Watermark Issue 21.05: Transgender Activism

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YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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Trans ACTION Transgender activists prepare to take on the next civil rights movement

RON

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THE WORKS OF ART DON’T STOP WITH OUR BEACHES. We’re proud to have made The New York Times list of “52 Places to Go in 2014.” St. Petersburg’s cultural reputation is a big reason why. June 28th-29th the city hosts the St. Pete Pride Celebration featuring Florida’s only night-time Pride Parade. Come enjoy our welcoming arts scene and bask in our GLBT-friendly attitude.

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DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE 19 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 25 // IN DEPTH 35 //ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 41 // COMMUNITY CALENDAR 43 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 45 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 46 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 47 // TRANSITIONS 48 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE 53 // SPORTS

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This lawsuit threatens to supplant the clearly expressed will of a supermajority of Florida’s voters with the radical vision of homosexual activists who cannot win at the ballot box.

—HORATIO MIHET, LIBERTY COUNSEL

ON THE COVER

PAGE Michael Keeffe of Tampa

and Gina Duncan of 25 Bay Orlando, leaders in the

transgender community, urge other transgender people to step up and fight for equality in what could be the next great civil rights movement.

Preview

PAGE

38

RUPAUL SNUB: For the first time in the history of RuPaul’s Drag Race, there are no Florida contestants. We take a look at who’s up for Drag Superstar in Season 6.

WATERMARK ISSUE 21.05 //FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE Orlando’s arts community

PAGE Mayor Bob Buckhorn and

MICHAEL JACKOWITZ

GALLERY W

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

Read it online!

SCAN QR CODE FOR

WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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

08

will soon have to say goodbye to Ron Legler, left, who accepted a position in another state; UCF’s Pride Coalition could be over by Feb. 27.

12

the Tampa City Council were honored by Equality Florida at the organization’s Tampa gala; a doctoral candidate is documenting Tampa Bay’s LGBT oral history; more.

PAGE Dr. Michael Jackowitz

37

is both a doctor and a producer, and brought Daddy Long Legs to life at Florida Studio Theatre. He tells us about his double career and why he’s working in Sarasota.

PAGE The Orlando Ballet

at Watermark’s 54 performed Third Thursday social

Feb. 20. Photographer Jake Stevens captured just some of the beauty displayed by the agile dancers in our Gallery W.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

READ WITH GREAT INTEREST THE POINT/ COUNTERPOINT VIEWS of contributors Ken Kundis and Kirk Hartlage with regards to the Sochi Olympics.

Both had compelling thoughts concerning the Olympic Games. I didn’t watch any of the coverage, mostly because I don’t like the winter version of the Olympics.

But to argue that simply not watching on NBC’s networks will somehow send a message doesn’t make sense. Russia doesn’t care if we support NBC and the Olympics are broadcast around the globe on other networks. All we do by tuning out the Olympics here is hurt an American company.

If we truly want to protest Russia’s archaic laws, we need to donate money to human rights groups to help reverse the laws that punish LGBT people. To think that simply changing a television station will have any impact on that country’s lawmakers is just silly.

MICHAEL GREENE VIA E-MAIL

A GLOBAL CRISIS OF PERSECUTION

U

GANDA’S LEADERS CHOSE TO ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE OF STATE-SPONSORED

“Although many claim religion as their reason for persecuting sexual minorities, hate is never a sign of life-giving faith.”

—REV. NANCY WILSON

BRUTALITY AND VIGILANTE VIOLENCE when the ‘Jail the Gays’ bill was signed into law there. Although many claim religion as their reason for persecuting sexual minorities, hate is never a sign of lifegiving faith. We urge all people of good faith and civic leaders to speak out and take action to stop this global crisis of persecution.”

As LGBTQ people in Uganda �lee their homes to avoid being beaten or imprisoned, I call on religious and civic leaders to speak out against this vicious persecution. Persecution and brutality are not cultural differences; these are crimes against humanity!

U.S. Embassies do not make it easy to �ind asylum in the United States, so we are urging members and friends of Metropolitan Community Churches to provide �inancial support to the Refugee & Immigration Project of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. MCC Toronto works directly with the Canadian government, who matches dollar for dollar,

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

watermarkonline.com

to resettle LGBTQ people who are �leeing from persecution.”

NANCY WILSON MODERATOR, MCC

DISCRIMINATION IS BAD FOR BUSINESS

T

HESE BILLS LIKE THE ONE IN ARIZONA ARE BAD FOR BUSINESS, bad for the LGBT community and bad for all Americans.

These bills have nothing to do with faith and everything to do with shameful discrimination.

States that do enact these bills into law will face less investment, fewer jobs and a reputation for standing on the wrong side of history.

With corporations showing they will not stand for discriminatory laws, any state that wants to attract investment, grow their economies or host conventions and major sporting events should dismiss these efforts out of hand.

CHAD GRIFFIN HRC PRESIDENT

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

A

Desk

NTI-GAY LAWS IN RUSSIA PROHIBITING

any recognition of our community. A new law in Uganda, backed by a handful of American evangelicals that puts LGBT people in prison just for being who they are. Arizona legislators passing a bill that would allow discrimination against LGBT people based on so-called “religious freedom.”

It all sounds incredibly depressing. The headlines look like they’re from the early 1950s.

But on the contrary, this is exactly what is needed for the religious right to �inally cease, and real progress to be made in our country and around the world.

As the next generation of the world’s population ages, it’s seeing people and its surrounding communities much differently than the two generations before.

The Us vs. Them

WATERMARK STAFF

mentality is fading.

Take the young Republicans of our country, for example. Nearly half of them now support marriage equality or, at least, think their political party should stop vocalizing opposition to it, according to a POLITICO poll released last year.

Each time the previous generation makes big noise about opposing gay rights, more people �lock to the defense of LGBT people.

It’s going to take those young voters to correct the path of the

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Republican Party leadership. Those in the aging demographic simply don’t have the balls to do it.

This is not an attack on the Republican Party. But there is plenty of shame to be shared among the 35-years-old-and-older members of that party who continue to allow their political views to be hijacked by extremists.

So as lawmakers continue to push through discriminatory bills in attempts to re-invent the same old Jim Crow laws of the past, the upcoming generation of voters and lawmakers are collectively rolling their eyes and becoming more energized to �ix what current lawmakers continue to screw up.

A broader view of all young voters aged 18-29 shows that 81% support the legal rights for gays and lesbians to get married, according to an ABC/ Washington Post poll from last spring. That same poll found that every generation saw an uptick in support for same-sex marriage, meaning support is growing stronger as people age.

The NBA recently signed its �irst openly gay player, and the NFL is about to do the same this year. Polls in both professional sports leagues show support for gay players.

And this week, there are rumblings about the NFL pulling the 2015 Super Bowl from Arizona, something it’s done before.

Imagine, 15 years from now, the conversations parents of either party will have at dinner when their

children discuss learning about the civil rights movements of the 21st Century. The stories of the Arizonas, Kansases, Maines and Tennessees introducing bills that directly defy the constitution simply because leaders don’t like LGBT people will seem as ancient as the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s seems to some people today; or the concept of slavery feels to all of us now.

Every generation has its breaking point. That point where we �inally decide we’re tired of the bullies. The Greatest Generation took the reins of this country after World War II and created an era of economic progress.

The Baby Boomers “survived” sharing classrooms with people of other races.

The Gen Xers showed corporations that technology is the way of the future and of news—not simply daily newspapers and halfhour news reports in the evening— and that diversity in programming is a bene�it, not a death knell.

Today’s Millennials have one of the toughest bullies in history to face: ornery politicians and religious leaders who have an archaic view of the world and are clinging onto fake “values” that were never correct nor necessary.

But with each passage of antigay bills and with every YouTube video depicting a religious leader spewing anti-LGBT bigotry, the next generation is in�luenced to join the �ight for equality.

Duck Dynasty’s ratings are down and The Bachelor lost viewers because the shows’ stars had negative things to say about us.

We may not understand their choice of programming and we may complain about their stumbling, iPhone-induced zombie staggers.

But this generation could very well be our salvation.

And for that, I’m grateful. |  |

This is what’s needed for the religious right to finally cease and real progress to be made in our country.

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CONTRIBUTORS GREG STEMM

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

DR. STEVE YACOVELLI

is Owner & Principal of TopDog Learning Group, LLC, a learning and development consulting firm based in Orlando that provides guidance and solutions in diversity and inclusion. Page 21

DAVID MORAN

is the LGBTQ Services Graduate Coordinator at the University of Central Florida, where he studied Emerging Media. Page 25

Greg Burton, Scottie Campbell, Zach Caruso, Susan Clary, 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

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DISTRIBUTION Debbie Oliver, Phil Garris, Ken Caraway CONTENTS of WATERMARK are protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited article submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Although WATERMARK is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles, advertising, or listing in WATERMARK is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations.

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

7

orlando NEWS

UCF Pride Coalition’s fate may be decided Feb. 27 David Thomas Moran

O

RLANDO | The UCF Student Body Senate plans to decide the fate of Pride Coalition at its Feb. 27 meeting. Depending on the outcome of the Senate’s vote, the LGBT programming arm of UCF’s Student Government Association (SGA) may no longer exist come July.

SGA’s Agency and Department Strategic Planning Board (ADSPB) passed an 8-1-0 motion on Feb. 13 that allows a grievance to terminate Pride Coalition to move forward to the Senate �loor for a vote.

ADSPB oversees the policies and procedures that govern SGA-af�iliated agencies and departments as well as the process for creating or terminating an agency.

A proposal to terminate an agency will not make it to the Senate �loor unless ADSPB, which is comprised of both students and university staff members, gives it the green light.

The grievance to terminate Pride Coalition was originally �iled on Jan. 6 by student body president Melissa Westbrook, VP and ADSPB chair Jacob Kahn, comptroller and activity & service fee (A&SF) Budget Committee Chair Jason Wojkiewicz and speaker of the senate Jaclyn Graham. They cited Pride Coalition’s defunding as the primary reason for seeking termination.

Pride Coalition’s future has been somewhat up in the air since December, when SGA’s A&SF Budget Committee approved a recommendation to cut all of the agency’s funding for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Nicholas Simons, Pride Coalition’s student director, said that ADSPB’s decision to put the question of termination before a Senate vote is not a guaranteed death sentence for Pride Coalition.

“Pride Coalition and SGA leaders will present two options to the Student Body Senate [at the Feb. 27 Senate meeting]. The �irst option retains Pride Coalition as a separate agency in its current structure.

The second option is to terminate Pride Coalition and create a committee to house Pride Coalition under the Multicultural Student Center (MSC),” said Simons in an email to Watermark.

Regarding the second option, Simons said SGA is considering creating a new department that houses the Multicultural Student Center and Pride Coalition as well as LGBTQ Services. There is also a proposal to create a director-level, Social Justice and Advocacy position that would oversee the whole area.

That means even if Pride Coalition’s agency status is terminated, it still may exist but in a different form.

Student Body Vice-President and ADSPB chair Jacob Kahn said via email that SGA leadership, Pride Coalition leadership, and various members of the UCF administration are currently engaged in talks about the future of Pride Coalition.

“Nothing is 100% concrete yet, so I don’t have Continued on page 10 |  |

8

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE: Ron Legler gives a lift to Orlando Ballet artistic director Robert Hill. As interim executive director of the ballet, Legler promises a major announcement as a parting gift to Orlando. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

Orlando’s loss, Baltimore’s gain Cultural leader Ron Legler announces new job Tom dyer

O

RLANDO | There had been rumors, and close friends may have been quietly in the know. But on Feb. 18, when the Orlando Sentinel announced that Florida Theatrical Association (FTA) president Ron Legler was leaving for Baltimore, the news hit the local arts community like a ton of bricks.

“It’s like people were reading my obituary,” a still-stunned Legler says. “There were something like 400 comments on Facebook. I felt like Tom Sawyer peeking in at his own funeral.”

But the incredulity—and outpouring of love and support— should come as no surprise. Since taking over the reins at FTA 13 years ago, Legler has become the handsome, smiling, “can do” face of the local arts community. And an enormous source of pride for the local LGBT community.

“Ron Legler is a man who

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

has revolutionized the way art is experienced in Orlando,” said Metropolitan Business Association and Come Out With Pride president Mikael Audubert.

