ball back in 1999, I had love area—love handles, lower abdomen, lower After two episodes of Frazier Andrea handles. It didn’t stop me from braving a tight back—shrinks noticeably. The process is removed the device and immediately bathing suit, and the pictures still make me gradual, with complete results taking up massaged the treated area, now bright red, cringe. Why didn’t my so-called friends say to 12 weeks. But there is no surgery, no to maximize results by loosening frozen fat something! anesthesia, no recovery period. cells. She warned that it might hurt a little, Now that I’m 56 and battling to stay under “The best candidates are those who aren’t but the pain was brief and endurable.

200, my love handles feel as permanent signi�icantly overweight, but have some I opted to return the following day to as my feet. So when Dr. Dimitri Palceski at localized areas of fat that they’d like to get rid tackle the other side, dressed and joined Re�lections Dermatology offered to let me of in their abdomen, hips or thighs,” says Dr. my family for some holiday ice skating. The test-run his non-invasive Cool Sculpting Jeffrey Dover, an advisor to the company that treated area was numb for several days, targeted fat reduction treatment, I was created Cool Sculpting. but that was barely enthusiastic. Could this be the help—and I was told that noticeable. A bruise faded motivation—needed to get me into tightthere would be away within a week. �itting t-shirts again? two 60-minute Dr. Palceski offers treatments, one for free consultations for POPSICLE PROCEDURE each love handle, anyone interested I know people who’ve undergone and that afterward I in Cool Sculpting liposuction, a painful and expensive surgical could return to work (Re�lectionsDermatology. procedure in which fat cells are sucked out and even exercise com). Costs range from of the body. Many gained weight afterward, immediately. With that $750 on up depending on and the fat reappeared in places even less in mind, I scheduled the type and number of appealing than the midsection. my appointment treatments.

Cool Sculpting is something entirely at Re�lections For me, it’s been just different, and like many medical innovations Dermatology for two weeks so there’s no its discovery was entirely serendipitous. the week before change in the size of my Physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital Christmas love handles. I should and Harvard Medical School noticed that sick —DR. JEFFREY DOVER notice something by eight children who eat lots of popsicles lose weight FROZEN FAT weeks, when I check back At Dr. Palceski’s in their cheekbones. Subsequent testing with Andrea for a follow up. I’ll share the spacious, high-tech of�ices in Baldwin Park con�irmed that fat cells freeze at a slightly results—with “before” and “after” pictures— I was escorted to a small room furnished higher temperature than surrounding cells, after 12 weeks. with a small couch and �lat screen television. including skin cells.

But there’s already a change in my The futuristic vacuum robot in the middle The doctors created a machine that uses a attitude. This direct attack on the most of the room turned out to be the Zeltiq Cool vacuum applicator to gently draw a targeted intractable problem area of my body has Sculpting device. area between two cooling pads. After I changed into loose-�itting workout shorts motivated me in surprising ways. I intend to treatment, the cooled fat cells solidify (like do what I can—through diet and exercise—to before nurse practitioner Andrea Bellow refrigerated butter), then slowly atrophy help the process along. |  | sized me up and we talked about desired until they are metabolized and eliminated results—“Shrink the love handles!” Then naturally.

O

“The best candidates are those who aren’t significantly overweight, but have some localized areas of fat that they’d like to get rid of in their abdomen, hips or thighs.”

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

PUBLISHER@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | There’s yet another groundbreaking and non-invasive procedure to reduce fat in tough-totreat areas like the lower abdomen, love handles, inner thighs, upper arms and neck.

EXILIS uses two different machines to transmit radio frequency rays to targeted areas, causing “uniform molecular excitation.” As a result, the fat is lique�ied, metabolized by the body and eliminated in urine.

According to Dr. Jerry Horton, whose AesthetiMED practice in Winter Park focuses on anti-aging facial and body rejuvenation, treatments are similar to an ultrasound on a pregnant woman.

A cool gel is placed on the targeted area, and then it is rubbed with a wand-like panel for approximately 30 minutes.

“Radio waves are transmitted deep into the tissue, either melting fat cells or rearranging collagen,” says Dr. Horton. “Think of a stretched out slinky shrinking back into shape.”

