Watermark Issue 21.08: Gay Softball Leagues

DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 21.08 • APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

YOUR LGBT LIFE.

REP. CASTOR HOSTS TAMPA GAY COUPLE’S WEDDING

RBARR SET TO OPEN

IN REVOLUTION’S OLD ORLANDO HOME

JERSEY BOYS CELEBRATES GAY ICON IN TAMPA, ORLANDO

THEY’RE

OUT!

...MOSTLY FLORIDA’S GAY LEAGUES MUST BALANCE FRIENDSHIP WITH GAY/STRAIGHT RATIOS

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STROLL A BEACH. OR SOMEPLACE ELSE THAT MOVES YOU. In St. Pete/Clearwater, Mother Nature has her masterpieces. And we have ours. The creative canvas is truly dazzling, richly rendered with fine arts, performing arts, cultural festivals, unique galleries and much more. It’s a GLBT-friendly arts scene that’s nationally ranked — and always warm and welcoming. Find what moves you on the crown jewel of the Gulf Coast.

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There was no interest in creating 19 an Internet lynch mob.

DEPARTMENTS 6 // MAIL 8 // ORLANDO NEWS 12 // TAMPA BAY NEWS 16 // STATE 19 // NATION & WORLD NEWS 27 // IN DEPTH 31 //ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 39 // COMMUNITY CALENDAR 41 // TAMPA BAY OVERHEARD 43 // ORLANDO OVERHEARD 45 // TRANSITIONS 46 // TAMPA BAY MARKETPLACE 47 // SPORTS 48 // ORLANDO MARKETPLACE

PAGE

—SAM YAGUN, OKCUPID CO-FOUNDER

ON THE COVER

PAGE

PAGE

TEAM EFFORT:

Jonathan Pinkerton, 27 (L-R) Brian Sommer and Randy

Borek, all members of the Central Florida Softball League’s Hung Jurors, showcase their softball skills at Lake Fairview in Orlando.

Preview

34 EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD:

American Stage in the Park is shaking things up this year with The Wiz, which is directed by a lesbian and stars a gender-bending lion.

WATERMARK ISSUE 21.08 //APR. 10 - APR. 23 , 2014

ORLANDO NEWS

TAMPA BAY NEWS

PAGE The former Revolution

PAGE Edward White Hospital in

JERSEY BOYS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

Nightclub is getting a new name, new owners and a new overhaul and is slated to open later this month; AIDS Walk Orlando brings out a record number of walkers; Orlando recognizes Transgender Visibility Day.

12

St. Petersburg hosted a town hall meeting to start an open and direct dialogue with the LGBT community; Rep. Kathy Castor hosts same-sex wedding; a lesbian couple’s divorce could help marriage equality in Florida.

PAGE Actor and singer Barry

31

Anderson plays openly gay music producer Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, stopping in Orlando and Tampa. Anderson, who is gay, talks about how the environment in music has become more accepting of LGBTs.

PAGE The LGBT communities

Tampa 39 ofBayOrlando, and Sarasota are

jamming the calendar this month with activities and special events.

Find out what’s happening near you by utilizing our new-andimproved community calendar.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE CUTEST DOGS FROM AIDS WALK ORLANDO? CHECK THEM OUT AT WATERMARKONLINE.COM. APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Your Emergency Matters

WHY WAIT?

“To all of those who have tried to oppress us, I thank you for motivating us!”

—KENNETH ROSS

Our hospital has been named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, an Accredited Chest Pain Center and Advanced Primary Stroke Center. Our ER is staffed and equipped around the clock to provide you the highest quality emergency care when you need it.

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HATEFUL MOTIVATION

U

NFORTUNATELY, IT TAKES PEOPLE LIKE FRED PHELPS TO MOTIVATE THE COMMUNITY at large to correct the wrongs thrown at minorities. Depending on how you look at things, this can be good or it can be bad. But it’s no secret that there are plenty of other “Freds” out there to keep inspiring us to �ight, just as Watermark pointed out [Issue 21.07].

Every generation has it’s headline-making, vomitinducing people of hate. And today, in the high-tech world, that hate spreads even faster than ever. But so does love.

I am always so moved when I see swarms of good people blocking the hateful rhetoric of the Westboro Baptist Church. Their methods of hate disgust the general population enough to put us all on the same page for at least the few hours the socalled church is exercising its First Amendment right.

As a 40-year resident of the Sunshine State, I was pleased to see the recent cover story showcasing the local anti-gay

advocates from the past few decades. We’ve come a long way and, if it wasn’t for the attention the media put on them, we would never have made the progress we have.

To all of those who have tried to oppress us, I thank you for motivating us!

KENNETH ROSS ORLANDO

“The Republican Party continues to vilify LGBT people, year after year, expressing many precise types of anti-gay hatred every time it rewrites its national party platform. Republican leaders in Congress vote consistently to oppress LGBT people at every opportunity. Florida’s Republican lawmakers refuse to even consider marriage equality.”

WORLD VISION DISTORTS CHRISTIANITY

“As a national activist, I appreciate these haters. Simply using their names instantly creates in the minds of my listeners, the evil that lurks amongst us. They allow me to focus more on the message and less on describing the villain.”

W

ORLD VISION IS DISTORTING CHRISTIAN FAITH to pursue a right-wing antigay agenda. As one of the most prominent Christian charities in the world, their decision to allow gay and lesbian employees was a major step forward, and their quick reversal a painful punch in the gut to those of us who believe Christians are obligated to speak out for equality and dignity for all. Jacquelline Fuller did the right thing by resigning from the board of an organization whose values don’t align with Google’s commitment to inclusivity and equality. Now it’s time for John

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APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

WEB COMMENTS

ON OUR LIST OF THE 14 BIGGEST ADVOCATES FOR INEQUALITY:

Quality Care from ER Experts

Last year we treated over 11,000 area residents in our Emergency Room – consistently beating the national ER Wait Time average!

Park to follow suit.

MICHAEL SHERRARD DIRECTOR, FAITHFUL AMERICA

watermarkonline.com

—NEDFLAHERTY

—TODD KACHINSKI KOTTMEIER ON PUNTA GORDA TAKING A STEP TOWARD A DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTRY: “That’s a poor substitute for real marriage. Instead of wasting our tax dollars on this why don’t they help us rally for Florida marriage recognition. It will happen! This effort, while appreciated, is like offering your keys to a child who wants some candy. It appeases their requests for a while in hopes they’ll forget about the candy…”

—NOEL GREEN

editor’s

Steve Blanchard EDITOR

SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com

B

Desk

EFORE THIS ISSUE OF WATERMARK went to press, I celebrated another year on this planet.

It wasn’t one of those “milestone birthdays” with an “0” or even a “5” after the �irst number. But it was a landmark to me, nonetheless.

This birthday was especially poignant for me because the year of my life that just came to a close was one of change. It saw the end of a long-term relationship; the death of not just one, but two elderly pets; and the beginnings of a move to a new address.

It was a lot to take in and process within 12 months, and like every major change in life, the details vary depending on whom you ask or how the question is phrased. But it’s safe to say there was plenty of

WATERMARK STAFF

excitement, a good deal of tears, lots of anxiety and a fair amount of anger mixed in.

But we have to choose to learn from dif�icult and challenging experiences and use our newfound education to move forward. I like to say I’ve been rebooted, much like a computer or a smart phone. It’s a fresh new start and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for me.

Change is an inevitable part of life and not something we typically want to see personally, especially on a grand scale. But no matter how insulated we believe we are from that change, it happens—for both the good and the bad.

Publisher: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Chief Financial Officer: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Admin. Assistant: Jon Brown • Ext. 100 • Jon@WatermarkOnline.com Editor-in-Chief: Steve Blanchard • 813-470-0899 • SteveB@WatermarkOnline.com Reporter: Samantha Rosenthal • 104 • Samantha@WatermarkOnline.com Online Media Director: Jamie Hyman • Ext. 106 • Jamie@WatermarkOnline.com Proofreading: Ed Blaisdell Art Director: Jake Stevens • Ext. 109 • Jake@WatermarkOnline.com Creative Assistant: Patrick O’Connor • Ext. 109 • AdProduction@WatermarkOnline.com

I’m not the same person I was when I arrived in Florida in 2000. I’m older, of course, smarter (hopefully), healthier, happier, better at my job and much less naive than those �irst years in the Sunshine State. My circle of friends and acquaintances has also exploded exponentially, which is in large part to my job—no, my career— as editor of Watermark.

In 2004, I began my relationship with this publication as a freelance contributor. This summer will mark my �ifth year as editor.

This is also a milestone year for the paper of my employ.

It was 20 years ago, in 1994, that publisher Tom Dyer assembled Volume 1, Issue 1, of Watermark with a skeleton crew. The actual anniversary is appropriately Labor Day, and beginning with this issue, Tom and the staff of the paper will take us down memory lane and look at the “years that were” in the evolution of our publication.

We will also participate in the popular “Throwback Thursday” movement taking over Facebook every week, so make sure you follow us there.

On page 54 of this issue, you’ll see a representation of our �irst cover, a collection of photographs from 1994 that represented the LGBT community of that era, and some fun lists of what the country was talking about, listening to and watching during

that calendar year.

We will continue to showcase these pages “Looking Back” in each issue of Watermark leading up to our 20th anniversary edition, which will not-soaccidentally coincide with one helluva party.

Viewing the metamorphosis of Watermark is an entertaining and informative experience. The small paper that started with a tiny investment and a lot of love has developed into an LGBT news leader in Orlando and Tampa Bay and has seen many redesigns.

Performing arts venues reach out to us for coverage on touring celebrities and Broadway shows, politicians ask us to feature them or for chances to comment on topical discussions, and our website is updated daily with breaking news.

Of course, all of this talk about evolution is directly related to the two-decade anniversary of this newsmagazine, and 20 years is quite a milestone, especially in print publication.

But every single year is something to be celebrated, whether it’s at a place of business, at home, or in front of a cake �illed with candles.

Every time we experience change, we’re granted an opportunity to learn. And every time we learn, we’re prepared for the next round of change inevitably rushing toward us.

Times change, readerships change and so do relationships.

Technology is everywhere today, and maybe the lesson we’re supposed to learn from it is that a reboot once in awhile is not only cleansing, but an incredibly powerful experience. |  |

I like to say I’ve been rebooted, much like a computer or a smart phone.

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TAMPA BAY OFFICE TEL: 813-655-9890 FAX: 813-849-2986

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

CONTRIBUTORS JOE KISSEL

is a former resident of St. Petersburg and is a journalist, musician, filmmaker and fitness trainer. He lives in New York City. Page 31

MARY MEEKS

is an Orlandobased attorney who is also an LGBT activist.

She is a long-time contributor to Watermark. Page 21

CHRIS MUSCARDIN

is a student at the University of Central Florida where he is studying journalism and literature.

He is also a 2013 graduate of Valencia College. Page 27

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

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

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.

WATERMARK is published every second Thursday. Subscription rate is $55 (1st class) and $26 (standard mail).

The official views of WATERMARK are expressed only in editorials. Opinions offered in signed columns, letters and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the newspaper’s owner or management. We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication.

WATERMARK is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, except for the cost of replacing ads created by WATERMARK that have such errors.

Watermark Media Inc. est. 1994

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

7

orlando NEWS

NEWLY ROUTED: Participants for AIDS Walk Orlando trek through Lake Eola March 29 on the last leg of the new route that ran through Thornton Park. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

2014 AIDS Walk raises nearly $150,000 Samantha Rosenthal

O

RLANDO | Nearly 1,500 people raised $143,000 at the 2014 Orlando AIDS Walk, bene�iting Hope and Help of Central Florida, Inc. The walkers braved the gloomy, drizzly weather March 29 to gather around the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park to watch out Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan welcome attendees to the event.