Since arriving in 2001, Legler doubled Orlando Broadway Series season subscriptions, making a long-

2010, he introduced The Abbey and The Mezz, �lexible performance and event venues that showcased the likes of �ilmmaker John Waters and Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz.

Legler also opened these beautiful downtown venues—designed by his friend Ted Maines—to local non-pro�its.

“We’ve raised over $3 million for different groups,” Legler told the Sentinel. “Some of the biggest fundraising that happens in this community happens there.

I’m super proud of that.”

Legler is a former chair of the Downtown Arts District, a vice chair of the Orlando Fringe Festival, and a board member of See Art Orlando, which recently installed eight sculptures in high-pro�ile public spaces downtown. In 2011, he was named the Orlando Business Journal’s Most In�luential Non-Pro�it Businessman. The following year he was designated Downtowner of the Year by the Downtown Orlando Partnership. And last year MBA honored him with its Debbie

“It’s difficult on a personal level… so many people have done so many wonderful things for me.”

—RON LEGLER awaited new performing arts center �inancially viable. But as a transplant from New York and Miami, he also saw potential in rapidly evolving downtown Orlando.

In 2004, Legler opened Pulse nightclub, an upscale gay bar that demonstrated the viability of what is now the SoDo district. And in

watermarkonline.com

Continued on page 11 |  |

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orlando NEWS

|  | Ron Legler from pg.8 |  | UCF Pride Coalition from pg.8 anything solid to comment on concerning moving forward with Pride Coalition at this time,” said Kahn.

According to the Feb. 14 meeting minutes, ADSPB unanimously agreed to draft a memorandum of intent regarding establishing a safety net for Pride Coalition depending on the outcome of the Senate vote.

If Pride Coalition does retain its SGA-af�iliated agency status, it will still need A&SF funds in order to operate. If it becomes a part of MSC, adequate funding and staf�ing will also be an issue.

The zero-funding of Pride Coalition is not the �irst funding obstacle the agency has faced in its inaugural year. Westbrook temporarily suspended Pride Coalition in November over an allegation of a misuse of funds. The suspension was lifted after representatives from both SGA leadership and Pride Coalition leadership met to discuss the matter.

The dispute was regarding $71.82 that Pride Coalition spent on meals for LGBTQ+ Services coordinator interviews—a new full-time staff position that also serves as the advisor for Pride Coalition. Westbrook claimed the expense violated SGA statutes requiring that Pride Coalition not transfer any of its funds to LGBTQ+ Services while Pride Coalition claimed the expense was relevant because it funded a lunch meet-and-greet for students to get to know candidates who could potentially be their advisor. |  |

Simmons Community Service Award.

Just months ago, Legler stepped in as interim executive director for the Orlando Ballet to help steer the 40-year-old organization through a dif�icult transition.

But in late 2012, Legler found himself caught in a squeeze play. The board at the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts [DPAC] announced that it would disengage from FTA and self-produce shows in the 2,700 seat Disney Theater when it opens this coming fall. A surprised Legler responded that FTA—with 8,500 season subscribers and a contract with Broadway Across America securing exclusive rights to 70% of Broadway tours—would present at a competing venue.

Pressured by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and DPAC donors like Disney ($12.5 million) and the Orlando Magic ($10 million), DPAC offered to co-present shows with FTA for �ive years. But the agreement reduced FTA’s role, and Legler found himself at an unexpected crossroads.

“I thought there would be a natural transition [with the new performing arts center]. I never

thought I’d be leaving,” Legler says.

“But after everything was said and done, it was clear that if I didn’t �ind something locally I would have to �ind something elsewhere. And nothing in Orlando seemed to work out time wise.”

After Legler’s move to Baltimore was announced, some expressed outrage.

“After everything this man has done for our community, no one was able to �ind him a suitable role in the new arts scene dynamic?” Maines shared on Facebook. “Orlando is �inally headed in the direction that Ron paved the way for, and there is no room for him at the table he helped build.”

But predictably, Legler sees numerous opportunities for himself and his partner, Andrew Springer, in Baltimore.

“Now that it’s sinking in, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity,” he says.

He will be president of the 2,300seat Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. Renovated 10 years ago, the 100-year-old theater “would remind you of the biggest and best Broadway halls” according to Legler.

As in Orlando, the renovated

Hippodrome is the centerpiece of a revitalized downtown that suits Legler’s entrepreneurial instincts.

“The �irst thing I did was Google to �ind the best gay real estate agent,” Legler laughs.

And in fact, Legler’s Orlando home sold in a day.

“Sometimes the universe makes things easy,” he says. “But believe me, leaving Orlando is not something that is easy, or that I take lightly. It’s dif�icult on a personal level… so many people have done so many wonderful things for me.”

He and Springer plan a househunting trip to Baltimore in midMarch. They’ll move a month later, and Legler begins work at the Hippodrome May 1.

In the meantime, there’s a going away party at The Abbey on April 1. And Legler hints at a parting gift before he leaves.

“There just may be a major announcement concerning the Orlando Ballet,” he winks.

Yes… this man will be missed. |  |

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tampa bay NEWS

COLLECTING HISTORY: USF doctoral thesis candidate Cyrana Wyker, right, is collecting oral history from Tampa Bay’s LGBT community, which she hopes to digitize and make available to the public via the USF library website. PHOTO COURTESY ABIGAIL GAUTREAU

Doctoral student collects Tampa Bay’s LGBT history Greg Stemm

T

AMPA | University of South Florida doctoral thesis candidate Cyrana Wyker has learned a lot about the LGBT community lately. She is collecting oral histories form LGBT people who have lived through Tampa Bay’s remarkable growth and change the last half-century or so. Some interviews date back to events of the 1950s and 1960s, she said.

“Interestingly enough, the topic of Stonewall didn’t even come up when I interviewed older residents who had lived here while that revolution was happening in New York,” said Wyker , who was born in Key West and grew up in Texas. “I think they were aware of some of those changes as they were happening, but the events didn’t immediately lead to any kind of forward push for gay rights here.”

Wyker has interviewed 15 people ranging in age from 40-85. She said most are men, but she would like to include more interviews from women. She also hopes to include more African-Americans and Hispanics.

Wyker did her undergraduate work in history at USF. Since that time she has obtained two masters degrees, one in women’s studies and one in library and information services. She says her interest in doing an oral history of Tampa Bay’s LGBT community started when she did archival work in the USF library that includes a wide selection of historical information about the local gay community.

Wyker said she was surprised at the lack of fear among gays and lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s.

“Gay bars weren’t ever raided like they were in cities like New York or San Francisco,” said Wyker.

“There are even pictures of women attending lesbian parties or large groups of people in early bars like the Knotty Pine in Tampa. There didn’t seem to be as much fear that a raid might lead to having your name in the paper or other public humiliation.” Wyker said some individuals she has interviewed pointed Continued on page 14 |  |

12

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

THOROUGH REPRESENTATION: City Council members Frank Reddick, left, Charlie Miranda, second from left, Mike Suarez, center, Lisa Montelione, third from right, and Yvonne Yolie Capin, right, join Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn on stage at the Equality Florida Tampa Gala held at The Vault Feb. 22. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Embracing equality Buckhorn accepts EQFL award at annual Gala Steve Blanchard

T

AMPA | Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn made one thing very clear during the Equality Florida Gala held at The Vault on Feb. 22. He’s proud to be mayor of the most LGBT-friendly city in Florida, and he’ll continue making his city a beacon of equality for as long as he is mayor.

The LGBT Rights organization recognized Buckhorn, the City Council and the City of Tampa for its 89% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. That score made Tampa the highest-rated Florida city when it comes to LGBT equality.

When he took the stage, Buckhorn jokingly said that he was happy that his city outranked the city governed by mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, and went on tell a capacity crowd of more than 500 people that he will continue to ensure Tampa is a beacon of equality in Florida.

“It is so great to see a city that is alive, vibrant and is a destination,” Buckhorn said with the rainbow-

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

City Council stood on stage with Buckhorn as he spoke.

“I’m not going to be a mayor of a city that demonizes people based on race, creed, or color or ethnicity colored dome of the SunTrust or gender or the god you worship building across the street visible or who you love,” Buckhorn said through the window behind him. to a round of applause. “I’m proud “Part of that reason is our ability of that �irst place [on the HRC to compete for the best and the MEI]. But more importantly, I’m brightest around the globe and proud of how far this city has make them understand this city is come. Proud of how we share each a place of destiny and hope. That other’s successes.

“Ultimately, 10 years from now, they’re going to look at this time in our history and say this is where Tampa stood up. I can’t tell you what Hillsborough County is going to do. But I can tell you what this city is going to do.”

Equality Florida’s executive director, Nadine Smith, took to the stage after the awards presentation, and talked about the extraordinary — BOB BUCKHORN, TAMPA MAYOR gains for equality in the past 12 months. requires that we celebrate our But she warned that each victory diversity as a strength.” made for equality only fuels those Tampa was the �irst city in �ighting against LGBT equality.

Tampa Bay to pass a domestic “We are winning all over the partnership ordinance in 2012, and country and we should be thrilled was also one of the �irst to offer and we should be proud, but also bene�its to same-sex partners of city employees. Members of the Tampa Continued on page 14 |  |

“I’m not going to be a mayor of a city that demonizes people based on race, creed, or color or ethnicity or gender or the god you worship or who you love.”

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tampa bay NEWS 14

Metro merges with Sarasota’s Comprehensive Care Center |  | Tampa Bay LGBT History from pg.12 to Tampa’s strong connect to organized crime as a surprising reason for the lack of raids.

“Apparently many of the earlier gay bars were owned by the ma�ia who paid the police not to interfere,” she said.

The only exception was during the “Johns Committee” investigations in the early 1960s.

McCarthy-era Florida at the time was searching out groups that might have ties to the communist party.

In state-sanctioned interrogations, the committee interviewed suspected homosexuals, especially in academic circles.

This lead to a number of professors at state universities, including the University of South Florida, being dismissed because the committee accused them of being gay. One professor even attempted suicide as a result.

Most of those interviewed said they were aware of the national movement, but there was little impact on their local lives, Wyker said.

Even Anita Bryant, whose own particular form of bigotry was news in the 1970s, didn’t really register much to those she interviewed.

“I think most people thought she was just a crazy lady with crazy ideas,” she said.

St. Petersburg has had a long and mostly friendly relationship with the LGBT community, she discovered.

“I spoke to the owners of the Wedgewood, which as a 1970s forerunner of the Suncoast Resort and the Flamingo which would come along 30 years later,” she said. “They shared many fond memories of the large crowd at that Wedgewood which included many visitors from other parts of the country.”

Wyker said she’s learned change really began happening for the local LGBT community in the 1980s, when huge numbers of new people from the north moved here. The era before the AIDS crisis were carefree and locals enjoyed beach bars like the Lighted Tree on St. Pete Beach and drag shows at El Goya in Ybor City.

But re�lections on the AIDS crisis are included in her work so far.

“It appears that St. Petersburg reacted �irst and best, partially because people with the disease were not being treated well by local area hospitals and would often give them the most basic care and then dump them back on the street,” said Wyker. “It seems to me that some of the earliest AIDS organizations were created to deal with those issues.”

Wyker hopes her project will be completed by May. Eventually, all of the interviews will be digitized and available for the public to review by visiting the USF library website.

“I think the interviews I’ve had to date show that by and large the gay community in this area has always been pretty well accepted,” she said.

“Of course you can always point to exceptions like the Rhonda Storms controversy. But overall the individuals I have interviewed were very upbeat and hopeful for the future of our community.”

Wyker said she would love to hear from others who have recollections to share for the project. She can be reached by email at cw3f@mtmail.mtsu.edu or by phone at 214-534-3669. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Steve Blanchard

S

t. Petersburg | The respective board of Metropolitan Charities (Metro Wellness and Community Centers) and Comprehensive Care Centers (Community AIDS Network) announced Feb. 14 that they will merge the two organizations as of July 1.

Community AIDS Network is a Sarasota-based nonpro�it organization offering medical and dental care, mental health services and case management.

The move will create additional medical care services that only Community AIDS Network can provide, including a combined reach to at-risk communities while boosting visibility for HIV health care among a broader population.

