Watermark Issue: 20.09: Banned4Life

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 20.09 • APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

SPELLING BEE

LANDS OUTSIDE IN ST. PETERSBURG

ANGER FOLLOWS

SMALL RALLY

PROTESTS HILLSBOROUGH DPR DECISION

TABLED GSA VOTE IN LAKE COUNTY

BANNED 4LIFE When Blake Lynch was prohibited from donating blood to his friend, he began a campaign to overturn the FDA’s ban on gay blood donors

Copyright Benson 2013. All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced.

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THE WORKS OF ART DON’T STOP WITH OUR BEACHES. Among GLBT travelers, St. Pete/Clearwater has long been the jewel of the Gulf Coast. In fact, St. Petersburg is a nationally ranked arts destination, highlighted by the acclaimed Dali Museum. And June 29th the city hosts the St. Pete Pride Street Festival, Florida’s largest Pride celebration. Come immerse yourself in our welcoming arts scene and GLBT-friendly attitude.

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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Until every parent and young person have the same opportunity to serve,

DEPARTMENTS

the Boy Scouts will continue to PAGE see a decline in both membership 17 and donations.

6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 17 // STATE 20 // NATION & WORLD 29 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 41 // EVENT PLANNER 43 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 45 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 46 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 47 // TRANSITIONS 48 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 53 // SPORTS 54 // GALLERY W

—RICH FERRARO OF GLAAD

ON THE COVER

PAGE Blake Lynch of Orlando

Banned4Life to 08 created fight the FDA’s ban on

blood donations by gay men after he was told he couldn’t donate blood directly to his classmate Emmy Derisbrun.

Preview

PAGE

29

UNDER THE SPELL:

American Stage returns to Demens Landing in downtown St. Petersburg with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee—and audiences may be surprised at how clearly it speaks to the LGBT community.

WATERMARK ISSUE 20.09 //APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE When the Lake County

PAGE A small but dedicated

PRAIRIE BITCH

GALLERY W

Photo courtesy Brett Donnelley

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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

08

School Board delayed its vote on a Gay/ Straight Alliance, tempers flared; An LGBT activist and writer filed a lawsuit against the University of Central Florida concerning access to a research paper; more.

12

group rallied near the Hillsborough County Commission chambers to demand a domestic partner registry; Tampa’s Bill Kanouff will use his new running leg at The Red Ribbon Run; Polk students want a GSA; more.

PAGE For years Alison Angrim

34

played the hateful Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. Now, four decades later, the actress is telling her story and offers a glimpse into the life of a “Prairie Bitch.“ Her one-woman show arrives at the Footlight Theater in Orlando in May.

PAGE The Tampa International Gay

Lesbian Film Festival 54 and screened a film about the

life of Divine at Centro Ybor’s Muvico this month, and the attendance was one of the highest ever. As true fans always do, these attendees dressed the part and celebrated the life of an actor who died before his time.

THE BRAND NEW WATERMARKONLINE.COM IS COMING SOON! KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR OUR NEW LOOK. APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

WHERE’S THE ENFORCEMENT?

W

HY ISN’T FEDERAL

LAW BEING ENFORCED? My late lover and I lived right here in Orlando in 2001 and had Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogates and Living Wills. When he entered Florida South Hospital, I was consulted on every stage of his care and had to give permission over his family. Of course they were involved in every aspect as they loved me and still do.

Over the three months of intensive care, nursing homes, and hospitalization, I had the �inal say. The night he died I was called and told they were transferring him to the hospital as he had gone into respiratory distress. I said “no” (breaking my heart) as he had suffered enough as he had lost all capability to communicate and no longer could blink his eyes “yes” and “no.” I held him in my arms for two hours while he struggled to breathe and �inally took his last breath. I hope I never have to make that decision again but if I do, I can.

My current lover and I have the same sets of paperwork as no gay couple should be without it. If

“We keep copies of paperwork in large manila envelopes in both cars in the event neither one of us is able to communicate as the result of a car wreck.”

—ERWIN CRAWFORD

they don’t have it, they are crazy and/or stupid. As a side note, we keep copies of all of this paperwork in large manila envelopes in both cars in the event neither one of us is able to communicate as the result of a car wreck.

Just a word of advice.

ERWIN CRAWFORD ORLANDO

UNBEARABLE WAIT

W

HILE I’M EXCITED ABOUT THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY CASES THAT WENT BEFORE THE US SUPREME COURT in March, I also feel like a kid waiting for Christmas to arrive in the middle of summer.

Knowing that the court will release its �indings in June is exciting, but

watermarkonline.com

also terrifying. There’s always that “What if?” in the back of my mind.

The many outcomes outlined in the recent issue of Watermark [Issue 20.08] seem to indicate that marriage equality will win, at least in some small part. But waiting to see how far reaching the decision will be is torturous.

Here’s hoping that Pride Month will have an even bigger reason to celebrate this June. I know many of my friends and I are keeping our �ingers crossed for the best news concerning LGBT equality in decades!

PETER HUGHES LARGO

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

W

Desk

HEN I SAW THE EVENTS

following the Boston Marathon unfolding on cable news April 15, horror, anger and sadness were soon replaced with an urge to help. But the easiest way in which I could help—donating blood—isn’t available to me. Why? Because I’m gay.

The important, easy act is not possible for me, and that means somewhere, someone who needs what �lows in my veins is suffering.

When I was a sophomore in high school I donated blood for the �irst time. The familiar gymnasium where I played basketball games and discovered my �irst awkward feelings for other boys during gym class was transformed into what could only be described as a happy MASH unit. Reclining deck chairs were readily attended to by men

WATERMARK STAFF

and women in white scrubs and Red Cross volunteer T-shirts.

I admit I was apprehensive about donating. I always avoided needles when I could and the thought of willingly draining part of myself into a plastic bag disturbed me. But a few friends who had donated before convinced me it was the right thing to do, and the reward of orange juice, free sugar cookies and a free pass from part of a class made the pain of a needle in my arm for a few minutes bearable.

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I soon found myself seated with a clipboard-wielding volunteer who whipped through a questionnaire at record speed. She seemed to anticipate every single answer and frantically marked down my responses to move me through the line. Admittedly, the only question I really remember was when she asked me if I had ever had sex with another male.

I am sure my face registered the shock I felt at the question and I know I laughed when I answered with a forceful, “No.” My answer was true—at that point in my life I hadn’t experienced sex with anyone— but the questions burned in my head as I sat in the recliner, squeezed a stress ball and watched the blood trickle down an IV tube and into a clear plastic bag.

Was the question another sign that the feelings I was battling so hard were wrong? If I ever acted on the attractions I had toward my male classmates, would I immediately be shunned by the medical community?

The message I heard was loud and clear—same-sex attraction was unhealthy, both physically and mentally. As an impressionable teen, it scared me.

Ever since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, the FDA has banned men who have sex with men from donating blood. The precaution was necessary, and even prudent, in the

early days of the disease’s discovery.

But times have changed, and medical technology and research have advanced to the point that the ban is antiquated.

I continued to donate blood to the Red Cross whenever the volunteers would show up at the school—typically twice a year—and did so through my �irst two years of college. Besides the bene�it of a sugar rush and missed class time, I realized by donating I actually helped a stranger somewhere who needed something of which I had plenty. My blood would help save a life. My blood would keep someone’s loved one on this planet for awhile longer. And I knew my body could always make more to replace what I was able to give.

During my junior year of college, I �inally acted on my same-sex attraction. Like so many, it came after months of internal debate, and one of the things I knew I would lose was my ability to help others through blood donation.

When the Red Cross returned to my college campus, my regular enthusiasm was missed by my friends. Since very few people knew of my sexuality, I shared that I just didn’t have time to donate.

That was 15 years ago, and I haven’t been able to donate since.

I haven’t thought about the ban much over the years. It was just something I accepted. But the cover story in this issue of Watermark reminded me of the pride I had when I did donate, and I hope that in the near future, I’ll be able to do so again—whether we’re faced with a national tragedy or not. |  |

Questions burned in my head as I sat in the recliner, squeezed a stress ball and watched the blood trickle down an IV tube and into a clear plastic bag.

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CONTRIBUTORS DAVID MORAN

is the LGBTQ Services Graduate Coordinator at the University of Central Florida, where he studied Emerging Media. Page 8

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 12

ABBY DEES

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

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

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

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

7

orlando NEWS

COVER STORY

UNHAPPY ENCOUNTER: School board member Bill

Mathias (left) and a gay, former Lake County student, Adam Mathias (no relation). argue after the board’s decision to table a vote that would have allowed GSA in the districts’ middle schools. PHOTO BY DAVID MORAN

Lake County School Board tables GSA vote David Moran DAVID@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

AVERES | Applause and booing �illed the Lake County School Board chamber when its members voted 4-1 to table discussion on whether or not to allow 14-year old Bayli Silberstein to form a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at her middle school. More than 300 people showed up at the meeting, many donning the color red in support of Silberstein.

She and her family left the meeting in a somber mood after the vote got tabled.

“I’m disappointed. I am really angry…I’m going to keep �ighting,” said Silberstein.

Silberstein’s mom, Erica, called the School Board “bullies” for tabling the issue.

“I wish that I could tell her that everything is �ine,” Erica Silberstein said. “This is what is needed and they are going to do it, but I can’t and it makes me mad.”

The delay was sparked by a recent change Senate Bill 1076, which will go into effect July 1 and potentially no longer requires Florida middle schools to adhere to the federal Equal Access Act, which protects student’s rights to organize clubs in secondary schools. Governor Rick Scott signed the bill into law on April 22, the same day of the school board meeting.

Two Lake County school board members, Bill Matthias and Todd Howard, have admitted to lobbying for that law change.

Continued on page 10 |  |

8

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

BANNED TOGETHER: Blake Lynch created Banned4Life to fight the FDA’s ban on blood donations by gay men. He was turned away from donating blood directly to his friend Emmy Derisbrun.

PHOTO COURTESY BRETT DONNELLEY

Banned For Life An Orlando nursing student �ights the ban on gay men donating blood Shannon Scheidell

WATERMARK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | All Blake Lynch wanted to do was help his friend. But he was quickly denied the opportunity, just because he’s gay.

When Lynch, a nursing student, learned his classmate Emmy Derisbrun needed regular blood transfusions to battle sickle cell anemia, he knew there was one simple way he could help—donate blood directly to her.

“When I heard about her sickle cell I started looking up places to donate,” Lynch said. He completed a 54-question screening application and was surprised when the nurse asked him if he was sure about one of his answers— the one asking about sexual encounters with other men.

“When I went to donate, they

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

actually turned me away,” Lynch said.

The experience motivated Lynch to battle the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on gay men donating blood, which has been in place since 1983. That ban, along with a ban on donations by those who have received a tattoo within a year of the donation date, was imposed in response to the AIDS epidemic.

Lynch started the non-pro�it Banned4Life, a movement to remove the ban on blood donations

by MSM (Men who have Sex with Men). The ban on gay male donors is antiquated, Lynch said, and blood shortages are so low that the ban causes more harm than good. It prevents others from donating as well.

“Banned4Life is not only about encouraging the FDA to revise the blood donation policy on gay men,” said Derisbrun. “We want to encourage those who are healthy

watermarkonline.com

and able to donate blood.”

Lynch, 21, believes that blood donation is an issue for his generation. A 2006 study by the Red Cross, which supports removing the FDA-imposed ban, showed that only 38% of the nation is eligible to give blood, yet 5 million people require transfusions each year.

“Especially after the Boston tragedy, there is such an extreme shortage of blood, we need all the help we can get,” said Lynch.

In 1983 there were no adequate tests to detect whether HIV was present in donated blood, and HIV found its way into the nation’s blood supply. Hemophiliacs receiving blood transfusions showed symptoms of AIDS. What scientists also knew was that a disproportionate number of gay men were affected by the virus.

To eliminate risk, the FDA added a screening question to the federal guidelines. Blood banks were instructed to ask male donors if they had had sex with a man, even once, since 1977. The FDA regards 1977 as the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. If the

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

9

orlando NEWS

|  | Lake County GSA from pg.8 Matthias, who represents District 1 in Lake County, has been a vocal opponent of a countywide policy permitting Silberstein to form a GSA at Carver Middle School.