“My favorite part of the Walk, like every year, is the sound of the horn, which was done by Patty Sheehan this year,” said Chris Hessler, events manager for Hope and Help. “It’s always fun to see people waiting, waiting and waiting, and then the air horn sounds off and everybody goes.”

The total funds raised were just shy of the goal of $150,000, but more walkers participated this year.

Many local organizations came out to support the Walk.

The turnout by various media organizations—print, radio, and television—surprised Hessler the most.

“It shows the whole community is really behind the charity itself,” he said.

MBA, Orlando’s gay chamber of commerce, contributed a sponsorship tent and a large team of walkers.

“I’m elated to see such a turn out in Central Florida,” said Michael Deeying, MBA Orlando’s director of social engagement. “It’s so great to see the straight and LGBT community united to support such a great cause.”

People lined the streets of Downtown Orlando as the walk traveled through Thornton Park—a new route for this year.

Event volunteer Tim McGinnis has participated in the walk in the past, but this was his �irst year volunteering.

“I think [the AIDS Walk participation] shows great community involvement,” McGinnis said. “It shows that AIDS doesn’t affect just the LGBT community—it affects everyone. It speaks volumes for our community that still in our differences; we come together for one good cause.” |  |

8

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

REVOLUTIONARY FACELIFT: A contractor works on the new stage at RBARR, which will reopen in late April in the space once occupied by Revolution Nightclub on Bumby Avenue. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA ROSENTHAL

Revolution Renovation LGBT-friendly downtown bar gets a new name, new owners and new look David Thomas Moran

O

RLANDO | Revolution Nightclub is no more. The Orlando gay club closed its doors April 1 and will reopen under new management as RBARR Discotek & Cocktail Boutique later this month.

The club’s new owners, Timothy Barr and Rick Kowalczyk dismissed rumors that the club is permanently closing or going straight.

“We’re not closing down and we’re not going straight. I’ve heard so many different rumors. The last rumor that I hear was my personal favorite...that we’re going to be a straight, swingers bar and a wrestling bar,” said Barr. “It’s going to stay a gay bar. This place has been around for 35 years and I bartended [here] 13 years ago. The last thing I would ever do is try to change the history of this place.”

With the rebranding, Kowalcyzk said he and Barr want to pay homage to the club’s history while also giving the bar what they called a much-needed facelift.

“We are changing things up but also going back to our roots,” he said.

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

“Expect the unexpected.”

Kowalcyzk describes the new RBARR as a mini-entertainment complex that will feature a rotation of popular DJs, performers and theme nights.

Though the entertainment and

to be a part of [the rebranding],” said Kowalcyzk. “She is a huge part of the history of this building and she has been and continues to be a staple in the community.”

Hunter is a well-known Orlando drag performer. She will headline and emcee for RBARR’s newly renovated Southern Nights Theater.

Kowalcyk and Barr are best friends who �irst met 12 years ago through the Disney College Program.

The bar’s name is a fusion of Kowalcyk’s �irst name and Barr’s last name and a play on words to sound like “Our Bar” when spoken aloud.

The duo, who have more than a decade of experience in food and beverage and nightclub management, said they are con�ident that the RBARR complex will have something for everyone ranging from a stylish, lounge-type happy hour to the latest and greatest DJs on the dance �loor to top-notch stage performances.

RBARR will be closed for three weeks for renovations with its grand opening set for April 24-26.

RBARR is located at 375 S. Bumby Avenue in downtown Orlando. For details and more information, �ind the club online at Facebook.com/ RBARROrlando. |  |

“We’re not closing down and we’re not going straight... the last thing I would ever do is try to change the history of this place.”

—TIMOTHY BARR theme nights will be changing, the owners seem con�ident that RBARR will still draw in crowds even as it faces new competition from other gay bars in the Central Florida area. Revolutions’ Saturday night was a particularly popular night with the women’s community. Many of Revolution’s former performers and bartenders now work at The Brink on Saturdays.

“One of the main things we are very proud and happy to say is that Ms. Danielle Hunter is coming back

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

9

orlando NEWS

Orlando issues proclamation for International Transgender Day of Visibility Samantha Rosenthal

O

RLANDO | Leaders of the LGBT community gathered in Downtown Orlando to celebrate a day of support and awareness for transgender individuals everywhere. A ceremony was held in the Orlando City Hall Rotunda on March 31 to celebrate the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility.

City commissioner Patty Sheehan presented the proclamation and Orlando LGBT organizations present included The GBLT Center of Central Florida, Zebra Coalition and MBA Orlando. Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center, said events like these allow for a better knowledge and understanding of the transgender community for all.

“The transgender community is part of the

fabric that makes up the LGBT community, but they don’t always get the acknowledgment and recognition they deserve,” Stephens said.

The Center �lew both the American �lag and transgender �lag for the day, where normally they �ly the American and a rainbow �lag, Stephens said. The Center also has three support groups in order to serve the needs of these individuals better and to educate the rest of the LGBT community.

Gina Duncan, a transgender diversity and inclusion trainer, emphasized the importance of education to cast aside any misunderstandings and to disperse the fear that is present within the transgender community to be truthful with themselves.

“The only way we’re going to make any progress is through people understanding the transgender journey,” Duncan said.

RAISING VISIBILITY : (L-R) Executive director for The Center Randy Stephens, LGBT activist and attorney Mary Meeks, diversity and inclusion trainer Gina Duncan, MBA Orlando president Mikael Audebert, Zebra Coalition director Dexter Foxworth and Equality Florida director of development Michael Farmer attend the International Transgender Day of Visibility at City Hall on March 31. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS Only two other transgender individuals were present at the event besides Duncan. She said that shows there is still work to do and called the proclamation “a �irst step.”

“That’s the challenge we

What’s in a name?

face, in that the community has a long way to go in reference to trust,” Duncan said. “Without education, people won’t be able to readily embrace transgender people.”

The day, which began as a

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

11

tampa bay NEWS

LEGALLY WED: Tampa couple Mark Anderson, center, and Keith Bucklew were married in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor April 3. The ceremony was officiated by District Court Judge Susan C. Bucklew, Bucklew’s sister-in-law.

Tampa couple weds in Castor’s Washington office Staff Report

W

ASHINGTON, D.C. | After seven years as a couple, Tampa residents Keith Bucklew and Mark Anderson decided it was time to get married. There was only one problem— their home state of Florida doesn’t yet recognize marriage equality.

So rather than wait for the Sunshine State to catch up to the trend of inclusion, the couple traveled to Washington, D.C. after they were invited by U.S. Rep Kathy Castor to use her of�ice for a ceremony.

The nation’s capitol recognizes same-sex marriages.

“We were happy and honored to welcome Mark and Keith to my of�ice in Washington for their special occasion,” Rep. Castor said.

District Court Judge Susan C. Bucklew, Keith’s sister-in-law, traveled from Florida to perform the ceremony.

“When same-sex couples wed in states (or the district) where their marriage is legally recognized—even if they reside in a non-recognition state—they qualify for the same federal bene�its that all married couples have enjoyed,” Castor said.

“Hopefully, Florida law and the state constitution will soon recognize marriage equality. Last year’s court ruling on DOMA was an important step, but a patchwork of laws exists on the state level.”

Anderson is a retired engineer who now serves on the Equality Florida board and Bucklew is the owner of an architectural and interior design business. |  |

12

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

TALKING STRATEGY: (L-R) Dr. Karen Monroe, Edward White CEO Sharon Hayes, attorney Cathy Blackburn and Metro’s

Chris Rudisill took part in a town hall style forum at Edward White Hospital to discuss collaborative efforts between the hospital and the local LGBT community March 26. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

Healthy Outreach Edward White Hospital reaches out to LGBT community Steve Blanchard

S

T. PETERSBURG | A small but enthusiastic crowd attended an open forum at Edward White Hospital on March 26 to start a dialogue on how it can appropriately care for the area’s LGBT community.

Nurse and CEO Sharon Hayes welcomed guests and shared plans for renovations of the three decadesold hospital, but also directly discussed her vision of partnering with the LGBT community.

“We have a deep seeded belief in treating our patients with respect and dignity,” Hayes said. “Isn’t it sad that we even need to talk about that?”

Hayes was joined by Dr. Karen Monroe, attorney Cathy Blackburn and Chris Rudisill, director of LGBT Community Center services at Metro Wellness, on the panel.

“We learned about Red & Green [St. Pete Pride’s annual holiday fundraiser] and we attended it,” Hayes said, pointing out that she wasn’t in town for that particular celebration, but representatives of the hospital did attend. “I heard such

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

wonderful things and excitement about getting involved in the LGBT community.”

Hayes did attend Taste of Pride at the Dali on March 15, she added, saying it gave her an opportunity to meet even more LGBT leaders and invite them to discuss medical care issues pertinent to that segment of

part of it,’” she continued. “It just feels so right and it’s the right path for us.”

Topics discussed included domestic partnerships, legal paperwork to ensure those rights such as power of attorney, and ideas on how to introduce Edward White Hospital to the LGBT community of St. Petersburg.

“I had the �lu a few weeks back and I couldn’t have advocated for myself,” Blackburn shared, when expressing the importance of proper power of attorney paperwork. “It’s so important for us to partner with people who are close to us and have that protection, and have folks to help us through these tough times. It’s also a pleasure to have a health care provider and institution that’s so welcoming to our community. Happy about the future partnerships to develop after tonight.”

Rudisill, who has lived in St. Petersburg since 2009, shared his experience at Edward White when his partner was admitted there for minor surgery. The experience, he said, was wonderful, considering the circumstances, and he highlighted the respect he was given as his

“We have a deep seeded belief in treating our patients with respect and dignity.”

—SHARON HAYES, ED WHITE CEO

St. Petersburg.

“I’ve been here just over a year, and I remember opening up the paper after St. Pete Pride last year and thinking, ‘wow, look at all of those umbrellas!’” she laughed. “I was amazed at the strength of the LGBT community and we’ve had a chance to speak with Eric Skains of St. Pete Pride, who showed us the stats.

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is incredible. Gosh, we want to be a

watermarkonline.com

Continued on page 14 |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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tampa bay NEWS

IN OTHER NEWS RED RIBBON RUN RETURNS APRIL 12 The Annual Red Ribbon Run benefitting Metro Community and Wellness Center is Saturday, April 12, at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Participants in the 3K run or 1-mile run/walk can register at 7:30 a.m. and the run begins at 8:30 a.m.

For details or to donate, visit TampaBayRedRibbonRun. org.

DINE OUT FOR LIFE APRIL 24 Dining Out For Life returns to Tampa Bay on Thursday, April 24, when more than 50 participating restaurants donate at least 25% of their proceeds that day to the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas and its programs.

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“If I was made of

|  | Edward White

Hospital

from pg.12

partner’s caregiver.

“That’s why we want to continue to develop this relationship,” Rudisill said. “The LGBT community as a whole isn’t always comfortable with medical services either. We are on a path to change that and let St. Petersburg’s LGBT community know that there is a hospital, right here, that wants to help us and respect us.”

That is no small undertaking for the hospital, Hayes admitted, sharing that she’s surprised at the number of people in St. Petersburg who didn’t even know the hospital was open. She plans to change that through outreach and renovations at the facility, named after famed astronaut Edward White.

“We want you to know we are honored to partner with the community and to listen to your needs,” Hayes said. “This is a great beginning and we plan to continue developing and nurturing this relationship.”