“You won’t see a lot of change in Tampa Bay regarding the LGBT side of services,” said Chris Rudisill, director of LGBT Community Center Services with Metro. “The Centers will remain active in social and community

programs and services, as well as the development of the state’s �irst LGBT Welcome Center in the Grand Central District.”

The merger will increase Metro’s reach into Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

“We’ve been visionaries in this merger,” said Metro CEO Lorraine Langlois. “Our foresight through this process will provide comprehensive clinical care, support, prevention and LGBT health resources with a combined staff of more than 120 committed specialist in the �ield.”

Langlois has been a part of Metro Wellness and Community Center since it formed 20 years ago within the walls of King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg. Merging with Community AIDS Network just makes sense, she said.

“After 20 years, this is the next step in Metro’s evolution,” Langlois said.

Michael W. Cuffage of Community AIDS Network will remain as the chief executive of the merged organization, which will allow Langlois to minimize

her day-to-day responsibilities and move to a more advisory and strategic role. Priya Rajkumar, VP of Client Health Services, will take over the leadership of the Metro Wellness and Community Centers’ operations. Both organizations are �iscally sound, according to a press release, and no staf�ing changes with either group are planned.

“Together, we’re creating an organization that is better prepared for the vast change currently taking shape in health care and we’re able to strengthen the bonds with needed populations in the areas we serve,” said Cuffage.

The merged organization will serve the majority of the West Central Florida coast including Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. “We’re going to serve our communities even better, providing a full array of wraparound services to many more in need,” Cuffage said.

For more information, visit MetroTampaBay.org. |  |

Alley-Oop for Youth fundraiser bene�itting the Ybor Youth Clinic.

According to organizers, teams will advance through historic sites in Ybor City using a series of clues and completing challenges.

Participants will receive prizes at the fundraiser’s ending reception at the Ybor City Wine Bar

on 8th Avenue.

Registration begins at 1 p.m., March 8, at the Ybor Youth Clinic, 1315 E. 7th Ave., Suite 104. The scavenger hunt begins at 2 p.m.

Team registration is $125 per team through YborYouthClinic.

Health.USF.edu. or by calling 813396-9137. |  |

who stay up late at night �iguring out how to make our lives harder, and they’re not simply going to go away because the winds of change are in our sails, and we’re on the right side of history,” she said. “In fact, in these �inal hours, they’re going to �ight harder than they ever have. They’re going to �ight dirtier than they ever have. So stand up with us.”

Tickets to the annual gala sold out and early estimates put fund raising well beyond the organization’s goal of $225,000. No exact totals had been released as of press time, however.

Also recognized was PNC Bank,

which received the organization’s Business for Equality Award. “PNC has always enjoyed a 100-percent ranking from HRC’s corporate equality index,” explained Ed Lally, Equality Florida’s Central Florida Corporate and Development Manager. “The bank is also a statewide presenting sponsor this year.”

The evening was emceed

by Bay News Nine reporter Trevor Pettiford, who thanked the audience for its tremendous support of equality and shared that he was happy to be among “family” at the event. |  |

Scavenger hunt to benefit Ybor Youth Clinic Staff Report TAMPA | Teams of people will race through Ybor City on Saturday, March 8, searching for clues at various businesses. The scavenger hunters will be a part of Ybor’s |  | EQFL Gala from pg.12

remember in Arizona they’re considering a law that would allow a restaurant or a barber shop or any place of business to say, ‘We do not serve your kind,’” Smith said. “So the backlash is real. The progress is real. And this is the moment to lean in like never before. This is the moment to hit the gas.”

And she told those attending that if Arizona seems like a distant country compared to Florida, they were wrong.

“This is the state where right now we can’t forget we have people

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

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15

state NEWS

Missing FSU student’s death appears to be an accident Staff report

T

ALLAHASSEE | A preliminary autopsy report shows the death of Florida State University student Ryan Uhre appears to have been accidental and he may have fallen from the second story of the building where his body was found.

Uhre’s body was found Ryan Uhre on Feb. 18 in a building on College Avenue in downtown Tallahassee. He had been missing for more than two weeks, after he was last seen leaving a Tallahassee on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2.

Of�icers said they believe he was alone at the time of in the incident and it appears he fell through a window on the second story. Medical examiners said he died from injuries he sustained after falling onto the concrete �loor.

“At this time, it is believed Mr. Uhre was alone when this terrible accident occurred but the �inal report will not be complete until all data is reviewed, including toxicology reports,” the police department said in a statement.

Uhre was a legislative intern and worked also at a call center with one of his fraternity brothers, according to WPLG Local 10. |  |

Tea Party: Crist ‘looks like an AIDS victim’ Staff Report

FORT LAUDERDALE | Tea Party-af�iliated protestors confronted Charlie Crist, candidate for Florida Governor, outside of a book signing in Fort Lauderdale, calling Crist a “commie whore” and shouting that that he “looks like an AIDS victim.”

The group, from the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of the Tea Party Republicans, was gathered outside of a Barnes and Noble Feb. 20. A Sun-Sentinel Broward politics reports tweeted under the Twitter handle @ browardpolitics after the event: “On his way out, one of the Republican protestors called @CharlieCrist a ‘commie whore.’ And that was the most printable comment.”

Crist was at the event signing copies of The Party’s Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat. Shark-Tank.com reported that the protestors continued to shout at Crist that he looked like an “AIDS victim” as he walked toward his car. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Groups fight marriage equality lawsuit Jamie Hyman

M

IAMI | Several anti-gay Florida-based groups �iled a motion to intervene in Florida’s marriage equality lawsuit.

According to court documents, Liberty Counsel represents the groups behind the motion— Florida Family Action, People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality and Florida Democratic League. It was �iled Feb. 25 in the same Miami-Dade court where the marriage equality lawsuit was �iled. Florida Family Action is a partner group of Florida Family Policy Council, run by notorious anti-gay activist John Stemberger.

“It’s not surprising and it doesn’t change anything,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida.

“Their theatrics are irrelevant to the situation. We remain focused on getting our day in court and standing up for our spouses and our children.”

The Equality Florida Institute is also listed on the original marriage equality lawsuit as a plaintiff.

Equality Florida (EQFL) is the state’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBT community through lobbying, grassroots organization and education. Equality Florida Institute is EQFL’s sister organization, a non-for-pro�it that educates the public, elected of�icials, and businesses about issues of importance to the LGBT community.

According to court documents, the motion to intervene is closely tied to defending Amendment 2, Florida’s constitutional ban on marriage equality approved by voters in 2008.

The motion claims that if marriage equality is granted in Florida, it “will infringe upon the constitutional and statutory rights of Intervenors and their members to free speech, free exercise of religion, and other rights attendant to operating businesses and nonpro�it organizations in accordance with the de�inition of marriage as currently memorialized in the Florida Constitution.”

The original lawsuit was �iled in January against Miami Dade County Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin after Ruvin refused to grant the six plaintiff couples marriage licenses.

The Feb. 25 motion claims that as a plaintiff, Ruvin does not adequately represent the interests of the parties attempting to intervene.

“Accordingly, the Clerk has no stake in preserving and protecting the underlying societal norms and social good attendant to the de�inition of marriage, nor does the Clerk have any stake in safeguarding the citizens’ voting rights,” the motion reads.

Finally, the motion argues that the requested intervention would not unduly delay the lawsuit proceedings.

“This lawsuit threatens to

disenfranchise millions of Floridians who voted to af�irm natural marriage and to supplant the clearly expressed will of a supermajority of Florida’s voters with the radical vision of homosexual activists who cannot win at the ballot box,” said Horatio Mihet, Liberty Counsel’s Senior Litigation Counsel, in a media release.

A 60% majority was needed to approve Amendment 2. Just 62% of voters approved the measure.

“This is just more indication of how shrill and desperate their arguments have become,” Smith said. “We remain con�ident that the real harm that’s been done to our family and the consequences of discrimination will be cleared in a court of law and that our rights will be protected. The bottom line is we’re still on our path to having our day in court.”

The original lawsuit �ighting for marriage equality was �iled Jan. 21 in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, challenging that Amendment 2 and other Florida laws banning marriage equality, are unconstitutional.

The legal team representing the plaintiffs is made up of law �irm Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, attorney Elizabeth F. Schwartz, Orlando attorney Mary B. Meeks and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).

The plaintiffs are all Miami-Dade County-based couples. |  |

Gay candidates sign spray painted with anti-gay slur Samantha Rosenthal GAINESVILLE | Someone spraypainted an anti-gay slur onto a campaign sign for Helen Warren, an openly gay candidate for the Gainesville City Commission.

The vandalism was found Feb. 13 on a sign placed outside of a Warren supporter’s house. The word “DYKE” was sprayed in black over the blue and white campaign sign. The homeowners �iled a police report.

Warren, who is a realtor with Prudential Trend Realty and is running for Gainesville City Commission At-Large Seat 2, will be the �irst lesbian on the Gainesville City Commission if elected. She’s

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

already been an active member of Gainesville’s political community for several years, working toward environmental and wildlife protection and for LGBT equality.

“It’s just a re�lection of how there are some people who are fearful of the LGBT people and their rights in this community,” Warren said.

The homeowners also had their mailbox broken. Mallory Wells, with Equality Florida, posted about the vandalism on Facebook and said “this kind of hate and intimidation is unacceptable.”

Warren said that despite the incident, the homeowners did replace the vandalized sign with a new one. |  |

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TARGETED: A sign endorsing Helen Warren, an openly gay candidate for the Gainesville City Commission, had the word “DYKE” spray-painted on it by unknown assailants. If elected, Warren would be Gainesville’s first openly lesbian City Commissioner. PHOTO COURTESY EQUALITY FLORIDA

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opposes abortion and marriage equality. The group says the proposal is needed to protect against increasingly activist federal courts and simply clari�ies existing state law, and derides what it calls “fearmongering” from its opponents.

“The attacks on SB 1062 ... represent precisely why so many people are sick of the modern political debate,” CAP President Cathi Herrod said.

Similar religious protection legislation has been introduced in Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Oklahoma, but Arizona’s plan is the only one that has passed. The efforts are stalled in Idaho, Ohio and Kansas. |  |

Uganda tabloid prints list of ‘top’ homosexuals Wire Report KAMPALA, UGANDA | A Ugandan newspaper on Feb. 25 published a list of what it called the country’s “200 top” homosexuals, outing some Ugandans who previously had not identi�ied themselves as gay one day after the president enacted a harsh anti-gay law.

Many of those named fear violence, and some want to leave the country, said prominent Ugandan gay activist Pepe Julian Onziema, who was identi�ied in the list.

“They are scared and they need help,” Onziema said. “Some want to leave the country and they are asking to be helped. Some of the employers have read the paper, and from the descriptions they can tell who these people are.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the Feb. 24 signing of the bill by President Yoweri Museveni marked “a tragic day for Uganda and for all who care about the cause of human rights” and warned that Washington could cut aid to the government of the East African nation.

The Red Pepper tabloid

published the names—and some pictures—of alleged homosexuals in a front-page story under the headline: “EXPOSED!” Uganda’s new anti-gay law punishes gay sex with up to life in jail, and the penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” is reduced from death to a life sentence. First-time offenders also face life in jail.

The offenses of “promoting homosexuality,””conspiracy to commit homosexuality” as well as “aiding and abetting homosexuality” are punishable with a seven-year jail term. |  |

Michigan’s gay marriage ban going to trial Wire Report DETROIT | Michigan’s nearly decade-old ban on gay marriage went to trial Feb. 25, with two weeks set aside for testimony from experts about whether there’s a legitimate state interest in restricting marriage to a man and a woman.

Same-sex couples poised for a favorable ruling last fall had lined up for marriage licenses across Michigan, only to be stunned when U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said he wanted to hold a trial. Since then, judges in Utah, Oklahoma and Virginia have struck down bans on marriage equality.

In Michigan, two Detroit-area nurses are challenging the state’s ban, which was approved by 59% of voters in 2004. They sued in 2012 to try to overturn a law that bars them from adopting each other’s children, but the case was expanded at Friedman’s invitation to include same-sex marriage.

“If marriage is a fundamental right, then logic and emerging Supreme Court precedent dictate that the legitimacy of two adults’ love for one another is the same in the eyes of the law regardless of sexual orientation,” attorneys for April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse said in a court �iling last fall.

They argue that Michigan’s

constitutional amendment violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, which forbids states from treating people differently under the law.

