Watermark Issue 20.21: Come Out WIth Pride 2013 Wrap-up

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 20.21 • OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

PRIDE’S

FRESH

FACE A LARGE, YOUTHFUL CROWD SETS RECORDS AT COME OUT WITH PRIDE

SARASOTA

PREPS FOR PRIDE 2013

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

HUGE CROWD WELCOMES

TIGLFF’S

OPENING NIGHT

AGING WELL The cosmetic medicine market has grown dramatically over the last 10 years as more people take advantage of new safer and more effective cosmetic medicine procedures.

While most are female, male-centric cosmetic medicine procedures have increased over 100% since 1997. Men account for over 1 million of the nearly 10 million cosmetic procedures done in the U.S. each year. The trend toward non-surgical cosmetic medicine procedures has increased as both men and women desire good treatment results with minimal downtime.

These advances in cosmetic medicine can help you look younger, more refreshed and more vital if combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise- no smoking and alcohol only in moderation. So what are the secrets to looking your best at every age? A simple equation sums up the key components of a youthful appearance:

C T3 + V

Color, Texture, Tone and Tightness plus Volume Color refers to our complexion. Even skin tones without excess hyperpigmentation brown spots and good blood supply gives skin a healthy glow. Skin texture should be smooth with good tone and tightness. Lastly, facial volume loss that occurs with aging can be replaced to maintain the youthful shape and contours of the face.

TAKE CARE OF THE SKIN YOU’RE IN Start with a good daily program to cleanse, treat, hydrate and protect your skin. We now have great cosmeceutical lines available pharmaceutical grade skin care products that harness the power of botanical agents, retinoids, skin cell proteins and human growth factors to improve the color, texture, tone and tightness of skin.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Intense Pulse Light IPL treatments minimize hyperpigmentation and the small broken blood vessels that develop with age. Controlled studies confirm that at 10 years of follow up patients treated with IPL had less visible aging and appeared younger than those who did not receive IPL. Microchanneling and Platelet Rich Plasma PRP - This office procedure uses microfine needles to create channels through the skin and trigger the body s own healing mechanisms to build new collagen. A simple blood sample drawn in the office is processed to isolate your own platelet-rich plasma which can be applied to the skin during microchanneling or injected to improve lost facial volume. This combination procedure improves skin color, texture, tightness, tone and volume.

Skin Tightening - The Apollo TriPollar RF radiofrequency device places thermal energy into the skin to tighten skin and minimize static wrinkles.

Different handpieces provide treatment to the face and neck as well as the abdomen, flanks, and legs.

REPLACE LOST FACIAL VOLUME By forty an average person loses approximately 4-8 mls of soft tissue volume, by 50, 8-12 mls and by 60 16-20 mls have been lost. Facial volume loss changes the shape of the temples, brow, cheeks and chin. Prominent folds from the nose to the mouth can develop and age the face.

Facial volume fillers such as Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse, Belotero and Artefill differ in applications and durability but can all be used to replace lost facial volume. The concept of global facial rejuvenation using combination non-surgical treatments that have less expense and downtime has decreased the number of surgical treatments such as brow, neck and face lifts.

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PREVENT WRINKLES WITH BOTULINS B O T OX C O S M E T I C , X E O M I N A N D DY S P O RT

Botulin treatments work best on dynamic wrinkles so if you see lines or deep creases when you frown or smile, consider starting botulins to prevent these lines from becoming permanent. Botulin treatments have a good safety record and cause minimal discomfort. Expert dosing and placement can a prevent a frozen overtreated appearance.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

At AesthetiMED each client s concerns are addressed and together with physician recommendations, a comprehensive facial rejuvenation care plan is developed. Prevention, correction and maintenance of healthy skin and facial contours and volumes can help you look ten years younger, ten years longer.

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 10 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 17 // STATE NEWS 20 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 29 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 41 // EVENT PLANNER 43 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 45 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 48 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 47 // TRANSITIONS 48 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 53 // SPORTS 54 // GALLERY W

PAGE

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I took the Salvation Army’s request to participate in their fundraiser as one step in the right direction towards equality.

—DAVID BROMSTAD, HGTV STAR

ON THE COVER

PAGE

celebrated her first 10 Sanford, Come Out With Pride

Preview

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE More than 120,000 people

PAGE Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn

PAGE Ophelia Cantley, 13, of

parade with her mom Amy Cantley, 36, a Rollins College student and a member of the Central Florida chapter of PFLAG.

29 AMERICAN SONGBIRD: Michael Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, has been a household name since the success of his 1988 one-man

Broadway show, Isn’t It Romantic. Now he’s touring, and stops at Tampa’s Straz Center this month.

WATERMARK ISSUE 20.21 //OCT . 10 - OCT . 23 , 2013

JANELLE MONÁE

GALLERY W

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

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

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attended Come Out With Pride Oct. 5, and many are still talking about Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ speech; Joe Saunders will kick off a fundraising campaign to remain in office; more.

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was among the dignitaries welcoming the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival to its 24th year at Tampa Theatre; Organizers are expecting a large crowd at Sarasota Pride on Oct. 19; more.

PAGE Janelle Monáe’s ambiguity

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has earned her legions of LGBT fans, and her fembot alter-Ego “The Electric Lady” is incredibly gay. We talk to her about her diverse fan base and her own take on sexuality.

PAGE With so many people at

Out With Pride, 54 Come we ended up with a huge

collection of festive photos from the larger-than-ever event. We picked out a few of our favorites in Gallery W, but have many more online.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES IN OUR ANNUAL WAVE AWARDS UNTIL OCT. 18 AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM. OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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ONSTITUENTS OF SENATOR BILL NELSON ENCOURAGE HIM TO SIGN ON as a cosponsor of Senate Bill 1236— The Respect for Marriage Act. Introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein, it has been co-sponsored by the vast majority of his Democratic senatorial colleagues. The essence of the bill is that all Americans with legal samesex spouses would have equal access to all federal bene�its due married couples. This would be true even if they live in a non-marriage equality state such as Florida. Social Security bene�it eligibility especially concerns us. Until now, it has been based on present state of residence in contract to other areas of federal law. The Respect for Marriage Act would remedy that.

Not allowing couples legally married in any state equal access to all federal bene�its clearly violates the basic American precept of equal treatment under the law.

Those retirees who remain in their home state or live in states where marriage equality is legal will enjoy substantial federal bene�its not provided to those who choose to retire to Florida. The present policy is not only constitutionally untenable, but its practical effect will negatively

“I find it appalling that a magazine promoting an event that celebrates human rights, dignity and tolerance would accept an ad containing pictures of mentally retarded people.”

—CHRISTOPHER MURPHY

impact the economy of the Sunshine State.

Perhaps Nelson didn’t realize how vitally important this issue is to many of your constituents.

TONY BRAVED ST. PETERSBURG

EMBARRASSING COWP AD

I

PICKED UP A COPY OF THE “COME OUT WITH PRIDE ORLANDO” PROGRAM outside Fairvilla Video and �lipped through it at red lights on my way home.

I found it really interesting until I reached a large display ad for Stonewall Orlando.

The ad promotes Funhouse Wednesdays and features images of mentally disabled adults I recognize as having appeared in the 1932 MGM exploitation movie Freaks; more speci�ically, three unattractive adults who have heads so small as to be deformed, one of whom

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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sports a goofy smile and a silly Pebbles-like hairdo.

Naturally, I �ind it appalling and tragically ironic that a magazine promoting an event that celebrates human rights, dignity and tolerance would accept an ad containing pictures of mentally retarded people, deliberately positioned as curiosities and side show attractions. That the photos are 80 years old doesn’t make them any less offensive as, you see, there is no statute of limitations on cruelty.

Shame on “Come Out With Pride” President and Executive Producer of Entertainment Brian Smith and his staff for running this despicable advertisement.

Were you so in need of the cash, or do you think it’s okay to demand respect for yourself while disrespecting others? I mean, really, what were you thinking?

CHRISTOPHER MURPHY ORLANDO

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

W

Desk

HEN A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

does something anti-gay, one of my favorite arguments against said attack references the time and money wasted on bigotry rather than helping those less fortunate. After all, isn’t that what most churches and religious institutions preach?

So much of the money used to rent airplanes protesting Gay Days or purchasing newspaper ads to defeat marriage equality amendments could help feed a hungry family or provide shelter and clothing to a young person struggling to �ind his or her way in the world.

But when an organization inarguably does those good deeds for more than a century and then reveals that it doesn’t support marriage equality, how should we

WATERMARK STAFF

react? The Salvation Army helps millions of people worldwide, whether it provides shelter after a natural disaster, or a roof and some food to someone who has fallen on hard times.

The good the 148-year-old organization does is invaluable and affects people—positively—in communities all over the world.

There’s no denying that.

HGTV reality star David Bromstad has come under �ire recently for hosting a fundraising event for the

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Salvation Army. He argues that the Christian-based non-pro�it has made strides toward acceptance, while those protesting his support say the religious muck surrounding the group has made it an enemy of LGBT equality.

While we shouldn’t expect to see donation trucks with the familiar red shield driving along Gay Pride routes any time soon, the organization is not overtly hateful toward us.

It’s true the organization does not support marriage equality. It is also true that a spokesperson for the Salvation Army referenced scripture that condemns parents of gays to death— something he later revisited, explaining that the text meant “spiritual death.” If the interpretation of dusty, manwritten rules of controlling the populace are important to you, I guess that could seem important.

From the moment that spokesman shared his thoughts, the organization became a target of a boycott by the LGBT community and its allies. In fact, last year Watermark participated by encouraging readers to clip “Queer Money” out of the paper and place it into kettles as a way to remind the nonpro�it that we didn’t appreciate anti-gay rhetoric.

But is all of this really necessary?

The Salvation Army has not, to my knowledge, ever killed an LGBT person or a parent of a member of our community. It has not refused

to allow LGBTs to shop in its thrift stores or asked any gay donor of items to keep on driving past its donation bins.

The Salvation Army has not actively campaigned against equality or shifted its monies used for helping others to endorse anti-gay candidates or to fuel Proposition 8-style legislation to prevent us from loving whomever we choose.

What it has done is help millions of needy individuals around the globe for over a century, providing shelter, clothing and food to people in their most desperate times of need. Because the organization’s mission statement quotes ancient text that can be interpreted a number of ways, those of us more fortunate should refuse to help?

It doesn’t make sense. There are many LGBT-inclusive charitable organizations out there, and if you prefer to donate to those groups, I encourage you to do so.

