Watermark Issue 20.02: LGBT and Elderly

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 20.02 • JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE 17 // NATION & WORLD 23 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 29 // EVENT PLANNER 31 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 33 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 39 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 40 // TRANSITIONS 41 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 46 // SPORTS 45 // CLASSIFIEDS

PAGE

16

To have hate of something they are not educated on or their religion controlling it in 2012 is hard to understand.

— JAMES EDDY, JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

ON THE COVER

PAGE Eunice Fisher and

Smith are out, proud 35 Joe and retired. They are

among a growing population of senior LGBTs facing challenges in their golden years.

Photo by Steve Blanchard

Preview

PAGE

23

FOXY ROXXXY:

Roxxxy Andrews of Orlando is just one of five contestants on RuPaul’s Drag Race with ties to the Sunshine State. We check out who’s competing and why the series seems to love Florida so much.

WATERMARK ISSUE 20.02 // J AN. 17 - J AN. 3 1, 2013

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE On the first anniversary

PAGE After 12 years of operating

SCREENED OUT

SPORTS

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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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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of the historic Orange County Domestic Partnership Registry, we look at the struggles involved with passing the groundbreaking ordinance; Several local musicians will perform at Obama’s second inauguration.

12

ProSuzy, Suzanne Noe steps into semi-retirement; Pinellas County approves a countywide domestic partnership registry; Metro Wellness and Community Centers will literally move a home to create an LGBT center.

PAGE Hollywood is off to a rocky

25

start in 2013, with Gangster Squad, Not Fade Away and Stand Up Guys leaving our movie critic less than impressed. Stephen Miller explains why these three films just don’t work.

PAGE Bowling got some major

coverage thanks to 46 news ESPN showing a same-sex

kiss. It’s Super Bowl season, but instead of talking about football, a conservative website is upset with Neil Patrick Harris’s photo.

L E T WAT E R M A R K R E A D E R S K N O W A B O U T Y O U R U P C O M I N G E V E N T ! S U B M I T T H E D E TA I L S T O WAT E R M A R K O N L I N E . C O M .

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR STILL IN LOVE It has been a while since I picked up a copy of Watermark and I really loved it more than ever. I saw the last issue and read the Jan. 3-16 issue [Issue 20.01]. I loved the thoughts Steve Blanchard shared from the Editor’s Desk. I have always had a weight issue and have been a little like Oprah Winfrey—gain, lose, gain, lose.

Again, thanks for a great Watermark. I like the news articles and less focus on photos of hot men. If I want to look at pictures of hot men, there are other avenues for that—not that I don’t appreciate a good looking man!

RICK ACKERMAN ST. PETERSBURG

IMPRESSIVE JOB Thank you so much for the terri�ic story online [and in this issue] about my retirement. You did a terri�ic job. I’m impressed.

SUZANNE NOE ST. PETERSBURG

ACCEPTANCE: GOOD FOR THE CHURCH’S SOUL I applaud the Washington National Cathedral’s announcement that it will begin celebrating weddings of gay and lesbian couples

“The Church sent a simple but powerful message to LGBT Episcopalians—you are loved just the way you are.”

—REV. MACARTHUR FLOURNOY

as another milestone in the Episcopal Church’s embrace of all God’s children, including LGBT people. The Church sent a simple but powerful message to LGBT Episcopalians—you are loved just the way you are, and for that we embrace you.

The Episcopal Church is one of a growing number of denominations to see a new day in the intersection of faith and sexual orientation and gender identity. This is not only good LGBT people, it is good for the soul of the church.

REV. MACARTHUR FLOURNOY DEPUTY DIRECTOR HRC RELIGION/ FAITH PROGRAM

MCC STILL VITAL As the Senior Pastor of an MCC, of course I believe MCCs are still vitally necessary and extremely bene�icial to our community.

The LGBTQIA and their allies are not just tolerated at MCC, they are celebrated

If you’ve ever walked into a room and said,“I LOVE THAT!” then you’re in luck. Because we have “that”.

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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and embraced, and it gives each a safe place to come and worship just as they are.

Our communion, which we celebrate weekly, is where this is most obvious. There are no barriers, requirements, or restrictions. All people are welcome to come....and they do. I’m proud to be a part of this denomination for many reasons, but that is the main one.

I’m thrilled to be leading JOY MCC now. This is a place that has been an instrumental part of Orlando for 35 years in being a Human Rights advocate for Central Florida.

MCC may have changed over the years, and other churches may have grown in their acceptance of our community, but there will always be a need for our churches in this world, and JOY MCC will forever be a vital part of Orlando, without fear of harassment or discrimination.

REV. TERRI STEED ORLANDO

CONTRIBUTORS

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

A

Desk

S A COMMUNITY, WE OFTEN SEND

mixed messages. On one hand, we’re preaching to our straight friends and family that we are no different than they are and that our sexual orientation is but a minor part of who we are as individuals.

On the other hand, we celebrate— loudly—the exact same thing, declaring something a historic moment simply because someone happens to be gay and is captured on a video camera.

It’s a tough balance, and one most of us cannot maintain. I’ve failed at it, as I am sure you have.

Earlier this month a professional bowler—I know, I forgot there was such a thing, too—won a championship and kissed his husband during a tearful celebration following his victory. While the actual event happened in November,

WATERMARK STAFF

ESPN aired the championship in early January. The win—complete with the celebratory same-sex lip lock—was beamed into the homes of sports junkies who actually watch bowling on television.

Immediately, news outlets released stories about the historic moment while LGBT spokespeople celebrated the kiss as another chink in the armor of homophobia in the sports world. The news wasn’t that this man, who happens to be gay, won the trophy and prize money. Or that he is an openly gay athlete. The news was that he kissed his husband

in full view of a video camera!

Of course, ESPN should be commended for showing the celebration, much as it would show any victorious athlete celebrating a win. It didn’t shy away from showing spouses celebrating, regardless of their sexual orientation. The company very subtly showed Americans across the country that gay men participate in sports and have lives—even spouses—outside of the con�ines of their career.

In a perfect world, the kiss would have been a minor footnote in the news coverage of this sporting event. We never see headlines screaming, “Peyton Manning kisses his wife after touchdown” or “Roger Federer, wife embrace after Grand Slam win.”

The story and the headline would focus on the win—or loss—surrounding the sporting event and its respective athletes. The social interactions with their spouses would be buried at the bottom of the story, if mentioned at all.

Those who oppose equality for the LGBT community seize on opportunities like this to complain that we �launt our “lifestyle” whenever we get a chance. However, the far-right sometimes �launts it for us by �inding a way to bring sexuality into any situation.

Have you heard the insanity surrounding CBS’s Super Bowl promo featuring Neil Patrick Harris?

Harris, star of the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, is featured in an

ad wearing eye black with the date of the Big Game etched in white.

It’s simple, conveys information and, because of his status with the network, offers clear direction as to where the game will be aired this year.

Immediately a religious website took offense to the ad because it supposedly mocked the very Christian and sometimes-decentquarterback Tim Tebow, who often shares verses of the Bible on his eye black. Suddenly, a “loud and outspoken homosexual” is making fun of religion and pushing his sexuality on the American masses by simply posing for a picture.

It’s well known that Harris is gay and has two adorable children with his long-time partner.

But the ad is not related to his sexuality in any way—no more than an advertisement for The Apprentice is related to hair-care products.

Celebrating who we are as a community and as individuals is important. But knowing how to celebrate is a different challenge.

Jodie Foster is a good example. The long-time Hollywood icon �inally came out—in her own way—when she accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes Jan. 13. She has never used her sexuality to de�ine her and even while embracing it publicly, she focused on her career and her family.

We all come out in our own way—whether it be from behind a podium in front of a crowded room of peers or on national television following a victory in athletics.

But if we every truly want to be viewed as equal, we have to focus on who, rather than what, we are as individuals, all while remaining proud of all aspects of our lives. |  |

Celebrating who we are is important, but knowing how to celebrate is a different challenge.

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ERIK CABAN

is the administrative assistant for Watermark and also a freelance contributor. He specializes in arts and entertainment interviews. Pages 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 25

ZACH CARUSO

is a musician and journalist from New Jersey who now lives in St. Petersburg. He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MA in writing. Page 35

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

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orlando NEWS 8

Sounds of Freedom members to perform at Obama Inauguration Staff report

S

even members of the Central Florida Sounds of Freedom (CFSF), a marching band made up of LGBTs and allies, will perform at the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C. Five color guard members and two who play instruments will march as part of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA), a musical organization comprising marching and concert bands from across the United States and around the world.

Members include Juan Canasi, Bruce Freeman, Mike McKee, Amy Jancer, Joe Caswell, Brian Morrow and Jermaine Malone.

The LGBA was selected from more than 2,800 bands to perform and is the only lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender group in history to be invited to march in a Presidential Inaugural Parade. Their �irst appearance in the Parade was in 2009, at the beginning of Obama’s �irst term.

“For the 25-minute, 1.6-mile parade, the LGBA band will perform a total of four pieces, each of which speaks to a different aspect of Americans’ hope and pride during this historic inauguration.

Music selections will include Tonight from West Side Story, “Give Me Everything (Tonight)” popularized by Latino American rapper Pitbull, “Battle Hymn of the Republic/Simple Gifts” and “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga,” said LGBA Artistic Director Marita Begley in a media release.

The 215-piece LGBA band will be made up of members of bands, orchestras, and cheer squads from 27 states. The LGBA was founded in 1982.

The band members will have some impressive musical company. Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, Katy Perry, Brad Paisley, Smokey Robinson and Marc Anthony are all scheduled to perform at either the inauguration ceremony or at the Inauguration Ball following the president’s swearing in ceremony.

While the large celebration for Obama’s second inauguration is Monday, Jan. 21, the president will be legally sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 20.

Obama, the seventh president or president-elect to have Inauguration Day fall on a Sunday, is following the path of predecessors who held a private oath-taking on the constitutionally prescribed Jan. 20 date, followed by a public swearing-in and parade on Monday.

The of�icial inauguration takes place just before noon Sunday in the Blue Room, one of the smaller rooms off the main foyer of the White House residence.

