Watermark Issue 20.12: Gay Days Wrapup

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 20.12 • JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

‘FAMILY’

REUNION

TAMPA MOURNS MURDER OF

‘MISS WANDA’ PRELUDE TO PRIDE SKEWERS TARA WITH

‘BLOWN BY THE WIND’

FROM THE MAGIC KINGDOM TO THE CIRCUIT PARTIES, LGBTS RECONNECT AT GAY DAYS 2013

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

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JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

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

P E O P L E .

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E X C E P T I O N A L

C A R E .

DEPARTMENTS

There are still more battles to fight...

But for now, it’s a moment 17 for festivity, for love.’

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

PAGE

—VINCENT AUTIN OF FRANCE, WHO MARRIED HIS PARTNER BRUNO BOILEAU, MAKING THEM THE FIRST SAME-SEX COUPLE TO LEGALLY WED IN THE COUNTRY

ON THE COVER

PAGE The 23rd Annual Gay Day at

Disney World’s Magic 08 Walt Kingdom boasted some of the

largest—and most diverse—crowds in recent memory. This large group was one of many to pose on Main Street in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

Preview

PAGE

ONE MAN, MANY WOMEN:

29

The Suncoast AIDS Theater Project is back with its Prelude to Pride production, and this year presents Blown by the Wind, starring Matthew McGee as Scarlett O’hara. McGee and director Garry Breull shared insight on the upcoming production, scheduled for June 17 and 24 at American Stage in St. Petersburg.

WATERMARK ISSUE 20.12 //J UNE 6 - J UNE 19, 2013

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE The City of Orlando loses

PAGE Tampa law enforcement

DREAMGIRLS

PAGE 54 GALLERY W

Photo by Chris Stephenson

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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

08

its bid to host the 2018 Gay Games; Judge issues final order on Lake County GSA; Fringe breaks attendance records again in 2013; Gay Days returns to Orlando with record numbers and red shirts; more.

12

continue to search for those responsible for killing female impersonator “Miss Wanda” as the community rallies to raise funds for her family; Hillsborough County debates its ban on recognizing pride events; more.

PAGE The Dreams are back, but

34

this time on a local stage.

Mad Cow Theatre presents Dreamgirls this month and we sit down with the director and the cast to talk about the process of stepping into the iconic roles.

PAGE The 23rd Annual Gay Day

Disney’s Magic Kingdom 54 atbrought the familiar sea

of red to Main Street on June 1.

Photographer Chris Stephenson attended the annual gathering and collected photos from families—gay and straight alike—enjoying some Disney-themed fun.

THIS ISSUE OF WATERMARK IS FULL OF GAY DAYS PHOTOS, BUT YOU CAN SEE EVEN MORE AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM. JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

LEGALPERSON HILLSBOROUGH, REPEAL PRIDE POLICY

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“Hillsborough County has a responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated with respect and dignity.”

RESPECTFULLY URGE COMMISSIONERS TO STAND UP FOR EQUAL RIGHTS and repeal the discriminatory policy relating to gay pride that is on the BOCC agenda this week.

Hillsborough County has a responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated with respect and dignity.

The policy adopted in 2005 was an unnecessary and mean-spirited declaration of intolerance.

It was an embarrassment to Hillsborough County at the time and has remained so. We are a diverse and inclusive community and the policy must be repealed to repair the damage done to its citizens and the county’s reputation. After the policy is repealed, the county should be proactive and focus on efforts that promote equal rights for all of its citizens.

Speci�ically, the Board should address a serious �law in its nondiscrimination ordinance. The county does not outlaw discrimination in employment and housing relating to sexual orientation, while the City of Tampa ordinance does outlaw such discrimination. I urge the Board to update its nondiscrimination ordinance to protect citizens from such actions. Does it make

—KATHY CASTOR

sense that a Hillsborough County citizen could be �ired from a job or not rented an apartment because he or she is gay? No, it does not. Please address this legal failing in the county ordinances.

Doing so would follow the example of businesses across Tampa Bay and America and many local governments that value the contributions of all of its citizens.

KATHY CASTOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FLORIDA DISTRICT 14

BOY SCOUTS’ DECISION IS INSULTING

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JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

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forward, but a step backward, because it reinforced the most vile stereotypes and misconceptions deliberately peddled by anti-gay activists.

The decision was degrading, dehumanizing, and disgraceful. It stigmatized LGBT people and their families and sends the dangerous message that they are inferior and a threat to society.

The new policy continues to tarnish the organization’s image and Truth Wins Out (TWO) urges increased pressure on the BSA. Homosexuality is not a moral issue, but a natural expression of who some people are. However, bigotry is a moral issue—one which places the BSA on the wrong side of history.

TWO does applaud those who fought and victoriously ended the cruel ban on gay scouts. Now is the time to begin the next phase of this �ight and bring down the �inal wall of BSA discrimination.

WAYNE BENSON TWO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

being news, and why do we continue to care?

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

E

Desk

ACH TIME A CELEBRITY COMES OUT

of the closet, I have mixed reactions. Part of me celebrates that another one of “us” has made the bold move to acknowledge his or her true identity. But a small part of me truly and quietly asks, “Who cares?”

Coming out of the closet is a big deal. If you’re reading this column you have more than likely experienced the liberation and pain of coming out to friends and family—or are debating on whether to take that bold step. It’s cathartic and healthy to share your sexuality with those close to you. It also gives an example of what it means to be LGBT to those who, up until that point, may not have known a person from our community.

In April, the NBA’s Jason Collins proudly came out as a gay man in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s

WATERMARK STAFF

website. The free agent effectively became the �irst active male member of a professional sports league to announce that he is gay. It’s groundbreaking. It’s brave. But in 2013, should it be front page news?

I understand the incredible affect Collins’ announcement will have on sports. It has opened the door, so to speak, for discussion about LGBT players in professional arenas.

It also gives LGBT youth a role model and proves that people can participate and excel in any number of professions, even the world of professional sports.

Publisher: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Chief Financial Officer: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Admin. Assistant: Stephanie Saylor • Ext. 100 • Stephanie@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Steve Blanchard • 813-470-0899 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Editorial Assistant: Susan Clary • 104 • Susan@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell Art Director: Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com Production Assistant: Andrés Duputel • Ext. 107 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com

It’s not just the sports world that needs or has LGBT role models.

Adam Lambert is an impressive, out force since his American Idol days, and a growing list of actors have followed in the footsteps of Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres and Jim Parsons to share their personal lives with the world.

Coming out is one reason June is Pride Month! It’s a chance for our community to share with the world who we are and to remind the cities in which we live that we are truly involved in all aspects of life.

But reactions to coming out shouldn’t be any different than sharing that a man has asked a woman to marry him or learning that Becky Sue accepted Bobby Joe’s invitation to be his prom date. Stating who we are or who we love is just a simple fact, not a reason for a bold headline across the front page of the New York Times.

I can only guess at the pressure out celebrities are under when they initially share their sexuality with the world. They are already judged harshly by critics for simply being in the spotlight.

It’s a tricky process and with each celebrity’s coming out article, the celebratory side of my reaction is slowly giving into the reasonable side. And I wonder, when will a celebrity’s coming out story stop

Amid all of the celebratory events of Pride month, we can sometimes forget that our main mission here at Watermark Media is to cover news and breaking events in a timely and professional manner. It’s something this company has done for nearly 20 years, and something I hope we continue to do for many more.

The reputation of this paper and its website, WatermarkOnline.com, are important to me and to our staff.

So when it came to light recently that an article on our website was not the original work of one of our contributors, but strangely and too conveniently similar to a story from another publication, we immediately pulled the article and researched the incident. We apologized to the content’s original creators.

The world of mass media is a tough world to live and work in, and the free �low of information via new technologies can entice some writers to use inappropriate methods to meet deadlines.

But lifting information from another source without proper attribution is an unacceptable to all of us in the �ield of journalism, whether it’s in newsprint or in new media.

To our readers: You have my word that Watermark will continue to provide original, complete and accurate content within its pages and online and remain your source for LGBT news, opinion pieces and entertainment. |  |

Reactions to coming out shouldn’t be any different than sharing that a man has asked a woman to marry him or learning that Becky Sue accepted Bobby Joe’s invitation to be his prom date.

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JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

CONTRIBUTORS GREG STEMM

lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 12

DAVID MORAN

is the LGBTQ Services Graduate Coordinator at the University of Central Florida, where he studied Emerging Media. Page 34

Greg Burton, Scottie Campbell, Zach Caruso, Amy Dees, Kirk Hartlage, Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, Mary Meeks, Stephen Miller, David Moran, Gregg Shipiro, Greg Stemm, Brett Stout, Jim Walker

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS STEPHENSON

is a wedding, event and media photographer who focuses on capturing emotion, light, and the interplay between each. Cover, Page 54

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

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7

orlando NEWS 8

No Gay Games 2018 for Orlando Susan Clary

SUSAN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | Orlando is of�icially out of the running to host Gay Games 2018.

On June 1, the International Federation of Gay Games (FGG) announced that Limerick, London and Paris would continue the bidding process. Orlando had made it to the top �ive cities but didn’t make this last cut.

According to Dennis Sneyers, of�icer for site selection, all of the top �ive have been “highly professional and responsive” to the demands of the bid process.

“This cycle has brought us particularly outstanding bids from Amsterdam, Limerick, London, Orlando and Paris,” Sneyers said in a media release. “Each group has brought a truly distinctive take on what the Gay Games can be, and has enriched our own thinking about our event.”

Along with Orlando, Amsterdam was the other city cut when they pool of potential hosts went from �ive to three.

FGG co-president Emy Ritt said the �inal rankings are the result of the combination of many individual decisions.

“Orlando proposed a most exciting vision for Gay Games X, making the most of the unique facilities available in that tourist mecca,” Ritt said in a media release. “We know that either of these two bidders could have produced excellent Gay Games, and we want to thank those involved and their supporters for the immense amount of work of the highest quality they have contributed.”

In the meantime, Orlando’s Gay Games bid committee, “Orlando 2018,” continues to be active in the local community. On May 28, the organization launched the “Bench the Hate” campaign promoting awareness of bullying in the sports community with a focus on prevention. Organizers say it is an opportunity for people who have overcome bullying to stay up and tell their stories to bring relief and courage to others experiencing it.

“Our bid to host the 2018 Gay Games in Orlando has truly brought the community together, but also brought to light some of the challenges athletes go through on a daily basis,” Mikael Audebert, Project Director for Orlando 2018, said. “It should not be a choice between being able to play and being authentic.

These two should be embraced together and celebrated.”

In the coming weeks, Orlando 2018 will release a plan to take “Bench the Hate” beyond Orlando in close partnership with the Central Florida Sports Commission. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

WET REUNION: Men from around the globe descended upon Lake Buena Vista Palace for the One Mighty Reunion pool party.

PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT

A ‘Family’ Reunion Magic Kingdom sees allies in red, large crowds at P-House and GayDays hotel slammed Gay Days weekend Chris Stephenson

CHRIS@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | “The Orlando area is the most gay-friendly place in the entire world,” Celso Olaguibel, from Miami, yelled out while perched on the balcony of the train station overlooking a redshirt-dominated Main Street at the Magic Kingdom.

On June 1, the Magic Kingdom and its sister parks saw thousands of people sporting red and all shades and hues thereof in support of LGBT pride, and a large contingent of straight people and families donned red in unity. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan explained that while she walked around the park hand in hand with her girlfriend, “straight families actually approached us and said they were disappointed they did not know to wear red.”

As society often does, we have changed as a people since the �irst gay days of 1991, which saw protest

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

and inspired an unsuccessful boycott of Walt Disney World. It seems the time has come for the LGBT community and Central Florida is right out in front.