Usually a series of four treatments is recommended, spaced two weeks apart. The cost runs from $1,200 to $2,000 for each series. The Today Show’s Kathy Lee Gifford recently completed EXILIS treatment to remove sagging stomach fat as the result of two pregnancies, and reported a twoinch reduction.

Like Cool Sculpting, EXILIS is recommended only for cosmetic reduction of stubborn fatty tissue, and not as a weight loss technique.

“For best results, procedures like this have to be combined with diet and exercise,” says Dr. Horton. “But these new non-invasive procedures are a promising way to shape away unwanted body fat.” |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

33

IN DEPTH: fitness

LGBT-FRIENDLY FITNESS CENTERS

Even Jesus loved to power walk and took cross-training to a whole new level.

Tampa Bay Lifestyle Family Fitness 6690 Crosswinds Dr. N. St. Petersburg, FL

YouFit 6161 9th Ave. N., St. Petersburg 2480 East Bay Dr., Suite 26, Largo 4465 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa

Photos courtesy David Marra

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Lifestyle Family Fitness 935 N. Beneva Rd.

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Orlando The Gym Downtown 133 E. Robinson St. (Opening February 2012)

Golds Gym 7733 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando 130 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs 4049 13th St., St. Cloud 18840 US Hwy 441, Mt. Dora 1050 E. Highway 50, Clermont

LA Fitness 2999 E. Colonial, Orlando

Downtown YMCA 433 N. Mills Ave., Orlando *List compiled from 2011 Watermark WAVE Award ballots

34

|  | Fitness Tips from pg.31

3. RESPECT YOUR FORGOTTEN AGE Aging is an unavoidable mental/ physical trap but one who’s ill effects can be mitigated and delayed.

Whether it’s too much stress or lack of sleep—which encourages fat production—copious chemicals or a crappy diet, there’s a lot that can keep us from attaining our personal best and turning us old before our time.

Finding increased intensity in your workouts is key to supercharging your metabolism.

Cycling and other “sport” exercises are great for cross-training bene�its and encouraging athleticism, but are

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

also way too prone to injury for a daily routine, especially one focusing substantially on initial weight loss.

Any injury is going to sideline your critical beginning and consistency is king. It’s possible to trick your body, researchers are beginning to believe, but it will catch on after months or even just weeks of couch sur�ing while nursing an injury, however well-intentioned its creation.

Because above all else, changing your body is about forging a consistency of action that results in a physical change of less fat, more muscle and eventually sculpting that muscle.

It’s another way you can turn back the hands a bit—redistributing your body fat.

4: VEGETABLES EVERYWHERE!

After genetics, how your body looks is second-most-affected by

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

the food you put in your face.

Exercise is great and moreor-less mandatory—even Jesus loved to power walk and took cross-training to a whole new level—but a steady diet of bloat food and too many calories will pork you up like Family Guy’s Peter Grif�in but without the jokes.

After meat and other protein sources, vegetables should be plentiful in your life going forward. Like, every-meal-kindof-plentiful, including breakfast.

Besides the essential �iber, vitamins and minerals of veggies, what nutrients they are replacing is just as important. Replace bread and pastas with vegetables and you’ll notice a diference.

Eat those vegetables and salads at the end of the meal to help push the slowerdigested meats and complex carbohydrates through your system and boost your metabolism.

watermarkonline.com

Make them a key component in supercharging your turbocharged life and workouts.

5. EXERCISING FOR LIFE You can’t be anything more than the best possible version of you.

So stop comparing yourself to the “hot bods” in the gym. That’s not the real world. (Do it in the supermarket if you must.)

Getting into your best shape—or something resembling it—takes a three-pronged effort in diet, exercise and lifestyle choices.

But above all else, even as your diet �luctuates and life presents challenges, exercise should be the one thing you never let go of.

Exercise—the joy and ability to do it—is the means and the end, resulting in the best of all possible worlds.

2012 isn’t the end, it’s your beginning. |  |

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Wire Report

D

tickets during a recent bowling tournament in Sarasota. | Photo by Stephen Warne

New Sarasota bowling league focuses on AIDS charities Steve Warne

WARNE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

ARASOTA | Sarasota has a long history of LGBT bowling, and for years local bowlers had only one option to bowl on a LGBT league—Monday nights with A League of Our Own at the AMF Gulfgate Lanes.

