Watermark Issue 20.22: Billie Jean King

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 20.22 • OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

OUR

CHAMPION Tennis legend Billie Jean King talks about psyching up, coming out and her upcoming Orlando event with Sir Elton John

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

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This is just another example of the courts making law 17 out of thin air.

DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 10 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE NEWS 17 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 23 // ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 33 // EVENT PLANNER 35 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 37 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 38 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 39 // TRANSITIONS 40 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 45 // SPORTS

PAGE

—BRIAN BROWN, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE PRESIDENT

ON THE COVER

PAGE

PAGE Tennis legend Billie Jean

talks about her career 23 King on and off the court prior to

her participation in the Mylan World Team Tennis SMash Hits fundraiser benefitting the Hope & Help Center of Central Florida on Nov. 17.

Preview

29 DAVID SEDARIS:

Gay humorist David Sedaris will appear live at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and at the King Center in Melbourne just as a new film based on some of his essays makes it to DVD. We talk to director Kyle Patrick Alvarez about the gay icon.

WATERMARK ISSUE 20.22 //OCT . 24 - NOV. 6, 2013

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE The Black & White Gala

PAGE More than 5,000 people

STATE

NATION+WORLD

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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

10

brought out the crowds, and fancy evening wear, to benefit The Center; UCF hosts its very first Pride event; Joe Saunders kicks off his re-election campaign; more.

12

descended upon J.D. Hamel Park in downtown Sarasota for the annual Pride festival Oct. 19; St. Pete’s city elections could put two more out council members on the dais; more.

PAGE After claiming two-

18

mother households are dysfunctional, Ocala Rep. Dennis Baxley responds to Equality Florida’s request for an apology; Florida state senator Jeff Clemens has filed a bill that would ban ex-gay therapy for minors..

PAGE New Jersey Chris Christie

his legal challenge 17 dropped to same-sex marriages,

ensuring marriage equality in the Garden State; the man who challenged Ohio’s ban on same-sex marriage to be buried next to his husband has died; more.

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5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS

W

Call or Visit for Special Holiday Lease Offers!

HILE I UNDERSTAND WHERE STEVE BLANCHARD IS COMING FROM in his Editor’s Desk (Issue 20.21) I completely disagree with his opinion.

Supporting the Salvation Army simply doesn’t make sense.

The organization has used religious bigotry to outwardly speak against LGBT equality.

I can’t give my hard-earned money to an organization that sees me as “less than.”

Steve’s argument that the Salvation Army does a lot of good is valid, but it’s also important to remember that most of mainstream society readily gives their spare change to those red kettles outside of department stores during the holidays.

The charity isn’t hurting for donations. The charities that are hurting are the ones that cater to speci�ic parts of the community.

My money will be going to those local groups who focus on the LGBT community or, at least, don’t discriminate against people based on religious lies.

TRISH ROUNDTREE SARASOTA

LET’S FOCUS OUR FIGHT ELSEWHERE

L

GBT PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO JUMP ON A BANDWAGON if an organization, or

“Should we refuse to donate to the Red Cross after a natural disaster simply because gay men can’t donate blood?”

—THOMAS NICHOLSON

a spokesperson of an organization, says something disparaging against us. There are plenty of times that such an argument is legitimate, but too often, it isn’t. I agree with Steve Blanchard that the Salvation Army is not one of those “boycott �ights” we need to fuel (Issue 20.21).

The Salvation Army has helped the needy for generations, as have many other nationally and internationally recognized groups. If the organization is based on religion, so be it. Just because I don’t agree with a few statements from a religious organization, I cannot, in good conscience, deny helping those less fortunate through my donations.

Should we refuse to donate to the Red Cross after a natural disaster simply because gay men can’t donate blood? Should we ignore the plight of the children in St. Jude’s Hospital simply because it’s named after a Catholic saint? Of course not.

Kudos to Steve to reminding us of the greater good. Fighting the Salvation

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

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Army is simply a �ight we shouldn’t take up. We have more important threats to our equality.

THOMAS NICHOLSON TAMPA

PROUD MOMENTS

C

ONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORGANIZERS OF COME OUT WITH PRIDE 2013. I’ve been to several of Orlando’s Pride festivals in the past and this was by far the best one! Not only was the weather perfect, but so was the festival itself.

People were friendly, things were well organized and everyone I spoke with seemed to enjoy their day.

I especially enjoyed the �ireworks at the end of the night and the parade in the middle of the afternoon. It was a constant celebration and I left their feeling proud of myself, proud of my relationship and proud of my community. Congratulations and thank you to all who made Come Out With Pride Orlando possible!

SAMUEL WARD ORLANDO

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

I

Desk

LIVE AN INCREDIBLY GAY LIFE. I NEVER

intended it to be so glittery and fabulous, but I constantly �ind myself surrounded by rainbow colors, female impersonators, festive parade �loats and LGBT and LGBT-friendly dignitaries speaking out for equality.

It’s not a bad life at all. In fact, I feel fortunate to have a job that requires me to remain so involved in the community.

There’s a certain comfort I take knowing that so many people are working toward one goal to make our state and our country better for everyone.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget how much work goes into accomplishing steps toward equality, and it’s not until we step away for awhile that it all comes back into focus.

After taking vacation for one

WATERMARK STAFF

issue in mid-September, I found myself thrown back into the mix of this skittles buffet as I attended the festivities surrounding the Tampa International Film Festival, the largest Come Out With Pride Orlando ever and a festive (and very warm) Sarasota Pride.

Next up for me? A lesbian wedding the last weekend of October. That’s my life!

That is a whole lot of LGBT thrown at me in one tiny month— and I love every minute of it.

While our community doesn’t always agree on what paths we

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

must take to gain full equality, the strides we’ve made in the last 40-plus years are amazing, and would have been unimaginable in the last century. But here we are, with 14 states now fully accepting marriage equality as an inevitability—welcome aboard, New Jersey.

I was talking about the hectic October schedule with someone close to me when I remarked that October is LGBT History Month.

It’s also the month for National Coming Out Day and Spirit Day—which combats bullying.

The culmination of these dates are no accident, by the way.

Before I came out of the closet in late 1999, I recall learning about National Coming Out Day. I never understood why one day had to be slated for that particular, very personal act. Of course I later understood that it was more about the statement coming out makes rather than scheduling one big closet-emptying ritual.

It got me to thinking about my own coming out, and how dif�icult and rewarding it was. As our publisher, Tom Dyer, discusses with tennis legend Billie Jean King in this issue’s cover story, there are rarely pain-free coming out experiences. Even if those close to you support you, there are still those who won’t. It’s an upsetting fact of life.

For me, coming out meant not seeing my parents for nearly two years and exchanging hand-

written letters with my mother about my sexuality over a span of several months. My parents and I are on better terms now, and I tossed those letters a long time ago. I sometimes wish I had saved them, just to remember how far my own family has come the past 15 or so years.

But sometimes in order to move forward, you have to toss out the pain of the past.

While it was painful for my family, my coming out strengthened my relationship with my best friend and fueled my drive to move to Florida and pursue my journalism career. A stint at Watermark was never my plan, as I’ve mentioned before, nor was the incredible gay life that I now lead.

But I wouldn’t change it.

I go to a lot of fundraisers, events, pride celebrations and parties celebrating our community.

One habit I’ve formed— purposefully—is to spot at least one person in the room who may be experiencing that atmosphere for the very �irst time and watch them react to their surroundings. Every time it’s a positive experience because they see they are not alone and that the LGBT community is not something of which to be ashamed, but to celebrate.

Too often we “preach to the choir” about equality, what it means to be LGBT and why equality is so important. And we sometimes disagree on what may be the correct path.

But when we �inally get to the point that everyone can live an incredibly gay life—whether accidentally or not—we’ll know that we have �inally achieved our ultimate goal. |  |

In order to move forward, you have to sometimes toss out the pain of the past.

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

CONTRIBUTORS GREG STEMM

lives in Gulfport, Fla., and has worked as a freelance writer for several local publications. He is a founding member of St. Pete Pride and active politically in Tampa Bay. Page 19

LAWRENCE FERBER

is a freelance writer and novelist and film producer living in Manhattan. He is the associate producer of the film, Bear City 2. Page 25

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

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CONTRIBUTOR TO WATERMARK? Submit writing samples to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com.

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

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7

orlando NEWS 8

Saunders kicks off 2014 campaign Tom Dyer

O

RLANDO | Less than a year ago, Joe Saunders celebrated his historic election to Florida’s House of Representatives with a party at The Abbey in downtown Orlando. On Tuesday, Oct. 15 he returned to the same venue to launch his re-election campaign before a packed house of enthusiastic supporters.

Last November, Saunders defeated former UCF student body president Marco Pena by an eight point margin to become the �irst representative for the newly created District 49. He was also one of two openly gay candidates elected to the legislature—a �irst for the Sunshine State.

“After a year in of�ice I can tell you… it matters that we’re there,” Saunders said.

He listed a string of impressive accomplishments for a freshman representative: appointment as deputy whip for Democrats; foreclosure reform; and appointment to three education committees where he sought standards for early learning providers, greater charter school accountability and moved the Arts for All Students Act through three committees.

Saunders also noted that, in a legislature dominated by conservative Republicans, every anti-choice law introduced last year failed. And the Competitive Workforce Act, which would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, took important steps forward.

“In the past, no Republican has supported this legislation,” Saunders said. “Now, with two openly gay representatives amongst them, there are six Republican votes. We’ll build on that.”

Saunders said he would work to ensure health care coverage for Florida’s working poor, and to reconsider unfair “common core” standards for evaluating schools and teachers.

Numerous local of�icials came out to support Saunders at his election kick-off, including: State Sen. Darren Soto, State Rep. Linda Stewart, State Rep. Karen Castor Dentel, State Rep. Victor Torres, Orange County Comm. Tiffany Moore Russell, Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie, and Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph. Afterward, many attended a meet-and-greet with potential gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist hosted by Democratic fundraiser Bob Poe. Saunders has drawn only one Republican opponent for the 2014 elections: retired law enforcement of�icer Edward Rodriguez. Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando president Jenna Tosh emphasized the importance of early fundraising.