That’s not to say that there weren’t anti-gay forces at work during Gay Days weekend. The Florida Family Association once again “warned” families about Gay Day by advertising it on a banner pulled by a biplane near Walt Disney World. The simple banner declared: “Warning: Gay Day at Disney 6/1” and cost the conservative group $16,400, according to an invoice obtained by Watermark.

How else would a so-called Christian organization spend its money? Feeding the homeless?

Clothing children? Nah—expressing concern over a gathering of gay people at a theme park seemed the best use of resources for the organization.

The FFA is claiming victory in their “Warning” on its website.

But our eyes on the ground June 1 at the Magic Kingdom saw a large

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contingent of gay families, both gay and lesbian couples with children and a few single gay parents and supportive allies. The Garrell moms, Candy and Angela, from Arkansas, �lew to Orlando for the weekend with their two children, Riley and Connor, to take advantage of Orlando’s openness and acceptance and to help the children understand their family was just like everyone else’s. Becoming somewhat emotional, Candy Garrell asked to speak off to the side and explained that “this is the �irst time we have all been here as a family and we have felt so welcome and accepted that it’s incredible.” Their two children smiled wide and waved when asked how they liked Walt Disney World.

Josh Wright, 20, from Scottsboro, Ala., a rural town of under 15,000 people, was amazed at the sheer number of LGBT people in one place.

“This is the �irst time I’ve ever seen this amount of gay people in one place and I can actually be myself,” he said. “I feel like I belong.”

While his family in Alabama is accepting of his sexuality, Wright appreciated being released from the chains of a false public identity.

Wright’s experience re�lects the original intent in 1991 for Gay Day

Continued on page 10 |  |

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orlando NEWS 10

|  | Gay Days Weekend

Orlando Fringe Breaks Records Again in 2013 Susan Clary SUSAN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

O

RLANDO | The two-week nonstop theatrical event known as the 22nd Annual Orlando International Fringe Festival broke records again this year for number of tickets sold.

More than 31,000 tickets were printed during the 14-day cultural experience, held May 15-28 at Loch Haven Park. The event featured local, national and international theater, art and dance acts. There were 101 individual shows this year with encore performances, more than any previous year.

“We are very proud of the artistic excellence of the shows we bring to Fringe,” Fringe General Manager George Wallace said. “It was fantastic to see so much support from the community.”

This year’s Festival included artists from as far away as Australia, Japan, Europe and Canada and national artists from New York, California, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Of the groups chosen to perform at Fringe, half are local and the other half are national or international.

Artists determine their own ticket prices ranging from free to $11 and receive 100% of their box of�ice revenue. The artist payout came to about $242,000. Festival Producer Michael Marinaccio said 1,500 artist passes were distributed this year, up from 1,000 in 2012.

A grant from the Universal Orlando Foundation paid Kids Fringe performers for the �irst time. Last year, Kids Fringe expanded to the The Mennello Museum of American Art, which drew signi�icant attendance. In 2013, more than 10,800 people attended the free weekend mainstay of the Festival, up about 800 from last year.

Visual Fringe, which features an art show, moved off-site this year to a warehouse. Though fewer pieces were sold, receipts topped $5,500. Like the theatrical component, artists set their own prices and keep 100% of sales.

Wallace credits a powerful social media campaign and billboards to the continued success of Fringe. Attendees could buy tickets online for the �irst time, rather than having to go to the box of�ice, which allowed for �lexibility. A total of 66 shows played to sold out crowds.

At the beginning of the Festival, The Barry L. Miller Foundation for Arts and Education gave Orlando Fringe a challenge to raise $10,000 for the creation of a new endowment. David F. Baldree, President of Orlando Fringe, said the goal was exceeded and Miller will match the money raised.

Orlando Fringe is a registered 501C3 non-pro�it and is the oldest continuous Fringe Festival in the United States. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

from pg.8

that has now progressed to allowing the same for visiting gay families and their children.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR

Orlando, while being the top tourist destination in the country according to Forbes.com, saw an increase in international gay guests as well at this year’s event. Christian Smith, from London, explained that the area’s known attitude for open acceptance prompted his visit.

“It’s my �irst time here and I’m de�initely coming back,” Smith said, a statement that can only please area businesses as international travelers spend on average �ive times as much as their domestic counterparts, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

It was also no surprise to many of the park visitors that Orlando passed domestic spouse protections by a unanimous vote last year and has a planned rally for marriage equality in anticipation of the pending United States Supreme Court decisions.

While Gay Day has always seen a large contingent of LGBT individuals and couples, 2013 saw a large and growing appearance of our heterosexual counterparts coming out in support. Mike Czech, of Orlando, wore a red shirt saying “Straight but not narrow,” and explained, “We don’t care around here if you’re gay or straight, what

difference does it make?”

Czech’s friend, Kirk Endemann, said he attends every Gay Day because it’s his family reunion with the national and international LGBT visitors who �lock to the area.

A FIZZLED LESBIAN EXPRESS

The only bit of negative news from June 1’s Gay Day �izzled its way onto the tracks at the Lesbian Express, the yearly 1 p.m. tradition for the lesbian community to ride around the park aboard a Disney locomotive. For an unknown reason, the tradition has either died out or took the year off. Crystal Bard, Janine Rocca, and Samantha Linder, all of Sarasota, were among the 10 people

Tallahassee to Miami, such as Jacksonville partners Kathy Korpics and Charlene Liberty.

“It’s way more open and accepting here than Jacksonville,” Korpics said.

“And it’s a really fun place to be!”

Annetta LaPointe, who moved to the area with her partner eight years ago from New England, said, “Orlando is by far the most gayfriendly place we’ve ever lived.”

WAVES OF SUCCESS

While Gay Day is the focus of many families who come to Orlando in June, there is much more to the weekend. Gay Days has extended the tradition into several days, and other groups have also made the �irst weekend in June the place to be.

Larger-than-usual crowds attended the Saturday afternoon pool party at the Parliament House, and the evening pool party hosted by Chi Chi LaRue at the Gay Days host hotel. Despite the overwhelming attendance, —CANDY GARRELL OF ARKANSAS, virtually no one was actually WHO ATTENDED GAY DAY WITH HER in the pool.

PARTNER AND THEIR TWO CHILDREN The same thing could to board the Lesbian Express, but be said of the May 31 late-evening/ the low numbers on the train didn’t post-Tidal Wave party at the Tidal dampen their spirits.

Wave host hotel, but considering “The reason we came over here the majority of those attendees had was because this area is so free and spent the previous few hours in the accepting, and we’re having a great slides and pools of Wet ‘N’ Wild, it time,” Rocca said. was understandable.

The same sentiment rippled Speaking of Tidal Wave, the from other Florida residents from event’s new hotel, Holiday Inn,

“This is the first time we have all been here as a family and we have felt so welcome and accepted that it’s incredible.”

Judge issues final order on Lake County GSA Jamie Hyman JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

LEESBURG | Bayli Silberstein will have her Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)… for the rest of the school year, at least.

On May 30, U.S. District Judge Anne Conway issued a �inal order in Silberstein’s case against the School Board of Lake County for stonewalling the 14-year-old’s efforts to establish a GSA at Carver Middle School. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) �iled the lawsuit May 1 and the next day, both parties entered into a consent decree allowing Silberstein to form the club for the remainder of the school year. That decree says the club will be of�icially recognized and can meet on the same terms as any other club.

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However, after the settlement, the Board held some meetings to discuss school club policy that made it unclear whether they planned to stick to the deal. The judge’s order means the GSA will meet, but the settlement agreement expires on June 7, 2013, Silberstein’s last day of school.

When asked whether he thinks the school board will return to thwarting the GSA once the judge’s order runs out, ACLU spokesperson Baylor Johnson said “We certainly hope not.”

He said the order only applies to June 7 because the order is tied to Silberstein’s lawsuit and after that, she moves on to another school.

“We are hopeful that the school board has learned from this experience not to violate the rights of students and that we won’t have to go through a similar situation next

watermarkonline.com

year when the Carver Middle School GSA wants to meet again,” Johnson said. “It’s a wait and see from our standpoint. We’re prepared to help students, to make sure school administrators and the school board are respecting their rights.”

Silberstein said she’s happy the �ight is over.

“My friends and I didn’t want to have the school year end without being able to do something to make school safer,” she said in a media release. “I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve gotten and hope this helps other kids see that what we’re doing is something worth �ighting for.”

Silberstein had been attempting to establish a GSA since November of 2012, but school administrators had been ignoring her request until the ACLU—and the media—got involved in January of this year. |  |

welcomed the men with open arms and it was announced it would be the host hotel of Tidal Wave 2014.

Approximately 1,000 attended the actual Tidal Wave party at Wet ‘N’ Wild Friday night and plans for next year reportedly include increased marketing on the West Coast (of the U.S.).

across the street.

Many attending the Gay Days pool party at the Double Tree were impressed by the wrist bands that allowed guests to purchase drinks and food poolside without digging for cash or credit cards. The bands could be pre-loaded with funds and simply scanned when a purchase was made.

HEADLINERS

Former Go-Go’s Lead Singer Belinda Carlisle entertained the masses at the Parliament House early Sunday morning, June 2, with some of her chart-topping hits. Carlisle revisited the 1980s with “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “We Got the Beat” and gold record “Vacation” from her days with the all-female band.

Comedienne Judy Tenuta burst onstage at the Doubletree by Hilton on the night of June 1 wearing a silver glitter, animal print pantsuit, white boa, red rose in her hair and carrying her signature accordion.

She told One Million Moms (another anti-gay protest group) to “Deal with it, bitches!” and shrieked her way through an interactive show, pulling people on stage to dance and even marrying two gay men with a “Certi�icate of Marriage in Judyism.”

RECORD-SETTING YEAR

WET REUNION: Men from around the globe descended upon Lake Buena Vista Palace for the One Mighty Reunion pool party. PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT GIRL POWER

Hundreds of women donned green, yellow and red glow necklaces and packed Ember in Downtown Orlando for the annual “Traf�ic Jam” party hosted by Phish Phest on May 30. Named for the signal lights each woman wears (green for available, yellow for proceed with caution and red for taken), the event was moved from Funky Monkey at Pointe Orlando in 2012. The decision was a good one, said Phish Phest co-founder Sue-Bee Laginess,

who estimates more than 600 people attended the event including “LezBros,” the name given to the men who partied with them.

“This event was bigger and better than last year,” Laginess said. “We were 100% pleased.” DJ Pat Pat headlined “Boogie in Wonderland,” a party produced by Girls in Wonderland at the House of Blues on June 1. VIPs sipped drinks at an open bar and watched a live auction that featured a $5,000 cruise. Beforehand, Fortune Feimster of Chelsea Lately

had people laughing out loud during Laugh Out Loud, her 90-minute show in the ballroom of the Sheraton Lake Buena Visit Resort that night.

The next morning, June 2, women lined up for a bikini contest for the Pumps versus Pants Pool Party at the Sheraton.

A PACKED HOUSE

The Doubletree by Hilton once again served as the host hotel for GayDayS.com, with over�low guests staying at the Best Western

Preliminary reports from Gay Days Inc. indicate that 2013 offered a growth spurt to the annual event.

One press release reported a 6% increase in the number of attendees at all venues in central Florida that hosted Gay Days events. The same release said an estimated 170,000 people participated in Gay Days activities, which is 10,000 more than the previous record.

Organizers are already making promises for next year. They’ve promised to bring back an option that had sailed away: a GayDayS. com-hosted cruise ahead of Gay Days 2014.

For more on the individual events surrounding Gay Days 2013, visit WatermarkOnline.com. |  |

Susan Clary, Jamie Hyman, Kirk Hartlage and Steve Blanchard contributed to this report.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

11

tampa bay NEWS

Hillsborough BOCC revisits anti-Pride ordinance Greg Stemm

T

AMPA | While LGBT residents on the west side of Tampa Bay are busy preparing for Florida’s largest Pride celebration in St. Petersburg in late June, county commissioners on the Tampa side of the bay consider a motion to lift that county’s ban on recognizing gay pride events presented June 5.