Beginning Sept. 13, however, Sarasota bowlers got a second option: Gays, Lesbians, and Friends Bowling Tuesdays, a new LGBT league that also uses the AMF Gulfgate Lanes.

“A lot of people from the other gay bowling league in Sarasota were upset that the league was no longer giving to AIDS charities—the league was started on that principal,” said league organizer Shane Steiding.

“The last few years less and less money was going to AIDS charities. I was asked by some bowlers to start a new league, and get back to what the original league was started for, and donate only to AIDS charities.”

The season started in September and runs until April 17, with bowling every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Bowlers are required to pay an annual $20 fee to join the United State Bowling Congress and $15 in weekly dues. As part of the membership in the

at the end of the season, and we will include those with the donation to the AIDS charity.”

To accommodate bowlers who may not be able to make a weekly league, members are included commitment of time or money, as part of the International Gay league-sponsored ‘9-pin, no-tap’ Bowling Organization and are tournaments are on the calendar. able to participate in gay bowling “These are open to everyone, not tournaments throughout the just league bowlers.” Steiding said. country.

So far two of those Although the league is primarily tournaments—one after LGBT bowlers, everyone is welcome. Thanksgiving and the other on Dec. There are currently nine teams 27—have been successful. Also, with 36 people on the roster, but in the weeks before Christmas, the league sponsored “Presents for Pets”—a pet supply drive— and gathered food, bedding, litter, treats, and more for local animal shelters and pets in need.

—SHANE STEIDING GLFB TUESDAY ORGANIZER The league has only been alternates occasionally �ill-in for around for a few months, but already bowlers who cannot attend on has garnered support from many speci�ic dates. community members anxious to Each week bowlers participate take part in the fun and give back to in a 50/50 raf�le, with 50% of the their community. There are already proceeds going to the winner and plans for a shorter season during 50% going to the AIDS charities that the summer, and the league hopes to the league determines. increase itscommitment to charity “Our league is part donation and by working with sponsors in the part prize fund payable back to the future. bowlers,” Steiding said. “All money For more about the league or that we donate is donated only to to join, visit SarasotaGayBowling.

AIDS charities. Bowlers also have com. |  | the option to donate their winnings

“People from the other league were upset that the league was no longer giving to AIDS charities—the league was started on that principal.”

page

AT LEG’S LENGTH: A volunteer measures a bowler’s leg for a string of raffle

ENVER, COLO. | When a petition by the progressive website Change.org was presented to the Denver Broncos and their star quarterback Tim Tebow urging participation in the It Gets Better project, the team’s response was less than enthusiastic.

Without mentioning the campaign started by journalist Dan Savage and his husband, Terry Miller, to �ight bullying of LGBT youth, the Broncos sent a prepared statement: “The Denver Broncos are committed to tolerance, acceptance and respect for all in the community,” it said. “The National Football League is currently working with USA Network on its ‘Characters Unite’ campaign combating prejudice and intolerance, and our organization is in full support of that movement to help raise awareness for this very important cause.”

Tebow, who touts his Christian religion on and off the �ield, declined to sign an anti-bullying pledge.

The former Florida Gator quarterback received much hyped media attention two years ago when he starred with his mother in a Focus on the Family ad airing during the Super Bowl. Focus on the Family is an anti-gay group set on restricting LGBT rights. |  |

sports

Back on the lanes

Tebow says no to It Gets Better project

Johnny Weir marries long-time boyfriend Wire Report

N

EW YORK, N.Y. | Olympic �igure skater Johnny Weir married his long time boyfriend in New York City. Weir and Victor Voronov tied the knot at the New York City Courthouse on Dec. 30. Both sets of parents were present for the quick ceremony.

“I’m married!” Weir tweeted after the wedding.

“No more livin’ in sin!”

While Weir will keep his surname professionally, of�icially he an his new husband have the hyphenated last name Weir-Voronov.

Weir is a two-time Olympic medalist and stars in his own reality show—which representatives at LOGO say will showcase an of�icial wedding in July 2012 involving a large contingent of family and friends. |  |

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

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FOR MORE INFORMATION 42

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

orlando marketplace

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

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

43

MEET

AL REMEN!