“What we are talking about is an open club policy…It never for me was about a Gay-Straight Alliance, it is looking at what is an open club policy.

I wasn’t for it in the middle school, period. Never was,” said Matthias. “There are too many other types of clubs that can come in [such as] Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam which appears to be faith-based but is really about hate. There is the Sons of the Confederacy, which is about traditions in the South but can be perceived as hate.”

He said an open club policy for extracurricular clubs in middle schools would serve as a distraction to middle school students, who he is concerned do not have the same critical thinking skills as high school students.

Matthias accused the ACLU of “hitching their wagon” to the GSA issue because of a political agenda, not out of concern for Silberstein’s plea for School Board support due to school bullying and other issues LGBT students are up against in Lake County.

ACLU Mid-Florida Regional Director Joyce Hamilton Henry dismissed Matthias’ concerns as the wrong reason to deny Silberstein and other LGBT youth in Lake County the right to assemble.

“Our constitution protects all groups. The �irst amendment gives all groups the right to assemble.

The [School Board] should make this decision on the basis of Bayli and other students [who want to form a GSA], not on the basis of their fears and biases,” said Hamilton Henry. “They need to deal with those situations as they come up. Right now, we want them to make a decision regarding Bayli. They have waited too long already.”

Matthias said he has not reached out to Silberstein or other students to listen to their concerns.

Lake School Board attorney Steve Johnson advised School Board members that the change in state law will no longer speci�ically de�ine secondary schools as 6-12th grade, leaving the de�inition up to local school districts. According to Johnson, the federal law gives discretion to each state to de�ine what a secondary school is.

“The bottom line is that I cannot tell you with certainty anymore that the ‘Equal Access Law’ applies anymore,” said Johnson.

Johnson told the School Board that the legal change in how the state de�ines a secondary school may allow them to have a different policy for extracurricular clubs in middle schools and high schools. The School Board has initially considered banning all extra-curricular clubs versus allowing an open club policy that would permit LGBT and allied students like Silberstein to start a GSA. The School Board will take the issue back to another series of workshops to reexamine the policy under the new law. They are expected begin next month. |  | To stay updated on this story, visit watermarkonline.com.

10

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

LGBT Activist Sues UCF Staff report

O

RLANDO | An LGBT activist and writer �iled a lawsuit against the University of Central Florida’s Board of Trustees and President Dr. John C. Hitt last week in an effort to gain access to a controversial research paper.

The paper, titled “New Family Structures Study,” was cited in briefs and at oral arguments before the Supreme Court last month.

It suggests gay marriage could |  | Banned4Life from pg.8

potential donor responded “yes,” he would automatically be removed from the donor pool for life.

The United Kingdom had a similar ban, until 2011. It’s newer guidelines on donation consider sexual behavior, rather than sexual orientation.

The decision followed a review of the ban by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) which studied the latest details on relevant sexual contact in relation to the safety of donating blood. The committee looked at the risk of infection being transmitted in blood as well as improvements in testing donated blood for diseases before reaching their conclusion to change the guidelines.

FINDING SUPPORT

Though changes to the FDA’s policies have been stalled in the past, the movement is gathering momentum. Banned4Life has already gathered 2,600 signatures, with a goal of 100,000 signatures for the petition to give people of any sexual orientation the right to donate blood.

“We’ve already been in touch with major universities throughout the nation, and they’re on board with Banned4Life,” Lynch said.

On Saturday, May 18, the club DRIP in Orlando will host a bene�it for Banned4Life. The bar will donate $10 of every ticket sold to the organization, and admission includes red body paint and access to red beer.

Banned4Life isn’t the �irst organization to plead with the FDA to remove the ban. Since 2005,

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

have negative effects on children.

Becker said he made a public records request for a copy of the paper, which was denied by UCF. That led him to �ile suit in circuit court in Orlando.

“My interest in �iling this Sunshine Law Request is to discover the truth about the peer review and publishing of the paper, which is unknown at this point,” Becker said in a media release. “Finding the truth is additionally important because the paper was prominently cited last month by opponents of same-sex The American Blood Centers has petitioned for a change to the policy, event taking the issue to Washington, D.C. With no response from elected of�icials, however, the movement has seen very little movement at the national level.

Pat Michaels, spokesperson for One Blood, which was formed after Florida Blood Service and Community Blood Center merged, said organizations don’t have a choice in the matter, when it comes to turning away healthy, gay male blood donors.

“The FDA set the guidelines and we just have to follow,” Michaels explained.

In June 2012, a group of 64 U.S. legislators led by Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democrat from Illinois, and John Kerry of Massachusetts sent a letter

marriage in briefs and arguments before the Supreme Court.”

UCF Professor James Wright is the editor of Social Science Research journal, which published the paper at issue. Many of the records relating to the matter are being held on servers at UCF, according to Becker.

“Our policy is to comply with Florida’s important open records laws,” Grant Heston, Associate Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, told the Central Florida Future. “In this instance, these emails are not related to university business and therefore are not public documents subject to disclosure. At this time, UCF has not been served with a lawsuit.” |  | death and we are turning away over 50,000 healthy men who want to donate blood,” Quigley said. “A straight person who has unsafe sex with multiple partners can give blood, and that creates a greater risk than a gay person in a monogamous relationship.”

TRUMPETING SOCIAL MEDIA

A lot has changed socially and technologically since the FDA issued the ban on gay donors in the 1980s.

AIDS and HIV are more understood, testing is more accurate and safe-sex practices are more common.

Those wanting to lift the ban also have the bene�it of social media to spread their message.

“We want to spread awareness,” Lynch said. “We’re trying to be more proactive and positive. We’re trying to make blood donating fun. We want to get everybody involved in the cause for all of society to go —BLAKE LYNCH, BANNED4LIFE FOUNDER out there and donate.”

And word is spreading. Banned4Life was on to the Department of Health and FOX 35 TV in Orlando and the Human Services encouraging it to organization’s Twitter, Facebook study the ban, in hopes of ending it. and Instagram accounts have large “We remain concerned that a numbers of dedicated followers. blanket deferral of MSM for any Lynch’s YouTube video discussing length of time both perpetuates the the ban resulted in a story in the unwarranted discrimination against the bisexual and gay community and Orlando Sentinel.

Lynch also has strength in prevents healthy men from donating numbers. He said that 100 of blood without a de�initive �inding his classmates now have black of added bene�it to the safety of the Banned4Life T-shirts �itted with blood supply,” the letter said. a red X over the heart in support The letter was in direct response to a massive blackout in the Midwest of the movement. The shirts are available to purchase and help fund and East, which limited blood the movement to repeal the ban on donations in those areas. gay blood donors.

In a 2012 interview with For more information CNN, Quigley said the ban didn’t or to sign the petition, visit make sense.

Banned4Life.org. |  | “This is a matter of life and

“When I went to donate, they actually turned me away.”

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tampa bay NEWS

ON THE RUN: Bill Kanouff, left and pictured with partner

Gene Biller at the screening of a documentary on Divine April 11, will run in the Red Ribbon Run benefitting Metro Wellness and Community Centers on April 28. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

Kanouff to tackle Red Ribbon Run 18 months after amputation Zach Caruso ZACH@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

Continued on page 14 |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Tampa on April 16 to continue the fight for a Hillsborough County domestic partner registry. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Impatient for Equality Small but enthusiastic crowd rallies for Hillsborough domestic partner registry Steve Blanchard

AMPA | Bill Kanouff is on the run.

Quite often, actually.

“I’ve been running two or three times a day for several weeks now, and it feels great to run and to get that intense cardio again,” he said.

Kanouff has been a well-known activist and volunteer in the LGBT community for many years, and since injuries sustained in a 2011 motorcycle accident resulted in the amputation of his right leg, he has served as an inspiration, as well.

Speaking to Watermark at the end of 2012 about his accident and recovery, Kanouff said he returned to his local gym a mere two weeks after being released from the hospital. However, one aspect he hadn’t been able to add back into his workouts was running. Until now.

“My regular everyday prosthetic isn’t good for running,” he said in an April 17 interview. “But I recently got a grant for a running leg called ‘The J Leg,’ and now I’ve been doing my normal routine at the gym, and in addition, going out and running several times a day.”

And he is running with a purpose. On April 28, Kanouff will take part in the 2013 Tampa Bay Red Ribbon Run, an annual fundraiser to support the HIV/ AIDS education, advocacy, prevention and treatment

12

CONTINUING THE FIGHT: Jarrod Scarbrough addresses a small crowd at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square in downtown

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T

AMPA | There were only 20 or so people gathered at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square across from the Hillsborough County Commission chambers on April 16, but they had plenty to say.

The small rally organized by the ACLU and GetEqual, was in response to the County Commission’s ongoing refusal to adopt a domestic partnership registry granting a handful of rights to unmarried couples.

Jarrod Scarbrough, State Lead with GetEqual, said he was happy with the turnout, even though numbers weren’t as large as he had hoped.

“I think it’s the time of day,” he said of the 4 p.m. gathering. “We weren’t expecting a large crowd to begin with but I feel good about who was here.”

Scarbrough spoke to the

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

“Al Higginbotham wants his rights and doesn’t want to give them to us,” said Ed Lally of Equality Florida. “We are tired of waiting for equality.” gathered crowd and also The crowd showed a small introduced several speakers, sample of the diversity of the among them Renee Warmack, county. Representing the younger Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s generation was Lindsay Betros, an legislative aide, who explained intern with the ACLU. that Beckner was unable to attend.

“College students are aware of this and see it as hindering their rights,” she said.

“Those I’ve talked to can’t believe the commissioners would vote against something that is written into our constitution.”

—ED LALLY OF EQUALITY FLORIDA Pastor Joe Parramore of New “Commissioner Beckner ...

Journey Fellowship and Ministries supports the establishment of a in Tampa is hopeful that someday Hillsborough County domestic the Hillsborough County partnership registry,” Warmack Commission will follow the lead said. “This is an issue of fairness of so many other counties. But he and basic human rights that admits it will be a battle. transcends political boundaries.”

“This DPR is very real to me Beckner was the only and my partner of 24 years and I commissioner to send a are entitled to the protections it representative to the rally. grants us,” Parramore said. |  | He wasn’t, however, the only commissioner mentioned.

Continued on page 14 |  |

“[Commissioner] Al Higginbotham wants his rights and doesn’t want to give them to us.”

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RCE C ME

tampa bay NEWS 14

A DAY FOR

|  | Bill Kanouff Red Ribbon Run from pg.12 programs of Metro Wellness & Community Centers and The AIDS Institute.

“Kathie Michaels, who is coordinating the event, is an old friend of mine and asked if I would run in it,” Kanouff said. “She knows that with my having worked with other HIV relief groups, it was something near and dear to my heart. So it’s something I felt I really needed to do.”

Kanouff explained that his preparation for the event did come with a slight learning curve when using his new prosthetic.

“There are two types of prosthetics for running—the J Leg and the Running Blade,” he explains. “The J Leg is actually designed for people who are above-the-knee amputees, and the Running Blade is for those who have full upper leg intact.”

“So because it [The J Leg] has no knee or ankle, it takes a whole different body motion to run with it, so there’s a learning curve. One of my biggest issues with learning to run with it was that I was concentrating so much on the running motion that I wasn’t concentrating at all on my breathing, so you can end up short of oxygen really fast,” he said with a laugh.

However, Kanouff was able to get comfortable with the new motion very quickly.

“48 hours and I was �ine,” he said. “The only thing I didn’t get down right away was the breathing, but as for the actual running aspect, I got that pretty quickly.”

He is excited to be a part of the upcoming Red Ribbon Run, not only because of the cause he will be supporting, but because of the way in which he will be supporting it.

“I have done charity runs like this in the past, but this will be the �irst since I’ve gotten the running leg. It’s going to be a whole new experience,” he said. “Any time you can do something very healthy and physical to help a charity or non-pro�it, it’s a good combination.”

And Kanouff knows the importance of maintaining one’s health, as he has seen the bene�its �irst-hand.