But this is not a Chick�il-A situation, where a for-pro�it entity actively donated money toward anti-LGBT causes, and its president posted hateful antimarriage equality messages.

Many LGBTs and supporters, rightfully, still refuse to even catch a whiff of a waf�le fry. I count myself among them.

Whether we like it or not, the holidays are directly in front of us.

Christmas trees are next to spooky Halloween masks at discount stores and soon bell ringers will encourage you to drop spare change into the familiar red kettle.

Think about those bene�iting from the money before you �lat-out refuse to help someone in need.

After all, it’s not about the private, personal views of the charitable person, it’s about the people who receive the much-needed help. |  |

The Salvation Army has not, to my knowledge, ever killed an LGBT person or a parent of a member of our community.

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

CONTRIBUTORS STEPHEN MILLER

is a long-time Watermark contributor and author of Screened Out, our movie reviews column. He is also an Orlando playwright and business consultant. Pages 10

ABBY DEES

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

JOE KISSEL

is a former resident of St. Petersburg and is a journalist, musician, filmmaker and fitness trainer. He lives in New York City. Page 29

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

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orlando NEWS

Saunders to kick-off campaign for second term Susan Clary

O

RLANDO | State Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) is the �irst one to admit that Tallahassee is a dif�icult place for Democrats. With Republicans running the Legislature and the Governor ready with his veto pen, there isn’t much a progressive can do.

But Saunders, one of the �irst openly gay state legislators, isn’t about to give up.

Less than a year into his �irst term, Saunders will kickoff his campaign for a second term with an event from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at The Abbey.

Saunders’ honorary host committee reads like a who’s who of Democratic elected of�icials, including Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Orlando), State Sen. Darren Soto (D-Orlando) and State Rep. Linda Stewart (D-Orlando).

When asked why he deserves a second term, Saunders’ points to various successes during the 2012-2013 session including: earning historic support for non-discrimination protections for Florida’s LGBT community, leading the charge with Planned Parenthood to defeat four anti-choice bills, passing powerful legislation to force accountability and transparency for failing charter schools and �ighting to strengthen access to quality of arts education programs for Florida’s students.

To RSVP for the event, call 407-376-3609. |  |

2nd Annual Black and White Gala set for Oct. 19 Jamie Hyman ORLANDO | Central Florida’s LGBT community and allies will gather to celebrate another successful year at the 2nd Annual Black and White Gala, bene�iting The GLBT Center of Central Florida.

The Gala is at Quantum Leap Winery Oct. 19. It kicks off with a sold-out VIP dinner at 6:30 p.m., a �ive-course meal with wine pairings prepared by John Michael Events. The main event begins at 8 p.m.

“There will be entertainment and a live auction held during the dinner,” said Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center.

General admission tickets are still available at TheCenterOrlando.org, and include free hors d’ouvres and a cash bar.

“You can be as dressy or casual as you like; we just ask that you wear black and white,” he said.

Stephens said this year’s gala will have a broader appeal.

“We anticipate greater attendance and it’s a great way to follow up the successful week of Come Out With Pride,” he said. |  |

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PROUD NUMBERS: Come Out With Pride revelers line the streets around Lake Eola during the annual parade on Oct. 5. PHOTO

BY JEREMY WILLIAMS

Setting records Pride swells to record numbers as Jacobs’ appearance stirs controversy Stephen Miller

O

RLANDO | Come Out With Pride 2013 broke all records to become the largest LGBT Pride event in Florida. In its ninth year, the Oct. 5 rally and parade were the culmination of a week’s worth of activism, partying, and community-building that saw more than 120,000 people participate throughout the day, according to COWP estimates.

“There are so many things this Pride that really hit 100%,” says Mikael Frank Audebert, Executive Director and Senior Executive Producer of COWP. Although Audebert is overjoyed with this year’s growth, he’s already looking forward to improving the event next year.

JACOBS’ SPEECH STIRS CONTROVERSY

The rally boasted many memorable moments, including the �irst time an Orange County Mayor,

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

Teresa Jacobs, signed a proclamation and spoke to the crowd.

“COWP will continue to break down the walls of fear and prejudice and work to build a bridge to understanding and acceptance, until gays and lesbians are afforded the same rights and responsibilities as all Americans,” Jacobs read from her county proclamation of the event while standing at the bandshell.

Part of Jacobs’ motivation may be the passing of her aide and COWP leader Chase Smith, who at 41, lost a battle with cancer on Aug. 28.

“I am heartbroken that he isn’t here to share in this event, and in the pride of this community,” said a tearful Jacobs.

Still some were not happy at Jacobs’ inclusion in COWP, based on her past record with LGBT equality issues. In 2011 and 2012, Jacobs stalled on the implementation of a domestic partner registry, even passing up an offer to create the registry alongside the city of Orlando.

“I don’t want to intimate that her relationship with Chase was anything less than sincere,” said local civil rights attorney Mark Meeks

watermarkonline.com

(who often also contributes a column to Watermark). “As far as I know, though, Jacobs still would deny people like Chase the opportunity to marry and to adopt children.

“Jacobs fought like hell for over a year to try to stop us from getting the domestic partnership registry.

She eventually voted for it, but not because she supported it. I had many private conversations with her where it was clear she did not support it,” Meeks added.

After nearly two years of frustrating negotiation with the Orlando political and community leaders, Jacobs and her county commissioners passed a nondiscrimination ordinance for Orange County on May 24, 2012.

“What stands out is what Jacobs didn’t say,” Meeks said. “She didn’t say she supports the right to marry. She didn’t apologize for what she put the community through in �ighting for the domestic partnership registry,” To Audebert, it’s clear that Jacobs’ participation was related to Chase’s death.

“I think her relationship with Chase may have affected her decision to participate,” Audebert said.

In reference to the Jacobs controversy, Audebert said that

Continued on page 10 |  |

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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orlando NEWS 10

|  | COWP 2013 from pg.8 eight years ago, “half of the COWP sponsors” would not have attended the Pride event.

“Does it make them bad people today? No—evolution is a good thing,” he said. “You know, if tomorrow, Chick Fil-A came and said they wanted to be part of it, I’d applaud that. I want them to make an apology by being in the parade.”

At COWP, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan also spoke of Smith’s time as her aide.

State Representative Joe Saunders spoke, and a proclamation

by Senator Alan Grayson was read. LGBT service members were recognized, with special attention to reservist Lucinda Recor, who was promoted to Lieutenant Corporal.

The parade saw signi�icant growth, which brought a few new hurdles to overcome for 2014.

The number of �loats increased from 82 last year to 101 this year, creating some long breaks as everyone was coordinated. Along Rosalind Avenue, many parade watchers got rambunctious and stood directly in the traf�ic �low, blocking some larger �loats; the crowd was trying to interact with �loats and marchers, causing some delays and safety concerns.

“Our top priority is safety, but we can only do so much if people decide not to follow our directives,” Audebert said, noting that extra police coverage and barriers to keep watchers safe in the future would bloat COWP expenses by another $12,000.

“Nobody wants us to charge, not even a dollar. Even I’m against that,” Audebert said, adding that he hopes he can �ind other solutions in the future to prevent people from putting themselves and parade participants in danger.

“The businesses in Thornton Park raised $3,000 to keep Pride in the area,” he reported.

The Saturday events concluded with �ireworks, now in its third year and one of the most popular features of COWP. “For the very �irst time, we had our vendors requesting to stay later, since the park still had so much foot traf�ic at 8:30 p.m.,” said Audebert, “Areas of the park that were always sparse were packed to capacity.”

Parliament House also reported a huge crowd. COWP

grand marshal Taylor Dayne rode in the parade Saturday afternoon then headed to Parliament House for her Saturday night performance. According to Parliament House owner, Don Granatstein, Dayne sang to a crowd of 3,300 at the resort.

PRELUDE TO PRIDE

The week’s events kicked off with John Waters bringing his one-man show to the Out in the Open �ilm festival in a sold-out event. The director, author, and artist, famous for his skewed and crass humor, delighted the audience with his off-color stories and tasteless jokes.

“I love all these labels we give ourselves: bears, otters, fems,

on Church Street re-opened for one evening for a cowboy-themed fete, where some guests took the opportunity to dress in their best Western gear. The night—also sold out—boasted stilt-walking cowboys roaming the ground �loor, and a VIP area was set up on the top �loor with a private bar in front of a beautiful stained-glass window. Bartenders in the VIP area wore cheeky loincloths made from bandanas.

The multi-tiered space also played host to young, out country star Steve Grand, who has recently found fame after his music video, featuring gay romance, went viral.

As the handsome performer was introduced, the crowd immediately �illed the �loor in front of the stage. Grand

off with a �ive-kilometer run/ walk called Be the Change. This fundraiser was organized by Reeves United Methodist Church, which provides meeting space to Orlando Youth Alliance (OYA).

“OYA is so grateful to Lisa Schmidt and Rev. Sarah Miller for organizing the event,” said OYA development director Michael Slaymaker. “Reeves UMC is a wonderful church that members of our community should look into.”

The Be the Change 5K attracted over 300 participants and generated more than $6,000.

OYA was a partial bene�iciary of the proceeds.

OYA has been in operation for 23 years, and its goal is to provide a safe space for LGBT youth in

What stands out is what Jacobs didn’t say; she didn’t say she supports the right to marry.

She didn’t apologize for what she put the community through in fighting for the domestic partnership registry.

—MARY MEEKS

nancies, butches, and then I just heard one recently—blouse. I had to ask what it meant, and my friend told me, ‘You know, blouse—an effeminate top.’”

Waters also touched upon all of his full-length �ilms in chronological order—each with an anecdote or two. He then opened up the �loor to audience questions.

“Waters was very gracious and generous,” Audebert said of the director best known for his gross-out humor.

Though John Waters was a huge success, “the Out in the Open Film Festival itself will probably need some revamping,” admitted Audebert. “We are in talks with the Global Peace Film Festival [which typically occurs in September] to include it there.”

“There’s so much going on at Pride, it’s very dif�icult to get a �ilm festival done properly, especially since it wouldn’t necessarily attract a lot of visitors from out of town,” he said.

On Oct. 2, local comic Jeff Jones hosted the Pink Collar Comedy Show.

“It was also sold out,” said Audebert of the �irst-time event.

On Oct 3, the Cheyenne Saloon

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

performed his songs “AllAmerican Boy” and “Stay.” Grand then stayed through the weekend, participating in the Pride parade and performing once again at the Lake Eola Amphitheatre a few hours before the �ireworks.

