Watermark Issue 19.24: Dixie's Tupperware Party

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.24 • NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

FANTASTIC

PLASTIC Dixie’s Tupperware Party keeps it fresh—and a little dirty—in Tampa

DAVE KOZ launches Christmas in Florida

Walks, concerts commemorate

WORLD AIDS DAY

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As each message came, she got smaller... I watched 17 her get destroyed.

DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 17 // STATE 18 // NATION & WORLD 27 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 39 // EVENT PLANNER 41 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 43 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 44 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 45 // TRANSITIONS 46 // ADVICE 47 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 52 // CLASSIFIEDS 53 // SPORTS

PAGE

—DEERFIELD BEACH TEACHER JULIET HIBBS DISCUSSING CYBERBULLYING

ON THE COVER

PAGE Dixie Longate, who is

27

sometimes confused with actor Kris Andersson, brings her hilarious Tupperware Party to the Straz Center in Tampa Dec. 4-9, complete with a “Watermark night” on Dec. 6. PHOTO COURTESY

Preview

PAGE

32

TALKING SAX:

Jazz musician Dave Koz keeps with tradition by bringing his holiday concert to venues across Central Florida. The out singer, songwriter and musician tells us what we can expect from him this holiday season.

WATERMARK ISSUE 19.23 // NOV. 8 - NOV. 20, 2012

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE Orlando’s elite gathered for

PAGE Metro Wellness and

SARASOTA NEWS

GALLERY W

DIXIESTUPPERWAREPARTY.COM

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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

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the LGBT Black and White Ball held at the Abbey prior to Thanksgiving to raise money for a worthy cause; The annual Diva Invasion took over the UCF Venue Arena again this year to raise funds for the Zebra Coalition; more.

12

Community Centers will resurrect Rock AIDS this World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, at the Lowry Park band shell; The Ritz Ybor prepares to launch the holiday season with Miracle on 7th Avenue; more.

PAGE Residents of Sarasota and

15

Manatee counties will once again be joined with high school and college students when the Sarasota/Manatee AIDS Walk returns for its seventh year at the New College Campus. Proceeds benefit Trinity Charities.

PAGE Leather-n-Fetish Pride took

the Flamingo Resort 54 over the weekend of Nov 9-11,

and attendees from all over the state dressed to impress—and wow. Our friends at TinkerFluff.com checked out the scene and shared these impressive shots.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THANKS, BUT MORE ARE DESERVING

I

WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO VOTED FOR ME AS “WHO BEST EXEMPLIFIES LGBT SARASOTA”. If truth be told I can think of about 20 folks in Sarasota who are more deserving of this acknowledgement: Ken Shelin, who led the effort in Sarasota’s implementation of the Domestic Partners initiative; Greg Taylor, President of ALSO Out Youth, his board and staff turned this organization around and made it one of the most effective LGBT Youth organizations, not only in Sarasota but recognized nationally as such; Cindy Barnes, the �irst Sarasota Pride Committee Chair to bring Sarasota Pride out of the closet of Robart’s Arena and onto Main Street; David Philips, the guy who dragged me kicking a screaming into the Vote NO on 2 effort in Sarasota. The list could go on and on and to be honest, there are many new faces who are making major contributions to our LGBT Community in Sarasota.

Of course the most important person not listed above is my life partner, Jim. His efforts with so many organizations: A League of Our Own, Pride, Green, ALSO and other things I

“ I share this with so many others who work hard to make our diverse community a safe and fun community in which to live.”

—BART COYLE

might drag him into, has been an inspiration, not only to me but to many in our community. When I re�lect on the gifts I have been given throughout my life the greatest gift of all is Jim. I was not aware that Jim took my award certi�icate to my boss at the gym where I work. My boss wanted to hang it up and I told him no, this one stays at my home.

All that said, thanks again for the honor but I share it with all the folks I mentioned and so many others who work hard to make our diverse community a safe and fun community in which to live.

BART COYLE SARASOTA

APPRECIATIVE T’S

T

HANK YOU, WATERMARK FROM THE “T’S” IN THE COMMUNITY FOR REMEMBERING US and our Transgender Day of

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Remembrance in the recent issue of Watermark [Issue 19.23]. You are the best!

STEPHANIE NICHOLS TAMPA

THANK YOU

U

SUALLY, I DON’T HAVE TO SEARCH TOO DEEP TO FIND WHAT I WANT TO SAY. And, although the title shares my gratitude, it pales in comparison to how much your support has meant to me during this campaign.

We raised over $50,000 in just under �ive months, from almost 500 donors. On election day, nearly 50,000 voters in District 4 supported my vision for eastern Hillsborough County when they voted for me.

I can tell you that this is a beginning, not an end, to my political aspirations. Thanks for being there for me. I am truly grateful.

MARK NASH TAMPA

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

I

Desk

’M A TELEVISION FAN. I DVR AT LEAST

one show a night and on the weekends I do my best to catch up. The shows I watch range from the ridiculous (Family Guy and Glee) and the dramatic (Revenge) to the eerie (The Walking Dead and American Horror Story).

My taste in entertainment is vast, but the horror genre is especially engrossing to me. Maybe it’s because I used to read the murder mystery novels of Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Patricia Cornwell that sat on my mother’s bookshelves as a kid.

I am a sucker for stories with disturbing characters and scenarios, but I can easily separate reality from �iction. I know that these shows and their �ilm and book cousins are merely entertainment. But when a show has smatterings of truth in it for authenticity, it can really affect me. I’m not talking about the details

WATERMARK STAFF

of a murder or the circumstances behind a suspected haunting. I’m talking about the realities of life people faced in our recent past that we take for granted today.

During a recent episode of American Horror Story, a particular scene and storyline hit surprisingly close to home.

For those unfamiliar, the sophomore year of the series is much different than its �irst, placing a cast of characters in a dark, 1960s-era American insane asylum run by the wonderful Jessica Lange and featuring so-far-unidenti�ied

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 Production Assistant: Andrés Duputel • Ext. 107 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com Sales Manager: Mark Cady • Ext. 102 [Orlando] • Mark@WatermarkOnline.com

creatures lurking just outside the grounds. The classic concept is ludicrous and is of what Hollywood horror legends are made.

It’s been campy, disturbing fun for the most part, but when one of the asylum’s residents—a reporter who happens to be a lesbian— learned how to work the system, the series claimed a sobering look at reality.

The character is completely sane but trapped within the asylum. To regain her freedom, she commits to undergoing conversion therapy at the hands of a sympathetic psychologist, played by openly gay actor Zachary Quinto. The goal is to “train” herself to lose her sexual attraction to other women and reprogram her mind to seek out men, not women, as sexual partners.

This particular scene shows the patient looking at slides of scantily clad women while the doctor controls an IV attached to her and containing a vomit-inducing medication. If she associates the pictures of the women with vomiting, the doctor explains, she will learn to disassociate women with sexual pleasure.

The scene goes on to introduce a young, attractive, naked male to the young woman. The doctor instructs the patient to pleasure herself while admiring the young, naked man’s chiseled physique. Her tearful experience is overwhelming, and ends with a non-medically induced vomiting session when she is told to touch the young man.

The experience is shameful, unsettling and mind-boggling.

But while the characters and the plot are �ictional, the practice of conversion therapy was very real in our recent past. It is so real and so recent, in fact, that it took until this year for California to ban the practice.

And it’s not because of a few isolated incidents.

Conversion therapy got a lot of attention early on in the recent election cycle when it was revealed that Marcus Bachmann, husband to one-time GOP presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann, practiced faith-based therapy to purge the homosexual urges of his patients.

Scienti�ic research continues to show that human sexual orientation is innate and not learned, punching a gaping hole in the theory that gays and lesbians “choose” a speci�ic orientation. The only choice we make is whether or not to share those feelings with others.

The term “unwanted same-sex attraction” is used often when it is argued that conversion therapy is needed.

Looking back on my life I can admit that I had the very same condition.

But the reason my attraction was “unwanted” is directly tied to the hateful rhetoric of anti-gay advocates.

Television and popular entertainment are ways to escape our everyday reality. But it can also remind us of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go.

Hopefully, someday in the near future, we’ll look back at the views of the anti-LGBT population in 2012 America and have the very same reaction to today’s shows depicting the narrow-minded views of characters within a 1960s plotline. |  |

While the characters and the plot are fictional, the practice of conversion therapy is very real.

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CONTRIBUTORS KEN KUNDIS

is a Florida native and a longtime contributor to Watermark.

He lives in New York City. Page 21

ABBY DEES

is a civil rights attorney-turnedauthor who has been in the LGBT rights trenches for 25-plus years. She lives in Los Angeles and Nashville. Page 23

STEPHEN MILLER

is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 29

Greg Burton, Erik Caban, Scottie Campbell, Amy Dees, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Anthony Paull, Greg Stemm, Brett Stout, Louanne Walters, Stephen Warne

PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Cardello, Angie Folks, Tom Eckert, Julie Milford, Travis Moore, Chris Stephenson, Lee Vandergrift

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).

The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

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7

orlando NEWS

PACKED HOUSE: More than 1,000 students packed the UCF Arena for Diva Invasion, a fundraiser for the Zebra Coaltion.

PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN HARRIS

Despite funding setback, Diva Invasion raises $1,200 Jamie Hyman JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | The organizers of the 16th annual Diva Invasion event at the University of Central Florida (UCF) overcame a major funding setback to host and event that raised more than $1,200 for the Zebra Coalition.

UCF student Jen Arnold is a co-producer for Diva Invasions, and also serves on executive board of Equal@ UCF, the student group that hosts the event every year.

“This year was a huge struggle because we lost our funding,” she said. “Diva Invasion was funded [by UCF] for 15 years and this year, they cut off the funding so we had to get creative and we got the funding we needed.”

Arnold said the school usually provides about $14,000-$15,000 to cover the event’s expenses, but because that funding was not granted, they went before the Student Senate and were able to obtain about $8,000.

“Our budget was cut in half and we didn’t have a lot to work with,” she said.

Arnold said no one is sure why the funding was pulled.

“We got a general answer that the numbers didn’t match up,” she said. “Of course the rumors were on campus that certain faculty members didn’t want the event on campus anymore.”

Despite the smaller budget, they were able to pull in more than 1,000 attendees. She said the event makes its money mostly from raf�le tickets and donations because students get in free.

Equal@UCF is a registered student organization with a mission to provide a safe environment for students to interact and network with each other, engage in social activities, and develop personal character without fear of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and to provide support and resources for students who have experienced such discrimination. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

BLACK & WHITE: David Dorman performs with the band MPire on the stage of The Abbey during the Black and White Gala benefitting The GLBT Center. PHOTO COURTESY WES HODGE

Great night in Black and White Inaugural Black and White Gala raises $15,000 for The GLBT Center Jamie Hyman

JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | About 180 revelers �illed The Abbey, from bar to dance �loor, for Central Florida’s answer to an LGBT prom on Nov. 16. The Black and White Gala is a new event which raised $15,000 for The GBLT Center—and that number may rise, as donations were still being counted as of press time.

“We were very happy with it,” said Randy Stephens, executive director of The GLBT Center, who said tickets sales and silent auctions were huge fundraisers but the biggest asset was sponsor support, including their main sponsors the Orlando Immunology

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

Center, Hilton Vacation Club and Rangers Outpost.

The food and music were also donated, compliments of Funky Monkey Restaurant and MPIRE, respectively.

“We’re already looking at reserving the same time next

volunteer support to make sure the night ran smoothly.

Stephens said local attorney Gary Israel had the idea for the event.

