Watermark Issue 21.19: 20 Amazing Years

daytOna beaCH • OrlandO • tamPa • st. Petersburg • sarasOta • issue 21.19 • sePt. 11 - sePt. 24, 2014 • watermarkOnline.COm

Your lgbt life.

20

interviews witH Patty sHeeHan AND nadine smitH refleCtiOns frOm ken kundis AND tOdd simmOns ...and 20 years in 20 Pages!

Amazing YearS

On Watermark’s anniversary, founder Tom Dyer reflects on two transforming decades.

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

depARtments 6 // mAil

PAGE

21

8 // oRlAndo news 10 // tAmpA bAy news

every day that we move forward in this case will hopefully mean we are moving closer to ending this oppressive discrimination.

—AttorneY BernAdette reStiVo

12 // stAte 14 // nAtion & woRld news 17 // community cAlendAR 19 // tRAnsitions 20 // tAmpA bAy mARKetplAce 21 // spoRts 22 // oRlAndo mARKetplAce 27 // 20th AnniveRsARy

on the coveR

PAGE Watermark founder and

Tom Dyer celebrates 27 publisher the 20th anniversary of

Watermark by remembering each year, talking to those involved from the beginning and reflecting on the growth of central florida’s largest lgbt newspaper over the past two decades.

PAGE

preview

30 Agents of chAnge: since Watermark began, two voices have been a constant: Nadine Smith, left, and Patty Sheehan. founder tom dyer chats with the two women about their roles in lgbt history over the past two decades.

wAteRmARK issue 21.19 //sept embeR 11 - sept embeR 24 , 2014

oRlAndo news

tAmpA bAy news

viewpoints

PAGE it’s a year of anniversaries,

PAGE aids Walk tampa bay

PAGE from Watermark’s infancy,

looKing bAcK

photo by mk photography studios’ Julie milford and kacia platt

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

and the headdress ball is prepared to celebrate its 25th; orange county couples can now register as domestic partners across the entire county thanks to a new expansion of services.

10

celebrated its 11th year in a big way this year, by raising more than $220,000 sept.

6; metro Wellness and community centers plan its second annual ‘Wild’ gala on sept. 13.

39

todd simmons and ken kundis contributed to the paper and helped build a foundation for the next two decades. both contributors reflect on their time with the paper and the influence of its founder, tom dyer.

PAGE it’s here! Watermark is

20 years old, and 43 now founder tom dyer has

dug into our archives to offer a full history of the newspaper from its inception in 1994 to present. We’ve come a long way in a short two decades!

oRlAndo ReAdeRs, get youR officiAl come out with pRide oRlAndo guide inside this issue! tAmpA bAy ReAdeRs, picK up youR guide At geoRgie’s Alibi, Quench lounge And both tAmpA bAy hAmbuRgeR mARy’s locAtions. watermark Your lgbt life.

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Congrats to Watermark for 20 great years!

top web comments {from WatermarkOnline.com and Watermark’s Facebook page)

Our latest interview with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs—where she finally confirmed that she is in support of marriage equality—sparked some polarized readers comments. For some of you, the interview was a great step forward for equality, while others thought it was too little, too late.

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On Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs’ evolution on marriage equality:

Friday Oct.10

8:30PM-10:30PM

fter all of the obfuscations, and insults, and threats that she and her peeps have leveled at this community over the years, it is impossible for me to believe that she has suddenly ‘evolved’ on this issue.

“What happened since last month to change her position? This is clearly a calculated flipflop based on craven political expediency, trying to rehabilitate her badly damaged standing with the progressive community.

“Where was she when we needed her? Kicking sand in our face. Where is her apology? There is none. This only comes after past attempts at rehabilitation have failed.

The only thing that has changed is that now she needs us, if she has any hopes of future reelection or higher office.

Take it for what it’s worth, but don’t be fooled.”

—Mary Meeks

“I somehow can’t help but feel another politician has jumped on the ‘band-wagon.’”

—Phillip Ament

“Seems to me that she has really thought this through. As a Christian, I believe personally marriage should be between one man and one woman but I do not make the laws. The State has an obligation to treat everyone with dignity and respect. Some of our laws make no sense. The tax code rewards married couples with children and mortgages. This should not be the law. “ —kb4lessgov

“This woman will say whatever benefits her at the time she opens her big mouth. Typical politician and arrogant.

Vote her out!”

—Crabby

“I’ve been looking forward to this interview since it was

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

announced last month, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Great work Mr. Dyer!”

—Patrick Howell “Finally!”

—Jim Langford “She is doing the right thing.”

—Judy McCarthy “Sorry, call me skeptical.

The proof is in the pudding. I somehow can’t help but feel another politician has jumped on the ‘band-wagon.’

I certainly hope she proves me wrong.”

—Phillip Ament

“Class act, and the best mayor Orange County has ever seen!”

—Shane Pagano

tom Dyer

PublisHer’s

peRspective

i

’Ve commAndeered thiS

space to share that this will be my last issue as Watermark’s publisher. Going forward, former chief financial officer Rick Claggett will oversee newspaper operations.

It’s a selfish decision on my part. For the last 20 years, I’ve operated a busy law practice and a deadline-driven newspaper. Shifting gears throughout the day—with each meeting, appointment, phone call and email—is taxing. I’m used to it, but the newspaper—and the vibrant local LGBT community—deserves a focused, full-time publisher.

Both also deserve a fresh perspective. I reckon I’ve been to more than 100 Pride events, and too many Gay Days parties, TIGLFF films, political fundraisers and community board meetings to count. At editorial meetings I’ve questioned more than a few good story ideas because they felt familiar. After 20 years, how could they not?

The pace of news coverage—and the competition to be first—has also changed in ways that run counter to my deliberative consider-all-the-angles process. TV news,

daily newspapers and even alternative weeklies used to pretty much ignore the LGBT community. Now we risk being scooped if stories aren’t posted immediately. Once launched, that story gains new life on social media that requires further monitoring.

When I started the newspaper in 1994, with a paid staff of two and $25,000 borrowed from a dozen supportive friends, we had a luxurious 14-day news cycle. If there was an election or court ruling or scandal, we almost always had at least a few days to consider the implications.

We felt the pressure during that final 24-hour pre-deadline shift, when I’d move back and forth between the editing desk and the drafting table to cut and wax ads before pasting them onto each page. But if a story made waves, they usually calmed to ripples before the next deadline.

That’s not to say we weren’t tested in different ways. When we ran out of money to pay for printing our fourth issue, I borrowed it from a loan shark that operated out of the Thornton Park building where we rented offices.

And when we expanded to Tampa Bay in 1995, the delivery person I’d lined up bailed without notice. I loaded up my van, bought a map and found my way to 50-plus distribution sites from Brandon to St. Pete Beach to New Port Richey.

Anyone who’s ever started a business knows that you have to be willing to do what it takes. The knowledge that you will— no matter what—is your

wAteRmARK stAff

Publisher: Tom Dyer • Ext. 305 • Tom@WatermarkOnline.com Chief Financial Officer: Rick Claggett • Ext. 108 • Rick@WatermarkOnline.com Admin. Assistant: Kathleen Harper • Ext. 100 • Kathleen@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

strength and only security.

I’m enormously proud of 20 years of editorial content—news coverage, features and interviews— that has informed and advanced our LGBT community. For more on that turn to page 27. But as owner and retiring publisher, I’m just as proud of the way we’ve weathered some daunting challenges to become a strong, stable pillar of that community.

There was no money those first years. I borrowed Peter to pay Paul until Beach Ball provided unexpected resources in 1998—its second year. Building on the success of Beach Ball, we launched an event planning component in 2001. The

what it takes.

Rick’s driving now, and I expect him to hit the accelerator. With the support of editor Steve Blanchard, online editor Jamie Hyman, creative director Jake Stevens, advertising sales director Mark Cady and a talented and experienced staff of 12 in Tampa Bay and Orlando, the newspaper is poised to shift into a higher gear. I thank Bill, Sam, Danny, Heather, Kathleen, Samantha, Patrick and Ed for giving me the security to step away.

There are too many others for me to thank in this space: initial investors; early contributors who came to my rescue and

first three events—all expensive—were scheduled right after 9/11. I sold Beach Ball to cover the losses. When the recession hit in 2008, we lost a third of our advertising—all real estate—overnight. We cut our staff almost in half, and Rick and I did double duty at reduced pay for the next six months.

After 12 years with Watermark, Rick has earned this promotion. He started as a part-time administrative assistant and immediately became the person that filled every void—and there were many back in 2002.

Since then, he’s been by my side every step of the way, always willing to do

gave the newspaper personality and depth; writers, photographers, artists and designers whose talent far exceeded our pay scale; sales associates who represented the newspaper with professionalism; and the many advertisers who supported our vision.

I’m not going away.

With some distance and an invigorated outlook, I hope to circle back around with the occasional opinion piece, feature or interview— possibly even a blog?

In the meantime, please toast with me: to an amazing 20 years.

Anyone who’s ever started a business knows that you have to be willing to do what it takes.

Sales Manager: Mark Cady Ext. 102 [Orlando] • Mark@WatermarkOnline.com Tampa Bay Sales: Bill Jeffries Ext. 301 • 813-454-9064 • Bill@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando Advertising Sales: Sam Rennels Ext. 103 • Sam@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando Advertising Sales: Heather Crouso Ext. 105 • Heather@WatermarkOnline.com Orlando Advertising Sales: Danny Garcia Ext. 107 • Danny@WatermarkOnline.com Nat’l Ad Representative: Rivendell Media Inc. • 212-242-6863

watermark Your lgbt life.

oRlAndo office p. o. box 533655 orlando, fl 32853-3655 TEL: 407-481-2243 FAX: 407-481-2246

tAmpA bAy office TEL: 813-655-9890 FAX: 813-849-2986

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

contRibutoRs ken kundiS

is a florida native and a long-time contributor to Watermark. he lives in new york city. Page 25

todd SimmonS

was Watermark’s tampa bay bureau chief from 19952000. he has written for the tampa tribune and the advocate, and is currently executive director of equality hawaii. he lives in honolulu with his husband and their two sons. Page 39

greg burton, scottie campbell, Zach caruso, susan clary, Kirk hartlage, Rev. phyllis hunt, Joseph Kissel, Ken Kundis, mary meeks, stephen miller, david moran, gregg shipiro, greg stemm, brett stout, Jim walker

photogRAphy

mk PhotoGrAPhY StudioS showcases the work of

award-winning photographers kacia platt and Julie milford.

Cover, page 27

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

7

orlando news

heAddRess celebRAtes 25 yeARs Dylan Drobet

o

rlAndo | Headdress Ball celebrates its 25th anniversary on Sept. 20 and plans call for it to be the largest and wildest ball yet. The milestone event is the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida´s largest fundraiser of the year and the Central Florida AIDS service organization has raised over $5 million since its inception. The center’s mission is simple: to save lives by treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Central Florida.

Headdress Ball is often referred to as Orlando´s most outrageous black tie event. It is an evening of food, drinks and lively Las Vegas-style entertainment.

In addition to the dinner, awards, live auction and entertainment there is, of course, a headdress exhibition.

Chris Hessler, events manager at Hope and Help, is sure that this year is going to be one that no one will ever forget.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops this year,” Hessler said. “We are already at a ticket and table sales record.

It is going to be a packed house. People are coming from all over the country.”

The house will be so packed that Hope and Help had to add an additional 30,000 square feet to the ballroom this year to accommodate travelers from near and abroad.

Not only is the space substantially larger this year, but so is the fundraising goal: $700,000.

Hessler feels appreciation for the 25th anniversary of Headdress Ball.

“It kind of feels like something that shouldn’t of happened or probably wasn’t going to happen,” he said. “This was a very small group of friends that banded to help a best friend when no one was giving money and there was no such thing as government grants. This was done as a way to help a person and the event continues to grow.”

Orlando residents and visitors from all over the world have come to make the ball an annual must-do despite the odds.

“They realized that they found something Orlando really loved and it was a way to supplement a lack of federal funding for, back then, AIDS,” he said. “Historically, for an agency of this size this event wouldn’t last this long. This is an agency that celebrate lives and an agency that has managed to weather the tough times. There is a big legacy with this agency and with this event. I’m sure the founders never thought they would still be getting up on stage 25 years later.”

According to Hope and Help 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to client services at Hope and Help.

Scheduled performers this year include Debbie Gibson and Chad Michaels.

The 25th Headdress Ball is Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Hilton Orlando. For tickets and details, visit HeaddressBall.org.

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mArriAGe mAtterS:

orange county clerk of courts Eddie Fernandez, flanked by mayor Teresa Jacobs (left) and comptroller Martha Haynie (right), announces the expansion of the county’s domestic partner registry into all five clerk of court offices.

PHOTO COURTESY PAUL DONNELLY

making way for marriage Orange County preps for legal same-sex marriage Jamie Hyman

o

rlAndo | The Clerk of Courts office has begun the groundwork necessary to implement legal same-sex marriage in Orange County.

Eddie Fernandez, Orange County Clerk of Courts, said county marriage forms are being “reviewed and revised” in anticipation of a victory for marriage equality advocates.

“Whenever the legislature or court systems are considering changes that impact us, we always prepare ahead of time,” said Fernandez. “In this case, we’ve prepared for the [state] ban [on same-sex marriage] to be deemed unconstitutional.”

In the meantime, officials expanded Orange County’s domestic partner registration

watermark Your lgbt life.

to all five of the County’s Clerk of Courts offices. Previously, couples could only be registered at the County Comptroller’s office downtown. The Clerk of Courts offices are located in downtown Orlando, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Park and on Goldenrod Road.

Fernandez said in most counties, the clerk and comptrollers’ offices are combined—Orange is unusual, a split county. He said he had the idea to allow registration at the Clerk of Courts offices in February.

Fernandez said staff checked the logistics to be sure the plan was “legally permitted and legally possible,” then held focus groups with gay and lesbian community members and community leaders to see determine if the idea would be useful.

“If I was to issue a same-sex marriage license, it would be a misdemeanor,” Fernandez said.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

“This is the most that I can do, that we can do as an office and me as an official, while still staying within the law.”

He added that the while couples can fill out a domestic registry form anywhere—they can even be downloaded from the Orange County website—the Comptroller’s and Clerks Offices are one-stop shops where couples can fill out the forms, have them notarized and have them submitted to the Comptrollers’ office all at one time.

The expansion was announced at a press conference Sept. 8 and implemented immediately.

Fernandez said the first couple was registered at the Winter Park Clerk of Courts office the morning of Sept. 10.

“It’s important to make [the domestic partner registry] accessible to all of Orange County, not just the people who happen to live downtown,” he said. “I think it adds a great deal of dignity to process a DPR at the same counter, same office, same building where people go to get married.”

The Orange County domestic partner registry was created in July of 2012. The City of Orlando launched its registry in January of 2012. The Orange County registry allows friends and neighbors to designate each other as surrogates.

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tampa bay news

metRo goes ‘wild’ with second gAlA Aaron Alper

S

t. PeterSBurG | This year’s Metro Wellness Center promises to be a wild time. Literally.

The Sept. 13 gala is from 7-11 p.m. at One Progress Plaza at 200 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. And it’s turning the city into a more primordial, but nonetheless glamorous, setting.

“The entire space at One Progress Plaza will be transformed into an incredible display—you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fantastical jungle,” said Chris Rudisill, the Director of the Center’s LGBT Community Center Services. “There’s exotic food and drink, live music by Brazilian jazz band O Som Do Jazz, and performance artists that will be transformed by Body Art by Keegan.” (Oh yes, the body art will be ‘bioluminescent’, thanks to the LED props that will illuminate the space.).

Even the dress code will be wild: attendees are invited to wear either wild attire to “show your wild side” or simply “dress to impress.” Add in host Matthew McGee, music

by DJ Kody and an awards ceremony honoring Nadine Smith and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and you’ve got yourself a gala that certainly will be one for the record books. The funds raised at the event will go to opening the new LGBT Welcome Center in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.

“We’ll likely host an official open house closer to the holidays,” Rudisill said, “but we’ll be opening up the doors to the community in a matter of weeks. The Welcome Center will really be a new home for the LGBT community.

Through this location, we’ll offer visitors and residents alike resources on what’s going on in the community, additional social and entertaining programs, support services, more hours for free HIV testing, a coffee shop, a youth safespace and more.”

Funds raised from the Gala go directly to the center, which began 21 years ago in King of Peace MCC as an answer to those affected by the AIDS crisis. It offers counseling, youth programs, social activities, substance abuse treatment and prevention, case management, HIV medical care and prevention and free testing services, a thrift store, fitness and wellness programs, and programs for older adults in the community.

“What started as an effort to assist those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Pinellas County has grown into a thriving beacon of service and education to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS and a hub of activity for the LGBT community across the Tampa Bay area,” Rudisill said. “At its founding, Metro was serving five clients. Today the organization serves an average of 9,500 each year.”

Metro also has locations in Ybor City and New Port Richey and serves Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

“We hope that everyone will attend the Gala and support our programs and services—and most importantly come get to know us at your local LGBT Community Center,” Rudisill said.

Tickets are $100 and include an open bar, exotic foods and entertainment. For details, visit MetroTampaBay.

10

on A miSSion: Walkers tackle the two-and-a-half mile course at Vinoy park during the 11th annual aids Walk tampa bay on sept. 6.

PHOTO BY PAUL KINCHEN OF TINKERFLUFF.COM

record-setting walk AIDS Walk Tampa Bay nets $222,000 and the most corporate sponsorship to date Zach Caruso

S

t. PeterSBurG | Vinoy Park was once again the site of AIDS Walk Tampa Bay Sept 6, marking the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas’ largest fundraiser’s 11th year. And this year was record-breaking, with more than $220,000 raised.

Walkers, volunteers, and participants were not only treated to live entertainment, thanks to sponsors like 93.3 FLZ, but were also part of the event’s most successful year to date.

This year, the goal was to surpass 2012’s total of $120,000, and early numbers suggest that 2014 was a success. A monumental success—1,437 people walked in the event with 119 teams registered. Of those teams, GTE Financial was the top team in fundraising with $18,173 in donations, and Joseph Brancucci was the individual who raised the most with $10,177. When all was said and done, this year the event raised a grand total of $222,790.

Jay Aller, the Resource

watermark Your lgbt life.

Development Manager for AIDS Services Association of Pinellas (ASAP), learned of the total just as the last of the walkers departed Vinoy Park to tackle the 2.5 mile track.

“I’ve been working with this event for all 11 years, and seeing that number, and seeing all the people that came out and made this happen, it really makes me appreciate the Tampa Bay community and all they’ve done,” he said. “AIDS isn’t on the cover of newspapers anymore, but it’s still on the forefront of a lot of people’s minds, and this event is a real demonstration of that.”

What makes this success even more amazing is that for the first time in the history of AIDS Walk Tampa Bay, corporate sponsors stepped in to pay for the event’s every expense, thereby allowing 100 percent of all donations to go directly to ASAP’s services.