The guests will be members of Obama’s immediate family plus a prominent government of�icial — Chief Justice John Roberts, who will administer the oath to President Obama. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

TREATMENT TEAM: Registered domestic partners Alan Meeks (left) and Rob Domenico at ORMC: “We were recognized and treated like the committed couple that we are.”

Orlando celebrates anniversary of “model” DPR First year included dramatic passage of county ordinance Tom Dyer

TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | For many, the New Year is a time to re�lect and refocus. But for Rob Domenico, it offered an unexpected wake up call.

Two weeks ago the 37-year-old �itness buff thought he was having a heart attack and was admitted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. His partner of 10 years, Alan Meeks, rushed home from a business trip in Japan and set up camp in Domenico’s hospital room. The hospital staff brought him meals, provided him with a cot to sleep on, and allowed him to hold Domenico in bed as they processed troubling test results.

At ORMC, those accommodations are now standard procedure for registered domestic partners like Domenico and Meeks. The couple was among the �irst in Orlando to attain that legal status one year ago this

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

week—on Jan. 12, 2012.

The signi�icance was not lost on Domenico, who is now back home and wearing an external de�ibrillator. While still in the hospital, he posted the following message on Facebook: Thanks to the protection provided to us by Orlando’s Domestic Partnership Registry, and the compassion of the staff at ORMC, my beautiful partner is fast asleep beside my hospital bed. Without the efforts of all— including me and Alan—who fought for its approval, he could’ve been denied this privilege.

A DIFFERENT FEELING

Under Orlando’s DPR ordinance, registered partners have hospital and jail visitation rights, the authority to make necessary medical decisions and funeral arrangements, and the right to receive emergency ‘family’ noti�ication.

But the impact is more than legal.

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“This is an historic event for Orlando, and it is a monumentally important event for the LGBT community,” attorney Mary Meeks said on the day Orlando’s DPR was enacted. “It will be the �irst time in our lives that our families are recognized by our government.”

Alan Meeks—unrelated to Mary Meeks—said he and Domenico lived the difference.

“Being recognized as domestic partners at the hospital just felt different,” he said. “We were recognized and treated like the committed couple that we are. I think people can understand and relate to that better than a piece of paper.”

Remarkably, Orlando’s groundbreaking ordinance served as the model for seven Florida municipalities that created DPR’s in 2012: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Gulfport, and Orange and Volusia Counties.

Pinellas County approved its DPR ordinance Jan. 15, and Hillsborough and Sarasota Counties are expected to follow, bringing the total population with access to a DPR since last year to Continued on page 10 |  |

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orlando

more than four million.

But the ease with which DPR’s have swept through Central Florida and Tampa Bay belies an uphill battle that began more than a decade ago, when a committed group of Orlando activists decided to seek real protection against discrimination. The battle reached a peak last summer, when stubborn activists forced the hand of the powerful, process-driven new Mayor of Orange County.

NEWS

CITY STEPS

10

Back in 2000, it was a considered a coup when Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood agreed to speak at a meeting of the Metropolitan Business Association. The reception was warm… until Hood said she was unaware of any discrimination against gays and lesbians within the city.

“That lit a �ire under me,” said Michael Slaymaker, who’d recently lost his job at the American Cancer Society because he is gay. “And I realized that the only way we were going to educate people and get something done was to coordinate a strategy. “ So he joined with others to form the Orlando Anti Discrimination Ordinance (OADO) committee, a diverse and �luid group of resultsoriented activists that included gays and straights, men and women, Democrats and Republicans. They began by identifying ways to effect real change. The trifecta, in both city and county governments, included human rights protections against discrimination, domestic partner bene�its for government employees and a domestic partner registry.

“I did not anticipate getting all of these things done,” said Slaymaker. “Especially by 2012.”

Their �irst test came in 2002, when Mayor Hood presided over the city council’s consideration of an amendment to the city’s human rights ordinance that would protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. Council chambers were packed, and OADO members watched as opponents described claimed that the amendment would lead to the extinction of the human race.

The amendment passed 4-3, with the compelling support of openly gay city commissioner Patty Sheehan, and without Hood. Slaymaker says this was predicted.

“The success of OADO has been our diversity. We can approach politicians from different vantage points and with sensitivity to political realities,” he said. “And we don’t ask for a vote on anything until we know we’re going to win.”

Prompted by OADO and aided by Sheehan, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer enacted domestic partner bene�its in 2008. Slaymaker says he requested meetings about a domestic partner registry, but that the idea didn’t gain traction with Dyer until 2011. It passed, with Dyer’s enthusiastic support and the unanimous approval of the city council— including Sheehan, now in her third term—in December of that

City Hall, there was almost no vocal opposition.

According to OADO member Mary Meeks—and the Sentinel—Jacobs promised to take up domestic partner matters after she took of�ice.

And with Jacobs’ support, the county approved domestic partner bene�its for county employees in April 2011.

“Seeing the mayor step up and make this a priority for her �irst few months in of�ice is refreshing and exciting,” said Equality Florida’s Joe Saunders.

But when progress stalled on a countywide domestic partner registry, Meeks convinced OADO to shift focus back to the city.

Meeks approached Dyer’s Chief of Staff, Frank Billingsley, who presented the idea of a citywide DPR to the mayor along with his concerns about potential political fallout.

According to Billingsley, Dyer stopped him cold.

gay activist John Stemberger was also present to speak against a registry and suggest an alternative “Reciprocal Bene�iciary Contract” that does not acknowledge partnership status.

“To this day I have no idea how he knew we would be there,” said Meeks.

OADO again focused on the city. With input from Dyer and Billingsley, Meeks spent “hundreds of hours” with chief assistant city attorney Amy Iennaco drafting a comprehensive model policy that would withstand legal challenge. And hopeful that a city/county DPR could be saved, she began brie�ing Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie, who would be integrally involved in implementation.

By late October, the city’s proposed DPR ordinance was ready.

“We believe the most

It will be the first time in our lives that our families are recognized by our government.

—OADO ACTIVIST MARY MEEKS

year. A month later, opening day of the registry was a celebration at City Hall with Dyer of�iciating.

But progress was slower, and murkier, inside the Orange County Government Administration Building just a few blocks away.

COUNTY FAIRNESS

Ironically, consideration of a local DPR actually began with the county. In March of 2010, OADO met with County Mayor Rich Crotty to discuss all three unrealized components of the trifecta: human rights, domestic partner bene�its, and a domestic partner registry. Crotty stalled, using the potential impact on the upcoming election to succeed him as cover.

So OADO enlisted the support of the frontrunner, former commissioner Teresa Jacobs. Jacobs encouraged Crotty to proceed before the November election and county commissioners then voted to expand HRO protections by a 6-1 vote. Unlike 2002 at Orlando

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

“He held up his hand and said, ‘I don’t even need to hear the negatives… let’s do it,’” Billingsley recalled.

As a �irst step, Dyer wrote Jacobs.

“We anticipate moving forward this summer and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with you.”

In a cordial response dated June 14, Jacobs responded that the county was too busy.

“Due to the numerous issues we are currently addressing in Orange County, our evaluation of the domestic partner [registry] will be considered at a future point in time.”

According to Meeks, OADA was now concerned that the ‘future point in time’ could be never. When calls to Jacobs’ staff went unanswered, Meeks and other OADA members used the public comments segment of the June 21 county commission meeting to ask Jacobs to work with the city on a DPR. To their surprise, anti-

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effective way to provide a domestic partnership registry is to partner with Orange County,” Billingsley wrote in a cover letter to Jacobs’ Chief of Staff, Graciela Jacoby. “This partnership would provide protections to thousands of families and demonstrate our shared commitment to building a region that is competitive and innovative when it comes to attracting jobs.

With no commitment from the county, Dyer placed the DPR on the city’s December agenda. Sheehan lobbied fellow commissioners personally. It passed without dissent.

LOCKING HORNS

Meanwhile, communications with the county languished and the OADO grew concerned that Jacobs, in�luenced

by Stemberger and other conservative Republicans, would propose a registry that disavowed domestic partnerships.

So OADO scheduled a Jan. 9,

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2012 Town Hall meeting at The Center that received widespread publicity. A pre-emptive press conference called by Jacobs only fueled OADO’s concerns. And at a county commission meeting the following day, Jacobs reportedly bristled when Mary Meeks entered the room.

The battle for a countywide DPR had become personal.

According to several OADO members, Jacobs and her staff began requesting that Meeks be excluded from meetings about the DPR. “These were two powerful women locking horns,” observed Slaymaker.

But support for the county to embrace Orlando’s registry— and frustration with Jacobs’ tortured process— grew. Florida Hospital and Orlando Health announced they would honor the city’s registry throughout the region.

The Sentinel reported that a majority of commissioners favored the registry, and in�luential columnist Scott Maxwell called for passage.

Comptroller Haynie endorsed the registry publicly, as did the mayors of several municipalities within the county.

Jacobs ultimately set a bifurcated proposal for hearing on May 22. The DPR would draft off of Orlando’s registry, and a HELP (Health, Education and Life Protections) provision similar to the one proposed

by Stemberger would allow people to name anyone— sibling, neighbor, co-worker—as surrogate. According to Meeks, the �inal proposal contained watered-down provisions that, among other things, denied all registrants the “domestic partner” designation. But Jacobs and her staff ultimately agreed to modi�ications requested by OADO, and the ordinance passed with a 6-1 majority, including Jacobs.

Perhaps Jacobs was ultimately pleased with the result, and disagreements were more about process than results. But she did not attend the opening of the registry on July 6. Haynie conducted the press conference. To date, more than 900 couples have registered as domestic partners in the city and county.

“I’m amazed and excited at how far the equality needle has moved,” said Slaymaker. |  |

©2013 World of Wonder

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tampa bay NEWS

Pinellas passes countywide domestic partner ordinance Staff Report

C

LEARWATER | In a 6-1 vote, the Pinellas County Commission approved a countywide domestic partnership ordinance on Jan. 15. The ordinance is the �irst of its kind on the west coast of Florida that incorporates an entire county. Residents can begin registering in approximately three months.

Commissioner Norm Roche was the only dissenting vote.

Couples who have registered in the cities of Clearwater, Gulfport and St. Petersburg will pay a reduced fee to be included in the new ordinance and will need to register with the county. County residents who have not yet registered within a city can expect to pay a $50 fee to join the registry.