“He wanted to give something back to the community,” said Stephens, who added that Israel also chaired the gala. The board also included Michael Wanzie, Margo Dixon, Skyy Robinson, Rob Ross, Bill Flegal and Stephens.

The funds will not be used for The Center’s ongoing capital campaign, Stephens said, “We are doing different fundraising for that.”

He said the Center will use it for general operations and to continue to expand The Center’s programs, including HIV education, working with LGBT seniors and outreach to minorities and women. |  |

“We’ll keep using it as a kickoff to the holiday season.”

—RANDY STEPHENS November,” Stephens said. “We’re going to try to do it Saturday night this time; I think that might be more successful. We’ll keep using it as a kickoff to the holiday season.”

He added that the turn-out was “fantastic,” a mixture of gay and straight allies with plenty of

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orlando

CIA to discuss diversity Staff report

and Inclusion, Michael Barber, will present at a forum to inform the community about the CIA’s mission and inclusive workplace.

“The CIA is pleased to work with MBA Orlando to organize a networking event to help us inform the community about our mission and debunk some of the myths,” Barber said in a media release.

The free event is Thursday, Nov. 29, 6-8 p.m. at Orlando City Hall. |  |

O

RLANDO | The Metropolitan Business Association (MBA) will team up with the CIA to help the intelligence agency foster relationships with Central Florida’s LGBT community.

Two CIA LGBT of�icers and the LGBT Community Outreach and Liaison Program Manager from the CIA’s Center for Mission Diversity

NEWS

Daytona LGBT Reunion set for Dec. 1 Staff report

GENDER PHILOSOPHY:

Former Congresswoman Pat Schroder spoke to students from Rollins “Political Philosophy and Sex/Gender in the 2012 Election” course about where women matter in the U.S. economy, according to the 2012 presidential candidates.

DAYTONA| Daytona’s LGBT community will join together for a reunion weekend, set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at The Streamline Hotel and Lodge. The theme is “Revisit, Reunite and Remember” and guests are expected to travel from around the country to commemorate 30 years. The weekend will end with

LEGALPERSON

The Billie Boots Memorial Bene�it for Outreach, honoring the life of one of the pioneers of HIV/AIDS bene�its. Boots had a 54-year career in entertainment and raised more than $200,000 in her name during a 20-year span. The memorial bene�it will feature performances from the local community and raise money for Daytona’s Outreach Community Care Network For more information visit DaytonaReunion.org. |  |

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tampa bay NEWS

St. Pete celebrates Trans Day of Remembrance Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

T. PETERSBURG | For the �irst time ever, the City of St. Petersburg of�icially recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance. A ceremony, sponsored by Trans*Action Florida, was held on the steps of City Hall on Monday, Nov. 19.

“This is a huge step and an impressive step for the city,” said Michael Keefe, executive director of Trans*Action Florida. “It truly shows how supportive the city has become regarding transgender issues and embracing all forms of diversity.”

St. Petersburg City Councilman Steve Kornell was scheduled to speak to the crowd from the steps and recognize the need for laws to combat violence against transgender people. The day is recognized internationally and is set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The memorial is held each November in honor of Rita Hester, who was murdered in 1998 and remembered during a candlelight vigil in San Francisco the following year.

The St. Petersburg day of remembrance was held as this print issue of Watermark went to press. For more coverage of the event, visit WatermarkOnline.com. |  |

Ritz Ybor celebrates the season with Miracle on 7th Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

TAMPA | For the fourth year in a row, The Ritz Ybor will usher in the holidays with a free event for the entire community. And this year, it will run in conjunction with Ybor City’s tree lighting ceremony.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, The Ritz Ybor will once again host Miracle on 7th. The party begins immediately after the Historic Spirit Holiday tree lighting ceremony in Centennial Park at 6 p.m.

While The Ritz Ybor is home to many LGBT employees and LGBT-friendly acts, the holiday party is not limited to any one community.

“The Ritz Ybor management team and corporate of�ice decided to put on a free community and holiday party for Ybor City four years ago,” said Okie Tilo, director of marketing and public relations for the historic theater.

“It spotlights Ybor City every year and it’s just a way to celebrate the holidays.”

It also helps raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF), a Tampa-based non-pro�it organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer.

Continued on page 14 |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

ROCK OUT!: John Q. is one of four bands scheduled to perform at Rock AIDS 2012 on Dec. 1 at the Lowry Park band shell in Tampa.

Rock AIDS Returns Metro resurrects the concept for World AIDS Day 2012 Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

AMPA | The powers behind Metro Wellness and Community Centers will bring back a dormant event to celebrate World AIDS Day this year. On Dec. 1, Rock AIDS will return with a new location and a new attitude behind it.

“We’re putting a different spin on it,” said Kathie Michael, fundraising and events specialist with Metro Wellness. “The last one was a concert at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg in 2006. It was an evening concert.”

This year, Rock AIDS will be resurrected at the Lowry Park band shell, just outside of the Zoo, on Dec. 1 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The celebration will feature four bands and remind the public that HIV/AIDS is still a very real and very dangerous disease.

“The population of younger people who is still contracting the disease is very high,” Michael said.

“Safe sex is important and getting

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

tested on a regular basis is also important.”

Too many people, especially youth, Michael believes, see HIV/ AIDS as a manageable disease and therefore don’t take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“We have huge programs

Four bands—John Q., Roundhouse Social, Donni Bennett Band and the Talk to Mark Band—will perform throughout the day, and a food truck rally, beer garden and vendors will be positioned strategically around the area.

A more public venue and a larger group of musicians will hopefully pull in about 500 people this year, Michael estimates.

“We’ve worked closely with Jan Robinson (the original founder of Rock AIDS) and she has given us a lot of materials to help bring the event back,” Michael said. “We are taking it over with her blessing.”

According to Metro Wellness, someone is infected with HIV in America every 9 1/2 minutes. The theme of World AIDS Day 2012, Michael explains, is about “Getting to zero new HIV infections.”

And the organization is doing that year round, and will hold a special event just days before Dec. 1 to raise awareness and some extra money. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Metro Wellness will hold “Mary’s Rocks” at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City throughout

“We are taking it over with [founder] Jan Robinson’s blessing.”

—KATHY MICHAEL here within Metro that address prevention,” Michael said. “And we’ll have our mobile RV at Rock AIDS to offer on-site testing and education.”

When someone does test HIVpositive, Michael said that Metro Wellness staffers are prepared to guide them into programs to begin treatment.

While the message of Rock AIDS is about the disease, it’s also about celebrating as a community.

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tampa bay NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS

Tilo expects it to be a busy night, given the large crowd at last year’s tree lighting.

“After the ceremony last year a lot of patrons were looking for something to do,” Tilo said. “They wanted to grab food and continue having fun. We’re providing both.”

Three area Ybor City businesses have volunteered to cater the event—Bernini’s, Sunday’s and the Green Iguana. Chef DuJour from Sarasota will also provide some appetizers throughout the evening.

Their generosity �its into the theme of the night. All of the entertainers have also agreed to donate their time.

“They’re doing their part to give back,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan said holiday music will be prevalent, but there will be plenty of other music as well.

“The music will offer a �lavor of the holidays,” she said. “But it won’t saturate it.”

Entry into Miracle on 7th is free and 100% family friendly. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to appear and children—young and old—can get their picture taken with the Christmas celebrities.

For more information, visit The Ritz Ybor on Facebook or go to TheRitzYbor.com. |  |

|  | Miracle on 7th from pg.12

SANTA SPEEDO RUN STILL SEEKING DONATIONS With just two and a half weeks to go, participants in the Santa Speedo Run benefitting ASAP are seeking donors to fund the Dec. 9 charity fun run. Organizers hope to raise $50,000 with this year’s run, which will be held in Ybor City at 2 p.m. Donations can be made through individual runners by searching by name at SantaSpeedoRun.org.

RED AND GREEN PARTY RETURNS TO SUNKEN GARDENS St. Pete Pride’s annual Red and Green holiday party will return to Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The outdoor park is a 100-year-old garden that is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Tickets are $35 on StPetePride.com and include an open bar, private access to the gardens and a concert by Halcyon.

SISTERS TO COMMEMORATE WORLD AIDS DAY The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will recognize World AIDS Day from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, with a day of fun in Kiley Park in downtown Tampa. Joy Winheim from Francis House is scheduled to speak and The Sisters will offer lemonade for donations courtesy of BJ’S Brewhouse. Donations will be accepted to support Francis House’s causes throughout the year, and are encouraged.

This year, The Ritz Ybor and the Radiant Group hope to raise $125,000 for the organization by hosting the 100% free event!

A large number of prizes have been donated from businesses and groups from throughout Tampa Bay, and the money raised for raf�le tickets will be donated directly to the PCF. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the holidays and do some good at the same time,” Tilo said.

Bands, acting troupes and performers will round out a full night of entertainment on The Ritz Ybor stage.

“We have a group of carolers coming in, singers from Talent Quest Florida, Event Show Productions will present portions of its Holiday Inc., show and we have the Copeland Steppers,” said Carla Vaughan, who handled the bookings for the Miracle on 7th showcase.“ The entire Miracle on 7th event will be held inside The Ritz Ybor.

Vaughan added that emcees will invite those attending the treelighting to continue celebrating at the theater afterward.

|  | Rock AIDS Returns from pg.12

the day. During that day, Hamburger Mary’s will donate 50% of diners’ bills during lunch and dinner to Metro Wellness. At 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, live entertainment is planned along with raf�les and prizes to raise money.

“It’s an easy way to donate,” Michael said. “You have to eat lunch and dinner, so why not go to Mary’s, enjoy some great food and help out a worthy cause?”

Metro Wellness and Community Center performs more than 3,500 HIV tests each year and has reached 500,000 individuals through its programs, events and outreach.

The Lowry Park band shell is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa. Rock AIDS 2012 is free and open to the public. However, donation areas are available for those wishing to help the organization and its mission.

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

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joints, headaches, and dizziness are so underplayed that most, if not all people who happen to catch any article on medications, would miss it. My generation lost most of its old friends to AIDS and today’s younger generation did not see that and have no idea how serious having HIV is.”

Fournier says prevention and education are key to stopping the HIV epidemic and that in Florida, teaching healthy sexual choices outside of abstinence has not been the focus of our education system.

“Abstinence only (programs) have never worked,” he said.

“We need real simple, easy-tounderstand education in our schools that focuses on healthy sexual choices. Also, slick marketing in magazines seems to show only healthy, young, and vibrant models when advertising HIV medications and treatments, and they have captions that say things like ‘Living with HIV is easy.’ That’s not the case.”

RAISING AWARENESS: High school and college students participate in the 2011 Sarasota/Manatee AIDS Walk last December. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD Free HIV testing, educational programming, and additional health screenings will be available at the walk, provided by Community AIDS Network (CAN) and Hedges Pharmacy’s CARES Outreach.

A diverse group of teams and participants have already signed up, including local health departments, a catholic high school, various local and civic groups, and several organizations that are also sponsors, such as Tropicana, Walgreens and Macy’s.

The walk will start at 8 a.m. with food, raf�les, music, and prizes. The route is an easy two mile stroll through the Ringling Museum/Bayshore Drive neighborhood adjacent to the New College campus. It is a pet- and family-friendly walk, and anyone volunteer to help stage the walk or secure pledges.