Tampa

813.251.4744 Orlando

407.657.4500 FREE CODE: WATERMARK Other local numbers:

BIRTHDAY GIRL: Former Flamingo show director and St. Petersburg horticulturist Bobby York celebrates her birthday Jan. 10.

1-888-634-2628

Transitions

E FRtoEListen

& Reply to Ads!

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24/7 Customer Care 1(888)MegaMates 18+ ©2011 PC LLC 2107

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations

Arie Groen’s property maintenance Commercial and Residential Licensed

specializing

■ installation

of sod ■ Ornamentals ■ Trimming ■ Elevating Palms ■ Trees

in:

■ Mulch ■ Irrigation ■ pressure

servicing

washing

Passings John G. Lawrence, the Texas man whose lawsuit, Lawrence v.Texas, led to a definitive U.S. Supreme Court ruling that granted privacy rights to gay men and lesbians, died in Houston on Nov. 20 at age 68. Lawrence died of a heart condition, his partner, Jose Garcia, told the Houston Chronicle. Lawrence filed his landmark case in 1998 after police entered his home and arrested Lawrence for an alleged violation of the state sodomy statute. In an opinion for the court majority, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote that the two men “are entitled to respect for their private lives. The state cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime.’’

Local Birthdays orlando

&

tampa

Arie Groen’s Property Maintenance (727)505-0205 • agroen33@yahoo.com 44

Winter Park couple Jim Crescitelli and Kirk Johnston celebrated 25 years of coupled bliss on New Years Eve.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

Former Tampa Watermark sales specialist Bill Polley and former Partners Bar and Grill co-owner and St. Pete resident Emmi Grainger (Jan. 6); St. Petersburg performer Madisyn Michaels (Jan. 8); WAVE-Award winning Watermark Fire Down Below blogger and contributing writer Erik Caban

(Jan 9); shutterbug, event producer and founder of women’s web site ProSuzy.com Suzanne Noe, barely legal derby girl Meagan “Mistress Mayhem” Miles, Orlando Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Logan Donahoo and St. Petersburg florist and former Flamingo show director Bobby York (Jan. 10); St. Petersburg instructor and massage therapist Jeremy Couture, Lakeland massage therapist David Lesnett, Gay Internet Radio Live (GIRL) promoter Donnie Mullin and Gulfport retired Birkenstock USA specialist Danny Hughes turns 50 (Jan. 11); Sarasota real-life cowboy Bill Flynn and Sarasota actress and improv genius Christine Alexander (Jan. 12); Watermark CFO and resident society maven Rick Claggett and former St. Pete Pride board member and marketing guru Nick Capezza (Jan 13); Tampa’s Chelsea Nightclub owner Nikki Turnon and Orlando mom and realtor Trina Gregory (Jan 14); Watermark ad sales genius Don Williams, derby girl Claire Sullivan, gay veterans advocate Keri Griffin Edenfield and EO Inn and Urban Spa host Jeff Boudreaux (Jan. 15); Watermark art director Jake Stevens and multitalented Orlando writer/actor/director Scottie Campbell (Jan. 17); Tampa’s The Knights of Krewe of Cavaliers’ Robert Victor, Orlando Gay Chorus vocalist Edd “Peaches” Sinnett, Sarasota native and A League of Our Own member Jerry Rivera and TIGLIFF board member, former Pride Tampa Bay Chair and JP Morgan Chase honcho Kris R. Johnson (Jan. 18).

Are you making a Transition? Having a birthday or anniversary? Did you get a new job or promotion? See your news in Watermark! Send your Transition to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com or go to WatermarkOnline.com/Submit-a-Transition - it’s that easy!

watermarkonline.com

dothis!

ADVICE FROM

The Truth

Truth@WatermarkOnline.com

on the cause of you not seeing a long-term future with him, I can’t really debate the ‘why’ with you. So all that’s left is the ‘when.’

If it is at all possible, you should wait for just a couple of days or weeks to pull the plug.

I don’t think it’s disingenuous to ‘pretend.’ I presume you still care for him and would want to celebrate his birthday with him in some way.