The ordinance allows unmarried couples—both gay and straight—access to a handful of rights, such as hospital visitation, funeral planning and access to each other in jail. Last year, Gulfport, St. Petersburg and Clearwater all enacted their own domestic partnership registries and Largo has been in talks to create its own.

The new countywide registry will prevent the need for every city within the county to adopt its own ordinance.

Newly elected commissioner Charlie Justice was happy to support the registry, but added that protecting the citizens of Florida should be a priority of the state government.

“Would I prefer that the Florida legislature take the lead and do this?” Justice asked in the chambers. “Yeah.

But this vote will build a certain amount of momentum to where the legislature will say, ‘You know what, maybe it is time.’”

Roche’s “Nay” vote surprised some in the audience, since the commissioner had expressed lukewarm support for the ordinance in previous meetings at at workshops.

In December, Roche’s main concern seemed to be the �inancial impact of the countywide ordinance on couples who have already registered in one of the three Pinellas County cities offering similar registries.

“I don’t want to see folks who have paid $25 to register with the city pay another $50 to register with the county,” he told the board in December.

It was unclear why he voted against the ordinance on Jan. 15.

The new ordinance will not protect couples who are in counties that do not recognize domestic partnerships, but it will cover all of Pinellas County.

A statewide registry, which has been proposed in Tallahassee, is needed in order to protect partners across the Sunshine State. |  | For the latest DPR updates, visit watermarkonline.com.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

A NEW CHAPTER: ProSuzy founder Suzanne Noe, right, celebrated her semi-retirement on Jan. 12 with her partner, Cathy Everingham, and nearly 400 lesbian friends and supporters. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Taking a step back ProSuzy founder Suzanne Noe starts 2013 with retirement Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

T. PETERSBURG | A dozen years ago, Suzanne Noe wanted to �ind a way for lesbians to meet outside of the typical, smoky bar atmosphere.

With a handful of contacts—39 to be exact—Noe began an e-newsletter as a way to spread the word about upcoming events and activities of particular interest to the lesbian community and ProSuzy was born.

“I never thought of having a business,” said Noe, retired from ProSuzy this month. “I never thought of it getting as big and as inclusive as it has. I was just trying to meet people, other women, to have activities.”

Today, ProSuzy reaches more than 7,000 women—some from as far away as Canada and California, and is a staple at community

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

events and Pride celebrations. And it’s still the best way for women to connect. Last fall, Noe announced her retirement, and the lesbian community immediately had one collective question: “What will

run and subscribers will continue to receive e-mails promoting upcoming events and content on the site. Noe just won’t be as involved.

“Our webmaster, Amy Oatley, is taking over the site and sending out the blasts and updating them,” Noe explained. “They’ve already evolved. Subscribers will notice they’re more colorful and more user-friendly.”

So the operations of ProSuzy will continue. What people will notice, however, is that Noe herself may not be at as many events and won’t have a hands-on approach when it comes to planning them. She said she is currently looking for someone to ful�ill that role who can also take on the social aspects of ProSuzy events.

“I’m looking for people who want to attend the events and get to know people,” Noe said. “I’ve been to events before where no one has come up to me and said hello. So I have always thought

“It’s always been about people meeting people and finding friends, and that makes me smile.”

—SUZANNE NOE happen to ProSuzy.com?”

“Women have approached me because they’re concerned they won’t have things to do,” Noe said.

“I want them to continue having events and I’d like to put them out there. But I’d like for other people, especially the younger girls, to come up with ideas and do things monthly.”

ProSuzy.com will continue to

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Continued on page 14 |  |

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tampa bay NEWS

Home to be relocated, made into LGBT Welcome Center Staff Report

S

T. PETERSBURG | Metro Wellness and Community Centers has some landscape-changing plans for 2013—literally.

In its 20th year, the organization will open a mixed-use space next to its Thrift & Gift retail center at 2235 Central Avenue. Soon, the vacant lot will be the new home of a bungalow-style house located a block away.

Through a donation by GSC of St. Pete, LLC, the house was granted to Metro.

“By moving the house, not only are we able to build on our partnership within the Grand Central District and the local community, but we’re able to save this beautiful historic bungalow which exempli�ies so much of this district and neighboring Historic Kenwood,” said Lorraine Langlois, CEO of Metro Wellness & Community Centers.

According to local realtor

Brian Longstreth, who is also a board member of the Grand Central District Association, the move has been in the works for years.

“It’s always exciting when something we’ve been talking about for several years comes to fruition,” said Longstreth.

“Everything seemed to fall into place: a historic home about to be torn down, the desire for Grand Central to have a �irst �loor of�ice on Central Avenue, the need for a LGBT welcome center in the area. The fact that it all happens in a saved 1920s bungalow makes it even more special.”

Longstreth, along with his brother Jim, an agent at Your Neighborhood Realty, have helped facilitate this project with Metro and the GCDA. This idea has been in the back of Langlois’ mind for years as well. Langlois, who helped start Metropolitan Charities 20 years ago, has always seen the need for a bigger presence on Central Avenue

@ t ou lo Rep Aso

mier e r P ta’s ts o s a r Sa T Even LGB

and the importance of a vibrant welcoming space for LGBT visitors to the Tampa Bay area.

“We are so excited to partner with our friends in the Grand Central District to make this happen,” said Langlois. “The space will serve as a welcoming hub for visitors and residents alike, providing resources for the LGBT and allied communities.”

Metro hopes to have the house moved and in place by mid- to late-February, with plans to open the Welcome Center in the Grand Central District to the public as early as March. The building will serve as a visitor’s welcome center, community resource center and will provide of�ice space for the Grand Central District as well as additional programming and event space.

“There’s so much potential in this gorgeous bungalow,” said Langlois. “I can’t wait to see it grow into the vibrancy that already exists along Central Avenue.” |  |

|  | ProSuzy from pg.12 that if you’re at an event and had someone to greet you and introduce you to others, it makes everything easier to get into the community set up.”

THE ‘PRO’ IN PROSUZY

When Noe arrived in Florida in the 1990s, she looked at getting a job as a teacher. After all, she was a certi�ied teacher in Virginia, Michigan, New York City and Kansas. However, Florida’s system wanted to put all new teachers on twoyears of probation to start out and also required a mountain of tests.

So Noe decided to change careers and became a professional handywoman “I was very handy and living with my parents, who knew a lot of folks who needed work done around their homes,” Noe said. “I made business cards that said “Professional Handywoman” on them. My dad was the only one who ever called me Suzy, so I used “ProSuzy” as my business

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connections for the handiwork I was doing.”

Noe never changed that approach when she looked for ways to meet more women in the area and the name “ProSuzy” stuck in her new venture. Today the name is copyrighted.

“It just seemed to work,” Noe said. “And when I started this, people were still a little worried about having the term ‘lesbian’ out there. Instead of lesbian events, we had ‘women’s events.’ And soon, ProSuzy became a code word.”

Twelve years later, ProSuzy’s logo and name are on events as a sponsor, on welcome signs at local establishments and posted on websites. It has cultivated the lesbian community in Tampa Bay, which is an accomplishment Noe doesn’t take lightly.

“I feel like a lot of people know a lot of other people because of what I’ve done,” Noe said. “It’s always been about people meeting people and �inding friends. And that makes me smile.”|  |

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state NEWS

Out candidate eyes Jacksonville City Council

Domestic partner bill filed in Florida Senate

Jamie Hyman & Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Staff report

D

omestic partner registries may be going statewide.

Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, has �iled a bill that would allow Florida residents to enter into domestic partnerships. “Senate Bill 196: Families First” would allow any two people over the age of 18 to enter into a domestic partnership, which would give that couple some of the rights granted to married couples.

The legislation states: “The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, and believes that all families should be provided with the opportunity to obtain necessary legal protections and status and the ability to achieve their fullest potential.”

The bill’s language speci�ically states that it is not an attempt to bypass Florida’s constitutional amendment that de�ines marriage as between one man and one woman, and “the Legislature does not seek to alter the de�inition of marriage in any way.”

As of press time, the legislation outlines eligibility for domestic partnership, fee requirements and procedures for how the partnerships would be �iled, but does not state speci�ically what rights are granted couples who would register as domestic partners. |  |

J

ACKSONVILLE, FLA. | An openly gay candidate has announced his bid for Jacksonville City Council, District 7 seat. While the election isn’t until 2015, James Eddy said that his decision to run was in�luenced by the council’s failure to pass a human rights ordinance protecting the LGBT community in 2012.

“I have always had political aspirations,” Eddy said. “It’s in my blood. But to see that I live in a city that thinks as backwards as it does...”

Eddy added that he believes there are some great people operating the City of Jacksonville, but “to have hate of something they are not educated on or their religion controlling it in 2012 is hard to understand.”

The contentious debate over adding sexual orientation and

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to human rights issues.”

Eddy admits that 2015 is a long way off, and he hopes that attitudes change in Jacksonville’s government before then. But if they don’t, Eddy’s �irst goal is to reintroduce and pass a Human Rights Ordinance protecting the LGBT community.

“If we are lucky, by 2015 this may have already happened at the federal level,” he said. “My second goal is to open new ways to get business to Jacksonville.

We have all the rivers and the ocean to help with shipping, so this should be a city companies want to move to in order to grow their business.”

Eddy said he would also like to improve what the city already has, like its parks, and �ind a way to integrate the city’s homeless population into the city.

“Currently, all our City Council wants to do is shove them from our parks,” he said, “but not create an alternative.” |  |

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gender identity led to packed council chambers in 2012 and a surprise vote that fell short of the expectations of several LGBT activists and proponents. And Eddy was directly involved in promoting the ordinance.

Eddy is the president and co-founder of Rainbow House, Jacksonville’s GLBT Community Center and said he was “up front and center” during the debate.

“The bill would have given protection to LGBTs for housing and job protection,” Eddy said. “I have been out of the closet for 20 years. Just because I am running for a political of�ice will not change that.”

Equality is just part of Eddy’s political platform heading into 2013. He also wants to focus on small government and small business.