“I think what convinced Steve to stay for Saturday’s Pride event was all the positive Orlando energy he saw,” Audebert said.

“People had come all the way from South Africa and Brazil, and so Steve decided to extend his stay.”

Friday night, Oct. 4 was the Pride Church Street Block Party, where a capacity crowd danced to disco diva Martha Wash.

“I’ve been working for three years to get Church Street more involved,” Audebert said of both the Cheyenne Saloon Opening Ceremony and the free Friday concert open to all ages. “We proved this year that we can do it without losing money” by coordinating with businesses like Hamburger Mary’s and Ceviche Restaurant, he said.

SATURDAY WAS ABOUT MAKING HISTORY COWP’s main event was Saturday, Oct. 5, which kicked

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Central Florida. OYA has groups in Orange and Seminole Counties, and is meeting with folks in Mt. Dora to start a chapter there.

Very early in the morning of Saturday, Oct. 5, merchants, food vendors and organizations started setting up their tents and trucks around Lake Eola. Police had already cordoned off a lane of Rosalind, preparing for the parade and events later in the day, which would necessitate diverting traf�ic around the park for six and a half hours. The weather proved cooperative, if a bit windy and warm, with gusts up to 20 mph and temperatures reaching 88 degrees by the late afternoon.

“We had 122 vendors and seven large pavilions,” Audebert said. Pavilions included the Disney Kid Zone, and the Wedding Alliance and the Imagination Station (sponsored by Microsoft).

“We lost the CIA and NASA because of the furlough [the government shutdown].

Employees were forbidden to participate,” said Audebert.

Every year, the number of protesters shrinks. This year, there was only one protestor, a man with a speaker who is most often seen on Orange Avenue

watermarkonline.com

every Friday and Saturday nights admonishing Orlando partiers with stories of hell�ire and damnation. His handheld speaker was overwhelmed by a small group of parade goers who decided to follow him and whoop and cheer every time he tried to speak.

By 1 p.m., Lake Eola was full shoulder-to-shoulder with COWP attendees.

Svedka Vodka boasted a line all day, as the company printed shirts in a Plexiglas display for anyone who would wait. Couples brought their children to the Kid Zone.

Many others brought their dogs, and a few even adopted a new animal at pet rescue tents.

One very prominent area at Lake Eola was the Zebra Coalition Village. To call attention to its work, they offered a live zebra to pet. The large temporary village also boasted a climbing wall, face painting, temporary tattoos, merchandise, raf�les, and fundraisers for the group.

“We really wanted it this year so that everyone who came to Pride would have to walk through the Village,” said Zebra Coalition Director Dexter Foxworth. “We just wanted it to be bigger and better. We partnered with the Central Florida Zoo to bring the animals, and we have more of everything we’ve offered in the past, plus new stuff. Everything is more interactive with visitors so we have more time to talk with them about our mission.”

The Zebra Coalition is network of organizations providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and all youth. They assist young people facing homelessness; bullying; physical, sexual and drug abuse; and isolation from their families and communities.

Audebert said at next year’s COWP, Lake Eola itself will be incorporated.

“We just don’t know how and where,” he said. “And we’re also looking to add more outdoor activities. We want to add an element of fun, so that all people from all walks of life bring their families and come to understand more about the LGBT community.” |  |

Additional reporting by Jamie Hyman.

For bonus content and more photos from COWP 2013, visit watermarkonline.com

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

11

tampa bay

PROUD RETURN: For four years, J.D. Hamel Park in

NEWS

downtown Sarasota has been the home to Sarasota Pride, which returns there on Oct. 19. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Pride returns to Sarasota Oct. 19 Steve Blanchard

S

ARASOTA | For the fourth year in a row, Sarasota Pride will display its rainbow colors at J.D. Hamel Park along the city’s waterfront on Saturday, Oct. 19. But the festival, which brought more than 5,000 people to downtown in 2012, is much older than four years old.

Sarasota Pride began in 1989 as an indoor festival and, over the years, found homes in several buildings, from a church to an arena and even the Van Wezel.

But organizer Cindy Barnes reinvented the festival in 2010, bringing out into the open and helping it grow in both vendors and participation.

“I saw where it was headed and I wanted to save it,” said Barnes, who had volunteered with Sarasota Pride before taking it over. “I wanted it downtown and out where the city could see us. That’s what Pride is supposed to be.”

Now entering into her fourth year as the organizer, Barnes is excited to say that the festival will be the biggest one yet, and more vendors than in years past are on board to set up in the shaded park, despite some ongoing construction.

“The City of Sarasota has been working on the sewer lines under the park so a portion will be unavailable to us,” Barnes said, adding that the type of work occurring will not cause any uncomfortable odors or fumes to disrupt the celebration. “They’re replacing pipes, which will cause me to change the layout of the festival a little. But we are going to make it work and it’s going to be a fantastic day.”

Many familiar features will return to J.D. Hamel Park on the 19th, including large tents covering large number of vendors, speakers and entertainers from Continued on page 14 |  |

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FAMILY REPRESENTATIVE: Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor attended the opening night of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at the Tampa Theatre Oct 4 with her partner and son. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

A Packed House Free screening packs TIGLFF opening night Steve Blanchard

T

AMPA | It may have well been the largest crowd ever for an opening night �ilm at the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 4. More than 500 free tickets were issued for the �ilm The Happy Sad. It’s the �irst time the festival had a free opening night screening, which many credit with creating a festive atmosphere in the historic Tampa Theatre that began with introductions from several local dignitaries, including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

When he was introduced, the crowd gave Buckhorn a standing ovation, much like it used to do for former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. Buckhorn addressed changes in Tampa and his commitment to diversity.

“I am so lucky to be the

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mayor of a city that for a lot of reasons will lead this state out of the recession and lead the state to where it can be,” he said.

“This is a city that celebrates diversity each and every day.

This is not the end, this is just the beginning. This is the place that I think 10 years from now, you’re not going to recognize.

I’ll do it every year,” Buckhorn said, referencing his 2013 appearance at St. Pete Pride when St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster refused to participate.

“We are better together, stronger together, we are united and will take this country by storm,” Buckhorn concluded.

Also speaking to the enthusiastic crowd was Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, who also received a standing ovation.

Castor attended the opening night �ilm in full uniform and was accompanied by her partner and her son.

“Thank you for making me a part of this,” Castor said through the cheers and keeping things very short. “I am thrilled to see so many people here. Here’s to my people!”

One representative from St. Petersburg was on hand to welcome festival-goers. City Councilman Steve Kornell spoke to the crowd of the upcoming

“If it takes me crossing the bay to lead that parade, I’ll do it every year.”

—TAMPA MAYOR BUCKHORN

And part of that is because of events like this.”

He went on to say that the LGBT community is making strides every day and is not “asking anyone for permission anymore.”

“And if it takes me crossing the bay to lead that parade,

watermarkonline.com

Continued on page 14 |  |

&

present

Pride Fest 2013 “Equality for All” Oct 19th

J.D.Hamel Park

12-6 p.m.

Emcees : Beneva Fruitville & Lindsay Carlton MAC’S SOUND MACHINE Waking Giants Karmic Tattoo Jami Gee Diversity Summer Survivor Elaine Bolton Ringling Face Painters-Family Zone-Clowns Tiki Cash Bar-Food Trucks

! n O E D I R P r u o Y Get

www.sarasotapride.org

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

13

tampa bay NEWS

Group to host garden tour Staff Report

S

T. PETERSBURG | Rakes and Blades, an LGBT garden club in Tampa Bay, will hold a private walking garden tour of Historic Roser Park in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. The free meeting is open to everyone, but participants are encouraged to bring a pot luck item and one plant to place in the group’s plant exchange.

Roser Park is near downtown St. Petersburg and is known for its hilly, tree-lined drives. The walk will be conducted by members of the Roser Park Homeowners Association.

For more information, visit RakesAndBladesFL.com. |  | |  | Sarasota Pride from pg.12 the stage and a large family area, complete with artists and face painters.

Also returning are the food trucks that were so popular last year—but in 2013 there will be more of them.

“It just makes sense to have them there because they have their own licenses and insurance, etc.,” Barnes explained. “They are their own entities, so people can purchase food directly from the trucks.”

Those wanting to enjoy alcohol—and there is a full liquor bar as well as a beer truck scheduled to attend—must purchase tickets from Sarasota Pride to present to the alcohol vendors. The popular and specially-priced Sarasota Pride tumbler will also return this year, complete with a top, to add a souvenir �lavor to the festivities.

“The City of Sarasota has been an incredible machine to work with,” Barnes said. “Every person I’ve dealt with has been willing to cooperate with me and seems to understand the importance of Pride to the community and to the city.”

Sarasota Pride 2013 begins at noon and runs until 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies will include a few dignitaries and bands—ranging from Karmic Tattoo to Watermark cover girl Jami Gee—will keep the music and energy �lowing all day long. There will also be a large team of volunteers helping things run smoothly this year, and Barnes said a large majority of those volunteers are young people.

“School kids have agreed to do so many hours of community service to help their transcripts,” Barnes explained. “There are so many who have called asking if they can come out and help me on Oct. 19. Of course I welcome the help! Plus it’s a great way to show our youth that the LGBT community is united here and while we’re focused a lot on adult issues like marriage equality, we’re also here to help our youth. Look at the bullying epidemic. Our LGBT youth need to know we are here and that we can help.”

Barnes said there is still vendor space available for Pride 2013 and encourages anyone interested to contact her directly at 941-320-9268. For information on entertainers, visit SarasotaPride.org. |  |

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DIGNIFIED DIGNITARY:

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn addresses attendees at opening night of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at the Tampa Theatre Oct. 4.

PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

|  | TIGLFF Screening

DIVERSE CROWD: One of the largest crowds ever converged on the opening

St. Petersburg elections and encouraged residents of that city to vote for Darden Rice and Amy Foster, two members of the LGBT community who are seeking seats on the city council.

Both won their primary elections handily, and could conceivably be the second and third openly gay representatives to join Kornell on that council.

Kornell also talked about the importance of marriage equality in Florida.

“I was fortunate enough to be in Washington, D.C., the day the

Supreme Court decisions came down (regarding Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act),” he said. “That was an amazing experience. I’ll tell you this: I love my partner, Bobby, very much, but I’m determined that when we get married, it will be in my home state!”

Many attendees attended the “Orange Party” at The Vault a block away from the Tampa Theatre following the opening

from pg.12

night of TIGLFF inside the Tampa Theatre thanks to a free screening of the opening night film, The Happy Sad. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO

night �ilm, where they were greeted with acrobatic performers, a DJ, and drink specials.