For more information, visit EdwardWhiteHospital.com. |  |

Judge postpones ruling on Tampa couple’s request to divorce Staff Report

T

AMPA | A judge has postponed a decision on whether a lesbian couple should be granted a legal divorce despite their Massachusetts marriage not being recognized in the Sunshine State.

Keiba Lynn Shaw and Mariama Changamire-Shaw married in 2010, moved to Florida a year later and have now decided to split. On March 27, Judge Laurel M. Lee heard the case of the two women and asked, “How would this court have the authority to dissolve a marriage that the laws of our state do not recognize?”

The couple wants to divorce in Florida because Massachusetts law requires couples seeking legal

separation to live in that state for at least a year. Attorneys for the two women argued that Florida’s ban on marriage equality doesn’t speci�ically prohibit divorce, and therefore their clients’ request should have been granted.

“We should not be as a state discouraging people from moving to Florida because once here they are forever married,” argued attorney Ellen Ware, who represents ChangamireShaw. “Essentially by refusing to divorce people, we are telling them if they move here they are stuck.”

By not granting divorce, neither woman can move on with her life, argued Adam Cardover, who represents Keiba Lynn Shaw.

“They’re at a point right now where they cannot get divorced, which means that they cannot

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re-marry... so I’m not sure what you call it, but it’s a dif�icult, dif�icult situation,” Cordover told WSPT-TV, Tampa’s CBS af�iliate.

Judge Lee said she wants to give the women a chance to have their case heard, and scheduled a hearing for April 22. This would make it likely the �irst divorce to challenge Florida’s same-sex marriage ban. A lawsuit �iled Jan. 21 by six South Florida couples wanting their marriages recognized in the state and Equality Florida also seeks to overturn the ban. In February, the ACLU �iled a similar lawsuit in Florida’s panhandle.

If their right to divorce in Florida is denied, both women in this case are prepared to take their right to divorce to the State Supreme Court, their attorneys said. |  |

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watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

15

state NEWS

Neptune Beach passes LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance Anti-gay groups continue to fight marriage equality lawsuits Staff report

T

ALLAHASSEE | The Liberty Counsel has �iled two more motions to intervene in Florida lawsuits �ighting for marriage equality.

The motions are �iled on behalf of Florida Family Action, a group that pushed for the passage of Amendment 2 which is Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage. They’re attempting to intervene in the case of Grimley v. Scott, a lawsuit �iled by eight Florida same-sex couples legally married elsewhere who are �ighting to have their marriages recognized in Florida, and Brenner v. Scott, �iled on behalf of a couple who got married in Canada, now live in Tallahassee, and want Florida to recognize their marriage.

In February, the Liberty Counsel �iled a motion to intervene in the lawsuit �iled Jan. 21 by Equality Florida Institute and six South Florida couples �ighting for their right to marry. That motion was on behalf of Florida Family Action, People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality and Florida Democratic League. Florida Family Action is a partner group of Florida Family Policy Council, run by notorious anti-gay activist John Stemberger. Those groups have also launched an online petition to gather support for their efforts, DontTrashMyVote.com.

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.

“Plaintiffs expect Florida to reform its laws to satisfy their desires to have marriage rede�ined so that they can obtain bene�its and rights that the people of Florida and the Florida Constitution require to be given only to the union of one man and one woman,” reads the motion. |  |

Warren wins Gainesville election Staff Report

16

GAINESVILLE | Out lesbian Hellen K. Warren defeated incumbent Annie Orlando in the race for Gainesville City Commission’s District 2-At-Large seat on April 8.

Warren, who has been involved for decades with the environmental and wildlife protection group Audubon of Florida and has for the last four years served as president of the Alachua Audubon Society, eked out the win with just 127 votes over the incumbent, according to early election results provided by the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections.

Warren has also worked for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights as a member of Equality Florida’s steering committee. That work earned her recognition as Equality Florida’s 2011 Voice of Equality award.

Warren’s campaign signs were targeted with antigay slurs earlier this year, but supporters stood by the candidate. This is her �irst time seeking of�ice.|  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

Jamie Hyman

N

EPTUNE BEACH | Neptune Beach City Council narrowly passed a resolution supporting the Florida Legislature passing laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The resolution was approved in a 3-2 vote during the regular council meeting April 7 with Mayor Harriet Pruette and Vice Mayor John Jolly and council member Richard Arthur voting in favor, and council members Kara Tucker and Scott Wiley voting against.

The resolution was introduced

by Mayor Pruette and was heard in February but had to be postponed for rewording. It was revisited March 17 at a workshop where the council worked out the exact wording.

It begins with a list supporting Florida’s stance on equality, citing the state constitution and previous anti-discrimination bills.

“The City of Neptune Beach, Florida, hereby supports the passing of laws by the State of Florida Legislature prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation and

gender identity or expression; thus ful�illing the declaration of the State of Florida Constitution of equal protection under the law,” the resolution reads, and it also states that copies will be sent to each of Florida’s state legislators.

According to Deputy City Clerk Karla Strait, before the April 7 vote, about 20 people spoke, mostly in favor of the bill. She said it was a “quick vote” after public comments.

In February, Mayor Pruette told Watermark she was “disappointed” the resolution wasn’t received more favorably when �irst introduced to the City Council. |  |

[Huntsman and Jones] for several months about their desire to get married,” Restivo said. “They’re adamant about getting married in Florida and they understand it’s going to be a long journey, but they’re in it till the end.”

Ron Saunders, general counsel for the clerk’s of�ice, told Florida Keys Reporter they had no choice but to deny the men the license based on the ban on marriage equality approved by voters and added to the Florida Constitution in 2008. The amendment also bans recognition of legal same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships performed elsewhere.

In the complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief �iled by Restivo on the couple’s behalf, it highlights similar court cases, like U.S. v. Windsor (2013), and makes two general allegations.

The two counts stated in the suit are that Florida Statues 741.04 and 741.212 are in “violation

of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution” and in “violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

Restivo said as she met with Huntsman and Jones about their desire to obtain a marriage license, it seemed as if every other week another new case was decided or similar issues in different jurisdictions were brought up that support the couple’s lawsuit.

“When we were meeting with Aaron and Lee about the suit being �iled, we always felt Monroe County would be the best place for the suit to be �iled,” Restivo said.

Monroe County was the �irst county in Florida to allow adoption by gays. Restivo said other samesex couples who want to sue for marriage equality have contacted her of�ice since she started working with Huntsman and Jones. |  |

from their beds by neighbors when they spotted smoke coming from the trailer March 29, according to the Miami Herald.

Braulio Valenzuela-Villanueva, 73, did not confess to setting the �ire but a neighbor’s security camera caught him setting ablaze a mattress leaning up around the couple’s home at 4:25 a.m. The arrest record states he despised

the two women because they are lesbians and “every time he saw them kissing he felt a deep repugnance, and in his opinion they did not deserve to have children.”

While the trailer was completely destroyed, no one was injured from the �ire. Valenzuela-Villanueva remains at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held on $230,000 bond. |  |

Key West couple sues for marriage equality Samantha Rosenthal KEY WEST | A gay couple in Key West is following suit, literally.

Aaron Huntsman and his partner William Lee Jones sued Monroe County Clerk Amy Heavilin on April 1, after the couple was refused a marriage license. Huntsman and Jones want to wed on June 10, which will be the 11-year anniversary of their relationship and the 10-year anniversary of their commitment ceremony in Las Vegas.

Huntsman and Jones will be represented by Bernadette Restivo, an attorney with Restivo, Reilly & Vigil-Farinas, who put together the 17-page lawsuit. She said the suit is similar to the one �iled in January in Miami-Dade by the Equality Florida Institute and six same-sex couples against a clerk of courts who refused them a marriage license.

“We’ve been talking to

Man burns down lesbian couple’s home Staff report MIAMI | A registered sex offender is under arrest for setting �ire to a trailer which was home to a lesbian couple and their eight children.

Norma Beteta Fonseca, her partner, Latanya Dinsy, and her children were awakened and pulled

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

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Wire Report

“I would have loved to have engaged in a debate over what happens when freedoms collide,’’ Yagun said. ``We have freedom of speech, which I would defend to the end. And we have what I believe is a fundamental liberty of people to marry and love whoever they want.”

Eich’s departure didn’t end the controversy, it just changed it.

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which backed Prop 8, called on consumers to boycott the Firefox browser.

NOM President Brian Brown said Eich had been the ``target of a vicious character attack by gay activists who have forced him out of the company he has helped lead for years.’’ |  |

Human Rights Act by refusing to photograph the same-sex ceremony “in the same way as if it had refused to photograph a wedding between people of different races.”

Elane Photography co-owner Elaine Huguenin said taking the photos would violate her religious beliefs. She said she also has a right of artistic expression under the First Amendment that allows her to choose what pictures to take, or refrain from taking.

The case has been cited as legislators in other states have

proposed exempting people from such lawsuits if doing business with same-sex couples violates their religious beliefs.

Arizona earlier this year passed such a law, but Republican Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed it under pressure and blistering criticism from major corporations and political leaders from both parties.

Similar religious-protection legislation has passed in Mississippi, and been introduced in Ohio, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee, Idaho and Kansas. |  |

woman, as God created.

“While many governments and well-meaning individuals have rede�ined marriage, the Lord has not,’’ Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve said April 5. ``He designated the purpose of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and ful�illment of adults, to more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared and nurtured.’’

In the October 2013 church conference, Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum said human laws cannot ``make moral what God has declared immoral.’’

Marriage equality has been an especially hot topic in Utah since December, when a federal judge

overturned Utah’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

More than 1,000 gay and lesbian couples married until the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on marriages pending a ruling from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. A hearing is set there for April 10, where each side will have up to 30 minutes each to make their arguments. On April 17, the appeals court will hear oral arguments in a similar Oklahoma case.

A 10th Circuit decision only establishes law in Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming and New Mexico. The circuit court decision will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court. |  |

Supreme Court declines New Mexico same-sex bias case Wire Report ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. | The U.S. Supreme Court on April 7 rejected an appeal from a studio that refused to photograph a lesbian couple’s commitment ceremony, letting stand a New Mexico high court ruling that helped spur a national debate over gay rights and religious freedom.

The justices left in place a unanimous state Supreme Court ruling last year that said Elane Photography violated New Mexico’s

Mormons renew marriage fight in advance of hearing on Utah ban Wire Report SALT LAKE CITY | A top Mormon leader reiterated the church’s opposition to marriage equality during the church’s biannual general conference, just days before a federal court will hear oral arguments on whether Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ stance on homosexuality has softened in recent years, but this marks the second consecutive conference in which leaders took time to emphasize the faith’s insistence that marriage should be limited to unions between a man and a

FEDERAL JUDGE TO HEAR INDIANA LESBIAN COUPLE’S REQUEST U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young on April 4 set a hearing for April 10 in the case of a lesbian couple seeking to compel Indiana to recognize their legal marriage before one of the women, who is stricken with cancer, dies.

Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney, who has stage 4 ovarian cancer, are seeking a temporary restraining order requiring Indiana to recognize their 2013 marriage in Massachusetts.

Indiana bars gay marriage under a statue defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

UGANDA: POLICE RAID U.S. PROJECT THAT ASSISTED GAYS Ugandan police on April 4 raided the offices of a United States-funded project known to offer AIDS services to homosexuals, in what appeared to be the first public action by police to enforce a new law that strengthened criminal penalties against gay sex. The Makerere University Walter Reed Project in Kampala suspended its activities after one of its staff, a Ugandan citizen, was arrested and detained by police. In February, Uganda enacted a new measure that allows up to life imprisonment for engaging in gay sex.