“I believe in a government that remembers that it is the people’s money it’s spending,” he said. “I think all government needs to cut spending. And my basic platform is equality for all when it comes

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Wire Report

and an abomination. He warned congregants about what he called the ``aggressive agenda’’ for acceptance of the ``homosexual lifestyle.’’ And he recommended the writings of an advocate for therapy that aims to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexuals.

Obama faced a similar uproar in 2009, when he chose prominent pastor Rick Warren to give the inaugural benediction as an olive branch to evangelicals, who overwhelmingly vote Republican. Warren had compared gay relationships to incest and pedophilia. |  |

Gay marriage protest converges on Eiffel Tower Wire Report PARIS, FRANCE | Holding aloft ancient �lags and young children, hundreds of thousands of people converged Jan. 13 on the Eiffel Tower to protest the French president’s plan to legalize same-sex marriage and thus allow gay couples to adopt and conceive children.

The opposition to President Francois Hollande’s plan has underscored divisions among the secular-but-Catholic French, especially more traditional rural areas versus urban enclaves. But

while polls show the majority of French still support marriage equality, that backing gets more lukewarm when children come into play. About 52% of French currently favor legalizing gay marriage, down from a high of 65% in August.

The protest march started at three points across Paris, �illing boulevards throughout the city as demonstrators walked three miles to the grounds of France’s most recognizable monument.

Paris police estimated the crowd at 340,000, making it one of the largest demonstrations in Paris since an education protest in 1984.

French civil unions, allowed since

1999, are at least as popular among heterosexuals as among gay and lesbian couples. But that law has no provisions for adoption or assisted reproduction, which are at the heart of the latest debate.

Support for gay marriage—and especially adoption by same-sex couples—has been particularly tenuous outside Paris.

If the French parliament approves the plan, France would become the 12th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and the biggest so far in terms of economic and diplomatic in�luence. |  |

San Francisco considers renaming airport for Harvey Milk Wire Report SAN FRANCISCO | A San Francisco lawmaker plans to introduce legislation asking voters to rename the city’s airport after slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk.

A charter amendment sponsored

by Supervisor David Campos would put the question of creating Harvey Milk-San Francisco International Airport on San Francisco’s November ballot.

If �ive of Campos’ colleagues agree to submit the proposed name change to voters and the amendment goes through in the fall, the city would become home to the world’s �irst airport honoring

an openly gay person, said Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk.

Milk, who runs an international gay rights foundation in his uncle’s memory, said that adding an airport to the list of public venues named for Harvey Milk would mark a milestone since �lights to and from San Francisco International serve 68 countries where homosexuality is illegal.

“For young gay people in an illegal place looking up at a monitor and being able to point to this international airport named after an LGBT advocate, it gives them the green light to authenticity,” Milk said. “It’s a major representation that (they) are being celebrated somewhere in the world in a high-

level way.”

About 41 million passengers pass through San Francisco International every year, “and the idea that millions of people can learn about Harvey Milk and what he represented is very moving,” Campos said.

“That no airport in this country has been named for an openly LGBT person is something I hope would be remedied, and what a better place than San Francisco for something like that to happen than SF and what better person than Harvey Milk,” he said.

Campos said the San Francisco Board of Supervisors could vote on the amendment in as little as two weeks. |  |

NATIONAL CATHEDRAL TO HOST SAME-SEX WEDDINGS Officials from the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., announced Jan. 9 that the church will be among the first Episcopal congregations to implement a new rite of marriage for LGBT members. The 106-year-old cathedral has long been a spiritual center, hosting presidential inaugural services and funerals for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his last sermon there in 1968.

OREGON, CALIFORNIA REQUIRE TRANSGENDER HEALTH COVERAGE Regulators in Oregon and California have quietly directed some health insurance companies to stop denying coverage for transgender patients because of their gender identity. The new regulations require private insurance companies to pay for a transgender person’s hormone therapy, breast reduction, cancer screening or any other procedure deemed medically necessary if they cover it for patients who aren’t transgender.

ILLINOIS COMPANIES SIGN LETTER ADVOCATING GAY MARRIAGE In a letter to Illinois lawmakers, a group of high-profile business leaders say legalizing gay marriage will help create a more competitive and thriving business climate. The group, which includes heads of Navistar International, Johnson Publishing and Morningstar Inc., along with the heads of restaurants and hotels, publicly released a letter Jan. 13 that says allowing same-sex couples to marry would generate between $39 million and $72 million in revenues for Illinois businesses.

nation+world

W

ASHINGTON, D.C. | The evangelical pastor chosen to give the benediction at President Barack Obama’s inauguration withdrew from the Jan. 21 ceremony after remarks he made two decades ago condemning the gay rights movement surfaced.

The Rev. Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta said in a Jan. 10 statement that he withdrew because it was likely that the “prayer I would offer will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.’’

Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said the committee had chosen Giglio because of his work to end human traf�icking.

“We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection and they don’t re�lect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural,’’ said Whisenant.

The website ThinkProgress posted audio of the sermon Jan. 9. In the talk, which the pastor said he gave 15 or 20 years ago, Giglio cited Scripture and called same-sex relationships sinful

IN OTHER NEWS

NEWS

Inaugural pastor withdraws over anti-gay remarks

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR 2 DAYS OF GAY MARRIAGE ARGUMENTS The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear two days of arguments over laws affecting marriage equality. Justices on Jan. 7 announced they will hear arguments in Hollingsworth v. Perry on March 26 and United States v. Windsor on March 27. The first case involves Prop 8, California’s constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex marriage. The second concerns DOMA, a federal law that denies gay couples who legally marry the right to obtain federal benefits available to heterosexual married couples.

CAMEROON JUDGE FREES 2 MEN JAILED FOR LOOKING GAY A Cameroonian court has overturned the conviction of two men who were sentenced for five years in prison for ``looking gay’’ under the country’s harsh anti-gay laws. The Court of Appeals in Douala acquitted the men and ordered their release on Jan. 7, after they had already spent more than a year in jail.

A different Cameroonian court recently upheld the five-yearsentence of a man convicted of sending a text message that said “I love you’’ to another man.

ATLANTA TO HOST NATIONAL LGBT CONFERENCE The National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce has announced that Atlanta will host the 25th National Conference on LGBT Equality. More than 3,000 LGBT rights advocates from across the nation are expected to meet at the Hilton in downtown Atlanta Jan. 23 through 27 for a set of over 15 networking sessions, symposiums, interfaith services and more. Organizers say the conference is being held just after the presidential inauguration to discuss strategies to build political power.

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F

Facebook is changing… again.

Jamie Hyman ONLINE MEDIA DIR. JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

ACEBOOK’S LAYOUT IS going to change again.

According to InsideFacebook.com, the social networking giant is testing a new format for user timelines… and it’s going to look pretty familiar. Rather than the split timeline, with posts on the right and left of center, Facebook is actually taking a step backward a few years. The new timeline will contain all wall/ timeline posts to a single column on the left, with activity modules taking up the real estate in a narrower column on the right.

Our Facebook pro�iles have this weird, magical property that users get used to quickly, probably because so many of us look at them so darn frequently. That means it’s hard to remember, sometimes, what Facebook used to look like, even a day or so after changes are made. But something about this new plan rang a bell for me—didn’t we used to have a singlecolumn wall layout, but the modules were on the left, rather than the right?

So I did some research—and remember what I always say about everything on the internet existing forever— and found some screenshots of previous layouts. Sure enough, in 2009 Facebook had a wall that was a single column on the right, with modules containing your friends list, apps and other personal information on

the left. We’ve all pretty much gone through the national nightmare of the disorganized timeline simply so the modules and posts could migrate across the screens and switch sides.

The new layout adds a navigation feature in the form of a narrow column on the far right depicting dates and years so users can navigate within their timeline, similar to how boilerplate Blogspot blogs have their archives structured. The pro�ile photo and cover photo layout are the same, but they’re adding navigation buttons below the cover photo which, again, remind me of Facebook in 2009. Back then, they weren’t buttons—they were tabs—but it’s the same basic function.

Users will be able to rearrange the modules on the left, a feature that has limited utility for any level of Facebook user.

I’m happy that Facebook is regressing a bit. When they rolled out Timeline, I really liked the cover photo aspect but quickly became frustrated with the split timeline. It was clunky and dif�icult to follow for users scrolling through old posts.

Additionally, during a scroll-down, the boxes would frequently switch sides, which was extremely irritating, especially if I was trying to say, compare two posts. Scanning back and forth is a cruddy challenge when the parts are constantly moving around.

Even though I’m pleased with the changes, I can’t help but wish Facebook would be a little more forthright with their users. Perhaps I’m making dumb assumptions but it seems pretty clear to me that someone high up over there fell in love with the idea of Timeline’s scrapbook-y feel without thinking through how the split screen and layout weirdness would play out for day-to-day users. And believe me, the Facebook powers-thatbe certainly heard about user dissatisfaction as it related to Timeline. It’s hard to read anything about Facebook without coming across a grumbling user frustrated with the user and navigational challenges Timeline presents. In this case, the step “backward” is the right choice, but it would be nice if every now and then, someone at Facebook would be like, “Yo. We hear you. That was kind of a messed up change and we’re going to make it right.”

In my personal and professional life, I’m constantly hearing people say they wish there was something better than Facebook. Hell, I’ve said

out loud that if I had a different job, I’d probably give it up. The quality and use I’ve gotten out of the site has been in decline for two years now and I’m uncomfortable with some of the decisions Facebook makes when it comes to allowing—or lately, not allowing—users to customize their level of privacy. I think Facebook executives would see a big bene�it if they’d even attempt to treat the Facebook/user relationship like a twoway street, rather than seeming to do everything possible to make Facebook feel like it’s in�licted upon users.

So when they make changes like this which are pretty clearly in response to user feedback, presenting

those changes like they are being brought down from above is at best frittering away a chance to better the company’s relationship with their users; at worst, it’s a slap in the face to users who are invested in making the site better but receive no acknowledgement for their input.

When is your Facebook page going to look different? No one is sure, just yet. The company began rolling out the new look in New Zealand early this month. As of press time, a full timeline (heh) had not been released, but Facebook has a tendency to roll out updates on Wednesdays. So, keep an eye on your page, especially midweek, and see if anything looks different. |  |

Facebook executives would see a big benefit if they’d even attempt to treat the Facebook/user relationship like a two-way street.