The 24th Annual TIGLFF runs through Saturday, Oct. 12, with screenings at both the Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa and at the Muvico Baywalk theater in downtown St. Petersburg.

For a full schedule or to purchase tickets to the closing night party at Martini Republic in Tampa, visit TIGLFF.com. |  |

Spiritfest returns to Pinellas Park Oct. 12 Staff Report

P

INELLAS PARK | The Third Annual Spiritfest returns to Christ the Cornerstone Church on Saturday, Oct. 12, and is promoted as a family-friendly, musical Pride festival.

According to organizer Melanie Wilkinson, this year’s musical lineup has new acts that will keep the stage occupied from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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“This is one of the best lineups we’ve had,” Wilkinson said. “This is a chance for families of all types to celebrate who they are in a family-friendly atmosphere as they listen to great music and get to know their neighbors.”

The outdoor festival is behind the church, and several vendors are slated to surround the perimeter of the music venue.

Wilkinson said the musical acts all donated their time to the event, which is free and open

watermarkonline.com

to the public.

“It’s amazing how generous people can be,” said Wilkinson, who is the church’s music director and a member of the popular group, Canaan Band.

“We put the word out and were blessed to hear back from so many quality performers who believe in what we’re doing.”

For more information on SpiritFest 2013, visit the church’s website at ChristCornerstone.com. |  |

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

watermarkonline.com

Wire report

community service.

Her attorney, A. Julia Graves, said in a letter to Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers that Hunt’s goal after completing the conditions of her deal would be to work toward changing the law so that teens attending the same school can’t be prosecuted for having sexual relationships, regardless of sexual orientation.

“Kaitlyn, her family, friends and supporters never want to see another teenager in this kind of situation,” Graves said. |  |

sex households, according to a Huf�ington Post analysis of 2012 U.S. Census data released Oct. 1. In Fort Lauderdale, 2.8% of the households are headed by either two men or two women.

Surprisingly, San Francisco was in third with 2.5% same-sex households, edged out by Seattle

with 2.6%. Seattle’s gay households jumped 1.7% from 2011. Miami did not make the top 10.

Census data on cities in Florida was not available because the website containing the agency’s databases was unavailable due to the federal government shutdown. |  |

Fort Lauderdale has highest concentration of gay couples in U.S. Staff report

F

ORT LAUDERDALE | Florida boasts the gayest city in the country.

Fort Lauderdale, with its 19 gay resorts, tops the list of cities with the highest concentration of same-

HGTV star responds to criticism over Salvation Army fundraiser Staff report

F

T. LAUDERDALE | Color Splash star David Bromstad �inds himself in the middle of a gayrights controversy after he agreed to host a South Florida fundraiser for the Salvation Army, an organization accused of being anti-gay.

The openly gay Bromstad, who appears on cable’s HGTV, took to his Facebook page in an open letter to fans to tell them he believes the event is “one step in the right direction toward equality.”

The Red Shield ReDesign Bash, scheduled for Oct. 18 in Wilton Manors, invites 25 designers to create pieces of furniture from trash for prizes. Bromstad will judge the entries.

The pieces will be auctioned at the event and proceeds will bene�it Salvation Army programs for homeless families.

Bromstad’s post on Sept. 28 drew hundreds of comments, some disapproving.

Bromstad said the invitation is a “step in the right direction” for the organization and called it a “handshake towards acceptance” that would be foolish to ignore. |  |

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

state

V

ERO BEACH | A Florida teen accused of having sex with her underage girlfriend accepted a plea deal that her attorney says is in her best interest.

Kaitlyn Hunt, 19, pleaded no contest to battery, interference with child custody and contributing to the dependency of a child.

Hunt was charged in February with having sex with a 14-yearold female schoolmate. Hunt was 18 at the time. A previous plea

deal was withdrawn in August following allegations that Hunt exchanged thousands of texts with the girl and sent her nude photos.

A judge revoked her bond, sending her to jail. Prosecutors added a charge of transmitting material harmful to a minor.

Under the terms of the Oct. 3 deal, Hunt will stay in jail until mid-December but won’t have to register as a sex offender. She is prohibited from having contact with her girlfriend, faces probation and must perform 150 hours of

NEWS

Gay teen accepts plea deal in underage sex case

17

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

19

nation+world NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS WASH. JUDGE ADMONISHED OVER GAY-WEDDING COMMENT Washington state’s Judicial Conduct Commission formally admonished Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor after he told colleagues he wasn’t comfortable performing same-sex weddings due to his personal religious objections, and asked if other judges would do it in his stead.

Judges aren’t obligated to perform weddings, but if they do, they can’t discriminate against same-sex couples because Washington law forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation.

CHURCHES, HAWAII LAWMAKERS MEET ON MARRIAGE BILL Religious leaders in Hawaii have been meeting with state lawmakers about a religious exemption in pending samesex marriage legislation. The current draft exempts religious organizations and related facilities from hosting same-sex marriages if the facilities aren’t used primarily as for-profit businesses. Lawmakers will take up marriage equality in a special session starting Oct. 28.

ILLINOIS VETS JOIN PUSH FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY Illinois military veterans are joining the effort to legalize samesex marriage in the state. A group called ``Veterans Unite for Marriage’’ is pressing the Illinois House to okay same-sex marriage during the legislative session that begins later this month. Same-sex marriage legislation won Senate approval in February, but never had enough support in the Democraticallycontrolled House to get a floor vote.

LESBIAN SUES MISS. TOWN FOR DENYING GAY BAR PERMIT A woman is suing the leaders of a north Mississippi town, accusing them of conspiring to prevent her from opening a gay bar. Pat ``PJ’’ Newton filed the federal lawsuit Oct. 1 against the mayor and several aldermen of Shannon, Miss., where Newton has been trying to open a cafe and bar catering to the LGBT community. Newton got a state business license and liquor permit and made expensive upgrades to the bar, but was denied a business license under the city’s zoning ordinance.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY APPEALS BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE LICENSES A Pennsylvania county that had issued more than 170 marriage licenses to same-sex couples is appealing a court ruling to stop issuing the licenses, the latest volley in the state’s battle over marriage equality. Democratic officials in suburban Philadelphia’s Montgomery County said Oct. 1 they are appealing a recent Commonwealth Court ruling to the state Supreme Court.

GROUP CHALLENGES W.VA.’S SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN A national gay rights organization sued the state of West Virginia over its ban on same-sex marriages Oct. 1, declaring its Defense of Marriage Act a violation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. New York-based Lambda Legal filed the complaint in U.S. District Court in Huntington, arguing the state’s statutory ban unfairly discriminates against same-sex couples and their children, and denies them the legal sanction, societal respect, financial protections and other support that marriage gives to heterosexual couples. |  |

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Boies, Olsen to challenge Virginia’s marriage ban Wire Report

R

ICHMOND, VA. | The highpro�ile legal tandem that brought down California’s prohibition on same-sex marriage has joined a challenge of Virginia’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

David Boies and Theodore B. Olson announced Sept. 30 their participation in a challenge of the same-sex marriage ban, which also includes a denial of recognition of such unions sanctioned by other states. The case involves two gay men who were turned down July 1 when they tried to obtain a Virginia marriage license. ``This case is about state laws that violate personal freedoms, are unnecessary government intrusions, and cause serious harm to loving gay and lesbian couples,’’ said Olson.

``As a Virginian and a conservative, I believe these laws stand against the very principles of our nation’s founding.’’

Virginia voters approved the same-sex marriage ban 57 percent to 43 percent in 2006.

A spokesman for the rabidly anti-gay Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said he would defend the amendment to the state Constitution.

Boies and Olson compared their challenge of the state’s same-sex marriage ban to another landmark case: Virginia’s ban on interracial marriages, which was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1967 in Loving v. Virginia. ``Virginia gave us the �irst marriage equality case—and the one that most clearly established that the right to marry the person

you love is a fundamental right of all Americans,’’ Boies said in a statement. ``It’s �itting, then, that Virginia be the battleground for another great test of that principal.’’

Boies and Olson’s American Foundation for Equal Rights successfully challenged California’s Proposition 8, which was passed by voters to stop same-sex marriages.

Cuccinelli’s of�ice recently suffered a setback when the Supreme Court announced that it won’t reconsider the decision of a lower court ruling striking down Virginia’s anti-sodomy law.

In March, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond declared Virginia’s ban on oral and anal sex unconstitutional.

The high court on Oct. 7 refused to hear Cuccinelli’s appeal to get that law reinstated. |  |

after an appeals court has made a ruling on them.

Hoffman said he is also asking the judge who issued the Sept. 27 decision to grant a stay, delaying the implementation date from Oct. 21 until the matter can be settled.

An appeal from Christie’s administration is no surprise.

Within hours of the ruling, Christie’s spokesman issued a statement saying he did not intend to let the trial court order stand in an issue in an issue that has been fought

repeatedly both in New Jersey’s courts and Legislature.

New Jersey lawmakers passed a law last year to allow same-sex marriage, but Christie vetoed it.

Democrats plan to call for vote to override Christie’s veto following the Nov. 5 election.

Christie also asked that samesex marriage be decided by public vote, but most gay-rights advocates rejected that position, arguing that marriage equality is a civil right that doesn’t belong on the ballot. |  |

``It was an inappropriate analogy, you know,’’ Corbett said. ``I think a much better analogy would have been brother and sister, don’t you?’’

Mark Aronchick, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the pending federal case, called Corbett’s remarks ``insensitive, insulting and plainly wrong.’’ ``In other words, some kind of incestuous relationship,’’ Aronchick said. ``He’s just out of touch on this one. Gay people marry for the same reasons straight people do—to express their love and to declare their commitment before friends and family.’’

Corbett later issued a statement

saying his ``words were not intended to offend anyone’’ and apologizing if they did.

Corbett’s gaffe came the day after two state lawmakers introduced a bill that would allow samesex couples to legally marry in Pennsylvania.

Democratic state Reps. Brian Sims and Steve McCarter spoke about the new legislation Oct. 3 at Love Park in Philadelphia, saying current laws are discriminatory and drive away business from the state.

Similar bills have gone nowhere in Pennsylvania’s Republicancontrolled Legislature. |  |

Christie appealing N.J. marriage ruling to higher court Wire Report TRENTON, N.J. | Gov. Chris Christie’s administration on Sept. 30 asked New Jersey’s top state court to take an appeal of a judge’s ruling that the state must allow same-sex marriage.