Kevin Beckner, the county’s only gay commissioner, introduced a motion at the last commission meeting that would lift the ban which has been in place since 2005.

Notorious anti-gay, former commissioner Ronda Storms pushed the bill through back then after controversy surrounding a gay pride exhibit at a public library.

Storms also made it dif�icult to do away with the ban by getting an additional measure passed requiring 5-2 super majority vote to rescind the ordinance.

“I do not believe government should be in the business of bullying and discriminating against any segment of the public they serve,” Beckner told Watermark. before the meeting. “I believe the current ban does just that and am hopeful my colleagues will agree. While my colleagues continue to evolve on their thinking about LGBT issues, one of the main focuses of our recent comprehensive plan review was the issue of diversity and how we are addressing it in our community.

Because of that I think we have a good chance of getting the ban removed.”

Equality Florida thinks it’s time to undo what Storms did eight years ago.

“Equality Florida was focused on the June 5 Hillsborough County Commission meeting as the �irst real opportunity in eight years to do away with the notorious anti-gay pride ban,” said Ed Lally Equality Florida’s Tampa development coordinator. “We hope the Commissioners will end this national embarrassment and daily insult to gay people in Tampa Bay.” While removing the ban on recognizing gay Pride events in Hillsborough would be a positive step, the county would still have a long way to go to be seen as an inclusive county that recognizes diversity.

It isn’t enough to end the ban, Hillsborough needs to catch up,” Lally said. “We need a comprehensive, inclusive human rights ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. People who live and work in Hillsborough County need the family protections that domestic partnership protections can bring.

Recently the commission failed to pass a domestic partner registry for Hillsborough County, a measure which several neighboring counties—including Pinellas—recently approved. Commissioners also effectively dismantled the county’s short-lived Diversity Council to appease Terry Kemple, a long-time anti-gay advocate.

“The failure of Hillsborough County to meet even the minimum standard of equality and fairness has left the county behind public opinion and at an economic Continued on page 14 |  |

12

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

AN ATTITUDE TO REMEMBER: Tampa Bay performer Sobe Wanda, (Anthony Jerome Lee) was a regular performer in Ybor City and throughout Florida. PHOTO FROM WANDA’S FACEBOOK PAGE

Still searching for suspects Ybor drag performer Miss Wanda shot, killed in home Steve Blanchard

EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Tampa The two unidenti�ied men responsible for the shooting death of popular drag performer “Miss Wanda” on May 28 took away more than a performer.

They took away a mentor, mother and a friend.

“Miss Wanda was a bad girl, no doubt about it,” laughed DJ Power In�initi, who met Miss Wanda nearly 17 years ago. “’Bitch’ would best sum up the description for Wanda, if you want me to be honest. That being said, she was a very loyal friend.

She was mothering and she was probably one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”

Tampa Police believe that Miss Wanda, whose real name was Anthony Jerome Lee, was an unintended target in a shooting at a home in the 3900 block of Genessee Street in East Tampa.

Reports say Lee was in the home when he answered a knock at the door and two suspects �ired their guns. Lee was rushed to Tampa General Hospital where he later

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

died from his injuries.

It’s still unclear why Lee was shot or whom the gunmen intended to kill.

“We know that there is a lot of different people who are in and out of that home and so we’re still working to determine who was targeted,” said Tampa Police Department spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

The performer’s death has rocked the LGBT community of

at 8:30 p.m.

Lee’s death comes just weeks after that of her godmother, whom DJ Power In�initi said the family just buried.

“Wanda didn’t have insurance and the family is still reeling from the death of her godmother,” Power In�initi said. “This bene�it is to help them bury her with the dignity and respect she deserves.”

Melody Lynn, co-owner of FindADragShow.com, met Miss Wanda two years ago at Pride on 7th in Ybor City and remembers the performer as a larger-than-life, outspoken individual.

“My �irst meeting with her was at Centro Ybor and she came up and started talking crap to me, so I talked crap right back,” Lynn laughed.

“She dismissed me and walked away, but �ive minutes later she came back and said, “You know I was just kidding.’ I thought, ‘She’s going to be fun!”

Since that �irst encounter, Lynn became closer to the performer and had a chance encounter with Miss Wanda just a week before her untimely death.

“We went out to Liquid on

“’Bitch’ would best sum up the description for Wanda, if you want me to be honest; that being said, she was a very loyal friend.”

—DJ POWER INFINITI Tampa, and a bene�it is already in the works to help raise money for expenses relating to her death.

Performers will donate their tips to a special fund for Lee’s family during a bene�it show at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City on Thursday, June 6. The show begins

watermarkonline.com

Continued on page 14 |  |

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tampa bay NEWS 14

|  | Hillsborough Pride Ban from pg.12 disadvantage when companies are looking to expand or relocate,” Lally said. “We will not draw the best and the brightest to an area where the prevailing message is that your success is limited by bigotry. Tampa has shown real leadership and has strong policies but even the city is being held back by backward attitudes on the County Commission.”

The �ight to repeal the ordinance won’t be an easy one. The Florida Family Action group, based in Orlando, has contacted its members in hopes that those opposing the repeal will speak out during the meeting. The email even includes talking points to help its members get its point across.

“With the millions of dollars that are needed to repair roads that are considered ‘failed roads’ and the number of children and families without adequate food every day, why is spending money or utilizing county resources to promote any type of behavior even being considered by this board?” the email reads. “County government should not be engaged in promoting homosexual behavior.”

Becker notes that the commission won’t be asked how it might support or not support gay pride activities in Hillsborough County in the future, only that it would not ban such activities altogether.

The decision of the board could rest entirely on public speakers, Beckner believes.

“Of course I can’t speak for my colleagues but I certainly take public input into my consideration with any vote,” said Beckner.

A vote to rescind the notorious was scheduled for June 5 at the County Center at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa. Equality Florida asked supportive members of the community to wear red.

“Things have changed from the days that Kathy Castor was the lone voice of equality. We tend to be one vote shy of a pro-equality majority,” Lally said. “The signing of the GaYbor proclamation is a good sign, but only a start in the repairs that must be done.”

In May, all seven commissioners signed a proclamation acknowledging GaYbor Days, which was held Memorial Day weekend.

“We are increasing our presence and our community outreach in Hillsborough County but we need local voters to raise their voice,” Lally added.

According to Equality Florida, polls show that a clear majority support strong non-discrimination laws and domestic partnership protections. The organization will hold a canvassing event at the Rock the Park concert at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 Ashley Dr. in Tampa from 6-9 p.m. June 6.

“We will reach out to voters to engage them in the �ight for equality more deeply in Hillsborough,” said Lally. “We hope to continue to build a local team that will continue in an ongoing way as we push the County Commission to do the right thing.”

Lally said people can show their support for LGBT equality by supporting ordinances that protect all county residents.

“If you are tired of bigots having the loudest say in Hillsborough County politics, don’t get angry, get active,” said Lally.

For an update on the county commission’s debate on repealing the 2005 ordinance, visit WatermarkOnline.com. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

makeup was better. I’m having a dif�icult time wrapping my head around that.”

Dying at the hands of random shooters was not the way that Miss Wanda would have wanted to exit this world, Lynn said, adding that her risky stunts that made her an infamous draw at clubs around the state always left her audience laughing—and a bit nervous.

“Her shock value required a big sense of humor,” Lynn said. “She always did drag for the fun of it.

She was an invincible individual and whether she went to lay down in the road for a picture or sit in

the middle of Collins Avenue with a chair to �inish a skit, she always came through.

“If you were to talk with anyone else about how Wanda was going to pass, it wouldn’t have been this way,” Lynn added. “It would have been from one of her crazy antics.”

Power In�initi is hopeful that the Tampa Police will capture whomever is responsible for Miss Wanda’s death. He added that the help of the news media, there is more awareness about the crime and expects someone to be linked to the shooting soon.

“When the story �irst broke there was a blurb about Miss Wanda,” Power In�initi said. “They gave more air time to a cat that got hurt than Wanda. But now the community has rallied and pressed the media to give her better coverage and respect. This should shed light on these killers so they can be picked up for murder.”

And if Power In�initi could speak directly to the killers, he knows exactly what he would say.

“We’re going to get your ass,” he said. “Wanda was there to cook for a friend and these fools shot at whoever opened the door. Who does that? Who shoots at someone when they answer a door? Their foolishness is going to get them caught.” |  |

any city that makes up Tampa Bay. Former St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker was adamently opposed to St. Pete Pride and made that point many times during his tenure.

Current St. Petersburg Mayor Bob Foster is a little more welcoming, having written welcome letters to attendees of Pride, but he has yet to sign an of�icial proclamation. That duty has fallen to St. Petersburg City Councilmembers.

In his proclamation, Buckhorn wrote: “LGBT Pride is de�ined as the positive stance against discrimination and violence towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to promote their self-af�irmation, dignity, and equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.” He with, “(I) urge all citizens to join in ending prejudice everywhere it may exist, respect the rights of all people, and celebrate the diversity and richness of our city.”

Although St Pete Pride was

presented the proclamation, the Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF), PFLAG Tampa, and 2013 Female Grand Marshal Susan McGrath of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas were each involved in lobbying for this proclamation.

“Their letters of support and phones calls is what made this happen,” said Skains. “Their support helped elevate our presentation. It was a great experience to work with TIGLFF, PFLAG and Susan; the residents of Tampa and surrounding areas should really be proud of their support.”

This proclamation launches LGBT Pride Month in Tampa Bay as St Pete Pride begins hosting community events throughout the month, concluding with St Pete Pride Carnivale, June 26-30 in St Petersburg, Florida where an estimated 100,000 attendees will celebrate at the annual Street Festival on Central Avenue Saturday, June 29. |  |

|  | Sobe Wanda from pg.12 a Sunday, which is rare for us,” said Lynn. “We dip in and Wanda grabbed us and pulled us to the side. She was excited to tell us about a project that she wanted help with. The fact that she reached out to us for this project just a week or so before she was shot just makes me sick. There’s a lot of shock and disbelief out there surrounding her murder.”

Power In�initi agrees. But admits that he’s used to losing friends.

“I think it comes with the territory of being gay,” Power In�initi said. “You learn to lose people, but I realize that this is the most impactful death on me because Wanda is the closest person I’ve ever lost.”

The timing of Miss Wanda’s death is especially impactful for Power In�initi because he DJ’d several Gay Days events in Orlando. The two would often travel together.

“To think I will never be able to take another trip with her or share another hotel room...” Power In�initi said. “There will never be another kiki session between the two of us with us bickering and reading each other on who’s

REMEMBER: Friends say Anthony Jerome Lee was always had a direct personality, whether he was in or out of drag.

Buckhorn signs pride proclamation Staff Report TAMPA | For the �irst time ever, St. Pete Pride has a proclamation declaring June LGBT Pride month from a mayor—just not the mayor of St. Petersburg.

On June 3, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed a proclamation recognizing Pride month. It’s something St. Pete Pride board members and executive director Eric Skains had expected for several months.

“It has been a very humbling experience working with Mayor’s of�ice over the past couple of months and presenting the case for this proclamation,” Skains said.

“We are pleased that St Pete Pride and the City of Tampa were able to make history today by having the mayor sign this proclamation.”

Although proclamations and letters of support have been signed in years past from local and state of�icials, this proclamation is the �irst signed by a current Mayor of

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

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SUSAN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

S

EBASTIAN, FLA. | When social media exploded last month with cries to “Free Kate,” thousand of people answered the call to carry the torch for the LGBT community in a case that seemed to be about discrimination.

Kaitlyn Hunt, an 18-year old senior at Sebastian High School, was arrested for having sex with her 14-year-old girlfriend after their gay romance blossomed when they were teammates on the school basketball team.

But as details of the police investigation have emerged, that �ire has turned to an ember.