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TALKING POINTS

I already did my coming out about 1,000 years ago, back in the stone age, in those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family, and co-workers and gradually probably to everyone who knew her.

—JODIE FOSTER

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FANTASIA BARRINO

ABC FAMILY STAR COMES OUT

RAISES SOME EYEBROWS

A

MERICAN IDOL SEASON 3 WINNER FANTASIA BARRINO RUFFLED THE FEATHERS OF HER GAY FANS when she posted a rambling and seemingly derogatory comment about new marriage equality laws on her Instagram account.

“I Rise ABOVE IT ALL!!! THE WORLD IS GONE MAD…It’s a lot that going on that the Bible speaks about we should Not be doing. Weed legal in some places, Gay Marriage Legal BUT YET IM JUDGED!!!

Im not doing Nothing for you… My Life!!!!”

After hearing from her fans, Barrino’s people released a statement, saying the post was “taken out of context” and that she “is not now, nor has she ever been an opponent of the LGBT community.”

She did not, however, apologize for her blatant abuse of the explanation point or the Caps Lock. |  |

M

ATT DALLAS, THE FORMER STAR OF THE ABC FAMILY SERIES KYLE XY MADE A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT VIA TWITTER—isn’t that where all announcements are these days?—the �irst week of January by announcing that he is gay and engaged to musician Blue Hamilton. The two young men have apparently been dating since 2009 and the announcement comes just before Dallas returns to television on ABC Family’s Baby Daddy later this year.

Hamilton has written songs for Justin Bieber and is one of Atlanta’s hottest new producers, according to X-posed Magazine.

No details yet as to when or where the young handsome fellas will make tie the knot. |  |

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PENTAGON STILL RESTRICTS LGBT WEBSITES

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HILE “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” IS GATHERING DUST IN THE HISTORY BOOKS, THE U.S. MILITARY IS STILL ACTIVELY BANNING LGBT CONTENT from its internet servers. According to AMERICAblog, the Pentagon continues to block a range of LGBT-focused websites like

Towleroad and AMERICAblog.

The computer screens explain that the sites are restricted because they fall into one of several categories, including “Political/Activist” or “LGBT.” Interestingly, according to Zeke Stokes, communications director for OutServe-SLDN, there is no restriction to the web pages of

ON JODIE FOSTER’S GOLDEN GLOBES SPEECH:

feel better about themselves, then they are the one with the problem, NOT Jodie Foster!”

Because same sex marriage is still illegal in many states, many LGBTs find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to aging.

Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly.

We want someone to try WatermarkOnline.com from within the building and get back to us ASAP. |  |

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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BIG HAIR, BIG MAKEUP:

Orlando’s Roxxxy Andrews is a former Miss Continental Plus.

ARTS &

PHOTO BY MATHU ANDERSEN

ENTERTAINMENT

READY TO

RACE Central Florida reigns on Season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race

S

Erik R. Caban ERIK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O FAR, IN EVERY SEASON OF THE POPULAR

LOGO series RuPaul’s Drag Race, Florida has produced a contestant to compete for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” In Season 5, which launches Monday, Jan. 28, herstory will be made as not one but �ive of this season’s competitors hail from Central Florida.

Former Watermark cover girl, Coco Montrese once performed at Walt Disney World while juggling a full time gig at St. Petersburg’s Flamingo Resort.

Shortly after being crowned Miss Gay America in 2010, Montrese jet-setted off to Las Vegas to join the cast of Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas.

Bubbly and funny with a bite, Jade Jolie calls Gainesville home while Serena Cha Cha from Tallahassee is the drag baby of the group, fresh out of art school and brimming with enthusiasm.

Detox, originally from St. Petersburg,

now performs in Los Angeles.

And named after the �irst nightclub she ever went to, Roxxxy Andrews is a pageant girl through and through.

A former Miss Continental Plus, Andrews 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 Nightclub in Orlando with a special appearance upcoming at Revolution Nightclub Jan. 17.

Continued on page 26 |  |

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

watermarkonline.com

John Magaro of Not Fade Away.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Midwinter Mobsters Gangster Squad

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Starring Josh Brolin, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Robert Patrick, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña, Anthony Mackie

E

XPENSIVE, STYLIZED, AND SHOCKINGLY

unsurprising, Ganger Squad recounts the famous 1949 war between rogue LA cops (Brolin, Gosling, Patrick, Ribisi) and �ledgling mobster Mickey Cohen (Penn). There’s exactly one damsel in distress (Stone), a few stereotypes (Peña, Mackie), and a slew of deftly realized mob movie clichés, but that’s about it.

I guess that isn’t totally unexpected. The hollow cinematic space between holiday Oscar contenders and summer blockbusters is given to �ilms that don’t usually perform very well.

We critics are inundated with brainless comedies and gimmick-riddled horror �licks. Every so often an indie (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 2002) or foreign �ilm (Let the Right One In, 2008) can get noticed, but it’s rare.

Gangster Squad was originally slated

Not Fade Away

Stand Up Guys

Starring John Magaro, Bella Heathcote, James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara

Starring Al Pachino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin

H

STEREOTYPES AND CLICHÉS: Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling of Gangster Squad.

to be a summer 2012 blockbuster, released a couple weeks after The Dark Knight Rises. The shootings in Aurora, Colo., necessitated the move to this �ilmic dead zone, because Gangster Squad is a very violent �ilm.

Still, I doubt it would’ve performed much better in summer. Fantastic actors were drawn to the noir style. Director Reuben Fleischer (Zombieland) gives many nods to ‘40s gangster �licks without being hemmed in by that style. However, what couldn’t be added—because it’s just never there in the script— is any sense of depth or shocking twists.

In fact, it’s so average that I’ve spent half of this review talking about other Hollywood stuff. |  |

Al Pachino in Stand Up Guys.

G

AVE YOU EVER HEARD ONE ERIATRIC MOBSTER HUMOR: OF THOSE WELL-MEANING DID WE REALLY NEED THIS? I love the past works MUSIC MEDLEYS where the skill is there, but the combination of of these actors, but this fartunes is just confusing? Welcome to the fetched crud is not worth their movie version.

Shakespearean gravitas.

Writer David Chase—the creator Pachino, Walken and Arkin were of TV mobsters The Sopranos— mob buddies in the 70s and 80s. apparently has another dozen stories When a job went wrong, Pachino to tell about New Jersey. In his accidentally killed the mob boss’s directorial debut, he offers a slightly son. He takes the rap, getting 28 �ictionalized account of how music years in prison. This isn’t enough for saved his life in the 1960s. the boss. The vindictive prick Meanwhile everything else hires Walken to sit around happened, also.

RATINGS GUIDE and wait for Pachino’s Standing in for Chase is release. On Pachino’s �irst Magaro, whose character we free day in decades, he is don’t really get to know well, going to be killed by his only See it now! Buy despite the �ilm covering �ive friend. the DVD! Quote years. He was the drummer They’re all pushing lines at parties! and then lead singer in a band.

70. Also, none of them Clouding up his main story is are interesting, likable Definitely worth an unhappy dad (Gandol�ini), or watchable. the price of a hard-ass in a strained Instead, they joke with admission marriage. The musician’s each other as they rob girlfriend (Heathcote) is a pharmacies for Viagra and It’s useful as a feminist with a sister suffering Cialis…hilarious. They also distraction from either drug problems or visit campy prostitutes, bust mental illness—we’re never their friend out of a nursing quite sure. The other band home, try to pick up collegeMaybe if someone else pays and you members also have issues. age women, and dig a big need a nap The musician’s younger sister hole in a graveyard (which I is apparently writing a �ivewas hoping they’d all fall into year-long school essay about and die).

Slightly worse the whole shebang.

I shouldn’t forget to than eternal The Beatles and Rolling mention the tired 70s damnation Stones changed people’s lives; �ilming, the old fart gags, the we know that cliché. dick jokes, the unbelievable violence, Still, the sets and costuming make for and the light jabs at each other some nifty nostalgia, and the tunes are as Walken works up the nerve to fun. Too bad the rest is so frustrating, kill Pachino. fragmented and lacking drive.

This crass farce is delivered like Not Fade Away would’ve been much its pure mob poetry. It’s crap. We all improved if Chase had chosen one know how this is going to end. Still, story, one song, and one or two main I was kind of hoping Walken would characters instead of all those years, his just shoot Pachino immediately, let whole record collection, and the entire the credits roll, and put us all out of neighborhood. |  | our miseries. |  |

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

25

PHOTOS BY MATHU ANDERSEN

FUNNY GIRL: Gainesville’s Jade Jolie is the “bubbly and funny” member of the Season 5 cast.

|  | RuPaul’s Drag Race

Season 5 from pg.23

These “girls” follow the traditions of Fort Lauderdale’s Rebecca Glasscock from Season 1 and Latrice Royale from Season 4, Tampa Bay’s Alexis Mateo from Season 3 and Alisa Summers from Season 4, and Orlando’s Tyra Sanchez from Season 2.

RuPaul, alongside returning judges Michelle Visage and Santino Rice—and an array of guest judges including Joan Van Ark, Chaz Bono, The Pointer Sisters and Downtown Julie Brown—will again decide who will stay or “Sashay away,” among 14 female impersonators looking to capture the �ifth season title.

“I have never seen anything like what’s going to happen this season,” says Andrews, who can’t reveal too many speci�ics. “It’s really going to be amazing!”

Since the announcement of this year’s contestants, Andrews says her life began changing. From countless Tweets, Facebook posts and Instagrams, she says it’s been nothing but love. She said local fans that have seen them perform and grow are elated to see Detox, CoCo, Serena, and herself—all from the Orlando area—on the same season.

“Everyone just wants to be a part of [the journey],” she says.

LOGO is tight-lipped about any details for this season and interviews with the contestants have been kept to a minimum.

26

SHOWGIRL: CoCo Montrese, formerly of Tampa Bay, is now a performer in Las Vegas.

DRAG BABY: Serena ChaCha of Tallahassee is one of the youngest contestants in Season 5.

NO NEED FOR REHAB: Detox, originally from St. Petersburg, now performs in L.A.

Florida queens know how to werk.

—ALEXIS MATEO ON THE STATE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA DRAG.