Citing ``far-reaching implications,’’ Acting Attorney General John Hoffman made the request in a letter to the state Supreme Court, which usually does not weigh in on cases until

Pennsylvania Gov: Same-sex marriage is like incest Wire Report HARRISBURG, PA. | Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Corbett compared the marriage of samesex couples to the marriage of a brother and sister during an Oct. 4 appearance on a morning TV news show.

Corbett was on WHP-TV in Harrisburg when an anchor asked about a statement his lawyers made in a recent federal court �iling, comparing the marriage of gay couples to the marriage of children because neither can legally wed in the state.

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21

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Please join us for this wonderful event with drinks, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and an exciting program including a State of the State Address by our Chief Executive Officer, Nadine Smith. We will be our 2013 Voice for Equality Award Honorees Billy S

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outloud

THINKING

More Than Gay

Abby Dees ABBY@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

I

OFTEN JOKE THAT I’M A

professional gay. What I mean is that I have this-here regular LGBT column, I’ve written a book on communication about LGBT issues, and I’m a host on IMRU, the longest continually running LGBT-themed radio show in the country.

I’m totally out, obviously, and presumably just as proud. With a few small exceptions, my public life is totally queer.

Except that I still get kind of embarrassed to tell straight people about it. I’m quick to point out that it just happens that I’m doing all this gaythemed stuff and that I’d really like to stretch out a bit and write about other things that are important to me, like the history of free speech law, or the Beatles. So when I tell people, “I’m a professional gay,” I’m saying it with a smile, a bit of irony, and absolutely no gravitas.

I’m meaning, “I’m much more than a lesbian, really I am. I’m so chill about it that half the time I forget I’m gay. Please don’t think I’m one of those people who can’t get past it.”

Ugh. Now I’m ashamed of being ashamed.

As I sat down to write this week’s column, I got stuck scrutinizing this knee-jerk embarrassment and questioning my sense of pride—or lack thereof. Instead of writing about anything worthwhile, I detoured into �lagellating myself for being a hypocrite and a bad, bad lesbian.

And having accomplished nothing, I gave up and tuned into a Law and Order: SVU rerun instead. (May I brie�ly observe that Law and Order is like the ramen noodle package in the back of your cupboard? You’re hungry, nothing’s in the fridge except salsa and limp celery, and suddenly ramen noodles seem palatable.) It was a ghastly episode from earlier this year, all about pathologically somber, bland-attired, tortured lesbians protesting the patriarchy and who only know how to be angry.

Not a wisecracker or Olivia party cruise habitué in the bunch—if you don’t count the unintentionally hilarious casting of Kathy Grif�in as the closeted bisexual who hits on absolutely everyone she meets.

I shouldn’t be surprised. These are some seriously ingrained old tropes, going all the way back to the invention of media. I’m just amazed that no one whipped out a cigar and cracked a beer open with her teeth.

While SVU researchers did somehow manage to dig out the apparently real existence of a small lesbian subgroup called “aggressives” (Who knew?

I didn’t, though I’m guessing that SVU isn’t really the best source of information on these bad-asses), they completely missed the boat when it came to portraying your more typical lesbian: lesbians who are concerned about our state of affairs in society and whose lives aren’t completely ruled by this feeling. You know, threedimensional people. We can even poke fun at ourselves. To wit: I’m a professional gay. It doesn’t pay much, if you were curious.

This was the medicine I needed. I realized that I’m not ashamed of being gay at all. Nor am I ashamed of anything I’ve written about it either, except the occasional typo.

(Look closely—there might be one right about here.) I’m just always aware that of this entrenched idea out there that lesbians, by de�inition, have massive chips on our shoulders about it, and therefore that our sexuality completely de�ines us.

Where I tripped up was by confusing the fact that my personal identity is a comprised of lots of parts—including being a lesbian, as well as being a word wonk, Beatles

geek and a lawyer—with thinking I needed to downplay my fabulous lesbian self. By contrast, I don’t feel inclined to downplay my word wonkiness because people don’t have seriously messed up and destructive stereotypes about how word wonks only ever care about Scrabble or that Beatles nuts will try to convert your children (which I will indeed try to do if given the chance). But I shouldn’t downplay any of it.

Sometimes, though, I admit that I feel ashamed about being a lawyer.

Maybe it’s time for the Good Wife to start again. |  |

I’m much more than a lesbian, really I am; I’m so chill about it that half the time I forget I’m gay.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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presents

Nov. 12 Dec. 8

TICKETS

941.488.1115 VeniceStage.com 140 W. Tampa Ave.

Also not to miss: FRANKENSTEIN Thru Oct. 27

I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! Nov. 11 - 24

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES Dec. 6 - 22

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

watermarkonline.com

TALKING POINTS

Homosexuality, greed and obsession with world domination are more deadly than all natural disasters put together.

13

Number of LGBT health clinics nationwide.

—U.S. Centers for Disease Control

55% of Americans support allowing gay couples to marry.

52% of Republicans oppose it.

—Bloomberg National Poll

—GAMBIA PRESIDENT YAHYA JAMMEH AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JODY FOSTER BACK ON THE ACTRESS TILDA SWINTON PAYS FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR RUSSIAN ACTIVIST

A

CADEMY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS TILDA SWINTON CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $2,000 to help cover funeral costs for prominent Russian LGBT activist Alexei Davydov, who died in September.

Swinton is one of many celebrities who have criticized the Kremlin in the wake of extreme anti-gay sentiment, violence and legislation in the former Soviet Union.

Swinton de�ied Russia’s anti-gay “propaganda” law earlier this year by waving a rainbow �lag in front of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. |  |

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM ON ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR TERESA JACOBS SPEAKING AT COME OUT WITH PRIDE: “I think it is a travesty that Jacobs is being given this platform to cynically appeal for gay votes for her re-election. She opposes gay marriage and adoption rights, and fought bitterly for a year to prevent the Domestic Partner Registry— saying repeatedly ‘not on my watch.’”

—MARY MEEKS “I think it’s wonderful that Come Out With Pride was able to help Mayor Teresa Jacobs see the light—we are only going to find true equality when we work as an inclusive community. It’s time to set the past in the past and work on the future! Equality is coming,

and each and every step like this is demonstrable to the community at large that it is no longer okay to discriminate and marginalize us. I applaud our mayor for correcting her stance—even if it took some time to get here.”

—MICHAELVACIRCA

ON JORGE ALVARADO’S FOURTH SEASON OF CABLE ACCESS SHOW: “Jorge is absolutely amazing! I agree with Alexis, the show is so fun and creative and with Jorge being his absolute ‘self’ it makes it more enjoyable to watch. If you know Jorge you can just relate so much to his ‘on air’ personality... because it’s real! All that he does within the community and not just on the show makes him just

that much better. Great job Jorge...

Always rooting for you!”

— DONNA ALVAREZ “I’m so glad to see that Jorge has found a creative platform to harness all of his unbridled talent.

He is an absolute natural in front of the camera. He’s truly passionate about his art and sharing the work of others with his television and online universe of nearly 1,000,000 viewers!”

—@CMICHELLEEVENTS “So great to see someone working hard to make their dreams come true and helping others do so at the same time! It’s such a fun and creative show that sometimes I can’t believe the hour has already gone by! Keep up the good work!”

—ALEXIS MARIE

DATING SCENE

J

ODY FOSTER IS DATING AGAIN. This time the object of her affection is none other than Alexandra Hedison, Ellen DeGeneres’s ex-girlfriend. Hedison, who played Dylan Moreland on Showtime’s The L Word, dated DeGeneres from 2001 to 2004 shortly after DeGeneres broke up with Anne Heche. Foster ended her 20-year relationship with Cydney Bernard in 2008. |  |

ARE AMERICANS LYING

ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT OF GAY MARRIAGE?

A

RECENT GALLUP POLL SHOWS THAT ABOUT HALF OF AMERICANS, 52%, believe that same-sex marriage should be legal in all states, while 43% are opposed. But a new study suggests that opposition to same-sex marriage may be understated in public opinion polls.

Using pre-election polling data in states that have voted on same-sex marriage measures, political scientist Richard J. Powell found that pre-election surveys consistently underestimated opposition to these laws by �ive to seven percentage points. Blame “social desirability” bias— the tendency of people to give what they believe is the socially acceptable view rather than disclose their true feelings about sensitive topics. |  |

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

GAY MEN DUBBED

GENIUSES

E

ACH YEAR, AN ELITE 24 MEN AND WOMEN ARE CHOSEN to receive a prestigious “genius grants,” given by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The $650,000 stipends, no-strings attached, are essential for progress in creative and scienti�ic �ields. Three gay men are among the class of 2013’s talented recipients. They are playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, pianist and writer Jeremy Denk, and dancer-choreograher Kyle Abraham. Abraham, who cried when he heard the news, told The New York Times that three years ago, he was subsisting on food stamps. |  |

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

INTERPRETIVE

SOUL Michael Feinstein brings his Great American Songbook to Tampa

T

Joe Kissel

AMPA | THERE’S A REASON

Michael Feinstein’s been in front of microphones, pianos and large audiences nearly his entire life. And not, for example, teaching music history classes or working as a song archivist, unearthing and cataloging musical gems from a rich vein Feinstein mines called “The Great American Songbook.”

It’s his connection to audiences.

“I try to extend my auric �ield if you will,” says Feinstein, who also says his past lives were responsible for his prodigious and unmistakable musical talent.

Age four saw Feinstein’s impromptu two-handed piano performance of “Do-Re-Me” for his astonished parents. (This moment in the life of a musical prodigy occurred during a time when all homes had stacks

of Broadway records like The Sound of Music; and not just the homes of gay men, he says.)

Feinstein, one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song, has been a household name since the success of his 1988 oneman Broadway show, Isn’t It Romantic. His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and

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Buckingham Palace. The multiplatinum-selling, two-time Emmy and �ive-time Grammy award-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards.

And when Feinstein performs on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Straz Center in Tampa, he will no doubt be channeling Continued on page 38 |  |

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Chris Azzopardi

WATERMARK: PEOPLE HAVE

uniting; I’m a uniter. I won’t allow myself to be a slave to my own interpretation of myself nor the interpretations that people may have of me. I just live my life, and people can feel free to discuss whatever it is that they think and use whatever adjectives they feel. It’s a free country.