Hunt’s troubles began in February when the parents of the 14-year-old girl, James and Laurie Smith, called police. Hunt was arrested and later charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12-16 years of age. She was expelled from school.

Her father, Stephen Hunt, cried foul, accusing the Smiths, police and prosecutors of targeting his daughter because she is gay. He took to the internet and Facebook.

In a Change.org petition calling for State Attorney Bruce Colton to drop the charges. The elder Hunt and others misstated the girls’ ages, stating the younger girl was 15 and Hunt was 17 when the relationship began. It was reported that the Smiths waited until Hunt turned 18 before calling police and trapped her with a taped telephone call. School of�icials were accused of throwing Hunt out of school because she is a lesbian.

The furor was immediate and social media was ablaze. Erroneous details were reported over and over.

More than 100,000 people signed the “Free Kate Hunt” petition.

State Attorney Bruce Colton responded by clarifying the facts of the case. Hunt turned 18 in August.

The Smith’s daughter didn’t turn 15 until after Hunt’s arrest. In Florida, Hunt is considered an adult and her girlfriend, a minor. Sex between the two is illegal.

In addition, Indian River School

Superintendant Dr. Fran Adams, while not releasing con�idential details of the school investigation, said the Indian River School Board expelled Hunt for violating the Student Code of Conduct, not because she is gay.

Indian River Sheriff’s of�icials released Hunt’s arrest af�idavit, which contained intimate details of the romance, including sex in a school bathroom and an encounter at Hunt’s home. When asked if Hunt knew it was wrong to have sex with a 14-year old, Hunt allegedly told a detective that she thought the girl acted older.

Rather than publicly defend her client, Hunt’s criminal defense attorney Julia Graves was silent on the matter. Florida law is clear that a 14-year-old is a minor and cannot consent to sexual relations with an 18-year old adult, in high school or not.

The Smiths have publicly denied reporting Hunt to authorities because of her sexual orientation.

They said they warned Hunt to stay away from their daughter twice before reporting her. After their daughter de�ied their request and ran away from home to be with Hunt, they said they had no choice but to call police.

Last month, Hunt turned down a plea offer from the state, which would have reduced her charges from lewd and lascivious battery on a child to child abuse.

Hunt was offered two years of community control in exchange for pleading guilty.

Given Hunt’s clean record and the facts of the case, the state attorney said he would not have opposed a request to have the judge withhold a formal �inding of guilt.

Hunt could also have petitioned the judge under the “Romeo and Juliet Law,” a relatively new statute that differentiates between cases involving a teen romance and an adult molesting a child. If a judge agreed, Hunt would not have had to register as a sex offender.

But those options no longer exist.

Hunt has chosen to let a jury decide her fate. If convicted, she faces 5-15 years in prison. Her trial is set for late June, though her attorney has

asked for an extension to have time to prepare her case.

A close examination of the contradictory details in recent weeks has led a number of organizations to stay out of the fray, including the ACLU of Florida and Parents, Families, Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). In a statement released in late May, the ACLU condemned a law that would treat a high school romance as predatory.

Its statement read in part: “The school-to-prison pipeline is �illed with students whose behavior is better addressed by school of�icials and parents, not by a criminal justice system that turns ordinary teenagers into convicted felons who are prevented from meaningfully contributing to society because of their unjust convictions.”

The ACLU encouraged State Attorney Colton to use discretion in a case that criminalizes the romance. The only mention of sexual orientation comes in a comment about the school to prison pipeline the ACLU has been working hard to address.

“This is a life sentence for behavior by teenagers that is all too common, whether they are male or female, gay or straight. High-school relationships may be �leeting, but felony convictions are not,” the statement read.

David McKinnon, of the Vero Beach PFLAG chapter, said in a statement it sees no evidence of discrimination. After reviewing the case and the law, McKinnon said it appeared the Hunt was being treated like heterosexual couples in the same situation.

“The cry of discrimination, unless more facts come out, does not seem to apply here. Some very simple research yields cases where heterosexual kids have been arrested and prosecuted under the same law,” McKinnon said. “Is that law unfair? That is something each of us must determine for ourselves, and if we feel that it is, then our State Legislators are the people to contact in order to try to have the law changed.” |  |

STAND UP: Miami resident Martin Gill and his partner became the first gay couple to legally adopt children in Florida. PHOTO COURTESY ACLU

Florida’s first gay adoptive parent stands up for federal law

sarasota

Susan Clary

NEWS

Furor over discrimination in Kate Hunt case subsides as facts emerge

Staff Report

M

IAMI | Martin Gill knows �irsthand the kind of protracted legal battle faced by LGBT families who want to adopt. He and his partner Bruce successfully fought the system in Florida to legally adopt the two young boys they had been fostering.

Now, Gill is taking the �ight to the federal level. In a column published in the Miami Herald on May 28, Gill has put his face on the �ight to pass the Every Child Deserves a Family Act. ECDF is a federal child welfare bill that would eliminate discrimination in foster care and adoption placements based on gender identity, sexual orientation or marital status.

“This bill would ensure that our country is doing everything possible to move children out of the foster care system and into permanent loving homes,” Gill wrote, noting that an estimated 400,000 children and youth are in foster care, an on average at least 100,000 each year are in need of a permanent adoptive family.

The Florida Equality Council reports that 39 states currently restrict the ability of same-sex couples to adopt. Without legal barriers, the Williams Institute found, as many as 2 million LGBT parents might become foster or adoptive parents.

The bill is a bipartisan effort sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). Miami’s Rep. Federica Wilson (D-FL) is an original sponsor of the Act, which is being reintroduced.

“I truly believe that Every Child Deserves a Family. If there is even one child denied an adoptive family then we are not trying hard enough,” Gill wrote in his column.

“The Every Child Deserves a Family Act offers a solution to the problem by allowing more well-quali�ied, loving parents to adopt. It offers a safety net to some of our nation’s most needy kids.” |  |

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nation+world NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS BRITISH LORDS ADVANCE MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL Britain’s House of Lords on June 4 backed the further passage of a gay and lesbian marriage bill for England and Wales—meaning it has now passed a crucial hurdle. The upper chamber of the British parliament spent two days debating the government’s “Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill,” which was already passed by the elected House of Commons. The House of Lords will now scrutinize the bill and debate the details over two days later this month.

NYC SEEKS GAY AND LESBIAN FOSTER PARENTS In a major push to expand the kinds of families who consider fostering, New York City’s child welfare agency announced its campaign to find more gay and lesbian foster parents. The campaign’s other goal is to find suitable homes for LGBT children. The executive director of the LGBT Community Center says many gay New Yorkers don’t realize that the city allows them to become foster parents.

GROUP OF MORMONS JOINS UTAH PRIDE PARADE AGAIN For a second straight year, a large group of Mormons took part in the Utah Pride Parade on June 2 in a show of support for the gay community. Some 400 people from the grassroots group Mormons Building Bridges marched under a banner reading ``Family Reunion’’ in the annual parade in Salt Lake City. Last year, their participation marked the first time such a large group of Mormons had joined the parade.

TRANSGENDER EX-NAVY SEAL COMES OUT A former member of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs has come out to say she’s now a woman. In her biography, Warrior Princess, released June 1, Kristin Beck reveals she was a member of the most elite special operations unit in the world—SEAL Team 6. During her 20-year military service as a man named Chris, Beck deployed 13 times, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Transgender men and women are banned from serving openly in the U.S. military.

PUERTO RICO GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS FOR GAY RIGHTS Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla on May 29 signed a bill that prohibits employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. Garcia said he met his obligations as a Christian by signing the bill and congratulated legislators on approving the proposal. He also signed a separate bill that extends a domestic violence law to gay couples.

GAY MAN KILLED IN RUSSIA’S SECOND SUSPECTED HATE CRIME IN WEEKS A man was murdered in Zaporozhye, Russia, because he was gay, investigators said June 3. Three men stabbed and trampled the victim to death last week, the second such killing in less than a month. The suspects, who are under arrest, put the 39-year-old’s body in his car and set in on fire. Last month in Volgograd, a 23-year-old man was tortured and killed by friends after revealing he was gay during a drinking session.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

France’s first same-sex marriage is broadcast to nation Wire Report

M

ONTPELLIER, FRANCE | In a historic ceremony broadcast live on French television, the �irst gay couple to marry in France said “Oui,’’ then sealed the deal with a lengthy and very public kiss.

Hundreds of invited guests including a government minister gathered for the moving ceremony May 29 inside city hall in southern French city of Montpellier. Hundreds more �locked to the square outside the building as Vincent Autin, 40, and his 30-year-old partner, Bruno Boileau, were wed.

The politically charged ceremony was held under tight police surveillance—a stark reminder of

the months of bruising opposition to the new same-sex marriage and adoption law that French lawmakers passed earlier this month.

Although the marriage ceremony itself went undisrupted, outside the city hall it was not trouble-free.

Police restrained one protester who threatened the couple as they were being escorted into the building before the ceremony. Police also used tear gas to push back a small group of demonstrators who gathered behind the city hall.

“Even if we have passed the hurdle of equality, there are still more battles to �ight... But for now, it’s a moment for festivity, for love,’’ Autin said after exchanging vows.

The two men then walked hand-in-hand to the city hall balcony to wave to well-wishers

alongside Montpellier Mayor Helene Mandroux, who of�iciated at the ceremony. Smiling proudly, Mandroux called the marriage a “historic moment’’ and ``a stage in the modernization of our country.’’

It is not clear yet when the �irst same-sex adoption will take place.

News of the marriage will not be welcomed in every corner of France.

On May 26, tens of thousands of people protested �iercely in Paris against the new marriage law, demonstrations that ended with riot police shooting tear gas.

Demonstrations against samesex marriage in France have often spilled into violence.

France is the 14th country so far—and the biggest in political and economic weight—to recognize same-sex marriage. |  |

the 60 votes the measure needed to pass and wouldn’t be calling it for a vote before the legislative session ended May 31.

“Several of my colleagues have indicated they would not be willing to cast a vote on this legislation today ... and I’ve never been sadder to accept such request,’’ he said.

“They asked me for time to go back to their districts and reach out to their minds and hearts.’’

Legislators applauded him after the speech.

Obama’s home state was lining

up to become the 13th to approve same-sex marriage after months of arduous and sometimes elusive lobbying efforts by gay-rights advocates and opponents. The state’s Senate approved the measure on Valentine’s Day, and Gov. Pat Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, had pledged to sign it into law.

Critics of same-sex marriage said the outcome was a rejection of the entire notion, while supporters said a vote was merely delayed and could now come in the fall during a later session. |  |

adults lifted as well.

The result of the BSA National Council vote on May 23 was welcomed by gay rights groups, but many religious institutions—which charter about 70% of the more than 100,000 U.S. Scouting units—were upset. Some threatened to defect if the ban were lifted.

“We are deeply saddened,’’ said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee. “Homosexual behavior is incompatible with the principles enshrined in the Scout oath and Scout law.’’

Some of the scouting group’s largest sponsors are relatively conservative denominations that

have supported the broad ban on gay members and leaders— notably the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Southern Baptist churches.

The BSA, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010, has long excluded both gays and atheists. But protests over the no-gays policy gained momentum in 2000, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the BSA’s right to exclude gays. Scout units lost sponsorships by public schools and other entities that adhered to nondiscrimination policies.

The policy change takes effect Jan. 1. |  |

Illinois House adjourns without vote on marriage equality Wire Report SPRINGFIELD, ILL. | Despite urging from President Barack Obama and �ierce on-the-ground campaigning, a legislative measure that would have made Illinois the 13th state to allow same-sex couples to marry didn’t rally enough support from lawmakers in the House.

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Rep. Greg Harris, gave an emotional testimony before lawmakers, explaining that he simply didn’t have

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys Wire Report GRAPEVINE TEX. | The Boy Scouts of America is throwing open its ranks to gay Scouts, but not gay adult Scout leaders—a �iercely contested compromise that some warn could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections.