To sign-up as a walker, pledge donations, or for more information, visit TrinityCharities. org, email Info@TrinityCharities. org, or call 941-351-4347. |  |

sarasota

S

ARASOTA | Trinity Charities and New College of Florida are cosponsoring the 7th Annual Sarasota/Manatee AIDS Walk on Dec. 1. Last year’s walk was attended by nearly 500 participants, and organizers expect even greater participation this year. Those interested in walking can sign up online at TrinityCharities.org and can join as an individual walker, as a member of a team, or as a sponsor or donor. Pre-registration is not required, but participants are encouraged to register early and raise funds for the cause. Proceeds from the walk go directly to Trinity Charities and will be used to support their mission to provide support, education, prevention, and intervention for those infected and affected

by HIV/AIDS and for those in temporary crisis.

“The walk is Trinity Charities most important and largest fundraising event of the year,” said Bruce Fournier, Trinity Charities’ Program Coordinator.

Money raised from the walk will fund the organization’s Healthy People With AIDS health and wellness class and an emergency fund that working clients can use once a year if they miss work due to illness. It will also help the food bank, which is available to clients the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

According to Fournier, Trinity Charities gave out more than 36,000 pounds of food.

“The epidemic, in my view, is showing signs of resurgence— the misinformation seems to be that living with HIV is not a big deal, you just have to take a pill,” Fournier said. “Well it is not that simple. The side effects of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, achy

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Staff Report

The student’s parents told investigators they were angry with Hibbs for not notifying them of their daughter’s sexual orientation and accused her of contributing to the girl’s homosexuality.

This isn’t the �irst time the child’s stepfather has made waves at the school. He became the target of accusations in June when teachers complained to the Broward County school board that he had treated faculty members unfairly.

The recent ordeal has made Hibbs more determined, writing in a Nov. 2 Facebook post that she will run for a school board seat in 2014.

Her unique perspectives of being a Broward student, parent and teacher, she adds, quali�ies her to know what’s best for the district.

“I will be running on the platform of Hibbs for Change,” she writes. “I am going to begin with YouTube videos exposing the corruption within Broward School.

They now have created a life-long educational advocate.” |  |

Openly gay judge nominated to federal court Staff report

P

resident Barack Obama has nominated William L. Thomas to a position as federal judge in central Florida. If con�irmed, Thomas would be the �irst out gay black man appointed to a federal judgeship.

He would �ill the opening left by U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan, who was con�irmed as a federal appeals court judge earlier this year.

According to a bio released by the White House, Thomas has served as a Circuit Judge in Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit since 2005, where he has presided over both civil and criminal matters.

Before his elevation to the 11th Circuit, Thomas was an Assistant United States Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida and also spent time as an assistant public defender for greater MiamiDade County. He is a 1994 graduate of the Temple University School of Law. .

If con�irmed by the Senate, Judge Thomas would become only the second out LGBT African-American to serve as a United States District Court judge. |  |

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state

D

EERFIELD BEACH, FLA. | A straight teacher at Florida’s Deer�ield Beach High School is battling her school district over its handling of an accusation she helped turn a young girl lesbian.

Juliet Hibbs has �iled charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the district as well as the school’s principal and assistant principal.

Hibbs, 47, was investigated last year for misconduct when the student’s parents complained to the school principal that Hibbs should have noti�ied them of their daughter’s orientation and may have even contributed to her homosexuality.

Hibbs told the Sun-Sentinel she was ‘shocked’ not only by the charges but by the principal’s decision to let the district investigate the matter.

The district cleared her and took

no action in the complaint.

According to the district’s investigative report the trouble began last year while the unnamed student, 18, was in Hibbs’ class.

After her stepfather discovered she was a lesbian, he began posting a tirade of incendiary messages on her Twitter feed.

“I reported cyber bullying from the stepfather to his stepdaughter on Twitter about her sexual orientation,” Hibbs said. “I reported properly and I was charged with professional misconduct for reporting the abuse. This was a tactic by my bullying principal.

I was outspoken about student safety, rules application equity and issues with administration.”

Hibbs recalled the online exchange.

“As each message came, she got smaller...I watched her get destroyed,” Hibbs said.

After she reported the incident as child abuse and cyber-bullying, the student never returned to her parents’ home.

NEWS

Parent claims teacher turned daughter gay

17

nation+world NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS BISEXUAL ARIZONA WOMAN WINS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT Former Democratic state Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been elected to represent a new Phoenixarea U.S. congressional district. Sinema’s narrow election-night lead expanded Nov. 12 to a nearly 6,000-vote edge that was too much for Republican Vernon Parker to overcome. Sinema becomes the first openly bisexual member of Congress.

ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE MARCHERS TAKE TO FRENCH STREETS Groups opposed to President Francois Hollande’s plans to legalize gay marriage and gay adoptions took to the streets Nov. 17 across France. Hollande said he would enact his “marriage for everyone’’ plan within a year of coming to power in May, but vocal opposition from religious leaders, some politicians and parts of rural France has divided the country. A recent survey found that most French favor gay marriage, while support for adoption by gay couples hovers at around 50%.

TRANSGENDER WOMAN 1ST TO WIN OFFICE IN CUBA Adela Hernandez, a biologically male Cuban who has lived as a female since childhood, made history this month by becoming the first known transgender person to hold public office in Cuba. Hernandez won office in early November by taking a runoff vote 280-170. As a delegate to the municipal government of Caibarién, Hernandez’s election makes her eligible to be selected as a representative to Parliament in early 2013.

OREGON HAS NATION’S 1ST LESBIAN LEGISLATIVE LEADER An Oregon woman will be the first openly lesbian lawmaker to lead a state legislative chamber in the U.S. On Nov. 15, Democrats in the Oregon state House chose Rep. Tina Kotek of Portland to be the next speaker. Gay leaders will also control the House or Senate in four other states: Washington, California, Colorado and Rhode Island.

UPS ENDS GRANTS TO BOY SCOUTS The philanthropic arm of shipping giant UPS said it will no longer give money to the Boy Scouts of America as long as the group discriminates against gays, the second major corporation to recently strip funding from the scouts. The UPS Foundation made the change Nov. 12 after an online petition protesting its annual grants to the Boy Scouts attracted more than 80,000 signatures. UPS follows computer chip maker Intel in withdrawing corporate support for the Boy Scouts.

CALIFORNIA CITY PLANS TO PROVIDE TRANSGENDER SURGERIES San Francisco is preparing to become the first U.S. city to provide and cover the cost of sex reassignment surgeries for uninsured transgender residents. The city’s Health Commission voted Nov. 6 to create a comprehensive program for treating transgender people experiencing mental distress because of the mismatch between their bodies and their gender identities.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Record number of companies earn top scores in Corporate Equality Index Wire Report

W

ASHINGTON, D.C. | American companies are standing with the LGBT community. That’s according to a new study commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), released Nov. 14.

A record 252 businesses received the top score of 100 in the 2013 CEI, earning the distinction “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”

In comparison, just 13 businesses received the top rating 11 years ago, the �irst time the CEI was released.

This year, 13 of the top 20 Fortune-ranked companies received

perfect scores, including Chevron, GM, Ford, and IBM to name a few.

Others from this list, including Fortune’s No. 1 Wal-Mart (which received a 65 from the HRC this year) have much work to do to catch up with the times.

“LGBT-inclusive workplace policies are not only the right thing to do and good business practices, they are the new normal,” said HRC President Chad Grif�in in a media release. “Americans have spoken, and as we celebrate our victories at the ballot box, we hope Congress will follow corporate America’s lead and create a level playing �ield— including passing fully-inclusive workplace non-discrimination legislation.”

According to the latest CEI, a record 74 major businesses and law �irms publicly supported proequality legislation at the state and federal levels—including those that took an active role in the marriage campaigns this fall. The 2013 CEI is also the �irst time a majority of Fortune 500 companies have nondiscrimination policies that cover gender identity (from 50% to 57%), while an 84% of CEI participants offer protection against gender identity discrimination.

Another rising trend is coverage of transgender-inclusive healthcare, with 287 (42%) companies offering comprehensive healthcare coverage to transgender workers, up from 19% last year. |  |

executive director of the last-ditch refuge for homeless LGBT youths.

“Too bad it takes a storm to get people to see how bad they have it.’’

City of�icials estimate LGBT youths represent about half the city’s nearly 4,000 homeless young people, who sleep outdoors or in city subways, abandoned houses and even on rooftops. More than 100 arrive at the center daily looking for support.

The center, which was evacuated ahead of the Oct. 29 storm, was hit by the same surge of water along the Hudson River that swamped a power substation and �looded

commuter tunnels.

A blogger picked up Siciliano’s Facebook posting about damage to the center, and it quickly went viral.

In the �irst three days, the center received almost 1,000 donations totaling more than $100,000.

That total has grown to more than $250,000—and counting—with contributions coming from around the world, including England, France, Sweden, Canada and Mexico.

About $400,000 is needed to replace what the center lost and prepare its new site, which Siciliano hopes will be up and running by Christmas. |  |

Ugandans “are demanding it,’’ she said, reiterating a promise she made before a Nov. 9 meeting of anti-gay activists who spoke of “the serious threat’’ posed by homosexuals to Uganda’s children. Some Christian clerics at the meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, asked the speaker to pass the law as “a Christmas gift.’’

“Speaker, we cannot sit back while such (a) destructive phenomenon is taking place in our nation,’’ the activists said in a petition. “We therefore bring this

matter to your attention ... so that lawmakers can do something to quickly address the deteriorating situation in our nation.’’

Uganda’s penal code criminalizes homosexuality, but in 2009 a lawmaker with the ruling party said a stronger law was needed to protect Uganda’s children from homosexuals.

President Barack Obama has described the bill as “odious,’’ while some European countries have threatened to cut aid to Uganda if the bill becomes law. |  |

Storm-wrecked NY gay youth center gets quick help Wire Report NEW YORK, N.Y. | It took only hours for Superstorm Sandy’s surging waters to destroy an emergency drop-in center for homeless gay youths.

But almost as quickly, a social media outpouring helped raise money for a new, bigger Ali Forney Center to keep helping young people with medical care, counseling and a safe place to sleep.

“I wish every day thousands of people would help get homeless kids off the street,’’ said Carl Siciliano,

Official: Uganda to pass anti-gay bill this year Wire Report KAMPALA, UGANDA | Uganda’s anti-gay bill will be passed before the end of 2012 despite international criticism of the draft legislation, the speaker of the country’s parliament said Nov. 12, insisting it is what most Ugandans want.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year.

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World AIDS Day A Day of Reflection

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T

The Death of the Meritocracy

Ken Kundis KEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

HE CONCEPT OF PRIVACY

these days is feeling a little old-fashioned. There was a time when it was considered poor form to question someone about their personal life.

This was true for politicians as well as regular citizens. There was a tacit agreement at the time that journalists would generally let politicians’ private lives stay in the background. The annals of history are �illed with stories of leaders of all types having affairs or af�lictions or family issues that were kept out of public view out of something called basic ‘respect.’

The leader that changed that was also probably the leader who bene�ited from it the most. John F. Kennedy was the last president who could depend on full cover from the White House press corp. While stories of his philandering were well known among journalists, it was something that they intentionally kept from the public. And why? Because the prevailing idea at the time was that it just wasn’t anyone’s business but that of his and his wife’s. That

if he was doing a good job and had the faith of the population, no one should care what he did when he was ‘off the clock.’

But Kennedy was also the �irst television president, and as such changed the game for everyone who came after him. Television provided an immediate, intimate view of our politicians we never had before. We could see what the inside of the White House looked like, and what the First Lady sounded like. From there, there was no going back.

It isn’t dif�icult to see the connective thread from those nascent days of televised public lives to where we are now. Today, it is not just acceptable to dig through the lives of candidates and politicians, it’s expected. Some even consider it something productive for the state of our democracy. I don’t agree.