JUDGE STRIKES DOWN PART OF OHIO MARRIAGE LAW A federal judge says he will issue a ruling on April 14 striking down part of Ohio’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage, meaning the state must recognize marriages of gay couples who legally wed elsewhere. Judge Timothy Black made the statement April 4 following final arguments in a lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the marriage ban. Black’s ruling will not mean the state has to allow couples to marry in Ohio.

nation+world

S

AN JOSE, CALIF. | The resignation of Mozilla’s CEO amid outrage that he supported an anti-gay marriage campaign is prompting concerns about how Silicon Valley’s strongly liberal culture might quash the very openness that is at the region’s foundation.

Mozilla co-founder Brendan Eich stepped down April 3 as CEO, just days after his appointment.

He left the nonpro�it maker of the Firefox browser after furious attacks, largely on Twitter, over his $1,000 contribution to support of Prop 8, a now-overturned 2008 gay-marriage ban in California.

“There was no interest in creating an Internet lynch mob,’’ said OkCupid co-founder Sam Yagun, whose dating service site was among those engaged in online protest. “I am opposed to that with every bone in my body.’’

But Eich’s abrupt departure has stirred the debate over the fairness of forcing out a highly quali�ied technology executive over his personal views and a single campaign contribution six years ago. And it raises questions about how far corporate leaders are allowed to go in expressing their political views.

OkCupid never demanded Eich resign, and after discussing the issue with Mozilla, Yagun ended the call for a Firefox boycott.

IN OTHER NEWS

NEWS

Mozilla CEO resignation over Prop 8 raises free-speech issues

MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR SIGNS RELIGIOUS-PRACTICES BILL Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant On April 3 signed a bill that says state and local governments cannot put a substantial burden on religious practices. The bill sparked emotional debate in the Legislature about possible anti-LGBT discrimination. Opponents say the law will allow people and businesses to cite religious beliefs in discriminating against others.

OREGON MOM CONVICTED IN DEATH OF ‘GAY’ SON Oregon jurors took a little more than an hour on April 2 to convict 25-year-old Jessica Dutro of murder in the death of her 4-year-old son, Zachary Dutro-Boggess.

The boy’s 7-year-old sister witnessed the fatal beating by Dutro and Dutro’s boyfriend, and testified that the motive behind the violence was Dutro’s belief that Zachary was gay. Sentencing for Dutro is set for April 18 in Washington County Circuit Court.

WORLD VISION BOARD MEMBER RESIGNS OVER GAY UPROAR A board member of the Seattle-based international relief group World Vision has resigned in protest after the Christian organization reversed a decision to recognize gay employees’ marriages. Jacquelline Fuller said April 2 she left because she disagreed with the agency reversing a policy that would have recognized employees’ same-sex spouses. Fuller directs corporate giving for Google Inc.

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

19

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livingloud

Countdown to Equality

Mary Meeks MEEKS@WATERMARKONLINE.COM

W

E MAY VERY WELL BE

on the cusp of a watershed moment here in Florida.

In a state that currently offers no statewide legal recognition for the hundreds of thousands of families headed by same-sex couples residing here, full marriage equality may well be on the horizon.

In January 2014, six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute �iled a historic lawsuit in Miami-Dade County circuit court challenging Florida’s same-sex marriage ban (Pareto v. Ruvin*), and subsequent lawsuits were �iled in Florida federal court challenging Florida’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

These Florida courts will soon decide whether to join the unanimous opinions of every court in the nation that has addressed the issue in the past 10 months, by ruling that Florida’s bans on same-sex marriage violate the federal constitution. If so, it will be a landmark judicial af�irmation of our right to human dignity and legal equality, and will end an ignominious chapter of legislative discrimination that no longer re�lects the views of most Floridians.

How did we get here? Last June, the United States Supreme Court issued a momentous ruling, striking

down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in U.S. v. Windsor.

This provision prohibited the federal government from recognizing legal same-sex marriages performed in states and other countries that permit same-sex couples to marry, effectively denying those couples (and their children) the more than 1,100 federal rights, bene�its and privileges identi�ied by the U.S. General Accounting Of�ice that accrue to the status of being “married.”

When Windsor was decided, 12 states, plus D.C., permitted same-sex couples to marry, and more than 30 states expressly banned marriage for couples of the same sex. In Windsor, the Court held that Section 3 of DOMA violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, �inding that it served no legitimate governmental purpose, and in fact was intended to harm—and did harm—same-sex couples and their children.

Justice Kennedy wrote that such discrimination was “obnoxious” to our Constitution.

At the time, Chief Justice Roberts (who voted with the minority to uphold DOMA) noted the virtual tidal wave of public opinion that was changing in favor of marriage equality. A national ABC poll released just prior to the Windsor decision found that 58% of Americans support marriage equality, and that 81% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 do so. More recent polls re�lect that 57% of Floridians support marriage equality (Public Religion Research Institute), and 75% support either marriage or equivalent rights for same-sex couples (Public Policy Polling).

These �igures show that Florida’s current laws, which deny any protections for same-sex couples (even basic protections from discrimination) are woefully outdated and out-ofstep with the evolving views of most Floridians on these issues.

Despite this widespread public support, and ever-increasing numbers of supportive mainstream legislators, right-wing extremists have continually blocked the Florida Legislature from considering even the barest form of legal recognition for Florida’s same-sex couples and their families—a domestic partnership registry that would grant a handful of basic protections like hospital visitation, healthcare surrogate, and funeral rights. Every day, countless Florida families are denied hundreds of critical rights, bene�its and protections afforded by marriage under federal and state law, as well as the basic dignity of having their families recognized as equal, legitimate and worthy of protection.

The good news is, thanks to the burgeoning legacy of the Windsor decision, marriage equality is spreading across the nation. Since Windsor, every state and federal court to consider the issue has struck down state marriage bans, and several state legislatures have enacted marriage equality laws, bringing marriage equality to 17 states, plus D.C., and approximately 38% of the U.S. population.

Courts in eight additional states have ruled that all or parts of the bans in their states are unconstitutional in violation of equal protection laws, and dozens more such cases are currently pending.

Attorneys general in at least four of those pending cases have announced that they will not defend their states’ bans. And the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a recent ruling interpreting Windsor to require heightened constitutional scrutiny in cases involving classi�ications based on sexual orientation, which will apply in

pending and future cases challenging bans in all of the states in that circuit.

Florida has now of�icially joined the movement. Our courts will soon rule on this issue, knowing that every court thus far post-Windsor has emphatically ruled that such bans are unconstitutional, and harmful. These decisions came from state and federal courts, from red and blue states, from liberal and conservative judges. The conclusion is inescapable—the irrational prejudice and systemic discrimination that has existed in this country against its gay citizens cannot, and will not, withstand the rule of law.

Here in Florida, extremist legislators, who will forever be stranded on the wrong side of history, can no longer hold back this inevitable countdown to equality. Tick tock, tick tock…|  |

The irrational prejudice and systemic discrimination that has existed in this country against its gay citizens cannot, and will not, withstand the rule of law.

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

*Mary Meeks is co-counsel in Pareto v. Ruvin, along with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Carlton Fields Jordan Burt, and Elizabeth Schwartz.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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Confessions of a Former Chubby Jock-Wanna-Be

Steven R. Yacovelli, Ed.D.

I

WAS A “LITTLE FAT GIRL”

growing up. Ok, well I looked like a pudgy little girl as a kid, and wasn’t the most svelte boy on my little league team. I grew up outside of Philadelphia in North Coventry Township (“Norco” for short) and played on the Norco Nipple Company little league team … no lie (see photo – it was a pipe �itting company in town).

Once a season we played the Very Best Wieners—a hotdog shop in downtown. (I swear I’m not making this up!) As a third grader we’d chant “Nipple Power! Nipple Power!” from the dugout as the parents would giggle at our innocence and naivety. But this was my �irst real venture into organized sports and, despite my poor athletic ability, I loved it.

As a kid I tried just about every team sport with pretty much the same outcome: I was so-so but really lacked the athletic grace and speed of many of the other kids. The boys who excelled at athletics were the ones picked well before me for those dreaded playground games. I was a “late bloomer” and became a letterman in high school—alas, it was in band.

In college, I took up recreational swimming, played various intramural activities with my fraternity brothers (don’t be dirty), and balanced that out by pursuing college theater. I also discovered my inner jock, realizing that I was an active person despite being a chunky monkey in my youth.

Then, after undergrad, I �igured out I not only really liked athletics but athletes as well—speci�ically the male kind. But after undergrad, sports didn’t play a part in my life.

Sure, as a new gayling, the gym become a very important part of my homo-ness. But team sports? Nope.

I was too busy trying to establish a career, then attend grad school, then more work, etc., etc.

Flash forward to 2003. I had recently taken a leave of absence from working a “real” job so I could �inish my doctoral degree, and I was pretty alone. By day I’d sit home and try and write, but as an extrovert and someone who gets their energy by being with others, I was a bit lost. That vital part of “work culture”—where you have inside work jokes that mean nothing to your boyfriend/ girlfriend/spouse/signi�icant other, that special bond with your “work wife” or “work husband,” the dramas inherent to any work organization—all that was gone. I had my research; my computer; and in the evenings, my partner.

It was at this time that I discovered gay softball. Friends of mine were on a team and, over drinks one sunny Sunday afternoon, they sat in the Parliament House courtyard in their jerseys talking about the most recent game: the plays, the �lubs both teams had, the overall collective fun day. I wanted to be a part of that, and shortly thereafter I joined their team. For me, it �illed this void I had working from home alone. I had “co-workers” again, but this time it wasn’t for pay and it wasn’t every day, but it was a group with which I was now a part.

Eleven years later I’m very fortunate that the core team I joined is still together. We’ve gone through a variety of team sponsors (we’re on Version 6.0 as the “Drunkin’ Pelicans”), and we’ve had people come and go, but the fundamental group of us who have—season after season—played, cheered, celebrated, commiserated, and enjoyed “apple juice” together remains intact.

But these folks are more than softball teammates. They are a huge part of my Orlando community. We

now enjoy one another’s company outside of softball, during birthdays, holidays, etc. Their partners come to the games to root us on, family members come cheer for us and we’ve watched daughters and sons and nieces and nephews grow up from season to season. This is more than a “let’s drink beer on a Sunday” group—this has become a close group of friends who have shared who they are and where they come from with one another.

My particular team is a diverse group of lesbians, gays and straights working together each week and learning from one another on and off the �ield.

And I’m not alone at this. I see whole softball teams going to gay and straight teammates’ weddings, taking vacations together, attending events en mass.

When a fellow league player died unexpectedly a few years ago, I swear the vast majority of the teams were represented at his funeral, all standing at the back sharing stories about him.

I’m not sure this level of camaraderie necessarily holds true for our straight league counterparts.

I think there’s something special about a gay and lesbian sports league. For the most part we’ve all experienced that “outsider” feeling (like little chubby girly Steve waiting to be picked on the playground) and carry that feeling into adulthood.

But in our softball league we’re all being picked. The little chubby kid in each of us is now able to be that jock (regardless of athletic prowess) and play the game alongside others without judgment or bias. In my experience, it doesn’t matter if you’re an MVG (“Most Valuable Gay”) shortstop or can barely hit the ball, we’re out there to be part of a team, meet people and have fun. If we can do that while winning the game, great.

But for me at least, the little chubby fat girl inside me has been picked to be on a team and has a place to play on Sundays, and that feels mighty good. |  |

I was a “late bloomer” and became a letterman in high school—alas, it was in band.

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TALKING POINTS

I’m all for the LGBT community’s ongoing fight for equality... But it seems like they’ve been in the news too much lately.

Maybe they should... go on gaycation, just for the weekend.