The Scouts stressed that their organization of about 2.6 million boys and about 1 million adult leaders and volunteers would not condone sexual conduct by any Scout—gay or straight.

But the bitter debate is not over.

Liberal Scout leaders have made clear they want the ban on gay

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

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guestcolumn

A Mile in my shoes

Randy Ross RANDYORLND@AOL.COM

O

N THURSDAY, JUNE 13, AT

4 p.m., hundreds will trek from the Orange County Courthouse to Orlando City Hall—in high heels—to raise funds and awareness to combat domestic abuse. I’m co-chair of the �irst “Walk a Mile In Her Shoes, Orlando.”

For me, the issue is personal.

It was 2002. At 36-years-old I had a great job, a beautiful home, and had even lost 40 pounds. I felt great and was ready to come out. The decision was a cause for celebration, but like so many members of the LGBT community I also felt some fear—mostly of rejection, and of being so exposed.

I certainly wasn’t afraid of domestic abuse. That was someone else’s problem.

One night at a downtown club, I noticed a younger man staring at me. Uplifted by the attention, I reached out my hand and asked him to dance. You could say it was love at �irst sight. But what followed in the ensuing months was unimaginable.

I’m not sure exactly when things changed. If there were warning signs during the initial honeymoon phase, I looked past them. Yes, he was extremely jealous, but I �igured that’s how most gay men acted.

John (not his real name) also had an issue with alcohol. He didn’t get sloppy, or happy, or even sad; he got abusive, and mean, and even more jealous. In a new

relationship, that’s a lethal mix.

And I had just come out. The last thing in the world I wanted was for anyone to see failure or fear.

The �irst time he hit me was after we had been dancing at a gay club downtown. One of my friends walked over to say hello, and it was as if the lights turned off in his eyes. He pulled me aside.

“You want to sleep with him don’t you?” he seethed, in a display of pent up anger and hatred. He didn’t even hear my reassurance that this was not the case.

John had driven, so I walked the 10 miles home, watching him pass by me several times in his easily identi�iable Jeep. When I arrived, he was waiting on the front porch. He lunged at me, �illed with more anger than I could ever have imagined a person could possess, and screamed that I was a “cheating bastard.”

I’m not a �ighter. That night I took a beating like a person who felt he deserved it. When I �inally managed to break away, I went to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. There was blood all over my face and in my hair, my eyes were black and blue, my lips swollen, and I realized he had bitten me on the cheek. It was only then that I recalled what he said when he bit me: “I’m going to mess up that beautiful face.”

I called the police, but when the of�icer came to the door I explained through the cracked door that I had made a mistake. He asked how I’d gotten hurt. “Odd thing, I feel off the back step,” I said. “I guess I had a few too many.”

That started the lie, and the enabling. If I had let the of�icer in, it might have prevented everything that followed. But I didn’t and it continued.

We moved in together.

My relationship with John lasted more than a year. Abusers want to you to focus solely on them, and when you aren’t, they get your attention in the only way they know how. He told me many times how his dad beat his mom, even shooting her once. John also treated his mother horribly, yet he professed a passionate devotion to her.

There were nights I can remember lying in bed in fear. I’d wait for him to fall asleep. Then, sneak out of my house to my car and just drive. I was safe then. I slept in my of�ice and checked into hotels. I drove to the rest area on I-4 near Longwood, just to sleep. I slept on my mom’s sofa, as

I’m not a fighter. That night I took a beating like a person who felt he deserved it.

she told me I was “nuts for letting him stay in the house.” I was now living in my own jail and paying for it in countless ways.

Everything changed Christmas Eve 2004. I took a walk after John had picked another �ight. As I neared my house, I watched through the front picture window as he ripped apart a perfectly decorated Christmas tree.

Decorations �lew everywhere, some that had been in my family for decades, and one-by-one the strands of lights went out. I can still see it today.

I stormed through the front door and begged him to stop. “Where were you,” he screamed. “Cheating again?’

The following morning I had another black eye to disguise, but I had decided I was done.

I called his parents in West Virginia to come get him. If not, I would have him arrested and they could deal with the consequences. Ironically, the only person he would listen to would was his father, the very person who’d taught him the power of abuse. A few weeks later, I loaded his things in his car and called a transport company to deliver them.

That was more than 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I allowed myself to heal, and came to realize I didn’t deserve what he’d done to me.

Believe it or not I still hear from

him, but from the safe distance of email or Facebook. He’s changed. He’s sorry. He wants another chance, and it’s not like he cheated or lied. It’s the language of abusers. And even though I tell him over and over that the damage of the past can’t be repaired, it’s as if he can’t hear me. He doesn’t get it. Abuse is not forgivable, and certainly not forgettable—at least not for me.

I’ve been in a few long-term relationships since, and I’m sure they suffered from the aftershocks of what I experienced. But I’ve never told anyone, not my family or closest friends, the story I’m telling you here.

I �inally decided to share and let go of the shame. I don’t fear him anymore.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone: straight, gay, female, male, transgender, black, white Hispanic. But it doesn’t have to happen to you!

The �irst “Walk a Mile In Her Shoes, Orlando” steps off at the Orange County Courthouse at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. As many as 500 participants are expected, and all are encouraged to wear high heels. There’s an optional $20 registration fee, and walkers are encouraged to obtain pledges. All proceeds will go to Harbor House, a respected—and LGBT friendly— domestic abuse shelter in Orlando.

For more information, visit WAMOrlando.Kintera.org. |  |

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converted

preaching to the

My Digital Tattoo

Ken Kundis KEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

I

HAVE BEEN ACCUSED BY

friends my age and older that I’m a little overly enamored with and active on social media and, truthfully, I can’t deny it.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Foursquare, etc., are all places where you can �ind the digital breadcrumbs I’ve left to let future generations know I was here. In my defense, I am a marketing professional and these devices are the future of my industry.

During my job search in 2011, I was asked the following question in every single one of 20-plus interviews: “What should we do about Social Media?” No thoughtful company is without a social media plan these days. Such tried and true channels as brochures and print advertising have slowly gone the way of the VCR and the Walkman.

Reaching out to potential customers where they spend most of their online time is always going to present an opportunity for marketers like me.

Of course, in my case that’s only part of the story. I am also a natural-born communicator. I enjoy the interactive aspects of social media, reigniting long dormant friendships, keeping up with family members, sharing funny or interesting or stupid insights with an online audience of my making.

But there, of course, is the rub. We all know now that it’s not just my chosen universe with whom I’m sharing

my views on politics or videos of the latest Kelly Clarkson performance.

It is quite literally, and with no exaggeration, available to anyone interested enough to �ind out.

Millennials will say that’s the point. Post whatever you want on social media because no stranger cares enough about you to go to the trouble to �ind it. As a result, there is a proliferation of too personal, potentially embarrassing or damaging information out there that people are posting—willingly, voluntarily, gleefully. There’s the sorority girl whose crazy screed to her chapter went viral, holding her up to global ridicule. There’s a young woman with whom I’m acquainted—a new teacher—who regularly posts her students’ work on her Facebook page and invites friends and family to join her in making fun of them, which is undoubtedly inappropriate and potentially a serious violation of their privacy.

There are—at least among my particular FB friends—grown, professional men who post seminude pictures of themselves or overly sexual, not-safe-for-work material on their pages.

Make no mistake: anything you post online could fall into the wrong hands. As not only a social media practitioner but also a senior manager for a global company, I know for fact that people have lost jobs and been turned down for opportunities because something objectionable was found on their social media pages.

Privacy in this day and age is a charmingly old-fashioned notion.

To me the issue is generational. I would bet that once the Millennial generation moves into the corner of�ice, there will be a more natural relationship between your professional career and your online life. A hiring manager— undoubtedly with his own Facebook page (or whatever the equivalent will be in 15 years)—won’t regard what’s on your page as germane to your ability to do the job.

But until that time, remember that the Internet is written in ink, not chalk. The things you choose to post about yourself, your friends and your life are like a tattoo. Permanent, and uglier as you get older. |  |

There is a proliferation of too personal, potentially embarrassing or damaging information out there that people are posting—willingly, voluntarily, gleefully.

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TALKING POINTS

And if you’ve got a hang up about it (homosexuality), I hope you can get over it because it’s real.

— JOE NAMATH, FORMER NFL STAR

47% of Americans now believe sexual orientation is biological, not learned.

Only 13% believed so in 1978.

—According to a May 16 Gallup Poll

MR. GAY USA 2011

SEE YOUR COMMENT HERE! Head over to

watermark online.com and tell us what YOU think.

M

R. GAY USA 2011 MICHAEL HOLTZ WILL TAKE PART IN THE NEW TNT COMPETITION SERIES 72 HOURS, which premieres on June 13.

Dropped in a 90km stretch of untamed coastline, three teams composed of three strangers must navigate through thick forests, limestone cliffs and massive sand dunes in order to locate a briefcase full of cash in just 72 hours. All they have to accompany them in their quest for $100,000 are their teammates, the clothes on their backs, a GPS and one bottle of water.

Holtz says this is all part of his efforts to promote equality and to change the perception of LGBT athletes. Oh, and he’s really hot! |  |

ON THE INVOICE SHOWING THE FFA PAYS MORE THAN $16K TO FLY A PLANE OVER ORLANDO “WARNING” FAMILIES ABOUT GAY DAY AT DISNEY:

“All of the promoters have overpriced and ruined the Gay Days Weekend here in Orlando.”

—JEFF ROY

“The Florida Family Association is on the same level as the KKK and the Westboro Baptist Church. The amount of money they waste in the name of “If you’re wanting to promote bigotry is appalling. They are your event, yet you won’t let not Christians, they are Haters, a paper who is read by your plain and simple, and they target audience have access look more pathetic with every to your event, my first thought passing day.” would be something’s not right!”

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BRAND NEW SERIES ON THE KID’S TV NETWORK THE HUB, features a super hero/heroine who transforms from a boy to a girl with the help a magic ring.

The show, SheZow,, tells the story of 12-year-old Guy, who inherits a magic ring and can turn into superheroine SheZow by saying, “You go girl!”

The show debuted in Canada and Australia in December with little hype. Now that it is showing in America, conservative bloggers, of course, are attacking the show for promoting “transgender themes.” |  |

MISSOURI PRIEST MINNEAPOLIS COMES OUT CELEBRATES

IN MEMOIR

F

ATHER GARY MEIER OF ST. LOUIS, MO., HAS FINALLY COME OUT OF THE CLOSET in his new memoir, Hidden Voices: Re�lections of a Gay, Catholic Priest.

He originally published his book anonymously in 2011, but reissued it this year with his name because he could no longer live in the closet while the Catholic hierarchy continued to preach against the LGBT community. He has received praise on his Facebook page and the reissued memoir is expect to outsell its previous release. |  |

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MARRIAGE EQUALITY

T

HE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAD A VERY BRIGHT AND VERY PUBLIC WAY OF CELEBRATING MINNESOTA’S NEW MARRIAGE EQUALITY LAW. It lit up its I-35 bridge in a cascade of rainbow colors resembling a string of Christmas lights.

The bridge crosses the Mississippi River and opened in 2008 as a replacement to the old bridge that collapsed in August 2007 and killed 13 people. Neighboring St. Paul also celebrated the new law and changed the name of the city’s Wabasha Bridge to “The Freedom to Marry Bridge” for an entire week.

Minnesota is the 12th state to embrace marriage equality. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

27

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT DRAG FOR LAUGHS: St.

Petersburg actor Matthew McGee has taken on several roles for Suncoast AIDS Theater Project productions, most recently, The Wicked Witch in last year’s A Wizard of Oz. He’ll play Scarlett O’Hara in this year’s production of Blown by the Wind.