“2014 is an off-year election, with no presidential race to draw voters to the polls,” Tosh said.

Saunders proclaimed that he is ready for the campaign, as well as upcoming battles in Tallahassee.

“We have not even begun to show you the game we’ll bring to Tallahassee.” he said. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

GALA READY: Orlando Pride executive producer Mikael Audebert (left) and realtor Sue-Bee Laginess enjoy the five-course VIP dinner at the Black and White Gala Oct. 19. PHOTO BY MARK CADY

Celebrating the Community 2nd Annual Black and White Gala doubles last year’s fundraising dollars Jamie Hyman

O

RLANDO | The numbers are still coming in, but Timothy Vargas, president of The GLBT Center of Central Florida (The Center) board of directors, said it looks like its 2nd annual Black and White Gala doubled the fundraising totals of the inaugural event.

Last year’s Gala raised about $17,000, and Vargas said he’s “extremely satis�ied” and organizers worked to “dress up the event a little more than last year.”

The Oct. 19 event was held at Quantum Leap Winery and began with a sold-out VIP dinner by John Michael events.

Vargas said about 110 people attended the dinner, and there were about 230 who attended the Gala in total. The dinner featured a live auction, followed by a silent auction at the Gala itself as guests were entertained by the singing talent of Sunshine Matthews.

“We were extremely pleased with the event and the silent and live auctions exceeded our expectations,” said Randy Stephens,

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

executive director of The Center.

“We are grateful to the generosity of the community in supporting The Center.”

At the dinner, Vargas presented a speech on The Center’s three goals for the past year: �inancial stability and responsibility; reengaging the community and bringing new

Stephens summarizing the organizations goals and progress, which described 2012 as a “watershed year.”

“The foundation for a new Board of Directors was created giving The Center the needed guidance and creativity that had been lacking for many years. This led to developing new programs, including ones for seniors, women and minorities who had been grossly ignored in the past,” the letter reads.

The audit was performed by Carter & Company out of Destin and reports The Center’s total expenses for 2012 at $222,715, with revenue at $181, 273, creating a $41,442 de�icit for the year.

“We’re pleased that we were able to come through the audit without any exceptions,” Vargas said. “There was a clean opinion.”

He said they’re currently undergoing the second �inancial statement audit which covers the �iscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013.

“When we release that we’ll have much more substantial information to report,” he said.

According to Vargas, the 2013 report is expected to be released in the next 30 to 35 days. |  |

“We are grateful to the generosity of the community in supporting The Center.”

—RANDY STEPHENS programs to the Center.

“From a �inancial perspective we focused on membership and we have substantially grown in fundraising this year,” Vargas said.

“We just completed Saturday afternoon before the Gala our �irst ever audited �inancial statements, the �irst time in 35 years the Board has seen �it to make that happen.”

Those statements were published via TheCenterOrlando.org, and they cover �inancials for the year ending Sept. 20, 2012.

They include a letter from

watermarkonline.com

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

9

orlando

UCF holds first pride event Jamie Hyman

O

NEWS

RLANDO | Nearly 100 University of Central Florida students gathered near the Re�lecting Pond on campus for UCF’s �irst-ever Pride event.

Students manning booths representing various activist groups mingled with attendees while a DJ spun dance hits and other students danced while clad in rainbow �lags and painted colorful pro-LGBT signs.

The Oct. 9 event was put on by the UCF’s College Democrats group. Sophomore Thomas Morrison, College Democrats secretary, said they wanted to bring “something new” to UCF, and the event has been in the works since the summer.

“We’re an inclusive group,” Morrison said. “I’m a member of the [LGBT] community, and I’m excited by all the people here.”

The students rallied until about 1:30 p.m., then marched to the student union, circling back to the pond area, “shouting chants and rallying the campus for equality,” Morrison said. “It’s not just a celebratory event; it’s an educational event.”

Before the march, they heard some student speakers.

Morrison said they’ll try to hold the event annually, and make it bigger and better every year. For more on the celebration, visit WatermarkOnline.com. |  |

PREGAME PARTY

It’s all a masquerade for Headdress Ball 2013 Susan Clary

O

RLANDO | When organizers of the outrageous, lavish black tie gala known as the Headdress Ball found out their 2013 event would be pushed to October 26, they took advantage of the delay.

In its 24th year, they are combining Halloween and Las Vegas, for the largest Masquerade Ball held in Central Florida.

“It will be the most amazing black tie event of the year—a feast for the eyes and senses,” said Chris Hessler, Event Planner for Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. “Until you live it and breathe it and do it, it’s almost indescribable.”

The eight hour event at Hilton Orlando features cocktails, a gourmet meal, live and silent auctions, a Las Vegas-style show and the magni�icent headdress competition, with local businesses creating headpieces up to 13-feet tall.

Top drag queens will perform including: Darcel Stevens and Sassy Devine of the Parliament House, Roxy Andrews of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Miss Renaissance 2009 Tasha Long.

What began as a small �loral headdress competition has evolved into a large choreographed production with more than 100 dancers (body builders, strippers, go-go dancers—it’s risque) and a production crew of another 100 people.

All the script writing, choreography and set design is donated by Hardrive Productions and J.M. Best Entertainment. The multi-million dollar production features costumes by Feld Entertainment of Ringling Bros. circus fame.

More than 150 volunteers sign up for the extravaganza expected to raise $500,000 for Hope and Help, which offers support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties. Of

every dollar raised, 90 cents goes directly to programs. Tickets start at $300 apiece and VIP tables are available. At 1,000 tickets, the event sells out.

The highlight of the night is the competition featuring outlandish headdresses designed by seven contestants: Parliament House, Feld Entertainment, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Central Florida, Savoy Orlando, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Win�ield Murdock Creative Works and Heirloom Cutting Boards.

This year’s celebrity judges are: Philanthropist Harriet Lake, XL 106.7 radio host Laura Diaz, Real Radio 104.1’s Jana Banana of the Phillips Phile, Mix 105.1 morning host Dana Taylor and Mike McCleod, Editor of Orlando Life.

This year, Windermere’s Michelle Damon, wife of Cleveland Indians veteran out�ielder Johnny Damon, is chairing the event. |  |

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

11

tampa bay NEWS 12

Rice, Foster close to joining city council Staff Report

S

T. PETERSBURG | If polls are correct, St. Petersburg could have three openly gay city council members come the morning of Nov. 6.

Both Darden Rice and Amy Foster are leading their competition for the District 4 and District 8 seats, respectively.

Both women handily won their primaries, with Rice taking 46% of the votes and Foster claiming 56%.

The packed races whittled the �ield down to two choices in each race. Rice faces Carolyn Fries while Foster runs against Steve Galvin.

This is Rice’s third time running for public of�ice and she is often in the spotlight throughout the community through a number of organizations.

Earlier this year Rice stepped down as the president of the League of Women Voters, a post she held for three years; she’s the chair of the legislative committee of the PSTA transit board and she has been active in the Sierra Club and the Gulf Restoration Network.

Foster is the vice president of St. Pete Pride and could take the seat currently occupied by Jeff Danner. Danner can’t seek re-election due to term limits.

The normally friendly atmosphere of St. Petersburg politics was shaken in early October when Galvin issued robocalls to voters that seemed to attack Foster’s sexuality and involvement in St. Pete Pride.

“Steve Galvin has a history of community volunteerism in our city from tutoring at New Heights Elementary to raising money for Gulfcoast Legal Services,” the message said. “His opponent’s major volunteer effort in St. Pete was being vice president of the gay pride parade.”

Interestingly, Galvin participated in St. Pete Pride this year, and had a �loat in the annual promenade.

The recorded call also criticized Foster for renting a home, rather than owning. Foster explained to the Tampa Bay Times that she has owned in St. Petersburg in the past, and will more than likely own a home in the future.

The other big election day race is for St. Petersburg mayor, which pits incumbent Bill Foster against challenger Rick Kriseman. Mayor Foster has been credited with approving the city’s domestic partnership registry and signing a proclamation for St. Pete Pride, but he said he will not attend the festival because it is too “adult-oriented.”

Kriseman, a former state representative, was a St. Petersburg City Councilman and signed the very �irst proclamation from the city for the �irst St. Pete Pride in 2003.

Polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

OPENING ACT: The Waking Giants opened the annual Sarasota Pride festival at J.D. Hamel Park on Oct. 19. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Breaking barriers Sarasota Pride brings more than 5,000 to its fourth outdoor festival Steve Blanchard

S

ARASOTA | The LGBT community of Sarasota was out in full force to celebrate its annual Pride festival on Oct. 19.

Estimates put more than 5,000 people trickling through J.D. Hamel Park throughout the day, while live music and guest speakers kept the crowds engaged from the stage for six hours.

“The best thing about Sarasota Pride is that it’s ours,” said Jamie Moore, a Sarasota resident who attended the festival with her two young boys. “St. Pete Pride is great.

Come Out With Pride is fantastic.

But this festival, right here, is all ours and we should be proud to have it!”

Moore’s two boys, ages 4 and 8, were two of many children attending the festival. And that wasn’t an accident, according to Cindy Barnes, chair of the Pride board.

“We want to be the most familyfriendly Pride there is,” Barnes said during the organizing of the celebration. “Our face-painting area is sponsored by Ringling College and

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

we want families and kids to come out and enjoy the day.”

After just an hour or so, children—and some adults—were walking around the park with face paint depicting animals, bright colors and superheroes. Many were eating ice cream or barbecue from one of several food trucks parked alongside the park.

The 2013 festival was the 24th Pride event in Sarasota and the fourth outdoor festival. Barnes has been at the head of the reinvented

Performing Arts Hall.

“Those were amazing events, but we were hidden away from the rest of the overall community, which defeated the purpose of Pride,” recalled Thomas Michael, who lives in Bradenton. “But things have changed in our country and in our state. I think you’re seeing more people coming out of the closet and less afraid to be seen in public at an event like this. The numbers are growing each year, and that supports what I said. Sarasota is �inally, truly proud.”

According to Barnes, there were more vendors during the 2013 festival, despite her having to use a different con�iguration for tents thanks to construction in the park. The only complaint many had was the unseasonably warm weather—near 90 degrees—the day of the festival.

But even that didn’t dissuade the celebratory mood.