By all accounts, and from both sides of the aisle, it is generally believed that David Petraeus was an excellent military commander.

He had bi-partisan support and the con�idence of seemingly the entire military industry complex for the job he was doing as CIA director.

In short, this guy is a superstar.

And now, at a time when we need superstars, he no longer works for us. He has been driven from his of�ice not because he did anything less than an exemplary job, but because—pardon the vulgarity— into whom he stuck his penis.

This is a situation that was made for the phrase ‘throwing out the baby with the bathwater.’ Here is a lifelong contributor, someone who was a man of quality and distinction who wants to serve, and now he has taken himself out of the game.

Gay people should be particularly sympathetic to Petraeus’ plight. Isn’t a desire to be judged on our merits not who we sleep with central to all of the work that is being done?

Imagine all the time and effort that could have been redirected if we hadn’t been preoccupied with our leaders’ personality short-comings, or trying to throw gay and lesbian Americans out of the military, or trying to legislate marriage inequality.

It’s impossible to think of the eight years of Clinton/Gore without thinking of the incumbent controversies and scandals that

plagued the president. Despite the fact that most now agree that Clinton was one of our brightest, most accomplished leaders of all time, during his presidency so much time and money was wasted on trying to bring him down due to personal dalliances. One can’t help but fantasize about what additional could have been accomplished if he had just been left alone to do what clearly he was best at: running the country.

This particular cow is probably out of the barn at this point. So much of our culture and media is about that ‘gotcha’ moment, where

we are able to transparently see exactly how human are leaders really are. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but there is still this prurient interest in private, usually sexual, behavior. And make no mistake: such a searing spotlight drives people from public service.

Who among us could withstand such scrutiny?

While no one can endorse what Petraeus did, I also think no one can say that our government, and therefore the health and welfare of our country, isn’t just a little less talented without him working for us. |  |

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He has been driven from his office not because he did anything less than an exemplary job, but because—pardon the vulgarity—into whom he stuck his penis.

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THINKING

Grassroots to Lawsuits

Abby Dees ABBY@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

L

AST WEEKEND I WAS THE

emcee at my local Pride festivities. It had been a while since I’d done anything Pride-y, so I didn’t know what to expect.

Historically, Suburban Pride has been more about strollers and soy frappuccinos than leather chaps and �ifteen-dollar beer, like its metropolitan version.

But I didn’t anticipate a moribund party whose biggest draw was a mobile free clinic courtesy of the health department. As I stood on stage looking out, about to announce a demonstration by an LGBT square dancing club, I wanted to call out, “Is anyone here not a volunteer or vendor?” But that would have been bitchy.

I thought even hinterlands Pride was supposed to be an occasion.

It made me think about the great lesbian activist Ivy Bottini (famously drummed out of NOW in the 60s by the lesbian impaired Betty Friedan), who expressed a keen sense of loss to me recently: As we assimilate, we lose our passion,

our sense of specialness, and in particular, our anger—things that empower us, as a community, to �ight for our very survival. Pride meant, “We’re alive, damn it!” Or at least you could hook up.

I’m not sure what it means now.

I don’t know anyone who went to Pride this year who wasn’t trying to promote something. It’s been a long time since Pride was an LGBT High Holy Day, or just fun, at least in my neck of the woods.

Sure, there’s still plenty to be angry about, like gay bashing, reparative therapy, and powerful groups pouring millions into ending same-sex marriage. But something has quietly changed over the years. Ivy is right.

We’re talking about same-sex marriage and partner bene�its, not our simple right to exist in the daylight. If you’re on the same mailing lists I’m on, you’re getting solicitations for $250-a-plate awards dinners, to celebrate some gay celebrity who’s also the face of M.A.C. cosmetics.

Not knocking any of this, but I miss the days when I truly believed the slogan, “An army of lovers cannot fail.” Hell, I miss the word “lover.” I mourn that rush of freedom that made Pride a profoundly meaningful counterpoint to daily life.

I know there are LGBT warriors nowadays with more passion for justice than I could ever muster, but they are one-offs compared to a generation ago. This is partly because they aren’t facing the cruelty of AIDS at a time when the president refused to say “AIDS” out loud (Reagan, if you’re apt to remember him fondly). Mostly, though, it’s because many of us have become complacent about the gains we’ve made. We’re �inetuning now, not over-turning.

So that’s my lament about what we’ve lost. Now please follow me...

Things are happening this very moment that will take our community where we could only have imagined even 10 years ago.

Nothing sexy, no fuchsia banners or megaphones.

Actually, it has to do with tax law.

In early November, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), in favor

We’re talking about same-sex marriage and partner benefits, not our simple right to exist in the daylight.

of lesbian widow Edie Windsor, 83. When her partner of 42 years died in 2009, Windsor owed $363,000 in estate taxes, taxes she would not have been required to pay if her partner were a man.

Despite a vigorous �ight by House Republicans (who I thought were supposed to be against taxes), the Circuit Court not only struck down a key part of DOMA, but announced that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is entitled to the same heightened legal scrutiny that follows discrimination based on gender.

This is the second time this

year that a federal appeals court ruled DOMA unconstitutional, which tells me that Windsor’s win is no �luke. Several more LGBT rights cases have won in the lower federal courts, making their way, inevitably, to the Supreme Court, perhaps as soon as next year.

Our movement has of�icially entered its next phase. This is our battle�ield today; the warriors are wearing suits. I’m thrilled, but I hope there will always be room in the movement for some pissed off and gorgeous drag queens to march up the steps of…anything… for the sake of pride. |  |

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TALKING POINTS

I don’t like to label people.

The only thing I label is my lunch in the refrigerator —ELLEN DEGENERES, DISCUSSING THE here at work, and I write ‘Lesbian’ on it.

VALIDITY OF GAYDAR ON HER TALK SHOW

20% of American

LINCOLN’S GAY SIDE ABSENT FROM FILM same-sex couples IGAY PENGUINS ADOPT CHICK S live in a state in which they can legally marry, as of the Nov. 6 election.

That number will jump to 35% if the Supreme Court affirms the Ninth District Court’s striking down of Proposition 8.

The Williams Institute at UCLA

N

PAGEANT SUIT

OBODY TOLD MICHELE ALEXANDER THAT IMPERSONATION IS THE BIGGEST FORM OF FLATTERY. The creator of the Miss Pittsburgh beauty pageant has �iled a lawsuit against another business

T LOOKS LIKE THERE’S FURTHER PROOF FROM A DENMARK ZOO THAT HOMOSEXUALITY OCCURS THROUGHOUT NATURE. Two male penguins, who have lived together for nearly a year at the Odense Zoo, were spotted trying to steal the eggs of other couples and, at one point, the two males tried to incubate a dead herring. Surprisingly, a female penguin laid two eggs—which is strange for the species—and abandoned one of them.

That’s when the two males swooped in to become adoptive parents. They successfully incubated the egg and are now the proud parents of a baby chick, whose sex was not determined as of press time. |  |

promoting LGBT pageants titled “Miss Pittsburgh Pride” and “Miss Pittsburgh Trash,” claiming that the gay contests are harmful to the reputation of her traditional pageant.

Alexander claims she has

ownership of the Miss Pittsburg trademark and alleges There Ultra Lounge, home to the impersonation pageants, had to know that. Alexander is also going after the Delta Foundation, which represents the local LGBT community.

That group, however, says it has nothing to do with impersonation pageants. |  |

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM ON OPENLY GAY JUDGE WILLIAM THOMAS’ NOMINATION TO FEDERAL COURT IN SOUTH FLORIDA: “Yeah! He worked at the PD office with my mom! He’s a wonderful guy. Fair, heart of gold, completely dedicated. Good for him, and good for us.”

—ALEX WALL

“I love the trend that we finally matter. I hope the wave never eases.”

—DARREN KETTLES

ON THE 2012 WAVE AWARDS RESULTS: “Credit to Stonewall for rocking out the vote! But, favorite place to impress a date?”

—BILL JANSSEN

ON PLANNING GAY WEDDINGS: “I am not going to go get married and then come back to a state where it’s not legal.”

—JEFF ROY “Next time my wife is here we will be heading to DC. We recently had our Hand Fasting ceremony, but we’re waiting on DOMA to be repealed.”

—SHANNON FORTNER-HOLLENDER

CRIPTWRITER TONY KUSHNER IS CERTAIN THAT PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN LOVED THE MEN, but that part of the story is left out of the upcoming Steven Spielberg �ilm Lincoln.

Interestingly, Kushner isn’t alone in his belief that Lincoln enjoyed same-sex romps in the sack, according to eyewitness accounts of him sharing his bed with his bodyguard and, prior to that, a “close” friend.

Unfortunately for historians, there are no diaries, memoirs or paparazzi to use as evidence of same-sex relationships involving Lincoln.

But why was same-sex attraction not addressed in the �ilm? Kushner says it’s because of the timeframe of emancipation depicted in the �ilm. “I �ind it dif�icult to believe that Lincoln was banging anybody.” |  |

WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL The elections are over, and social media got CRAZY during the campaign.

HOW DID YOU COPE WITH HEATED DISAGREEMENTS? It’s not worth severing ties

over politics talk, but I sure did use the “ignore” button a lot.

17%

I unfriended anyone who supported a candidate or policy that fights against LGBT equality.

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NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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e k ta comedy f o t lo a d n a talgia A pinch of nos rty is a P e r a w r e p p Tu means Dixie’s ional. it d a tr t u b g in anyth ONLINE.COM

ERMARK EDITOR@WAT Steve Blanchard

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ixie Longate d the For �ive years, D udiences aroun a to ” p a cr ic are st la assic Tupperw cl peddling her “p e th n o e k ta n’s t y. The comedia BT and straigh G L e th th o b world—literall in ing ed her a follow und the globe. ro a s e g a st n party has earn o d e eater nd she’s perform ansform the th y abama trailer tr communities, a

her Al and party” of comed ed in Australia intimate “house m an or rf to in pe e sh Last year inging her ce, . Now she’s br genius. c. 6 performan in Great Britain pa Bay when she lands e Thursday, De th re ce fo an Be ch m a Ta ns show back to ght” will give fa rforming nter for the Pe a “Watermark ni ware maven for just $10 at the Straz Ce er pp ht to meet the Tu cludes some lig Arts Dec. 4-9. rty is a real ket. The price in Pa tic e a e ar w or er t. m ke pp Dixie’s Tu tually d a free drink tic rty, and she is ac �inger foods an r he t ht up with the Bu Tupperware pa . ns tio k Watermar caug e day after Halloween storage solu od fo e th is r ng te lli ac se ar een th Ohio.

-talking stage ch Tupperware Qu ur in Cleveland, Deep South, fast onal. le she was on to rn to iti hi tu ad w re tr r t he bu t r” ng ou ke hi anyt e’s excited ab rms like “hoo te sh g ys in sa ar e de Sh en Dropping embers and |  | her audience m on page 37 home in and “whore” on ck Continued ba n re ild ch r he sharing tales of NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

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Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook.

Silver Linings Playbook Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver

S

DUELING DUO: The infamous tiger and Suraj Sharma of Life of Pi.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Feast of Film

Life of Pi Starring Suraj Sharma, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu, Irrfan Khan

C

AN MOVIES INSPIRE US TO DISCUSS

big topics like faith, religion and the myths we believe in? Life of Pi is an elegiac turn by one Indian man, recounting his 227 days adrift in the Indian Ocean, sharing his lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

It’s based on the wildly popular novel, a book whose tone seemed impossible to render in �ilm. Yet director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) does a lovely, moving and visually astounding job.