75% of Americans admitted to

—DAVE ELLIOTT, WLOX TV-BILOXI NEWS ANCHOR

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W

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HEN YOU’RE THE CHIEF I.T. GUY, NO ONE CARES IF YOU’RE ANTI-GAY. But Mozilla, the nonpro�it behind the web browser Mozilla Firefox, learned the hard way that anti-gay and CEO don’t mix. Just days after the company announced Brendan Eich was its new CEO on March 24, the backlash began. Three high level directors resigned, employees protested and OK

—Lifestyles 2014 SKYN Sex Survey

GAY ‘GLEE’ CHARACTER TAKES A BASHING

T E

ELTON JOHN TO TIE THE KNOT

LTON JOHN AND HIS PARTNER, DAVID FURNISH, ARE GETTING MARRIED. The two men, who have been in a civil partnership since 2005, will walk down the aisle in May. Britain recently changed the law to recognize marriage equality. The �irst ceremonies were performed March 31. The singer told NBC’s Today show that he wanted to be married. “We shouldn’t just say ‘oh, well, we have a civil partnership, we’re not going to bother to get married. We will get married.”

The couple has two children. |  |

HE APRIL 8 EPISODE OF THE MUSICAL TELEVISION FOX SHOW GLEE showed Chris Colfer’s character, Kurt Hummel, as the victim of a gay hate crime. In a press release about the episode titled “Bash,” it states “Rachel will take the next step in committing to her role in Funny Girl. In the meantime, Kurt is going to be the victim of an attack because of his sexual preference.” The preview following the April 1 episode titled “New New York” showed Kurt being beaten up in an alley and Glee cast members gathered around a hospital bed looking melancholy.

Glee has explored similar issues on the show before, where creator Ryan Murphy has also touched harassment and suicide among the younger LGBT community due to being bullied and/ or outed. |  |

MILK GETS STAMPED

S

LAIN SAN FRANCISCO POLITICIAN HARVEY MILK has become the �irst-ever openly gay person to be featured on a stamp. The United States Post Of�ice has revealed the new Milk stamp, which features the colors of the pride �lag and a blackand-white photo of the civil rights leader and historical icon. The stamp will be of�icially released on May 22, Harvey Milk Day. Milk was the �irst openly gay politician in California and was shot and killed in November 1978 by a member of the city’s board of supervisors. |  |

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

Cupid refused to allow users to run the dating website with the Firefox browser.

Eich contributed $1,000 to the Prop 8 ballot measure that passed in the Nov. 2008 California election. Last summer, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ban.

Mozilla saw the error of its ways. Just as quickly as he was promoted, Eich resigned April 3. Incidentally, OKCupid says 8% of its users are gay. |  |

BITTER BATTLE BREWS BETWEEN

JOHNNY WEIR AND ESTRANGED HUBBY

O

LYMPIC SKATERTURNED-COMMENTATOR JOHNNY WEIR AND LAWYER-HUSBAND VICTOR VORONOV have been embroiled in a nasty divorce amid allegations Weir strayed during the marriage. Voronov, 29, claimed Weir messaged men on the social app Grindr. Nude photos and steamy sexts have surfaced. Voronov previously accused Weir of biting him during a �ight and had a restraining order put in place. Voronov also claims Weir is holding their dog, Tema, hostage. Weir, 29, has accused Voronov of destroying his beloved Birkin handbags. The couple married on New Year’s Eve 2011. |  |

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TOURNAMENT READY: This collection

watermark

IN DEPTH

of Tampa MetroChefs take a break between games at the 2013 Gasparilla Tournament in Tampa. PHOTO BY STEVE

GAY SOFTBALL LEAGUES

BLANCHARD

BATTER UP! LGBTs—and a restricted number of allies—vie for World Series rights

E

Chris Muscardin

VERY SUNDAY MORNING—SINCE

1993 in Tampa and 1996 in Orlando— LGBTs and allies wake up early, put on their softball gear and head to the �ields.

This year is no different, as both leagues are in full swing of their spring season which serves as a quali�ier to the Gay Softball World Series, slated for Dallas this summer.

The Central Florida Softball League in Orlando threw its �irst pitch of 2014 on Feb. 23 at Lake Fairview Park, where well over 100 people gathered. The “Sounds of Freedom,” the local LGBT marching band, played the national anthem proudly at full

blast as Parliament House owner Susan Unger threw the �irst pitch of the day.

Tampa Bay’s Suncoast Softball League, began its season a week later at the Woodlawn Softball Complex in St. Petersburg on March 2. The league utilizes both Woodlawn and the Greco Softball Complex in Tampa throughout its seasons.

Both opening ceremonies went off without a hitch as players and fans prepared to

shake of the winter cobwebs after a long and seemingly colder winter this year. In fact, both leagues are thriving and optimistic, which is different from how things were in 2010 when the North American Gay Amateur Athletics Association— of which both leagues are members—faced a lawsuit for discriminating against “nongay” players.

NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY “When we started the league, you know, it was all gay,” says Steven Roberts, coach of the Cardinal Casket Company Undertakers and one of the founding members of the Orlando league. “My team now is at least half straight. Last season

I had eight straight guys and about four gay guys. So the only restriction really in our league is you can’t be anti-gay.”

While many celebrate that view, it’s not in agreement with policies put in place by NAGAAA, which limits the number of selfidenti�ied straight players to three-per-team.

Between both leagues, roughly 800 players and 58 teams gather every Sunday Morning along the I-4 corridor.

As large as the softball leagues are, they are only a small part in a much larger international network. Both the CFSL and SSL open divisions are a part of the NAGAAA, and the CFSL women’s division is a part of the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America

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(ASANA). The mission statements for both NAGAAA and ASANA explain they are dedicated to promoting amateur athletics for the LBGT community.

Today, few even talk about the controversy of 2010.

That year, NAGAAA, came under �ire when it decided to revoke the second place �inish of a San Francisco-based team in the 2008 World Series because it allegedly had too many “non-gay” players. Details of an incredibly uncomfortable inquiry into the players’ sexual preferences soon leaked and NAGAAA found itself facing a lawsuit, �iled by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. It sought $250,000 in Continued on page 29 |  |

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

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|  | Gay Softball

Leagues from pg.27

damages on behalf of three players who identi�ied as bisexual.

U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour strongly favored the league and its First Amendment right and ruled “it is reasonable that an organization seeking to limit participation to gay athletes would require members to express whether or not they are gay athletes.”

In November 2011, the suit was settled, and NAGAAA agreed to adjust its policy to include an unlimited number of LGBT players on any team, but with a three-player limit applying to self-identi�ied “non-LGBT” on a Gay Softball World Series roster.

When battling the suit, NAGAAA compared itself to other groups that organize around a “commonality,” like leagues geared speci�ically to African-Americans or Native Americans.

Efforts to reach NAGAAA about the 2010 lawsuit and it’s current rules concerning sexual orientation were not returned to Watermark.

Instead, an emailed response was sent with a link to an open letter the association wrote in 2010 defending its policies: “In 1977 NAGAAA was founded as a private organization with the mission of fostering a safe place for Gay/Lesbian softball players to play and compete in softball,” the letter reads. “We believe that team sports can offer opportunities for personal enrichment, and a sense of community that is not available otherwise. It is not unlike other groups whom choose to organize around a commonality such as the African American Softball Assoc., or the Native American Indian Softball Assoc.

“Our group recognizes that in the arena of team sports, homophobia is still all too common. Almost daily it seems, one hears or reads of another gay bashing, often resulting in fatal outcomes. These tragedies serve as a reminder of our mission to provide a safe place for Gay/Lesbian players to enjoy competition while not compromising their true identity.”

In a press release released shortly after the lawsuit was settled, then-NAGAAA commissioner Ray Melani expressed relief.

“This lawsuit threatened not only the purpose of our organization, but also its future,” he said. “We fought

IMPACTFUL PLAYERS: Members of the Hope & Help Center’s Impact. show enthusiasm for the Central Florida Softball League at Lake Fairview Park on April 6. PHOTO BY JAKE STEVENS

You have people from all these different communities, all different scenes that come together as one big family.

—RICHARD HAREM OF THE CFSL

hard to protect ourselves and our core identity and I am relieved this issue is �inally behind us.”

ONE LARGE NETWORK

The SSL and the CFSL are two of the largest volunteer-run organizations in the region, run entirely by players themselves and funded and sponsored by iconic Florida establishments like the Parliament House Resort, Hope &

Help, Hamburger Mary’s, Tijuana Flats, and Savoy Bar and Lounge in Orlando; and Georgie’s Alibi, St. Pete Pride, CitySide and G. Bar in Tampa Bay. For those who play, softball is an important part of their weekly routine. The games are an all-day affair, according to Orlando Base Grinders out�ielder Dane Calder.

“We go in the mornings to play, hang around and tailgate for awhile

after, and then everyone goes out to that week’s host bar to hang out all night,” he says.

While the socializing may be a major focus for members of the league, all players are aware that in the spring season, they’re battling for a chance to compete in the Gay Softball World Series.

“The World Series is a pretty big experience,” says Suncoast Softball League’s NAGAAA representative

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Kyle Streng. “[Quali�iers] from each division get to play against the top teams in the league; you meet a lot of people you normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to meet.”

Being as expansive as they are, the leagues also give back a lot to the LGBT community. In addition to all the advertising for local businesses at the games, leagues are af�iliated with a number of different fundraisers such as the Hope and Help Center’s AIDS walk, St. Pete Pride, the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Each league hosts various events such as beer busts, bingo nights, and charity tournaments.

Even more events are planned for the next year and a half, said CFSL commissioner Richard Harem, in order to raise money for and call attention to the 2015 ASANA women’s World Series, which organizers announced would be held in Orlando in the summer of 2015.

But while the players train hard and competition for the World Series is �ierce, at the end of the day the softball leagues’ real legacy is the unifying force in each area.

“It helped me to meet a lot of new people when I �irst moved here,” recalls Orlando MyOptics catcher Justin Musial. “A lot of my best friends play softball.”

Softball is a social outlet more than anything, and commissioners in both leagues recognize that.

“You have people from all these different communities, all different scenes that come together as one big family,” says Richard Harem, who in addition to volunteering as commissioner of CFSL serves as coach of the Orlando Sliders and plays with the Voltage. “Only about half of it is really about softball. The other half is about bringing people together into a community. It’s a great outlet for our community to connect positively… in a way different from all the bars and clubs.”

The CFSL wraps up its Spring Season on April 28. The SSL will close out its 2014 Spring Season with a tournament on Sunday, May 18, at Woodlawn Fields.

For more information on the Central Florida Softball League and Suncoast Softball League, visit CFSLeague.org and SuncoastSoftball.org. |  | Steve Blanchard contributed to this article.

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ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

BARRY ANDERSON CELEBRATES GAY ICON BOB CREWE IN JERSEY BOYS

T

Joe Kissel

HE PARALLELS ARE UNCANNY.

Barry Anderson, a performer/musician/ producer, plays performer/musician/ producer Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, the longrunning jukebox musical about The Four Seasons and the manager who wrote their most iconic hits, including “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

Crewe was inspired to write “Eyes” when he took a moment to acknowledge the beauty of a young male lover laying resplendent on his bed. The other two are performed with “Sherrie” as a medley, which Anderson says is the knockout moment of the show.

“These were basically four blue-collar guys and they had no problem with Crewe,” Anderson says. “From pretty much the moment he steps

on stage saying ‘Hey, watch your mouth, Toto, you’re not in Newark anymore,’ you know this guy is gay.”

Flamboyant, however, Anderson is not.

“That’s where the similarities end,” he says.