“You cannot imagine the burden it lifts off of us,” said ASAP Executive Director William Harper. “It takes a lot of money to put on an event like this, so to have that taken care of and

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

have all the money go directly toward services, it’s like the sun shining on you from the sky. It’s just amazing.”

Aller agrees.

“We couldn’t have gotten this amount of people out here without sponsors like the newspapers and the radio stations. The media has really helped to hype this more than ever before,” he said. “Then we had the corporate dollars to pay for the event, for renting the park, for the t-shirts. It took a lot of pressure off of us as a committee, knowing that part was taken care of.”

Harper said the support from the corporate sponsors developed very organically in the community.

“The corporations realized that we’re doing good work here for the community, and they just turned it on and went for it,” he explained. “I know everyone says ‘You just want to make more money.’ Well yes, we do want to make more money because we have a lot of services we need to provide, and there are people we still haven’t reached.

“The more people that come and get involved, the more the message travels, the more people will get tested and the stigma will decrease.”

Harper and Aller both said work is already underway for AIDS Walk 2015. But first, the organization is preparing for its Santa Speedo Run in December.

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state news

Judge cancels divorce hearing on eve of court date

Atlantic Beach ‘anti-HRO’ referendum fails

Wire Report

Staff Report

A

tlantic Beach | A petition for a voter referendum to reject the recently approved Atlantic Beach human rights ordinance failed to gather enough signatures to get it on the ballot.

Supporters of this movement had 20 days from the Aug. 11 decision by Atlantic Beach City Commission to collect 2,305 signatures, 25 percent of the city’s voters, in order for the ordinance to be placed on the November ballot.

Don Peters, an organizer of the effort for a voter referendum for the HRO, would not say exactly how many signatures were collected, according to The Florida TimesUnion, but he said it would have been enough if the city followed the “10 percent of voters” standard which is used by many other cities statewide.

The HRO was passed Aug. 11 unanimously with a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Jimmy Hill was absent at the meeting when the board voted on the HRO. The HRO has been brought up in some way at 14 commission meetings and/or workshops since its first disucssion in November 2013.

F

ort Lauderdale | On Sept.

9, Broward Circuit Judge Dale Cohen cancelled the scheduled Sept. 10 hearing on a same-sex divorce case involving two women. According to his order, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was not properly informed to appeal the ruling.

“It has come to this court’s attention that the Petitioner, Heather Brassner, has failed to comply with Florida Statute 86.091 and Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.071 by failing to notice the Office of the Attorney General of these proceedings by either registered or certified mail,” the order read.

According to Equality Florida, Brassner can re-file the motion for a re-hearing.

It’s another dramatic chapter in the ongoing effort to dissolve a civil union cemented in Vermont in 2002.

Brassner says that her estranged partner left more than four years

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ago and she cannot file for divorce in Florida because the state’s ban prevents recognition of the union.

Meanwhile, she cannot pursue legalizing another relationship because of the documented partnership.

Another divorce case in Hillsborough County may reach a conclusion sooner. The high court said Sept. 5 the 2nd District Court of Appeal first should rule on the case, in which a lesbian couple married in Massachusetts and is now seeking a divorce in Hillsborough County.

A lower court judge ruled that the couple couldn’t get divorced in Florida because the state’s constitution doesn’t recognize gay marriage.

Before considering the case, the appeals court in a 10-3 decision asked the Supreme Court to settle the question about the gay marriage ban.

The Supreme Court, however, agreed with three dissenting judges who said the issue wasn’t of such high importance that it had to go straight to the state’s top court.

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

Bondi, however, can no longer avoid the marriage equality debate.

That’s according to a decision released by the Third District Court of Appeal Aug. 28 “Upon consideration, appellant’s motions to stay briefing are denied,” wrote the Third District Court of Appeal in a terse ruling.

That means Bondi’s request to hold off deciding the constitutionality of Florida’s same-sex marriage ban was shot down.

Bondi told the court she wanted to just let the U.S. Supreme Court someday rule on the issue.

Bernadette Restivo, the attorney representing Aaron Huntsman and William Lee Jones who are two Key West bartenders who won the right to marry in Monroe County Circuit Court, was excited about the news.

“That is the best news of the day.

We would have been sitting in limbo for an undetermined amount of time,” said Restivo. “Pam Bondi’s stay would have caused enormous irreparable harm to the plaintiffs.”

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

13

nation+world news

Gay Men’s Chorus sings at Joan Rivers’ funeral Wire Report New York | Howard Stern delivered the eulogy and Broadway singer-actress Audra McDonald sang ``Smile’’ at Joan Rivers’ funeral Sunday, a starstudded send-off that— like late comedian herself— brought together the worlds of Hollywood, theater, fashion and media.

At a funeral befitting a superstar, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus sang Broadway hits including ``Hey Big Spender’’ before six-time Tony Awardwinner McDonald sang her tribute to Rivers.

Tributes and reminiscences were delivered by TV anchor Deborah Norville, close friend Margie Stern, columnist Cindy Adams and Rivers’ daughter, Melissa, who spoke about how she respected her mother, who died Thursday at 81.

A legion of notables turned out to remember Rivers: comedians Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell and Whoopi Goldberg; E! network ``Fashion Police’’ colleague and friend Kelly Osbourne; Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

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Idaho, Nevada, Hawaii gay marriage cases in court Wire Report

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an Francisco | The federal appeals court in San Francisco has already issued two significant gay rights rulings: In 2012, it struck down California’s Prop 8, and this year it extended protections against discrimination to gay and lesbians.

Now, three judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—all appointed by Democrats and two of whom joined in the civil rights ruling this year—heard arguments Sept. 8 on gay marriage bans in Idaho, Nevada and Hawaii.

The hearings come as gay marriage supporters have piled up legal victories in federal courts across the U.S. this year, nullifying bans in more than a dozen states.

On Sept. 4, the federal appeals court in Chicago rejected bans in Wisconsin and Indiana. Same-sex marriage opponents, however, scored a legal victory when a

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federal judge in Louisiana upheld that state’s ban. ``Until all 50 states get on board, it’s a legal battle from state to state,’’ said Tara Newberry, one of the plaintiffs in the Nevada case, who wants to marry her longtime partner. ``The map is changing.

But until the Supreme Court of the United States makes the determination, it’s state-by-state.’’

The same day as the Chicago court ruled, 15 states that allow gay marriage and 17 that don’t asked the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the issue once and for all.

The pro-gay marriage rulings have used the rationale the nation’s high court used in June 2013 when it invalidated the core of the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman for determining federal benefits.

That ruling didn’t directly address whether states can impose bans and led to an explosion of litigation. But an increasing

number of federal and state judges are adopting the court’s reasoning in the 2013 case to invalidate bans, ratcheting up pressure on the Supreme Court to address the issue directly, legal analysts say.

In February, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, a Republican seeking re-election this year, said the state would no longer fight a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Nevada’s gay marriage ban.

Nevada’s defense of the ban has been taken up by a private organization called the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage. In the Idaho case, Gov. C.L. ``Butch’’ Otter is appealing a lower court decision tossing out that state’s gay marriage ban.

And in Hawaii, attorneys representing the Hawaii Family Forum, which opposes gay marriage, are asking the court to keep alive the forum’s legal case even though state lawmakers legalized same-sex marriage in December.

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eventplanner planner

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Fall Fashion, Give back

Fall Fashion Give, sept.

12, neiman marcus, the man’s store – level one, orlando. 407-228-1446; www.Zebrayouth.org.

FridAY, SePt. 12, 6-8:30 P.m. neimAn mArcuS, orlAndo, 170 conroY rd.

Fitz & The Tantrums, sept.

11, cfe arena, orlando.

407-823-3070; cfearena.com.

Orlando Boat Show, sept. 12-14, orange county convention center, orlando. 407-685-9800; orlandoboatshow.com.

Les Miserables, through oct. 12, mafregson theater, orlando. 407-447-1700; orlandoshakes.org.

Dance, Dream and Inspire, sept. 13, hard rock live, orlando. 407-351-5483; hardrock.com/live/ locations/orlando Erasure, sept. 13, house of blues, orlando. 407-934-2583; houseofblues.com/orlando.

DJ Shadow & Cut ChemistRenegades of Rhythm Tour, sept. 14, house of blues, orlando. 407-934-2583; houseofblues.com/orlando.

Rock Hard Revue, sept. 16, the abbey, orlando. 407-704-6261; abbeyorlando.com Cirqu du Soleil: Varekai, sept. 17-21, amway center, orlando. 407-440-7000; amwaycenter.com.

Twenty One Pilots: Quiet is Violent World Tour, sept. 18, house of blues, orlando. 407-934-2583; houseofblues.com/orlando.

Coheed and CambriaNeverever IKSSE:3, sept. 19 house of blues, orlando. 407-934-2583; houseofblues.com/orlando.

regional tour

enjoy some fall fashion while benefitting the Zebra coalition of orlando on friday, sept. 12, during fall fashion, give back, at neiman marcus. tickets are $50 and all proceeds benefit the organization that helps lgbt youth in central florida. tickets include drinks and light bites and a raffle will be held as well to raise additional funds. use the conroy entrance of the store and look for the special event on level one.

Demi Lovato mondAY, SePt. 15 AmwAY center, 400 w. church St., #200 the former X-Factor judge and pop star takes on the amway center in orlando on monday, sept. 15. expect a younger, pop-loving crowd, but a fair share of lgbts. We’re also hoping to hear her version of the Frozen smash hit song “let it go” that doesn’t seem to get as much airplay as the idina menzel version. tickets are available at amwaycenter.com.

st. Petersburg

When andy bell came out, he was one of pop-synth music’s first out performers. now he lives in tampa and is touring with Vince clarke to promote erasure’s brand new album, The Violet Flame. catch erasure at the orlando house of blues on sept. 13 and at the mahaffey theater in st. petersburg on sept. 14.

Brett Michaels: Life Rocks Tour, sept. 20, hard rock live, orlando. 407-3515483; hardrock.com/ live/locations/orlando The Letters, through sept.

21, the Zehngebot-stonerock theatre,orlando. 407-297-8788; madcowtheatre.com.

2014 Hope Revolution Tour - Hawthorne Heights & Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, sept. 23, house of blues, orlando. 407-934-2583; houseofblues.com/orlando.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, sept. 19-21 and 26-28, breakthrough theatre, Winter park. 407-920-4034; breakthroughtheatre.com.

Fifth anniversary of Trivia with Doug Bowser, september, hamburger mary’s orlando, orlando. 321-319-0600; hamburgermarys.com/ orlando.

In Smoke-The Tour: Cheech& Chong and war, sept. 20, silver spurs arena at osceola heritage park, kissimmee.

321-697-3333; ohpark.com.

Bingo!: The winning musical, sept. 11-14, the little theatre, new smyrna beach. 386-423-1246; nsbplayers.org.

tamPa bay

sarasOta

WUSF Public Media Presents Ira Glass, sept. 13, the mahaffey theater, st. petersburg, 727-893-7832; themahaffey.com.

Mefistofele HD, sept. 11 & 14, sarasota opera house, sarasota. 941-366-8450; sarasotaopera.org.Alice in Wonderland, sept.

11-21, Venice theatre, Venice. 941-488-1115; Venicestage.com.

Retrotastic! Sara DelBeato and Michael Raabe with Tito Vallejo and Burt Rushing, sept. 13, freefall theatre, st. petersburg. 727-498-5205; freefalltheatre.com.

To Be Takei, Wednesday, sept. 17, freefall theatre, st. petersburg. tiglff.com.

Jay Mohr, saturday, sept. 20, straz center for the performing arts, tampa. strazcenter.org.

The Last Night of Ballyhoo, through sept. 28, straz center, tampa.813-229-7827; strazcenter.org.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest throuGh SePt. 14 FreeFAll theAtre, 6099 centrAl AVe freefall theatre’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has been so well received that it’s been extended through sept. 14. the american classic of literature, stage and film tells the harrowing story of one man’s struggle against his own oppression and that of those around him. seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. tickets start at $29.00 at freefalltheatre.com.

Lend Me a Tenor, sept. 11-21, players theatre, sarasota.

941-365-2494; theplayers.org.

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“Only Fifty” Civil Rights Art Exhibit Opening, sept. 12, fogartyville community media and arts center, sarasota, 941-545-5635; sarasotapeacenter.org.

Suncoast Softball Hall of Fame

Go, Granny D! - “You’re Never Too Old To Raise A Little Hell”, sept. 18, fogartyville community media and arts center, sarasota. 941-545-5635; sarasotapeacenter.org.

SundAY, SePt. 14, 4-7 P.m. citY Side lounGe, 3703 henderSon BlVd. Join members of the suncoast softball league and it celebrates those who made the league the success it is today. board members will honor players past and present as new inductees are added to the list. the organization will also honor gerre reynolds, who is the league’s second inductee into the nagaaa softball hall of fame. enjoy a cookout and drink specials—all of which happens after the opening day of the new season that morning.

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

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

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Community Announcements congRAtulAtions orlando couple Robert Rodriguez and Tim Wilson celebrated 20 years together on sept. 8. sarasota rV enthusiasts Alice D’Souza and Irene Mirkovic celebrate 18 years together and four years of canadian marriage bliss on sept. 20. the center board president Jay Lovell and his partner Scott Stowell celebrate 14 years together on sept. 16.

Watermark director of online media Jamie Hyman and her husband, Matt Huertas, celebrate five years of marriage sept. 19.

imProV Guru: florida studio theatre has just announced Will Luera as the new director of improvisation. luera has been working professionally in the world of improv for the last 17 years. serving as the artistic director of the renowned improvboston and big bang improv, luera brings with him the experience of not only a director, but also a producer, instructor, and actor. he takes his new post on nov. 15. PHOTO PROVIDED BY FST

locAl biRthdAys tampa account manager Jim Steinle, tampa animal lover Greg Burton, tampa gallery curator Albert Burruezo (sept. 11); straight ally and mama bear Dee Richter (sept.

14); orlando derby girl and diehard green bay packers fan Jill Powers (sept. 15); st. pete artist Barry Rothstein (sept.

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after 17 years together, Derek Cavilla, right, and Terry Roberts, formerly of orlando and now residents of south florida, finally tied the knot officially on July 24, 2014 in brewster, mass.

StePPinG uP: orlando fringe announced sept. 4 that Carla Davis, pictured with fringe executive director george Wallace, will take on the role of the first-ever festival operations manager. davis will oversee the box office, ticketing, customer service and provide assistance to volunteer services. davis was originally the box office manager. loSS oF An icon:

legendary comedienne and longtime lgbt advocate Joan Rivers passed away sept. 4. rivers, 81, died at new york’s mount sinai hospital, a week after she suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest during a medical procedure at a clinic.

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sports

sAm mAKes dAllAs pRActice sQuAd Wire Report

i

rVinG, teX. | Michael Sam’s second chance will be with the Dallas Cowboys.

Coach Jason Garrett said Sept. 3 that the league’s first openly gay player will be added to the practice roster.

“We just want to give him a chance to come in and help our football team,” Garrett said.

“That’s where our attention is [football]. What people say outside the organization is up to them.”

The Cowboys, who are seeking help with their pass rush because of injuries and the offseason release of franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware, added Sam four days after he was released by St. Louis when teams had to cut rosters to 53 players.

Sam wasn’t on the active roster for the Sept. 7 season opener against San Francisco.

Any team can sign Sam off the Cowboys’ practice squad, but would have to put him on the 53-man roster for a minimum of four weeks.

Being on the Dallas roster means Sam is returning to his home state. He was a lightly regarded recruit out of Hitchcock, Texas, a town of about 7,000 along the Gulf Coast about 40 miles southeast of Houston. His first two years at the University of Missouri, Sam backed up Aldon Smith and Jacquies Smith, both of whom are in the NFL. The Cowboys didn’t have Sam on their draft board, with owner Jerry Jones saying his size and skill set had him caught between defensive end and outside linebacker. Dallas

passed on him with three of five seventh-round picks before the Rams got him at No. 249 out of 256 selections.

But Dallas heads into the opener with serious questions about its defensive line after giving up the most yards in the NFL last year—and third-most in league history.

Defensive end George Selvie, came back from a shoulder injury in time to be activ, is the only Dallas lineman who had more than two sacks last year.

Tackle Terrell McClain, one of the key free agent signings, was out with a sprained ankle.

The other major free agent pickup, tackle Henry Melton, missed all the preseason games with a groin injury. He hasn’t played since tearing a knee ligament with Chicago in Week 3 last year.

Rookie DeMarcus Lawrence,

A new home: after he was cut

from the st. louis rams, the nfl’s first openly gay player, Michael Sam, was picked up by the dallas cowboys, where he remains on the practice squad.

who was drafted in the second round with the hope that he could at least partially fill Ware’s void, can’t play until after the eighth game. He’s on

short-term injured reserve with a broken right foot.

Sam, the SEC defensive player of the year with 11 1/2 sacks at Missouri last season, couldn’t crack a St. Louis roster that was stocked with proven pass rushers. But he also lost out to Ethan Westbrooks, the Rams’ top target among undrafted rookies.

Sam had three sacks, one more than Westbrook.

But most of the preseason, he was playing with the second- and third-stringers.

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Then

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

20 Amazing YeArS

On Watermark’s anniversary, founder Tom Dyer reflects on two transforming decades.

w

Tom Dyer

hen i StArted WATERMARK

back in 1994, my goal was to share— and encourage—the richness of the local LGBT experience. Looking back, I see now that I had only the slightest idea what that meant.

In the last 20 years, Watermark has been my entrée to unimagined people and experiences—and I hope yours, too. We’ve stood up to discrimination in its ugliest forms, been patient as friends and representatives evolved, and discovered a real—almost cocky— pride in our uniqueness. And we’ve laughed with, and been inspired by, legends of this unique time in history.

I’ll never forget walking through our offices and overhearing Cyndi Lauper’s distinctive Betty-Boopfrom-Brooklyn voice responding to

questions by our Kimboo York.

Or Scottie Campbell gushing over Larry Kramer until the busy activist and playwright interrupted and said, “Do you have any questions?”

Or Joan Rivers scolding Kirk Hartlage for wearing pajama pants to work: “It shows no respect!”

Or Phyllis Diller telling Sam Singhaus she was the inspiration for Cruella De Vil. Or Gloria Steinem (still goose bumps) telling me about the COntinued On Pg. 28 |  |

watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

Photo by MK Photography Studios Julie Milford and Kacia Platt

27

20 amazing years

WATERMARK HIGHLIGHTS

1994

2002

1995

March: Watermark acquires publication rights to Celebrate! in key West, and names former contributor mike kilgore editor.

AUGUST: With a staff of three, Watermark publishes its first 24-page issue featuring Winter park’s amanda bearse (Married With Children) on the cover.

August: todd simmons joins our team as Watermark expands to tampa bay.