Pi (Khan, Sharma) was born in a zoo; his uncle—a great swimmer—taught Pi to survive in water. Pi considers himself a Hindu, a Christian, and a Muslim. (These early events conspire to both the boy’s fate and his survival.) In Pi’s late teens, his father decides to move the family to Canada, transporting the

animals to their new owners in North America.

A shipwreck leaves only Pi, the tiger, an injured zebra, and orangutan and hyena sharing a too-small boat.

As an adult, Pi tells this story to a writer (Spall). The writer has been told that Pi’s tale will make people believe in God. These are some heady themes. Their details are sumptuous, highly stylized—a perfect approach that continually amazed and surprised me.

In that boat full of wild animals, tossed between sea and sky, Pi comes to understand the nature of the violent world and its connection to the Divine. And that’s what Life of Pi is: divine. |  |

Daniel Day-Lewis is Lincoln.

Lincoln Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Daniel Strathairn, James Spader, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

W

HAT AN ERUDITE, ILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK IS ELOQUENT FILM about the A FILM LOADED WITH GREAT dirtiness of good politics!

PERFORMANCES. It also has The freeing of the slaves was a noble clippy dialogue and a directorial style endeavor and necessary evolution that’s not afraid to be a little silly and in democracy. However, the process choppy for the sake of style. of ratifying the 13th Amendment was However, the �ilm may also ask anything but easy. It was contentious, you to swallow just a little more than ugly, and underhanded. To the you’re ready for: Mental illness is funny, president and his men, the the constant possibility of greater ends justi�ied the means. violence is smoothed over, Lincoln (vividly portrayed and love among people who RATINGS GUIDE by Day-Lewis) was a homespun desperately need medication president, deeply self-educated, is charming. wracked by grief, yet galvanized Cooper is a man with Overflowing by his conviction. This �ilm psychiatric issues, who with glittery covers his last few months and fabulousness was moved to violence by a the work that he and others did cheating spouse. After eight to simultaneously guarantee months in a state hospital, the equality of slaves and Pretty damn mommy Weaver (Animal good, but it’s no end the Civil War. Kingdom) takes Cooper Sunset Boulevard The script is wordy and home to football-obsessed intelligent; one of our greatest dad De Niro. To help Cooper playwrights, Tony Kushner An entertaining get over his estranged wife, (Angels in America, Munich), lets enough flick friends introduce him to with perhaps his craft shine through using dancer Lawrence, who is a few holes Doris Kearns Goodwin’s awardalso certi�iable. winning book Team of Rivals Af�liction is played for a as the basis. The sheer weight Ever so slightly weird balance of humor and of making these magniloquent watchable, just romance, which might just be sources into moving and for that hot actor a little crass. engaging cinema falls to Steven However, writer-director Spielberg. The director lets the Two hours of David O. Russell (The Fighter) characters and arresting images your life you’ll has a handle on everything speak, even through the often never get back else. The script is subtly witty but dense dialogue. off-kilter, piling on small Whoever’s idea it was to focus on moments of ridiculousness. The editing these few months in 1865 deserves is (dare I say) a little manic-depressive, the most praise. Lincoln knows exactly I assume, on purpose. The actors—an what it’s about: the lying, coercion unexpectedly wonderful Cooper and and vote buying needed to set things exquisite Lawrence—are top-notch. right. This sort of politicking raises All in all, making mental illness fodder unattractive, nagging questions—ones for both laughs and romantic warmthat may cause great discomfort fuzzies is risky. The end product shows (especially after our recent contentious that the creators might not be totally election)—but they deserve our crazy after all. |  | full attention. |  |

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tribute album done to those great horn section bands. So, mine is going to be called Summer Horns and it should be released early next year with a tour to follow.

YOU STATE THAT YOUR SONG “WHISPER IN YOUR EAR” OFFERS SUBTLE MESSAGES. WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU TRYING TO CONVEY THROUGH IT?

I want people to feel love. We all face hard times and challenges in our daily lives. So, I guess my message is for people to aspire to be the best selves they can be.

I READ THAT YOU SAID THE SONG “START ALL OVER AGAIN” IS ABOUT “HOPE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.” WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THE RECENT MOVEMENTS IN LGBT RIGHTS?

KOZ CHRISTMAS: Out jazz musician Dave Koz returns to Florida with his Christmas show. PHOTO COURTESY JUDI KERR PUBLIC RELATIONS

Let’s Talk

About Sax MUSIC

Out saxophonist Dave Koz returns to Florida for the holidays

D

Erik R. Caban ERIK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

AVE KOZ’S UPLIFTING, HIGH-ENERGY

cool jazz has possibly played beneath a romantic moment or two in your life. Over his 20-plus year career, Koz has established himself as an award-winning recording artist, nationally syndicated radio host, vintner—whose wine line, Koz Wine, recently became available at California Pizza Kitchen restaurants nationwide—and philanthropist.

Pro�its from his wine bene�it the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Koz is also a con�ident out gay man.

Koz, now 50, brings his Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour �illed with fresh, lively

32

arrangements of seasonal favorites back to Florida with stops at Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Nov. 23, Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Nov. 24 and Melbourne’s King

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

come back year after year. I never take that for granted so I have enough there that is familiar and traditional while still adding some new spices.

This year we’ve got Javier Colon, who was the �irst season winner on The Voice, an amazing vocalist, and we’ve got Sheila E. who brings �ire to the whole collaboration. David Benoit, with whom I originally started this tour, is returning. He brings all that traditional Christmas music.

He’s an amazing piano player.

He’s the purveyor of all that notable Vince Guaraldi “Peanuts” music; he does a whole section of that which is near and dear to a lot of our fans. I’m introducing a new artist, Margo Rey, who has an actual Christmas hit on her hands. It’s called “This Holiday Night.”

Center for Performing Arts on Nov. 27.

Watermark caught up with Koz to discuss how music became a way of expressing himself when he couldn’t �ind the words to do so, a new album and bachelorhood.

YOUR LAST STUDIO ALBUM, HELLO TOMORROW, CAME OUT IN 2010. ARE YOU WORKING ON ANYTHING CURRENTLY?

DAVE KOZ: Fifteen years! That just blows my mind! Doing anything for 15 years nowadays is no small feat. I’m very excited about it. This show has a tremendous amount of talent on stage. Christmas is all about traditions. A lot of the audiences

I released a live album earlier this fall, called Live From the Blue Note, Tokyo. I’m starting work in January, as soon as this tour is over, on a brand-new project that I’m very excited about. I grew up listening to all these horn bands like Tower of Power, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Chicago; the kind of music I’ve always loved. To my knowledge, there’s never been a

WATERMARK: THIS YEAR WILL MARK THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR HOLIDAY TOUR. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT THIS TIME?

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

watermarkonline.com

It’s not only about not being afraid of the unknown but also embracing the innate power of individuals. When you do that, amazing things can happen.

I think this last election was a good shot in the arm— certainly for gay rights—but also in general. You can feel this momentum in this country.

People are starting to realize their own power. Look at what happened with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Nothing changed in the military. I feel it only got stronger because it’s now more inclusive.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK MUSIC IS TO LGBT PEOPLE LIVING IN WHAT IS OFTEN AN UNFRIENDLY WORLD?

I don’t mean to be overly dramatic, but from my own experience, music saved my life.

Growing up, I was going through stuff that I couldn’t even put words to but inherently, I knew I was different from basically the rest of the world. [Laughs] Without having the ability to talk to my parents, I felt like a stranger in my own family. Music was the thing that I latched onto at a very early age. I found comfort in it. It was such a gift to �ind that vehicle because if I hadn’t, I don’t know what would’ve happened.

If I couldn’t get it out in words, at least I was able to channel all that communication through the horn. That’s why I believe I’ve had a career as a saxophonist— that sound is totally me. It’s my journey. There’s a lot of emotion in it. Music at its purest core is all

Continued on page 35 |  |

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Saturday, December 15th 2012 3:00 pm &

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HCC Ybor Campus Performing Arts Building, Mainstage Theatre For Tickets Visit:

www.Una-Voce.org or call (855) 862-8623 34

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

watermarkonline.com

Follow us!

uvfmc #uvfmc

|  | Dave Koz and

Friends from pg.32

about capturing an emotion and conveying it to others.

No matter what kind of music—techno, dance, rock—I have friends that love to go and dance until the morning hours and just let the music take them away. That process is incredibly cathartic. I think music is very important, especially to [the LGBT] community.

YOU CAME OUT PUBLICLY IN AN INTERVIEW IN THE ADVOCATE. WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR YOU?

It was not planned. I told myself I was never going to come out publicly. My friends knew, my colleagues knew, and family, of course. But the idea of a public announcement about my personal life just never crossed my mind.

I don’t know what it was that changed but one day I just didn’t want to settle anymore; I didn’t want to play the hand I was dealt in this lifetime without having a full deck. I got to a point where I thought whatever happens—if

I try not to judge anybody on their journey but hope and pray that they’ll find the ability to say ‘This is who I am and I’m proud of it.’

—DAVE KOZ ON HIS DECISION TO COME OUT PUBLICLY. my career is over because I came out—so be it. So, I said, ‘let’s go for it’ and The Advocate was a wonderful outlet to do that. This was back in the day when celebs made these big “coming out” announcements.

I love the fact that I was able to summon up the courage to do that at a time when it certainly wasn’t necessary to come out.

There was no gun to my head; I wasn’t trying to �ight off a controversy or scandal. It was about personal power and being able to say, “This is who I am.”

Nowadays, celebs like Zachary Quinto and Jim Parsons are coming out very matter-of-factly.

To me, that shows how far we’ve come. It’s no longer a “drum roll

please” kind of thing.

It’s like, “Hey, this is one small aspect of who I am and it doesn’t need to be overdramatized.” I love that. I get that it’s a very personal decision; some kids come out at 14 while others get married [to the opposite sex] because they’re not ready.

I try not to judge anybody on their journey but hope and pray that they’ll �ind the ability to say, “This is who I am and I’m proud of it.”

IN REGARDS TO THE FINAL SONG ON HELLO TOMORROW, “WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND,” WHAT IMPRESSION DO YOU HOPE TO LEAVE BEHIND?

[Laughs] I would like to be

thought of as someone who loved what they did, had a lot of fun and touched people.

Success and awards, you can’t take with you when you die. The true currency in life is how you make people feel.

I’ve been blessed with the ability to communicate with people on a level that most people don’t have—whether it’s through tours or albums.

My message is simple, I want to make people feel good, put a little spring in their step. At the end of my life, whenever that is, if I can feel like I’ve touched some lives or given them some inspiration— musical or otherwise—then I have done my job.

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

THE LAST TIME WATERMARK SPOKE TO YOU (BACK IN 2010), WE ASKED ABOUT THE SONG “THIS GUY’S IN LOVE” AND IF THERE WAS ONE MAN IN PARTICULAR YOU WERE CROONING YOUR SINGLE LINE TO. AT THE TIME YOU SAID YOU WERE STILL WAITING ON HIM. HAS THAT CHANGED?

[Laughs] I think I’m an eternal bachelor. I think I’m more married to my saxophone than anything else. I wonder if they have marriage equality for a man and his sax. I think that I was, in a sense, putting that message out into the future. While I certainly remain open to it, I think the part of my life of having a one-on-one relationship is destined for later on in my life. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour WHERE: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, Nov. 23, 8pm Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Nov. 24, 8pm King Center for Performing Arts, Melbourne, Nov. 27, 8pm TICKETS: VanWezel.org, RuthEckerdHall.com; KingCenter.com

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watermarkonline.com

Oh, my ass!