N W BLO

Y A AW S

Steve Blanchard EDITOR@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

T. PETERSBURG | GARRY BREUL HAS

a message to share, and the platform on which he shares it each year is getting bigger and louder.

Suncoast AIDS Theater Project returns for the 11th year June 10 and 17 with a lampoon of Gone With the Wind Wind, appropriately—or inappropriately—titled Blown by

the Wind. The comedy is a follow up to last year’s wildly popular A Wizard of Oz, which featured local actor Matthew McGee as The Wicked Witch. This year, McGee

SATP TAKES ON A CLASSIC WITH ITS BLOWN

BY THE WIND

returns once again to take on the role of Scarlett O’Hara.

“Lampooning classics is dif�icult,” Breul explains. “It’s like making a huge book into a movie script. So I get Matt on board and then I go from there.”

As with the script for last year’s Oz, Blown by the Wind is the work of T. Scott Wooten, production coordinator for American Stage in St. Petersburg.

While this is only the second

year that SATP is lampooning a classic, it’s the 11th year the annual fundraising bene�it will help local HIV/AIDS organizations.

“Besides Garry being my friend, what we’re raising money for is very important,” says McGee. “And we’ve become so big now that we have to get funnier, louder and add more music. Now it’s an extravaganza.”

Money raised from the two

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Continued on page 38 |  |

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29

Stop.

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Zach Galifianakis in Hangover Part III.

The Hangover Part III

After Earth

Starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, John Goodman

Starring Will Smith, Jaden Smith

B CAR TOON: Vin Diesel races through the cartoonish Fast and Furious 6.

Screened Out MOVIE REVIEWS

Going from bad to worse Fast and Furious 6 Starring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Gina Carano

I

’LL ADMIT I’M NOT THE TARGET

audience for the Fast and Furious series.

It’s really a cartoon franchise with soupedup cars, ridiculous stunts, Red Bull editing, and puerile humor. But, hey, if that’s what the �ilmmakers are shooting for, they certainly hit their mark with this sixth installment.

Stephen Miller

STEPHEN@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

Diesel, Walker and their crew want out of the racing business, but DEA of�icer Johnson keeps pulling them back in. He gives them a bargain they cannot refuse—take down an evil drug czar with a penchant for racing.

Carano, a secret CIA agent, is along for the ride, adding sex appeal and some nifty hand-to-hand-combat. That’s about it for plot, really, except for some fake pathos about family.

Like I said, I’m not a huge fan. It’s all amazing

stunt work and jerky editing. Acting is minimized, and subtlety is nonexistent. One of my best friends loves these �ilms, however, so I’m mostly writing this for him—that 12-year-old part of him that adores seeing cars go really fast, do impossible things and then explode.

The series also gives hints there will be more.

More and more. More Fasterest and Furiouser 14. Are you ready for it? I think, by that time, the makers are going to have trouble �inding that much metal to destroy, that many stunts to pull off and that many stupid jokes to deliver. Brace yourself, though, because this franchise ain’t stopping anytime soon. |  |

Jaden Smith crying because he’s in After Earth.

I

CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU ALL REAKING THE RULES HAS THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG BECOME BUSINESS AS USUAL. HERE. My list of complaints may The gimmick of the last longer than this 90-minute, Hangover �ilms is that a group cliché-riddled waste of celluloid of friends wake up in a stupor, and special effects. I think, however, surrounded by oddball accoutrement. you’d probably rather sit through my The plot usually has them trying to kvetching than see After Earth. piece together the wild night before.

It’s the future, and we’ve What actually occurred is usually way destroyed our planet. Yet, parts of sicker and more nefarious than these Earth are still green and pretty... pals—the Wolf Pack—could ever weirdly inhabited by aliens and imagine. Part 1 was thrilling, evolved animals intent on and part 2 was a retread. hunting us down. Apparently, This third part doesn’t none of our former neighbors RATINGS GUIDE want us back. begin that way. It starts with man-child Gali�ianakis Daddy Will is a cold, needing an intervention. The badass general. Son Jaden Wolf Pack gathers to take cannot do anything to please See it now! Buy the DVD! Quote him to a treatment center in him. That is until their ship lines at parties!

Arizona. Of course, they get crashes on Earth, Will breaks sidetracked. They have to both his legs, and Jaden has �ind the weirdo who’s caused to run through 60 miles of Definitely worth them so much trouble in the verdant Hell to save the day the price of past—the wildly violent and while Daddy shouts orders admission unpredictable Jeong—or over an intercom. things are going to go from It’s like alien Wild It’s useful as a bad to worse very quickly.

Kingdom, except dumber distraction Director Todd Philips is and more boring. Dad’s a trying to make up for a saggy, humorless ass. Oh, and the Maybe if someone redundant sequel. However, kid’s middle name is Raige, else pays and you even his Instagram camera like “rage.” Get it? Jaden need a nap work cannot overcome that Smith can run and jump, but this plot feels pretty random, he sure cannot act. so much less driven than the Not that there’s much Slightly worse than eternal famous �ilm that launched hope here. It’s grim, preachy damnation this franchise. Some major and unentertaining. From the holes immerge: people know start, it was more doomed things they shouldn’t, others don’t use than our planet. Daddy Will dreamt tools they have available. It’s not even up the idea, then handed it over to always funny. the one-hit-wonder director M. Night We’re promised this is the last, and Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Lady if this is the best they could do, good in the Water, The Last Airbender) to riddance. Part III has closure, but then further ruin. they make it feel arbitrary. Despite the Instead of trying to force your kid funny, intermittent bits, you’ll have into a movie career, Will, why don’t wished they’d gone full blotto. |  | you teach him not to mix with the wrong people? |  |

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MaD COw TheaTre PresenTs

Opening June 7, 2013

Music by Henry Krieger Lyrics and Book by Tom Eyen

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YOUR DREAMGIRLS: (L-R) Jayne Trinette (Effie), Cherry Hamlin (Deena) and Jasmine Thompson (Lorrell) are the ‘Dreamettes’ in Mad Cow Theatre’s Dreamgirls. PHOTO COURTESY MAD COW THEATRE

Dream Job THEATER

Dreamgirls provides local actresses iconic roles in Mad Cow’s production

O

David Moran DAVID@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

RLANDO | TACKLING THE LARGER-

than-life production Dreamgirls is a feat most leave to large, touring theater companies. But for Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando, the popular musical is a chance to �lex its artistic muscle beginning June 7, and not just for the Broadway and silver screen hit’s signature number, “And I Am Telling You.”

Watermark Media is the proud presenting sponsor of the show, which runs through July 7.

Though Ray Hatch, the show’s director and choreographer,

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acknowledges seeing “Ef�ie” sing is a huge draw, he said Dreamgirls is so much more than that.

Hatch is a veteran of the show, having previously co-choreographed

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Dreamgirls and performed as Jimmy Early, a popular R&B singer portrayed in the �ilm by Eddie Murphy for whom The Dreamettes eventually sing back up.

Since �irst opening on Broadway in 1981, the Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls has won over the hearts of theatergoers and movie fans in the 2006 �ilm adaptation with its “guts and glam” story about three best friends with dreams of making it big as an all-girl, R&B singing act. As the group gets more famous, greed, love affairs and fame threaten to ruin their friendship.

The numbers have been portrayed off the Broadway stage by reality show contestants and by lip-synching female impersonators

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

at LGBT establishments around the world.

Watermark had the chance to sit down with Hatch and The Dreamettes—Cherry Hamlin (Deena Jones), Jayne Trinette (Ef�ie White) and Jasmine Thompson (Lorrell Robinson)—to get an insider scoop on the upcoming show.

Mad Cow’s production promises to bring the drama, the glamour and the heartbreak out in full force.

“Dreamgirls is a love story. It’s a love for what you do, a love for what you aspire to do, a love for passion, a love for friendship,” says Hatch.

And the cast has a love for their characters and their many looks, he adds.

“Wigs, wigs, wigs, wigs, wigs,” Hatch laughs.

Thompson agrees.

“There is de�initely lots of hair,” says Thompson with a laugh.

Thomposon’s Lorrell is the mediator between her two best friends, Ef�ie and Deena, as they both vie for lead singer and the heart of their manager Curtis Taylor.

“People like to see glitz.

Dreamgirls absolutely gives you glamour from the beginning,” says Trinette. She also jokes that it is reality TV with music—a little Real Housewives on Broadway.

The enormity of �illing the iconic heels of Ef�ie isn’t lost on Trinette, who knows she will be compared

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to Jennifer Holiday, who many see as the “original Ef�ie” and Jennifer Hudson, who breathed new life into the character in the hit �ilm with the show’s signature song, “And I Am Telling You.” “The fear is very real for me,” Trinette says. “You have to get to place that you feel con�ident being on stage. That’s the strength for her.

Ef�ie knows that.”

Some fans pit Ef�ie and Deena against one another, but Hamlin, who plays Deena, says it is more complicated than that.

“Just the other day, someone said to me, ‘You’re the mean one,’” Hamlin says. But she disagrees, saying that though The Dreamettes have their ups and downs, Curtis is the real villain of the story. “[What happened] wasn’t something that Deena set out to do, it was more Curtis,” Hamlin says.

“She’s con�licted.”

Fans of the 2006 �ilm will notice one big difference about this staged version of Dreamgirls at Mad Cow. The Beyonce Knowles hit “Listen” will not be part of this local production. That song, and a few others, were adapted just for the �ilm, but the cast is hopeful that exposure from the �ilm will encourage new and old fans to come see the show.

“One of the good things about the movie is that it brought the musical

Dreamgirls is a love story; it’s a love for what you do, a love for what you aspire to do, a love for passion, a love for friendship.

• Board Certified Optometrist • Eye Exams and Contact Lenses • Most Vision Plans Accepted • Serving our community for over 16 years

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to a broader audience,” says Thompson.

Hamlin promises that Mad Cow’s version of Dreamgirls will be worth the ticket price because of the intimate setting of The Harriett Theater within the Mad Cow complex.

“It’s kind of like each member of the audience will have a front row seat at a concert,” says Hamlin.

Hatch said the intimacy of Mad Cow adds to the telling of the story.

“It implores you to pay attention to the relationships and not just lose yourself in the music,” he says. “The audience is the energy that allows the dream to happen.”

In addition to the glamour, the ballads and the drama, Hatch also emphasizes that Dreamgirls has huge historical and cultural signi�icance.

The Dreamette’s rise from an amateur night at The Apollo Theater to fame is set during the social revolutions of the 1960s. It is also semi-biographical, loosely based on the real-life singing group The Supremes and other up-andcoming, black R&B acts of that era.

It’s a reality tale set in a time well before reality competition television series like American Idol and The Voice changed the music landscape for new acts.

There are strong parallels between the characters Deena Jones, Ef�ie White, and Curtis Taylor and real-life singers Diana Ross and Florence Ballard and Motown Records’ founder Berry Gordy.

Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal as Ef�ie in the 2006 �ilm, dedicated her Oscar to Ballard in her acceptance speech.

“Not only is it a show about empowering women, it’s also happening during the Civil Rights movement,” Hatch points out. “The Supremes were one of the �irst black female groups on national television.

The Supremes…The Dreams were very instrumental in bringing women to a certain echelon. They created a new formula of glamour [inclusive of

women of color].”

In many ways what The Supremes and other black performers did to break the color barrier in music, Dreamgirls has also done in musical theater. Until Dreamgirls came to town, Hatch and the rest of the cast said there have been limited roles for performers of color in Orlando.

Thompson was happy to have the opportunity to audition for, let alone get cast in, the iconic show because of the sometimes scarce options.

Hatch adds that he thinks theater is expanding casting opportunities for actors of color so they can be considered for a diverse range of roles where race or ethnicity is not a major factor to the story.

He cites some shows like Aida, where a person’s race or ethnicity isn’t central to the story but otherwise hopes there can be more creative casting.

“We are going to have to open ourselves up…because [theater] is more of a melting pot. The talent wants to see their re�lection,” says Trinette.