The state attorney general’s of�ice, meanwhile, is defending the 2004 election result.

The plaintiffs seek to bar the testimony of one Mark Regnerus, a sociologist who, in 2012, published a study in a University of Central Florida academic journal that claimed children of gay parents are worse off than their peers. His study has since been widely discredited as “junk science” speci�ically designed to justify discrimination against LGBT people and their families. |  |

MEN BANNED FROM BECOMING QUEEN IN THE U.K. Civil servants in England and Wales have drawn up a list of scores of statutes and regulations dating back as far 1285 to be amended or specifically excluded when the Government’s Same-Sex Marriage Act comes into force March 29. The order makes clear that the legal effect of same-sex marriage does not apply to the rights of anyone “who marries, or who is married to, the King Regnant, to the title of Queen,” and any potential future husband of the Prince of Wales could not be called Princess of Wales.

GOP ENDORSES RIVAL OF MINNESOTA MARRIAGE EQUALITY BACKER Wright County Republicans on Feb. 22 endorsed Eric Lucero for the State House District 30B, bypassing David FitzSimmons after he voted in favor of marriage equality. Minnesota Family Council supported Lucero, claiming FitzSimmons ``betrayed’’ his constituents. FitzSimmons, a first-term House member, said he stands by his decision about same-sex marriage, even if it costs him his seat.

KANSAS TEA PARTY GROUP RENEWS PUSH FOR ANTI-GAY BILL A Wichita-based tea party group has launched an email campaign urging its members to pepper state lawmakers with messages in support of a bill that allows service refusal to same-sex couples on religious grounds. Craig Gabel, leader of Kansans for Liberty, sent a message addressed to ``conservative activists’’ asking them to contact senators who refuse to allow a vote on a house bill dubbed the Kansas Religious Freedom Act. The bill easily passed the House but was put on hold in the Senate.

nation+world

P

HOENIX, ARIZ. | Republican Gov. Jan Brewer faces intensifying pressure this week from CEOs, politicians in Washington and state lawmakers in her own party to veto a bill that would allow business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to deny service to lesbians and gays.

Senate Bill 1062 has set off a political �irestorm since the Arizona Legislature passed it on Feb. 20, with critics denouncing the measure as blatantly discriminatory and embarrassing to the state.

The chorus of opposition has grown each day, and three state senators who voted in favor of the

bill changed course and said they oppose it. U.S. Sen. John McCain asked Brewer to veto the measure, as did Apple Inc. and the CEO of American Airlines Group Inc. Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney encouraged a veto through Twitter.

State Sens. Bob Worsley, Adam Driggs and Steve Pierce sent their letter urging a veto just days after they joined the entire 17-member Senate GOP caucus in voting for the bill.

Worsley said, “I feel very bad, and it was a mistake.”

Brewer has until Feb. 28 to sign or veto the bill.

The bill is being pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP), a social conservative group that

IN OTHER NEWS

NEWS

Pressure mounts over Arizona discrimination bill

VIRGINIA DEL. MARK SICKLES COMES OUT Mark D. Sickles, a delegate from Fairfax, has become the second openly gay member of the Virginia state legislature. In a Feb. 21 Washington Post opinion column titled, ``A marriage ruling that counts me in,’’ Sickles said the Feb. 13 decision by a federal judge in Norfolk who ruled Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and recent comments by some House Republicans contributed to the timing of his announcement.

GAY COUPLES OBTAIN ILLINOIS MARRIAGE LICENSES Nearly 50 same-sex couples received marriage licenses from the Cook County clerk’s office on Feb. 21 after U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled that Illinois’ original ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. The ruling applies only to Cook County, where Chicago is located, and is effective immediately, even though a state law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect on June 1.

U.S. GROUP SEEKS TO SPREAD RUSSIA’S ANTI-GAY LAWS WORLDWIDE Two longtime anti-gay activists, Massachusetts-based evangelical lawyer Scott Lively and Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, on Feb. 21 announced the formation of a coalition that will seek to persuade more countries around the world to follow Russia’s example in passing laws that restrict gay rights. ``The Russians have demonstrated the high value that they place on their children and the natural family model of society,’’ the newly formed Coalition for Family Values said. ``We believe that God will bless the Russian people for their faith and courage.’’

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guestcolumn

Steven R. Yacovelli, Ed.D.

EN

N

G

O

IN

O

We all are born to a certain time period that shapes our perspective. My race (white) shapes my experience, as does my ethnicity (Italian-Polish with English and Native American sprinkled in). Each person has multiple facets of their diversity that makes them beautiful individuals, and there are a wide variety of ways in which we understand who we are as individuals and help others understand us.

We all strive for people to be open to see things from our perspective, treat us fairly and equally, and not judge us based upon what is “seen” on the surface.

With that being said, one of my identi�iable aspects of diversity is being gay. With greater visibility on trans issues of late, the question begs to be asked: should we group transgender equality (“T”) with lesbian, gay, and bisexual equality (“LGB”)? After all, “LGB” all focus on sexual orientation—who we’re attracted to physically and emotionally—while “T” has to do with self-identity related to gender and how gender is expressed.

Some say that we (as an equality movement) have confused matters by grouping “T” with “LGB,” speci�ically

We need broader awareness of the distinct needs of our brothers and sisters in this fight for fair treatment, and each group has some homework to do.

P

learning and development for over 20 years, I’ve created and delivered plenty of online and face-toface training programs on a wide range of topics, including gender identity and gender expression.

LGBs get something wrong; just nicely correct us.

And as an extra note to everyone, please understand the perspective of our “B” (bisexual) brothers or sisters, too. It’s not a “stop on the way to Gayville or Lesbiantown.” I think gays and lesbians tend to marginalize our bisexual friends as we do our transgender friends.

All of us need to spread our understanding of all facets of the LGBT community to others to gain greater knowledge on our community as a whole and reduce misconceptions.

So what should our “label” be?

Personally speaking, I like using “LGBTA”: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and alternative or allies.

This to me seems to be a greater umbrella term for our community and those who support our �ight for equality, understanding, fairness and respect.

Or better yet, simply use “human.” |  |

S

S A CONSULTANT IN

need broader awareness of the distinct needs of our brothers and sisters in this �ight for fair treatment, and each group has some homework to do.

LGBs must try to truly understand the perspectives of our trans brothers and sisters. Don’t use derogatory terms when talking about them, and be open and respectful to their needs and desires to be understood.

Start by knowing that it’s “transgender” not “transgendered,” just like it’s “gay” not “gayed.” And “tranny” is a really distasteful term, don’t use it.

Ts must help others understand where you’re coming from, but also have patience when we ask you to explain (probably for the 1,000th time) your experience learning about your own gender identity. Yes: LGB folks and T have some similar perspectives and experiences, but LGB folks might need some extra coaching on all the issues you have and continue to face that are different. Be patient but help us learn, too. Don’t get mad when

O

A

To “T” or not to “T”

because of the “sexual orientation vs. gender identity and expression” de�inition difference. According to the American Educational Research Association, the term “LGBT” didn’t come into use until around 1988.

Some say that this inclusivity has lead to much confusion among the mainstream and thus “crippled” the advancement of LGB equality.

On the other side, some argue that “LGBT” encompasses all those in society who “violate gender norms.”

LGB people “bunk the system” with same-sex attraction, unlike the “norm” where you should be attracted to the opposite sex only. Transgender people “bunk the system” further by self-identifying their gender and/or expressing based upon their feelings and thoughts versus their sex assigned at birth or to whom they are attracted.

This is the critical common thread we all share.

There are a few other area where we are more alike than different.

Coming out, for example. LGBTs are all classi�ied as gender minorities by sociologists. That results in “minority stress,” which includes external stressors like facing prejudice and internal stressors of hiding who we truly are.

We also all own the issue of marriage equality. There have been strides, but that progress has created inconsistancies. Transgender people see inconsistent laws across the nation which leave them open to immediate invalidation.

And workplace discrimination is something all LGBTs must worry about.

We’re all vulnerable based on who we are. While some organizations have moved to include transgender as part of their non-discrimination policies where sexual orientation may already exist, there’s still way too many organizations out there that can easily �ire us for simply being who we are.

It’s things like Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA) that will universally protect us in the workplace and provide us with the equal treatment in the workplace we deserve.

Openness and inclusion should be part of who we as an LGBT community.

My personal hero is Benjamin Franklin (partly by growing up in the Philadelphia area). He wonderfully said during the early days of our nation building, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

We’re a community, and we are all trying to get others to understand our individual facets of diversity and see us equally and treat us with respect without bias.

To “hang together” and leverage the strength of our commonalities (versus �ight about what makes us different) we

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86

TALKING POINTS

Thanks to @SeanSavesWorld actors & crew & @NBC for a wonderful opportunity.

%

Looking forward to Obama’s minimum wage increase to $10/hr.

—SEAN HAYES’ TWEET UPON LEARNING HIS SITCOM HAD BEEN CANCELLED

OF PLAYERS

ELLEN PAGE’S COMING OUT WAS NOT ARBITRARY

POLLED

W

HEN ELLEN PAGE ANNOUNCED FEB. 14 THAT SHE WAS GAY, the audience at the Time to Thrive event hosted by HRC was surprised and awed that she chose to share the news so publicly.

But according to Michael

IN THE

NFL SAY THEY

WOULD BE

OKAY WITH A

GAY —ESPN.com

CO-FOUNDER QUITS GOPROUD

N

O, THIS ISN’T A REPEATED NEWS ITEM. This time it’s the other co-founder of the LGBT Republican organization that has quit. Chris Barron announced his resignation Feb. 19, saying that he cannot “in good conscience sit by and watch as the current leadership of the organization disingenuously pawns off an unconditional surrender to the forces of bigotry as some sort of ‘compromise.’” The news came a day after the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) announced GOProud would attend CPAC for the �irst time in its history. GOProud’s other co-founder, Jimmy LaSalvia, resigned from in January. Barron explained that while CPAC is “welcoming” GOProud, it is not letting the group be a sponsor or man a booth. |  |

Cole-Schwartz, director of communications for HRC, the Juno star planned to make that announcement all along.

“It was her idea,” he told People. “She came to do it in a place where youth-serving professionals were gathered, and a place where she could

GAY CHARACTER TO JOIN VAMPIRE DIARIES CAST

I

F YOU’RE STILL FOLLOWING THE EVOLUTION of what it means to be a vampire these days, you’ll be thrilled to know that a gay character is set to join the cast of Vampire Diaries on the CW. Kevin Williamson, the openly gay creator of the show, said he always wanted a gay character on the series. Chris Brochu will play Luke, a gay student at Whitmore College who befriends the girls of the cast. While the role of the new character is under wraps, Williamson said Luke’s story isn’t a typical coming out teen spin. The character has a purpose to the storyline of the season.

The handsome, young actor tweeted that he is excited to join the cast. |  |

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

have the most direct and profound impact on LGBT young people.” After her announcement, the 26-yearold actress received tweets of support from celebrities and fans alike. |  |

ELLEN TAKES ON THE OSCARS FOR A SECOND TIME

O

N MARCH 2, THE WORLD WILL BE TUNED INTO ABC to see who wins what in the annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. But really, we’re tuning in just to see how fabulous Ellen DeGeneres does as the host. This will mark the second time the comedian and talk show host has taken the reins of the awards show, which will no doubt give her a chance to talk about marriage equality, Russia’s antiquated laws and poke fun at some of the biggest celebrities on the planet. We know you were probably already aware of her hosting duties this year, but we didn’t want you to forget. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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IN DEPTH

STANDING TALL: Trans

activists Michael Keeffe and Gina Duncan encourage other transgender people to stand up for their rights.

TRANSGENDER ACTIVISM

PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

Taking

CHARGE

Transgender activists: ‘Time to step up for our own advocacy’

I

David Moran

N THE 1950S AND 1960S, THE

United States saw a cultural shift in its approach to civil rights. African-Americans and their allies �inally stood together and demanded change. The movement killed segregation, ignited debate about interracial marriage and helped pave the way for equality among races in the United States. Some argue that battle is still continuing.

In 1969, the gay rights movement took off after the Stonewall Riots. Forty�ive years later, same-sex couples can legally wed in 17 states (and counting) and more government agencies are granting domestic partnership bene�its.