WHAT IT TAKES

Andrews and the other contestants of Season 5 begin a life-changing experience once the show debuts. Mateo is excited that the same national television exposure is about to be unleashed on the queens, including best friend, Montrese. She gave us her take on why so many Florida drag queens make it onto the show.

“The Florida queens know how to werk a camera,” she says. “[I think] Florida queens have always placed on the show because of the pageant background this state offers. The girls here are used to competing and have to manage under pressure all while staying polished.”

Bob Taylor, owner of All-Star Management and manager to Season 4’s Alisa Summers and Latrice Royale, says that Central Florida is known as the breeding ground for drag.

“Many legends have come right out of this area,” he says.

Alisa Summers says there is a lot of �ierce talent and beauty this season.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

“Florida queens put beauty �irst and foremost and then we can get creative with it,” says Summers.

“Every queen from Florida that has been on the show has been gorgeous—many different types of beauty—which works out for [RuPaul’s Drag Race] because then you don’t see the same personalities or styles over and over.”

Andrews agrees that Central Florida is a huge factor in the drag community.

“I feel our level of drag is something other queens aspire to,” she says. “Some of our newcomer queens are other big queens in other cities and get to learn from the best.

Look at Tyra Sanchez—she followed me and learned from me—and she went on to win the whole second season.”

Kismet must’ve been at work.

According to Andrews, she auditioned for the second season as well but never received a call-back.

Persistent and a �ierce competitor, Andrews said she just threw herself out there again this season and nailed it.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

“Roxxxy mixes the old-school with the new-school and is going to bring the “BAM” to the show,” Mateo says of her friend.

You’d think with so many performers from the same area and all being friends, the competition would be that much harder.

“A competition’s always going to be tough,” Andrews says. “However, we all offer such different styles; I’m a pageant queen, so I always try to be poised and perfect while others are funny or campy.”

LIFE AFTER LOGO

Although she didn’t make far in her season, Summers says she has always been a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and still watches her season when it repeats on Logo.

“I still �ind it a bit awkward to watch myself on TV,” she laughs.

Besides performing on the “Drag Stars at Sea” cruise in December, Summers says life has pretty much gone back to normal. She still lives in Tampa and can be seen Fridays at The Honey Pot in Ybor City for Steam Fridays, Saturdays at G-Bar

watermarkonline.com

and The Honey Pot, and Sunday nights at Barbarella’s in Ybor City for T-Dance. Thursday nights Summers is alongside fellow Drag Race alum Mateo at Hamburger Mary’s Tampa as they host “Mary’s Got Talent.”

Summers explains that leaving early in her season has been a blessing and a curse.

“On the up side, I still have a steady gig and I don’t have to worry about going food shopping and being recognized. My chances of that happening are lower than, say, Latrice,” she jests.

Alexis Mateo, on the other hand, says she has been busy traveling— performing both nationally and internationally. Most recently, Mateo was chosen as one of 12 former contestants to compete on Ru Paul’s Drag Race: All-Stars.

“It was a great experience for me to be part of RuPaul’s Drag Race and then being chosen as one of the 12 top performers from all four seasons to be an All-Star,” she says.

When not traveling the globe, Mateo still calls Tampa Bay home.

In addition to her co-starring gig at Hamburger Mary’s, she is part of the Saturday show along with Esme Russell, Jocelyn Summers and Amanda D’Rohd. Fridays she performs at The Flamingo Resort with Madisyn Michaels and cast. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: RuPaul’s Drag Race WHEN: Mondays at 9 p.m. on LOGO

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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QUICK PICKS Clearwater Billy Elliot: The Musical

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Joan Crawford’s T

House Party

ORLANDO

hilarious obsession with Joan Crawford continues into the new year when Doug Ba’asar plays the iconic title role in Joan Crawford’s House Party. It’s a role very familiar to the local actor and funnyman. He starred in the show during the Orlando Fringe Festival last summer.

T

TAMPA Wicked

HE WITCHES OF OZ ARE BACK WITH ANOTHER TOUR STOP OF WICKED at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa through Jan. 27.

The Broadway smash tells the story of Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West and their relationship before that annoying girl from Kansas landed in Munchkinland. The roles originated by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel have taken on lives of their own, and will be played by Christine Dwyer and

Jeanna de Waal, respectively.

The phenomenon is the winner of 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. It’s also a favorite among LGBTs, since the story discusses misperceptions and how a majority of people deal with things they don’t quite understand.

Wicked will follow up its Tampa run with a late February return to the Bob Carr Center in downtown Orlando.

For tickets, visit StrazCenter.org. |  |

and the Orlando Sentinel and supporting stars Catherine Goodison as daughter Christina, Ginger Minj as a confused Adele and Brittney Harland keep the momentum fresh and moving forward. This incarnation of the popular Fringe hit will show only two more times: Jan. 19

N

Also remember there’s some audience participation in this show, featuring male dancers that are sure to motivate some hot bodies to take the stage. So sit as close as you can!

For tickets, visit Wanzie.com. |  |

SARASOTA+ST. PETERSBURG Natalie Cole

INE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNING SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PERFORMER NATALIE COLE will make two stops in our area during her 2013 tour, promoting her newest album due out later this spring.

The diva ‘s long list of hits have inspired a generation of drag performers and made her a favorite among those dancing at LGBT clubs around the world.

The icon, who released her debut album in 1975,

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

will perform at the Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg on Sunday, Jan. 20, and at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota on Thursday, Jan. 24.

Cole further solidi�ied her LGBT icon status last season on RuPaul’s Drag Race, when she appeared as a guest judge on the LOGO network’s juggernaut.

For tickets to see Cole perform live, visit VanWezel. org or TheMahaffey.com |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

29

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Get the facts.

Get the facts. Visit ASAPservices.org to learn more about HIV testing in our community. For those 20 and under, visit our youth site at GTECCH.org.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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4 1

ShotonSite

Tampa Bay 1- WINE AND WOMEN: Women from around Tampa Bay gathered at A Taste for Wine in St. Petersburg for a mixer Jan. 10. PHOTO COURTESY PROSUZY.COM 2- ON FIRE: A fire dancer literally set the floor on fire at the Flamingo Resort Jan. 4.

PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM

2

5

3

3- RING IT IN: Stephanie Shippae was on hand to ring in the New Year at Georgie’s Alibi in St. Petersburg. PHOTO COURTESY TINKERFLUFF.COM 4- SUZY SEZ: Suzanne Noe, Amy Oates and Cathy Everingham thank supporters of ProSuzy. com during Noe’s retirement party at the Gulfport Casino Jan. 12. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 5- MOOLAH: Cindy Barnes shows the results of the 50-50 raffle at Suzanne Noe’s retirement party at The Gulfport Casino Jan. 12. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 6- HOT SQUARED: Vince Magyar, left, poses with dancer “Logan” during “Boxers, Boots and Bears” at the Ybor Social Jan. 12. PHOTO COURTESY BYRON SCHAERR 7- SISTERS: Performers Daphne Ferraro and Kathryn Nevets take a break after performing at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City Jan. 5. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 8- PAINTED ART: Prince Poppycock wows the crowd at Gbar Dec. 28. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST

6

7

8

OVERHEARD NO GANCHO...

THIS YEAR

T

HE ANNUAL GANCHO DANCE PARTY THAT HAS INVADED THE RITZ YBOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS will take 2013 off, according to organizers. Last year the dance party was held during Gasparilla Weekend and sparked controversy when it was viewed as direct competition to nearby clubs. Details on why the party is taking this year off are sparse, but a statement from organizers says that future Gancho parties won’t be held during Gasparilla and cites “scheduling issues and competing events.” Gancho remains a partner with other Florida events, including Miami’s

Winter Party Festival, Mark Baker’s Wonder World, Let’s Go Play One Magical Weekend and Pride & Passion, among others.

More information on Gancho’s partner events—and the future of Gancho itself, can be found on the GanchoTampa Facebook page.

ST. PETE: HIPPER THAN YOU THOUGHT

T

HINGS ARE CHANGING IN ST. PETERSBURG—at least according to the folks at the Toronto-based publication The Star. In a recent issue, the paper sent a reporter to St. Petersburg to explore, and what she found was “trendy cafes” and “speed walkers, dog walkers and

your regular-brand leisurely walkers on the prowl for a hit of caffeine.” The hustle and bustle of St. Petersburg impressed the writer, who found that the image of the coastal community being “God’s waiting room” is about three decades out of date.”What’s happening in St. Pete is hip, happening and cool. And it’s all thanks to museums,” the article reads, citing experiences at the Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Chihuly collection.

The exposure is good for the city’s tourism industry, and for the home of the state’s largest LGBT Pride celebration. Who knows, it could mean even more people invading St. Petersburg this summer.

BUCKHORN TALKS TO GLCC

T

LOOKING FOR SARASOTA’S TALENT

HE TAMPA BAY GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (formerly known as the Tampa Bay Business Guild) is starting 2013 on a high note. It hosted Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn at its Jan. 15 meeting at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore Hotel. Buckhorn, who has consistently voiced his support for diversity and the LGBT community, spoke about what lies ahead this year for Tampa’s growing business community.