And while they both work in the world of entertainment, Crewe was famous for not ending up onstage or in front of the camera even though he started as a model and a

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singer, while Anderson has now celebrated Crewe’s life 950 times to audiences all over the country.

(Despite featuring a gay character, it’s been said that “Jersey Boys” is the only musical that attracts straight men.)

Another similarity is their approach to being gay.

“It’s just a matter of fact,” Anderson says. “It’s part of what Continued on page 37 |  |

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GROOVY CAST: The cast of The Wiz, directed by Karla Hartley, one of the only lesbian directors in Tampa Bay. PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN STAGe

Ease on downtown THEATER

A journey of self-discovery and a gender-bending lion cap off American Stage in the Park’s The Wiz

S

Zach Caruso

T. PETERSBURG | AMERICAN STAGE IN

the Park, one of St. Petersburg’s most beloved annual traditions, is back for its 29th year, and with its biggest production yet. Starting on April 11 and running through May 4, the seven-time Tony Award winning musical The Wiz will take over Demens Landing Park along the city’s waterfront.

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“At its basis, it’s the story of The Wizard Of Oz, and it actually more closely resembles the original story from the books than it does necessarily that �irst movie,” says director Karla Hartley, one of the only lesbian directors in Tampa Bay. “This particular iteration of it is seen from a multi-cultural perspective, which we thought was valuable in this day and age. It’s told with a different sense of music, it’s got more of a soul and R&B feel to it.

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“In its inception it was meant to the role of Ronette in Little Shop be an all African-American version of Horrors. This time around she of this story, and it was built in the takes on the character of the Lion, a ‘70s so it has that particular kind of role traditionally played by a male. groove to it, and we’ve made some Hartley addresses the reasoning for adjustments with respect to some of the gender �lip in this production. the music, just to give it a little more “I’m your girl if you want to do drive and a little more force.” some gender-bending, cross-casting, Stepping into the lead role of that kind of thing,” Hartley says. “I Dorothy is Whitney had known Sarah’s work Drake. No stranger from around town and to musical theater, we worked together the Miami native on the Vagina has had roles in Monologues, and I Cigar City Chronicles thought it would be and Little Shop of really interesting to Horrors, and spent see that dynamic. the last seven “The story is years entertaining typically these three internationally men who surround onboard Dorothy and guide —SARA DELBEATO, several Royal her through this WHO PLAYS “THE Caribbean ships. adventure, but I LION” IN THE WIZ “Whitney and thought it might I worked together many moons be interesting to see some more ago and by happenstance got estrogen in that mix and see what reacquainted last summer,” says that did for us.”

Hartley. “I knew she would knock DelBeato had no problem it out of the park. Literally, actually, adjusting to the idea of a female lion. because we’re in the park.”

“I thought about it for a second, Sara DelBeato returns for her about the male/female aspect, but second performance as part of really it’s just ‘Lion’ to me, it’s not the annual American Stage in the he or she, it’s gender-neutral, if Park event, previously playing you will,” says DelBeato. “So when

“It’s just ‘Lion’ to me, it’s not he or she, it’s gender-neutral, if you will.”

watermarkonline.com

I was building on that, it just happened naturally. There are masculine moments, there are feminine moments, and Karla has this awesome ability to think outside the box. When you introduce bold ideas, new and very interesting things can happen.”

It’s up to the audience to decide if the gender of the Lion is important, which Hartley believes is secondary to the story.

“It’s a passive psychological thing, because she really isn’t playing boy or girl, so you’ll take away your own opinion of what that is,” says Hartley. “Some people may take a sisterly bond between Dorothy and the Lion, others might take a surrogate mother, some may take girlfriends, friends, it really depends on your personal lexicon of experience as to what you take from it.”

The fact that the three theater veterans are acquainted is a stroke of good fortune. Hartley says she was glad to not only be working with familiar talents, but that they ended up being the perfect �it for their respective roles.

“Everyone auditioned, and if there had been someone in the room that I felt would have been a better choice, that would have been a decision for me to make,” says Hartley. “But there really wasn’t, everyone who I cast, I feel, were the absolute best choices.”

Likewise, the actors have a profound respect for Hartley and her attitude towards the creative process.

“Karla is great,” Drake says. “The �irst time we worked together the relationship between us wasn’t as close as we are now on this project. Now that we’re closer, I actually end up going to Sara when I have questions because I feel like I don’t want to disappoint her [Hartley]. Like she said, this job was open for anyone, anyone could have landed this job, I don’t want her to ever feel like she hired an amateur.”

DelBeato feels like she’s in good hands on this production.

“She never makes you feel like you’re making bad choices in your acting, she encourages you to make choices,” says DelBeato “And honestly not a lot of directors anymore, I feel, really do that.

But she goes on this journey with you and she’s all about exploring. As an actor it makes it that much more enjoyable.”

The actors and the director are also anticipating the pitfalls and advantages of performing outdoors. Hartley previously directed Rocky Horror Show as part of American Stage in the Park, and recalls some of the perils she encountered during production.

“At one point there was a plane crash at the nearby municipal airport and so there were news helicopters and all,” she says. “Another night, across the street there was this gigantic gospel revival night going on at the same time.”

“And the heat,” Drake and DelBeato chime in with a laugh.

“But it’s fun,” adds DelBeato.

This production of The Wiz is theatrical, of course, but the music and the setting turn it into a concert, DelBeato says.

“It has a concert vibe, you’re telling this story but yet it has this rock show atmosphere, it’s really cool,,” DelBeato says. “There’s nothing like watching the sunset while you’re singing.”

In the end, Hartley, Drake, and DelBeato all agree that any hardships that come from outdoor performances are well worth the payoff.

“I’m looking forward to the theme nights, and I’m interested to see how we’re going to do a show with dogs in the audiences,” says Drake, referring to “Pets In The Park Night,” which allows guests to bring their pets to the show.

“I’m looking forward to the reactions of the people. The music in the show is very different, we ask the audience to sing and clap along with us, we have some tearjerker moments, it should be interesting.”

And it’s that immediate audience feedback that is so important to the cast of The Wiz. “I like to see how a show impacts people,” says DelBeato. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to do what I’m passionate about, so it’s always great to get it out there for people and create this beautiful thing for them.”

An outdoor setting and a production based on a beloved story is also a way to lure in new theater goers, who may not attend traditional productions.

“We do get people who come to the park that don’t really come to American Stage,” says Hartley. “And I think they’ve been shaping the work that they are doing with these shows to really engage a new audience.”

And with opening night fast approaching, the cast and crew are ready to bring The Wiz to life and share an important message.

“Dorothy goes out on this journey, and when she starts out she’s just this young brat, and by the end of it she has learned so much from everyone around her, and throughout the show everyone keeps telling her to believe in herself,” says Drake. “Believing in yourself, that’s what this musical is all about.”

For more information on this year’s American Stage in the Park, ticket information, and descriptions of the theme nights as well as the Instagram contest “Easel On Down The Road,” visit AmericanStage.org. |  |

MORE INFORMATION

WHAT: The Wiz WHERE: Demens Landing WHEN: April 11-May 4

SPECIAL PRODUCTION: LGBT night, April 26

A Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc. Experience

former cast members of Jersey Boys

Thu, Apr 24 • 7:30pm

CHELSEAHANDLER.COM

Fri, May 9 • 7pm

TICKETS: AmericanStage.org

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

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he says. “On TV and at all hours of the day you see gay couples. I consider myself lucky to have see the changes |  | Jersey Boys from pg.31 of the last 10 years.” what makes me me. But it’s also just Despite working in the highly one part. It’s similar to how I embrace tolerant world of musical theater and my height or hair color. I’m not super living in New York City, Anderson vocal about it.” needed some time to come out.

Back in the ‘60s, there was no “It was pretty late actually,” he says. pressure to be out, and Crewe dated “It was post-college, so there was a lot women publicly but kept guys of early questioning but being from a on the side. very small town in Wisconsin doesn’t “Here was this gay man in the help things. Moving to New York, on early 1960s working with this band the other hand, was an eye-opening creating these songs for blue-collar experience.”

America,” Anderson says. “This Learning about Crewe also came savvy, urbane, fashion-forward, very later rather than sooner. intelligent guy living in New York “I had seen Jersey Boys early in its writing songs for factory workers run two or three times, and that’s the and guys from the wrong side of �irst I learned about him—to put a the tracks.” name and a story to the producer of You could almost call it subversive, the group,” he says. but Crewe was respected for his After getting the role for the songwriting skills and helping create national tour in 2011, Anderson dove the classic into researching sound of The Crewe’s life Four Seasons. and �inding For the Tony the necessary Award-winning details to inform Jersey Boys, Crewe his performance. is credited as “But what lyricist. He also happens on wrote “Lady stage gives a —BARRY ANDERSON, WHO PLAYS Marmalade” life of its own to OPENLY GAY PRODUCER BOB CREWE the character,” and other quirky classics, Anderson says. like “Music to Watch Girls By,” and “And it’s amazing to see audiences earlier produced “Devil With a singing and dancing and the Blue Dress On.” enjoyment radiating off them. That’s Their parallels continue with music de�initely what keeps it fun.” as Anderson recently co-produced an While Anderson has also had ambitious trans-Atlantic collection of roles in national productions of original songs he wrote with LondonLegally Blonde and My Fair Lady, he based songwriter Mike Petty. said it’s been fascinating to play a “It’s a collaboration that could historical character. have happened only in the internet During his research, he unearthed age,” he says. some even lesser-known details, Sixteen different male and female like Crewe writing the soundtrack to vocalists from the stages of Broadway Barbarella, as well as more about the and the West End were used to give better-known ones like his adherence the songs of love and life a broad to astrology. (“And it will work, you range of sounds and styles. know why?” Anderson says in the In addition to the challenges of show. “I did Frankie’s chart. His Moon working an ocean apart, Anderson is in Taurus.”) also lived a life constantly on the road.

Crewe is now 82, and according to The recording of “You Are Home” reports, is receiving full-time nursing took place in New York, London and care in Connecticut.

Seattle, which was where Jersey Boys “It’s been an honor and a lot of fun played in April 2013. to give a life and a face to this guy who “Family is a strong theme in the deserves to be known for all the work show, and it’s the same with the he did.” |  | touring company,” he says. “There are 50 of us in this road family who laugh together and will give a hug if MORE INFORMATION you need it.”

For the most part, Anderson’s WHAT: Jersey Boys sexual orientation is now irrelevant as WHERE: April 8-13, Straz Center, Tampa; April 15-27, Bob Carr Performing Arts in many ways it was for Crewe during Center, Orlando the early 60s when he led the last TICKETS: StrazCenter.org; great pre-Beatles band.

Orlando.Broadway.com “It’s amazing how far we’ve come,”

“It’s similar to how I embrace my height or hair color. I’m not super vocal about it.”

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12th Annual Orlando Cabaret festivaL April 24-May 11, 2014 18 Days Celebrating the Best in Broadway, Pop & Jazz!

Christiane Noll April 25-26

Nicholas Rodriguez May 1-3

Laura Benanti May 9-10

Tickets: 407.297.8788 or madcowtheatre.com C A B A R E T

F E S T I V A L

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Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus, April 24, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org

Photo by Chris Stephenson CSTEPHENSONPHOTO.COM

Babes in Bonnets

TAMPA BAY South Pacific, through April 16, The Moonlight Players, Clermont.

352-319-1116; MoonlightPlayers.com

The annual celebration of fabulous headwear returns to the Parliament House’s Footlight Theatre at 6 p.m., Monday, April 28, and benefits the Orlando Youth Alliance. For details, visit OrlandoYouthAlliance.org.

One Night of Queen, April 16, The Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com DISENCHANTED! through April 13, Jaeb Theatre, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org Rhonda Shear’s Comedy PJ Party, The Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg.