But there’s a segment of society that has patiently waited in line for its turn to �ight for equality. And that time could be now.

Transgender Americans are �inally getting noticed. But that battle for equality could be a good decade or two behind the

gay rights push. Has the gay community left the transgender community behind, or are the two linked communities actually separate, �ighting very different battles?

Marriage equality has been in the headline for a decade or more and is the rallying cry for equality among gays and lesbians. But transgender people typically see much different issues as pressing— many of which mean the difference between life and death. Anti-transgender

Continued on page 28 |  |

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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|  | Trans Activism from pg.25

violence, economic inequality, health care access restrictions, restroom obstacles and legal documentation are just some of the concerns facing transgender people daily.

Local trans leaders and activists in both Orlando and Tampa now say that the time has come for the trans community to take charge of its own advocacy. But not everyone agrees on whether the LGB and T should become separate movements or continue to work together.

TRANSPHOBIA IN FLORIDA’S GAY COMMUNITY

Michael Keeffe, executive director of Trans*Action Florida, is a lifelong resident of Tampa Bay. He said he has mixed feelings about including transgender issues within the gay and lesbian battle for equality.

“It is dif�icult because there are pockets within the gay and lesbian community that are very supportive and have been educated [about trans issues],” said Keeffe.

“I would say that in Tampa Bay, in particular, [transphobia] is not a big issue on a certain level. We have Equality Florida which is very inclusive of trans issues, but I would say on a day-to-day basis in everyday life, there is still a lot of transphobia from the gay and lesbian community.”

Keeffe, who has headed the only state-level trans advocacy group since 2009, said that a majority of the time the discrimination appears to be directed at trans women.

“There are still gay bars and gay establishments that aren’t especially welcoming to trans women,” said Keefe. “I hear stories from people all the time that when [they] go into an

KNOW THE

establishment, they are not served immediately, they are overlooked or even asked to leave. They’ve been accused of being sex workers when they just walk in somewhere to have a drink.”

Alaine Jolicoeur, a senior at Rollins College in Winter Park, believes the gay and lesbian community is not and has never really been inclusive of trans people.

Her story of “Becoming Alaine” was recently pro�iled by Rollins Magazine on its Fall 2013 cover.

“The the way we label venues— the gay club, the lesbian bar— there’s already been a division since the beginning,” Jolicoeur says. “Even with the name [of the movement], we call it the gay movement.

So clearly you have removed everyone else.”

Both Keeffe and Jolicoeur selfidentify as heterosexual.

Wec, on the other hand, selfidenti�ies as a gay, trans man. He lives along the I-4 corridor and asked that his identity be kept anonymous for this story. He said that the gay bars he has been to are only slightly more accepting than “straight” or “mixed” bars.

“I’d say that I’ve experienced [transphobia] in the form of invasive questions involving physical, body parts—asking to have my ID shown by a random guy, or being asked to pull my pants down to ‘prove’ I’m a guy,” says Wec. “This is probably because I don’t pass as male 100 percent of the time. I get asked what my gender is about half of the time. Sometimes, it seems that people are looking for the answer they want to hear—or think is true—and tend to resort to biological essentialism. That still doesn’t make the public inquiry of ‘pull down your pants’ any more comfortable.”

Keeffe says there is shift away from terms like “passing” to

TERMS 28

describe trans-lived experiences, but that a person’s “passability factor” may affect how they are treated or even targeted for discrimination or violence in both gay and straight spaces.

“For me, taking testosterone, unless you know me personally or I choose to tell you, you cannot tell that I was [female-assignedat-birth] and that’s not always the case for [some trans individuals],” says Keeffe.

Depending on where someone is in their transition, he adds, he or she might still display physical characteristics that society generally associates with being male or female, which could potentially out a person as trans and put them at risk. Many trans individuals cannot afford to take hormones or undergo gender af�irmation surgeries.

Others choose not to because they identify as gender non-conforming or non-binary.

Wec said that this is sometimes a challenge that he faces.

“I understand that I don’t pass 100 percent of the time, because of where I am in my transition,” Wec says. “However, being reminded that I’m trans is uncomfortable.

It’s especially jarring when I’m not thinking about it, and then it comes to the forefront. Little minor things get nitpicked at—like a high pitch [in my voice], or perhaps that I’m a little scrawny in comparison to cisgender men.

“It’ll be pointed out, ‘Well, I think you’re a girl because of this one minor giveaway...’ and it’s only one little thing, but the fact that certain people try to ‘get me to realize’ that my physical body isn’t biologically male is insulting. I’m painfully aware of it.”

Keeffe also emphasizes that someone’s gender identity is about much more than genitals, sex-

Gender Identity

Sexual Orientation

Gender Expression

Your gender identity is your intuitive sense of who you are, in terms of gender. It can incorporate how you want other people to see you, how you relate to others, and how you see yourself.

The pattern your sexual attraction takes based on gender.

In other words, sexual orientation is about the gender of the people you tend to find sexually attractive.

The visual, interpersonal, and behavioral methods that people use to express their gender identity. This can include personal grooming, clothing, body language, vocabulary, intonation, vocal pitch, and other behaviors.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

SEEING DIVISION: Rollins College senior Alaine Jolicoeur is not convinced that gays and les are inclusive of the transgender community or trans activism. PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT COOK/ROLLINS COLLE assigned-at-birth or physical traits.

He said it is up to every individual to self-de�ine and determine his or her own gender identity. Unfortunately, many people, including gays and lesbians, fail to understand that.

GENDER IDENTITY/ EXPRESSION ≠ SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Gina Duncan, who lives in Orlando, said she has not experienced transphobia in the gay and lesbian community �irsthand. But she sees how there might be animosity towards trans individuals due to a broader lack of understanding regarding gender identity and expression.

Duncan is a member of Equality Florida’s Board of Directors and is currently developing a trans-inclusion training program called “Transgender Dynamics in the Workplace.” She holds the distinction of being the country’s �irst openly trans president of

Gender Non-Conforming Anyone who does not fit neatly into a gender role. Sometimes this is used to suggest that there is something wrong with people who do not fit gender roles. There is not.

an LGBT Chamber of Commerce (Orlando’s Metropolitan Business Association) and her own journey of transitioning was featured on the cover of Watermark in May 2011.

“There is large misunderstanding in reference to your sexual orientation versus your gender identity. Many people in the gay and lesbian community still think in terms of the binary,” says Duncan.

“There were many times working on the Board of Directors of the MBA where someone would say, ‘Well, we’re all gay here’ and I would say ‘Well, I’m not.’ I would still get looks of confusion from board members. People thought since I had transitioned, I was gay.”

Keeffe agrees with Duncan in that it is important to understand that sexual orientation and gender identity are two separate things.

“Orientation does not change [when you transition]. I was a female-bodied person [or femaleassigned-at-birth] who is attracted

Transgender

Trans

Transgender people have a gender identity or expression different from the one they were assigned at birth or are expected to exhibit in adulthood.

Is an umbrella term derived from a contraction of “transgender” or “transsexual.”

The prefix “trans” can mean beyond, across, between, through, transcending, or changing.

Many trans people have a gender identity that is different from the one they were assigned at birth. Some people identify as trans if their gender expression is different than what is expected for their gender.

watermarkonline.com

sbians

EGE

HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Ashley Brudnage, left, and her wife, Whitney, are pictured at the Equality Florida Tampa Gala Feb. 22. The couple recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD to females,” Keeffe explains. “That hasn’t changed, my gender identity has changed whereas I’m still female-bodied but I now identify as male so I’m a male who is attracted to females. That makes me heterosexual.”

Keeffe further explains that gender expression is also different from gender identity and sexual orientation.

“My gender expression is how I choose to let you see me,” he says.

“One way that I recently have put it is that gender identity is what I say I am. Gender expression is how I show you what I am. The orientation doesn’t change.”

Jolicoeur said she thinks that until the gay and lesbian community takes issues of gender identity and expression more seriously, transphobia is going to continue to be a problem.

“I think transphobia is a soulsearching, re�lective process,” Jolicoeur says. “It’s not so much

about fear. It’s about being in someone else’s shoes and understanding what they are going through...the courage that it takes to be who they are...the courage that it takes to challenge the status quo and

Gay men and lesbians need to look inwards and question the labels and stereotypes they perpetuate,” Jolicoeur says. “I think transphobia exists, �irst, within the gay and lesbian community and has

“This is why I advocate for my generation, for the trans community, to be its own thing because this is how it is supposed to be,” Jolicoeur says. “We can no longer stand in the back of the margins, especially when we are dealing with intersexionality.

You throw socioeconomics in there.

You throw race in there. You see a stark contrast between access to resources and no access to resources. It’s just very dif�icult for some and much easier for some.

“At the end of the day, marriage equality might be an important thing for a gay couple. For a trans person, it’s economic equality—the fact that we have some of the highest numbers of unemployment and some of the highest numbers of discrimination.”

The “Transgender Dynamics the Workplace” training that Duncan is developing for Equality Florida seeks to speci�ically address the economic equality issue Jolicoeur mentions.

Duncan, however, still thinks it is important for the trans community to continue to work together with the gay and lesbian community—as does Keeffe.

Marriage equality might be an important thing for a gay couple. For a trans person, it’s economic equality.

—ALAINE JOLICOEUR

the gender binary.”

She said she thinks transphobia is so pervasive in the gay and lesbian community because many gays, lesbians and bisexuals don’t know the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation or, if they do, they brush it off as unimportant.

“There is a gender problem in the gay and lesbian community.

Jolicoeur also expresses concern that the gay and lesbian community’s marriage equality movement has overshadowed the serious issues of economic equality that many trans individuals face.

“On one hand we have the same issues [as the gay and lesbian community] because some trans people also identify as gay or lesbian.” says Duncan. “But we also have all of the issues that come with transitioning on the job or at school and the discrimination aspects of that right down to bathroom issues, medical issues, insurance issues, all of those things

[transferred from there into the broader community].”

ECONOMIC EQUALITY VS. MARRIAGE EQUALITY

that many people in the gay and lesbian community don’t deal with.

The attempted suicide rate, the loss of income, well-being, mental health issues, violence against the transgender community—all of those things are very real. What I’m trying to accomplish through the ‘Transgender Dynamics in the Workplace’ training is to at least solidify the employment and �inancial security piece of a transgender person.”

Duncan said she believes in the “equality through economics” approach.

Ashley Brundage of Tampa Bay, might agree that her transgender journey in the workplace, like Duncan’s, is an example of such “equality through economics” in action. Brundage has been actively involved the Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the Ybor Youth Clinic and the Equality Florida Steering and Host committees for Tampa and St. Petersburg.

She doesn’t think that it is by accident that both her employer, PNC Bank, and the Tampa Bay LGBT community have been so supportive towards her.

“In my work history, I’ve dealt with people who were extremely transphobic,” Brundage recalls. “If you happen to walk into the bank and if I’m the only person who can help you with your account and you’re transphobic, what are you going to do then? You are going to bank somewhere else or you’ll get over it. In the three years, I’ve worked at [PNC Bank], we’ve probably closed two people’s accounts and that’s it. That’s a small percentage out of how many thousands of people have I helped in that time frame.”

Continued on page 30 |  |

Cisgender

MTF

Non-Binary

Transition

Sex-Assigned-at-Birth

Gender Role

Someone who identifies as the gender that society assigns to them; someone who is not transgender. “Cis” is a latin prefix meaning “on the same side.” You are cisgender if you do not feel conflict with the gender assigned to you at birth. Cis people can still be gender non-conforming.

Male-to-Female; a person who was assigned male at birth and identifies as a woman.

A person whose gender identity does not fit the strict man/woman dichotomy. Some nonbinary people feel that their gender identity is between man and woman, is simultaneously fully man and fully woman, changes from man to woman and back, is a separate entity without connection to man or woman, is similar to either man or woman but is not quite either, is entirely neutral, or does not exist at all.

The process of changing one’s gender presentation to match their internal sense of gender.

When a baby is born, a cursory inspection of their genitals leads a doctor to declare “It’s a boy,” or “It’s a girl.” Infants who have an intersex condition sometimes undergo surgery on their reproductive organs to make them look more “typical” of the gender they were assigned.

A set of behaviors and expectations that society associates with a gender.

FTM

Female-to-Male; a person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a man.