“For me, cardio and working out, it’s all a big part of my health and �itness,” he said. “I like to maintain myself and keep myself strong, and I honestly think that’s one of the only reasons I survived the accident was because I had maintained myself and kept myself strong. So I need to continue that, and I want to continue that.”

In addition, he wants to use this new opportunity to continue being an activist, a volunteer, and, perhaps most importantly, an inspiration.

“I want to do more of these charity runs now that I have the running leg because if anyone ever has an excuse not to participate,” Kanouff said, “they can look at a 55 year-old man with one leg running in the event, and there’s not much of an excuse you can have that would trump that.”

The Tampa Bay Red Ribbon Run is Sunday, April 28, at Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., in Tampa.

Participants can run in the 5K or 1-Mile Fun Run. There’s also a 1-Mile Walk.

Check-in begins at 7 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 7:30. The run starts at 8 a.m.

For more information on the 2013 Tampa Bay Red Ribbon Run, or to register/donate, visit TampaBayRedRibbonRun.org. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

EQUALITY:

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster reads a proclamation during the Equality Florida Pinellas Gala at the Salvador Dali Museum April 20 while Todd Richardson and Katee Tully look on. More than 500 people attended the gala, the largest ever in the state, and brought in more than $223,000 to Equality Florida. For the full story, visit WatermarkOnline.com.

PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

42 couples register in first week of Pinellas DPR Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

C

LEARWATER | A week after Pinellas County opened its domestic partner registry, 42 couples had signed on to receive a handful of protections offered on a county-wide level.

According to the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts, 30 of those couples were gay or lesbian and 12 were heterosexual, unmarried couples.

The day the registry opened, April 15, only one couple had signed up for the registry by noon, which surprised county of�icers, who had scheduled extra workers in the morning to assist with the expected rush.

The countywide registry granting

a handful of rights to couples—gay and straight—who are not married opened exactly three months after the county voted 6-1 to approve it on Jan. 15. Several cities within the county—St. Petersburg, Gulfport and Clearwater—approved registries last year. Those heavily LGBTpopulated areas saw a surge in registrants when they �irst offered them. Those who have already registered within their respective cities can also register with the county, for a reduced fee.

Couples taking advantage of the Pinellas County DPR can do so at a number of locations— the Clearwater Courthouse, both the North County and St. Petersburg branch of�ices, and the Tyrone Branch of�ice.

Both parties must be present at

the time of registration and a fee of $50 is due at the time of registration.

Those who have previously registered in one of the cities within Pinellas County may pay a reduced fee. It is recommended that previously-registered applicants bring their certi�icate from the appropriate city.

The only commissioner to vote against the registry in January was Norm Roche.

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 advanced out of committee in Tallahassee, is needed in order to protect partners across the Sunshine State. |  |

according to the ACLU. “The bullying has been really tough at our school, and having this club would give kids a safe place to be themselves and it would put a stop to a lot of the bullying,” Pelland said in a media release. Rory said they’re “really disappointed” that their school hasn’t answered the request yet.

“With the end of the year coming up, we didn’t want to have to wait until next year to have the club meet to make KHS safer,” she said in a media release. “We started doing research and found out that the ACLU had helped a GSA a

few counties over.”

She’s referring to the situation involving 14-year-old Bayli Silberstein’s request to create a GSA at Carver Middle School in Lake County.

“Brenna and Rory have a clearlyestablished right to create a GSA and to start working to make Kathleen High School a safer and more welcoming place for all students,” stated ACLU of Florida LGBT Policy Strategist Daniel Tilley. “We hope that school administrators recognize that, and that they give the GSA the same status and treatment as any other student club.” |  |

Polk students fight for GSA Staff Report LAKELAND | The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is taking up the battle of two more students �ighting for a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in their school.

On April 18, the ACLU sent a letter to the superintendent of the Polk County School Board on behalf of Rory Teal and Brenna Pelland, two 17-year-old 11th graders at Kathleen High School. The students have worked to establish a GSA since November 2012, but were blocked by school of�icials,

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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watermarkonline.com

4/22/13 12:16 PM

Staff Report

under the in�luence in the parking lot of a carwash in the middle of the night. His car was badly damaged.

While Lowe apologized in statements issued by his campaign, he did not answer questions about the arrest. Interestingly, Braddy had his own DUI arrest in 2006.

In 2010, Lowe gained national attention while seeking—and eventually winning—the mayoral position, thanks in part to the antigay attacks lodged by the Dove World Outreach Center. That church, headed by Pastor Terry Jones, who has made his own headlines for threatening to burn piles of Korans, campaigned heavily against Lowe because of his sexuality.

During the 2010 campaign, the church had this to say about Lowe on its website: “What is homosexuality?

Detestable, indecent, wicked, offensive, perverted, shameful, unnatural, degrading, impure, futile, foolish, godless, dishonorable, a lie...,” the site read. “We protest sexual perversion because the Bible protests it. Family, community and national leaders should also protest it, stay away from it, �lee from it.”

Lowe won that campaign handily.

The church was quieter during the 2013 campaign.

Braddy will be sworn in as Gainesville’s new mayor on May 23. |  |

Florida also encouraged people to show up to the city meeting in protest of the decision.

“Councilman Scott Galvin has been the lone vote opposing the city’s endorsement and �inancial support of this event, and he needs us to stand with him,” read a statement from Equality Florida.

Though the vote passed, the city can change its position. The council dedicated a portion of the discussion of the item at the request of Councilman Michael Blynn.

Hakimian, for his part, defended the city’s decision.

“The National Day of Prayer is something that’s happened since George Washington,” Hakimian told the city council during its April 9 meeting. “We recognize as citizens that God has placed you guys as stewards, but really the city belongs

to the religious, the non-religious, the Jew, the gentile, the atheist, the theist. The city belongs to us.”

On April 22, in an email titled “Councilman lies concerning cost of city resources,” Hakimian said that the actual cost for his Day of Prayer event will be just below $600, not the $5,000 estimated by Galvin.

Equality Florida encouraged the community to do all it could, even if not attending.

“While the First Amendment gives each of us the right to speak our minds, it does not compel the City of North Miami to legitimize that voice or to use taxpayer resources to give hatred a megaphone,” Equality Florida said in a statement.

Editor’s note: This story is from the South Florida Gay News and is used with permission. |  |

Group protests North Miami’s appointment of anti-gay pastor Jason Parsley SOUTH FLORIDA GAY NEWS

A group of people wearing red shirts �looded the chambers of the North Miami City Council meeting April 23 to protest the council’s decision to allow anti-gay pastor Jack Hakimian the use of city property for a prayer vigil on May 2.

The red “represents love,” according to Scott Galvin, who organized the protest. On April 9, the council voted 4-1 in favor of letting Hakimain use the city’s facilities for the vigil, which coincides with the National Day of Prayer.

Hakimian told SFGN that he’s not anti-gay, but he does preach that homosexuality is a sin that can be undone.

Alongside Galvin, Equality

Florida teen free to mark Day of Silence Staff report

A

RCADIA | An openly gay 16-year-old student was able to take her vow of silence April 19, during the National Day of Silence, without interference from DeSoto High School administrators.

Amber Hatcher of Fort Myers was suspended last year for wearing a T-shirt that read “DOS April 20, 2012: Shhhhh” and refusing to speak as part of an annual event to bring attention to the silencing effect of bullying. The nonpro�it Lambda Legal �iled a federal lawsuit on her behalf and sought a judicial declaration that the school violated Hatcher’s constitutional rights, with an injunction to prevent her from being stymied this year.

U.S. District Judge John Steele refused to give her the injunction, but continued the First Amendment claims stating that her rights included the right not to speak. Steele found there was a good likelihood the claims would be upheld with further litigation. The judge declined the request for the injunction after the school assured the court it would not interfere with her silent protest. A trial date has not been set.

Hatcher communicated with teachers and peers last year by dry erase board. The DOS on Hatcher’s T-shirt referred to the abbreviation for “Day of Silence,” the annual observance that began in 1996 to protest the bullying and harassment of LGBT teens. It was created by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and takes place every April. |  |

state

G

AINESVILLE | Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe, the city’s �irst openly gay mayor, lost his re-election bid April 16 to former City Commissioner Ed Braddy.

Braddy will be sworn in on May 23.

Though Democrats outnumber Republicans by a two-to-one margin in Gainesville, the Republican Braddy defeated the Democrat Lowe by almost 10% of the vote. Lowe, who served on the city commission before his 42-vote victory to become mayor in 2010, released a statement thanking his supporters and congratulating Braddy, according to the Gainesville Sun. “While we disagreed on many of the issues confronting our city during this election, I hope that we will maintain an open line of communication as he assumes his duties as mayor and look forward to a city government that continues to take all viewpoints into account,” Lowe said in the statement.

Braddy attributed his victory to a campaign message of making the city affordable to residents and businesses. He also attributed victory to a network of supporters from across party lines.

“Our campaign, the entire thing, was the building of a coalition where people of many diverse backgrounds

could come together with a common cause,” Braddy said. “I intend to lead the same way. The burden is on the other commissioners who have already publicly declared that they are not open to other points of view. It seems to me what the people of Gainesville have said very �irmly is that on these dif�icult issues we have, they want multiple viewpoints brought to bear so that we can actually do the work of the people.”

In Gainesville’s weak mayoral system, the mayor is just one of seven votes on setting policy.

City Commissioner Thomas Hawkins said the election result was not a mandate from voters for the commission majority to change its goals.

“I think that the City Commission has a lot of important work to do to make Gainesville a better city and I didn’t hear Mr. Braddy talk about those things in a positive light during the campaign,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins said those issues include long-term plans to develop a bus rapid transit system, a long-term investment in the development of the parks system and the management of the city utility.

Lowe’s runoff campaign was marred by a March 21 DUI arrest and the resulting controversy. Two days after he advanced to face Braddy in the runoff, Lowe was arrested on a charge of driving

NEWS

Gainesville’s first gay mayor loses re-election

IN OTHER NEWS 18-YEAR-OLD EQUALITY ADVOCATE RESIGNS POST Florida’s youngest city official has resigned his position after his mother alerted city officials that he was no longer eligible to serve. Tyler Morrison, 18, was unanimously appointed to Boca Raton’s Community Relations Board in December.

Morrison’s mother, Andrea Riggin, complained to city officials that her son was unduly influenced by the president of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, and used as a pawn in his fight for gay rights in the city.

FORT LAUDERDALE MAYOR WON’T SIGN ON FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY Fort Lauderdale’s mayor supports civil unions, but won’t take a position on gay marriage because he doesn’t believe in “hypothetical issues.” Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler, who is generally supportive of the LGBT community, told the Miami Herald he’ll only take a position if he’s in a place to influence the outcome. Mayors for the Freedom to Marry campaign is asking mayors nationwide to sign a pledge in support of marriage equality. Seiler said that the reason he didn’t sign onto the Mayors for Marriage campaign is because he doesn’t sign petitions unless he is the organizer.

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nation+world NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS JUDGE RULES LESBIAN IMMIGRANT CAN CHALLENGE DOMA U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall ruled April 19 that a lesbian couple has standing to challenge the federal Defense of Marriage Act because it violates the constitutional rights of immigrants in same-sex marriages. The lawsuit, filed last year in Los Angeles on behalf of Philippines citizen Jane DeLeon and her spouse Irma Rodriguez, claims that DeLeon was eligible to obtain a U.S. green card, but was unable to obtain residency because the U.S. government doesn’t recognize her same-sex marriage to an American.

FATHER OF GAY OREGON TEEN BEGINS NATIONWIDE WALK The father of Jadin Bell, a gay Oregon 15-year-old who hanged himself in January, began walking across the United States April 20 to spread his message against bullying. Joe Bell says it’ll take two years and 5,000 miles to make it from Oregon to the East Coast. Bell has set up a foundation, Faces For Change, to promote anti-bullying programs.