February: Watermark sells beach ball to mark baker productions.

1996

2004

1997

2005

May: Watermark grows to 60 pages, begins printing in four-color process and features its first national advertiser—miller brewing.

June: Watermark produces the first large-scale nighttime party during gay days Weekend as more than 2,500 attend beach ball at typhoon lagoon.

1998

April: Watermark introduces a new tabloidsize magazine format and introduces a distinctive “W” masthead logo.

June: Watermark obtains permission to hang rainbow flags throughout downtown orlando during gay pride month. televangelist pat robertson predicts doom, and the ensuing debate mobilizes the city’s lgbt community.

September: Watermarkonline. com debuts.

1999

June: With 5,500 attendees, beach ball at typhoon lagoon sells out.

October: Watermark purchases and relocates to an office complex in orlando’s colonialtown south area. the newspaper also opens tampa bay offices at the suncoast resort.

2000

April: Watermark expands coverage to the sarasota/ bradenton area, increasing circulation to 18,000 every two weeks.

May: Watermark produces its first glossy guide to gay days Weekend.

2001

March: Watermark hires scott smith as its first full-time editor.

September: Watermark entertainment group, inc.

(Wegi) produces comedy shows during gay days Weekend and tiglff. after 9/11, two more planned events are canceled.

November: the Watermark awards for Variety and excellence (WaVes) debut.

28

September: Watermark commemorates its 10th anniversary the night before hurricane Jeanne— the third hurricane of the summer—hits orlando.

May: Watermark hires steve blanchard as its first full-time tampa bay bureau chief.

September: Watermark sells Celebrate! to a local publisher in key West.

2006

October: editor dave Weithop dies unexpectedly of a cancerous brain tumor.

2007

June and September: Watermark publishes its first programs for st. pete pride and orlando’s come out With pride.

October: Watermark brings rainbow flags back to downtown orlando for come out With pride.

2009

January: Watermark lays off four staff members after the recession causes a 35% reduction in ads—mostly real estate. publisher tom dyer resumes editing the newspaper.

May: Watermark hires Jamie hyman as online editor for a redesigned Watermarkonline.com.

June: steve blanchard is promoted to Watermark editor.

2010

June: Watermark joins with mark baker to produce stratosphere at universal studios during gay days Weekend.

2011

June: Watermark joins with alandchucktravel.travel to produce fire & ice Weekend at the postcard inn during st. pete pride.

2014

January: tom dyer’s “i’m sorry” interview with charlie crist goes viral, trending on huffpost.com, msnbc.com, cnn. com and other national media.

August: Watermark publishes the 25th anniversary program for the hope & help center’s headdress ball in orlando.

Watermark has given me the opportunity to meet many of my heroes: (top to bottom) Harvey Fierstein (with sam singhaus); Gloria Steinem; Jane Fonda; and Billie Jean King.

|  | 20 Amazing Years frOm Pg.27

patriarchy: “They’re threatened by same-sex couples because they can’t imagine equality in partnership.”

Or a then-single Rep. Barney Frank grabbing my ass at a fundraiser in Sarasota—in front of my mother.

Or our staff’s excitement as we watched my “I’m sorry” interview

the awakening Thornton Park neighborhood reading Orlando’s LGBT newspaper.

The image was so invigorating that I drove to the nearby offices of Southern Voice and asked to meet with the publishers, Chris Cash and Leigh Vanderels. They indulged my many questions and loaded me down with media kits, business cards and notes.

I began sketching out ideas and

up to the light. What a wonderful metaphor for being gay.

I started the paper with $25,000 borrowed from friends willing to take a risk. It was enough to buy a computer and hire start-up staff.

Keith Peterson set about selling $12,000 in ads, and April Gustetter and I cranked out a 24-page first issue featuring Winter Park’s Amanda Bearse (Married With ( Children) Children on the cover.

Mom did the billing that first year, leading to this memorable phone exchange: “Enough with the pleasantries, Tom… has Pig Boy Leather paid yet?”

And friends came out of the woodwork to offer their help.

David Almeida, George Alvan, Jim Crescitelli, Mike Kilgore, Ken Kundis, Ted Maines, Jill Porter, Nan Schultz, Patty Sheehan, Sam Singhaus, Nan Schultz, Rosanne Sloan, Clive Thomas, Dimitri Toscas, Greg Triggs, Yvonne Vassel and Diane Wilde all contributed, each in unique ways and with little or no compensation.

When we expanded to Tampa Bay in 1995, Todd Simmons and Nadine Smith—both respected activists and experienced journalists—joined our growing family. The faith these talented people had in me and my vision still touches me.

There have been many more since. And in many ways, that’s the experience I never could have imagined. So many talented and devoted people have pitched in to bring the newspaper to this 20year, well, watermark. We’ve dug

enough with the pleasantries, tom… has Pig Boy Leather paid yet?

—mrS. dYer

with Charlie Crist go viral after being picked up by HuffPost.com, MSNBC.com and CNN.com.

I’ve told the Watermark story before, but it’s our 20th anniversary.

Here’s the condensed version.

In the spring of 1994, I went to a Metropolitan Business Association meeting where some local elected officials made uninformed—even condescending—remarks. I was frustrated that only the few dozen in attendance could react.

A few days later I was in Atlanta having lunch at a restaurant in Virginia Highlands where everyone seemed to be reading Southern Voice. I began to fantasize about people sitting in cafés in

watermark Your lgbt life.

crunching numbers—a process that consumed me for months.

Eventually I shared my obsession with my parents, expecting them to redirect me back to my new law practice. But Mom said, “There’s a reason you can’t shake this, so go for it.” My dad, who’d recently suffered a stroke, agreed with a hearty thumbs up.

The name was chosen to reflect a demarcation point for the local LGBT community. But after the first issue was published, a reader pointed out the more inspiring symbolism. A watermark is a transparent insignia on fine stationery, visible only when held

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

in through some difficult times, and often with very different perspectives. You know who you are, and there’s a place in my heart for each of you.

The touching, inspiring arch of the past two decades is presented in the following pages, in interviews with Nadine Smith and Patty Sheehan, columns by Todd Simmons and Ken Kundis, and 20 pages of year-by-year highlights.

If you’re reading this, then please share my pride in 20 amazing years.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

29

Interviews by Tom Dyer

AGENTS OF CHANGE

eQuAlity floRidA eXecutive diRectoR nAdine smith

oRlAndo city commissioneR pAtty sheehAn

throughout 20 years of Watermark, two remarkable people appear again and again, from the very beginning to the present: Patty Sheehan and Nadine Smith. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, I sat down with both of these newsmakers to get their take on our times. Turns out, the last two decades have been an inspiring journey for both.

n

Adine Smith iS An AwArd-winninG

journalist and former U.S. Air Force Academy cadet. But she burst onto the local scene in 1991 as an African-American—and openly lesbian— candidate for Tampa City Council and won 42% of the vote. She co-chaired the 1993 March on Washington, and in 1997 founded Equality Florida. She has been its executive director ever since.

Smith is the go-to spokesperson for Florida’s LGBT community, and for many its heart and soul. That was demonstrated in 2007, when Smith was forced to the ground and arrested for handing someone a flier that said, ‘Don’t Discriminate’ at a Largo City Council hearing.

Smith, 49, lives in Gulfport with her wife, Andrea Hildebran Smith, and their 3-year-old son, Logan.

WATERMARK: stuart milk says

tHat His unCle, Harvey milk, COuld see a wOrld Of full equality, and tHat’s wHy He wOrked sO Hard tO aCHieve it. i’ve knOwn yOu fOr mOre tHan 20 years, and yOu’ve always

30

struCk me tHe same way. it’s like yOu see tHe end gOal sO yOu knOw eXaCtly wHere we’re Headed. any trutH tO tHat?

nadine smitH: The first time Stuart Milk spoke for Equality Florida was at a big rally in Tallahassee. We were all gathered on the steps of the Capitol and thunderclouds came rolling in.

There was one speaker after another... the whole time I was looking up hoping it wouldn’t rain. Finally it’s Stuart’s turn and he points out that he’s wearing Harvey’s ring. ‘Don’t worry, it’s not going to rain,’ he said. ‘Harvey’s

COntinued On Pg. 34 |  |

watermark Your lgbt life.

P

AttY SheehAn wAS ActiVe in the

growing LGBT community back in the late 80s and early 90s. When Watermark first appeared in 1994, Sheehan penned a recurring Viewpoint column.

But she was destined to have a far greater impact as Orlando’s first openly gay city commissioner. Elected in 2000, she easily won re-election to a fourth term in 2012.

Commissioner Sheehan was active in securing non-discrimination protections for Orlando’s LGBT community, as well as partner benefits for city employees and a Domestic Partner Registry. But she is known to most of her constituents as a champion for sidewalks, safe neighborhoods, historic preservation and a vibrant downtown.

Sheehan, 53, lives in Colonialtown with a cat, two dogs and three urban chickens. Conveniently, her partner, Deidre O’Malley, is a Tampa-based veterinarian.

WATERMARK: watermark is 20 years Old, but we’ve knOwn eaCH OtHer lOnger tHan tHat. dO yOu remember wHat gay life was like baCk wHen we first

met—baCk in tHe 80s?

Patty sHeeHan: If we don’t we may end up repeating it. I remember when some of the men at The Center weren’t amenable to having women involved. And then guys starting getting sick with HIV and lesbians stepped up to care for them. It brought everyone together. is tHat baCkgrOund useful tO yOu as a COmmissiOner?

It’s part of what I bring to the table as a public servant. People are like, ‘Oh let’s get rid of Patty... she’s been in office too long.’ It’s true that I’m the senior member of council now.

But that’s useful. We just added transgender identity protections, and

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

COntinued On Pg. 32 |  |

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

31

20 amazing years because I thought I was going to be assassinated. I just drank a lot and carried on and figured, ‘What the hell... I’ll be dead in a couple years anyway.’

One thing I’ve never been afraid of is looking stupid, because I’m not. I know exactly what I’m talking about.

|  | Patty Sheehan frOm Pg.30

I was the only one who’d been there during the Chapter 57 debate, when we added protections based on sexual orientation. tHat was baCk in 2002. i’ll never fOrget it.

It was eight hours of testimony... a lot of it very ugly, very hateful. We were just banning discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. And it barely passed! The vote was four to three!

We had to take out transgender protections because otherwise we’d lose Commissioner Diamond’s vote. And this time [transgender protections] passed unanimously.

There was no debate. It shows how far we’ve come.

baCk in 2002 yOu were still in yOur first term as a COmmissiOner. were yOu afraid Of rePerCussiOns?

This fear that people have—‘If I do the right thing I’ll have a bad result’—never came true for me.

But yes, when LGBT rights came up in such a big way so soon, I worried that I might be a one-term commissioner. I also knew it was the right thing to do. wHen did yOu first get tHe idea tHat yOu migHt like tO run fOr OffiCe?

I was involved with what was then called Orlando Regional Pride, along with Joel Strack and Phyllis Murphy.

When the city double-booked the Lake Eola Bandshell, I helped negotiate a solution. I was actually considered a voice of reason, which is comical because I was kind of a hothead back then. i remember tHat. tHe City denied it, but everyOne tHOugHt it was intentiOnal.

They just didn’t want us at the bandshell anymore. Then I moved downtown and started getting involved with neighborhood stuff. I was passionate about LGBT rights, but I was also passionate about neighborhood issues and historic preservation.

sO wHen did yOu deCide tO run fOr OffiCe?

I didn’t! [laughs] Keith Morrision did! I ran into him at Joy MCC

32

WE’VE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE CITY HAS CHANGED. HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS?

eArlY cAmPAiGn: a campaign photo for Patty Sheehan during her first run for city commissioner in 1996 was colorful.

Church and he had this little map.

He said, ‘You know we could elect a city commissioner with 700 votes.’

I had been doing voter registration with the Rainbow Democratic Club so I knew how many gay and gay-friendly people lived in those neighborhoods. At that point 700 votes could elect a commissioner in Orlando. We threw a campaign together in 90 days. tHat was 1996. yOu Just missed making a runOff.

The fascinating thing for me was that half the candidates were gay but I was the only one that was out.

eArlY on: Patty Sheehan was

part of a six-person lgbt contingent in the 1995 mlk parade in orlando.

tHe last 20 years Have been remarkable—fOr yOu and tHe COmmunity as a wHOle. wHat stands Out?

I will never forget sitting in council chambers while Chapter 57 was being debated. I kept my hands gripped tightly in front of me. I had to focus on something other than the hateful things that people were saying. I just kept focusing on my knuckles and saying to myself, ‘Don’t react. Stay calm.’ When it was time for the vote I wasn’t sure we’d win... I thought [Commissioner] Ernest [Page] might follow [Mayor]

VictorY: Orlando City

Commissioner Patty Sheehan celebrates her victory in 2000.

then come talk to me. They were afraid to lose their jobs. I knew [Chapter 57] was important.

WATERMARK’S OFFICES ARE IN YOUR DISTRICT. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF POSITIVE CHANGES.

[Laughs] I consider myself the city exterior decorator. Sometimes I had to go out on a limb. People said Thornton Park Central wouldn’t work. I think being gay helped me see things differently.

I think it also made me a more effective leader because I was willing to take chances.

“It sounds crazy, but I really thought I would be assassinated in office.

I thought some nut would shoot me like Harvey milk.” —PAttY SheehAn

It was a very strange time. It was a very dirty race. People were upset with me for not supporting the closeted candidate in the runoff, but if we were going to elect a gay person I wanted it to be someone with integrity, who would stand up for our issues.

Glenda [Hood] and flip. When it was over I collapsed and started to cry.

Yes. I only lost by 75 votes. And I had learned so much.

WHY?

did yOu deCide tO run again immediately?

WHAT DID YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

You can’t just decide to run three months before an election and expect to win. I kept engaged the whole time. Anytime an issue came up in the neighborhood, I went before the City Council. And it’s not a pink seat. You have to connect with people. They have to know that you care about their issues.

yOu wOn eleCtiOn in 2000.

HOw Have tHings at City Hall CHanged sinCe tHen?

Oh my gosh! When I first got elected, they took me someplace and made me do a drug test. They took hair and blood samples!

I guess they figured that because I’m gay I must be a drug addict.

So yes... things have changed. I found out later that I was the only city commissioner that had ever been tested.

Another thing was that gay employees at City Hall were reluctant to talk to me during business hours. I called it the ‘After Five Club’ because everyone would wait until after five and

watermark Your lgbt life.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

People are fearful of things that usually don’t happen. As a gay person I was always worried...

Will someone out me? Will my parents reject me? None of that happened. And I try to apply that lesson in my job. tHat’s Pretty PrOfOund, Patty. wHen did yOu learn tHat lessOn?

During three terms in office.

Sobriety has helped. wHat sCares yOu?

It sounds crazy, but I really thought I would be assassinated in office. I honestly thought some nut would shoot me like Harvey Milk. I got threatened a lot. I think part of the reason I didn’t take very good care of myself is

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

I’m much less fearful. People close to me knew what my fears were... mostly losing things... my job, my home. When my domestic partnership blew up, that was pivotal. It was the thing I feared most, and I was humiliated. The mayor had just registered us as domestic partners the year before.

The weird thing is that when I lost that it helped me find me.

I could go out and do all these things professionally, but I never felt worthy personally. I no longer accept the limitations placed on me by others. And the same applies to our community. When we realize that, the possibilities are endless. yOur aPPearanCe Has CHanged, Patty. yOu stOPPed drinking. yOu lOOk fabulOus.

I think what’s happened is that I faced my biggest fear: being alone.

And I quit drinking. I’ve been sober for a year and a half now. I go to A.A. and I have no problems talking about it.

But if my appearance has changed, I think it mostly reflects changes from within. I’m a much more spiritual person.

I’ve seen counselors over the years. Nothing has helped me more than A.A. By making those admissions, facing those fears and making amends you can start moving forward.

yOu’ve learned a lOt, Patty.

HOw will yOu aPPly yOur eXPerienCe gOing fOrward?

In politics, a few years is a lifetime. There are a lot of options for me now, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to say 10 or even 20 years ago. That’s exciting. I don’t know what Mayor Dyer is going to do next. Let’s just see what happens.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

33

20 amazing years WHAT IS YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET?

$2 million

|  | Nadine Smith frOm Pg.30

i remember fundraisers fOr equality flOrida wHere tHe gOal was tO bring in sOmetHing like $5,000. and we were HaPPy tO get it! wHen did tHe level Of finanCial suPPOrt CHange?

going to take care of us.’ I swear to you, at that exact moment the clouds parted and sunlight came down through those clouds. If you had scripted it in a movie everyone would have rolled their eyes. It was one of those chill-inducing moments where you go, ‘Yeah, he’s right here with us… celebrating.’ early On—even baCk in tHe early 90s—yOu PusHed tO inClude tHe transgender COmmunity in Our battle fOr equality. lOts Of PeOPle were afraid tHat wOuld delay PrOgress. wHere dOes tHat COme frOm?

I grew up in a civil rights tradition.

My grandparents were part of the first integrated co-op in the country in Mississippi. My grandfather didn’t want to teach his sons not to make eye contact with white people, and he knew that was the only way to preserve their safety in the Deep South. So he moved them to New York.

I have a family that taught me to stand up for myself. They knew they were teaching a young black girl those lessons. They didn’t know they were teaching a young lesbian those lessons as well.

Later this year I hope to go to the 30-year anniversary of the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization in Dublin. I was on the board, and one of the most transformative situations of my life took place back then. A group of our guys got beat up by some G.I.’s in Germany. When they came back I remember thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s a shame. You have to be careful out there sometimes.’

Everyone else was outraged. They said to call the American Embassy.

To them this was not acceptable at any level. And I thought to myself, ‘When did I learn that violence was okay? When did I learn to just accept this as the way things are?’

Their outrage was the appropriate response from people who believe they are supposed to be treated as equals in this world.

I thought it was just part of the deal: you’re gay and you just better accommodate this level of hatred, violence, bigotry. It’s your job to sidestep it. It’s a lesson I’m still learning.

34

eArlY Voice: Nadine Smith wrote her first column for Watermark in 1995.

hiGh oFFice: Nadine Smith met with

President Barack Obama in the White house in 2011.

lOOking baCk, i was my biggest OPPressOr. HOw did yOu get Past tHat?

People sometimes say, ‘How do you not get burnt out?’ And I think, ‘Burnt out? This is how I saved my life! This is how I unpacked all of this stuff and detoxed all this poison.’ I learned that my life is worth fighting for. I get fired up by this. I don’t get demoralized.

And you’re right... I do see the long term. I know that people are waiting for permission, and have been waiting for permission, to

me things were squared away was now in tears. I told him, ‘You live in a big world where your brother and nieces and nephews are getting fed these ideas about you, and that is what we are here for. We have to do this work.’ dOes it surPrise yOu wHere we are tOday? did yOu see marriage equality CrystalliZing sO quiCkly?