Hatch is proud of show’s talent and promises the audience won’t be disappointed by the local theater company’s Dreamgirls.

“Each and every day in rehearsal it gets more and more exciting,” he says.

Hamlin, Trinette and Thompson also gave a shout out to the men in the cast, saying that their performances in “Fake Your Way to the Top” and “Steppin’ to the Bad Side” are must-see performances. |  |

MORE INFORMATION WHAT: Dreamgirls WHERE: Mad Cow Theatre WHEN: June 7-July 7 TICKETS: MadCowTheatre.com or 407-297-8788

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

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|  | Blown by the Wind from pg.29

Prelude to Pride performances go directly to HIV/AIDS organizations to cover costs that most grants don’t cover. Funds could be to help pay the vet bills of a client who would have to choose between paying for HIV medication or for care for a pet, or for bus tickets for clients who otherwise would not have a way to make it to a doctor’s appointment or a counseling session.

“It �ills a void,” Breul explains. “I always ask where the money will go.

I don’t want it to go for rent or for salaries. I want it to go directly to the client.”

In 2012, SATP raised more than $8,000 and helped two local charities. Following up with another outrageous comedy in 2013 will hopefully raise just as much money, if not more.

“People love to laugh,” Breul says. “And they �ill that donation jar more when they leave the theater in a good mood.”

Besides the good cause behind the SATP productions, McGee says that his involvement has helped him increase his circle of contacts and actually helped his professional

We’ve become so big now that we have to get funnier, louder and add more music; now it’s an extravaganza.

—MATTHEW MCGEE

career. More people will come and see him in other productions thanks to the exposure offered by Breul and the SATP shows.

“This is an excellent cause and it’s never a question that I’m going to get all dolled up every year and do this,” McGee laughs. “It’s a long process to get into drag. I’m a 6’1” 200-pound man. That’s a lot of work, but I don’t mind it for a second. It’s opened a lot of doors for me as far as cultivating audiences who want to see me in other shows. I’ve been able to raise money for charity, become friends with Garry and establish myself as a performer in the area.”

But things weren’t always so comical for SATP’s Prelude to Pride productions. According to Breul, who started the group, the concept originally focused on PWAs (People with AIDS) reading excerpts from serious HIV/AIDS-related plays.

That helped put a strong focus

on the fundraising need of local charities, but was taxing on the original members.

“This started as the Sarasota AIDS Theater Project with 11 people who weren’t actors,” Breul recalls. “We’d read these plays at the Bethesda House, which was the home of the AIDS Quilt at the time. We would do this every Monday when one of the guys suggested we should put these plays on.”

Breul wasn’t convinced that his group had the acting chops to put on the plays, so he invited local actors to participate. The original PWAs would participate in skits and in behind-the-scenes rolls. Eventually, that became too much.

“They were very courageous for doing it for as long as they did,” Breul says. “But they felt like the walking dead. One told me that he felt like a poster child for AIDS and he just didn’t want to do it anymore.

These guys were living and dealing with the disease every day, and then putting it out there on a stage. It was too much.”

Breul �inally admitted that he couldn’t ask the original group to put themselves out there so much, and that’s when the focus truly shifted to professional actors tackling wellknown scripts with a comic twist.

The �irst time McGee got involved with SATP was with Tales of the City.

“I played the Olympia Dukakis role, since she’s a handsome woman,” McGee laughs.

From there, SATP produced Charles Busch plays, with McGee in the leading female role.

“When I �irst started acting in St. Pete I didn’t plan to do drag so much,” McGee laughs. “When I did The Big Bang, I played Cher and Queen Nefertiti. I have tons of drag queen friends and they’re a scream. I knew what they did was artistry and

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I met a lot who could act, sing and are funny. I was drawn to the ones that didn’t always look great or real.

But they were a hoot—Lady Bunny, Hedda Lettuce.”

Now it’s almost a given that McGee will appear in drag throughout the year—especially for Prelude to Pride. The productions always feel like a dress rehearsal at The Carol Burnett Show and with McGee’s skills at improv, the audience and the other cast members never know what they’re going to get.

“I’ll tell you this,” Breul starts.

“Every time Scarlett talks about Tara, which she does a lot, we’re going to start the shot fan and blow wind through the theater and let Matt deal with that.”

And McGee is ready.

“I’ll truly be ‘blown by the wind,’ and I can’t wait,” he says. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: Prelude to Pride: Blown by the Wind WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

Monday June 17 and June 24 WHERE: American Stage, St. Petersburg TICKETS: AmericanStage.org

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Philip Pearlstein’s People, Places, Things THROUGH JUNE 16 St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts 727-896-2667 Fine-Arts.org

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DAYTONA BEACH Hippiefest

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and male fans.

Now, they’re baaaacckk!

New Kids On The Block will be at the Amway Center on Friday, June 21.

You’ll also see the guys from 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men as part of the lineup. For tickets, visit CenterOrlando.com. |  |

CLEARWATER Speakeasy & Casino Night

a 1960s-era souvenir home.

Outdoor events are free.

A 7 p.m. concert will feature Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Band, The Turtles, Gary Lewis of Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mark Lindsay, lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders and Chuck Negron, former lead singer for Three Dog Night. For tickets, visit PeabodyAuditorium.org. |  |

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AVE A THING FOR FLAPPERS, SWING MUSIC AND ALL THINGS ROARING ‘20S? Get your jazz on at Hernando’s Hideaway for its Speakeasy & Casino Night. Drink and be merry while listening to an authentic repertoire by Helios Swingtet. Try your hand at the roulette table and win

JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2013 // ISSUE 20.12

your sweetheart an additional round of drinks or maybe even a one-night spa stay.

What promises to be an epic night of revelry begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 14. For tickets, visit ClearwaterJazz.com. |  |

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Tampa Bay

1- HIZZONER: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn speaks to a packed house at Pin Chasers Midtown and welcomed participants to the IGBO Annual tournament Memorial Day weekend. PHOTO COURTESY ALI GLISSON

2- SNOW WHITE: Friends gathered in all forms of festive gear for the annual GaYbor White Party over Memorial Day weekend. PHOTO

COURTESY CARRIE WEST

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3- PAGEANT BREAK: Dee Ringghold, left, enjoys the front patio of Georgie’s Alibi with a friend during the Miss, Mr. and Mister St. Pete Pride Pageant on May 26. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 4- NEW ROYALTY: Muffy Vanbeaverhousen is crowned Miss St. Pete Pride 2013 at Georgie’s Alibi on May 26. PHOTO COURTESY

TINKERFLUFF.COM

5- GETTING REAL: Anjila Cavalier, Miss ASAP 2013, lays down the law during the Miss, Mr. and Mister St. Pete Pride Pageant at Georgie’s Alibi May 26 after the crow got a bit too loud while contestants were speaking. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 6- BALCONY BRETHREN: Stanley Solomons, Steve Lipinski, John Morroni, Mike Bell and Steven Rodriguez enjoy the Florida weather on the balcony of The Birchwood on May 22 during a Harvey Milk Day mixer. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 7- CHECKPOINT: (L-R) Aaron Horcha and Thompson Kellett check in attendees at a Harvey Milk Day celebration at The Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg on May 22 that benefitted local LGBT Youth organizations. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 8- FLORIDA VIEW: (L-R) Karen Cassidy, Jim Jackson, Lynn Mattiace and Steve Kornell mingle at a Harvey Milk Day celebration on the balcony of The Birchwood on May 22. PHOTO BY

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STEVE BLANCHARD

OVERHEARD FIFTH TIME’S A CHARM FOR VANBEAVERHOUSEN

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HEN THE VERY FIRST MISS ST. PETE PRIDE PAGEANT WAS HELD FIVE YEARS AGO, Muffy Vanbeaverhousen knew it was the crown she wanted. After several attempts landed her as �irst runner-up, she �inally achieved her goal before a packed house at Georgie’s Alibi on May 26. The annual pageant awards its winner a chance to represent St. Pete Pride for a year as well as perform on the main stage during the St. Pete Pride Street Festival on Central Avenue on June 29. The pageant win is a �irst for Muffy, who admits she’s not sure what crown she’ll seek next. The pageant also had

Mr. and Mister divisions, for male impersonators and men, respectively. Those crowns went to Akillis (Jorland Ayala) and to Rico M. Taylor. Taylor is the �irst-ever Mister St. Pete Pride. The third category was added this year and featured two contestants.

BUCKHORN: BETTER MAYOR THAN BOWLER

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PPROXIMATELY 500 GAY BOWLERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD ARRIVED IN TAMPA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND to participate in an international bowling tournament, held at Pin Chasers Midtown.

Bowlers were greeted by two very special guests on opening day—

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor.

Buckhorn spoke to the crowd assembled around a ball return, saying “It shows the world that we are open for business, that we are a diverse city and that we celebrate and honor diversity. We know that as a city we are better together, and we are proud of that.” Buckhorn is fortunately a better Mayor and speaker than he is a bowler. His opening roll nearly landed in the gutter as he ceremoniously launched the tournament. “

HONORING HARVEY MILK

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COMPANIES LARGE AND SMALL were all on hand for a Harvey Milk Day reception at The Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg on May 22. The date, Milk’s birthday, commemorates the slain California of�icial who helped encourage LGBT people to seek public of�ice and rally for change. The celebration and networking event at The Birchwood was hosted by St. Pete Pride and sponsored by GayStPete.com and Metro Wellness and Community Centers. Each $50 ticket sold helped support Pinellas Youth Pride and You Are Valued, two local non-pro�it organizations. Those attending were treated to hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a chance to catch a spectacular view of Tampa Bay, the Pier and St. Petersburg’s waterfront.

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SNOW WHITE EVERYWHERE

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HE ANNUAL WHITE PARTY RETURNED TO YBOR CITY OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND and attendees quickly warmed to the theme. White-clad dancers, patrons, bartenders and photographers roamed The Honey Pot throughout the night and most had their creative fashions photographed in front of the GaYbor logo. Out�its ranged from white dresses and gowns to white athletic attire, like a football player that came complete with a white helmet. Sources say the 2013 GaYbor White Party was the biggest one yet, and you know what that means—next year will even be more over the top! |  |

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ORLANDO

1- SWEET SOUNDS: The Central Florida Sounds of Freedom marching band and color guard perform at Space Coast Pride, May 26 in Melbourne. PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT 2- READY FOR LAUNCH: Jeff Miller (left) and Ted Maines help State Rep. Linda Steward launch her new campaign at her Campaign Kick-Off event May 29 at The Abbey. PHOTO BY TOM DYER 3- I DO!: Cliff McIntuff (R) and Mark Meurer (L), partners of 20 years,were married in an impromptu “ceremony” by comedienne Judy Tenuta on May 31 at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando. The couple, from Orlando, received a “Certificate of Marriage in Judyism” after exchanging vows on stage. PHOTO BY SUSAN CLARY

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4- TASTY CELEBRATION: Chris Manley (center) and Tommy Manley (far right), owners of GayDays.com, celebrate at the Taste of Gay Days with Luis Grajales (far left) and friends on May 30 at the Doubletree by Hilton. PHOTO BY SUSAN CLARY 5- HARD ROCKER: Jeff Jones celebrates 10 years of employment at Hard Rock Live June 3 with a tiny little cake. He also received a Rolex watch from the company. PHOTO COURTESY DAN HIGGINS 6- COMIC TIMING: Comedienne Judy Tenuta shares a laugh with David “Dr. Dave” Baker-Hargrove before her show on May 31 at the Doubletree by Hilton. PHOTO BY SUSAN CLARY 7- CREEPED OUT: Kristina Miller (left) and Andrea Wheeler stay brave and smile with a homicidal maniac at Spooky Empire, Orlando’s Ultimate Horror Weekend, at the Rosen Center May 24. PHOTO

COURTESY OF THE ORLANDO PSYCHO CITY DERBY GIRLS

8- DRIVING ENTERTAINMENT: Mandy McIntosh, of Haines City, entertains guests on the bus as she shuttles thousands of people back and forth between the Doubletree by Hilton and the offsite parking garage during Gay Days. PHOTO BY SUSAN CLARY

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OVERHEARD FRINGE FINALE

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LOT OF PEOPLE IN ORLANDO’S CULTURAL COMMUNITY SLEPT IN LAST WEEK. Orlando’s Fringe Festival ended the day after Memorial Day, capping almost two weeks of non-stop theatrical creativity. As usual, LGBT offerings were among the most popular. In fact, six of the twelve Patron’s Picks (most popular shows at each venue) had LGBT themes: Pillow Talk, A Field Guide to the Gays, Blue and Tod: In the Black, Fetish, God is a Scottish Drag Queen and Celebrity Match Game. Mike Delamont’s Scottish Drag Queen was also named Best Comedy by a panel of reviewers.