They have plastic bakeware that goes in the oven!

It’s like Jesus came in the oven in the form of a casserole —DIXIE pan.

LONGATE

|  | Dixie Longate from pg.27

Tampa Bay and shared what fans— new and old—can expect in this December’s run.

WATERMARK: WE’RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BACK IN TAMPA BAY.

DIXIE LONGATE: Oh, hooker, I can’t wait. It’s a little bit chilly in Cleveland now and from here we go to Denver and it’s going to be cold. I look forward to the warm weather.

IT’S TOO BAD YOU’RE NOT STAYING HERE LONGER THAN SIX DAYS.

It’s not my fault. The Straz Center said “We only want you for a week.”

I said, “You’re a whore! I’m only one woman and can only do so much.” But seriously, I’d love to be somewhere like Tampa for a month.

I could wear my two-piece bikini with people motor-boating me all day.

YOU WORK SO HARD AND YOUR SHOWS ARE SO ENERGETIC. HOW DO YOU NOT GET EXHAUSTED?

I’m up late all the time. Recently, I’ve been staying up late writing.

I’m going to Puerto Vallarta on one of those “homosectional” cruises. I want to make sure that I talk about a lot of new fun things for them. It’s a

whole new show just for the Atlantis thing. So I’m just up late writing and being creative. So if I sound tired like a whore, that’s why.

OF COURSE, YOUR LAND-BASED SHOWS ARE MORE THAN JUST SHOWS. THEY ARE ACTUAL, REAL-LIFE TUPPERWARE PARTIES, CORRECT?

Oh yeah. I’m going to sell all the fabulous food storage crap that you can use in your home or of�ice. It keeps your stuff fresh so you can put it in your mouth and scream, “That’s delightful.”

We have games and prizes and raf�les. But it’s so much more! You’re going to learn about yourself and my life story, like how I got out of prison and started my Tupperware party after my parole of�icer told me I needed a job to get my kids back.

Brownie Rice, who created the party, is my hero and taught me why it does good to get up off your ass and do these things.

TUPPERWARE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR GENERATIONS. WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF PLASTIC?

That’s the thing about Tupperware.

It’s been around so long and to get to introduce new things and share what’s on the horizon is exciting. I’ll have a couple of new products at the parties in Tampa and we’ll talk about stocking stuffers for the holidays—

like wine bottle openers. Nothing makes an 8-year-old happier than being able to open his own bottle of wine on Christmas morning. That’s better than the plastic crap you get from China.

Tupperware has a bunch of specials coming out. Oh, my ass! I’m glad you’re sitting down because listen to this: they have plastic bakeware that goes in the oven! You open the oven, put it in and it doesn’t melt. It’s like Jesus came in the oven in the form of a casserole pan. I’m going to call it Jesus Casserole just for him.

THAT’S PERFECT FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

And Jesus is like 1,200 years old and looks fabulous. I think he uses wrinkle cream.

The holidays is a perfect time to check out the new crap. What we’ll do is put Tupperware in gift baskets.

And you can be like, “I’m going to give this to the neighbor I don’t care for.” It’s like the story my mama used to tell me. If you lend someone $20 and they don’t give it back and you never see them again, it’s the best $20 you’ve ever spent. I think of Tupperware the same way.

But if you give it to a Jewish person to help celebrate the nine days of Christmas like they do, they’ll say that’s the nicest thing

you’ve ever done for me.

Anyone who gets Tupperware uses it and will think about you all the time every time they see it.

DO YOU SEE YOUR FAMILY OVER THE HOLIDAYS?

My mom comes in. I had her over and said, “Mama, I’m putting up the lights.” I couldn’t �ind an outlet so I unplugged other stuff and the lights looked really good. Then she’s all huf�ing and puf�ing in bed and I thought she was overwhelmed by the beauty of the tree. Turns out I unplugged her. She gets so moody.

So we had to sit there in the dark just so she could breathe. The spirit of Christmas was lost and that’s why I hate Christmas.

SINCE YOU ARE RETURNING TO TAMPA BAY WITH YOUR SHOW, CAN FOLKS WHO SAW YOU BEFORE EXPECT ANYTHING NEW THIS TIME AROUND?

There are always new stories and new products. A couple of my new stories are of things happening in my travels. This is my �ifth year on the road and I’ve met so many people. I share what’s going on and what people have said to me that makes me want to hit them in the face.

I went to London and Australia, where they don’t speak American.

I can tell stories about when I was there. If people come for the �irst time it’s not like they’ll be lost.

I get so excited sharing my stories that I’m jumping up and down.

YOUR AUDIENCE IS USUALLY PRETTY DIVERSE. IS THAT WHAT YOU EXPECT IN TAMPA?

The homosectionals are always being so neighborly, but most of the people at the parties are straight.

They know that Tupperware tradition and have stuff handed down by their mama. It’s always great to see a bunch of new people that say, “Mama had food storage solutions and now I have my own solution as well.” That makes Jesus happy.

IT’S GOOD TO HEAR THAT YOUR CROWD IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN JUST A GAY AUDIENCE.

Yes. It’s not just homosectionals.

It’s black people, Jewish people, Asian people. Sometimes I have black Jews. It’s crazy, they’re so different than Black Russians. I tried to order a Black Jew at a bar once and couldn’t get one. So the road is educational.

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THE TIMING OF YOUR SHOW IN TAMPA SEEMS PERFECT.

Yes, and not only becaue of the holidays. I’m there two weeks before the world ends. But you know, the Mayans shouldn’t judge. I don’t even know why we’re listening to them—I don’t even listen to people who lost a job last Thursday. But we are going to have a fun day and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. In the world everything seems bad and everyone needs to laugh. I’m here to do that.

THIS INTERVIEW WILL APPEAR IN WATERMARK’S THANKSGIVING EDITION. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOLIDAY DINING TIPS FOR OUR READERS?

One of the best things to put in your mouth, at least in my top 10, is cranberry sauce. I just found out that it comes in a can. But you can make it homemade! Open a can, put it in a Tupperware dish and serve it.

If you put garnish on it, it’s pretty. I put a piece of tree bark on it. Sometimes it’s too big but its pretty. You have to move the tree bark and scrape out the bits, but it makes it crunchy. And who doesn’t like paprika? So I put some of that in there too.

AND OF COURSE, YOU’RE PREPARED IF THERE ARE ANY LEFTOVERS.

Aren’t you sweet? Yes, I always make sure people have the food storage solutions they need. I’m a giver.

AS A BUSINESSWOMAN, DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Lord, yes. They can get on my Facepage. There are so many ways to get a hold of me it’s crazy. Every time I turn around someone is twitting on me. I think, “Lord Jesus, I don’t have time to talk to all of these people,” but I am a giver and I am all over the place: Tumble, Tweet, Facebook—all those �ilthy things. |  |

MEET DIXIE LONGATE during “Watermark night” at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Dec.6. For VIP Tickets, visit StrazCenter.org.

MORE INFORMATION WHAT: Dixie’s Tupperware Party WHEN: Dec. 4-9 WHERE: Straz Center, Tampa TICKETS: StrazCenter.org or DixiesTupperwareParty.com

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT EVENT PLANNER QUICK PICKS Winter Park Steppin’ Out

THROUGH DEC. 15 Winter Park Playhouse 407-645-0145 WinterParkPlayhouse.org

Winter Garden A Christmas Survival Guide NOV. 30-DEC. 16 The Garden Theatre 407-877-4736 GardenTheatre.org

Bradenton Plaid Tidings NOV. 29-DEC. 16 Manatee Players 941-748-5875 ManateePlayers.com

Venice

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying VENICE THEATRE Through Dec. 2 941-488-1115 VeniceStage.com

Ybor City Miracle on 7th Avenue NOV. 28 The Ritz Ybor 813- 247-2555 RitzYbor.com

For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit

watermarkonline.com.

Wanzie’s Glittering Star-Studded

A Christmas Carol

I

ORLANDO

T’S THE SEASON OF TRADITION, AND

what would the holiday season be without Wanzie’s Glittering Star-Studded A Christmas Carol: A Dickens-Inspired Celebrity Cavalcade Holiday Spectacle? The comedy opens at The Footlight Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 24, and only runs for �ive performances!

S

CLEARWATER Clay Aiken

INCE COMING TO NATIONAL ATTENTION DURING THE SECOND SEASON OF AMERICAN IDOL IN 2003, Clay Aiken has undertaken nine tours, written a New York Times bestselling memoir (Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life), sold more than six million albums, produced and hosted television programs, starred on Broadway as Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot, and devoted considerable energy and resources to improving the lives of children the world over. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2004.

Despite all of that, he still had time to become a father and return to touring, this time bringing his Christmas Concert to Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday, Nov. 25.

Aiken’s �irst album sold three million copies and went doubleplatinum. His fan base continues to grow and most recently he appeared on Celebrity Apprentice. No doubt his soulful voice and likeable personality will bring LGBTs and allies alike to Clearwater.

Visit RuthEckerdHall.com or call 727-791-7400 for tickets. |  |

If you thought you have seen every version of the classic Charles Dickens tale, think again.

Imagine Michael Wanzie narrating A Christmas Carol while all the stars of the show— some living, some dead—refuse to shed their Hollywood and Broadway personas despite playing the period characters of the beloved holiday classic.

Matthew Arter performs as Carol Lee impersonating Carol Channing playing Scrooge while Doug Ba’aser impersonates Rip

T

Taylor playing the Ghost of Bob Marley. Richard Kuntz performs as Gidget Galore impersonating Liza Minnelli as Tiny Tim and Sam Singhaus performs as Miss Sammy impersonating Joan Crawford as Mrs. Cratchit.

Is your head spinning yet? We won’t even list the other celebrity cameos.

The fourth annual production is rumored to be Wanzie’s �inal Christmas Carol lampoon, so get your tickets at Wanzie.com or by calling 407-540-0317. |  |

TAMPA Idina Menzel

HE ORIGINAL “ELPHABA” OF WICKED FAME, Idina Menzel, brings her powerhouse voice to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts for a onenight-only performance on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The performance is in conjunction with the center’s 25th Anniversary Gala, and VIP tickets include both the gala and the concert, appropriately dubbed “Barefoot at the Symphony.”

She will no doubt perform some of her best-known

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

Broadway numbers from both Wicked and Rent, in which she played Maureen in the original stage production.

Menzel has a large LGBT following, mostly because of her activism for marriage equality and HIV/AIDS fundraising gestures. But, of course, it is her big voice that has captivated so many fans and landed her roles in �ilms and television series like Glee.