“Enjoy yourselves and celebrate who you are,” Barnes told the crowd from the stage next to the vendor booths. “This is our day. This is your day.”

For more photos of Sarasota Pride, visit WatermarkOnline.com. |  |

“The best thing about Sarasota Pride is that it’s ours.”

—JAMIE MOORE Pride all four years.

“I saw where it was headed and I wanted to save it,” said Barnes. “I wanted it downtown and out where the city could see us. That’s what Pride is supposed to be.”

Many enjoying Sarasota Pride agreed, as they remembered past Pride celebrations inside the Robarts Arena and the Van Wezel

watermarkonline.com

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

13

tampa bay NEWS 14

Sarasota County moves toward a domestic partner registry Jamie Hyman

S

ARASOTA | After three hours of debate Oct. 9, the Sarasota County Commissioners voted unanimously to hold two public hearings, then vote on a countywide domestic partner registry.

The next meeting is “tentatively scheduled” for Nov. 6, according to Sarasota County spokeswoman Jamie Carson.

The County Commission voted to green light the registry back in June of 2013. Since that time, the County Attorney’s of�ice has been drafting the ordinance.

“It hasn’t been delayed; it’s just an ongoing process,” said Carson. “When they had to develop the ordinance it took a lot of organization.”

Commissioners discussed whether to limit it to permanent residents of Sarasota County or not.

“We strongly encourage the County Commissioners to open the registry to anyone,” said Michael Farmer, statewide �ield director for Equality Florida.

Couples could register as domestic partners within the City of Sarasota last fall. It’s unclear how those couples would be included in the county’s registry. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Bradenton officials quietly approve Manatee County’s first Pride festival Susan Clary

B

RADENTON | It was one small item quietly tucked into the Bradenton City Council’s Oct. 9 consent agenda, but it would mean huge progress for the LGBT community in Manatee County.

With a unanimous vote and little fanfare, city council members, four Republicans and one Democrat, approved Manatee County’s �irst Pride festival.

“I did not think it was going to be this easy,” said Shannon Summers, Executive Director for Prism Youth Initiative, Inc. “I was scared half to death.”

Summers worked with Laura McKeithen, of Realize Bradenton, and the city’s Downtown Development Authority for four months to pick a date and get the item placed on the agenda.

The Manatee Pride Festival will

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be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Riverwalk downtown. It will feature live music in the amphitheater, artists, speakers and vendors. Admission is free and sponsors are needed.

Manatee Pride will host the event to bene�it the Prism Youth Initiative, Inc., an organization that offers support and education to LGBT young people ages 13 to 23. Organizers hope to bring 5,000 people to the festival.

“We need to pull, not yank, our LGBT community out of the closet,” Summers said. “We need to �ind out how many people we have here so we can get them involved.”

Summers hopes to top the 1,200 people who attended Port Charlotte’s inaugural Charlotte County Pride event earlier this year.

If experience is any indicator, the economic impact for Bradenton could potentially

watermarkonline.com

be big as the festival grows.

Events in two neighboring cities brought millions of dollars to area businesses. In its 11th year, St. Pete Pride, held in late June, drew 120,000 people to a parade and festival, despite a heavy downpour. Orlando’s Come Out With Pride, in early October, boasted similarly large crowds.

“It feels fabulous,” Summers said. “When we went to Sarasota Pride and handed out �lyers for Manatee Pride, people said they never would have believed we would come this far.”

Next year, Sarasota Pride will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Cities and counties around the state have found great success bringing people together for annual LGBT celebrations.

They include: Key West PrideFest, Miami Beach Gay Pride Festival, Pridefest South Florida in Fort Lauderdale, Space Coast Pride, River City Pride in Jacksonville, Tallahassee Pridefest and Pensacola Pride.

For more information on Manatee Pride, call 941-357-0111, visit ManateePride.org or email prismyouth@yahoo.com. |  |

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10/16/13 4:17 PM watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE. 15

state NEWS 16

State Rep. apologizes for State Sen. files bill banning disparaging statement about gay parents gay conversion therapy Staff report

L

AKE WORTH | A Florida state senator has �iled a bill that would ban ex-gay therapy for minors.

Also known as conversion therapy, the bill refers to a range of treatments intended to turn gay people straight. The practice has been condemned by the American Psychiatric Association, and bans already exist in California and New Jersey.

Sen. Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth, a Democrat, �iled the bill Oct. 7.

“The term “sexual orientation change therapy” means therapy that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation, including, but not limited to, efforts to change behaviors, gender identity, or gender expressions, or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender,” reads the bill, and it speci�ies that the therapy would only be illegal for “a person who is under 18 years of age.”

If enacted by the Florida Legislature, the bill would take effect July 1, 2014. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Staff Report

O

CALA | Weeks after he made a disparaging statement about same-sex parents in Florida, Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) met with Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith and issued a public apology for his remarks.

The comments were made on Oct. 8 when Baxley addressed a meeting of the House K-12 subcommittee. Baxley was describing a conversation he had with a teacher about the challenges of the classroom.

While he spoke about the challenges children face today at home, he listed several examples of how parents aren’t “functional.”

“I sat an hour and a half with a teacher telling me, well this child has got serial men coming through the house, this one has two mommies, this one has an abusive father who’s

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home, this one has alcoholism, this one has drug abuse. How many dysfunctional, atypical—to me— structures are in the way of a kid having a chance to learn.”

The statement about the twofemale household caught the attention of Equality Florida.

“We hope Baxley has the decency to apologize for his comments disparaging gay parents and our children,” Smith said in a statement.

“More than that we invite Rep. Baxley to educate himself, talk with us and actually meet our families.”

Baxley responded with a public statement apologizing for his attack on same-gender parents.

“Let me thank Equality Florida leadership for coming to visit with me concerning the remarks in the K-12 Education Committee discussion,” he wrote. “I am very sorry anyone was offended. It certainly is not my desire to disparage anyone.”

watermarkonline.com

“The context on the open discussion which turned to ‘parental involvement’ was to recount a teacher’s challenges expressed to me and to express my encouragement to teachers who often provide the stabilizing place for many students who come to school with many life challenges,” wrote Baxley.

Equality Florida posted Baxley’s apology on its website and appears to be satis�ied with his response.

“We are a diverse state and no elected of�icial can ful�ill their oath of of�ice if they only respect and care about the people and families that look just like their own,” Smith told the Tampa Bay Times. “The entire child welfare community, every credible agency and all research, is unanimous in recognizing that gay parents are equally capable of raising children and that our kids do just as well as their classmates.”

Smith and her partner, Andrea, have a young son together. |  |

Wire Report

Conversely, conservatives like National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown scorned the legalization of same-sex weddings. ``This is just another example of the courts making law out of thin air,’’ he said.

Brown said his group could look into whether it could continue the legal �ight that Christie dropped but said he doubts the courts would allow anyone to intervene.

Last year, the New Jersey Legislature passed a law to allow gay marriage and deal with those issues, but Christie vetoed it. |  |

Ohio man who challenged same-sex marriage ban dies Wire Report

C

INCINNATI, OHIO | John Arthur, who with his husband helped lead a legal challenge to Ohio’s ban on samesex marriage, died Oct. 22, said his attorney, Al Gerhardstein, in a

statement. Arthur was 48.

With Arthur terminally ill from Lou Gehrig’s disease, he and James Obergefell, 47, �lew to Maryland in June to marry after more than 20 years together. They then sued in federal court in Cincinnati for recognition of their marriage in Ohio so they could be buried next

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUIT FILED IN TENNESSEE Four same-sex couples legally married in other states filed a lawsuit Oct. 21 in federal district court in Nashville challenging Tennessee’s law that prohibits recognition of their marriages.

The lawsuit argues that Tennessee’s laws violate the federal Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process.

60 INJURED IN MONTENEGRO PRIDE MARCH Police in Montenegro fired tear gas to repel nearly 1,500 anti-gay extremists who threw rocks and firebombs at officers protecting a gay pride march on Oct. 20. About 60 people were injured, 20 of whom were officers, with the remaining 40 from ``hooligan groups.’’ The violence occurred when the attackers tried to push through hundreds of police to reach 150 gay activists marching peacefully through Podgorica, the capital of the staunchly conservative Balkan country.

COURT: FRENCH MAYORS MUST CONDUCT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

to each other in Arthur’s family plot, which only allows decedents and spouses.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Black found in favor of the couple.

He wrote that they deserved to be treated with respect and that Ohio law historically has recognized outof-state marriages as valid. |  |

France’s constitutional court ruled Oct. 18 that municipal authorities cannot refuse to carry out same-sex marriages just because they oppose them, one month after seven mayors contested France’s new same-sex marriage law. The court rejected the mayors’ “freedom of conscience” argument and ruled that the disputed part of the legislation was constitutional.

In France, marriages can only be made official by city authorities.

nation+world

T

RENTON, N.J. | New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, dropped his legal challenge to same-sex marriages on Oct. 21, removing the possibility that the vows of couples who began getting married hours earlier could be undone by a court.

New Jersey became the 14th state to grant marriage equality three days after the state Supreme Court on Oct. 18 unanimously rejected Christie’s request to delay

the start of the nuptials. He has said residents, not a court or legislators, should decide on the issue. ``Although the governor strongly disagrees with the court substituting its judgment for the constitutional process of the elected branches or a vote of the people, the court has now spoken clearly as to their view of the New Jersey Constitution and, therefore, same-sex marriage is the law,’’ Christie’s spokesman said in a statement.

It was met with jubilation from gay rights advocates.

IN OTHER NEWS

NEWS

Christie ends marriage equality fight in New Jersey

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positiveliving

Seeing the future by learning the past

Greg Stemm GREG@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

I

WAS SURPRISED THE OTHER

day when I walked into the Gulfport library and saw display at the entrance celebrating LGBT History Month.

A smile crossed my face as I remembered the brouhaha over just such a display in Hillsborough County eight years ago that inspired then-commissioner Rhonda Storms to prevent her county from recognizing LGBT pride events. Fortunately, the ordinance she helped create fell earlier this year.

I am thankful I live in LGBTfriendly Gulfport where the only thing that would have upset our residents would have been if our library hadn’t put out such a display.