Stealth A trans person is said to “go stealth” if they are out as their preferred gender, but not out as trans.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

LIST COURTESY UCF LGBTQ SERVICES

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

29

Making HEADLINES Laverne Cox

Chaz Bono

Christine Penner

CeCe McDonald

Essay Anne Vanderbilt

Transgender issues have made it into the national news David Moran & Steve Blanchard

I

N THE PAST YEAR OR SO, TRANSGENDER

issues have made their way from obscure news websites to major headlines. While the exposure has been good for the transgender movement, not all headlines have been positive.

Probably most notable of late was the appearance of Laverne Cox of Net�lix’s hit, Orange is the New Black, appearing on Katie Couric’s talk show.

That show, titled “Transgender Trailblaizers,” was supposed to educate the audience about

|  | Trans Activism from pg.29

When Brundage transitioned in 2010, she also looked for a new job. She found herself educating potential employers about her gender identity at interviews.

“My situation is extremely unique. I’m probably more of an exception to the rule because I put myself out there on a daily basis,” says Brundage. “A lot of people who are trans are not necessarily identifying as trans. They transition and then they are a straight male or a straight female or a gay male or a lesbian and they identify as somebody other than trans even

30

transgender activism, but Couric was too focused on the actress’s genitalia.

“The preoccupation with transition and surgery objecti�ies trans people,” Cox responded when Couric asked her about her genitals. “And then we don’t get

though they actually are trans.”

However, Jolicoeur cautions that some trans people’s choices to be out may be limited by whether their friends, families and employers are supportive or not.

“I’m not saying for people to put themselves at risk in unsafe places,” Jolicoeur says. “I’m talking about building bridges and relationships.

Never discount anyone because you think their political views or social views might now fall into your category because this is when we fail.”

When Brundage came out as trans, she was married with two children. She and her wife, Whitney, recently celebrated 11 years

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

to really deal with the real lived experiences. The reality of trans people’s lives is that so often we are targets of violence. We experience discrimination disproportionately.

Our unemployment rate is twice the national average; if you are a trans person of color, that rate is four times the national average.

The homicide rate is highest among trans women. If we focus on transition, we don’t actually get to talk about those things.”

It’s not just pop culture that’s talking about transgender people and the issues they face.

Politicians, the military, prisons, activists, parents, and schools

of marriage.

Though Brundage and her wife are both women, they don’t identify as lesbians.

“We tend to really just kind of love each other and we don’t really worry about labels, necessarily,” Brundage says.

Keeffe points to the Brundages as an example of how the gay and lesbian community and the trans community have many things in common, such as marriage equality.

“There are some differences, but it’s about human rights and that is where we can come together,” Keeffe says. “Marriage equality is a trans issue as well. On the surface.

I can go down to the courthouse

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

debate everything from hate crimes, preferred pronouns and job discrimination to restroom accommodations, prison facilities, hormone replacement therapy and how the government designates gender on legal documents.

Kate Bornstein’s in�luential book, Gender Outlaw, and the documentary The Brandon Teena Story have helped break into mainstream territory. But maybe not as much as Chaz Bono’s appearance on Dancing With The Stars, and supermodel Carmen Carrera, who could become Victoria Secret’s �irst transgender supermodel.

In 2013, U.S. Army soldier Chelsea Manning, who was imprisoned for releasing classi�ied military documents to WikiLeaks, announced her plans to transition while in prison. That raised questions as to what constitutes appropriate prison facilities for her.

There was also the story of Cece McDonald, who was jailed in a men’s facility after she killed an attacker in self-defense. McDonald has since been released and is now living on house arrest.

Transgender issues have also made it into the sports pages.

Several years ago, LA Times sports writer Mike Penner shared his story of transition to become Christine, and helped bring her story to avid readers. While Christine’s story ended well, not all do.

Golf club inventor Essay Anne Vanderbilt took her own life in

with my ID that says I’m male with a female partner and be married. But technically I’m female-bodied so it’s a same-sex marriage. If someone wanted to make an issue about it, my marriage would be invalid. Some of our issues are the same.”

ALL FOR ONE, OR NOT?

Regarding the future of the trans movement, Keeffe echoes Jolicoeur’s sentiment about many younger, trans individuals not identifying with the gay and lesbian community.

“Most of the gay and lesbian community [seems to] assume that all trans people identify with them, and that’s not the case. Especially as we are seeing people beginning

watermarkonline.com

January after sports writer Caleb Hannan outed her as transgender against her wishes. Those close to Vanderilt say she was already suicidal, but that the timing of the article may have pushed her to end her own life.

Even those organizations that are supposed to �ight for equality for all people have made errors when it comes to transgender rights and issues.

Last summer, as the Supreme Court was about to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, paving the way for marriage equality, a Human Rights Campaign staffer allegedly censored transgender activists at a rally outside the court building. He argued that transgender rights and marriage equality rights were two separate issues and the trans-activists would have been distracting to the message of the day.

The transgender community is separate from the gay and lesbian community in many ways, but the two are joined in many other areas. Each year, on Nov. 20, LGBTs and allies gather on Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor the victims of transphobic violence around the world. And on March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility will help combat that violence.

Obviously, the trans-lived experience is a part of the national conversation now more so than ever. |  |

transition earlier in [their lives],” Keeffe says. “Younger trans people may have never been a part of the gay and lesbian community so they don’t associate with it.”

Wec, who is in his early twenties, said he sees the point of trans activists wanting to separate from the gay and lesbian movement.

“It’s a matter of gender, not sexuality,” he says. “I think that some trans activists are worried that the public will get the two mixed up. However, I still think that the joined forces of LGB people and trans people is worthwhile.

Both populations experience

Continued on page 33 |  |

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That people try to ‘get me to realize’ my physical body isn’t biologically male is insulting.

I’m painfully aware of it.

—WEC, OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

|  | Trans Activism from pg.30

similar legal issues, such as employment discrimination.

I think that with things like ENDA (Employment NonDiscrimination Act), LGB activism and trans activism go hand-in-hand.”

Keeffe adds that even as some trans individuals are calling for a split from the gay and lesbian community, Trans*Action Florida endorses continuing to collaborate but with some stipulations.

“We endorse moving forward together but with trans folks taking the lead on trans issues,” Keeffe says.

“We can’t sit back and let Equality Florida �ight all of our battles for us. The biggest thing is getting the trans community engaged in their own advocacy and then also educating the gay and lesbian community about what the needs of the trans community are.”

All of the people interviewed for this article agree that there are some issues affecting the transgender community that aren’t gay or lesbian issues.

“For a trans person to go and get a job, what instantly happens as soon as someone runs your social security number, whether your gender has been changed on your ID documents or not, there is still a trail that shows that I used to be female,” says Keeffe. “There is this instant outing the gay and lesbian community doesn’t have.”

An employer learning

about a same-sex partner doesn’t connect the employee to an ID or employment history like gender identity does.

Duncan believes being outed as transgender can be a major barrier to employment.

She adds that many people are coming out as trans much earlier in life.

“One of the biggest challenges as a transgender person that you face is getting your employer to understand why you are transitioning on the job, that you can transition and still maintain your quality of work and thus, of course, maintain your quality of life by maintaining your job,” says Duncan. “There is also a huge population of gender questioning and genderneutral, young people who don’t want to be labeled.

That is the next step in education once we can get people to understand even the binary.”

Keeffe says it is important for gays and lesbians to understand that gender identity and expression is their issue too, in terms of how gender norms encourage or discourage a culture of inclusion and acceptance within the LGBT community.

Jolicoeur’s vision for the future of the trans community is still separate from the gay and lesbian community.

“My vision of the future is for people to be educated enough to not confuse [gender identity and sexual orientation],” she says. “My

vision of the future is to tackle the rampant racism that is a cancer to trans people of color in American society and provide access to resources. My vision of the future is for trans people to have the economic stability that we so deserve.”

But according to Brundage and Duncan, there is uncertainty of whether a separate trans movement would be sustainable. They both believe it will be dif�icult for the trans community to advocate on its own unless more trans people become visible, attend networking events and advocate for the trans agenda in both Tampa Bay and Orlando.

“I think there needs to be more unity not just between the gay community and the trans community but even between the gay community and the gay community,” says Brundage. “I know that there has been some talk about creating a Rainbow Coalition (in Tampa Bay) so that we can all be on the same level and work together.

“I would put it out there to every company, every community organization, if you don’t currently have a trans person on your board, you should evaluate where you are. If you don’t have a trans person involved, there’s no way you are getting their perspective. Sometimes we tend to see things a little bit differently.” |  |

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

It’s a drag for Florida RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SKIPS SUNSHINE STATE TALENT IN SEASON 6

O

Steve Blanchard

N JAN. 24, GAYS EVERYWHERE

tuned into LOGO to watch the premiere of Season 6 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.. It was bigger, louder and more outrageous than ever, which was expected.

But Floridians noticed one major difference over previous seasons: there wasn’t a single Florida queen in the mix.

Performers from around the country apply to be one of only 14 contestants on the reality competition show every year, so not every state is represented. This year the season premiere was split into two shows, with seven queens competing in the �irst episode,

and the remaining seven competing in the second episode on March 3.

With no Florida queens on, there are no Florida eliminations (goodbye Kelly

Continued on page 38 |  |

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

35

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DR. PRODUCER: Dr. Michael Jackowitz is the producer of Daddy Long Legs, now showing at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota.

Pride of Maitland THEATER Michael Jackowitz is a doctor, Broadway producer— and source material for his mother’s book for gay parents.

S

Tom Dyer

ARASOTA | DR. MICHAEL JACKOWITZ

discovered a �lair for the dramatic early on. At the age of 10 he recruited kids in his Maitland neighborhood, just north of Orlando, to form “The Kewanee Street Players.” Their �irst production was an ambitious Robin Hood that got raves from proud parents, including his own.

He then starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, �irst in sixth grade and later at the Jewish Community Center in Maitland. It remains his favorite role.

Throughout his childhood, Jackowitz was inadvertently laying groundwork for an career as a theater producer, working with the likes of Hal Prince (West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret), Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked) and Daniel Radcliffe (How to Succeed in

Business Without Really Trying).

On the way he became a medical doctor with a thriving New York practice. And he came out to his Conservative Jewish parents, a tumultuous process that changed his family and led Enid Jackowitz to write The Rest of the Way: A Coming Out Story for Parents and Gay Children—a remarkable resource for parents with gay children.

Jackowitz’ latest Broadwaybound musical, Daddy Long

Legs, is currently in residence at Sarasota’s Florida Studio Theatre through April 5.

The story of an orphan who receives a scholarship from an anonymous benefactor, Daddy Long Legs is told in a series of musical letters between the two.

In them, Jerusha, the orphan, matures into a con�ident woman; and Jervis, the lonely benefactor, grows enamored with his plucky ward. Jerusha presumes her sponsor is much older, and when she learns otherwise their relationship blossoms.

The production stars the lovely Penny McNamee, whose television credits include Salem’s Lot and Blue Bloods, and big-voiced Kevin Early, whose Broadway credits include Les Miserables and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

With unlikely talents for math, science and musical theater, Jackowitz enrolled as a pre-med

This was all done while student at Emory University Jackowitz worked almost full in Atlanta. time as an internist at The Farber He took a class in theater Center for Radiation Oncology administration and something in the shadow of One World clicked. But Jackowitz was Trade Center. reluctant to put his eggs in that “I love practicing medicine basket—in part to distance and I love theater,” Jackowitz himself from gay stereotypes— says. “But to do both you have to and instead applied to medical want it really badly, and I do.” schools. A residency at Beth Jackowitz is particularly Israel Medical Center took him proud of Daddy Long Legs. The to New York, where he tenuously musical is based on the novel decided to reactivate his interest

by Jean Webster, with book in theater.

by John Caird and music and He learned he wasn’t lyrics by Paul Gordon. Gordon temperamentally suited to �irst presented the show to directing. But his peers pegged Jackowitz in 2006. him as a potential producer, and “By the third track of the a workshop at the Commercial demo tape, I knew I wanted to Theater Institute proved them produce it,” Jackowitz says. insightful.