SPECULATED THAT THE ALBUM’S

YOU’VE SAID THE ELECTRIC LADY WAS INSPIRED BY A FEMALE SILHOUETTE YOU WERE PAINTING. YOU SAW HER AS A NEW 21ST CENTURY WOMAN WHO’S NOT MARGINALIZED. ARE THERE ANY REAL-LIFE WOMEN YOU WOULD CALL “ELECTRIC LADIES?”

Absolutely. They’re walking all around every day. You can �ind a lot of them in the community, nurturing the community. Electric ladies don’t have the same shape or hair color or background, but our number one commonality is the ability to want to be the change that we want to see. We want to see positivity. We want to see the community cleaned up. We know that we have to go out and be leaders and take action and make it happen.

CAN THE ELECTRIC LADY BE A LESBIAN OR TRANSGENDER WOMAN?

Oh, absolutely. Absolutely!

LET’S KIKI: Janelle Monáe has incorporated “drag lingo” into the songs on her new album.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE RELATING THIS MUSIC DIRECTLY TO YOU.

Queen Dream

And that’s �ine. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being gay or lesbian or straight or black or green or purple, so I’m okay with that.

MUSIC

Janelle Monáe on her gay inspiration, gender-bending and lesbian rumors

T

Chris Azzopardi

HE AMBIGUITY OF JANELLE MONÁE

can be summed up in her own two words: “top secret.”

That—and, “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you”—is all she says about her pompadour when asked how it stays in a perfect pouf. It’s the kind of James Bond elusiveness that’s left a lot to the imagination since the Kansas City native spawned her

fembot alter ego.

The Electric Lady, the third album in the saga, is designed to be a prequel to the narrative of 2010’s The ArchAndroid. It’s very gay—but it doesn’t mean she is.

FIRST SINGLE, “Q.U.E.E.N.,” ALLUDES TO YOUR ATTRACTION TO WOMEN. AND ON “GIVIN EM WHAT THEY LOVE,” YOU REFER TO A WOMAN WHO ARE PEOPLE READING TOO MUCH INTO THE LESBIAN THEMES OF THIS ALBUM AND APPLYING THEM TO YOU?

JANELLE MONÁE: I actually have never heard that. This is the �irst time I’m hearing it. But I will say that a lot of my work always comes from an authoritative stance, so it may not be about me; it may just be about a story, or something that I’ve witnessed, or my imagination. You just never know.

“Q.U.E.E.N.” USES PHRASES LIKE “THROWING SHADE” AND “SERVING FACE,” WHICH ARE OFTEN HEARD IN DRAG CULTURE. HAS THE DRAG WORLD INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE AND HOW YOU PRESENT YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC?

Yes. I think it is an art form that’s so funny and so inspiring, so I use it in my lyrics. I have gay friends who speak in this language, and it’s just hilarious and entertaining and I thought it would be cool to, you know, give them something to kiki about.

BECAUSE OF YOUR FONDNESS FOR SUITS, PEOPLE HAVE DESCRIBED YOU IN SOME WAYS AS BEING A DRAG KING.

Right.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TERM “GENDER BENDER” AS IT’S APPLIED TO YOU?

I think it’s awesome. I think it’s

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IS THE ANDROID AN ARTIFICE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO BE MORE EARNEST, ESPECIALLY POLITICALLY AND EVEN SEXUALLY, THAN YOU WOULD BE OTHERWISE?

No, no. The android represents the form of the new other. You can parallel the android to someone who has been ostracized or discriminated against or marginalized, like you would of a gay man or woman. Or African-Americans during slaveries, even post-slavery. Immigrants. The excommunicated. The untouchables.

And the negroids. There are so many parallels to the android—and it’s important to speak about the future, as well—so it’s just my way of communicating to my audience and anyone listening that these people, they walk amongst us. As an artist and as a human rights activist, I feel it’s my duty to speak out against any discrimination or marginalization of people who might not have the power to gain control of their rights.

WHY IS STANDING UP FOR THE OPPRESSED, PARTICULARLY THE GAY COMMUNITY, IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Because I can relate. I can relate being a woman and being AfricanAmerican. There are de�initely stereotypes that I am �ighting against. There is marginalization.

Continued on page 36 |  |

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YOU’VE TOLD ROLLING STONE THAT “THE LESBIAN COMMUNITY HAS TRIED TO CLAIM ME.” HOW DID THEY TRY TO CLAIM YOU?

I was just making an observation.

You know, the straight community has tried to claim me as well—sorry, maybe that didn’t get written in the article. But the straight community tried to claim me, the android community tried to claim me, the Hispanic community tried to claim me. We can go on and on. (Laughs.)

It just feels good to be loved. And no disrespect to anybody.

YOU HAVE CHALLENGED AND REDEFINED THE CONCEPTS OF MASCULINE AND FEMININE FASHION IN A WAY THAT REALLY RESONATES WITH THE QUEER COMMUNITY. HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY THINK OUR SOCIETY CAN BEGIN TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY SELFEXPRESSION AND SELF-IMAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS?

TOP SECRET: With her ambiguous sexuality, Janelle Monáe has created a web of rumors, questions and intrigue around her performances, which is exactly what the performer wants.

|  | Janelle from pg.33 There is sexism. So many things that I think we’re mutually having to go through. And I have parents, I have friends, I have loved ones who come from working-class backgrounds and who have oftentimes de�initely felt oppressed. And I have friends who are gay. I have people I love and care about, and I feel like I want to use my platform to bring awareness and talk about that. “Q.U.E.E.N.” was written for those who are oftentimes marginalized. I mention the word “marginalized” a lot, but it’s important that people understand what that word means and what we can do to get rid of it.

DO YOU FEEL THAT ARTISTS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND UP FOR CAUSES THEY BELIEVE IN, OR IS DOING SO SIMPLY A PERSONAL CHOICE YOU’VE MADE?

36

People can discuss whatever it is they think and use whatever adjectives they feel.

—JANELLE MONÁE

It’s a personal choice. I don’t think the world should put any pressure on artists to be leaders; it’s just been a personal choice of mine. Your heart has to feel propelled to want to be a leader. If that’s your calling, you go after it.

FROM THE BEGINNING, YOUR HOPE WAS TO UNITE PEOPLE AND BRIDGE GAPS AMONG VARIOUS COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE LGBT COMMUNITY. HOW IS THE ELECTRIC LADY AN EXTENSION OF THAT CAREER MISSION?

I think that The Electric Lady is

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

interested in a purple state—not a red one or a blue one, but mixing those colors together and creating something that everyone can believe in. With more compassion for one another, we will be more united and able to look past our religious beliefs and sexual preferences and realize that we came into this world together and we’ll leave together, and so we have to protect each other and protect ourselves while we’re here.

I have songs on The Electric Lady—from “Sally Ride” to “Electric Lady” to “Q.U.E.E.N.,” and the list

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

goes on—where I de�initely thought of the gay community in terms of a community that is oftentimes discriminated against and marginalized. Again, when I speak about the android, it’s the other. And I think, again, you can parallel that to the gay community, to the black community, to women—we have so many things in common, and we sometimes don’t know it when we allow small things to get in the way.

So this music is meant to inspire and bring wings to those who are weak and grace to those when they are strong.

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By just allowing your kids and the people around you to be themselves.

We have so many different ways to live marketed to us in the media— what we should look like, what beauty is—and it’s so important to embrace the things that make you unique, even if it makes other people uncomfortable. You never know whom you’ll free by just being yourself—�laws and all.

I just think it’s so important that at a young age we teach our kids and those whose future we’re nurturing that it’s okay to love whomever it is that you love and whom you’re attracted to—and it’s okay to like a dress if you’re a boy and to like a pantsuit if you’re a girl. These are just fears that previous generations have placed upon us, or people who’ve tried to control us and make us believe that this is just bad. But I think whenever you stop the true essence of a person loving who they are—the god-given person that they’ve been blessed to be— that is a crime.

WHAT DOES BEING PART OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU?

It means everything. I feel like I have a community to continue to write music for and inspire and empower. There are so many people in the queer community who have committed suicide for being shunned by their families, there have been hate crimes—and I’m just about love. I’m ready to unite. I want to make sure that I’m living on Dr. King’s dream. I feel like it is my job as a descendant of that dream to stand up for other civil rights and human rights. |  |

AN EVENING WITH

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN “THE AMBASSADOR OF THE

GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK”

SATURDAY

OCT. 19

8:30 P.M. FERGUSON HALL

STRAZ IT’S CENTER MORE THAN JUST A SHOW. Tickets: 813.229.STAR (7827) • STRAZCENTER.ORG Group Sales: 813.222.1016 or 1018

PR OO F

Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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|  | Michael Feinstein from pg.29

lifetimes of musical experiences and in�luences, ranging from his mentor Ira Gershwin to performers like lifelong friend Rosemary Clooney as well as Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee among many others on the list of other greats comprising “The Great American Songbook.” (Songs that focus on lyrics, melody and importantly for Feinstein, interpretation.)

“It’s all about focusing attention and energetically reaching everyone,” he says.

And even though there’s an intimacy in his performances that reaches back to his years in the piano bars of Los Angeles, Feinstein hasn’t played small rooms like that since the mid ’80s.

The Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall, for example, seats more than one thousand, which is not exactly the Kit Kat Club from “sister” Liza’s Cabaret.

Elegance, however, will be on display as black tie and glamorous gowns announce Feinstein’s performance as the highlight of the Straz’s Broadway Ball 2013.

(A ticket helping to support Straz educational programs gets you “a night in New York without leaving Tampa.”)

It was precisely New York where Feinstein achieved his breakthrough success in 1986 at The Algonquin Room and later engagements at the Hollywood Bowl and numerous symphonies around the world cemented his big-stage status.

seats. And while certainly still represented strongly in Feinstein’s audiences, the internet age sees students, young people and other ardent fans of this vast period of music of which Feinstein’s been called its leading interpreter.

After electing to skip college, Feinstein went west to the sun instead of the more obvious lights of New York. And within a year of living in Los Angeles found himself

ambition to understand these “Great American” songs, going to all lengths necessary including poking through dusty, abandoned archives and interviewing the songwriters; the ones still alive are in their 80s.

In 2007, he founded the Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative, dedicated to celebrating the art form and preserving it through educational

My audiences are much more eclectic than they used to be.

—MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

Feinstein found the results scaled up nicely from the cabarets.

“I didn’t have to change what I did,” he says.

And what he did was deliver a fresh river of great songs from a time period many people were less familiar with. (“The Beatles? The Stones? Who?” he quips famously.)

“My audiences are much more eclectic than they used to be,” says Feinstein.