Back in 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), occur that month.

GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations all endorsed Gay and Lesbian History month and, in 2006,

Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBT History.

One of my pet peeves is that gay history is not taught or even mentioned in our schools. I remember interviewing a young teen who talked about studying the civil rights struggles of the 1960s without even mention of the Stonewall Riots that launched the modern gay rights movement.

How are our young people going to understand what a remarkable times we live in with state after state approving marriage equality, gays serving openly in the military and the federal government recognizing our relationships if they have no idea where we’ve been?

In fact, that peeve is shared among enough of us that St. Pete Pride is held on the hottest day of the year to commemorate that June 1969 riot. It was a revolutionary turning point in our struggle for full equality.

Without it there would be no marriage equality, no gays in the military, no openly gay elected of�icials.

We held �irm that a Pride event should at the very least pay tribute to that event and perhaps even educate some people about it.

That tactic worked.

When I’m wiping the sweat off my brow or singing in the rain like we did earlier this year, I remember when I was co-chair of Pride how many times I had to educate a reporter about Stonewall when they inevitably ask the question about why we have the event when its so hot and rainy.

If you aren’t familiar with Stonewall, your homework assignment is to go Google it now!

LGBT people have always been a vibrant and productive force in our nation. From the arts to science, from entertainment to education, LGBTs have contributed just as much as other minority groups that are more celebrated. We have a much deserved and respected Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday. But why no federally recognized Harvey Milk Day? Each October, LGBT History month celebrates 31 of those key leaders who have or are helping to transform our society and its views toward LGBT people. That’s one person for each day of the month.

I was delighted to see so many names I recognize on this year’s list: Zackie Achmat, South African activist; Edward Albee, playwright; Gwen Araujo, transgender hero; Reinaldo Arenas, Cuban author;

Axel Axgil, activist; Djuna Barnes, author; Joseph Beam, activist; Gad Beck, Holocaust survivor; Joan Biren, documentarian, Patrick Cali�ia, author; Mandy Carter, activist; Willa Cather, author; Tracy Chapman, singer/ songwriter; Tim Cook, entrepreneur; Anderson Cooper, journalist; Elio Di Rup, Prime Minister of Belgium; Martin Duberman, historian; Tom of Finland, artist; Brenda Howard, activist; Nathan Lane, actor; Queen Latifah, entertainer; Simon Nkoli, South African activist; Bruce Nugent, author; Ma Rainey, singer; Sally Ride, astronaut; Marlon Riggs, �ilmmaker; Vito Russo, �ilm historian; Jose Sarria, activist; George

Takei, actor; Jason Wu, designer; John Lawrence and Tyron Garner, legal activists.

— As a separate side note, for those of you who are HIV positive like me and have experienced “Doctor Drama” with all the changes brought about by Barry Rodwick, M,D., closing his old practice, I have great news. I had my �irst appointment back with Barry at his beautiful new of�ice in Clearwater.

I want to personally thank Dr. Roy Findley for the outstanding care he gave me while I awaited the re-opening of Barry’s of�ice. Great to have you back Barry! |  |

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

If you aren’t familiar with Stonewall, your homework assignment is to go Google it now!

19

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TALKING POINTS

I think gay people love glamorous women, and I think I’m glamorous; and I’m not blowing my own trumpet, but I’ve been told it often enough.

3.2

%

of MALE couple marriages END IN DIVORCE

6.1 of LESBIAN marriages %

END IN DIVORCE —Office for National Statistics (ONS)

PEOPLE ARE TALKING AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM ON STEVE BLANCHARD’S EDITOR’S DESK IN DEFENSE OF THE SALVATION ARMY: “This organization maybe old and it may well help people, but there are many, many, MANY other organizations that help others that do not judge, discriminate or stand idly by while hate goes on around them. Support those instead.”

—S. THOMAS FLYNN “I get what you are saying and I admit the decision was gut wrenching to think that someone might not be served. It is also gut wrenching to think that someone placed in the gray area of the gender continuum might not be treated with the same open arms, respect and love as

those who define themselves as straight male or female.”

—STEVE STEARNS

ON ST. PETE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE STEVE GALVIN TARGETING OPPONENT AMY FOSTER’S SEXUALITY IN A ROBOCALL: “Steve Galvin’s negative robocall attacks have only “galvanized” my support for Amy Elizabeth Foster. :-)” —FRONDCAT “This latest tactic is just par for the course with him. Too bad the campaign cannot stay on point, with a discussion of who will truly serve the people of St. Petersburg District 8.”

—PHIL AMMANN

—JOAN COLLINS

GLEE STAR IN OTHER WEDDING NEWS

TO TIE THE KNOT

D

OT-MARIE JONES, 49, WHO PLAYS THE WARMHEARTED COACH SHANNON BEISTE on the Fox series Glee, is getting married. Jones proposed to Bridgett Casteen, 39, at Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle during Anaheim Gay Days. The couple celebrates the three-year anniversary of their meeting in December.

Casteen has two children from a previous marriage.“Thank you @dotmariejones for making me the happiest woman in the world. #engaged,” Casteen tweeted, sharing a photo of the proposal. Jones then tweeted a photo of them writing, “SO HAPPY!!” Jones has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award three times for her Glee role. |  |

F

ORMER GREY’S ANATOMY STAR T.R. KNIGHT MARRIED PATRICK LEAHY in an upstate New York ceremony after dating for three years.

Knight, 40, who stars as Mercutio in an off-Broadway rendition of Romeo & Juliet with William Hurt and Elizabeth Olsen, left ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy in 2009.

Knight asked to be let out of his $14 million contract three years early after an incident on the set in 2007 when his co-star Isaiah Washington referred to him with an anti-gay slur during a heated argument with actor Patrick Dempsey. |  |

SUPERNATURAL

RUNS IN THE FAMILY O

UT AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER RICE HAS RELEASED HIS FIRST SUPERNATURAL THRILLER, titled The Heavens Rise. It marks a milestone for the 35-year-old writer, whose mother Anne Rice has dominated the genre for decades. Rice’s father, the late Stan Rice, was an acclaimed poet. The new book, which toggles between pre- and post-Katrina New Orleans, follows his �irst book, A Density of Souls, which he penned at age 22. Though Rice said he was once actively discouraged from following in his mother’s footsteps, mother and son are co-headlining a book tour with the elder Rice promoting her forthcoming fantasy thriller, The Wolves of Midwinter. |  | OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

CELEBRITIES LOVE TO TURN

YELLOW

M

ANY CELEBRITIES HAVE BEEN IMMORTALIZED IN ANIMATION FOR THE SIMPSONS, currently in its 25th season. Openly gay Judas Priest front man Rob Halford will turn yellow for a star-studded episode in January. “Steal This Episode” will feature Judd Apatow, Will Arnett, Leslie Mann, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen and Channing Tatum. In a story about Homer’s disdain for movie theaters, Bart teaches dad how to illegally download �ilms, which leads to backyard screenings at the Simpson house. Halford sings a parody of the Priest classic “Breaking the Law” in an attempt to bring Bart to justice.

Judas Priest has just completed writing its 17th studio album. |  |

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watermarkonline.com

ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

FREEDOM

Fighter BILLIE JEAN KING JOINS SIR ELTON JOHN IN ORLANDO FOR A TENNIS FUNDRAISER BENEFITING AIDS CHARITIES. IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, THE LEGEND TALKS CANDIDLY ABOUT HER JOURNEY.

O

Tom Dyer

N SUNDAY, NOV. 17, TWO BONA FIDE LEGENDS

will converge on Orlando for the �irst time since 1997.

Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John are co-hosts of Mylan World Team Tennis Smash Hits, an all-star charity event featuring tennis stars Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Marion Bartoli, John Isner and more.

Photo by Fred & Susan Mullane/ Camerawork USA

The event, at beautiful HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, bene�its the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. Smash Hits fundraisers have raised more than $11.5 million for HIV/AIDS charities around the nation.

I spoke with King prior to the 1997 Smash Hits event and found her warm, witty and accessible. We spoke again by telephone earlier this week and picked up right where we left off 16 years ago. It was easy to forget that she is an icon, named one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century by Life Magazine.

For the better part of two decades, King was synonymous with women’s professional sports. As her tennis fortunes rose, so did those of her sister athletes. Few feminists

have been more signi�icant, and no one in our country’s history has done more to elevate women’s athletics.

Particularly in the 70s, it seemed King was everywhere. Her visage was as ubiquitous as that of Elizabeth Taylor or Richard Nixon or, well, her buddy Elton John. For many she was an acquired taste, because she was like nothing seen before: an unabashedly competitive, highly charismatic female athlete who charged every shot and played to win. She wasn’t afraid to grunt and groan, and she insisted—willed—that the TV cameras be pointed at her (instead of all those men) while she did it. She put on a show.

In 1967, King won Wimbledon’s triple crown, taking the women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles. For the next decade

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Continued on page 29 |  |

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JUST AN OBSERVATION:

Gay humorist David Sedaris will perform live at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and at the King Center in Melbourne Oct. 26 and 27.

Screen Savor BOOKS

Gay humors David Sedaris stops in Florida just as one of his stories hits DVD

G

Lawrence Ferber

AY HUMORIST DAVID SEDARIS

doesn’t grant many interviews, so we weren’t surprised that he wasn’t available to talk about his upcoming appearances at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Saturday, Oct. 26, and the King Center in Melbourne on Sunday, Oct. 27.

But interestingly, the somewhat reclusive observationalist sanctioned a cinematic adaptation of his �irst-person essays, and the result is C.O.G. Comparing a Sedaris story and a �ilm based upon one is like comparing apples to apples. At least when the story takes place on an apple farm.

“There are other things he’s written that would make good �ilms,” shares C.O.G.’s openly gay director, Kyle Patrick Alvarez. “But there was something particular about ‘C.O.G.’ for me. It’s one of the longest things he’s ever written, which is why he never recorded it himself for an audiobook. I also think it’s one of the darker things he’s written.”

GLEE’s Jonathan Groff plays David, a privileged gay East Coast grad student who decides to see how the other half lives by working alongside Mexican migrants on an Oregon apple farm. However, this soul-searching expedition proves a lot less romantic and ful�illing than expected when his best friend bails, and David encounters a slew of mis�its, miscreants, and degenerates including a born-again Christian (Dennis O’Hare) and sexually ambiguous apple packing factory worker (Corey Stoll).