Well, quickly compared to what?

It’s easier looking back than looking forward.

hAPPY PAirinG: Nadine Smith and her wife, Andrea Hildebran Smith, in 2014.

I think you compromise when it comes to tactics and strategies, but there are principles you can’t compromise. walk me tHrOugH tHe early days Of equality flOrida.

Back in the early 90s, a straight pastor tried to get a human rights ordinance in the City of Tampa and it failed. After that effort we created the Human Rights Task Force and got the ordinance passed. A number of cities around the state said, ‘Give

“they knew they were teaching a young black girl those lessons. they didn’t know they were teaching a young lesbian those lessons as well.” —nAdine Smith

stop believing things they never really believed.

I’ll never forget talking to this one man in South Florida in the early organizing days. He lived in one of our more protected communities—in this gay bubble.

He said, ‘You’re not going to get much help around here because things are pretty squared away here.’ I asked him if he could remember a time when he’d been treated unequally because he was gay. He paused for a while and then said, ‘My nephew’s birthday.

I stopped at a gas station and bought him a little bear as a lastminute gift. And my brother took me aside and asked why I had brought his son a gay bear with a rainbow ribbon. I hadn’t even noticed the rainbow. It changed my relationship with the kids.

I became self conscious about everything I did around them.’

This person who had just told

Back in 1994, I don’t know that I would have said we’d have it in 20 years. But I remember getting a lot of heat because we were talking about full equality. Our message was very simple: full equality under the law. This was at a time when people were saying, ‘Don’t say it, you’ll scare people.’

I was on the organizing committee for the 1993 March on Washington. We had a platform that had something like 20 demands, and people criticized us for seeking too much. It was really just a comprehensive list of all of the ways our lives were diminished and harmed. I don’t know whether it was the most pragmatic document, but it was an honest document.

Can yOu reCall a time wHen yOu COmPrOmised full equality fOr PragmatiC Or POlitiCal reasOns?

watermark Your lgbt life.

us your playbook.’ So we started out just sharing information.

And then we learned that people who wanted to support us were sending money to our national headquarters. We didn’t have a national headquarters. They were sending money to better known organizations with similar names.

So we decided to rebrand. Now we are Equality Florida and we also have Equality Florida Institute and Equality Florida Action. We also have a political committee that supports candidates.

HOw big is yOur staff nOw?

Right around 20. We have staff in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Orlando, Broward, Miami and St. Petersburg, and some in more rural parts of the state. We have offices in St. Pete, Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Broward.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

The biggest difference was that we began to do a better job communicating how we were going to change Florida. We were forgetting to tell people the impact we were having together, so we created a map that showed where Florida was versus where Florida is now so that they could see all the local victories.

We’ve been very successful in stopping bad stuff from happening. Not one anti-LGBT piece of legislation has passed in Tallahassee since we formed. But we stopped playing defense and starting talking about winning.

We stopped being cynical about Tallahassee and started pushing legislation.

And we discovered that if we were real and formed personal relationships, people would surprise us. I thought one guy would kick me out of his office.

Instead he closed the door and said, ‘You don’t have to convince me. If this gets to the floor I’m going to vote for it. My daughter’s best friends have lesbian moms and I wouldn’t be able to look them or my daughter in the eye if I didn’t do the right thing on this.’ wHat still needs tO HaPPen?

When Equality Florida first arrived in Tallahassee, the legislature was openly hostile to us. Now they’re mostly indifferent. Back then we were dealing with legislators who equated gay people with pedophilia and necrophilia and words I had to look up just to see how they were insulting us.

In this atmosphere of indifference, we are seeing growing bipartisan support. Doing a head count, we had enough votes to pass the Florida Competitive Workforce Act if we could have gotten it out of committee. A number of Republicans were co-sponsors.

Things are changing in Tallahassee, without a doubt, and this election is critical to that. If we had a governor who made this a defining part of their administration, we would see this legislation move.

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35

20 amazing years

August, 1994

20 Years of Watermark Co August, 2012

December, 2008

March, 2001

March, 1997

36

June, 1998

October, 1998

watermark Your lgbt life.

March, 2000

January, 2006

June, 2001

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

september, 2001

september, 2005

July, 2002

July, 2009

June, 2010

July, 2004

overs october, 2013

May, 2009

January, 2001

January, 2004

May, 2007

december, 1994

October, 2010

June, 2009

watermark Your lgbt life.

march, 2012

April, 2011

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

August, 2014

37

Congratulations Watermark, on 20 years serving our community!

HAPPY 20 YEARS WATERMARK AND READERS

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

9/5/14 9:29 AM

20 amazing years

todd Simmons

gAymeRicA R E V I S I T E D While Nivaldo Slept

t

rYinG to cAPture in

words what 1994 was like for me is like trying to capture lightning in a bottle. To say that the world, my world, was “different” then stretches that word to its limit.

It was the year I met Tom Dyer, for starters—a charming attorney from Winter Park with a warm spot in his heart for his LGBT brothers and sisters and an entrepreneurial dream to publish a newspaper that would serve them. As a journalist who had written for daily newspapers and The Advocate, I was intrigued to meet someone who shared my passion for our community and its social justice movement. When he drove over to Tampa to ask me to work with him on the project, he didn’t have to ask twice.

But it was also a year in which so many other things of consequence were happening. Tom Hanks won the Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia, thrilling me and my husband, Nivaldo Gonzelez, who was himself battling AIDS. For those raised on Will & Grace, Ellen and Modern Family, it’s nearly impossible to convey what it meant to us to see a gay man fighting the still relentlessly lethal epidemic portrayed in a major film.

It was the year in which activists with the Human Rights Task Force of Florida, which I led as co-chair, banded together to fight the memorably named “Yes! Repeal Homosexual Ordinance Committee,” and its (ultimately unsuccessful) campaign to scuttle Tampa’s human rights law.

It was the year of the Republican mid-term “revolution” that brought Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America to power. It was also the year that AIDS claimed Randy Shilts, author of And the Band Played On, and Pedro Zamora, the MTV Real World star who showed the world the meaning of courage and grace.

1994 was also the year that I began writing speeches for President Betty Castor at the University

of South Florida. It was at my USF office that Tom and I—along with the fabulous Michael Kilgore—met for the first time and talked through plans for Watermark’s expansion. I agreed to both write and edit content coming out of the Tampa Bay area (in my spare time, lol), including a column I called “Gaymerica.”

“Gaymerica” was a combination of reporting and commentary on local, state, national and international LGBT issues, which took considerably more effort than now. The Internet was in its infancy (though gay men had already discovered AOL chat rooms), social media wasn’t yet a gleam in anyone’s eye and information traveled at a considerably slower pace than today.

It’s comical now to recall what it took to get text and images from Tampa to Orlando. We were sometimes reduced to faxing over stories, which would then have to be retyped on the other end. Many were the days that I struggled to get a photo file to fit on one of the old 1.2MB disks (remember the small square ones?) so that it could be shipped over to Orlando for production, as most e-mail programs wouldn’t deliver files as large as 1MB. Still, we marveled at new technology that would seem primitive today.

I loved working with Tom, who no matter the deadline pressures or other obligations never seemed to lose his cool or miss a chance to represent Watermark in the community. And I truly loved writing about the Tampa Bay area and its LGBT scene during times that, despite the specter of AIDS and the oppression of conservatives, seemed charged with excitement and possibilities.

Watermark played an especially important role in my life as my husband began his final journey. On long nights when I’d often stay at the hospital, I’d type

watermark Your lgbt life.

deep into the early morning hours while Nivaldo slept. In a situation where we both so often felt powerless, Watermark became a place where I could fight back, using the power of words and a media platform that reached tens of thousands of readers across the state.

I edited and wrote for Watermark for five years, and in addition to the events described above, those five years included me meeting and marrying my husband of now 17 years, Gustavo Martinez-Padilla, and moving to Miami in 2000. In the years since, we

later, I’m terribly proud to see Watermark not only surviving, but thriving.

I often visit its website, and think of what a vital chronicle it’s been for two decades of perhaps the most interesting and exciting period in the history of LGBT people ever. To the

After Nivaldo passed in January 1996, and I drifted for months in a sort of self-destructive free fall, Watermark was a constant that brought some semblance of order and meaning to the interminable hours when I wasn’t at work at the university. I look back now on some of my writing from that period and wonder how I did it. But at the time, Watermark truly was often my salvation.

moved to Oregon, where we adopted two wonderful sons, and then to Honolulu, where Gus is a university professor and I’m executive director of the statewide LGBT organization, Equality Hawaii. Last December, after working for passage of Hawaii’s marriage equality law, Gus and I were officially married in a small ceremony in our home.

Gaymerica, indeed.

All these many years

extent that I played a small role in establishing a solid foundation for Watermark, I’m grateful to have been part of it all, and would gladly go back and do all of it—well, most of it—again.

From many thousands of miles away, I congratulate the readers, supporters and staffers of Watermark and, above all, Tom Dyer for reaching this milestone. May the next 20 years be just as rewarding as the first 20.

It’s comical now to recall what it took to get text and images from Tampa to Orlando.

Congratulations, Watermark, on 20 years.

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20 amazing years

Ken Kundis

pReAching to the COnverted

How watermark Ruined My Life

d

Amn You, WATERMARK!

In celebration of this newspaper’s 20th anniversary, I’ve been asked to share my observations as a long-time contributor.

My first piece was for the second issue and I have now appeared in the paper more than 500 times—as a first person editorialist, reporter, feature writer, summer fiction author, music critic and advice columnist. I think I can summarize my experience pretty succinctly.

Watermark ruined my life.

It has affected my dating life, my family relationships and even compromised my personal safety. I’ve angered friends, gotten hate mail and even been 86’d from my favorite bar.

There was the time that I wrote a column about

is going to kill you if you don’t stop this shit.”

There was the time I had the audacity to suggest in my column—then entitled “Everybody Gets Read”—that Bear Bust at the Full Moon Saloon was the bear version of a circuit party. My “bear” friends froze me out, and the owner of the host bar banned me from his establishment.

There was the time a charming stalker cut out clips and wrote me clever bons mots like “you’re too pretty for an opinion,” and “your mouth should be used for something other than talking” over and around the picture that accompanied my column.

At each of these moments, I was forced to confront how I really felt about important topics and how I wanted to fit in my world. I learned to trust my instincts and probe my own judgment. These moments made me stand up straight and take arrows and kudos and treat them as the same thing.

My association with Watermark not only made me look at my community, it made me look at myself. It made me engage with people I otherwise would never have met. Being a contributor to Watermark became part of my DNA; part of my identity and my ego.

And for these reasons, Watermark, I resent you. I resent you for making me a deeper thinker, a more thoughtful member of my community and a more substantial person all around.

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Someone is going to kill you if you don’t stop this shit.

my tendency to over-share intimate details with friends while in a relationship. My then-boyfriend was told through dozens of Letters to the Editor that he should run from me, as far and as fast as he could.

There was the time I wrote a cover story about the re-emergence of bathhouses in Orlando. My brother-in-law was mowing his lawn and listening to the radio when he heard Jim Philips on Real Radio 104.1 mention my name and my story. While Philips understood the cautionary nature of the piece, my sister was convinced that the mention of my name along with gay bathhouses would result in me being hunted down by torch-wielding residents of Seminole County. She and my father freaked out so hard that my father ended up telling me, “Someone

And I know you’ve done the same thing to the entire Central Florida community.

On behalf of us all, damn you! You never stooped to sleaze, even when we wished you would. You never pandered to politicians on either side. You never failed to hold up a mirror to us even when we were mean, or ugly, or wrong.

You’ve changed us all and we can never go back.

watermark Your lgbt life.

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

ALOMA & ST. ANDREWS

photo cAptions

1994

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).

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

3

1

6

2

4

7

6 - Doug Ba’aser and Kathy Surcey starred in a production of larry kramer’s The Destiny of Me. 7 - 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.

20 YEARS AGO: mOst POPular sOng

w

looKing bAcK

ith A StAFF oF JuSt

three—me, layout editor April Gustetter and account executive Keith Peterson— Tom Dyer PUBLISHER we worked 36-hours straight to get the first 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

“the Sign” by ace of Base

that first 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 in 1994 were related to HIV/AIDS... still mostly a death sentence back then. Viaticals—an industry that bought the life insurance policies of financially needy AIDS sufferers—took up several pages alongside mostly deflating medical news and a relentless string of obituaries.

And with the adoption of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” by the once-sympathetic Clinton

ON THE COVER administration, LGBT equality 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 first-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.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1994.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

best selling album

Grace by Jeff buckley

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Friends

fan favOrite film

The Shawshank Redemption HigHest grOssing film

The Lion King

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),

Watermark’s first cover featured Winter park’s amanda bearse, star of Married... With Children and one of the first out actors in hollywood.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

u.S. rep. Steve Gunderson (r-WI) number Of states witH marriage equality

0

43

photo cAptions 1- leather minnie at the fifth gay day at the magic kingdom in June.

1995

2- the Rev. Elder Troy Perry visited Pastor Jimmy Brock at Joy mcc.

3- Patty Sheehan was part of a sixperson lgbt contingent in the 1995 martin luther king parade in orlando.

4- Dr. Charles Callahan retired as conductor and musical director of the orlando gay chorus, a position he had held since ogc’s inception in 1990.

2

5- Robert Geller opened bourbon street boxers and introduced gay retail to ybor city.

5

6- newt’s sister, Candace Gingrich, with orlando political activist Carol Bartsch.

7- Stephanie Callahan (seated) and Deb Hunseder (center) of halcyon made their first of many appearances in Watermark in 1995.

8- human rights task force president Nadine Smith wrote her first column for Watermark… and it was hilarious!

1

9- the sixth headdress ball at the peabody hotel raised more money— and eyebrows—than ever.

3

4

6

10- central floridians discovered online dating at compuWho.

19 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

“Gangsta’s paradise” by Coolio

7

9

8

10

mOst POPular album

The Bends by radiohead

mOst POPular tv sHOw

ER

HigHest grOssing film

Toy Story

best PiCture OsCar

Braveheart

PriCe Of gas

$1.09 per gallon

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1995.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 20

Celebrities wHO Came Out

Clive barker (Hellraiser movies)

dan Butler (“bulldog” on Frasier) Out eleCted OffiCials

u.S. rep. barney Frank (D-MA) u.S. rep.

Gerry Studds (D-MA)

u.S. rep.

Steve Gunderson (r-WI) number Of states witH marriage equality

0

number Of aids deatHs

41,699 in u.S. (all-time high)

319,849 in world

44

w

ON THE COVER

the cover of this october issue welcomed bear bust to orlando and featured stories on disney’s same-sex partner benefits and the groundbreaking Romer v. Evans case.

looKing bAcK ATERMARK coVered

Tampa Bay almost immediately and in 1995 we made it official, hiring Todd Tom Dyer PUBLISHER Simmons as Tampa Bay editor. We joined two respected Bay Area monthlies: The Gazette and Stonewall.

George Alvan began ‘AIDS Chronicle’, his touching serial about living with HIV. (He’s still with us and feeling great.)

And Jim Crescitelli introduced ‘Watercress’, his slice-of-gaylife column that was a beloved staple of the newspaper for the next 15 years.

In Tampa, David Caton’s American Family Association succeeded in placing an ‘Amendment One’ referendum legalizing discrimination on the city ballot, but a legal team led by Keith Roberts got the referendum thrown out. Caton then talked the Hillsborough county commission into repealing discrimination

watermark Your lgbt life.

protections for gays and lesbians.

But Tampa’s LGBT community mobilized, planting the seeds for what is now Equality Florida.

In Orlando, Mayor Glenda Hood announced at an MBA meeting that citywide nondiscrimination protections were simply unattainable. In a groundbreaking Watermark interview, County Chair Linda Chapin was more open-minded but equally pessimistic.

The City of Orlando doublebooked the Lake Eola bandshell, moving Orlando Regional Pride to City Hall. Disney extended benefits to the domestic partners of employees. Peter Thornley

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

opened Rainbow City in the ViMi District. And Patty Sheehan announced that she would run for city council.

While the nation was diverted by the O.J. Simpson trial, AIDS deaths reached their all-time high: 41,699. Three days after a gay man shared a crush on The Jenny Jones Show, the object of his affection shot and killed him.

President Bill Clinton alienated gays by defending ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ but he also declassified homosexuals as security risks.

In Europe, Sweden joined Denmark and Norway as the third Nordic country to legalize same-sex marriage.

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar— featuring Parick Swayze and Wesley Snipes in drag—was a surprise hit. And Melrose Place, NYPD Blues and All My Children introduced gay characters.

At the end of the year I wrote: “In 1995 our collective attitude has changed—from fear, to hope, to expectation.”

1996

photo cAptions 1- Amy Mandel with Harvey Fierstein at the opening ceremonies for gala festival V in tampa.

2- olympic diver Patrick Jeffrey came out in an exclusive interview with Watermark after the games in atlanta. PHOTO BY JILL PORTER. 3- John Waters signs an autograph for Sterling Powell and friend at the 7th tampa pride film festival.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS

4- back in 1996, being out at work made you bold enough for Watermark’s cover (clockwise from lower left): Chris Alexander, Denise LeHeup, Madeline Abling, Ted Maines, Doug Prince, Connie Hingie and Fred Berliner.

5- Bill Kanouff’s tomes & treasures was an essential component of tampa bay’s lgbt scene.

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6- Watermark photographer Rex Maniscalco with comedians John McGivern and Robin Greenspan at gala festival 5 in tampa. our beloved rex passed in 2009.

7- orlando’s Todd ‘Tasha Diane’ James, a popular performer at the parliament house, succumbed to aids in may.

8- orlando’s Carol Bartsch received hrc’s “david J. miller action award” from Chastity Bono at a star-studded event in chicago.

18 YEARS AGO 6

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mOst POPular sOng

“Macarena” by los del rio

mOst POPular album

l

Jagged Little Pill by alanis Morissette

looKing bAcK ike dorothY lAndinG

in Oz, Watermark exploded into full color in 1996. We added a nightlife ‘Waterfront’ pullout Tom Dyer PUBLISHER section, and our full time staff grew from four to seven. By the end of the year, the newspaper had grown to 64 pages.

In Orlando, Patty Sheehan missed a runoff for city commission by just 75 votes.

In Seminole County, anti-gay conservative State Rep. Marvin Couch was arrested for getting a blow job from a prostitute in his car.

Gay Day got big, attracting 40,000 to the Magic Kingdom.

Navy Lt. Keith Meinhold was guest of honor at the Spectrum Awards and then Orlando Regional Pride.

After the Atlanta Olympics, Watermark scored an interview with diver Patrick Jeffrey, who came out. And Orlando’s first gay restaurant—Union—opened on Shine Ave.

In Tampa, Gala Festival V became the biggest convention in the city’s history. Maya Angelou and Harvey Fierstein opened the quadrennial gathering of international gay and lesbian choruses. In October, John Waters attended the 7th Pride Film Festival, by then one of the largest gay film showcases in the nation.