Back in the day, gay men occupied a wide swath of

introduced to Ira Gershwin, and for six years worked as his archivist, assistant and protegé.

Along the way he became besties with Rosemary and Liza and all other manner of great �igures in music and performance.

They all contributed to the fundamentals of his interpretive style.

“The music has to be sung conversationally,” he says.

“Otherwise, it just fails miserably.”

Feinstein has made it his life’s

programs, master classes, and the annual High School Vocal Academy and Competition, which awards scholarships and prizes to students across the country. Feinstein serves on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board, an organization dedicated to ensuring the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America’s sound recording heritage.

Feinstein’s newest CD, The Sinatra Project, a collection of great

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OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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romantic songs in tribute to “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” was just released by Concord Records. The album was recorded as it would have been 50 years ago, in the famous last surviving recording studio from the days of stereo, Capital Studio A in Hollywood. The CD is comprised of classics such as “Fools Rush In,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” “At Last Love,” “Exactly Like You” and many more.

“All music is an extension of the soul of the creator,” he says.

And souls will be on display as his jazz trio interprets another section of his songbook.

“We’re going to be performing some great love songs. And the show is designed for a lot of interaction with the audience.”

Which is only a boon for that audience as Feinstein bestows his dreamy voice, professorial knowledge and iconic interpretations of America’s most important music. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: Michael Feinstein Trio WHERE: David A. Straz Center, Tampa WHEN: 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19 TICKETS: StrazCenter.org

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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Orlando Gay Chorus ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT EVENT PLANNER

QUICK PICKS

Sarasota

Crazy for You Oct. 23-Nov. 3 The Plaza Theatre 941-366-9000 ThePlayers.org

Winter Garden Alice Lost in Wonderland Oct. 18-Nov. 3 The Garden Theatre 407-877-4736 GardenTheatre.org

Mount Dora Noises Off

T

Through Oct. 13 Icehouse Theatre 352-383-4616 IcehouseTheatre.com

Little Shop of Horrors

Oct. 10-Nov. 3 New Stage Theatre 813-817-2585 NewStageTheatre.org

Orlando

Venus in Fur

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

watermarkonline.com.

HE ORLANDO GAY CHORUS AND

the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will join for a celebration of music and patriotic favorites. Two shows are planned at 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.

Largo

Oct. 18-Nov. 17 Mad Cow Theatre 407-297-8788 MadCowTheatre.com

ORLANDO

I

NEW SMYRNA BEACH Defending Lizzie

N 1892 LIZZIE BORDEN OF FALL RIVER, Massachusetts was accused of one of the worst crimes in New England. She allegedly used a hatchet to murder her father and stepmother. This play, written by Little Theatre member, Karen Poulsen, looks at the story of Lizzie Borden and her family. In 1930,

Lizzie’s diary is discovered revealing an inside look at the Borden Household between 1865 and 1892. Strange incidents occur, beginning with a theft, suspicions of poison, and threats against her father. The play runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3. For tickets, call 385-423-1246 or visit NSBPlayers.org. |  |

C

“An American Salute” will feature Jim Brown, artistic director for the Orlando Gay Chorus, and Albert-George Scram as guest conductor of the Orlando Gay Chorus. Songs will range from “San Luis Samba” and “Orange Blossom Special” to “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic “and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” For tickets, visit OrlandoGayChorus.org or call 407-841-SING (7464). |  |

PHOTO BY JOHN GUZMAN

CLEARWATER Kris Kristofferson

OUNTRY MUSIC ICON KRIS KRISTOFFERSON WILL PERFORM from his latest album “Feeling Mortal” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Palladium at St. Petersburg College in downtown St. Petersburg.

Kristofferson, a Country Music Hall of Famer and Grammy winner, is also well-known as a �ilm actor. Few people know

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

he has been a Golden Gloves boxer, Rhodes Scholar, college football player and helicopter pilot. Kristofferson’s new album is the third Don Was-produced album in a twilight years trilogy following 2009’s “Closer to the Bone” and 2006’s “This Old Road.” For tickets, call the box of�ice at 727-791-7400 or visit RuthEckerdHall.com. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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Tampa Bay

1- STAYING SOCIAL: Friends gather for networking and finger foods at The Canopy atop the Birchwood in downtown St. Petersburg on Sept. 28 as part of Balance Tampa Bay’s September social. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

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2- LAUGHING CAST: (L-R) Joey Panek, Matthew McGee, Scott Daniel and Lindsay Carlton listen to Beneva Fruitville perform during the Scott and Patty Showgirls Reunion show benefitting Trinity Charities on Sept. 30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 3- DEFYING GRAVITY: An aerial acrobat greets guests as they walk into the Vault to celebrate TIGLFF’s Orange Party on opening night Oct 4. PHOTO BY NICK CARDELLO 4- MAKING TUNES: DJ Phoenyx Von Black spins in the parking lot of Georgie’s Alibi during the Metro Wellness Block Party on Sept. 27. PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN BENITEZ 5- ICONIC RETURN: Tampa Bay icon Bobby York performs two Cher numbers in a special guest appearance at the Flamingo Resort on Sept. 29. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 6- LEATHER ROAD TRIP: The First Coast Leather Society of Jacksonville enjoys the Flamingo Resort last month as part of its annual Leather Run. PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE HARDIN 7- LEATHER TRIBE: Contestants in the Tampa Bay Leather Sir/boy contest stand on the stage of the Flamingo Resort on Oct. 5. PHOTO BY PAUL KINCHEN OF TINKERFLUFF.COM

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8- SINGING MUSCLE: Countertenor Jacques Snyman, accompanied by David Mathews, performs at Studio 620 in St. Petersburg on Sept. 29. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

OVERHEARD COUNTERTENOR OR EYE CANDY?

T

HE VERY HANDSOME AND RUGGED JACQUES SNYMAN RETURNED TO TAMPA BAY on Sept. 29 with a concert held at Studio@620 in downtown St. Petersburg. The former rugby player and �itness model is raising money for an upcoming trip to Europe, where he hopes to audition in front of international directors. Snyman, who turned 40 just days before his St. Pete concert, lives in the Washington, D.C., area with his husband, Victor, and previously performed in Tampa Bay as part of the Tampa Bay Bears Masquerade Ball two years ago. Snyman used his impressive vocals to belt out

selections from Vivaldi, Beethoven, Handel, and Stephen Sondheim.

After the concert, Snyman hinted that he may return to Tampa Bay over the upcoming holiday season, but he said he couldn’t elaborate on details just yet, as the concert is still “in the works.”

CHER BRINGS BACK BOBBY YORK

M

UCH LIKE THE ICONIC FIGURE SHE IMPERSONATES, Bobby York seems to never fully retire.

The performer known for her Cher impersonations returned to the stage of the Flamingo Resort on Sept. 29 with a highenergy performance of both a

compilation mix of classic Cher songs and a headdress-wearing take on the superstar’s newest single, “Woman’s World.” York was the original show director at the Flamingo Resort when it opened four years ago. Fans of York’s packed the main bar of the resort and afterward, they lined up to have their photos taken with her.

York was her regular gracious self, and strategically positioned herself by a box fan to stay cool as she smiled for every camera.

LAUGHING FOR CHARITY

K

EEPING WITH TRADITION, THE SUNCOAST AIDS THEATER PROJECT BROUGHT OUT THE LAUGHS to bene�it

Trinity Charities in Sarasota on Sept. 30 as “Prelude to Sarasota Pride” returned to the Unitarian Universalist Church. The show was written by Matthew McGee, who played “Patty Melt” and was a spin-off of sorts of “The Scott and Patty Show,” which also stars Scott Daniel as Patty’s son. This loosely scripted version featured Sarasota performers Joey Panek, Beneva Fruitville and Lindsay Carlton and was mostly improvisational.

The musical comedy raised nearly $3,000 for charity. The performers managed to pick on speci�ic members of the audience, including Sarasota Pride organizer Cindy Barnes, theater director Steven Flaa and Watermark editor Steve Blanchard.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

LEATHER DRAMA

A

PLANNED LEATHER SIR/ BOY CONTEST AT THE FLAMINGO RESORT SPARKED SOME DRAMA on Oct. 5 when many members of the leather community opted to boycott the contest and celebrate at a different location. According to a Watermark photographer on site, a disagreement between contest organizers and an outgoing title holder sparked the controversy, which resulted in the split. The show went on as planned, however, despite the smaller crowd, and was wrapped by 11 p.m. The dispute has sparked a �lame war on the event’s Facebook page. No word yet whether the parties plan to make nice. |  |

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ORLANDO

1- BREAK A LEG: (L-R) Thomas Ouellette, Rollins College Director of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later smiles with LGBT activist Alan Bounville and Peter Ruiz, a Rollins junior and play narrator, following Bounville’s appearance on Sept. 28 at the campus. PHOTO BY

LONNIE THOMPSON

2- CASINO ROYALS: Parliament House owner Don Granatstein (left) presents Randy Stephens, executive director of the GLBT Center, with a donation of $1,700. The funds were raised during Parliament House’s Las Vegas Casino Night. PHOTO COURTESY RANDY STEPHENS

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3- RIGHT TO EMBELLISH: (L-R) Embellish FX team members Blake Weston, Ben Johansen and Alissa Reffit are ready for customers on the shop’s first day in business on Oct. 1. PHOTO COURTESY KURT THOMAS 4- ONE MORE TIME: (L-R) Rollins College students Isabella Ward, Emily Stewart and Samantha Frontera perform during the final dress rehearsal of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Sept. 26 at the Annie Russell Theatre. PHOTO BY LONNIE THOMPSON 5- UNCORKED: (L-R) A Reum Chung, Robert Hill, Rey Tabarrok, Daniel Benavides, and Sebastian Serra participate at the Orlando Ballet Uncorked! event at The Abbey Oct. 1. PHOTO BY LONNIE THOMPSON 6- DOG DAYS: State Rep. Joe Saunders takes his two dogs, B. Arthur, a white Maltese mix, and Joey, a Chihuahua, to the dog park on Oct. 4.

PHOTO COURTESY JOE SAUNDERS

7- PRIDE PATROL: Kristian Cosme, of the Young Democrats of America LGBTQ Caucus, handles security along Robinson Street following the final fireworks at Come Out With Pride on Oct. 5. PHOTO BY

LONNIE THOMPSON

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8- DINNER MEETING: Emmett O’Dell and former Orange County Commissioner Fran Pignone were attend the monthly meeting of County Watch on Oct. 5 at the Denny’s on S. Semoran Blvd. PHOTO

BY SUSAN CLARY

OVERHEARD WHILE ROLLINS COLLEGE PROGRESSES, OLE MISS IS LEFT BEHIND

A

S ROLLINS COLLEGE STUDENTS PERFORMED LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER to standing ovations at the Annie Russell Theatre in Winter Park, students at another southern school were enduring taunts. An estimated 20 University of Mississippi freshman football players are in hot water after they interrupted a performance of The Laramie Project with laughing and derogatory slurs.