Until now, Sedaris had turned down all offers to adapt his work, in large part due to his family members’ concerns over how they would be depicted (and by which actors).

So how did Alvarez gushes. “He came in with no manage this coup? rehearsal time and he had to spout First, he proved himself with out �ive-page monologues.” a 2009 feature debut, Easier With The low-budget, indie �ilm Practice, based on a �irst person, was shot over three-and-a-half humorous article by Davy Rothbart weeks on location in Oregon, in (originally printed in GQ Magazine). some of the actual places Sedaris’ Rothbart, like Sedaris, is a regular own experiences took place. A contributor to radio show, “This working apple packing plant and American Life.” apple orchard served as locations, That the story “C.O.G.,” culled and Alvarez admits the “cider from 1997’s Naked tome, which smell” of the former could get Alvarez �irst read in high school at quite overpowering. Prior to this age fourteen, did not depict Sedaris’ Alvarez had never toiled on an family members (barring David apple farm as Sedaris had, although he could relate to the hoped-for himself), also helped increase the journey to oneself that drives chance of an okay from the author.

C.O.G.’s central character… and that Finally, his approach was to distance ultimately goes wrong. the �ilm from the story to exist in its “I wanted to subvert that kind own right, rather than just imitate of movie where someone �inds and throw some �lesh on it. himself,” Alvarez admits. “Where “What I learned from [Ryan they might be worse off in the end.

Murphy’s version of Augusten Sometimes you go on a trip or start Burroughs’] Running With Scissors, a job, and have a fantasy of what without saying what I thought about it’s going to be. An idealism and in the movie, is being accurate isn’t the end it ends up nothing like that necessarily being true,” he says. “A and you feel silly that you thought it movie needs to exist in its own way. would elevate you.”

Look at the Harry Potter movies.

Sedaris certainly enjoyed The third is the best and the least watching the results—he accurate to the was present at the �ilm’s books. It’s about Sundance Film Festival staying true to the premiere in January. spirit of the story.”

“He responded In order to reach Sedaris— — KYLE PATRICK ALVAREZ, really well,” Alvarez recalls. “We strayed which, Alvarez REFERRING TO SEDARIS’ REACTION TO A FILM away from Sedaris in admits, proved BASED ON HIS ESSAYS the movie enough to dif�icult through exist in a different way, traditional and professional channels—he did as the but he said it was more surreal than he expected to see something that rest of us would: he went to a book happened to him. As anyone would signing/reading event and waited in feel if someone made a movie and line, a DVD of the just �inished Easier they were a character in it.”

With Practice in hand. Months later, Sedaris’ partner, Hugh Hamrick, Sedaris �inally watched the �ilm, also screened the �ilm and sent liked it, and, sold on Alvarez’s pitch, Alvarez a letter of praise, although gave his approval. sibling Amy has not yet seen it. As Part of distancing the �ilm for reactions from Sedaris’ fans, from the source story entailed Alvarez admits they’ve been mixed. making sure that Sedaris’ onscreen Sedaris’ latest book, Let’s alter-ego didn’t actually resemble Explore Diabetes With Owls, a Sedaris. Indeed, Groff—whom collection of narrative essays, Alvarez wanted for the role after debuted at number one on The seeing in Los Angeles production New York Times bestseller list. of John Logan’s play, Red, opposite Books will be available in the lobby Alfred Molina—looks nothing like Sedaris, nor does he ape the author’s following both shows in Clearwater famously tinny voice or mannerisms. and Melbourne and Sedaris is scheduled to be available for Over the course of raising autographs. |  | production funds, other recognizable thespians, including MORE INFORMATION �ilm legend Dean Stockwell as apple farm owner Hobbs, Happy Endings’ WHO: David Sedaris Casey Wilson, Midnight in Paris’ WHERE: Ruth Eckerd Hall in Corey Stoll, Dale Dickey (True Blood, Clearwater; King Center in Melbourne Winter’s Bone), and the openly gay WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 26 O’Hare (American Horror Story, and Sunday, Oct. 27 True Blood), signed on to create a TICKETS: RuthEckerdHall.com; KingCenter.com character actor dream cast.

“O’Hare’s the best,” Alvarez

“He responded really well.”

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Equality Florida 11.01.2013 Greater Orlando Gala P

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100 South Eola Drive, Orlando Friday, November 1, 2013 8:00 – 11:00pm

BILLY MANES

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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SPONSORS ($7,500 – $14,999)

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celebrating

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investigative journalist and writer for the Orlando Weekly, revered for his brilliant prose and exposés. In 2012, tragedy struck and he lost his partner of eleven years and nearly everything he owned. In the hope that others won’t have to face the trauma he was subjected to due to Florida’s discriminatory marriage laws, Billy has become a brave soldier in the fight to end marriage discrimination in Florida.

Bayli Silberstein is an 8th

grader who made local and national headlines as she fought for the right to form a GayStraight Alliance Club (GSA) in her middle school in Lake County. She has gained the recognition and legal support of the American Civil Liberties Union in her quest to create safe spaces for all students in Lake County and Bayli continues to fight.

Suggested minimum contribution of $100. Sponsorship opportunities

begin at $500. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Equality Florida’s important work. watermarkonline.com

|  | Billie Jean King from pg.23

or so she reigned as the Queen of Women’s Tennis. Eventually she accumulated a record 20 Wimbledon titles and 39 grand slam victories. Her 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” with Bobby Riggs riveted the world.

But more importantly, King translated her accomplishments into important and lasting achievements off the tennis court. She led the effort to establish the �irst women’s professional tennis league, bringing women’s prize money in line with the men. And she was the most vocal and visible advocate for Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that established college athletic scholarships for women.

In 1981, King’s world was turned upside down when a former lover attempted to extort money from her by taking their same-sex relationship public.

With husband Larry by her side, King acknowledged the affair. She has since become an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented her with the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

King shares her life with her partner of almost 30 years, Ilana Kloss, who helps run World Team Tennis. They share homes in New York and Chicago.

WATERMARK: THE LAST TIME WE TALKED YOU WERE A KID...

JUST 53. YOU TURN 70 NEXT MONTH. HOW DO YOU FEEL?

BILLIE JEAN KING: Great. I wish I was thinner, but great. I’ve always had to deal with my weight because I eat too much. But I don’t get my knickers in a twist over it.

I’M 58. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN MY 60S… PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY?

Physically, it de�initely becomes more important to work out. I’m overweight, but I’m also �it. And all the studies say that it’s better to be fat and �it than skinny and out of shape.

Emotionally… that’s where I’m in a much better place. Psychotherapy, good friends, a wonderful relationship… they’ve all played a big role in that. Relationships are everything. It’s so important to keep those strong and meaningful.

That feeling of connectedness is so important. Maybe that’s too girly...

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

You have to be able to identify what you want and need from life. I don’t know about boys, but I think that’s always been dif�icult for girls. And I think it may also be dif�icult for those of us who are gay…especially people in my age group. Most of us hid…it wasn’t fun. When we stopped hiding and stopped being scared, we had to learn how to ask for what we want and need.

THAT SHOULD BE PART OF OUR ACTIVISM.

We are the civil rights movement of the 21st century... I love it! It’s amazing what’s happened in the last several years and how things have accelerated. I think we’re �inally at a tipping point in this country. You talk to young people and they’re like, ‘What’s the big deal?’

I HAVE THREE TEENAGE NIECES WHO LIVE IN CONSERVATIVE CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA. THEY ALL HAVE OPENLY GAY FRIENDS.

ME JUST HOW AMAZING AND GROUNDBREAKING YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN. WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT?

I think they did a good job.

I guess I have had a very interesting life. It’s so weird… especially to look at yourself when you were young. I look at that face, without any wrinkles and that �it body, and then look in the mirror…

YOU HAD INCREDIBLE LEGS, GIRL.

Well… they were strong. People used to comment more on my arms, and that was before I started lifting weights. Back in those days I couldn’t get anyone to help me with that. Can you believe that?

in 1959. And I loved Althea Gibson, Tony Trabert, Ken Rosewall… I can go on and on. I loved them all.

And then there were the women who came right before me… the women I had to beat if I was going to take over. Every generation goes through that. Chris Evert and Martina took the baton from my generation. People in Brazil still talk about her with reverence.

I like to talk about both men and women because I think every single person is an in�luencer. Men should in�luence women, and women should in�luence men. But that’s not how it works. When a guy acts or speaks, he in�luences both men and women. But when a woman does something, the world tells her that it only in�luences other women. I cannot tell you how that irritates me.

THEY USED ARETHA FRANKLIN’S “FREEDOM” AS THE INTRODUCING SONG. I EXPECTED “I AM WOMAN”

BY HELEN REDDY OR SOMETHING MORE BLATANTLY FEMINIST. BUT THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, “FREEDOM” WAS PERFECT.

YOU STARTED PLAYING TENNIS ON PUBLIC COURTS, AND WITH PUBLIC INSTRUCTION…

Aretha is one of my all time favorite

Yes... and those kinds of thing

Men should influence women, and women should influence men.

But that’s not how it works. I cannot tell you how that irritates me.

—BILLIE JEAN KING

It’s important to continue to �ight until we �inish… until we have full equal rights and eliminate all the homophobia that’s still out there. But �inally it feels good.

It feels like we’re on our way.

President Obama has made a huge difference, because he just gets up there and talks about it. He doesn’t putz around, inferring this or that. He just meets it head on… like in his inauguration speech, where he included us so unequivocally. Didn’t that feel great?

WHAT WAS IT LIKE RECEIVING THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM FROM HIM IN 2009?

You know what was really great?

Getting the Medal of Freedom the same day it was awarded posthumously to Harvey Milk.

His gay nephew, Stuart, accepted the award on his behalf. Having the President acknowledge this LGBT icon… heck, just having the president say ‘LGBT’… it was great.

THE PBS AMERICAN MASTERS SERIES JUST BROADCAST A WONDERFUL DOCUMENTARY ABOUT YOUR LIFE. (VIEW IT AT WWW.PBS.ORG/WNET/ AMERICANMASTERS.) IT REMINDED

singers, but there’s more to it than that. The documentary was created by an English production company.