Tampa Bay editor Todd Simmons wrote touchingly about the loss of his partner, Nivaldo Gonzalez Obregon, to AIDS. Tampa AIDS Network’s ‘Art for Life’ raised $210,000, and AIDS Walk Tampa Bay kicked in another $75,000. But in Pinellas, a county official leaked a confidential list of

ON THE COVER HIV-positive persons… after using it to screen dates.

Six new bars opened: Solar, Oasis, Impulse, Metropolis, Wet Spot and Flavours. Gay-owned businesses like MC Film Festival on Kennedy helped define the city.

Nationally, the Supreme Court ruled Colorado’s ban on non-discrimination ordinances unconstitutional. Simmons called Romer v. Evans, “the most important development to date in the gay civil rights movement.”

And the Hawaii Supreme Court supported the rights of gays and lesbians to marry, igniting a flurry of state initiatives—mostly to prevent such marriages.

Studies showed that a combination of drugs could dramatically reduce levels of HIV in blood. AIDS deaths dropped 25%, to just over 31,000 nationwide.

On TV, there were a whopping 26 gay characters—a single reality show today. And there were rumors about Ellen…

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1996.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

mOst POPular tv sHOw

ER

HigHest grOssing film

Independence Day

best PiCture OsCar

The English Patient PriCe Of gas

$1.99 per gallon Celebrities wHO Came Out

Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) Out eleCted OffiCials

u.S. rep. barney Frank (D-MA) u.S. rep.

Gerry Studds (D-MA) u.S. rep.

Steve Gunderson (r-WI) u.S. rep. Jim Kolbe (r-AZ) as the hawaii supreme court became the first to consider same-sex marriage, Brad Beeney (left) and Ken Fendick shared their wedding ceremony on this february 1996 cover of Watermark.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

number Of states witH marriage equality

0

number Of aids deatHs

31,130 in u.S.

362,004 in world

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photo cAptions 1- in its first year, Watermark’s beach ball attracted 3,000 to disney’s typhoon lagoon. along with one mighty party, beach ball changed gay day at the magic kingdom into a weekend destination event. tickets were a whopping $26.50.

1997

2- the story of the year was Ellen’s coming out—on her sitcom and on the cover of Time magazine. being gay hasn’t been the same since.

3- When usf invited hiV-positive olympian Greg Louganis to speak, state sen. John grant threatened to pull funding, saying the event “represents moral decadence and is an embarrassment to the university community.” louganis is pictured here with Watermark editor Todd Simmons. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS 4- bedrox, a popular gay bar on st. pete beach with unique ‘flintstone’ architecture and a view of the gulf of mexico, closed.

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5- international artist Ron Reams with Denise Winette and Carol Ann Haley at tampa aids network’s ‘art for life’ fundraiser.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS

6- Dr. Jeff Goodgame (right) was the respected physician at the forefront of early hiV treatment in orlando.

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7- after gianni Versace was murdered on miami beach in may, there was a nationwide manhunt for his killer, Andrew Cunanan.

8- hope & help found all kinds of ways to raise money at their headdress ball, which by 1997 had grown into one of the highlights of the orlando fall social season.

17 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

3

“Candle in the Wind” by elton John

mOst POPular album

Spice by the Spice Girls

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

HigHest grOssing film

Titanic

best PiCture OsCar

Titanic

PriCe Of gas

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 21

$1.22 per gallon Celebrities wHO Came Out

ellen deGeneres

Out eleCted OffiCials

u.S. rep. barney Frank (D-MA) u.S. rep. Gerry Studds (D-MA) u.S. rep. Steve Gunderson (r-WI) u.S. rep. Jim Kolbe (r-AZ) states witH marriage equality

none

number Of aids deatHs

16,685 in u.S. (half the number in 1996)

390,692 in World (30,000 more than in 1996)

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ON THE COVER In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1997.

Watermark’s first transgender cover person was hillsborough county sherriff’s officer Tony Barreto Neto. this 64-page october issue also included interviews with the indigo girls and author armistead maupin (Tales of the City), and features on orlando’s bear bust and fantasy fest in key West.

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editor, Todd Simmons, summed it up best: “When we look back at 1997, we’ll remember it Tom Dyer PUBLISHER for two public figures: one celebrated in life, the other mourned in death. But the impact of Ellen DeGeneres and Gianni Versace made this a year unlike any other.”

Ellen’s Time magazine cover—‘Yep, I’m Gay’—appeared days before her sitcom character, Ellen Morgan, came out on April 30. The avalanche of publicity resulted in an unprecedented nationwide conversation about what it means to be gay that continues to this day.

A few months later, the search for the murderer of fashion superstar Gianni Versace uncovered lurid details about the wasted, murderous life of Andrew Cunanan.

In November, Bill Clinton spoke to the Human Rights

watermark Your lgbt life.

Campaign, becoming the first sitting president to address an LGBT organization. Gay pop superstar Elton John’s tribute to the late Princess Diana, ‘Goodbye England’s Rose,’ was the fastest selling single in history.

In Tampa Bay, a standingroom-only appearance by Greg Louganis at USF exposed the irrational homophobia of the far right, who claimed he was coming to “promote homosexuality.” And when radio shock jock Mark Larson announced that he would attend an Ellen viewing party at The

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

Cherokee Club—which he called “the tuna can”—300 showed up and showed him the door.

In Orlando, TV star Mitchell Anderson and Martina ex Judy Nelson emceed The Spectrum Awards. But when the check to Church Street Station bounced, it was a harbinger of bad news for GLCS. Treasurer Tim HooperEllett later fled with $38,000 of the organization’s money.

When it turned out he was a convicted felon, much of the GLCS board resigned. My coverage won Watermark a national journalism award.

Many of us watched the Ellen episode at Patty Sheehan’s where extension cords ran to a halfdozen portable TVs. Attendance at Gay Day at the Magic Kingdom surged again, fueled by two new nighttime events—Watermark’s Beach Ball and Jeffery Sanker’s One Mighty Party. And with eight teams, the Central Florida Softball League launched in the fall.

1998

photo cAptions 1- i posed with my friend, Bruce Ground, after his out & about books was named one of the most successful lgbt bookstores in the nation.

2- a conservatively dressed Carrie West announced his candidacy for tampa city council. the mc film festival coowner would barely miss making a runoff. PHOTO BY REX MANISCALCO 3- (l-r) Amy Mandel, Dorothy Abbott and Christine E. Reynolds appeared on our cover about tampa bay’s vibrant women’s community. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS

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4- (l-r) the civic theatre of central florida staged The Normal Heart, larry kramer’s emotional reflection on the aids crisis. pictured from left are Scottie Campbell, Paul Wargo and Todd Schuck.

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5- tampa bay editor Todd Simmons began a column about the pomp and politics of his pending marriage to Gus Martinez-Padilla. they’re still together, living in hawaii with two beautiful boys. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS 6- Watermark obtained funding and approval to fly rainbow flags throughout downtown orlando, but not before bitter public hearings at city hall that made national news.

7- Matthew Shepard was found beaten and tied to a fence in rural Wyoming on october 7, 1998. his death five days later was a vivid reminder that despite political progress, violence towards gays and lesbians remains epidemic.

8- When orange county teacher of the year Mike McKee came out in Watermark, it led to mainstream news coverage… and support from students, and school administrators.

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21-year-old University of Wyoming student was found tied to a wooden fence, bleeding and Tom Dyer PUBLISHER barely conscious. Matthew Shepard died five days later, igniting outrage and a heated national discussion about persistent violence against gays and lesbians. President Bill Clinton urged passage of federal hate crimes legislation. The Republicancontrolled Congress was unmoved.

But Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) became the first openly gay person elected to federal office.

Nationwide, 29 openly gay office seekers prevailed.

And while Ellen’s sitcom was canceled, an equally groundbreaking—and better— show was a surprise hit on NBC. Will & Grace picked up the baton, bringing likeable gay/lesbian/ friendly characters into living rooms for the next eight years.

Movies also raised awareness,

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with hits like In & Out, As Good as it Gets, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and… Mulan? Madonna released Ray of Light… nuff said.

In Orlando, Watermark’s Keith Peterson got city approval to fly rainbow flags downtown during June, but when the religious right objected, it led to an unforgettable parade of homophobia at City Hall. The flags flew, gloriously, even though televangelist Pat Robertson predicted God’s wrath.

Gay Day broke attendance

records and, with increasingly fabulous nighttime events, gained a coveted spot on the international gay party circuit.

Respected community activist Chris Alexander was hired to direct beleaguered GLCS— renamed GLBCC. In Tampa Bay, two gamechanging resorts opened. St. Pete’s Suncoast Resort debuted in July, with six bars and 30 gayowned businesses, including MC Film Festival. Owners Tom Kiple and Lester Wolf were our Tampa Bay “Persons of the Year.”

And to the east, some visionaries took over a dilapidated country campground and turned it into the Sawmill Resort.

The Human Rights Task Force changed its name to Equality Florida and launched its first Lobby Day in Tallahassee. Bill Kanouff’s Tomes & Treasures moved to S. Howard Ave. and began an ambitious expansion.

And we launched WatermarkOnline.com.

watermark Your lgbt life.

9

9- tampa bay triathlete Joe Hodges won a gold medal at gay games 1998 in amsterdam. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS

ON THE COVER

16 YEARS AGO

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1998.

mOst POPular sOng

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 13

“too close” by next

mOst POPular album

Titanic soundtrack

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Seinfeld

best PiCture OsCar

Shakespeare in Love

Celebrities wHO Came Out

George Michael, Alan Cumming, rob Halford (Judas priest) quOte Of tHe year

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman… Ms. Lewinski.” president bill Clinton this Warhol-inspired cover of Chastity Bono, designed by derek cavilla, remains one of my favorites. bono was grand marshal for pridefest ’98 in tampa. others attending the starstudded event were greg louganis, comedian georgia ragsdale and disco legend thelma houston.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

states witH marriage equality

none

number Of aids deatHs

16,403 in u.S. (slight decrease since 1997)

410,800 in World (20,000 more than in 1997)

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

Orlando Fringe congratulates Watermark on 20 successful years!

Happy Anniversary Watermark! “Be a voice not an echo.�

watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

49

photo cAptions 1- by 1999, Will & Grace had established itself as a breakout hit. it would win umpteen emmys, and change hearts and minds, through 2006. (l-r) Sean Hayes, Debra Messing, Erik McCormack, Megan Mullally.

1999

2- Manny Alvarez was one of the developers behind an lgbt-fueled real estate boom in ybor city.

3- these ladies of law enforcement volunteered to work tampa’s pride parade. Jane Castor (third from right) currently serves as tampa police chief.

4- When rev. Jerry falwell proclaimed Tinky Winky a ‘gay role model,’ the purple teletubby started showing up all over the place, including this version at orlando’s pridefest ’99.

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5- members of the orlando gay chorus at the eighth gay day at the magic kingdom. by 1999, estimated lgbt park attendance—apparent by the number of red shirts—had surged to over 50,000.

6- halcyon’s Steph Callahan recruited audience members to play harmonica at the first Withlacoochee Women’s music festival at sawmill resort.

7- host Russ Crumley at his first-ever ‘devil’s carnivale’ halloween costume ball on i-drive. crumley later moved to st. pete. he died last year, leaving us far too early.

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8- animated head coach Carolyn Peck was one reason the brand new Wnba orlando miracle quickly developed a huge fan base amongst local lesbians. the miracle became the connecticut suns in 2003.

9- the outrageous Twat Sisters of tampa bay at the July 3 pride parade, which started at lykes gas light park and ended at metroport terminal Vi.

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15 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

“Believe” by cher

mOst POPular album

Millenium by backstreet boys

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 1999.

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 12

HigHest grOssing film

Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace

best PiCture OsCar

American Beauty

Celebrities wHO Came Out

Nathan Lane, former Major League baseball player Billy Bean states witH marriage equality

none

number Of aids deatHs

16,762 in u.S. (level since 1997) 429,825 in World (20,000 more than in 1998)

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ON THE COVER

i took the eye-catching photo used on this “Queers in the kingdom” gay days cover. it drew unexpected controversy, with one reader commenting: “your cover is just how antigay people want to portray us— as a bunch of transvestite flames.”

Y2K, 1999 was like a glorious gay holding pattern. But in the “post-Ellen” Tom Dyer world, there were notable events.

PUBLISHER

watermark Your lgbt life.

9

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With the trial of Matthew Shepard’s murderers looming, Alabaman Billy Jack Gaither’s throat was slit and his skull cracked open before his body was incinerated on a pile of tires.

His attacker claimed Gaither had made a pass at him.

James Hormel was named ambassador to Luxembourg, becoming the first openly gay U.S. ambassador. And before Christmas, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that committed same-sex couples must be afforded the same benefits and protections as opposite sex married couples.

Will & Grace became a hit, but gays were largely relegated to subplots in movies like American Beauty, Election and The Talented

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Mr. Ripley. Cher was reborn as a gay icon with her auto-tune hit “Believe.”

Significant progress was made in Tampa Bay schools. The Pinellas School Board passed a ban on anti-gay discrimination against students and employees.

Hillsborough relented and allowed a gay/straight alliance to form at Blake High School, a magnet school for the arts. And Hillsborough Community College became the first in the state to offer domestic partner benefits.

Carrie West lost his bid in District 6, but District 2 elected Rose Ferlita to a mostly progressive Tampa City Council.

The biggest Tampa Bay Pride to date included a rainy downtown parade and business expo. With

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

films like Jeffrey and Better Than Chocolate, the 10th TIGLFF also broke records.

In Orlando, Patty Sheehan announced a second run for City Council. New GLBCC board president Barry Miller and executive director Chris Alexander-Manley shared ambitious plans for new headquarters on Mills Ave. But for the first time in 10 years there was no Pride Parade.

Attendance at Gay Days parties continued to burst.

Watermark’s Beach Ball filled Typhoon Lagoon to capacity.

First time events for women and families were also successful.

Hope & Help’s Headdress Ball marked 10 successful years. New owners Don Granatstein and Susan Unger undertook a major remodel of the iconic Parliament House Resort.

Finally, Watermark moved into new headquarters in South Colonialtown to celebrate five years.

2000

photo cAptions 1- Chi Chi Larue (pictured with Sterling Powell) was the headliner at an expanded pridefest 2000, which included a parade, expo at tbpac and Wet party at the florida aquarium. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS 2- Mary Cheney (at left with sister liz cheney) became one the nation’s highest profile lesbians when her dad, dick cheney became vice president.

3- Rev. John Gill and a contingent from king of peace mcc were among the half million who attended the millenium march on Washington for equality. they were joined by k.d. lang, melissa etheridge and george michael.

4- remember Richard Hatch, the manipulative evil genius who won the first season of Survivor? he was openly gay… and often naked.

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5- the tampa bay business guild named Bill Kanouff its ‘citizen of the year’ and he deserved it.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE E. REYNOLDS

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6- sparked by out visionaries like Phil Rampy, barry miller and steve kodsi, development in neighborhoods surrounding lake eola brought a hip, cosmopolitan feel to downtown orlando. rampy was chosen ‘person of the year’ by orlando magazine.

7- on her second try for orlando city council, Patty Sheehan defeated incumbent bill bagley in a runoff, and things haven’t been the same since.

8- center director Chris Alexander-Manley was arrested at a soulforce demonstration at the southern baptist convention at the orange county convention center. 2000 was a banner year for glbcc, which raised funds and moved into the high-profile mills ave. building where it remains.

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presidential election and a Millennium March on Washington for Equality that drew Tom Dyer PUBLISHER 500,000. But the biggest local story of 2000 was Patty Sheehan—the first openly gay person elected to a major public office in the area.

Sheehan’s runoff win over incumbent Bill Bagley put a gay face on Orlando’s City Council, and marked a sea change for local politics. Within months the city had passed harassment and non-discrimination protections for gay employees.

Orlando’s GLBCC also had a good year, raising $200,000 and moving into a remodeled building in the heart of what was then the ViMi District, and what is now Mills/50. And the Pride Parade returned, this time in the evening.

Universal joined Disney in offering domestic partner benefits. And police threatened

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the Oops Guys with closure because their Fringe show, The Naked Guy, featured full frontal.

It was a hit. So was Michael Wanzie’s Trailer Trash Tabloid.

Fringe was officially gay.

In Tampa Bay, several beloved HIV physicians left the area in 2000, including Drs. Dorece Norris, Susan Weir and Robert J. Wallace.

And the Center of Tampa Bay closed when a $4,500 monthly shortfall was revealed.

Protestors forced local media outlets to drop “Tired of being gay?” ads promoting Focus on Family’s conversion therapy seminars. But

ON THE COVER the Hillsborough County Commission voted against rights protections for gays— “an embarrassment,” said Commissioner Pat Frank.

TIGLFF maintained record attendance with hits like Psycho Beach Party and The Broken Hearts Club. In St. Pete, Suncoast lured the huge International Mr. Drummer Contest from San Francisco.

Area activists area protested the new Dr. Laura talk show. Host Dr. Laura Schlesinger had labeled gays as “biological errors.”

Nationally, Matthew Shepard’s murderers were convicted. Ellen and Anne Heche broke up. And Showtime stretched limits with the sexy Queer As Folk.

Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris—remember the makeup?—joined with the Supreme Court of the United States to give us President George W. Bush.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2000.

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12

9- Hilary Swank won a best actress oscar for her heartbreaking performance in Boys Don’t Cry playing brandon tina, a transgender murder victim.

14 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng “breathe” by Faith Hill mOst POPular album

No Strings Attached by *nSYnc

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Survivor: The Australian Outback

HigHest grOssing film

Mission: Impossible II

best PiCture OsCar

Gladiator

quOte Of tHe year

“They misunderestimated me.”–George W. bush after the 2000 election

i saw this beautiful couple on main street and felt that they captured the theme for our 10th anniversary coverage of what by 2000 had become the biggest annual lgbt event in the nation. We called it “the new maturity of gay day Weekend.”

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

states witH marriage equality

none

number Of aids deatHs

14,499 in u.S. (down 2,000 since 1999)

448,060 in World (20,000 more than in 1999)

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1- out of the tragic events of sept. 11, a gay hero was born. san francisco rugby player Mark Bingham was among a group of brave passengers who prevented a second kamikaze jetliner from making it to Washington, d.c.

2- after seven years i got a muchneeded breather when Watermark hired its first full-time editor. talented Scott Smith infused the paper with his intelligence, wry wit, and a refreshing focus on nightlife and counterculture.

2001

3- Bruce Ground closed out & about books in January 2001. i still miss it.

4- Margaret Murray served as programming director for the tampa international gay & lesbian film festival. despite 9/11, the event was buoyed by strong films. murray returns to tiglff in 2014.