727-893-7832; TheMahaffey.com

Event Planner

Jersey Boys, April 8-13, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ORLANDO Julius Caesar, through April 20, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando. 407-477-1700; OrlandoShakes.org And Then Came Tango, April 12, UCF Performing Arts Center, Orlando; April 13, Orlando Repertory Theatre.

ProjectTangoTour.com The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, through April 27, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Orlando. 407-477-1700; OrlandoShakes.org

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, through April 20, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-297-8788; MadCowTheatre.com One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, through April 19, Theatre Downtown, Orlando.

407-841-0083; TheatreDowntown.net Spring Festival of the Arts, April 12-13, around Lake Lily, Maitland.

MaitlandChamber.com Jersey Boys, April 16-27, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Orlando.

321-418-7646

Orlando Cabaret Festival, April 24-May 11, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando. 407-2978788; MadCowTheatre.com Kiss the Bride, through April 13, The Little Theatre, New Smyrna Beach. 386-423-1246; NSBPlayers.org 60th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, April 19, Central Park West Meadow in downtown Winter Park, Winter Park.

CityofWinterPark.org 29th annual Taste of Winter Park, April 16, Winter Park Farmers’ Market, Winter Park.

CityofWinterPark.org

SARASOTA

Unnecessary Farce, April 10-27, Shimberg Playhouse, Tampa.

813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

The Grapes of Wrath, through April 19, Asolo Repretory Theatre, Sarasota. 941-351-8000; asolorep.org

Ghost The Musical, April 22-27, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa. 813-2297827; StrazCenter.org

4000 Miles, through April 27, Asolo Repretory Theatre, Sarasota.

941-351-8000; asolorep.org

The D*Word A Musical, April 24May 18, Jaeb Theater, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

Shen Yun Show, April 22-23, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. 941-953-3368; VanWezel.org

STOMP, April 30-May 3, Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa. 813-229-7827; StrazCenter.org

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ORLANDO

Central Florida Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention Event (NYHAAD 2014) THURSDAY, APRIL 10 | 2:30- 6:30 P.M. 911 N. MILLS AVE Presented by Hope and Help of Central Florida and Zebra Coalition, this event at the Zebra Coalition Youth Center will offer free and confidential HIV testing and counseling, activities, free food, giveaways and a great place for Central Florida’s youth to socialize.

Customer Bartender Night MONDAY, APRIL 14 | 7 P.M.-1 A.M. 1913 N. ORANGE AVE., ORLANDO, FL 32804 Come out and see your favorite people in Orlando at Savoy April 14 when they switch behind the bar to serve you for charity. All tips benefit The Center - Orlando’s GLBT Community Center.

Watermark’s own Tom Dyer and Ed Blaisdell will be singing drinks from 10-11 p.m.

Third Annual Pride in Business Awards Gala FRIDAY, APRIL 25 | 6:30 -10 P.M. 6677 SEA HARBOR DRIVE, ORLANDO Join MBA Orlando as it celebrates Central Florida’s LGBTA business leaders and leading companies at Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

The event will be hosted by Emmy Winner and WFTV Evening News Anchor Jorge Estevez

TAMPA BAY

St. Pete Art MASH SATURDAY, APRIL 12 | 5 P.M. 400 23RD ST. S., ST. PETERSBURG Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Clay Center of St. Petersburg with the folks of St. Pete Art MASH! Last year, Art MASH produced nine pop up shows, which generates commission-free sales for artists. There is no cover charge, and light food, entertainment and beverages are provided.

Kick-off Party to St. Pete Pride 2014 THURSDAY, APRIL 17 | 7-9 P.M. 3800 34TH ST. N., ST. PETERSBURG Begin celebrating St. Pete Pride 2014 with a kickoff event at Bert Smith BMW as the organization announces this year’s grand marshal winner, details on this year’s event (and the first-ever night parade) and enjoy a complimentary bar and light eats. Admission is free.

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

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

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TAMPA BAY

1- VIP SEATING: Jack Butera and Sasha Citino secure front-row seating before the Miss ASAP Pageant at The Flamingo Resort on April 6. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

2- CAMPAIGN STOP: 2014 Democratic Attorney General candidate George Sheldon, center, gets some love from Ybor City residents during a recent campaign stop. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST

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3- A NEW REIGN: Monica Moore is crowned Miss ASAP 2014 by Anjila Cavalier, Miss ASAP 2013, at the Flamingo Resort on April 6. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 4- POOLSIDE POWWOW: (L-R) Jesse Thomas, Stanley Solomons and Eric Skains chat poolside at the sixth anniversary of the St. Pete Guest House on April 6. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD 5- SUPER SERVICE: Hamburger Mary’s bartender James Bailey shows off his superhero skills the first weekend of April. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE WEST 6- KICKBALL CHAOS: Athletes and fans from around Tampa Bay attended Kickball for Kids in Hyde Park on April 5 to raise money for the Metro Wellness and Community Center’s new Welcome/Youth center scheduled to open in St. Pete this June. PHOTO COURTESY METRO 7- AWARD-WINNERS: The Jorge Show, featuring Jorge Alvarado, center, won a 2014 Tampa Bay Regional Talkie Award for “best talk show” during an April 4. awards ceremony at The Tampa Pitcher Show. PHOTO COURTESY THE JORGE SHOW

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8- ANOTHER YEAR IN THE SUN: St. Petersburg’s own Brian Longstreth celebrated the sixth anniversary of his Gay St. Pete House with a pool party on April 6. PHOTO BY STEVE BLANCHARD

OVERHEARD MAKE THAT THE “AWARDWINNING” JORGE SHOW

T

HE JORGE SHOW IS GAINING TRACTION IN A BIG WAY! The cable access talk show began its second season last month and on April 4, it secured its �irst-ever award at the Regional Talkie Awards held at the Tampa Pitcher Show! Jorge Alvarado, host, interviews various celebrities from throughout Tampa Bay and caught the eye of the Talkies, which honors New Media creations, like his show, which is also web-based. The show won “favorite talk show,” of course, and the �ilmed reaction of the Jorge Show crew is hilariously posted on YouTube. It’s obvious the show was

shocked by the win. If you watch the clip, keep the volume low— their screams of delight are quite deafening! Congratulations to the entire crew at The Jorge Show. For details, visit TheJorgeShow.com.

TWO-YEARS FOR LIQUID!

I

T’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT CLUB LIQUID TAMPA IN YBOR CITY will mark its second anniversary on Saturday, April 12. And like with all of the club’s parties, it’s celebrating in a very big way. RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Shangela will appear at the party, hosted by Liquid Tampa house diva Conundrum. There are also a slew of special guests slated to appear, but the names are under wraps.

Things get rolling at 9 p.m. and will continue until the bar closes at 3 a.m. This is a ticketed event—$5 in advance, $10 at the door. Order online through the Liquid Tampa 2 Year Anniversary event page on Facebook.

SIX YEARS AND GOING STRONG

G

AY ST. PETE HOUSE CELEBRATED ITS SIXTH ANNIVERSARY in the traditional way proprietor Brian Longstreth likes to mark an occasion—with a pool party. The packed party on April 6 brought men (and a few women) to the guest house’s pool on 5th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. A spread of barbecued burgers and hot

dogs, summer-style sides and drinks was accompanied by party music poolside. Longstreth encouraged guests to bring their own swimming attire and jump in the pool, which many did. And for those who forgot to bring pool-appropriate wear, he had a store ready to accommodate the latest fashions. Congrats on six great years!

MONICA MOORE TAKES ASAP CROWN

T

HE ANNUAL MISS ASAP PAGEANT PACKED HEMINGWAY’S RESTAURANT within the Flamingo Resort on April 6 as four contestants vied for the coveted

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

title. But it was Monica Moore who walked away with the crown after a nearly three-hour display of pageantry, talent, special entertainment and raf�les. The night was emceed by ASAP’s own Jay Aller, who kept things moving with the drawings, a costume change including a pink leather harness and, more seriously, taking a rapid HIV test live on stage. Miss ASAP 2013 Anjila Cavalier sang live during her �inal number as the title holder and proudly pinned this year’s crown on Moore at the end of the night.

Moore will now make featured appearances with ASAP at Pride events, of�icial ASAP events and she will host fundraisers for the HIV/AIDS organization. |  |

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ShotonSite 1

2

ORLANDO

3

1- KEYED UP: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (right) presents Ron Legler (center) and his partner Andrew Springer with the key to the city at their farewell bash, April 1 at The Abbey. The couple is relocating to Baltimore. PHOTO BY TOM DYER

2- ART BREAK: Artist Dawn Rosenthal, right, and her partner, Cheryl Turner, get ready to nosh and discuss art at the Maitland Art Center’s annual Participation Dinner March 29. PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN 3- MAKING IT BIG!: Kids and crew of the Zebra Coalition made it onto the jumbotron at the Orlando Magic Game April 5. PHOTO BY

DEXTER FOXWORTH

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4- POSING WITH THE STARS: Orlando’s Scott Stowell and Jay Lovell with Olympic gold medalist—and Dancing With The Stars leader—Meryl Davis before Sunday’s “Stars on Ice” show at the Amway Center. PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT STOWELL

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5- BIG FAT FUN: (L to R) “Cigarette” girl Kyla Swanberg, Scott Penyak and Barry Miller take in magic, acrobatics and song at Wanzie’s 2nd Annual Big Fat Variety Show, which raised $5,600 for The GLBT Center of Central Florida March 29 at the Parliament House.

PHOTO BY RICK CLAGGETT

6- SPRING FESTIVUS: Lisa Thomas (left) and Nicole Jerys stop by the Watermark tent during Festival in the Park at Lake Eola April 6.

PHOTO BY DANNY GARCIA

7- PINWHEELS-A-TURNIN’: Watermark staffers (L to R) Jon Brown, Rick Claggett and Tom Dyer place “Pinwheels for Prevention” at the Watermark compound in support of Legal Aid’s child abuse prevention campaign on April 1. PHOTO BY JAMIE HYMAN

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8- ARTSY CHAT: (L-R) Donna Dowless and Maria-Ekena Augustin chat about the art and wine available for tasting at the Friends of the Arts event at CityArts Factory. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA ROSENTHAL

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OVERHEARD GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE

I

T’S A CLICHÉ, BUT THERE LITERALLY WASN’T A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE AS ORLANDO SAID GOOD-BYE to Ron Legler and Andrew Springer at The Abbey on April 1. The beloved couple is moving to Baltimore, where Legler has accepted a position as president of the 2,300seat Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center. And Baltimore was a recurring theme during the party attended by more than 300 wellwishers. Legler’s co-workers at the Florida Theatrical Association and True Marketing starred in a hilariously reworked music video of “Good Morning Baltimore” from the musical Hairspray. The

Orlando Repertory Theatre also performed a song from Hairspray before a string of downtown Orlando VIPs read a Top Ten List of reasons the couple shouldn’t move to Baltimore. Andrea Canny had Legler and Springer reaching for handkerchiefs with her stirring rendition of “Someone Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde—Legler’s favorite song. Then a relaxed and funny Mayor Buddy Dyer presented his friends with the Key to the City.

When Legler and Springer joined him on stage, they were so moved they could barely speak. The next day Legler thanked everyone on Facebook and noted that the �irst Broadway touring show he’ll oversee at the Hippodrome, opening next week, is… Hairspray.

LEARN VELVET MOVES FROM MICHAEL WANZIE

R

UMOR HAS IT THAT MICHAEL WANZIE HAS THE MOVES. The actor, producer, director and all-around talent has added ballroom dance instructor to his current repertoire.