Daddy Long Legs was Soon, in one of originally written as a those life-changing one-woman show, but events, Jackowitz Jackowitz believed was working as the both characters liaison between should be on Broadway legend stage. Caird and Hal Prince and The Gordon agreed to Directors Company. the change, and “I was like a kid the show was in a candy store,” workshopped Jackowitz said. “I at the Rubicon met luminaries like Theatre Company Stephen Schwartz, in Ventura, Calif. but I also forged Jackowitz then relationships faced the challenge with people — DR. MICHAEL of how—and who are musical JACKOWITZ where—to directors now but premiere it. He were rehearsal found six theaters willing pianists back then.” to split substantial initial And Jackowitz found himself production costs, and ended up with a front row seat as musical successfully touring 15 cities, theater was created by some of including Sarasota. the most successful producers in Daddy Long Legs is now in the business. the queue for a hard-to-come-by In 1995 Jackowitz received Broadway theater. Jackowitz also an offer to become one of the hopes to bring Tuck Everlasting, producers of an Off-Broadway a musical based on the children’s play by Nicky Silver called The fantasy novel by Natalie Babbit, Food Chain. When he blinked at to New York. the $50,000 required, the lead “When you commission a producer asked if he could raise work like Fiddler, they send you a that amount. After a few phone box with everything you need— calls to doctor friends, Jackowitz music, scripts, costume and set signed on for $75,000 and a designs—inside,” Jackowitz says, career was born. The Food Chain explaining his love for producing. became the biggest hit of the Off“But with a brand new show Broadway season. there’s no box. One of my favorite Recently Jackowitz produced things in the world is to make Stephen Schwartz’ �irst opera— that box.” |  | Séance on a Wet Afternoon—at Lincoln Center. In 2011 he was one of the producers of the MORE INFORMATION successful 50th anniversary revival of How to Succeed in WHAT: Daddy Long Legs Business Without Really Trying WHEN: Through April 5 with Daniel Radcliffe. And in WHERE: Florida Studio 2012 he won the coveted Drama Theatre in Sarasota Desk Award for “Best Review” for INFO AND TIX: FloridaStudioTheatre.org The Best is Yet to Come.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

“I love practicing medicine and I love theater.

To do both you have to want it really badly, and I do.”

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

37

Darienne Lake Rochester, NY

Courtney Act

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‘RuPAUL’S DRAG RACE’ SEASON 6 CONTESTENTS

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It’s our most outrageous and sickening cast to date.

|  | RuPaul’s Drag

Mantle of L.A., who sashayed away Feb. 24, we hardly knew you).

But 2014 still marks the �irst time Florida hasn’t shown up in the cast.

In Season 1, Rebecca Glasscock of Fort Lauderdale came in third place. Season 2 winner Tyra Sanchez represented Orlando, and Tampa Bay’s Alexis Mateo placed a respectable third—er, second runner up—in Season 3.

In Season 4, Alisa Summers of Tampa made an appearance, albeit a brief one, on the blockbuster show.

Season 5 had the most Floridians represented when Orlando’s Roxxxy Andrews, Gainesville’s Jade Jolie and Tallahassee’s Serena ChaCha all competed. Coco Montrese, who used to live in St. Petersburg, was also part of that season.

But this year there isn’t even a Miami or Fort Lauderdale

Joslyn Fox

Chicago, IL

And quite frankly, I’m scared of these queens.

—RUPAUL

contestant in the mix. The contestant closest to the Sunshine State is Trinity K. Bonet of Atlanta.

Past performers told Watermark that Florida is a nursery, of sorts, of drag performers, which explained why our state was so well represented every year.

Season 6, however, won’t have any Florida representation.

All 14 contestants will compete for the crown and determine who will walk away with a $100,000 cash prize and the coveted title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”

“Our sixth season is rated ‘BBB.’ ‘Bitches Better Beware!’” says RuPaul, who is not only the

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

star of the show, but its executive producer. “It’s our most outrageous and sickening cast to date. And quite frankly, I’m scared of these queens.”

What may gain more viewers than the queens themselves is the impressive lineup of guest judges on tap to help RuPual behind the table.

“This season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is perfect for viewers who want to ‘butch it up’ after watching a month of Olympic �igure skating!” jokes RuPaul.

This season’s celeb guest judges include Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Lambert, Khloe Kardashian,

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

Lena Headey, Linda Blair, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Heather McDonald, Eve, Trina, Leah Remini, Jaime Pressly, Paula Abdul, Mike Ruiz, David Burtka and Bob Mackie alongside show regulars Michelle Visage and Santino Rice.

Together they will decide who will stay, lip-sync for their life or “Sashay Away.” Additional guest appearances this season include: Lucian Piane, Gillian Jacobs, Lainie Kazan, Bruce Vilanch, Chaz Bono, Georgia Holt and US Weekly Entertainment Director, Ian Drew. |  |

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STAYING ‘UNTUCKED’

Once again, the Drag Race companion series, Untucked, will return every Monday following the competition.

The series known for the backstabbing, backbreaking and backstage drama that isn’t seen on the runway will once again be narrated by RuPaul herself.

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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SARASOTA

Social, Singing & Snacks Join the Sarasota Opera Guild on Tuesday, March 18, for a special Sensational Social, Singing & Snacks meeting. The 9:45 a.m. event at the David Cohen Hall within the Symphony Center on Tamiami Trail will feature several Sarasota vocalists singing hits from opera and musical theater. The meeting is free and open to everyone. For more information call 941-549-1068

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Peking Acrobats, March 7, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

The Broadway smash War Horse runs, literally, through March 2 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando.

Michael Bolton, March 10, Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, 727-791-7400; RuthEckerdHall.com

SARASOTA Alton Brown: The Edible Inevitable Tour, March 2, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota, 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org

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CENTRAL FLORIDA The Life & Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby, through March 9, Orlando Shakesphere Theatre, Orlando. 407-477-1700; OrlandoShakes.org Pluto, Feb. 27March 23, Orlando Shakesphere Theatre, Orlando. 407-477-1700; OrlandoShakes.org

The Mountaintop, through March 16, Mad Cow Theatre,Orlando.

407-297-8788; OrlandoShakes.org War Horse, through March 2, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Orlando. 321-418-7646 Hay Fever, through March 15, Theatre Downtown, Orlando. 407-841-0083; TheatreDowntown.net Man of La Mancha, through March 9, The Little Theatre, New Smyrna Beach. 386-423-1246; NSBPlayers.org

SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody, through March 23, The Abbey, Orlando. 407-704-6261; AbbeyOrlando.com

TAMPA BAY DISENCHANTED!, through April 13, Jaeb Theatre, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Alton Brown: The Edible Inevitable Tour, March 1, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical, Feb. 27-March 8, TECO Theater, Tampa. 813229-7827; StrazCenter.org Home & Garden Show, March 1-2, The Lakeland Center, Lakeland. 863-834-8100; TheLakelandCenter.com Imperial Symphony Orchestra: Masterworks Concert #4 Star Wars Suite, March 11, The Lakeland Center, Lakeland. 863-834-8100; TheLakelandCenter.com

Philadelphia, Here I Come!, through April 12, Asolo Repretory Theatre,Sarasota, 941-351-8000; asolorep.org The Grapes of Wrath, March 12-April 19, Asolo Repretory Theatre, Sarasota, 941-351-8000; asolorep.org Chicago, March 4-5, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota; 941-953-3368 VanWezel.org Shrek The Musical, through March 2, Stone Hall, Sarasota, 941-7485875; ManateePlayers.com

It’s no secret that St. Petersburg’s weird little cousin, Gulfport, is a weird community.

But it’s also artsy, and the monthly Gulfport Arts Walk returns on Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m. Visitors can browse vendor booths and stroll scenic Beach Boulevard. The festivities continue until 10 p.m. The festival is free.

For more details, visit GulfportMA.com.

NEW PORT RICHEY

1 Annual Women’s AIDS Awareness Bene�it st

Performer Vinnie Marconi will host the First Annual Women’s AIDS Awareness Benefit at Chill Chamber, 3501 Universal Plaza, from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, March. 2. Kings, queens and a live band will help raise awareness and honor the life of Melinda Curtis. Free testing will be on site.

ORLANDO

Casino Night Savoy wants to raise money for Orlando’s AIDS Walk, and it’s doing so by hosting a casino night on Tuesday, March 4. The fun begins at 7 p.m. with raffles and prizes and will help fund the services of the Hope & Help Center of Central Florida.

Fringe at Hard Rock Fringe returns to Hard Rock Live Orlando to present a night of music, comedy, dance, and nonstop entertainment on Monday, March 3.

The third Annual installment of the “Fringe at the Hard Rock Fundraiser” features one-night-only performances from Fringe icons and alumni like Michael Andrew and Swingerhead, the ladies of Disenchanted, Chase Padgett, Blue & Tod and more. some new amazing items. Tickets start at $15 and are available by calling 407-351-LIVE.

To submit your upcoming event, concert, performance, or fundraiser visit watermarkonline.com.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

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TAMPA BAY

1- TOURNAMENT TOURISTS: The D-division Flower Power of Orlando poses in front of the Gasparilla Softball Classic banner at Woodlawn fields on Feb. 16. PHOTO COURTESY PAUL KINCHEN 2- PRE-CONCERT KIKI: Members of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale chat at Quench before performing at Watermark Wednesday Feb. 19. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

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3- ARTISTIC EMBRACE: Spathose’s George Medeiros stands with one of his living statues at the Roman Erotica event at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts on Feb. 13. PHOTO BY STEVE

BLANCHARD

4- RAINBOW OCCASION: The SunTrust Bank Building in downtown Tampa sported rainbow colors to honor Equality Florida’s gala on Feb. 22. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 5- EMCEE DUTIES: Bay News 9 reporter Trevor Pettiford serves as emcee at Equality Florida’s Tampa Gala held at The Vault on Feb. 22. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 6-TAKING THE STAGE: Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale sang a few selections about “love” during the Watermark Wednesday fundraiser at Quench Feb. 19. PHOTO BY STEVE

BLANCHARD

7- BACK TO LIFE: Models at the St. Petersburg Museum of Art brought ancient Rome to life at “An Evening with Venus, Ancient Roman Erotica,” at the St. Petersburg Museum of Art on Feb. 13.

PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

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8- SINGING CALIGULA: Tampa Bay actor Matthew McGee portrayed a Madonna-singing Emperor Caligula during the Ancient Roman Erotica event at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art Feb. 13. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

OVERHEARD METRO GOES FOR ‘GOLD’

T

HE ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS ARE UPON US MARCH 2, and what better way to celebrate the best of Hollywood than with a fundraising party on the beach? Metro Wellness and Community Centers will host its �irst ever Oscar party, dubbed The Gold Party, at the Bilmar Beach Resort on Treasure Island. Tickets include food, drinks, a red-carpet entrance and, of course, broadcast of the awards show hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Money raised from ticket sales bene�its the organization’s new LGBT Welcome/Youth Center, set to open on Central Avenue this summer. Sponsors of the party include Watermark,

Creative Loa�ing, Georgie’s Alibi, TIGLFF, Balance Tampa Bay and more. Tickets are available at MetroTampaBay.org.

JORGE’S BIG PARTY

J

ORGE ALVARADO IS BRINGING BACK HIS NEWEST SEASON OF HIS TALK SHOW IN A BIG WAY— with an all out party and live recording at Hamburger Mary’s in Clearwater on March 1 and March 4, respectively. The fabulous host of The Jorge Show will entertain VIPs on March 1 to celebrate the launch of his second season on the air. And on March 4, he’ll record his season premiere at the same location to be shown

Friday, March 7, on Channel 32. Jorge discusses celebrities, fashion and local events and is not surrounded by other paid programming. The show premiered last January on the Tampa Bay Community Network.

This will be the �irst season to broadcast on WMOR TV and Estrella-TV. For details, check out TheJorgeShow.com.

SOME LUSTY GAYS

Y

ES, THAT WAS HISTORIC YBOR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TONY LACOLLA AND WATERMARK EDITOR STEVE BLANCHARD featured in Creative Loa�ing’s Lust List issue around

Valentine’s Day. The two out-andproud men were part of a photo spread and interview section featuring 14 of Tampa Bay’s “lustiest” celebrities. Featured models ranged from bartenders to fathers. All honorees had their photos taken and LaColla and Blanchard were both interviewed by CL editor David Warner, who asked questions about their professions and their physical appearance. LaColla was photographed solo and with his partner, Jose Garboza. Blanchard was photographed solo and yes, lost his shirt at one point. The two were also present at the magazine’s Lust List Party at The Castle in Ybor City on Feb. 13, where they and other honorees

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

were presented their of�icial Lust List certi�icates.