PBS bought it and made some changes for American audiences. I think they �igured it was appropriate because Elton wrote “Philadelphia Freedom” for me and I received the Medal of Freedom… there are a lot of connections to the word ‘freedom.’

WHEN YOU BOIL IT DOWN, YOUR STORY…YOUR STRUGGLES…ARE ULTIMATELY ABOUT FREEDOM.

Well… that’s true for all of us, Tom. Yes, freedom…of choice, to make our own decisions, to govern our own lives. For a lot of people, and for lots of reasons, that hasn’t always been the case. There’s still work to do.

IN THE FILM YOU SAID, “YOU HAVE TO HAVE FIRE IN THE BELLY… EVERY DAY. THAT’S WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION.” AND IN THAT RESPECT, THE CONTRAST BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSORS LIKE VIRGINIA WADE AND MARGARET COURT WAS STRIKING. WHO WERE YOUR ROLE MODELS, AND WERE THEY MOSTLY MEN?

Men and women. Alice Marble was a Wimbledon champion who also won mixed doubles with Bobby Riggs

are in decline. It’s really affecting the health of our nation. Public and school programs keep kids active, and that keeps obesity rates down, and that keeps health care costs down. People don’t consider how scrapping these programs to save money effects the overall health budget.

Despite its reputation, people also forget that 70% of tennis is played in public parks.

I LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM A PUBLIC TENNIS CENTER. I HANG OUT THERE WITH MY PUPPY, AND I TOLD SOME OF THE PLAYERS THAT I WOULD BE SPEAKING WITH YOU TODAY. I WISH YOU COULD’VE SEEN THE WAY THEIR FACES LIT UP. THEY ALL WANTED ME TO SHARE HOW MUCH THEY LOVE AND ADMIRE YOU. MANY OF THE WOMEN PLAYED TENNIS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE. THEY UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH YOU CHANGED THINGS.

That’s great. That means a lot to me.

I’m very lucky.

YOUR DAD WARNED YOU THAT THERE WOULD BE LOTS OF HEARTBREAK IF YOU CHOSE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF TENNIS.

At the time I was number two in

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Long Beach, California, behind my friend Susan Williams. We sat next to each other back in 5th grade, and when she asked me if I wanted to play tennis I said, ‘What’s tennis?’

She said, ‘You get to run, jump and hit a ball,’ and I said, ‘Oh my god… those are my three favorite things.’

Early on I had my sights set on being number one, and I mean in the world. So my dad tried to explain to me that it wouldn’t be easy. He said when you start competing throughout Southern California it’s going to get a lot tougher. And then to go up each level you’ll have to be that much better.

Dad was brilliant in that way. He was preparing me. He wanted me to think it through. And he was right on the money.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR MOM?

She was great, too… but in a different way. I didn’t think [American Masters] gave her enough credit.

Mom was the balancing in�luence at home. My dad was a jock, and my brother, Randy, ended up being a major league baseball player.

The three of us were sports crazy.

Mom loved sports, too, but not to the exclusion of all else… and thank god. If she’d been like us our family would’ve been totally out of whack.

Sometimes I thought she was a little bit of a kill-joy, but when I look back I see that she was fantastic at keeping our emotional balance.

AMERICAN MASTERS SHOWED HOW FANS TURNED ON YOU AFTER YOU WON YOUR FIRST WIMBLEDON IN 1966. THEY SHOWED A CLIP OF ONE BRITISH WOMAN SAYING, “SHE DOESN’T LIKE LOSING, DOES SHE?”… AS THOUGH THAT KIND OF COMPETITIVE SPIRIT IS UNATTRACTIVE IN A WOMAN.

[Laughs] I wish I could’ve won every tournament. But you’re right… they loved me when I �irst started playing. I was bubbly, I was fun, I was going to college and I wasn’t playing full time. And then I got sick of losing. I quit college, and got more focused. Larry and I discussed it at length. He said, “If you want to be number one, you’ve got to get going. Let’s go.” Larry was always supportive… always wanted me to play. I’m not sure that came through in the documentary.

I ENDED UP BOTH LIKING AND ADMIRING HIM. HE SUPPORTED YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, AND DIDN’T SEEM AFFECTED BY THE PREDICTABLE MACHO BULLSHIT

Continued on page 31 |  |

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homophobia is all internal.

I THINK THE HOMOPHOBIA WE GREW UP WITH IS SOMETHING WE’LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES.

|  | Billie Jean King from pg.29

CRITICISM THAT HE WAS ‘MR. BILLIE JEAN KING.’ AND WHEN YOUR AFFAIR WITH MARILYN BARNETT CAME OUT IN 1981. HE NEVER BLINKED. HE SAID HE STILL LOVED YOU AND WANTED TO BE WITH YOU.

Me too. I just don’t want to keep passing it down.

ONE OF THE GUYS AT THE TENNIS CENTER BELIEVES THAT WOMEN SHOULDN’T BE PAID THE SAME AS MEN BECAUSE THEY ONLY PLAY THREE SETS. CAN I GIVE HIM A RESPONSE FROM BILLIE JEAN KING?

He always loved me. He never, ever wanted a divorce. I �irst approached him about a divorce in 1969. He didn’t understand, and I kept going back and forth because I loved him so much. We had great years.

WHEN YOU FIRST TALKED ABOUT DIVORCE, DID YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WERE FEELING?

I really wasn’t sure what I was feeling back then. I was trying to �igure myself out… and also homophobic. So I was stuck... emotionally paralyzed. And I was also in the thick of trying to change things in women’s tennis and women’s sports. I really didn’t have one second of time to re�lect on what I was feeling. When you’re older and looking back, it’s easy to see your journey. But it would be hard to describe just how hectic my life was back then. Everything was happening all at once. It was so tumultuous.

I feel really lucky. I wish I could’ve talked to Larry better, but at the time I just couldn’t go there. It was complicated. I felt really bad, like I betrayed him. But I did share with him that I thought we should divorce.

I HOPE YOU FORGAVE YOURSELF.

I have, slowly but surely. But I never want to hurt people that I love… or anybody for that matter. The very last thing I want is to ever hurt anybody.

THEY WERE DIFFERENT TIMES. I’M NOT SURE PEOPLE IN THEIR TWENTIES AND THIRTIES REALLY COMPREHEND JUST HOW NEGATIVE IT WAS BE THOUGHT OF AS GAY OR LESBIAN BACK IN THE 60S AND 70S.

You’re right… kids don’t understand that. How old were you when you realized you were gay, Tom?

I REMEMBER BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THINKING, ‘THESE ATTRACTIONS ARE PRETTY POWERFUL… AND THEY’RE NOT GOING AWAY.’ AND I REMEMBER THINKING I DARN SURE BETTER KEEP IT TO MYSELF.

Were your parents homophobic?

NO MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR GENERATION. THEY CAME AROUND… JUST LIKE I DID.

LEGENDARY FRIENDS: Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King are co-hosts of Mylan WTT Smash Hits, a fundraiser that will benefit the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. PHOTO BY FRED & SUSAN MULLANE/CAMERAWORK USA

They loved me when I first started playing.

I was bubbly, I was fun, I was going to college and I wasn’t playing full time.

And then I got sick of losing.

—BILLIE JEAN KING

When did you come out to them?

[TELLS COMING OUT STORY.] ON AMERICAN MASTERS YOU SAID THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KEPT YOU FROM COMING OUT WAS THE SAME FEAR THAT I HAD; THAT OUR PARENTS AND OUR FAMILIES WOULD REJECT US. AND YOU WERE DEALING WITH ALL THAT AS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PROFILE ATHLETES ON THE PLANET! YOU WEREN’T OUT, BUT YOU KNEW HOW YOU FELT WHEN THE WORLD WAS RIVETED BY “THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES”— YOUR GROUNDBREAKING MATCH WITH BOBBY RIGGS IN 1973. WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING CLOSETED WHILE THAT WAS GOING ON?

It was dif�icult. [Laughs.] Horrible, actually. You always want to enjoy the moment, and I had many great ones. But I don’t think I ever allowed myself that. I was always the kind of kid that just strives… never good enough. But that’s what makes me go… what drives me to be good enough to win. It’s hard to explain.

ON AMERICAN MASTERS YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD NEVER OUT

ANYONE BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T READY WHEN YOU WERE OUTED BY YOUR FORMER LOVER. IF NOT FOR THAT, WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE COME OUT? I KNOW THE OUTING WAS PAINFUL FOR YOU, BUT ARE YOU GRATEFUL THAT IT HAPPENED ON ANY LEVEL?

I have no idea when I might have come out, Tom. And I agree with you… it was something with two sides. In a way it was a blessing because it accelerated the process for me.

I’M SURE IT DIDN’T FEEL LIKE A BLESSING BACK THEN.

No, it didn’t. And Larry still didn’t want me to leave… even after all that. He dug his heels in for us to stay together.

I hope I would have had the courage to eventually come out, and I hope it would have been sooner rather than later. But back then one of the biggest factors was that I had to make a living. And I didn’t want to hurt women’s professional tennis… we were only in our third year. A lot of people wanted us to

go away, and I didn’t want to give anyone an excuse. I also wanted to make sure that Title IX continued to be strengthened. There were a lot of people involved. It wasn’t as cutand-dried as just me working up the courage to come out. I think people forget that.

AND IT WAS 1981… WAY BEFORE ELLEN AND WILL & GRACE. COMING OUT WAS STILL A PRECARIOUS THING, NOT THAT IT’S EVER EASY…

It was still very dif�icult in the 80s and 90s. It’s really only been in the last decade or so that there’s been this sort of wide acceptance.

IT’S STILL DIFFICULT FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE, BUT BEING GAY DOESN’T CARRY THE SAME BAGGAGE IT DID.

Which is great! That’s exactly what we’re working for and what we want to happen! It’ll be great when people can just sort of acknowledge it and move on.

I know people in their 70s and 80s who to this day won’t come out or introduce their partners. They act as though nothing has changed. The

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Oh everybody says that. People don’t understand. Firstly, no one wants us to play �ive sets… it’s just too much programming. Secondly, you don’t get paid based on how long you play… in sports or in entertainment.