2 PLEAD GUILTY TO HATE CRIME IN BEATING OF ATLANTA MAN Two Atlanta men have pleaded guilty to beating a man because of his sexual orientation as he left a grocery store in February 2012. Federal prosecutors say Christopher Cain and Dorian Moragne pleaded guilty April 18 to targeting the victim because he is gay. Prosecutors say it was the first case in Georgia to charge a violation of the sexual orientation section of the federal hate crimes law.

WASHINGTON FLORIST SUED FOR REFUSING SERVICE TO GAY COUPLE The ACLU in Washington state filed a lawsuit April 18 on behalf of a Kennewick gay couple denied service at a flower shop for their upcoming wedding. The lawsuit is in response to a March 1 incident in which Barronelle Stutzman refused to provide flowers for Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed’s wedding, despite the two men being longtime patrons of her shop. Under a 2006 state law, it is illegal for businesses to refuse to sell goods, merchandise and services to any person because of their sexual orientation.

MONTANA DECRIMINALIZES GAY SEX Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has signed a bill into law that removes obsolete language from state code deeming gay sex as deviant and criminal. The Democratic governor signed Senate Bill 107 at an April 19 ceremony amid cheers from legislators and gay rights activists. Both the House and the Senate showed bi-partisan support for the measure, but some conservatives say that Republican support for the decriminalization bill is a one-time deal and they will continue to vote against other gay rights measures.

WEST HOLLYWOOD OFFICIALS WARN OF MENINGITIS Officials warned sexually active gay men on April 12 to beware of a potentially deadly health threat after a case of bacterial meningitis was detected in Los Angeles County.

Tests were being done to see if the strain of illness is similar to the meningococcal infections that circulated among gay men in New York City and infected 22 people, resulting in seven fatalities, since 2010. “We don’t want to panic people,’’ said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran, ``but we learned 30 years ago the consequences of delay in the response to AIDS.’’

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

France legalizes same-sex marriage after volatile debate Wire Report

P

ARIS | France became the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage April 23 after a wrenching national debate and protests that �looded the streets of Paris. Legions of of�icers and water cannons stood ready near France’s National Assembly ahead of the �inal vote, bracing for possible violence on an issue that galvanized the country’s faltering conservative movement.

The measure passed easily in the Socialist-majority Assembly, 331225, just minutes after the president of the legislative body expelled a disruptive protester dressed in pink, the color adopted by French

opponents of gay marriage.

“Only those who love democracy are here,” Claude Bartelone, the Assembly president, said angrily.

In recent weeks, violent attacks against gay couples have spiked and some legislators have received threats—including Bartelone, who received a gunpowder-�illed envelope the day before the vote.

One of the biggest protests against same-sex marriage drew hundreds of thousands of people and ended in blasts of tear gas, as right-wing rabble-rousers led the charge against police, damaging cars along the Champs-Elysees avenue and making a break for the presidential palace.

Justice Minister Christiane Taubira told lawmakers that the �irst

weddings could be as soon as June.

When President Francois Hollande promised in 2012 to legalize same-sex marriage, it was seen as relatively uncontroversial.

But the issue has become a touchstone as his popularity has sunk to unprecedented lows.

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, and the strongest opposition in France as far as same-sex couples goes comes when children are involved.

According to recent polls, just over half of French are opposed to adoption by same-sex couples— about the same number who said they favored same-sex marriage. |  |

says no youth may be denied membership in the Scouts “on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.’’ A ban would continue on leadership roles for adults who are openly gay or lesbian.

Gay-rights groups, which had demanded a complete lifting of the ban, criticized the proposal as inadequate.

“Until every parent and young person have the same opportunity to serve, the Boy Scouts will continue to see a decline in both membership and donations,’’ said Rich Ferraro, a spokesman for the gay-rights watchdog group GLAAD. Some conservative groups assailed the proposal from the

opposite direction, saying the ban should be kept in its entirety.

“The policy is incoherent,’’ said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council. “The proposal says, in essence, that homosexuality is morally acceptable until a boy turns 18—then, when he comes of age, he’s removed from the Scouts.’’

The BSA said it changed course in part because respondents to a survey sent in February to about 1 million members of the Scouting community supported the BSA’s current policy of excluding gays by a margin of 61 percent to 34 percent, but a majority of younger parents and teens opposed the policy. |  |

singing the New Zealand love song “Pokarekare Ana’’ in the indigenous Maori language.

In one of several speeches that ended in a standing ovation, bill sponsor Louisa Wall told lawmakers the change was “our road toward healing.’’

“In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal—it’s a declaration of love and commitment to a special person,’’ she said. She added that “nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill.’’

Most political party leaders had encouraged lawmakers to vote by

their conscience rather than along party lines. Although Wall is from the opposition Labour Party, the bill also was supported by center-right Prime Minister John Key. “In my view, marriage is a very personal thing between two individuals,’’ Key said. ``And, in the end, this is part of equality in modern-day New Zealand.’’

New Zealand has had civil unions since 2005. The new law will allow gay couples to jointly adopt children for the �irst time and will also allow their marriages to be recognized in other countries. The law will take effect in late August. |  |

Boy Scouts propose to lift gay ban for youth Wire Report NEW YORK, N.Y. | Searching for compromise on a divisive issue, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is proposing to partially lift its long-standing exclusion of gays— allowing them as youth members but continuing to bar them as adult leaders.

The proposal, unveiled April 19 after weeks of private leadership deliberations, was submitted to the roughly 1,400 voting members of the BSA’s National Council during the week of April 20 at a meeting in Texas.

The key part of the resolution

Kiwis welcome marriage equality to Asia-Pacific Wire Report WELLINGTON, N.Z. | Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated at New Zealand’s Parliament as the country became the 13th in the world and the �irst in the Asia-Paci�ic region to legalize same-sex marriage.

Lawmakers voted 77 to 44 in favor of the gay-marriage bill on its third and �inal reading April 17.

People watching from the public gallery and some lawmakers immediately broke into song after the result was announced,

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S

Abby Dees ABBY@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

OMETIME IN THE ‘20S MY

grandfather became the thenyoungest Boy Scout to obtain the top rank of Eagle Scout. When he died he was as proud of that as he was of piloting ships into Tokyo Bay at the end of the war.

He was a classic Scout too. The epitome of honor and resourcefulness, he whistled while he worked and did everything he could think of to make life better for the people in his world.

I never talked about the gay scouting ban with my grandfather.

Maybe I didn’t give the 97-year-old guy enough credit, but I thought that conversation would be too awkward.

I’d have to explain things that we just didn’t talk about together, like the difference between plain old sex and sexual orientation. And I worried he’d think I was criticizing him personally, so I cut us both some slack. You get to do that with family sometimes.

I’m not cutting the Boy Scouts of America (or “BSA”) any slack right now, though. They have

It’s clear to me that the new policy proposal in no way seeks to challenge the idea that gay people, by definition, cannot be “morally straight.”

to look forward to.

Where in this is the idea of strength and honesty that is all over the Boy Scout Handbook?

I get that the BSA is a private organization and free to set its policy, but that doesn’t stop me from calling them out for causing harm to young people. With the mission of building character and honesty in our next generation of men, they are instead teaching that self-respect and respect for others is too fragile to withstand human difference and variety.

(Interestingly, some individual chapters �lout the ignorant

directives from above and are thriving, of course.)

This isn’t my grandfather’s Boy Scouts. He would have struggled to understand what it meant to be gay and probably gotten it wrong in parts, but he would have measured the man, or the boy, by his actions.

As a good Scout, he certainly wouldn’t have singled anyone out based on archaic stereotypes.

BSA, check your own traditions and try again. |  |

Cinco De Mayo

outloud

THINKING

Straightening Up At The Boy Scouts Of America

announced a proposed policy change: The BSA might admit gay Scouts—but de�initely not gay leaders.

So why even try? The stated basis for the ban has always been that homosexuality violates the Scout’s oath to be “morally straight.” Here’s what they mean by that: “[Y]our relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. (from the Boy Scout Oath and Law).

In other words, being gay is inconsistent with these characteristics. I’m not sure if it’s the honest and open part or the faith part, or whatever. I’m not privy to the bizarre conversation that must repeatedly transpire among BSA leadership every time they review and reaf�irm the ban, but it’s clear to me that the new policy proposal in no way seeks to challenge the idea that gay people, by de�inition, cannot be “morally straight.”

But wait, there’s more! They’ve also stated, “We allow youth to live as children and enjoy Scouting and its diversity without immersing them in the politics of the day …

The Boy Scouts of America has always re�lected the expectations that Scouting families have had for the organization. We do not believe that homosexuals provide a role model consistent with these expectations.”

Nonetheless, the BSA may feel comfortable now allowing gay boys to join their ranks even though they have of�icially labeled gays unworthy of admiration. This is no compromise, but a twisted update on “don’t ask don’t tell,” and children will pay the price for adult cowardice. I can’t think of a worse way of virtually dunking kids into “the politics of the day” than forcing them to parse this hypocrisy.

Imagine what this might feel like to a gay Scout. He’s allowed to join, presumably because he can’t help himself, poor thing.

But the BSA can still provide a bulwark that keeps other, still-unsullied straight boys from looking up to a gay Scout leader and getting ideas. He’d learn that people like him, once they grow up, can’t be trusted to behave. What a thing

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perspective

PUBLISHER’S

A Saturated Sadness

Tom Dyer TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

I

F YOU DON’T WANT TO READ

another missive about a man who loved his dog, I don’t blame you.

You have my permission to turn to the next page. But most Watermark readers are devoted pet owners. I hope there will be something here for you.

I said goodbye to my brave, handsome, wonderful little buddy last week. Duncan was just ten—not old for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. But just before Thanksgiving he hopped up on my bed to wake me and his breath smelled funny, even alarming. I took him to see our vet, Dr. Jim Martin at Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital, expecting a quick �ix.

Jim speculated that it might be an abscessed tooth or sinus infection, but under anesthesia he discovered that Duncan’s left upper gum was so rotted that the back teeth came out with a light tug. A few days later, biopsy results con�irmed what Jim feared: a cancerous spindle cell tumor.

The diagnosis came as a shock because Duncan had always been a robustly healthy dog. We met when he and his seven siblings were just eight weeks old; a pile of Corgi cuteness sleeping on their breeder’s kitchen �loor. I stepped over a barrier and sat on the �loor watching them. After a few minutes the one with big ears, four white paws and a beautiful white sweater woke up and sleepily crawled across the �loor and

into my lap. When his brothers and sisters roused, a serious puppy growl warned them away.

I took him home with me, even though I had no idea what came next.

I’d never owned a dog.

We got off to a rocky start because I didn’t know how to train him. In time I bought a guide book and learned that I was doing everything wrong.

Within a week my smart little puppy was potty trained and had stopped chewing furniture.

And at �irst I resented working twice-daily walks into my alwaysrunning-late schedule. Duncan’s care forced me to slow down, to my great bene�it. Our walks became my favorite part of the day: a chance to re�lect, plan, or just check out as I watched my dog blissfully sniff every marker in the neighborhood.

Duncan was willful. He showed me his canine teeth regularly (which in time just made me laugh). But by six months we were a happy pair; me the master with a light touch, him the stubborn but enthusiastic companion.

For the next ten years he traveled with me to St. Pete, and often joined me at work. Neighbors, clients, and Watermark staff came to love him dearly.

And at every turn he greeted me with expectant, devoted eyes that followed me everywhere—always ready to play, always happy to wait.

When I needed comfort I’d lie down next to him, nuzzle his neck and wait for our breathing to slow and then synch. That profound, loving connection is the closest thing to a spiritual experience I’ve known.

To determine treatment options for the cancer, I scheduled a CT scan at Bluepearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa with Dr. Jen Coyle—one of the few veterinary oncologists in the area. I dropped Duncan off, spent four hours at a nearby Starbucks trying not to think about him, and then returned for the results.

As Jen led me to her of�ice she warned, “This is brutal.”

The ghostlike CT scan, in quarter-inch vertical sections, showed cancer beginning just past Duncan’s snout and continuing into his left nasal cavity, down to his mouth and up to his brain, breaking through the skull at some places. It was so pervasive I couldn’t believe my little soldier hadn’t shown any symptoms until two weeks prior.

Fighting tears, I asked about treatment. Jen, also tearing, shook her head sideways.