For more information and for tickets, visit StrazCenter. org or call 813-229-7827. |  |

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ShotonSite

Tampa Bay

1- SHE WORKS HARD FOR HER MONEY: Joey Brooks accepts a tip from a fan during her performance at Bradley’s on 7th on Nov. 17. Photo courtesy Carrie West 2- FAN SUPPORT: Members of M.A.D. Theater were on hand during the Tampa WAVE Award party to cheer on Marcus Blake, second from left, who won Favorite Stage Performer. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM

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3- MOMENTO: (L-R) Alexis De La Mer and Jack Butera hold the gifts presented to her by Watermark for her help in hosting the 2012 WAVE Award party at The Samba Room in South Tampa Nov. 8. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM 4- HOTNESS SQUARED: Vinnie and Joseph, bartenders at The Social in Ybor City, share a laugh during their shift on Nov. 17. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 5- FORMING FRIENDSHIPS: Frank Clemente, right, smiles after meeting St. Pete Pride’s new executive director, Eric Skains, during a meet-and-greet event at Queen’s Head Pub in St. Petersburg on Nov. 13. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM 6- GIRL’S WEEKEND: Karmic Tattoo performs poolside at Sawmill during the “Tongue-in-Groove” women’s weekend at the Dade City Campground Nov. 17. PHOTO COURTESY KARMIC TATTOO 7- TWINKIE MEMORIAL: Toby Rox celebrates the end of an era with a basket full of Hostess Ding Dongs and Twinkies at The Honey Pot on Nov. 16. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST

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8- DATE NIGHT: (L-R) Stephen Warne and Mitch Ryan made a date night out of the 2012 WAVE Award party at the Samba Room Nov. 8. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM

OVERHEARD COCO LANDS ON DRAG RACE

F

ORMER FLAMINGO RESORT SHOW CAST MEMBER, MISS GAY AMERICA 2010 AND CURRENT LAS VEGAS PERFORMER Coco Montrese has another impressive title to add to her already expansive resume: RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant! The performer, who graced the cover of Watermark back in 2010 after her MGA win, announced that she will participate in the upcoming season of the popular reality drag show season when it premieres on Logo this January. The �ifth season of the wildly popular Logo competition will debut in January, and 14 contestants will compete not only for the title of

“America’s Next Drag Superstar,” but $100,000! Whether or not Montrese wins the upcoming season, the performer has already solidi�ied her place in drag superstar history. She is currently a member of Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas at Imperial Palace (soon to be renamed The Quad), where she impersonates the likes of Janet Jackson and Rihanna. This marks the �irst season that there hasn’t been a Tampa Bay-based queen on the series. However, that doesn’t mean Florida isn’t represented.

Jade Jolie of Gainesville, Serena ChaCha of Tallahassee and Roxxy Andrews of Orlando are all on the upcoming season.

QUENCH ANNOUNCES ADDRESS, DJ

M

ORE DETAILS ARE SLOWLY TRICKLING OUT ABOUT THE NEW LGBT BAR OPENING in Largo this December. Quench Lounge �inally announced its physical address on its Facebook page, putting to rest rumors that it was replacing the now-closed Christopher Street Bar that was located in the same plaza at the corner of Ulmerton Road and 66th Street. The new bar’s address is 13284 66th Street and, according to its website, combines four spaces within the strip mall to make a sizeable bar. The bar has also announced its house DJ—Bruce Devery. Devery was the resident DJ at Christopher Street

before it closed this summer and has also worked at The Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg.

MEET AND GREET IN ST. PETE

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HE TAMPA BAY COMMUNITY FINALLY GOT A CHANCE TO MEET THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ST. PETE PRIDE. The Board of Directors held a meet-and-greet event at the Queen’s Head Pub along the city’s Grand Central District on Nov. 13 to give community members and leaders a chance to chat with Eric Skains, who took on the role in September. Skains is the former executive director of

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

Pride Houston and interviewed for the St. Pete Pride position after former St. Pete Pride executive Chris Rudisill stepped down after the 2012 street festival. Both sides of the bay were represented at the meet and greet, with leaders from the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, GaYbor, Stonewall Democrats and Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale and more on hand to wish Skains well. Those who missed a chance to meet Skains will get another chance next week, when St. Pete Pride hosts its annual Red & Green Holiday Party at Sunken Gardens on Friday, Nov. 30.

Details and tickets are available at StPetePride.com. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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CLUB ORLANDO COME OUT TO PLAY! Gyms come and go……

Club Orlando’s Gym has been here for 14 years and is still going strong!

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A N D TA K E YO U R P E RS O N A L T R A I N I N G B U S I N ES S TO N E W H E I G H T S AT FLO R I DA FI T N ES S CO N C E P T S! V I S I T W W W. F L O R I D A F I T N E S S C O N C E P T S . C O M /N E W T R A I N E R

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W W W. FLO R I DA FITN ESS CO N C E P TS .COM

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ShotonSite 1

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ORLANDO

1- RED CARPET: A (Huge!) group from Stonewall win big at Orlando’s 2012 WAVE Awards held Nov. 8 at Pulse. PHOTO BY HAZEL JANDIK

2- BEAUTIFUL WORK: Summit Church members teamed up with Keep Winter Park Beautiful for a cleanup event at the Winter Park Library Nov. 10. PHOTO BY COLLEEN LEE 3- AND THE WINNER IS…: (L-R) Becky and Stephan Toolsie and Ray Rowe celebrate Royalty’s C-division softball championship at the CFSL awards banquet on Sunday, Nov. 18. PHOTO BY ED BLAISDELL.

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4- OH MY!: Villians, vixens and drag performers light up the stage for Diva Invasion 2012, Nov. 15 at UCF. PHOTO BY BRIAN HARRIS 5- HOGGIN’: (L to R) Watermark Sales Director Mark Cady, Harley Davidson Orlando Rider Safety Programs Manager Michele Sullivan, Marta Wit and Watermark Director of Online Media Jamie Hyman celebrate after Wit won the big prize—a rider education course—at Watermark’s Third Thursday Social, Nov. 15 at Harley Davidson Orlando. PHOTO BY AMY DOUBLEDAY

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6- NEW CLASS: A whole new group of skaters learned the skills they need to become Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls during practice Nov. 18 at Barber Park. PHOTO BY JAMES “CANONBALL” BENNETT 7- COLORLESS: Eureka Fish and Board Treasurer Timothy Vargas mingle with Black and White Gala chairman Gary Israel and his date at the big event, Nov. 17 at The Abbey. PHOTO BY WES HODGES 8- DECLARING PRIDE: Volusia County Councilman Josh Wagner kicks off Volusia Pride Nov. 17 by reading a proclamation expressing support for both the event and the gay and lesbian community. PHOTO

BY RICK CLAGGETT

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OVERHEARD IN AND OUT

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ARADISE LOUNGE ON MILLS HAS CHANGED NAMES YET AGAIN. The once-upon-a-time Cactus Club was recently sold and is now known as Orlando Nights. That’s not all. It is said to be marketed as a straight bar. While one bar is going straight, another endeavor, keeping the gays in mind, is opening. Jason Lambert, part-owner of Stardust Lounge, has con�irmed that he has signed the lease as of Nov. 1 for the space that used to be Lava Lounge on Orange Avenue. “It’s going to be a neighborhood bar that’s obviously super gay friendly,” says Lambert.

“I don’t want to put a label on it as just a “gay bar” as I have a lot of straight friends too from working

in the downtown bar scene for the last 15 years.” He says that depending on permitting and remodeling, he hopes to open by January at the latest. “Having been part owner of Stardust Lounge for the last 4 1/2 years, I hope to make it similar to that, where everyone—LGBTQ and straight— feel comfortable!”

ORLANDO BETTER WORK!

S

O FAR IN ALMOST EVERY SEASON OF THE POPULAR LOGO SERIES RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, a Florida contestant has placed in the top three. In Season 5, which launches in January, local

eyes are again turned to Florida and to talent from a number of Florida cities, including bubbly and funny with a bite, Jade Jolie from Gainesville, Serena Cha Cha from Tallahassee, the drag baby of the group, fresh out of art school and brimming with enthusiasm and Orlando’s own Roxxxy Andrews. A pageant girl through and through, Roxxxy has big hair, big makeup, and isn’t afraid to show off her thick and juicy curves. On any given night of the week, you can catch her strutting at Pulse. These “girls” follow the traditions of Fort Lauderdale’s Rebecca Glasscock, second runner up in Season 1, Orlando’s Tyra Sanchez, who won Season 2, and Tampa’s

Alexis Mateo, who was second runner up in Season 3.

LOCAL DEALS

C

ATCH ANY OF THOSE WALMART COMMERCIALS LATELY? You may recognize the over-the-top, super-helpful Wal-Mart employee as local actor and comedian John Connon.

Beginning earlier this fall and continuing through the holidays, he appears in a series of ads for the mega-store. Even Connon has noticed a number of them receiving a lot of air play. “They have really been running this current one a lot,” he says. “We shoot them on Tuesdays and they are on the air on Thursdays.”

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CFL HONORS SINGLETARY POSTHUMOUSLY

T

HE CENTRAL FLORIDA SOFTBALL LEAGUE CELEBRATED ITS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET on Nov. 18, and also remembered a player they lost by inducting Larry Singletary into its Hall of Fame.

Singletary, who passed away in 2010 following a rafting accident, played for the Ranger’s Heat. He was toasted by Rick Merri�ield, owner of Yuppy Puppy during the banquet. The poignant moment brought silence to the Sheraton Downtown as softballers remembered their fallen friend.

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame was Bonnie Marsh. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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HERE WE GROW! NEWLY ON BOARD: Scot LaFerte’, Vice President of Human Resources & Administration for Universal

Orlando, has been appointed to board of directors of The Zebra Foundation for Youth, Inc. LaFerte’ is responsible for driving overall strategy and execution for the staffing, learning and development, internal communications, facilities management, and Medical Services functions. PHOTO COURTESY SARA BRADY PUBLIC RELATIONS

Transitions

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations Mark Paul Pierpont and Nick Massoni, owners of 903 Concept Restaurants in Orlando, celebrate their 15th anniversary of wedded bliss on Nov. 23. They were married in Strawberry Fields, New York City.

Sarasota couple Steve Warren and Dan Smith celebrate their 24th anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. They were the sixth couple to register as domestic partners in Sarasota on Nov. 6, and on Feb. 14, 1992, they were first-day registrants in San Francisco.

Local Birthdays Orlando activist Nicki Drumb, Keller-Williams realtor Steve Glose, Clearwater and Tampa Bay performer Natasha Richards, Tampa swimwear designer La’Daska Mechelle, charity-driven Ybor resident Mike Hammonds and Tampa Hospice’s admissions manager Peter Shute (Nov. 22); Tampa actress and St. Pete Times editorial assistant Lauren Clark, Tampa Bay Sisters member John Miller and former Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart, (Nov. 23).Watermark proofreader and Orlando lawyer Ed Blaisdell and drag legend

Gidget Galore (Nov. 24); St. Petersburg nurse Ed Briggs and Pandora Events CEO Alison Burgos (Nov. 26); St. Petersburg actor and die-hard Rays fan Ken Basque (Nov. 27); outgoing HRC president Joe Solmonese and Tampa Bay chef Paege Chafin (Nov. 28); St. Petersburg actor and former Grand Central Station owner Kris Doubles, sexy Tampa softball bear Bubba De and Tupperware queen Dixie Longate (Nov. 29); founding member of Orlando Gay Chorus David Schuler (Nov. 30); Orlando-based writer and blogger Jim Crescitelli, former Sarasota Pride board member Mary Hoch and MyQmunity.com founder Mariruth Kennedy (Dec. 1); derby zebra Shane Scare and derby volunteer wrangler Cynthia “Cynfully Vicious” West (Dec. 2); City of Sarasota Human Rights Board member Michael Shelton, former Tampa bowler and current Texan Dave Bauer and Watermark contributor and DJ Kirk Hartlage (Dec. 3); AIDS Walk Tampa Bay founder and former Watermark ad man Anthony Barros, Watermark contributor and Community Tampa Bay outreach coordinator Louanne Walters and Valencia Community College data guru Dwayne Smoot (Dec. 4); derby merchandise master Jennifer “Dolly Sparton” Sparkey; West Coast transplant Joshua Hoskins and St. Petersburg artist Scott Durfee (Dec. 5).

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!

If you are...