Whether Elton plays a one hour concert or a three hour concert, he gets the same amount of money.

And thirdly, what should change is that the men should start playing three sets. We’re wearing out our top players. Five set matches today are not like �ive set matches back when I played. It’s so much more traumatic on the body.

YOU’RE AN ADVOCATE OF RAISING EVERYONE UP AND ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. AT THE SAME TIME, YOU BELIEVE IN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU COULD RECONCILE THE TWO FOR OUR POLITICIANS, THINGS MIGHT GO A LOT SMOOTHER IN WASHINGTON.

The problem is that some people never get the opportunity to learn about personal responsibility.

For instance, children of drug addicts who never receive adequate parenting are at a serious disadvantage. Not everyone can be born into the same environment, but we ought to work to eliminate the crippling disadvantages. We have to teach kids to believe in themselves. |  | To read bonus content from this interview go to watermarkonline.com.

MORE INFORMATION WHAT: Mylan WTT Smash Hits, an all-star charity event hosted

by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, and featuring Venus Williams and Andy Roddick.

WHERE: HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.

WHEN: 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17 TICKETS: $50-$125 at WTTSSmashHits.com or ticketmaster.com. Tickets to a pre-match VIP Reception and Auction are $500 at 407-574-2599.

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Look Fantastic for Fall 20 UNITS BOTOX FREE ( $240 Value ) With any $500 purchase OFFER EXPIRES 10/31/13

Use now or bank for future use!

Limit 100 free units BOTOX per person. Not combinable with other specials, discounts, coupons, or offers.

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT EVENT PLANNER

QUICK PICKS St. Petersburg The Birds

THROUGH OCT. 27 American Stage 727-823-7529 AmericanStage.org

Winter Garden Alice Lost in Wonderland

The Scott and Patti

OCT. 18-NOV. 3 The Garden Theatre 407-877-4736 GardenTheatre.org

ALLOWEEN REALLY IS THE GAYEST OF

Tribute

holidays, so why not celebrate it with a cabaret-style comedy show at freeFall Theatre? The Scott & Patti Halloween Spooktacular reunites local actors Scott Daniel and Matthew McGee, playing the title characters respectively, as a mother/ son comedy team that mixes improv, music and costumes to celebrate All Hallows Eve on Oct. 31.

OCT. 18-20 Orlando Ballet 407-426-1739 OrlandoBallet.org

Kissimmee Cats

OCT. 11-27 Osceola Center for the Arts 407-846-4642 OCFTA.com

Melbourne David Spade

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

watermarkonline.com.

ST. PETERSBURG

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Orlando

OCT. 17 King Center for Performing Arts 321-242-2219 KingCenter.com

Halloween Spooktacular

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ORLANDO Uncut Cabaret

HE ORLANDO GAY CHORUS WILL BRING ITS BAWDY SHOW, Uncut Cabaret, to the Parliament House Footlight Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. The event will feature solos and ensembles the group wouldn’t dare perform anywhere else. If

this isn’t your style, fear not—you can hear a cleaner version of a more re�ined cabaret on a springtime date to be announced next year.

For tickets to the playful Uncut Cabaret, call 407841-SING (7464) or visit OrlandoGayChorus.org. |  |

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The two are accompanied by Michael Raabe at 11 p.m. for a one-night only performance. A full liquor bar will be in the lobby and reservations are highly encouraged due to the popularity of these two performers and their characters.

Tickets are $20, but you can save �ive bucks if you arrive in costume. Make reservations by calling 727-498-5205 or visit FreeFallTheatre.com. |  |

KISSIMMEE Cats

HE RECORD-SMASHING BROADWAY SENSATION CATS appears to have more than nine lives, and it’s back in Florida again for a run at the Osceola Center for the Arts through Oct. 27. The popular musical brings some of the best-known songs from the stage to Central Florida during a

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two-week run.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber sensation ran for 18 years on Broadway and 21 years in London’s West End, racking up numerous awards along the way.

Tickets are available by calling 407-846-4643 or by visiting OCFTA.com. |  |

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1- GOT JUICE?: The team representing Tropicana is out in full force keeping Sarasota Pride revelers hydrated at J.D. Hamel Park on Oct. 19.

PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

2- IT’S OFFICIAL: Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, right, cuts the ribbon officially welcoming Hamburger Mary’s to Clearwater on Oct. 17.

PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST

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3- WONDERFUL: Jami Gee starts her set at Sarasota Pride with a riff of a Wizard of Oz medley at J.D. Hamel Park on Oct. 19. PHOTO BY STEVE

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4- SOFTBALL BUDDIES: (L-R) Phil Garris, Dan Denoyer and James Turner enjoy each other’s company at Watermark Wednesday Oct. 16 on the patio of City Side Lounge. PHOTO COURTESY PAUL KINCHEN OF

TINKERFLUFF.COM

5- MISTRESS OF CEREMONY: The one-and-only Beneva Fruitville works as emcee during the Sarasota Pride festivities on Oct. 19. PHOTO

BY STEVE BLANCHARD

6- BRAIN TRUST: Locals go gruesome for the Zombie Prom at The Broken Tusk on Oct. 19. PHOTO COURTESY PAUL KINCHEN OF TINKERFLUFF. COM

7- GOOD LUCK TOAST: Hamburger Mary’s franchise partners Brian DeChane and Kurt King have a celebratory toast at the grand opening of Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater on Oct. 17. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 8- MEET AND GREET: Stephanie Shipae, Left, and Hamburger Mary (who looks an awful lot like Kamden Cass) greet guests during the grand opening of Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater on Oct. 17. PHOTO

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COURTESY CARRIE WEST

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OVERHEARD CITY SIDE FOR SALE

I

F YOU HAVE A SPARE $300,000 LAYING AROUND, you could become the owner of one of Tampa’s oldest LGBT bars. City Side Lounge, located on Henderson Avenue near Dale Mabry, is of�icially on the market. The newly renovated bar was home to Watermark’s recent “Watermark Wednesday” fundraising event for the Suncoast Softball League and has been a long-time supporter of several teams within that organization.

While there was no mention of the status of the property during that event, a reader sent us a link to the commercial real estate site LoopNet.com, which plainly shows the 3,100-square-foot

building available for purchase.

No word yet on if there are any pending offers, but here’s to hoping it remains an LGBT establishment regardless of who throws down the cash for new ownership!

A GRAND OPENING

W

E’VE WRITTEN IN THIS SPACE BEFORE ABOUT THE NEW HAMBURGER MARY’S restaurant in Clearwater. But nothing is of�icial until there’s a ribbon cutting, and it’s especially noteworthy when the mayor makes an appearance. Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos was surrounded by restaurant management, investors and a

couple female impersonators to make the of�icial declaration that Hamburger Mary’s is open for business in Clearwater. Cretekos made it to the restaurant located just north of Countryside Mall on Thursday, Oct. 17, to cut the red ribbon. The restaurant is operated by Kurt King and Brian DeChane, who also run the Ybor City location.

BARNES IS A VOICE OF EQUALITY

T

HE ORGANIZER OF SARASOTA PRIDE HAS LONG BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY of Florida’s west coast. But during Sarasota Pride on Oct. 19, it was

revealed that her years of hard work will �inally be of�icially recognized. She will be the 2013 Voice of Equality recipient at the upcoming Equality Florida Suncoast Gala on Nov. 10 held at The Francis. Equality Florida announced the news during the opening ceremonies of Sarasota Pride at J.D. Hamel Park right before Barnes welcomed everyone to the annual festival held downtown near the marina.

Tickets are $100 to the Suncoast Gala and can be purchased at EQFL.org.

READY, SET, DONATE

T

HE SANTA SPEEDO RUN IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, and runners

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

are already registering online and looking for donations. The fourth annual run will return to Ybor City’s Centennial Park on Sunday, Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day. Rumor has it the afternoon run, which is only a mile, will be followed by a beer bar crawl. Nothing motivates you to cross the �inish line like a cold, foamy one waiting in an icy mug, right? Money raised bene�its the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas’ Brighter Seasons for Children charity, and organizers have a lofty goal of $45,000 this year. To register or to donate to your favorite runner, visit ASAPServices.org/ SantaSpeedoRun. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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ORLANDO

1- TICKLING THE IVORIES: Musician Randall Branham entertains guests with his piano and song at Watermark’s Third Thursday networking social Oct. 17 at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park. PHOTO BY BRUCE REYNOLDS WITH TREASURED MOMENTS VIDEO PRODUCTIONS

2- KNIGHT PRIDE: Chelsea Aldrich, vice president of the College Democrats at UCF, promotes equality before a march around the reflecting pond on campus at the inaugural UCF Pride on Oct. 9. PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN

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3- HAPPY HOUR: (L-R) Lori Reavis, Jan Echevarria, and Lt. Col. Lucinda Recor enjoy the food and ambiance of Winter Park’s Alfond Inn for Watermark’s Third Thursdays event. PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN 4- FRIENDS & WINE: Ken Brown (left) and Bob Poe (right) host former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and friends for wine and conversation at a reception Oct. 15 at their home in The Vue, downtown Orlando. PHOTO BY LONNIE THOMPSON 5- NO REGRET: The crew at Steadfast Brand, headquartered in Ivanhoe Village, models their latest tattoo wear on Oct. 20. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEADFAST BRAND 6- SEEING GREEN: It’s stiff competition, but Steven “Lime Daquiri” is ultimately crowned the winner of Mr. Bear Bust 2013 poolside at the Parliament House on Oct. 19. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS 7- NEW BEST FRIEND: Split Endz Salon owner Steve Dorsagno gets some lovin’ from Westen, a Chinese Crested Powder Puff he adopted from Compassionate Canines Rescue on Oct. 19 at his Orlando home. PHOTO BY LONNIE THOMPSON

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8- GETTING IT STARTED: Jenna Tosh, President of Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, and State Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) kickoff Saunders’ 2014 campaign on Oct. 15 at The Abbey. PHOTO BY TOM DYER

OVERHEARD BILLY & ALAN NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY IN DAYTONA

B

ILLY & ALAN, A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF A GAY MAN navigating the system following the suicide of his partner, has been nominated for Best Documentary at the Daytona Beach Film Festival.