In a past life, he had the men and women at the Arthur Murray dance studio in a tizzy. He also choreographed for competition.

Wanzie’s Ballroom Dance Crash Course is a series of three, six-week classes that began April 7 and will run through the summer. Gay, straight, single, coupled—all are welcome and encouraged. Classes will be held at The Venue. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for cocktails and

class begins at 7 p.m. Classes will focus on the fox trot, rhumba and waltz, cha-cha, mambo, swing/jive and swing hustle and the tango and samba. Each series is $50 per person or $95 per couple. To sign up, visit Wanzie.com or email WanzieMichael@gmail.com.

IT’S FOR YOU. THE MAYOR IS ON THE LINE.

M

BA ORLANDO PRESIDENT MIKAEL AUDEBERT RECEIVED A SURPRISE PHONE CALL recently from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s of�ice. The Grand Poobah wanted to know if Audebert would spend the next year serving on a new task force assembled to revitalize

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

downtown Orlando. “As Mikael, I was excited,” Audebert said.

“As president of the chamber, it showed a recognition of the importance of diversity in the community and our role in it.”

Audubert was one of about 70 people appointed to Project DTOAdvancing Downtown Orlando, but it’s still an honor. I mean, when was the last time the mayor called you? The task force will work for a year to review and make recommendations on everything from culture to economic competitiveness, urban lifestyle to tourism. The group will begin meeting this month and develop recommendations and present their �indings in spring 2015. |  |

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Transitions

TRES EQUIS

CHANGE-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations

3 BIG SCREEN THEATRES & ARCADE (Couples Welcome)

Mayor Buddy Dyer has announced Mikael Frank Audebert and Carlos Carbonell will be part of the 70 community leaders on the Project DTO task force. Project DTO is an initiative to help build and renew Downtown’s cultural scene, business and economic infrastructure, and community involvement.

Lingerie/Dancewear Heels Adult DVDs from $3.99 Mags from $1.99

Anniversaries Justin Homer and Angel Arcelay of Orlando celebrate their 12th anniversary together on April 14.

St. Petersburg residents and former Watermark distribution heroes Claude and John Granstrand celebrate 36 years together on April 17.

Orlando Realtor David Dorman and his partner, marketing director Scott Penyak, celebrate their 9th anniversary together on April 19.

Birthdays Orlando bobbalicious lovebird Bobby McCall, Fort Lauderdale-based muscular, sexy singer Sean Ensign, St. Petersburg Metro Wellness employee and Canaan Band roadie Mike Hollis (April 10); Tampa Metropolitan Community Church’s facility manager Mac Williams, Florida Democratic Senator Joe Saunders, handsome Orlando Log Cabin Republican Patrick Howell (April 12): Florida Hospital Altamonte social worker Stacy Pease, Former OGC director Aubrey Connelly, derby girl Becca “TBex” Fisher, St. Petersburg ROTC twirler Scott Helie, GSHRadio show host and Hamburger Mary’s Tampa performer Esme Russell (April 13); former Flamingo Resort cast member Andromeda Strain (April 14); muscular, Ocala-based horse trainer Randy Eeckhout (April 15); Orlando The (GLBT) Center board member Will Perry (April 16); sexy Tampa insurance specialist and community volunteer Mitchell Ryan, Serial Thriller and swing dancer Kalyn Rushing (April 17); Orlando arts patron Jerry Baumeister, adorable former Georgie’s Alibi-St.

EROTICA

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Whippets CELEBRATION TIME: The Center’s executive director Randy

Stephens, right, with boyfriend Thomas Berthier, left, and Ron Legler at Legler’s recent farewell party, celebrates his birthday on April 21.

Novelties & MORE...

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City Hamburger Mary’s hostess, Miss Mardi Gras 2013, entertainer and GSH Radio Show host Esme Russell, pictured with a fan at Mary’s, celebrates a birthday April 13. PHOTO COURTESY

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PARTY IN TALLAHASSEE: Senator Joe Saunders will celebrate his birthday on April 12.

Petersburg server John Fletcher, St. Petersburg Stonewall Democrat Beth Fountain (April 18); Olde Town Properties Realtor Patrick James, retired Tampa weatherman Andy Johnson (April 19); Publix at Colonialtown pharmacist Rob Young (April 20); Orlando Fringe event associate and director of marketing for David Dorman Inc., Scott Penyak, head honcho of The Center Randy Stephens, handsome former St. Pete DJ Chad Pitt (April

21); young bear and Tampa business owner Michael DiCamillo, Orlando fashion plate Jamesson Beane, Rollins College director of dance Bob Sherry, Watermark intern Steven Jones (April 22); Tampa Leather Club member and Brandon Office Depot manager Joseph Mastrapasqua, Sunnyland Slammer and artist Amanda Vickers, former Tampabased actor now residing in New York Christian Maier (April 23).

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

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Soccer star made gay porn to aid gambling addiction

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Staff Report

L

ONDON | When fans of Cathal McCarron earned that he starred in at least two gay adult �ilms, the 26-year-old father of one’s Twitter feed was subjected to a �lood of homophobic slurs.

But now that he has sought help with his gambling addiction, the Gaelic Athletic Association has rallied around the All Star nonimated Tyrone player. “[He] needs our support,” tweeted former Derry star Joe Brolly. “Kid is in a bad place. Hard to know how it got so bad. Time for Gaels to rally around.”

Recently McCarron has been playing for the London GAA side.

London GAA county vicechairman Tony O’Halloran said he hoped McCarron got whatever support he needed.

“I wouldn’t know him very well but I wasn’t aware that he had any problems since he moved here and now we’re just hoping he’ll get any help that he needs,” he said.

The video, entitled ‘Masculine straight Irishman’s �irst gay sex video’, shows McCarron in a series of compromising positions with another male.

In the video the player states: “There’s not much opportunity to do this in Ireland.”

The downloadable �ilms, which have since been removed at McCarron’s request, were on a

ACCOUNTANT

ACCOUNTANT SIDE JOB: Popular Gaelic Athletic Association member Cathal McCarron reportedly appeared in gay adult films to pay gambling debts. well known gay porn sight where straight men are convinced to engage in homosexual acts in exchange for money.

McCarron closed his Twitter account after being targeted by a series of cruel jibes.

This isn’t the �irst time McCarron’s gambling problems have made headlines. He shared his

Tom Daley: ‘I’m a gay man now’ Staff Report Despite saying that he still had an attraction for women in his coming out video last year, Olympic diver Tom Daley said recently that he is a gay man, not bisexual.

When he came out in December 2013 via a YouTube video, the British athlete told his fans that he was bisexual, adding that “Of course, I still fancy girls.”

But now that the 19-year-old is openly dating Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, 39, Daley only wants to be with men, he told Celebrity Juice.

“I came out on YouTube as I

Tom Daley

wanted to say what I wanted to say without anyone twisting it,” the bronze medalist explained. “I told my family before I told the world. I was terri�ied. I did not

struggle last summer.

At the time Tyrone boss Mickey Harte offered his support to the troubled player.

Cathal McCarron was one of Tyrone’s standout performers last year. The 26-year-old cornerback lined out for Mickey Harte’s side in their All-Ireland semi-�inal defeat

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“We don’t all sit down and write down each other’s names,” the bronze medalist said. “It’s not like the AA+. It should not really matter.

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How are things with Black? “All good,” Daley said of the director and LGBT rights activist. |  |

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PHOTO CAPTIONS 1 - The Improvabilities comedy troupe featured (clockwise from top left) David Almeida, John Connon, Rae L’Heureaux, Martin Kunz, Troy Tinker and Catherine Goodison (not pictured).

1994

2 - Watermark cops its first celebrity interview with the fabulous Lily Tomlin, pictured with her friend Russell Scott at Centaur’s Red Ribbon Ball.

3 - Tom Woodard (left) was profiled five years after his groundbreaking legal battle to be reinstated by the Orange County Sheriff’s office after he admitted–under questioning– to having sex with a man. His attorney, at right, was Bill Sheaffer.

4 - Watermark covers its first Halloween at the Parliament House.

5 - Bruce Ground at Out & About Books, in 1994, one of the fastest growing gay businesses in the nation.

5

6 - Doug Ba’aser and Kathy Surcey starred in a production of Larry Kramer’s The Destiny of Me.

3

9 - The founder of the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Chuck Hummer, died from AIDS on Sept. 19, 1994. Hope and Help moved into its current Winter Park offices that same month.

6 2

20 YEARS AGO:

9

1

MOST POPULAR SONG

4

“The Sign” by Ace of Base BEST SELLING ALBUM

Grace by Jeff Buckley

MOST POPULAR TV SHOW

Friends

FAN FAVORITE FILM

The Shawshank Redemption HIGHEST GROSSING FILM

The Lion King

Watermark turns 20 this coming Labor Day. It’s been a remarkable two decades for the LGBT community, locally and nationally. With the ten issues leading up to our 20th anniversary celebration, publisher Tom Dyer plays historical tour guide. This issue starts things off with 1994, after Watermark’s first issue came out on Aug. 31.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

BEST PICTURE OSCAR

Schindler’s List PRICE OF GAS

$1.11 per gallon CELEBRITIES WHO CAME OUT

Olympic swimmer Greg Louganis

OUT ELECTED OFFICIALS

U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA),

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), U.S. Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-WI) NUMBER OF STATES WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY

0

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Watermark’s first cover featured Winter Park’s Amanda Bearse, star of Married... With Children and one of the first out actors in Hollywood.

watermark YOUR LGBT LIFE.

W

LOOKING BACK ITH A STAFF OF JUST THREE—

me, layout editor April Gustetter and account executive Keith Peterson—we worked 36-hours straight to get the �irst issue out on time, waxing the backs of photos and ads to place them on 24 black-andwhite pages... and boy were we proud of them.

The timing was right for an ambitious local LGBT newspaper, and talented contributors came out of the woodwork. Many like David Almeida, Keith Baber, Mike Kilgore, Ted Maines, Nan Schultz, Patty Sheehan and Sam Singhaus, were already friends, and their unconditional support back then still touches me. Others like Jim Crescitelli, Ken Kundis, Jill Porter, Rosanne Sloan, Dimitri Toscas, Greg Triggs and Diane Wilde, quickly became part of a growing family.

But writers and photographers weren’t the only saviors. More than 40 businesses advertised in

APR. 10 - APR. 23, 2014 // ISSUE 21.08

that �irst issue, including three that have been with us ever since: Don Reid Ford, attorney Jeffrey Miller (Seifert & Miller), and Barber & Latto, CPAs. It’s sobering to note how many ads 1994 were related to HIV/ AIDS... still mostly a death sentence back then. Viaticals—an industry that bought the life insurance policies of �inancially needy AIDS sufferers—took up several pages alongside mostly de�lating medical news and a relentless string of obituaries. And with the adoption of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” by the once-sympathetic Clinton administration, LGBT equality

watermarkonline.com

seemed further away than ever.

But there was encouraging news in 1994, too. Gov. Lawton Chiles issued a non-discrimination proclamation before eking out a victory over Republican challenger Jeb Bush. State Rep. Jimmy Charles of Daytona Beach was forced to apologize for saying, “My district includes runaways, delinquents, pimps, prostitutes, pedophiles and homosexuals.”

And the Metropolitan Business Association held its �irst-ever political candidates forum, hosted by yours truly. The star? A feisty State Sen. Buddy Dyer.

Watermark also noted the emergence of prominent “gayborhoods” near downtown Orlando. And for Christmas I interviewed either Paul Wegman or his iconic drag creation “P”—I’m still not sure who was answering my questions.

By the end of the year, Watermark had grown to 32 pages.

We must’ve been doing something right. |  |

G R A N D

O P E N I N G

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