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5- on april 1, 2001, Anne Marie Thus (left) and Helene Faasen and three male couples were married by the mayor of amsterdam in the first legal gay marriage ceremony in the world.

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6- by 2001, bear bust at orlando’s full moon saloon had grown into one of the largest— and best—annual bear events in the nation.

7- 2001 saw the big-time arrival of the ladies on the gay days Weekend scene. alison burgos’ girls in Wonderland events and hotel filled a void, and remain a huge draw.

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8- pridefest tampa bay’s “meet the stars reception” featured Tammy Faye Baker Messner (pictured with Sterling Powell and Stephanie Shippae) leading a group of porn stars, drag queens and local politicians in singing “Jesus loves me.” photo by christine e. reynolds.

9- mc film fest’s Carrie West welcomed the international mr. drummer contest to st. pete’s suncoast resort.

10- Brian Feist purchased The Gazette from rand hall, who founded the respected tampa bay monthly with nancy Valmus in 1988. Valmus died of cancer in 1996. feist continued to publish The Gazette for 10 more years.

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ON THE COVER

“Hanging by a Moment” by lighthouse

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2001.

mOst POPular album

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 15

13 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

Hybrid Theory by Linkin park

mOst POPular tv sHOw

Friends

HigHest grOssing film

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

best PiCture OsCar

A Beautiful Mind

Celebrities wHO Came Out

Michael Stipe (r.e.M.) quOte Of tHe year

“I just want one day off where I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.”

—MArIA CAreY beFOre eNTerING reHAb

states witH marriage equality

none

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on the same friday that an ambitious pridefest tampa bay began, tampa police officer lois marrero was gunned down in the line of duty. profound sadness quickly morphed into outrage when her partner of ten years, mickie mashburn, was denied pension benefits. this stunning ap photo captures the sudden finality of marrero’s death. this cover takes me right back to that emotional day.

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11 dominated 2001.

But Tampa Bay’s LGBT community suffered a personal Tom Dyer tragedy. In Orlando, homophobia PUBLISHER wore a particularly ugly mask.

The year began with the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Progressives feared the worst, but he nominated gay men to head AIDS policy and serve as ambassador to Romania.

Gay mayors were elected in Paris and Berlin. Stateside, an attempt to overturn Vermont’s groundbreaking domestic partner legislation failed.

Gay rugby player Mark Bingham helped thwart a fourth jetliner hijacking on 9-11. That didn’t stop televangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson from blaming the terrorist attack on gays.

On July 6, Tampa police

watermark Your lgbt life.

10

Officer Lois Marrero was gunned down by a robbery suspect. Heartbreak turned to outrage when Marrero’s partner of 10 years, Mickie Mashburn, was denied pension benefits.

PrideFest persevered with a rainy parade and splashy events at TBPAC and the Florida Aquarium that mixed politicians with porn stars and entertainers with evangelists.

Tampa Bay and Pinellas County business guilds merged.

Bears, on the other hand, split into two packs. Rev. Karen Ducham resigned after 14 years at Tampa MCC. St. Pete’s Affinity Books closed. Ted Koppel took Nightline to the Palms

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

of Manasota.

During Equality Florida’s Youth Lobby Day in April, Orlando State Rep. Allen Trovillion lit into 17-yearold Chris Vazquez. “You are going to cause the downfall of this country,” Trovillion told the Edgewater High senior.

“God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and he is going to destroy you.” Vazquez left in tears. Trovillion never apologized.

Conservative donors forced Heart of Florida United Way to facilitate donations to the anti-gay Boy Scouts. GLBCC struggled after the resignations of executive director Chris Alexander-Manley and board president Barry Miller; an interim director had a criminal record. The closing of Out & About Books and Mad-Lyn’s Coconuts Cafe changed the ViMi District. And a successful business expo hosted by GayDays.com suggested future developments.

2002

photo cAptions 1- divafest at raymond James stadium featured pat benatar, Julia Fordham (pictured), Jennifer holliday, halcyon—and a lot of empty seats. pridefest never recovered from the huge financial loss.

2- in october, Esera Tuaolo became the third former nfl football player to come out.

3- redistricting made florida house district 36 heavily democratic—and gay—so republicans recruited respected and out attorney Patrick Howell to run against untested democrat sheri mcinvale.

1

4- television personality Rosie O’Donnell came out in an april interview with diane sawyer.

2

5- Doug Bowser (far left) and Michael Wanzie (second from right) joined Moira and Jim Philips on the philips phile, the popular afternoon drive time show on real radio 104.1.

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6 3

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6- exodus international, the largest ex-gay ministry in the nation, moved to orlando in february. executive director Alan Chambers has since apologized for the pain his prejudice had caused.

7- Viewers of court tV watched a pinellas child custody case involving Michael Kantaras, a female-tomale transgender person.

8- orlando anti-discrimination ordinance (oado) founding members (from top) Michael Slaymaker, Sam Odom, Debbie Simmons and Carl Johnson were our ‘persons of the year’ for central florida.

5

2

7

looKing bAcK 002 wAS A wAterShed,

as non-discrimination ordinances passed in St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Orlando.

Tom Dyer

PUBLISHER The January vote in St. Pete was unanimous.

Despite lobbying by Equality Florida, the City Council refused to include protections based on gender identity.

Ricc Rollins formed a church for LGBT African Americans: Breath of Life Fellowship. The Krewe of Cavaliers was booted from the Sant’Yago Knight Parade after being accused of inappropriate float playfulness.

The owners of the Suncoast Resort ventured across the Hillsborough River to open the Tampa Eagle, but it failed after two months.

Tampa Bay Arts ceded ownership of TIGLFF to the Friends of the Festival. Sunny Hall resigned, but Crescendo performed with the Tampa Bay

Gay Men’s Chorus at Carnegie Hall. Later, a splinter group of men formed Una Voce.

Steeped in controversy, PrideFest found more when they accused travel agent Jim Garciga of hoarding profits from the Pillage & Plunder cruises. But TIGLFF continued its successful run, with 14,000 attendees.

In November, Sarasota voters overwhelmingly extended citywide nondiscrimination protections to gays and lesbians.

In Orlando, the same protections proved more difficult. Pushed by OADO, the process started with the city’s Human Relations Board in January. Hearings turned ugly, with hundreds testifying both

10

8

ON THE COVER for and against. In December, protections passed the City Council 4-3, with Mayor Gloria Hood voting against.

She was rewarded when Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her Secretary of State.

Downtown progressives were torn when Republicans ran openly gay Patrick Howell for State Rep. When Democrat chair Doug Head equated a gay vote for Howell to a Jew voting for Hitler, it made national news. Howell still lost in the heavily blue district.

In April, the Orlando Sentinel published an award-winning series on the city’s thriving LGBT community. But lesbians were disappointed when the WNBA Miracle announced they would move to Connecticut.

In 2002, Connecticut became the second state to authorize domestic partnerships. The New York Times began running same-sex commitment notices.

Watermark began publishing Celebrate! in Key West.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2002.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 15

9- Hedwig and the Angry Inch is currently the hottest ticket on broadway, but in 2002 David Lee starred in a rollicking production at the parliament house.

10- tampa robinson high school student nikki youngblood sued when the school insisted she wear a scoop neck blouse for her yearbook picture. her activist attorney, Karen Doering, was our tampa bay ‘person of the year.’

12 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng “How You remind Me”

by Nickelback

mOst POPular album The Eminem Show by eminem mOst POPular tv sHOw CSI: Crime Scene Investigation HigHest grOssing film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers best PiCture OsCar Chicago

three men were attacked in a brutal hate crime at a channelside parking garage after the Wet party at the florida aquarium. this cover, with a photo of stephen hair’s bruised and swollen face, captured the community’s horror. there hasn’t been a major pride event in tampa since.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

quOte Of tHe year “I make too much money to ever smoke crack.

Let’s get that straight, okay? We don’t do crack.

Crack is whack.”

—WHITNeY HOuSTON

states witH marriage equality none

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

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watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

55

photo cAptions 1- Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a surprise hit on bravo. flamboyant Carson Kressley was the breakout star.

2003

2- forty-seven-year-old Martina Navritolova nabbed her 57th and 58th major titles in 2003, winning mixed doubles at the australian open and then again at Wimbledon.

3- Brett Lassiter, founder of central stage theatre, died in february. protégé trevor keller picked up the slack with ambitious productions at suncoast theatre.

1

4- iconic daytona drag performer Billie Boots died in september at the age of 71. Scottie Campbell profiled boots for Watermark in 2001.

2

5- in 2003 Watermark profiled Tom Kiple (left) and Lester Wolff, owners of the suncoast resort in st. petersburg. kiple and Wolff sold the resort in 2007.

10

6- Steve Kodsi was one of a handful of lgbt developers that drove a real estate boom in downtown orlando.

7- Buddy Dyer was elected as mayor of orlando after glenda hood left office early to become secretary of state. orlando has become one of the most welcoming cities to lgbts in the nation.

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8- Pam Iorio was elected to her first of two terms as mayor of tampa, ushering in unprecedented and unconditional support of the local lgbt community.

9- lgbt fans celebrated when the tampa bay buccaneers defeated the oakland raiders to win super bowl XXXViii in san diego.

10- Bruce Vilanch was grand marshal for the 2003 central florida pride parade. he’s pictured here with parade organizer Debbie Fritz.

11- Jim Crescitelli penned his 200th column for Watermark in June 2003.

11 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

“In Da Club” by 50 Cent

mOst POPular album

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 14

Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent

mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

best PiCture OsCar

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

states witH marriage equality

none

number Of aids deatHs

22,391 in u.S.

524,060 cumulative in u.S. since 1980

56

o

ON THE COVER In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2003.

it was a “great time to be gay” in st. petersburg on the last saturday of June 2003. the supreme court had just decriminalized gay sex. and tens of thousands showed up for the inaugural st. pete pride, endorsing the accessible back-to-basics vision of organizers. this year the parade steps off at sunset on saturday, June 28. the pride festival in the grand central district is the following day.

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looKing bAcK

ur PoSt-Pride coVer

announced 2003 as ‘A Great Time to be Gay.’ Key court rulings laid the groundwork for Tom Dyer PUBLISHER progress that’s still unfolding.

Just in time for June Pride, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Texas anti-sodomy law, in effect decriminalizing gay sex in 13 states including Florida. “[Gay people] are entitled to respect for their lives,” wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy. “The state cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime.”

Earlier in the month, the Ontario Court of Appeals upheld lower court rulings in Canada legalizing same-sex marriages. And in November, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court surprised everyone by mandating same-sex marriage within the state.

Next door in New Hampshire,

watermark Your lgbt life.

11

the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire set off shock waves when it elected openly gay Gene Robinson as their next Bishop.

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy was a surprise hit, as was Ellen’s new talk show. The Amazing Race introduced hunky Reichen and Chip to American homes. And with a gay producer, director and writer, Chicago was named Best Picture.

Locally, gay-friendly mayors took over in Tampa and Orlando.

And after relentless prodding from activists like Orlando Person of the Year Michael Slaymaker, Orange County forbid discrimination against gay employees. Bruce Vilanch was grand marshal at a very wet Central Florida Pride Parade.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

And after eight years, Rev. Carol Trissell left Joy MCC for St. Louis.

In Tampa Bay, St. Pete’s Patricia Pettijohn and Lauri Ryan were among the first 10 American couples married in Canada. The St. Petersburg Times began printing samesex wedding announcements.

Revelations surfaced about financial mismanagement at Pridefest Tampa Bay, which folded. But St. Pete Pride attracted 10,000 to its back-tobasics parade and street festival.

Pridefest Sarasota drew 3,000.

And Bud Bromwell attracted several hundred to a Gay Days Tampa Bay at Busch Gardens.

There were unsettling gay bashings in Tarpon Springs and Largo. By the end of the year there were five splintered LGBT choruses. St. Pete’s Brigit Books and South Tampa’s MetroFlex closed. In Sarasota our Person of the Year, Rev. Nancy Wilson, oversaw the expansion of Trinity MCC.

2004

photo cAptions 1- 2004 started on a chilling note in tampa when two young men who disappeared on dec. 20 remained missing. Michael Wachholtz (right) was found dead on Jan. 6 wrapped in a sheet in his suV. the whereabouts of Jason Galehouse (left) remained a mystery for months.

2- after months of investigation, tampa police arrested Steve Lorenzo in november for a series of drug-assisted sexual assaults, including the murders of galehouse and Wachholtz.

1 7

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3- on aug. 24, orlando entertainer Paul Wegman died at the age of 60 of complications from aids. as miss p, Wegman emceed drag shows at the parliament house for 25 years. Wegman was also an accomplished actor and director.

4- in 2004, a gay days billboard popped up along i-4.

5- braving 95-degree heat, more than 20,000 descended on st. pete pride.

2

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6- Ron Legler, the florida theatrical association director, was elected chairman of the downtown arts district board and he opened pulse, a gay nightclub in south orlando.

7- under the leadership Mariruth Kennedy (left) and Victoria Jorgensen, tiglff posted record numbers.

8- nJ governor Jim McGreevey made a stunning announcement. married at the time, he announced an affair with a man and resigned from office.

4

2

5

happened, as thousands flocked to Massachusetts and Canada to make their unions legal. But progress Tom Dyer PUBLISHER was tempered by a backlash: 13 states approved constitutional bans on marriage equality. And with a campaign that exploited this wedge issue in key states, George W. Bush won a second term over Democrat John Kerry. Even Log Cabin Republicans refused to endorse Bush.

The year began with a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ as Justin Timberlake inadvertently tore Janet Jackson’s top during their Super Bowl halftime performance. Charlize Theron won a Best Actress Oscar for playing Florida lesbian serial murderer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Showtime’s The L Word was must-see-TV for lesbians. And for the guys…

Madonna, Cher, and Bette all toured in 2004.

Three years after the death of Tampa police Officer Lois Marrero, Mayor Pam Iorio signed an executive order extending domestic partner benefits to city employees. Iorio also became the first Tampa mayor to open TIGLFF, which turned 15. And in just its second year, attendance at St. Pete Pride doubled to 20,000.

The Tampa Bay Men’s Chorus disbanded. Popular gay restaurant Tropics closed in South Tampa. The Metro Center

10

10- Ricc Rollins (left) and Lorenzo Robertson produced the fourth central florida black pride in may.

looKing bAcK

004 wAS the YeAr mArriAGe

6

9- on may 17, 2004, the first legal samesex marriages in american history took place in cambridge, mass.

ON THE COVER opened new headquarters in St. Pete. And Martha Wash helped draw 3,500 to Sarasota Pridefest, which moved to May. Our Tampa Bay Person of the Year was Curtis Watson, who along with his partner fostered six children.

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan easily won reelection to a second term in 2004.

Orlando Person of the Year Debbie Fritts endured obstacles and weather to ensure that there would be a 2004 Central Florida Pride Parade in June. August was dominated by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne.

Jeanne hit town just hours after Watermark’s outdoor 10th anniversary party.

ViMi lynchpin Rainbow City closed in 2004. Two classy gay bars—Pulse and Savoy—opened.

And we mourned the loss of the beloved Paul Wegman, creator of ‘Miss P’ and for many the complex heart and soul of Orlando’s LGBT community.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2003.

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 15

10 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

“Yeah” by usher, featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris mOst POPular album

Confessions by usher

mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Shrek 2

best PiCture OsCar

Million Dollar Baby Out Celebrities

Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Heather Matarazzo (princess Diaries, Welcome to the Dollhouse) i was in st. petersburg on august 13, 2004, when forecasts showed hurricane charley making landfall near tampa bay. i evacuated to orlando… where charley veered right and made a direct hit. the category 4 storm decimated the city’s thick canopy of trees and the iconic sign in front of the parliament house.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts

number Of aids deatHs

5,053 in u.S. (down 75%) 529,113 cumulative in u.S. since 1980

57

photo cAptions 1- the grisly trial of steve lorenzo unearthed an unlikely accomplice. former orlando resident Scott Schweickert was also convicted of multiple charges.

2005

2- 2005 ended with the much-anticipated opening of Brokeback Mountain. the wrenching movie starred Heath Ledger (left) and Jake Gyllenhaal.

3- Fred Berliner is a co-founder of the orlando gay chorus. he’s also advertised in every issue of Watermark. and in 2005, he was part of the gloriously revamped come out With pride celebration in october.

1

2

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4- in april i had the opportunity to interview activist, feminist and cultural icon Gloria Steinem.

9

5- in its 15th year, gay days Weekend proved it could weather just about anything. the magic kingdom remained the big draw on the first saturday in June.

6- yuppy puppy owners Michael Fried (left) and Rick Merrifeld rebranded as ranger’s pet outpost and retreat.

7- in just its third year, attendance at st. pete pride once again doubled to 40,000.

3

4

10

8- the parliament house celebrated its 30th anniversary by breaking ground on one of the nation’s first timeshare resorts for the lgbt community. ph owner Don Granatstein envisioned a Wilton manorsstyle revitalization of the neighborhood.

9- fresh-faced Steve Blanchard joined our staff in 2005 as the first full-time staff writer for our tampa bay bureau. he became editor in 2009.

10- this seminole heights bungalow housed a dungeon that was the site of date-rapes, torture and murder. it’s owner, steve lorenzo, is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

11- a small display about gay authors at a hillsborough branch library outraged county commissioner Ronda Storms. she talked all but one of her fellow commissioners into passing an offensive ordinance banning any county recognition of lgbt pride.

12- local chapters of the human rights campaign thrived in orlando, tampa bay and sarasota. pictured (l-r) are hrc field organizer Bo Shuff, orlando cochairs Jennifer Foster and John Ruffier, and hrc president Joe Solmonese.

9 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

5

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2002.

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 13

mOst POPular album

The Emancipation of Mimi

by Mariah carey

mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Crash

Out Celebrities

portia de rossi, Sara paulson (American Horror Story), George Takei (Star Trek) states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts

58

more than 5,000 descended on downtown tampa to protest the hillsborough county commission’s offensive ordinance banning the county from “acknowledging, promoting and participating in gay pride.” “the county commission thinks we should hide,” said equality florida’s nadine smith. “their act has had the opposite effect.” commissioner ronda storms remains the incarnation of homophobia in tampa bay.

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ON THE COVER

We Belong Together by Mariah carey

best PiCture OsCar

6

11

looKing bAcK he two BiGGeSt

stories of 2005 came out of Hillsborough County. The trial of Steve Lorenzo— closely Tom Dyer PUBLISHER followed by major media—produced gruesome photos of listless men in bondage.

A jury took just three hours to convict Lorenzo of conspiring with Scott Schweickert to distribute date rape drugs.

Years later, Schweickert was charged with the murder of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz.

And in eastern Hillsborough, commissioner Ronda Storms succeeded in banning recognition of LGBT Pride by the county. Protestors stormed downtown Tampa, but Storms wasn’t done yet. In September she derailed reconsideration of the county’s human rights ordinance and talked her fellow commissioners into requiring a supermajority on future votes.

watermark Your lgbt life.