The �ilm, which tells the story of writer Billy Manes, was directed and produced by Vicki Nantz.

It was an Of�icial Selection at both the 2013 Global Peace Film Festival and the Ft. Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. It will screen at 1 p.m. on Saturday,

Nov. 9 in Daytona. For tickets, visit DBFF.org.

CONVERGE ORLANDO PARTNERS WITH DISNEY DESTINATIONS

W

ITH A CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $25K, DISNEY DESTINATIONS BOUGHT ITSELF A SEAT AT THE TABLE on the board of Converge Orlando, Inc., Central Florida’s LGBT-inclusive Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Disney will of�icially join at the President’s Level in 2014. “This partnership opens to the door to endless possibilities for LGBT Tourism

to Orlando,” Mikael Audebert, President and Executive Director at Converge doing business as OrlandoGayTravel. com announced on Facebook.

“I have held my tongue back for weeks now...But I no longer can (and I was told IT’S okay to talk about it)! Yes, it is true. Disney through Disney Destinations has become the largest member of Converge Orlando, joining this new & fresh organization at the President Level ($25,000) and thus having a seat on the Board of Directors in 2014.”

An of�icial press release will be shared with the media once its �inalized by both parties, he added.

CAMPAIGN KICKOFF FOR ORLANDO REALTOR

O

WANZIE PULLS HIS LAST BALL AT BINGO!

RLANDO REAL ESTATE AGENT ERIC ROLLINGS, who serves as membership director for the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA), has planned a campaign kickoff in his run for the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District. The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at uOwn Real Estate, 811 N Orange Ave. Rollings, who currently serves the board as an appointed associate supervisor, is Vice President-Elect of Wadeview Park Neighborhood Association.

For more information, call 407-256-2470.

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

A

FTER SEVEN AND HALF YEARS OF HANDLING THE BALLS AT BEACH BLANKET BINGO, which became Bingo Express, which became Bingo With Bawlz, Michael Wanzie called his very last Bingo ball on Oct. 23. Ginger Minj will replace Wanzie as he leaves day-to-day resort operations at Parliament House.

In addition, Doug Ba’aser will host Wanzie’s Trivia On The Rocks. At press time, Wanzie hinted at an announcement of his future endeavors. Stay tuned WatermarkOnline.com for updates. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT’S, REV. DEACON: Team

Watermark is so proud of our own Mark Cady, second from left, who was ordained as Deacon Oct. 19 in the Independent Catholic Church of the Americas and Holy Angels Catholic Community. Also pictured, left to right, are Jacqueline Cady, Bishop William Cavins and Dr. Carlos Archilla.

SAPPHIRE CELEBRATION: Orlando

Weekly publisher Graham Jarrett (right) and his partner Robert Garcia (left) celebrated their 5-year anniversary on Oct. 17.

INTO THE SPIRIT:

BEAR BIRTHDAY: Pinellas

Park massage therapist John Waldorf, left, and pictured with Jim Green at September’s Watermark Wednesday at Quench Lounge, celebrates his birthday Nov. 6.

Spiritfest organizer and Christ the Cornerstone minister of music Melanie Wilkinson, pictured at this year’s Spiritfest, celebrates her birthday on Nov. 3. PHOTO

PHOTO COURTESY PAUL KINCHEN OF

COURTESY PASTOR JOYCE STONE

TINKERFLUFF.COM

Congratulations Bob Baxter and Bob Ferer were married in Brattleboro Vt. on Oct. 2. They have been partners for 35 Years.

Ronnie Fox and William Moss of Tampa celebrate 17 years together on Oct. 24.

Ocoee’s Raul Salinas and Scott Stinson 25 years together this month.

Local birthdays Tampa vocalist David Valentine and Orlando MyOptics sotballer and occupational therapist Sarah Bapst (Oct. 28); Orlando accounting whiz Norm Gentry and Orlando attorney Michael Morris (Oct. 29); Lakeland leather man Jerry Miller (Oct. 30); Orlando stealth artist and green leader Brendan O’Connor, Sarasota HIV/ AIDS activist Michael Kehoe, State Farm agent John Psomas, Tampa Bay Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Shelita Cra-k and Tampa boating

enthusiast Jamie Paul (Oct. 31); St. Pete bear Wendell Wilson and Orlando Diva Invasion’s Peter Gaspar (Nov. 1); Tampa organizing coach and personal assistant Tracy Miller and USF Grad student and retired political activist Rand Snell (Nov. 2); Winter Garden Library Manager August Calabrese and St. Pete Canaan Band singer and pianist Melanie Wilkinson (Nov. 3); Gulfport everyman Daniel Hodge, Massage therapist and framer at Framing of Central Florida Kirk Johnston, St. Pete Pride volunteer Rich Runyan, and St. Petersburg cowboy Winston Haws (Nov. 4); Orlando realtor Cindy Gregory, Orlando Verizon Wireless employee and super dad Ryan Lopez and Paradise Orlando and Savoy co-owner Randall Lambright (Nov. 5); Tampa signing interpreter Steve Hammond, St. Pete Bears founder Grahame Harte, and former TIGLFF programming director Kelly Fry, Equality Florida’s Michael Farmer, Women In Film & Television Florida President Robin Wright, TIGLFF supporter Timothy Thomas and Pinellas Park massage Therapist John Waldorf (Nov. 6).

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. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

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Russia to monitor communications during Winter Olympics

M

OSCOW, RUSSIA | Guys, don’t plan to use Grindr, Scruff, or any other gay “social” app if you’re attending the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi next February.

Athletes and spectators will face some of the most invasive and systematic spying and surveillance in the history of the Games, according to The Guardian newspaper in England.

Russia’s powerful FSB security service plans to ensure that no communication by competitors or spectators goes unmonitored during the Olympics, according to a team of Russian investigative journalists looking into Sochi preparations.

Russia’s system for intercepting phone and web communications, called Sorm, has been updated and expanded for the expected increased communications traf�ic.

Particular attention, according to journalists, has been made to

communication networks in Sochi and will allow agencies to �ilter users by particular keywords.

Ron Deibert, a professor at the University of Toronto and director of Citizen Lab, which co-operated with the Sochi research, describes the Sorm amendments as “Prism on steroids,” referring to the program used by the NSA in the United States and revealed to the Guardian by the whistleblower Edward Snowden.

“The scope and scale of Russian surveillance are similar to the disclosures about the U.S. program but there are subtle differences to the regulations,” Deibert told The Guardian. “We know from Snowden’s disclosures that many of the checks were weak or sidestepped in the U.S., but in the Russian system, permanent access for Sorm is a requirement of building the infrastructure.

Even as recently as the Beijing Olympics, the sophistication of surveillance and tracking capabilities were nowhere near

where they are today.”

While business travelers have been warned, LGBT participants in the games could be put in particular risk. Putin has said that competitors who wear rainbow pins, for example, will not be arrested under the country’s controversial new law that bans “homosexual propaganda.”

However, it is likely that any attempts to stage any kind of rally or gathering to support gay rights will be ruthlessly broken up by police, as has been the case on numerous occasions in Russian cities in the past. Using DPI, or Deep Packet Inspection, authorities can identify, tag and follow all visitors to the Olympics, both Russian and foreign, who are discussing gay issues and possibly planning to organize protests.

“Athletes may have particular political views, or they may be openly gay,” said Deibert. “I think given recent developments in Russia, we have to be worried about these issues.” |  |

ASAP is now offering the first FDA-approved, CLIA-waived rapid Hep C test.

Nike donates $200,000 to LGBT Sports Coalition Staff Report

L

OS ANGELES, CALIF. | Nike really did “Just Do It,” to show support for LGBT athletes and their fans. The corporate giant presented the LGBT Sports Coalition with a check for $200,000 to fund the project’s members. The presentation was held at a Nike Store at The Grove in Los Angeles.

For the last two years, Nike has held the LGBT Sports Summit in Portland, Ore., during the city’s Pride celebration. From this year’s summit emerged the formalized LGBT Sports Coalition, comprised of a couple dozen organizations and individuals dedicated to ending anti-LGBT bias in sports by 2016.

Earlier this year, Nike dedicated the proceeds from its 2013 Be True Line to the coalition. The line of shirts and shoes sold better than expected, according to Robert Goman, chairman of the Nike LGBT Friends Network. Later this year, the Coalition will begin accepting membership applications for new members, and also for projects to fund. You can �ind the Coalition on Facebook. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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Equality Florida 11.10.2013 Suncoast Gala P

R

E

S

E

N

T

S

at

The Francis 1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota Sunday, November 10, 2013 6:00 – 8:30pm

Please join us for this wonderful event that includes 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 Honoree Cindy Barnes.

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Cindy Barnes

Cindy Barnes is a longtime LGBT rights activist who is well-known for her involvement in Sarasota Pride. Cindy has served as Chairwoman for Sarasota Pride since 2010 and was the driving force behind bringing the annual pride festival “out” to the open streets of Sarasota. Cindy also organized the inaugural march of the mile long pride flag across the John Ringling Bridge. Cindy is widely recognized for her deep commitment to advancing the cause of equality and donates a great deal of her time volunteering for LGBT related causes and organizations. Cindy’s work has contributed greatly to the profile of our community in Sarasota and has provided an important platform for LGBT and allied Sarasotans to showcase our collective political power and the broad base of support for equality for all people.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at www.eqfl.org/suncoastgala or (407) 462-9692 Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500. Please contact Row at row@eqfl.org or 305-335-2102 for details.

All proceeds directly benefit the important work of Equality Florida Institute, a tax exempt 501c3 non-profit organization.

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

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MUSIC: THE ESSENCE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

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946 N. MILLS AVE ORLANDO, FL 32802 407.228.8272

Join us as we explore the importance of respect, diversity and speaking out against injustice with A Child of Our Time and Central Florida’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. For more information, visit kristallnacht2013.org

JOHN V. SINCLAIR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR

One of America’s great oratorio societies, the Bach Festival Society has provided Central Florida with world-class musical performances since 1935.

For a season schedule, visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation The Galloway Foundation Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs

OCT. 24 - NOV. 6, 2013 // ISSUE 20.22

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

47

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