TIME TO TRULY DANCE AT QUENCH

T

HE POPULAR BAR ON ULMERTON AND 66TH STREET IN LARGO HAS RENOVATED ITS DANCE FLOOR, just a few weeks after celebrating its �irst anniversary. Management posted photos of the renovation on its Facebook page, showing everything from the stripped �loor to the immaculate, wooden �inish. The new �loor triples the dance �loor in size and debuted Feb. 25 for the club’s Two-Steppin’ Tuesdays line dancing class. |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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VOLUNTEERS

NEEDED FOR HIV GENE THERAPY RESEARCH

GET INVOLVED & VOLUNTEER TODAY

You may qualify for an ongoing research program with Orlando Immunology Center

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS* 1 ) Aviremic and on HAART 2) Clean and Sober 3) No Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C 4) 18 years of age or older *other requirements will apply

CONTACT

ORLANDO IMMUNOLOGY CENTER

Jeffrey Garrett, ARNP for more information Phone: (407) 647-3960, ext. 2151 www.oicorlando.com

watermarkonline.com

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ORLANDO

1- MAKING THE LEAP: (L-R) Adam Hunter, Jack Lord, Jill Ramsier, Laurie Burns, Gloria Richards, Cherie Rivett, Bill Walsh and Trish Chard celebrate their recent marriages at Quantum Leap Winery. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK 2- PLAY BALL: Don and Susan Granatstein of The Parliament House smile after tossing out the first pitch at the opening ceremonies for the Central Florida Softball League Feb. 23. PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT

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3- LUNCH OUTING: Rai Liauw (left), Jeff Horn and their furry friends enjoy lunch Feb. 16 at Woody’s in College Park. PHOTO BY LONNIE THOMPSON 4- GAME DAY: The LGBT Senior Social group plays dominos Feb. 13 at The Center. The group is for adults ages 50+ and meets every other Thursday for games or movies. PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN 5- SIGNING OUT: Randy Stephens (left) and Paul Karle host the final episode of The Qiew, an LGBT-focused radio show that broadcast for four years on Feb. 22. PHOTO COURTESY THOMAS BERTHIER 6- SPIRITUAL SONGS: Bishop William Cavins and Shawn Thomas talk music after Thomas’ concert at Holy Angels Catholic Community Feb. 22. PHOTO BY MARK CADY 7- THIRD THURSDAY: (L to R) Geri Callahan, Brian Mahan and Brandon Saldivar enjoy a cocktail at Watermark’s Third Thursday social Feb. 20 at Church Street Exchange. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS 8- AWARD-WORTHY: Bill Stevens (left), aide to city commissioner Patty Sheehan, and pictured with partner Robert Brings, holds his MacNamara Award, naming him one of Orlando City Hall’s employees of the year. PHOTO FROM SHEEHAN’S FACEBOOK PAGE

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OVERHEARD ORLANDO LIFE HIGHLIGHTS NEWBIE GAYS

L

GBTS MADE A RESPECTABLE SHOWING IN THE MARCH 2014 ISSUE OF ORLANDO LIFE, which published a spread entitled Simply The Best: Tracking Down the Top Newbies in Rapidly Changing Central Florida. The magazine has called this the “Year of the Newbie.” At the top of the list is Ron Legler, who engineers the Broadway Across America series, runs the Abbey and is interim executive director for the Orlando. Blue Starr is on the list for opening The Venue in an old yoga studio on Virginia Drive. The third mention was a shout out to

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. She’s not a “newbie,” but her spiky new hairdo and makeover attracted a lot of social media attention.

HOT HOST FOR PRIDE IN BUSINESS AWARDS

T

HE METROPOLITAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ORLANDO HAS TAPPED WFTV NEWS ANCHOR JORGE ESTEVEZ to host this year’s 3rd Annual Pride in Business Awards at 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. Awards recognize Small Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Corporate Ally of the Year, Businessman

and Businesswoman of the Year, NonPro�it of the Year and Community Champion. The Debbie Simmons Community Service Award is given in honor of the chamber founder.

For tickets, more information or to sponsor the event, visit MBAOrlando.org.

ORANGE TV FOCUSES ON CENTER’S SAGE AFFILIATE

F

LORIDA IS A HAVEN FOR RETIREES, So it seems appropriate that The Center brings a chapter of SAGE to Central Florida. SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) is based in New York

and the national organization offers support services and consumer resources to LGBT older adults and advocates for public policy change. In a taping for Orange TV, Randy Stephens, Executive Director of The Center, participated in a panel discussion to introduce SAGE and talk about health and home services, patient rights, elderly laws, end of life planning and long term facilities.

The show will air in April.

MAD COW THEATER APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

G

OOD NEWS IS ON THE HORIZON FOR MAD COW THEATER. The organization said in 2014 that it will focus on

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

�iscal stability and philanthropy. To that end, Mad Cow has added three new board members—State Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando), Orange County Comptroller Martha Haynie and Dr. Alvin Wang, Dean of the Burnett Honors College and Professor of Psychology at UCF. “I can’t think of a better way to start 2014,” said Executive Director Mitzi Maxwell. “These people work tirelessly to shape and promote arts and culture in Central Florida. They will work this year to strengthen Mad Cow’s role producing great professional theater in downtown Orlando.” |  |

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FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

tampa bay marketplace

Transitions CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations Carlos Carbonell of Echo Interaction Group was named editor of Vision magazine on Feb. 18.

Cindy Barbalock has joined the staff of The Brink in Orlando and left her position at Revolution Nightclub.

Orlando’s Metropolitan Business Association turns 22 on March 12 and held its first general meeting in 1992.

BarCodes Orlando celebrates five years in business on March 5.

Tina Sarnoff joins LinktoEXPERT as Relationship Manager. Sarnoff is a trained Compliance Officer, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and Certified Financial Crimes Specialist with more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY: Dr. David Baker-Hargrove and his partner Robert Baker-Hargrove welcome into the world their beautiful and healthy daughter Whitney Alexis Baker-Hargrove, born Friday, Feb. 14.

CONGRATS: Orlando

doctor Dr. Edwin DeJesus, pictured, El Sentinal editor Rafael Palacio and Orlando Multicultural Affairs Director Luis M. Martinez Alicea were named to Vision Magazine’s 25 most influential Hispanics in Central Florida.

Passings Janice “Jan” Ruth Wiley passed away in the early morning on Jan. 19, with her partner and cats by her side. She was 63. Wiley spent the last 33 years of her life working in the Orlando area health care system with most of those spent at Lucerne Hospital and Orlando Health. Wiley is survived by her partner of 18 years, Lynn Allwine Friend, and son, Jared Friend.

Local Birthdays Tampa softballer and karaoke diva Carlos Lopez, sexy Sarasota Ballet sales manager Mike Maraccini, muscled Tampa massage therapist Eduardo Campos (Feb. 27); former Joy MCC pastor Lisa Heilig (March 2); Tampa Bay singer and comedian Judy B. Goode, Sarasota resident and activist Mark Kidd, Club Orlando attendant Arthur Adams, Tampa mama to twins and lactation counselor Patty Cannon (Mar. 4); Orlando playwright, actor, columnist and rabble-rouser extraordinaire Michael Wanzie, Rollins College theater director Thomas Ouellette (March 6); Tampa Bay fashionista Robert Chmura-Pappadeas, Tampa Bay political expert Randy Smith,

DRESSING UP: 6S Boutique on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, owned

by Sasha and Andy Citino, marked three years of business on Feb. 20.

handsome Tampa Bay bear David Sparks (March 7); psychologist and co-owner of E.M. & Voss Solutions Event and Wedding Services, Eric Muenks (March 8); St. Pete mail carrier Derek Wilkins, Sarasota woman about town Misty Smeltzer, Clearwater psychiatry practice manager and USF Economics student Jacob Hamm (March 9); Halcyon singer/songwriter Deb Hunseder, Tampa Bay licensed mental health counselor Blake Williamson (March 10); smooth-

pated O-Town actor Kevin Kelly, straight-but-not-narrow Orlando WAVE-winning activist/arts supporter Margo Dixon, Orlando Sentinel art columnist Terry Hummel, Orlando hubby to Ron Ellstrom-Oliver, Jeff Ellstrom-Oliver, Tampa Bay Times account manager Don Kiciena Jr., crafty lady by day, derby girl by night Heather Ranier; muscular Dunedin dentist Mike Hopkins (March 11); Mr. Florida Gay Rodeo Association 2010 Todd Garrett (March 12).

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!

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

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accountant

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watermarkonline.com

Collins becomes NBA’s first out player

N

EW YORK, N.Y. | History?

Pressure? Jason Collins would have none of it after becoming the NBA’s �irst openly gay player.

After all, there was a game to play.

“Right now I’m focusing on trying to learn the plays, learning the coverages and the game plan and the assignments. So I didn’t have time to really think about history,” Collins said at a crowded press conference less than an hour before his Brooklyn Nets faced the Los Angeles Lakers Feb. 23.

Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier that day and played 10 scoreless minutes with two rebounds and �ive fouls in the Nets’ 108-102 victory.

“I know that I can play in the NBA and it felt good to be out there tonight,” he said afterward.

The 35-year-old center revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent and had remained unsigned.

Collins said he was aware of the magnitude of his signing, which made him the �irst openly gay player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, but repeatedly said he was most concerned with learning the Nets’ schemes.

“The pressure is playing in an NBA game tonight and last time I played in an NBA game was last April,” Collins said. “So I think that’s enough pressure right there.”

With a need for another big man, the Nets turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach two NBA Finals in the early 2000s.

“The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision,” general manager Billy King said in a statement. “We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10day contract.”

Collins entered the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after Nick Young made the �irst of his two free throws. The crowd welcomed Collins

with a nice ovation when his name was annnounced.

Walking to the scorer’s table to check into the game for the �irst time, “It felt like, ‘I’ve done this a thousand times before,’ “ Collins said. “You go to the scorer’s table, you hear what the play’s going to be for the next offensive play and you go out there. Once you’re out on the court, it’s basketball. It’s what I’ve been doing for almost three decades.”

Collins has played 12 NBA seasons, including his �irst seven with the Nets, when Jason Kidd was their point guard. Kidd is now the Nets’ coach and Collins has been a teammate of several other current Nets.

“Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team. Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. |  |

Out women medal in Sochi Staff .Report

S

OCHI, RUSSIA | While Russia’s laws concerning displays of LGBT Pride have sparked international headlines, the few out athletes at this year’s Winter Olympic Games remained focused and won several medals.

This year, seven out women competed at the games, and two of them brought home medals.

Dutch speed skater Ireen Wust, 27, took gold in the women’s 3000 meter and two silvers in the 1000 and 1400 meter races. The crowd-pleasing skater won gold in the 3000m at the Winter Games in Turin.

“I’m here to skate very fast,” she said, when asked about her sexual orientation and Russia’s laws.

The fourth out Sochi medal was the silver captured by Austrian ski-jumper Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, 30, in Sochi’s historic debut of women’s ski-jumping.

Iraschko-Stolz, known as “Pinky” to her teammates, married her wife in 2011 and the pair hyphenated their last names.

The ski jumper has said little about her sexuality while in Russia, but after winning her medal, she shared this: “I hope for the future that the people now can see the sport as a chance to change something,” she said. “That would be nice. Because everyone looks at Russia and its laws, and I think it’s a good idea to change something.” |  |

sports

Wire Report

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PHOTOGRAPHY: THE ORLANDO BALLET AT WATERMARK’S THIRD THURSDAY SOCIAL

Galleryw Go see more photos at

watermarkonline.com

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

P

ERFORMERS WITH THE ORLANDO BALLET entertained at Watermark’s Third Thursday Social at Church Street Exchange Feb. 20. More than 60 people attended the paper’s �irst social of 2014 to help celebrate the Orlando Ballet’s 40th Anniversary season. John Michael Catering provided food and Stonewall Bar, the Third Thursday Social sponsor for 2014, provided the drinks.

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

Photography

by Jake Stevens JAKE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

watermarkonline.com

FEB. 27 - MAR. 12, 2014 // ISSUE 21.05

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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