This issue of Watermark literally went to press while Buckhorn was speaking to the organization, so expect to hear more about his visit at WatermarkOnline.com.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

E

VERY FRIDAY, CLUB THROB IS LOOKING FOR TALENT IN SARASOTA. Friend of Watermark Arica Love hosts the weekly event at Sarasota’s only LGBT club and is joined by a rotating cast of special guest judges. Talent can range from drag, dancing, male revue numbers, comedy or musical talent. Winners get to take home some cash, some liquor and a couple of possible gigs. The contest starts at 10:30 p.m. each Friday, but if you plan to participate, make sure you’re at Throb no later than 9:45 p.m. to ensure you’re seen by the judges. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

31

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ORLANDO 1- WISE GUYS: (L-R) Darcel Stevens, Gidget Galore and Doug Bowser played the three wise men during the holidays at Macy’s Florida Mall. PHOTO COURTESY DARCEL STEVENS 2- DON’T LOOK BEHIND YOU: Robert Hernandez, Karen Montgomery and David Montgomery make themselves at home for Joan Crawford’s House Party’s opening night. PHOTO COURTESY DOUG BA’ASER

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3- DANCE DIVAS: Patrick James (left) and Jay Lovell sport their sashes, earned by winning the dance contest during Joan Crawford’s House Party at Parliament House Jan. 12. PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT STOWELL 4- MIX IT UP: Michael Slaymaker addresses the crowd at the MBA’s January mixer, held Jan. 9 at Fields BMW Winter Park. PHOTO BY CHRIS STEPHENSON 5- TIME TO BOND: (L to R) Jeff Kern, Mike Trinkle, Matt Culverhouse and John Williams relax at Gidget’s Big Gay Game Show happy hour Jan. 10 at Parliament House. PHOTO BY ERIK CABAN 6- TOTALLY COMMITTED: Kim Bouche and Mindy Newgent show off their favorite reading material at the Rainbow Network’s Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo, Jan. 13 at Crowne Plaza Universal. The couple is planning commitment ceremony for April 20. PHOTO BY SCOTT MCCAULEY 7- CHRISTMAS IN JANUARY: Pat O’Rourke (right) of Bears In The City presents a check for $1,000 to The Center’s executive director, Randy Stephens, from proceeds of A Very Beary Christmas II fundraiser held at the Parliament House. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CENTER

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8- PAINTED PRETTY: Skaters on the Serial Thrillers, and Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls team, get pigmented at the 2013 Color Run, held Jan. 13 near the Citrus Bowl. PHOTO COURTESY LIBO GARCIA

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T WAS A PACKED HOUSE AT CHEYENNE SALOON, DEC. 30 FOR “BROADWAY BABES AT THE HISTORIC CHEYENNE SALOON.” As part of a kick-off to New Year’s, Hamburger Mary’s Orlando owners Mike Rogier and John Paonessa opened up the

neighboring historic locale for a night of extravagant production numbers followed

by a street dance party. More than 400 revelers gathered to see The Minx and Ginger Minj headline a ki-ki like no other alongside a cavalcade ensemble including Carol Lee and Tia Devine. “There are absolutely no words to describe the amount of love and

joy that I have in my heart right now,” Minj posted on Facebook. “[This] show was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life.” A buzz circulating afterwards is that Hamburger Mary’s as well as the performers hope to turn this into a regular event. “If this was the foundation, I can’t wait to build on it to see what develops,” posted Kirk Hartlage, who DJ’d the event. Want more Minj and Minx?

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ATERMARK REPORTED IN 2012 THAT A NEW NIGHTSPOT, OFF

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Since then, we learned via the club’s Facebook page that it did indeed open, Sept. 6. Pictures of scantily clad women behind the bar and lots of linked up malefemale couples, which leads one to believe they are, indeed targeting a straight crowd. It seems the club’s new owners are not seeking LGBT clients. When a commenter asked, “Did they turn it into a straight club?” Off Limits Nightclub/ Restaurant was quick to respond, “Yes ma’am!” The Commenter then asked, “What type of crowd have you been bringing in? I’m just not trying to deal with a bunch of college kids and their drama!!”

Off Limits Nightclub/Restaurant responded, “We only have college night on Wednesdays. Every other night of the week is a mature crowd with a strict dress code.”

Sounds like their name speaks for itself. Or maybe they should try “Disparaging Nightclub and Grille.”

THAT’S THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT PH

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According to staff, a grid blew in the area, causing the power to go out in the entire neighborhood

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

surrounding the nightclub. The set back didn’t seem to faze party-goers. Probably a handful of people exited, not wanting to wait.

One person said the darkened scene simply reminded them of Gay Days past. “It’ll probably just turn into a big grope fest,” he jested. Amber went on with her performance—lights or no lights. Thanks to ingenuity by the Footlight Players—who all turned on the lights on their phones holding them above Amber—she had an instant spotlight. Within 15 minutes, employees had kicked on the club’s generators and the lights slowly began to reignite throughout the club as the audience cheered and continued their revelry. |  |

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IN DEPTH LGBT ELDERLY

GOLDENGAYS ////////////// LGBTs face unique challenges as they age //////////////

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Zach Caruso ZAC@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

HILE WE AS A COMMUNITY CELEBRATE

advances in marriage equality, domestic partnership recognitions and more out elected of�icials, there are some who are facing less mainstream challenges that fall away from the media spotlight.

As generations of LGBTs grow older and �ind themselves transitioning into living in retirement communities and homes, their sexuality often isn’t accepted with the openness and freedom they once had.

“When seniors are entering nursing homes, senior centers for activities, any kind of senior-related service

or program, there’s an automatic assumption that they are straight,” says Metro Wellness and Community Centers volunteer Joe Smith, 66, who lives in Pinellas County. “The truth is, many seniors in general feel a sense of loneliness, and all the things aging people tend to feel. But it’s made more intense because we [the LGBT

community] don’t have the same types of family connections that straight people do.”

According to the Human Rights Campaign, many older LGBTs experience discrimination in long-term healthcare facilities by caregivers, nurses, and other patients.

This discrimination can take many forms including bullying and harassment, as well as failure to provide necessary daily care like bathing. Some long-term care facilities have failed to recognize transgender residents’ gender identity, often refusing to use a correct name or respect a resident’s gender expression through clothing or grooming. This harassment and discrimination too often leads to JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

depression, failure to thrive, and suicide among LGBT older adults in long-term care facilities.

“The fear of insensitive and discriminatory treatment is particularly strong among lesbians,” says Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center in Orlando.

Sometimes, going back in the closet is the only alternative, according to Adam Jahr, LGBT Program manager of Tampa Bay’s Metro Wellness and Community Center.

“One of the main issues of aging LGBTs is the feeling of loneliness and isolation because people within their age group aren’t by nature—based on the society they grew up in—as

Continued on page 38 |  |

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ORGANIZATIONS AIM TO HELP LGBTS AGE GRACEFULLY

T

Staff Report EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O MANY, THE IDEA OF AGING SEEMS

foreign. We see ourselves as perpetually youthful 20-somethings living it up in the prime of our lives. But once reality sets in, and we’re a bit greyer and wiser, we realize it’s time to plan for a future we never really considered.

As the American population continues to live longer, so do LGBTs. More members of our community are �inding themselves struggling to �ind late-in-life living arrangements and bene�its that are more easily accessible to our heterosexual counterparts.

Every week, 10,000 LGBT American citizens retire, according to a study conducted by the LGBT Aging Project of Massachusetts.

By the year 2020 the number of gay and lesbians over the age of

50 will rise to nearly six million.

Fortunately, organizations are realizing the need to protect and care for the older members of our community, and websites, retirement centers and programs are targeting that segment of the population.

Here is a list of some national resources and organizations reaching out to assist the seniors within the LGBT community:

50-years of age or older control their lives in a beneficial way. AARP believes in equality and has a special portion of its site dedicated to helping older LGBTs plan their lives and find benefits.

BENEFITS.GOV: The U.S.

SAGEUSA.ORG: The Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources for LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations, largely through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 23 local SAGE affiliates in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

LGBT AGING CENTER: The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country’s only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and support offered to LGBT older adults. Established in 2010 through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging provides training, technical assistance and educational resources to aging providers, LGBT organizations and older members of the LGBT community.

The center is led by SAGE.

AARP PRIDE PAGE: Possibly the most recognizable organization when it comes to the welfare of older Americans, the Association of American Retired persons, is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 37 million members that helps citizens

CENTERLINK: The community of LGBT centers exists to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers to build a unified movement. Links to local resources are broken down by state and city at LGBTCenters.org.

Government website that provides information to citizens on how to apply for assistance and benefits for which they may be eligible.

LGBT AGING ISSUES NETWORK: The American

Society on Aging is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families.

The organization was created in 1954 and has a special chapter dedicated to raising awareness about the concerns of LGBT elders and the unique barriers they encounter. Its site, ASAging.org/LAIN, continuously updates information related to LGBT seniors.

OLD LESBIANS ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE: This national network

of self-described “Old Lesbians over the age of 60” works to make life better for elder lesbians through support networks and workshops to confront ageism within the LGBT community. The national organization, based in St. Louis, Mo., has local chapters operating independently in their own communities. OLOC.org has updated information on gatherings and projects geared toward the elder lesbian community. |  | EDITORS’ NOTE: Even more resources are listed on each of the organization’s web pages.

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

37

|  | LGBT Elderly from pg.35

understanding or accepting of the LGBT lifestyle because they weren’t exposed to it,” says Jahr.

“So we’re trying to offer that open and af�irming space for people of all ages. What we offer here at the Metro Center is a sense of validation, understanding, and support.”

And that understanding and support is exactly what one Orlando resident says his late partner never had.

“When my partner’s health started to fade, we had dif�iculty �inding programs that could assist him without prejudice,” says “Ralph,” who asked that his real name not be used. “Once any nursing home learned that he was partnered with a man, you could see the administrator’s face change. It was a horrible feeling.”

Unfortunately, that kind of reaction is more common than not, even within the LGBT community.

“The community is uneducated until they have a personal stake in it,” says Smith. “All of a sudden, they’re at the mercy of the experience, and then they become aware and committed.”

These challenges aren’t anything new, Jahr adds.

“These issues were always there, but we weren’t as conscious of it,” says Jahr. “So now there are these people who need speci�ic healthcare services, and since we’ve been unconscious of it, we aren’t quite prepared for it.”

Jahr also feels that the changing archetype of the aging generations plays a role.

“There is a paradigm shift, the number of LGBTs who are out and who have come out in the last few decades has exponentially increased,” says Jahr. “And so we’re seeing for the �irst time an elder population of LGBTs.”

LACK OF PERSPECTIVE

According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the number of challenges LGBT seniors face are directly related to the lack of speci�ic programs on the federal level.

“They often do not access adequate healthcare, affordable housing or other social services that they need due to institutionalized heterosexism,” says Inga SardaSorensen, communications director with the Task Force. “Existing regulations and proposed policy changes in programs like Social Security or Medicare, which

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE Preparation is key, and as the issues facing the retirement-age LGBT community begin to garner more attention, steps need to be considered and taken to ensure legalities are in order for the future.