“Radiation is the only thing that could work, but the tumor is too big and too close to his eye and his brain,” she said. “He’s a happy dog right now.

Keep him that way and enjoy him for as long as you can.”

During the long rush-hour drive home, Duncan was still sleepy from the anesthesia and put his head on the armrest between us. Looking down at him, it was hard to believe the cancer was so advanced.

A few weeks later I went to a late movie by myself, and as I left the theater I started sobbing. It was almost 2 a.m. I didn’t expect to encounter anyone, but a homeless guy tucked under a walkway lifted his head as I walked by. It was brutally cold, and I fetched him an old blanket from my car.

He thanked me and told me he’d seen me crying. I told him my dog had cancer and didn’t have long to live.

“That’s too bad,” he said gently.

“But you know what? Your dog doesn’t know that.”

And in fact as the tumor grew, eventually blocking his vision and �illing his mouth, Duncan never seemed to take notice. Mercifully, I stopped seeing the tumor, too.

It turns out we had �ive mostly wonderful months left together. Jim started Duncan on pain medication.

He was playful, ornery, and always my very good boy. But eventually the tumor grew and started to bleed, often uncontrollably. A round of chemo didn’t help. I covered the carpet with sheets and towels. Always selfsuf�icient, Duncan tried his best to keep himself clean with his tongue and front paws.

Toward the end Duncan stopped eating—even the chopped chicken livers I made for him. He cut walks short, turning back toward home after a half-block. The twinkle left his eye.

My best friend, Ed, was Duncan’s second dad. We said goodbye to him on a beautiful Friday afternoon at Mead Gardens. Jim had agreed to meet us there, and when he wrapped him in a blanket and carried him away there was only the sound of the birds and the squirrels and the wind in the trees.

I miss Duncan—terribly. It’s a saturated sadness, born of the richness of life. It’s a pain I can bear, grateful to have loved so deeply and unsel�ishly.

I can even look forward to experiencing the whole cycle again, with another dog. Until that happens I continue to take walks, by myself, talking to Duncan.

To see pictures of Duncan, visit Watermarkonline.com. |  |

I took him home with me, even though I had no idea what came next.

I’d never owned a dog.

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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TALKING POINTS

Until the leadership of the RNC is willing to confront and denounce bigotry in its own ranks, they will continue to lose elections.

—JIMMY LASALVIA, GOPROUD FOUNDER, REFERRING TO THE RNC’S APPROVAL OF ITS ANTI-MARRIAGE EQUALITY RESOLUTION.

5

-OUT-OF-THE-TOP-10

SEARCH TERMS IN IRAN, WHERE HOMOSEXUALITY IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH,

are gay-related, including “daddy love” and “hotel businessman.”

—According to an interactive survey by PornMd

IS OUT LIST O

UT MAGAZINE IS TAKING A BEATING AFTER RELEASING ITS 50 POWER PLAYERS LIST THIS MONTH. Readers complain that there are only four people of color on the list—and no transgender nods! There also seems to be a de�icient number of lesbians this year, according to some comments on the magazine’s website.

Some other surprises on the list: FOX anchor Shepard Smith, who has not publicly come out, is given the No. 8 slot, just ahead of lesbian senator Tammy Baldwin. And RuPaul barely made the list, squeezing in at No. 50, just behind Perez Hilton. |  |

N EARLY APRIL, A MAN IN CHINA’S GUANGDONG PROVINCE ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER A LIVE EEL HE HAD PLACED UP HIS RECTUM chewed through his colon and slithered into his body

cavity. The man told doctors he was recreating a scene he saw in a pornographic movie.

The 20-inch long Asian Swamp Eel was removed—still alive—from the man during an emergency surgery. However,

ON THE OHIO TEACHER FIRED AFTER BEING OUTED IN MOTHER’S OBITUARY:

she never would’ve lasted that long there in the first place. It is not a secret how the higher-ups in the church feel about us so why would you want them to be your employer in the first place?”

“It is horrible but you have to know when you work for a Catholic school that this could come up as an issue. I’m sure she hid this for the past 19 years, otherwise

—TANYA BLASINGAME

ON BILL KANOUFF PREPARING FOR THE RED RIBBON RUN, 18 MONTHS AFTER LOSING HIS LEG: “I’ve known Bill a long time, I was a huge supporter of Tomes and Treasures when

I

T TOOK MORE THAN 60 YEARS, BUT DC COMICS FINALLY HAS ITS FIRST TRANSGENDER CHARACTER. Batgirl #19 introduced fans to Alysia Yeoh, who is the transgender roommate of the title character, when it was released in early April.

The character is also bisexual, which writer Gail Simone told Wired, is a way to represent “not just humanity, but also our own loyal audience.” Several characters have disclosed their homosexuality in recent years, including Bat Woman and Green Lantern. Alysia Yeoh could be the �irst of several transgender characters, Simone hinted. |  |

WATERMARKONLINE.COM POLL the creature died soon after.

The unidenti�ied man is expected to make a full recovery, but he could face animal cruelty charges. |  |

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM

—STEVE WATSON

BISEXUAL ROOMMATE

TRANSPHOBIC?

HE PUT AN EEL WHERE? I

“Boy, those Catholics sure have a weird definition of “kindness, compassion and sensitivity.”

BATGIRL GETS TRANSGENDER,

I lived in Tampa. I wish him the best in this race, so glad he is doing so well.”

—MICHAEL J. KELLY

ON 4.11.13 EDITOR’S DESK ON ANTI-GAY PUBLICATIONS: “We used to read “The Tablet” to find out which movies were condemned, and then the entire (Catholic) neighborhood would stampede to the Fortway Theatre to watch sure-fire box office smashes.”

THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF RUMORS ABOUT A GAY NFL PLAYER COMING OUT, BUT NO ONE HAS ACTUALLY COME FORWARD SO FAR.

WILL WE SEE IT HAPPEN?

Yes, but not for a long, long time.

33% Yes, any day now.

12%

It will never happen — sports culture is still too anti-gay.

11%

I don’t think there are any gay NFL players.

—JIM CRESCITELLI APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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Practice and Pressure

ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

Putnam County Spelling Bee uses au dience participation, ad-libbing.

LETTER PEOPLE:

Matthew McGee, left of the trophy, plays a stuffy, conservative administrator and Caitlin Longstreet, center, plays the child of two gay men in American Stage in the Park’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Demens Landing.

PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN STAGE

Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

T. PETERSBURG | BEFORE HEADING

to Demens Landing to watch American Stage in the Park’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, you may want to brush up on your own vocabulary words.

The musical comedy is mostly scripted, but has plenty of ad-libbing and audience participation to produce an entirely new show each night.

Several members of the audience get pulled into the spelling bee within the production—and that’s a big part of what makes the hit Broadway play such a perfect �it for the outdoor theater along St. Petersburg’s waterfront.

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

The show runs through May 26.

“People say they’ve heard of Spelling Bee, but they don’t know details,” says Steven Flaa, the director of the production.

“Musical theater people know it well, though. There is a lot of improv and a lot of comedy.”

And Flaa, who is gay, says the show speaks to a number

Continued on page 38 |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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4/4/2013 11:51:49 AM

Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42.

B KID HEAVY: Patrick Huard finds out he has 533 kids in Starbuck.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Accidental Heroes Starbuck Starring Patrick Huard, Antoine Bertrand, Julie La Breton

C

ONSIDER THE PREMISE OF THIS

French Canadian �ilm; a buffoon sperm donor accidentally fathers 533 kids. Now, 144 of them are old enough to want to know their dad’s identity. The only information they have is his youthful alias, “Starbuck.”

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

This plot could have birthed sheer Adam Sandler stupidity. In fact, I’m worried—there’s going to be an American remake with Vince Vaughn. Why, when this one is so good?

Because it’s French? Are American audiences that shallow?

Starbuck begins with a well-drawn, lovable idiot (Huard). He may grow pot in his crappy apartment. He may tool around town in his dad’s meat truck. He may owe mobsters $80,000. But, Starbuck has a gigantic heart.

So, it’s not surprising—especially since Starbuck has accidentally gotten girlfriend La Breton

pregnant—that he’d try to sneakily get to know some of his offspring. Yes, he’s a bumbling moron who wants to be a hero, a guardian angel, to his unsuspecting kids. We’re not even surprised when it’s revealed how sweet, kind Starbuck used all that money from donating sperm over 600 times.

Some people would call this �ilm mushy, soft and preposterous. Those are often just other terms for a “crowd-pleaser.” With its crowd of interesting kids and lovable dad, that’s exactly what Starbuck achieves.

Does the mobster angle seem �laccid? Yes. Are there some questions about how things transpire?

Sure. But it’s nothing that halts the successful delivery of this foreign charmer. |  |

James McAvoy puts us in a Trance.

42

Trance

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie

Starring James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel

D

IRECTOR DANNY BOYLE IS EAUTIFUL, SELF-IMPORTANT 42 KNOWN FOR HIS KINETIC FEELS THE NEED TO TELL YOU STYLE (Slumdog Millionaire, IT’S BASED ON A TRUE STORY. This means, apparently, whole 127 Hours, Trainspotting). He always populations don’t know about Jackie makes �ilms that are alternately Robinson (Boseman)—number 42—the wonderful, gory, humorous and �irst black man in major league baseball. shocking—�illed with memorable Branch Rickey (Ford) hired Robinson to images. However, all that frenetic play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. work can be a distraction if the story Robinson faced terrible discrimination is already convoluted. on his team, in the stands and in the McAvoy is an art auctioneer who press. He, his wife, and newborn son helps some master thieves led by had death threats.

Cassel to steal a famous This is all grand stuff, painting. At the last minute, which is what obviously RATINGS GUIDE McAvoy pulls a double switch. drew writer/director Brian Cassel bangs McAvoy on the Helgeland (L.A. Con�idential). head and the auctioneer It also was his downfall. 42 is forgets where he hid the See it now! Buy a bit square, full of bravado, painting. In order to jog his the DVD! Quote replete with sepia-toned memory, the thieves hire lines at parties! photography, slow-motion hypnotist Dawson to help. shots, and a booming score by Already—by the plot Definitely worth Mark Isham. Characters are description—Trance sounds the price of big and two-dimensional. Ford like a stylish but light caper. admission chews scenery along with his The gimmick is that the cigar, and Boseman remains injury and the hypnotist are It’s useful as a upstanding and strong. screwing with McAvoy’s head. distraction This isn’t really a So, this gives director Boyle complicated �ilm. It’s a museum a long leash to screw around piece for the Baseball Hall with the timeline, the visuals Maybe if someone else pays and you of Fame. It’s a beautiful, and other aspects. need a nap uncomplicated history None of this really helps lesson for 12-year-olds. It’s a tell a concise story. However, feel-good panacea.

I think the goal here is to Slightly worse Hollywood almost always confuse us, to keep up in the than eternal does this when it makes a �ilm dark. The problem is that damnation about racism —like Oscarwe’re misled over and over. winner Crash or that abysmal Tuskegee Characters act wildly inconsistent, Airmen �ilm Red Tails. Racism is more and very smart people who hate each complex and sneakier than 42, and I other—who know they’d be better off suspect the real Robinson and Rickey without each other—do stupid things In the end, Trance is not a were more interesting, too. masterpiece but a small pop tri�le.

Maybe this �ilm means to fool us into It’s watchable because the actors are thinking we’ve �inally conquered racism. committed and Boyle is interesting.

Rendering our heroes so large and broad, Otherwise, it’d be downright however, is actually another form of forgettable. |  | stereotyping. We’re all smarter about racism than 42 thinks we are. |  |

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FAMOUS BITCH: Almost 40 years after she first entered American Pop Culture as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie,

Alison Arngrim is touring with her one-woman show about her experiences on the series.

Little Bitch on the Prairie THEATER

Little House on the Prairie’s Alison Arngrim Tells All

M

Erik R. Caban ERIK@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

ANY GREW UP WATCHING ALISON

Angrim heckle the children of Walnut Grove during her reign of terror as Nellie Oleson on the long running hit television show Little House on the Prairie, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2014.