WANZIE GETS SERIOUS

D

URING PERFORMANCES OF CELEBRITY MATCH GAME, playwright/producer Michael Wanzie announced his intent to create a “serious play” for next year’s Fringe. But fans won’t have to wait that long.

Wanzie just announced he will produce Lizzie Borden: The Musical at Theatre Downtown for three weeks starting Aug. 23. The show, with book and lyrics by Wanzie, music by Rich Charron, and directed

by Kenny Howard, will also be an investor showcase for a potential New York production.

The cast includes Andrea

Canny as the infamous axe murderess, Becky Fisher, Frank McClain, David Dorman and Blue. Listen to Wanzie & Doug’s movie reviews on Mondays at 4:50 p.m. during the Philips Phile on Real Radio 104.1.

FAREWELL, JANINE

O

RLANDO IS LOSING ITS GAY BAR STAR FOR THE SUMMER. Orlando songstress and local theatre staple Janine Klein has announced she’s headed to the Big Apple on June 6, not to return until mid-August at least. According to Klein’s Facebook page, she’ll be “following my dreams to one day sing ‘Gay Bar Star’ in The

Village, audition for a show or two with con�idence, and work towards having a cabaret in mid-town. (And I’m certain a catering job or two will be involved.) Thank you for believing in me, and ultimately helping me believe in myself. I love you friends!” Gay Bar Star was the title of Klein’s comedic cabaret Fringe festival shows in 2010 and 2012. Break a leg, Janine!

RADIO NOTES

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ANS OF RADIO LEGEND GENE BURNS CAN ATTEND A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE on Saturday, June 8 at the First Unitarian Church of Orlando

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on Robinson St. Burns died on May 25 in San Francisco, but he hosted a talk show on WKIS-AM in Orlando during the 70s and 80s. “He set the town on �ire,” said friend Bob Poe. * And fans of The Qiew, the LGBT radio show broadcast locally in 2012, can now catch the show on Saturdays from 6-7 p.m. on 1470 AM in Fort Lauderdale. But locals can listen live at wwnnradio.com.

Hosted by ex-Orlandite Paul Karle, The Qiew looks at LGBT culture and features celebrity interviews. |  |

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ARTFUL MATCH: Robbie Sommers and Kristofer Reynolds of Orlando celebrate 14 years together on June 13.

Transitions

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations

Local Birthdays

Orlando photographer Kristofer Reynolds and performer Robbie “Rachael” Sommers celebrate 14 years as a couple on June 13. The two met at Rainbow City in Orlando, where Sommers was working at the time. When he spotted Reynolds, Sommers told his manager that his future husband had just walked through the door. Today the couple work together to create art and memories on an international scale.

KangaGirl Productions diva and longtime Orlando scenester Margaret Nolan, Tampa Francis House Executive Director Joy Winheim (June 9); Hillsborough Community College teacher David Usrey, Centro Ybor Wear Me Out! store owner Sharon Rose, Tampa friend-of-the-Geico-lizard David Usrey, Lucky Star Lounge bartender Roger Bell, Orlando Psycho City Derby girls league owner Tiffany “Vegas” Maitland (June 10); Tampa Bay real estate agent and TIGLFF president Ken Hodges, Watermark cover girl and marketing whiz La’Trice “Lady LaLa” Sharpe, St. Pete SoyBright Candle Company co-owner Tim Huff (June 11); Tampa native bear Ryan Morris, former St. Pete Twirling Project member and current Orlando resident Anthony Jenners, St. Petersburg League of Women Voters president Darden Rice, schoolteacher and Orlando activist Wendy Elkes (June 12); Department of Transportation employee and big sweet bear John Stimis (June 13); Tampabased Les Vixens performer, fashion designer/ stylist and all-around goth-flavored Amazonian goddess Raven Lunatique, former Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival prez Chris Constantinou, Tampa volunteer everyman Bill Kanouff (June 14); Tampa Walgreens diva, photographer and LGBT ally Poly Costas (June 15); Bodywork Massage and Day Spa owner Roger Medrano, Town ‘n Country banker Travis Hilborne, Sarasota filmmaker and endlessly witty Sarasota-based Watermark contributing writer Anthony Paull (June 16); Metropolitan Business Association history chair Ken Kazmerski, former bar owner and GaYbor Coalition board member John Gorman, St. Petersburg karaoke singer and artistic photographer J.J. Respondek, former St. Petersburg resident and current New York actor Michael Silas (June 17); adorable Revolution Nightclub promotional god Danny Garcia (June 19).

Todd Ruopp of Orlando proposed to his partner Bruce Hunter II, also of Orlando, on May 23 at the Art and History Museum of Maitland.

Ruopp says he arranged for a photo of the pair to appear on the wall of Gallery #4, and when Hunter saw it, Ruopp dropped to one knee and proposed with a line from the song “I’ll Cover You,” beginning with “I’ve longed to discover something as true as this…”

St. Petersburg couple and former St. Pete Pride board members Scott Turner and Ralph Trent celebrate their 26th anniversary on June 18.

Tom Hlinko, 49, and Kevin Clifford, 48, of Seminole, celebrate the 33rd anniversary of their Holy Union on June 7.

Passings Longtime Suncoast Softball League player and former commissioner Allen Reynolds passed away May 29 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by friends in Tampa Bay, Birmingham, Ala., and family in Harrisburg, Penn. Funeral arrangements were pending at press time.

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

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Pacers’ Hibbert fined for gay slur Staff Report ust one month after the NBA became the �irst professional sports organization to have an openly gay player, it had to �ine another player $75,000 for using a gay slur and profanity in a postgame news conference Roy Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defense on Miami Heat star LeBron James with “No homo.” The NBA responded less than 24 hours later announcing that the player was �ined for “using inappropriate and vulgar language.”

The �ine was handed down after Hibbert issued an apology June 2, saying he has “deep regret over my choice of words.”

“I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night,” Hibbert said in the statement released by the Indiana Pacers. “They were disrespectful and offensive and not a re�lection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used de�initely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers’ organization.”

Just a month ago, Jason Collins became the �irst active NBA player to come out of the closet, sparking a stream of supportive messages around the blogosphere and in the media. That makes the use of a gay slur by another NBA player that much more surprising.

“While Roy has issued an apology, which is no doubt sincere, a �ine is necessary to reinforce that

TOP OF THE WORLD: Cason Crane became the first out person to climb Mount Everest on May 20. PHOTO COURTESY THE RAINBOW SUMMIT PROJECT

FINE POST-APOLOGY: Despite issuing an apology, the Pacers’ Roy Hibbert was fined $75,000 after comments he made in a postgame press conference. such offensive comments will not be tolerated by the NBA,” said NBA commissioner David Stern.

Earlier June 2, Hibbert reached out to Collins via Twitter.

“Hey can I get a follow,” Hibbert’s tweet read. “Would like to discuss something’s with you.”

Athlete Ally, an activist organization working to end homophobia in sports, addressed Hibbert’s comments in a statement released the same day.

“We are disappointed by Hibbert’s comments, as that kind of language is disrespectful, has no place in sports and is antithetical to the NBA’s policies,” the statement said. “As an of�icial partner of the NBA and NBPA, Athlete Ally works closely with the league on delivering trainings and workshops to educate players about LGBT inclusion and respect. The league is undoubtedly a leader in this area, and Roy’s statement of apology

clearly recognizes the harms of his comments.

“We are con�ident that NBA will do its part to rectify the issue to the extent it can, comprehensively educate Hibbert, who seems genuinely apologetic, and make sure that these kinds of comments are soon a thing of the past.”

During Saturday’s late-night news conference, Hibbert also cursed in reference to the media when asked why he �inished so low (10th) in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.

“Y’all mother fuckers don’t watch us play throughout the year to tell you the truth,” Hibbert said.

“So that’s �ine. I’m going to be real with you, and I don’t care if I get �ined. We play and we’re not on TV all of the time and reporters are the ones that are voting and it is what it is. And I don’t make it, that’s �ine.

I’m still going to do what I have to do.” |  |

U.S. Open Cup. He received polite applause from the Railhawks’ record crowd of 8,121, with some shouting cheers of encouragement and at least one of his teammates, Landon Donovan, recognized him for his openness.

“Because of the nature of the way sports has been for so many years — the macho culture that’s been embraced by everybody — it’s of interest to everybody,” Donovan

said in the AP report. “Now, hopefully, the hype about it is over, and he can get back to being a soccer player, which is what he wants to do.”

Rogers told the AP he understood the historical signi�icance of the moment, but that his focus was elsewhere.

“I guess this is a historic thing,” he said, “but for me it was just a soccer game.” |  |

Rogers cheered on field after coming out Staff Report CARY, N.C. | Robbie Rogers was cheered in his �irst road game with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rogers, the �irst openly gay man playing in a U.S. professional league, entered as a substitute in the 62nd minute of Los Angeles’ 2-0 loss to the Carolina Railhawks on May 29 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt

sports

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Crane becomes first out climber to conquer Everest Staff Report Cason Crane now has only two more of the world’s tallest mountains to climb as he raises money and awareness for gay youth suicide prevention.

He became the �irst openly gay climber to conquer Mount Everest on May 20.

“It was so freaking amazing,” he wrote on Twitter.

Crane, 20, will enroll in Princeton this fall and created The Rainbow Summit Project as a way to combat gay youth suicide prevention.

The Project was born from tragedy. As a junior in high school, one of Crane’s friends committed suicide. He was further shocked in 2010 by the suicide of Tyler Clementi at Rutgers, someone he did not know but whose story touched him.

“Confronted by the tragic deaths of my friend and Tyler and witnessing daily the trials and tribulations facing LGBTQ youth, I felt compelled to work to make things better for these youth,” he wrote on his blog.

Climbing mountains to raised awareness was his contribution to the Trevor Project, as are the more than $105,000 in donations he has raised for the group.

Crane’s parents �inancially support his climbs and are also supportive of his efforts to raise awareness, he told OutSports.com.

But he has to conquer the mountains on his own, which is no easy feat.

“What it really, really requires more than anything else is mental fortitude to just put one foot in front of the other for six, seven, eight hours a day for weeks at a time,” he said. “Overcoming obstacles—physical, mental, emotional—thinking you won’t ever be able to make it, thinking you won’t make it up the mountain and just somehow committing until you get up to the top safely and back down safely.”

Before he starts his �irst semester of school, he has one more climb on his calendar. In July he’s scheduled to take on Denali in Alaska. |  |

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GAY DAY AT MAGIC KINGDOM

Galleryw Go see more photos at

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HE ANNUAL GAY DAY AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM BROUGHT OUT A HUGE CROWD of LGBTs and straight allies decked out in red garb. Attendees posed for photos, reunited with friends and celebrated Pride in the Disney park for the 23rd consecutive year.

Some straight families even expressed disappointment that they didn’t know to wear red to show their support. |  |

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Photography

by Chris Stephenson CSTEPHENSONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

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