“There’s a lot of legalities that go along with getting sick, having surgeries, things you may come across as you’re getting older,” says Jahr, “and a lot of people don’t have the knowledge about what is involved, they don’t know that they

We’re seeing, for the first time an elder population of LGBTs. —ADAM JAHR impact millions of LGBT elders, are discussed without a LGBT perspective engaging the debate.”

Federal programs designed to assist elderly Americans can be ineffective or even irrelevant for LGBT elders. Several studies cited by the Task Force document widespread homophobia among those entrusted with the care of America’s seniors.

In Orlando, The Center is reaching out to seniors by hosting a town hall meeting from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 2 to speci�ically address these concerns.

Most LGBT elders do not avail themselves of services on which other seniors thrive. Several federal programs and laws blatantly treat same-sex couples differently from married heterosexual couples.

“When my partner died, I didn’t receive anything at all [�inancially],” Ralph recalls. “Fortunately, though, he was able to die at peace with the help of Hospice. He got sick and

WHAT THE HRC SAYS ABOUT LGBT SENIORS

have to have this paperwork, or this document.”

In addition to the health issues, Jahr says there are other areas to consider, such as property rights and estate planning, that are speci�ic to the LGBT community.

“There are so many unanswered questions,” says Jahr. “With anyone who is facing a special need who falls outside of the hegemonic majority that society is set up for, I think it’s very wise to plan ahead and for you as a person to prepare for the issues you might face to help ease things when the issues occur.”

THE INVISIBILITY PROBLEM

LGBT elders are among the most invisible of all Americans.

Little is known about LGBT elders because of the widespread failure of governmental and academic researchers to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in their studies of the aged, according to Sarda-Sorenson. Legal

1/3 of gays and lesbians report that they plan to

HIDE THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION when they enter a long-term healthcare facility.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

case management, and counseling.

Jahr says in the last two years, the center has really started developing more programs for the LGBT senior community.

“In the center’s previous location, (next door to Georgie’s Alibi in St. Petersburg) they would do things like a movie night, dance nights, smaller programs once in a while,” says Jahr. “The programs were few and far between, and there wasn’t really the space there to do it because the more case management and HIV services that were expanded upon, the space was literally just eaten up as we had to build more of�ices.”

In September 2011, the Metro Center moved to its current location on 3rd Avenue North—across the street from its old of�ice into a space that allowed the organization to further expand.

“We are reaching out to the community to let them know that we’re here, we have this space, we

Older LGBTs are two-times as likely

TO LIVE ALONE as their heterosexual counterparts.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

have the will power and resources to help them,” says Jahr.

Hopefully more communities will reach out to the elderly LGBT population.

“We’re going to be doing surveys,” says Metro Center volunteer Eunice Fisher, 76. “To �ind out, ‘Ok would you like this, this, or this.’

It’s important to know what the community wants.”

And it’s important for seniors to have places to socialize and stay connected with other LGBTs, Fisher adds.

“When my partner died I wanted to remain connected to the community, so I started volunteering and attending events,” Fisher says.

“Fortunately I’m in a location that has access to socialization.”

The Metro Center is already offering a weekly Brown Bag Lunch program where seniors can come, have lunch together as a group, and socialize. More programs are in development.

One potential program could include networking among LGBT elderly, to provide an outlet for socialization and a chance to share experiences.

“I think a great addition would be discussion groups—talk about your coming out, talk about intellectual issues,” says Smith. “And have these groups be open to outings like going to a museum, out to brunch, guest speakers, things of that nature.”

Fisher agrees with Smith.

“I think we can contribute to each other, we can learn from each other,” says Fisher. “I think it’s fun and important to share perspectives, because then we are a whole community; we’re not divided.”

Steve Blanchard and Jamie Hyman contributed to this article.

Share your thoughts on the issues facing elderly LGBTs at watermarkonline.com.

Senior lesbian couples are more than twice as likely to

LIVE IN POVERTY. —Human Rights Campaign

—Human Rights Campaign

—Human Rights Campaign

38

and policy frameworks which have traditionally excluded LGBT people engender social and economic consequences which deny LGBT elders access to �inancial resources and community support networks.

Fortunately, there are some local resources for Florida’s aging LGBTs. In Tampa Bay, Metro Wellness and Community Centers, which has locations in St. Petersburg, Ybor City and New Port Richey, is actively reaching out to the older population.

The organization began 20 years ago as an HIV service provider, and has steadily built its programming in the way of prevention, testing,

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IN MEMORIAM: As I Am founder Robin Hankins lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 12. Hankins started her web-based podcast in 2006 as a way to reach the LGBT community with spiritual and uplifting messages.

She was surrounded by friends and family in her final moments.

Transitions

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations

Local Birthdays

The Zebra Foundation for Youth has appointed Stephanie Suggs, CPA, to its board of directors.

Watermark art director Jake Stevens and multitalented Orlando writer/actor/director Scottie Campbell (Jan. 17); Tampa’s The Knights of Krewe of Cavaliers’ Robert Victor, Orlando Gay Chorus vocalist Edd “Peaches” Sinnett, Sarasota native and A League of Our Own member Jerry Rivera and TIGLIFF board member and JP Morgan Chase honcho Kris R. Johnson (Jan. 18); St. Petersburg’s beefy Flamingo bartender Doug Lyons (Jan. 20); Watermark sales representative Sam Rennels (Jan. 21); GSHRadio host and Sarasota resident Greg Henchar and partner to Watermark ad sales guru Don Williams Jeremy Indomenico (Jan. 22); Orlando home inspector and art lover Paul Kusic and bangin’ derby babe Betty Ford (Jan. 24); singer and Tampa Bay performer Ashley Smith and St. Petersburg realtor Jim Longstreth (Jan. 25); Sarasota photographer Kaje Housman, St. Pete resident and Double M Band’s Mario Jooste, mortgage broker, Phish Phest phenom Roxy Santiago and Ybor City special events promoter Chucky Ruckus (Jan. 26); Orlando derby girl Erin Palmer (Jan 27); Orlando performer, beauty expert and straight ally Ellen Jewell (Jan. 28); lightning fast jammer Haley Perry and FSU grad, adorable cub and Ocala muse Bill Bondank (Jan. 30).

The Orlando Ballet added six new members to its board of directors this month: Orange Appeal publisher Christi Ashby, Strategic Partners CFO Susan Bounds, principal of Madeline Eckett Oden Interiors Madeline Ecket Oden, Twelve Consulting LLC founder José A. Fajardo, VP of marketing for Massey Services Lynne Frederick, and Orlando Magic assistant director of communications Trish Wingerson.

Long time Orlando couple David Clites and Bobby Mills announced their engagement this month.

Jan. 4 marked the 17th anniversary of Orlando performer Carol Lee’s new life in Florida, when she relocated to the Sunshine State from Indiana.

Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale, named Justin Havard as its new artistic director. Havard is the Choral Director at Palm Harbor University High School, and his choral and music theatre program has consistently earned statewide recognition and a reputation for excellence. Justin has also played keyboards for the national tours of Wicked, A Chorus Line and Spamalot, and is a well-respected clinician and accompanist, both in the Tampa Bay Area, and state-wide.

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!

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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

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Read It Online!

Head to WatermarkOnline.com and click on the Digital Publications link to a read a digital version of the printed newspaper!

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

orlando marketplace

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

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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.

JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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sports

ESPN airs husbands’ kiss after bowling win

Neil Patrick Harris, CBS Super Bowl ad upsets far-right website

Staff Report

L

AS VEGAS | When ESPN aired the Professional Bowlers Association Chameleon Championship earlier this month, fans got a surprise chance to witness history. It was the �irst time the sports network showed a gay couple kissing.

The network aired the championship Jan. 5, nearly two months after Scott Norton actually won the 2012 Chameleon Championship, which means the kiss was not aired live and therefore did not “surprise” the cameramen on location.

In the video, viewers witnessed Norton break down in tears after beating Jason Belmonte to take the title. As the crowd cheers, he hugs Belmonte and then hugs and quickly kisses husband Craig Woodward to an audible gasp from the crowd.

“Our airing of Scott Norton’s spontaneous moment with his husband was about capturing the emotion of the victory, as we would

Staff Report

H

ow I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris and CBS have caught the attention of an überright wing website for an ad depicting the actor wearing “eye black” showing the date of the big game.

WorldNetDaily.com writer Joe Kovacs attacks CBS and Harris, who is openly gay, saying that both the actor and the network are mocking Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, who regularly showcases Bible verses on his eyewear.

“New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow won’t be playing in this year’s Super Bowl,” Kovacs writes on the site. “But CBS is using an outspoken homosexual actor to mimic Tim Tebow’s style of trumpeting messages in eyeblack on his face,” he continues.

Even though Bible verses have been shown on eye black by religious football players for decades, Kovacs attacks Harris for having an agenda and ridiculing those with religious beliefs.

The writer goes on to say that some people just “don’t like that a homosexual” would be used to promote the biggest game on the planet.

The Super Bowl airs on Feb. 3 on CBS. |  |

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with any bowler celebrating with his or her family,” Marcia Keegan, ESPN’s vice president of production, said in a statement.

While a same-sex kiss following a bowling championship didn’t bring in the same viewership as, say, an NFL game, it still has a large following on ESPN, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company.

Norton spoke with the Huf�ington Post following the on-air kiss and said he was surprised that the innocent peck became such a popular news item in the beginning of the new year.

“I didn’t even know anything was going to come from it,” Norton said. “It happened on Sunday and then nothing came of it. And then it exploded and all the credit goes to Jaime Perez and the International Art of Bowling for all they’ve done.

They’ve really turned this into something special.”

While gay marriage and homosexuality in general have slowly inched their way into mainstream national acceptance, the sports world in general still

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THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.

Bowler Scott Norton’s kiss to his husband after winning the Association Chameleon Championship was broadcast on ESPN.

hasn’t budged much.

No active athlete in a major sport has publicly come out as gay.

Norton came out in 2011 and married Woodward in October 2011.

Norton is a 30-year-old lawyer and a two-time PBA champion. Woodward is a United Healthcare executive.

They are a typical, professional married couple and ESPN referred to Woodward as Norton’s husband and spouse throughout the broadcast. |  |

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JAN. 17 - JAN. 31, 2013 // ISSUE 20.02

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47

BEFORE