The football players attended the Moises Kauffman play about the Matthew Shepard murder because of a theater course requirement.

A faculty member arrived and

made the players apologize. Ole Miss Administrators said they are investigating the incident.

DISENCHANTED HELD OVER!

F

OLLOWING WEEKS OF SOLD OUT PERFORMANCES, the 2011 International Fringe Festival darling Disenchanted! has been held over through Nov. 3 at The Abbey.

The play focuses on Disney’s princesses and their unhappiness at being portrayed as damsels in distress in today’s pop culture.

They are: brassy Snow White, ditzy Cinderella, weight-obsessed Sleeping Beauty neurotic Belle, tipsy Ariel, butch Mulan and

buxom Pocahontas. For tickets, call 866-468-7630 or visit AbbeyOrlando.com.

A BIRTHDAY ROAST

F

RIENDS OF DOUG WHITE DECIDED TO SURPRISE HIM ON HIS 50TH BIRTHDAY. So, they invited him to a night of trivia and bar hopping starting at the Parliament House Footlight Theatre. Instead, he walked into a surprise birthday party and roast. Roasters included: Nico, Gidget Galore, Bridget Galore, Sam Singhaus, Jeff Jones, Carol Lee, Billy Flannigan, Janine Klein and Michael Wanzie. White, a staple in the LGBT theater community, turned the big 5-0 on Oct. 8.

VOTE FOR UOWN REAL ESTATE

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OWN REAL ESTATE, A LONGTIME MEMBER OF METROPOLITAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MBA) and sponsor of the Gay Games bid, is in the running for a $250,000 small business grant through Chase Bank. uOwn, owned and operated by Sean Frank, needs 250 votes to quality for the Mission Main Street Grant. Agent Eric Rollings, who is asking for votes via his Facebook page, is the Membership Director for MBA. The 12 winners will be announced in January 2014. To cast your online ballot, visit https://www. missionmainstreetgrants.com/ business/detail/6202.

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

W

HEN THE PHONE RANG AT THE DESK OF WATERMARK ACCOUNT MANAGER JEREMY WILLIAMS on Oct 1, he assumed it was another retuned sales call. Instead it was legendary �ilmmaker John Waters. Waters, who was in town to perform at The Abbey for Come Out With Pride, was traveling from the airport to his hotel in downtown Orlando. The call was a surprise planned by Sales Director Mark Cady, who knew Williams is a big fan of Waters, having watched Serial Mom, Crybaby and Hairspray repeatedly as a child. Williams said: “It was one of the most exciting moments of my life.” |  |

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CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS REALLY MARRIED:

Comedian Judy Tenuta pulled Cliff McInturff and Mark Meurer on-stage for a mock marriage ceremony during her Gay Days performance in June. McInturff and Meurer, who have been together 20 years, were given a certificate to prove it. We are happy to report the couple made it official and were married Sept.

12 in Orange County, Calif. They plan a local celebration on Oct. 12.

In lieu of gifts, they are donating money to Forest Animal Rescue by Peace River Refuge and Ranch.

HE’LL BE MISSED: Harvey Tavel, left, of Gulfport passed away in the early morning of Sept. 25 peacefully at the home he shared with his partner of 53 years, Norman Glick. The couple was married four years. Tavel was a teacher who influenced many in the arts, including Broadway icon Harvey Fierstein.

Congratulations

Phish Phest Entertainment celebrates 12 years in business on Oct. 15.

St. Petersburg couple Thomas Ziri and Jeffrey Nicolaus celebrated 15 years together on Oct. 3.

Grace Restoration Church in Lakeland celebrates its three year anniversary on Oct. 16.

What’s Happening Magazine celebrates its 8th year of publishing this month.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY:

AIDS Walk Tampa Bay founder and former Watermark Tampa Bay sales rep Anthony Barros, left, and Macy’s fashionista Ed Leonard of Clearwater celebrate the third anniversary of their holy union Oct. 10.

NEW DIRECTON: Kenny Howard was named the new education director of the Florida Theatrical Association and Artistic Director of The Abbey in Orlando.

Howard will continue to travel to New York for The Broadway Consortium, Broadway Records and directing jobs.

Local Birthdays

GaYbor entertainer and Tampa institution Joey Brooks (Oct. 14); former gift shop owner and Tampa retiree Howard Hawk (Oct. 15); handsome Suncoast softballer Michael Monnich, Orlando attorney and contributing Watermark columnist Mary Meeks (Oct. 16); Tampa political campaign guru and LGBT ally Mitch Kates, Lakeland-based Geico expert Barry Stemle, Ybor City’s King Corona Cigar expert Willy Emerson, Florida State Representative and new papa Scott Randolph (Oct. 17); Watermark contributor and UCF LGBTQ advocate David Moran, South Florida Gay News publisher Norm Kent (Oct. 18); St. Pete’s Everest University admissions specialist Mike Callahan, St. Petersburg photographer and graphic artist Byron Schaerr, Orlando make-up artist Scott Juszczak (Oct. 19); EMBARQ Quality Analyst Chris Hamlett, Florida hospital intern and sexy Pulse dancer Louis Velasquez, Flamingo Car Club president Robert “Tiny” Nasworthy (Oct. 20); Orlando cosmetologist singing star Melisa Brown, New Port Richey CNA Anthony Menicola (Oct. 22); sexy Orlando maintenance specialist Joe Arlotta, America-lover Jaime DeFrancesco, Orlando Hamburger Mary’s drinkmeister Juan Torres, G. Bar and Honey Pot co-owner Steven Donahue (Oct. 23).

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!

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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Federation chooses Paris for Gay Games 2018

C

LEVELAND, OHIO | The City of Light will host the Gay Games in 2018.

Paris beat out fellow �inalists London and Limerick, Ireland, for the rights to host the event. Orlando was eliminated as a potential host city in June.

Gay Games X is expected to be the world’s largest sporting and cultural event open to all.

The international delegates and board of directors of the Federation of Gay Games voted Oct. 7 at the end of a three-day meeting featuring site inspection reports, question-andanswer sessions, committee reviews and, a highlight of the event, the oral presentation by each bidding organization.

David Killian, co-chair of the FGG Site Selection Committee, noted some factors that may have in�luenced voters in their choice: “The vote is the result of dozens of individual choices, but

some points stood out for many voters. ,” he said. “Paris proposed a wide range of sports in quality venues, many of which offer good visibility for the event. French LGBT sport organizations already have a great deal of experience hosting international multisport tournaments, and their LGBT community presents outstanding cultural events. They are already well advanced in planning, for example, with the designation of a dedicated sports manager. They arrived with demonstrable political support, including Minister for Sport Valerie Fourneyron and �ive-time Olympic fencing medalist Laura Flessel, who were part of the presentation team. And of course Paris is a great destination to visit or revisit.”

FGG co-president Kurt Dahl described the next steps.

“With the selection of our presumptive host, we open a 90day window to execute our license agreement, with the support of law �irm Fox Rothschild on the FGG side.

We entered this process close to agreement with all three bidders, so we’re convinced that we will be able to con�irm Paris as the host of Gay Games X very shortly.”

FGG co-president Emy Ritt noted the high level of all the bids and those behind them.

“It’s been such an enriching experience to discover so many new people through this bidding cycle. The talent, energy, and enthusiasm of these men and women was inspiring to all of us at the Federation.

“The quality of bids for 2018 was superb,” said Dahl. “We thank the teams from Limerick and London for taking part in the Gay Games X bidding process. Their communities should be proud of the detailed plans and enormous heart they showed in their proposals.

It’s a real demonstration how deeply important the Gay Games has become over the years that so many talented people from around the world want to carry on its legacy.” |  |

Germany claims rainbowhued Olympic uniforms are merely ‘fashionable’ Staff Report

B

ERLIN, GERMANY | The German Olympic team on Oct. 1 revealed its uniforms for the upcoming winter games in Russia, and many immediately saw them as a swipe at the host country’s anti-gay laws—the bright, rainbow-colored uniforms invoke the rainbow �lag.

But a German Olympic of�icial says they’re just “fashionable.”

Russia has come under �ire ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi for its record on gay rights, including a recent law that bans “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.”

The of�icial description says the German uniforms “were created using colors and materials specially tailored to the conditions in Sochi, Spiegel Online reports.

“This is just a fashionable jacket,” said Michael Vesper, a German Olympic of�icial. |  |

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

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Staff Report

53

PHOTO BY TOM DYER

PHOTO BY TOM DYER

PHOTOGRAPHY: COME OUT WITH PRIDE ORLANDO

Galleryw Go see more photos at

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54

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

M

ORE THAN 120,00 PEOPLE WERE ESTIMATED TO HAVE ATTENDED COME OUT WITH PRIDE ORLANDO 2013 at Lake Eola on Oct. 5, making it the largest turnout in the festival’s nine-year history. Rain stayed away throughout the day, giving our photographers perfect, sunny weather to capture some amazing �loats, colorful out�its and tens of thousands of smiling faces. |  |

OCT. 10 - OCT. 23, 2013 // ISSUE 20.21

Photography by Jake Stevens JAKE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

and Tom Dyer TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

watermarkonline.com

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HOMES. MADE YOUR WAY.

nEAR DOWntOWn ORLAnDO

LUxURY, DOWntOWn Living FROM tHE HigH $200S Low-Maintenance townhomes in the SoDo Area the best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment are all just steps away from Copley Square, Ashton Woods’ vibrant, new townhome community in downtown Orlando. Our luxury townhomes offer high-end designer finishes, 2-car attached garages, and an ideal SoDo area location. Make the most of the city with maintenance-free homes designed for the way you live.

CoPLey SqUARe 2595 Joslin Place, Orlando, FL 32806

SCAn QR CODE FOR DiRECtiOnS.

407-704-8939

ashtonwoodshomes.com/orlando

©2013 Ashton Woods USA L.L.C. Plans, specifications, prices, and other items are subject to changes without notice and/or may vary by elevation. Images are only the artist’s conception. Square footage is approximate. See Sales Agents for details. CRC # 1517613. Printed 09/2013