If everyone who decided to end a relationship did it they moment the thought entered their head, we’d have a lot more divorce in this country than we already do.

You’re not obligated to come out with it at this speci�ic moment, particularly when your intentions are only to spare his feelings at a vulnerable time. That said, I would avoid buying particularly meaningful gifts, so as to lessen the blow. Maybe throw him a party at your house and invite friends so that he can deepen some friendships. That way you’ve done a nice thing, but it won’t be sitting on his mantel years from now to remind him.

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Timing really is everything DEAR TRUTH,

I

S IT WRONG TO PUT OFF BREAKING UP with someone until after their birthday? I am a 30-something gay male living in Orlando and I have been dating this guy, Leon, for about seven months. Leon moved here from Canada about two years ago and all his family still lives there, so he doesn’t really have anyone to celebrate his birthday with. He’s 23 and came out right before he moved to Florida, and he has had nothing but bad luck since—he’s broke, unemployed, and staying with me until he can �ind a place to live. Leon is very sweet and I really like him, but I can already see that we don’t have a long-term future together—we’re just too different. I think breaking up with him now would devastate him, but it feels disingenuous to continue acting like everything’s ok. Should I wait or end it now?

—FEEL LIKE SCROOGE

I’m sure you have your reasons for your feelings, but since you didn’t really comment

ANNOUNCE IT. RENT IT. SELL IT. POST IT.

M

Y PARTNER OF NINE YEARS, Shawna, passed away from cancer in 2008, right after Thanksgiving. Needless to say, the holidays are full of powerful memories for me, and sometimes I get a little depressed. This year, my friends “decided” that I needed to get out more and enjoy the season and bombarded me with invitations and activities. While I appreciate their efforts, I resent their insistence that I “make new memories” so I can “move on” from my relationship with Shawna. My friends are concerned that I’m making things worse by dwelling on the past, but I feel that I’m entitled to deal with Shawna’s passing and the holidays in my own way.

—BROKEN-HEARTED IN BREVARD DEAR BIB, It sounds like you have lovely, caring friends. You may not love their choice of words, but they’re correct when they imply that moving on is a healthy and important part of the process of grieving. I think you’ve decided that ‘moving on’ somehow means moving away from Shawna’s memory.

That will never happen.

Clearly you had a deep love, and you’ll feel her presence in your life forever. But here comes the Truth: Shawna would want you to live a full and happy life in her absence. I say you take a big breath, start accepting some of those invitations and re-enter the land of the living. It’s what Shawna would want, and most importantly, it’s the healthiest thing you can do for your heart, and for Shawna’s memory.

If everyone who decided to end a relationship did it they moment the thought entered their head, we’d have a lot more divorce in this country than we already do.

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JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

45

Anthony Barros and Ed Leonhard at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg

Jeneen Garcie and Jesse Collin Yeager at Zombie Apocalypse NYE Party

Amber Luu and Jessa Hartzell at a house party in Altamonte Springs

Angie Rash and Debbie Carcovice at Sip in Orlando

Darren Hill and Drew Gilliam at a house party in Orlando

Elizabeth Murff and Catherine Goodison at a house party in Orlando

Brandon Young and Mason Dubs at Seaworld Orlando

Brian Ellis and Michael Scott at SeaWorld Orlando

John Ryan and Eddie Cooper at a house party in Orlando

New Year’s Eve Smooches PHOTOGRAPHY

Galleryww 46

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

W

ATERMARK ASKED OUR READERS to send in their LGBT New Year’s Eve photos and boy, did you deliver!

Dozens sent photos via email, text, or upload to Watermark’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/WatermarkFL. We had almost as much fun going through all the romantic, silly, fantastic photos as you did kissing each other.

See a full gallery of the New Year’s Eve kiss photos—including the ones that didn’t make it into the paper—at WatermarkOnline.com.

We plan to do more reader-produced photo galleries like this in the coming year—be sure to “Like” Facebook.com/WatermarkFL today so you don’t miss out!

watermarkonline.com

Photos courtesy of Doug Bowser, Michael Scott, Phil Hubertz, and Anthony Barros

JAN. 5 - JAN.18, 2012 // ISSUE 19.01

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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Only 3 Available! Call Larry Taylor for details.

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