12

We hate her.

In Pinellas County, Gulfport led the way by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to its human rights ordinance.

And Ken Shelin won a City Council seat in Sarasota.

Two stories also dominated news in Orlando. New Orleansbased party promoter Johnny Chisholm bought Mark Baker’s production company and took control of an impressive slate of circuit events associated with Gay Days Weekend—by 2005 easily the largest annual gathering of gays in the nation.

And Pride received a major reboot when MBA and UCF’s GLBT student group moved the

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

parade to October, rerouted it to Lake Eola and dubbed it ‘Come Out With Pride.’

A late night attack on artist Paul Horan in the gay-friendly ViMi (now Mills/50) District resulted in a Valentines Day “Love Not Hate March Against Violence” led by City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.

Outside Florida, the Supreme Court turned rightward with the confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.

The ongoing war in Iraq saw a steady drumbeat of brave service soldiers being kicked out of the military for being gay. Spain became the first Mediterranean nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Elton John and David Furnish got married. And those mourning the loss of Queer as Folk turned their dials to ABC’s campy Desperate Housewives.

2006

photo cAptions 1- if you like scandal, the outing of evangelical rev. Ted Haggard as a crystalmeth using client of male prostitutes was catnip. Watermark scored a coup with kirk hartlage’s interview of the hunky hooker who exposed him, Michael Jones.

2- pop star George Michael was once again arrested for performing a sexual act in a public restroom. this time the superstar was less apologetic, saying he likes anonymous sex.

1

3- for the 2006 fringe festival, Michael Wanzie parodied a disney classic with his The Lion Queen (and the Naked Go-Go Cub).

2 6 8

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4- the fact that rep. Mark Foley (r-florida) is gay was the worst kept secret in Washington, d.c., but when sexy text messages with a former congressional page were exposed he was forced to apologize… then resign… then go to rehab.

5- Watermark’s third editor, Dave Weithop, died on october 18, the victim of an aggressive brain tumor. he was smart, hardworking and hilariously opinionated about theater and culture. i think of him often.

6- tiglff president Mariruth Kennedy welcomed tampa mayor Pam Iorio and hillsborough county commissioner Kathy Castor to opening night ceremonies. the popular politicians received a lengthy standing ovation.

4

7- tampa wanted its pride back, so organizers produced Winter pride tampa bay at lowry park in february. firstyear attendance was promising, but bad weather scuttled the celebration in 2007. here metro center’s Lorraine Langlois presents awards to tbbg’s Michael Brill and tampa mcc’s rev. Phyllis Hunt.

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looKing bAcK

n 2006, mASSAchuSettS

remained the only state to legalize same-sex marriage, but the battle played out elsewhere. Connecticut, Tom Dyer PUBLISHER New York, New Jersey and Washington settled on civil unions, with court approval.

Across the Atlantic, South Africa became the first African nation—and the fifth worldwide—to approve samesex marriage.

Reps. Gerry Studds (D-Mass) and Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz) retired, leaving Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc) as the only openly gay members of Congress.

Vice-President Dick Cheney’s family announced that daughter Mary was pregnant and planning to co-parent with her partner, Heather Poe. Rosie O’Donnell’s debut as host of The View caused ratings to skyrocket. Logo, MTV/ Viacom’s 24-hour LGBT channel, debuted on Bright House in

Orlando and Tampa Bay. Ang Lee won a directing Oscar, but Brokeback Mountain was robbed in the Best Picture category.

(Does anyone remember The Departed?)

In Central Florida, Orange became the fifth county in Florida to include sexual orientation in fair housing laws.

In Orlando, gay candidates Jeff Horn and John Ruffier joined Robert Stuart in an attempt to unseat unfriendly Commissioner Vicki Vargo.

Stuart prevailed. And in Volusia County, Commissioner Bill Long lost his seat after embarrassing public altercations with exes, including country singer Michael

10

ON THE COVER James Hoffman.

Gay Days Weekend blossomed with steady fertilizer from GayDayS.com and extravagant circuit events produced by Johnny Chisholm.

In its second year, the rebooted Come Out With Pride attracted 15,000 to a parade and rally in front of the Orange County Regional History Center. And The Gardens, a timeshare resort next to the Parliament House, opened with ambitious plans for a lakeside pool area.

In Tampa Bay, date-rape murderer Steve Lorenzo was sentenced to 200 years in prison.

Across the bay, St. Pete Pride hit 50,000 in attendance and claimed bragging rights as the biggest Pride event in the state.

Hoping to reclaim a piece of the Pride pie, organizers launched the first Tampa Winter Pride at Lowry Park and attracted 4,000.

But a proposed Pride event in Brandon never materialized. In Sarasota, Trinity MCC celebrated its 25th anniversary.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2006.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 15

8- With 50,000 attendees in its fifth year, st. pete pride secured its place as the largest lgbt pride celebration in the state.

9- after an almost spontaneous run for orlando mayor in 2005, the Orlando Weekly converted Billy Manes’ freelancing into a full-time staff reporter gig. since then, manes has become one of the most recognizable gays in town, and a respected voice for progressive politics.

10- comedian Jim J. Bullock was the grand marshal at the second come out With pride celebration in october. bullock is pictured with oado activist Michael Slaymaker.

8 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

Bad Day by daniel powter mOst POPular album

High School Musical Soundtrack

mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest best PiCture OsCar

The Departed

i love this photo of orlando’s blue starr on the cover of our 2006 fall arts guide. the dJ, dancer, singer, actor, entrepreneur and allaround hottie is one of those people that create culture in central florida. from her lesbo-a-gogo revues to her productions at the Venue to her wildly popular Varietease extravaganzas at fringe, blue explodes with creative energy… and always with that wonderful twinkle in her eye.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

Out Celebrities

Neil patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), T.r. Night (Grey’s Anatomy), Lance bass (‘N Sync), Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts

59

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Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

61

photo cAptions 1- conservative sen. Larry Craig (r-idaho) was arrested in June for soliciting sex from a police officer in a minneapolis airport. for the rest of the year, he didn’t leave his house without holding his wife’s hand.

2007

2- during an interview, harry potter creator J.k. rowling casually mentioned that she’d always envisioned admirable hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore as a gay man. for fans of the series, it made sense.

3- sleepy largo received national media attention when it fired 17-year city manager steve stanton after he announced plans to transition to life as a female. a resilient Susan Stanton was celebrated as st. pete pride’s grand marshal.

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4- twenty-five-year-old Ryan Skipper was murdered in polk county in march. the killers stabbed him 20 times and were charged, and ultimately convicted, of a hate crime.

5- at a public hearing in largo concerning the future of transitioning city manager steve stanton, eQfl executive director Nadine Smith was arrested for handing out a “don’t discriminate” flyer and forcibly thrown to the floor. charges were dropped.

8

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6- the much-loved suncoast resort held its final t-dance on June 18—just a week shy of its ninth anniversary in st. pete. the nine-acre resort was home to five bars and lots of memories.

7- the orlando chapter of the human rights campaign won the organization’s coveted federal club of the year award. hrc president Joe Solmonese is flanked by hrc orlando’s Jennifer Foster and John Ruffier.

8- tampa’s all hallows ball continued to attract the best halloween costumes in tampa bay, as demonstrated by these zombie pilots.

9- former orlando magic player John Amaechi became the first nba player to come out of the closet. the articulate brit became a respected voice for lgbt equality, including at orlando’s come out With pride.

10- in its 18th year, headdress ball proved that it had lost none of its drama and luster. by 2007, the fundraiser for hope & help center had also become a key fixture in orlando’s fall social season.

5

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 11

7 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

Irreplaceable by Beyonce mOst POPular album

Noel by Josh Groban

mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End best PiCture OsCar

No Country for Old Men Out Celebrities

Suze Orman, David Hyde pierce, NbA basketball player John Amaechi states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts

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ON THE COVER In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history— one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2007.

by 2007, red t-shirts in front of cinderella’s castle no longer captured the fabulousness that is gay days Weekend. in its 16th year, the gathering included five days of events at multiple venues and filled more than a half dozen big hotels with lgbt partiers from around the world. so we offered up dueling interviews with two divas of comedy, lisa lampanelli (appearing at hard rock live) and kathy griffin (headlining one mighty party at disney-mgm studios).

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looKing bAcK ith BrutAlitY

reminiscent of Matthew Shepard, 25-year-old Winter Haven resident Ryan Keith Tom Dyer Skipper was murdered in March.

PUBLISHER

The perpetrators, two locals, stabbed him 20 times and left his body at the side of the road.

William David Brown and Joseph Bearden were sentenced to life in prison. Throughout 2008 the LGBT communities in Orlando and Tampa Bay grieved with Skipper’s parents, Lynn and Pat Mulder. A documentary by filmmakers Vicki Nantz and Mary Meeks debuted in 2008 and was shown at TIGLFF. Statewide, supporters of a statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage gathered signatures to place the measure on the 2008 ballot. Fairness for All Families and Florida Red & Blue formed to battle the ban.

In Tampa Bay, activists rallied behind Largo city

watermark Your lgbt life.

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manager Steve Stanton, who was fired when he announced that he was transitioning to life as a female. Susan Stanton’s battle became national news, shedding light on transgender rights. St. Pete’s Suncoast Resort closed in June, and focus shifted to Ybor City. More than 40 businesses joined the GaYbor Coalition.

St. Pete Pride’s growth continued when it attracted 50,000. Four protestors with were arrested. To the south, Sarasota PrideFest was canceled for the first time in 20 years. TIGLFF rebranded as the Clip Film Festival. And activist Joe Redner ran unsuccessfully for Tampa City Council.

In Orlando, GLBCC appointed

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Michael Vance executive director and resurrected the Spectrum Awards. Come Out With Pride brought 30,000 to Lake Eola Park. Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan announced for a second term, and ran unopposed.

And State Rep. Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island) was found guilty of soliciting sex from an undercover officer at a Titusville park.

Elsewhere, HRC and Logo sponsored a historic debate between Democratic presidential candidates.

Washington, Oregon and New Hampshire legalized civil unions. Rosie O’Donnell resigned from The View.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a New York audience that, “We don’t have homosexuals...”

And we said goodbye to Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, Rev. Jerry Falwell, Charles Nelson Reilly and Merv Griffin.

2008

photo cAptions 1- in its last year as clip, tampa’s lgbt film fest presented comedian Bruce Vilanch at a screening of his movie. he’s pictured with (l-r) Chuck Henson, Mariruth Kennedy and Chris Constantinou.

2- When mc film fest owners Mark Bias and Carrie West relocated their iconic retail outlet to ybor city, they fueled an lgbt renaissance in tampa’s historic nightlife district.

3- lgbt’s in florida were outraged when voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. protests like this one at orlando city hall erupted throughout the state.

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4- many democrats had a difficult time choosing between hillary clinton and barack obama. but the lgbt community—like these st. pete pride marchers—got firmly behind obama’s historic candidacy.

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5- the parliament house drew record numbers with headliner RuPaul during gay days Weekend.

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6- directed by gus Van sant, Milk featured a stunning performance by Sean Penn as activist harvey milk. penn was rewarded with a best actor oscar.

7- as the outspoken face of amendment 2, attorney and religious right activist John Stemberger became central florida’s ronda storms—both faces of prejudice.

8- Martin Gill adopted his foster children, and proved the beginning of the end for florida’s ban on adoption by gays.

9- The Rachel Maddow Show debuted on msnbc in september, and her commentary during the historic 2008 presidential campaign made the out rhodes scholar a household name.

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008 will Be rememBered

for the historic election of Barack Obama, not only the first African American President, but also Tom Dyer the most supportive of our community.

PUBLISHER Thousands of LGBT volunteers helped Obama carry Florida— including Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

Congress also lifted the ban on HIV-positive travelers.

Connecticut became the third state to legalize same-sex marriage by court order. But California voters stripped same-sex couples of their marriage rights.

Likewise, Floridians overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Some pointed to unfocused campaigns by two separate and often conflicted opposing groups—Focus for All Families and Florida Red & Blue. Protests

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erupted throughout the state, many targeting Gov. Charlie Crist, who expressed support for the amendment prior to Election Day. But in South Florida, a judge ruled that the state cannot prevent openly gay Martin Gill from adopting his foster children. And after eight years, a Safe Schools bill passed the Florida legislature with protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Orlando extended domestic partner benefits to city employees. Among those

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ON THE COVER voting for the change was out Commissioner Patty Sheehan, just elected to a second term.

Elsewhere in the city, there was outrage when WFTV exposed a subdivision that excluded gay renters.

Tampa celebrated the election of Kevin Beckner to the hostile Hillsborough County Commission. And across the bay, Pinellas voted to include sexual orientation—but not gender identity—in its human rights ordinance. St. Pete Pride drew a whopping 70,000, securing its position as the largest Pride event in the state. In Tampa, Winter Pride was canceled due to severe weather and never returned. Sarasota PrideFest was back, this time at Van Wezel. And the influx to GaYbor continued with the opening of restaurants and retail.

We also said goodbye to Estelle Getty (The Golden Girls), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain) and designer Yves Saint Laurent.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2008.

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 22

10- parties cornered press, but this family went to the roots of gay days Weekend with their red shirts at the magic kingdom 11- hamburger mary’s was a breakout success on church street. in addition to good food, the restaurant provided a showcase for some of orlando’s best lgbt entertainers, including carol lee (Matthew Arter) and miss sammy (Sam Singhaus).

6 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

Low by Flo rida

mOst POPular album

Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne mOst POPular tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

The Dark Knight

best PiCture OsCar

Slumdog Millionaire

County Commission Candidate

KEVIN BECKNER Hillsboroughʼs Great Gay Hope

With their reversal on rights protections and ban on pride displays, the hillsborough county commission was a source of frustration for years. but that changed with the election of openly gay financial planner kevin beckner in 2008. beckner easily defeated republican incumbent (and ex-pro wrestler) brian blair, and won re-election in 2012. this cover of the fresh-faced and handsome beckner is my favorite of the year.

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Out Celebrities

Wanda Sykes, Clay Aiken, author Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), rep.

Jared polis (D-CO)-the first openly gay man elected to Congress states witH marriage equality

Connecticut, Massachusetts and California (until prop 8 passed)

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photo cAptions 1- Adam Lambert was runner-up on the top-rated eighth season of American Idol, but he remains one of the most talked about contestants. does anyone remember winner kris allen?

2009

2- Chris Colfer’s kurt hummel was just one of the lgbt characters introduced to viewers on Glee.

3- outrageous Lady Gaga exploded on the pop music scene in 2009 and became an outspoken advocate for lgbt rights.

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4- rumors were rampant as party promoter Johnny Chisholm was forced to cancel or relocate events just weeks before gay days Weekend.

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5- in november, out parks and recreation staffer Steve Kornell narrowly won election to st. pete’s city council. he easily won election to a second term.

6- beloved seminole heights photographer and lgbt historian Rex Maniscalco died in april.

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7- this smiling lady liberty was one of more than 80,000 in attendance at the seventh st. pete pride in that city’s grand central district.

8- Stuart Milk (right) and orlando discovered each other at come out With pride. the activist gave an inspiring speech, and has since become a regular visitor. orlando mayor Buddy Dyer also reinforced the city’s support for its lgbt community.

9- Alexis de la Mer attended the opening of hamburger mary’s in ybor city. the popular restaurant has been a lynchpin of the local lgbt community since.

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10- two years after suncoast resort closed, the flamingo resort opened in st. petersburg. bay area lgbts once again had a permanent pool party.

11- the Orlando Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence came out to raise funds for the center, which faced a daunting balloon payment on their mills/50 headquarters.

5 YEARS AGO

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history— one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2009.

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 22

Boom Boom Pow by the black eyed peas best selling album

HigHest rated tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Avatar

best PiCture OsCar

Out Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor balances work and home life FOCUS ON

FAMILY+PETS

Using Puppies as Prozac Tips for a healthy pet

AND

GAY MORMONS JUGGLE SEXUALITY AND RELIGION ALLEGED SKIPPER

MURDERER

GOES TO COURT

The Hurt Locker

Out Celebrites

Meredith baxter, Chaz bono, Chris Colfer, Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, Wanda Sykes, ricky Martin states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont

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ON THE COVER

mOst POPular sOng

Fearless by taylor Swift

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Kathy Castor’s warm, smiling face was like tonic to the city of tampa. Just eight years prior, the police department was reeling from the death of police officer lois marrero and the controversy surrounding the denial of pension benefits to her partner, micky mashburn. so the promotion of the popular—and out—castor was greeted with enthusiasm throughout the city. castor remained in the position for more than four years, and retired as one of the most respected police officers in the state.

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looKing bAcK GBt’S BloSSomed on

television in 2009. With its positive depictions of gays, Tom Dyer lesbians and transgendered persons, PUBLISHER Glee was a game-changer. So were Mitch and Cam on Modern Family. Neil Patrick Harris hosted the Tony Awards—and nailed it. And RuPaul’s Drag Race was a surprise hit.

There was important progress in the real world, too. The addition of Iowa and Vermont doubled the number of states where same-sex marriage is legal. The Matthew Shepard Act passed, finally, providing tougher penalties for federal hate crimes based on sexual orientation. The huge Equality March on Washington was the first in more than two decades.

But raids on gay bars in Dallas and Atlanta demonstrated that homophobia still exists.

Uganda took up legislation making homosexuality

watermark Your lgbt life.

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punishable by death.

In Tampa, out officer Jane Castor was appointed Chief of Police. Across the bay, Steve Kornell won election as St. Petersburg’s first gay city commissioner. But Commissioner Ken Shelin lost his bid for reelection in Sarasota.

St. Pete Pride attracted record numbers, remaining the biggest Pride event in the state. Just prior, NBC affiliate WFLA aired an American Family Association infomercial about the “evils of homosexuality,” sparking protests and an Equality

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Florida-led boycott. Winter Pride was canceled in Tampa, but Sarasota Pride continued to grow. Sarasota also celebrated the appointment of an openly gay rabbi at Temple Beth El. Both Dunedin and Tampa protected transgender city employees.

There was drama during Orlando’s Gay Days Weekend when party promoter Johnny Chisholm imploded due to unpaid debts. Couples seeking a marriage license were turned away at the Orange County Courthouse on Valentine’s Day. Come Out With Pride blossomed at Lake Eola. A protest at The Holy Land Experience fizzled.

Bear Bust split into two packs, and The Center eyed a looming balloon payment on their Mills/50 headquarters warily.

At Watermark, the tanking economy forced severe staff cuts.

I took over as editor until we promoted Steve Blanchard to the position. By the end of the year we’d hired our first online editor, Jamie Hyman.

2010

photo cAptions 1- for many, the high point of the 2010 Winter olympics in Vancouver was k.d. lang’s performance of “hallelujah” at the opening ceremonies.

2- many in the central florida softball league still mourn Tommy Martin, a popular—and very talented-— player who died in 2010.