In addition to her seven years on Little House, Arngrim guest-starred on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, the NBC movie of the week, I Married Wyatt Earp, as well as a number of stage performances and a successful stand-up comedy career.

Since the mid 1980s, Arngrim has devoted much of her time to AIDS awareness. One of her inspirations

34

for her charity work is the memory of her friend and fellow actor Steve Tracy, who played the role of Nellie Oleson’s husband, Percival Dalton, on Little House on the Prairie. Openly gay, Tracy died from complications from AIDS in 1986.

In 2010, Alison turned her onewoman comedy show, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated, into a New York Times Best Seller. The witty, poignant and sometimes hilarious tale details the childhood sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother, and relates how she was hated by Little House fans on the screen and off.

The author, actress, and advocate spoke with Watermark before her May 11-12 stint at Parliament House’s Footlight Theater to discuss life on the prairie, life as an author, and her return to Orlando for the �irst time since 1974.

WATERMARK: CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE SHOW AND WHAT FANS CAN EXPECT?

ALISON ARNGRIM: Confessions of Prairie Bitch is a one-woman extravaganza! There will be a

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

question and answer segment.

The audience is given cards at the beginning of the show that say “Ask Alison Anything.” And I’m serious.

It’s one of my favorite parts of the show because I answer them live and have no idea what anybody is going to ask.

I have insane stories from my life with photos and videos to back it up. I talk about what it’s been like to have people call me “Bitch” to my face every day since I was 11 years old. It’s a very strange way to grow up. [Laughs.] Having all these people afraid of me when that’s so not “me.”

I had to adjust to the idea that, if that’s how I’m going to be treated, I can work with this.

I talk about growing up in Hollywood and my gay dad; my mother being the voice of “Casper, the Friendly Ghost” and the mother on Davey and Goliath; Liberace; and all the icons I had growing up, people like Eartha Kitt and Carol Channing, who’s a friend of mine.

She’s fabulous.

I SAW THAT YOU WERE JUST IN FRANCE FOR YOUR TOUR. DO YOU HAVE A BIG FOLLOWING IN EUROPE?

It’s crazy. Little House on the Prairie shows in 140 countries. In some places, they’re just obsessed with it. I need to go to Argentina apparently. They’re completely out of control for it. The French love it— and the Japanese as well. I go to France twice a year and do two different shows.

Christians, drag queens. You have people who unplug their TV because they feel like it’s become too immoral and awful and they’ll only watch their Little House DVDs. There are people who dress up as “Nellie Oleson” and do vodka Jello shots during the show. There are episodes that people are very sentimental about and they’d never make fun of, and then there are others that people mock and then they send them up and laugh at them. I’ve never seen anything like it, where the feelings are so strong in both directions. People will make fun of Little House—like the fact that Michael Landon never wore underwear or how “Nellie” was such a bitch or how Barry was such a snitch always ratting on Laura. It’s crazy; people will pick on it but then they’ll put on a certain episode and they’ll start sobbing, “Aw, I miss Michael Landon. I wish he was my pa.”

YOU’VE BEEN ACTING SINCE YOU WERE A CHILD AND SURELY WORKED WITH A LOT OF LGBT PEOPLE, INCLUDING YOUR ON-SCREEN HUSBAND. IS IT SAFE TO SAY YOU HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH LGBT COMMUNITY?

Oh, gosh, yes! I was raised in West Hollywood. My father was bisexual and worked for Liberace as his manager through the ‘60s and ‘70s. I was completely raised in “Gay Land.” [Laughs.] I got involved with AIDS activism in the late ‘80s after Steve Tracy, my on-screen husband WILL THIS BE “Percival,” got sick.

YOUR FIRST He was very public TIME IN FLORIDA? about it at a time when This will be people were not. I tried the premiere of to do stuff to help other Confessions of people, like working a Prairie Bitch on the California AIDS in Florida. But Hotline. That was sometime in the late actually how I met my 80s, I did stand-up husband, Bob, who was at an AIDS bene�it —ALISON ARNGRIM running the Hotline. there. I actually Since the early �ilmed my �irst movie, Throw Out the 2000s, I’ve been on the board for Anchor, in Orlando. [Laughs.] God, it was awful. I was 10 years old and we PROTECT, lobbying and changing lives to protect children from abuse. got to go Disney World when it �irst

“Stay the hell away from reality TV— that shit isn’t good for you.

It’s the crack cocaine of television.”

opened. So, this will, in effect, be my triumphant return, 40 freaking years later! [Laughs.]

HAVE YOU PERFORMED IN A GAY BAR BEFORE?

That’s usually where I wind up.

[Laughs.] That’s true even with my following in France. Little House on the Prairie is one of those shows that truly unites everybody. Everybody likes it—old ladies, kids, born again

watermarkonline.com

IN ADDITION TO BEING AN ACTRESS, WRITER AND ADVOCATE, YOU HAVE A CAREER AS A STAND-UP COMIC. YOU TOUCH ON IT IN THE BOOK, BUT IN A BIT MORE DETAIL, WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START PERFORMING?

I started doing stand-up when I was 15 in L.A. My father was a manager for a number of stand-up comics at the time. I would hang out at the club and heckle the comics

and one night I was dared to try it.

And it just seemed to work and really suited my personality. In 2002, instead of doing my regular act, I started telling true stories from my life. Boy, it really took off! That’s how my whole one-woman show Confessions of A Prairie Bitch started.

DO YOU HAVE A CHARITY FOUNDATION YOU ARE ESPECIALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT?

AIDS Project Los Angeles, where I started, but I try to work with a lot of the smaller organizations around the country who can’t afford to get Madonna to perform to help raise money. [Laughs.] The folks up in Seattle at Lifelong AIDS Alliance are really cool.

I did their AIDS Walk a few years back.

IN YOUR BOOK YOU TALK ABOUT THE ABUSE YOU SUFFERED AS A CHILD. HAS YOUR CELEBRITY HELPED YOUR ROLE AS AN ADVOCATE?

Rightly or wrongly, people listen to what celebs have to say. The media will let them on the TV and blabber about things. Like George Clooney when he spoke about the Sudan Relief and Elizabeth Taylor and her work with AIDS, celebrities are really able to throw attention toward causes. The problem is, sometimes you have to give the celebrity spokesperson cue cards so they don’t screw it up. [Laughs.]

I think if someone with the following of—good lord—say Paris Hilton, would use her celebrity, think of the things she could do. Tell people to recycle or save a tree. [Laughs.] I’m shocked that a lot don’t do more with their celebrity. There are thousands of people in Hollywood making movies and on television shows and you just never know who’s going to catch on and become these icons.

When I started on Little House, I could never have predicted the longevity of the series—none of us would have. I didn’t think I’d be getting mobbed in Paris, getting fan mail from China and Ecuador. I never thought “Nellie Oleson” would have struck such a nerve where I’d see people dressing up as her in bars. So, I think when you get struck by lightning, you should say something worthwhile.

When Steve [Tracy] got sick, my phone rang off the hook with stupid questions like, “Do you have AIDS? You kissed him on the show.” I could’ve hidden but I was like, “Hey, I’ve got this opportunity.” The media was literally shoving microphones in my face and saying “We’re going to run what you say.” I was like, “They’re letting me talk, I should say something useful.”

I used the opportunity to help people who were sick or depressed. I’m just amazed more famous people don’t.

LOVE TO HATE: In the 1970s, Alison Arngrim rose to international fame as the hateful Nellie Oleson who harassed heroine Laura Ingels on Little House on the Prairie.

BEING IN THE BUSINESS FOR SO LONG, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO YOUR YOUNGER COLLEAGUES?

A lot of kids want to get into the business—even more so now than when I was a kid. There’s a lot of young people who see shows like The Voice or American Idol and think, “If I sing in the shower, I can go on this show and get a career.” Then, there are the reality stars.

That’s not how it works; you become famous for doing something. This famous for being famous thing, it’s not really good for people.

There was a report that came out of England that reported that the suicide rate of those involved in reality shows is really high. So, my advice is to stay the hell away from reality TV—that shit isn’t good for you. It’s the crack cocaine of television. If you’re on a show as a kid, save your money. Make sure your parents aren’t stealing from you. Keep your pants on. [Laughs.]

In summary: no drugs, save your money, keeps the pants on and say “no” to reality TV. That’s my advice.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Everything and anything. After touring with this show, I’ll be working on a second book. There’s a fabulous web series called Child of the 70s, which I’m going to be doing. I also just did a pilot called Living the Dream. It’s about a young man who wants to be an actor. I play his very sweet but totally overbearing, out-of-control mother. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

4/21/13 6:06 PM watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE. 37

|  | Putnam County

SF: One tells her that “God hates losers. Losers don’t know how to win.’

MM: That’s a horrible thing to say to a child!

Spelling Bee from pg.29

of audience types, but especially to the LGBT community. It also doesn’t hurt that one of the main characters, a child named Logainne “Schwartzy” Schwartzandgrubenierre, played

by Caitlin Longstreet, is parented by two dads. The show also stars local favorite Matthew McGee, who received rave reviews as Dr. Frank-N-Furter during last year’s Rocky Horror Show.

Watermark sat down with Flaa, Longstreet and McGee before a rehearsal at Demens Landing to talk about the production, its characters and its LGBT appeal:

EVEN WITH ALL THE GAY ELEMENTS, IS THERE MASS APPEAL HERE TOO?

WATERMARK: ONE THING

FANS WILL NOTICE IS THAT MATTHEW MCGEE ISN’T IN A DRESS FOR THIS PRODUCTION.

MATTHEW MCGEE: (Laughs.) In fact, I’m playing Douglas Panch, a character that I see as an uptight conservative Republican, which is more of a drag than anything else! It’s totally different and I love it. It’s wearing a wig, which is still a funny thing to do outside in Florida in April or May. It’s a great role. He’s uptight and stuffy and totally in love with the hostess of the spelling bee. By the end he has a nice heartfelt moment, but since I was cast I have been embracing the things I’ve read online about how frustrated teachers and educators get with the education system. I now realize why so many people in the education profession are frustrated, and so is he. And that’s so much fun to play.

STEVEN FLAA: Matthew has certain moments where he can do his thing. There are open things he can change. In one part his character explains why he had a breakdown. Matthew decided that since his character is Republican, that he was a Romney supporter and still hasn’t recovered.

IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERY PRODUCTION OF SPELLING BEE IS DIFFERENT THAN THE LAST.

MM: There is a lot of room to ad-lib. It’s a sweet story and people have heard about it. But it works so well because it’s sweet.

But there’s a strange sense of, “What will happen next?” There’s uncertainty because we bring spellers from the audience on stage. One word I’ve found is ‘mamase mamasa mamakusa.’

38

HEAD OF THE CLASS: The characters in American Stage in the Park’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee represent students we all knew in elementary school. PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN STAGE

I play a character I see as an uptight conservative Republican, which is more of a drag than anything else!

—MATTHEW MCGEE

[Made famous by a chant in Michael Jackson’s hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”].

THAT’S JUST MEAN.

MM: My job is to eliminate spellers. If we get great spellers up there we’re in trouble. (Laughs.)

Watching audience members spelling like cast members is fun.

SF: We tell the volunteers to really try and spell the words. At certain times in the show Matthew has to keep up with how many spellers we’re supposed to have left.

IS IT SCARY BRINGING AUDIENCE MEMBERS ON STAGE?

SF: There’s an element of surprise and danger.

MM: I’m looking forward to it.

I think that’s when I’ll relax the most and be ready to go.

SF: Matthew is different than most actors in that regard.

TELL OUR READERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LGBT CONNECTION IN SPELLING BEE.

MM: To me it’s strangely even more accessible than Rocky

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Horror was last year. The show has insights into the way families work and kids grow up. Sexuality is included and one character has two dads. So you see all of this. The role I play was played

by Mo Rocca and Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Broadway. For a lot of this play, it helps when you’re a student of pop culture and politics and a lot of people in our community are savvy like that.

This show has a slant and appeal for a gay audience.

SF: The concept of outsiders and people who are different will appeal to LGBT audiences.