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watermarkmedia YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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DEAR TRUTH,

DEAR TRUTH,

Dear OoO, Naturally, the best situation is for you to re�inance the house in both of your names and be done with all this nonsense. However, that may not be realistic at the moment.

But here comes the Truth: no matter whose credit allowed you to make the purchase, you are equally committed from a �inancial perspective in the transaction. Yes, she has an additional burden in that her credit is, theoretically, at stake if you �lake. But we both know you’re not going to do that.

For her to lord this over you is passive aggressive at very least. I would call your friendly neighborhood mortgage broker and see what you can do about creating a more distributed responsibility. In the meantime, consider yourself equal partners and don’t allow her to play that card. Don’t run and hide; stand up and face your reality.

Dear BB, In all non-snarky sincerity, I honestly must ask why you wrote in at all. I think you know the answer.

The electronic version of Boyd, wherever and whomever that may be, is clearly not being made available to you.

At some point you must ask yourself “Isn’t this more work than it should be?” By holding out hope that after four months, Boyd is going to magically develop a heretofore unseen personality is just wishful thinking on your part.

Look, I get it. You thought you had a hot young thing and it’s disappointing to have to let the idea of that go. Sometimes, early in relationships, we project qualities on those to whom we’re attracted. Qualities we want them to have.

But here comes the Truth: All the wanting in the world isn’t going to change a doorknob (your word) into someone interesting. And there’s nothing wrong with doorknobs. But you decided he was something much more functional because you wanted him to be.

That’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to them. |  |

M

Y GIRLFRIEND AND I BOUGHT A HOUSE TOGETHER TWO YEARS AGO. My credit was wrecked by a foreclosure, so the house and mortgage are in Mindy’s name. But I contributed half of the $20,000 down payment, and we share household expenses. The plan was always to re�inance and re-title in both our names when it became convenient.

We’ve been together for five years.

There are predictable hills and valleys, but mostly we have a solid relationship.

Our few real disagreements have centered around her teenage daughter and ne’erdo-well ex-husband. We’re fighting about those things right now. At some point while we’re fighting, the house situation always seems to creep into the conversation.

It automatically makes me feel vulnerable and no matter what we’re talking about, I cave. I feel like it calls into question the very foundations of our relationship.

I’m not asking for legal advice, just your thoughts about how to talk about this touchy subject so we can set it aside.

—Owner on the Outside

I

LIVE IN SARASOTA. FOUR MONTHS AGO I STARTED SEEING A GUY FROM BRANDON that I met online. He’s hot and likes older guys. (He’s 25 and I’m in my mid-40s.) I’m flattered by his interest.

But there’s something very weird about the situation. In his profile, and in emails and text messages, Boyd is witty, sexy, smart—even a little outrageous. I’m always worked up to see him. But in person he’s duller than a doorknob. He rarely laughs, conversation is rote, and he’s passive and limited in bed.

I could fall for the electronic version of Boyd, and feel like that funny, snarky guy must be in there somewhere. But I don’t know how to draw him out, and don’t know how to bring it up without offending him.

—Bored Buddy

All the wanting in the world isn’t going to change a doorknob into someone interesting.

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watermarkonline.com

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Before you decide to retain any individual attorney or law firm, you are strongly encouraged to ask that you be sent free written information about qualifications and experience.

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NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

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attorney

attorney

cleaning service

MORRIS & HANCOCK, P.A. Attorneys at Law

MICHAEL E. MORRIS ~ CHRISTOPHER P. HANCOCK Adoption, Family Law & Estate Planning specifically directed for LGBT people.

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counselor

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orlando marketplace

counselor

electrician

funeral services

Your Final Wishes Are As Unique As Your Life

Serving All Faiths Providing Pre-Planning and At Need Funeral Services

CARDINAL MEMORIALS Designers of Distinctive and Innovate Memorials

SPECIALIZING IN RESIDENTIAL TROUBLESHOOTING, SERVICE UPGRADES, AND REMODELS. KEVIN MCELROY • 321-377-4008 • kevinmcelroy@bellsouth.net

info@cardinalmemorials.com

BETH SHALOM MEMORIAL CHAPEL Dedicated to Serving Our Community For Over 25 Years. Locally Owned and Operated.

James R. Cardinal Sammy Goldstein ( 407 ) 599-1180 640 Lee Road, Orlando

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Michael Wallman specializes in Comprehensive Financial Planning for the LGBT community and is the founder of the “Life Planning for the Alternative Family” Seminar Series. Michael uses a “Team Approach” to fi nancial planning bringing in professional experts in areas such as Taxation, Insurance, Wills and Trusts, Real Estate, etc. all of whom are well versed in the specific needs of the LGBT community.

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NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

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*% off discount applies to materials only; cushion, labor, and installation charges are additional. Prior orders exempt. See store for details on all offers and warranties. Offer expires 11/21/12. Participating stores only. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are for materials only. Not all merchandise in all stores. Photos are representational only. Actual merchandise may not exactly match photos shown. Although we make every effort to ensure that our advertising is accurate, we cannot be held liable for typographical errors or misprints. FAME-30132. 7/2012

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MetroSurance inc Individual and Small Business Health • Life • Dental • Disability Critical Illness • Mortgage Protection Accident Insurance • LTC Insurance Final Expense Policies Annuities • Medicare Supplements

For in-depth LGBT businesses listings

Let Us Help Secure Your Future CRAIG GOODMAN (407) 362-1600 or (888) 683-1159 WEB: www.metrosurance.org EMAIL: craig@metrosurance.org

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NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

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407-481-2243 • Deadline for classifieds is November 30, at 5:00pm.

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Although my swimsuit days are over, my real estate career is still in full force.

If you are thinking of buying selling or investing in real estate; think of me first.

Stan Madray–Keller Williams Realty (407)928-7791 / www.StanMadray.com My commitment to you:•Communicate Effectively - Answer calls, respond to emails and keep you informed.•Be Knowledgeable - Know the market place, follow the trends and track the numbers.•Have Fun - It’s not just about the destination; It’s also about the journey.•Keep Integrity - Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.•Seek the Win-Win - Negotiate effectively to meet our needs and our objectives.Making real estate dreams come true! *BTW... If you do require your prospective agent to compete in talent, I will be twirling a fire baton to “Half-Breed” by Cher.

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classifieds

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.

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watermarkonline.com

Players thank Ayanbadejo for marriage equality fight

Staff Report

Staff Report

A

TLANTA, GA. | Former WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw is in custody after being accused of shooting into a woman’s car after using a bat to break its windows.

Atlanta police said the incident happened Tuesday, Nov. 13, after the Olympic gold medalist followed 29-year-old Jennifer Lacy to her car. Lacy plays for the Tulsa Shock.

Lacy, 29, who described herself as Holdsclaw’s former girlfriend, told police she was working out at a church on Ponce de Leon Avenue on Nov. 13 when Holdsclaw approached her and said she wanted to put some items in Lacy’s car.

According to an incident report obtained by Channel 2 Action News, as Lacy drove from the church she smelled gasoline inside her vehicle and noticed that Holdsclaw was following her.

Lacy said she drove to a friend’s house on Hemphill Avenue, at which time Holdsclaw got out of her car with a baseball bat and began smashing the windows in Lacy’s Range Rover, the report said.

After breaking the driver’s side window, a rear passenger’s window and the rear window, Holdsclaw produced a handgun, �ired inside the SUV and �led the scene, the report said.

Police said they later recovered a 9mm shell casing at the scene.

Lacy was not injured, police said.

Lacy identi�ied the 35-year-old Holdsclaw, one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball history during her career at Tennessee.They were teammates with the Atlanta Dream in 2009.

Holdsclaw was taken into custody Nov. 15 and placed in the Fulton County Jail. Her bond was set at $10,000 on one charge each of aggravated assault, seconddegree criminal damage and reckless conduct.

A number for Holdsclaw listed in the police report went to voicemail, and it was unknown whether she had an attorney.

T

he Baltimore Ravens brutalized the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 11 55-20. It was the most points scored in Ravens history. Yet some Raiders still tracked down Baltimore linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and congratulated him on the samesex marriage victories at the ballot box on election day.

According to TMZ, three Raiders players congratulated Ayanbadejo for his work supporting marriage equality.

“I remember their names, but I will keep that to myself,” the football pro told reporters. “Ethnicity-wise, it was two white guys and one black guy. Ethnicity plays an important part in this movement.”

Many see the actions of fellow NFL players as evidence that the league is closer to acceptance than many believe. |  |

sports

Former WNBA star arrested for alleged attack on ex-girlfriend

Seattle soccer player suspended for gay slur BETTER DAYS: Basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw was a first-round draft pick for the Washington Mystics in 1999.

Holdsclaw played 12 seasons in the WNBA, including one year with the Atlanta Dream, in 2009.

Lacy plays for the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA and played for the Dream in 2008 and 2009.

Holdsclaw was the No. 1 selection in the 1999 draft after a four-year career at Tennessee, where she led the Lady Vols to three consecutive national championships. She last played for the San Antonio Silver Stars, in 2010.

Lacy issued a statement through the Shock.

“I want to thank my family, friends, fans and Shock family for their concern during this dif�icult time,” Lacy said. “I have never felt more love from my fans in supporting me.”

In September, Holdsclaw returned to her alma mater to discuss her �ight with clinical depression, which included a suicide attempt during her pro career.

Holdsclaw recounted how she attempted suicide in 2006 as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks by overdosing on the medication

she was taking for clinical depression. She also wouldn’t leave her Washington home for a few days in 2004, two years after the death of the grandmother who raised her.

She discussed these situations in a book, Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot After Shot, that came out earlier this year.

Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three consecutive national championships from 1996-98 before beginning a pro career that included six WNBA All-Star selections. She also played on the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in the 2000 Games.

Holdsclaw had 3,025 career points at Tennessee and remains the Southeastern Conference’s career scoring leader Holdsclaw currently serves as a spokeswoman for Active Minds, an organization “dedicated to empowering students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and increase help seeking,” according to the group’s website. |  |

Staff Report SEATTLE, WASH. | Major League Soccer has suspended Seattle soccer player Marc Burch for his use of a gay slur during an early November match at Real Salt Lake.

The defender has been suspended three games, effectively ending his season.

Burch, who issued a statement of apology Nov. 9, was also �ined an undisclosed amount and mandated to take diversity and sensitivity training.

The �irst two games of the suspension were served in the conference �inals against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The third game, if not covered in the MLS Cup, would be the 2013 season opener.

“Major League Soccer has a zero tolerance policy in response to this type of behavior from its players or staff,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber in a news release. “While I understand and believe that Mr. Burch is remorseful, Major League Soccer is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.”

Houston’s Colin Clark was given the exact same punishment earlier this season for directing a gay slur at a ball boy.

Burch called his choice of words “horri�ic” in his apology.

“This is something that is inconsistent with my family values and because of that I am both disappointed and embarrassed by my level of poor judgment,” he said. “I take seriously my role as a leader in the community and this is completely regrettable and unacceptable. Character matters and I hope through hard work on and off the �ield to begin earning your respect and trust again.” |  |

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Galleryw Go see more photos at

watermarkonline.com

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O

N THE WEEKEND OF NOV. 9-11, LEATHER-N-FETISH PRIDE INVADED THE FLAMINGO RESORT in St. Petersburg. The celebration of all things leather and more brought vendors, demonstrations and a few contests to the popular resort. Organizers say it was the largest one yet and plan to bring it back again in 2013.

Photography by Paul Tinken TINKERFLUFF.COM

watermarkonline.com

NOV. 21 - DEC. 5, 2012 // ISSUE 19.24

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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BEFORE