3- 2010 ended on a high note when congress voted to repeal the 1993 ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ law that resulted in the removal of more than 13,500 lgbt service members.

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4- a breakout star from the first season of America’s Got Talent, Prince Poppycock performed to packed audiences at gbar and the honey pot in ybor city.

5- a rash of suicides led writer and blogger Dan Savage to create the ‘it gets better’ project. thousands posted youtube videos telling lgbt teens to ‘hang in there.’

6- Brian Humphries (center at coWp) was the high-profile face of mr. sisters, an unlikely and beautiful bar and restaurant on east colonial that survived for less than two years.

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7- Greg Louganis was grand marshal at the biggest-ever come out With pride. he’s pictured with city commissioner Patty Sheehan and coWp director David Baker-Hargrove, who stepped down from the position later in the year.

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8- Robert Geller, the former owner of bourbon st. boxers, used his entrepreneurial talent to create outings & adventures, a recreational group for lgbts in tampa bay.

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death of two loathsome laws: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and Florida’s ban on gay adoption. With Tom Dyer fleeting majorities in both the House PUBLISHER and Senate, Democrats voted to repeal DADT before the end of the year.

Supreme Court judges who ruled for marriage equality.

Jane Lynch won an Emmy for her memorable portrayal of the diabolical Sue Sylvester on Glee. And a gay JetBlue flight attendant became a folk hero when he stood up to an obnoxious passenger, grabbed a beer, deployed the emergency exit and slid out of the plane.

In Florida, mid-term elections were dominated by Gov. Charlie Crist, who chose to run for U.S. Senate. Marco Rubio bested him in the Republican primary, and Crist was then trounced running as an Independent.

With arm-twisting from

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10- Judge Vaughn Walker declared california’s prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. adding to the drama? Walker is gay.

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And in Florida, the path was cleared for adoption by gays and lesbians after Attorney General Bill McCollum opted not to appeal a court ruling. Maybe that’s because McCollum’s expert witness, George Reker, was busted vacationing with an escort from RentBoy.com.

New Hampshire and the District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage. And in California, Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling that the state’s Prop 8 ban was unconstitutional opened the possibility in the nation’s most populous state.

But in an ominous development, Iowa voters ousted three state

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9- When michael Vance stepped down at the center, interim director Randy Stephens revamped programs and rejuvenated the board and volunteer staff. he was appointed director, and left the position in July 2014.

ON THE COVER Commissioner Linda Stewart and others, Orange County voted to include sexual orientation in its human rights ordinance.

And after promising to enact domestic partner benefits and a registry, Republican Teresa Jacobs was elected County Mayor with LGBT support.

Greg Louganis helped draw record numbers to Come Out With Pride, and Gina Duncan and Mikael Audebert took over the reins. The Parliament House tangled with a foreclosure lawsuit and faced competition from Mr. Sisters—all without missing a disco beat. And Tyra Sanchez won the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Under the leadership of new director Chris Rudisill, St. Pete Pride approached 100,000 in attendance, but an August Pride on 7th event in Ybor City fell flat. Flamingo Resort regular Coco Montrese was crowned Miss Gay America in St. Louis.

And Sarasota filmmaker Tom Murray died.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2010.

VOLUME 15, ISSUE 24 TAMPA BAY EDITION

11- Paulo was one of the striking models for a calendar sponsored by trans*action in tampa bay.

4 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

TiK ToK by ke$ha

best selling album

Recovery by eminem

HigHest rated tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Toy Story 3

Soak Up This Year’s

WAVE-Worthy LIST OF WINNERS Midterm Election Recap:

What it means for LGBT equality

by 2010 the WaVes (Watermark awards for Variety and excellence) had become a coveted symbol of recognition by lgbt peers in orlando and tampa bay awards. We receive thousands of votes each year, and the results are often unexpected. this cover captures the joy and diversity of winners in tampa bay, including (l-r): mc film fest’s Carrie West and Mark Bias, entertainer Judy B. Goode, realtor Jenna Becker, massage therapist Roger Medrano, st. pete pride resident Chris Rudisill, physician Dr. Mike Hopkins and Keith Frye.

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best PiCture OsCar

The King’s Speech

Out Celebrites

Sarah Gilbert, Sean Hayes (officially), Amber Heard, Anna paquin, Chely Wright states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, District of Columbia, New Hampshire

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October 11, 2014 through January 18, 2015 Sponsored by

On view through September 28 Jamie Wyeth, Nureyev – Don Quixote (detail), 2001, combined mediums Collection Brandywine River Museum of Art. Purchase made possible by the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, the Roemer Foundation, the Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge Foundation of PA I, Inc., and an anonymous donor, 2006

Exhibition is concurrent with Nureyev’s Eyes by David Rush at American Stage Theatre, October 15 through October 26, 2014

Ernest Hallen (American, 1875–1947), Gatun Upper Locks (1912), gelatin silver print Gift of Dr. Robert L. and Chitranee Drapkin from the Ludmila Dandrew and Chitranee Drapkin Collection

Suzanne Camp Crosby Where Do Babies Come From, #2 from Cabbage Patch Series, 1986 Ilfochrome print, Gift of William Knight Zewadski 2001.25.1

255 BEACH DRIVE NE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701 | 727.896.2667 | www.fine-arts.org

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watermark Your lgbt life.

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photo cAptions 1- hyperkinetic performer and philanthropist John “Tweeka” Barber died on oct. 17 of a rare cancer. he was mourned by hundreds, including orlando mayor buddy dyer, at a funeral in Winter garden.

2011

2- With backing from mayor buddy dyer, orlando enacted a domestic partner registry at the end of the year. Mary Meeks (right), who helped draft the ordinance, and wife Vicki Nantz were among the first to register.

3- new york wasn’t the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, but it was by far the most populous. With strong backing from gov. andrew cuomo, the measure narrowly passed the state legislature.

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4- tampa elected an equally lgbt-supportive mayor to succeed pam iorio. Bob Buckhorn made high profile appearances at numerous lgbt events, including the tampa international gay and lesbian film festival.

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5- after violent thunderstorms forced the cancellation of come out With pride in october, organizers rescheduled it for november and drew 50,000 to lake eola park for a first-time-ever fireworks display.

6- mt. dora high school teacher of the year Jerry Buell used facebook to share that same-sex marriage is a “cesspool” that made him want to “vomit.” it ignited a controversy, and buell was suspended.

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7- largo elected its first openly gay city commissioner. Michael Smith won 54 percent of the vote, defeating an incumbent who made his sexuality an issue.

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8- penned by South Park creators trey parker and matt stone, The Book of Mormon was the biggest hit on broadway. Andrew Rannells starred as the plucky elder price.

9- it was a big year for Jane Lynch. the out actress played hysterically evil sue sylvester on Glee and hosted the emmy awards. and along with wife lara embry from sarasota, she raised $15,000 for palmetto high school.

10- equality florida executive director Nadine Smith was appointed to president Barack Obama’s re-election campaign committee.

11- Chaz Bono used his appearance on Dancing With the Stars as a platform for transgender awareness. paired with Lacey Schwimmer, bono survived well into the competition—often with mom cher watching.

3 YEARS AGO

ON THE COVER In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history— one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2011.

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 9

mOst POPular sOng

Rolling in the Deep by Adele best selling album

21 by Adele

HigHest rated tv sHOw

American Idol

HigHest grOssing film

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 best PiCture OsCar

FOCUS ON

Travel

Kylie Minogue

Gay Cruises Keep Growing

brings her gay appeal to Florida

Houston’s Solution for LGBT Travel Destination Prides

Mission: Transition Gina Duncan’s biggest and best project was herself

The Artist

Out Celebrities

Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Guillermo Diaz (Scandal), Don Lemon (CNN anchor) states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, District of Columbia

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by 2011, Gina Duncan was a prominent force in orlando’s lgbt community. the former bank executive brought an unprecedented professionalism to civic involvement. as president of the metropolitan business association, she expanded the organization’s mission and nurtured the growth of come out With pride. but she had never told the touching, inspiring story of her transition from man to woman until she talked with liz langley for this cover feature for issue 18.09. the photo is by mkphotographystudios.

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same-sex marriage went big-time when New York Tom Dyer became the sixth state to embrace PUBLISHER full equality.

The nation celebrated, and scores of locals traveled to the Big Apple to tie the knot.

President Obama instructed the justice department to cease enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act. But rightwing Republican presidential candidates like Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachman and Newt Gingrich pledged to fight marriage equality if elected.

Tampa elected Bob Buckhorn to succeed Mayor Pam Iorio, ensuring that the area’s biggest city would remain LGBTfriendly. Largo elected Michael Smith as its first openly gay city commissioner. In St. Petersburg, out commissioner Steve Kornell retained his seat without opposition. And Equality Florida

watermark Your lgbt life.

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raised record funds, with events in Tampa Bay and Orlando each bringing in more than $100,000.

Hillsborough activists were outraged when homophobic Terry Kemple was appointed to the County Human Rights Board. The Metro Center opened impressive new headquarters in St. Pete and Ybor City. Streetcar Charlie’s, a groundbreaking GaYbor restaurant and bar, closed amidst allegations of financial improprieties. St. Pete Pride attracted 85,000, but mourned the death of cofounder Carl Kuttler. AIDS Walk St. Pete raised a whopping $155,000. And Sarasota Pride drew 4,000.

Orlando enacted a groundbreaking Domestic

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Partner Registry that would serve as the model for dozens more around the state.

Orange County declined, setting the stage for drama in 2012. Use of social media by teachers became a hot topic nationwide when Mt. Dora High School teacher Jerry Buell used Facebook to share that same-sex marriage made him want to “vomit.”

Locals organized Out & Proud Veterans of America and marched in the city’s Veteran’s Day Parade. And when a violent thunderstorm forced cancelation of COWP, organizers got everybody to return to Lake Eola Park a month later.

With fireworks and cooler weather, many called it the best COWP ever.

Lady Gaga released “Born This Way,” a timeless LGBT anthem. And with more than three million views on YouTube, uber-gay narrator Randall taught us that “the honey badger doesn’t give a shit.”

2012

photo cAptions 1- after a decisive primary and strong campaign, Joe Saunders became one of the two first openly gay members of florida’s legislature.

2- in its 21st year, gay days Weekend remained a draw for tens of thousands. these two hit the magic kingdom.

3- former state democratic party chair Bob Poe returned to orlando—but this time as an out activist. pictured (l-r) with President Obama, daughter Ginni Poe and partner Ken Brown, poe was our most remarkable person of 2012 for orlando.

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4- When chick-fil-a president dan cathy endorsed a “biblical definition” of family, lgbt activists nationwide protested franchise locations.

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5- in its third year, asap’s santa speedo run in ybor city drew big crowds.

6- board member Scott Bowman (left) and executive director Dexter Foxworth joined city commissioner Patty Sheehan to celebrate the opening of Zebra house.

7- Joined by tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn, Mark Bias (left) and Carrie West were among the first couples to take advantage of the city’s domestic partner registry.

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8- florida entertainment group’s Stephen Moss (pictured with erasure’s Andy Bell) locked horns with el gancho circuit party in a turf war that was mediated by the gaybor coalition.

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9- in its 10th year, st. pete pride easily cracked 100,000 in attendance.

10- the center executive director Randy Stephens and activist Mary Meeks helped couples utilize orange county’s domestic partner registry, enacted in may.

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n 2012, PreSident

Barack Obama endorsed marriage equality. A couple months later he was elected to a second term, ensuring Tom Dyer an LGBT-friendly administration for PUBLISHER another four years.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also came out for marriage equality. And for the first time, marriage equality was enacted by ballot in three states—Maine, Maryland and Washington. Wisconsin made Tammy Baldwin the first openly gay U.S. senator in the nation’s history.

After Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy announced his support of the “biblical definition” of family, protests erupted throughout the nation, including at franchises in Tampa Bay and Orlando.

The Boy Scouts affirmed their ban on “open or avowed homosexuals.” The Supreme

Court quietly announced that it would consider two groundbreaking gay marriage cases from California and New York. And 23 out athletes won 10 medals at the Summer Olympics in London.

After mounting an impressive campaign in newly created House District 49 near UCF, Joe Saunders joined David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) as the first openly gay members of Florida’s Legislature. Elsewhere throughout the state, domestic partner registries were enacted in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport and Sarasota.

After delays and drama, a

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ON THE COVER DPR was enacted in Orange County. The process thrust Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs into an uncomfortable political position. Zebra House opened in the Mills/50 District, giving local LGBT youth a safe haven. The Orange County School Board voted to include gender expression in its nondiscrimination policy. Gay Days Weekend continued to attract huge numbers to Orlando, and to sold out GayDayS.com hotels. And Come Out With Pride continued to grow, both in numbers and events.

Politicians descended on Tampa for the Republican National Convention. Security was sobering but businesses prospered, including gay venues in Ybor City. In its 10th year, St. Pete Pride brought in Deborah Cox and cracked 100,000 in attendance. It marked the last year for popular executive director Chris Rudisill, who went to work for Metro Wellness and Community Centers.

watermark Your lgbt life.

In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2012.

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 16 DAYTONA BEACH • ORLANDO • TAMPA • ST. PETERSBURG • SARASOTA • ISSUE 19.16 • AUG. 2 - AUG. 15, 2012 • WATERMARKONLINE.COM

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11- after losing his leg in a motorcycle accident, Bill Kanouff learned to walk again. the activist, entrepreneur, volunteer and pride organizer was our most remarkable person of 2012 for tampa bay.

2 YEARS AGO mOst POPular sOng

Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra

best selling album

21 by Adele

HigHest rated tv sHOw

NBC Sunday Night Football

HigHest grOssing film

The Avengers

Our Aug. 14

Primary voter’s guide Plus:

That

Defining our lesbian Florida’s oldest

lesbian Area women show off their sense of style

look

this cover of beautiful—and out—orlando public relations executive aleesha kerri was an in-your-face rebuke of florida’s lt. governor. after rumors about her sexuality surfaced, Jennifer carroll made the ridiculous claim that “women who engage in those relationships don’t look like me.” carroll later apologized, then resigned, then faded into obscurity. our photo spread inside issue 19.16 featured nine local lesbians—all knockouts.

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best PiCture OsCar

Argo

Out Celebrities

Jim parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Matt bomer (White Collar), Sam Champion (Good Morning America), Anderson Cooper, Frank Ocean states witH marriage equality

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Maine, Maryland, District of Columbia

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photo cAptions 1- When Bayli Silberstein’s application to form a gay straight alliance was turned down by her leesburg middle school, the aclu got involved. a court finally ordered the school to sanction the gsa.

2013

2- den leader Jennifer Tyrell hugs Pascal Tessier, a 17-year-old eagle scout, after the boy scouts of america announced that it would accept gay scouts, but not gay adult scout leaders.

3- Edie Windsor became an lgbt icon when her lawsuit against the government led to the dismantling of the defense of marriage act (doma).

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4- come out With pride drew a recordbreaking 120,000 to downtown orlando.

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5- When Amy Foster (left) and Darden Rice won election to the st. petersburg city council, they joined Steve Kornell to create an openly gay contingent of three on the eight-person body. foster, kornell and rice were our most remarkable people of 2013 for tampa bay.

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6- brooklyn nets center Jason Collins became the first active nba player to come out.

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7- popular drag performer “Miss Wanda” was shot and killed during an east tampa home invasion in may.

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8- the headdress ball raised more than $500,000 for orlando’s hope and help center, celeberating its 25th year.

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9- eighteen-year-old indian river county resident Katlyn Hunt was arrested for having sexual relations with her 14-year-old girlfriend.

10- in June, exodus international founder and president Alan Chambers apologized for practicing ‘conversion’ therapy at the orlando-based ex-gay ministry.

11- metropolitan business association president Mikael Audebert was our most remarkable person of 2013 for orlando.

1 YEAR AGO mOst POPular sOng

Thrift Shop by Macklemore and ryan Lewis

best selling album

The 20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake

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3

ON THE COVER In honor of Watermark’s anniversary, publisher Tom Dyer looked back at 20 years in local and national LGbT history—one remarkable year at a time. This is one of his favorite covers from 2013.

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3

HigHest rated tv sHOw

NCIS

HigHest grOssing film

Iron Man 3

best PiCture OsCar

12 Years a Slave

Out Celebrities

brian boitano (Olympic skater), Jason Collins (NbA player), Clive Davis (Sony Music CeO), Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs) states witH marriage equality

15, including in 2013: Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, rhode Island, utah

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this cover summed it up after the hillsborough county commission went against the grain and voted down a domestic partner registry in January. the 4-3 voted galvanized local lgbt activists who vowed to work to defeat ken hagan, al higgenbotham, sandra murman and Victor crist. pinellas, orange and Volusia counties have recently created registries. “people look at us and say, ‘What is wrong with hillsborough county?” said commissioner les miller.

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landmark in LGBT history. That’s when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense Of Marriage Tom Dyer Act (DOMA), which denied federal PUBLISHER benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

watermark Your lgbt life.

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looKing bAcK

une 26, 2013, wAS A

The case, based on New Yorker Edie Windsor’s fight to be treated as a widow for estate tax purposes, is now the basis for the legal dismantling of marriage bans throughout the nation, including Florida.

In another case, the Supreme Court sidestepped a direct ruling on marriage equality, but let stand a court decision legalizing marriage in California.

In all, eight new states began allowing same-sex marriages in 2013, bringing the total to 15 and the District of Columbia.

Across the pond, both England and France legalized same-sex marriage. Down under, Australia’s High Court

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ruled against marriage equality.

And India made homosexual acts criminal again.

In Republican-controlled Tallahassee, the Competitive Workforce Act and a statewide domestic partner registry failed to make it out of committee, despite valiant efforts by Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) and others. And Sen. Marco Rubio reinforced his anti-gay cred by blocking appointment of an openly gay judge to a federal bench. New polling indicated that 75 percent of Floridians now favor marriage equality— including Sen. Bill Nelson and former Gov. Charlie Crist.

It was one step forward, two

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // ISSue 21.19

steps back for the Hillsborough County Commission in 2013.

In January, they rejected a domestic partner registry by a 4-3 vote, leading to protests throughout the region. But in June, they repealed an ordinance banning public displays of LGBT pride. Pinellas, on the other hand, approved a countywide DPR and elected a second and third openly gay city commissioner in St. Pete.

And despite thunderstorms, St. Pete Pride drew 120,000 to the nearby Grand Central District.

In Orlando, Come Out With Pride also drew 120,000 to Lake Eola Park in October.

Dallas Buyers Club became a sensation when both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto won Oscars for portraying edgy AIDS sufferers. Kinky Boots, penned by Harvey Fierstein with music by Cyndi Lauper, was the Tony-winning toast of Broadway. And to absolutely no one’s surprise, Jodie Foster and Brian Boitano came out.

watermark Your lgbt life.

Sep t emb er 11 - Sep t emb er 24 , 2014 // Issue 21.19

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