All of the kids have these weird quirks and don’t �it in with the other kids. We’re talking about feelings of isolation and being different. Obviously that’s very prevalent in LGBT youth.

IS IT DIFFICULT PLAYING A CHILD?

CAITLIN LONGSTREET: It’s surprisingly easier than you think to play a child. It is a lot of fun because you let inhibitions go.

Children don’t have the barriers adults tend to have. So it’s not as dif�icult as you’d think to just let

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

whatever happen.

SF: Actors by breed are childlike.

Not childish, but child-like in that they have to be open and accessible and able to absorb these things.

CL: We’re trained to suppress emotions. Adults don’t want to have others see what they are thinking. When your job is to portray those emotions anyway, you �ind a way to let them out. So playing a child isn’t as big as a stretch if you let those barriers fall.

AND YOUR CHARACTER IS THE CHILD OF A GAY COUPLE...

MM: She does a nice job and shows the pressure this individual is under. It’s interesting because she has pressure from two dads, and one is extremely controlling.

The two dads who push her do it too much. It shows that gay people aren’t necessarily great parents either—they’re normal.

CL: They do care about her and want her to succeed. But they are overbearing and don’t always listen to her.

watermarkonline.com

MM: As I’m sitting there between my moments and getting my words ready, I’m gleaning what’s happening; I’m able to watch it around me. It’s so different for me and I’m able to relate to this show in so many different ways.

SF: Everyone has parents.

MM: Everyone was an awkward kid.

SF: One character notices a fellow speller’s younger sister in the crowd and has an unfortunate erection.

MM: That’s very relatable.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE ON THAT STAGE.

MM: The woman playing ‘Rona,’ Laura Hodos, and I both work at Disney doing improv shows where we remark on guests from all over the world. You �ind something about everyone and suddenly Steven has cast the two of us to do what we do almost every day at work—riff on people.

CL: The two are extremely funny.

MM: Our characters remind me of the two commentators from the �ilm Pitch Perfect. There’s a charm to it. We’ve already been writing jokes to each other online and then saying, ‘We can’t say that!’ It has a fun appeal but the cast does the heavy lifting.

They sing, dance—and I even jump into a number or two for some high kicks.

WHO IS THE HERO OF THIS SHOW?

SF: The hero is different for different people. We’ve all been these kids and everyone will �ind the person they want to root for. That’s what makes this show so great—it has a different connection for every different person watching it. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee WHERE: Demens Landing, St. Petersburg WHEN: Through May 26 TICKETS: AmericanStage.org

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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K N !

SPA : Orlando

Smokey Joe’s Cafe

THROUGH MAY 5 Pointe Performing Arts Center 407-374-3587 PointeArts.org

Sanford

THROUGH MAY 12 Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center 407-321-8111 HelenStairsTheatre.com

St. Petersburg The Amish Project THROUGH MAY 12 American Stage 727-823-7529 AmericanStage.org

Jon Secada

MAY 4 The Club at Treasure Island 727-367-4511 theclubti.com

Tampa

War Horse

APRIL 30-MAY 5 Straz Center 813-229-7827 StrazCenter.org For more events or to submit your upcoming show, concert or performance, visit

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ENTERTAINMENT EVENT PLANNER

The 50 Shades Parody

QUICK PICKS

La Cage Aux Folles

ARTS &

S

TAMPA/ORLANDO

PANK! THE FIFTY SHADES PARODY

is the hilarious new musical produced

by Mills Entertainment that puts its own clever and comedic take on the risqué, record-breaking book, Fifty Shades of Grey.

The book we’ve all heard about but none of us has read (yeah, right) swept the world last year with its

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hot narrative about a sexy, kinky hero and his in�luence on the woman he bedded.

This take on that story is

a musical mixed with sexy striptease performances from a devilishly handsome leading man.

While the story is hetero, LGBTs will enjoy the skin and humor in this parody, which lands at the Straz Center in Tampa on April 2527 and Plaza Live Orlando on Sunday, April 28.

For tickets, visit StrazCenter.org or PlazaLiveOrlando.com. |  |

ORLANDO/LAKELAND Celtic Woman

HE BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED WOMEN OF CELTIC WOMAN will bring their latest show to Orlando’s Bob Carr Peforming Arts Center on Saturday, May 4, and Polk County’s Lakeland Center on Tuesday, May 7.

Under the distinct musical direction of Emmynominated music producer David Downes, this musical experience features Celtic

Woman performing classic Irish tunes like “The Water is Wide,” “The Parting Glass” and pop anthems like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Sailing.”

The singing divas also perform inspirational songs and mix in traditional Irish dances—so there’s plenty of eye candy on stage.

For tickets and details, visit TicketMaster.com or TheLakelandCenter.com. |  |

LARGO Forbidden Broadway Volume II

W

E ALL HAVE OUR FAVORITE BROADWAY SHOW and our can’t-live-without Broadway anthem we deem as sacred. But nothing is sacred in Forbidden Broadway Volume II, which lampoons classic and contemporary Broadway hits.

The long-running OffBroadway hit musical revue is where the Great White Way’s

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

greatest musical legends meet Broadway’s greatest satirist in a tribute of shows, stars and songwriters.

Eight O’Clock Theatre will lampoon Annie with “I’m 30 Years Old, Tomorrow,” Hairspray with “You Can’t Stop the Camp” and Les Miserables with “On My Phone,” May 3-19.

For tickets, visit EightOclockTheatre.com. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

41

5.18.13

• Heavy Hors d’oeuvres by Timpano Italian Chophouse • Dessert & Coffee Lounge by Piquant Hyde Park • Signature Cocktails, Craft Brews, Imported Spanish Wines & Cava • Surprise Entertainment • Full Gallery Access • Annual Museum Membership

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$75 per person before May 5 $85 per person after May 5 Tickets and information: prideandpassion.org @PridePassionTPA #GORG #fabulous

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Pride & Passion

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ShotonSite

Tampa Bay

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1- STAYING COOL: (L-R) Jacob Hamm, Chris Rudisill, Eric Hutton and Michael Smith enjoy the cool evening April 20 outside the Dali Museum. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 2- ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING: A small but enthusiastic group attended a rally in downtown Tampa April 16 in response to Hillsborough County Commission’s failure to create a domestic partner registry. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

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3- ON RECORD: Pastor Joe Parramore is recorded by an ABC Action News videographer as he speaks at a small rally across from the Hillsborough County Commission office in downtown Tampa April 16 addressing the county’s failure to create a domestic partner registry.

PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

4- PUPPY LOVE: Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner took part in the 11th Annual Tuxes and Tails fundraiser benefitting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa April 20. PHOTO COURTESY KRISTA SPARKMAN 5- LAST CALL: Jake Frerichs stands behind the bar of The Garage on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg one last time April 12 before starting his new job with Times Square Properties. PHOTO BY STEVE

BLANCHARD

6- HONORED GUESTS: (L-R) Allegra Kartha, Lorraine Langlois, Julie Mastry Janssen and Trevor Burgess were honored by Equality Florida at the Dali Museum April 20 at the Dali Museum. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

7- LIKE IT HOT: Hostess Arica Love channels her inner Marilyn Monroe during a Three Olives Vodka promotion night theme party at the Ivory Lounge in Sarasota April 18. PHOTO COURTESY IVORY LOUNGE

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8- TO THE NINES: (L-R) Kathie Michaels, Renee Cossette and Jay Aller chat during the Equality Florida Pinellas Gala at the Dali Museum April 20. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

OVERHEARD FRERICHS’ LAST CALL

C

OUNTLESS BAR PATRONS IN ST. PETERSBURG HAVE CHATTED UP, DROOLED OVER AND CONVERSED WITH JAKE FRERICHS, the dark haired, handsome bartender at The Garage on Central over the last few years. But Frerichs is hanging up his bar towel for a new career with Times Square Properties, a real estate company in downtown St. Petersburg, and he poured his last drink as a full time bartender on April 12. The handsome, straight ally worked the bars at The Flamingo Resort and at Beak’s Old Florida restaurant before landing at The Garage. He has also been an active participant in St. Pete Pride—riding on or marching

as part of various �loats—and a fundraising walker in AIDS Walk Tampa Bay. His new position as property manager will put Frerichs in charge of maintenance and leasing at the downtown property.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll never tend bar again. Frerichs said he will return to The Garage during large events, such as St. Pete Pride or themed nights.

EQUALITY FLORIDA HONORS LOCALS

A

MID ALL OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE EQUALITY FLORIDA PINELLAS GALA ON APRIL 20 HELD WITHIN THE SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM, �ive individuals

were recognized for their ongoing commitment to LGBT equality and activism. Hostess Katee Tully introduced the crowd to Metro Wellness and Community Centers CEO Lorraine Langlois, C1 Bank CEO Trevor Burgess, educator and former Pinellas Schools Superintendent Julie Mastry Janssen and 16-year-old philanthropist Allegra Kartha during a small ceremony at the beginning of the annual gala.

Kartha, Tully explained, held a yard sale earlier this year and raised nearly $3,000, which she donated to Equality Florida. Also on hand that evening was St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, who read a proclamation declaring April 20 Equality Florida Day in St. Petersburg.

NAE NAE DOMINATRIX NAMED COMEDY QUEEN 2013

A

PACKED HOUSE CROWDED THE HONEY POT IN YBOR CITY FOR THE ANNUAL MISS COMEDY QUEEN 2013 PAGEANT ON APRIL 14. Judges and the audience chose Miss Nae Nae Dominatrix to represent Tampa Bay for the next year.

Several former winners made special appearances at the show, including The Minx, April Fresh, Chi Chi La Lique, Ginger Minj, Nicky Monet, Kathryn Nevets and Melanie Minyon. Nae Nae Dominatrix received $500 along with her crown and paid entry into the National Comedy Queen pageant.

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SSL ELECTS OFFICERS

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HE SUNCOAST SOFTBALL LEAGUE HELD ITS ANNUAL ELECTIONS DURING THE GAMES HELD ON SUNDAY, APRIL 21, giving teams several hours to cast ballots for commissioners and other of�icers. The organization announced its new elected of�icers the following day. Kevin Hansen was elected League Commissioner and Jim Michener was named B Assistant Commissioner. Ed Levesque and Eric Bickerstaff were elected C and D Assistant Commissioners, respectively. The league elected Drew Drosinos as secretary, Scott Lenker as treasurer, Andrew Mason as Parliamentarian and Kyle Streng as the NAGAAA Representative. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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Get Ready For The Gayest Week of the Year!

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

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ORLANDO

1- LGBT ABCS: MBA corporate development director Jason Holstein moderates a panel titled “The ABCs of LGBT ERGs” at The Florida Diversity Conference at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on April 11. PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL FARMER

2- GETTING STONED: Professor Thomas Ouellette, left, emceed “An Evening with Oliver Stone” at Rollins College April 18. PHOTO BY TOM DYER

3- TALE AS OLD AS TIME: The cast of Stained Glass Windows rehearses in preparation for this year’s Orlando Fringe Festival, May 15-28 at Loch Haven Park. PHOTO COURTESY KATHRYN HUEY

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4- PRISCILLA PREPPED: (L-R) Nicholas Olivieri, Eddie Nickell, Alicia Markstone and CoCo Markstone attend opening night of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. PHOTO BY TOM DYER

5- VICTORY!: On April 16, Bob Poe, second from left, hosted a reception for Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe, second from right. Also pictured is Watermark publisher Tom Dyer, Elizabeth McCarthy and Center director Randy Stephens.

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6- PROUD PAPAS: Nick Russo (left) and Joe Gonzales prepare to leave the hospital with their one-day-old daughter, Madeline, on April 16. PHOTO COURTESY NICK RUSSO 7- BREAKING GROUND: On April 19, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (in tan) helped break ground for the Central Florida Veterans Memorial at the VA Medical Center in Lake Nona. PHOTO COURTESY THE CITY OF ORLANDO. 8- WEINERFIED: Ivanhoe Village executive director Scottie Campbell hangs out with hotdogger (seriously, that’s her title) “Lots-of-Ketchup Lisa” during an Oscar Mayer Weinermobile stop in Orlando on April 11.

PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN

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OVERHEARD OUT CANDIDATE ON NATIONAL TICKET?

T

OO SOON TO TALK 2016?

Not for Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe, who was the guest of honor at an April 16 reception hosted by Bob Poe, who sits on the organization’s board.

Wolfe touted the organization’s accomplishments, including almost doubling LGBT representation in Congress from four to seven, and electing the �irst out U.S. Senator, Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin. And he noted that out state legislators were elected for the �irst time in several states, including Florida. Wolfe said his immediate goal is helping elect the �irst out mayor of New York City,

Christine Quinn. But he couldn’t resist biting at a question about the 2016 ticket. His projection: Jeb Bush backed by John Huntsman for the Republicans, and Hillary Clinton and Gavin Newsome for the Democrats. And Wolfe went even further, projecting that an out candidate will be on the national ticket by 2032.

GARDEN TOUR GAYS

T

HERE WERE “GAYS FOR DAYS” TRAVERSING THE STREETS OF EOLA HEIGHTS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 21. A steady rain didn’t stop hundreds from visiting ten varied and wonderful backyards during the 6th tour of the “Private Gardens of Lake

Eola Heights.” Stops included the beautiful homes of Kelly Brock and Reid Pasternak, John Guerts and Robert Stolt, Dr. Andrew Summers, and LGBT allies Judge Bob Leblanc and his wife, Joan. The iphones were out in force, recording ideas for future projects. Overheard by one attendee: “I could do this… if I had a yard crew of six!”

CFSL IS SUCH A DRAG

T

HE 5TH ANNUAL MR. AND MS. CFSL PAGEANT WAS APRIL 14 AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE’S FOOTLIGHT THEATER. Orlando’s Central Florida Softball League players whipped out duct tape, wigs and lots of make up for a competition in hilarity. Mr. CFSL went to Holly Nichols from

David Dorman Royalty and Ms. CFSL went to Jerry Graham from Grindr’s Base Grindrs. The crowd favorite was Bobby DeSormier from Hope & Help Impact.

ZEBRA COALITION WINS IKEA CHALLENGE

Z

EBRA COALITION RECEIVED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES FOR THE IKEA CHALLENGE. The organization wins $10,000 in product and design services from IKEA Orlando. The funds will help the group’s food and hygeine bank and fund a lending library for LGBT youth. Zebra is one of 38 charitable organizations in the nation awarded $10,000 in IKEA products, services and in-kind donations.

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

HONORING A SURVIVOR

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HE HOI POLLOI WERE OUT IN FORCE AT THE 2013 DINNER OF TRIBUTE FOR THE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE & EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA at the Rosen Plaza on April 17. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs rubbed elbows with Police Chief Jerry Demings and his wife, Val Demings, Florida Blood Centers chair Rick Walsh, Orlando Ballet president Ava Doppelt, and many more. The fundraiser, a tribute to Holocaust survivor Helen Greenspun, was co-chaired by partners Ted Maines and Jeff Miller.

The Orlando Ballet performed. |  |

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CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Passings

Congratulations

Gerry Hamilton, 65, of Orlando died this month following a long battle with lung cancer.

Hamilton, a former Marine, was a member of Joy Metropolitan Community Church, the Orlando Gay Chorus and an active participant in the Rainbow Democratic Club. She was a regular at Pride events and often carried the Rainbow Democratic Club’s banner.

She was also active politically, campaigning for Barack Obama in 2008 and for Senator Bill Nelson in 2010. Services for Hamilton were held April 20.

Long time St. Petersburg bartender and straight ally Jake Frerichs is the new property manager for Times Square Properties in downtown St. Petersburg. Frerichs’ last day at The Garage was April 12.

He now handles leasing and delegating maintenance for the real estate company. Many in St. Petersburg may also remember him tending bar at The Flamingo and Beak’s.

Richard Starner, a pillar member of the Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota, died on April 15. He was influential in the purchase of the church’s original campus in 1988. Starner also provided guidance during the capital campaign and construction of the church’s main sanctuary.

He has remained a figure in the congregation ever since. He is survived by his partner, David Fairman.

The Zebra Foundation for Youth announces its new board members, Jill Ramsier, a hospitality industry professional and Ken Brown, a youth arts integration instructor.

Anniversaries Orlando’s Framing of Central Florida celebrates its 20-year business anniversary this May. Orlando partners Fern Fournier and Elliott Barber CPA celebrate 50 years together on May 6.

Orlando partners Dawn Rosendahl and Cheryl Turner celebrate 26 years together April 28.

Phil Kean and Brad Grosburg of Orlando celebrated 29 years together on April 21.

E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

P E O P L E .

E X C E P T I O N A L

C A R E .

Scott Penyak and David Dorman of Orlando celebrated 10 years together April 19.

Local Birthdays Parliament House owner Don Granatstein, Hope & Help events maven Julie Noda, app whiz Randy Shepard (April 28); St. Pete hotel manager Tom Ziri (April 29); Tampa mental health counselor Anthony Quaglieri, UCF’s former GLBSU president and activist Jessica Osborn (April 30); vegan and speed demon Jamie Shaffer (May 2); GaYbor District Coalition founder Carrie West (May 3); Tampa Crowbar owner Bonnie Plumbtree (May 4); Orange County Tax Collector Scott’s better half Susannah Randolph (May 5); Talent Quest Florida founder and legal husband to Watermark editor Steve Blanchard, Phil Garris, Chainsaw-wielding derby girl Chelsea Selby (May 6); Bradenton resident and Trinity Charities Program Coordinator Bruce Fournier, Wet Nurse drummer Vanessa Brewster (May 7).

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

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APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

watermarkonline.com

Baylor’s Brittney Griner says she’s always been out

B

rittney Griner, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft, acknowledged April 17 in interviews that she is gay.

Griner, a 6-foot-8, three-time All-America center during an illustrious career at Baylor, said she has previously talked about her sexuality, but this appears to be the �irst time she’s discussed the matter publicly. She shared the news during an interview with the Sports Illustrated website SI.com.

“Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are,” she told the publication. “Again, like I said, just be who you are. Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through.

Don’t hide who you really are.”

The group interview included Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins, the number two and three picks in the WNBA draft. The women were asked why coming out in women’s sports is more accepted than in male leagues.

“I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different,” Griner responded.

Asked about her sexuality in light of being the top pick, Briner responded: “It really wasn’t too dif�icult,

Wire Report

W FORMER BEAR: The 6-foot-8-inch Brittney Griner is the No. 1 pick in this year’s

WNBA draft.

I wouldn’t say I was hiding or anything like that,” she said. “I’ve always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn’t hard at all. If I can show that I’m out and I’m �ine and everything’s okay, then hopefully the younger generation will de�initely feel the same way.”

The Associated Press also interviewed the three women and the topic of bullying was part of the discussion. Griner said she was “picked on for being different” while also acknowledging that she is a lesbian.

“Just being bigger, my sexuality, everything,” she told the AP. “I overcame it and got over it.

De�initely something that I am very passionate about. I want to work with kids and bring recognition to the problem, especially with

the LGBT community.”

Griner told USA Today that her parents encouraged her to be open about her sexuality during the draft.

“My parents didn’t know at the time,” Griner told the newspaper.

“I hadn’t come out completely. It was kind of like, you know... I just hadn’t said it. My dad and my mom have always told me, ‘Be who you are.’ At the time, they probably weren’t sure what I was interpreting that as,” she said.

Griner �inished her four-year Baylor career as the second highest all-time scorer in women’s NCAA history with 3,283 points. She is the top shot-blocker ever, shattering both the men’s and women’s college marks with 748. She also had a record 18 dunks—including 11 this season. |  |

to love you regardless. Just let me know are you or aren’t you gay?’ And �inally he just said, ‘Yes, I am.’”

During the interview, Magic Johnson shared that the discussion he had with his son happened in E.J.’s early teens, and broke the tension that otherwise would have haunted E.J.’s teen years.

“He had to have been about 12 or 13 years old,” Magic Johnson said. “I think it was a hard conversation only because he was so young and what do you tell him at that age? “ Magic Johnson went on to say that by showing his love and support, he became his son’s con�idant.

“I told him, ‘Hey, I’m good with it.

Just be you,’” Magic Johnson recalled.

“I love E.J. so much. That’s my main

man, so I told him that nothing has changed. ‘I just want to help you along the way because a lot of people are going to be happy for you and then some won’t understand.

You have to remember that you can always talk to me or your mother.’”

In an interview posted on the YouTube.com talk show “Gwissues,” E.J. Johnson said that he didn’t feel violated after TMZ recently revealed that he’s gay.

“I always wanted to come into the spotlight,” he said. “I always had dreams and plans of doing my own thing and creating my own image, so it came a little sooner than I thought it would but this is still something I knew I would be going through and would have to experience.” |  |

Magic Johnson expresses support for gay son Staff Report LOS ANGELES | During a recent interview with TMZ, former NBA superstar Magic Johnson shared that he always knew his son E.J. was gay and that he supports him.

E.J. Johnson made headlines last month when he was �ilmed casually walking in Los Angeles speaking with the cameraman about the newly renovated Staples Center.

To many, it was obvious that the younger Johnson was gay.

“We’ve known for a long, long time that my son E.J. is gay,” Magic Johnson told TMZ. “It’s interesting when you’re his parent and we �inally had to sit down and talk about it. I told him, ‘Look, I’m going

NHL wants to be most welcoming to LGBT fans, players ASHINGTON | The National Hockey League moved April 11 to formalize its work in support of making the sport welcoming for LGBT players and fans—the most comprehensive action taken on the issue by any of the men’s major leagues.

In announcing a partnership with the You Can Play Project, a program started by Patrick Burke to �ight homophobia and transphobia in sports, the league and players’ association are breaking new ground among piecemeal efforts in several of the men’s major leagues to make sports more welcoming for LGBT people.

“Our motto is ‘Hockey Is For Everyone,’” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement announcing the news, “and our partnership with You Can Play certi�ies that position in a clear and unequivocal way. While we believe that our actions in the past have shown our support for the LGBT community, we are delighted to reaf�irm through this joint venture with the NHL Players’ Association that the of�icial policy of the NHL is one of inclusion on the ice, in our locker rooms and in the stands.”

Burke, who started the You Can Play Project in part to advance the legacy of his brother Brendan, an out collegiate hockey coach and former player who died in 2009, called the NHL’s move historic.

“I think the most important thing is that we’re seeing a major professional league and a major professional players’ association step up and make an of�icial statement about inclusion. This isn’t, ‘Oh, we’ll deal with it.’ This isn’t, ‘Oh, we’ll tolerate it,’” he said. “This is the hockey community saying to the LGBT community, ‘You are invited. You are welcome.

You are embraced here.’ This is huge. From a sports perspective, this is historic.”

The news comes at a moment of intense attention on gay issues, even within the sports world, where discussion about whether professional football players are readying to come out has been front and center this month.

Despite the discussion, no mens’ major league sport can claim to have had an out gay player still active in the sport, although several athletes have come out after retirement. According to the announcement, the partnership with You Can Play means the group will be conducting seminars at the NHL’s rookie symposium to address LGBT issues with new recruits. The National Basketball Association conducted a similar effort at its rookie camp this past year in coordination with Athlete Ally and GLAAD. The partnership also includes an element focused speci�ically on helping players who might be dealing with questions about whether to come out. As part of the new partnership, the NHLPA and NHL also will work with You Can Play to integrate the project into their Behavioral Health Program, enabling players to con�identially seek counseling or simply ask questions regarding matters of sexual orientation. |  |

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Staff Report

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PHOTOGRAPHY: I AM DIVINE AT MUVICO YBOR

Galleryw Go see more photos at

watermarkonline.com

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NEAR-PACKED HOUSE CROWDED THE MUVICO YBOR THEATER ON APRIL 11 for the screening of I Am Divine, a documentary about the legendary drag performer of John Waters fame. The movie was shown by the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film festival as part of its monthly series.

Local favorite Alexis De La Mer made an appearance dressed as the iconic star.

APRIL 25 - MAY 8, 2013 // ISSUE 20.09

Photography

by Nick Cardello C ARDELLOPHOTO.COM

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